Melvin Yong Yik Chye
Singapore
“But with greater autonomy must come stronger support and safeguards, especially for those who may be less equipped to navigate these decisions. At CASE, we strongly believe that consumer empowerment must go hand-in-hand with consumer protection.”
“Thank you, Sir. I have three questions on the balance between punishment and rehabilitation. One, how will schools be guided to balance disciplinary action with counselling and restorative practices? I think the Minister mentioned it. Whether MOE will track recidivism rates to assess if these rehabilitation efforts are effective?”
“Sir, I thank the Minister of State for his reply, and we are heartened. The Consumer Association of Singapore (CASE) will be happy to work with MAS on consumer protection measures. For consumers, we often use GIRO when we want to so call, "set and forget", recurring payments.”
“Sir, I would like to ask the Senior Parliamentary Secretary have we done a study on the profiles of those PMETs who have been retrenched and also, what are the types of jobs that the market is looking for?”
“Unlike support for persons with disabilities, there is currently no dedicated funding mechanism to incentivise employers to provide workplace accommodations for workers returning to work after serious non-work-related illnesses or medical conditions.”
“Sir, I thank the Minister for her answers. I have two questions. First, whether IMDA currently mandates stress testing or simulation of failover systems under peak or adverse conditions and if not, whether such requirements will be introduced following IMDA's review.”
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“A clearly defined career path, with commensurate wages, will also help attract more local talents to the profession. Mr Speaker, while it is important to have preventive measures to mitigate workplace injuries, it is equally important to help our workers return to work in the event of an accident. At this year’s Committee of Supply debate, I highlighted the need for a support framework, beyond the existing Workplace Injury Compensation Act, to help injured workers return to work. Unfortunately, the reality is that not many employers proactively help their injured employees during and after the rehabilitation process. I called for MOM to establish a scheme to better help injured workers – one which includes a structured case management system to help our workers with injury management, rehabilitation, job redesign and even job placement where necessary. Since then, NTUC has been working closely with our tripartite partners on this and I am heartened that the Return-To-Work (RTW) programme was launched by WSHC just last week. The programme will see the WSHC working with our public hospitals to provide early intervention for workers who are injured in the course of their work, as well as enable companies to help their workers gradually ease back into their jobs. I would like to urge companies to subscribe to this programme, which is voluntary at the moment. But I am happy to note that there are already companies which have appointed their own in-house RTW coordinators, such as Sembawang Shipyard. Ideally, such in-house coordinators should be the future of the RTW programme. However, because these coordinators are not accredited, companies are unable to currently tap on any Government funding.”
“This is similar to the aviation industry, where an advisory can be first published and shared internally within industry players, followed by a detailed incident report later on. I am, therefore, assured to hear from the Minister of State that the Ministry will be judicious in the release of such learning reports. Mr Speaker, I participated in a recent tripartite study visit to Finland and Sweden just three weeks ago to learn about their WSH practices. Finland and Sweden have had workplace fatality rates of below 1.0 per 100,000 workers, and there are many lessons that we can learn from them. For example, Finland, which has about the same population as Singapore, has around 60,000 Occupational Safety and Health specialists, or about one for every 10 regular workers. I would like to ask the Ministry about the number of trained WSH specialists we have locally, and what is the target number that we would need in order to have a safer and healthier workplace environment. I would also like to propose for the Ministry to consider establishing a national register of trained WSH specialists. This would certainly help to facilitate the quick and effective dissemination of important WSH advisories to the ground. Similarly, best practices can also be shared within specific industrial cluster in a prompt manner. A central training centre, with the support of our tripartite partners, would also go a long way in grooming the next generation of WSH specialists and ensure proper progression within the sector. The centre can also be given the mandate to come up with a customised Professional Conversion Programme and a Progressive Wage Model for safety officers to upskill and progress in their careers.”
“Three, engage in targeted coaching by having industry-specific WSH training courses or modules as part of the WSH accreditation process. Next, I would like to seek some clarifications on the provisions of the Bill which would allow the WSH Commissioner to make public a detailed incident learning report of any WSH incident while the incident is still under investigation. I would like to ask the Minister to clarify, using some past examples, on what are the sorts of incidents that would warrant the release of such a report. While I can understand the intention to share learning points to plug potential safety gaps in companies working in the same industry, we need to be mindful of prejudicing the investigation results and stirring public opinion needlessly when findings have yet to be finalised. Such reports can also be sensitive if a public-listed company is involved. Premature release of information before prosecution may affect the share price, the company's business and, consequently, may affect workers and cause workers to be displaced or retrenched. Recently, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the US had asked employers to submit detailed injury and illness logs to the agency for public posting. However, industry groups are now suing OSHA, citing that the new rule exposes a business to significant reputational harm without proving that this has effectively reduced workplace injuries and illnesses. Mr Speaker, if the aim of the learning report is to prevent or minimise the recurrence of similar accidents, then it may be better to share the report only with the relevant stakeholders and industry players.”
“Mr Speaker, I stand in support of the Bill. I would like to, first, declare my interest as the NTUC’s Director for WSH and a member of the WSHC. Good working conditions are vital to helping workers feel safe, which will improve productivity and the competitiveness of our industries. Any workplace fatality is one too many, and there can never be enough emphasis on ensuring that our workers, regardless of industry, have a safe working environment. At the opening of the World Congress on Safety and Health At Work in September this year, Prime Minister Lee set a target for Singapore to reduce our workplace fatality rate to below 1.0 per 100,000 workers by 2028, down from the current 1.9 per 100,000 workers. Achieving this will take a tremendous amount of effort and teamwork from all stakeholders, and the proposed amendments in this Bill would certainly serve as a good start. Let me begin by saying that I support the proposed increase in the maximum fine, which will go up from $20,000 to $50,000. A harsher deterrence will compel companies to sit up and take notice of the severity of a WSH offence. I hope the enhanced penalties will serve to "incentivise" companies to focus on preventing workplace accidents rather than taking remedial actions. To foster an ideal WSH culture, the Ministry can consider adopting the Labour Movement’s 3Cs approach to improving the WSH awareness culture. One, focus on better coordination by convincing companies to cut internal red tape, so as to enable smooth implementation of WSH initiatives. Two, secure greater commitment across all levels in a company, from the top management to the ground supervisors, right down to general workers, to collectively commit to raising safety and health standards.”
“Surely, the space would not be enough if everyone from every building gathers there at the same time. That is why coordination, sharing of information and joint exercises are important. I would like to suggest that the Ministry consider having sector-wide, integrated evacuation plans for buildings around key installations or have high human traffic, such as the Central Business District. In closing, Mr Speaker, I am strongly in favour of the Bill’s intent to safeguard our nation’s key areas and buildings from terrorist threats. However, we cannot think of infrastructure protection in isolation. We must consider the cost of complying to the new laws and whether our security officers are well-equipped to protect our infrastructures. With that, Sir, I support the Bill.”
