Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap
Singapore
“Sir, I believe that the Minister did not answer quite a number of my questions. But due to time factors, I will submit a Parliamentary Question. Nonetheless, I have two clarifications. One, on the full-time madrasahs.”
“Is MOH looking into more aggressively hiring junior doctors, especially those that have left the public healthcare system? How do they intend to do so? Will it include increasing doctor's salaries to better compete with the private sectors and, if so, how much?”
“Sir, actually, I have written to SFA and they have actually replied to me recently. I just want to get a better clarification on the issues. What happened was that there is this issue that has been going on for about 10 years where the bakery located in the same block, a four-storey HDB block, has been emanating noise, heat and pungent sm…”
“What are SFA's requirements for bakeries to operate in a HDB residential block emitting the noise and heat levels resulting from their daily operations?”
“Sir, earlier in my speech, I have sought two clarifications on my cuts pertaining to ventilation systems for bakeries in order to better manage the disamenities caused by bakeries located in the HDB blocks. I really have not received a reply on this from the Ministry.”
“Sir, on the contrary, the implication of not approving LTVP+ applications for both these groups is that their lives will become more challenging and it will further complicate their lives. I would like to request that ICA exercise greater flexibility to applicants who are facing the two situations that I mentioned.”
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“Thank you, Madam, in Malay. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Madam, I would like to say again that the Workers' Party supports and fully agrees to the renaming of ISEAS to ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute because it is a noble effort to accord the highest honour to the spirit of Encik Yusof Ishak, that is very much treasured. But, Madam, I would like to get a clarification from the Minister. I would like to ask the Minister, as a matter of principle, is it not a contradiction when the effort to rename it to Encik Yusof Ishak Institute – even though this is a good effort to honour a President – but at the same time, an effort is also made to change the powers of appointment from the President to the Minister?”
“I would like to thank the Parliamentary Secretary for the reply. I just have one question: one of the eligibility criteria is for the applicant to stop after having two children, right? I just want to know from the Ministry what are the factors taken into consideration in coming up with this number. Will the Ministry consider increasing the number as we are actually encouraging more Singaporeans to have more children?”
“Team activities and community projects that require neighbours to work together can help to initiate and strengthen friendships within the community. Education could also help in shaping young mindsets and encouraging them to reach out to their neighbours. In conclusion, those residents who have problem with their neighbours have very high hopes on this Bill. They hope that this Bill can resolve issues like second hand smoke from Page: 100 neighbours, cluttering of corridor and the laundry wet by neighbours upstairs and so on. Madam, I support the Bill. 3.53 pm”
“But it was not always effective in past years, not because the mediators were incapable, rather it was because of the refusal of the involved parties to attend the mediation sessions. A news report revealed that no-show rates make up 60% at community mediation efforts. With mandatory mediation sessions, I hope to see more disputes being solved amicably. In the event that dispute has to be taken to Court, there must be continued efforts in pursuing a peaceful resolution. There should be a pre-hearing mediation whereby involved parties are ordered by the Registrar to attend it. Any settlement reached at this stage can be recorded as a consent order of the Tribunal, which can then be enforced accordingly. This way, it is possible to resolve disputes without having to go through the whole Tribunal process. Ultimately, the key to preventing, reducing, even solving disputes in a timely manner, is to have goodwill among neighbours, and this is what we must aim to promote, on top of using enforcement to deal with unreasonable people. Goodwill helps to remove suspicions, open up community channels and gets people to be more willingly engaged in dialogue and be more understanding of each other's view point. Public consultations from last year revealed that many Singaporeans believe that promoting good neighbourliness is effective in preventing and reducing the impacts of conflicts. We should invest more resources in improving relationships between neighbours, as this also ties in with our multiracial policy as well as promotion of community belonging. We should accomplish this through interactive activities allowing neighbours ample time to get to know one another, such as at community events.”
“The most common way of mediation is through grassroots leaders and the Community Mediation Centre. This is still the most ideal mediation method in Singapore. In Hong Kong, an action may be prosecuted so long as it constitutes personal harassment. However, Singapore and Hong Kong are different in terms of social structure. Singapore is a multi-racial country, disputes involving different ethnic groups and cultures have to be handled more delicately. Any mistakes in judgment or applying only penalties may worsen the dispute. (In English): Mdm Speaker, I believe many of us remember the notorious curry dispute in 2011, when an Indian and Chinese family clashed over the strong smells of curry that bothered the Chinese family. The cooking of curry is part of the Indian food culture and has been largely non-intrusive for the general population. When the solution imposed was that the Indian family would only cook curry when the Chinese family was out, there was a furore online. People thought the authorities were being insensitive and intolerant to make such a decision. However, when they learnt that this was a mutual decision by both parties spawned from successful mediation, the anger subsided. Page: 99 This episode must serve as a reminder that not every dispute can be appropriately resolved by law. It is essential that the involved parties are fully educated on the situation – the perpetrator of the problem must realise the implications of his or her actions, whilst the complainant should also be aware of the reasons behind the actions, if any. Equipped with this knowledge, they should work on a compromise together. This is an ideal scenario.”
