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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“As we reconstitute NCSS in its role as a sector developer, I urge the new Council to do more to build operational and professional capabilities of our social service agencies and our social service professionals to help them better cope with the ever-increasing complexity of the challenges that they face. We must also ensure that the new Council is equipped with the right mix of skills, knowledge and experience to give success in this area. Mr Speaker, I support the Bill.”
“Sir, the ComChest is the primary fundraising and engagement arm of our social service sector, created to support the NCSS. Under the ComChest, fundraising is centralised and funding is then used to drive certain outcomes in the social service sector. How will the role of the ComChest and in particular, the functions of the staff of the ComChest, evolve with the new NCSS? Will changes to the enhanced governance framework for the ComChest impact current grant recipients and, if so, will there be a transition period for such recipients to improve their processes in order to qualify for continued grants? Lastly, the NCSS releases a regular salary guide for social service professionals. This is a good guide that helps organisations in the sector to benchmark salaries paid to staff without having to engage expensive consultants on their own. However, I understand that every edition of the salary guide causes some consternation among social service executives, some of whom have given me feedback that it is a daunting task to try to match these salary guidelines. I would like to ask if the NCSS plans to do a survey on the number of organisations that comply with the salary guidelines and in doing so, provide more support to help the social service sector become an industry of choice among Singaporean workers. In conclusion, Mr Speaker, I cannot stress enough about the importance of the contributions made by our social service agencies and the tireless work that our social service workers must do daily. Many often have to sacrifice their personal time to help beneficiaries deal with issues that are complex, diverse and often multi-faceted.”
“While the Minister has stated quite clearly that the Council will keep to 23 members in that immediate term, I would like to ask, what were the reasons behind setting such a large maximum size of the Council? Because having too many members risks making the Council bloated and perhaps unable to come to quick decisions. On the other hand, if the Ministry should one day use the lower bound and appoint 15 members to the Council, what would be the considerations for this downsizing? And how would this impact the functional performance of the Council, which traditionally has 23 members? Sir, I also support the new statutory appeal provisions proposed under the Bill. However, I note that such statutory appeals are currently limited to membership decisions made by the Council. As the NCSS takes on an expanded role as the sector developer, which encompasses a larger social service mission beyond membership, I would like to ask if the other administrative decisions, as laid out under section 11, subsections (2) and (3) of the Bill, would also be open to similar formal appeals to the Minister. Examples of these administrative decisions include the award and revocation of funds, which has significant impact on our SSAs. The expanded role of NCSS must be properly supported by having the right Council with a good mix of skills, knowledge and experience to drive NCSS as a sector developer. While I am happy to note that there will be continued sector representation in the new Council, with at least half of the Council appointed from sector members' nominations, I would like to ask the Minister what the nomination criteria would be. We should ensure that the Council has the right subject matter expertise to drive the necessary changes to the social services sector.”
“Mr Speaker, I stand in support of the Bill which seeks to reconstitute the NCSS to reflect and strengthen its role as the sector developer for the social service sector. However, I have some questions and suggestions. Sir, I support the Bill's proposal to strengthen sector membership criteria of the reconstituted Council. By prioritising organisations whose core business lies in the social service sector, the new Council will have the clarity and direction needed to perform its role effectively. First, I fully support the proposal to remove membership fees and to streamline to a single-tier membership framework. This reduces costs in a backdrop where social service agencies are facing a double whammy of rising expenses while being hit with poorer fundraising outcomes. In fact, a recent CNA article in December 2025, just last month, reported that some charities saw their worst fundraising season in recent years. Given NCSS' role as sector developer, a tiered membership structure with differentiated access is no longer necessary. Any cost savings for our social service agencies should be regarded as a beneficial outcome. That said, I would like to ask, out of the more than 500 current NCSS members, how many members would be impacted by this move to narrow the membership criteria of the reconstituted Council? What is the percentage of members who have objectives and activities that are unrelated to the social service sector, and for this, I am truly curious as to why did they join NCSS as a member in the first place? The Bill also proposes to shift to a fully Minister-appointed Council that will comprise of between 15 and 27 members. This may lead to an increase of the current Council size of 23 members.”
“Mr Speaker, I thank the Minister for a very comprehensive reply. Following the Review Panel's findings, practitioners, such as the social workers, were very quick to point out that that there needed to be greater support for professionals in the child protection space, rather than simply having more standard operating procedures, guidelines, protocols, as what Minister has said. I fully agree with this. So, I would like to ask what are the plans to upskill practitioners in child protection and how can we elevate the persistent workload concerns in the sector? My second question is: how does the Ministry intend to address the Review Panel's findings that there appeared to be some fear of reporting to the authorities? We must surely do all we can to encourage cases to be reported and to inculcate a no-fault culture, even if suspicions of child abuse later turn out to be inaccurate. My last question. The Review Panel flagged inter-agency coordination failures as one of its findings. There seems to be no clear system for sharing updates among Child Protective Service, ECDA, Beyond Social Services, the preschool and even the Police. And because of that, agencies appeared to have treated concerns as somebody else's responsibility and therefore, resulting in some form of inertia. Therefore, Panel recommended establishing a centralised case management platform for high-risk child cases. The Minister has mentioned that MSF is working on this. So, I would like to ask when would this platform be established and in the meantime, in the absence of such a platform, what is being done to ensure coordination among all these agencies?”
“We must continue to act firmly against scam syndicates, while having a care on how we treat vulnerable citizens who are roped into scam operations. I also urge the Ministry to also look into how we can deal with ticketing scams more decisively, as it affects a large number of consumers. Mr Speaker, with that, I support the Bill.”
“They try all means possible to attend the events by their favourite artiste, even at the risk of purchasing fake tickets. Members would recall reading news articles about ticket scams whenever an A-list event takes place in Singapore, from Taylor Swift to Coldplay to Andy Lau. The Taylor Swift Eras Tour concert that was held in Singapore in March 2024, became an unfortunate incident where many locals and international consumers became scam victims. The Consumer Protection Review Panel, which I co-chair, is looking into this issue deeply. For example, the Panel is actively engaging ticket service platforms to explore establishing authorised ticket sales platforms to provide consumers with greater certainty that tickets resold on proper platforms are legitimate. Other suggestions, include phasing out paper tickets and to only have digital tickets with dynamic QR codes. But while the industry players and CASE do our best to tackle the issue, we cannot succeed in eradicating the problem of ticket scams without support from the Government. Some overseas jurisdictions with thriving entertainment industries, such as in Japan and in Taiwan, have already rolled out anti-ticketing scam laws to tackle this issue, something which I hope the Government would also consider adopting. Sir, we must address the variant of ticketing scams more seriously, despite its relatively smaller losses when compared to the other scams. Because if left unaddressed, these scams could threaten to derail Singapore's efforts to anchor ourselves as the region's entertainment hub. In closing, the amendments proposed under the Bill are timely, as it will send a strong signal that tackling scams continue to be a national priority.”
