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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“1% of the total renewal in 2015 chose a 10-year renewal term, compared to an estimated average of 63.4% between 2010 and 2014. Due to higher COE prices, more motorcycle owners are compelled to renew their COE every five years instead of 10. I would like to propose that the motorcycle owners who have earlier chosen a five-year renewal term be offered the option to renew their COE for another five years which, I understand, the present policy does not allow. Madam, these measures, to improve the present policy, will address and mitigate the financial burden of our fellow Singaporeans who rely on their motorcycles to make a livelihood. I hope the Ministry will consider them. Motorcycle COEs”
“Madam, I have previously made the call to review the COE for motorcycles and, in particular, abolishing it for motorcycles in the class 2B Category whose engine capacity does not exceed 200cc. Another colleague of mine had also touched on this issue during last year's COS debate. Many Singaporeans utilised their lower capacity motorcycles for work and to feed their families. As such, an abolition or review of the COE will be a much-needed boost for them, especially in the weakening economy. Presently, a class 2B motorcycle will cost an average of $11,000, with the Category D or Cat D COE costing an average of $6,106 in 2015. This is three times higher compared to the average in 2011 which was $2,098. The then Minister of Transport Mr Lui Tuck Yew, in a response to my question on whether LTA will consider splitting the COE for motorcycles into three categories Page: 28 according to the engine capacity of the motorcycles, which correspond to the class 2, 2A and 2B licences, said that, "splitting would result in a much smaller quota in each sub-category and this may lead to more volatility in quota and prices." I would like to propose that the available Cat D quota for class 2B, class 2A and class 2 motorcycles be allocated in accordance with the percentage of these vehicles on our road. This means to say that if the average class 2B motorcycle population on our road is 75%, then 75% of the available Cats D to E quotas will be allocated to class 2B motorcycles, adjusted according to the demand. I believe this move will address many of the concerns, as expressed in the Minister's reply to my Parliamentary Question. Secondly, I would like to touch on the present COE renewal term for motorcycles. An estimated 40.”
“Sir, I would like to clarify my point that I have made in my cut on the Goodwill Repair Assistance scheme, which was replied to by Senior Minister of State Desmond Lee. The main point of the cut is that under the current scheme, the repair is only being done to the upper floor. Basically, there is an issue of leakage, so repair work will be done on the floor of the upper floor unit, the source of the leak. But due to the leak, it damages the lower floor's ceiling. So, the repair of this damaged ceiling is not covered under the Goodwill Repair Assistance scheme. The feedback that I have got from those living on the lower floor units is that they wonder why they should pay a share of the repair done on the upper floor. Sorry for being a bit confusing.”
“Sir, HDB provides assistance through the Goodwill Repair Assistance (GRA) Scheme where HDB arranges for the repair works and co-pays 50% of the cost. The balance 50% is shared equally by the upper and lower floor flat owners who share the joint responsibility for the repair of ceiling leaks due to wear and tear. Many residents I have spoken to welcome this form of assistance rendered by HDB and it lessens their financial burden. However, concerns persist, and I would like to reflect my residents' sentiments in this House. For instance, if the ceiling at the lower floor unit faces a leak or has signs of leakage, such as distinct watermark or a blotted patch, no repair works would be done to the damaged ceiling. Only the source of the leak located at the upper floor would be rectified, but upon the completion of the repair works, both flat owners, the upper floor as well as the lower floor, will each be billed 25% of the total repair cost. This is not fair to the lower floor home owners. As a Member who represents a mature estate, I have regularly received feedback on the wear and tear to the ceiling in the unit. In fact, a resident who is staying in the lower floor unit said to me that in order to make repairs to her unit, she had to fork out additional costs. She is of the view that the repair of this damaged ceiling and its consequent repair costs should be included in the GRA scheme as the damage of their unit's ceiling should be the joint responsibility of both owners in accordance with the spirit of this particular policy. I am in agreement with her on this. The present policy has good intention, but we must be careful not to allow one set of family feeling shortchanged and left out. Sembawang Hot Spring”
“It could range from the infringement of personal space to elderly owners facing difficulties obtaining tenants without the engagement of a real estate agent. Engaging a real estate agent could constitute an added financial burden on our elderly when, in the first place, they already do not have much for retirement to begin with. As such, I would like to propose an Elderly Subletting Facilitation (ESF) Scheme where HDB connects elderly flat owners who would like to sublet rooms with potential tenants. This could encourage up to two-fifths of elderly owners to sublet their flats to support their retirement. Furthermore, ESF could be combined synergistically with the Public Rental Scheme so that there is no need to turn away over 10,000 applicants to the Public Rental Scheme yearly. We can and must do so much more for our elderly Singaporeans who have toiled to transform Singapore to what it is today. Lease Buyback”
“It is argued that home owners will benefit from the sales proceeds, but as many Members of this House would concur, some home owners are left without much cash proceeds after clearing their personal debts and arrears, arising from personal circumstances or legal rulings. As such, we need to have a more strategic and systemic manner in which we can capture the most vulnerable in our midst, especially those who potentially face a higher risk of being homeless after the sale of a flat, such as the elderly and families with young children. As such, I would like to urge the Ministry of National Development (MND) to consider a more flexible and accommodative approach to the implementation of the 13-month rule, with scope for greater deliberations and discussions with affected families. A proactive and flexible approach to the implementation of the 13-month rule would certainly be comforting to many, akin to the spirit as expressed in the Chinese proverb "sending warm coal in the midst of a harsh winter". Elderly Subletting Facility Madam, retirement adequacy is a major issue for many low- and middle-income Singaporean families. As the family nucleus in Singapore shrinks in size, help should be given to elderly owners to use their flats to supplement their retirement income, without requiring them to move out. Currently, there are two options. One is the Lease Buyback Scheme (LBS), a monetisation scheme to help elderly households in 3-room or smaller flats unlock their housing equity. The other, often suggested by the Ministry, is the sub-letting of a bedroom in the existing household. There are many issues involved in the execution of the latter option.”
“Thank you, Madam. Madam, one case of homelessness in Singapore is one too many for our collective comfort. Deprived of a permanent shelter and essential human needs, it has a direct negative impact on the well-being of the affected individual, as well as our society at large. To date, I have on several occasions, raised the problem of homelessness in our midst. The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), on its part, has stated in the previous reply to my Parliamentary Question that it has, on average, rendered assistance to 300 homeless cases each year. I, like many Members in this House, have also personally attended to a number of cases and it is certainly a heartbreaking process to see our fellow Singaporeans being left without a place where they can call home. I understand that this issue of homelessness is a multifaceted and complex one, a problem that requires the assistance of several stakeholders, including the affected individual and his family. As a Member of this House, I would like to share my observations and put forward proposals to better mitigate this issue and bring some comfort to our fellow Singaporeans. In a previous reply by MSF to my Parliamentary Question, the House was informed that in 2014, a study on families in transitional housing was conducted and it was found that these families often experienced occurrences, such as divorce and financial difficulties. In fact, many had sold their flats and spent their monies to clear existing debts or for other purposes, prior to becoming homeless. Madam, under existing policies, a home owner who has sold his flat, regardless of the circumstances behind the sale, is not allowed to rent a flat under the Public Rental Scheme within 13 months of the sale of their last flat.”
