Rahayu Mahzam
Singapore
“We engage the insurance providers quite regularly, but we are very mindful about where we intervene, especially because they need to be competitive and there is a commercial dimension to it, which we feel that we should respect. So, how we intervene is via the conditions that are put in place vis-a-vis the consumers.”
“So, that is not something they can worry about. There is already the S+3M framework that is already in place, so we know that MediShield Life is one, they have their MediSave and if all else fails, there is MediFund.”
“Should there be disputes over specific claims, policyholders can take it to the Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre (FIDReC), an independent and impartial institution that assists with insurance-related disputes.”
“It is just a symptom, so the underlying cost pressures still need to be addressed. The description that we had put earlier in the past is that it is a knot that we need to untangle; and that is something we are doing with a multi-pronged, with engagements with different parties and stakeholders.”
“I appreciate the Member's feedback. As I said earlier, this is something that we will continue to consider. But we do also have to appreciate that the information that we get is live, in terms of waiting times and all that.”
“But I do take the point and we are actually reviewing to see what is a meaningful way to put out this information so that the public can understand, so that we can all track properly whether the good health outcomes are a result of the efforts that we are making. I will take the feedback back and we will continue to review this.”
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“I thank the Parliamentary Secretary for his explanation on KidSTART. I would just like to seek clarification on the different components that he mentioned in his speech: in particular, what is the breakdown of the numbers of children that have been reached out to by the Ministry per component of the programme? Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim:Sir, in my speech, I mentioned more than 300 children have been reached out to. We have three components: one is the home visitation; second, the KidSTART groups; the third is the KidSTART enhanced support to preschools. The actual number is more than 300 − which is 389. For home visitation, it involved 89 infants; for the KidSTART group, it involved 50 children and 45 parents; for the KidSTART enhanced support to preschools, it involved about 250 children across the selected preschools receiving enhanced support. It is a very good mix. And it has been an enriching process, not only for the parents and children but for the people involved in KidSTART. Again, I would like to encourage more Singaporeans to come forward to play a part in making a difference in the lives of our fellow Singaporeans, especially the needy ones.”
“Sir, from my observation, recently, there is increased awareness amongst my residents about the Lasting Power of Attorney and the need to make preparations before losing mental capacity or becoming incapacitated. This is possibly because of the talks conducted at the grassroots level on these matters. I have met some elderly residents who do not have children or family members whom they can depend on when they are no longer healthy. Naturally, some would have concerns about their options and what they can do to make the necessary preparation. The Mental Capacity Act was amended last year to introduce the broad framework on professional donees and professional deputies. This was a very important move, in light of difficulties faced by the elderly who may not have any family members or close friends to rely on to make arrangements when he or she loses mental capacity. During the debates on the Mental Capacity (Amendment) Bill, the Minister acknowledged the need for robust registration criteria and regulation of professional deputies and donees. There were also concerns raised about the costs that may be charged by these professionals. In light of the matters raised during the debates, I would like to get an update on the development of the training and regulatory framework for these professional donees and professional deputies. In addition, could more be done to ensure access to services to the elderly, especially those without next-of-kin, to help them prepare and plan for the situation when they lose capacity and are not able to care for themselves?”
“I think it is useful to consider replicating these efforts beyond the pilot programme so that we could also collectively learn from experiences with different groups. I would also ask that the Ministry consider developing a template possibly that could be rolled out to various constituencies so that more families can benefit from such programmes.”
“Madam, we should continue in our efforts to enhance social mobility. In the face of the uncertain future economy and global competition, it is likely that lower income families will be affected more. Parents from low-income families may be struggling with day-to-day expenses and may have very little time, money or energy left to focus on things like enrichment or additional classes. These enrichment classes I am referring to are not only those for the children, but for the parents, too, like parenting skills or courses that will help them develop their children's potential. If they are not able to invest in these classes, their children may, in the long run, lose out because of the stiff competition in the world today. We should ensure that these families have access to as many programmes without having to worry about the cost so that their children can be as equipped as the children from a better-off family. In this respect, I believe KidSTART is a key initiative that can help in this cause of enhancing social mobility. This was a pilot programme introduced last year to provide upstream support to low-income and vulnerable children. I would like to ask about the status of the implementation of this programme over the past year. What are the components of this programme and what is the number of children and families that have benefited from the programme? It may still be too early to assess the effectiveness of the programme but I believe that any effort to help strengthen the capabilities of low-income families and help their children move up the social ladder is a good effort. Are there plans to enhance the programme in the future and reach out to a bigger group?”
“HDB also exercises great flexibility in assisting individuals with difficulties in appropriate circumstances. However, could the Ministry do more to look into policies relating to housing for divorcees? For example, could HDB assist divorcees to obtain housing, regardless of whether the individual has care and control of the children? Could HDB also reconsider some of the rules in respect of debarment for rental or purchase of flat, housing loans and resale levies when the transaction for the flat arises from a Court order in a divorce? Rental Flats and Non-citizen Spouses”
“Madam, as a divorce lawyer, I have seen many cases involving disputes or issues relating to the arrangements of matrimonial HDB flats post-divorce. Making housing arrangements post-divorce is a challenge for the parties and usually contribute towards their acrimony. If they have children, sometimes, parties fight over care and control as they feel that the party with the children stand a better chance of getting subsidised HDB housing upon their divorce. 4.45 pm Even if parties are amicable, it is often not easy to finalise the arrangements on their existing HDB flat as decisions on sale, transfer or retention of flats will have significant implications for both parties. They will have to worry about issues of refunding of CPF monies to the other party if there is a transfer, getting a further HDB loan, finding a suitable new flat, debarment from rental and purchase of a new flat or paying the resale levy in the future. These issues are not new and have been raised before and are being raised again here. They also continue to be a perennial issue. I note that the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) had also recently made recommendations on single parents' access to public housing based on findings from their research project. At the Meet-the-People Sessions (MPS), I also see many divorcees who seek assistance on housing issues and make appeals to HDB. In particular, I have met divorcees who do not have children or did not get care and control of their children and have difficulties finding housing after divorce. I note that, over the years, changes have been made to help alleviate difficulties faced by divorcees, especially those with children. For example, ASSIST was introduced to benefit second-timer divorced and widowed parents.”
“Perhaps, there could be a holistic business consultancy service offered to the small and medium-sized law practices so that they can be made aware of emerging markets and the concrete steps to be part of those markets. I would like to hear the Ministry's views on this.”