“While new developments can incorporate the new security requirements into their design, older buildings may face a far heftier price tag if retrofitting works are extensive. These costs will be passed down to the tenants, many of whom are small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and eventually trickle down to consumers. Hence, I would like the Ministry to consider extending co-funding support to older buildings seeking to comply with the Bill and incentivise building owners to adopt more advanced technologies by providing higher funding support. The introduction of advanced technologies will also mean that existing security officers must upgrade and upskill themselves to remain relevant. I understand that such concerns have already been raised to the Security Industry Transformation Committee, and an Industry Transformation Map (ITM) for the Private Security Industry is due by the end of this year. I would like to propose a review of the mandatory training modules under the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) so that security officers are better equipped to handle the new technologies and the new responsibilities accorded by the new provisions. Mr Speaker, a crucial component of any security plan is the evacuation route once a building is targeted or compromised. I am sure that Members of this House have all taken part in a fire drill before and, indeed, it is essential for all buildings to have their own evacuation plans. However, such evacuations are often planned in insolation by the building’s management. When I was a Police commander and asked to see the fire evacuation plans of buildings in the city centre, I was surprised to find that every building had designated the same small grass patch in the vicinity as its assembly area.”
“Mr Speaker, I stand in support of the Infrastructure Protection Bill. It is timely that we are stepping up security for key buildings and places with high human traffic to counter threats and keep Singapore and Singaporeans safe and secure. However, I would like to seek some clarifications on the Bill. Under the new law, does the Ministry foresee a sizeable increase in demand for security officers? If so, how is the Ministry planning to address the supply shortage whilst ensuring the quality of new APOs? Like my fellow Labour Member of Parliament (MP), Mr Zainal Sapari, I am concerned with the manpower shortage, which does have a negative impact on our security officers, including fatigue. I would, therefore, like to ask how the Ministry plans to attract more Singaporeans into the sector. The manpower crunch, coupled with the projected increase in demand for security officers, makes it clear that we must turn to technology to fill the gap. For example, the use of smart video technology and motion sensors can help reduce labour-intensive patrol work. Smart video technology and motion sensors can pick up movements at the perimeter and analyse if they present a threat to the building. In my constituency, the Orchard Road Business Association has been encouraging hotels, retail buildings and offices to harness technology, such as AI-enabled facial recognition, when upgrading their security systems. However, the cost of implementing such advanced security technologies may be prohibitive for some building owners. Mr Speaker, as highlighted by Members who have spoken before me, the cost of implementing additional security measures under the proposed Bill, be it traditional or advanced measures, will not come cheap.”
“It would be quite a stretch to call such AGMs held in such a manner as transparent when the residents are not well-represented. Mr Speaker, it is important that we select key appointment holders appropriately as this would impact the MCSTs' governance. Meetings should also be held only when the quorum is met so that decisions will be representative of the residents' interests. I am sure that these efforts to improve transparency and governance will be appreciated by the residents in the long term. With that, Mr Speaker, I support the Bill.”
“To resolve such and other similar disagreements, would the Ministry consider setting up a mediation board within a cluster of MCSTs or by districts? This would help to provide a neutral platform for the MCSTs to resolve disputes amicably before resorting to litigation, which could be a costly process. Mr Speaker, I am strongly in favour of the Bill's intent to improve the governance and transparency of running strata developments. However, I believe that we need to take a step further to specify the composition of MCSTs, which will go a long way towards ensuring that decisions are made with the long-term interests of residents in mind. Are there any selection criteria to be elected as a council member or to hold key positions, such as the chairperson, secretary or treasurer? Should there be a requirement for such council members, especially those holding key positions, to be Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents? Having some form of minimum criteria to govern the composition of the MCSTs would help safeguard against those seeking to use management rights for personal gains and ensure that decisions made by the council would be most well-meaning for its residents in the long term. It would also be good to spell out clearly how monies from the management fund may be disbursed. Is there a limit on how much the MCST can be authorised to spend? For example, some residents have expressed concerns to me that legal costs can be enormous when the MCST pursues or defends a legal case. Would there be a limit that requires a vote before the MCST can authorise such an expense? Finally, why is it possible for the AGMs of an MCST to be held without a quorum?”
“I would like to ask the Ministry if any lessons have been learnt from this incident so that we can proactively prevent similar fire incidents from happening. Moving forward, would the MCSTs be required to conduct a regular fire risk assessment of their buildings? Mr Speaker, another costly expense that is crucial to our seniors' safety is the installation of lifts in old private apartments. With a rapidly ageing population, there is a need to look after seniors living in old private apartments without lifts. There are several such apartments in my constituency and, during my house visits, the elderly residents living in the upper floors often tell me that they cannot navigate the stairs and feel "imprisoned" within their own homes. How can the Ministry help these groups of elderly residents? Are there any plans to help install or at least subsidise installation of lifts in such old private apartments, similar to the Housing and Development Board's (HDB's) Lift Upgrading Programme? If left on their own, it is unlikely that the lifts would ever get installed due to the differing interests between the residents staying on the higher floors and those on the lower floors. Next, I would like to touch on the importance of neighbourliness and the limitations that the MCSTs face currently. My constituency has a large majority of private estates. Recently, I had to deal with a dispute similar to the infamous Astrid Hill rain tree case. In gist, the leaves of the trees planted by one MCST had dropped on the grounds of another MCST. This is a daily affair and arguments often occur over whose responsibility it was to deal with the problem.”
“Mr Speaker, I stand in support of the Bill. The amendments provide greater clarity to the responsibilities held by MCSTs. However, I would like to seek some clarifications on the Bill. First, I welcome the new provision to encourage MCSTs to put in place design guidelines for safety grilles to prevent children from falling from heights. However, home owners will be required to ensure that the grilles look aesthetically compatible with the building. I am sure Members will agree that aesthetics is inherently subjective and this could lead to potential conflicts if the design sense of the home owners and the MCST is not aligned. This was precisely what happened in a case that made the news last year, when a condominium resident wanted to install window grilles to prevent his children from falling, but was blocked by the MC. While I can understand that the MCSTs would not want to ruin their building aesthetics with unsightly grilles, I feel that the safety of vulnerable children must take priority. Can the Ministry, therefore, clarify if there can be a clear definition of "safety" for parties to refer to, so that similar disputes can be resolved quickly instead of undergoing a long legal dispute? Next, I would like to touch on fire safety. It was recently reported that 40 buildings in Singapore, including private condominiums, could potentially have used non-Class "0" composite panels as cladding on their external walls, which do not meet the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) Fire Code. Two of such condominiums reside within my constituency, and I understand that the cost of rectification is not insignificant. This discovery came about only after an industrial building caught fire in May this year, which claimed a precious life and prompted this review.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I speak as the executive secretary of the National Transport Workers' Union. As the Minister is aware, hundreds of rail engineers and technicians work hard every day, every night, to upgrade the MRT system. Sometimes, we do not even have the three hours that he spoke of at night. I hope to have the Minister's assurance that the Ministry in pursuing the high standards of MRT operations, the very high standards that he has set for the operators, that the Minister can continue to assure that the well-being of our rail workers will continue to be a top priority of the Ministry.”
