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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“Sir, a couple of weeks before the Budget Statement, I received an email from one of my residents, Mr X, who shared his plight of not qualifying for a subsidy for the SPED school fees for his child as he did not meet the per capita income criteria. He mentioned that his per capita income of $1,000 exceeded the qualifying amount by $250. Mr X is the sole breadwinner, supporting his wife and three children. His wife is a homemaker, not by choice, due to the caregiving of their special needs child. He lamented that middle-income Singaporeans were being deprived of subsidies that are made available to lower-income groups. He felt that with the rising cost of living, a middle-income family like his should be eligible for a fee subsidy. Therefore, Sir, I am glad that the Government has decided to reduce the upper limit of the SPED school fee from $150 to $90, announced in the Budget Statement as the first step in reducing the financial burden of families with special needs child. Nevertheless, I do feel that more can be done to help middle-income families with a child who has special needs. In view of this, I agree and fully support the call made by my fellow Aljunied Group Representation Constituency (GRC) Member of Parliament, Mr Gerald Giam, through his Budget speech, asking the Government to set the fees for SPED schools at the same level as mainstream schools – namely $13 – on the basis of creating a more inclusive society. Sir, I note that under the Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children (EIPIC) Programme, a tiered approach is applied to determine the out-of-pocket expenses for qualifying families.”
“Of the 7,200 applications ICA process annually, only around 3,000 applicants completed the PMLA. The low take-up rate is a concern. Singaporeans intending to marry a foreigner must have a clearer picture on whether their spouse will be able to remain with them in Singapore, ideally before they get married.”
“Madam, in August 2023, MHA had, in a reply to a question from my colleauge, Mr Gerald Giam, said that from 2016 to 2022, the Ministry had processed an annual average of 7,200 applications for Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) for foreign spouses of Singaporeans. Processed, not approved. Just a day after that, Minister of State Dr Faishal Ibrahim, in replying to a question relating to LTVP for foreign spouses had said that such applications were assessed individually and holistically and elaborated on some of the factors that are taken into consideration, including length of marriage, the sponsor's ability to financially support the applicant, among others. Caregiving needs were mentioned as a unique consideration. The Minister of State also said that marriage to a Singaporean did not grant automatic right of entry into Singapore or approval for a long-term stay. I have appealed for many of my Singaporean residents who are married to foreigners and many of them come from less well off households. It is a stressful process and the financial cost are challenging for them, even if they are relatively affordable for most Singaporeans. I can appreciate that MHA and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) have to consider many factors in determining whether a LTVP application is approved or not. I would like to ask if ICA has engaged other relevant organisations such as the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), the Registry of Marriages (ROM), Registry of Muslim Marriages (ROMM) and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and others towards formulating a more coordinated approach in assessing LTVP applications for foreign spouses of Singaporeans. The Pre-marriage LTVP Assessment (PMLA) is a useful tool, but it has its limitations.”
“Sir, I would like to thank Senior Minister of State Zaqy for his comment and remarks on my cut. I would just like to repeat my request: whether the Senior Minister of State can provide an update regarding the steps and measures taken thus far in making RSN naval vessels a more inclusive and open workspace?”
“Mr Chairman, in 2015's MINDEF Committee of Supplies debate, I had raised the issue of fair and equal deployment in the SAF, particularly in the vessels of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). In answering my previous question regarding having halal-certified kitchens on our vessels, the MINDEF Ministers had cited the key issue of space being a premium on ships and that other provision would be made not only for Muslim servicemen but any other services of other religions with dietary restrictions. Sir, RSN has produced a video series on YouTube titled "The Passage 2", which featured among other trainees, then-midshipman Johan Fadli – a RSN regular personnel being deployed in the LST RSS Endurance from July to August 2024 for the Midshipman Sea Training Deployment (MSTD), a rite of passage for midshipmen to be commissioned as naval officers or to graduate as a naval warfare system engineer. The video series was entertaining and educational on what midshipmen of both genders and races experienced during the MSTD. Sir, I had hoped to see some shots featuring some of the aforementioned provision that has been made for servicemen with various dietary restrictions. Nevertheless, I would like to seek an update from MINDEF on the steps and measures taken thus far in making RSN's naval vessels a more inclusive and open workspace that is fair and just to all Singaporean servicepersons. I believe that it is important that we clearly communicate to the public – that there are no systemic barriers in the way of any Singaporean wishing to serve on our navy vessels.”
“For example, does it make it more challenging for foreign spouses and/or family members of Singaporeans to be granted permanent residency, which is necessary before citizenship is considered? I look forward to the Prime Minister's Office's (PMO's) clarification. Integration”
“Sir, back in December 2012, the Prime Minister commented during a session of Our Singapore Conversation that the Government had done its best and worked hard to attract Malay talent from Malaysia and Indonesia, but the numbers were small. Hence, I would like to ask for updates on the Government's efforts in attracting Malay talents till date. Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents Sir, it is indicated on ICA's website with regard to the application for Singapore PR or citizenship that, I quote, "ICA takes into account factors, such as the individual's family ties to Singaporeans, economic contributions, qualifications, age, family profile and length of residency, to assess the applicant's ability to contribute to Singapore and integrate into our society, as well as his or her commitment to sinking roots." In short, ICA will assess each application for Singapore PR and citizenship based on its merits. As publicly known, there has been a Government stance in maintaining the racial balance in Singapore population to preserve social stability. Sir, based on the two points I mentioned above, I would like to seek clarification from the Government whether there are instances where applications for Singapore PR or citizenship have to be rejected resulting from a fulfilled immigration quota so as to maintain the racial balance in Singapore's population, even though these applications have their merits? Sir, if there are, indeed, such situations, I would like to ask how does the Government balance its commitment to maintain the racial balance of our population in the context of our immigration policy?”
“Sir, according to figures released by the Government in 2023, our total population stands at around 5.9 million, of which 4.9 million are residents and 1.8 million are non-residents. Racial demographics have remained largely stable. The most worrying statistic released was the all-time low fertility rate of 1.04. Set against the backdrop of an ageing population, these statistics become more worrying. Sir, I would like to ask if the Government has a projection for the number of new residents and non-residents for the next five years. Following from that, I would like to ask for a progress update on the efforts to ensure that our infrastructure development is able to support an increasing population, in view of the delay and disruption in the construction sector resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Sir, I also note from the figures released by the Government in 2023 that there are over 200,000 Singaporeans presently based overseas. This is testament to the resilience and adaptability of our Singaporeans. But I also wonder if there are concerns of potential brain drain resulting from greater emigration. Does the Government have a strategy of managing emigration to ensure Singapore itself does not lose out on our homegrown talent? My final point is on the Government's effort in attracting Malay talent. In the past years, me and a few other Malay Members of Parliament, including former President Mdm Halimah Yacob, had asked through Parliamentary Questions and COS cuts on the measures and efforts taken by the Government in attracting Malay talent.”
