Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman
Singapore
“Just a quick response to the question on JKJU. Indeed, we continue to pay attention to the health of the Malay/Muslim community. I mentioned earlier while we have been making progress, there have been some areas that we continue to want to improve on, particularly, increasing in our rates of participation in signing up for Healthier SG, p…”
“00 pm (In English): Mr Chairman, beyond our shores or closer to home, efforts like M3's Aid for Gaza and our initiatives for local communities in the M3@Towns show how our acts of care and contribution, as donors or volunteers, and how we can connect with one another to do so, can make a difference to those around us.”
“The other dimension is that having Dian ambassadors help with the cultural dimension, because not all family coaches from ComLink necessarily understand the dynamics of Malay culture, the nuances, and so the Dian ambassadors help them and tell them that these are the ways in which we can connect with Malay families in a manner that will g…”
“This will also mitigate the impulse to normalise or chase the extremes in the contest to circulate ever more startling videos and content. While firm actions will be taken to address the parties involved in each incident, the school will also use the opportunity as a teaching moment for all its students.”
“Sir, I agree with the Member that we have to strike a balance. We cannot just swing one way or the other. Just to assure the Member that MOE did commission a National Institute of Education study – it was a two-year study which was commissioned in September 2022, but it is not completed yet.”
“Mr Speaker, the short answer is yes. We welcome anyone who is keen to join the SPED sector. We know this SPED sector is a very challenging sector to be in. It requires determination. It requires passion. It is a calling.”
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“The plan for the Bilateral Financial Arrangement worth US$10 billion was announced at the 2018 Leaders’ Retreat between the Prime Minister and President Jokowi, and this clearly demonstrates our mutual trust and confidence in each other’s economies. In addition, we cooperate closely on the defence, security and counterterrorism fronts to tackle common challenges. Indonesia will hold its legislative elections and presidential elections in April this year. We wish them a smooth and peaceful election. We also look forward to continuing our strong, long-standing and cooperative partnership with Indonesia. (In English): Mr Baey Yam Keng asked about Singapore’s engagement of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. We maintain strong ties with these neighbours through regular high-level exchanges. This year, we will commemorate the 50th anniversary of our diplomatic relations with the Philippines. Trade with all six countries continues to grow. Our businesses are keen to collaborate in emerging fields, such as FinTech, digital economy, smart cities and renewable energy. Thailand is a long-standing defence partner and continues to support SAF training. We have extensive technical cooperation with Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. In 2018, we upgraded our technical cooperation centres in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam to the Singapore Cooperation Centres. These Centres enlarge Singapore’s mindshare by offering an integrated development assistance platform. This brings me to my second point, that Singapore must strive constantly to enlarge our circle of friends. Mr Liang Eng Hwa asked for an update on our relationship with India. It is robust, forward-looking and we have made progress across all pillars of our Strategic Partnership.”
“On airspace, Singapore had planned to upgrade Seletar Airport to use Instrument Landing System (ILS) procedures. The ILS would have allowed flights arriving at Seletar Airport to land safely even in conditions where visibility is poor. However, Malaysia declared a permanent Restricted Area (RA) on 25 December 2018 which has affected flights operating to and from Seletar Airport. Following the meetings between the Foreign Ministers on 8 January 2019 and the Transport Ministers on 23 January 2019, both sides have mutually suspended the ILS procedures and permanent RA until 31 March this year. Since then, the Transport Ministers and senior officials from both sides have been meeting regularly to discuss these issues, and we look forward to finding a solution that is mutually agreeable. As close neighbours, issues will naturally surface from time to time that we have to deal with together. What is important is how we deal with them – discussing in good faith, keeping in compliance with international law, and honouring existing agreements. Despite these current difficulties, Singapore still hopes to work with Malaysia for better relations, and for closer long-term cooperation that will benefit the citizens of both sides. Singapore-Indonesia relations are deep and multifaceted. Frequent high-level meetings and exchanges underpin our strong ties with Indonesia. My colleagues and I are familiar with Indonesian leaders from the various regions and meet them regularly when they visit Singapore and when we travel there. Our two economies are closely linked. Singapore remained as Indonesia’s top foreign investor. Examples of recent key investments are the Kendal Industrial Park and Nongsa Digital Park.”
“For instance, when Sheikh Ahmed Al Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, visited Singapore last May at the Prime Minister's invitation, he shared insights on Islamic principles and practices in a multi-religious society, and exhorted our Muslim community to stay harmonious and to harness religion as a force for good. Such exchanges are critical, given the potential for extremism and conflicts in the Middle East to spill over in our region. Minister Vivian Balakrishnan spoke about our relations with our closest neighbours. Mr Chairman, let me take this opportunity to underscore a few points in Malay. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Several bilateral issues have surfaced with Malaysia in recent months, namely, the port limits and airspace issues. On the port limits issue, as Members of the House are aware, Malaysia unilaterally extended the Johor Bahru Port Limits on 25 October 2018. Since late November 2018, Malaysian Government vessels have intruded repeatedly into Singapore Territorial Waters. We have protested the purported extension of the Johor Bahru Port Limits and these intrusions. These intrusions do not help Malaysia’s legal case. Instead, they have raised tensions and endangered navigational safety in the area, as shown by the recent collision between Greece-registered bulk carrier Pireas and Malaysian Government vessel Polaris, which was illegally anchored in Singapore Territorial Waters. The officials have been meeting to discuss measures to de-escalate the situation. Both sides are aware of the urgent need to prevent more accidents and untoward incidents. The Working Group is due to submit its recommendations to the two Foreign Ministers in early March.”
“We must keep in mind that ASEAN member states have different approaches in dealing with humanitarian and human rights issues due to their own history and domestic sociopolitical dynamics. It will be difficult to apply a "one-size-fits-all" approach. Mr Louis Ng asked whether Singapore could consider donating to the office of UNHCR fund for refugees from the Rakhine State, in addition to our general contribution. As a small country with limited resources, we are not a major donor to UNHCR. However, as Mr Louis Ng pointed out, we increased our annual contributions in 2016. Our contribution is comparable to that of the other ASEAN countries. What is important is to stay focused on creating a conducive environment for refugees to return to the Rakhine State. That can only be achieved through internal dialogue and consensus. ASEAN also has to deal with the threat of terrorism. Our region faces the heightened threat of returning fighters and radicalised individuals who may be persuaded to carry out attacks where they live. The recent bomb attacks at a cathedral in southern Philippines which claimed at least 20 lives, remind us of the existing threats to regional stability as well as racial and religious harmony. To combat these threats, platforms for information sharing, such as the "Our Eyes" Initiative, are vital. We will continue to work with like-minded countries to promote religious moderation and inter-faith harmony, while contributing to the counterterrorism capacity-building efforts of our Middle East partners where possible.”
“This includes ongoing negotiations on the ASEAN-EU Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement and efforts to resume negotiations on an ASEAN-EU FTA. These initiatives will deepen linkages between two dynamic integrated blocs with a combined market of more than one billion people and realise significant economic opportunities for our businesses and our peoples. At a recent meeting co-chaired by Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, the ASEAN and EU Foreign Ministers agreed in principle to upgrade ASEAN-EU relations to a strategic level and reaffirmed our shared commitment to multilateralism and a rules-based world order. One complex and evolving issue that ASEAN has to deal with is the situation in the Rakhine State in Myanmar. Understandably, ASEAN member states are concerned about the situation. The ASEAN Leaders and Foreign Ministers have discussed this issue extensively. However, there are no quick fixes. This is a long-standing and complex issue which needs a political solution. Ms Anthea Ong asked about ASEAN's policy regarding the situation in the Rakhine State. At Myanmar's invitation at the 33rd ASEAN Summit in November 2018, the Leaders agreed to despatch a needs assessment team to the Rakhine State to identify ways to support Myanmar's efforts in the repatriation process. That said, it is ultimately the responsibility of the Myanmar government and its stakeholders to find a viable and durable long-term solution. The discussions at the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) run parallel to and are consistent with the conversations among the ASEAN Leaders and Foreign Ministers. Currently, there are no discussions amongst ASEAN on pursuing measures, such as a Human Rights Court or a regional refugee and asylum policy.”
