Poh Li San
Singapore
“Thank you, Speaker, and I thank the Senior Minister of State Janil. I have two supplementary questions. The first one, will NEA consider adjusting gate fees for industrial and commercial waste collection to shift behaviour of businesses towards higher recycling rates, especially for food waste which accounts for about 11% of total waste b…”
“Thank you, Speaker, and I thank the Senior Minister of State Janil. I believe my questions in my speech were not addressed in the Senior Minister of State's reply.”
“Thank you, Speaker, and I thank the Senior Minister of State for her reply. I have a supplementary question on such an arrangement for existing flat owners who require back-to-back sale of their existing homes to finance their BTO flats.”
“Singapore households can achieve dual savings by combining Government-provided climate vouchers with the direct import of efficient appliances from overseas suppliers, whilst business operators, particularly those in the food and beverage industry who need to purchase multiple appliances, can also avoid excessive energy costs by using ene…”
“Coastal protection is a candidate for the latter even if we want to harness the power of the former. I ask the Minister to consider a centralised approach towards the design and construction of all coastal protection measures to ensure the most robust outcomes.”
“Mr Chairman, on behalf of all hon Members who have participated in the MSE Committee of Supply, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Minister Grace Fu, Senior Minister of State Zaqy, Senior Minister of State Janil, Senior Parliamentary Secretary Goh and all members of MSE, PUB, NEA, SFA.”
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“Mr Speaker, I would also like to speak up for three groups of Singaporeans who have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. While no fault of theirs, they have been severely or permanently impacted by the COVID-19 policies and restrictions. I hope to be able to appeal for more assistance to help these Singaporeans. The mRNA vaccine is a very new technology and a small number of people developed severe reactions as a result of administering it. The first group consist of Singaporeans who suffered permanent injuries or deaths after taking the mRNA vaccines. A resident residing in Sembawang West constituency lost her husband and brother due to heart attacks soon after they were administered the first dose of mRNA vaccines. Within a short span of time, she and her children had to deal with the sudden grief of losing of two loved ones. Coping with financial difficulties under such sad circumstances is extremely tough. There were other examples of Singaporeans who suffered severe reactions, such as strokes, severe rash breakouts and so on. They shared their experiences with me during my Meet-the-People Sessions and house visits. It was also reported that a nurse was hospitalised for five months and was handicapped after recovery. There may not be many such cases and there is not anyone to blame. However, we have to acknowledge what these innocent Singaporeans had to go through, how their families have been permanently affected and how much they had to suffer. Unfortunately, some of them did not receive any Vaccine Injury Financial Assistance Programme compensation, for various reasons cited by MOH. They trusted the vaccines to protect themselves from the COVID-19 virus but, unfortunately, instead of being protected, they suffered.”
“The outbreak in the migrant worker dormitories during the early months of the pandemic was at a near-tipping point, as the virus could have spread rapidly into the rest of our society. Not many are aware that there were about 200,000 migrant workers staying in more than 40 dormitories across the island. Our military and Police services took control, contained and stabilised the situation. The Joint Task Force (JTF) was quickly set up to contain the cases within the migrant worker dormitories. There were no vaccines then and these officers risked their own health and safety to be on ground. Some even contracted COVID-19. During the circuit breaker, some officers had to stay in a hotel for fear of passing the virus to their families. Our nation depends on the SAF and SPF to protect us and to restore order. Here is the reality. Will we still have these well-trained military and Police personnel during the next pandemic? Attitudes have been more distinct due to the fast-changing times that we live in. Younger Singaporeans are also re-evaluating their priorities. We need to be able to attract good people to join and maintain excellence in our military and Police services. Not to add fuel to fire, we do have an expedited falling birth rate. The second group of people will be our grassroots network and volunteers. This network was built-up over the past five decades. This extensive and close-knitted network was able to help affected residents very quickly. They were responsible for distribution of masks, sanitizers, TraceTogether tokens and care packs, and so on. Again, how do we ensure that we are able to continue having such support? How can we strengthen our grassroots networks and volunteerism, especially amongst the younger Singaporeans?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, COVID-19 is known to be the most dangerous pandemic in more than a generation. Together with my fellow Parliamentarians, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to all Singaporeans who have stepped forward and done their part to assist Singapore during the crisis. Our nation's founding father Mr Lee Kuan Yew and his team understood the importance of building up substantial national reserves for rainy days. Their vision saved Singapore, in more ways than one, during the pandemic. For a nation of 5.5 million people, $72.3 billion was spent to ensure that our economy will come through and survive the pandemic. These reserves provided our Government the ability to work fast and speed up purchases of essential supplies and vaccines. On top of that, Deputy Prime Minister Wong and his team was able to roll out essential assistance schemes to businesses for employers and the self-employed. Needless to say, it is now time to replenish our reserves, in order for future generations to have that advantage during their rainy days. This White Paper captures the lessons to be learnt and as a nation, we know we must always be better prepared for the next crisis. Singapore cannot be totally dependent only on a task force to resolve problems during a pandemic. We must look into preparing Singaporeans to manage daily concerns on the ground. There were many groups of Singaporeans who made significant contributions during the pandemic. I would like to specifically acknowledge the contributions of two groups and, at the same time, highlight the realities facing us should we encounter another pandemic.”
“Thank you, Chairman, I have three clarifications. The first is for Minister Iswaran. Minister Iswaran mentioned the mandatory switch to EVs by 2025 for the airside vehicles at the airport. These airside vehicles are mainly owned by private companies or listed companies, the ground handlers. This will add new cost pressures, with new vehicles and electricity cost for these companies. May I know if there are any plans for MOT to look at some incentives to ease the transition to EVs for these companies to deal with these cost pressures? 12.45 pm The second question is for Senior Minister of State Amy Khor. This is regarding EV chargers. We have about half a million private vehicles in Singapore and there are plans to increase to about 60,000 EV charging points islandwide by 2030. I have a question in my cut regarding whether there are plans to convert the existing petrol stations to support EV charging. There are currently 180 of these. Hopefully, we may also use some of these assets to convert them into fast-charging EV stations in the future, to augment the 60,000 EV charging points required nationwide. The third clarification is for Senior Parliamentary Secretary Baey Yam Keng who shared about the trial of cycling zones in Seletar West Camp. I thank him for this trial. I am sure the cyclists will appreciate it. I would just like to know, following the successful five-month trial, whether there would be plans to extend to more areas, especially the longer stretches, like those in the Lim Chu Kang area?”
