Masagos Zulkifli B M M
Singapore
“Coordination between Early Intervention (EI) centres, families and preschools is important for the continuity of support for children with developmental needs.”
“The Taxi Subsidy Scheme supports persons with disabilities (PwDs) who are unable to take public transport, by providing means-tested subsidies to offset the cost of taxi travel to school, work and employment-related training supported by SG Enable.”
“The Skills and Salary Guidelines published by the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) guides social service agencies (SSAs) to pay their employees fair and competitive remuneration and maintain the sector's attractiveness. The Guidelines are adjusted so that salaries remain competitive with comparable roles in competing markets.”
“Staff turnover rates vary across social service agencies (SSAs). An individual's decision to leave an organisation is influenced by a myriad of factors, of which pay is only one.”
“Beyond the requirement of a structured daily programme, community-based SCFA administrators have the flexibility to offer programmes and additional enrichment activities that meet the needs of their students. MSF does not track staff salaries and turnover of SCCs in general nor those that administer SCFA.”
“Male preschool educators comprised about 1% of the early childhood workforce in each of the last five years. The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) has not issued guidelines pertaining to the rules set by preschool centres specific to the conduct of male preschool educators.”
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“The ongoing study includes a survey of the entire e-waste collection and recycling value chain, including treatment and disposal. In addition, consultations were conducted in October and November 2016 to seek industry's views on elements of an e-waste management framework. The results from the study and industry consultations are expected to be released this year.”
“Electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) is a key waste stream in Singapore. Approximately 60,000 tonnes of e-waste is generated in Singapore each year. E-waste contains valuable and scarce materials, but also small amounts of hazardous substances, such as mercury and cadmium. The release of such substances into the environment may pose pollution and health problems. To encourage environmentally sound management of e-waste, my Ministry supports voluntary recycling programmes, such as REcycling Nation's Electronic Waste (RENEW), which is led by Starhub, DHL and recycler TES-AMM. Under this programme, consumers can place their e-waste in bright green e-waste recycling bins which are conveniently located in shopping malls and commercial buildings. The e-waste will then be collected by DHL and delivered to TES-AMM. RENEW, which is an expansion and replacement of its predecessor StarHub E-waste Recycling Programme, now covers almost 280 locations around Singapore. Since 2012, these programmes have collected and recycled about 110 tonnes of e-waste. Businesses that want to recycle their e-waste, can participate in the HP Planet Partners Programme or Dell Recycling Programme. The e-waste collected is sent to e-waste recycling facilities, which are subjected to pollution control requirements. As the amount of e-waste generated in Singapore is likely to increase as technological advancement leads to faster product replacement, my Ministry has been exploring options for a comprehensive nationwide system for the collection, disposal and recycling of e-waste. The National Environment Agency (NEA) commissioned a study in March 2016 to develop possible options for an e-waste management system.”
“While food redistribution is one step towards reducing food waste, we should move upstream to avoid generating food waste in the first place. NEA has developed a food wastage reduction guide for households with a wide range of useful tips on how to reduce food wastage, such as planning food purchases to avoid having to throw out expired food items that are not consumed. To raise awareness and minimise food wastage in the community, my Ministry works with the Community Development Councils (CDCs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). For example, NEA has partnered the South East District on the "Eco-Kepalas @ South East Organisations" programme and North East District on the "I Love My Food" initiative to encourage households to reduce food wastage.”
“My Ministry works closely with schools to raise awareness on the importance of reducing food wastage. The National Environment Agency (NEA) supports schools by providing educational resources, such as posters, videos and presentation materials, on food waste reduction. Later this year, the National Environment Agency (NEA) will implement a two-year food waste reduction and recycling project for schools. Under this project which will involve 10 schools, emphasis will first be placed on reducing the amount of food waste produced and then on recycling the remaining food waste using onsite food waste recycling machines. There will be assembly talks on managing food waste in participating schools and training will also be provided on the proper segregation of food waste for recycling to the schools' staff, students and canteen stallholders. In addition, they will host learning journeys for neighbouring schools and their community partners to share about their food waste reduction and recycling efforts. Apart from raising awareness about food wastage, the project will demonstrate the benefits of proper food waste management to other schools and encourage them to set up similar systems. Currently, food redistribution organisations, such as The Food Bank Singapore, Food from the Heart and Fei Yue Community Services, accept donations of excess food items from households. For example, The Food Bank Singapore currently has 15 collection points for households to drop off their food items. As these organisations are located within the communities, they are able to channel food efficiently to those in need. My Ministry will continue to support these organisations' efforts on food redistribution and encourage companies and households to donate their excess food to them.”
“Source reduction, or eliminating potential mosquito breeding habits, remains the most effective method to reduce the mosquito population. Nonetheless, fogging may still be required as a complementary approach when there is urgency to reduce a large mosquito population, such as in areas with active dengue transmissions. In such instances, repeated rounds of fogging may be necessary while concurrent efforts are made to remove the breeding habitats. The National Environment Agency (NEA) provides guidance on fogging practices to pest control operators (PCOs) to ensure that fogging is carried out properly. PCOs are also required to do a site assessment to ascertain the need to carry out such treatment and have to notify NEA before proceeding with each fogging operation. NEA does not impose any cap on the number of fogging operations that can be carried out in a particular location as such operations need to be calibrated according to the ground conditions, such as the mosquito population, which could be fairly dynamic in nature. If there are excessive fogging operations, NEA would engage the premises managers and PCOs to adjust the fogging operations. We cannot rely only on fogging to keep the mosquito population low. Everyone has to play his part in keeping the mosquito population in check by practising the "5-step Mozzie Wipeout" and removing any potential breeding habitats.”
“The indiscriminate disposal of cigarette butts from one’s residential unit is an anti-social act which also poses a potential fire hazard if the cigarette butt is still lit when it is dropped. When such feedback is received, the National Environment Agency (NEA) will first work with the respective Town Councils and grassroots organisations to conduct outreach efforts to residents to advise them against carrying out such inconsiderate acts. NEA will deploy surveillance cameras if the situation does not improve, and enforcement action will be taken against any persons caught littering. My Ministry encourages all smokers to play their part by practising social graciousness and disposing of their cigarette butts and ashes in a responsible manner, so that everyone can enjoy a clean and safe environment.”