“I propose that a fair employment contribution fund where firms can contribute to help fair employment efforts. In return, firms can enjoy incentives, such as corporate tax rebates or CPF employee credits. The fund can be used to fund the agency overseeing any FCF activities. Assistance for Local Enterprises”
“Madam, it is recognised that MOM has taken a couple of steps towards ensuring fair employment within Singaporeans' workplace, with TAFEP and FCF as two examples. Page: 100 However, there are two key problems with existing schemes. First, a lack of enforcement measures. While the Government has, in the implementation of FCF, recognised the existence of "double weak" firms, firms that are found to have flouted the rules will only have their work pass privileges curtailed. A second problem is the low take-up rates of voluntary schemes. To date, 4,439 organisations have signed the employer's pledge under TAFEP but, with 9,106 manufacturing establishments and another 58,784 service establishments in 2014, TAFEP's coverage does not seem substantive. [Deputy Speaker (Mr Lim Biow Chuan) in the Chair] More can be done in pushing for an agenda in ensuring that the Singapore Core is able to contribute competitively but still ensure a competitive foreign labour force to be engaged by employers. In order for the Government to effectively manage manpower policies in ensuring the Singapore Core and to enshrine the importance of fair employment practices within Singapore, I propose that a national employment framework be developed and instituted. This would unify all the current frameworks which loosely contribute to the Singapore Core drive into a single coherent framework to ensure minimal overlaps in policy. To enforce the framework, additional enforcement powers to penalise double weak firms for discriminatory hiring practices should be implemented within the framework. Even then, such a framework will take time to be debated and hammered out. Transitional measures should be put in place to further the incentives for taking up fair employment practices.”
“Let us partner our children and lead them down the many unknowns in their educational life with anticipation, hope and joy. Minimise Homework, Maximise Impact”
“Madam, first allow me to declare that I have a child who is receiving education in a private institution. Madam, the Ministry has put in place good and comprehensive financial schemes and funds to assist Singaporean students from needy and lower-income families who are receiving their education at Government-funded institutions. These schemes and the relevant awards are significant in motivating students who display excellence and commitment during the course of Page: 14 their educational endeavours. Members of this House would be familiar with some of these schemes. These include the Financial Assistance Scheme, EduSave scheme and the Opportunity Fund scheme. In their respective ways, these schemes go a long way in helping and supporting needy students in their educational, enrichment and personal pursuits. The Ministry took a big step forward by extending EduSave contributions to all Singaporean students. Upon deliberation and discussion, the national examination fee waiver was also extended to all Singaporean students in 2015. It is in this spirit of lending a helping hand to our children and fostering their respective development, where every child is an invaluable asset to the future of this country, that we should further assess the feasibility of extending all MOE assistance schemes, awards and funds to all eligible Singaporean students, including those who are receiving their education in private institutions. As a Ministry that is tasked to nurture the holistic development of every precious Singaporean son and daughter, the extension of its schemes to all eligible Singaporean students, regardless of their choice of school, is a bold act of inclusivity that will motivate our children to aim for the horizon and pursue the rainbow before them.”
“Madam, I would like to reject the Minister mentioning me as someone who is always championing Malay/Muslim issues. We can check the Hansard. I believe that I have voiced out more national issues, compared to Malay/Muslim issues. And I believe it is my role and responsibility as an elected Member of a minority community in the Group Representation Constituency (GRC) system, it is my responsibility and role to voice out Malay/Muslim issues based on the voices that I gather from the community.”
“Madam, I would just like to repeat what I have said in my speech that I am a strong believer in an inclusive and open SAF. I do not think that I need the Senior Minister of State to remind me that Singapore is a multiracial and multi-religious society. Madam, I bring this issue up because of what the Minister had answered to a question posed to him during one of the public forums regarding why there are no Malays serving in the Navy vessels. The Minister mentioned that it is due to practical reasons or practical issues. My point is that since this is a practical issue or practical problem that exists, has this practical problem been resolved practically? So, that is my purpose. I believe if this practical reason can be resolved, it will further foster the inclusivity of SAF or RSN.”
“Madam, I am a strong believer in having an inclusive and open SAF that is fair and just to all Singaporeans regardless of race, language and religion. As such, in the COS debate last year, I urged the Minister to seriously consider the possibility of ensuring that all navy vessels are equipped with halal-certified kitchens so that Malay/Muslim Singaporeans will be able to serve freely in the navy vessels without any constraint. I would like to seek an update from the Minister on whether MINDEF has made any progress on this matter in making navy vessels more friendly to Malay/Muslim Singaporeans. If efforts have been made, how many vessels out of the total number currently in active service have halal-certified kitchens? I understand that SAF's deployment of our NS soldiers is based on aptitude, abilities and commitment to Singapore. I would like to see the practical issues, such as the installation of a halal-certified kitchen on board a navy vessel, addressed and resolved promptly, so as not to further deprive and shatter the dreams of eligible Malay/Muslim Singaporeans from serving our nation in the navy on board a navy vessel. Update on the Advisory Council on Community Relations in Defence”
“Madam, I have two suggestions and three clarifications on SAF compensation. First, will MINDEF consider including psychological issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression arising from training or operations, in its definition of disability? This condition can be debilitating over the long term and affect the ability to perform duties or work after leaving the service. Second, Singapore spends large amounts on defence annually. How do we allocate funds to ensure that our NSFs and NSmen are adequately covered? How does MINDEF advise its members on SAF Group Insurance and ascertain that they are adequately insured? Will MINDEF consider covering the full cost of insurance or co-paying private insurance when citizens serve their NS obligations? 2.45 pm Third, how does MINDEF assess the adequacy of the Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA)-based compensation model? An injured or disabled person may need long-term care, equipment or facilities that go beyond medical services or prosthetics. This may drain the family financially and emotionally and may even require a family member to leave work to provide long-term care. How does MINDEF assess if the permanent loss of income and the cost of care for the lifetime of a disabled person are adequately covered? Fourth, does the compensation framework take into consideration cases where injured service personnel are ineligible for insurance coverage after they leave the service or are forced to pay much higher premiums? Lastly, what is the total amount MINDEF sets aside for compensation and support for long-term disability or death in this year's Budget? Total Defence”
“But we must be careful so that this partnership does not lead to unwanted side effects and resulting in a segment of society feeling marginalised and neglected, because that will run against our country's mission to build an inclusive and caring society. Madam, I support this Budget. 2.55 pm”
“A partnership, which combines the Intellectual, Emotional and Spiritual Quotients, can result in individuals who are highly resilient and gives priority to the collective need. These are the Singaporeans that we need in our effort towards building an inclusive and caring society. The final issue that I will touch on is the Government's move to encourage Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and other ground-up initiatives, by providing more support. Here, I would like to suggest that we establish a more effective link or cooperation between corporate entities and individuals, with the Social Service Office (SSO). I do understand that the main role of the SSO is to coordinate and increase cooperation between voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs) within their respective jurisdictions, so that the local communities can receive the maximum benefit. This is done by monitoring the demography and needs of the local community. For example, monitoring is done to see if there is a duplication of services, whether the service provided currently is sufficient and so on. The partnership between the SSO and programme organisers, be it corporate entities or interested individuals, can help to fill in the service gaps within a certain area. This partnership not only benefits the needy, but it also helps organisations that provide assistance or that wish to implement community programmes, and hence creating a win-win situation for everyone. Before I end my speech, I would like to state that the Spirit of Partnership is an important aspect of personal development, as well as the development of society and the nation. The Spirit of Partnership aims to combine resources and manpower so that it can give the best and maximum benefits possible to every member of society.”