“With the establishment of the Home Team Corps, I look forward to greater membership for our NPCC and NCDCC, better programming for the cadets and a future pipeline of trained and passionate recruits for the SPF and SCDF. With that, Mdm Speaker, I support the Bill. 5.39 pm”
“It will also result in longer service terms, giving those who are truly interested sufficient time to deep-dive into the culture and the work of our Police officers and firefighters, beyond their four to five years in Secondary school. A longer service term would also mean that senior cadets, with years of experience from Primary school, will be able to contribute more when he or she moves on to Secondary school. Hopefully, these cadets will eventually consider joining the Singapore Police Force (SPF) or the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) as their future career. On that note, I would like to urge MOE to work with SPF and SCDF on potential recruitment initiatives for NPCC and NCDCC cadets. Can the alumni from NPCC and NCDCC get priority or exclusive internship opportunities at SPF and SCDF respectively? As a former member of the NPCC Council, I am aware of the efforts made to ensure relevance and realism in NPCC's activities and training for their cadets. Most recently, they have introduced the Homefront Security programme and Crime Scene Investigation training. These allow our students to obtain first-hand and up-to-date knowledge on crime and terrorism. But more can and should be done for our cadets beyond classroom lessons. There should be a structured programme to attach the cadets to the Neighbourhood Police Centres and local fire stations to gain real-life experiences. With the growing threat of terrorism, it would be beneficial to build a core pool of cadets with a good understanding of the operations, management and needs of our Home Team forces. They, in turn, can help to cultivate security and safety awareness and alertness among their peers.”
“Mdm Speaker, I stand in support of the Bill and I welcome the establishment of the Home Team Corps to oversee the development and management of NPCC and NCDCC. Over the years, CCAs related to our uniformed services, such as NPCC, NCDCC and National Cadet Corps (NCC), have allowed our students to cultivate important values, such as discipline, teamwork and integrity; as well as develop strong leadership and character. These uniformed groups also train our students in problem solving skills that will help prepare them for a rapidly changing world. Our students today have a wide range of choices when it comes to selecting their CCAs. Many new interest groups have been introduced in recent years − from new sports activities to various new art forms and interest-based clubs. While we welcome these new CCAs, it is also important to ensure that our core uniformed groups in schools remain an attractive option for our students and continue to enjoy a sustainable enrolment. Currently, there are 142 Secondary schools offering NPCC, and a smaller number of schools offering NCDCC as CCAs. Amidst the strong competition among CCA groups for new members, how does the new Home Team Corps plan to sustain and boost membership for both NPCC and NCDCC? What are the reasons that some Secondary schools do not offer uniformed groups as CCAs for their students? Surely, it cannot be a lack of interest if it is not even on the school's CCA listing. At present, only Secondary school students are able to reap the benefits of participating in NPCC or NCDCC. I would like the Ministry to consider setting up NPCC and NCDCC as CCAs at the Primary school level, too. This will allow the Home Team to inform and educate a wider pool of our younger generation about its values.”
“This is to monitor the spillover activities from these outlets. Madam, while an exciting nightlife scene adds vibrancy to our city state, more can be done, and more should be done to help residents who live near PE outlets. With that, I support the Bill.”
“While fights take place regularly among drunken individuals, beyond such safety concerns, these outlets also bring about disamenities as their patrons loiter outside the outlet and indulge in loud conversations and smoking. I believe enough has been elaborated by the various Members who have spoken before me. I do agree with Ms Denise Phua that we should not grant PE licences to operate within residential buildings. But in the meantime, can the Ministry consider imposing a cap on the number of PE outlets in a specified area, particularly in areas where there are many residences? Would the PE Appeal Board consider residents' appeals against the granting of a PE licence in their neighbourhood? Feedback from residents can also be given to the Appeal Board either through the Management Corporation Strata Titles (MCSTs) or the Residents' Committees. Mdm Speaker, the peace and sense of safety of home is often disturbed for residents who live near such PE outlets, and the operators have grown savvy in avoiding trouble in a very technical sense. Residents tell me that in many of these PE outlets, the bouncers or security personnel will ask the patrons to smoke or fight outside of the outlets instead so that they will not get any demerit points or violate any licensing conditions. As such, I would like to propose that we review the demerit points system, and also to consider having higher demerit points for serious breaches, such as when the security personnel themselves get involved in fights within or outside the outlet. Similar to what has been done at Orchard Towers, would the Police also consider setting up surveillance cameras outside selected PE outlets, in particular, where these outlets co-exist with residences?”
“Mdm Speaker, let me begin by commending the efforts of our Home Team for the recent enforcement operation conducted at nine entertainment outlets in Orchard Road and Selegie Road on 15 April. This enforcement operation also revealed that PE outlets can be a hotbed for vice, drugs and other illegitimate activities. This signals a need to tighten our laws regulating PE outlets. Mdm Speaker, I support the proposed amendments to PEMA and I have a few suggestions for the Ministry's consideration. First, I agree with the proposal to tighten regulatory approval by requiring the Licensing Officer to consider whether the applicant is appropriate for the role. The provision to allow for immediate suspension of the licence once proceedings have commenced against the licensee or the responsible officer would also serve to address a current situation where errant outlets continue to operate despite having accumulated numerous breaches. This will send a strong signal to the licensees to keep their outlets in order. However, as highlighted by our Parliamentary colleagues, Er Dr Lee Bee Wah and Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef, one concern still lingers − the usage of proxies to apply for a PE licence. How can we put an end to unsavoury businessmen operating from behind the scenes in the PE industry? Next, I would like to highlight the need to tighten the approval of PE licences, especially in or near mixed developments. Let us take the three examples in my constituency − Balmoral Plaza and Orchard Towers which are mixed developments, and the area around Mount Sophia, which is near Peace Centre. Like Dr Intan Mokhtar and Ms Denise Phua, during my house visits, it is not uncommon to hear residents complain about these PE outlets located within or near their homes.”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State for her answer. My supplementary question relates to the cleaning arrangements at our food centres. My understanding is that table cleaning is often managed by NEA, while the cleaning of the floor is often by the Town Councils. Because of that, sometimes I hear feedback from the residents that those cleaning the tables would just sweep the items onto the floor because it is a different set of cleaners. Would NEA consider reviewing such arrangements?”