“What kind of assistance is the Ministry providing to support the recovery?”
“Passenger traffic on Singapore Airlines and at Changi Airport have rebounded sharply over the past year since our borders opened in April 2022. With the Chinese borders fully opened recently, how is our aviation industry poised for further growth and how can our air hub emerge even stronger than before the pandemic, considering the uneven recovery of other global and regional air hubs? On the other hand, what are the key challenges facing the aviation industry as it rides on this wave of recovery? The airlines and airports suffered severe financial losses in the past three years. Given the strong demand, is there headroom to increase airport charges to recover the losses and to cushion against higher operating costs due to energy and manpower cost increases?”
“Thank you, Mdm Chair. Madam, I would like to declare my interest as an employee in the aviation sector. Our aviation and maritime hubs are amongst the leading global hubs. They also generate significant carbon emissions due to the reliance on fossil fuels to power the aircraft and ships. On the bright side, Changi Airport has been consistently rated not only as one of the world’s best airports but also one of the most environmentally-friendly. It is lauded for its skylights, abundance of greenery, energy-efficient motion sensors and lighting, water-efficient fittings and roof-mounted solar panels. Singapore remains in top position as the world's busiest container transshipment port, but we may not be amongst the most sustainable ones. According to a 2020 study of 36 seaports selected from North America, Europe (EU) and Asia Pacific, EU seaports had adopted more sustainability initiatives, compared to North American and Asia Pacific seaports. What is the strategy for both sectors to support our national 2050 net-zero domestic emissions target? What are the pathway, policies and regulations that will be put in place to incentivise sustainability measures? How can research institutes, industry MNCs, financial institutes and regulatory bodies work together to co-create solutions for decarbonisation? How can existing infrastructure and assets be adapted to reduce their carbon footprint to prevent them from becoming stranded assets? And what are the strategic international framework and partnership established so far in bilateral agreements to catalyse our transition? Strengthen Recovery in Aviation Sector The global aviation industry has undergone dramatic upheavals throughout the pandemic.”
“Madam, as part of MOT's car-lite vision, several streets have been converted to pedestrians-only streets, such as Connaught Drive and most recently, Eng Hoon Street in Tiong Bahru. These pedestrians-only streets have become very leisurely stretches where people can connect with each other and engage in community activities together. The placemaking of these pedestrianised stretches have also given these spots a new identity and attractiveness. What are the lessons learnt from the first few pilots of converting streets into pedestrians-only ones? Beyond the central regions and tourists areas, are there plans to extend such pedestrians-only streets into the heartlands' town centres? Update on Road Repurposing”
“Madam, with MOT's push for active mobility, there has been an increase in cyclists seen on the roads. Some cycle as a means of transport while others cycle for recreation and sports using the PCN and roadways. To enhance safety for pedestrians, can LTA bring forward, in all towns, the construction of dedicated bicycle paths to improve the first and last mile connectivity, from MRT stations? For shared paths within a certain radius from an MRT station, there is usually a higher density of both cyclists and pedestrians. Dedicated cycling paths and pedestrian paths between MRT stations and the next major junction would help to segregate traffic and improve safety, especially during the morning and evening peak periods. Use of E-scooters and Electric Bikes”
“Mdm Chair, with better accessibility and affordability, car sharing has seen increasing uptake. This option fills a demand gap in serving the needs of public transport commuters who require the use of a private vehicle occasionally. What is MOT's assessment of the effectiveness of the car sharing option as an alternative to car ownership? Has MOT implemented programmes or incentives that would help car sharing companies scale up their operations to enhance the attractiveness and increase the accessibility of this mode of transportation? Would the Ministry consider formalising the framework for this sector to ensure nationwide coverage by the various companies, as well as the availability of different types of vehicles, such as those that can accommodate wheelchairs, so that more people facing difficulties using public transport can be served? Motorcycle Quotas and COEs”
“Mdm Chair, to achieve a sustainable Green Economy, we need more citizens and residents to use our public transport system. That would require our public transport system to be accessible and affordable, safe, reliable, clean and comfortable, and not overcrowded. With six MRT and three LRT lines in operation, what are the annual operation and maintenance expenses? Also, with the recent increase in fuel prices and electricity tariffs, what is the increase in annual operation and maintenance expenses for public buses? To cope with the rising costs of operation and maintenance, what is the expected fare revenue that will be collected from commuters from MRT and bus ridership? With the return to DORSCON Green, public transport ridership has largely recovered, what is the projected annual Government subsidy that is still required in order to ensure a safe, reliable, accessible and affordable public transportation system? Point-to-Point (P2P) Drivers”
“Mdm Chair, MOT is pushing for electric vehicles (EVs) in a big way as part of Singapore’s transition to a Green Economy. EV chargers are being installed in HDB multi-storey car parks and public spaces to provide accessible charging infrastructure across the island. Working backwards from the 2040 target for 100% cleaner EVs, what is the expected annual expenditure required for installing and maintaining EV charging infrastructure and the cost of additional substations needed to meet the higher power load? Are there plans to recover part of the development expenses required for EV charging infrastructure from charging fees levied on drivers of EV cars? And what will be the considerations for the charging fee model for EV chargers installed in public premises? What are the plans for existing petrol and diesel pump stations as more drivers switch to EVs?”
“Chairman, property prices tend to be higher in and near the city as well as in neighbourhoods near popular schools. Many young parents are willing to relocate their homes and pay for more expensive properties just to be near to desired primary schools for the sake of securing places for their children. The recent announcement of the relocation of ACS Primary School to Tengah will likely increase the desirability of BTOs in Tengah estate as well as improve accessibility of the school. This is a clever strategy by the Government and the ACS Board. Will there be more similar approaches to spread out the concentration of highly-priced properties to different parts of Singapore? Gentrification in older estates, such as Tiong Bahru, has also resulted in a strong desirability of those HDB flats amongst young home owners, despite the short remaining leases. What is MND’s strategy to renew ageing precincts in other parts of Singapore?”