“However, when it comes to enforcement, it is often the most vulnerable who are recruited as mules, who are caught. Syndicate bosses are often based offshore and it can be tough for our local law enforcement to take them to task. I would, therefore, like to ask how the SPF are working with the foreign enforcement agencies, including with Interpol and member agencies of the Anti-Money Laundering Case Coordination and Collaboration Network (AC3N) to take these criminal masterminds to task. For offences with proposed discretionary caning, such as those involving individuals who launder scam proceeds, supply SIM cards or provide Singpass credentials, I would like to ask whether sentencing guidelines will be made available to the Courts and, if so, what would these sentencing guidelines be? Would vulnerable offenders, such as youths and those with mild intellectual disabilities, be given greater leniency if they are preyed upon and roped into scam operations? How can we do more to protect these vulnerable individuals from being taken advantage of by the scam syndicates? Sir, let me next talk about a small but growing variant of scams that threaten Singapore's ambition to become a live entertainment hub. Between 2023 and 2024, 1,500 people lost about $1.1 million in scams due to the sale of concert tickets by online third-party resellers. Ticket scams pertaining to live entertainment events have been a growing concern for the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE). Consumers tell us that ticket scams are a particular area of concern as many event goers try to get tickets to A-list events at all costs. Many of them simply cannot buy tickets on the primary market due to the presence of bots.”
“Sir, I stand in support of the Bill which seeks to amend the Penal Code and other related legislation to update our criminal laws. Sir, the scope of this Bill is vast, I will focus my speech today on scam-related crimes and the proposal to revise caning penalties for certain offences, including introducing caning for scams and scams-related offences. I read with great concern about the recent media coverage of Singaporeans being involved in scam syndicate operations in Cambodia. In one of the reported cases, a Singaporean was alleged to be the leader of the crime ring, targeting Singaporeans in government impersonation scams. Their use of the Singaporean accent was meant to reassure the victims that the calls were genuine. Scams are a major source of crime in Singapore. Today, we are far more likely to get scammed online than to be robbed in the streets. In the first half of 2025, victims lost $456 million, with almost 20,000 cases reported. These figures are a representation that scam cases continue to plague our country. According to statistics by the Police, scam victims lost $1.1 billion in 2024 and more than $651 million in 2023. When I first joined the Police in 1995, cheating cases were common but limited largely to face-to-face interactions. Over time, as Singapore's digital penetration grew, scam archetypes evolved to love scams on WeChat to the current situation, where so many variants of scams affect different segments of our population. The Bill's proposal to introduce mandatory caning for offenders of scams is, therefore, highly welcomed and timely, as we need to send a clear signal that our legal system has no tolerance for those who scam and prey on others.”
“" We must do more to improve insurance literacy and help consumers save on their healthcare bills. I urge MOH to work closely with the Consumers Association of Singapore to study insurance literacy in Singapore and to work on improving consumer knowledge about how to best safeguard themselves against sudden, unintended, healthcare expenses. In closing, the amendments proposed under the Bill are timely, as it will help ensure that CareShield Life payouts continue to defray a sizeable proportion of healthcare costs for those who suffer severe disabilities. I urge MOH to expand the minimum age of enrolment for the scheme, to help young adults with disabilities and to improve insurance literacy among consumers. Mr Speaker, I support the Bill.”
“The various premium support measures by the Government for lower-income families can also be extended to policyholders below the age of 30, thereby ensuring minimum financial burden. Expanding CareShield Life coverage to more adults could also have potential advantage of lowering overall risk, helping therefore to keep premiums affordable to everyone. Sir, let me next touch on enhancing affordability of our long-term care needs. I support the proposal to double the CareShield Life payout growth rate. This is vital to ensuring that CareShield Life payouts continue to defray a meaningful portion of long-term care costs and keep bills affordable for more Singaporeans. This is especially important as Singapore becomes a super-aged society, and our healthcare expenses continue to increase. Singaporeans should not just rely on CareShield Life. Indeed, many consumers already have private insurance policies to provide additional coverage in the event of a health incident that results in severe disability. Despite this, insurance literacy in Singapore remains low. It is common to read in the media about consumers frequently being both under-insured where policyholders do not have adequate insurance coverage, and over-insured where policyholders have duplicate policies and excessive coverage amounts. Both situations of being under-insured and over-insured are not ideal, as it leads to policyholders paying more and increasing their financial burden over time. But it can be hard for consumers to cut through the noise when it comes to insurance. In fact, the CPF Board has an entire toolkit, called the Health Insurance Planner, to try and help policyholders cut through "the sheer volume of conflicting advice that makes it hard to know what to trust.”