“The flash flood at Upper Thomson Road on 24 December 2016 was due to localised constriction at a temporary diversion drain built by the contractor, Sato Kogyo, and this affected the public drainage system. The temporary diversion constructed by the contractor within the worksite was under-sized. More importantly, it did not inform PUB before commencement of works. The public drainage system across Upper Thomson Road was also found to be altered by the contractor without PUB's approval. PUB, therefore, will be taking action against the contractor.”
“For the Paya Lebar flood on 24 December 2016, it was caused by intense rain which overwhelmed the upstream section of the Geylang River, thereby causing low-lying areas to flood. Drainage improvement works have been ongoing in Geylang River. The expected completion of the drainage upgrading works is in the third-quarter of 2018. The flood protection to Paya Lebar areas will be enhanced then. On the action against the contractor, we are taking steps right now to put up the charges. We will be investigating and putting up the charges when we are ready.”
“Through concerted efforts, we can minimise flood risks and better manage flood events.”
“Localised conditions, exceptionally heavy downpour, tides and errant behaviour all contribute to flash floods now and then. As such, our focus is also to help members of the public better manage floods when they occur. To this end, PUB has put in place monitoring and alert systems to keep the public updated, through a network of water level sensors and CCTVs. Members of the public can subscribe to receive SMS alerts from selected water level sensors via PUB's website. These sensors are placed in flood-prone areas and hotspots, and could provide the public with early information on the rising water levels in drains in selected flood-prone areas. In the event of a flash flood, PUB works closely with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and the Police to monitor road conditions and provide real-time updates on PUB's Facebook and Twitter pages and via radio broadcast, as well as LTA's Expressway Monitoring Advisory System (EMAS) on the roads. Our stormwater management strategies have served us well. Despite increased urbanisation and more variable weather, flood-prone areas have been reduced from 3,200 hectares in the 1970s to 30.5 hectares today. PUB will continue its efforts to reduce flood-prone areas and ensure the proper functioning of the drainage system. However, measures, such as drain upgrading, canals and centralised detention tanks, take time to implement and may not be able to cope with all extremities in rainfall. As such, I urge all parties to play a part in ensuring that our drains are free-flowing, and to appreciate the importance of source and receptor requirements in their developments. Finally, we need to work together to manage floods when they occur through better and more extensive alerts.”
“PUB works closely with the National Environment Agency’s (NEA) Department of Public Cleanliness to regularly remove debris, litter and leaves from the drains. It also encourages the public to keep our environment litter-free and give feedback on drain conditions. In reply to Mr Ang Wei Neng's question, PUB does indeed work with the major development agencies to get their contractors to conduct checks on the public drains near their construction sites to ensure that the drains are free of debris. This is supplemented by PUB's audit checks on approved drainage works on site. During critical stages, such as drainage diversion works and decommissioning of existing drains, more frequent checks are carried out. PUB also leverages on technology, for example, closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras, to facilitate the monitoring of work sites. Mr Ang mentioned the recent flash floods, of which one recent occurrence is at Upper Thomson Road. PUB has investigated and found out that it was due to unauthorised work, which affected our public drainage system. PUB takes a serious view of such unauthorised works and will not hesitate to take action against errant parties under the Sewerage and Drainage Act. Any person found guilty may be fined up to $50,000 for unauthorised works affecting the public drainage system and up to $20,000 for unauthorised alteration or interference to the public drainage system. Such penalties and reputational damage, as well as being liable for civil penalties if they cause third-party damage, have been sufficient and effective in the past, and PUB will continue to review the amounts from time to time. While PUB continues with efforts to reduce flood risks, we should be realistic to note that it is not possible to eliminate floods altogether.”
“Thank you. Over the past few decades, we are observing upward trends in rainfall intensities and frequency of heavy rain events. This, coupled with growing urbanisation which increases stormwater run-off, has made flood management more challenging. To reduce flood risk, the Public Utilities Board (PUB) adopts a holistic "source-pathway-receptor" approach that addresses flood protection, not just through drains and canals, that is, the pathway; but also in areas generating stormwater run-off, that is, the source; and areas where floods may occur, that is, the receptor. First, the pathways. Since 2011, PUB has raised drainage design standards for new developments and redevelopments, which would increase their drainage systems' capacity by up to 50%. PUB has also been carrying out improvement works to progressively increase the capacity of existing drains and canals and rehabilitate older drains. In the last three years, drainage improvement works at 192 locations have been completed and there are ongoing projects at 90 other locations. Given land scarcity, we cannot rely solely on more and bigger drains to mitigate floods. As such, PUB also requires developers to implement "source" solutions to better manage storm-water discharges from developments. These include on-site detention measures for larger developments. In addition, PUB also requires "receptor" solutions, such as higher platform levels, crest protection and flood barriers, especially for critical installations. These help to protect developments when floods occur. Keeping our drains free flowing is the joint responsibility of all stakeholders, be they public agencies, private developers and contractors, and members of the public.”
“Mdm Speaker, can I take Question Nos 14 and 15 together, please?”
“Progress has been encouraging, especially in areas, such as Redhill Close, Clementi Avenue 3, Bedok Central and Bangkit Road, where the number of burrows has fallen by more than 30% since coordination efforts began. Beyond these efforts, NEA also regularly inspects retail food establishments for signs of rodent infestation and conducted more than 137,000 inspections last year. Retail food establishments that fail to keep their premises free of rodent infestation could have their licences suspended or revoked. NEA also inspects shopping malls and requires the operators of such premises to put in place rodent control programmes and proper waste management practices. NEA will not hesitate to take enforcement action against any premises owners for any public health lapses that lead to rodent infestation. NEA has also been studying how the rodent problem is tackled in other countries and will continue to evaluate our programmes and adopt relevant measures in our local context, where feasible. While NEA continues to keep up the surveillance and control of the rodent population in Singapore, it is the responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure a good system of housekeeping, refuse management and routine pest control checks and treatment to keep the rodent population under control. For example, all home owners and retail food establishments should bag their food waste properly to minimise access by rodents and reduce the contamination of recyclable waste.”