“I would like to reiterate my call that Singapore adopts the social protection framework developed by the International Labour Organization (ILO), an introduction of an annual social protection report which tracks the effectiveness and efficacy of our policies to uplift society. With clear key performance indicators, such as improved per capita household income benchmarked against the median, we can better track how well policies are working and do the necessary fine-tuning. Sir, the United Nations (UN) is one that takes care of all segments and leave no one behind. I believe this is the sentiment all of us can get behind. Sir, I support the Budget.”
“For lower-income families with children, the wait can have a bigger impact. It is a sad and unfortunate reality that the living environments in rental flats are often not conducive for young children. There are stresses and pressures that arise that have an impact on their longer-term development. A more proactive approach may be required, for example, giving such households, which are ready to purchase their own home priority in the in the Sales of Balance Flats exercises or providing them assistance with purchasing a resale flat at subsidised prices. Sir, there is a segment of low-income households who face a particular problem with securing housing – Singaporeans with foreign spouses who have not obtained permanent residence. They are not eligible to apply for a flat under the Public Rental Scheme as that spouse is not a permanent resident (PR). They also do not have enough income and/or savings to purchase their own flat. The situation affects their relationship with their spouse. The Singaporeans whom I met in this situation have been unsuccessful in applying for their spouse to obtain PR status or even a Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP). They are effectively deprived of having a matrimonial life with their spouses in Singapore. Some of them also rely on their spouse to be their caregivers. We need to consider streamlining a path towards naturalising foreign spouses in Singapore, which includes housing policies for such families. Sir, my final point is one that I have raised on previous occasions.”
“Sir, I note that the Government will be ramping up support for the reskilling and retraining of our workforce. I believe that despite this move, there will remain a sizable portion of our population that is wary, not because of the support level but because they are unsure of whether undergoing reskilling will improve their earnings and job security. The other generations may also need more help in assessing their training funds under SkillsFuture as many of them are not IT-savvy. Sir, I believe every Singaporean aspires to own a home for themselves. But for young Singaporeans from low-income households, the path to home ownership is more fraught with risks. The two primary concerns are affordability and availability. I note that support under the employment and saving packages are kept at $30,000. If you assume a 50/50 split in the amounts the household received for each section, the maximum amount of household receives for purchasing their own home is $15,000. After including the grants, the price of a 3-room flat in the February 2024 launch of Build-To-Order (BTO) projects ranges between $127,000 and $172,000. Assuming the household successfully applies for a housing loan, the downpayment involved could range between $25,400 and $34,400. Even after accounting for the household contribution, the total level of support would be insufficient for the downpayment. Families with children find it more difficult to save to buy their own house because there are more immediate needs to be met daily. The wait for a BTO unit can range from around three years at the fastest, assuming there are no construction delays. Even for Singaporeans from middle-income families, the long wait throws a spanner in the works when they are planning for marriage and children.”
“In my experience, most, if not all, parents want to send the children to preschool and share a common desire to see their children get a good education. What often prevents them from sending their children to school are other tangible factors, such as the lack of places in nearby centres, concerns over their ability to pay the fees even after subsidies and financial assistance, pick-up and drop-off timings because the parents are working shift, among others. Top-ups to the Child Development Account (CDA) are useful throughout a child's education journey. However, they have far less of an impact on the immediate challenges a household may face in trying to keep their little ones in preschool. I welcome the lowering of fees at childcare centres under the Partner Operator and Anchor Operator Schemes as well as the expansion of subsidies. I believe this will go a longer way towards helping lower-income families send their children to preschool. On the matter of employment, low-income earners are among the most vulnerable segments of our workforce. Aside from their lower wages, job security is another concern for many low-income earners, particularly those in professions with no specialised skills. Low-income earners worry about being replaced easily or retrenchment, which can have an upsized impact on their families' livelihoods. I look forward to receiving more details about the assistance that the Government is planning for the involuntary unemployed. The WP has called for the introduction of redundancy insurance since 2006. By whatever name, a scheme that provides a net for Singaporean workers who find themselves suddenly out of job due to events out of their control is something that is needed in a time where job security is not assured.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in my time as a MP representing Kaki Bukit division of Aljunied Group Representation Constituency (GRC), I have had many interactions with Singaporeans, individuals and families from low-income households. These households have been most affected by the rising cost of living in Singapore and the issues they face are multi-faceted. When Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong delivered the Budget Statement earlier this month, I was heartened that there was significant attention given to this segment of our country's population. Today, I will speak with that light in mind. It was reported on 12 February 2024 that the lowest-earning households in Singapore saw their real incomes dropped by 1.7% in 2022, after accounting for inflation. The same report, the data from the Department of Statistics, showed the median household income for the same period rose by 2.8%. In response, the Government has ramped up support packages for the lowest earners in this year's Budget, adding onto the measures that had been announced and implemented in 2023. Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has also provided some details on the ComLink+ progress packages, where families with children from low-income households can receive financial top-ups when they work with family coaches assigned by the Ministry of Social Development and Family (MSF) on an action plan to meet certain goals. These goals include having children enrolled in preschool education, gaining employment, improving their financial stability and saving for home ownership. Sir, I gather from the information released to-date that one of the goals of the ComLink+ progress packages is to prevent intergenerational poverty from taking root any further and I support moves that prevent further stratification of society.”
“Sir, I hope that with the expansion of Fatwa Committee, this will reflect the intellectual development and growth of Muslims in Singapore. Sir, the final clarification that I wish to seek is regarding Clause 19 that amends section 78, which provides that any contribution that is not attributable to any contributor shall be deemed to be channeled for mosque building. My questions are as follows, one, what is the estimated yearly amount that will channeled; and two, how long has this been going on, and why was this change or amendment not done much earlier? Sir, before I end this speech, I would like to voice my support for the changes to the Syariah Court (SYC) and the Registry of Muslim Marriages (ROMM) via the proposed amendments of several clauses in an effort to expand and improve operations as well as the powers of these two institutions. The enhancement of operations and expansion of powers will be much needed to enable these two bodies to provide effective and efficient services that keeps pace with the rapid development of society. With expanded powers and enhanced operations, it is hoped that these two institutions will be supported with the necessary resources, especially manpower resources, so that they can achieve the objectives set for them as best as possible. Finally, Sir, I hope that the Minister can provide clarifications to the questions that I have highlighted. Sir, the Workers' Party supports this amendment Bill.”