“I had written to MOH to highlight the plight of Mr Ong, and I understand from my resident that he was referred to caregiving support measures by the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) and ComCare, as his son does not meet the minimum age for CareShield Life enrolment. While I appreciate MOH’s assistance to the resident, the support provided by AIC and ComCare to Mr Ong are general schemes that would also apply to CareShield Life policyholders who are above the age of 30. While such situations may be rare, I am certain that it is by no means unique. Others like Mr Ong and his son would benefit from an expansion to the accessibility of the CareShield Life scheme, by lowering the minimum age of enrolment. Given the automatic enrolment nature of the CareShield Life scheme, I propose that we should have parity with other national insurance schemes that provide automatic insurance coverage. For example, the CPF Board’s Dependants’ Protection Scheme (DPS), where automatic insurance coverage in the event of death, terminal illness, or total disabilities, is extended to Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents above the age of 21, with an option for manual application for those aged 16 and above. While DPS and CareShield Life serve different purposes, the minimum age for coverage for debilitating injuries should be harmonised. I therefore urge MOH to consider expanding CareShield Life coverage to all adults from 21 years of age, with an option for manual application for those aged 16 and above. We already have existing systems in place for family members to use their Medisave to pay for the CareShield Life premiums for other family members. This can be extended to the younger cohort of policyholders that I am proposing for them to be covered by CareShield Life.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. Sir, I stand in support of the Bill, which seeks to implement the recommendations made by the CareShield Life Council, ensure that premiums remain affordable and importantly, to improve administration of the CareShield scheme. Sir, the CareShield Life scheme is an important assurance for many Singaporeans, as it provides those who cannot perform three or more ADLs with lifelong protection for their long-term care needs. This gives Singaporeans an important safety net, where long-term care will remain accessible and affordable, regardless of their pre-existing conditions. My speech today will touch on how we can better enhance these two key aspects of CareShield Life – accessibility and affordability. Sir, the minimum age for CareShield life enrolment is when the policyholder turns 30 years of age. While I can understand every policy needs a cut-off age, I would like to ask what the policy considerations were behind limiting CareShield Life coverage to those aged 30 years and older. Would the Minister be able to share statistics of Singaporean adults between 21 and 29 years of age, who have severe disabilities and are unable to perform at least three or more ADLs. Does this statistic differ substantially for the age group of adults between the ages of 30 and 39? Sir, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the plight of my Radin Mas resident. Mr Ong has a 17-year-old son who has suffered an unfortunate brain injury and is therefore unable to engage in many ADLs. Mr Ong must therefore expend significant resources, and he has done so to ensure that his son is well cared for. Under the current scheme, Mr Ong’s son would only be able to enrol into CareShield Life when he turns 30.”
“These moves are essential to close the income gap, secure sustainable wage growth and uphold our shared vision of a society where every worker can progress with dignity – because at NTUC, we firmly believe that Every Worker Matters. [Applause.]”
“Behind these numbers are the real workers and families: the cleaning uncle supporting his family's needs, the security officer spending more time with his family or the pest management worker seeking career development and recognition. NTUC will continue to walk the journey with low wage workers, working hand-in-hand with the Government, employers and the wider community to build a fairer and more inclusive Singapore. For the new term of this Government, I urge the Government to continue pressing forward boldly. First, further expand the coverage of the PWMs. Second, raise the threshold for Local Qualifying Salary (LQS). Third, strengthen support for training and upscaling. Only in this way can we further narrow the income gap, drive sustained wage growth and enable every worker to progress with dignity. (In English): Sir, over the past decade, PWM has become a cornerstone of our labour compact. Government data has shown that wages for those at the 20th percentile has risen higher than the median. And consequently, income inequality has narrowed. More importantly, behind these numbers are real workers and real families: the cleaner supporting his children’s education, the security officer spending more time with his family, or the pest management worker seeking career recognition. NTUC remains firmly committed to walking this journey with our workers. Together with our tripartite partners and the wider community, we will continue to build a fairer, more inclusive Singapore, where no worker is left behind. As we embark on this new term, I urge the Government to press on boldly with Progressive Wage expansion, further raise the LQS and strengthen support for training and upskilling.”
“For example, 800 Super Waste Management, they work with the Built Environment and Urban Trades Employees’ Union (BATU), deployed AI-enabled recycling bins under a Company Training Committee framework. This boosted productivity, reduced contamination and more importantly, enabled higher-value jobs with a 5% pay increase for 100 workers. Second, by expanding PWM into more sectors. One area that I have raised before is Pest Management, an essential service in public health but still plagued by low wages and high attrition. A PWM here would create structured career and wage ladders, strengthening both livelihoods and the resilience of the sector. Beyond PWM, the Local Qualifying Salary (LQS) ensures that firms hiring foreign manpower also uplift local wages. The last increase brought the threshold to $1,600 in July 2024. NTUC calls on the Government to further raise the LQS in this term of Government to narrow the gap between lower-wage and median workers. At the same time, NTUC recognises that some workers may need more help. Through the NTUC U Care Fund, we will continue to support vulnerable families and those hit by sudden hardship. NTUC's enterprises also play a part. The FairPrice Group, for example, continues to keep essentials affordable, helping families cope even as wages rise. The Labour Movement has, and will continue to, do our part in helping to nurture a "we first" society at every level. Mr Speaker, allow me to speak a few words in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Over the past decade, the PWM has become an important cornerstone of our tripartite cooperation. We can see that income inequality in our country has narrowed, which proves that our policies to raise the wages of low-income workers are indeed effective.”
“I had spoken about this before, in this house, highlighting the two common questions that workers have: train what? Train for what? Long working hours remain an issue. In security, officers still work 12-hour shifts, six days a week. Higher wages cannot come at the expense of health, well-being and family life. The talent pipelines remain thin. Younger Singaporeans are not joining PWM sectors in sufficient numbers, raising concerns about long-term sustainability for the service providers. Implementation challenges also persist. PWM wage negotiations are becoming tougher in today’s economic climate and close monitoring is needed to prevent uneven application or cost-shifting. These challenges make it even more critical that our tripartite partners stand firm in upholding fair and sustainable outcomes for our workers. Amidst these challenges, NTUC and our unions will continue to work hard to ensure that wages keep pace and workers are not left behind. Beyond wages, our unions play a hands-on role: negotiating fairer workplace conditions, supporting upskilling and providing aid through our NTUC U Care Fund for members and their families facing financial stress. But our mission is far from complete. Income at the 20th percentile is about 55% of median income – short of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) benchmark of two-thirds. To close this gap, NTUC believes it is timely to convene a refreshed Tripartite Workgroup on Lower-Wage Workers to chart the next bound of progress. This group must be bold, ambitious, and focused on both wages and sustained career progression. NTUC will also seek to broaden and deepen the impact of the PWM in two key areas. First, by placing stronger emphasis on productivity as the enabler of sustainable wage growth.”