“For example, we launched initiatives to enhance aviation safety for military aircraft, combat terrorism and extremism, as well as strengthen ASEAN's cyber strategy development and capabilities. We deepened economic integration by focusing on growth areas in e-commerce and digital technology. These initiatives boost regional integration and increase key partners' stake in the development of our region. Amidst major power rivalry, ASEAN member states will increasingly be subject to competing external pressures that may pull us in different directions. Balancing national interests against regional interests is a perennial challenge, but one we can overcome by increasing ASEAN's value proposition to each member and enlarging our sphere of common interests. Dr Teo Ho Pin also asked about the status of the ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN). The ASCN's 26 pilot cities came together last year to set out ASEAN's definition of a smart city and develop city-specific action plans towards becoming smart cities by 2025. Since 2018, ASCN has secured over 30 partnerships with interested private and public entities. For Singapore businesses, ASCN presents regional business opportunities in many areas, including urban development, human capital development, technology incubation and financial services. Singapore will work with Thailand, this year's ASEAN Chair, to shepherd the ASCN initiative onto its next phase of development. Singapore has taken over the country coordinatorship of ASEAN-EU Dialogue Relations from 2018 to 2021. Mr Muralli Pillai asked about our goals and priorities, and if Brexit will affect ASEAN-EU dialogue relations. While there remains much uncertainty over Brexit, Singapore aims to facilitate concrete and beneficial outcomes for ASEAN-EU dialogue relations.”
“Nearly 4,500 US companies have set up shop here, creating jobs in finance, insurance, manufacturing and trade. We signed new cooperation agreements on energy, standards, advanced manufacturing and technology partnerships, as well as automatic exchange of financial account information. Incoming visits by President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence and several other Cabinet Secretaries to Singapore, as well as Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and other Singapore Ministers to the US last year, allowed both sides to exchange views on issues of mutual interest. We will sustain this steady rhythm of high-level engagements in 2019. Closer to home, ASEAN continues to be a key pillar of Singapore's foreign policy, as articulated by Minister Vivian Balakrishnan earlier. When ASEAN was formed in 1967, Southeast Asia was a troubled and unstable region, rife with hostility and confrontation. It was a leap of faith for ASEAN's five founding members to put aside their differences to bring the region together. The expansion of ASEAN from five to 10 members, brought new opportunities and challenges, including creating consensus amongst 10 states with diverse political systems, histories and levels of economic development. ASEAN has come a long way since, but maintaining ASEAN's unity, centrality and relevance remains as important as ever. Mr Vikram Nair and Dr Teo Ho Pin asked how ASEAN can strengthen its centrality and speak in one voice on contentious issues. Under the theme of "Resilient and Innovative" during our 2018 ASEAN Chairmanship, we focused on enhancing ASEAN centrality, unity and relevance.”
“Mr Chairman, Minister Vivian Balakrishnan outlined key foreign policy challenges for Singapore. I will now highlight opportunities for Singapore. First, strengthening existing partnerships; second, enlarging our circle of friends; and third, expanding and intensifying our outreach. First, on strengthening existing partnerships. I will begin with the US, a major defence and economic partner for Singapore. For decades, the US has been a stabilising force in the Asia Pacific. Its continued commitment and sustained military presence in the region are even more vital today, given the evolving regional developments. We have developed broad and substantive defence ties with the US, underpinned by regular high-level visits, joint military training, defence technology cooperation and professional exchanges. 2.30 pm Since 2014, Singapore has contributed military assets and personnel towards the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS led by the US. During US Vice President Mike Pence's visit to Singapore in November, we signed a Letter of Intent to jointly develop a Singapore-US Cybersecurity Technical Assistance Programme. Last month, I attended the Meeting of the Ministers of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in Washington DC to share Singapore's ongoing efforts to build regional counterterrorism capabilities. We are working towards the renewal in 2020 of our 1990 landmark agreement granting the US access to military facilities in Singapore. Notwithstanding our different positions on trade, Singapore and the US continue to enjoy robust economic relations. It remains our largest foreign direct investor. Its investment has increased by some 21% from S$280 billion in 2016, to S$339 billion in 2017.”
“For example, the Business Psychological Resilience Programme, part of Temasek Foundation Cares' "Stay Prepared" initiative, trains employees of companies in skills like psychological first aid. MINDEF has also been actively reaching out to our youths and the wider community on Total Defence, and it is heartening to see how they have rallied around Total Defence. One example is our five students from Temasek Polytechnic – Benedict, Gabriel, Jed, Martin and Shing Hao. They developed a prototype Total Defence mobile application game, named "The Lion City". The game highlights how simple everyday actions can contribute towards building a strong and cohesive nation. The game's developers hope that by doing so, they can inspire their fellow youths to play their part and put Total Defence into action. Sir, in conclusion, Singapore has enjoyed peace and prosperity as we have a strong SAF, a strong NS system, and strong public support for defence and security. Thirty-five years on and after the launch of Total Defence, we must continue to involve all communities and faiths to play their part. As we commemorate the Singapore Bicentennial this year, let us strengthen our resolve to safeguard our future of Singapore and Singaporeans.”
“The recent bilateral tensions between Singapore and Malaysia have helped Singaporeans better understand what we stand for, and why it is so important for us to take these positions on upholding our territorial sovereignty and operating within a rules-based international order. Our small size and the volatility in our region show how crucial it is for Singaporeans to remain committed to our own defence, and having a strong Singapore Armed Forces. (In English): I spoke earlier about how the terrorism threat is here to stay. Security agencies will do all we can to prevent an attack, but, even if one takes place, it is important that every Singaporean knows what to do so that we can hold together, and bounce back quickly as a society. We commend ground-up initiatives that put Total Defence in action in this way, such as the example of the young Singaporeans who came together to develop the Bukit Panjang Emergency Preparedness Guide, with the support of Bukit Panjang Community Emergency and Engagement Committee, as Dr Teo Ho Pin had shared. 12.30 pm To build emergency preparedness, we have put in place the Community Response Module that equips MINDEF and SAF personnel to be active community responders by teaching them skills to better protect themselves and help those around them in the event of a terror attack. This complements MHA's SGSecure effort, which continues to build vigilance, cohesion and resilience in the community to deal with a terror attack. MINDEF's Total Defence partnerships with organisations, such as the Singapore Red Cross and Temasek Foundation Cares, also equip people with the knowledge and skills that they can apply in a crisis.”
