Seah Kian Peng
Singapore
“I thank the Senior Minister of State for his reply. Just a few supplementary questions. Given the decline in volume and given that I can understand SingPost having their challenges, how does the Ministry ensure that there is no degradation of services that are provided by SingPost?”
“Yet, violence, domination, pain, harm and abuse also occur within the walls of a family. We need to be vigilant and sensitive in our approach. Hard rules and automatic application of these rules are a poor response to the challenges that we face today.”
“Both parents and schools have a role to play in shaping our children in the way they should go and I agree with Mr Don Wee that it is important for families to have open conversations about these matters.”
“Just a quick supplementary question for the Senior Minister of State. First, I must say I am surprised but happy that the number of cases has gone down. Having said that, we need to also pay attention to the number of unreported cases. Personally, I am sure we have heard from many residents who come to us for these cases.”
“Second, we propose to put in place new processes to prevent the misuse of the MPA by parents who have abandoned, abused or neglected their children and did not fulfil their parental duties. In so doing, we also protect and spare their children from unnecessary distress.”
“The way we feed ourselves will not be the same. The way we live and the way we work will also be different – telemedicine, work from home, online learning and the need for insurance. But there are other things which will remain the same – resilience, unity, and a single-minded commitment to our joint future.”
The complete record
Every one of 752 lines we hold for Seah Kian Peng, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 4 of 16.
“Another reason again, one which distinguishes climate change from other pillars – is that it is not defence against any specific threat such as a malicious foreign actors, economic crises or cyber attackers. Rather, it is a defence against inexorable, environmental degradation that we can all play a part to fix. Climate change, like other threats, will affect all Singaporeans. But the good news is that everyone can also do their part to combat it, instead of solely relying on the Government. While seemingly small, individual actions can add to substantial contributions towards Singapore's fight against climate change. Reducing individual consumption and wastage is one such way. We can all make a conscious effort to reduce food waste as well as our plastic waste, of which the latter is unfortunately experiencing an increase, in my opinion, because of COVID-19 and shift towards e-commerce. Individuals are in a position to also set their own environmental targets and evaluate their lifestyles to see if they have achieved what they set out to do. As what Mr Louis Ng had said earlier, as a signatory to the Paris Climate Agreement, Singapore has demonstrated that despite being a small country, it has an interest in combating climate change and is very much committed to doing so. A common perception amongst many people is that Singapore is a small country and any action taken will not have a significant effect on climate change. But, if every country thinks this way, then nothing will be done. The consequences of that are unimaginable.”
“I supported this call during last year's Committee of Supply debate and continue to support it because I believe that it is an important step in Singapore's fight against climate change. There are three reasons: the first, because it is like all six other pillars; the second and third reasons, because it is so different. Like other types of threats that Singapore face, climate change and its associated effects such as rising sea levels pose clear and high-risk threats towards the well-being of Singapore and Singaporeans, as well as our way of life. This is seen in the 2019 National Day Rally where the Prime Minister, let me quote him – he said, "we should treat climate change defences like we treat the SAF – with utmost seriousness". So, it is quite clear that Prime Minister already then identified it as a climate emergency. Unlike threats such as terrorism, war and the current pandemic, climate change and environmental disasters do not have high salience. In fact, these issues face a perfect storm – low salience, high blame avoidance and very little chance for credit claiming. In addition, each person would feel that his own effort would probably not move the needle. Hence, many Singaporeans do not have climate change in the foreground issue and do not incorporate Climate Defence in their psyche. Placing climate change as a seventh pillar will give it priority and urgency. As a pillar of Total Defence, Climate Defence will be placed on the same pedestal as other threats. This sends a clear message to all Singaporeans about the importance of tackling climate change and how it should be a priority. More importantly, it underscores how a whole-of-society approach is needed to combat climate change and this leads me to the second significance.”
“Climate change is an important and significant issue confronting Singapore today, and it has become trite to use the word "existential" when it comes to the narrative in this House. Everything – because we are small – becomes a matter of life and death. Each Minister and each Member of Parliament, in our wards and constituencies, we have natural and understandable instincts to speak loudest, and feel strongest, about our own place and cause. But as a country, we must decide as a whole, what things are most important. Singapore's Total Defence was conceptualised in 1984 to underscore the importance of a whole-of-society approach to national security. The message was simple and clear; everyone has a part to play in protecting Singapore from internal and external threats. Up till 2019, Total Defence comprised five pillars. Digital Defence was subsequently added as a sixth pillar, a move that rightly reflected the need for Singaporeans to be aware and better equipped to handle online threats to Singapore society such as fake news. And so, today, our six pillars of Total Defence are: military, civil, economic, social, digital and psychological defence. Psychological Defence refers to our mind – each person's commitment to and confidence in the nation's future. Social Defence to our links with each other – in harmony and with a strong idea of our common interests. Economic Defence is about jobs – Government, business and industry working all working together for joint prosperity. Digital Defence, Civil Defence and Military Defence are three rings of national security, making sure all of us are defending our key interests in cyberspace, in emergencies and in times of war. Today, I am asking this House to consider adding another pillar – Climate Defence.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of the Motion put forth by my fellow Member of Parliament, Mr Louis Ng. Climate change requires collective action. All of us acting in concert, with resolution and most importantly, with wide agreement on the sorts of policy and behaviour that we must all adopt. As we have seen in the current pandemic, even in matters of life and death there is sometimes room for non-compliance, for ways to "get around", learning how to bend, if not break the rules. So, why do we do this? Public health is a funny creature of collective action. It requires all of us to play our part and together we benefit. It is vulnerable too – if the few do not comply, the many suffer. And because it is a matter of health, we sometimes pay the highest price. And yet – people disregard this cost – because they think they are not the ones to pay it. Because of this lack of direct link between the cause of harm and the final person who bears the burden, public health outcomes require strong regulatory intervention and social pressures. The environment is another peculiar sort of creature of collective action. It is what we would call a "common pool resource" – a sort of thing which everyone extracts benefits from, with almost no cost, but whose value is degraded with each use. Unlike a pandemic, however, this creature is even more vulnerable because its voice is very, very soft. The price too is high but paid in generations, so each one does not think of the final tally. The harm too is great, but borne uneven – so that even as some die because of air pollution, others live in air-conditioned comfort. And so, power and justice come apart.”