“This is reflective of the emotional state of residents involved in disputes with their neighbours. No matter how good the living environment is, once unhappiness occurs, Page: 98 one will not be able to enjoy such basic comforts. Over the long term, neighbours will start to feel unhappy about each other and they might even develop feelings of hatred. Despite the available avenues for recourse, it is still necessary to introduce a Bill that can uniformly resolve community disputes. When residents have used all means to resolve the matter with little success, they hope that legislation will help to resolve such disputes. However, we must ensure that this is the last resort. We must continue to explore other ways to enhance the current options for mediation. Everyone think and work differently. Some may bow to pressure, some may be responsive only to a more human approach. Some people respond to hard-handed tactics, while others respond to a softer approach. Some people have very high tolerance levels, while others cannot stand any disturbances. Therefore, no matter how comprehensive and well thought-out policies are, they cannot solve all problems. One thing for sure, both parties have to be reasonable and rational in their approach with each other and try to understand one another. In the process, they must also be ready to compromise to achieve a win-win solution. I have a resident who always complain to me, because the neighbour who lives in the unit below hers always smokes at the balcony. What is wrong with smoking at home? After all, it is permissible under current NEA regulations. The resident told me that she is pregnant and is worried that the second-hand smoke will affect her baby. So, will such a Bill solve this kind of problems?”
“Attempts at mediation were not successful and the matter continues to persist, causing much inconvenience and stress to Mdm A. In instances such as these, how can this Bill best serve its purpose? Madam, last but not least, I would like to propose mandatory counselling for parties to be included as an order of the Court. While, legislation may be able to serve as a deterrent, it may fall short of moulding human behaviour in a sustainable manner. Therefore, compulsory counselling would be more effective in facilitating introspection and bring about greater awareness of his behaviour and how he can better approach conflicts and advert a dispute right from the beginning. That would not only be cost effective for both parties, but also cut down the resources to legal avenues in the long term. Madam, I welcome any move to strengthen the mechanism and the processes in which we go about resolving disputes in our communities. Seen from this viewpoint, the Community Disputes Resolution Bill is a timely piece of legislation. This being said, I hope that as our society matures, legislation should only serve as a last resort when many other amicable approaches have been deemed to be less than satisfactory. At the same time, we should also exercise prudence and with the message of this Bill, refrain from going away with the thinking that legislation can resolve fundamental differences between two differing positions of parties. 3.45 pm Er Dr Lee Bee Wah (Nee Soon): Mdm Speaker, in Mandarin, please. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mdm Speaker, home is our safe haven. When a crisis occurs, people often feel at a loss and helpless, and avoidance will not solve problems.”
“Mdm X argues that Mr Y should remove his plants as the area where the plants are placed is within her unit's share of the common area. Mr Y argues, however, that the space available to him to situate his plants is limited and he is no way infringing on the space of his neighbour. Under such situations, the working definition and the expectation of the vicinity of the neighbour's place of residence may be helpful in preventing the escalation of the disputes. Madam, my second clarification. Under section 4 subsection 4, it is stated and I quote: "A neighbour of a respondent is an individual who lawfully resides in a place of residence." Would the Minister agree with me, that when referring to an individual who lawfully resides in a place of residence, we are referring to individuals whose identification cards reflects the Page: 97 residential address of the said place of residence? If that is the proper way to understand it, how would this Bill tackle disputes where the respondent is a member of the household residing in the said residence on an interim basis? There have been cases where community disputes arise between an interim tenant and the owner of the neighbouring unit. Under this Bill, would the registered owner be liable for disputes between his interim tenant and his neighbour. Madam, my third clarification is related to the second one. In instances when the respondent is a mentally challenged individual, would he be considered as liable in the event of a prolonged dispute? I encountered a particular situation where Mdm A has been tolerating excessive noise pollutions and vibrations caused by the neighbour's son, who happens to be a mentally challenged adult.”
“Madam, presently, the Community Mediation Centre or CMC serves as an avenue for affected parties to come together, in the hope that amicable resolution can be attained. Due to its voluntary nature, the success of the CMC resolving community disputes is mixed and we have to grudgingly acknowledge that we may need more than voluntary mediation to bring about a resolution. Madam, while I support the Bill, I would like to seek the three following clarifications from the Minister. Additionally, I would like to offer a suggestion in enhancing the current Bill as it stands. As it presently stands, section 4 subsection 2C of the Bill writes, I quote: "Obstructing the neighbour's place of residence by placing anything or object or by any other at or in the vicinity of the neighbour's place of residence" constitutes an act by a respondent which may cause interference with his or her neighbour's enjoyment or the use of the neighbour's place of residence. I would like Minister to advise the House on how best to define and interpret the vicinity of the neighbour's place of residence. In situations where the corner flat unit is perpendicular to the neighbouring unit, it is important to have a working definition and expectation of the vicinity of the neighbour's place of residence. I shall provide a simple illustration, derived from my experiences on the ground. For instance, Mr Y is the owner of the corner unit. Mdm X owns the unit situated perpendicular to the Mr Y's unit. Mdm X's argues that the potted plant placed along the common corridor along the parapet wall infringes her space, blocks her window view and also blocks the natural light coming into her living room.”
“Statistics collected and contained in the report will serve as a basis for evaluation in an objective manner which can be used to set long- and short-term targets to achieve and to evaluate on whether the programmes and schemes have effectively, economically and duly addressed the targeted groups. The publishing of the report will also enhance and assist in raising public awareness as an inclusive society can only be achieved when the full spectrum of society understands and is aware of the problems and issues faced by the less-off members of the society. Published tracking findings will foster better alignment and coordination amongst NGOs, VWOs and state agencies as they will be relying on a common set of tracking tools to identify and service vulnerable groups. Page: 166”
“Considerable amount of funding is set aside to assist the vulnerable groups and as such, it is important to track the progress and the effectiveness of the different assistance schemes. Publication of the findings of such tracking can enhance the fostering of a more inclusive growth economic development and cultivate better alignment and coordination among NGOs, VWOs and state agencies. I would like to again highlight my proposal in the debate on the President's speech delivered in Parliament on 26 May 2014 that the Government should consider publishing an Page: 165 annual state of social protection report to give an account of the status of vulnerable groups to track the progress made and to account for the performance of schemes of its assistance programmes. This is to establish accountability, evaluation and to raise awareness. With regard to vulnerable groups, this annual report can include information on the types of vulnerable groups in Singapore and their sizes, a breakdown of public funds delivered over the past five years, clear definitions of the directives of assistance programmes and the rate of success of such programmes over a five-year period. The annual report can also report on the state of social work in Singapore. It may include information on the number of social workers engaged with different vulnerable groups, a typical workload of social workers and the attrition rate of social workers over five years. The Government needs to account to the public on the performance of the assistance programmes to share on the progress and performance of such programmes in assisting the vulnerable groups.”