“Would the Police consider working with the industry to provide a set of guidelines to assist both security companies as well as security service buyers? We can start by identifying key areas where technological solutions are clearly superior and seek to provide a set of common standards. Through specific funding support by the Government, we can bring down the cost of security technology solutions, improve productivity and enhance security outcomes. Second, we need to consider mandating security assessments to optimise the use of technology and manpower. There is a Chinese saying: to get the task done, you first need the right tools. Today, most buyers procure security technology separately from security manpower and this is not tenable in the long run. Mdm Speaker, the Labour Movement has been advocating the need to aggregate demand for both manpower and technology and attract more Singaporeans to join the security profession. We hope that beyond addressing our long-term manpower needs through the sector's ITM, we can also raise the overall security standards that Singapore must have. We are in a region where terrorism activities fester. Let us not wait until it is too late. The security of our nation is paramount and we must spare no effort to ensure that our security officers are well-trained, well-equipped and well-informed to carry out their duties effectively. Mdm Speaker, I support the Bill.”
“But today, this task requires a security supervisor under the single-track PWM and he needs to have four years of experience, that is, two years as a security officer and another two years as a senior security officer. And this is on top of the WSQ prerequisites at each rung and each level. Although exceptions can be given, and are given on appeal, most ITE graduates from this course will find it hard to join the industry and practise what they had been trained for as they do not qualify. Could we explore a parallel career track for security technologists? An ITE graduate in this area can join as a security technologist and get paid at least $1,800 for his specialty skills, while a polytechnic graduate can start as a senior security technologist. Mdm Speaker, let me now turn to business cost as a result of the enhanced security measures. For many security companies, the need for more security officers will add to the business costs. But this is also an opportunity for the industry to work together to optimise our limited manpower resources. Security companies need to invest more in risk assessment and smarter use of technologies to augment physical bodies. Can we use sensors and surveillance cameras in place of human beings to guard a locked door? Can we leverage technology to secure our perimeters instead of a patrol team? Do we need to patrol both sides of the same perimeter fence because they belong to two different owners? What is preventing us from optimising the use of our security manpower? To me, there are two key issues. First, there is a lack of common standards for security technology. This has resulted in buyers installing excessive, and sometimes over-priced, systems that they do not need.”
“In recent years, we have seen a steady increase in the number of large-scale special events. It is important for our security officers to be well-trained, well-equipped and well-informed to handle the ever-changing security threats at such events. They must be properly trained and be kept up to date on the latest security threats and tactics used by those who intend to cause us harm. Today, our security officers go through two Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) modules at the entry-level before they can be deployed. These modules are delivered by different training providers and some security companies have even set up their own training centres. Would the Ministry consider consolidating the various training resources and establish a centralised training institute for all security officers? This would allow basic training to be structured and ensure a level of consistency in delivery. It would also allow for regular review of the training curriculum and provide a platform for continuous training for our security workforce. To attract more Singaporeans to join the security profession, the job scope of security officers should progress beyond basic guarding and move towards more skills-based and knowledge-based security operations, so that the value of the job and the image of our security officers can improve over time. Today, the industry has established a five-grade single-track Progressive Wage Model (PWM) for security officers. We need to expand on this and create multiple career tracks for our security officers. We know, for example, that the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) West trains students who can set up and monitor remote command centres.”
“Mdm Speaker, I stand in support of the Bill. I would like to declare that I am one of the trustees of the Union of Security Employees. Given the current regional and global security environment, the proposed changes are timely. The recent attack along Westminster Bridge in London has once again emphasised the need for us to always remain vigilant and alert for any form of attacks on our citizens, including our security forces. I am glad that the Bill aims to further strengthen our security measures to better protect our people, particularly at large-scale events where many will gather. However, I have some areas of concern for the Ministry's consideration. First, under the amendment to section 7, it would be useful to better clarify the term "public controversy". Would issues related to race and religion fall under this term? Could the Ministry share where the boundaries or the out-of-bounds markers are? Perhaps some examples would be useful to provide a better understanding of what constitutes "public controversy" under section 7. Second, the new security measures will inevitably mean that we will need more security officers. Today, we have around 43,000 active security officers in the industry. This security workforce is supplemented by a significant number of Malaysians. Recently, we heard that concession has been given to some security companies to hire Auxiliary Police Officers from new sources, such as Taiwan. Mdm Speaker, we cannot continue to depend on foreign labour to supplement our security needs. We must build up our pool of local security professionals. We need to establish pipelines of suitable locals into our security industry. Third, we must work on improving standards and enhancing training of our security workforce.”
“Last month, the Minister for Communications and Information announced the launch of a Cybersecurity Professional Scheme to double the existing pool of cybersecurity professionals in the public sector over the next few years. What about the manpower needs for the private sector? Are there any plans to build a similar technical pool of expertise for the private sector? Today, IoT, a vast network of smart devices connecting and interacting with one another, is gaining momentum. Personal devices and common appliances may be the weak links in our cyber defence. As in many cases, it simply takes one unknowing or unguarded individual to click on a malicious email or hyperlink and that will endanger the whole system. How can we enhance our public awareness, particularly for small businesses, which do not invest as much in cybersecurity? Mdm Speaker, as Singapore continues to develop digitally, we also face increased risk of cyberattacks. We need to strengthen our cybersecurity infrastructure, enhance our legislation and, most importantly, establish a pool of cyber warriors to protect our computer systems. Mdm Speaker, I support the Bill.”
“Mdm Speaker, I rise in support of the Bill. We are living in a world today where many of our daily activities involve and depend on online transactions. Many Singaporeans bank online, and many more do their shopping online. This brings about greater convenience but also opens us up to new security threats. There are many examples of hacking cases. Last year, hackers reportedly sent out repeated phishing emails to various US institutions, and John Podesta, Chairman of Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, allegedly clicked on one such malicious email, allowing access to over 60,000 private correspondences, some of which were subsequently leaked to the public. Closer to home, we have heard personal data of 850 Singaporean National Servicemen were stolen after a targeted cyberattack on MINDEF's Internet system. Fortunately, the compromised system did not contain classified or sensitive information. This Bill will further strengthen our cybersecurity framework and I support the amendments. However, I would like to seek some clarifications from the Minister. First, clause 4 seeks to give extraterritorial application to computer offences. Investigating extraterritorial offences is never easy and cooperation from our foreign counterparts is crucial. Given the complexities of computer crimes and the different interpretations across jurisdictions, what is the possibility that a suspect may escape liability due to technical defects or mistakes? With an inevitable rising cyber threat, there is a need for better qualified and highly competent cybersecurity professionals to support our cybersecurity infrastructure across both the public and private sectors. Many companies have highlighted the shortage of such professionals locally.”