“From 1 January 2025, that basic wage rose to at least $2,870 and by 2028, it will further increase to about $3,530. Many security officers are now running digital systems and handling crowd-control duties – roles now seen as skilled professions. Just as important are the personal stories behind these numbers. One example is Sivamani Taigrajan, whose father once worked long hours as a security guard to support the family. Today, as a Security Supervisor, she leads a command centre, embraces new technology and inspires others to join the industry. More than higher pay, she now has pride and purpose in a profession that has been transformed by PWM. At the national level, inequality has narrowed. The Gini coefficient has fallen from 0.464 in 2014 to 0.435 in 2024. This is before transfers and taxes. If we take into account both transfers and taxes, the Gini coefficient drops further to 0.364. Sir, these achievements were not overnight. They were built on strong tripartite trust and tough negotiations. In 2021, the Tripartite Workgroup on Lower-Wage Workers put forth 18 recommendations. I am glad to know that by working together, by July 2023, all 18 recommendations were implemented. Each year, the National Wages Council, another tripartite platform, continues to issue guidelines with a strong focus on uplifting our lower-wage workers. While progress has been made, the journey is far from complete. Inflation continues to weigh heavily. NTUC’s June 2025 Survey showed that lower-income households are most worried about the rising costs of food, groceries and healthcare. Many are also supporting both young children and elderly parents. Workers know upskilling is key but often struggle to identify relevant training or meaningful career opportunities.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker, for allowing me to join the debate. Sir, I stand in support of the Motion. I would like to thank Mr President for laying out the key priorities for this new term of Government. I agree with Mr President that our nation’s success must never be measured by economic growth alone. It must be judged by how we support the vulnerable and how we enable every Singaporean to contribute and to live with dignity. As we begin the 15th Parliament, it is timely to reflect on how far we have come in uplifting our lower-wage workers, and more importantly, the work that still lies ahead. Over the last decade, we have made significant strides in improving the wages, welfare and work conditions of our lower-wage workers. Between 2019 and 2024, the real wages of workers at the 20th percentile grew by 5.9% – outpacing the 3.6% growth for the median worker. This shows that our policies are lifting those at the lower end of the wage ladder. Some ask why Singapore has not adopted a universal minimum wage. The answer lies in the strength of our PWM. Unlike a single wage floor applied across the board, PWM is tailored to specific sectors, covers over 40 job roles today and enables workers to progress through skills and productivity. Today, more than 155,000 workers across nine sectors and occupations are covered by PWM. Take the cleaning sector. A decade ago, a general office cleaner earned about $600. Today, the entry wage is at least $1,910. Workers like Azizah Abdul Majeed, a single mother who upgraded herself from part-time cleaner to team leader, show how PWM creates dignity, career progression and better livelihoods. In the security sector, the basic monthly wage of an entry-level security officer was about $1,100 in 2016.”
“We will continue to monitor the situation. We also need the help of fellow Singaporeans and our Members here so that we can, not only take the necessary actions, but I think, go upstream to share with fellow Singaporeans, especially our young people, that these are harmful for them and we protect our people so that they have better lives ahead and continue to keep Singapore safe and secure.”
“I thank the Minister for his assurance, but I am quite concerned to read a recent CNA article published on 11 September that reported how vape shops in Johor Bahru say that Singaporeans still form the bulk of their customers. And checks at our checkpoints, despite all the enhanced penalties, the couriers are still willing to take on these risks to smuggle vapes into Singapore. So, I would like to ask the Minister two questions. One, what is the total quantity of e-vaporisers and related products detected in the cases intercepted at our checkpoints in the past one year? And whether the penalties for smuggling vapes into Singapore can be further increased, so that we can do more to deter such vapes from entering our shores? Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim: I thank the Member for the supplementary questions. Answering the second supplementary question first, during that period that I have shared, authorities have seized more than 500,000 e-vaporisers and related components across the cases that I have shared. And what is key is that, as what was shared by Minister Ong Ye Kung earlier, we have the whole-of-Government effort. It is not only looking at vapes but also looking at etomidate and any other substances that may be brought into Singapore, since 1 September when we listed etomidate in Class C listing. Our ground sensing indicated that there has been a reduction, and the etomidate traffickers are more wary about the situation and our enhanced enforcement efforts. And so, there are those who have stopped dealing with etomidate. Well, there are also those who still want to take the risk. They feel that there is demand. We will continue to take action against them. Just two weeks ago, we arrested eight members of etomidate syndicates.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister, in his answer, he said, for vaping, there is a high number of youths caught for vaping related offences. According to news reports, these youths are enticed to vaping and peddling of vapes through social media channels. I would like to ask how well is our HSA resourced to counter such tactics employed by the vape trafficking syndicates?”
“Such variables could lead to potential disputes. I would, therefore, like to suggest for CCCS to have powers under the Weights and Measures Act or under CPFTA, to make decisions on the exact conversion formula to be used, if a complaint is made to the agency regarding such matters. Sir, as we expand the ambit of CCCS, it is important that we provide the agency with greater administrative powers to strengthen its ability to enforce against unfair trade practices. In 2022, I spoke about the need to significantly shorten the time taken by CCCS to obtain an injunction order to stop errant businesses from perpetuating their unfair business practices. I urge the Government to reconsider my proposals for CCCS to have the ability to impose financial penalties on errant businesses without having to first obtain an injunction order from the Courts. Additionally, even if CCCS successfully obtains an injunction order against an errant business, affected consumers are still required to separately file their cases at the Small Claims Tribunals to seek compensation. I hope that CCCS could be provided powers to issue Directions to businesses to compensate consumers, in cases where the agency has been awarded an injunction order by the Courts. As the number of complaints handled by CASE continues to rise on a yearly basis, I urge the Government to provide CCCS with greater enforcement powers so that we can have a robust consumer protection regime. Sir, in closing, the proposal to consolidate the enforcement of consumer protection issues under CCCS is a timely move. As we do so, we should have an eye on future consumer protection issues, including potential disputes pertaining to the roll-out of unit pricing and to provide CCCS with greater administrative and enforcement powers.”
“How will stakeholders, such as the businesses, Conformity Assessment Bodies and registered suppliers of Controlled Goods, be impacted by this transfer of functions? Will there be any impact on CCCS and Enterprise Singapore officers as a result of the transfer? How does the Ministry intend to ensure a smooth transition for the affected officers? Sir, the proposed transfer of functions to CCCS will also allow the agency to have a wider view of consumer protection, especially in its efforts to enforce against unfair trade practices under the CPFTA. This is particularly crucial as we move to embark on a unit pricing trial later this year, for common grocery items at selected outlets across our four major supermarkets. As Members of this House would be aware, I have been calling for unit pricing since 2022, to tackle the phenomenon of shrinkflation. I therefore, welcome the trial, which will see supermarket operators display unit pricing for daily essentials, such as rice, meat, eggs, cooking oils, fruits and vegetables. I hope that the trial will provide useful insights that could lead to a nationwide implementation of unit pricing soon. CASE has been studying issues related to unit pricing rollout in other key jurisdictions and I am keenly aware of some of the operational challenges faced overseas. Let me use cooking oil as an example. Cooking oil is supplied in Singapore, both in terms of volume, meaning in litres; and also in weight, meaning in kilogrammes. One of the challenges of trying to unit price cooking oil will be if a retailer tries to convert all varieties of cooking oil into a standardised unit of measure. Different oils have different densities and the formula will differ across, for example, vegetable oil, sesame oil and avocado oil.”