“On this, I would like to ask how much has MSF done in the recent years enhancing the funding and support given to the social services. Early Childhood Initiatives”
“I would like to highlight two issues that I have raised several times before. The first being the need to enhance competitiveness of the social service sector by ensuring our social service professionals are paid a salary commensurate to the hard work that they do. The second is that more resources should be disbursed to our social service providers to ensure they are well-equipped to carry out their work. In 2012, the Ministry set a target of 8% average increase in wages in the social service sector and up to 15% wage increase for social workers. The Government also provided assurance that salary increases would continue periodically as the Ministry conducts regular benchmarking of social service sector pay to the similar jobs in the market. I would like to seek an update from the Minister on the current salary scheme of social service professionals, in particular, one, since 2012 how many Government-funded VWOs have raised staff wages by an average of 8%? Two, how many social workers have seen the 15% wage increase since 2012? Thirdly, would the Ministry provide details on the benchmarking exercise that has been conducted since 2012, in particular, which jobs have the Ministry used as benchmarks and why? What is the wage differential between social work and these other jobs? Has the wage differential narrowed over the past three years; and if so, by how much? In addition, I would like to ask the Ministry to enhance its funding and support to social service providers. Social service providers are the intermediaries between the Government and citizens. As such, it is important for social service providers to receive adequate funding and support.”
“I hope Singapore can do the same and bring our footballing standards to greater heights in the years ahead. SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games”
“In 1998, former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong laid out his vision for Singapore football. Goal 2010 was born. It provided a concrete and tangible indicator for the Singapore national men's football team to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals. This goal however was not attained. We need to move forward and work towards achieving future success for Singapore football. I would like the Minister to update the House on FAS' goal for Singapore football and whether at present there is any master plan or roadmap being drawn up. I would also like to have further updates on FAS' three main initiatives, namely, the National Football Academy and Centres of Excellence; the Foreign Talent Scheme; and FAS' Youth Development programme. In paving the way ahead for Singapore football for future and sustained excellence, I would like to suggest placing more emphasis on the ongoing efforts in grooming young Singaporean footballers. A fresh injection of passion and enthusiasm in the management of our inter-school football tournament, especially the "A" and "B" divisions, would be timely at this stage. I would like to propose that greater public attention be paid to the annual inter-school football tournament. This can take the form of a TV programme covering the entire tournament with an eye to televising some of the crucial matches. This would most certainly create interest, enhance the motivation of our young players and increase followers to local youth football. Indeed, such a practice is not new. College sports such as American football and basketball are widely televised in the States and these institutions have been a rich source and pipeline for the production of many of the household names in American sports.”
“Madam, I have one clarification. I would like to ask the Minister what measures have been put in place to ensure that the issue of not using fully the Malay/Muslim Community Development Fund (MMCDF), as pointed out by the Prime Minister, does not recur. Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: Madam, as I have mentioned in my reply, we have been working with the Malay/Muslim Organisations to ensure that these funds which are meant for them, they can utilise it effectively. So, therefore, last year, we re-allocate a lot more to the Capability and Development Fund to help the Malay/Muslim Organisations (MMOs) in the areas of governance. As I reported in my reply, several Malay/Muslim Organisations have stepped forward to take advantage of the fund. More importantly, I felt we should be encouraged that two of them have come up with their own programmes to strengthen themselves. The point is that we need to continue to incentivise the Malay/Muslim Organisations and, where possible, as I mentioned before, MENDAKI stands ready to assist Page: 26 them in ensuring that they can put up good projects that will benefit our community. We will continue to make sure, because the money is there for them to use.”
“At the same time, the Zakat collection and disbursement is an annual process, and the Zakat amount that is disbursed or used should be based on the amount collected in the preceding year. Regarding the concern that any shortage will adversely affect programmes that depend on the Zakat funds, I feel that this can be overcome by using other funds or through other efforts. Regarding the Tertiary Tuition Fee Subsidy (TTFS), the Minister said that in 2012, the balance amount which was not distributed was $15.48 million, and it was $16.6 million for Page: 161 2013. According to him, this balance is channelled to MENDAKI's Education Trust Fund (ETF). I have previously said that it is better if the TTFS funds are used entirely to finance Malays who wish to undertake part-time study in the university as well as those who want to continue their studies up to the Master's degree or Doctor of Philosophy. I hope the Minister can consider this proposal and highlight it to the Government. At the same time, MENDAKI should also conduct a review on the eligibility criteria for TTFS applications so that more Malay students can benefit from TTFS. Sir, the Malay/Muslim Community Development Fun (MMCDF) was set up in 1991 as a fund to support MENDAKI's mission to bring about a positive change in the Malay/Muslim community. In the Prime Minister's speech at the dinner to commemorate MENDAKI's 30th anniversary, he said that the Government's contribution of $1 million was not entirely utilised and urged for it to be fully used. Therefore, I would like the Minister to share about any reviews or measures done by MENDAKI to ensure MMCDF can be fully used. Page: 162”
“Sir, in Malay. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Sir, I would like to touch on three funds whereby, if these funds are utilised in the best possible way, it will provide optimum benefits to the Malay/Muslim community in Singapore. I am referring to the Zakat fund managed by MUIS, as well as the Tertiary Tuition Fee Subsidy (TTFS) and the Malay/Muslim Community Development Fund (MMCDF), both run by MENDAKI. Regarding the Zakat fund, Minister Yaacob, in his reply to a Zakat-related question in 2011, said that MUIS has collected $23.3 million and disbursed $23.2 million, giving a surplus of $100,000. In 2012, MUIS collected $25.5 million and disbursed $25.8 million, resulting in a deficit of $300,000, and in 2013, MUIS collected $28.4 million and disbursed $28 million, with a surplus of $400,000. The Minister said that any surplus or balance after the annual Zakat distribution is due to the difference in the time period between collection and distribution. He also explained that in an effort to ensure continued funding for programmes funded by the Zakat money, MUIS will set aside a reserve to prepare for a rainy day or to prepare for the possibility of unforeseeable situations that can have an impact on the collection and needs, such as during an economic downturn. Sir, I believe that the Zakat funds should be disbursed or utilised fully within a year after its collection, and it should not be set aside or kept as a reserve. I appreciate the concern about the possibility of an economic downturn affecting Zakat collection at any one time, as mentioned by the Minister. Nonetheless, Sir, Zakat has a unique religious feature whereby the Zakat amount collected has to be disbursed as soon as possible within a year after the collection process.”