“While we step up efforts in Digital Defence, the multifaceted threats of today mean that to keep Singapore strong, we need a collective effort where everyone plays a part and takes action across all six pillars of Total Defence. Mr Chairman, may I say a few words in Malay, please? (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mr Chairman, the recent maritime and airspace disputes between Singapore and Malaysia have reinforced the importance of Total Defence for us. Our security agencies stand ready and vigilant to safeguard our sovereignty. Singaporeans also need to remain united and stand firm on our principles to protect our national interests. Therefore, it has been heartening to see how many Singaporeans have taken to social media to counter false claims and show support for Singapore’s position. One example is a post by Mr John Lam, who encouraged fellow Singaporeans to remain calm and civil when the maritime dispute between Singapore and Malaysia became tense. He used examples from Singapore’s past to show how we, as one people, have overcome our constraints, and came out stronger. For instance, when we were faced with the threats to cut our water supplies, we invested in water filtration and desalination technologies and developed our own NEWater treatment plants. When faced with a sand import ban, we developed innovative and environmentally-friendly ways of using less sand for reclamation. What Mr Lam and many others have done embody what Psychological Defence is about – our people staying united and resolving to stand up for Singapore. Members of this House, like Ms Cheng Li Hui, have acknowledged the importance of this as well.”
“We hope that, collectively, these efforts will help our Servicemen better understand the role of fake news in modern warfare, the steps that they can take in response, and strengthen cyber hygiene as a whole. For students, issues related to Digital Defence are already in the Ministry of Education's curriculum and will be reinforced through digital literacy and Cyber Wellness programmes. Ms Joan Pereira asked about how we are reaching out to our youths. We refreshed the “Guardians of the City” game card this year to include threats from the digital domain. Students who have played the refreshed game felt it helped them better understand these threats and how they can play a part. For example, the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) College East student Deshaun Lau shared with us, and I quote, “Playing the game helped me realise that when we face digital threats, we must stay together as a community, and remind one another to take steps to prevent these attacks”, unquote. Businesses, too, are putting Digital Defence in action. A workplace design company, Space Matrix, has not only invested in cybersecurity systems, but also trained their staff to keep these threats at bay. Digital threats hit close to home when someone impersonated their chief executive officer via email and asked the staff for a funds transfer. They did not fall victim, thanks to the vigilance of their staff, who recognised the false email identification. The company subsequently finetuned their systems to better protect themselves for the future. Keeping Singapore Strong Together.”
“Only if everyone plays a part – the Government, businesses, communities and individuals – can we make Digital Defence a part of Singapore’s DNA and keep our defence total. As a whole-of-nation effort, MINDEF has been working with various Government agencies to fortify Singapore and Singaporeans against digital threats. The Ministry of Communications and Information and its agencies, the Cyber Security Agency, the Infocomm Media Development Authority and the National Library Board (NLB) have in place various programmes to empower individuals, businesses and the wider community, so that they can play a part by being secure, alert and responsible online. In the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Singapore Police Force has developed further its capabilities to deal with cybercrime and educates the public on staying safe in cyberspace. As Minister Ng Eng Hen spoke about earlier, we have strengthened our defence sector networks through setting up the Defence Cyber Organisation and ensuring that we have a strong core and pipeline of people with the right skills and expertise to do this work. We will also ensure that our Servicemen are prepared for threats from the digital domain. We are working with NLB to have all recruits going through Basic Military Training (BMT) attend an information literacy workshop to equip them to better recognise and deal with fake news and deliberate online falsehoods. For the rest of our personnel, MINDEF and SAF will inoculate them against hostile information campaigns and fake news, as well as strengthen cybersecurity awareness through enhancing our existing curriculum and learning journeys.”
“All communities and faiths have worked hard to build our multicultural and multi-religious society today. We must not let falsehoods pit different social groups against one another. Many of these digital dangers show that complacency, ignorance or negligence on the part of individuals could pave the way for an attack with disastrous consequences. A January 2019 report by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's (NATO’s) Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence outlined how their researchers managed to track and trick NATO troops using open-source data primarily from social media. It was concerning how it was so easy for the researchers to identify troops, locate their battalions, persuade them to abandon their posts and reveal sensitive details about military manoeuvres. This example shows how much people take their online lives for granted and are unaware about how the seemingly innocuous information they post about their lives can be used for harm not just for themselves, but for the wider society. And Singapore is not spared. We know how hackers stole the information of 1.5 million SingHealth patients. We have also seen the spread of fake news on a wide range of matters, for example, plastic rice or Halal pork, to, more insidiously, false accounts of incidents that could inflame xenophobia, communalism and puncture social harmony. This is why we have strengthened Total Defence with a new Digital Defence pillar. Ms Joan Pereira and Dr Teo Ho Pin asked about our Digital Defence efforts. We want to bring across the message that every individual is at the forefront of Digital Defence, and this is not a cliché. It is of great significance and, as articulated in an editorial in The Straits Times, and I quote, “every citizen is a soldier in the digital war”, unquote.”
“Singapore has one of the highest levels of Internet penetration in the world, and according to a study done by media company “We Are Social” in 2018, people in Singapore spent an average of two hours daily on social media, with WhatsApp, YouTube and Facebook being the top three most used platforms. Sir, our connectivity opens us to threats from the digital domain, which will confront and define this generation. Many examples in Singapore and overseas illustrate the devastating impact that these threats can wreak. The Digital Dangers and the Need for Strong Digital Defence. Sir, for example, Estonia was one of the first countries in the world to experience this in April 2007 when a cyberattack caused online services of their banks, media outlets and government to be shut down. Citizens could not access cash machines and online banking services; news could not be printed nor broadcasted. More than 10 years on, cyberattacks in various forms remain a tool for those who would do harm to us. Another example, in July 2018, more recently, the Alaskan borough of Matanuska-Susitna or Mat-su, was, as a British Broadcasting Corporation article describes, sent “back in time” by a malware attack which forced them offline, resulting in some borough staff having to bring out old typewriters just to keep services going. Another challenge is how quickly information – and disinformation – can spread over the digital domain. The recent riots that broke out at a Hindu temple in Subang Jaya, Malaysia, showed how the spread of rumours and fake news via social media just overnight could fan the flames of racial tensions, and incite social unrest. As Ms Joan Pereira noted, it is important for us to keep our Social Defence strong, so that we stay united against any attempts to divide us.”
“Mr Chairman, Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen has spoken about the uncertain and volatile geopolitical environment that confronts us, and how a strong SAF is vital to help us navigate this landscape for Singapore. 12.15 pm History has shown us that having a strong defence makes all the difference. This is why our long-term and sustained investment in the SAF and Total Defence is vital for Singapore’s continued security and prosperity. When Total Defence was first introduced in 1984, it was in response to a threat landscape where warfare was very much conventional. However, even then, there was a recognition that potential aggressors would target not just the military, but the entire population. As threats evolve, Total Defence becomes even more critical. Take terrorism, for example. The face of terrorism has changed, from kinetic attacks spearheaded by Al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiah in the early 2000s, to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria's (ISIS’) more insidious attempts to radicalise and recruit followers through the use of technology and social media, to deepen distrust among the communities and sow discontent with the establishment. They even fund and instruct their members and sympathisers to launch terror attacks like suicide bombings in their own countries. ISIS may have lost ground in the Middle East, but links to our region remain alive. The return of foreign fighters exacerbates this threat. In this age of the Internet and social media, the resilience of Singaporeans will be tested through attacks from the digital front. This will be the new battlefront because of how connected we are, and how reliant we are on digital technology to communicate and to consume information.”
“Mr Speaker, may I seek your permission for Question Nos 1 to 20 to be answered in the Ministerial Statement by the Minister for Defence later?”