“Thank you, Chairman. I thank Minister Grace Fu and the whole team in MSE for leading the whole nation in this green transition. It is not easy. I have one question for Minister Grace Fu. She mentioned that Pandan Reservoir will also be expanded to include the floating solar farms. I would like to know, from the Tengeh Reservoir experience, how is biodiversity in the water in the reservoir affected with solar panels. I have another question for Senior Minister of State Koh. I am heartened to learn about the set-up of the Coastal Protection and Flood Management Research Programme (CFRP) to have an applied research and living lab in NUS. May I know how do we intend to bring in talents to do the research, and also, will we be looking at courses for students at NUS to support this effort? And the last question is for Senior Parliamentary Secretary Baey. In the fight against dengue, I understand that to expand Project Wolbachia, we have to increase mosquito productions from two million to five million every week. That is a lot of mosquitoes. How do we sustain this effort over the long run? What is MSE's strategy?”
“Would the Ministry share how successful has this project been in areas where it had been launched? It takes time and resources to breed this special type of male mosquitoes. Would the Ministry share an update on the progress of Project Wolbachia? Will the programme be extended to more areas in the near future? If so, what are NEA's plans to scale up production of Wolbachia bacteria-carrying male mosquitoes? What are the key challenges faced in strengthening our public health defences? Tackling Dengue”
“Thank you, Chairman. With about one third of our land less than five metres above sea level, coastal and flood protection is a necessary defence against the effects of global warming. There is urgency in coastal protection. Do we have the time and the capacity to test out potential solutions? Would the Ministry share an update on how we are building up research, innovation and engineering capabilities to apply against the threat of rising sea levels? How are we collaborating in terms of research and exploration of new ideas with other countries in the same predicament? How can we involve members of the public, Government agencies, research centres and the private sector to tap upon their collective suggestions for solutions and measures to protect our coastal areas? With climate change, we are also experiencing more intense rainfall. A case in point, we experienced the heaviest rainfall yesterday in 30 years of 225.5 millimetres of daily total rainfall. In January this year, PUB announced that a study to assess the feasibility of using an underground drainage and reservoir system to combat inland and coastal flooding will start in 2023. Would the Ministry share more about PUB's plans to develop flood protection measures and integrate these with coastal protection? Strengthening Public Health Defences Over the years, dengue remains as one of the biggest public health threats. In 2022, there were more than 32,000 dengue cases in 2022 and about six times the total number of cases recorded in 2021. More alarmingly, dengue can kill. In 2022, there were 19 dengue deaths – four times more than 2021. I understand that quite a number of estates had asked when Project Wolbachia will be extended to more areas, especially for their areas.”
“Chairman, I am proud of Singapore's achievement in being amongst the very few countries in the world to have closed the water loop and reuse our water resources repeatedly. Our water treatment infrastructure and technologies have enabled us to move towards long-term water sustainability. The Public Utilities Board (PUB) has the ambitious goal of increasing NEWater supply capacity by up to 55% of demand by 2060. The tunnelling works for the Deep Tunnel Sewerage System (DTSS) Phase 2 was about 80% completed as of April 2022. With COVID-19, the timelines of various infrastructure projects were delayed due to manpower shortages and supply chain disruptions. When is PUB expecting to complete Phase 2 of the DTSS project? On a related note, would the Minister share an update on the progress of the Tuas Water Reclamation Plant as well as the Kranji Water Reclamation Plant? Apart from the DTSS and Tuas and Kranji plants, are there new used water treatment plants in the plans? How will such developments improve Singapore's water supply resilience? Correspondingly, with the increase in electricity tariffs and the Public Sector's goal to achieve net zero earlier by 2045, how will these pressures affect the cost and quantity of NEWater production? Finally, will the Ministry also share an update on the investments made by PUB in science and technology solutions to increase the energy efficiency of our water treatment? How does PUB intend to commercialise and scale up promising technologies in Singapore and overseas? Water Efficiency in Non-domestic Sectors”
“It has been two years since the Singapore Green Plan 2030 was launched. The plan touches every aspect of our lives and requires a whole-of-nation effort to attain its sustainable development goals. Although it was only launched two years ago, Singapore, our Clean and Green City, has been laying the foundation for this movement over the decades. The key targets include development of parks and green spaces; reduction of waste, water and electricity consumption; green commutes; green energy; greener infrastructure and buildings, sustainable towns and districts; a green economy with green investments and jobs; coastal protection from sea-level rise and enhanced flood resilience and meeting 30% of Singapore's nutritional needs through locally produced food by 2030. Would the Minister provide an update on the progress of the Green Plan? What are the key challenges which lay ahead? The Green Plan requires many capabilities to be established in many public agencies. How is the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) organising its resources to balance the business-as-usual requirements versus the challenges faced in implementing the Green Plan? Sustainability in Public Sector”
“Chairman, our NSmen make many sacrifices to defend our nation, while they juggle NS obligations with the other demands in their work and family lives. Ensuring an efficient and convenient NS Experience would be most helpful to them. I appreciate the OneNS initiative which seeks to achieve this goal by centralising NS transactions and services, such as SMART Information and Communications Technology (ICT) onto this one-stop platform. I understand that OneNS can anticipate the needs of each individual serviceman and personalise digital services, so that each can have easy access to relevant information and services in a timely manner. OneNS was rolled out in the second half of last year. Would MINDEF share the feedback and experience from its users and assess how much difference this platform has made to the NS experience? Updates on NS55”
“Rising sea levels pose an existential threat to an island nation like ours. We must do our utmost to contribute to global efforts to combat climate change. On the other hand, we have very limited natural resources to generate green energy and rely heavily on traditional energy sources to keep the lights on and even to produce NEWater. How can we balance the needs of our economy to protect livelihoods and to mitigate climate change and the rising sea level threat? What factors did the Government take into consideration when it raised our climate targets to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050? How was the decision reached to reduce emissions to around 60 MTCO2 in our revised 2030 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC)? These are ambitious goals, considering that we are a high-density city state and international hub operating one of the busiest seaports and airports in the world. Our value-added manufacturing, particularly in the chemicals, electronics and precision engineering sectors, our financial services sector, the information and communications industries are all energy intensive. Hence, I would like to ask how confident is the Government of achieving our climate targets while maintaining economic growth? How will we manage the green transition and enforce compliance? What are the Government's key strategies and policies that will help Singapore peak emissions earlier and reach net-zero emissions by 2050? I am concerned about the impact on our small and medium enterprises. Would the Government provide an update on the measures to reach out to our SMEs and guide them in their journey to transform their operations and reduce carbon emissions?”
“It was their strategy to develop capabilities in the public sector and it was their achievements for Singapore that developed the trust the Government required from Singaporeans. I have faith that our 4G team will continue to develop Singapore into a happier, more prosperous and progressive nation. Notwithstanding my queries and suggestions, I am heartened that many low-income families and young families will benefit from Budget 2023 and I am happy to positively endorse the Budget.”