“According to academics, SQ is closely linked to awareness towards the meaning of life, being responsible in life and the need for humility in life. By possessing SQ, it will point an individual towards having a personal vision and work towards it, with the objective that every benefit gained is not meant just for him, but also for society and the world in general; in other words, achieve collective good. In short, he turns himself into a blessing for all. I am of the view that a combination of these three quotients will not only result in resilience, but it will also build other positive human traits. Here, I would like to repeat a suggestion that I gave previously in this House, that is, the reintroduction of Religious Knowledge subjects in secondary schools. I feel that schools are the best place to develop a holistic person that should combine IQ, EQ and SQ. I would like to share that I have one child who is studying in a full-time madrasah, one in a public school and one more in a Mission school. I had the opportunity to examine how these three schools nurture good values and good traits. The advantage that Mission schools and madrasahs have over public schools is that they also focus on developing SQ. Madam, I mentioned earlier that one of the efforts that the Government does to strengthen the institution of the family is by excluding children born out of wedlock from enjoying the support schemes provided by the Government. Following that, I said that it is better to undertake early preventive measures so that this situation, where a child is born out of wedlock, can be lessened or prevented. I am confident that this can be achieved through the development of the Intellectual, Emotional and Spiritual Quotients in each person.”
“But I also feel that we should assess this from another angle. Firstly, children born out of wedlock are also Singaporean children who will contribute to the development of this nation when they become adults. Secondly, these children are just like other children, born the same way and have the same needs, in terms of physical, cognitive and social development. Thirdly, these children should not be treated differently because of something that their parents did. I would like to reiterate that, while I agree with the Government's efforts to strengthen the institution of the family, nonetheless I believe that there are better ways, in the form of early prevention that can be taken to deal with this issue. The Government's approach in this issue should be changed so that when these children grow up, they will not feel marginalised, left out and angry, because society seems to blame them for something that their parents did. I believe that the Government's support towards the development of every Singaporean child, regardless of their status, will be welcomed by Singaporeans. Madam, I would like to now touch on the development of the Outward Bound School (OBS) which aims to build resilience. The development of resilience among our students is important in preparing them for the various challenges in life and giving them self-confidence. I support the plan to build the OBS in Coney Island, which will be able to accommodate more participants. In order to build one's resilience, we need to have a holistic approach, whereby every aspect of the human brain, that is, Intelligence Quotient (IQ), Emotional Quotient (EQ) and Spiritual Quotient (SQ), must be developed and nurtured. SQ first came to the attention of academics, especially in the field of psychology, early last decade.”
“However, their intent to upskill will be affected due to cost issues. On the basis of inclusiveness and caring for one another, I hope that the Government can seriously consider the suggestions mentioned as part of the Spirit of Partnership between the Government and the people to help Singaporeans cope with the challenges that will emerge in our nation's pursuit of progress. Madam, I would now like to touch on the social aspect of the 2016 Budget. In his speech, the Finance Minister said that we will like Singapore to be a great place to raise a family, where we bring out the best in every Singaporean, and a society that takes care of those who have special needs, and who are less well off. The Minister once again emphasised the Spirit of Partnership between individuals, society and the Government in order to achieve this objective. For this year's Budget, in an effort to aid early childhood development, a new initiative KidSTART was introduced. The KidSTART scheme aims to help the early development of children's physical, cognitive and social skills. The present Child Development Account scheme (CDA) has been enhanced with an additional First Step grant of $3,000 as an initial assistance. As mentioned, these schemes provide support for Singaporean children in order to give them the best start possible in life. On the basis of this noble aim, I appeal to the Government to extend these schemes to every Singaporean child including those born out of wedlock. Presently, Government schemes exclude this group of children. I do understand that the Government provides these schemes only to children who are born to married couples in an effort to strengthen the institution of the family. As a family and household counsellor, I agree with this approach.”
“We certainly do not want a situation where automation and technological development result in certain segments of society feeling that they are left behind, and sink amidst the tide of modernity and progress, resulting in negative feelings, as the saying goes, "being discarded after they are no longer useful." If this happens, it will weaken our efforts to build an inclusive and caring society. As one way to manage the impact of retrenchment that will certainly occur in the effort to achieve progress, I support my colleague Ms Sylvia Lim's suggestion that the Government consider introducing a Redundancy Insurance. This is an insurance scheme where employers and workers each contribute a small portion of the worker's monthly salary into a fund. The objective of this fund is to help workers who are facing unemployment due to involuntary retrenchment, including those who were served notice. This fund can perhaps provide payouts over a period of six months, whereby the payout amount can be based on a small proportion of the last salary received by the worker, within the range of 40%, but at the same time, have a limit that is based on the median income. This simple scheme can give an indication that the help provided is short-term in nature, but at the same time, it can give some relief and financial assistance while these individuals strive to look for new jobs. Madam, in addition, I would like to convey the wishes of many people to increase the amount allocated for the SkillsFuture credit. The people welcome the SkillsFuture scheme, especially amongst the low-skilled and low-wage community members, who wish to upskill so that they will not sink amidst the tide of technological development and automation.”
