Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim
Singapore
“Some of their preliminary recommendations include a hotline dedicated to support families of inmates and ex-offenders, as well as a one-stop rehabilitation hub to consolidate the MMO programmes and initiatives. (In English): Sir, MHA has enhanced the culture-responsive rehabilitation for the Indian offender population.”
“(In English): Sir, let me conclude by re-affirming our commitment to uplifting those in need, providing them with stability and empowering them to lead lives of dignity and opportunity. To make a lasting impact, we need the support from every member of the society, including all of us here in this House.”
“SCDF will also continue to disseminate advisories on AMD fires via social media and mainstream media. The Ministry of Transport's (MOT's) COS debate will further address enforcement measures against AMDs. Sir, it is incumbent upon us all to ensure a safe and secure Singapore.”
“We will continue to build a home that responds to the diverse and evolving needs of our population, a home that integrates housing with social support to empower and uplift our lower-income households and a home that allows our seniors to age gracefully and safely within the community, in our neighbourhoods and homes.”
“The HTX is developing novel NPS testing capabilities to enable this. We will also continue to collaborate with other countries to curb drug supply into Singapore. In 2023, CNB conducted 19 joint operations and investigations with foreign counterparts.”
“21 travellers missed their flights, and these affected travellers were offered to rebook on alternative flights within a week at no extra cost.”
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“Some of their preliminary recommendations include a hotline dedicated to support families of inmates and ex-offenders, as well as a one-stop rehabilitation hub to consolidate the MMO programmes and initiatives. (In English): Sir, MHA has enhanced the culture-responsive rehabilitation for the Indian offender population. SPS collaborates with SINDA to provide assistance to Indian inmates and their families. SPS has also collaborated with FITRAH and Abdul Gafoor Mosque to provide faith-based mentorship for Indian/Muslim inmates. SPS' efforts to engage and build more partnership with Indian organisations is guided by Senior Minister of State Murali Pillai. This will help to enhance the rehabilitation and reintegration of Indian offenders. Sir, in conclusion, I thank all Members of this House for your support for our drug control efforts and for our fight for a drug-free Singapore. We will continue to achieve even better rehabilitation and reintegration outcomes and reduce re-offending. But to succeed, we need everyone's support across society to give second chances to our ex-offenders.”
“For example, the Yellow Ribbon Prison Run will hold its inaugural city run in 2026. Participants will experience a scenic route around the National Stadium, culminating in a vibrant end-point carnival that brings communities together to celebrate second chances. The YRP message will be amplified through strategic partnerships with well-established brands and organisations that share our vision for an inclusive society. Our community partners are key in inmates' rehabilitation and reintegration journey. SPS continues to increase its engagement with community partners to equip them to better support inmates after their release through structured and tiered training. Under the Igniting and Maximising Partners' Agility for Correctional Transformation programme, SPS provided 2,200 training spaces in 2025 for our volunteers. In 2026, the number of training spaces will be increased to 4,500. I will now speak in Malay on the role of Malay/Muslim Organisations (MMOs) in our rehabilitation efforts. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] MHA collaborates closely with various Malay/Muslim and Indian/Muslim organisations (MMOs) for the rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates and ex-offenders. This is because the MMOs are more attuned to the community’s cultural nuances. In 2024, “Next Lap” project groups were formed under the MMO Rehabilitation Network (MMORN) to better understand the needs of families, inmates and youths-at-risk. This project group brings together MHA and MMOs to identify gaps and propose ground-up recommendations to enhance assistance. The work of the project groups is still in progress, and we expect to announce the full set of recommendations at the MMORN Forum to be held later this year.”
“YRSG provided employment statistics to over 2,100 inmates, of which 94% secured jobs in 2025. Mr Patrick Tay asked if the spent regime for criminal records could be reviewed to support ex-offenders. Our current assessment is that the regime remains appropriate and fair in striking a balance between rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-offenders, and the interest of potential employers and society at large. Beyond enhancing inmates' economic capital, it is important to build their social capital, through strengthening ties with the family, and developing pro-social networks in the community. The FAMily Engagement model (FAME) was launched to strengthen inmates' relationship with the family, to support longer term desistance. As part of FAME, SPS developed the "Together in Every Step" – it is a programme where every inmate will attend upon admission to identify their family needs and be matched with relevant programmes and services. 6.30 pm SPS will implement the Peer Engagement and Empowered Rehabilitation Support Framework to strengthen the existing community of prosocial inmates and desistors. Suitable inmates have been trained as peer supporters and will further develop their skills by co-facilitating motivational and psychological correctional programmes with SPS staff. Upon release, these peer supporters can join the Desistor Network community to further develop their skills in this area through participation in desistor support groups and continuous learning. Initiatives under the Yellow Ribbon Project (YRP) will be enhanced in 2026 to continue advancing community partnerships and inspire community support for ex-offenders' rehabilitation and reintegration. YRP will revitalise its flagship events to attract new audiences.”
“First, more inmates will benefit from Workplace Literacy and Numeracy (WPLN) certification, which is a recognised qualification for employment and upskilling opportunities in Singapore. Second, there will be more skills training pathways. This includes a pilot partnership with Temasek Polytechnic to develop a programme that introduces SkillsFuture Singapore-accredited courses in Communications and Graphics, and Media and Content Creation for inmates. Third, Career Resource Centres have been set up in prisons to allow pre-release inmates to access career-related materials, prepare their resume, submit job applications and attend career talks, empowering inmates to take ownership of their employment journey. This expands on the present framework of career retention support provided by YRSG. By enhancing inmates' readiness for employment, we encourage a personal commitment to positive change, leading to sustained reintegration. Successful reintegration also depends on employers' preparedness to hire ex-offenders. YRSG conducts structured onboarding sessions with new employers and monitors the effectiveness of our partnership with employers through regular engagement sessions. For example, Project Beyond Hiring trains and equips workplace supervisors with the skills needed to manage ex-offenders effectively. This complements YRSG's career retention support and better prepares employers to integrate ex-offenders into their workforce. Since 2024, YRSG has partnered with training academies to deliver five workplace coaching and mentoring workshops, training 71 supervisors from 23 partner employers. As at end 2025, there were more than 6,400 employers who support the hiring of ex-offenders.”
“I will now touch on rehabilitation and reintegration efforts for inmates generally, which Mr Patrick Tay, Mr Gabriel Lam, Mr Christopher de Souza and Ms Cassandra Lee have filed cuts on. The two-year recidivism rate for the overall population remained low and stable, at 21.9% for the 2023 release cohort. This continues to be one of the lowest two-year recidivism rates internationally. The two-year rate is a proxy indicator of the effectiveness of in-prison programmes and reintegration services available for ex-offenders immediately after release. The five-year overall recidivism rate has increased by 2.7 percentage points to 39.3% for the 2020 release cohort. It is low by international norms. The five-year rate is a measure of the sustainable ecosystem of community and family support for ex-offenders to prevent re-offending in the long term. This cannot be done by SPS or the Government alone and requires strong community support to increase human, social, economic and community capital of inmates, ex-offenders and their families. SPS has set out in Corrections 2030, its comprehensive strategies to reduce re-offending in the longer term. This involves strengthening the families of inmates, maximising the employability and career opportunities of inmates and ex-offenders, and mobilising community partners to support rehabilitation and reintegration. We will monitor and track the initiatives rolled out under these strategies to measure its effectiveness and impact. The building of economic capital, through education and skills training, is important for successful rehabilitation and reintegration, enhancing inmates' ability to secure jobs after release. SPS and Yellow Ribbon Singapore (YRSG) have continued to enhance their efforts in these areas.”