“Mr Speaker, I stand in support of the Bill, which seeks to transfer the product safety and legal metrology functions of the Enterprise Singapore to CCCS. Sir, before I begin, I would like to first declare my interest as President of the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE). CASE has and continues to work closely with CCCS on many issues relating to consumer protection. CASE therefore supports the proposed amendments as they will effectively consolidate the enforcement of consumer protection issues under CCCS. As the Statutory Board responsible for enforcing the CPFTA, CCCS should have the mandate to enforce all issues related to unfair business practices across all sectors and industries. I therefore fully support the proposal for CCCS to take on the functions of ensuring product safety and to administer and enforce the Weights and Measures Act. Over the years, CASE has been conducting its own product safety testing. With this amendment, I foresee that CASE will work even more closely with CCCS to identify issues related to product safety and misleading product claims, to better protect consumers. However, I have some questions and suggestions regarding this Bill. Sir, in his speech at the launch of Enterprise Singapore in 2018, the then-Minister for Trade and Industry had highlighted the synergies of housing the development of standards and ensuring consumer product safety under Enterprise Singapore to build trust in Singapore's products and services. Seven years later, I would like to ask if this was achieved and how does the Ministry intend to ensure that we do not lose this competitive advantage once the product safety and legal metrology functions are transferred to CCCS?”
“Sir, in closing, I would like to commend the MSF team and the many caregivers in our social residential homes for the tireless and often difficult work in providing round-the-clock care for our vulnerable residents. We must continue to invest in comprehensive training and continuous professional development for these caregivers. Partnering with educational institutions and industry experts can help equip caregivers with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide exceptional care. To retain skilled workers, we must offer competitive salaries, benefits and support systems. Initiatives, such as mental health support for caregivers and career development opportunities, can contribute to staff satisfaction and retention. We should also explore diversified funding models that go beyond Government dependence. Increased collaboration with the private sector and philanthropic organisations can help create a more sustainable financial ecosystem for these homes and I hope the Government can play a useful matchmaker role in this. The homes should also be encouraged to leverage technology to improve care delivery. From telemedicine to digital health monitoring, innovative solutions can enhance the quality of care and keep residents connected with their loved ones. Mr Speaker, I support the Bill.”
“A staff who causes grievous hurt or harm to a resident arising from the use of excessive force or unauthorised forms of restraints can be subjected to criminal penalties under the Penal Code; and regulatory actions under the Act. What is reasonable force may differ from person to person and proper training is, therefore, crucial to ensure that the staff assigned to conduct such functions are equipped to do so. I would like to ask if MSF has data on the number of cases of social residential home staff that have been investigated and taken to task for use of excessive force over the past 10 years. Can MSF share more details about how such cases get picked up for investigation? Is there a whistle-blowing channel for family members or members of public to report any perceived use of excessive force? Will there be an ombudsman to investigate such reports? Sir, the proposed provisions will also empower MSF to issue a step-in order to completely or partially takeover a failing social residential home to ensure a continuity of care for residents. I would like to ask how many such homes have required a change of operators over the past 10 years? In the event of MSF taking over or asking another operator to take over a failing facility, how does MSF intend to ensure a smooth transition, especially for the affected staff and the residents involved? Does MSF have a projection on the number of social residential homes that will be required in the next 10 years? What is the projected number of staff needed to operate these homes? Will MSF consider managing some of these facilities directly, given the amount of resources required?”
“Social residential homes are currently required to comply with sector-specific requirements based on their service models. I would like to ask how have such sector-specific standards changed over the years since the various types of homes were set up and how does MSF see the different standards evolving as we consolidate all the various requirements under one licensing regime? For example, will we see a lower caregiver-to-residents ratio? With all homes grappling with a lean workforce, will the new licensing requirements lead to a higher regulatory cost? What is the expected increase in costs that MSF projects will be passed down to consumers? Will the one-off Transition Support Package that the Senior Parliamentary Secretary mentioned in his opening speech be sufficient in helping the homes transit to the new licensing regime, especially for homes with much lesser resources? Can MSF consider a stepped-down support package to help defray the expected increases in recurring operational costs for a few more additional years? Sir, I understand that the Singapore Boys' Home and Singapore Girls' Home are not covered under this Bill. What are the reasons for excluding them out of the ambit of this regulatory regime? Are the Boys' and Girls' Homes subject to the same standards as those provided under this Bill? Who is responsible for ensuring the quality of care at these homes? Sir, the proposed provisions make clear the parameters within which a staff may use reasonable force and mechanical restraints on a resident, for the safety of other residents and staff working in the home.”
“Many homes rely heavily on Government funding, donations and the goodwill of volunteerism. As the economic landscape fluctuates, securing the necessary funds to maintain and improve these homes becomes increasingly challenging. This precarious financial situation can lead to a detrimental ripple effect on both the quality of care and the emotional well-being of the residents. By 2030, Singapore will have one in four residents above the age of 65. We can expect this growing elderly population to lead to an increased demand for social residential homes. The complexity of caregiving will escalate, necessitating not only more beds but also more robust support systems that can cater to an ageing population with diverse needs. This Bill is, therefore, timely as we proactively address the structure and function of our social residential homes to ensure they can meet both present and future needs and challenges. However, I have some questions and suggestions. Sir, the Bill proposes to increase penalties significantly. The penalty for unauthorised operation of a home is proposed to increase from the current maximum fine of $5,000 and/or up to two years of imprisonment; to a maximum fine of $100,000 and/or up to two years of imprisonment. I would like to ask, what the rationale was behind increasing the penalties by 20-fold and whether such a hefty fine is reasonable, with respect to the level of harm done. Will MSF be making clear the responsibilities and liabilities of the board members of these homes, many of whom are volunteers? My concern is that the sharp increase in penalties may result in a chilling effect that deters volunteers from serving on the boards of the social residential homes. Sir, my next two points pertain to standards and regulatory costs.”