“These two changes, if made, will go a long way in streamlining administrative procedures and lightening the cost for self-employed Singaporeans with vans at their disposal for the purpose of their livelihood. Page: 162”
“Season Parking Rates for Passenger Van My second cut, Sir. In a response to my Parliamentary Question in January 2015, MND mentioned that a passenger van above 1,800 kg in unladen weight would not be allowed to park at the residential car park administered by HDB. The Minister also added that HDB exercises flexibility and has allowed some drivers to use the residential car park, if the said van above 1,800 kg in unladen weight can fit within a standard car lot and does not cause obstruction or endanger other users of the car park. In doing so, there may be a lack of consistency in administering season parking policies for passenger vans. I understand that there are other types of Class 3 vehicles, apart from passenger vans, that exceed the unladen weight of 1,800 kg but continue to utilise residential car parks without any form of restriction or prohibition. I am of the view that as long as the passenger van could fit within the standard car lot regardless of its unladen weight, it should be allowed to park at residential car parks. This is the first issue. The second related issue is this: passenger vans with unladen weight above 1,800 kg that have been granted permission to park at HDB residential car parks are required to pay a fee equivalent to that imposed on a vehicle parked at a heavy-vehicle car park. I would like to suggest that HDB work towards adopting standardised measures in dealing with the afore-mentioned issues. Firstly, to allow all Class 3 passenger vans to park at any HDB residential car park as long as it could fit within the standard car lot. Secondly, to apply the parking rates in accordance with the car park ascribed to the vehicle.”
“Sir, car park B45, the car park which serves both Block 537 and Block 539 and the neighbourhood centre at Block 538 Bedok North Street 3, is presently insufficient in meeting the traffic demands of the residents and patrons in the high-density location, especially during the peak hours in the mornings and the early afternoons. I have been receiving regular feedback from the residents, stall-holders at the nearby market and food centre and business owners on the traffic issues at the afore-mentioned location. The shortage of parking space has directly affected local businesses and many patrons to the neighbourhood centre have received fines for illegally parking their vehicles. I have been informed that this issue has been a long-standing one and was highlighted several times on different occasions to the previous Members of Parliament of the Kaki Bukit division. The problem continues to persist today with no improvement works in sight. Page: 161 I have written to the HDB Bedok Branch office on three occasions – twice in the middle of 2013 and the third time towards the end of 2014 – suggesting the construction of a multi-storey car park to replace the existing heavy vehicle car park, car park B46. The multi-storey car park can come in the form of heavy vehicle parking facilities at the ground floor, and normal parking lots above the ground floor, akin to the multi-storey car park located at Block 848A, Yishun Street 81. This, I hope, would be a win-win situation for the HDB in the administration of the site as well as for the residents, stall-holders and patrons of the market and food centre. Additional car park lots will also alleviate the parking space issue of residents staying in Block 544 to 547 Bedok North Street 3 cluster.”
“This is in line with what was said by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Mr Teo Chee Hean in his speech during the COS debates in 2013, where he welcomed suggestions and ideas on how we can make Singapore a more attractive destination to Malay immigrants. Integration and Cohesive Society”
“Madam, in Malay. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] In the Prime Minister's speech during the debate on the Population White Paper, he gave the assurance that the Government would try to ensure that the proportion of Malays in Singapore would continue to be stable. The same assurance was also given by Minister Grace Fu during the COS debate in 2014, where she said that the Government is committed to maintain a stable ethnic make-up within the population of Singaporeans. In the same speech, she also gave the assurance that in 2030, the proportion of Malay Singaporeans will be the same as the current proportion. Some measures taken by the Government to maintain this proportional balance includes bringing in Malay talents from Malaysia and Indonesia. The Prime Minister previously commented that the Government has been working hard and wants to do its best to attract Malay talents from the region. Madam, the Malay community and I would like to ask whether the Government has created a roadmap or plan in its effort to attract these Malay talents. If so, it is important to have a plan in order to achieve a certain objective. Therefore, if the Government has such a Page: 71 plan, I request that the Government share this plan. At the same time, I would like to ask the Government to share its progress in this effort. This sharing is necessary because it will enable the Malay community to better understand and appreciate the Government's efforts in this matter. Secondly, this sharing will also create a space and encourage the Malay community to participate and contribute ideas, so that this effort to attract Malay talents can be strengthened.”