“7 percentage points to 26.1%, compared to the previous cohort. Desisting from drugs is challenging. We stay committed to supporting drug abusers in their rehabilitation journey through evidence-informed throughcare drug rehabilitation, and robust supervision. Drug abusers undergo differentiated drug rehabilitation, where programming pathways are customised based on the assessed risk of re-offending and severity of drug abuse. For repeat drug abusers who are of higher risk and require more intensive programmes, SPS has implemented a new Psychology-Based Correctional Programme (PCPs), that focuses on personal reflections, emotional processing and practical skills-building. Mr Jackson Lam asked whether gender-specific prevention and rehabilitation strategies are needed for women drug abusers. SPS adopts a gender-responsive and trauma-informed approach for women inmates, including women drug abusers. SPS' effective gender-specific programming for women inmates received international recognition when it was awarded the Reducing Reoffending Award from the International Corrections and Prisons Association last year. Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked how mental health data and integrated support services are utilised to reduce recidivism. SPS assesses all inmates admitted to prison and DRC, on the state of their physical and mental health. SPS partners IMH to support the rehabilitation needs of inmates with mental health conditions and special needs, including referral for assessment to the Prison Psychiatrist from IMH. Inmates with complex needs are referred to a multi-disciplinary team for appropriate interventions. To support their reintegration, SPS partners community agencies to ensure continued medical care and support after release.”
“Mr Jackson Lam asked if we have studied whether digital recruitment, especially among youths, is driving earlier exposure and whether we are considering proactive digital countermeasures. The Health and Lifestyle Surveys include questions on why respondents tried drugs for the first time. The most common reasons cited for initiating drug abuse are due to curiosity, the belief that drugs will help them with their problems, and peer influence. Nonetheless, CNB takes a proactive approach by actively monitoring messaging apps and taking action against those who use such platforms to facilitate drug trafficking activities. CNB also conducts operations on syndicates tapping on such platforms to sell drugs and works closely with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and courier companies to intercept drugs and drug-related paraphernalia sold online. Beyond education and enforcement, it is also important to rehabilitate drug abusers and support their reintegration into society. Last year, I spoke about the positive findings from the pilot under the "Supervision 2.0" regime, where hair tests are used to monitor CNB's supervisees. Given the pilot's success, we fully implemented Supervision 2.0 in May 2025. This cuts down the reporting frequencies from twice a week or twice a month depending on their risk profile, to once every three months. This reduction has allowed supervisees to go about their daily life with less disruption, helping them reintegrate better into society, while allowing CNB to have effective oversight of their rehabilitation. We are also seeing encouraging results on the rehabilitation efforts of Singapore Prison Service (SPS). The two-year recidivism rate for the 2023 Drug Rehabilitation Centre's release cohort decreased by 4.”
“In 2026, we will extend the Uninfluenced campaign through both online and physical engagements with tertiary students. We will encourage them to reflect on the influences that shape their perceptions of drug abuse. Mr Jackson Lam asked whether we should engage children before they enter secondary school. CNB partners with MOE to integrate PDE content into the school curricula in educating students on the harms of drugs throughout their educational journey. For primary schools, the focus is on general substance abuse and teaching impulse control skills. The Anti-Drug Ambassador Activity programme engages Primary 4 and 5 students through activity booklets with engaging storylines and interactive activities. Our PDE efforts have shown encouraging outcomes. The 2025 National Drug Perception Survey found that attitudes towards drugs amongst youths have turned more conservative as more youths perceive that drug abuse is harmful. 87.7% held conservative views compared to 83.2% in 2023. Attitudes towards drugs amongst adults remained staunchly conservative at 90.2%. There is also a strong support for Singapore's drug-related laws. 92.7% of the youth respondents and 96.3% of the adult respondents felt that we should continue to maintain our tough laws to keep drugs out of Singapore. We will be amending the Misuse of Drugs Act this year to enhance investigative and enforcement levers against drug-related activities. We will introduce a presumption clause for hair test results. This means that if a controlled drug is found in a person's hair, they will be presumed to have abused it. This gives CNB a stronger tool for enforcement, since hair tests can detect abuse over a longer period.”
“In the Health and Lifestyle Pulse Survey 2025 conducted by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), around 1% of Singapore respondents said they had used a drug in the past year. While this is lower than the 6% worldwide figure, we must continue to strengthen our preventive drug education efforts (PDE) to combat drug abuse. The Inter-Ministry Committee on Drug Prevention for Youths started the Drug Victims Remembrance Day in 2024 – reminding everyone that drug abuse is not victimless, and its harms extend beyond the abusers. Last year, Remembrance Day focused on empowering young people as active participants and advocates against drugs. We garnered over 180,000 promises to stay drug-free. In schools, MOE supported CNB in developing age-appropriate materials for teachers to facilitate meaningful conversations about drug harms. Universities hosted spaces in their campus for reflection and dialogue about the harms of drugs. Planning for this year's Remembrance Day is underway. The observance event will showcase stories from Singapore and overseas on how drugs have harmed lives, families and societies. We will involve the wider drug-free community and community partners in our efforts. Besides Remembrance Day, CNB conducts DrugFreeSG campaigns to sustain amplification of the drug-free message. The Uninfluenced campaign was introduced in 2025, focusing on empowering youths to remain uninfluenced as they encounter multiple narratives about drugs, including misleading information. Our first run featured an immersive theatre-cum-escape room event to pique youths' interest and provoke thought on evolving drug issues in a relatable way. We received encouraging feedback with participants who look forward to the next event. Our outreach also garnered strong traction online.”
“Mr Chairman, the global drug situation is getting more challenging. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reported that 236 tonnes of methamphetamine were seized in East and Southeast Asia in 2024, a 24% jump from 2023. Drug use has also continued to rise globally. The World Drug Report 2025 reported that 6% of the world's population, aged 15 to 64, used drugs in 2023. Singapore is vulnerable to these developments. Methamphetamine remains the most commonly abused drugs in Singapore, reflecting the worldwide trend. Singapore's drug control strategy is anchored on tough laws and robust enforcement. We also invest in upstream preventive education and evidence-informed rehabilitation and reintegration programmes for abusers. This approach has proven effective and kept the drug situation here under control. In 2025, CNB dismantled 25 drug syndicates and seized more than $21 million worth of drugs. Mr Jackson Lam asked whether we are strengthening intelligence-sharing and joint task force arrangements with ASEAN partners to disrupt drug supply further upstream. CNB shares intelligence and extends support to foreign drug enforcement agencies to disrupt syndicates that attempt to traffic drugs into Singapore or exploit Singaporeans as couriers. In 2025, CNB conducted 18 joint operations with our international partners. Mr Alex Yeo asked for an update on plans to address the rising trend of youth abusers and how we can effectively engage them on the dangers of drug abuse. 6.15 pm In 2025, 3,208 drug abusers were arrested, a 1% increase from 2024. The number of young drug abusers is also on the rise. In 2025, about half of the new abusers arrested were below the age of 30.”
“(In English): Sir, let me conclude by re-affirming our commitment to uplifting those in need, providing them with stability and empowering them to lead lives of dignity and opportunity. To make a lasting impact, we need the support from every member of the society, including all of us here in this House. Together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive community, so that Singapore remains a home that all Singaporeans are proud of.”