“They will strengthen Singapore’s regulatory regime on the CWC-scheduled chemicals and enhance public safety and security. [(proc text) Question put, and agreed to. (proc text)] [(proc text) Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. (proc text)] [(proc text) The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. – [Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman.] (proc text)] [(proc text) Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. (proc text)]”
“Customs is studying these standards and will include them as part of the Transport Approval requirements, where relevant. The details of these requirements will be prescribed in the subsidiary legislation. Prof Fatimah Lateef asked if the transport controls applied to the transfer of toxic chemicals within the same campus or institution. The current amendments cover the transport of prescribed scheduled chemicals in a vehicle by public road. Therefore, the transport of scheduled chemicals within a company's private premises is not covered. However, as CWC licensees, companies have an obligation to ensure the safe and secure handling of chemicals within their own private premises. For example, for the storage or handling of higher-risk scheduled chemicals, chemical companies are required to adopt mandatory security measures. Finally, Prof Fatimah Lateef had a question about training for authorised persons and national inspectors who may have to seize these toxic chemicals. The current amendments seek to empower a national inspector to seize any item from a vehicle that the inspector reasonably believes to be the subject matter of, or connected with the commission of, an offence under the new section 9A. In the event that toxic chemicals must be seized for further investigations, the authorised persons and national inspectors may tap on the expertise of SCDF and NEA. These agencies have experience in the management of items which similarly require careful handling, such as petroleum and flammable materials and hazardous substances. This will ensure that seizure is done in a safe and secure manner. Mr Speaker, these amendments will provide us with the necessary tools to manage the risks of a possible threat or incident involving chemical weapons.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I thank Prof Fatimah Lateef for her support for the Bill and for some of the clarifications that she has highlighted. First, let me say that a chemical attack on our shores could claim lives and have serious and permanent health consequences for those affected. Although the risk of a terrorist attack in Singapore involving chemical weapons is low, we cannot rule out the possibility that it might happen. Therefore, we must adopt a proactive approach by ensuring that proper procedures are in place, so that we are well-prepared to address any future threats or incidents. With these amendments to the CWPA, we can better manage the risks involved. Prof Fatimah Lateef asked whether there were certain criteria and screening processes for persons joining and working in industries dealing with these chemicals. The main and alternate CWC licence applicants are screened for any red flags, such as violations of United Nations sanctions, before a licence is granted to them. As part of the licence conditions, these licensees are obliged to ensure the safe and secure handling of the chemicals. Drivers will also be screened before they are issued with a Hazmat Transport Driver Permit (HTDP). Note that only drivers with an HTDP are allowed to transport CWC scheduled chemicals exceeding a prescribed quantity. This and other requirements for transporting such CWC scheduled chemicals will be prescribed in the subsidiary legislation. Prof Fatimah Lateef also asked whether there were requirements for the vehicles used to transport these chemicals to be clearly marked and labelled. There are existing industry standards on labelling, such as the Singapore Standard for Hazardous Chemicals and Dangerous Goods.”
“In the event that any item is seized, clause 12 allows the Director-General to determine the premises for its storage. The owner must bear the reasonable costs and expenses arising from the storage. This ensures that safe and secure premises are used to store the seized items, which may contain chemical weapons. I move on to the final set of amendments which expand the scope of matters for which the Minister may make regulations under the CWPA. The proposed amendments under clause 14 allow the Minister to prescribe the fees for an application for a Transport Approval, or for any purpose under the CWPA. This gives the Minister flexibility to impose fees if the need arises. The current CWPA only allows the Minister to prescribe fees in relation to a licence application, extension or renewal. In addition, regulations may now prescribe imprisonment for up to two years instead of just fines, on the conviction of any offence prescribed in the regulations. This permits regulations to specify imprisonment as a punishment on conviction of an offence in relation to the transportation of scheduled chemicals, among other things. Sir, the Bill will have limited impact on the commercial operations of our companies in the chemical and other industries. In September 2018, Singapore Customs conducted an industry consultation and reached out to 101 companies. These companies include current CWC licensees and member companies under the Singapore Chemical Industry Council. Based on the feedback received, the companies were generally amenable to the proposed amendments. The companies also submitted suggestions, most of which were accepted and incorporated into the proposed amendments. Mr Speaker, I beg to move. [(proc text) Question proposed. (proc text)]”
“First, the proposed amendments under clause 9 expand the scope for the Director-General to seek information relevant to the transport of any prescribed scheduled chemical within Singapore in contravention of CWPA. The existing CWPA only allows the Director-General to seek information with regard to a declaration which Singapore is required to give under CWC. Second, the scope of "inspection power" and "compliance purpose" have been expanded to cover the transport of prescribed scheduled chemicals. New inspection powers have been included, such as the sealing of samples taken in relation to the transport of any prescribed scheduled chemical and requiring the owner to send the sample for analysis and bear the costs and expenses arising from the analysis. Such powers will be useful when a national inspector suspects a contravention of the CWPA and has to ascertain if the chemical transported is a prescribed scheduled chemical exceeding a prescribed quantity. This will help ensure the responsible transport of any scheduled chemical within Singapore in accordance with CWPA. Other existing powers, such as interviewing persons working on premises, have also been broadened to include persons found within a vehicle. Clause 10 provides for these changes. Third, national inspectors will be empowered to take additional action if they have reason to suspect that a vehicle has been or is being used in contravention of the new section 9A. The new powers will allow national inspectors to: (a) stop and board the vehicle; (b) seize any item from the vehicle which the inspector reasonably believes to be the subject matter of, or connected with the commission of, an offence under section 9A; and (c) arrest an individual under certain circumstances. Clause 12 provides for these changes.”
“Section 9A requires prior approval to be obtained from the Director-General of Customs here before a person transports a prescribed scheduled chemical exceeding a prescribed quantity within Singapore. It is known as "Transport Approval". This Transport Approval can only be granted to certain licensees under the CWPA. This means that, in addition to a CWC licence obtained by a licensee in relation to the use of certain prescribed chemicals, that licensee must also obtain a Transport Approval to transport the prescribed scheduled chemicals within Singapore. This framework has been benchmarked against existing practices by the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), which control the transportation of hazardous substances and petroleum and flammable materials respectively. Section 9B allows the Director-General to cancel or suspend a Transport Approval if necessary. An example is if the CWC licensee is convicted of an offence under the CWPA after a Transport Approval was granted. Second, the current requirement for record keeping under the CWPA is limited to information and records for purposes of the CWC. Clause 8 would now require any person who transports prescribed scheduled chemicals exceeding a prescribed quantity within Singapore to keep records in relation to that transport. I now turn to the proposed amendments which will provide additional powers to the Director-General and national inspectors, which include Customs or Police Officers. These powers will allow them to carry out their new roles relating to the control of the transport of scheduled chemicals.”
“The year before, a nerve agent was reportedly used in our own region to assassinate an individual in Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Sir, as these attacks have demonstrated, we cannot rule out the possibility that actors with ill intent could get their hands on toxic chemicals and weaponise them. Should such an incident occur on our own shores, the consequences would be profound. It is incumbent upon countries to take measures to ensure the safety and security of their population against the use of chemical weapons on their own soil. I believe all Members would agree that Singapore should do its utmost in this regard. Prior to this Bill, the CWPA already provides for controls on the movement of all scheduled chemicals into and out of Singapore. It also provides for controls on the movement within Singapore of Schedule 1 chemicals, which are the most dangerous category of chemicals. However, the CWPA does not impose controls on the movement of Schedules 2 and 3 chemicals within Singapore. These chemicals have a range of industrial and chemical purposes but could also be weaponised or used in the manufacture of chemical weapons. As a matter of national security, it is important to ensure that the movement within our borders of all scheduled chemicals which could be used for illicit ends are subject to the proper controls. This is the main objective of the amendments that are being enacted in the present Bill. Let me now turn to the salient provisions of the Bill. First, to ensure proper controls for the movement of all scheduled chemicals within Singapore, clause 6 enacts new sections 9A and 9B of the CWPA.”