“This collective benefit is a main factor in achieving an inclusive and caring society. For this Budget, one of the main emphasis is the effort to increase systems automation and encourage mergers and acquisitions. The Government has provided grants to support SMEs to achieve this. In terms of economy of business, any increase in automation will be viewed as something positive because it is closely linked to an increase in productivity. However, the next question will be, what will be the impact of automation on the economy of employment? Economic experts have different views on the impact of automation on jobs. The moderate view is that, while automation will make jobs disappear, at the same time, it will create new jobs. A study by George Graetz from the Uppsala University and Guy Michaels from the London School of Economics in 2015 showed some evidence that automation will result in job loss to low-skilled workers and to certain moderately skilled workers. Retrenchments and job losses cannot be avoided when mergers and acquisitions occur. In this decade, mergers and acquisitions occurred rapidly in many industries, like banking, logistics, manufacturing and others. Madam, one of the main concerns of Singaporeans is the loss of income. The main aim of the Government in supporting the increase in automation, and encouraging mergers and acquisitions, is that Singaporeans can reap the collective benefits, and that it will not only benefit certain groups. Many hope that the Government will pay close attention and monitor it closely, so that this aim of reaping collective benefits can be realised.”
“Madam, I will deliver my speech in Malay. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Madam, one of the main themes for this year's Budget is the Spirit of Partnership. In his speech, Minister Heng Swee Keat emphasised the importance of this factor in transforming our nation's economy and in strengthening Singapore towards being an inclusive and caring society. I agree and concur that emphasis and focus should be given to this Spirit of Partnership because, in our present lives that are full of trials and tribulations, efforts that require cooperation or collaborations between different groups and entities, are the best way to cope with an uncertain living environment. As the Malay saying goes, "Whether the burden is light or heavy, we will carry it together". The value of the Spirit of Partnership is the main theme of my speech for this year's Budget debates. Madam, the Government's plans and efforts that focus more on the business sector are a welcome move. This is to be expected, especially with the gloomy overall economic outlook in the near future. The support given to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is important because SMEs form 99% of all local businesses, creating 70% of the nation's labour force and contributing 50% towards Singapore's gross domestic product (GDP). If something unfortunate happens to our SMEs, the whole of Singapore will be affected. For instance, the winding down of an SME will result in job losses for Singaporeans. I feel that the main objective is to gain a collective benefit and not for only certain groups. The collective benefit is gained by Singaporeans through the jobs made available when small and medium enterprises continue to grow and progress.”
“I thank the Parliamentary Secretary for the reply. Madam, I would just like to refer to part (a) of my question where I asked for the number of homeless cases per year. I would just like to know whether the Parliamentary Secretary can provide the numbers because I want to look at the pattern; whether there is an increase throughout the years or it has stabilised. Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim: Madam, I have mentioned earlier that it is an average of 300. In fact, over the last three years or so, we have seen the numbers falling slightly from about 321 cases in 2013 to 296 cases last year.”
“I thank the Minister for the reply. I have two supplementary questions. First, can the Minister provide the number of funding applications received by the MMCDF Committee for 2013, 2014 and 2015? Secondly, I just want to clarify whether mosques are allowed to tap on MMCDF for their social programmes. Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: Madam, I do not have the figures for the three years, but I would be happy to provide the Member with the figures when I have them. Mosques do not qualify because they are not considered to be MMOs, but there have been instances where MMOs work in partnership with mosques and apply for funding from MMCDF.”
“Madam, two supplementary questions. One is that the Parliamentary Secretary has not answered part (c) of my question, which is: what are some of the measures that the Ministry has with HDB to flag out potential displacement and homeless cases at the point of application for a rental flat? My second question is I would like to ask the Ministry whether it foresees the homeless trend increasing in the next five years; if so, how does the Ministry plan to tackle this trend? Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim: Madam, I would like to thank the Member for the questions. As I mentioned in my answer, HDB, MSF and other agencies work very closely together. At every touchpoint that we have, we would check with one another and have a holistic assessment as to how we can take care of residents or fellow Singaporeans. On the homelessness trend, I am unable to comment on this. Nevertheless, I want to assure the Member and fellow Singaporeans that caring for Singaporeans is key and at the heart of no matter what we do. In fact, I am thankful to Singaporeans who at times share with me incidents or photographs of people who they suspect may have difficulties, through my Facebook or other platforms. I am also pleased to share with all Members that our staff work into the wee hours of the night to look after fellow Singaporeans. One example is where I received a Facebook post on a case somewhere in the northern part of Singapore. My staff went all the way in the wee hours to see how we can help that fellow Singaporean. This is something that we must continue to do because it takes everyone to make Singapore a special place; more so, we want to make sure that fellow Singaporeans are at the heart of what we do. 3.00 pm”
“Therefore, frequent exercises have proven beneficial for them. This time round, the coordination between the pre-hospital and the hospital care was very good, and has come forth in many publications as excellent. These are also issues for Singapore to think about. Others would include our border control, how to maximise our nation's relatively small Armed Forces in counter-terror efforts and also not forgetting, nurturing community awareness and social resilience through our Total Defence outreach and approaches. We have to look after and look out for one another. No one else is going to do this for us, for this is our only country and this will also be our future together. The future of us, the future of our children and the future of our grandchildren, lie in our hands, as a community, as a society, as a multiracial nation. The only upper limit there is, is the one that is set by our own mindsets. Thank you, Madam, and I support the Motion. 5.37 pm”
“Every Singaporean plays an important role – take care of our family members, neighbours, friends and every Singaporean. Correct all the misperceptions in our plural society. Every Singaporean plays an important role in our country's Total Defence. (In English): Madam, we are all against this war on terrorism. We have to work together. Separation, division and hatred will only tear us apart and break our will together. Recent terrorist attacks in Turkey, Sydney and Indonesia close to home, are growing concerns, especially for Singapore being small and strategically situated. The Paris attack, for example, demonstrated multi-site attacks happening simultaneously, and the intricacies and complexities of the minds of the terrorists that we are dealing with today. It was planned both within and outside France, involving foreigners as well as French nationals. It commenced with an explosion in a packed stadium and it was followed within 20 minutes by shootings which happened at four different sites and also explosions at three other sites, and not forgetting, hostage-takers set to action in a concert hall. All these were planned to simultaneously deplete or overwhelm the resources of a nation. Knowing this calls upon us to review our strengths, strategies and intelligence of the relevant agencies and resources that we have in Singapore. In the French attack, the Assistance Publique-Hopitaux de Paris (APHP) coordinated 40 government hospitals, 100,000 healthcare personnel, 22,000 beds and 20 major operating theatres – the numbers are really beyond Singapore. But we Page: 56 are a small country. This was also the first time that the authorities in France activated their "White Plan", which has been around for some 20 years, but has been well exercised and tested.”