“Madam, we need greater access to sports facilities to enable wider participation, whether as athletes, spectators or volunteers. In this regard, schools have many sports facilities that are not used after school hours, such as indoor halls, basketball courts as well as the football fields. The public should be given greater access to use these facilities to support their sporting endeavours. Opening more sports facilities in schools and Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) for use by the community is also beneficial, as it would reduce the need for new infrastructure to be built. At last year's Committee of Supply (COS), the Ministry shared that 15 more sports halls have been opened for sharing with the public through the collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MOE). What is the status of this project? How many schools have facilities under the Dual-Use Scheme? Has there been progress since, and can we step up the opening of schools' sport facilities to meet the community's needs? Is it possible to avail the sports facilities in all schools to the public after school hours on all weekday evenings? Can the Ministry also consider upgrading the ActiveSG online portal and mobile app to help match last-minute cancellations of facilities bookings with people who have spontaneously decided to play the sport and are looking for an available venue?”
“Mdm Chairman, Members have spoken on the need to expand and enhance shared experiences that connect us as Singaporeans. One way is through sports, which brings Singaporeans from all walks of life together. On the playing field, regardless of our differences, we learn shared values like resilience, mutual respect, fair play and teamwork. Many of us played sports in school but, often, we are unable to find a suitable place to continue playing the sport together and we lose the camaraderie. Since its launch, ActiveSG has facilitated booking of sports facilities and registering for Healthy Lifestyle programmes for close to 1.2 million members. Are there any plans by the Ministry in the coming years to promote the creation of and participation in more sporting activities at the community level? For the past three years, how many people have successfully tapped on the Friendship Grant to initiate sports activities in their communities? Beyond programmes, we also need spaces for communities to play sports together and foster social bonding. Are there any upcoming plans under the Sports Facilities Master Plan to provide new spaces for more community use? Can the Ministry consider conducting talks to graduating secondary and junior college students to encourage them to continue their sporting activities together after graduation? We can start with the school's graduating sports teams. A system to match these teams to community sports facilities within their own neighbourhood would allow them to continue playing together even after they graduate. Growing Inclusive Spaces”
“Mdm Chairman, I am excited about many on-going trials on autonomous vehicles. But as Executive Secretary of the National Transport Workers' Union, I am equally concerned with the possible implications on some 50,000 workers who drive for a living. It keeps me awake at night. Many of these drivers − bus captains, truck drivers and taxi drivers − are middle aged and are not highly educated. How can we help them transition into a driverless world? What is the projected implementation timeline for autonomous vehicles in Singapore? Can the Ministry work closely with the union on methods and pace of implementation? How can we leverage the Singapore Bus Academy to upskill and multi-skill our bus drivers for future jobs and not just basic training for current jobs? Widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles may be a decade away. But we need to start preparing our workers today. Increase Pool of Taxi Drivers”
“Can we establish a Rail Manpower Development Plan to systematically build up our talent pool? We must be able to send our local talents to learn at the best foreign institutes. Lastly, I hope that the Ministry can work with the union and our rail operators to raise public awareness on the important work of our rail workers. This would not only instil a sense of pride among our existing rail workers, but also help to attract future ones. COE for Motorcycles”
“On the union's part, we will work with the public bus operators to make a police report for every case of assault against our bus captains. I hope investigations of such cases by the Police would be handled promptly and there should be strict prosecution of offenders. I also hope that commuters understand that our bus captains work hard to bring us to our destinations safely and on time, every day and every night. I ask for your support to ensure that they work in a safe environment. Rail Maintenance Professionals My second cut. Many commuters depend on our public rail transport daily. However, they may be unaware of the hard work that our rail maintenance professionals put in − often behind the scenes − to keep our rail transportation running. With more focus on rail reliability, as highlighted by several Members earlier, the role of our rail workers is more critical than before. We need to uplift the profession and ensure that there is a consistent pipeline of talent into the industry. First, we must ensure that our rail workers can perform their duties in a safe environment. Today, they battle challenging working conditions at the underground depot and poorly-ventilated tunnels. More can be done to improve their work environment. We need to ensure that the air conditions in the underground depot in our tunnels do not pose any health concerns for our workers. Second, as technology continues to advance, our rail workers need to keep up with the changes and stay relevant. The new Singapore Rail Academy, recently launched, can play a vital role in training promising new entrants and also upskilling existing workers. Can the Ministry share more about the Academy's training programmes?”
“Commuters have complained that they do not understand why buses travel slowly even when there are no vehicles ahead. Many do not know that our bus captains need to meet the service timings. Can LTA work with the union to raise public awareness on these service requirements under the Bus Contracting Model (BCM)? In 2012, LTA announced the Bus Service Enhancement Programme (BSEP). Under this programme, we have seen an injection of more buses over the past years. However, the current infrastructure, particularly the older bus interchanges, were not expanded to cope with the increase in buses. Bus captains now need to wait longer for available bus parking lots, which affect their already-short layover time. I would like to ask the Ministry if the planned fleet of 1,000 buses are placed on the roads already and if there are any plans to review the current infrastructure? The BCM requires all public bus operators to use LTA's Common Fleet Management System (CFMS). However, ground feedback indicates that information on the CFMS used by the Bus Operations Centre Controllers is not always synchronised accurately with the Driver Display Unit (DDU) used by our bus captains in the bus. This means that the CFMS may show that bus captains are late reaching the bus stops, while their DDU in the bus shows otherwise. Can LTA do more to improve the stability of these systems? Lastly, we have heard of cases where bus captains are abused and even assaulted by commuters while performing their duty. Bus captains should not be distracted from driving the bus for the safety of the commuters on board and all road users. I would like to urge the tripartite partners to collaborate with the union to do more to protect our bus captains.”
“Thank you, Madam. Mdm Chairman, the Bus Contracting Model (BCM) has helped raise bus service standards. This is evident as commuters' satisfaction in public transport had climbed to a nine-year high in 2016. The BCM introduced new service standards that the public bus operators are required to meet. Consequently, our bus captains carry the responsibility of fulfilling these standards every day, and it is important that we give them our fullest support. First, bus captains are required to abide by specific arrival timings at bus stops. In particular, the first and last buses leaving the terminal are required to reach their next stop no later than five minutes. They cannot be early, too. Bus captains also tell me there is an increase in the number of bus stops now designated as checkpoints, where they must meet specified timing requirements. However, narrow ingress and egress points at bus interchanges, traffic conditions and even weather conditions can adversely affect the arrival timings. I would like to ask the Ministry for the percentage of bus services which failed to meet the above service requirements in the past six months. Can the Ministry review these timing requirements and the number of checkpoints to allow for some form of flexibility, considering bus operations are subjected to unpredictable road and weather conditions that are often not within the drivers' control? Second, the running time for bus captains to complete their bus journey should be reviewed to accommodate peak and non-peak periods. Today, our Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) rates are reviewed quarterly by LTA to take into account peak and non-peak periods like school holidays. With data analysis, I hope LTA can review and adjust the bus running time in a similar fashion.”