“Speaker, Sir, on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Sir, in 1997, Singapore became a State Party to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction (CWC). In 2000, Singapore enacted the Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Act, or CWPA for short, to give effect to our international obligations under CWC. Under the CWPA, Singapore established a licence system to control various activities involving chemicals listed under CWC, known as "scheduled chemicals", for a permitted purpose. The licence system requires all entities involved in such activities to apply to Singapore Customs, which is our National Authority for CWC, for a licence. In a small and densely populated city-state like Singapore, any use of chemical weapons can lead to catastrophic effects. Allow me to remind Members of what transpired in Japan on 20 March 1995, when thousands of Tokyo residents boarded the subway, unaware of the horrific events that were about to transpire. That day, a coordinated sarin gas attack carried out by the cult Aum Shinrikyo killed 13 people and injured thousands. It was later found that in the years leading to the attack, the cult had transported tonnes of chemical precursors to its laboratory for the manufacture of sarin. More recently, events involving the alleged use of chemical weapons have gravely threatened the international norm against the use of chemical weapons. Last year, we witnessed two supposed chemical attacks in the United Kingdom involving a nerve agent that caused deaths and serious injury.”
“We are not aware of the details of NSFs taking paid work but, upon enlistment, we inform NSFs that at any point in time where they need financial assistance, they can come to their Commanding Officers, their Officers Commanding, their commanders, to seek help, wherever necessary.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, first, let me say about AWOL. AWOL is a serious offence, so the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) will continue to take stern disciplinary action against Servicemen who commit AWOL offences. With that, we also understand that, as I mentioned earlier, a small proportion of our AWOLees cite financial reasons. Of the cases in 2017, for example, only one went on to commit AWOL offence despite receiving financial assistance. So, the number is very small. As I mentioned, overall, about 14% cite financial reasons as the main reason why they offend. What do we do and what can we do to help them? While we take stern action against them, we also continue to assess their financial needs and we offer the financial assistance I have mentioned earlier. We counsel them. We look at the whole family situation. Where necessary, we make referrals to the other help agencies around. I must assure Members that financial assistance is not just provided by SAF to these families. Often times, we know that there are many different touchpoints that families face, whether the touchpoints may be the schools, the hospitals, the community. So, we look at where these touchpoints are and we help them. From the SAF perspective, we will continue to help these NSFs wherever we can and, as I mentioned earlier, once help is given, it is given throughout the period of service, whichever is lesser, for up to 12 months at any one time. On NSFs taking paid work, they know they are not supposed to take paid work.”
“Mr Speaker, Full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) who require financial support can apply for Term Financial Assistance (TFA), which is monthly assistance that can be provided for as long as the NSFs are serving their full-time NS. The TFA eligibility criteria and quantum provided are similar to public financial assistance schemes. Family size, income and expenditure needs are considered and additional support is provided for families with school-going children and/or members with recurrent medical conditions. In processing applications, commanders conduct interviews and home visits to better understand the NSFs' family situation. About 80% of the applications are approved and, on average, about 120 NSFs receive the TFA. Sums range from under a hundred to a few thousand dollars each month and for an average of eight months. The TFA grants were given to most recipients within two weeks of submitting the completed application. In addition to the TFA, their Commanding Officer (CO) or Department Head can extend quick financial aid in the form of a one-off Contingency Grant of up to $500, or the Welfare Grant for higher amounts. These schemes benefit more than 50 NSFs each year. Over the last five years, a minority of NSF Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL) offenders convicted in the General Court Martial cited financial hardship as the main reason, or about 28 cases a year, constituting about 14% of all offenders.”
“Now, we must go through our own journey. Each of us has a part to play. To the parents, of all the obstacles we clamour to remove in our children's development, our preconceived notions of success is a good start. Success need not be about achieving or achievements of goals but the fulfillment of self, including the joy of being able to be useful to others. Indeed, we should suspend judgement and be willing to listen to what they have to say. Let us, as good stewards of Singapore, empower the next generation to succeed and take Singapore to greater heights. To the millennials, the path to success will not be easy, however we define it. The road will be tough and requires sacrifices and hard work. Yet, the journey is meaningful because you will own it from start to end. Let your station today not define who you want to be tomorrow. We must continue to meet the future's challenges with a "YOLO" mentality and channel any "FOMO" tendencies towards a collective greater social good. To borrow a term commonly used on social media, this is our "hash-tag SG squadgoals" moment, as a new hast-tag – hast-tag squadgoals – and this is our hast-tag SG squadgoals' moment where we recognise that, going forward, you, the millennials, will be valuable members of our Singapore "squad". We must, therefore, band together, rally behind a common aspiration to build our Singapore of tomorrow. Let us know what you think. [Applause.]”
“As we celebrate your success in various fields – be it academic, sports, arts or the professions – there will still be those who are lagging and left behind. But we are certain that their situation is only temporary. Their talent can be developed. Their capabilities can be enhanced. Therefore, they can move towards the next station in life. So, let us reach out and help them to ride the wave towards success, whatever the field may be. With the combination of your youthful enthusiasm and your “YOLO” spirit, you can create creative solutions to mobilise your generation and help our community progress. As your generation likes to say – hash-tag go-je-don’t-scared. This is a new hash-tag, I am told – #gojedonscared. It means, just go, do it, do not be afraid. Our community’s success is in your hands! (In English): Mr Speaker, allow me to conclude with the fifth strategy in reaching out to the millennials: demonstrating value. In this context, I would say, empowerment. Singaporean millennials would have to address many new challenges, including disruptions brought about by their peers across the globe. To do so, they need to have instincts, mental dexterity and skills that their global competitors possess. Just as the Pioneer Generation had entrusted Generation X to take Singapore into the knowledge-based economy, we should recognise the strengths and aspirations of the next generation of Singaporeans and give them space to forge the social compact of their time. Mr Speaker, all of us believe in this special red dot. Sometimes, we all take for granted what we have. The next chapter of the Singapore Story must continue to capture the imagination of the storytellers, Singaporeans. They know it will not be easy. Our earlier generations have undertaken a similar journey.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in Malay. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mr Speaker, today is the first day of the month of Ramadan. Please allow me to wish a Blessed Ramadan to all Muslims in Singapore. I wish them well as they perform their fast throughout the month of Ramadan and may they receive His blessings. Mr Speaker, in an increasingly challenging international environment, Singapore has to constantly take creative and innovative measures to secure a bright future. Therefore, I have a special message for our younger generation. They are called the millennials. As you work hard and progress, do know that the definition of success that we know today can, and will, change. So, who will determine this new definition? It is you! You need to create and open your own pathways towards a brighter future. Do not be bound to the old school of thought that over-emphasises academic results or sets too much limits on your career choice. Feel excited about where you live, where you work and where you play. And be bold enough to challenge the status quo together with the Government and seize opportunities to sharpen your skills and let your natural abilities shine. But stay confident and strong about your identity and your culture – in fact, use it as the cornerstone in all your efforts. The path to success will not be easy. The road will be tough – it requires both sacrifice and hard work. Yet, the journey will be so meaningful. Why is that so? Because, now, you own this journey from start to end. Do not let your station in life today define who you want to be and where you want to be tomorrow. As a successful young people, you also have a role in spurring progress and developing the Malay/Muslim community in Singapore.”