“And perhaps it may be useful for the Minister to clarify whether these 10 individuals also comprise a cumulative figure rather than just a class attended by 10 individuals at any one time. I think this clarification is important because an individual who wants to spread deviant teachings will just simply break up their sessions into nine individuals at any one time. I would also like to seek clarification on the following situations, that is, whether they are subject to the definition of Muslim religious school'. Firstly, would a Quran reading class conducted by an individual for children or adults in HDB residential areas that is attended by 10 individuals or more, be categorised as a "Muslim religious school" if it is held habitually, for example, weekly? Second, what about zikir and maulid sessions which are often held at a house and attended by 10 or more individuals? Will such situations also fall under this category? Moving on, Sir, I would like to touch on the expansion of the Fatwa Committee membership as well as granting more discretion to the Committee in considering requests to issue a fatwa. Sir, I fully welcome the expansion of the Fatwa Committee membership. I would like a clarification from the Minister on how the process of filling up this new position will be carried out. For example, does the selection of Committee members require one to make an application or will it be done only through the selection and nomination process by MUIS? Also, can the Minister explain, what are the limitations of existing laws that requires an amendment to be made to section 32, where subsection (3) is replaced with a new subsection (3A)?”
“Once again, Sir, I would like to reiterate the Workers' Party's support towards the changes, improvements and enhancements that will be made. However, I have several questions that aim to seek clarifications on several clauses that will be introduced or amended so that the Muslim community in Singapore can better understand why the proposed amendments in the Bill are needed, as well as the benefits and gains that it will bring. Sir, the introduction of section 88(A) aims to establish a framework for the recognition of Foreign Halal Certification Bodies (FHCBs). My question to the Minister with regards to this matter is, firstly, whether the Minister can give some elaboration on the existing recognition process, such as what the current weaknesses are; and also, what are the main reasons that prompted MUIS to embark on these reforms. Looking ahead, can the Minister share, in general, the framework that will be created to further reinforce the existing framework? Sir, Section 86(A) which was also recently introduced in this amendment bill, aims to provide a definition of "Muslim religious school". Those that are referred to as "Muslim religious school" includes individuals or organisations that habitually provides Islamic instruction to 10 or more individuals physically present in Singapore and secondly, a place where 10 or more individuals are physically present in Singapore are habitually provided with Islamic instruction. I understand that these laws were made to tighten regulations over the teaching of Islam and also to empower MUIS to conduct inspections and monitoring, and also take certain actions. All these are aimed at preventing any deviant teachings. My question on this is, why is the number 10 is chosen, and is there any specific reason?”
“Sir, I will deliver my speech in Malay, please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Sir, this is the second amendment bill to AMLA within the last two years. It shows that continuous renewal efforts are needed as we live in today's fast-paced world. I welcome the diligence and hard work that was done to continue improving Singapore's Administration of Muslim Law Act (AMLA) for the benefit and progress of the Muslim community in Singapore. This amendment Bill has several objectives, firstly, to enable the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) to improve its administrative work and the management of its functions and responsibilities to support the Muslim community; second, to further improve the quality of the digital processes of the Registry of Muslim Marriages (ROMM) and Syariah Court (SYC); and third, to further enhance the provisions to administer the Syariah Court in order to achieve a more effective outcome. The Workers' Party supports this amendment Bill. Sir, regarding the first objective, which is to enable MUIS to improve its administrative work and the management of its functions and responsibilities to support the Muslim community, it encompasses several aspects; firstly, empowering MUIS to create a wakaf; second, recognizing Foreign Halal Certification Bodies; third, expanding the membership of the Fatwa Committee as well as giving it more discretion in considering fatwa requests; fourth, introducing a definition for Muslim religious schools and also giving inspection and monitoring powers to MUIS officers; and fifth, a clarification on unaccounted contributions to the Mosque Building and MENDAKI Fund being channeled towards building mosques.”
“The Social Protection Framework I have proposed would complement the Government's effort to achieve this objective and track the progress of efforts undertaken towards achieving them. Sir, I support the original Motion moved by the Leader of the Opposition.”
“Through the framework, the Government is able to establish policies that guarantee income security and access to essential social services for everyone, giving special attention to the vulnerable group, and protecting and empowering our people throughout their life journey. There is also another framework in the report on Minimum Income Standard published by academics, Assoc Prof Teo You Yenn and Dr Ng Kok Hoe. I am confident that with the appropriate framework in place, we will be able to monitor and review the effectiveness of the social assistance policies for lower-income Singaporeans. I would also like to once again suggest that the Government establish three levels of social protection, where each level matches the 30%, 50% and 80% level of median income. I further recommend that the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) publish an annual report on social protection, using information that includes the number of families receiving social assistance, the number of families who have successfully progressed to a higher level, and more. With this information, we can better understand the effectiveness of the social assistance policies that exist in Singapore and also consider the need to change policies so that appropriate assistance can be provided for those in need. (In English): Sir, the Forward Singapore report that was recently released spoke of the risk of our society becoming more stratified and less mobile as our society develops. The Government pledged to do more to ensure equal opportunities to temper unequal outcomes and prevent the creation of a permanent underclass. These are objectives I support as well.”
“If the percentages stagnate or if the report indicates a lack of progress, it could indicate a need to re-examine current approaches and identify gaps in the existing social protection system. For example, some recipient households may be in need of assistance in securing a place in a childcare centre or a student care centre for their primary school-aged children so that the parent can pursue employment without worrying about caregiving. The Social Protection Report could also be useful in raising awareness among Singaporeans of the nature of the issues faced by our lower-income groups. This, in turn, could foster better coordination between Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the Government agencies as they rely on a unified set of statistics and tracking tools. It may also encourage more individuals who are better off economically to step up and help their fellow Singaporeans in need by volunteering their time, energy or just making donations to aid the work of VWOs and NGOs. Sir, in Malay please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] The Workers' Party (WP) Members of Parliament have tabled a motion suggesting that the Government review its policies with the aim of lowering the cost of living for Singaporeans and their families, especially the lower income group who are more affected. In 2014, I suggested that the Government adopt the social protection framework of the International Labour Organization. I would like to repeat the same recommendation to the Government.”