“Madam, I thank Minister of State Sam Tan for his responses on workplace safety and health. I have two questions. First, I think workplace accidents are often the result of poor coordination in workplaces, especially in the construction sector. I would like to ask whether the Ministry can do something to enhance worksite coordination. The second question I have is whether MOM can do more to encourage near-miss reporting at workplaces. I believe the Minister of State missed this point earlier.”
“Can the Ministry establish a scheme to better help injured workers get back to work? This scheme should include a structured case management system to help our workers with injury management, rehabilitation, job redesign, job placement and even work injury compensation. Mdm Chairman, all workers should be entitled to enjoy workplace safety and health. Do we want to build a genuine culture of care for our workers' well-being or do we want to adopt a strategy of punitive measures to force employers to comply with safety regulations? Do we prefer to see the light or feel the heat?”
“There is a need for greater commitment and ownership across all levels to collectively help raise workplace safety and health standards. I would like to recommend making bizSAFE accreditation compulsory for all companies. For a start, we can consider the 1-2-3 approach. Companies should obtain their bizSAFE level one within the first year of operation, acquire bizSAFE level two in the next two years and reach bizSAFE level three in the following three years. As SMEs may find it challenging to get accredited, I hope that the Ministry will consider bringing back the Risk Management Assistance Funding (RMAF) to assist these companies. Will the Government also consider awarding contracts only to bizSAFE-accredited companies for major infrastructure projects? The third "C" is to adopt a more targeted coaching to raise awareness of safe workplace practices. While there is a need to raise standards across the board, we should also focus more attention on the top three − the top three industries with the most fatalities; and the three most common incident types. Can the Ministry consider implementing a mentoring scheme between bizSAFE-accredited company and other non-accredited companies within the same industry? A targeted approach would be more relevant as it addresses specific risks inherent to the industry and the sharing of experiences and best practices among similar industry players would certainly be more useful. Let me move on to workers who are injured in the course of their work. Today, only a fraction of employers proactively help their injured employees during and after the rehabilitation process. Some workers may find it hard to return to their original jobs while others may even lose their jobs.”
“Mdm Chairman, every worker should return home safe and sound every day. Sixty-six lives were lost at the workplace last year. We must do more to improve our workplace safety and health standards. Let me recommend a 3Cs approach. The first "C" is better coordination. Currently, there are many workgroups formed to tackle workplace safety and health at the sectoral level, the functional level and even workgroups targeting at the cause of injuries. To enable smooth implementation of initiatives at the working level, can there be better coordination among and across different workgroups? Last year, the Ministry issued a guide to encourage companies to report "near misses". A "near miss" is often seen as a narrow escape, a stroke of luck. But the benefits of a systematic recording of "near misses" may help to prevent a recurrence, identify any weaknesses in operational procedures and, when reviewed over a period of time, may allow us to detect patterns which could potentially prevent future fatalities, especially in high-risk industries. Can the Ministry do more to encourage "near miss" reporting? That said, I must also caution that it would be counter intuitive to penalise companies and workers who report "near misses". Instead, more guidance should be provided to these companies to prevent future possible accidents. Can the Ministry organise industry-specific forums or create platforms to allow companies to share "near misses"? Can the Ministry also consider incentivising and rewarding companies with good "Design for Safety" concept and implementation? The second "C" is the need for greater commitment. Be it top management, ground supervisors or workers, we all have a part to play in ensuring workplace safety.”
“The Sectoral Tripartite Committees can play an important role in identifying jobs to be redesigned and developing the necessary training roadmaps for each industry. In a fast-changing world, we can no longer depend on "one-size-fits-all" solutions. Industry-based roadmaps are very much needed to provide clarity to both our workers and companies on the new jobs and the direction in which the specific industry is moving towards. Mdm Speaker, we cannot ignore nor escape disruptions, but we can learn to ride the waves of disruptions together. In Japan, 58-year-old Mr Kenji Takemura harnessed a wearable robot technology to help him lift 40-kilogramme boxes with ease. Like Mr Takemura, we need to learn to work with technology, collectively leverage new technologies, upskill ourselves and be forward thinking. The success of the CFE report lies in its implementation and I am confident that with our strong tripartite partnership, we can overcome current and future challenges just as how we have done so in the past decades. Through tripartism at the national and sectoral levels, we must help our workers upskill ahead of time as our economy and our industries transform. We need to help tomorrow's unemployed today and ensure that no one would be left behind. With that, Mdm Speaker, I support the Budget.”
“If employers proclaim that their employees are the company's most valuable assets, they should step up training investments to upskill their workers and not view manpower as simply a cost. While some companies are afraid that workers might leave after acquiring new skills, other companies have established training centres, set aside dedicated training hours and sponsored training courses to support their employees in their upgrading efforts. For example, the Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC) is one such company that is pro-training. OCBC topped up their employees' SkillsFuture credit and provided employees time off to attend shortlisted training courses. By grooming a competitive workforce can our companies remain competitive, productive and prepared for the next wave of change. To boost productivity, centralisation and pooling of resources are avenues that companies can explore to raise their productivity levels. Centralisation of resources, in the form of kitchen facilities, warehousing or even training, can help reduce wastage and duplication of resources and help companies gain economies of scale. Due to their small scale of business, SMEs sometimes find it onerous to go through the process of applying for productivity grants. For SMEs with similar products or services within or across industries, pooling of resources to apply for such grants could help them achieve productivity gains and cost savings. Multinational corporations (MNCs) or larger SMEs could help to champion sectoral productivity initiatives which other smaller-sized companies in the same sector can leverage upon. With the labour market expected to tighten further, businesses need to be supported in their efforts to raise productivity while adopting less labour-intensive practices.”
“The Singapore Bus Academy is a good example of a collaborative tripartite effort by the Land Transport Authority (LTA), the then Singapore Workforce Development Agency, NTUC's Employment and Employability Institute (e2I), the National Transport Workers' Union and the public bus operators. Today, the Academy standardises basic training programmes for bus captains across the industry. But the Academy has the potential to provide continuous training for all bus captains, keep them updated with industry and technological changes, help existing drivers multiskill and be better prepared for tomorrow's driverless world. We should explore setting up centralised training centres to promote training through the respective Sectoral Tripartite Committees even beyond the transport industry, like the lift, aviation and precision engineering sectors. The Professional Conversion Programme (PCP) is another useful training platform for mid-career switchers looking to move into emerging and future jobs. Fifty-two-year-old Wayne Lin is one such example. He left the infocomm technology (IT) sector amid the global recession in 2009 and enrolled himself into a PCP to join the early childhood education sector. Although the transition was tough as he sought to overcome job challenges in a female-dominated industry, Wayne persevered through his traineeship, took up a diploma and subsequently completed his Masters in Early Childhood. Wayne did well and is now the acting principal of My First Skool preschool centre in Sengkang. Hopefully, with the newly announced Attach and Train programme, we can look forward to hear more of such stories of success. Employers, too, must change their mindset.”