“We organised these dialogue sessions because we wanted to know what the community wants. Page: 55 Firstly, they want racial harmony that is more stable and much stronger. They understand the importance of this. Secondly, they want success and excellence for their children and grandchildren who will eventually lead Singapore. Thirdly, they want Singapore to continue succeeding and be able to overcome all global challenges that we are facing now and in the future. They definitely have other aspirations, but these are the most obvious ones. I am heartened to hear these because it is the correct direction for our community, for us, for Singapore. In new issues like the issue of ISIS, Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and others, our Malay/Muslim community faced them calmly and rationally. Our grassroots leaders and Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circles (IRCC) members have worked hard to provide clarifications to the other communities about the true nature of Islam and correct all the misperceptions. Mdm Speaker, the war in Afghanistan, the civil war in Iraq, the bombing episodes in Jakarta and Bali – I have treated many victims and casualties from these incidents. Their injuries were severe; some fatal. There were also innocent women and children who were affected. In these incidents, many things happened. Among them, the terrorists used ball bearings, or tiny pieces of metal balls, in their bombs and explosive devices. These flew into the bodies, organs and bones of these casualties. They are innocent. Islam has never condoned such actions, and in fact, condemns them. This is the global situation now – more complex, ever changing and unstable. It will be with us for years to come. Therefore, we should take care of ourselves, our families.”
“This will, of course, cause some conflicting interests or issues to arise, as we access greater needs. But it will be useful to find means to understand, embrace and, maybe, include and accept some of these. In order not to widen fault lines in society, we can seal these up through common needs and aspirations through some of our dialogues and conversations. Finally, Singapore must be a future city with a past and a nation which all that comes before contributes to the shaping of all that is yet to come. Madam, in Malay, please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] For our Malay/Muslim community, as a minority, what is important to note is that we are not marginalised or taken for granted, but instead, we play an active role, have a voice that is united and loud, and we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the other communities in a meritocracy system in Singapore. This is what we want – equal opportunities, where we can manage and practice our worldly and religious activities, and showcase the abilities of our present and future generations. Our community is unique, different from other Malay communities in our neighbouring countries. Why? It is because we are comfortable with life and the interactions within a plural society. In fact, this strengthens us and our commitment. Our Malay/Muslim community can work with other communities in many activities. They understand that this is important and this enables them to progress quicker and further together. They generously share the common spaces instead of arguing about their own rights like in other countries. During the dialogue sessions, Madam, we heard "The Aspirations of our Malay Community", which I have mentioned before.”
“But we also realise that good policies may not necessarily get the credit they deserve from the public sometimes, depending on a variety of factors, of course. So, what are some of the changes I would hope to see? Page: 54 Firstly, perhaps, smaller GRCs, more SMCs, stop the NCMP scheme. I find it a little bit lacklustre. Expand and make the NMP scheme more robust, more structured and casting the nets wider for greater inclusivity. Standardisation across the different functional groups that we want to reach out to during the nomination process can be more practical as well. Singapore, I feel, must offer and help create an environment where the bright and talented young people with leadership qualities can bloom and be groomed. Their strength and mettle will be proven when they fight their electoral battles. The young will inculcate a sense of service to nation, nurture their sense of justice, and have an independence of mind. This is what the President meant when he said, "Every generation must develop the next generation consciously and systematically". Our political system can be better. We owe it to ourselves and our future generations to make the positive changes and evolve the system further, and inclusivity is the correct starting point, I feel. The French novelist Marcel Proust said: "The real act of discovery consist not in finding new land but in seeing with new eyes". Our engagements will have to be even more multifaceted and deep. For the masses − for the aunties and the uncles who do not routinely read the newspapers; for the quiet and silent voices who need more personalised approach; the Government, leadership and society partnership must continue to be strengthened, and this is what all of us are doing.”
“We have set up the Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) scheme since 1984, the Group Representation Constituency (GRC) system in 1988 and the Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) system since 1990, and, of course, the Elected President, which is also unique to Singapore, in 1991. Good women and men in leadership, coupled with a rigorous and robust system of checks and balances, will enhance our system of Government and governance. Whatever changes and migration we have in our political system, the following tenets must be upheld. One, a strong, effective, accountable and clean government after every election, to develop, align and deliver on sound policies. Two, ensuring diversity in the representation, and this is really moving away from what our President called the narrow interest-based politics. Three, having a fair system prevail. The two groups of changes that we may see may include amendments, that is, making needed changes in the current system whilst keeping the basic nature of the system intact, or to changes that may change the whole basic structure or nature of the system that would be a serious or major shift. Madam, good politics is about good policies. And good policies are good politics. Politics is not an exclusive club for ambitious members, but more a general membership organisation that gets better and stronger the more people join and buy in. Politics is the lubricant that helps grease the government machinery to make it responsive to human and population needs. Politics is the adhesive that holds a diverse society, like ours, together, by involving individuals and groups, such as Our Singapore Conversation, Our SG Future, focused group discussions and many, many more to come.”
“This is what Singaporeans want. For his information, the schemes that he mentioned and wanted to know whether they are monitored; we, in the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC), always give our feedback and monitor these schemes, and hence changes are made to the schemes, and that is how the changes have been made for our people. (In English): Mdm Speaker, thank you for allowing me to join the debate. We thank the President for setting the strategic thrust for us moving into the coming years. President Obama, in his final State of the Union Address recently, made a very impassioned call for real changes in the "nuts and bolts of American politics". He also said: "We need to fix our Page: 53 politics. If we want better politics, it is not enough to just change a Congressman, a Congress woman or even a senator or the President. We have to change the system to reflect ourselves better". Indeed, rather aligned with the call by President Tony Tan for a "refreshed system". Many described our political system as that of a socialist democracy, perhaps now drifting a little towards liberalism, what with the majority of the electorate now born post-Independence and desiring more political diversity, competition and democratic openness. Political set-ups are, indeed, dynamic. They have to be, in order to accommodate the changing nature of human societies. The political system of the day that we have must be able to safeguard the rights of our people and sort out social and political issues facing the nation. We have a unique political system in Singapore, customised to our setting, but not cast in stone and ever evolving and changing as well, like a few other countries − Australia, Japan, South Korea, for example.”
“Let us take these traditional values as our nutrients, stay firmly grounded and work together to create a peaceful, stable and prosperous Singapore for the next generation. I support the Motion, Mdm Speaker. 5.22 pm Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef (Marine Parade):Mdm Speaker, let me first start by defining the word "collaborative" or "collaboration" which was touched upon by the hon Member, Ms Sylvia Lim. Collaboration essentially means to work with a person or with a group in order to achieve something, to cooperate or to work jointly. There is no mention − and this is according to Webster's dictionary − of equal contributions, equal partnership. In collaborative leadership as well, there is no mention of equality. Therefore, I am happy to stand before the House and state that I am a strong proponent of collaboration and collaborative culture, collaborative leadership, collaborative effort and collaborative everything, if it will deliver whatever desired outcome I want. I would also be glad to say that I will contribute more than my fair share if I can, if I know how to and if I am capable. Madam, Mr Faisal Manap also said that he agreed with the President's as well as the Government's stand on many policies and also the MediShield Life scheme, Pioneer Generation Package and a few other schemes that we have. However, I would like to ask what has he got to come up with? In Malay, Madam. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] What substantial suggestions does the Opposition have for Singaporeans? They are the alternative voice in Parliament but we have never heard this alternative voice. Their job is not only to question the Government's schemes but also to step forward with new ideas that are substantial and practical for Singaporeans.”