“But it is more than money which, no doubt, is useful and will complement the various support schemes that the Government is extending to help the many different groups of individuals. Beyond this, I would also call out to companies and organisations which are doing well to also help others, especially the SMEs, to do well, too. So, again, if I can use Fairprice as an example, we have in place the SME Suppliers Support and Development Programme primarily to help small local SMEs. First introduced in 2009, the programme gives more favourable trading terms to some 485 SMEs, such as paying them earlier than normal. Here, I would like to make a shout-out to all to, where possible, support local firms, local producers and local products. This, in part, is to help our local economy, create jobs, strengthen our local products' resiliency plans and more. So, again, as you know, I am also the Group CEO of NTUC Fairprice, we, too, try to play our part. As an example, whilst Singapore imports some 75% of its eggs from overseas, mostly from Malaysia, at Fairprice, about 55% of all eggs sold are from local farms. An egg is an egg. But I feel proud each time I eat one from our local farms. And I do love eggs. President Halimah said, “Singapore can endure and secure her place in history, only if Singaporeans feel passionately about our country and put our hearts and souls into making this a better home.” This feeling for Singapore is not something abstract. It lies in the friends we play football with, the eggs we eat, the trust we have in our public servants; it is that feeling of when we are being kind to one another and, perhaps, most of all, when we are proud of the “Made in Singapore” brand. Sir, I support the Motion. 5.05 pm”
“President Halimah herself said this in her Address and I quote, “We are entering an era of volatility, uncertainty and disruption in people’s lives. Individuals will need greater social support than before.” The temptation is to construct this support by having yet more schemes, yet more rules. What I am arguing for is the reverse of rules – fewer rules, more discretion and kindness. Next, I want to talk about SMEs and how we can look out for each other. So, this same philosophy of kindness and looking out for each other can also apply in the world of business. If I now put on my hat as the Group CEO of NTUC Enterprise, let me just share how, in our own little ways, we have done so through our various NTUC entities: Orange Aid, which is part of NTUC Income, works with community partners through social investment in programmes that contribute to empowering youth-in-need through education. Orange Aid’s flagship, Future Development Programme (FDP), supports tertiary students from ITE and Polytechnics from the lowest income households in Singapore. Beyond providing financial assistance for their school fees and living expenses, Orange Aid also equips them with financial literacy skills and giving them personalised career guidance. For this year, Orange Aid will be giving out bursary awards amounting to over $1 million. Moving to education, our NTUC First Campus’ Bright Horizons Fund, they give out about $1.75 million this year, 50% higher than last year and, in the process, this will help some 4,700 children from the lower income households. For NTUC Fairprice Foundation, we will be increasing our donations this year to the tune of over $6 million.”
“This is the emotional labour which defines our days and nights as Members of Parliament. It is our mission to bear what cannot be borne alone and to be the "only hope" for our residents, so that they do not lose hope nor the will to carry on. It is an honourable purpose and I ask for the Civil Service to join us in one very specific way. I ask for civil servants and officers in Statutory Boards to be given more authority to exercise discretion. I also ask that they be given some leeway to "make mistakes" that is, to err on the side of being kind. I also urge for all of us, members of the public, everyone, well to put it bluntly, to calm down! Every couple of days, there is a moral panic – someone showing how virtuous, how right, how generous they are and how hard they fight for the underdog. Often, there is a villain of the piece – the rich driver of the big car, someone who is the wrong place, said the wrong things, the heartless, hapless civil servant, or the politician. Politicians signed up for this and we must be tough enough to take whatever criticism whenever we are called to account. But for agencies and officers, if they are to exercise greater discretion, it might perhaps be useful to have and rely on groups of volunteers and social workers who visit and assess hard cases, so that those who fall through the cracks will receive the help they need in an expeditious manner. These cracks they fall through are not wide. Indeed, over the years, MCYS and, now, MSF and many other parts of the Civil Service, they have already covered many holes and made any cracks a lot very narrow. However, the current cracks are not just narrow but they are very now specifically shaped. We cannot address these by ever increasing the number of rules.”
“After she was discharged, she still has to take care of her husband in his daily needs with her daughter's help. Yes, this resident is the old man’s wife. The old man had had a fall and was admitted to a hospital and later a community hospital. To be allowed to go home, he needed someone who can take care of him at home. But she cannot take care of herself, let alone her husband. So, they have to put him in a home. What about the daughter? She unfortunately also had major surgery and a serious illness. But she did not want to tell her mother and add on to her worries. She works as a freelancer but does not have many jobs now because of the current pandemic. Looking at this family from the outside, the social worker may think that they want to push away their responsibilities and put the old man in a nursing home. The fact is that they have no ability and no money to take care of him. What follows is a heartfelt note from my Residents Committee (RC) Chair who knows the family well and has been helping them for a while. She wrote to me and this was just a few days ago and I quote her, "I feel for them, can understand how helpless they are now. They wanted to take care of their father and husband but their own health does not allow them. They felt sad sending him to a home but they are left with no choice." I read this email over and over again, especially the last line. And I quote her again, "I really don't know how to move forward to help them after trying all I can; Mr Seah, you are our only hope now. So sorry you need to read this; it is like an essay with so many words. Thank You. Stay Safe." All of us on both sides of the House would have read or seen cases like these – so many words, but still, not enough to write out a solution.”
“There is a rising culture of blame, finger pointing and moral panic in our society. As a result, there is a corresponding increase in risk aversion among our public servants. This is not a criticism but a vote of sympathy on my part. If you do not make an exception for a case, you are hard-hearted and ruthless. If you do, and you are taken in by a fake application, you are a simpleton being duped and lax with public monies. The pain is real. Let me give you an example. Suppose you had a case, an appeal for subsidies for a sheltered home for an old man. He is already in a home and under the care of a social worker. You speak with the man's wife and his daughter. One of the eligibility criteria for a subsidised sheltered home is that the senior is living alone and does not have any family or care-giver. This man has family support and is therefore not a suitable candidate for a subsidised sheltered home. You discuss with the case officer some more and decide that day care services would be the best option for the old man at the moment. And this is how it appears to a busy officer, who probably has quite a lot of cases on his desk. And for him to deny subsidies is entirely sensible. But this is not how it appears to me. I come to this case via a resident of mine – actually, it is a very recent case – who had a fall and she was then admitted to hospital. And during her stay there, the doctor found that her condition was bad due to overwork, advised her to stop working and rest so as to let her body recover. But she needs to support the family. So, after discussing with her supervisor and employer, they arranged her to work for four hours a day instead of working full-time. And so, her pay dropped to about $1,200 per month.”