“Much has been said about the uncertain future economy. The legal services sector will also need to respond to the changes in the economy and transform. The developments in the region and Singapore's reputation in international commercial dispute resolution put it in good stead to find opportunities for local law practices. The small and medium-sized law practices, may, however, find it challenging to compete at this level, especially if they have not been involved in any international practice. During the last Committee of Supply (COS) debate, the Ministry indicated that it was working with the Law Society more specifically to identify how to strengthen small and medium-sized law firms. I believe there was a six-month Legal Industry Needs Study carried out to identify the technology and capability needs of these practices. I would like to enquire more about the details of the outcome of the study. I note the Tech Start for Law Programme jointly announced by MinLaw, the Law Society and the Standards, Productivity and Innovation Board (SPRING) Singapore. I am happy to hear about this. I would like to find out more about how the Ministry is supporting the small and medium-sized law practices, especially in the areas of technology adoption and business capabilities. There are many different sectors within the legal industry. It would be useful for Singapore law practices to be guided on the emerging needs and trends of the legal industry in the future economy. What steps will the Ministry take to ensure continued growth and development of the different sectors within the industry?”
“As we navigate the uncertain times ahead and the future economy, we must always remember the vulnerable in our community and ensure that there are continued efforts to support them. One group that we should not lose sight of are those incarcerated and their families. I believe it is important to continue ensuring that there are proper rehabilitation and support upon release from prison so that they can continue living their lives and participate in the future economy just like everyone else. Difficulties in getting a job or stable income in a challenging economy can contribute towards some segments of the community succumbing to committing a crime, drug abuse or re-offend. In this regard, I believe it is important to review the efforts in tackling offending, re-offending and drug abuse. We should look at these holistically and see if there can be collaborations and partnerships with community organisations. Within the Malay/Muslim community, we see organisations, such as Pertapis and Jamiyah, supporting this effort. More can be done to involve some Malay/Muslim organisations in helping individuals and families in this area. I would like to ask about the Ministry's current efforts with the Malay/Muslim organisations and whether there are plans to work with them further on this matter. The Necessary Battle against Drugs”
“Three, there were queries on the chain of command and the extent to which the community can take initiatives. Perhaps, more resolution can be given in future trainings. I believe coordination of the exercises can be improved. I would like to hear the Ministry's efforts to train the community leaders. On the issue of multiracial and multi-religious sensitivities which I spoke about earlier, like Mr de Souza, I also read about the recent case where an imam was alleged to have made offensive remarks about Christians and Jews, and we have seen reactions from netizens. Would the Ministry be able to give information on this case? Grading for Security Agencies”
“From my conversations with people, there appears to be an increased awareness of SGSecure. It is important to ensure that everyone remains vigilant and aware of what needs to be done in the event of a terror attack. I, therefore, would like to know the update on the implementation of SGSecure. Are there means to measure the level of awareness and preparedness of the community? I note grassroots and community leaders are being trained to equip them with the knowledge and skills to handle a terror crisis. Multiracial and multi-religious sensitivities may arise and community leaders play an important role to ensure that the community stays strong and united. The Community Emergency and Engagement Committees (C2E Committees) and the Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circles (IRCCs) have undergone some exercises to learn about handling the situation in the days following a terror attack. I was fortunate to observe these exercises and would like to highlight the following. One, the exercises were done separately for the C2E committees and IRCCs but there was overlap in the grassroots leaders and community organisations involved. The exercises were also similar and there did not appear to be a clear delineation of the roles the different committees play. Perhaps, there could be better coordination of what is to be done by the different groups on the ground. Two, the information on the community networks that can be relied on to provide support during times of emergency was not updated. Following from the exercises, the community leaders were asked to continue building and updating their networks within their local communities. It would be useful to provide them with specific guidance on how they should go about doing this.”
“We must always maintain a good relationship with our neighbours and colleagues so that we can rely on the strong bond that we built when we are faced with challenges. (In English): I note that Minister Heng had said that we will take a learning and adaptive approach, try new methods, continue with them when they work well, cut losses when they do not and draw on feedback and experience to adjust and refine our plans. I believe this would also refer to our social policies as well. This is a practical approach and it is important in ensuring that we keep pace with the uncertain and changing world. I stand in support of this Bill.”
“However, recently, I have seen a change in the mindsets and attitudes of our community. Many of them frequently asked about opportunities to upgrade themselves and many have taken the step to acquire new skills. This awareness should be increased and guidelines to understand and use the available resources should be made clear. In this regard, I feel that the Malay-Muslim bodies can play an important role in providing the assistance and platform for our community to prepare themselves in acquiring the knowledge and skills to face the new economy. There are, indeed, efforts being done. For instance, the establishment of the Future Ready Unit at Majlis Pendidikan Anak-Anak Islam (MENDAKI) and the SkillsFuture Service Touchpoint at the Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP). These efforts must be continued and expanded. My view is that every Malay-Muslim body needs to be aware of our nation's development and direction at the national level. Programme planning and framework structuring must be in line with the direction that our country is heading to, so that we can help our community progress and be able to compete together with the other communities in this large family that we call Singapore. Another issue that I think is important for us to think about is the social changes sweeping across the world today. There are events happening in other countries that may have an impact on the lives of Singaporeans, for instance, and in particular, the spread of Islamophobia. Singapore is unlike other countries because our society is different. As a society, we treasure the harmony among the different races and religions. Nonetheless, we cannot take this sense of comfort for granted. Constant effort is required to foster inter-racial relations.”
“At this juncture, I declare that I am a board member of the Singapore Environmental Council. I am of the view that any future efforts need to be realistic and sustainable. The programmes need to connect with the people on the ground. Two issues that have been raised in the past few years can be revived or rolled out in a more sustainable manner: (a) dealing with food wastage and (b) the over-use of plastic bags. I would like to hear more about the Government's plans in these areas and any future efforts to sustain environmental awareness in Singapore. My third point relates to harnessing our existing resources in the community. In the past one and a half years as a Member of Parliament, I have been approached by several young people, some of them living in my estate and who are looking to do projects to help the community. This is heartening and such enthusiasm should be nurtured and encouraged. I note there are many existing programmes for youths and platforms for them to express their views and obtain grants to carry out community projects. At the local level, more can be done. Grassroots organisations, VWOs and charities can work together with youths within the neighbourhood to create solutions that can benefit the local community. Mdm Speaker, allow me to say a few words in Malay. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Over the past year, I had the chance to chat with and engage many people, including students, grassroots leaders, professionals, volunteers and housewives from the Malay-Muslim community. Initially, I was worried because I observed a lack of concern or sense of urgency about the ever-changing economic situation and the need to upskill to tackle the new economy.”