“According to the statement, the Government, I quote, "regularly reviews the scope, coverage and the payout quanta of our schemes." I believe that the process of reviewing the various layers of social assistance can be further improved. To this end, I would also like to reiterate my previous call for the establishment of three Social Protection steps, corresponding to 30%, 50% and 80% of the median income per household member. Based on the median income per household member of $3,247 released in February 2023, the three steps would correspond to approximately $1,000, $1,700 and $2,600. Broadly, these levels do correspond to the existing thresholds for the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS). Using the resulting statistics, I would like to propose again that MSF publish an annual Social Protection Report. The report could include information on the number of recipient households and track movements of households from one step to another, amongst other statistics. There are several good reasons for establishing a more systematic approach towards tracking the effectiveness of our social assistance programmes via the Social Protection Report. It would create accountability for the use of public funds in our social assistance programmes. Rather than report on spot figures on the numbers of recipient households, the report would present a more holistic picture on the state of social protection and assistance in Singapore. The Government could also set objective KPIs based around the Social Protection Report. A vital KPI could be reducing the percentage of households in Steps 1 and 2 within a reasonable timeframe, perhaps within five years.”
“ILO's social protection approach calls for a "fair and inclusive globalisation" involving an "integrated set of social policies designed to guarantee income security and access to essential social services for all, paying particular attention to vulnerable groups and protecting and empowering people across the life cycle". There are four essential guarantees, namely, "access to essential healthcare for all, income security for children, assistance to vulnerable groups, and income security for the elderly and disabled." If the Government would prefer a more localised framework, then it is notable that a group of academics led by Assoc Prof Teo You Yenn and Dr Ng Kok Hoe have published two reports on the "Minimum Income Standard" for households in Singapore. The latest version was released in September 2023 and provoked discussions in the media and online forums. The report has a comprehensive definition for what is considered a basic standard of living in Singapore. It is about having opportunities in education, employment and work-life balance, and access to healthcare. A basic standard of living "enables a sense of belonging, respect, security and independence, and includes choices to participate in social activities and the freedom to engage in one's cultural and religious practices." In responding to the report, three Ministries, namely, MOF, MOM and MSF, released a joint statement. In that statement, they noted that what the report described was, I quote, "what individuals would like to have". The Government also recapped the various measures that had been taken to address the needs of lower-income households, such as the payout increases for ComCare, the Progressive Wage Model and the Majulah Package.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, my esteemed Workers' Party (WP) colleagues have filed the original Motion regarding the cost of living in Singapore at a time when many Singaporeans continue to feel the resulting pressures. The impact has been especially severe on lower-income households, which I believe the Government is aware of. I welcome the support measures that have been announced to date towards alleviating some of these pressures, such as the top-ups to the payouts under the Assurance Package, the CDC Vouchers, the Public Transport Vouchers and so on. These measures are meant to bolster the existing social safety net. The social safety net which exists in Singapore is multi-layered, which the Government referred to previously as a "kueh lapis", with each layer meant to tackle a specific area of need. It is an approach meant to prevent dependency, free-riding and abuse of the various measures in place. I also note that Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong had recently said that ComLink would be enhanced towards helping families in non-financial ways, such as coaching. This is meant to aid social mobility and prevent further social stratification. Having all these systems in place is well and good. However, I believe it is also important that we establish a means of assessing the effectiveness of our social safety net. To this end, I would like to reiterate a call I first made back in 2014 calling for Singapore to adopt the International Labour Organization (ILO)'s Social Protection Framework.”
“As I have mentioned in the earlier part of my speech, football is a unifying sport as it brings together the different segments of society regardless of socio-economic status, race, language and religion, making Singapore football great again will bring the revival of Kallang Roar and the Kallang Wave which our nation has been patiently waiting for almost three decades. [Applause.]”
“Madam, this is a real and valid concern. Madam, I am aware that on 23 June 2023, FAS has announced "Players' Concierge" as a platform to serve our national players, both current and former, providing guidance, guiding and equipping them with the necessary tools to prepare for life after football, as remarked by former Singapore international Baihakki Khaizan, who conceived this initiative. Baihakki gave assurance that our aspiring footballers of the next generation would see football as a viable career which does not end once they hang up their boots. Madam, I laud this initiative and hope that this effort will get the support from all the stakeholders and, in turn, build confidence in our youths as well as their parents of the viability of pursuing a football career. Madam, the final point I would like to make is to reiterate the call I made in this year's COS which is that FAS and other relevant stakeholders engage in an open conversation, a large scale one similar to our national conversation, with local players and coaches, both current and former, and to add on also local football fans and enthusiasts. The sporadic and occasional closed door consultations FAS has held is of limited value and has the risk of creating an echo chamber. In May 2023, FAS announced that it will convene a review panel after the dismal performance at the SEA Games. I support this effort. However, I would propose that this review does not only look into our dismal performance at the SEA Games but instead do a review of Singapore football as a whole, a review that will look into making Singapore football great again. And if it means we need to tear down FAS and rebuild from the ground up, so be it. Madam, I think this proposed effort is worth the time, resources and energy.”
“The issue of National Service has been thoroughly debated in this House and I acknowledge the various allowances for deferment or disruption of National Service obligations which the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) has provided for our athletes competing at a high level. Balancing our defence needs with our sporting aspirations is necessary and possible. As for our other unique features, I would like to know if the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) has conducted study visits and reviews of countries who face similar population constraints as Singapore and what lessons have been learnt and perhaps implemented into our own development planning. I had cited Iceland, whose football team made it to the 2018 World Cup despite their small population. Madam, Croatia is another footballing nation that we could also learn from. A country with a population of around four million, it has been achieving great success in international football. The Croatian football team joined FIFA in 1994, ranked 125th. They rose to third place with their first World Cup appearance in 1998, making them the fastest, most volatile ascension in FIFA ranking history as well as the youngest team to ever occupy the top 10 of the world ranking. Another point I would like to share which could spur our football is about providing better support in terms of employment or career path for our national players upon their retirement from football. I brought this up as I met and spoke to a couple of Singapore's ex-internationals who shared that they do not encourage their children to pursue their dreams to start a football career. When asked why, their short reply, "No future." Their concern is what would become of their children after their short career stint in football.”