“Mr Speaker, social residential homes play an essential role in our society, providing a sanctuary for many of our elderly and vulnerable citizens. First, let us take a moment to appreciate the progress that Singapore has made in establishing a framework of care within our social residential homes. These facilities are often staffed with trained and dedicated caregivers. And many have adopted person-centred care practices that focus on the individual needs, preferences and dignity of their residents. However, there is still much work to be done. Standards of care can vary significantly from one home to another, depending largely on the resources, training and infrastructure of the facility. While some residential homes provide exemplary care, others fall short in key areas such as staffing, training and the availability of specialised care for those with dementia, physical disability or other chronic conditions. It is therefore vital that we assess and enhance the standards of care in these facilities, confront the myriad challenges they face and prepare for the future demand that will inevitably arise from our changing population demographics. Sir, social residential homes face numerous challenges that threaten their ability to maintain high standards of care. One of the more pressing issues is the acute shortage of skilled caregivers. As our population ages, the demand for caregiving services is expected to increase, yet, we struggle to recruit and retain competent staff. Low wages, high job demands and difficult working conditions contribute to high turnover rates that would inevitably compromise the quality of care residents receive. Additionally, financial sustainability is a recurrent concern.”
“Sir, I thank the Senior Minister of State for his response, and I also thank the MOM and MPA team for stepping up inspections in the marine sector. But for the marine sector to record five fatalities in 2024, from none in 2023, is very concerning. I believe that the safety standards at our land-based shipyards have improved over the years and most of the recent fatality cases happened in the waters on vessels in anchorage. I know some of these investigations are still ongoing, but can the Senior Minister of State share if MOM has a sense of what the common causes are in these cases? Were protective gear, such as life jackets and proper diving equipment provided by the companies, worn by the workers? Were there any links to adverse weather conditions in some of these cases? Vessels in anchorage are considered remote sites, where it is harder for medical help to reach an injured person. And as we all know, response time in an emergency case can be a matter of life and death. Could response time therefore be a contributory factor in these cases because they happen on remote sites? If so, are there any plans to improve the response time of emergency medical help to these remote sites?”
“And as the thermal runaway produces heat and with oxygen that continues to fuel the fire, it would take several hours to extinguish, whereas for the internal combustion engine vehicles, it takes about 10 to 15 minutes. What is key is that we need to play our part, making sure to look out for such instances, where there are items. Also, at the same time, there are fire extinguishers available at the Housing and Development Board blocks, and when there are such fires, we should use these. But also be mindful that there are certain aspects where you just need to call 995 immediately. We are very fortunate today, we have many more people who are first responders and can help to fight fires and to keep our environment and amenities and infrastructures safe.”
“Sir, I thank the Minister of State for his response. If I heard correctly, he mentioned that none of the fires in the car parks are related to EVs, but as more and more car owners are adopting EVs, I would also want to highlight a concern with the EV chargers. And also, if I remember correctly, the Singapore Civil Defence Force did mention that to put out an EV fire is much harder than a traditional fire. So, have there been experiments or trials to see how our firefighters can do better, should an EV fire happen in multi-storey car parks? And are there guidelines on where the EV chargers should be installed within a multi-storey car park to better facilitate, especially our firefighters, in combating a fire should it occur? For example, should chargers be placed only on the ground level of a multi-storey car park? Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim: Sir, I thank the Member for the supplementary questions. Yes, we understand that there have been developments, especially in EVs over the years. So, our officers and within the fire safety fraternity, there has also been discussion and also guidelines being developed. For Singapore, we have such guidelines. Particularly for EV chargers, we have the Technical Reference 25 (TR 25), which is a nationwide standard. And we do not restrict EV chargers to any level of the car parks, but they need to comply with safety distances and also install the power cut-off switch within a certain distance. So, that is one aspect. And the Member also asked about the difference between how much time is taken. Essentially, most EV fires resulting from thermal runaway will take longer to extinguish because the fire is self-generating.”
“Chairman, I thank the Minister and the MSF team for addressing the wide range of issues that Members have raised. As we navigate through these challenging times, I am heartened that MSF and the social service sector are doing their best to support vulnerable Singaporeans. They remind us of the strength of unity and the power of collective action as we foster a more caring society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their starting point. Chairman, with that, I seek leave to withdraw my amendment. [(proc text) Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. (proc text)] [(proc text) The sum of $5,262,330,000 for Head I ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. (proc text)] [(proc text) The sum of $209,177,400 for Head I ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. (proc text)]”
“Chairman, I thank Minister Masagos, Minister of State Sun Xueling and the Senior Parliamentary Secretary Eric Chua for their responses. I have two clarifications for Minister of State Sun Xueling. I note the progress that we have made in the preschool sector. I have some suggestions in my cut and I hope the Minister of State can address them. Can we establish a quality assurance framework that regularly assesses all preschools in Singapore and also publish these standards? Doing so will, hopefully, encourage all preschools in Singapore to raise their standard. My second question pertains to the retention of preschool teachers. Can ECDA conduct a local study to identify and better understand the push factors behind why our preschool teachers are leaving the industry? My brief interaction with many of these preschool teachers seems to suggest that burnout is a common reason. Are there any plans by MSF to further increase our investments in the professional development of our early childhood educators?”
“00 pm For children in primary and secondary schools, can MSF collaborate with the schools to provide academic support such as tutoring, mentorship programmes and enrichment classes to ensure that children from ComLink+ families have equal opportunities for success? Some families may also lack access to technology resources that can facilitate learning and application processes. I would like to ask if ComLink+ families, in particular, the children, are provided access to digital literacy training and resources as well as subsidised devices and Internet access? ComLink+ is a whole-of-society effort led by the Government but implemented in partnership with the community. I hope that we can continue to expand the ComLink+ ecosystem to better support lower-income families in their efforts towards building a better future for themselves.”