“Since 2011, the National Environment Agency (NEA) has been carrying out regular inspections of public areas to identify potential food sources and harbourages for rodents, as well as rodent burrowing activities. Some 32,000 burrows were detected in the first 10 months of 2016, a 12.5% decrease over the same period in 2015. Around 90% of these burrows were found in housing estates managed by the Town Councils (TCs), mostly near bin chutes and bin centres. With numerous such facilities located in housing estates, rodent control remains a challenge for many TCs, especially in areas where individual stakeholders fail to adopt proper food storage and waste management practices, resulting in ample food sources for rodents. To tackle this situation, NEA has been working with the TCs to implement the Rat Attack Programme, to proactively take steps to reduce the rodent population in their housing estates. Last year, NEA calibrated the programme further to provide TCs with the flexibility to tailor specific rat control efforts according to the rodent situation in their respective housing estates. For instance, TCs can choose to adopt a combination of rodent control methods, such as population culling or burrow treatment. So far, 15 TCs have come on board the programme. In some areas, actions by one party to destroy rodent burrows may displace the rodents to another location. NEA has, therefore, taken steps to strengthen the coordination among multiple stakeholders by facilitating the formation of Rat Coordination Task Forces. These working groups, which also include the TCs, facilitate the coordination of rodent control plans amongst the various stakeholders and help ensure that all parties play their part.”
“We will continue to improve our policies as well as test new technologies, such as smart homes, smart grids, zero-energy buildings and electric vehicles. Although we do not provide incentives or subsidies for energy, we have introduced regulatory enhancements to facilitate the entry of renewable energy, such as solar energy, across all sectors, including private residences. Lastly, we are working to further increase public awareness and participation in conserving energy.”
“Since 2005, the Government has been driving the adoption of energy-efficient design and solutions towards more environmentally sustainable buildings. To date, there are more than 2,800 green building projects in Singapore translating to about one-third of the total building stock. Our target is to have 80% of all buildings green by 2030. The Government will also lead by example to attain relevant Green Mark ratings for all large and mid-sized public sector buildings by financial year 2020. For households, since the introduction of the Mandatory Energy Labelling Scheme and the Minimum Energy Performance Standards in 2008 and 2011 respectively, we have seen improvements in the energy efficiency of household appliances that contribute to a significant share of the household electricity bill, such as air-conditioners and refrigerators. These efficiency improvements will translate to annual energy savings of more than $100 million for households. Going forward, we will be including more appliances under these initiatives. The Member has also asked about street lighting. Singapore follows international guidelines for street lighting. For the safety of all road users, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) will not be switching off street lights on our roads between midnight and 5.00 am. However, LTA will be switching to Light Emitting Diode street lights, which consume 25% less energy than regular street lights. Notwithstanding this, there is clearly room for us to do more. Singapore is an alternative energy disadvantaged country. That is why improving our energy efficiency is a key strategy to achieving our pledge at the Paris Agreement.”
“Our annual energy demand grew from 38,300 Gigawatt hour (GWh) in 2005 to 50,300 GWh in 2015, representing a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.8%. Over the next decade, energy demand is expected to grow at a slower rate, with a projected CAGR of about 1.2% – 1.8%. This is due to factors, such as lower projected growth rates for gross domestic product and population. Singapore has adopted a liberalised market environment which encourages efficiency and competition. We do not subsidise energy and rely on price signals from the wholesale electricity market. Based on current projections, there is sufficient supply to meet electricity demand for the next 10 years. Nonetheless, the Government has taken steps to improve our energy security, competitiveness and sustainability. For example, we built the liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal to diversify our energy sources and we are pushing for greater adoption of solar energy. The Member has also asked whether our green initiatives have helped to reduce our energy consumption. Yes, it has. Let me give a few examples. The industrial sector is the largest energy user in Singapore, accounting for 67% of total energy consumption in 2014. The Government uses both incentives and regulations to improve energy efficiency amongst companies. So far, 60 projects have been approved under the Grant for Energy Efficiency Technologies (GREET) scheme. These projects are expected to yield energy savings of S$726 million. We also introduced the Energy Conservation Act in 2012 requiring energy-intensive facilities to put in place energy management practices. Another energy-intensive sector is the building sector.”
“NEA also partnered the North East Community Development Council (CDC) to launch the I Love My Food @ North East initiative in November last year. My Ministry welcomes more stakeholders to come on board to undertake food waste reduction initiatives in the community. We are also studying the experiences of others closely, while being mindful of our local context. For example, households in Taipei segregate their food waste from other household waste before disposal. Some states in Australia have turned to technological solutions instead, such as in-sink grinders for food waste. We will monitor these best practices overseas and hope to seek the support of Members to partner us in these efforts. Together, I hope that we can gradually change the attitudes and habits of households to reduce food waste.”
“To promote food redistribution, guidelines on the proper handling and redistribution of unsold and excess food have also been incorporated. People sector organisations, such as Food Bank Singapore and Food from the Heart, also play an important role to redistribute food to those in need. My Ministry is experimenting with different models to implement onsite food waste treatment to reduce the road traffic created to transport food waste to our waste disposal facilities. Food waste is treated onsite at the hawker centres at Block 628 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4 and Tiong Bahru. We have taken this one step further at Our Tampines Hub, where up to 1.4 tonnes of food waste generated from the hawker centre and food and beverage outlets can be recycled each day into non-potable water and fertilizer. NEA has also supported the installation of on-site food waste treatment systems at 19 premises under its 3R Fund, including Resorts World Sentosa, Mandarin Orchard and Amara Hotel. We are also experimenting with district-level food waste treatment. Since last month, our partners, comprising selected army camps, schools and food centres, have been segregating their food waste at source. This food waste is then sent to a demonstration facility located at the Ulu Pandan Water Reclamation Plant for co-digestion with used water sludge to produce biogas. Households are major contributors of food waste in Singapore. NEA launched a public education campaign in 2015 to increase awareness of the food waste situation and promote ways to reduce food wastage. These include tips on planning food purchases, food storage and food preparation habits to help consumers minimise food wastage while saving money.”