“I, therefore, support the plans in strengthening community bonds by enhancing the funding and development of capabilities to VWOs, charities and self-help groups. It is important to extend the support and funding to organic groups as well. Last year, there was mention of Our Singapore Fund. I would like to hear about the usage of this fund and whether there are plans to develop it further. This leads me to my second point, about rallying people to help one another. It is very easy for people to forget about others when they are caught up with their own issues and difficulties. Most times though, people can support one another and there are always avenues to pay it forward. There should be efforts to create and promote a culture of giving back to the community through education and conversations with people in the community. I laud efforts like SGCares and hope it gains stronger momentum amongst Singaporeans. On the ground, we can continue to develop platforms for people to give a little time and support to others. For example, at Bukit Batok East, we have Project Giveaway Gateway initiated by the Youth Executive Committee. It is basically a platform for residents to make Requests and Offers and the Community Club will assist to match the needs and offers of support. At the end of last year, the team organised a Back-to-School edition and many residents came forward to purchase vouchers for school shoes which are then donated to children from needy families. People should also be encouraged to continue taking care of the environment. In keeping with the theme of a Budget for the future, I am happy to see the initiatives which pave the way towards a greener Singapore. I trust there will be further efforts introduced to continue encouraging environmental consciousness.”
“In this regard, there are three main areas I wish to address. One, how do we help the vulnerable and disadvantaged in our community survive in the competitive economy? Two, how do we rally people to care about one another and the environment while they face their own challenges? Three, how can we harness existing resources within the community, in particular, amongst the young, to work together to build Singapore's future? My first point relates to those who may be vulnerable or disadvantaged in our community. It is important for us to ensure that they do not get left behind in our race to develop our economy. This may sound cliche, but it is real. Who will be disadvantaged? I am referring to the elderly who have to struggle with the technological and digital developments; the children from low-income families whose parents may not have the time and money to send them to enrichment classes; persons with disabilities which may inhibit them from participating actively in the competitive job market; caregivers of the elderly who have to stay home to care for their loved ones. There is a whole spectrum of people with varying needs. The Government needs to ensure that it does not lose sight of them in crafting policies and programmes. The reality though is that it is unrealistic to expect the Government to extend help to every single individual. A more feasible way is to encourage the growth of a community network of support, with organised voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs) as well as organic groups. These groups or people can help fill in the gaps by looking out for those who need support and provide the help when needed.”
“I do not intend to paint a gloomy picture. In the cases I mentioned, some guidance and support are being given to the individuals and families. I also know of a lot of people who have overcome difficulties and I believe that people do need to take personal responsibility to improve their circumstances. But the point I would like to make is that we will always have to keep in mind the day-to-day issues people face and ensure that the translation of our policies can alleviate these concerns. Budget 2017 sets out a broad roadmap for the way forward as a nation. It has been described by some as a Budget for the Uncertain Future. In his speech, the Minister for Finance, Mr Heng Swee Keat, said that Budget 2017 outlines how we can thrive in an uncertain and rapidly changing world. It is a call for all of us to pull together − the Government, firms, unions, community organisations and individuals ‒ with everyone doing his part. He added that our bonds will help us develop greater resilience in the face of unexpected shifts and improve our ability to adapt. There are gems within the Budget with regard to the plans to re-energise the economy. I have faith that the efforts in industry transformation, internationalisation, improving capabilities of businesses and workers will go a long way in building a stronger economy. However, the Budget is not just about the economy and fiscal needs but should also be a roadmap on society's values and support network. I am happy to note that the Budget had also covered plans on building a caring and inclusive society. I feel that it is important that we give a little more attention to this aspect and consider the development of our social policies in light of the changing trends in the world.”
“Mdm Speaker, like many of my colleagues in this House, I sought and received feedback and comments from residents and many others about the Budget. There are concerns about rising costs of living and great discomfort with the uncertain times ahead and the changes that Singaporeans are expecting to go through. I think it is clear to Singaporeans that it is not business as usual. People are more aware of the deep shifts in the world with the advances in technology and the disruptions to traditional businesses and jobs. The shopkeepers in my estate know that business is dwindling partly because people now buy online. Most of them are old and their children are generally not interested in taking over the business. They are not sure whether to continue to invest in the business, especially as they are uncertain as to how long more they can sustain the lease. Some shopkeepers are concerned about future income. A resident I met recently sought help to re-enter a course he signed up for to upgrade himself. He failed to meet the grades required of the school and was terminated a few months into the course. He knows he has to work hard to keep up, but picking up a new skill and studying while still working are challenging. I also know of a young couple with seven young children. The husband is the sole-breadwinner. He is keen to find a better paying job and his wife is also keen to work to supplement the family's income. However, they are saddled with bills and debts and have no alternative options for childcare. They are, therefore, struggling to survive and have difficulties making the time to upskill so that they can participate actively in the future economy. These are some real day-to-day concerns and struggles faced by our fellow Singaporeans.”
“These are useful measures in the right direction to regulate campaign conduct. In conclusion, I wish to highlight that in the course of our discussions on the Elected Presidency, there was an awareness that we could do better in maintaining our race relations in Singapore. We are not race-blind, we are not there yet. The discussion on minority representation for the Elected Presidency system has created an openness to talk about something that used to be perceived as a sensitive topic, such as race. It made us a bit uncomfortable to think about the current state of affairs but it had pushed us to think about issues a bit more. What is heartening for me is that at the core of the discussions is a great desire to see Singapore embrace its multiracial, multicultural and multi-religious identity. There was a firm acknowledgment of our commitment to make Singapore a place for all races, and I think this is worth reflecting on and would be a galvanising force to rally people to decide on what is best for Singapore. We should continue to take positive steps to work towards our vision of being race-blind. I believe that with the continued effort, we can and will make Singapore a place where the people remain united, regardless of race or religion. Mdm Speaker, I support this Bill.”