“When families collect the keys to their rental flat, HDB officers will guide them on their home ownership journey – the HDB officers will engage them to understand the families’ aspirations, assess their financial situation, and provide tailored advice on their housing options We will also do more to support families who may need help to bridge the last mile towards home ownership. Today, the Fresh Start Housing Scheme provides holistic support to help second-timer public rental families with children to be home owners again. To date, 85 families have moved into their flats through support from the Fresh Start Housing Scheme. Another 28 families have booked their flat and are waiting for their keys. As announced by the Prime Minister in his Budget Statement, we will be enhancing the Fresh Start Housing Scheme to support more ComLink+ families in public rental on their home ownership journey. First, we will extend this scheme to first-timer ComLink+ families in public rental, to allow them to buy a 2 or 3-room Standard flat on a shorter lease, which is more affordable compared to a 99-year lease flat. Like all other first-timers, they will continue to benefit from the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant of up to $120,000, in lieu of the Fresh Start Housing Grant. First-timer families who are eligible can apply for the Fresh Start Housing Scheme from April this year. Those emplaced on the scheme can book a flat under Fresh Start from the first sales exercise in 2026. Next, we will increase the Fresh Start Housing Grant for second-timer ComLink+ families in public rental schemes from $50,000 to $75,000. Eligible families can look forward to tapping on the increased grant from the July 2025 sales exercise.”
“She also benefitted from priority allocation under the Tenants’ Priority Scheme. Her family moved into their new flat within a year, with minimal renovations needed. I am very happy for Mdm Nureezan. Her journey was not easy, but she persevered and worked hard for her daughters. She told me that her daughters were overjoyed with tears on the day of moving into their new flat and said this to her “Mama, you made our dream come true.” Truly, home ownership is a dream for many. Mdm Nureezan’s story has shown that this dream can come true, as long as families stay committed to this path. Like Mdm Nureezan, more than 700 public rental households moved into their new flat last year. We are encouraged by this, and will continue working with our social agencies and community partners to enable more to do the same. Home ownership is a journey, not a destination. It comes with many responsibilities and requires careful financial planning. As our tenants take this important step, we will continue to guide and support them every step of the way. Chairman, allow me to now speak in Malay. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Home ownership represents a significant milestone for many people. We are committed to supporting all public rental households to own their homes, starting with families with children, or ComLink+ families. Since late last year, HDB has been providing proactive home ownership guidance to ComLink+ families upon their entry to public rental.”
“With this change, she will be able to afford a shorter-lease 3-room Standard flat and achieve her goal of owning a flat sooner. Like all other first-timers, they will continue to benefit from the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) of up to $120,000, in lieu of the Fresh Start Housing Grant. First-timer families who are eligible can apply for Fresh Start from April this year. Those emplaced on the scheme can book a flat under Fresh Start from the first sales exercise in 2026. Next, we will increase the Fresh Start Housing Grant for second-timer ComLink+ families in public rental from $50,000 to $75,000. With this enhancement, eligible families will receive an upfront disbursement of $60,000 into their CPF Ordinary Account before key collection, to help defray immediate costs of buying a home. The remaining $15,000 will be disbursed in equal tranches over five years after key collection to help families manage their mortgage payments. Eligible families can look forward to tapping on the increased grant from the July 2025 sales exercise. I recently visited one of our Fresh Start families, Mdm Nureezan and her two young daughters, Azura and Adiera, at their new flat in Marsiling. When Mdm Nureezan was living in a rental flat, people told her that she would never be able to own a home of her own as a divorced, single parent. But she refused to give up. Knowing the importance for her children to have a better living environment, she was determined to buy her own flat. 1.15 pm Fresh Start made home ownership possible for Mdm Nureezan. With the Fresh Start Housing Grant, she was able to buy a new 2-room Sales of Balance flat with a 55-year lease, that is fortunately near her workplace and children’s school.”
“When Mdm Tan recently collected the keys to her rental flat, an HDB officer spoke with her to understand her home ownership aspirations, work out her housing budget with her based on the housing grants and loan she is eligible for and provide tailored advice on her housing options. She was very thankful for the personalised guidance from HDB. It gave her clarity that a stable income with CPF contribution is crucial for her to build up her savings and close the $30,000 shortfall to buy a 3-room flat. Mdm Tan has since started a full-time job as a sales executive and is working hard to buy a flat of her own. To her, home ownership is no longer a distant dream, but an attainable goal. We will also do more to support families like Mdm Tan who need help to bridge the last mile towards home ownership. Today, the Fresh Start Housing Scheme (Fresh Start) provides holistic support for second-timer public rental families with children to be proud home owners again. I would like to inform Ms Mariam Jaafar that 85 families have moved into their flats through support from Fresh Start. Another 28 families have booked their flat and are waiting for their keys. We will do more to support more families to realise their home ownership aspirations. As the Prime Minister had announced in his Budget Statement, we will be enhancing Fresh Start to support more ComLink+ families in public rental on their home ownership journey. First, we will extend Fresh Start to first-timer ComLink+ families in public rental, to allow them to buy a 2- or 3-room Standard flat on a shorter lease. This will benefit first-timer families, like Mdm Tan, who find it challenging to buy a 99-year lease flat.”
“To better meet the needs of our tenants, we have also been adjusting rental flat designs, such as building new rental flats with high partitions to provide more privacy for tenants under the Joint Singles Scheme. Last year, we piloted the Single Room Shared Facilities model to provide single tenants with their own room, while sharing common facilities like toilets and kitchens. Tenants have moved in from August last year and many were pleased to have their own room. We will continue to learn from this pilot and improve the experience for our single tenants. Next, let me touch on empowerment. We are committed to supporting all public rental households on their home ownership journey, starting with families with children or ComLink+ families. Many of these families face complex and overlapping challenges, such as balancing employment and childcare responsibilities. Take Mdm Christabel Tan, for example, one of our public rental tenants. After her husband's passing, she became the sole breadwinner of the family, raising three young children on her own. She took on a part-time job, so she could still take care of her children when she was not working. Mdm Tan has never been a home owner and she hopes to buy her own 3-room flat one day. However, with her limited bandwidth and unstable income, home ownership seemed out of reach and she applied for a rental flat instead. We have taken steps to better support families like Mdm Tan. Since late last year, HDB provides proactive home ownership guidance to ComLink+ families upon their entry to public rental.”
“Sir, I thank the Members for their questions and suggestions. Over the years, the Government has uplifted families in need through targeted and progressive shifts in our public housing policy. But our work does not stop here. Today, I will share more about how we will strengthen our support for the vulnerable to achieve two objectives: stability and empowerment. Let me start with stability. The Public Rental Scheme has been a social safety net for our lower-income and vulnerable households, providing them a stable home as they navigate other life challenges. I would like to assure Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin and Mr Xie Yao Quan that we are continuously improving the Public Rental Scheme for our tenants. First, to provide timely support. During COVID-19, applications for rental flats surged and waiting times increased to up to 11 months. Since then, HDB has streamlined the flat selection process and reduced waiting times to an average of five months. We are working to reduce waiting times further. As part of our efforts, we will build another close to 5,000 public rental flats by 2030. Second, to create a conducive living environment for our tenants to regain stability. Some may remember our older rental blocks, with long narrow corridors and units on both sides, and often clustered together. We no longer build rental housing that way. Today, rental blocks are interspersed with sold blocks and built with similar designs as sold blocks. Going a step further, we have been building rental flats in the same blocks as sold flats, to encourage social mixing. HDB has completed six such blocks and will complete another 28 in the next five years.”