“Food waste is a concern to my Ministry. When we throw away food, we waste the resources used in its production and expand manpower and resources for waste collection and cleaning. Food waste, when not properly managed, causes odour and pest issues. It also contaminates recyclable materials when they are mixed. Besides the environmental impact, wasting food is a waste of money. The amount of food waste in Singapore has increased by about 50% over the past 10 years. Households generate around half of the food waste, with the other half generated by sources, such as food manufacturers, hotels, shopping malls and hawker centres. We can expect the amount of food waste to rise further as population size, incomes and economic activities increase. Unfortunately, there is no easy solution to this problem. My Ministry believes that a multi-pronged approach should be adopted to combat food waste. This starts with avoiding, where possible, excess food production. Where this is not possible, we encourage the redistribution of excess food. Lastly, we encourage food waste to be segregated for recycling and treatment. Food waste segregation is an important step that reduces the likelihood of recyclable contamination and enhances the effectiveness of our recycling efforts. My Ministry works closely with other Government agencies and private sector partners to combat food waste in the non-household sector. In October 2016, the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) launched a food waste minimisation guidebook for food retail establishments, with the aim of sharing good practices, such as smart planning and inventory management, to avoid food waste and save costs.”
“But I saw an article in The New York Times by Imbolo Mbue, who is the author of the novel "Behold the Dreamers". She migrated from Cameroon and became an US citizen years ago. And she wrote, "I've seen the best of America during my time here. When I was considering dropping out of graduate school because of financial constraints, an American professor helped me get a scholarship so I could complete my master's degree. Twice, I had an American co-worker give me hand-me-downs because I couldn't afford to buy clothes. An American employer once said to me, at a time when I was questioning who I was, 'You are a breath of fresh air'. Being black, female and an immigrant – and for a good portion of my life here, low-income, too – I've weathered my share of prejudice. But the empathy Americans have shown me far outweighs the unkindness. That is why on Election Day, I'll be voting for empathy." Yesterday, too, I felt a poignant moment when the Prime Minister said, "As Minister Yaacob Ibrahim observed yesterday, this would be our first Malay Elected President after more than 46 years, since our first President Encik Yusof Ishak." And the Prime Minister finished with, "I look forward to this." There was spontaneous applause from my colleagues – Chinese and minorities alike. I felt generosity. I felt empathy. That is why, for this amendment Bill, I, too, am voting for empathy. [Applause.]”
“We need this sense of belonging and an inclusive society to be pervasive even while the Muslim communities fortify their strength within to repel this threat. It is this sense of belonging that motivates Muslim leaders in Singapore to stand ready to come forward to defuse conflicts, and not exploit them nor goad the community to extremism or terrorism. In no small measure, too, it is this sense of belonging that the community has responded to reject extremism and terrorism. Mdm Speaker, I am grateful that we in Singapore, continue to tend to our racial harmony with great care and concern. The amendment of the Constitution to ensure all ethnic groups a chance at becoming an Elected President will be remembered as a prudent foresight of the Government and a great generosity of the majority. In the passing of this amendment, I see a continued effort at acknowledging the aspirations, quiet aspirations, of my community and all the minorities, and thus, see a commitment to our multiracial and multi-religious compact. My community and I appreciate this. At the end of the day, racial inclusiveness and harmony is up to us – you and me. Our diversity will only become our strength, if we consciously ensure that the generosity to be inclusive are ingrained into the fabric of our society. It has to be embodied in our thoughts and actions. This responsibility cannot rest on the Government alone, nor can it be just a top-down approach. Everyone needs to play a part in this to integrate, to embrace, to understand and adapt. This sense of inclusiveness in Singapore is unique, and we need to continue working hard to preserve this. Yesterday, the Americans voted. I do not know what the outcome is yet.”
“But what is more interesting is that individuals from minority groups from countries so far away have also joined this war. The Soufan Group estimates 27,000 foreign fighters at the end of 2015. Why that many? I heard former US Undersecretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Jane Lute, said, "They came from everywhere because they belonged to nowhere". There is at least a battalion of Uighur and Chechen fighters within ISIS. BBC reported, "It's the general colonial attitude of the Han Chinese officials to Uighurs that generate huge resentment." In the end, there were violent clashes between the Muslim Uighurs and Han Chinese in Xinjiang, China, such as that in 2014 as a result of the radicalisation of the Uighurs. In Chechnya, what started out as a nationalist uprising in Russia's north Caucasus region in the 1990s was met by a brutal clampdown which, in turn, spawned a violent Islamist movement. Chechnyan and Uighur militants spilled their fight into Syria hoping they can feel they belong and can call it home. Thus, today, we see that the rejection or sense of rejection of a minority group in the community, or the use of force to make them conform to the majority, has not only caused a loss in the sense of belonging but often resulted in dire consequences, with some of the oppressed turning towards violence and terrorism. Even Singapore is not immune to the growing threat of terrorism. The Government has arrested a dozen Singaporeans, most of whom were self-radicalised. Several intended to go to the Middle East to join ISIS, and a few were planning to mount attacks in Singapore. The threat is real, and our best measure in tackling terrorism is to strengthen the sense of belonging of the minorities and, in today's context, of the Muslims and Malays in Singapore.”
“In any process of integration, minorities will always want to see and sense the sincerity of the majority or dominant group in the effort to create an inclusive society; and this is no different in Singapore. It is the genuine acceptance of minorities that will create a sense of togetherness. This will form the third pillar of racial harmony in our country and I will elaborate further in English. (In English): In many countries, where there is a dominant majority and significant minorities, we see a whole spectrum of how multiracialism is lived. This ranges from the negative, such as with oppression and rejection, to simply ignoring them to let them live any way they want; to the positive, integrating and embracing them as full-fledged members of the community. There are also societies that force minorities into assimilation. We are our own working model of a multiracial society and the most important part of which is to instil the sense of belonging of our minorities. The sense of belonging of our minorities is crucial in ensuring that Singapore remains resilient against any force that threatens to tear our society apart. As minorities adjust to integrate, they continuously sense whether the majority is embracing the "inclusive society". It is no different for Singapore. The warm embrace of the majority and, consequently, a sense of belonging by the minorities, makes the final third foundation for our multi-racial society to live in harmony. On the contrary, in countries which instead play up racial and religious differences by the dominant community, we see unhappiness within the minority community festering and, in certain cases, exploited. Everyone here would be familiar with the Iraq conflict and the pronouncement of territories of the Islamic Caliphate by ISIS.”