“I would like to seek a clarification on whether there will be an opportunity for an applicant to present further facts to the Community Committee or the sub-committee in the event the applicant's application for a community certificate is rejected. In particular, clause 8H(9) appears to suggest that the applicant may not make another community declaration upon rejection except on the invitation of the Community Committee. Can the applicant request for a further invitation? Secondly, I would like to recap the findings and proposals made by the Constitutional Commission on the rules governing election campaigns for the Presidency. The Commission had, among other things, proposed that there be rules to regulate campaigning methods, with a view to tempering divisiveness of the election process and ensuring that campaigning remains consistent with the role of the President as a symbol of national unity and which preserves the dignity associated with the highest office of the land. The Commission had also proposed that certain laws be enacted for candidates to make explicit declaration on their understanding of the constitutional role of the President, make it an offence for candidates to make promises or take positions that are incompatible with the office of President and impose a regime of sanctions. I see merit in the proposals made by the Commission to avoid divisive campaigning and giving misinformation about the President's role to the public. I, therefore, welcome and am happy to note the amendments that clause 6, with regard to the statutory declarations required of the candidate, and clause 17 on election advertising. I am also happy to hear that there will be some adjustments made to allow for more national airtime for the Presidential candidates.”
“He also spoke about how minorities should also play their part and not become exclusive. This view is stated in the context of discussing the issue of xenophobia and extremist views. However, I feel that this message shows how important it is for us to always be sensitive and conscious of the collective responsibility to continue efforts to strengthen interracial relations. This is our shared responsibility. Therefore, although we may have different views on other issues, we can come together and resolve to preserve our identity as a multiracial society. (In English): Following the Prime Minister's announcement on the proposal to review the Elected Presidency, an independent Constitutional Commission conducted a thorough review which culminated in a very detailed report. This report not only gave me an insight into the diversity of views on the matter, but also a better understanding of the Elected Presidency in Singapore. In the wake of the Government's White Paper in response to the Constitutional Commission Report, I engaged in numerous discussions with many Singaporeans on the issue in my personal capacity, and as well as an MP. I had shared my reflections and observations during the debates at the Second Reading of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill. After a very intensive debate during that Reading, the Bill was passed, and we are already now looking at the specific amendments in the Presidential Elections (Amendment) Bill. I stand in support of this Bill. I just have several clarifications and observations which I wish to make. Firstly, I refer to clauses 8G and 8H, in particular, 8G(4d) and 8H(9). I also note clause 8J.”
“Mdm Speaker, allow me to begin in Malay. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Following the Prime Minister's announcement early last year about the proposal to review the Elected Presidency, a Constitutional Commission was formed to study this matter. This Commission submitted a very detailed Report and suggested several changes. The Report was then studied by the Government, which also produced a White Paper as its response to the Report. The issue of the review to the Elected Presidency was intensively debated within and outside of Parliament. After three days of debates in Parliament, amendments to the Constitution that made changes to the Elected Presidency were passed. We have now reached the stage where we amend the Presidential Elections Act. In general, I support this amendment. Nonetheless, I feel that it is important for us to think about the fundamental issues that were raised during the debates on the Elected Presidency. Regardless of any view on this matter, we cannot deny that the discussions that we had together as one people have sparked an awareness about the important things in our lives within a multiracial society. We have not reached the ideal state where everything is perfect, and the efforts to forge interracial relations is a work-in-progress, especially in the context of an ever-changing world. We can see the challenges in other countries, and we need to prepare our people to overcome those challenges. Here, I would like to take the opportunity to echo what was stated by Minister K Shanmugam recently. During a discussion at the symposium organised by the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), he asked that Singaporeans, as a society, remain committed in protecting our minorities.”
“Further, any concerns of Presidential Elections being politicised can be dealt with through honing the rules governing election campaigns. I would like to end off with a reflection on my third observation – the awareness that we are not there yet; we are not race-blind. I heard Mr Kok Heng Leun's passionate speech and I really feel him. Now that we know that we are not race-blind, what do we do about it? I feel that this discussion on minority representation for the Elected Presidency system has created an openness to talk about what used to be perceived as a sensitive topic like race. It made us a bit uncomfortable to think about the current state of affairs but it has pushed us to think about issues a little bit more. As Mr Murali had mentioned in his speech, there is much to be discussed about our religious practices, our common spaces. We should ride this wave and be open to engage in these discussions. And as Dr Tan Wu Meng had also said, we must be willing to take positive steps in our daily lives to connect with people from different races and religions. We should reflect on how we interact with our neighbours and friends who are different from us. How can we improve the existing interactions? How can we be more inclusive and be good examples to our children and grandchildren? We should continue to take positive steps to work towards our vision of being race-blind. I believe that with the continued effort, we can and will make Singapore a place where the people remain united regardless of race or religion. Mdm Speaker, I support this Bill.”
“I would, therefore, like to ask the Opposition whether they would actually support a reserved election for Malay candidates when it is put forth in the next Election. The proposed Bill reflects minimum intervention and does no more than necessary to achieve the aim of ensuring that all racial groups are represented in the Presidency. The hiatus-triggered mechanism allows for a natural sunset which means that it would recede in significance over time and, hopefully, one day, ceases to be necessary. In addition, all candidates are required to satisfy the same eligibility criteria and this ensures that our commitment to meritocracy is not compromised. I note the importance of the custodial role of the Elected President. The position of the Elected President in Singapore is, indeed, unique. This role has served Singapore well in shaping the politics in this nation. Other models, in particular, the proposal for a senate brings with it other complications, including potential for a gridlock down the road as well as further politicisation with an increased number of people who are, effectively, as what Dr Janil Puthucheary called "custodial presidents". The proposal put forth must be one wherein the implications have been fully thought through. I am not certain that the senate is a healthy introduction to the Singapore political system, especially when the mechanics and the impact of the same are not completely clear. Lastly, I believe that the tension between the symbolic role and the custodial role of the Elected President can be addressed, especially if the candidate is clear about his duties and role. The candidates must demonstrate to the electorate his or her ability to balance these roles. And our past Elected Presidents have demonstrated that the balance is possible.”
“Sure, not everyone in the community feels this way. However, I believe many Malays do. At every single dialogue session I have had with members from the Malay community, participants would express their desire to see a Malay President in office. When the Prime Minister announced yesterday that the next Presidential Election would be reserved for the Malay community, there was a buzz of excitement among many in the community. At this juncture, I note that in the debate in this House so far, there appears to be a general agreement in this House regarding the importance of the symbolic role of the President. There also appears to be an acceptance that it is important for someone or some entity to play a custodial role to safeguard our Reserves and the integrity of the Public Service. There is also a general agreement that there needs to be a direct mandate from the people, via an election to perform this custodial role. So, the issue is: how do we do it? And again, the key question is: what is best for Singapore? I started out by saying I was apprehensive when announcements about the review of the Elected President system was made. Despite my earlier reservations, I am fully supportive of this Bill. I set out my reasons. I have come to appreciate that there is a need to make changes to the current Elected President system. In particular, I believe there is an important need to address the issue of minority representation in the office of the President. I believe that the changes put forth address these needs and promote multiracialism by introducing a concept of racial representation in the Elected President's office.”