“SCDF will also continue to disseminate advisories on AMD fires via social media and mainstream media. The Ministry of Transport's (MOT's) COS debate will further address enforcement measures against AMDs. Sir, it is incumbent upon us all to ensure a safe and secure Singapore. Last year, we encouraged Members of this House to show your support by wearing the green-and-white ribbon for a drug-free Singapore and the yellow ribbon for giving second chances to ex-offenders. This year, we seek your continued support by wearing the ribbons again, which can be collected at the Parliament Library.”
“We will instead rely on other means of detecting speeding vehicles, such as more speed cameras. Ms Sylvia Lim asked if the licence renewal process for seniors could be improved. Currently, two letters are sent – 10 weeks and four weeks before the driver's 65th birthday, to remind them to complete the necessary procedures. If they have not done so by their 65th birthday, their licence ceases to be valid, and the Traffic Police sends them a third letter. The third letter will inform the drivers to submit their medical report within three years to reinstate the licence, failing which, they would have to apply anew for a licence, including going through the various tests. We believe the current process provides sufficient notice and time to the driver to comply with the requirement. In 2024, the Traffic Police redesigned the notification letters to use visual aids, making it easier for seniors to understand what they need to do. Ms Sylvia Lim also asked if the medical examination requirement for seniors to renew their licence can be deferred to a later age. Any increase in the age at which a medical examination is required would need to take into consideration the possible adverse impact on the safety of other road users. We do not plan to do so at this time. Before I end, let me also address Mr Derrick Goh's cut on mitigating the fire risks posed by Active Mobility Devices, or AMDs. The Active Mobility Fire Safety Taskforce, co-chaired by LTA and SCDF, launched the "Be Device-Safe" programme in 2023. The programme educates users of motorised AMDs the risk of AMD-related fires and how to safely procure, use, maintain and dispose of such devices. In September 2024, we unveiled a refreshed campaign with new visuals.”
“(In English): Sir, we will also enhance engagement with our Indian community partners to support the rehabilitation and re-integration journey of Indian inmates, ex-offenders and their families. We will improve recruitment of volunteers through engaging organisations with extensive networks, such as SINDA. We will also work with community partners to streamline training for new volunteers involved in providing faith-based counselling. In addition, Prisons will develop a directory of rehabilitation programmes and services to enhance awareness of resources available in the Indian community. This will facilitate inter-agency coordination to enable agencies to better meet the beneficiaries' needs. I will move on to address Members' cuts on road safety. Mr Pritam Singh asked how we can improve public participation in our road safety efforts, such as encouraging the reporting of dangerous driving practices. We urge the public to report traffic violations via our e-Feedback on Road User portal. We have observed a consistent upward trend of such reports since the portal's introduction. Mr Singh suggested providing financial incentives for reporting traffic violations. However, this may lead to false or exaggerated reports for financial gain. Mr Singh suggested re-introducing speed warning lights on the top of commercial vehicles. Those lights were mandated of light goods vehicles in the early 1980s. Since April 2001, such lights were no longer required by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) due to feedback that they increased the overall height of the vehicle, causing accessibility issues into carparks, which was both an inconvenience and safety hazard. On balance, we do not think we should re-introduce such lights.”
“Building on these efforts, Prisons has introduced an enhanced Halfway House Service Model called HSM+ on 1 January 2025, which has onboarded 11 halfway houses. Under HSM+, supervisees will undergo a longer duration of aftercare support. Halfway house staff will be equipped with skills to work effectively with different profiles of supervisees. Infrastructural works will also be carried out to improve accessibility for those with mobility issues. I will now speak in Malay on the role of Malay/Muslim Organisations (MMOs) in our rehabilitation efforts. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Sir, MHA collaborates with various Malay/Muslim Organisations (MMO) to provide relevant support to our Malay/Muslim community. In 2024, CNB launched a new grant in collaboration with MUIS. This grant will provide a source of funding for mosques to organise programmes that support prevention of drugs efforts (PDE) under the DrugFreeSG and “Dadah Itu Haram” campaigns. Ten such events have been organised, including the Anti-Drug Forum run by the Hasanah Mosque for parents and youths. Our MMO partners also continue to actively strengthen their relationship with one another, in order to build a strong network to support offenders and ex-inmates. The MMO Rehabilitation Network was established in November 2021 to enable our MMOs to benefit from each other’s strengths and capabilities. MHA will continue to collaborate and work with our MMO partners to strengthen support for those in need within our community, including families and youths-at-risk, as well as offenders and ex-inmates who lack family support.”
“Assoc Prof Razwana asked how partnerships with social services and the broader community can complement MHA's rehabilitation and re-integration efforts. The Community Action for Rehabilitation of Ex-offenders Network (CARE Network) was formed in May 2000 by an alliance of 10 core members, comprising Government organisations and social service agencies. It has since expanded to coordinate the efforts of over a hundred community partners. In 2023, more than 16,000 beneficiaries benefited from the services provided by CARE Network agencies, such as financial assistance and skills training. I offer my congratulations to the CARE Network, which will be celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and will be unveiling its work plan for the next five years. The network has provided an invaluable service to society in assisting and transforming the lives of ex-offenders. Prisons and YRSG also work with more than 4,200 volunteers to address the rehabilitation and re-integration needs of both inmates and ex-offenders. Over 6,700 employers have also partnered with YRSG to hire ex-offenders, which is an almost 20% increase from 2021 to 2024. 12.00 pm Prisons has enhanced its volunteer training framework, called "Igniting and Maximising Partners' Agility for Correctional Transformation" (IMPACT). IMPACT aims to develop the competencies of volunteers and community partners, by introducing structured and tiered training pathways. In 2024, more than 1,800 volunteers were trained under IMPACT. Assoc Prof Razwana asked how we can increase support for the halfway house regime. In 2024, our halfway house partners provided step-down support for more than 1,200 offenders.”
“We will also equip inmates with relevant skills to navigate an increasingly digitalised world, which can impede re-integration. The Access for Inmate Digital Experience (AIDE) is a new initiative to allow inmates to familiarise themselves with, and independently access citizenry e-services, such as those provided by the Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board, and the Housing and Development Board (HDB), during incarceration. Since its start in September 2024, more than 400 inmates have benefited from AIDE. Another pillar of our re-integration strategy is to equip ex-offenders with market-relevant work skills. Ms See asked what more we can do in this regard. Yellow Ribbon Singapore (YRSG) will be enhancing its career facilitation efforts, in particular to assist ex-offenders attain their career goals. This includes refining "Career Circles", which was piloted in 2023. The "Career Circles" programme comprises facilitated sessions on various career-related topics, such as career planning and addressing common workplace challenges. Inmates are equipped with the skills to set career goals and prepare for job searches. The enhanced version of "Career Circles" with a revised curriculum and frequency was implemented from February 2025. Mr Tay asked if the spent regime for criminal records could be reviewed to further support ex-offenders. MHA periodically reviews the spend regime for criminal records. An ex-offender could have his offence spent as early as five years, if he or she stays crime-free during this period and fulfils the criteria set out in the Registration of Criminals Act. Our current assessment is that the criteria and regime remain appropriate in striking the balance between the interest of the ex-offenders, employers and society at large.”