“First quote: "After the YOG, there was no follow-up… We had no coach and we didn't even have a single training session for seven or eight months". Another quote, "While much was promised, in terms of on-the-ground work, nothing was really done. We were on our own, things soon went downhill, and eventually they forgot about us". Madam, I am aware that excellence at the youth level does not always translate at the senior level. Nevertheless, I believe we need to pose some hard questions, identify where we have previously gone wrong and rectify these errors as we commit towards a long-term youth development programme that will not lead to another "Golden Generation" turning into a "Lost Generation". Madam, I mentioned earlier in my speech that Singapore football has its unique features, such as the Kallang Wave and the Kallang Roar. There are other, less positive, unique aspects to Singapore football which we need to address if we are to progress towards success. I have touched on this issue previously. In 2019, I noted that former national player and coach Fandi Ahmad had made reference to a "unique ecosystem" in Singapore football which he felt was important for the coach of our national team to understand. In response to Fandi's comments, FAS had cited our small population, land constraints and the competing commitments, such as National Service and academics, which our young players have to juggle, compared to their peers globally and regionally, who are more likely to be full-time professionals. I believe these "unique" factors remain relevant today. In my previous speech, I had called on MCCY, SportSG and FAS to form a unique team to examine how we can leverage these factors to create a more positive ecosystem for our footballers and, in fact, all our athletes.”
“Maybe Mr Sablon was being over-enthusiastic in speaking to the media; maybe his sense of optimism was hopelessly misplaced. We may never know. What we do know is that we have failed to make progress in youth development even after all the programmes that were implemented and even after we appointed several reputable technical directors and coaches. There was a time in the 1970s and 1980s when our football team was on par with the current Asian football powerhouses, such as the Japanese and Korean teams. They have advanced considerably; we have not. The relative lack of progress suggests that there are factors that hindered the effectiveness of our plans and programmes. These could include failures in the training and development system and the lack of quality in mentoring, coaching and grooming our young talents. To elaborate this point further, I would like to return to our 2010 Singapore Youth Olympic Games (YOG) team, which I mentioned earlier in my speech. This team created history for our football when they won a bronze medal at the tournament. And they seemed to hold great promise, having also secured a 3-2 victory over the Tottenham Hotspur academy team during the team's two-week camp in England in their preparation for YOG 2010. The players from that tournament were dubbed a "Golden Generation" not only for achieving a milestone bronze medal at the inaugural event, but also for their exciting style of play. And yet, a review of their fortunes a decade later told a story of a lost generation of footballers. I would like to quote some of these players sharing their woes, which was reported in one of our local online media.”
“We have never made it past the qualifying rounds on our own steam. Let us set our sights on the AFC Asian Cup and develop a roadmap towards that goal. The roadmap can include milestones, such as winning the AFF Championship and maybe even gold at the SEA Games in a decade. In this manner, there is greater accountability as well. And if we need to revisit the strategy along the way and tweak it here and there, so be it. It is better than setting an aspirational target that is plain unrealistic. Madam, in any sport, the seeds for success must be sown early. In 2021, FAS announced the introduction of "Unleash The Roar" (UTR). Once again, as I did in my COS 2022 speech, I welcome the small steps that have been taken under the UTR project, such as the setting up of School Football Academies and partnerships with global leaders in football, such as clubs from the Spanish premier La Liga. This is not the first time that FAS has tried to implement youth development programmes. One example is the Junior Centres of Excellence (JCOEs) which were implemented in 2011. If we go back further, we have the Milo Soccer School. For those who may be too young to remember, the Milo Soccer School was a key youth development programme in the 1980s and 1990s which gave birth to many of our nation's football heroes, among whom are Fandi Ahmad, Nazri Nasir and Lee Man Hon. So, we know that youth development is not a new idea for Singapore football. But we also have to confront our failures in youth development, despite the investment of time and resources. In 2015, then-FAS technical director Michel Sablon, in a media report, praised JCOEs and mentioned that with further improvement of this programme, he was confident that Singapore's national team can be like Japan's by 2020.”
“" On this matter, I had asked the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) through a Parliamentary Question in September 2019, as well as in my Committee of Supply (COS) 2020 cut on FAS' strategic plans in achieving this goal. MCCY's replies were that the Ministry was waiting for FAS to advise them on their plans. Nonetheless, in March 2021, FAS, as reported in the media, shared that the World Cup 2034 is an "aspirational target". Pertaining to World Cup 2034, I would like to seek two clarifications. One, FAS has announced in August 2019 that World Cup 2034 is a realistic goal. Meanwhile, in March 2021, FAS set it as an "aspirational target". Can FAS or MCCY confirm whether it is the former or the latter? Second, I would like to, once again, ask for updates from FAS or MCCY on the strategic plans in achieving this realistic goal or aspirational target. I note that there are plans to launch an Under-17 league in 2024, and also to train talent scouts, which were announced in May 2023 during a consultation exercise. But surely, there has to be more to the roadmap. Madam, aspirational targets are well and good, but there also needs to be a healthy dose of reality injected. If we cannot even advance beyond the group stages in regional competitions, making it to the World Cup is nothing short of a fantasy. And even if, by some miracle, we were to meet that unlikely aspirational target, we are likely to be utterly humiliated. Before we even think about the World Cup, why not we first try to qualify for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup in 2036? Historically, our national football team has participated in the AFC Cup since its inception. However, the only time we have ever qualified for the final round was in 1984 – as the host country.”
“This means that in the three decades since we achieved our highest ranking, we have dropped by a remarkably disappointing 85 places, which is also 31 places below our average. Since we hit bottom in 2018, we improved by 15 places in five years. But this minor improvement is a small consolation for the players and fans who are struggling to understand how we have failed to improve over the years despite all the efforts put in. Our recent results demonstrate that where many other countries in the region have improved, Singapore football has fallen behind. Madam, the right efforts are needed to formulate the right programmes and approaches to better our football situation. We need to see what had worked and what did not work in the past, so that we can dissect, review, finetune and come up with the best efforts and measures in improving our football. I believe any changes that need to be made should start with setting of a Goal or Vision for Singapore Football. I believe that both the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) and the Government understand this. In 1998, then-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong had this vision, Goal 2010, to qualify for the World Cup in that year. We obviously did not make it, but we had a brief glimmer of hope when our junior Lions won third place during the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) hosted in Singapore. That team, coached by former player Kadir Yahaya, seemed to hold promise for a brighter future in Singapore football. I will speak more on that unfulfilled promise later. More recently, in August 2019, it was reported in the media that the then-Vice President of FAS, Mr Edwin Tong mentioned that, I quote, "FIFA World Cup 2034 will be a realistic goal for Singapore.”