“Therefore, we must be well prepared and face the risk with courage. Next is loyalty. Loyalty means loyalty to Singapore. Regardless we are Chinese, Malay or Indian, all that we Singaporeans have are one another. So, we must be loyal to our country, loyal to Singapore and defend the home that we have built together. The last one is peace and harmony. In our Chinese culture and also in our Southeast Asian traditional values, harmony is a common core value. I would like to share with you three words relating to harmony. First, in our dealings with one another, it is best to have peace in our heart and a calm tone, so that a big issue will become a small issue and a small issue a non-issue. Second, we say that "the family will do well when there is harmony". A family must be in peace and harmony for it to prosper. Similarly, a country will prosper and grow if it can maintain peace and harmony. Third, between people, we must put a premium on harmony. With harmony, you can grow your wealth. This follows the same logic as "the family will do well when there is harmony". Page: 52 I did some research. What I understand is that in Arabic and in Islam, harmony is also a core value. We know that when Muslims meet one another, they will say, "As-salamu alaykum". In English, it means, "May peace be upon you". We can see that in our heart of hearts, what we are looking for is the same, and that is peace, harmony and happiness. Therefore, we must treasure what we have today in Singapore − the peace, harmony and happiness. Singapore's future development will depend on regional peace, social harmony and national stability. Only with these, can people create happiness. So, I hope we can remember these words: sincerity, trust, courage, loyalty and peace.”
“With peace and stability, our next generation can stay healthy and strong under a favourable environment. Therefore, we must continue to work hard to defend our peace and stability and not let terrorism destroy all that we have carefully nurtured. In the face of possible terrorist attacks, we must be fully prepared in Total Defence, that is, military, civil, economic, social and psychological defence. Here, I would like to share five words: sincerity, trust, courage, loyalty and peace. The first is sincerity. It means frankness and open discussion on difficult issues we face, the concerns we have and the consequences we fear. We are a multiracial, multicultural and multi-religious society. Only by open discussion and sharing, can different races deepen our understanding and discover that, after all, we are all worried about the same thing − the future of our country. And what we treasure are also the same things, which are the prosperity and stability of our society. It is only by confronting the issues frankly, can we be fully prepared for the future. Sincerity is the foundation of Total Defence. Second, trust. Trust needs to be maintained. We know that trust is very vulnerable. It is not easy to build but can be easily destroyed. Once destroyed, it will be very difficult to regain or to heal the wound. Therefore, we must resolutely defend the trust that we have built up over the years between our communities. Individuals and communities all have the responsibility to safeguard this trust. Next is courage. When facing potential terrorist attacks, we must be united and brave. If we run away, we will be more likely to become a target sooner. But if we do not take it seriously, should an attack occur, we will be caught unprepared.”
“What are our guiding principles that we want enshrined − old and new − that will lead us towards SG100? What is our Singapore dream? While the SGfuture dialogues will help us answer some of these questions, we need to waste no time in forging a strong post-SG50 Singapore identity that can withstand the onslaught of globalised terrorism and its insidious penetration. And, indeed, our common Singapore identity, values, dreams will give us the rootedness and strong ground from where we can stand to fend off the enemy's aims to alienate and divide us. It may sound antithetical, but celebrating our Singapore culture, identity and uniqueness is really the soft power to fight the harsh and cruel sting of terrorism. Our collective identity, values and aspirations and inclusive Singapore narrative rise up to form a formidable psychological defence. I can. We can! Finally, we will not cower under this threat. We are to always be alert but not afraid. Like fighting a virus, the harder we fight, the stronger we get. On this note, Mdm Speaker, please allow me to continue in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mdm Speaker, last year we just celebrated SG50. Within a generation, Singapore has transformed itself from a Third World country to a developed nation. We achieved this not only because of the wisdom of our Pioneer leaders and the hard work of our people, but also one very important factor, that is, peace and stability – the peace Page: 51 and stability of the region, our country as well as our society. With peace and stability, we will have progress and development. With peace and stability, all that we have achieved with hard work can be sustained.”
“As a form of defence, may I suggest, Mdm Speaker, that we take a fresh look at how we can fortify our Singapore identity and national pride. The love for our nation is preventive medicine to the toxins of ISIS. Nationalism and positive fervour for our country is counter-defence against the emotional pull of radicalised terrorists, who are, sadly, ready to even give up their lives for a broken ideology. Having a strong national identity gives us rootedness, connections and a deep sense of belonging to one other and our homeland. The time is now. One year after our SG50, the time is now – to fortify, to validate and to let our Singapore pride shine. During the Jubilee year, we shared a sense of unity and national pride like never before. We saw a glimpse of this fierce and protective love expressed during the passing of the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew. Singaporeans of different races, ages and beliefs were united in grief. Under the blanket of mourning, a special sense of togetherness, a special sense of kindness and, I will say, a special sense of Singaporean-ness emerged during that one week. As we waved the Singapore flags to bid Mr Lee goodbye, there came a realisation of what our little red dot has achieved, encapsulated in the life of our late Founding Father. This emerging honest and fierce pride can defend us against the threat of terrorism. It can keep Singapore strong and free. Post-SG50, we need to fortify our Singapore national identity, values and aspirations. In an interview by The New Yorker, a young French Socialist politician Nicolas Cadene shared that one of the reasons for the rise of extremism in France was because it had failed to create a national story that included all its citizens. So, what is our Singapore narrative today, one year after SG50?”
“Through education in the public sphere and in schools, we can promote the right understanding of Islam, encourage Singaporeans to be inclusive, show respect and tolerance, prevent marginalisation and uphold our nation's founding principles of justice, equality and meritocracy. "A" – Advance our goals of meritocracy, equality and opportunities for all. By upholding and advancing these inclusive values, we can snuff out the warped ideology behind terrorism. Our pledge of "being one united people, regardless of race, language or religion, based on justice and equality" keeps our nation united as we defend and uphold it across all sectors of our society, be it in education, the economy or social sector, Singaporeans must safeguard, live up and hold fast to these principles. As President Tony Tan underlines in his Opening Address, the Government seeks to make our nation a place where every individual, regardless of background, can do well as long as he applies Page: 50 himself or herself. We will continue to invest heavily in education, from preschools to institutes of higher learning. Our diversity in higher education makes for an inclusive Singapore. There will be no let-up in our efforts to improve healthcare, transport and infrastructure. As the economy re-structures, we continue to strive to create opportunities for all. The introduction of SkillsFuture and the Committee on the Future Economy serve to advance the interests of Singaporeans at large, and secure the prosperity and progress of our people. As we reaffirm our fundamental values, we value our people and, ultimately, protect ourselves from terrorism. "N" – A strong National identity.”