“Sir, I rise in support of the Motion. But first, Mr Speaker, Sir, let me thank you for your inspirational speech for all of us to come together and to stand against polarisation. This indeed reflects the President's call towards unity and common purpose. And if I can be frank, Mr Speaker, Sir, this is an aspiration, but it is one that may not be politically possible. Let us not be naive and pretend that the drama of politics and disagreement is something that cannot be constructed. There is no "common purpose" to be found unless there is a will to do so. Our hope, therefore, must be that here is not just a common purpose, but a will for this common purpose to be found. But while this commonality may be hard in politics, it can be easy and abundant in public life. Mr Speaker, Sir, you, Mr Pritam Singh, and I – we all love football although we support different teams. And having played football with both of you, I can say that Pritam is the best player amongst the three of us, by far. But we all love football. And, of course, we all served in the SAF. And Mr Speaker, Sir, you were a Brigadier-General. And both Pritam and I, I think we are many ranks below that, but you are certainly a better soldier amongst the three of us. So, we all have different vocations, but in our own ways, we all love our country and we want to make lives better for all. So too my aspiration for Singapore. Our unity must lie in the small things – care for each other, love for the family, fighting for the person next to you. And in difficult times, to help, to be kind and perhaps harder than it sounds, to cut one another some slack. This is the bedrock and the simple philosophy behind two suggestions I would like to make for this new term. The first concerns discretion in Civil Service.”
“Our first meals were from lean tables; and we can today, endure and grow from these hard times to strength and prosperity. The sun will shine on Singapore again, but we must ourselves first break through the darkness. Sir, I support the Fortitude Budget.”
“And then there were the mobile grocery vans which brought essential products to residents in selected areas without them having to venture too far away from home. FairPrice on Wheels is now in eight locations and growing to grow. Our sourcing teams continued in overdrive mode as we strengthened our network of suppliers across the globe to mitigate any disruptions in supply especially that of essential items. Efforts to contain COVID-19 will be a long and protracted one. The Labour Movement has always looked after workers and their welfare. For today, I am highlighting two areas only – jobs and cost of living. We pledge to ensure stable jobs, affordable groceries, quality and value meals. As a group, we will continue to do our part for the community through our corporate giving, whether it is donations to vulnerable and community groups or providing more relief to needy families and workers during this difficult period. The NTUC Enterprise group of social enterprises led by FairPrice will be putting together a package to help Singaporeans and families address this for the services that we are involved. This is very much part of our DNA and what the public has grown to expect and can expect the NTUC group of Social Enterprises to continue to do so. We are finalising these measures and will share with the public soon. Secretary-General Mr Ng Chee Meng indeed will be the one, together with a few of us, to launch this. Yes, in the best of times, we cared less for bread and butter – opting for sashimi and salmon. We aim for high pay and long holidays. Today, travel, dining out and shopping seem like a dream from the past. But Singapore was born on dreams. We made a nation out of nothing but gumption and a Separation Agreement.”
“NTUC LearningHub continues to make learning accessible during this period. To encourage all our workers to make good use of time to upgrade their skillsets, NTUC LearningHub has provided access to online courses that covers both Adaptive Skills and Technological Skills. In addition, LearningHub has provided opportunities for self-employed persons to earn as they train to deepen or acquire new competencies, all this in preparation for when the economy picks up and new opportunities arise. During this circuit breaker period, two of our NTUC Social Enterprises quickly pivoted and launched new digital initiatives: LearningHub introduced free online courses, which received close to 70,000 sign-ups. Completion rates of these courses were very encouraging and significantly higher than the industry benchmark. On the other hand, our NTUC First Campus also launched “Kidzmatters” for parents, and this received 90,000 sign-ups. For the last two months, I think these have all been very well used by parents of such children. Our MoneyOwl too conducted more online webinars and e-learning to educate the public on financial planning and management. Whilst jobs continue to be a major concern for all, we were also kept busy keeping our operations running and services accessible, and at the same time, doing our best to keep cost of living in check. During the circuit breaker period, to cope with the continued surge in demand and provide greater convenience to customers, FairPrice had to develop various solutions and initiatives. They include the setting up of pop-up and atrium stores, increasing online capacity, and instituting a "priority shopping hour" for the Pioneer Generation and vulnerables. And, in fact, this week we started a priority queue for healthcare workers.”
“As is, we can expect more F&B firms to exit this industry and with it, a lot more job losses. Of course, there will be businesses which are less affected by COVID-19. For such organisations, they should always remember to recognise the people that make up the organisation. So, like others in the essential services, FairPrice group has given special monetary awards and incentives to our colleagues, especially those working at the frontline. Many customers have also joined us in appreciating our service staff through testimonies on social media as well as through personal cards and letters of encouragement. Over the last two months, FairPrice group has provided employment opportunities for an additional 4,000 staff – full time, part-time and temporary workers – to support operations and the high transaction volume that we experience and this includes people like Ms Gina Ng, a lady that Mr Ng Chee Meng referred to just now and, indeed, this was arranged though the Job Security Council. Ms Ng was from the Fairmont Singapore and Swissotel. Besides Fairmont, we at FairPrice group also managed to get staff from Grand Hyatt, Orchard Hotel, Ritz Carlton, Changi Airport Group, Wildlife Reserves and several others to help us out. Their stints will end some in July and some in August. We are currently looking to fill another 300 more positions and working with other agencies to provide employment for workers, especially those who have been displaced. NTUC Enterprise group will certainly be supporting the SGUnited Traineeships Scheme and offer 300 training places to help trainees in exposure and experience in the various areas of business. Next, let me cover what we have done in terms of commitment to learning.”
“In my speech at the debate on the Solidarity Budget, I shared how NTUC FairPrice Group proactively responded at the onset of COVID-19 to assure consumers and public on the availability and affordability of essentials. Today, I would like to share the efforts of our other various entities at NTUC Enterprise who are continuing to address the key concerns of job security and opportunity, and initiatives to moderate the cost of living. I declare my interest as the Group CEO of NTUC Enterprise and NTUC FairPrice. First, building a resilient workforce. FairPrice Group has continued to operate our supermarket branches – on line and off line; our hawker centres, foodcourts and coffeeshops; as well as at our warehouses and central kitchens – working hard to meet consumers’ food and grocery needs and adapting to the evolving circumstances daily. These efforts help to ensure that the public have access to their daily essentials. On a side note, I must declare that Fairprice Group has a food services division through our Kopitiam and FoodFare outlets. I wish to make a call out for all those in the F&B sector. In fact, earlier hon Member Mr Lim Biow Chuan made the same call. Those in the F&B sector have indeed been very badly hit in this crisis because the dining in crowd is a very, very important component of their overall business model. So, whilst the various support schemes by Government have been indeed very helpful, this is but a stop-gap measure and so the earlier we can provide guidance and clarity for the F&B sector, and in particular to ensure that the various measures and reliefs that Government has announced that they accrue and are received by the F&B operators in its entirety.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, this is the darkest of times. COVID-19 has taken a heavy toll on the economies of many countries. In Singapore, the recent circuit breaker has affected many businesses. We all have friends who have lost their jobs, or their businesses or are struggling in some way. We are certainly in this together. This is a battle not just against COVID-19 but against some of the toughest enemies of any small state – despair, poverty, haplessness, an overwhelming sense of pessimism. Large states have deeper resources, a stronger pull on world affairs and a sense of control and destiny. Singapore has always been a price-taker in world affairs and remains vulnerable to all the ugly forces that have come to the fore in this pandemic and we have seen this played out in many countries including Singapore. What has come out quite starkly is the fact – a fact that we have always known, but perhaps forgotten – that we ourselves must defend Singapore, defend our laws, our rules, our way of life. We ourselves must call out rule breakers who mock us and write home to invite their countrymen to do the same; we must think of solutions when countries where we locate our assets count their own interests above ours; in times of trouble, we must call our own home from all over the world – as our universities did to thousands of students overseas. Some of them did bring home the virus and were rightly cared for in our hospitals. We are our best hope, and we must stand together. If we break, this dark time will not end and it will be sometime before we see more sunny days and blue skies. We are slowly but surely emerging out of the circuit breaker.”