“I just want to know whether the Edusave awards, plus the bursary, as mentioned just now, will be made available to the madrasah students.”
“Yes, because my understanding is that the Edusave scheme, does it cover — Page: 126”
“I would just like to know whether it is including the Edusave Bursary Award or is it just the Edusave scheme itself?”
“Madam, in Malay, please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Just a moment ago, the Minister mentioned the Edusave Merit Bursary. I would like to seek clarification from the Minister on the Edusave Merit Bursary and other Edusave awards, whether madrasah students are eligible to receive the Edusave Merit Bursary or the other Edusave awards.”
“Madam, just to give my point of view. My impression was that when the Minister mentioned about sensitive areas, it relates back to my own personal experience that I had when I was serving in National Service. So, I would like to ask the Minister; is there any sensitive area that is actually out of bounds for the Malays, because I kind of assumed that the experience that I had may be due to that.”
“I urge the Minister not to stop there, but also to work towards making the entire SAF an inclusive and open organisation that is fair and just to all Singaporeans regardless of race, language and religion. My final point is with regard to what the Minister had said during the forum about sensitive positions in the military. The Minister was reported to have said that a person is deployed in a sensitive unit in SAF based on his or her ability and beliefs, and not on his race. Again, I applaud the Minister and MINDEF for their laudable efforts to make SAF an inclusive and open organisation that is fair and just to all Singaporean service persons. However, I note that the Minister advised caution over the fact that "people can be blackmailed". While I agree with the Minister that we have to ensure that the people who are placed in sensitive positions in the military do not compromise our national security, I would like the Minister to clarify what kind of people does he have in mind and how can they be blackmailed? SAF Pioneers”
“During last year's COS debate, I had requested the expeditious resolution of the issue of the loyalty of Singaporean Malays. The request was made based on the Suara Musyawarah Report. I would like to highlight one of the practices that may have inadvertently given rise to the unhealthy perceptions about the loyalty of Singaporean Malays. Page: 120 During a recent forum attended by the Minister for Defence, it was reported in The Straits Times that the Minister had been asked a question on perceived bias against Malays in the SAF and the exclusion of Malays from the Navy. In his response to the question, the Minister had said that there was a practical issue of having halal-certified kitchens on board Navy ships. It is truly disheartening to find out from the Minister's response that Singaporean Malays had, indeed, been excluded from Navy ships all this while. It is also very disappointing to find out that the exclusion of Singaporean Malays from Navy ships is a result of a practical issue. But what is most worrying is that the practice of excluding Singaporean Malays from Navy ships may be wrongly perceived by Singaporeans as evidence that there is bias against Malays in SAF and that there is an issue over the loyalty of Singaporean Malays to this nation. 6.00 pm It was also reported that the Minister had said that provisions have been made to allow Singaporean Malays to serve onboard Navy ships if they are willing to do so. This is definitely a most welcome change and I applaud MINDEF for taking a step towards a more inclusive SAF. I urge the Minister to seriously consider the possibility of ensuring that all Navy ships are equipped with halal-certified kitchens so that Malays will be allowed to serve freely in the Navy without any constraints.”
“Within that 20-year period, many students who were not studying in Government or public schools missed the opportunity to benefit from the scheme. The Minister of State for Education, Ms Sim Ann, in her speech during the debate on the Education Endowment and Savings Schemes (Amendment) Bill, said that MOE had already conducted studies after the 2013 COS debates to extend the Edusave scheme and, after careful consideration, the Prime Minister announced that Edusave would be extended to all Singaporeans between the age of seven and 16 years old, during his National Day Rally speech in 2013. Madam, I would like to request that MOE conduct a similar study and research on this matter, to consider the possibility of extending the waiver of national examination fees to all Singaporean students, instead of limiting it to students in the Government schools only, and to have similar measures for Polytechnic and ITE students who are doing part-time studies. Madam, I would like to suggest that MOE also consider extending the FAS scheme to all Singaporean students studying in private schools. I feel it is important that every Government educational assistance scheme is extended to all Singaporean students because each one of these students will grow up to become citizens who will contribute to the development of the community and the nation. Madam, in conclusion, I hope that the Government will seriously consider the suggestions that are put forward so that the above-mentioned schemes can bring more benefits to Singaporeans as a whole, in line with the Government's objective to build a fair and inclusive society. Page: 71 3.02 pm”
“As we know, the main aim of this scheme is to alleviate the financial burden of the elderly, who have contributed much to the development of Singapore and as a reflection of our values as an inclusive society. Hence, I hope that the Government will be able to implement the Silver Support Scheme with an open heart and mind and, with full of compassion, this scheme will provide maximum benefits to our senior citizens. Madam, one more thing about the scheme is the payout method. As mentioned by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, payouts will be made to eligible senior citizens every three months. I believe that the payouts can be made every month so that it will be easier for the recipients to manage their monthly bills and expenditure. Madam, the third matter that I would like to raise is the waiver of national examination fees, as well as the Polytechnic and ITE examination fees. I welcome this fee waiver for national examinations, such as the PSLE and the GCE "N", "O" and "A" levels, and also the Page: 70 fees for Polytechnic and ITE examinations, as announced earlier. This waiver of national examination fees covers all Singaporean students studying in the Government schools, whereas the waiver of Polytechnic and ITE examination fees are given to its full-time students. Here, I would like to request MOE to consider extending this examination fee waiver to students who are in the private schools and also to students in the Polytechnic and ITE who are doing part-time studies. Madam, in 2013, MOE decided to extend the Edusave scheme to all Singaporean students aged between seven and 16 years. This decision was made 20 years after the Edusave scheme was introduced, that is, in 1993.”