“(b) In 1970, the Presidential Council for Minority Rights was established. (c) The GRC scheme was created in 1988 so that there will be a minority candidate in the slate of election candidates in order to avoid race-based politics. (d) A year later, the Ethnic Integration Policy was established to ensure that there is a racial balance among the residents in each public housing estate. The amendment to the Constitution to ensure that a candidate from each race can become an Elected President is another adjustment that was made this time round to change a situation that has not been conducive for someone from the minority group to become President. This has been well-received by the Malays, who also want a candidate from our community – someone who is qualified, capable and trustworthy. I welcome it, too. Nonetheless, no matter how much the Government shows concern and takes care of the minority communities' welfare, both parties – be it the minorities or the dominant group – play an important role to cultivate and strengthen trust and foster mutual respect towards each other so that we can continue to enjoy this harmony. At the same time, we should also agree that the integration process is essential for harmony. I am pleased that, as a minority, the Malay/Muslim community has always done its best to integrate with society in general in Singapore. Without depending on any welfare system, they have been able to enjoy modern life with other citizens based on meritocracy, while at the same time, still managing to preserve their identity as Malay/Muslims. This is the second pillar of our harmony.”
“Mdm Speaker, while we have come a long way from the tumultuous times when there was strife between communities, we cannot take for granted the peaceful co-existence that we have today. Even as the Government moves to assuage the care and concern it has for minority communities by introducing new laws or modifying them, both the minorities and the dominant community have crucial roles to play to forge the trust and harmony that the Government seeks to build through an inclusive society. Inclusivity is a two-way street. Inclusivity would not be successful had the minorities not been responsive. Minorities had participated actively in and continuously built our common spaces; even as minorities, we seek to preserve our identity and culture. Sometimes, integration involves everyone making sacrifices of what is important because it mattered to others. This proactive effort at integration by the minorities makes a crucial second pillar for our harmony. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] The harmonious multiracial and multi-religious life that we enjoy and experience together all this while was built on three main pillars. The first pillar is the good policies of the Government, which has all along continually ensured that all citizens and all races feel a sense of togetherness and inclusiveness, in order to create and cultivate a sense of equality in society and its political system. This includes: (a) On the day of Singapore's Independence, the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew pledged to build a multiracial nation based on equality. This commitment is further strengthened in our country's Constitution in Article 152(1), which states the responsibility of the Government constantly to care for the interests of the minorities in Singapore.”
“Of course, it goes away months later, but it never fails to crop up again and again when a Presidential Election arrives again. Now, these grouses seem a minor matter. Just a small unhappiness. It goes away. The Prime Minister cited last week's massive demonstration in Jakarta, which ended in violence. It was triggered by off-hand comments as part of a contest for high political office. What was allegedly said in that comment had religious connotations and was perceived as an insult to believers. One sentence, just one sentence was enough to enrage many people. Political actors allegedly took advantage of the situation to fuel sentiments further. Seemingly small things can and do snowball, too, especially when they cut into primordial instincts about race and religion over time. That is why, it is good that we address this seemingly small issue on ethnic representation of the Elected President – because it is a matter touching on race or religion – before it accumulates over time and snowballs with other issues into an avalanche. The right policies on their own, though, will not guarantee racial and religious harmony – it is no silver bullet. Clearly, however, the wrong policies will destroy this harmony. One policy of the Sri Lankan government in 1944 making Sinhalese the sole official language, excluded Tamil-speaking minorities from the civil service and limited entry into universities. Other policies came in succession and continued marginalising Tamil-speaking minorities. The burning down of the Jaffna Library in 1981 was probably the ultimate trigger of 26 years of "bombs, bullets, carnage and suffering" from the civil war.”
“Everyone has quoted the CNA-IPS survey on race relations, which was published recently in August 2016. The survey notes that while the majority of respondents of all races would accept someone from a minority race as President, given a choice, most would prefer someone of the same race as them to become the nation's Prime Minister or President. I do not believe that this is from a sense of deep prejudice or bigotry than a sense of comfort and convenience to choose someone similar to yourself. This is apparent when, based on the same findings, 59% of Chinese would still say yes to a Malay President, while 75% of Malays would still say "yes" to an Indian President. In an ideal scenario, people will vote independent of racial lines, but the fact is that racial preference is primordial and a natural inclination. It exists today everywhere, it exists in Singapore, and it exists also in the US where ethnic-based campaign counts much in their elections. Therefore, in Singapore, too, if left unchecked, the current rules will more probably than not, elect a President of the majority race for a long time to come. Indeed, just because we have learnt to live with our differences and can cherish them, does not mean the differences do not matter or the differences have disappeared. So, I am glad that one of the proposed changes that will be introduced to the Elected Presidency is to have a reserved Presidential Election for a racial group. This will assuage the minorities, particularly. I have heard support from my community for this in the town hall dialogues I conducted. Actually, every time Presidential candidates are announced in every election in the past, I would be accosted by my community with remarks of disappointment because a Malay candidate is not contesting.”
“The Ethnic Integration Policy, which was introduced in March 1989, aims to ensure a balanced racial mix in every neighbourhood and block which approximates the general population. This has promoted racial integration and harmony in HDB estates. It is how many of us grew up smelling and learning to love one another's cooking, going to school together, visiting one another's homes during festivals and familiarising ourselves with the significant occasions at the void deck, be it weddings, birthday celebrations, even funerals – allowing each to celebrate or grieve. Therefore, the amendment to the Elected Presidency is, to me, a continuation of the policy enhancement that we need from time to time to preserve this need to build an inclusive multiracial society. Who we elect as President must be representative of who we are and what we stand for as Singaporeans. With the Elected Presidency, the principle of meritocracy applies – we must elect the best person for the job. However, our value system is not singularly about meritocracy; in as much as competence is key, it is also a matter of principle, that our elected president is a person of integrity. These two principles, meritocracy and integrity, translate to competence and honesty, both necessary elements to the character of the Elected President, for the custodial role. However, the Elected President also plays a symbolic role as the Head of State representing the multiracial society of Singapore and, at the same time, he or she must be able to connect with all Singaporeans. Ideally, since the Elected Presidency was first enacted in 1990, an Elected President of each ethnic group would have been represented and elected, but unfortunately this has not been the case.”