“I thank the Minister for her very comprehensive reply. Just one supplementary question. I think all businesses appreciate the Job Support Scheme and other reliefs that have been granted to them to help them reduce their cost and, to the extent possible, to save jobs. But the prospect of more job losses and, in fact, the prospect of wage cuts, is becoming more likely and prevalent. So, that is the genesis behind the question which I asked, whether there could be a temporary reduction of employee's and employer's CPF contributions. While I appreciate and recognise that CPF indeed is a very important part of our overall financial planning, I would like to ask the Minister whether it is possible — I think on the employer side, fair enough, there is already enough support, but for most employees, the fact is that many of them are bringing back less. Every little bit that we could put on the table for them is something which will certainly help them, particularly in the current climate. It is an important part, I know the Minister had said that she will consider this, this is still on the table, but I think we need to do it a bit more proactively, given the looming and the likelihood of more wage cuts coming onstream. I hope the Minister will put this as a high priority item, something to be activated earlier rather than later.”
“Public and private businesses rallying and appreciating our healthcare workers, our security and immigration officers, our cleaners, our workers that keep our transport systems running and others such as the many volunteers who helped make the distribution of face masks and sanitisers for all Singaporeans. There are many things that money can buy. The Supplementary Resilience and Solidarity Budget at $53 billion is an enormous package to help individuals, families and businesses alike. People know this but what makes it really extraordinary is that it is financed by our reserves. How can a small country with no oil, nothing valuable to sell, accumulate these reserves? We do not make light of money because we know it buys a lot. It helps us to pay for the salaries of workers. It helps us to save jobs, to help pay for the healthcare of the sick, to offset the living expenses and so on. It will set us up to be better and stronger. But we know, better than most, what money cannot buy. Unity, resilience, solidarity and most of all, a shared history and a shared future. So, on behalf of all of us at NTUC, NTUC Enterprise and NTUC FairPrice Group, as well as my residents at Braddell Heights and Marine Parade GRC, I am happy and I am very proud to support the Resilience and Solidarity Budgets.”
“What you do not see are also the staff serving behind, in the "backline" – as my chairman Bobby Chin describes them. They are working hard to secure our supplies and making more deliveries. Indeed, I am extremely grateful to all our staff, frontline and backline, as well as our business partners and the public for their understanding and support. For sure, there are some areas we could have done better, some where we took a wrong step, but learn we did and we strive to be better going forward. Likewise, I am sure our Government and our leaders probably had such experiences too, but hey, we all have perfect vision after the event. Having said that, my team and I have also received numerous notes, cards of appreciation – from the public, from customers, unions, business leaders, school teachers, school children. These all serve to encourage us. We are in this together and this is what is required for us to overcome the crisis. Over this period, we have had to press the button and call on many friends for help. And when the button is pressed, our colleagues from the headquarters as well as staff across the group all responded and helped out – anytime, over the weekends – doing replenishment, picking, packing and what have you. From our leadership team to the administrative staff, from our board of directors to our union leaders. SG United is not a mere slogan. We even had many members from the public and former colleagues stepping forward to call me and say, hey, if we needed them, just call them. This is the SG United spirit. I see this manifested and being played out throughout all parts of Singapore. Lines are being blurred.”
“But at end of the day, I was guided by my true north, which is to ensure as many people can have access to their food supplies for the key categories. And yes, in this case, there are some things money cannot buy – fairness, a sense that we are in this together and a trust that we are doing the right thing. We can only take these decisions if we have supportive and understanding stakeholders – in my case, my board of directors, the public, the staff, my business partners, customers. In the case of the Government, this would be the Cabinet, residents, citizens and tripartite partners comprising employers, unions and the Government. These are not built overnight. If there is no trust, none of this can be done. Yes, we all need to tighten our belts, grit our teeth and learn to adapt. As they say in Hokkien – no fish, shrimp also can. And if need be, can we make do with porridge, with salted fish or vegetables? No issue with me. As a Hokkien – can I make do with porridge? Porridge with salted vegetables or salted fish – I am fine with anything. Over the last two months, our supermarket staff in the frontline have been working hard, serving customers. They too are tired, they too are anxious, but they have to maintain a professional front, facing all kinds of customers. A big majority is very understanding and polite, but there are some who do not make the effort to be civil or reasonable. There is this very small group of people who turn into terrible versions of themselves when confronted with crises. Just this morning, during our priority shopping hour for Pioneer Generation members, for pregnant women, for people with disabilities. Again, we will have one or two of these people who will make a lot of noise. But we stand firm.”
“I am one of them. I am quite a few years more than 50 years old. And majority are female. We also have a large pool of permanent part-timers which suits their lifestyle. We keep retraining and re-skilling all. If there ever has been any doubt about the resilience of older, mature workers, the past few months have laid these to rest. I am proud and I am glad that our mature workforce came through very well during this period. They have been very calm, steady, resilient and working tireless. And they work well with our younger team members and so together, the team becomes stronger. The young with energy, creativity and stamina; the older with experience, patience and acumen. I see parallels with how our 4G leaders are coming up and showing their leadership mettle whilst being supported by the senior, more experienced leaders. Again, together, we have a better team at the helm to take us through this global crisis. Turning to our Government leadership – they have stayed calm, they have listened to feedback, they have been bold, thinking out of the box, thinking measures for both short and long term, and they have been decisive. During such times, there were, I am sure, many difficult and tough decisions to make and, for sure, some unpopular ones. But I know the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, the Cabinet and most certainly, the Ministerial task force, they have all been guided by their true north – what is good for the country and our people. If I can draw a parallel, a difficult and unpopular decision that I had to make as the group CEO of FairPrice was the one that concerned the imposition of purchasing restrictions. No one likes to be told that there are some things money cannot buy.”