“Prisons is conducting a trial of the Family Engagement model, which aims to strengthen the ability of inmates and their family in building and maintaining relationships through family re-integration programmes. Inmates will also attend support group sessions led by community partners and peer supporters who had completed the programme. This allows inmates to shift their identity away from being offenders to being role models. Since 2022, Prisons has collaborated with schools to pilot Project Hope, in which video visits are conducted between incarcerated parents and school-going children. This initiative allows inmates to stay involved in their children's lives and understand their progress in school. Project Hope has 18 cases, with 14 schools involved. The pilot participants have experienced improvements in their relationships and the schools have also observed positive changes in the students' behaviour and emotional well-being. Prisons is working with MOE to expand Project Hope to more schools. To better prepare inmates for release, Prisons established the Re-integration Hub in September 2024. The centralised facility allows Prisons to better implement targeted re-integration-centric programmes. for suitable inmates, such as those emplaced on community-based programmes prior to release. The Re-integration Hub provides easier physical access for community partners and volunteers to support the inmates. They need not travel to separate prison institutions on separate occasions. The Hub has also implemented pre-emplacement programmes, which include sharing sessions with desistors, to provide motivation and encouragement. At steady state, about 550 inmates and supervisees will be housed at the Re-integration Hub.”
“Assoc Prof Razwana Begum also asked how we can prepare ex-drug abusers for successful re-integration. Under Supervision 2.0, supervisees will undergo Community Supervision Sessions where the CNB supervision officer will check in on the supervisee's well-being, the progress of interventions and assess the supervisee's residual re-integration needs. CNB can then refer the supervisees to the appropriate agencies for support, such as for assistance with housing or employment. The preliminary findings from the pilot are positive. CNB was able to swiftly detect more supervisees who had relapsed via hair tests as compared to under the urine supervision regime, due to the longer detection windows for hair tests. About two-thirds of the supervisees rated the scheme as "very helpful" in their re-integration. CNB will fully operationalise Supervision 2.0 in phases, with the aim of emplacing all supervisees on this regime by 2026. I will now move on to other rehabilitation and re-integration efforts for inmates and ex-offenders, which Mr Patrick Tay, Assoc Prof Razwana and Ms Jean See have filed cuts on. Assoc Prof Razwana asked how these efforts account for the specific needs of female drug abusers. Prisons incorporates trauma-informed practises in their psychology-based correctional programmes for all women inmates. These programmes teach inmates to replace unhealthy ways of coping with past trauma, like drug abuse, with techniques to regulate their emotions. These programmes have been effective. The two-year recidivism rates for women have decreased significantly, from 48.6% for the 1990 release cohort, to 13% for the 2022 cohort. Prisons currently works with 20 family-focused partners to deliver structured family programmes, benefiting more than 3,000 inmates and families.”
“First, strengthening our network of over 1000 DrugFreeSG champions, comprising of educators, counsellors, youths and healthcare workers who help disseminate drug-free messages in the community. We will enhance their skills and knowledge with training. In March 2025, we will organise a DrugFreeSG Champions Conference to equip the DrugFreeSG Champions with insights on drug matters. Second, continuing to promote anti-drug awareness through the Drug Victims' Remembrance Day. The inaugural Remembrance Day held last year had a very good turnout and over 100,000 pledges to be drug-free were logged. I am happy to announce that Remembrance Day 2025 will be held on 16 May and commemorated with a main observance event and exhibition. We will also continue collaborating with schools and parents. All schools will continue to conduct at least one PDE programme annually. The Ministry of Education (MOE) will work with the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) to invite Parent Support Group leaders to participate in capability building sessions on drug-related topics and will continue making PDE resources available for all parents on the Parents Gateway Portal. Besides preventing drug abuse among the young, it is also important to rehabilitate drug abusers to wean off their drug addiction. To this end, CNB piloted the "Supervision 2.0" regime in January 2024 for ex-drug abusers who are placed under supervision upon release from Drug Rehabilitation Centres. Under this pilot, hair analysis tests are used as the default monitoring mechanism for CNB's supervisors, as it can detect drug abuse over a longer period compared to urine tests. Supervisees can then report to the reporting centre less frequently, reducing disruption to their daily lives.”
“Mr Chairman, I will now speak on the drug situation. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reported that 190 tonnes of methamphetamine were seized in East and Southeast Asia in 2023, a 26% jump from 2022. This amount is almost 8,000 times the amount seized in Singapore that year. Drug abuse threatens public safety and impacts innocent victims, as those under the influence of drugs may resort to crime to feed their habit, or commit violence against others. Even though Singapore's drug situation is under control, we still have drug-related crimes. We are an attractive market for drug traffickers. Our purchasing power means that the street price of drugs in Singapore can be many times higher than in other countries, allowing traffickers to reap massive profits. Singapore has in place tough laws and effective enforcement to curb drug supply. More importantly, we also focus on reducing demand through, firstly, creating strong public awareness of the harms of drugs through preventive drug education (PDE); and secondly, helping drug abusers turn over a new leaf through evidence-based rehabilitation. This approach has proven effective. In 2024, about 3,100 drug abusers were arrested, similar to 2023. Mr Vikram Nair pointed out that the number of young drug abusers is on the rise. In 2024, 156 youths below the age of 20 were arrested for drug abuse, up from 132 in 2023. This is an area of concern for us. Mr Nair and Ms Mariam Jaafar ask how we can inoculate youths against the harms of drugs. We will continue to expand our PDE efforts. The Inter-Ministry Committee on Drug Prevention for Youth will focus on the following areas.”
“Chairman, may I seek your consent to move that progress be reported and leave be asked to sit again?”
“Welcome to Singapore Parliament, Your Majesty. Mr Speaker, Sir, may I continue?”
“Mr Speaker, on behalf of the Minister for Home Affairs, I beg to introduce a Bill intituled "An Act to amend the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act 1955."”
“We will continue to build a home that responds to the diverse and evolving needs of our population, a home that integrates housing with social support to empower and uplift our lower-income households and a home that allows our seniors to age gracefully and safely within the community, in our neighbourhoods and homes.”
“We will start implementing the wireless AAS expansion from January 2025. The expansion of AAS provision is expected to benefit around 26,800 seniors living in 170 rental blocks. Next, we will expand the range of senior-friendly features offered under the Enhancement for Active Seniors programme (EASE), for all seniors. From 1 April 2024, seniors can choose to have lowered bathroom entrance kerbs, foldable grab bars and bidet sprays under EASE 2.0. This is on top of the features announced earlier such as the widening of bathroom entrances and folding shower chairs. The cost of these features will be heavily subsidised by the Government, at the same rate as it is now. In addition, I am pleased to share that households that have tapped on EASE in the past can reapply for the new features. Finally, we will rejuvenate our neighbourhoods to become more elderly-friendly through the upcoming fifth phase of the NRP. This will benefit more than 100,000 additional flats, comprising older flats built up to 1999. Residents can look forward to therapeutic gardens with wheelchair-friendly planter boxes and barrier-free walkways that link to senior-centric facilities. With the expansion of wireless AAS for public rental flats as well as the launch of EASE 2.0 and the fifth phase of the NRP, we hope that seniors will feel safer living at home and ageing within the community. 2.30 pm (In English): To conclude, let me reaffirm our commitment to building an inclusive home for all Singaporeans.”