“With 3D printing, if our child outgrows his or her shoes, we can simply print out a brand new pair in a larger size! The potential disruption that 3D printing may have on our industries is significant. How and which industries would be affected by 3D printing? Your guess is as good as mine. The last category refers to an unknown technology that may change our work in the future. Here, we could take reference and learn from the past "Unknown-Unknown", such as Uber and Grab. Today, Uber and Grab are providing new transport options to commuters but have disrupted the traditional taxi business. Did we expect Uber and Grab, which are mobile applications, to enter, disrupt and even revolutionise the transport industry? The three situations above illustrate the challenges we face in the current economic landscape. Be it "Known-Known", "Known-Unknown" or even "Unknown-Unknown", there is an urgent need for both our workers and companies to brace themselves for the next wave of disruption, as business cycles get shorter and changes happen more rapidly. First, our workers need to remain competitive amidst the changes. We need to embrace the concept of lifelong learning, continuously train and upskill ourselves and start preparing for future jobs even before the current one becomes obsolete. To do so, companies, unions and Government agencies need to get together to identify future jobs, determine skills gaps and establish structured training programmes for workers. Industry partners can collaborate and develop sectoral level training to collectively raise standards across the industry.”
“Mdm Speaker, technological advancement has changed the work environment that we are in quicker than before and it will continue to be so in the future. While it improves the way work is done and alleviates the issue of manpower shortage, it will have implications on our workers and they could become tomorrow's unemployed. The challenge is whether we can help tomorrow's unemployed today. How technology impacts our work can be broken down into three broad categories: "Known-Known", "Known-Unknown" and "Unknown-Unknown". The first refers to a situation where we know the technology and know its impact. One such example is the self-checkout kiosks found in supermarkets today. Just within NTUC FairPrice, almost half of its 130 outlets have self-checkout counters. Other supermarkets, such as Cold Storage and Sheng Siong, have also implemented such "do-it-yourself" services. The job of the traditional cashier is slowly replaced by new technology. The next category is where we know the technology, but we are not sure when and how it will impact our current work. As we speak, trials of autonomous vehicles, like cars, buses and even trucks, are ongoing at different parts of Singapore. While we know that such driverless technology exists and is developing at a rapid pace, what we are uncertain of is when it can be adopted and how extensive will the adoption be. This will certainly change the modus operandi within the transport industry and have a direct downstream impact on our workers who depend on driving as a livelihood. Another example is additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing. With the rapid development of 3D printing technology in recent years, many applications have been developed in the food, medical, fast-moving consumer goods and other industries.”
“Would the Ministry consider expanding the Act to regulate this group of ride-share drivers? We heard earlier from Member Mr Louis Ng of the viral story where a GrabHitch driver had a Chihuahua in the front seat of his car and the dog bit a commuter who was alighting. A similar vocational licence for ride-share drivers, with mandatory background checks, would serve to enhance the safety of our commuters. Mdm Speaker, I agree with the direction of the proposed amendments which penalise the private hire car operators for the conduct of their errant drivers, such as those who engage in street hail or operate without a vocational licence. This mirrors the approach taken towards the taxi industry currently, where taxi operators are taken to task for the collective actions of their taxi drivers, such as meeting the peak-hour taxi availability standards and Quality of Service standards. Taxi operators in Singapore have to adhere to LTA's Quality of Service standards, which take into account the conduct of their taxi drivers, the ease of booking a taxi and the overall safety of taxi drivers. For example, taxi operators are penalised when too many of their drivers get into accidents and are deemed to have failed the safety component under the Quality of Service framework. Will the Ministry consider mirroring the Quality of Service standards placed upon taxi operators to the private hire car operators as well? While Singapore adopts a light-touch regulatory framework for our private hire car industry, we must protect the safety of our commuters. Placing the onus on the private hire car operators to ensure that they recruit and retain safe and responsible drivers will go a long way in achieving this. With that, Mdm Speaker, I support the Bill.”
“Who would be liable should an AV hit a pedestrian or another vehicle? Would the person or persons in the AV at the time of the accident be liable? What happens if there is no one in the AV when the accident occurs? Another proposed amendment requires the entity carrying out the autonomous vehicle trials to keep records of the sensor data and video footage gathered during the trials and to submit them to LTA when these are requested. Such records may be lost if there are gaps in the process of safekeeping. Would LTA consider mandating that these trial data be transmitted real-time to LTA's Intelligent Transport System Centre? Not only would this minimise the possibility of lost data, it could also help LTA to get a head start in developing subsidiary innovations that leverage self-driving technology. When AV technology becomes more reliable and trials expand beyond the current defined locations, we can feasibly expect to see AVs being trialled on major thoroughfares, expressways and even possibly during peak hours. With the potential increase in AVs on our roads, would AVs be subject to Certificates of Entitlement (COEs)? Next, let me touch on private hire car and ride-sharing services. I applaud the proposed changes that serve to level the playing field between the traditional taxi industry and the private hire car industry. However, there seems to be one category of private hire car drivers that has been left out of this Bill, and these are drivers of ride-sharing services, such as GrabHitch and RYDE. Currently, LTA allows private car owners to carpool and offer ride-sharing services, with the stipulations that drivers cannot charge for profit and are limited to providing a maximum of two rides per day.”
“Mdm Speaker, I support the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill. As Executive Secretary of the National Transport Workers' Union, I am heartened to hear the Minister's assurance that the Government will put in place programmes to help Singaporeans who drive for a living, to help them acquire new skills and take on new jobs, should and when AVs are deployed extensively. The Union stands ready to work with the Ministry and the LTA to support our transport workers in the transition to a future AVs world. In the meantime, I have some questions regarding public safety − safety of the public from AVs, and safety of commuters using private hire car and ride-sharing services. First, let me speak on AVs. It is timely that we develop a framework to regulate the proper use of such vehicles. Since last year, LTA has embarked on various trials for autonomous cars and buses in one-north and NTU respectively. It is imperative that more R&D be done in the coming years to ensure that these vehicles are safe before we start using such AVs in the public transport and logistics sectors. While the widespread use of AVs may still be a decade or two away, as indicated by the Minister, it is crucial that we focus on ensuring the safety of our public during the initial trials. One of the proposed amendments in the Bill mandates that the company or individual who wishes to carry out AV trials purchases liability insurance or places a corresponding deposit amount with LTA during the trial. Can the Minister share with us the penalties that would be imposed on those who fail to buy the appropriate insurance or place the stipulated deposit with LTA? In the event of an accident involving an AV, will the Ministry be developing and issuing guidelines for other road users on how they should respond and act?”