“The first of these three pillars is our policies around building an inclusive society which is both multiracial and multi-religious. Our policies have long been the cornerstones to preserve this sense of inclusiveness of all races, in order to build a sense of equity within the community and political system. Policies that have steered us towards this sense of inclusiveness are reflected over the years. In 1965, when we became an independent nation, the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew made a promise to Singaporeans to build a multiracial nation. He said, and I quote, "We are going to be a multiracial nation in Singapore. We will set an example. This is not a Malay nation; this is not a Chinese nation; this is not an Indian nation. Everyone will have his place, equal: language, culture, religion." To assuage the minorities, particularly the Malays who became a minority overnight, this commitment towards the inclusion of all Singaporeans has been worded in our Constitution under Article 152(1). It states that, "It shall be the responsibility of the Government constantly to care for the interests of the racial and religious minorities in Singapore", with special recognition for the position of the Malays as the indigenous people of Singapore. In 1970, the Presidential Council for Minority Rights was established to examine all legislation to ensure that they are not disadvantageous to any racial or religious community as compared to other such communities. Since 1988, our society's multiracialism has been safeguarded in our Parliamentary system through the GRC system, where at least one of the MPs must belong to one of the minority racial communities.”
“Mdm Speaker, I support the Bill. Singapore today is a country with a rich diversity that we value, respect and celebrate. We see this in our surroundings, where we can find a mosque within the vicinity of a Chinese home or a church close to Muslim homes. It is even more amazing to a visitor to find a mosque beside a temple. We see this as our children go to school in traditional costumes to celebrate Racial Harmony Day and learn about the virtues of strength in diversity. We feel this inclusiveness when we get invited to open houses during Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Hari Raya or even to weddings of friends of different races. Indeed, we are becoming more socially diverse. The proportion of inter-ethnic marriages has almost doubled from a decade ago. Last year, 21.5% of marriages were inter-ethnic marriages. We have new citizens and immigrants setting up home in Singapore, enriching our diversity. We have benefited from the peace and prosperity from our racial and religious harmony and made our diversity work for us. Our interpretation of multi-racialism, has thus far, forged strong bonds among Singaporeans, and also engendered trust between the people and the Government. Indeed, it is only with this peace and this trust between the people and the Government that we can have an open discussion on amending the Constitution on the Elected Presidency. There are three major pillars upon which we have built our multiracial and multi-religious social compact and earned us our peace and harmony. These pillars need to be continually tended to, strengthened or even modified while keeping an eye on achieving the objectives of a workable and peaceful multiracial and multi-religious society.”
“In August this year, the Roadmap on ASEAN Cooperation towards Transboundary Haze Pollution Control with Means of Implementation was formally adopted by AMS at the 12th Conference of Parties to the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution in Kuala Lumpur. It serves as a strategic framework to implement collaborative actions to achieve a vision of "Transbounday Haze-Free ASEAN by 2020". We must press on with our efforts, not just during the haze season, but consistently throughout the year because haze is a serious environmental disaster with wide-ranging impact for us now, and into the future. Irresponsible burning over the years has affected the health of millions of people, impacted regional economies, and caused irreversible loss of biodiversity. We cannot rest on our past efforts and must continue to urge all relevant parties to work together towards realising a haze-free ASEAN by 2020 if not earlier.”
“In April 2016, consumer groups including Nestle, Unilever, Mars and Kellogg, suspended business with Industrial Oxygen Incorporated (IOI) Group after a decision by the RSPO to suspend certification for the company's palm oil. This suspension was due to IOI’s failure to prevent its subsidiaries' involvement in deforestation in Indonesia in 2015. Even with the RSPO restoring IOI's certification in August 2016, consumer groups, such as Unilever, had indicated that they do not intend to resume business with IOI Group until they see tangible progress in IOI's declared remedial action plan. Lastly, regional cooperation is also essential in our fight against transboundary haze. We continue to support initiatives that can help prevent future occurrences of the haze at regional fora, such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). For example, Singapore hosts the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre, which provides daily hotspot information and other monitoring and assessment functions for the region. We also contribute to the capacity building efforts in the region through workshops under the Regional Haze Training Network for ASEAN Member States (AMS). In addition, Singapore has been actively participating in the Sub-Regional Ministerial Steering Committee (MSC) on Transboundary Haze Pollution to ensure that regional countries, such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and Thailand, undertake collective action to tackle the haze problem. We had also developed an ASEAN Sub-regional Haze Monitoring System (AHMS) to improve transparency and accountability on companies and to promote sustainable land clearing practices by the landowners and have been working with MSC countries to operationalise the AHMS.”
“One key measure is the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act (THPA) which seeks to hold haze-causing companies accountable and deter entities from engaging in activities that would contribute to haze in Singapore. The National Environment Agency has sent a number of Notices under the THPA and investigations are still on-going. We will take the necessary steps to enforce the THPA, while bearing in mind that we also have to operate within the ambit of international law. We will hold any Singapore-linked persons or entities to account. At the same time, even if the errant company's officers are foreigners, they will have to comply with the laws of the country, including the Notices under the THPA, should they come to Singapore. As the THPA has only been in force for a short time, we cannot draw any conclusions on its effectiveness, as this will only be apparent Page: 137 over the longer term. Apart from regulatory deterrence, it is also important for consumers at various levels of the supply chain, in Singapore and our region, to send a strong signal against practices that contribute to the haze. Recently, NTUC FairPrice shared that their FairPrice house brand edible oils that contain palm oil are from sources certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). This is indeed commendable. In addition, ground-up initiatives by non-governmental organisations can also complement this. For example, the formation of the Singapore Alliance on Sustainable Palm Oil in June this year has helped to raise public awareness on the use of Certified Sustainable Palm Oil. This builds upon what has been happening globally.”
“There have been more occurrences of rain in the region, in particular, over Sumatra and Kalimantan, during the traditional dry season from June to October this year as compared to the same period in 2015. The wetter weather has helped to alleviate the hotspots and smoke haze situation in the region. We also appreciate the Indonesians' efforts to prevent and mitigate the forest fires on the ground. Air quality in 2016 has, therefore, been better than that in 2015. In 2016, we have so far only recorded four "Unhealthy" days. In comparison, there were 40 "Unhealthy" days, five "Very Unhealthy" days and one "Hazardous" day in 2015. Nevertheless, we need to be mindful that transboundary haze has been a persistent problem in our region, and we cannot prematurely conclude that it is behind us because of one good year. The international community has become increasingly aware that eradicating haze in our region is crucial to the global fight against climate change. The 2015 haze episode in our region was found to occur mostly on degraded peatlands, which are major carbon sinks. According to a recent scientific study conducted by scientists from the Netherlands, Britain and Indonesia, the 2015 fires in Indonesia had generated 850 million tonnes of greenhouse gases. This is more than half of the 1.5 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide that was saved from the increased use of renewable energy by the whole world in 2015. Fundamentally, the main cause of transboundary haze in our region remains commercially driven. This means that there must be continual efforts to get companies in the pulp and paper and the palm oil industries to adopt environmentally sustainable practices that do not contribute to smoke haze.”