“I strongly support the extension of the Senior Employment Credit and the Part-time Re-employment Grant until 2025 to support employers who offer part-time re-employment to eligible senior workers. Employers and voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs) are key partners to help our seniors age better. I hope they will continue to allow seniors to contribute even if they are past 67 years old. They must be prepared to adjust their job scopes, lighten their responsibilities and shorten work hours. I also urge the insurance industry to support this initiative by providing employment insurance beyond statutory employment age limits. (In English): I look forward to the Minister for Manpower sharing more details about the schemes at the Committee of Supply debates. Hopefully, with the interventions through Healthier SG programmes and with more seniors staying employed, our next generation of seniors will age gracefully and healthily into the next decades ahead. The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us of the importance of planning ahead. There will certainly be more grey rhinos. If we are not prepared, then Singapore's future can be severely impaired. With a vibrant economy and a resilient and fair taxation system, we will be able to continue building our national reserves. We must deploy both local and foreign top talents to create new solutions to tackle the difficult and complex problems. These solutions must be deliberate, long-term and must not be left to market forces. Mdm Deputy Speaker, as a country without any natural resources, it was our founding leaders' foresight to develop a sizeable national reserve.”
“Three, how do we ensure 100% protection against sea levels rising beyond one metre? And four, how do we test the effectiveness of the solutions or steps taken? I look forward to the answers. Mdm Deputy Speaker, I would like to say a few words in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] During my recent Chinese New Year house visits, I met five seniors in their nineties, who are all still in the pink of health. One senior in her 80s is still working in McDonald's just to stay active, even though she does not need the income. I asked them about their secret of youth. All of them shared that they eat moderately, exercise regularly, stay engaged and do not fret over the small things. For the rest of us who are barely half their age, we still have a good chance to live both a long and happy life if we can follow their advice. The Healthier SG programme will help us better monitor our health status, but really, the ball is in our own court. Staying engaged is extremely important for one's physical, mental and emotional health. Hence, to better prepare for the silver tsunami, our seniors should stay employed or be involved in volunteering work for as long as they can, even past the statutory retirement age. One of my colleagues in Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA), affectionately known as Auntie Amy, is 76 but she looks like 56. She could have retired but chose to continue working to keep herself active and engaged with younger people around her. She is an inspiration to us. (In English): Mdm Deputy Speaker, I would like to say a few words now in Malay. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Budget 2023 encourages active aging through employment.”
“And should we not be investing more to attract experts to Singapore and to develop local talents, to focus on the solutions required in our energy sector? To add, it is uncertain when and if green hydrogen-powered electricity is economically viable and how do we ensure the import supply will be extended infinitely while the cost of imported electricity can be kept affordable. The fourth grey rhino has reared its head during the pandemic, but it may charge at us more aggressively in the future. Singapore is a tiny island with only 720 square kilometres of land and is one of the lowest-lying countries in the world, with about 30% of our land that is less than five metres above sea levels. Extreme weather may cause sea levels to rise by as much as four to five metres, taking into account coastal surges, extreme high tides and land subsidence. If heavy rainfall coincides with high tide, there will be flash floods that are worse than what we are experiencing now. If we do not have effective mitigation solutions, many homes, beaches and public infrastructure, like Gardens by the Bay and Merlion Park, will be affected. During the National Day Rally in 2019, Prime Minister Lee committed $100 billion or more, to protect Singapore against rising sea levels. And in his recent Budget speech, Deputy Prime Minister Wong shared that $5 billion will be injected into the Coastal and Flood Protection Fund to support the construction of coastal and drainage infrastructure. In view of the latest global temperature rise estimates and reports by sea level scientists, I have four questions: one, will we be able to bring forward the construction of coastal protection infrastructure? Two, can we accelerate our technology and construction research, and implement pilots more aggressively?”
“Will our infrastructure be able to handle our greying Singaporeans when the Silver Tsunami hits us and do we have a clear plan to manage these challenges? The third grey rhino is energy, a concern that may cause massive disruption. As a nation, we consumed more than 53 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2021. Currently, our electricity production is 95% dependent on natural gas, with two-thirds from Piped Natural Gas (PNG) and one-third from Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). Hence, to maintain energy security, we will need to diversify sources. Natural gas is cleaner than coal but it is still responsible for 40% of Singapore's carbon emissions. We will need to transit to cleaner fuel. Unfortunately, Singapore does not have any alternative energy sources other than some solar energy. Before hydrogen-powered electricity becomes a reality, we would have to import clean energy from regional power grids such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Laos. The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war is severely affecting many European countries. This is a stark reminder for us because many of these European countries are dependent on Russian natural gas. Do we have a fall-back plan, should our electricity supply be disrupted for a prolonged period? Singapore's first hydrogen-ready power plant that hopes to supply 600 megawatts of energy will be built on Jurong Island. In October 2022, Deputy Prime Minister Wong launched the National Hydrogen Strategy to accelerate transition to net zero emissions and to strengthen energy security. While we are coming up with steps to accelerate the next chapter of our green energy transition, do we have the scientists and engineers, like they do in Australia, Germany and Spain, where the expertise in this area exists?”