“Some felt that such a step would be counter-productive for the minorities as their capabilities would be called into question and this would be unhealthy for the country as a whole. I would add that those who held these views included members from the minority communities. On the other hand, others felt that this is a pragmatic step forward. We could see from examples around the world that managing racial differences is not an easy matter with no easy solution. In Singapore, too, there were challenging times but over the years, there has been much peace and understanding among the different racial groups. So, many lauded the deliberate efforts the Government had taken over time to manage racial differences and encourage racial integration in Singapore. Many understood the need to take certain steps to maintain our multiracial identity. The step to ensure racial representation in the office of the Elected President is one such deliberate effort. What is heartening for me is that at the core of these arguments, is a great desire to see Singapore embrace its multiracial, multicultural and multi-religious identity. There was a firm acknowledgment of our commitment to make Singapore a place for all races. I think this is worth reflecting on and would be a galvanising force to rally people to decide on what is best for Singapore. So, what is the best for Singapore? We could choose to let nature take its course and let the various communities in Singapore evolve. Or we could be proactive to address the elephant in the room. Is there an issue, one may ask? I believe there is. As I mentioned, my second observation is that there is a keen desire to see a representative from one's community to become President. It is symbolic but very important.”
“Following the Prime Minister's announcement, an independent Constitutional Commission conducted a thorough review which culminated in a 153-page report, excluding the annexes. This report not only gave me an insight to the diversity of views on the matter, but also a better understanding of the role of the Elected President in Singapore. In the wake of the Government's White Paper in response to the Constitutional Commission report, I engaged in numerous discussions with many Singaporeans on the issue; in my personal capacity and as a Member of Parliament. I would like to share and reflect on my observations at these discussions, more specifically, on the sentiments regarding race representation in the Elected President system. I made three main observations. Firstly, there are clearly many different views on the matter. But I saw a common thread in these different views – everyone agrees that it is important to preserve multiracialism in Singapore. Secondly, the desire for a representative from one's community to sit in the highest office of the land is real. It may be unspoken at times, but it is real. Thirdly, the discussion on this aspect of the Elected Presidency has awakened an awareness about the actual state of affairs in Singapore. We are not race-blind yet. With regard to my first point, in the discussions, some felt that the proposal to ensure a reserved election for a certain race ran against the grain of our Singaporean values. It appears to contradict our commitment to meritocracy and is seen to be a regressive step in building a multiracial, race-blind nation. People can decide regardless of race or religion, they say.”
“For me, this is just a step towards the effort to emphasise the importance of our identity as a multiracial society. The Malay community is part of our plural society. Having an Elected President who is Malay is an important signal to the country and to the whole world. We should not just stop here. Certainly, we have to think about the positive steps that can be taken to improve our community's quality of life and strengthen interracial relations. The Malay/Muslim community should continue to work hard so that we can produce future generations that are of a high calibre and are able to compete. We have already seen progress year after year. I am confident that if we strengthen our resolve and efforts, we will continue to see more of our Malays becoming leaders in various fields and who will play a leading role in this country. (In English): When the matter of the review of the Elected Presidency was first raised by the Prime Minister earlier this year, I was apprehensive. In particular, I had concerns with the issue of ensuring minority representation in the office of the Elected President. I was concerned about the sentiments towards the minorities if we took what is perceived as "affirmative action". I was worried about the impact on the Malay community especially. In his speech, Minister Yaacob Ibrahim explained the concerns of the Malay/Muslim community. I can relate to this and it truly reflects the sentiments on the ground. I had expressed in my maiden speech in Parliament that the Malay community would not want a Malay to be President just because of his or her race. The Elected President should be there because he or she is the best for the job.”
“Mdm Speaker, allow me to begin in Malay. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] When our Prime Minister Lee spoke about the review of the Elected Presidency, I voiced my concern about the proposal to have a process to ensure that there is representation from the minority groups. In my maiden Parliamentary speech, I said that although we want to see representation from our Malay community, we would like our Malay representative to be selected because he or she is the best person, and not just because he or she is a Malay. We do not want the selection to be merely a symbolic one. During the discussions at various dialogue sessions on the changes to the Elected Presidency, I was able to see a variety of views from the community regarding this matter. I also heard some concerns from our Malay/Muslim community. Some said that they were worried about being given special treatment in this matter which is not in line with our system of meritocracy. Some said that many Malays may not qualify and may not fulfil the established criteria. Some said that we should see Malays in various careers and fields, and not just for the office of the President. I think that these discussions have definitely created awareness about important issues related to our lives within a plural society. We have not yet reached the ideal state where everything is perfect. Nonetheless, we must not lose hope. We must continue to make the effort and have constructive discussions so that we can continue to improve this situation. Yesterday, when the Prime Minister announced that the upcoming Presidential Elections will be reserved for Malays, there was a feeling of joy in our community. This shows that the community welcomes this change.”
“[Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] So, what is your basis and your stand? The issue that you presented was that you felt that it was important to speak about the concerns of the Malay community on this issue. And later, when you spoke about the issue, you now say that you do not agree to have a reserved election for the Malay community. How can this Senate improve and take care of the concerns of the Malay community compared to the proposals by the Government?”
“[Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Yes, you have stated that you do not agree. But does this not show that what was stated by the report of the Commission is just a basis and there are many alternatives or ways for us to resolve this issue, which includes the suggestion given by the Government? Now, you are moving towards another suggestion, which is to create another body, which will also be elected by the people, because as you said, if we give the custodial role to someone, that person has to get a mandate from the people. That person has to be elected in an election in order to get the full mandate before they can do their job. So, this is an issue. Why do we have to create a separate body and, by virtue of having this other body, will also bring about other problems? So, I would like a clarification. And in addition, you mentioned earlier, during an election, in relation to the President's role, there were some suggestions raised, that is, how certain issues can come out and how it can be politicised. But you did not say that the suggestion provided in the Commission's report was to have changes in the rules. So, you are simply cherry-picking what you like, but you did not explain fully how, on the whole, it will be better than the proposals by the Government.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. In Malay, please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mr Faisal Manap mentioned in his speech just now that among the issues raised in the report by the Commission was the issue of conflict between the President's symbolic and custodial roles and that was why they gave certain recommendations to have an unbundling or separation of duties. But in the report, they also mentioned how to try to balance these duties that seem to conflict. And in addition, what they recommended is an appointed body. It is not similar to the suggestion by WP, that is, a Senate. So, can the Member please clarify what is his view about this – because he kept referring to the report by the Constitutional Commission but the suggestions that he proposed are not at all similar to what the Commission suggested?”