“Mr Chairman, the ComLink+ scheme, introduced in 2023, pairs vulnerable families with dedicated family coaches and volunteer befrienders who will journey with the families in achieving stability, self-reliance and social mobility. Can MSF provide an update on the progress and effectiveness of the ComLink+ scheme? While ComLink+ provides financial assistance, there remains a lack of comprehensive services covering mental health, career counselling and social integration. Are there plans by MSF to introduce partnerships with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the private sector to provide skill development workshops, mental health resources and counselling services tailored to the needs of the ComLink+ families? Sir, short-term assistance may not lead to long-term financial stability, and families may struggle with financial management. Can MSF work with relevant service providers to develop tailored financial literacy programmes to help the families make informed decisions about budgeting, saving and investing? I also invite MSF to collaborate with the National Trades Union Congress' (NTUC's) Employment and Employability Institute to implement programmes that include pathways to employment, skills enhancement and career advancement to provide these families with a sustainable means of income over time. According to the Supporting Lower-Income Households trends report released by MSF in November 2024, only 26% of families on the ComLink+ scheme send their children to preschool regularly. What is MSF's plan to improve the preschool participation rate for these families? 7.”
“What are the reasons provided by those preschools that have declined to adopt these frameworks? Can we establish a quality assurance framework that regularly assesses all preschools in Singapore and publish these standards? Doing so will encourage all preschools in Singapore to raise their standards. On teacher standards, Singapore has invested heavily to enhance the quality of our preschool teachers through structured training and regulatory frameworks for early childhood educators. However, the sector still faces challenges in becoming an industry of choice. There remains a shortage of qualified educators willing to enter the field and retention is a persistent issue, with many educators leaving within the first few years of service. Can ECDA conduct a local study to understand the push factors behind why these teachers leave the industry? Are there any plans to further increase our investments in the professional development of our early childhood educators? Sir, my hope is that Every Preschool is a Good Preschool so that all our children can receive a quality start to their educational journeys, enabling them to thrive in future learning environments.”
“What is the Ministry’s plan to further encourage individual Singaporeans and the community to step up their efforts in contributing to society? Sir, barely two years ago, Singapore emerged stronger together from the COVID-19 pandemic – the crisis of our generation. We have barely turned the page on the pandemic and we are now suddenly faced with a confluence of geopolitical, economic and technological forces, which threatens to create a very uncertain future. As Singapore commemorates 60 years of Independence, it is crucial that we continue to build a more resilient and supportive society, a future where the social compact is continually reinforced and one in which no Singaporean will be left behind as Singapore progresses. [(proc text) Question proposed. (proc text)] 6.45 pm Quality of Preschools Mr Chairman, Singapore's preschool education is generally regarded as high quality, due to substantial Government investment and a strong regulatory framework. Research has shown that children receiving quality early childhood education tend to have better cognitive and socio-economic outcomes. We must therefore strive to continually enhance the quality of early childhood education in Singapore, both in terms of curriculum standards and teacher standards. On curriculum standards, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) has the Early Years Development Framework, which guides early childhood educators working with children from birth to three years old. This is complemented by the Nurturing Early Learners Framework, which guides the teaching and learning in preschools for children aged four to six. Both frameworks have also been recently revised, in 2023 and 2022 respectively. Can the Ministry share the adoption rate of both frameworks among preschools in Singapore?”
“Social service agencies, such as the Family Service Centres, play a critical role in supporting vulnerable families in Singapore. I am concerned about attracting quality professionals into the social service sector. The National Council of Social Service (NCSS) regularly releases salary guidelines for job roles in the social service sector. I would like to ask the Ministry, what is the percentage of social service agencies that comply with the recommended starting salary and reference point salaries released by the NCSS? How can we better support the financial sustainability of our social service ecosystem, so that they are not overly dependent on Government grants? How can we encourage more Singaporeans to donate regularly to our social service agencies and also encourage more volunteerism? Beyond uplifting the social service sector, I would like to encourage the Ministry to place greater emphasis on supporting families with complex issues, as part of our refreshed Forward Singapore social compact. What is the Ministry’s plan to enhance the ways in which the social service sector delivers its services and programmes so that vulnerable families, in particular families with multiple and complex needs, can be better supported? We should also do more to encourage active citizenship and promote volunteerism to instill a sense of responsibility towards the collective well-being. In addition to the $600 million that will be set aside by the Government and the Tote Board to match donations made to charities and social causes in an effort to encourage philanthropy, how can we do more to encourage philanthropy in all forms, beyond just monetary donations?”
“Mr Chairman, I beg to move, "That the total sum to be allocated for Head I of the Estimates be reduced by $100". Sir, Singapore’s social compact is multifaceted. Economic stability, social welfare, educational opportunities, social mobility, community engagement and expectations around healthcare and housing all come together to form the social compact that binds us together as one united nation. Over the past 60 years, our strong social compact has been instrumental in fostering a sense of national identity, unity and collective responsibility among Singaporeans. As Singapore commemorates 60 years of Independence, we must continue to ensure that our economic policies benefit all segments of society. This includes investing in skills training, supporting local small and medium enterprises, and creating jobs that cater to different skill levels. But there remain barriers to upward mobility for low-income families, with entrenched inequalities affecting education and job opportunities. How can we better support low-income families in education, skills training and job placement to break the cycles of poverty? It is crucial that we continue to provide equitable access to opportunities, to reduce income inequality and ensure opportunities for all segments of Singaporeans. We must continue to review and to update our social support schemes for our vulnerable populations. Some segments may still fall through the gaps, such as gig workers or freelancers who may not qualify for the traditional safety nets. With an ageing population, there are also concerns about the sustainability of our existing social support schemes and the adequacy of retirement savings.”