“Many are still painfully waiting for the revival of our Lions, expressing our concerns, sharing views and perspectives, but, regrettably, there are quite a big number who have lost faith and given up after our Lions' poor performance in AFF Championships 2022 and the 32nd SEA Games, followed by two recent uninspiring international friendlies. Madam, I have, throughout the years, spoken several times in this Chamber on Singapore Football, sharing my perspectives. Speaking in support of this Motion, I would like to again surface mine as well as fellow Singaporeans' observations, concerns, thoughts on the current situation and what can be done for the future of our football. Some of these points are a reiteration and elaboration of what I have said in this Chamber. Madam, I would like to make it clear that I am neither claiming that I have the solutions to this plight that we are facing, nor do I want to belittle any ongoing efforts in bringing glory back to Singapore. My speech is a small contribution in terms of observations and perspectives in our attempts to Make Singapore Football Great Again. To begin with, let us look at where Singapore currently stands in the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) rankings. Our men's national team is currently ranked at 158th place. The highest ranking we ever attained was 73rd in 1993, while the lowest is 173rd in 2018 and our average is 127th. At the peak of our FIFA ranking, our men's football national team in 1993 was made up of popular footballers, such as Fandi Ahmad, V Sundramoorthy, Malek Awab, Nazri Nasir, Rafi Ali and other excellent players.”
“For the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, we celebrated the continued success of our swimmers both at the SEA Games and the Para Games and we rejoiced at the resurgence of runner Shanti Pereira – among other wonderful wins. But there were also moments of despair, in particular, when we saw our football team suffer their heaviest SEA Games loss in decades when they lost 7-0 to Malaysia. Our footballers' dismal showing at the SEA Games came not long after another crushing disappointment when we limped out of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Championships 2022 tournament. It felt like rubbing salt to the wound or, in Malay, "sudah jatuh ditimpa tangga", or a double whammy. Madam, in this speech of mine, I will focus on the circumstances of Singapore Football. I can confidently say that football has the strongest following among Singaporeans as compared to any other sport. Football is also known to be a unifying sport as it brings together the different segments of society, regardless of socio-economic status, race, language and religion. While this is not unique to Singapore, our football culture has its unique characteristics. We have our Kallang Roar and Kallang Wave, named for the location of our former National Stadium, where fans always turned out in droves to support our Lions in every home match when they competed in the Malaysian League and Cup competitions. That experience fostered a sense of our shared bonds and a feeling of oneness and pride of supporting our national teams, as each fan became a part of the Kallang Roar and Wave. Sadly, Madam, this experience now feels like ancient history. We have not witnessed such exhilarating and tremendous support for our Lions for many years.”
“Madam, I second and support the Motion moved by my hon colleague, Assoc Prof Jamus Lim, "That this House celebrates the accomplishments of our athletes and para-athletes at the recent 32nd SEA Games and the 12th ASEAN Para Games in Cambodia, and calls on the Government to undertake a thorough evaluation of the areas of improvement in Singapore's sporting ecosystem, and commit to realising clear, achievable goals for sporting success over the coming decade." The recent 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games which were held in Cambodia saw the participation of Singapore's contingent, with a strength of 558 athletes competing in 30 sports and 26 athletes in six sports, respectively. At the SEA Games, our Team Singapore had bagged a total of 158 medals: 51 golds, 43 silvers and 64 bronzes. Meanwhile, at the ASEAN Para Games, our Team Singapore had brought back 12 golds, 15 silvers and 17 bronzes, totalling 44 medals. I salute all our Team Singapore athletes for giving their best, sacrificing time and energy, and for their resilience and endurance in overcoming challenges and obstacles in flying our Singapore flag high. My heartiest congratulations go out to our medal winners for their triumph and bringing pride to our country, also to our national athletes who had bettered their personal bests at the Games as well as those who fought hard against formidable opponents. A big thanks to our Team Singapore's coaches and officials and a deep appreciation to our athletes' families, loved ones and friends for their great support and encouragement in spurring and motivating our athletes. Madam, in any sporting event, there will be triumphs and defeats.”
“I thank the Minister. Sir, I have one supplementary question that pertains to the Geylang Serai bazaar. The Geylang Serai bazaar has gained great public interest and attention. There were two different reports mentioning two different things regarding the affordability of the rent. One reported that some business owners claimed that by the end of the second or third week of operating, they were already speculating that they may not be able to earn a profit or recover their business costs; whereas the other reported the opposite. In view of this, I just want to know whether PA would consider conducting a survey or study to find out: (a) how many businesses face losses and also the range of losses, (b) the number of businesses breaking even, (c) the number of businesses that make profit. And more importantly, to make the findings public so as to provide a proper closure in addressing the public concerns on this issue.”
“May I say once again that when we point a finger at someone else, we must be mindful that our other fingers pointing back at ourselves. Nonetheless, sir, there is a saying in Malay that goes “whoever eats the chilli will be the one to feel the spiciness”. Let us self-reflect! Thank you, Sir.”
“5 million worth of funds which had been transferred from Pasir Ris-Punggol Town Council to Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council. These are among the political practices which are unhealthy and should be rejected. In summary, Sir, in a healthy democracy, the decisions of voters in electing their political representatives should be made based on their considerations on the facts that have been put forward by all parties contesting in the elections and not because of fears which had arisen from unfounded claims. The practice of fear mongering by anyone is irresponsible and goes against democratic values. Sir, in conclusion, if we want to avoid political divisions and polarisation, worries which had been raised by Mdm President, we must practice and strengthen the aspects which I have mentioned, which are: having a level playing field, agreeing to disagree and, at the same time, rejecting “fear mongering”. If we are able to do that, it can also enhance the level of trust held by our citizens towards the national leadership system, which is another important factor mentioned by Mdm President on that occasion. Overall, it will strengthen our efforts to build a democratic society based on justice and equality as spoken each time we recite our national pledge. Sir, I wish to reiterate what I said at the beginning of my speech, that what I am sharing in this debate is not intended to point fingers at any particular individuals. Rather, it is an invitation to all Members of this august Chamber, our elected leaders and to myself in particular, to engage in introspection and self-reflection with a view to improving what needs to be improved so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for Singapore.”