“For this, the Government provides appropriate cash grants to all Housing and Development Board households through the Utilities-Save scheme to help defray their utilities expenses. This approach allows the Government to right-price water to encourage prudent use of water, while at the same time ensure affordability of utilities to lower income households.”
“The total water price comprises the water tariff, used water charges and the Water Conservation Tax (WCT). Currently, both the water tariff and the WCT are tiered. While households that consume less than 40 cubic metres (m3) of water pay a water tariff of $1.17/m3, and a WCT at 30% of the water tariff, households that consume more than 40m3 of water per month pay a higher tariff and a higher WCT, at 45% of tariff. The differentiated tariff and Page: 134 WCT serve to discourage excessive water consumption. Mr Perera’s suggestion would mean further differentiating WCT such that consumption within a certain volume below the first consumption tier will not attract the WCT. We have imposed WCT on overall water consumed because of the principle that water conservation should apply to all households from the first drop. Whether water is used for basic or discretionary purposes, there is a need to ensure prudence and avoid wastage. Hence, the WCT is levied as a percentage of water tariff to reinforce the message that water is precious from the very first drop. This is consistent with our water pricing principle and approach, which is to price water to reflect its Long Run Marginal Cost. The WCT, together with the water tariff and used water charges, seek to price water such that it reflects the cost of producing the next drop of potable water, which is likely to be more from desalination and NEWater. This ensures that water demand, for whatever purposes, takes into account the scarcity value of water. Nonetheless, we appreciate Mr Perera's intent in ensuring that water remains affordable for household needs.”
“Under the old Hardship Scheme, vacant hawker stalls were offered to those experiencing financial hardship at subsidised rent. However, the take-up rate was low as most hardship cases preferred to hold out for a vacant stall only in the more popular centres. Due to its limited effectiveness, this scheme was discontinued in 1990. Today, anyone can bid for vacant hawker stalls which the National Environment Agency puts up for tender every month. There are no plans to reinstate the scheme. To be successful and sustain a hawker stall, a hawker requires entrepreneurship and passion, no different from any business. It would, therefore, make more sense to let those who are genuinely interested in the hawker trade to bid for stalls, as they will have built in both the risks and the gains. It is not tenable to ring-fence a certain number of stalls for those in financial difficulty and believe they will automatically succeed. Those who face financial hardship can seek assistance through the various Government help schemes available.”
“For example, applicants must be at least 45 years of age and be physically fit to conduct their business. Notwithstanding this, the National Environment Agency will look at each application on a case-by-case basis. While there is no quota on the number of licences for any one location, licences can only be granted with the support of the relevant land agency or Town Council, which designates locations for street hawking activities so as to minimise disamenities to residents and unfair competition to businesses and other stakeholders in the vicinity. Ultimately, street hawking is not a permanent solution for anyone trying to make a living. Those experiencing financial hardship can be better assisted through the various help and job placement schemes available. There are also various Government-funded training programmes for those who wish to pick up new skills and seek more stable forms of employment.”
“Street hawking was rife in the early days of Singapore's development. The proliferation of street hawkers, however, posed a risk to public health as the street hawkers lacked proper equipment and amenities, such as clean tap water. The lack of a proper waste management system also resulted in waste being thrown indiscriminately which, in turn, led to environmental pollution and the proliferation of vectors. To address these problems, most of the street hawkers were relocated into purpose-built hawker centres which were provided with essential amenities, such as piped water supply, proper Page: 130 sewage connections and bulk bin centres for the disposal of waste. Some hawkers were, however, allowed to continue operating in the streets as their trades were not compatible with those in hawker centres but their activities were strictly enforced to ensure that their stall sites and their surroundings were kept clean at all times. In 1994, street hawkers were licensed in a one-time exercise to control their numbers and no more licences were issued after that. The intention was to phase out these street hawkers through natural attrition and allow such trades to move into proper premises. However, in the early 2000s, the street hawking scheme was reopened as a means to temporarily help those who are needy and less employable tide over their financial difficulties. Today, licensed street hawkers sell items, such as newspapers, ice-cream, canned drinks, costume jewellery and phone cards. Out of the 179 licensed street hawkers who sell newspapers, five of them were issued their licences in the last three years. There are several criteria that applicants must comply with to obtain a street hawking licence.”
“To this end, NEA, together with the Public Hygiene Council and partners of the Keep Singapore Clean Movement, has been working closely with the Ministry of Education to inculcate in students the habit of keeping their homes, school compounds and common areas in the neighbourhood clean. We will also continue to work with the community to ensure that our enforcement and outreach efforts are effective in discouraging such inconsiderate and potentially criminal behaviour so that everyone can live in a clean and safe environment.”
“High-rise littering is an anti-social act and can be a serious offence which poses safety and hygiene problems to the public. However, due to the nature of the offence and our densely built-up housing estates, high-rise litterbugs can be difficult to identify and apprehend. When feedback on high-rise littering is received, the National Environment Agency (NEA) will work with the Town Councils and grassroots organisations to conduct outreach efforts to educate residents not to commit high-rise littering. The offences would usually cease after such outreach efforts. Where there are cases of persistent high-rise littering despite such efforts, NEA would deploy surveillance cameras at suitable vantage points to identify and apprehend the high-rise litterbugs. Between August 2012 and June 2016, NEA conducted more than 3,400 camera deployments and took more than 2,800 enforcement actions against high-rise litterbugs. The camera deployments have helped to increase the number of enforcement actions 90-fold since 2011 when surveillance cameras were first introduced. Today, officers are only stationed on the ground in a small number of cases where the deployment of cameras is not possible. We welcome the suggestion from Member Cheryl Chan and encourage members of the public, including residents on patrol or designated volunteers, to provide any information or evidence of high-rise littering offences, including video footage, which can help NEA to conduct investigations to establish the identity of the offender and take appropriate enforcement action. Beyond enforcement efforts, it is important to involve the community and educate our young to take ownership of the environment.”