“We have staff from other nationalities as well and, as what NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng just said, every worker matters. Every one of my colleagues plays a part to keep our many essential services running smoothly – our childcare centres, our nursing homes, our senior care centres, our food courts, our malls, our supermarkets, our online platforms and so on. And in a different but equally important function, our NTUC Learning Hub is pivoting towards being a digital learning hub and they have been busy working closely with employers and unions to train thousands of workers, digital where possible, so that when our economy recovers, workers, both local and foreign, and companies will be all ready from the word go. There is no them and no us. We are inter-connected and we are interdependent – manpower, skills, supply lines. Supply lines are especially vital now. Our teams have been working as part of our diversification strategy to ensure our supply chains remain strong. Singapore has a 30/30 vision – to have 30% of our food consumption coming from local sources by year 2030. We have been working on this for many years and we are proud to support local produce and local companies. The things we do to support this philosophy – giving off-take contracts to local producers, holding local fairs such as the Annual Tasty Singapore Fair to promote local produce and products by local firms, our a manpower policy that employs as many Singaporeans as possible. So, while we think and plan global, we act, we support and we grow local. There are also more older workers in our NTUC group, especially at the FairPrice group. The demographics of our workforce and our policies are skewed towards mature staff. More than 50% of our workforce is more than 50 years old.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, let me declare my interest as the Group CEO of both NTUC Enterprise and NTUC Fairprice Group. First, I would like to assure everyone in the House and Singaporeans outside, that our warehouses are quite full. We have rice, canned food, toilet paper, cooking oil, instant noodles. We have fruits and vegetable. We have meats – fresh and frozen. Yes, prices of certain items have gone up in recent weeks due to higher demand worldwide, increases in production costs, increases in shipping/freight charges and so on. But be assured that we will continue to do our best to moderate these price increases and make it affordable to all. In March last year, 2019, we had announced we would freeze the prices of the top 100 Fairprice Housebrand essential products for 15 months regardless of changes in supply and external factors. This price guarantee could not be more timely under the current situation. Ordinarily, I would not have made such a promotional statement. But these are not ordinary times and we are not an ordinary people. We are a hard Government. In good times, some critics here call us stingy. We are a House known for discipline, fiscal prudence, saving for rainy days. At NTUC Enterprise, we too have to marshal our capital resources to ensure our entities – from NTUC Income, to Mercatus, to the FairPrice Group, to NTUC First Campus, to our NTUC Learning Hub, to our NTUC Health – that we are able to withstand the shocks and disruptions caused to our businesses. As a group, we provide jobs to over 21,000 people and we serve over two million people everyday. We have a strong local core and close to 80% of our team are Singaporeans. We have Malaysian colleagues who form slightly over half of our non-local workforce.”
“Mr Chairman, on behalf of all Members who filed cuts, I would like to thank Minister Desmond Lim, Minister of State Sam Tan and Senior Parliamentary Secretary Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim for their considered responses, which I found very assuring. I cannot help but notice that I have been filing cuts to MSF and the former MCYS for the last 14 Committees of Supply. The number of cuts has been progressively coming down. It is a good sign. I think it shows that the Government has been resolving more issues even as new ones cropped up. It leaves me now to thank all the men and women at MSF and all those in the social service sector for their good work, their consistent work all these years in our on-going journey to make Singapore more caring, more compassionate and a more inclusive society. With that, Mr Chairman, I beg leave withdraw my amendment. [(proc text) Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. (proc text)] [(proc text) The sum of $3,170,071,900 for Head I ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. (proc text)] [(proc text) The sum of $102,581,800 for Head I ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. (proc text)]”
“Mr Chairman, just a short clarification to Minister of State Sam Tan. I know he has been leading Government's effort in engagement of the disability sector. Just want to ask him what is the community's feedback to this engagement? And secondly, are there any specific areas that the Government is focusing on and looking to improve?”
“Over the years, the Government has been providing generous pre-school subsidies to support working parents with young children in their care-giving duties. This has allowed many women to re-join the workforce after becoming mothers. Surveys have shown that 72% of mothers here take some form of break after childbirth. So, helping these women return to work is a significant and worthwhile effort. Many women already know of the platforms that are in place to help them, including subsidies from MOM as well as social enterprises who link them up with employment opportunities. These women may already have strong social networks. However, there is a gap for low-income mothers who do not have alternative care-giving arrangements. For those who do not work, they may not know of these platforms and opportunities. And this may, in turn, affect their ability to look for paid employment opportunities that are flexible enough to accommodate their need to care for their young children. This sets up a vicious cycle of missed opportunities and lack of mobility. Do we know how large this group is and what are the main obstacles to their re-joining the workforce? This is the group that needs more help from us. So, I would like to ask the Minister what other measures are in place to better support this group of low-income mothers who do not have alternative care-giving arrangements.”
“Special Student Care Centres (SSCCs) offer subsidised before and after school care services for students with special needs aged seven years to 18 years. They are key to providing care-giving and educational support and skills for independent living for these Special Education (SPED) students. With the support of SSCCs, parents have more options and time available to them. SPED students are also given more opportunities to interact with their community and plan for their future. However, the number of such SSCCs remains small. The fees at $832 a month are not low. We need to ensure that such services remain affordable. Although subsidies are available for those who need them, the fees quickly run into the hundreds of dollars, with surcharges during school holiday periods. Subsidies are generous now for low-income families – those with income of less than $1,500, they get 90% subsidy. However, for those who earn more than $3,500, they get a subsidy of only 10% – leaving them to pay more than $700 each month. Families with special needs children already face many challenges. Surely, we can support them better, especially when the systems are already in place. So, I like to ask the Minister what measures are in place to ensure that SSCCs remain affordable for families who require these services, especially for those with multiple needs? Mandatory Parenting Course”
“But we must not approach them in the same benefit-and-cost analysis manner that we do in courses. There is no KPI. If a marriage is abusive and unhappy, surely the best outcome is to step out of it. Divorce should not be seen as a failure but an option in human relationships. Strong marriages are important to a nation as well as to couples themselves. We must start conversations about what strong marriages mean as well as how to build it. This, to me, is the true benefit of preparation courses. Some of these courses cost a few hundred dollars and I understand that the Government provides a subsidy of $70. How can the Government make these programmes more accessible and affordable to better support couples in building strong foundations for their families? Tackling Social Challenges Together”
“We can all do better if there are plans to help direct these efforts and other community efforts through better coordination and sharing of information about individuals and families in need in the community. Can Minister give an update on these plans? If we fail to coordinate, there will be continued frustration, unmet urgent needs and a general sense of helplessness among many communities. But if we succeed, the outcome is both powerful and simple – a stronger, more beautiful fabric of Singapore, woven by all of us together. [(proc text) Question proposed. (proc text)] Transforming our Social Safety Net Chairman, the Government has put in place many schemes and services to support Singaporeans in building strong families including various marriage preparation programmes for couples looking to get married. But some young people looking to get married get caught up in the romance and the emotions of the moment. They do not have the time nor the inclination to plan and prepare. One useful way is to review the marriage courses available on the Registry of Marriage's website. I note that some of them cost about $300 and the titles include one called "Evidence-based Marriage Programme". Another is titled "PREP" or Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Programme. All this sounds like a cautionary tale. I am not sure, even after reading the syllabus, exactly what it is that the course is trying to prevent. But some of the classes, "Negotiation and Conflict Resolution", for example, it is very useful indeed, especially like how the website said that the course was "proven to sustain up to five years" after the programme. I wonder what happens after five years. I must assure Members of the House that I support these courses and I do think they are useful.”