“Today, we provide subsidised temporary housing for these families who are waiting for their flat to be completed, under the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS). To meet the high demand for PPHS, we will double the supply of PPHS to 4,000 units by 2025. Meanwhile, to support more families that qualify for PPHS, we will introduce the PPHS (Open Market) Voucher to help those renting HDB flats or bedrooms in the open market. The vouchers will be in place for one year, from July 2024. Each eligible family will receive $300 a month and the payment is on a reimbursement basis. This PPHS voucher will provide some financial assistance for young families who rent a home while waiting for their BTO flat. For low-income families who are not ready to own a home and have no other housing options, we provide public rental housing to ensure that they have a safe and stable home. Over the past decade, about 8,300 public rental households have progressed to home ownership. From this group, nearly 950 have done so in 2023, the highest in the last five years. We hope that more public rental households will progress to home ownership in the coming year. We encourage these households to contact HDB if they need any help in the course of their home ownership journey. As our population ages, one of our key priorities is to ensure that seniors continue to live safely in their homes and age healthily within the community. We will do so through key initiatives under Age Well SG. First, we will expand the provision of the wireless Alert Alarm System (AAS) to all seniors aged 60 and above living in public rental flats. The wireless AAS is linked to nearby Active Ageing Centres and also CareLine, a 24/7 helpline that provides response to callers in distress.”
“Mr Ong Hua Han had asked if we would provide financial support to persons with disabilities, or PwDs, to improve the accessibility of their HDB flats. As with EASE, non-elderly families with extenuating circumstances, such as households with PwDs, can apply for the new EASE 2.0 features on a case-by-case basis. With these new features under the EASE programme, we hope to assure our seniors and your loved ones that your homes will continue to be enhanced to meet your changing needs. Sir, allow me now to speak in Malay. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] In his speech, Minister Desmond Lee shared the new measures that we will undertake to address the housing needs of young couples and families. In our interactions with young couples, we have heard that many are very keen to book a flat and settle down earlier. This includes those who are still studying full-time, undergoing National Service or those who have just completed their studies or National Service last year. Such couples do not qualify for the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG), which requires 12 months of continuous employment. We would like to continue supporting this group of young couples who are currently eligible for deferred income assessment and Staggered Downpayment Scheme (SDS). From June 2024, we will enhance the SDS to further reduce the initial downpayment to 2.5% of the flat price, with the balance to be paid when they collect their keys. We hope this will help more young couples to move forward with their marriage and parenthood plans earlier. The second group of couples that we heard from through our engagements are those who have booked their BTO flat but need temporary accommodation while awaiting the completion of their new flat.”
“We hope that, as a result of this effort, our seniors in public rental will feel safer when living independently at home. Further, under Age Well SG, we had also announced the expansion of senior-friendly features offered under the Enhancement for Active Seniors, or EASE programme, to enhance the safety and well-being of seniors in their homes. The earlier announced features include rocker switches, home fire alarm devices, the widening of bathroom entrances and handrails at main entrances with steps. In addition to the above, we will be introducing additional features targeted at improving bathroom safety and fall prevention for seniors under EASE 2.0. These include lowered bathroom entrance curbs, foldable U-profile grab bars and bidet sprays. Bathrooms carry a significant fall risk for seniors and we hope these features will help keep our seniors safe. Mr Henry Kwek had asked when the EASE 2.0 roll-out would commence. I am pleased to share that households may apply for the new improvement items under the EASE programme from 1 April 2024. Households that have tapped on EASE in the past may apply again for the new items. The EASE programme is heavily subsidised by the Government. Today, under EASE, a Singaporean household living in a 3-room flat only pays 5% of the costs of the upgrades, with the rest covered by the Government. The new features under EASE 2.0 will adopt this same subsidy structure. A 3-room flat owner tapping on the full EASE programme, which includes a wheelchair lifter and the new EASE 2.0 features, can expect to pay only around $570, with the remaining cost of around $10,000 borne by the Government. Fuller details on the costs will be provided on HDB InfoWEB from 1 April this year.”
“First, under Age Well SG, we had announced the expansion of the wireless Alert Alarm System, or AAS, to all seniors aged 60 and above living in public rental housing. The wireless AAS is an emergency button that is linked to nearby Active Ageing Centres and CareLine, a 24/7 hotline that provides response to callers in distress. The feedback from seniors in rental blocks that currently have the wireless AAS installed has been positive. Seniors found the alert system particularly helpful during emergencies. Last month, I visited Mr Abdul Rahim and Mdm Ernowati, an elderly couple staying in a 1-room rental flat in Jalan Besar. Mr Abdul Rahim suffers from heart disease. In the past year, the couple has activated the wireless AAS three times to call for help after Mr Abdul Rahim experienced breathlessness and collapsed at home. After activating the alert button, they were connected to CareLine staff who promptly alerted the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) to send him to the hospital. During my visit, both Mr Abdul Rahim and Mdm Ernowati shared that they felt more assured with the wireless AAS in their home. Its round-the-clock emergency response service allowed them to receive medical help promptly, especially when Mr Abdul Rahim collapsed late at night. Like Mr Abdul Rahim, about 800 seniors have received emergency medical assistance through the wireless AAS from end-2019 to mid-2023. The wireless AAS expansion is estimated to benefit around 26,800 more seniors living in around 170 rental blocks. I am pleased to share that we will start to roll out the wireless AAS expansion from January 2025 and will cover three rental blocks per month. We will start with rental blocks with a higher number of seniors, such as in Bukit Merah and Kallang-Whampoa.”
“After he was accepted to the Bukit Panjang site, the JSS-OR operator helped to pair him with a compatible flat mate and Mr Lee moved in in October 2023. Since then, Mr Lee and his flat mate have been getting along well. As demonstrated through Mr Lee’s experience, I am happy to share that the pilot has been progressing well. Mr Lee and many other tenants have shared their appreciation for the on-site social service agency whom they can approach for assistance when needed. The model has also been effective in mitigating co-tenant conflicts. Over 95% of such conflicts were resolved through the on-site operators' early mediation and adjustment of flat sharing arrangements where necessary. Some operators have also gone the extra mile, for example, by organising activities to encourage interaction and bonding amongst tenants. We will further evaluate the pilot outcomes, before adjusting and expanding the model to meet the needs of the tenants and operators. Another pilot typology is the Single Room Shared Facilities model, or SRSF. Through SRSF, we aim to give singles in public rental more privacy while making good use of limited space and preventing social isolation. HDB will open applications for the SRSF pilot in the second quarter 2024. Thereafter, we look forward to housing the first batch of successful applicants from around the third quarter 2024. Let me now explain our efforts to adapt our homes to be more senior-friendly. This will support our seniors who wish to age in place, in their communities. Miss Cheryl Chan, Ms Tin Pei Ling, Mr Henry Kwek and Ms Nadia Samdin have asked about Age Well SG, including on our efforts to support seniors with little or no family support. Let me share further details on our initiatives.”
“As of end 2023, HST has engaged close to 1,600 households. Of these, over 120 have moved into their new homes and another close to 100 families have booked their flats and are waiting to collect their keys. We have also been looking into new ways to better support singles in public rental housing. Today, under the Joint Singles Scheme, or JSS, singles must apply for a rental flat with a flat mate. While most JSS tenants can find a flat mate and live together without issues, we recognise that this may be difficult for some. This is why we have been exploring new typologies to improve the living experience of singles living in public rental housing. Ms Carrie Tan, Mr Faisal Manap and Mr Louis Chua have asked for updates on these new typologies. The JSS Operator-Run model, or JSS-OR for short, is an ongoing pilot from December 2021. Under JSS-OR, singles can apply for a rental flat without a flat mate. A social service agency appointed by HDB operates each site, including managing the flat sharing arrangements and mediating between tenants when disagreements arise. Last year, we expanded the pilot to three new sites in Bukit Panjang, Bidadari and Sengkang. With these additional sites, HDB has assisted about 600 JSS-OR tenants as of end-2023 and can accommodate up to 1,000 tenants in total. One tenant that has benefited from JSS-OR is Mr Lee, who is in his 70s. After the friend he was living with passed away, Mr Lee had to turn to public rental housing. At his age and with his medical needs, Mr Lee had trouble finding a flat mate to apply with under the JSS. With the help of a social worker, Mr Lee applied for the JSS-OR instead.”