“In our Prime Minister Mr Lee Hsien Loong's speech during Mr Nathan's 90th birthday, Mr Lee spoke about how Mr Nathan always nurtured young seedlings into mature trees wherever he went. This is a wonderful trait because, by sharing knowledge, we can help build the next generation of our country and leave a meaningful legacy. Thirdly and lastly, I am touched by Mr Nathan's concern towards those around him. This is evident in everything that he did throughout his career and during his Presidency. It is important that we inculcate this spirit of caring and having concern among our people. We must help one another and stay united, so that our country can continue to be strong on the international platform. My condolences to the family of the late Mr SR Nathan. I am certain that, although he is no longer with us, his spirit and the noble values that he instilled will become an enduring legacy for Singaporeans. (In English): Mrs Nathan and family, my sincerest condolences to you. Thank you very much for sharing Mr Nathan with us. I believe although he is not with us today, his values, strength and courage will remain in all Singaporeans.”
“Mdm Speaker, allow me to deliver my speech in Malay. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Singapore lost a leader and community icon who was very much loved. Our former President, Mr SR Nathan was the sixth President of Singapore and held office for two terms. Mr Nathan's warm and friendly demeanour made people feel very comfortable with him. During his term as the President, he managed to win the hearts of all our people. In his speeches as the President, he always spoke about the importance of social cohesion. He urged all of us to continue to preserve the harmony among the different races and religions, and also constantly called on us to stay united whenever we faced challenges. He was very concerned about the wellbeing of those who are less fortunate. Hence, our former President established the President's Challenge to encourage the spirit of being concerned and the spirit of volunteerism amongst our people. As we mourn the loss of a much-loved leader of the people, we can also draw lessons from his life story and continue to celebrate the noble values that he instilled throughout his service to our nation. Personally, there are three things that I feel that we can learn from Mr Nathan and use them as a guide as well as practise them. First, the ability to overcome difficulties and the constant desire to upgrade oneself. Many people are aware about his challenging life as a young boy before World War II. He went through the war and post-war periods, with the determination to obtain education and upgrade himself. He continued to acquire knowledge throughout his career and contributed to many sectors. This is something that we can emulate. Secondly, the desire to instil knowledge into the younger generation.”
“By putting the existing law clearly into statute and by raising the prescribed maximum punishment which can be imposed by the State Courts and the Family Courts, this creates a greater deterrent effect and sends a strong signal to recalcitrant judgment debtors. I believe that the Bill will ensure that vulnerable parties like women and children, who are not receiving maintenance that they are entitled to, will receive the full protection of the justice system. In this regard, I would just like to seek a small clarification on one matter. The threat of a fine or imprisonment is a strong deterrent to the recalcitrant debtors but, ultimately, may not lead to the judgment debt being paid. Does the Ministry of Law have any further plans to make enforcement of Court orders more effective? Notwithstanding my request for clarification, Mdm Speaker, I support this Bill.”
“Even baseless accusations, especially if repeatedly made, can affect people's confidence in the Judiciary. We cannot allow for the erosion of this confidence. The Minister for Law had earlier taken the time to explain that the proposed provisions do not prohibit fair and even harsh criticisms of decisions or reasoning of the Court. What is prohibited is very narrow. It is one thing to disagree with the decisions but another to allow for space to scandalise the Court. We may not see it now, but if we stop being less strict about what is said about the integrity, propriety or impartiality of our Courts, perceptions may be created, even if untrue. Over time, people will lose respect. If this happens, we will jeopardise the sanctity of judgments issued by the Courts. Moving on to my third point. In the course of my practice, I have seen a significant number of Court orders, especially maintenance orders in the Family Courts, not being obeyed. I had to console and advise many clients on enforcement proceedings and had to face many clients expressing their disappointment with the paper judgments they received, which may be in their favour but did not improve the situation they were in. This is especially heart-wrenching when it involves issues relating to the children. Significant reforms have been implemented in the Family Courts over the years to improve enforcement of Court orders, with more modes of enforcement of maintenance orders, such as attachment of earnings order. However, we still see judgment debtors who are simply recalcitrant.”
“On my first point, I am of the humble opinion that we should be unabashed with the firm stance taken in relation to contempt of Court, be it by way of disobeying Court orders, sub judice or by scandalising the Court. Our society places great weight in not saying the wrong things and taking responsibility for what one says. This is actually a virtue. This means you have to think more about what you want to say and take ownership and responsibility for your words and actions. It is not that uncertain. I do not agree that setting the law on contempt would inhibit robust discussions on matters of public interest. On the contrary, such laws would promote a more responsible discussion and reporting on matters before the Court at the appropriate time, which is probably after the trial, with the accurate facts when the facts have been determined. I have faith in our people finding the appropriate forum and manner to raise important and relevant issues that can improve our systems. We have always found a way to do it and will continue to do so. I note that there have been concerns raised about the exception for the Government to make statements necessary in the public interest. I would highlight that though there are legal limits to these rights and the Government cannot just say anything that it wants, it is circumscribed by what is necessary in the public interest, and the illustrations in the proposed provisions also provide guidance on this. With regard to my second point, I note that some have raised the argument that if our Judiciary is so well-trusted and respected, then why worry about sub judice and scandalising of the Courts? It is important to emphasise that such high levels of trust cannot be taken for granted.”
“Mdm Speaker, Singapore is governed by the rule of law, which basically means that the whole society is subject to the law and there is an understanding that everyone needs to adhere to the rules set. This concept or doctrine of rule of law is, however, not so straightforward and the manner in which it is interpreted and applied in Singapore has been the subject of considerable debate. I do not intend to unravel this debate today but would like to highlight the point made by the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew in his oft-quoted speech in 1962 to the University of Singapore Law Society. He highlighted the need to bridge the gulf between the ideal principle and its practice, given our sociological and economic milieu. He added that the acid test of any legal system is not the greatness nor the grandeur of its ideal concepts, but whether, in fact, it is able to produce order and justice in the relationships between man and man and between man and the state. It is against this setting that I would like to make the following points. One, our laws and rules need to fit the needs and norms of our society and we should not just follow what is set by other countries without appreciating our norms. Two, the trust and confidence in our legal system, in particular our Judiciary, is exceptionally high and we need to do our utmost to preserve that standing. Three, people, real people are significantly affected when orders of Court are not complied with and this Bill sends a strong signal that disobedience of Court orders will not be tolerated, especially by recalcitrant judgment debtors.”