“Mr Chairman, I beg to move, "That the total sum to be allocated for Head I of the Estimates be reduced by $100". Today, there are many community agencies on the ground providing a variety of support services to those in need, from family matters to financial aid and also healthcare. Local Community Development Councils (CDCs) have schemes in place for both short-term and long-term assistance. As social needs become more complex, individuals in need will require multiple forms of social support, which are being provided by different community agencies today. This can be an advantage – that agencies specialise in order to help individuals with specific problems. It increases efficiency and reduces transaction time on the part of people seeking help. At the same time, problems do not respect bureaucratic borders – individuals that need help may not necessarily have the time and effort to "code-switch" across these agencies, whether it is about filling up forms or registering for means testing. Instead, they may delay their applications, sometimes causing their own situation to worsen by the time they seek help. This is certainly far from ideal. We do not want our social safety net to fail where it is most crucially needed. On the other hand, there are also many different Singaporeans who want to contribute their time and money, but may not be able to commit for the long term, or at regular intervals. We should not ignore this important group of volunteers which add up to a significant number of volunteer hours. Again, the complexity exists on the supply end of this issue. We need some special, specific and granular mechanisms to bridge complexity at both ends – coordination, planning and organisation.”
“Our perception of families has long revolved around the nuclear family unit comprising two parents and children. But not everyone fits into this mould. We should take a lighter touch on personal matters, such as marriage and life decisions, when making policy. Currently, single parents who are not married are still under the "Singles" category. If they are under 35 years old, they cannot buy apartments. And if they earn more than $1,500, they cannot apply for rental flats. Exceptions are on a case-by-case basis. The "case-by-case" approach allows us to use discretion but there is a lot of uncertainty for this group. Yes, we want to encourage marriages to remain strong and reduce reliance on state resources. This is prudent. But can we shift our paradigms and include single unwed parents in the composition of what a "family nucleus" is. The need is real. I would like to ask how the Ministry can better support the housing needs of single unwed parents and their children. Waiving Mutual Consent Requirement”
“For Project Wolbachia, I was one of the first few constituencies. The residents liked it quite a lot. So, if you want to bring it back, I volunteer my constituency again. My clarification for the Minister revolves around food resilience. As I mentioned earlier, our plan to have 30% of our food supplies coming from within local produce by 2030 is an ambitious plan. But as I said, if there is a way to bring this to achieve it earlier, I think we should really go all out to to do it. But we also know that local produce inevitably comes at a higher cost and therefore, we should also think of ways to help local producers to be better accepted by the consumers here. I would like to ask the Minister, I know we are doing quite a lot, but what else can we do, because you cannot run away from the fact that local produce is more costly. Many of my business associates in this industry, we want them to succeed but I think we need to do a lot more to get the consumers to accept it. And I am sure Government can think of other ways to promote their products and for consumers to lend their support, not just by words, but by action.”
“Mr Chairman, last year, the Ministry announced major structural changes to the education system, including the implementation of Full Subject-based Banding in our Secondary schools by 2024. MOE's efforts are to reduce the overemphasis on academic grades, and help students build confidence and develop a motivation to learn for life. This is a right move. Education is a team effort involving not just the schools, but also parents, teachers, and the community, so that students can develop to their fullest potential. MOE has made many changes in recent years to work more closely with the community. Last year, a set of guidelines for meaningful school-home co-operation was released, so parents and schools can work together to enhance children's development. Interestingly, many of the guidelines encourage more "hands-off" parenting. Parents are encouraged to create conducive environments and let their child develop a sense of responsibility, instead of always breaking their fall. I would like to ask the Minister – have schools noticed a difference after the guidelines were released? If not, what else needs to be done and if yes, what positive signs have we seen? Character building, learning to learn, becoming a better person – all these are much more challenging than scoring straight As. To take this forward, MOE should build strong partnerships with parents, industry partners, and the community to develop the values, dispositions and skills that will place our students in good stead for the future. Would the Minister be able to also share details and examples of how we are working closely with our stakeholders to ensure that our students develop the right values, skills and dispositions so that they are future- ready? Building Strong Partnerships”
“Mr Speaker, I will just like ask the Senior Minister of State, whether given the current COVID-19 situation, we recognise that indeed food supplies is something that is very important and very critical. We have our plans for 30-30. I think that is ambitious plan, but given what has happened, my question to the Senior Minister of State is whether the Government should review this 30-30 plan, that maybe it should be a 30-25 plan, for example. In fact, 30-30 is already very ambitious, but in the current COVID-19 situation, as it has borne out, I think the importance of building up some local supplies become even more critical. So, perhaps we should do a review and see in what way we could accelerate the bringing forward of the timeline.”
“Indonesia is a key player in our region and important partner for Singapore. We are certainly one of the largest foreign investor in the country. Can the Minister update us on the overall state of bilateral relations with Indonesia, and how Singapore is engaging the second Jokowi Administration as well as the regions beyond Jakarta? Prime Minister Joko Widodo has said that he is ready for more cooperation with Singapore, including in human development, tourism and industry. By the end of Mr Jokowi’s second term in 2024, Indonesia is targeted to have a growth of 6%. But it is not just about the numbers. Singapore needs to see beyond economic ties and see how we can forge a common future with our neighbours in the region. What can we do, and how we can better prepare ourselves for this deeper engagement? Bilateral Relations with Brunei”
“The Young People's Action Party (YPAP) and environmentalists have already proposed that we adopt Climate Defence as the seventh pillar of Total Defence. I support this call. This declaration is not just a matter of policy efficiency. It is a matter of raising the political importance of this issue so that it will no longer be put on the back-burner. Neither will environmental concerns be considered the poor cousin of economic growth in bureaucratic decision-making. In this Budget, we have made room for long-term planning, including for environmental issues. This is the right approach. In line with this approach, would MINDEF consider adopting Climate Defence as a pillar of Total Defence?”