“PUB was prompt in making payments to APL for this co-digestion project. PUB does not directly contract with or reimburse the subcontractors for all its projects. For this particular co-digestion project, the subcontractors had informed PUB earlier this year that APL had not paid them for the work done. PUB took action and advised the subcontractors to seek legal redress and exercise their contractual rights against APL. We understand that the two subcontractors who took APL to Court were awarded Court judgments in May 2016 against APL for the amounts owed. We are unable to comment on whether fraud is involved in the delay in construction by APL.”
“The purpose of the co-digestion demonstration project at the Ulu Pandan Water Reclamation Plant is to test a new technology developed and owned by Anaergia Inc, a leading international renewable energy company. The technology involves co-digesting food waste and used water sludge, thus increasing biogas production and reducing the net energy consumption of used water treatment. The project required Anaergia Inc to set up and operate the demonstration plant over three years under the TechPioneer Scheme, which is co-funded by the Public Utilities Board (PUB) and the Economic Development Board (EDB) and supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF). This scheme promotes the early adoption and commercialisation of new environmental and water technologies. The co-digestion project had started well in November 2014. However, in October 2015, PUB discovered that the local company representing Anaergia Inc, Anaergia Pte Ltd (APL), was unable to meet the project schedule. PUB had also been in close contact with the Canada-based Anaergia Inc, which was committed to resolving the issue. The parent company decided to appoint its other Singapore subsidiary, Anaergia Singapore Pte Ltd (ASPL), to steer the project back on track. PUB had agreed to the change as the plant under construction is designed to use Anaergia Inc's proprietary co-digestion technology. After ASPL took over the project, construction of the demonstration plant resumed in June 2016. The plant is now about 70% completed and is on schedule for completion by December 2016. For all research and development projects co-funded by PUB, PUB only makes payments to the main contractor for the actual expenses incurred, after receipt of the invoice and onsite verification that the work had been satisfactorily completed.”
“My Ministry will continue to review our efforts to provide our young people with opportunities to contribute to our 3R efforts. We hope that our various stakeholders would continue to partner us and support our efforts.”
“My Ministry launched the Schools Recycling Corner Programme in 2002, which involves setting up recycling corners in schools, as part of our efforts to nurture a sense of environmental responsibility in our students. The public waste collectors provide co-mingled recycling bins at these recycling corners, which is consistent with the National Recycling Programme (NRP). We have adopted the co-mingled recycling approach as this makes it easier for residents to practise recycling and also makes the collection of recyclables more cost-effective. Co-mingled recycling is practised in various US cities as well as in parts of Europe and Australia. At the school recycling corners, educational materials are also made available to raise awareness of waste minimisation and recycling. Since 2009, all primary and secondary schools, as well as junior colleges, have implemented recycling programmes on their premises. Other programmes to cultivate environmental responsibility in our students include the "Preschool Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (3R) Awareness Kit" to help kindergarten teachers plan activities for preschoolers, and the "Youth for the Environment Day", a platform for youths to lead and participate in environmental activities. Schools are also recognised for their environmental efforts through the "3R Awards" and the "President’s Award for the Environment" which is the highest accolade for environmental champions. My Ministry also facilitates educational visits to recycling facilities, incineration plants and the Semakau Landfill. These visits allow students to observe the large amount of waste disposed of every day and better understand the problems which Singapore faces if we do not practise the 3Rs.”
“Plastic bags are of particular concern in countries where waste is landfilled, resulting in the plastic bags remaining in the landfill for a long time, or finding their way into water bodies or the sea, affecting marine life and food sources. In Singapore, this effect is minimised as all incinerable waste, including plastic bags, are incinerated safely at our waste-to-energy plants before they are landfilled as ash. Notwithstanding this, my Ministry upholds the approach of avoiding excessive consumption of plastic bags to reduce waste generation and carbon emissions. We encourage shoppers to take only what plastic bags they need and to reuse them to bag household trash. We also encourage the habitual use of reusable bags as much as possible. Stakeholders, such as retailers, also play a role in encouraging and educating consumers to bring their own bags and reduce the use of plastic bags. One example is IKEA which does not provide free disposable plastic bags for its shoppers. My Ministry will continue to look into additional ways to reduce the excessive consumption of plastic bags. Last month, the National Environment Agency called for a tender to study how different types of single-use carriers compare in terms of cost and impact on the environment. The study will better inform our policies on how to guide the use of different types of bags in future.”
“PUB also conducted a dialogue session with the residents on 28 August 2016 to address their concerns. Educational brochures have also been distributed to the residents around Pandan Reservoir. I would like to assure members and the residents that PUB will continue to put in their best efforts to reduce the inconvenience caused by chironomids. Having said that, we may not be able to completely eradicate the chironomids, as they are a part of the natural aquatic ecosystem. Therefore, we also seek residents' understanding and tolerance, should they find these harmless chironomids in their homes.”
“Chironomids or non-biting midges are a type of flying insects that thrive near water bodies such as canals, ponds and reservoirs. They are a natural part of the aquatic ecosystem and are food for fishes and birds. While they neither bite human beings nor spread any disease, they can pose nuisance when they swarm in large numbers. In recent months, the Public Utilities Board (PUB) has observed an increase in the emergence of chironomids around the Housing and Development Board (HDB) blocks near Pandan Reservoir, largely due to the intermittent hot and wet weather. PUB has been actively monitoring the chironomid population and has stepped up measures to control the population and reduce inconvenience to nearby residents. These include regular removal of chironomid eggs from the reservoir's floating structures, increasing the frequency and dosage of the application of biological liquid larvicide Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) from three times to five times per week along the reservoir perimeter to kill chironomid larvae, and increasing the frequency of fogging and misting around the reservoir dyke and surrounding vegetation to kill adult chironomids. In addition, PUB has installed bright spotlights at the Pandan Reservoir pumping station and turned them on at night to attract the adult chironomids and deter them from flying into nearby residential areas. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and adjust our measures accordingly. To keep residents living in the vicinity of Pandan Reservoir informed of the chironomid situation, PUB has recently issued a joint advisory with the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the West Coast Town Council on the measures taken by the agencies and actions residents can take within their premises.”