“This is undergirded by ensuring fairness and opportunities for all Singaporeans." At present, the Government cannot afford to and will not hide behind excuses and statistics. Today, young Singaporeans have come of age in relative affluence but we will soon have to confront the cost of sustaining an ageing society and closing the inequality gap. They, too, should have the opportunity to articulate their desired social compact. As a Government, we stand ready to revisit the current balance between meritocracy and compassion to keep our policies in line with the social compact of the generation. Beyond influencing policy, I urge young Singaporeans to be the change you wish to see in the community. If you feel strongly for causes to improve the lives of the less fortunate amongst us, step up and take action. We see many more elderly in the community living alone and at risk of social isolation. They need the support and our youth can respond. I am heartened that, increasingly, many young Singaporeans are answering this call. Recently, a group of youths, calling themselves "The Gift Community" approached me for support for their project they call "Baju Bazaar" – baju means outfit, where they planned to collect donated Hari Raya bajus or outfits to be distributed to lower-income Malay/Muslim families to celebrate Hari Raya. They asked me for support for a location that they can conduct this distribution process. Of course, I offered them to hold the event at Wisma Geylang Serai. As a nation, let us take pride not only in an economy where people's physical needs and wants are met, but in a strong Singapore society which we can all call home because of our individual and collective efforts to foster inclusion with fellow Singaporeans from different backgrounds.”
“By extension, forging a sense of common destiny and winning the confidence of its citizens are imperatives of every Government and an essential ingredient for effective partnership between communities and their leaders. The 4G leadership of Singapore is no exception. Our role is to work together as we partner fellow Singaporeans in defining our chapter in the Singapore Story and delivering on our commitments to better the lives of every Singaporean, especially the under-privileged, the vulnerable and continue to reduce inequality. As we tackle inequality head on, we must be cognisant of what social mobility means for all Singaporeans. Many have spoken about the Gini coefficient. It is a popular index of a country's income inequality. But it actually does not tell us much about income distribution and very little, in fact anything, about social mobility. The Gini coefficient is a relative measure and, therefore, has many limitations for tracking key issues, such as income or social class differences, and, particularly, how people are progressing in socio-economic terms. Take, for example, the United Kingdom, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan and Cambodia. They all share the same Gini index of 0.36. Yet, we know these societies are vastly different when you look at the social and economic conditions of people's lives across these countries. A better handle on measuring social mobility is needed to discuss meaningfully the causes of inequality and policies to tackle it. As Prof David Chan from SMU has highlighted, tackling social inequalities involves understanding people's aspirations and achievements. He wrote, "Social mobility issues are multi-faceted and inter-dependent; thus, requiring an integrated policy approach.”
“Do not miss out on this opportunity to create the future with the Government and forge a new social compact where every citizen has the opportunity to shape policies and public goods which they hold dear. This way, Singaporeans can take ownership of our country through the process of co-creation and everyone can be proud to call Singapore home. The fourth strategy to reach out to the millenials is building loyalty. In this context, the implication for the Government is making Singapore where the heart is. Indeed, what gives our young Singaporeans a stake in Singapore will evolve. For a generation that is better educated, more-travelled, articulate and confident than their predecessors, the world is their oyster. Home ownership and stable employment might not be enough to keep our young Singaporeans anchored in Singapore. On the other hand, the ever-growing demands of a small city state on its populace have not gone away. We will still need every Singaporean son to defend us from external threats. As we remain a diverse society, mutual respect for Singaporeans of all races and religions to uphold racial and religious harmony remains non-negotiable. Life and living as a Singaporean come with responsibilities of citizenship. For our young Singaporeans whose skills are valued by major cities across the globe, what makes Singapore their home of choice? What drives our love and yearning for home despite its imperfections and our household responsibilities? I do not profess to know the answer for all Singaporeans. For my family, the trials and tribulations we have been through and the unbreakable trust we have in one another has held us together over the years.”
“Many young residents have shared with me that their perception of Singapore's value is not determined only by our plentiful economic opportunities but also by the extent that Singapore is home to people and places they love. They understand that Singapore, as an advanced economy, is unlikely to experience double-digit economic growth, but can still sustain a good standard of living if we remain dynamic in our outlook. What the millenials seek, in the next bound of our development is greater involvement in shaping policies and the living environment that sets the conditions for our country's dynamism. They want the opportunity to customise aspects of their nation, just as they had grown accustomed to in many other facets of their lives. I believe our younger Singaporeans seek to revisit a social compact where the Government had a monopoly on master planning the public good and create a greater role for citizen participation in city design and policy formulation. We have taken steps in this direction. One example is HDB's Adventure Playground@Canberra. This playground had features conceptualised, designed and built by residents living in housing estates in Sembawang. About 1,800 people were involved through design workshops, roadshows and surveys. The outcome is a facility that is fun for young residents with design elements that reflect the precinct's heritage. These are encouraging signs. I spoke of YOLO earlier. Now, I am told, there is also FOMO: Fear Of Missing Out, a prevalent mindset of apprehension that you will miss out on something great. So, to the young Singaporeans, there is huge potential for co-creation.”
“We have already made inroads in some of these areas. The parking.sg app is targeted at making the tearing of carpark coupons a thing of the past. I am sure that some still do tear the carpark coupons. Increasingly, there have been stronger calls to leverage a national digital identity to successfully implement a national e-payment solution. These ideas represent but the tip of the iceberg on how Singapore will bet big on technological solutions to transform the way we deliver healthcare, employment and financial services to the population. This Government will have to convince fellow Singaporeans we are ready to get on with the times. To be daring and bold in exploring all ideas that will help ensure that our services are accessible on the go, available on demand, absent of cumbersome processes, supported by the use of safe and secure databases and equipped with feedback mechanisms for constant improvement. Through this, we hope to deliver the service standards that our citizens desire and deserve. The third strategy is allowing customisation. In this context, a Singapore for everyone. Many of us in this Chamber can recall the days when kopi came mostly in recycled condensed milk tins and a kopi si siew kai counts as a special order. Today, walk into any modern cafe, often run by young entrepreneurs and you can select from a menu that ranges from nitro-cold brews to hand-brewed drip coffee with hints of cherry. The coffee beans will also be sourced from across the globe, catering to every palette and preference. No previous generation has ever had such high expectations for variety and customisation. Nevertheless, our young Singaporeans are proving themselves as more mature than older Singaporeans sometimes give them credit for.”
“In this new social compact, the role of Government is to bring public policy in line with Singaporeans' evolving aspirations for ensuring that national survival is not compromised. The second strategy to connecting to millenials is making it frictionless. In the context of governance, perhaps, in re-imagining Public Service delivery. Today, our youths have increasingly grown accustomed to living in a frictionless society. Thanks to advances in telecommunications and the Internet, private sector companies have been able to leverage innovations and technologies to make our daily lives more convenient and hassle-free. In transportation, for example, private hire mobile applications, such as Grab, that provide door-to-door services with seamless payment solutions have become commonplace and effectively disrupted how our people consume transportation services. Reminders like "do not board a stranger's car" do not resonate with young people. Similarly, e-commerce has changed the retail experience, making it possible to now make purchases of all sorts from the comforts of home at just the click of a button. This is the reality that confronts the Singapore Public Service: that these forms of corporate innovations increase our citizens' expectations of service delivery, which, inevitably, extends to the provision of public services as well. This issues a clarion call to the Government to raise our standards of Public Service delivery to satisfy the expectations of our people. This is our opportunity to re-imagine many areas of governance, such as housing, health, social services, education and transportation. The time to act is now. In this aspect, we can be encouraged by the progress that has been made by our Smart Nation initiatives.”