“So, it goes to show that we understand what is right and what is wrong. To the second question on what it is that we can do to tackle this problem, it is about integration, about coming together. Since 9/11, we have been working very hard, especially for the Malay/Muslim community, to reach out. Recently, Minister Shanmugam also asked for non-Malay Singaporeans to reach out. We know that integration is a two-way process. You can see the various efforts, not just by the Inter-Religious Organisation but the bottom-up movement in the community, in the constituencies, for people who want to reach out to one another. Earlier in my speech, I have responded that I think it is something we should have to inculcate from a very young age – a curiosity for others, to know who the people are around us, who are our neighbours, who are our friends. We should press on. If there is another incident, we are all responsible to condemn it and work together at it. Will we ever eradicate it? Well, look at the history of America, 200 years old and they still have problems. This is a work-in-progress but the most important thing is that everyone must see that this is their responsibility to prevent it from happening. On the part of the Malay/Muslim community, I would like to assure the House that our various institutions, MUIS, mosques, madrasahs, will continue to do our best to find ways and means to integrate with the wider community.”
“Mdm Chair, my question is directed to the Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs. In recent weeks, we have seen certain incidents affecting the Malay/Muslim communities, such as the attacks on the madrasah students as well as the incident with the management of a mall, Tampines One. I have read with concern the comments online following these events. Some from the Malay/Muslim community have also shared their concerns about discrimination against the community. I would like to know what is the Minister's take on this and what we can do to address the concerns. Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: Madam, we all realise that these are things which we do not want to happen in Singapore. They have happened unfortunately. There will always be pockets of people who, either through no fault of theirs or a mistake in terms of miscommunication, or, as in the case of the madrasah student, we have read reports that the person is a bit mentally Page: 48 challenged. While these events can never be prevented 100%, the most important thing is to see the reaction. What heartens me most was that a lot of Singaporeans came onboard and condemned those acts and they are from all races and all backgrounds. We know that multiracialism, respect for differences in Singapore, the ability to stay united for the last 50 years, are an important part of our existence as a small nation. We cherish it and we have to work hard at it. My take on it is that it is something which we should never condone. We should try and work together to prevent it from happening. The responses were very good to show a maturity that sometimes you cannot find in other societies. In the case of both incidents, you also find Singaporean Chinese coming forward condemning the act.”
“I would, therefore, like to ask what specific measures the Ministry would take in ensuring meaningful social mixing, interactions and discussions through the youth activities. What more can be done to ensure a sustainable and continued engagement and interaction among youths from diverse backgrounds, beyond just the activities which they participate in? Our call for embracing diversity and maintaining our multireligious and multicultural values need to go beyond platitudes. We need to make diversity our strength and not cause our fall. I have faith that we will be able to achieve this. But there needs to be effort by all to make a constant and conscious effort to encourage and embrace diversity. Developing Resilience of Youth”
“Chairman, as we write the next chapters for the next 50 years of Singapore, we will need to look at how, as a mature society, we handle diversity of views. Diversity can be a strength if energies can be synergised and used for the good of the people. However, it is also a potential divisive factor that can tear our social fabric. I am particularly concerned that we are starting to see vitriolic debates and conversations happening in the online space. I understand that these toxic exchanges do not necessarily reflect the current state of affairs offline or the mentality of the larger majority. However, I cannot help but worry that such airing of views reflects the unspoken thoughts of many. I am also concerned that the young, who grow up exposed to and dependent on information they obtain from the Internet may be impacted by the views online. It is, therefore, imperative that we create real-life platforms to bring youth from different backgrounds together so that they may interact, learn about one another and have open and frank conversations about their differences. I, therefore, laud efforts like the development of the OBS @ Coney Island which has the great potential of being the platform to encourage healthy and organic interactions amongst our youths. The SGFuture engagements have also been an excellent platform for discussions. Our hope lies with the young. We need to engage youths on matters that are important to them, especially since they will inherit the nation and should have a say in how the society develops. Beyond creating the platforms and spaces for them to interact, for there to be real discourse, I believe there also needs to be opportunities for more open debates and discussions.”
“Under the $1.5 billion Sports Facilities Master Plan announced in 2014, community sports facilities are supposed to be upgraded and rebuilt. Could the Minister clarify if there are any plans, especially for the swimming complex? Certainly, I hope that the next big announcement on sporting facilities will be for Yishun. Sports for Life”
“Sports Facilities Er Dr Lee Bee Wah (Nee Soon): Chairman, a five-storey regional library, a 20-court badminton hall, six swimming pools and a 5,000-seat stadium with a Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)-approved football pitch are some of the facilities residents can enjoy when the new Town Hub at Tampines opens progressively from the end of 2016. Whenever there is such news reported in the media, do you know what is the reaction of my residents? I will receive lots of emails. Yishun is one of the largest and fastest growing towns in Singapore. We have over 50,000 households today and nearly 6,000 households moving in this year and next. These new households will consist mainly of young adults and young families. They will have a very large demand for sporting facilities. Already, our existing facilities are not enough to cope with the population. Residents are finding it difficult to have access to their favourite venues and sports on a regular basis. Yishun urgently needs more sports facilities and in greater variety. There is only one swimming complex to serve the entire Yishun Town. It has only three pools which consist of one competition pool, one teaching pool and one wading pool. By contrast, Queenstown, which has about 20,000 fewer residential units, has a swimming complex with five pools. On top of that, residents told me that the pool is very rundown. When they go swimming with their friends and relatives in other parts of Singapore, they feel very envious of the beautiful and modern swimming pools elsewhere. They look forward to water play facilities like those in Jurong East Swimming Pool. I have been bringing up this request for a few years. The Yishun Swimming Complex urgently needs to be refurbished, redesigned and expanded.”