“Perhaps, the Government can consider an interest-free loan scheme with a reasonable loan period under NPF to encourage our small- and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) to invest in automation in order to reduce reliance on foreign labour. Automation may assist certain sectors but there will always be a requirement for people interaction in multi-tasking micro roles that entail wide variability or high touch. For cleaners and security guards, the PWM wage increase for cleaning started five years ago and the increases for security and landscaping wages have been active for almost three and two years respectively. Currently, the proportion of local staff in these three essential services sectors seem to be still faced with the same challenges. And most importantly, we must find a way to attract Singaporeans to join the healthcare industry. This leads me into the next grey rhino, the Silver Tsunami. We are trailing very closely behind Japan, at 83.7 years old, in terms of the countries with the longest average life expectancy. Our population is greying rapidly. With medical science advancements, Singaporeans will likely be able to live longer but there will be questions on the quality of life and health when the Silver Tsunami hits our shores over the next decades. During the debate on Healthier SG last year, many Members in this House have spoken about the pressure on aged care facilities that is required. In my Adjournment Motion on dementia, I mentioned that family members may need to consider compromising their careers to care for their loved ones and medical spending for seniors will also be a major concern. During the pandemic, there was a shortage of hospital beds and staff.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, the COVID-19 pandemic was a crisis of a generation, but it will not be the last. Other potential crises will emerge, and we must try to be prepared. The rising costs of living and economic slowdown are concerns that we devote resources to addressing. In addition, there may be other grey rhinos that may affect our future as a nation and I would like to highlight four of them. It is well-known that we are heavily dependent on foreign manpower. This may perhaps be a global problem but the labour shortage problem exists across many of our industries, including aviation, cleaning services, construction, F&B, retail businesses and, crucially, healthcare. Our healthcare system and staff held up well throughout the pandemic. However, should another pandemic come around, we may not be as fortunate. Finding workers to work in the cleaning services is a real challenge and it is getting harder to get help in the F&B and retail sectors. Similarly, our construction will soon grind to a halt if we do not automate more. We have discussed various approaches to reduce manpower reliance by increasing productivity via automation, work process redesign, upskill workers, raise salaries and provide better benefits to workers. We hope to achieve this via the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) and Progressive Wage Credit Scheme (PWCS), National Productivity Fund (NPF), Enterprise Innovation Scheme (EIS) and SME Co-Investment Fund and Singapore Global Enterprises (SGEs) initiative. Our local construction companies are aware that they need to leverage technology to automate, innovate and redesign their work processes. However, regardless of manpower savings downstream, automation can be an expensive investment and small companies will not be able to finance the upfront investment.”
“I thank the Minister of State for her replies. I certainly agree with the importance of education. I have been also very supportive on-the-ground, for all the education efforts. I have one supplementary question. Are we prepared to trade off speed and convenience of transactions to protect our users, at least, until we see a drop in scam cases? And I was also told that seniors are now stopped being given the PayNow facility by banks. But the question is, instead of excluding our seniors from tools like PayNow, for large transaction amounts, are we able to get the banks and financial institutions to look at how they can differentiate, say, new PayNow numbers from the usual list, so that the banks can have enough time to pre-screen the numbers before these big amounts of transactions are allowed?”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State. In view of the importance of data in our digital society, will there be plans for some form of Government-owned cloud service, for maximising our control?”
“Thank you, Speaker. I thank the Senior Minister of State for the reply. I have two supplementary questions. The first is regarding risk management. What is our strategy to diversify the use of different cloud services and data centres providers hosting various Government-linked functions? And the second question is on the degree of control. What degree of Government control do we have over the service providers in terms of such availability and resilience, and also what is the recourse in a situation of failure?”
“Mr Speaker, in conclusion, I would like to propose a multi-pronged approach to address our long-term challenges in the waste management sector. Other than growing the pool of waste management crew with the PWM, we will need to leverage better design and technology and improve work processes to automate the waste collection process. We also need to look at a fairer waste collection fee structure to support the cost increase. Finally, all of us should make a conscious effort to generate less waste and be more civic-minded in how we dispose of our trash. Mr Speaker, I would like to conclude with my full support for the Bill.”
“Compared to most countries, dumping waste in Singapore is a relatively fuss-free activity because of the ubiquitous presence of trash bins. Truth be told, we may have become victims of our own success because these bins would require a lot of workers to clear on a regular basis, whether they are full or not. To reduce the manpower required, we should rethink how we can effectively reduce waste collection requirements. For instance, for certain areas, NParks and Town Councils could consider using bigger bins, reducing the number of trash bins and place them further apart in public places. This will reduce the number of collection trips and the staff that is needed. But that also means people must be prepared to walk further to dispose of their trash and going to another trash bin if the nearest one is already full. We should recycle more and be more environmentally friendly. In 2021, close to seven million tonnes of solid waste were generated and about 55% was recycled. In recent years, we have stepped up our recycling culture and have seen encouraging improvements. However, our recycling rate is still lagging behind countries such as Germany and South Korea. We should continue with more public education efforts and recycling drives to encourage ground-up recycling practices. As mentioned, it will take strong civic-mindedness and social responsibility to encourage people to be more conscious about recycling and proper disposal of their litter. Such lifelong habits are best learnt in schools and at home from a young age. We should all try to be more considerate and care about the welfare of our fellow Singaporeans who are working hard to assist us to clear our waste on a daily basis. Let us do our part and not make their job harder than it already is.”
“Currently, with higher wages and heavier investments, waste management companies will be faced with higher operating overheads. To ease the cost increase, the companies can tap on transitional wage support that is provided under MOM’s Progressive Wage Credit Scheme. Consumers will also be expected to assist in the cost increase. Cost increase will always be a contentious concern especially with the rising costs of living. Therefore, a fairer approach towards cost increase is inevitable and the waste collection fees will have to be better structured based on a fair user-pays costing principle. Currently, the monthly waste collection fees are set at $9.72 for HDB flats and condominiums based on household units and $32.37 for landed housing. This is a flat fee structure and does not take into consideration the number of occupants and the amount of waste that is generated within each household. The current flat fee structure is easy to administer but it does not incentivise occupants to reduce their waste generated. We could consider implementing a more sophisticated data management software, to vary waste collection fees according to the size of each household. This way, a higher fee could be applied appropriately. If everyone consumes less, recycles more and generates less waste, we will all be able to fundamentally cope with our national waste management and reduce the waste generated. Social responsibility and civic-mindedness are key to any good solution. At home and at the workplace, we should sort and pack waste according to wet or dry waste, so that they do not mess up the trash bins or create foul odours and attract pests. These considerations will help to keep our trash bins cleaner and less smelly, making the collection job easier for the crew.”
“The new blue recycling bin is a good example of how technology and design can help to save manpower. Firstly, the blue bins have three times the capacity of its predecessors, hence collection frequency can be reduced. Secondly, the side loader truck only requires one driver to operate the loading process, as the lifting and tipping of the recycling bins can now be fully automated. Hence, a typical three-men team can now be reduced to only the driver who doubles up as the operator. However, there are still constraints on the ground which pose limitations to proliferating these large blue bins across all parts of Singapore. For instance, in private estates with narrow driveways, the side-loader trucks do not have sufficient clearance to position itself precisely for the automated loading of the recycling bins. Hence, an attendant may still be required to complete this last mile. Switching to new equipment and technology requires heavy capital investments upfront by the waste collection companies. Although companies would save manpower costs in the long run, the upfront cost of buying a new fleet of side loading vehicles is a significant investment. They will also need to consider their contract duration with NEA. It is a big business risk for the waste companies. Hence, to drive change and adoption, Government grants and longer contract periods must be provided to allow these companies to sustain. If the Government is able to assist them, these companies must move towards the right direction, to leverage better design, more efficient work processes and use technology to address challenges. They must continue to think creatively and work fast to implement innovative solutions.”