“We have made progress with the Pioneer Generation Package, MediShield Life and the roll-out of master plans for enabling those with disabilities, the elderly and improving social assistance. For both lower income and middle income Singaporeans, real incomes have increased five to six times since 1965. In terms of social mobility, 14% of those with low-income parents end up in the top 20% of incomes. In the US, only about 7.5% do so. Singaporeans have also stepped up in support too, through social entrepreneurship and charity giving. Most importantly, an inclusive Singapore will unite Singaporeans and counter potential fractures of marginalisation and disaffection that could make us vulnerable. However, inclusiveness does not come naturally. We all know that. We have to continue to work hard at it, and it takes time. In addition, radicalisation is not limited to those on the fringe. One of our first self-radicalised individuals in 2007 was a lawyer named Abdul Basheer Abdul Kader. A Quebec University psychology professor who has studied hundreds of terrorism examples, Mr Jocelyn Bélanger, suggests that radicalisations stem from the fundamental and universal human quest for significance. He found proof that "feeling humiliated and ashamed were predictors of radicalisation and willingness to die for a cause." He further explained that "Neuroscientific evidence shows that the part of brain associated with social exclusion and physical pain is the same". It means that when you are being ostracised and excluded, you are physically hurt. Therefore, inclusion is vital and education is key to guiding this fundamental human drive.”
“To do this, we need all hands on deck – community involvement from self-help groups like the CDAC, Mendaki, SINDA, Eurasian Association and bodies like the inter-religious organisations (IROs), People's Association as well as voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs) and Page: 49 non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Together, we must continue to make social harmony a priority, for without it, Singapore would not be where it is today nor can we progress. At every level of our society, we must strive to foster mutual understanding, tolerance and respect, and enable Singaporeans, regardless of race, language or religion, to flourish in diversity and harmony. Social harmony and inclusiveness promote trust across religions and strengthen community bonds. To this end, inter-faith dialogues and initiatives must continue to play a part in uniting Singaporeans and fostering mutual understanding, multi-racialism and multi-culturalism. By safeguarding and upholding religious and social harmony, we are each doing our part to boost our strategy of Total Defence that comprises military, civil, economic, social and psychological defence. The community can give early warning signs for the Police and intelligence services. Social workers and family members can work upstream to prevent potential ISIS recruits from being radicalised. Together, we can work to prevent potential fall-out from social disenfranchisement by strengthening families and marriages, keeping open communication lines between races and educating the public on the role in our collective fight against terrorism. With everyone chipping in, we can achieve an inclusive Singapore. We have made progress.”
“The forces of terrorism capture the thoughts and desires of individuals and lead them to destroy their country, loved ones and home. Cyberspace spreads dissatisfactions, feelings of injustice and anger. In an economic downturn, it is even easier for terrorism to play the card of race and religion to divide us. Potential fault lines like a wrong understanding of Islam, racial stereotyping or weak national identity can threaten us from within. Therefore, as one people, we must close ranks to build a fair, caring, cohesive and inclusive Singapore that leaves no space for the weeds of terrorism to grow. Please allow me to elaborate on "I" – Inclusive society. In President Tony Tan's Address to the Thirteenth Parliament, he urged us to build a caring and inclusive Singapore. Building an inclusive society is our ultimate defence against terrorism for when members of a society care for one another in unity, divisive elements find it hard to take root. Home-grown terrorism tends to be driven by disaffection, anger and the search for significance. Potential ISIS recruits are attracted by false sense of idealism and the promise of being able to change the world. By strengthening our community bonds, and building trust across races, we weave a tight network against this warped ideologies. By caring for the marginalised and weaker members of our community, an inclusive society is able to desist the lies of radicals like the ISIS seeking to lure the disenfranchised. "C" – Community involvement and all hands on deck. The fight against terrorism belongs to us all, each and every Singaporean. Only a whole-of-society response can nullify this clear and present danger.”
“Madam, I would like to end my speech by saying that the Workers' Party Members of Parliament will continue to play our role by contributing to the process of the formulation of policies and Government schemes, in a rational, responsible and inclusive manner so that we can create a dynamic society, based on graciousness and care, and eventually gain the fruits of that effort so that Singapore can remain strong and become an example to the world. 5:03 pm The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministers for Trade and Industry and the Acting Ministers for Education (Ms Low Yen Ling): Mdm Speaker, thank you for allowing me to participate in today's debate. Today, we have heard from several Members on their concerns about the threat of terrorism and the ISIS – a force that is insidious and growing, but not insurmountable. If we stand back-to-back, join hands, hearts and minds, together, we can collectively fight the battle to win this war. Everyone, every Singaporean can fight terrorism. Each of us – from the doorman, to the clerk, lawyer, teacher or firefighter – has a responsibility for our collective security. The Government can be our bulwark, but each Singaporean is needed to prevent terrorism from splintering our society. May I suggest we counter the threat of terrorism with an "I-CAN" approach. "I" for Inclusive society, "C" for Community involvement, "A" for Advancing and upholding our values, and "N" for forging a strong National identity. In short, "I-CAN". This is a fight that calls on all Singaporeans to play a part in defending and protecting our home, people and land from the terrorist threat. This is a battle beyond border controls, guns or law. We are waging a war for hearts and minds.”
“In addition, I also hope that the platform could also be used to obtain holistic views and feedback from the people on sensitive issues, such as the wearing of the head cover, or hijab, by Muslim women who are serving in the uniformed services, such as nursing, military, Police and Civil Defence. In 2013, in an effort to address this issue, the Prime Minister held a dialogue with Malay/Muslim Members of Parliament and community leaders to explain why the Government does not allow the wearing of hijab or tudong in the Singapore uniformed services. I appreciate the Prime Minister's effort in having such a dialogue. However, some segments of Muslim Singaporeans feel there should be a dialogue not just involving the Muslim community, but also the other communities, the chiefs of the uniformed services and Government and non-government agencies with an interest in the issue. A dialogue session held in this way will open the opportunities for multilateral discussions as it will allow the perspectives and ideas from all parties to be presented openly and sincerely. This will also enable all parties involved to understand one another's perspectives and, in this way, find the best resolution. I feel that such a holistic dialogue will be more positive, constructive and inclusive in our effort to find collective consensus on an Page: 48 issue. In the end, this will generate mutual respect and caring amongst Singaporeans.”