“Mr Chairman, it has been 36 years since Total Defence was launched. Like many Singaporeans, we are all pleased to learn that MINDEF has recently launched the new Total Defence logo competition to create a new logo that represents all six pillar, including a prize money of $5,000. There were 10 designs that have been shortlisted and I would like to ask the Minister how did Singaporeans respond to the call for the design of the new logo? Could the Minister also explain the significance of the new logo? Make no mistake, I think it is a nice design but I think it is useful and important for all to also know what goes behind the logo. Climate Defence in Total Defence My second cut. Singapore adopts a whole-of-society approach to national security. Total Defence was conceptualised in 1984 as a comprehensive model for the defence of Singapore. From 1984 to last year, we have always had five pillars. In 2019, we added Digital Defence as cyber threats were as grave as physical ones. Today, in 2020, I am asking this House to consider one more – Climate Defence. Some may say we are moving too fast in adding one more. I would argue that we have moved too slow. Climate change is an existential threat to Singapore and one we need to recognise. Not only are more of us talking about it now, we are all seeing and feeling the effects of climate change. In my cut at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), I had argued that we needed a whole-of-Government approach to climate change, given its complex nature, and which straddles many Ministries. With changes in global trends and threats, the securitisation of technology and climate has become an existential threat to our nation.”
“In times of increased stress on society, psychological defence is particularly salient in ensuring Singaporeans remain united in the face of external threats. We have seen how panic and fear can quickly disrupt our way of life. In my main Budget speech, I spoke about the great, the wise and the good, as well as those who mock them. These are taken from the poem by Yeats, "Come let us mock at the Great". He urged us to mock at these mockers, people who would not lift a hand to help others out of a great storm. In light of the recent COVID-19 outbreak, it is easy to stand back, stay safe and mock others who are doing the work, taking the risks and deciding on the new rules which would keep our communities going. How important is our state of mind, our psychological defence? What can Singaporeans do to help overcome this crisis? Building Resilience in the Community”
“Data security is core to Singapore’s strong defence and our continued economic success. As malicious threats emerge from various sources, including attempts at data exfiltration, it is essential to strengthen our capabilities and defences against these. Two instances last year have been instructive and both involved data leak of SAF personnel from vendors contracted to the SAF through malicious malware and ransomware. Clearly, we see that there are unfriendly elements watching to see what weaknesses our systems may contain so that they can exploit them. Digital defence is the new addition to our Total Defence. Each and every citizen has a part to play in defending our nation and our way of life – including being vigilant online. Today, there are enemies unseen – scams, fake news, and cyberattacks. Given continual reports of security breaches worldwide, what is MINDEF doing to protect our security systems and ensure that our data and information are not compromised? 1.45 pm Digital Defence for Businesses”
“Mr Chairman, the SAF responded quickly to the COVID-19 situation in Singapore, mobilising our Servicemen to pack masks for distribution to many households. As they contribute to Singapore’s fight against the virus, our Servicemen’s health must be protected as well. Training for SAF often involves close contact, requires high physical exertion, which may lead to transmission of droplets. There may also be many soldiers training within a small space. I know that we cannot compromise our country’s security and safety, by stopping the training exercises and reducing the operational readiness of our forces. At the same time, I am sure that we can modify some of our training procedures and processes to make sure that our men stay strong, safe and healthy. In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, what are some of the precautionary measures that MINDEF has put in place to protect our Servicemen? Digital Defence”
“Mr Chairman, on behalf of all Members who spoke, I wish to thank Senior Minister Teo, Ministers Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Mrs Josephine Teo, Mr Ong Ye Kung and Mr Chan Chun Sing, and Senior Minister of State Janil Puthucheary, for their comprehensive and assuring responses on matters ranging from climate change, population challenges, Smart Nation initiatives and Public Service. I would like to take this opportunity too to thank all the men and women, not just in the Prime Minister's Office, but the entire civil service for their good work, their hard work and their consistent work, day in, day out, 366 days in a year – this, being a Leap Year. With that, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. [(proc text) Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. (proc text)] [(proc text) The sum of $823,582,100 for Head U ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. (proc text)] [(proc text) The sum of $226,169,400 for Head U ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. (proc text)]”
“On roads, there is now a determined push into more and better public transport systems – new service lines, larger bus fleets and bike-sharing initiatives. In policy, the Carbon Emissions-based Vehicle Scheme has been launched. In business, Waste-to-Energy plants reduce waste volumes by 90% and allow conversion to reusable energy. In the way we live, move and make money, Singapore is turning green. This is not by chance. We started life as a nation as a Garden City as a way to distinguish ourselves, as a disciplined and well-ordered society. So, it goes without saying that we need a whole-of-nation effort to deal with climate change. How is our Government working to foster collective action by businesses, the community and individuals to tackle this issue together? [(proc text) Question proposed. (proc text)]”
“Chairman, I beg to move, "That the total sum to be allocated for Head U of the Estimates be reduced by $100." The tragedy of climate change is not that it is not severe or insignificant. The real tragedy is that few people think of it urgently and deeply. Too often, it is a flashy speech, or some performative act that grabs attention for a brief moment and then, it is back to business as usual. So, it is heartening that even in the middle of a high profile and salient public health crisis, our Government has set aside the budget to deal with climate change – including $5 billion for coastal and flood protection measures. I have been speaking in the past about how Singapore has over time, built up its water security as well as various measures to reduce our weight on the environment. A few years ago, we set up the Singapore Centre for Climate Research in 2013. We are a member of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. Last year, we put in place a carbon tax. But climate change requires all of us across different departments and Ministries to work together. For example, efficiency in energy consumption and waste disposal requires there to be strong collaboration across housing and transport sectors. We have already put in place guidelines to critical infrastructure such as air and seaports to be at least 4 metres above sea level. Given our long memories of floods, we have pump houses that transport storm water from reservoirs to the sea. Our beautiful Marina Barrage is actually a glorified anti-flooding pump. Meanwhile, we have seen one of the largest players in Singapore's built environment – the HDB, making a big difference under the Greenprint programme, solar panels and waste conveyance systems are embedded or will be embedded into HDB estates.”
“Most of all, the Budget is for the ordinary men and women of Singapore who are decent and care for our fellowmen, who would work together to stem out the foul storm that is facing Singapore. This Budget has something for us all, and I thank the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat and his team for their inclusive and thoughtful rendering that is this Unity Budget.”
“As to be expected, when this was first announced, it attracted quite a lot of noise and there was a minority group that criticised our move. But I would say a large majority were in favour. In fact, many of them suggested to me that when this episode is over, FairPrice should not allow people who stock up to return their excess goods to us to get a refund. This is actually our standard policy. This is so as to teach people a lesson on buying responsibly and not hoard first only to return the stocks later. I thank everyone who has given me various suggestions. I think what we will do is to encourage all those who had bought probably a bit too much to consider donating their excess stocks to Food Bank or Food from the Heart. Maybe I will set up a collection counter for them, too. At the same time, I am also heartened and warmed by the many calls from members of the public who reached out to me to volunteer their services to help out in any crisis, if needed. As I look back over the last one month, I see a Government that has led from the front, been decisive in managing this crisis and coming up with a comprehensive, assuring and caring Budget that takes care of businesses and citizens alike whilst transforming, supporting and building a sustainable Singapore . Even in the aspect of face masks, I think Singapore may be the only country in the world to ensure that every citizen, every household, has some face masks at their home. Mr Speaker, this Budget is for all of us, those among us who are great and wise and good. Those who mock them – purveyors of false news, socially irresponsible, the boors of society.”