“No longer satisfied with just the attainment of the 5Cs, our youths today crave memorable and purposeful experiences that emphasise the importance of the journey instead of being fixated with the destination. Encapsulated by the so-called "YOLO" or you only live once attitude, our youths want to be excited where to live, work and play. To this end, our youths can look forward to raising families in homes that will boast the physical and digital connectivity. Just imagine, by leveraging artificial intelligence, smart homes could render current day household chores an afterthought. At work, our millenials will also come to grips with the challenges of participating in the extremely competitive global labour marketplace. More would job hop with high attrition rates in some professions because just earning money is not enough. Young people want to know that they have made a difference. They look for newer experiences and want to learn new things as they know the possession of single and static skillsets is not sufficient to thrive amidst the competition. To balance work, our young people want a Singapore that is fun and vibrant. From hunting down the latest "insta-worthy" hang-outs to taking part in various arts or sporting events, the extent to which we can make Singapore the most liveable city is clearly only limited by our own imagination. To satisfy this generation's thirst for novel experiences, this Government will need to partner our citizens to re-define the meaning of success and recognise that, paradoxically, it might be one that continually shifts and always gives us something new and better to aspire towards.”
“However, this pan picture of our millennials as depicted by the National Youth Survey is a useful reference point for us to keep in mind and as we continue to explore the key design considerations of what Singapore's future will look like. After all, this new social compact 2.0, as I call it, would need to be forged with and by those from this younger generation. Mr Speaker, as I contemplated on how we as a Government can make bold strides in engaging our young people, I was struck by a report from a consultancy firm Interbrand and tech firm Oracle. It highlighted five strategies to reach out to our millennials today. What are these strategies? It spoke of, one, creating an experience for them; two, making things frictionless; three, allowing customisation; four, building loyalty; and, five, demonstrating value. While these strategies were originally conceived to inform retailers' efforts to win over the youth market, the insights are applicable to our context. The repeated questions were, I asked myself, how do these prescribed strategies upend our traditional business models of governance and public policymaking and, further, what further areas of governance, or what specific areas of governance can we infuse these strategies into? So, let me try. First, the strategy to reach to out the millennial is to create an experience. In this context, perhaps, redefining success. In the past, the Singaporean Dream was often encapsulated by the 5Cs: cash, car, credit card, condominium and country club membership. But today, our millennials are developing their own definition of success.”
“Instead, it shows a growing recognition that the balance will need to be struck between performance-based meritocracy on one hand, and compassion and opportunities on the other as our society and economy continue to grow and prosper. Are we looking for greater emphasis on compassion versus meritocracy? The larger question then is: is the social compact of the past still relevant today? Will young Singaporeans share the same aspirations and outlook as their predecessors? Mdm President said in her Address that a new generation of Singaporeans is coming of age and bringing with them different dreams, hopes and fears. It is important for us to understand their concerns and aspirations, given that this generation will inherit and actively shape Singapore's future. Our Government will need to partner them to write the next chapter of the Singapore Story and co-create the right social compact for their time. To do so, we must note our next generation – the Singapore millennials. The National Youth Council's 2016 survey highlights many positive characteristics of this generation of millennials that I believe put us in good stead in a new environment. According to the survey, young Singaporeans embrace lifelong learning and rated acquiring new skills and knowledge highly as part of their top life goals. They are also more socially conscious, future-focused and have greater international exposure. Being a parent of two millennials, I must say that I am intimately acquainted with the challenges of trying to understand our children and youths of today.”
“Against the odds, our early generation transformed a small country into a thriving economy, established a strong defence force in a volatile geopolitical environment and built national unity from a multiracial, multi-religious society. During this debate, many Members of the House have spoken on social inequality and cautioned against the ill effects of social stratification. Like them, I have come across cases of low-income families facing multiple challenges, raising concerns about the future of their children and wondering how is it that we still have such families, given 50 years of remarkable economic progress. It begs the question: have we failed in fulfilling our social compact with Singaporeans? It is true that as our country develops economically, most Singaporeans saw improvements in their lives. We accepted the social compact forged at that time where meritocracy was the principal consideration and our priorities were to promote personal responsibility and optimise our scarce resources. Our middle-class group Singaporeans own homes and experienced significant capital gains when they sold their HDB flats. However, some Singaporeans unfortunately, lagged behind. The Government had not stood idly by. We adopted diverse approaches to provide support to the low-income group through initiatives, such as the Many Hands Approach, ComCare, the WorkFare Income Supplement Scheme. Despite these efforts, some continue to say that Government intervention has been inadequate and even argue that certain Government policies have led to this inequality. Reflecting on this, I am convinced that the recent tide of concern regarding rising inequality is not so much an indication of an unfulfilled social compact.”
“Mr Speaker, I support the Motion. The President has articulated the Government's specific focus on facing complex challenges in an uncertain world, rooted with an appreciation of the needs of our elderly and the aspirations of our young. I will focus my speech on the social compact between the Government and the younger generation of Singaporeans who are coming of age and are trying to navigate a world very different from their parents when they were young. The social compact during our early post-Independence years was simple, quite simple as it encompasses much of our ambition. I recall it simply says the Government will create a better life for Singaporeans. Our first generation Government forged this social compact with Singaporeans like my parents, when we were a nation struggling for survival and aspiring for a better living. Back then, it seemed straightforward. The Government promised a home with modern amenities for Singaporeans. We all moved from our kampong houses to HDB flats; rental flats initially. But with economic progress, we moved to purchased homes, which appreciated in value over time. We wanted stable jobs in a dynamic economy. So, when the Government urged us to pick up manufacturing skills in vocational schools, we did. In the 1970s and 1980s, those were our only choices. At the same time, we were given access to quality education and many of us attained education and skills levels that our parents never thought possible. We wanted to be able to defend ourselves after the British forces withdrew, so, when the Government introduced National Service, we served.”
“Mr Speaker, over the last two decades, more than 6,000 SAF personnel have been deployed for overseas operations. Only one serviceman was diagnosed to have developed PTSD after his deployment. The incidence of all psychological disorders amongst SAF personnel on overseas deployment is not higher than SAF personnel in general or the incidence among the general population. The low rate can be attributed to the selection, pre-deployment training and mental health support system in place for our servicemen. This includes physical preparation, psychological screening, briefs on threat assessments, job descriptions and security procedures, as well as avenues available to contact their family members or seek help for personal matters while overseas. The IT connections, despite being in remote areas, such as Iraq and Afghanistan are good, so SAF personnel are able to speak to their family members frequently. On their return, all personnel undergo an assessment of their psychological well-being for early intervention by counsellors, psychologists and psychiatrists, if necessary. Compensation for psychiatric or psychological disorders follows that of the overall framework for injuries and disabilities arising from service. Consults and treatment of affected personnel are fully subsidised at Government restructured hospitals, clinics and community hospitals, for as long as required, even after his term of service. For servicemen whose disorders were due to service but manifested after they have left the SAF, they are also eligible to the same terms of treatment.”