“Thus, the major waste collection companies had to increase wages in order to attract locals so that the companies can fulfil their contractual service level requirements. And the response was acceptable as the wage increases proved to be quite effective! Money is clearly a deciding factor. Although the bigger players in the industry have largely moved ahead with wage increases, PWM will formalise the salary increase across the entire industry. Smaller waste collection companies will also need to keep up with the revised pay structure accordingly. The PWM for the waste collection industry will ensure fair remuneration to these essential workers for their indispensable services. We hope this wage model will be able to attract certain younger workers to have an open mind and join the sector and assist us to maintain our public hygiene and health standards. Needless to say, it will be extremely challenging to attract younger people to work in this sector and deploying more valuable manpower resources just to collect waste will be a daunting task. We will have to leverage on technology, better design and changes in work processes. In recent years, the waste industry has undertaken commendable efforts to automate the waste collection process. For instance, the most commonly seen Rear-End-Loading (REL) waste trucks are operated by three staff – a driver and two attendants. With the push of a button, the loader will tip the waste containers over and dump the waste into the truck. This helps the attendants with the heavy lifting. However, this is only possible after some necessary adjustments are made. The REL trucks will need to be automated more. Since April 2018, the new huge blue recycling bins have gradually replaced their older and smaller predecessors in many towns.”
“Speaker, Sir, Singapore has very strict laws to maintain law and order and littering of any kind is an offence. However, even with such strict laws, we will still require an army of more than 40,000 resident cleaners and 3,000 waste collection crew to ensure Singapore remains a clean and green city. This Bill proposing to implement the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) for workers in the waste collection and materials recovery sub-sectors is one that I support wholeheartedly. Waste collection is tough, physically demanding work and gruelling. Rain or shine, these workers will be out there collecting our trash. This is difficult work and such jobs will not appeal to most Singaporeans. At present, there are about 3,000 resident waste collectors. Many of them have young families with school-going children to support. Most are not well-educated. In order to assist them, we should provide opportunities for them to learn new job skills and be able to earn a higher salary. The PWM for the waste management industry will increase baseline wages in a sustained manner over a six-year period from 2023 to 2028. Entry-level wage for waste collection crew will grow 8.1% annually from $2,210 in 2023 to $3,260 in 2028. They will also enjoy overtime payments and mandatory annual bonuses. The pandemic has effectively raised the gross monthly salaries of waste collection workers in the major waste companies to above $3,000. Currently, there are three main public waste collectors, namely SembWaste, 800 Super and Alba W&H Smart City that are appointed by NEA to collect waste from domestic and trade premises across the entire country. During the period when there were border shutdowns, it was difficult to hire foreigners to assist us in this sector.”
“A lot of effort and resources will be needed for research and technology, as well as for new storage and distribution infrastructure, amongst others. Unfortunately, Singapore just does not have sufficient renewable energy. To overcome the twin-wicked problems of climate crisis and energy crisis, we will have to leverage technological breakthroughs and succeed in delivering hydrogen solutions, in order to address our long-term energy needs. Hence, I hope that part of the revenue collected from carbon tax will be channelled to fund the National Hydrogen Strategy. That way, the carbon taxes collected will play a meaningful role to help Singapore achieve a much more sustainable and a secured energy solution portfolio that is needed to achieve net-zero emissions. Mr Speaker, Sir, notwithstanding my queries, I support the Bill.”
“Singapore's robust legislative framework and position as an established professional services, trading and financial hub, will put us in a good position to support the development of an internationally trusted carbon services and trading ecosystem in Asia. To jumpstart this carbon trading hub, there should also be substantial domestic demand for carbon credits. Hence, I hope the Minister would consider increasing the limit beyond 5% of taxable emissions in the longer term. Thirdly, there are currently only two international exchanges in Singapore trading voluntary carbon credits, namely AirCarbon Exchange (ACX), established in 2019, and Climate Impact X (CIX), established in May 2021. The primary concern is that carbon credits are still not sufficiently reliable in quality because of multiple certification standards and processes. How will the ICC framework help these carbon credit exchanges ensure that the quality and consistency of carbon credits traded comply with global standards? How will the ICC help to further develop the domestic carbon credits market? To this end, I hope the Minister will clarify the impact of the ICC framework on the future of carbon credit exchanges and our plans to develop Singapore as a leading carbon services and trading hub. Mr Speaker, given the urgency of the global climate crisis, the carbon tax is a necessary evil in the short- and medium-term to steer industries towards carbon emissions abatement. However, the long-term energy strategy to reach net-zero goals will be much more challenging. Alongside the revised NDC to achieve net zero by 2050, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong also announced the National Hydrogen Strategy.”
“Carbon credits provide a decarbonisation pathway for hard-to-abate sectors and represent an opportunity to support emissions reductions globally. However, under the ICC framework, only up to 5% of the carbon emissions is eligible for ICC surrender. Moreover, only high-quality ICCs that are compliant with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement under the UNFCCC and fulfill the ICAO CORSIA standards as the minimum standards, will be considered eligible for surrender. I understand that the rationale is to set a high bar, so as to prevent greenwashing and also to ensure that industries prioritise carbon emissions reduction as the main pathway for decarbonisation. However, there will be three issues to consider. Firstly, for such high-quality ICCs to become meaningful carbon offsets options for companies, the price points must be comparable with the carbon taxes of $20 per tonne CO2, starting in 2023, and eventually, trending towards being $50 to $80 by 2030. According to the Bloomberg market analysis, under tighter regulations, carbon credit prices may rise 30 times by 2029 to $224 per tonne CO2 before tapering to $120 in 2050. Should such high prices prevail, then ICCs would become irrelevant for businesses as an alternative to paying carbon tax. Secondly, if only 5% of taxable emissions are eligible for ICC surrender, will there be adequate critical mass to support a vibrant carbon trading market in Singapore and meet our aspirations to develop Singapore as a carbon services and trading hub? Singapore is well-placed to be a leading carbon services and trading hub.”