“We believe Page: 69 that this will provide relief to the account holders if they can choose to make their monthly withdrawals from their Retirement Accounts much earlier, for whatever reasons that they have. The second proposal from the Workers' Party on the CPF scheme is something that has been mentioned before, that is, to separate the eligibility age to withdraw money from the Retirement Account, or the Payout Eligibility Age, from the retirement age. This will mean that the age when one can withdraw money from the Retirement Account will remain constant and will not be affected, even as the retirement age increases. We would like to suggest this because the majority of Singaporeans are unhappy that the Payout Eligibility Age limit to withdraw money from the Retirement Account is constantly changing and increasing. By maintaining this eligibility age limit, the account holders will have more assurance on when they can withdraw their CPF money and, therefore, they can make the appropriate plans. Madam, the second matter that I would like to touch on is the Silver Support Scheme. This scheme is a good and much-needed initiative. This scheme enables Singaporeans aged 65 years and above, whose income levels are in the bottom 20%-30%, to enjoy financial support for life. Madam, my concern about this scheme is its implementation process. The implementation process is an important aspect that will determine the effectiveness of this scheme in achieving its main goals. Through my observations and experience in the field of social work, whenever the criteria and assessment process are too stringent, there will be times when genuine and needy cases miss out on the opportunity to receive assistance.”
“Madam, I will deliver my speech in Malay. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Madam, the 2015 Budget, in my view, brings about a message of change in the Government's approach in its efforts to improve and bring benefits to Singaporeans. It is observed that the Government's approach in this Budget is more inclined towards the left or an approach that emphasises more on aspects of social equilibrium, by giving more focus to the distribution of the state's resources to Singaporeans from all walks of life. This shift is an encouraging one. As mentioned by my colleague, Ms Sylvia Lim, this Budget gives greater emphasis to the investment in human resources and the social safety net. Such emphasis is needed as the gap in income and property ownership in Singapore is worrying. Madam, in this speech, I would like to touch on three aspects mentioned by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Mr Tharman, in his Budget speech, that is, firstly, on CPF; secondly, the Silver Support Scheme; and, thirdly, the fee waiver for national examinations as well as the Polytechnic and ITE examinations. Madam, the Workers' Party would like to give two proposals for the CPF scheme. The first proposal is to lower the eligibility age to withdraw money from the Retirement Account, or the Payout Eligibility Age, previously known as the Draw Down Age. At the moment, retirees will receive monthly payouts from the CPF Retirement Accounts when they reach the age of 65, beginning from 2018. We would like to suggest that this age limit to make a withdrawal should be lowered from 65 to 60 years old.”
“Although there are lapses mentioned, the residents' interests are, nonetheless, not affected. Finally, my fellow Members of Parliament and I would like to state our deepest gratitude to the residents of Aljunied, Hougang and Punggol East in particular and to Singaporeans in general, for their concern and support in this issue. With the trust placed upon us, despite the many challenges that we have to overcome, we, the Members of Parliament from the Workers' Party, will serve as best as we can to fulfil the needs of our residents. God willing. 5.17 pm”
“We have been honest in dealing with the lapses as highlighted in the AGO report and, as I have illustrated above, at present, there is a rigorous process in scrutinising proposals to ensure we are prudent in our expenditure. The Town Council, together with the elected Councillors, does not take the public funds for granted and we will continue to exercise prudence in managing AHPETC and, at the same Page: 79 time, continue to serve our constituents to the best of our abilties. Madam, in Malay, please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Madam, the Workers' Party supports the Motion. As a responsible and rational Party, we firmly uphold the principles of transparency and accountability in all that we do. Throughout the audit, which took almost one year, we had cooperated with the AGO by providing them with all the documents and information as best as we could, even though certain documents revealed our mistakes and lapses. All these were done on the basis of transparency and accountability. Madam, this Motion expresses concern over several aspects of AHPETC's accounting and record-keeping systems. We, the Members of Parliament of Aljunied, Hougang and Punggol East, are very concerned with the issues raised. We would like to state that some of the issues reported have been managed and corrected, while the rest are undergoing corrective actions and more time will be needed. We suggest that the general public refer to the appendices contained in the AGO report about the steps that have been taken and are being taken by the Town Council to manage these issues. Madam, although the audit was conducted for almost a year, AGO, however, did not find any basis that raise suspicions about the possibility of any misuse or loss of monies.”
“The entire process entails a proper and detailed account of the problem at hand, the rationale behind the works, the costs involved and the various standards obtained. Pertinent points of discussion often include whether a particular project, if necessary, is cost-effective and benefits the most number of residents. Mdm Speaker, in the event that doubt arises, the ECLC Chairman and the Member of Parliament of that affected ward would conduct a site inspection, together with the Estate Team involved. At times, the Chairman of the Town Council, Ms Sylvia Lim, will also be present to advise and supervise the work. Thereafter, the matter will be further discussed at the next earliest ECLC meeting for an outcome. In 2013, to further enhance the monitoring and scrutinisation process, another layer of checks was put in place. The ECLC Chairman, the Town Council Chairman and the divisional Member of Parliament are required to attend consultants' meetings for all ad hoc or project-based work. The proposals and the details of proposals, such as the use of materials, the quality of the workmanship, the cost-effective nature of the project and the maintenance value of the finished project, would be thoroughly deliberated, taking into consideration the maintenance expenses required over the long term. It is only after approval has been obtained at the consultants' meeting level would a particular item be proposed to the ECLC for consideration and deliberations. Mdm Speaker, there are, indeed, areas that the Town Council and elected Councillors can further work on and improve upon. There should be greater safeguards that we can put in place to ensure greater accountability in the use of public monies.”