“That is where we need to help Singaporeans to understand the different ecosystems that exist, the environment that exists. It is a very complex environment. It is an environment that is evolving, as we speak. So, today, it is critical for us to educate Singaporeans in every age group, not just adults, but young children. Because they are the ones who are very comfortable with social media. They are the ones who get feeds from social media. If we do not educate them early enough, equip them with the skillsets required to determine what is right, what is wrong, and how these would impact on themselves and their relationship with others if they were to forward these unverified facts, as well as the concerns that they may have. We also need to look at support systems available for communities who may have difficulties reacting or responding to such unconventional threats. The fundamental understanding today is that these are evolving unconventional threats and we need to find new creative ways to respond to them. Different agencies in Government are looking at that and various domains, and we continue to work with them.”
“I thank Mr Vikram Nair for those remarks. We totally agree with what we need to do to ensure that there is a comprehensive response to all these unconventional threats, whether it is images or otherwise. I just wanted to highlight one example. Just one image may create reactions in different groups of people and it is important for us to be aware of the reaction that different groups of Singaporeans may have and, therefore, what we need to do to strengthen our resolve first. So, the different groups of people and different players of stakeholders that are relevant in this context: one, at an individual level, we need to be consistent, we need to be aware of our own reactions and how much do we take forward steps to learn more about such issues as well as build trust and relationship with all the other communities so that if something like that happens, we are not easily rattled. We ask questions, we ask and look for the facts rather than react negatively. Secondly, it is the whole-of-Government effort and whole-of-society effort that is needed. If you see various legislation, various discussions in this House, you can see many things are happening. The development of the cyber defence agencies is one effort that looks at some of the areas that we need to do in the cyber domain. We also need to start looking at how Singaporeans respond to such fake news on social media. And this is one of the biggest challenges − the skillsets required by individuals to respond to such social media platforms. Once you see something on your Facebook feed or once you get something from your WhatsApp group, what do you do? Do you verify the facts? Where do you verify the facts?”
“Thank you. Activities we have had include the "Celebrating NS50" picnic and Dads for Life Camp last year. ACCORD has also conducted focus group discussions with women to gather feedback on how we can better support our servicemen and their families. In this way, families can not only support NSmen in their NS journey but appreciate the role they themselves play in Total Defence, too. In conclusion, Mr Chairman, Sir, if each one of us understands what Singapore stands for and is committed to protecting our way of life, we will be able to deter and overcome sinister attempts to shake our unity and confidence. Besides the individuals that I have highlighted today, there are many others who are putting Total Defence into action in their everyday lives, by giving their best during NS training, securing their personal devices, learning first aid, donating blood, and taking up new skills. MINDEF will continually work towards strengthening this whole-of-society effort. With a strong Total Defence, we have every reason to be hopeful and confident in Singapore's future.”
“As they march past iconic landmarks in Singapore, they are reminded of what they are training to protect. The route march also symbolically reverses the Prisoners-of-War route of defeat from the city to Changi after Singapore fell to our invaders during World War Two. The soldiers march to their graduation parade at Marina Bay today. It represents their resolve to never again let Singapore fall. Besides these events and activities, it is the overall full-time NS experience – building strong bonds with their mates and commanders and experiencing values in action demonstrated by their commanders – that strengthens our recruits psychologically. With understanding and conviction come the resilience to protect our home even in the face of new threats and challenges. Families are key pillars of support for our NSmen. Ms Joan Pereira had asked what MINDEF is doing to engage families. SAF has been engaging families of NSmen through events, such as milestone parades, unit family days and open houses, and also provides them with information on NS. Through ACCORD, we also partner organisations, such as Families for Life and the Centre for Fathering, to engage families on NS and Total Defence. Mr Chairman, may I have your indulgence to continue a little bit longer?”
“Mr Mohamed Shahmir Anwar, a secondary school teacher who facilitated the game and conducted reflection sessions for his students, shared that the students both enjoyed it and learnt valuable lessons on Total Defence. To quote him, "This game is something different, something exciting...the students want to try it because it is interactive…Because the games are so relatable to them, it is a good platform to teach them about Total Defence". Other interactive tools to bring Total Defence to life for our youths include a Total Defence puzzle that was developed in collaboration with agencies across the Government and creatives at Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) THINK. It has been distributed to schools, SAF camps and community centres (CCs). Various organisations, especially schools, have found the puzzle to be a useful learning resource. MINDEF also has more specific programmes for our young recruits. I fully agree with Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef that besides physical training, it is important to prepare our recruits psychologically in a changing security environment. Beyond engaging future recruits as part of our outreach to students, there is a comprehensive plan to strengthen their physical and psychological resilience when they enlist. This is infused in various aspects of the full-time NS experience. One part of this is National Education activities and milestone events that help them understand what our security challenges are, what we are defending and why and what we must do to continue keeping Singapore safe and secure. These include experiential visits to defence-related heritage sites, the weapon presentation ceremony and the 24-kilometre route march from Changi to Marina Bay.”
“To prevent a terror attack, for example, Mr Charnjit Singh, Chairman of the Community Emergency and Engagement Committee (C2E) in Telok Blangah, worked with other volunteers to conduct regular patrols on our trains. In MINDEF and SAF, we are equipping our personnel to respond to crises in their personal capacity, too. Most of our servicemen who undergo BMT learn some first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)-automated external defibrillator (AED) skills, as do our SAFVC. Mr Rajendran Mathan Prasath is a commendable example of someone who has not only stepped up to do more for Military Defence by joining SAFVC, but used the skills acquired during his training to contribute to Civil Defence while off duty. In April last year, he performed CPR on an elderly lady suffering a cardiac arrest. In the face of terrorism, we have developed a Community Response Module to supplement the skills that our personnel like Mr Rajendran possess. It has been rolled out in the BMT curriculum, and in the next two years, all MINDEF and SAF personnel will be required to go through the module. It complements the SG Secure effort and better prepares our servicemen to be active community responders. MINDEF, alongside our partners, will continue to encourage different groups of Singaporeans to contribute in concrete ways to Total Defence. We are constantly exploring innovative ways to engage our youths. Mr Baey Yam Keng asked how we are doing so. The "Guardians of the City" (GOTC) card game launched in 2017 is one way through which we are helping our youths understand the terror threat facing Singapore, and how they can respond. This year, we have given out over 38,000 decks of the game to all Secondary 2 students, and schools have organised GOTC cohort experiences.”
“This is Psychological Defence – appreciating our vulnerabilities and challenges, advancing our values and interests; being able to spot mistruths; and standing up for Singapore. Just as our threats extend beyond the military realm, so must our deterrence. In addition to a credible military force, we need a psychologically resilient people, able to withstand crises or viral attacks, and not be rattled. If someone comments negatively about Singapore and our immediate response is not to verify the facts but to instead condemn Singapore and, worse, spread the untruths, we are creating for ourselves a hole in our defence that our adversaries would not hesitate to jump at and widen the divide. I am glad to see that Singaporeans, such as those behind the online site "Confirm?" which runs quizzes on issues relating to Singapore, have taken the initiative to try and help those around them understand our principles, positions and policies better, preventing them from falling prey to fake news and untruths. I have elaborated on Social and Psychological Defence because threats in these domains are very real, but often unapparent. They have a creeping yet significant impact on our ability to defend Singapore. In the other pillars of our Total Defence, Singaporeans are our first defenders, too. Take Military Defence, for example. Enlisting in SAFVC is one way many women, new citizens and first-generation Permanent Residents have stepped up to serve. To address Dr Teo Ho Pin's query, since SAFVC was launched in 2014, we have trained over 600 volunteers and deployed them to various roles. In 2018, volunteers will be able to serve in 15 additional roles across SAF. Many are also contributing to Civil Defence.”