“For companies outside the EITE sectors, given that Singapore's transition to cleaner green energy may only materialise well beyond 2030, how will companies, whose carbon emissions result mainly from the brownout electricity needed for their operations, be assisted in the next decade? These companies may be paying both higher electricity tariffs due to the current energy crisis as well as increased carbon taxes for the carbon emissions generated. Otherwise, they may have to purchase renewable energies through private purchase agreements in order to meet carbon targets. Does MTI know the number of companies that will be in such a predicament and how can they be assisted in the energy transition? Also, as carbon emissions accounting and ESG standards are still not fully harmonised, are there adequate well-qualified consultants in the market to help companies, especially the SMEs and LLEs, to account for their carbon emissions footprint, to advise them on the sustainability strategies and to project the corresponding carbon taxes? Will these consultants need to be accredited by the Ministry? If so, will there be guidelines on consultancy fees chargeable to prevent companies from being subjected to paying yet another hefty layer of cost? I hope the Minister can shed some light on these implementation considerations so that businesses and their sustainability officers can have a clearer idea as they plan for next year's financial budget and dedicate resources for their decarbonisation plans. Mr Speaker, just like how charitable tax deductions can help reduce one's tax bills, carbon credits can also help a company reduce carbon taxes.”
“In Singapore, 40% of our national carbon emissions come from the power sector while another 45% is attributed to the industries. Together with the transport sector – which contributes 14% of carbon emissions – these are the three key sectors that account for almost all of Singapore's carbon emissions. Clearly, the increase in carbon taxes in 2023 will add greater cost pressures to industries that are already facing the triple whammy of the COVID-19 pandemic, higher energy costs and GST increase next year. Hence, I agree that the transition framework is a prudent strategy to help the EITE sectors ride out this cost increase wave, so that they can remain competitive against rivals in other jurisdictions that have nil or lower carbon taxes. Indeed, it will require a fine balance and sound judgement to use the carbon tax as a stick for some industries while for other companies, the carbon tax can be waived to help them with transition. As outlined in section 20D and 20E of the amended Bill, discretionary powers are vested with the Minister for Trade and Industry and appointed public bodies to assess each company's decarbonisation plans and determine if they are eligible for carbon tax exemption. On this note, may I ask the Minister if an impact analysis of carbon taxes on the overall business costs of affected companies has been carried out, in particular, for our SMEs and LLEs? Also, how much transition time will companies in the EITE sectors be given before they are subjected to the full-blown effect of the carbon tax increase?”
“The Government is cognisant of the cost burden of the carbon tax on businesses and the consequential impact on cost of living that will be passed onto the consumers. Hence, only facilities that produces more than 25,000 kilotonne CO2 emissions annually, will be subjected to the carbon tax. Also, the carbon tax will be implemented in a progressive manner. It will be increased from $5 per tonne CO2 emissions to $25 next year, and to $45 in 2026. Even the long-term carbon tax of $50 to $80 expected in 2030, will still be considered comparable to the tax rates in other jurisdictions, for example in Europe, where carbon taxes can go beyond $100 per tonne CO2 emissions. In general, the business community here is appreciative that the introduction of carbon tax has been gradual, so that there is sufficient response time to prepare for this transition. And I am heartened to learn from the Minister that the revenue collected from carbon taxes are not meant for the purposes of deriving additional Government revenue. Instead, the collection will be ploughed back to support decarbonisation efforts and transition to a green economy. However, perhaps more could be done to enable this green transition, to help the industries and to achieve better decarbonisation results. I would like to ask the Minister what is the projected revenue from carbon taxes that will be collected annually over the next 10 years? What are the additional decarbonisation programmes, incentives and subsidies that would be implemented to help industries, especially SMEs and large local enterprises (LLEs), transit into the green economy? What is the budget that is set aside for these programmes and incentives?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong announced at the recent Singapore International Energy Week, ahead of the ongoing COP27 climate talks in Egypt, that Singapore will step up our Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets. Instead of peaking at 65 million tonnes CO2 in 2030, Singapore will step up our efforts to peak earlier and reduce carbon emissions to 60 million tonnes CO2 in 2030. And instead of just halving our long-term carbon emissions to 33 million tonnes CO2, we will aim for a stretched target of net-zero carbon in 2050. This is a bold announcement, given Singapore's alternative energy disadvantaged position and our absolute dependence on the imported LNG for 95% of our country's electricity generation. However, as a responsible member of the international community committed to fight the climate emergency, Singapore's strategic commitment to achieve net zero by 2050 is a necessary undertaking. What does Singapore have to do differently in order to meet the net-zero goal? In the long term, we will have to scale-up the use of emerging technologies in low-carbon hydrogen, carbon capture utilisation and storage and maybe, light nuclear energy production. In the medium term, we will have to purchase clean electricity imports and step-up utilisation of solar energy, to progressively decarbonise the power sector. In the short term, we will have to aggressively abate carbon emissions in our economy. Therefore, the carbon tax is an important price signal and also an instrument to nudge industries, to internalise the cost of carbon emissions into their business costs and to adopt low-carbon business practices.”
“Let us set a good example and get at least six to eight hours of sleep daily. Mr Speaker, dementia can happen to any one of us and our families will be adversely affected. As a nation, we need to recognise dementia is a fast-growing issue. In the next decade, a lot more work needs to be done to increase our capacity, to mitigate the challenges associated with dementia and to take preventive lifestyle changes. While MOH expedites capacity building, we can all do our part to spread awareness about dementia, to improve our community facilities and programmes and also to take better care of ourselves while we are still young. Let us not burden our future generations with the challenges of caregiving. Most importantly, let us work towards a more compassionate, caring and inclusive society to help people living with dementia live with meaning and dignity. [Applause.]”
“Evidence from various international studies shows that dementia can actually be prevented or delayed through the adoption of healthy lifestyle habits, including having regular physical activities, maintaining a balanced diet, not having excessive alcohol intake and not smoking. A recent study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology suggests that obesity may be associated with an increased risk for developing dementia. While all of the above preventive actions are individual choices, the outcomes will have a profound impact on our families, our community and our nation. Thus, we must all make a greater concerted effort to help one another make good choices for our health and to persist in them. In addition to the initiatives in Healthier SG, the Government should consider investing more resources into public education and campaigns and to redesign policies and systems to nudge our people to take greater responsibility for their own health and self-care. It will save individuals and the healthcare system a whole lot of money from medical bills and expenses in the future. For example, our hawker centres and food courts are still serving mostly high carbs, meaty dishes with little vegetables. We will need to have more healthy choices for our national canteens and encourage people to consume more greens on top of less sugar, less salt and less oil. It has also been found in a recent Harvard Medical School study that the lack of sleep in middle-age persons may increase dementia risk. Many of us, including my Parliamentary colleagues, sacrifice sleep to get more work done or to complete other tasks. One tell-tale sign of sleep deprivation is when Members occasionally nod off involuntarily in this Chamber.”