“But it was not the long queues at the supermarkets but the long queues later for a separate matter that I would like to remember. Two weeks ago, Red Cross Singapore called for Singaporeans to donate their blood as blood stock levels for some blood types were running critically low. Many came forward. There were crowds of Singaporeans at the four blood banks around the island. Meantime, there are other stories of people being incredibly altruistic, leaving sanitisers and masks for their neighbours. Then, unfortunately, there are those who take advantage of this crisis to do great harm. MOH had to release a statement to warn the community of scam calls impersonating the MOH Contact Tracing team in an attempt to retrieve personal financial details. The Police have also arrested five people for their suspected involvement in five separate e-commerce scams involving the online sale of face masks. There are those among us who are great and wise and good. And there will always be those who mock them, those who use fake news or false news, those who are socially irresponsible and those who behave badly. What about those of us who are neither great, nor wise, nor good? We, ordinary men and women of Singapore, can be decent. As Members know, FairPrice was caught up in this panic buying. As the Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NTUC FairPrice, I witnessed first hand the shopping frenzy by many people on those two days, Friday and Saturday. This shopping behaviour was quite broad-based, covering all age groups, races and social strata. To instil calm to all, NTUC FairPrice instituted a variety of measures, including the imposition of purchase limits on some items.”
“However, smaller SMEs might have issues understanding Government initiatives and programmes in English and so I suggest such initiatives and programmes be translated into Mandarin, Malay and Tamil so that the wider business communities can understand and embark on such initiatives. The language gap requires another sort of translation. We need to make these schemes more accessible by showing SMEs how such Government grants can help them so that they do not miss out on them. The Government has also announced COVID-19 relief measures to support SMEs in affected sectors in the form of tax rebates, bridging loans, rental waivers, wage subsidies, higher absentee payroll and training course subsidies, foreign worker levy waivers and so on. These are certainly appreciated by SMEs and businesses. However, there are some gaps. First, the ground feedback that I have received is that the Job Support Scheme to be given out in July 2020 is rather late and does little to help mitigate cash flow issues. Time is of the essence for these SMEs as the adverse business impact they are facing now due to COVID-19 is a significant one and they are crying out for help with urgency. Second, there is no additional Absentee Payroll and training course subsidies for enterprises affected by COVID-19 to send excess manpower for training. Third, there is no foreign worker levy waiver for enterprises affected by COVID-19, especially when foreign workers represent a significant manpower share in the food services and retail sectors. I hope the Government will consider and see if these gaps can be addressed. The day that Singapore announced that it was going Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (DORSCON) Orange, there was frenzied buying at the supermarkets.”
“For many of us in this House, this solidarity reminds us of SARS in 2003 when 238 people were infected with 33 fatalities. Since that time, we have the new National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID), we have also built a national stockpile of face masks. This again, is the prescience of those who are wise among us. The leaders who have made all the difficult calls, not just the Cabinet Ministers, but the men and women on the ground who have had to make difficult calls at a time of fear and panic. And, of course, the opportunists will mock the wise, they will spew untruths and outright lies. Even in such trying times, some would take the opportunity to spread fake news. The Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) office was kept busy during this period, too. I am glad that we have POFMA. Left unchecked, the spread of deliberate online falsehoods will have serious consequences which society will ultimately have to pay a heavy price for. I count these measures that we have outlined in this Budget to be among the wise decisions. Overall, there is nothing much that one can find fault with our Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister in this year’s Unity Budget. I would like to confine my comments to SMEs and a couple of suggestions for the Finance Minister to consider. For promising SMEs, the Government has announced that Enterprise Singapore (ESG) will launch an Enterprise Transform Package with focus on leadership. It will also support business leaders of 900 SMEs over the next three years with training and mentorship. This is a much welcomed move.”
“Unfortunately, there are some who mocked the great who toiled so hard and late. Prime Minister Lee, our Ministers, our union leaders and community leaders have all made many visits to these workers, openly standing shoulder to shoulder with them, no masks, just smiles. I also count among these the selfless and courageous grassroots volunteers. In the distribution of masks exercises, many volunteers stepped forward to make the whole process seamless and smooth. There are also others who declined their quota of masks, saying to give them to others as they already have secured their supply of face masks. Then, there are the students of our universities, which give me hope for the future. I saw on television a student's union president, Mr Richard Wang, who delivered food to his fellow students regularly and without complaint. Then, there was the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) Corporal Mohd Shahrom who picked up a patient suspected to have, and later confirmed to have the virus. And then, there was Mr Keith Aw from MOM who checked on foreign workers on leave of absence, speaking to them for up to 10 minutes a time. All these people act, not because they have no fear, but they act in spite of fear. There is no Budget measure that accounts for greatness. I also want to speak about the wise, the key decision makers, including public health officials, who have acted so quickly and decisively in this crisis. Contact tracing and quarantine orders were swiftly issued. We instituted travel declarations and entry restrictions; there were also leave of absence from work and stay-home notices that were instituted. These are not easy decisions and cause a lot of disruption to people's lives and livelihoods. But the price of leadership is to sacrifice the popular for the right.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of the Budget. The COVID-19 crisis is named for the last day of last year on 31 December 2019 when China informed the World Health Organization (WHO) of a novel virus pneumonia in Wuhan. Singapore has close links with China. Our Changi Airport receives an average of 330,000 visitors from China each month. On 2 January, the Ministry of Health (MOH) alerted all doctors to identify any patient with pneumonia and a recent travel history to Wuhan. A day later, we started temperature screening at our airport of all travellers arriving from Wuhan. More information starting coming out from China, including the vital fact that the virus could be transmitted from human. By then, it was late January. On 23 January, Singapore diagnosed its first case of COVID-19, a tourist from Wuhan. Since then, we have seen the best, and the worst of ourselves. The heroes in this fight are undoubtedly the healthcare staff – doctors, nurses and all in the healthcare industry – who work under incredible pressures and fears. Nurses who care for COVID-19 patients are working with cumbersome masks and protective wear. Those of us who have worn an N95 will know how hard it is to breathe under one of these, even for half an hour. Yet, they have to go through entire working days with these, sometimes doing delicate work, taking blood and other procedures, all the while knowing that these bodily fluids are infected. There is a real risk. And many of these same people would have worked at their jobs when we had SARS. When they can finally take off their equipment, clean up and go to lunch, some of them are unfortunately shunned and avoided. On trains and buses, their uniforms are a badge for isolation.”