“In my perspective, what happened to the WP was a reflection of reality, in parallel to what was happening among Singaporeans on this issue, whereby society was divided into two sides – those who were supportive and those who were not. Despite the differences in opinion and principle, these differences did not cause divisions that could have damaged our society because of the existence of tolerance, mutual respect and a willingness to agree to disagree when facing a situation with no mutual consensus. This is what is known as unity in diversity. Sir, unity in diversity is a value that we must uphold as a democratic society as we traverse and advance to a new era of living whereby differences of opinion and principles will become more pronounced. Upholding these values will enable us, as a democratic society, to overcome “cancel culture”, which is a worrying practice because it could adversely impact our unity and lead to divisions. The final matter relates to “fear mongering”. Efforts to scare voters are unhealthy political practices that could lead to polarisation and division. For example, once upon a time, fears were raised that if a political party other than the ruling party is elected and runs the town council, it will lead to bad management to the extent that garbage will pile up as high as a two-storey flat. It was also remarked that the prices of houses in constituencies held by political parties other than the ruling party will be adversely impacted and plunge. In the 2015 General Elections, there were last minute efforts during the campaigning period to spread unfounded accusations to the residents of Punggol East. It was said that the WP had failed to explain what had happened to $22.”
“The question here is, in what capacity did this individual attend a ceremony which was jointly organised by the PA and the Ministry of Education (MOE)? What is the message that was meant to be conveyed? And why was the elected MP not invited? Or at least, have both of them invited to this event. Fundamentally and more importantly, where are the values of justice and equality? Sir, although we, the non-ruling party MP, lack public resources, we still serve with dedication and direct our total efforts to carry out the responsibilities entrusted by our constituents. I do not mean to complain, Sir. Rather, what I want to raise is whether this is the proper practice in our efforts to build a democratic society based on justice and equality as inscribed in our national pledge? Reflect on it! I now wish to touch on the factor of “agree to disagree”. Staying respectful while navigating differences is important and fundamental in our efforts to preserve and further strengthen unity in society. Differences of opinions and views are a fact of community life. The approach that should be taken in managing and balancing such differences is the “agree to disagree” approach. Failure to do so could lead to conflict and division. Sir, during the debate on the repeal of section 377A last November, there were differences of opinion among the MPs of the WP. Some of us supported the repeal while others did not. On this issue, the MPs of the WP had discussed and could not find common ground for agreement on this issue, and thus moved to “agree to disagree”. As such, the decision was made to allow each WP MP to vote on the matter as they saw fit. Although there were differences in this matter, we all agreed that we needed to embrace unity in diversity.”
“To date, after almost 13 years constituting two and a half terms which I have served as the MP in Aljunied Group Representation Constituency (GRC), I still hear comments from my residents during my house visits that the People's Action Party (PAP) seem to be organising more events than the Workers’ Party (WP). However, when I ask for details of those events, it turns out that they were referring to events held at the community club as well as those organised by the RC. They said so because they saw the PAP branch chairman, who is also the grassroots advisor, present at these events as the guest of honour or the event organiser. In fact, some residents also said that their children received their Edusave awards from the PAP. Undeniably, the funds utilised by the bodies under the purview of the PA are for the benefit of the residents in a given constituency. However, it is also undeniable that the existing system creates the impression and assumption that events organised by the PA are events organised by the PAP. Sir, I have proposed in this House previously that the position of grassroots advisor should be granted to individuals who are not linked to any political parties so that the PA may be released from any political elements. This proposal was also part of the WP manifesto in the previous General Election – ensuring the freedom of national institutions from party politics. I understand that some efforts have been undertaken in this matter. For example, in the Sengkang GRC, the appointed Grassroots Advisors are not members of any political party. Nevertheless, as shared in social media recently, a Sengkang branch chairman from the PAP was invited as a guest for the Edusave awards ceremony and took photos with the recipients and Grassroots Advisor.”
“This is because we do not have access to the resources of the People’s Association (PA). This is because non-ruling party MPs who were elected to represent and serve their constituents during the general elections have been set aside in the appointment of Grassroots Advisors. The reality is, for a constituency won by a non-ruling party candidate, the defeated ruling party candidate will assume the role of the Grassroots Advisor. Conversely, for a constituency won by the ruling party, the elected ruling party candidate is concurrently appointed as the Grassroots Advisor. Sir, in reality, we, as non-ruling party MPs who are not appointed Grassroots Advisors, are unable to utilise the places under the purview of the PA such as the community clubs and the Residents’ Committee (RC) offices. Apart from the usage of such places, the PA funds meant for the benefit of the constituents also could not be touched. The same goes for manpower resources. The manpower provided by full-time constituency managers and directors is invaluable. This practice is not aligned with the phrase in our pledge which is to build a democratic society based on justice and equality. Why do I say this? Sir, the Grassroots Advisor is a position entrusted with the power and responsibility to manage public funds, which is collected through taxpayer money, for the use and benefit of the residents of a constituency. It certainly does not align with the values of justice and equality when the ruling party candidate who lost and was rejected by voters at the elections was appointed and recognised by the Government to hold the position of grassroots advisor while the non-ruling party representatives elected by the voters were set aside. To illustrate the circumstances more clearly, I will give an example.”
“Sir, I will deliver my speech in Malay. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] During the President’s Address on Monday last week, Mdm Halimah touched on several issues related to the steps which we need to take to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation. One of the things that caught my attention was about national politics. Essentially, good politics is necessary to further advance Singapore’s progress, harmony and stability. The opposite type of politics could spark polarisation and divisions. For my speech in this debate, I aim to share my own perspective on what would be considered as good politics. The content of my speech is meant for all participants in national politics, especially members of this House, including myself, and it is meant for all of us to conduct some self-reflection or introspection. In the words of a contemporary political phrase, “ownself check ownself”, in a positive manner. When we point a finger at someone else, we should be mindful that our other fingers that are pointing back at ourselves. Sir, what constitutes good politics? Among the factors that can produce good or healthy politics are firstly, having a level playing field; second, being able to agree to disagree; and thirdly, avoiding actions that cause fear among the public, or in English, “fear-mongering” especially during elections for the purpose of gaining support. Sir, having a level playing field is fundamental to achieve a democratic society, which is something that we want to attain as inscribed in the national pledge – building a democratic society. It is publicly known that Members of Parliament (MPs) who are not from the ruling party need to put in more effort at the grassroots level to meet the needs of our constituents.”