“Like other first-timer Singaporean families, first-timer families in public rental can tap on the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant to receive up to $80,000 to support them in their purchase of their first home from HDB. 2.15 pm For second-timer rental families, the Fresh Start Housing Scheme boosts their housing budget and supports them in regaining and sustaining home ownership. The Fresh Start Housing Scheme has been enhanced in the past two years to help more families. We increased the grant amount from $35,000 to $50,000 and gave Fresh Start families who may need a larger flat the option to purchase more affordable 3-room flats on shorter leases. As of end January 2024, we have 101 families who have tapped on the Fresh Start Housing Scheme to book a new flat. Besides the various housing schemes and grants available, HDB also has the Home Ownership Support Team, or HST in short, to provide one-to-one guidance to help rental households navigate the flat buying process. One family that has benefited from HST's support and the Fresh Start Housing Scheme is Mdm Hazlinda Binte Tahar and her three children. Mdm Hazlinda has been living with her children in a 2-room public rental flat for a few years. Keen to regain home ownership, Mdm Hazlinda reached out to HST for help in understanding her family's housing budget and options. In December 2023, with HST's support and help from the Tenants' Priority Scheme, Mdm Hazlinda successfully booked a 3-room Sale of Balance flat, with a shorter lease of 50 years. With her CPF savings and the Fresh Start Housing Grant, she was able to complete the flat purchase without a loan. Mdm Hazlinda and her children are now looking forward to moving into their new flat, which will be ready by end 2024.”
“Chairman, I thank Members for their views on supporting the housing needs of seniors, lower-income and vulnerable households. As Singapore matures and grows, we must do so inclusively and take care of the diverse and changing needs of our population. Today, I will focus on two key areas: first, on uplifting our lower-income households and preserving social mobility; and second, on ensuring that Singapore remains a safe and comfortable home for our ageing population. For lower-income households with no other housing options, public rental housing is a key social safety net. We recognise that shelter alone is not enough. For many of these families, complex and overlapping challenges, such as illness or unemployment, often get in the way. To address these challenges early, we pair rental housing with social support. Since November 2022, all families with children enter public rental housing through the ComLink Rental Scheme. As of end January 2024, we have around 700 families on this scheme. These families are paired with a ComLink+ family coach soon after entry into public rental housing. Through early and sustained engagement with the families, ComLink+ family coaches can tailor their support to what each family needs, fostering stability, self-reliance and, ultimately, social mobility. When these rental households are ready, we support them in their transition towards home ownership. Over the past decade, about 8,300 public rental households have progressed to home ownership. In 2023 alone, close to 950 households transitioned to home ownership, the highest in the last five years. We have a range of measures in place to support both first-timer and second-timer rental households in making this transition.”
“The HTX is developing novel NPS testing capabilities to enable this. We will also continue to collaborate with other countries to curb drug supply into Singapore. In 2023, CNB conducted 19 joint operations and investigations with foreign counterparts. One such operation led to the arrest of a Singaporean in Seoul involved in transnational drug trafficking on Telegram. At home, CNB dismantled 25 drug syndicates and seized more than $15 million worth of drugs. Sir, the Home Team will continue to work hard to keep Singapore safe and secure. We will continue to partner the community and innovate in corrections, rehabilitation and reintegration to get even better re-offending outcomes. I encourage Members of this House to show your support by wearing the green ribbon for a drug-free Singapore and the yellow ribbon for giving second chances to ex-offenders – like what I have on here as well as Minister Shanmugam, Minister Josephine Teo and Minister of State Sun Xueling. Members can collect these ribbons at the Parliament Library. So, on that note, thank you, Mr Chairman.”
“After DRC, drug abusers are emplaced in the community under Prisons' supervision. There, they are given opportunities to work. Tailored support from YRSG career coaches help them manage challenges, like stress. These help to reduce the risk of relapse and ease abusers back into the society. After completing their community-based programmes, the now ex-abusers are placed under the supervision of CNB. CNB will monitor them for up to five years – through regular urine or hair tests to ensure they stay clean. For ex-abusers with greater integration needs, case details will be shared between CNB and Prisons. This tight coordination amongst Home Team agencies ensures ex-abusers continue receiving the interventions they need. To better curb long-term relapse, CNB will enhance its approach under a new "Supervision 2.0" regime. "Supervision 2.0" aims to better support supervisees' reintegration journey through more efficient monitoring. 6.15 pm A key move is CNB's plans to generally replace urine testing with hair testing as the default drug detection method during supervision. Previously, supervisees had to report to CNB for urine testing frequently, as often as twice a week. As hair retains evidence of drug consumption longer than urine, with similar testing reliability, hair testing will allow supervisees to report only once every quarter. This will reduce disruption to supervisees' lives and the stigma associated with reporting. CNB is piloting this and will study the results before full implementation. To fight the scourge of drugs, we must also intensify enforcement. We will operationalise the amendments made last year to the Misuse of Drugs Act to enable CNB to enforce more quickly against NPS, which is a growing threat.”
“Mr Syed Harun Alhabsyi spoke about the importance of community partnerships in preventing drug abuse. We agree and will continue to work with the community in Preventive Drug Education (PDE). To date, CNB has been working with many MMOs to organise more than 140 events under Dadah Itu Haram campaign, to encourage the Malay/Muslim community to lead drug-free lives. CNB will equip mosques with resources to organise their own drug-free initiatives and further expand the PDE. (In English): Sir, the Minister spoke earlier about how we are addressing the youth drug problem. I will speak on firstly, how we are improving support for drug abusers undergoing rehabilitation; and secondly, enforcement against drug activities. Mr Christopher de Souza, Mr Keith Chua and Mr Syed Harun Alhabsyi asked about efforts at treating drug abusers and preventing recidivism, including through community intervention. Prisons will continue to partner community organisations to offer pro-social support to abusers in the Drug Rehabilitation Centre (DRC) before they are emplaced on community rehabilitation programmes. Prisons will work with organisations, such as the Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association (SANA) and religious organisations under the Desistor Network, to invite desistors to share their experiences and motivate abusers through support groups. As repeat abusers have more complex needs, Prisons has enhanced its psychology-based correctional programmes based on desistance and addictions studies. These programmes help abusers in the DRC better recognise their drug triggers and strengthen their resolve to resist drugs and pursue pro-social lifestyles. They also help abusers reflect on the harm that drugs have caused their loved ones and mend frayed relationships.”
“Besides the spent regime, there are other initiatives that support reintegration, including those under Corrections 2030, which I shared earlier. Rehabilitation is a key priority for MHA. It embodies the spirit of Forward SG – where we seek to temper unequal outcomes, uplift those in need and prevent them from being trapped in a vicious cycle. I will now speak in Malay on the role of Malay/Muslim Organisations (MMOs) in our rehabilitation efforts. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Malay/Muslim Organisations (MMOs) are an important part of the ecosystem of support for Malay/Muslim inmates and ex-offenders. They are our key partners in developing culturally-nuanced rehabilitative programmes and have played a major role in reducing the two-year recidivism rate for Malay/Muslim offenders, from about 34% to 26% in the past decade. The MMOs Rehabilitation Network was established to help MMOs to enhance their collaboration and leverage on each other’s expertise. It has made good progress in supporting rehabilitation efforts. The Malay Activity Executive Committees Council under the People's Association, or MESRA, introduced courses such as financial literacy to residents of the Pertapis Halfway house, Jamiyah and Rise Above to help them better manage their lives as they re-integrate into society. More than 150 residents have benefited from it. Some MMOs have set up a referral system among themselves. For example, FITRAH refers cases requiring education assistance to MENDAKI. This effort has helped beneficiaries who may not know where to seek help for certain issues. We will continue to strengthen this Network. Last month, MHA organised the inaugural MMO Rehabilitation Network Conference to promote greater collaboration between MMOs.”