“Chairman, our Singaporean children are our gems and the hope for the nation. We should endeavour towards making their education and development holistic. I trust we can all agree that the education and development for the young are not limited to what is taught in school and through the school curriculum. It is our duty to make available as many learning opportunities as possible for our children so that they may be able to gain experience and exposure in different fields and grow up to be well-rounded individuals. One aspect of this learning journey must be exposure to the arts and culture. Early exposure to the arts and culture helps develop creativity, a strong sense of aesthetics and confidence in children. It also helps sustain their interest and appreciation for culture into adulthood. In the local context, this learning journey also serves as a platform for them to understand and appreciate the different cultures in Singapore and build their national identity. I also believe that the arts and culture should be made accessible to all children, including those from lower-income families. This endeavour could be a social leveller as all students, regardless of social background, are given the knowledge and exposure that contribute towards their holistic development. I am, therefore, of the view that there should be targeted efforts on the part of the Ministry to reach out to students and families with children to promote interest in the arts and culture. I would, therefore, like to find out more about the existing programmes that are in place for students and families and the Ministry's plans to reach out to this group.”
“Our mosques are not only a place where we seek tranquillity, but also a place for us to acquire religious knowledge. Mosques are also the key to a broader network in the provision of social assistance, including zakat, and to refer cases to the Social Service Offices (SSOs) and Family Service Centres (FSCs), if necessary. There is a very strong gotong royong spirit in our mosques. Many youths serve as volunteers in various mosque activities and operations, especially during Friday prayers. I am heartened to see such strong support from the community, because everyone in the community has a role to ensure that our mosques are safe and comfortable for all. The Minister announced an increase in the MBMF contributions last month and shared plans to improve the mosque institutions in the coming years, by increasing prayer space and improving the infrastructure for the convenience of the congregants, especially the elderly. Can the Minister elaborate on the progress of the Mosque Development Programme? In addition, can the Minister give an update on construction of the Maarof Mosque in Jurong West and the Yusof Ishak Mosque in Woodlands? During last year's COS, the Minister announced that we will build the Tampines North mosque and are looking at ways to deal with the shortage of prayer space in the Al-Istighfar mosque in Pasir Ris. Can the Minister provide more details about these plans and share with us what the community can expect in the next few years? Joint Madrasah System”
“Firstly, in respect of Court processes, I believe there is a need to review the processes and incorporate the use of technology, where appropriate. In particular, the Court may wish to consider introducing electronic or online filing of Court documents like how it is done in the Family Justice Courts and the State Courts. This is also in keeping with the national approach of embracing technology to improve productivity and enhancing service to the community. Processes like the registration process can be made simpler and faster and data collected can be stored and used at the next stage of proceedings, without requiring parties to provide the same information again. Secondly, there is a need to review and update AMLA and MMDR. The last amendment of AMLA came into effect in 2009. It is important to review whether the provisions match the existing circumstances of the community, as well as the current practice of the Court. Issues, such as jurisdiction, the hakam process, the talak declaration process, may be some of the areas that the Court may wish to review. It is useful to look at the existing procedures and forms and amend AMLA and MMDR accordingly, to make the process more expedient. It is important to do so, so that the Court can better serve the community. In light of the above, could the Minister share if there are plans to review and enhance the Syariah Court processes and amend AMLA or MMDR to clarify and streamline the legal procedures? Empowering a Cohesive and Progressive Muslim Community Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim (Nee Soon) (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Sir, our mosques play an important role in the lives of our community.”
“It is also important for counsellors and lawyers who are assisting divorcing couples to be trained and equipped with the necessary skills, so that they can give effective support and guidance to divorcing couples. (In English): Divorce rates have remained steady over the past few years. I believe that the Syariah Court, through its Marriage Counselling Programme, has helped in this regard. But not all marriages can be saved and the Syariah Court has embarked on several measures to help divorcing couples and to ensure the best interests of the children are met. Can the Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs give an update on some of these measures? We have also seen some developments in the Family Justice Courts in respect of child-centric initiatives, such as the introduction of Parenting Coordinators. Are there plans to mirror some of these developments and, in particular, in enhancing the capabilities of our practitioners, such as lawyers and the marriage counsellors? Enhancement of Syriah Court Processes The Syariah Court is a key institution in the Muslim community, dealing primarily with Muslim divorces. The powers of the Syariah Court are set out in the Administration of Muslim Law Act (AMLA) and the specific procedures are detailed in the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Rules (MMDR). The Court deals with couples and families and it has, over the years, developed its procedures to enhance its services to the community. I believe that efforts can be put in place to further enhance the Court's delivery of services in two areas, namely: (a) through improvements to the Court's processes; and (b) through a review and update of AMLA and MMDR.”
“At last year's Committee of Supply (COS) debate, the Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs mentioned that the Ministry of Social and Family Development will be developing a Cinta Abadi enrichment framework targeted at Malay/Muslim couples in their first 10 years of marriage. Can the Minister give an update on this development? Counselling Programme at the Syariah Court (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Divorce rates have remained steady over the past few years. I believe that the Syariah Court's efforts in conducting counselling programmes have helped. However, usually, couples who go to the Syariah Court would have already decided to proceed with divorce and it is hard to save their marriage. Even so, it is important for us to ensure that their family relationship is preserved, especially if the couple have small children. The couple should discuss in a mature manner and come up with a plan for their children after they are divorced. Based on my past experience as a lawyer and as the Deputy Registrar at the Syariah Court, divorced couples are usually still angry and have difficulty talking to each other. This behaviour will have a negative effect on their children. Hence, efforts should be taken to provide support for these couples. The Syariah Court has embarked on several initiatives like discussing parenting plans during counselling and information sessions for those who have divorced. I think that there should be a sustained effort in this matter to provide support to couples who are divorcing, in order to take care of their children's well-being.”
“Thank you, Chairman. In Malay, please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Strong families are the foundation of a resilient community. Hence, efforts should be made to help families stay strong. It is important for the Government to provide specific programmes to help the community with this, especially for young couples. There are already Marriage Preparation Courses that couples who intend to get married have to attend. These courses are useful in preparing these couples so that they can receive some guidance and are encouraged to think about the important aspects of marriage. In order to ensure the effectiveness of this programme, a review and assessment should be done to see whether this programme has achieved its objectives and is well-received by couples who attend the courses. In addition, it is also important to ensure that there is a follow-up programme to help couples in the early years of their marriage. They may face challenges when dealing with issues like finances, relations with in-laws, plans for their children and so on. I hope that attention can be given to this group in order to help them go through the challenging times during their marriage and ensure that they stay together. (In English): Strong families are the foundation of a resilient community. It is thus important to invest in programmes to help families stay strong. I note that there are already in place Marriage Preparation Courses for couples to provide the guidance and support for those who intend to be married. Apart from these courses, I believe that it is also imperative that we give some support to couples with young children in the early years of their marriage. These couples have to cope with significant changes in their lives and may face some challenges.”