“Therefore, I propose that the Football Association of Singapore and other relevant stakeholders engage in an open conversation, maybe a national conversation with our local players and coaches, both current and former. Enhancing Participation to Sports”
“Sir, in the 2021 COS debate, the Unleash The Roar project meant to rejuvenate Singapore football was announced. Since that time, I understand that the initiatives. such as sending youth teams to overseas training, establishment of partnerships with foreign clubs and other measures are being considered and/or pursued. Since that time, however, the performance of our men's national football team has been inconsistent. They went from winning hearts for their never-say-die performance in 2021 ASEAN Football Federation Championship to crushing disappointment that followed their dismal exit from the 2022 tournament. I appreciate that it will take time to grow the ecosystem that will foster young talents and develop the skills of our local coaches and footballers, more than the two years since Unleash The Roar was announced. In a recent podcast posted by Berita Harian, a former national player called for greater involvement of former players in developing the programmes for our local football scene. He also called for, amongst other things, a dialogue session among all stakeholders, setting achievable milestones for our youth teams and creating an environment for local coaches so that they can focus on coaching and not need to moonlight. I believe that these are all sensible recommendations. While I understand the reasons behind recruiting foreign bond players to play for Singapore in the longer term, we need to focus on developing our local players, coaches and clubs. Local players who have dedicated their time playing for Singapore could be employed in various role where their experience could be relevant towards improving our system.”
“Among the efforts held by PERGAS are dialogue sessions with Muslim individuals from the LGBT community and also provide guidance to the Muslim community in Singapore on facing and managing this issue. As I said in my Committee of Supply speech last year, I welcome PERGAS's initiative. Mr Chairman, in November last year, this House passed an amendment bill to repeal section 377A. I would like to make a recommendation for MUIS to support as well as collaborate with PERGAS to enhance the effectiveness of their initiatives on the LGBT issue. The fourth and last point is about the efforts on the part of the Minister and the ruling party Malay/Muslim MPs regarding the use of tudung for uniformed groups in the public service. Mr Chairman, there have been several times when the tudung issue was raised in this House, the Minister in-charge of Muslim Affairs, either the current or the previous one, has said that such matters should be discussed in a closed session or behind closed doors. The last time this was said was two years ago during the 2021 Committee of Supply debates when it was recommended that nurses in the public health sector be given permission to don the tudung. I would like to seek clarification from the Minister whether, even after the Government had allowed nurses in the public health sector to wear the tudung, are this often-mentioned closed door sessions still ongoing, perhaps discussing with the Government to consider the wearing of the tudung for other uniformed groups in both ministries of Home Affairs and Defence? If there is, how many sessions have been held and, if no, why? That is all, Mr Chairman. 11.15 am Developing Malay/Muslim Community Leaders”
“Mr Chairman, in Malay please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mr Chairman, I would like to seek clarification as well as share a suggestion on some matters related to the Malay-Muslim community. The first is about the Community Leaders Forum (CLF). The CLF was formed in October 2003. The objective of the CLF is to provide a platform for Malay/Muslim social agencies to further strengthen and enhance the coordination and collaboration between these agencies so that the Malay/Muslim community can better benefit from their programs and initiatives. I would like to ask the following questions about the CLF. First, what is the status of the CLF? Second, is the function of CLF still relevant after the establishment of M3? Third, what is the difference between these two platforms and whether, there is duplication between them? The second point, Mr. Chairman, is about the Malay-Muslim Community Development Fund or MMCDF which was established in 1991 to assist Malay/Muslim organisations in their efforts to empower the community. The questions that I would like to ask the Minister is, first, when was the last review conducted for the MMCDF and when is the next review? Second, what is the amount of funds that distributed and also the number of organisations that received these funds in the past five years, that is, from 2018 to 2022? Next, I would like to touch on efforts to help the Muslim community understand, embrace and deal with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) issues in Singapore. At the beginning of 2022, PERGAS formed a special task force team for LGBT issues.”
“I have also suggested for MOE's Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) to be extended to school-going children who have such parentage for the same reasons of elevating the financial burdens of such households where a Singapore Citizen has a child or stepchild who is a PR resulting from a transnational marriage. Children with Developmental Needs”
“Sir, I have made several calls in this Chamber to have the Kindergarten Fee Assistance Scheme (KiFAS) made available to Singapore students from less privileged families who attend kindergartens apart from those run by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and by AOPs. However, the situation remains. As one of the main focus for this year's Budget Statement is to strengthen our social compact, it would be appropriate for me to echo my earlier calls on this. Sir, each child is unique. The diverse choices of kindergartens give parents the option to select the centre which they deem to be in the child's best interest. Parents know their child best. They would obviously want their child to attend a preschool education centre which suits that child's learning style. Apart from the child's learning style, there are parents who may also want their children to attend a preschool institution which provides religious knowledge. Naturally, their choices would be kindergartens run by religious entities, such as mosques and churches. 5.45 pm However, this choice can be out of reach for parents who do not have the financial means to do so because the KiFAS would not be extended to their children if they were to attend such institutions. I hope that the scheme's coverage can be extended beyond MOE Kindergartens and kindergartens run by AOPs. The second suggestion I have, Sir, is for KiFAS to be made available for children who are Permanent Residents (PRs), provided that one of their parents or stepparents is a Singaporean.”
“The feedback is that these services is often crowded and impossible to board, especially for residents taking the bus services from the last three stops away from the Downtown Line, Bedok North station bus stop. Madam, I do hope the Land Transport Authority (LTA) will look into this feedback and, if possible, conduct a study and see how best to improve the overall public bus service, especially on bus connectivity, for Kaki Bukit ward.”
“Madam, I have received feedback from my Kaki Bukit residents requesting for enhancement of the public bus services serving my ward covering namely, Bedok North Street 3 and partially Bedok North Avenue 1, 2 and 3. Currently Kaki Bukit ward is being served by bus services 225G, 225W, 137 and 137A. Buses 225G and 225W are feeder services, starting and ending at Bedok Interchange and they cover the loop of Bedok North Avenue 1, Avenue 2 and Street 3, each going in the opposite direction. I understand from residents that these two feeder services have been around since the early days of Kaki Bukit estate. The newest and only trunk bus service that was made available to Kaki Bukit ward is bus service 137, launched in October 2017, in tandem with the opening of the Downtown Line, stage 3. Bus service 137A, which is a short-trip service variant of bus service 137 was introduced in February 2019. Bus service 137A only operates on weekday mornings to cater to peak hours commuting, making a total of four trips – first at 7.18 am and final at 8.07 am. One of the common feedback received is to enhance the connectivity of the feeder services serving Kaki Bukit to wider parts of Bedok North, Bedok South and also Bedok Reservoir by introducing Townlink feeder service. Such a service can be found in some HDB towns such as Pasir Ris. Many who had called for this mentioned that such Townlink feeder service will, in particular, benefit groups with different mobility needs, such as the elderly, persons with disabilities and families with young children because it will do away with the hassle of bus transfers. There are also requests to increase the frequency for bus services 137 and 137A during peak hours.”