“I would like to ask the Minister to elaborate on what enforcement powers, if any, would these volunteers have. Also, are there any lessons from the National Environment Agency's (NEA's) Community Volunteer Programme which can be useful to improve the Active Mobility Patrol Scheme? In conclusion, I concur with the views of many that there is a limit to what legislation can achieve in creating a safer environment for all users. What matters most is how an individual behaves when using their PMD or PAB. Legislation is only a first step towards creating public awareness on what is right and wrong, with legal penalties serving to deter reckless behaviour. The responsibility of creating safer roads and pathways lies with every individual. With that, Mdm Speaker, I support the Bill.”
“My colleague Mr Sitoh Yih Pin had brought up the same case: in September last year, 53-year-old housewife Madam Ang Liu Kiow was hit by an electric scooter. She had to undergo two major operations, a lengthy hospital stay and hefty medical bills. I would like to echo what Mr Sitoh had elaborated in detail. I think besides the option of launching into a civil suit against the PMD user, which can pose an additional financial strain on the injured party, will the Ministry look into mandatory insurance coverage for PMD/PAB users or establishing a structured compensation framework for such accident victims? Mdm Speaker, strict enforcement must go hand in hand with education. I would like to call for strict enforcement to be taken against errant users, retailers and modifiers who modify the devices to make them non-compliant. I would also like to propose that the Bill expands its legislative powers to make it an offence for an online retailer to sell non-compliant devices. Currently, the Bill makes it an offence for a retailer to sell or display non-compliant personal mobility devices within a shop's premises. However, the Bill makes no specific mention of online retailers, which are a popular point-of-sale for such non-compliant devices. I would also like to urge the Ministry to consider mandating the installation of registration plates on all PABs as this can act as a prominent identifier to help enforcement officers identify the PAB and facilitate tracing of the PAB owner in the event of an accident. Finally, I would like to commend the volunteers under the Active Mobility Patrol Scheme who volunteer their time to educate others on how they can share paths in a gracious and responsible manner.”
“Faced with land constraints, particularly in mature estates, it would be a challenge to carve out shared paths to accommodate both pedestrians and users of PMDs. Existing pavements are relatively narrow. It is essential that shared paths are neither too narrow nor too steep to ensure safety and ample space for every user. Would LTA stipulate guidelines on the minimum width and maximum gradient of shared paths? I have spoken about the need to protect pedestrians. There is also a need to educate PMD and PAB users on how to keep themselves safe. This is especially important for PAB users who are allowed to ride on public roads. Other road users, such as car drivers and motorcyclists, need to pass theory and practical tests to gain the necessary safety knowledge before they are allowed on the roads. For their personal safety, would LTA consider mandating PAB users to undergo a basic safety course as a prerequisite to registering their PABs? We can also do more to ensure the physical safety of PMD and PAB users. Currently, only cyclists and PAB users are encouraged to wear helmets. I would like to urge the Ministry to consider making it compulsory for all cyclists, PAB and PMD users to wear helmets. This is especially in view of the recent death of 23-year-old Mr Sam Koh who died of a serious head injury after falling off his electric scooter in March last year. Proper use of a helmet could help mitigate serious head injuries in the event of an accident. Residents have told me of near misses involving fast moving PMDs on shared paths. It would be helpful if these PMDs can be made more visible to other path users, particularly in low light conditions. Would LTA consider mandatory installation of front and rear lights for all motorised PMDs?”
“Mdm Speaker, I rise in support of the Active Mobility Bill. With the recent fatal accidents involving motor vehicles and users of e-scooters and power-assisted bicycles, it is crucial to put in place legislative guidelines to better govern the usage of these new transportation devices. As more favour the use of such PMDs and PABs to get to their destinations, there is a pressing need for the authorities to adopt a firm approach to create a safe and responsible active mobility culture in Singapore. Even with legislation, other road users will also need to be more vigilant to safeguard their personal safety and to look out for others. Like many members of the public, I am concerned about the safety of pedestrians who share their paths with PMD users. How will LTA continue to monitor and enforce the proper use of shared paths by PMD users after the Bill is officially enacted? Will there be an increase in the number of enforcement officers deployed island-wide and over a sustained period? There is a current ban on PABs on park connectors. With the speed limit of electric (e)-bikes capped at 25 km/h, I would like to seek clarification from the Minister if this would mean that these LTA-compliant e-bikes will be allowed on park connectors, so that it is easier for riders to get from point A to point B, as compared to riding on the roads? If this is so, I would like to suggest then for NParks and LTA to explore ways to better monitor the park connectors, such as through the installation of CCTV cameras. Footages from these CCTVs can help facilitate investigations in the event of an accident. This would also serve to safeguard the interests of all park users.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, our mature workers continue to be an important pillar within our workforce and have much to contribute to their companies. It is crucial that they are recognised and supported at the workplace. Employers, with support from our Government agencies, can lead the way to redesign jobs to make full use of the wealth of experience and abilities of our mature workers. We need a real mindset and culture change to get rid of ageism at the workplace. The proposed amendments to the Bill serve to reinforce that no worker should be discriminated because of their age. With that, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I support the Bill.”
“With assistance from the Singapore Industrial and Services Employees' Union (SISEU), Aerospace Component Engineering Services Pte Ltd is one of the first few companies to embark on this enhanced grant administered by NTUC's U Live department. Previously, workers were required to engrave intricate details like 2D dot-matrix or QR prints on very small data plates. Thanks to job redesign, workers can now make use of a laser marking machine and the relevant software to perform the engraving. This is especially helpful for the mature workers as it augments their physical abilities and enables them to continue doing this high precision job. This also helps them gain new skills and new process capabilities. The reduction in printing errors saved time and money, thus raising productivity for the company. This example showcases the viability of job redesign and I urge the Ministry to encourage and support more companies to embark on such projects. It would also go some way to address Mr Thomas Chua's concern about rising business cost. I would also urge more companies to offer free health screening to their mature workers and encourage more workers to take ownership and adopt a healthier lifestyle. Through a health screening jointly organised by NTWU, Health Promotion Board and SBS Transit, 65-year-old Senior Bus Captain Mr Lee Chai Seng found that he had a high level of triglycerides and high blood pressure. Besides medication, he was advised to make lifestyle and dietary changes. After exercising regularly, reducing his food intake and opting for healthier meals, Mr Lee obtained a clean bill of health from the doctors within a year. A healthy worker is a happy and better worker who can contribute to his or her company. More companies should recognise that this is a win-win.”