“Mdm Speaker, the AG, in his report under section 3(2)(d), highlighted a lapse in internal controls with the possible effect of risking the loss of valuables and incurring unnecessary expenditure, as well as wrong payments for goods and services. In my following speech, I will speak on existing measures that have already been set in place to ensure that public monies are spent and utilised in the most appropriate and cost-effective manner. In doing so, I will elaborate on the points realised and substantiated by my colleague, Ms Sylvia Lim. In AHPETC, we have in place several Committees to look into the different operational aspects of the Town Council, one of which is known as Estate and Community Liaison Committee (ECLC). Formed in 2012, this Committee is made up of a Chairman, elected Town Councillors and other members appointed by the elected Councillors. This Committee works closely with the Estate teams in the Town Council made up of property managers and property officers. The key purpose of this Committee is to advise on estate maintenance and Page: 78 improvements. This Committee that I chair meets on a monthly basis. With the above in mind, please allow me to run through the procedures that are in place to consider any ad hoc or project-based repairs and/or improvements, such as Repair and Redecoration Works (R&R) and the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP). The Estate Team made up of property managers and property officers, after consultation with the relevant Members of Parliament, will table proposals that pertain and relate to estate improvements at the monthly meeting. These proposals, divided in accordance with the respective wards or division that they belong to, will be discussed and deliberated on before any approval is granted.”
“Thank you, Mdm Speaker. I would like to seek one clarification from the Minister. I would like to know whether the zakat Page: 36 amount collected was disbursed fully on an annual basis. Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: The accounts will show that there will be instances where we may not be able to disburse entirely within one year, but the money will be kept in the zakat funds. Whatever it is, basically, it will always be kept in the zakat funds.”
“Thank you, Madam. I would like to thank the Minister for his response. I have three supplementary questions. I would like to know how often MUIS conducts reviews on its financial assistance scheme criteria. The Minister mentioned just now that the last review was conducted in July last year. I would also like to know when was the last review prior to the one in July 2014. My third question is: who are the personnel involved in the review process? Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: Madam, as mentioned by the Member, the last time we reviewed this was last year, in July 2014. I cannot remember specifically when we did the one before that, but we do this on an annual basis, looking at the trends at the national level. The personnel involved are the MUIS officers, together in consultation with our Board members who are in the zakat committee. We also used the feedback that we receive and from the general trends taking place at the national level.”
“Page: 56 University education remains important and, for students who are academically able, no efforts should be spared to ensure that they receive a world-class University education. However, there is also a need for Singapore and Singaporeans to deepen our zeal to enhance technical competency and uphold alternative pathways to success. In the years ahead of us, the composition and profiles of parliamentarians in this House can, in fact, serve as a good litmus test as to how much our society has come in recognising the value of applied education vis-a-vis a University degree. I believe, to have Prime Ministers, Chiefs in the Singapore Armed Forces, Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Civil Service from the Polytechnic or ITE route is not only a worthy aspiration, but it can be a practical reality in the not-too-distant future. In this regard, I hope that this national effort to improve the prospects of Polytechnic and ITE graduates can, in the longer term, expand and enrich the mindsets of our political leaders and allow this to translate into greater diversity in our leaders' perspective on talent and the recognition of success in our political discourse and the employment of talents in our Civil Service. Politics and Singapore can only benefit from the paradigm shift that this report attempts to encourage in our education system. Madam, I support the Motion. 3.54 pm”
“This is a positive step, especially for the Malay community, because we have a rather large number of students who are studying in NITEC courses in the ITEs. I hope that Malay students can take advantage of the opportunity that will be made available. This pathway will not only increase skills and knowledge, but it will also present a better chance for students to continue their studies in the Polytechnics. Madam, another recommendation that I would like to touch on is the recommendation on having collaboration between the Polytechnics and ITEs with MINDEF and MHA. The focus of this collaboration is to enable the Polytechnic and ITE graduates to be given vocations that are related to their course of study while they are undergoing National Service. This is to ensure that these graduates not only retain their skills and knowledge that they have gained but, at the same time, they would also gain practical experience and knowledge that are relevant to their course of study. The recommendation to give accreditation is also a good initiative. This effort is akin to the Malay saying "while diving, you drink the water" where many benefits can be gained while undergoing National Service. My hope is that this recommendation can be implemented well and fairly so that each ITE and Polytechnic graduate will be given equal opportunity, regardless of race or religion, especially the chance to serve in the Air Force or the Navy of the Republic of Singapore. (In English): In conclusion, the ASPIRE report crafts a worthy vision – difficult though it may be – for the type of society Singapore is to aspire to as we enter the 50th year of our nation's Independence.”
“There were recent discussions and efforts made to raise the awareness that success in life is not necessarily achieved through University education but, in fact, applied education or education via the Polytechnic and ITE route can also unlock opportunities for similar success. This is the objective that the Government wants to realise through the 10 recommendations or proposals contained in the ASPIRE Review Committee report. The change that the ASPIRE report wants to make is to give more recognition, and also to provide career progression and success to Polytechnic and ITE graduates. This is a good step and it should be supported, and it needs the involvement of everyone who has to play Page: 55 their role to achieve this objective. Madam, all along, Singaporeans have been inculcated with the paradigm or mindset that University education is the only way to achieve success and progression in their careers and lives. A mindset change must be made if we wish to achieve the objectives set out by ASPIRE. The Government has taken the first step by initiating a mindset change through ASPIRE and all of us should take the next step to give support so that we, as a society, can work together in this effort and, together, achieve the objective of giving more recognition and also providing career progression and success to Polytechnic and ITE graduates. Madam, in my English speech earlier, I touched on and gave my viewpoints on two recommendations from the ASPIRE Committee. Here, I would like to touch on two more recommendations from the ASPIRE report. Firstly, it is about increasing opportunities for NITEC graduates to continue their studies to Higher NITEC.”