“Can MOM provide an update on the Safety Accountability, Focus and Empowerment (SAFE) measures implemented thus far? How have these measures improved workplace safety and health ownership? How are these SAFE measures expected to improve safety in the construction sector? What is the Ministry's plan to sustain the collective tripartite efforts on total workplace safety and health (WSH), including efforts on occupational disease prevention? Ensuring workplace safety and health is a never-ending endeavour. What is the Ministry's plan to foster a stronger workplace safety culture at every company, beyond just enforcement? Work Safety for Creative Freelancers”
“Mr Chairman, it has been almost two years since the implementation of recommendations by the Tripartite Workgroup on Lower-Wage Workers. What has been the progress of these efforts and what are the benchmarks that the MOM uses to measure success? It is heartening that the Government has taken the lead in making the Progressive Wage Mark a contractual obligation for Government tenders. How many lower-wage workers have been uplifted through the PW Mark, beyond the companies that are subject to mandatory licensing and foreign worker requirements? What more can we do to encourage companies to adopt the PW Mark? The PWM has uplifted wages and more importantly, catalysed longer-term shifts in the PWM sectors. I urge MOM to extend the PWM to the pest management sector, which is an essential service that has many rank and file workers earning wages below the 20th percentile of resident workers. Implementing PWM will help reduce attrition and hopefully, transform the industry into one that can provide a viable career for Singaporeans. Workplace Safety and Health Mr Chairman, when our annualised fatal injury rate held steady at 1.0 per 100,000 workers for 2023 and the first half of 2024, I then cautioned that we must continue to work hard to keep our workplace accidents as low as we can. Unfortunately, complacency seems to have set in for the construction sector. In December last year, MOM noted a spike in construction workplace deaths in the second half of 2024. Worryingly, it was reported that many of these incidents were due to the lack of basic safety measures or non-compliance with established safety measures. The spike in workplace fatalities is deeply concerning, because every life lost is one too many.”
“Mr Chairman, the annual complaints statistics released by CASE showed that e-commerce complaints reached an all-time high in 2024, surpassing even the peak caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. E-commerce has fundamentally changed the way consumers shop, creating new consumer protection concerns and exacerbating existing unfair business practices. In my Budget debate speech, I spoke at length about the importance of ensuring that our consumer protection regime and legislation are updated and remain fit-for-purpose in this e-commerce era. What is the Ministry’s plan to tighten and enhance consumer protection for Singaporean consumers, who are increasingly turning to e-commerce? Progress Update on IMC and SME Pro-Enterprise Office”
“Mr Chairman, I believe my concerns with regard to the deployment of autonomous buses in Singapore were not addressed. So, can I ask the Minister to provide an update on the plans to deploy these autonomous buses and what is the road map? How many public transport workers, in particular, the bus captains and the bus technicians, will be affected in such a roll-out? Are there any plans to ensure that the affected workers are suitably upskilled, reskilled and redeployed in advance?”
“Mr Chairman, co-mingling goods and workers at the back of lorries is dangerous and can result in serious injuries and even fatalities. In her recent Parliamentary Question reply, Senior Minister of State Amy Khor highlighted examples of companies already using buses to ferry workers. In fact, I have visited many of these companies, sometimes in the wee hours of the morning, and I commend them for their commitment to safer worker transportation. I urge more companies to do so. For specialist tradesmen and small businesses, I urge these companies not to co-mingle people and goods at the back of lorries, as it is dangerous. Can the Ministry mandate the separation of goods and passengers when using lorries to transport workers? Under the Road Traffic Act, all equipment on board lorries must be properly secured to ensure the safety of all road users and workers. I urge LTA and the Traffic Police to step up joint enforcement action against companies which fail to do so. Update to Point-to-point (P2P) Industry Review”
“Mr Chairman, earlier this year, LTA launched a tender, seeking proposals to trial autonomous buses and to evaluate the feasibility of using autonomous vehicle technology for public bus services. Can the Ministry provide an update on the deployment of autonomous buses for revenue service and the implementation roadmap? How many public transport workers, in particular, our bus captains and bus technicians, will be affected by the roll-out of autonomous buses on our roads? What is the Ministry's plan to ensure that the affected public transport workers are suitably upskilled, reskilled and redeployed? I urge the Ministry to work closely with the National Transport Workers' Union (NTWU) to ensure a smooth transition for all affected workers. Support for Bus Captains”
“Mr Chairman, an efficient and reliable public transport is vital in moving millions of Singaporeans daily. I note from the Transport Minister's recent Parliamentary Question replies that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) was still looking into the root causes of the recent train disruptions. I hope the investigations would address the following areas: One, how did the recent train disruptions differ from past occurrences? Were these technical failures, human errors, or external factors influencing the rail system? Two, how did the LTA and our rail operators handle the train disruptions as they unfolded and how can we ensure timely and clear updates to affected commuters? Three, will there be a review of the current training and preparedness protocols for staff in handling major train disruptions? Are there plans to implement more rigorous training and better incident response simulations to better prepare for unexpected situations? It is also important that we continue to invest in predictive and preventative maintenance. How does the LTA intend to use technology, including artificial intelligence, to establish a robust schedule for regular maintenance and inspections for our rail systems, to pre-emptively identify and address potential issues? 2.00 pm We should also invest in redundancy systems and parallel bus routes that can be activated swiftly during disruptions, so as to allow commuters to continue their journeys with minimal impact. While disruptions are an unfortunate reality of any transport system, they can also be catalysts for improvement. By proactively addressing the root causes, we can refine our rail system to ensure a safer, more reliable experience for all Singaporean commuters. Train Service in the West”
“Madam, time is of the essence. In my Budget debate speech, I touched on how Singapore is operating in an increasingly challenging geopolitical environment. I have regularly highlighted, in this House, that it is important for Singapore to ensure that our Public Service officers have broad perspectives so that they are equipped to take on not only today's challenges but challenges of the future. This is even more crucial now, with rising tensions between big global powers and the threat of impending trade wars. 5.00 pm I would like to ask how does the public sector intend to prepare its workforce and foster greater collaboration within and across its agencies to effectively address the multifaceted challenges of the future? What critical cross-cutting and diverse capabilities should the Public Service prioritise in developing its officers to ensure that they are future-ready? Madam, a future-ready Public Service must have in its DNA, a culture that prioritises innovation and regular upskilling. I would like to ask how does the Public Service intend to create a learning ecosystem that fosters innovation and agility across its different agencies? Building Global Mindset in Public Service”
“NTUC cares for our lower-wage workers and will always strive to improve their lives and livelihoods. We must continue to review sectors where the introduction of PWM can result in better wages and better work prospects for our lower-income brothers and sisters. I will also continue to work with the Government agencies and industry stakeholders to improve our work environments, workplace safety and mental health of all workers. Here, I would like to record my thanks to the hon Member Hazel Poa for suggesting in her speech yesterday for a right to disconnect, something that I have been championing since 2020. I am glad that more Members, including the Progress Singapore Party, are now supporting this too. Sir, as we celebrate SG60, there is much that we can be proud of. But we must continue to do all we can to ensure that no one is left behind as our economy progresses. Sir, I support the Budget.”