“This is because the objective is in line with the main vision of the Workers' Party that was stated since it was set up in 1957, which is "Towards a Caring Society". It is our philosophy that every policy measure outlined and implemented by the Government must take into account and emphasise human needs. Only through these measures, inclusiveness, graciousness and care will remain alive in the hearts of the people of Singapore. Hence, this would drive the people to contribute their best towards national building. Madam, I would like to shift the focus of my speech to one thing contained in the Addendum by MCCY. MCCY talked about the SGfuture engagement that functions as a platform for conversation towards achieving a shared future. I support the good intentions behind the idea of SGfuture engagement in providing space and opportunities for the multiracial people of Singapore with different backgrounds and religions to express, listen to one another and exchange ideas sincerely and openly. Such a conversation would be positive because it would create discussion that can be scrutinised and understood in the best way possible. The understanding and clarity that will be obtained from these sessions will result in consensus if there is a meeting of perspectives. On the other hand, if there are differences that cannot be resolved. This holistic conversation can produce mutual respect between one another – as we say in English, "Agree to disagree". In this respect, I would like to suggest that current issues that have impact on the general public could be discussed on the SGfuture engagement platform, for example, current issues that are being hotly debated such as the threat of radicalisation.”
“As a result, many of them are forced to rent rooms in the open market and continue to remain in an unstable financial and family situation. This is because they have to set aside a large portion of their monthly income to pay for the room rental and they also suffer psychological stress due to the lack of space. For those who cannot afford to rent from the open market and have no means for other alternatives, public areas such as void decks and beaches become their residence. Page: 47 Madam, I would also propose that we carry out a review of the COE scheme, for the motorcycle category so that the people who earn their living through the use of motorcycles are not burdened by excessive COE prices. I cite these above examples because I would like to paint a picture of a situation where there are still Singaporeans who face difficulties and pressures as a result of side effects of existing Government schemes and policies. These pressures occur because these policies have an impact on the individual's effort to fulfil basic needs such as shelter, a source of income and maintaining family ties. And as a result, Singaporeans who are affected feel like they are shunted out because it looks like their basic needs seemed to receive no attention from the Government. Based on what I have shared, I feel that it is necessary for these measures to be reviewed. Madam, generally, I welcome the changes, enhancements and improvements to the Government's schemes and policies in an effort to create a more inclusive, gracious and caring society. These are good measures which have been well-received by the people, including us, the Workers' Party Members of Parliament.”
“The Edusave Scheme has been expanded to private students including full-time madrasah students for the first time since the scheme was introduced 20 years ago. MOE which has been maintaining that the Edusave Scheme can only be offered to students in the national schools, has changed its position so that more Singaporean students can benefit from Edusave. The launching of ASPIRE in 2013 has given better recognition and support to ITE and Polytechnic students and graduates in the effort to improve their skills and enhance their careers. This is a change on the part of the Government which usually gives more encouragement to students to pursue University level education as a way to achieve success and progress in their careers. Although many improvements and changes have been made to Government policies and schemes, efforts to raise the standards of living of the people of Singapore needs continuous effort. Currently, there are many things that could be improved and implemented. Some of the existing Government policies and schemes will still need to be reviewed so that they remain relevant to ever changing and challenging circumstances, especially since these policies and schemes could impact the well-being and lives of Singaporeans. Amongst the examples of existing schemes that I feel should receive Government's attention is the Public Rental Scheme and the COE scheme. In my observation, there are still some segments of Singaporeans who need public rental housing due to their financial and family situation that are becoming increasingly challenging. However, these groups are not eligible for the Public Rental Scheme because they do not meet the stipulated criteria.”
“A number of the social assistance schemes have been introduced, such as the Pioneer Generation Package and the Silver Support scheme, to ease the burden of the pioneer generation and the seniors in meeting Page: 46 the costs of their basic needs. Financial assistance, such as ComCare has also been extended so that more of the needy could receive necessary help. What could have triggered this shift by the Government? In my view, it is the people's voice. It is the people's voice expressed through the ballot papers in the 2011 General Elections and the by-elections of 2012 and 2013. Madam, in his speech, the President said that the efforts to provide assistance to the needy is a continuing endeavour and it will require adjustments from time to time. However, he also reminded us to tread with caution so that the social assistance programmes are not implemented excessively, as has frequently happened in advanced countries that resulted in complications for the nation. The Workers' Party agrees with the reminder given by the President. The Workers' Party supports Government's measures to enhance social assistance but at the same time, we also acknowledge we have to be cautious so that there will be no adverse effects. In this consideration, I would like to once again propose that we have a monitoring system for the social assistance schemes that we have presently. I have put across this proposal during the debate at the Opening of the Second Session of the Twelfth Parliament. With this monitoring system, we will know the effectiveness of the assistance schemes and will be able to take the necessary measures to improve them. In the previous term of Parliament, the Government had also widened its perspective in the education sector.”
“It is like the nature and circumstances of a family, which is formed, whether for better or for worse, through the methods of the head of the family in leading the family. We could see how in the Twelfth Parliament, the PAP Government has evolved itself in terms of its political philosophy and principles in national administration. This was acknowledged by the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Tharman, who said that "Of late, the Government has made a shift in its approach that is slightly to the left in formulating and implementing social policies and in the way it gives help to the needy. It was also in the Twelfth Parliament that there was a shift of the Government's perspective on meritocracy. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, in a media interview, said that a compassionate meritocracy is the key to us going forward. He said that the word "compassionate meritocracy" was first used by the Emeritus Senior Minister Mr Goh Chok Tong who said that compassionate meritocracy is a concept where those who are successful help those who are still looking for success. The principle of compassionate meritocracy can be seen in the implementation of the MediShield Life scheme and in the changes made to the income tax system which was announced in the 2015 Budget, where some analysts have even called the 2015 Budget as the Robin Hood budget, meaning that we are taking away from the wealthy to give to the poor. Changes in terms of philosophy and principles have led to the Government giving more focus to social policies and channelling more social support and assistance than before.”
“Mdm Speaker, I will deliver my speech in Malay. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] First of all, I would like to take this opportunity to put on record my thanks to the voters of Aljunied GRC who gave me and my colleagues the trust for the second time to be their voice in this House. Madam, in his Address, the President touched on five important objectives for the people of Singapore so that the country will always remain strong, respected and admired globally at the world level. I agree with the objectives that were outlined. In this speech, I would like to focus on the objective of "Creating a More Graceful and Caring Society". I will be focusing on this specifically because I am of the belief that it is the primary objective that will give us the basic factors for achieving the other objectives. A society that is gracious and caring by nature is a society that will have mutual trust and will help each other even though it may consist of various ethnic groups, religious beliefs and backgrounds, just like Singaporeans. These characters will create closer ties between the different races and hence, there will be solidarity. Solidarity is necessary for us to achieve whatever are our desired objectives. So, what are the factors that will result in creating a gracious and caring society? Undoubtedly, political philosophy and the administrative principles of a government is one of the basic factors. This is because the political philosophy and principles of a government is an important thrust in the formulation of policies and schemes that will be applied by the government administration. The policies and schemes implemented by the government have an effect on the creation of the society.”