“This year, YRSG will expand this to more employers across industries, such as logistics and hospitality. The third strategy is to mobilise community partners to better support rehabilitation and reintegration. The five-year recidivism rate is currently at its lowest ever – 36.8% for the 2018 release cohort. This improved long-term desistance is likely due to the strong pro-social support ex-offenders receive. Efforts by volunteers and partners in the community complement Prisons' rehabilitation efforts. Prisons has been providing basic corrections-related training for volunteers and community partners who work with inmates, ex-offenders and their families. I am glad to announce that Prisons will make such training more effective through a revised Development Framework for Offender Rehabilitation Personnel. Under this framework, Prisons will equip volunteers with specific competencies needed for their work, such as grief and trauma management. This year marks the Yellow Ribbon Project's 20th anniversary. To commemorate this, we want to encourage community partners and ex-offenders to advocate for second chances more actively. For instance, ex-offenders will be involved in "Moving HeARTs in the city" – an art exhibition in a roving truck and will conduct workshops and perform music to raise awareness of the Yellow Ribbon Project. Mr Patrick Tay asked for a review of the Registration of Criminals Act to further support ex-offenders. MHA periodically reviews the spent regime for criminal records. In our last review in 2021, we found the current regime appropriate for facilitating the reintegration of ex-offenders – in particular, those who committed minor crimes.”
“Prisons will expand the use of restorative practices to help inmates reflect on their role in their family and rebuild their relationship with their family. Since 2020, Prisons has been working with MSF and Family Service Centres to support inmates' families. To date, Prisons has referred more than 900 families for assistance. Prisons has also started referring families to self-help groups and other community partners. From April 2024, inmates and their families who require marriage support, will also be referred to Strengthening Families Programme@Family Service Centre (Fam@FSC) for counselling. The second strategy is to maximise the employability and career opportunities of ex-offenders. Gainful employment raises self-esteem and provides financial stability – thus reducing re-offending risks. Under the TAP & Grow initiative, YRSG set up academies in prison to equip inmates with in-demand industry skills. To date, YRSG has worked with partners across the precision engineering, media, logistics and food services sectors. More than 1,500 inmates have benefitted. To complement TAP & Grow, YRSG introduced the YR Sandbox to explore opportunities for ex-offenders in emerging and fast-growing sectors, such as the environmental sector, with opportunities for training in the community. I am pleased to share that in 2024, YRSG will expand YR Sandbox to the hospitality and tourism sectors. Getting employers onboard is also important. Even as YRSG continues to champion inclusive hiring, it has moved beyond merely securing jobs for ex-offenders. Under "Project Beyond Hiring", YRSG equips workplace supervisors with skills to support and empower ex-offenders under their employment.”
“Mr Patrick Tay and Mr Zhulkarnain asked about support for ex-offenders and desistors – those who have stayed clear of crime and drugs after release. Assoc Prof Razwana asked about strategies to incorporate desistance theory into rehabilitation and reintegration programmes. Prisons recognises that desistance requires an ecosystem of community support. Ex-offenders need encouragement to forge pro-social networks and make lifestyle changes to stay on the straight and narrow. Hence, last year, Prisons launched the Desistor Network to strengthen the community of social agencies that support desistors and to create opportunities for desistors to support each other. Over 70 agencies are onboard and Prisons is developing a guide of best practices to help desistors form pro-social support groups. Assoc Prof Razwana also asked about strategies to integrate trauma-informed care into rehabilitation programmes. Prisons recently incorporated trauma-informed practices in their psychology-based correctional programmes for female inmates. Female inmates who may have experienced trauma, will be equipped to regulate their emotions better to cope with the trauma. Building on existing efforts, I am pleased to announce that Prisons will embark on another major transformation initiative this year – Corrections 2030. Corrections 2030 is anchored on three key strategies. The first is to strengthen the families of inmates, to reduce intergenerational offending. Assoc Prof Razwana asked about the use of restorative justice in rehabilitation programmes. Prisons applies restorative practices to help inmates understand the impact of their actions and how they can make amends. This has been one of Prisons' strategies to curb violence amongst inmates.”
“If Singaporeans have other constructive ideas on how we can help those affected, the Government will support them. At the same time, I urge all Singaporeans to be cautious about what you see and hear online. Mr Zhulkarnain asked about the national security outlook, in light of the increased risk of foreign influence and global uncertainty. There are actors on different sides manipulating social media posts to win people over to their own position. Such activities are dangerous and I urge everyone to be discerning in looking at the facts and try to understand the complex backdrop against which the current crisis is taking place. It is challenging – as the conflict has deep roots with a long history spanning decades or centuries, depending on when you consider the starting point to be. But it is important as it affects how we respond, both to the situation and to others who might hold different views. We must not let external events divide us or damage our harmony. I will now move on to how the Home Team ensures safety and security in Singapore. A key component of our strategy is to minimise re-offending. In this regard, our rehabilitation approach has been effective. We have halved the two-year recidivism rate between the 2000s and 2020s – from 40% then to around 20% today. The Singapore Prison Service (Prisons) and Yellow Ribbon Singapore (YRSG) have been driving efforts to achieve this. They have equipped inmates with skills to get better jobs and helped them manage the challenges of re-entering the workforce. Prisons has also mobilised community partners to help ex-offenders reintegrate into the society. This is in line with one of the themes in the Forward SG exercise – on doing more to empower those in need, to uplift themselves and their family.”
“Mr Chairman, Singapore's safety and security have been achieved in large part, by us staying united and protecting our social cohesion. There are many conflicts around the world. Most recently, the war in Gaza. Many in Singapore have been following the developments in Gaza closely. What we have seen has been disturbing: tens of thousands dead, towns completely destroyed. We feel deeply for the many innocent lives lost and hope to see the end of suffering in Gaza soon. Mr Vikram Nair asked how our different communities have reacted to the conflict. How the different communities react will vary according to how they identify with the affected groups in the community. This is natural. For example, the Muslim community has shown great concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. But there are also many non-Muslim Singaporeans who are also moved when they see and read about the suffering of the people in Gaza. In particular, when we see young innocent children living in poor conditions, being injured or even losing their lives, it tugs at the heartstrings of all of us. 6.00 pm Mr Vikram Nair, Ms Usha Chandradas, Assoc Prof Razwana Begum and Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked what Singaporeans can do to help those affected in the ongoing conflict and how Singaporeans can express their views while preserving social cohesion. There are channels for these views to be shared and heard. My colleagues and I have been engaging different groups in many dialogues. We will continue to do so. There are also channels for Singaporeans to provide humanitarian assistance. The Government has supported several public fundraising events. We started one in Nee Soon. Many Members of this House – including the Opposition – have done the same.”
“[(proc text) Question put, and agreed to. (proc text)] [(proc text) Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn." (proc text)]”