“In the report, it was stated that 62% and 49% of the Polytechnic and ITE students surveyed cited parents as one of their top three influences in choosing their course of study. Clearly, parents have a disproportionate influence on their child's mindset and thought processes. Thus, they need to be well-equipped to provide the necessary advice and opinions to their own child. In doing so, it would also provide parents with a realistic and rational perspective to their child's academic potential and their accompanying career opportunities. Madam, as part of the effort to strengthen education and training in Polytechnics and ITEs, it was highlighted in para 3.2.2 that there is a need for Polytechnics and ITEs to provide more development and support programmes to help every student succeed, no matter what his or her circumstances may be. On this, I would like to suggest that the Government consider strengthening the links and partnership between the Family Service Centres and the Student Affairs Centres and Counselling and Wellness Centres in Polytechnics and ITEs. These would not only ensure prompt and ready assistance, financial or otherwise, whenever needed, but it would also allow cases to reflect earlier and symptoms better addressed. Such an arrangement would be beneficial to enhancing the social and emotional competencies of the students as they navigate the consequences of their decisions. Madam, in Malay, please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] I agree with the ASPIRE Committee's view that education is very important to Singaporeans where education is key to unlock opportunities in life and guarantee a good and bright future.”
“Madam, in this next section, I will be touching on some of the recommendations that have been put forth in the report and provide some of my views and inputs. As a Member of this House, I support the recommendation to strengthen and coordinate Education and Career Guidance (ECG) efforts as part of an integrated National ECG Framework, in particular, the brand of end-to-end ECG, as laid out in para 2.7 of the ASPIRE report. Making a well-informed choice is paramount. A comprehensive and continuous education and career guide in schools and institutions can have a rewarding outcome, especially considering that decisions on education options and clear opportunities can be a rather complex and risky process. On this, I would like to suggest that the Government include the administering of psychometric tests as part of the initiative in strengthening the ECG framework. Conducting psychometric tests, such as the DISC personality assessment, will enable students to develop Page: 54 a better understanding of their attributes, the special qualities that they possess and an honest reflection of their own weaknesses. An in-depth awareness of oneself will enable him to better tailor his education with his career decisions. Psychometric tests, as part of the national ECG framework, would certainly be helpful for the students in the long term. Additionally, I hope that the system can be set in place to encourage the active involvement of parents in the planning of their child's educational progression and subsequent career prospects. Invitation to parents to attend ECG sessions at the Secondary school level should be seriously considered.”
“Page: 53 At the same time, parents and students have their respective roles to play in this brave new world. Parents should continue to remain engaged with their children's future while simultaneously providing adequate space for them to pursue their own interests and aspirations. I see the role of a parent more as a cheerleader rather than as a director. The student himself is the director of his hopes and dreams in life. As a society, we should encourage our young minds to strive for the best with the skills they have been equipped with. Thus, parents play a fine balancing act between expressing concern for their children's future, providing them with autonomy to empower themselves at critical decision-making points in their academic and career junctures. Madam, for the student to better empower himself and exercise the confidence invested in him by his parents, he needs to actively inform himself with the academic and career information provided to him and immerse himself in the world beyond our shores. On this note, I would like to encourage students to step out of their comfort zones, away from the paternal culture prevalent in our education system today. It is hoped that, without the shackles of a narrow societal mindset in which one's value and contribution are solely based on University paper qualifications, the student can better express himself with greater gumption, creativity and entrepreneurial tenacity and, in doing so, start towards the future that he envisions for himself and his loved ones. To this end, I hope that in the not-too-distant future, applied education can be as rewarding and fulfilling as a University degree. Both would be recognised, appreciated and encouraged by members in our society.”
“Madam, I share the view of the Committee that education is very important to Singaporeans who see it as a key to unlocking the opportunities in life and securing a good future. Over the past weeks and months, a case had been made that applied education can be as viable a pathway as a University education. But in order for this notion to gain traction among our young minds and worried parents, narrow societal mindsets have to evolve, and the objectives, as set forth by the Committee in the ASPIRE report, should be embraced by the public at large. Madam, Members in this House acknowledged that there is a need for a fundamental review of the prevailing assumption in education today, key of which is the definition of success in Singapore society today and the parameters that operate under this assumption. For years, our society has been socialised to view a University degree as the sole means to an end – career success and economic progress in life. The Committee has taken a step forward in trying to shape and reframe existing attitudes and prevailing mindsets. We should welcome that. The Committee has conceived a different approach to the viewing of success and progress in Singapore society, and I believe their painstaking intents, as illustrated in the report through the various recommendations, can be realised. Indeed, the shifting of mindset is no doubt an uphill and tedious task, one that requires constant calibration and adaptation. The Government, through the ASPIRE report, has taken the lead in the reframing of mindsets. The direction, as set forth, should be complemented with efforts on the part of employers and industry players to realign their work processes and resynchronise their organisations' objectives and outcomes.”
“Madam, I just like to make some clarifications. Basically, I would like to apologise in this Chamber for the issue that I have brought up just now, without being able to verify further in terms of the claims made by my previous client. It is not my intention to give a negative impression of any of the Public Services or Government officers. So, I will be more careful in future not to bring up such cases. And I apologise.”
“At that time, I had no intention to disregard the good work that had been done by our civil servants and our Public Service. It is just that I wanted to give feedback about the experience that I had encountered during my counselling, the difficulty faced by the client at that point in time.”
“The case happened a few years ago. I do not have any contacts since I am no longer doing counselling. But again, I just used that as one example, in a way, of many cases I have encountered of such difficulties faced by Singaporeans, especially those who are going through a divorce. Again, I would like to say that I do not have the details, not my resident, but my client at that point in time.”