“These Go-To-Points will allow disoriented customers or commuters to calm down and wait in a comfortable space for their family members to bring them home safely. Similarly, service providers, particularly banks, need to consider how they can better serve these customers while protecting their interests. It would be ideal if businesses can initiate these improvements. Notwithstanding, I hope the Government would consider expediting these changes with guidelines and, if necessary, legislation for specific sectors. To promote inclusiveness, I would like to request more support for people with young onset dementia, or YOD. How can YODs remain employed for as long as possible? How can employers be incentivised to redesign job roles, offer micro jobs and shape a more dementia-friendly work environment? Also, how can employers be more understanding and supportive towards employed caregivers who are supporting loved ones at home with dementia? I hope a more compassionate and inclusive workplace culture would develop over time, especially as retirement age is progressively extended to 70. Mr Speaker, the age-old saying "prevention is better than cure" rings so true. In recent years, dementia has become more prevalent in Singapore. It leads me to wonder – does Singapore have a higher proportion of people with dementia, compared to other developed countries? I am heartened to note the launch of the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine Dementia Research Centre in April 2022. The centre will conduct research to understand more about this disease.”
“To this end, a robust policy framework and adequate social infrastructure and services are essential for PLWDs to carry on with the basic functions to work, live and travel. To protect the interests of PLWDs, we need to increase awareness of Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), Advance Care Planning (ACP) and Advance Medical Directive (AMD). I urge the Ministry to consider increasing the visibility of LPAs, ACPs and AMDs at GPs, polyclinics as well as public and private hospitals. People should be more aware of the role of social workers and professional donees registered with the Office of the Public Guardian and agencies, such as the Special Needs Trust Company, a non-profit agency which helps vulnerable people set up care plans using their insurance or assets. To create more awareness, we need more talks and seminars at the community level as well as coverage on our free-to-air TV channels and Government social media on dementia and what to do in preparation. For instance, the media coverage on several high-profile cases related to vulnerable PLWDs being swindled by ill-intended relatives or friends had actually spurred people to set up LPAs and wills. Beyond the Government and local communities, I would also like to suggest more involvement of the private sector. The public sector can collaborate with private entities to sponsor programmes within their companies and in the community to be dementia-friendly. Our transportation system, airport, malls and public building owners can incorporate features to make their spaces and customer interactions more dementia-friendly. For instance, SMRT is taking the lead to provide 98 of its train stations across Singapore with Go-To-Points by the end of 2022.”
“Some degree of Government involvement and grants can help to scale up this nascent industry and to ensure that operators meet minimum service standards. VWOs play a key role to assist PLWDs and their caregivers. They have well-trained social workers and volunteers to engage PLWDs in social activities that will slow down their decline and calm their moods. They also assist caregivers with counselling services so that they can manage their stress better and deal with burnout. Unfortunately, many families with PLWDs are not even aware of the services provided by these VWOs. Hence, the community network plays an important role to connect the VWOs with residents who may need assistance. I would like to share that in Sembawang West constituency, we started a Dementia Caregivers Support Network to help residents access the services provided by the VWOs. The caregivers can also give each other mutual support and share their experiences and useful tips on caregiving. However, many of such VWOs are only partially funded by the Government and will need to raise their own funds, competing with other VWOs for the charity dollar. After all, funds are required for these VWOs to scale up their services and do outreach so that more PLWDs and families can benefit. I hope that MOH can review the funding model for such VWOs supporting dementia-friendly programmes so that they can focus their energies and resources on their programmes and services instead of on organising fund-raising activities. Mr Speaker, the second thrust is to mitigate the challenges faced by PLWDs, especially for those in the early and moderate stages, for them to live more independently.”
“Other than nursing homes, having a range of care and accommodation options is key to support families who are struggling with family members with dementia. While some PLWDs may need 24/7 full-time care, some others will actually be able to manage a range of independent living with varying levels of support or supervision. Hence, it is important to provide alternative models of care in the community for PLWDs, other than nursing homes and senior day care centres, such as the Wellness Kampung community facilities, where they can participate in social activities while their caregivers get some respite. As our nation enters into an ageing demographic phase, it is crucial to review the design of our estates. Our estates will have to be more dementia-friendly. I would like to ask the Government to expedite the building of such community infrastructure, such as in new HDB estates and the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme, for existing estates to be dementia-friendly. I would encourage fellow Members of Parliament and their Town Councils to consider adopting dementia-friendly designs for their repainting works. Distinctive colours and landmarks can be created to help PLWDs to better recognise their surroundings in case they lose their bearings and are unable to find their way home. Another idea is to proliferate assisted living arrangements which allow seniors to remain independent and socially connected. This would also address the issue of many elderly living alone after their children get married and move out. One such example is Red Crown social enterprise, which arranges for several seniors to live together, provide companionship and help to take care of one another.”
“It is very important to catch this disease early because there is only a small window to intervene effectively through a beneficial combination of medication, exercise, brain stimulation and socialisation. In terms of trained medical personnel, I also hope that MOH has been increasing the number of geriatricians and psychologists. I would like to know what is the projected ratio of geriatricians versus senior citizens by 2030. How will MOH build up this pipeline of medical specialists over the next eight years? Ageing-in-place is the preferred way for PLWDs to live. Familiarity with the living environment will help them cope better as their memory fades. However, for families that are unable to provide caregiving or for PLWDs who do not have loved ones to care for them, admission into nursing homes then becomes inevitable. In the community, the number of places in dementia day care centres, senior care centres and nursing homes have been increasing. However, I am concerned that the rate of increase may not keep up with the needs of the growing number of PLWDs. I understand that the current waiting time for nursing homes is nine months to a year. While I am heartened to note that in the next 10 years, our nursing home bed capacity will go up by close to another 100% to more than 31,000 beds, I am worried if this is even enough, especially for elderly with issues like dementia. I hope the Minister would share the progress on the infrastructure build-up plans and strategies to recruit staff and train them. Also, how will we ramp up our caregiver support and training? Would the Ministry elaborate on how these options will be financed, Government subsidies available and the estimated range that a family is expected to pay?”