Shahira Abdullah
Singapore
“To ingrain the spirit of volunteerism and service, we could have dental officers serve short postings while serving out their bond, to treat these elderly and special needs patients. This could also be extended to other vulnerable groups such as the migrant workers.”
“I thank the Minister for his reply. I just have two supplementary questions. The statistics that were given were wide. Is there a smaller breakdown available for the reach of these platforms? And if not, will the Ministry consider collecting such data? Because what we have right now is just for those aged 13 and 44.”
“] As asatizahs shift to secular careers, can I ask the Ministry how we can encourage their continued contribution to the religious development of the community? I would like to suggest building a network of asatizahs which could possibly be a scale up of the Asatizah Youth Network (AYN).”
“Therefore, could MOH consider dentists getting some incentives for the backbreaking work and increased time spent caring for these patients? For standard of care, can we have a clinical practice guideline to help ensure quality and appropriate care for these vulnerable populations?”
“Therefore, considering the close proximity of the current dental NSCs situated centrally, mainly NDCS and that National University Hospital (NUH), can the Ministry consider allowing all hospital dental clinics to provide specialised subsidised treatment, in order to better serve patients located in further geographical locations?”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker, and I thank the Minister for the response. Recently, there is a study from Harvard University that published the fact that social capital was the strongest predictor of upward income mobility; basically, that those with friends of higher socioeconomic status (SES) actually have better income mobility.”
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“Chairman, I initially filed this cut under the Prime Minister's Office because I am raising the recommendation for a permanent Mental Health Office under PMO. Multiple studies and public polls, such as those by the Institute of Mental Health, SG Mental Health Matters and other community groups have shown that factors impacting mental health are complex and cut across many domains of our lives. On 23 August 2021, an Interagency Taskforce on Mental Health and Well-being was set up to address the multifactorial nature of mental health and well-being. Could the Minister update on the progress of works since the announcement? Mental well-being is something of national concern, which straddles many Ministries. Adult mental health and well-being will require a different approach as compared to that of youth and seniors. In addition to age differences, there is also a need to address the mental well-being of people of different backgrounds, such as teachers, social workers, ex-offenders and victims of scams, just to name a few. To touch all bases requires close coordination between Ministries, as well as adequate authority and resources to be able to roll out the initiatives. Mental health issues are something that will not go away. We should not invest in mental health only as a COVID-19 response and recovery but as something permanent to create better physical health outcomes, stronger families, increased economic productivity and long-term growth and development. The mental well-being of a nation is essential for Singaporeans to reach their full potential. Therefore, would it be more effective to make it a permanent office or agency?”
“How can we improve processes to ensure that more time is spent on tasks directly related to patient care instead of administrative processes while not sacrificing patient safety? Greater Protection of Healthcare Workers”
“Chairman, I declare that I work in a hospital. Chairman, we have a healthcare manpower shortage. Recently, MOH called for help to support the COVID-19 operations as healthcare facilities find themselves overwhelmed by the Omicron wave. A Ministerial Statement in November 2021 showed worrying resignation rates with foreign healthcare workers resigning in bigger numbers. As such, can we do more to encourage young Singaporeans to take up a career in healthcare so we can become more self-sufficient in the long term? How can we better support workers who would want to have a mid-career conversion to healthcare? We also need to retain the senior talents that we have as they are key to training the next generation of workers. To do so, employee well-being and working environment are important. A local study by NUS Medicine, National Heart Centre Singapore and Duke-NUS Medical School in 2017 found that eight out of 10 medical residents were burnt out. During the pandemic, healthcare workers are also feeling the strain of more work and longer hours. Taking into consideration the ageing population and the threat of Pandemic X, what will change moving forward, with the master planning of manpower capacity for the healthcare sector so we can take into account the working environment and wellness of the healthcare workers? This may mean, among other things, beyond remuneration, better work-life balance, enough manpower for better working hours, the ability to take sufficient leave instead of encashing them and the improvement of the healthcare worker to patient ratio. Would these be more effective in encouraging Singaporeans to consider a career in healthcare? Lastly, how can we leverage workplace improvement, automation and digitalisaton to improve the delivery of healthcare?”
“To be clear, there is already an extensive network of island-wide bicycle-friendly trails, comprising the Park Connector Network (PCN), alongside trails as well as corridors. But these trails do no address the so-called "Last Mile Problem", where riders are still required to ride on regular roads and occasionally on pavements, to the detriment of some of the Members of this House as well as safety, to get to their final destination, or to traverse across the estate. Bicycle riders can, of course, make use of existing roads, riding to the far left. But when bike lanes are not designated, there is an absence of clear guidelines for vehicle drivers and this often results in compromising the riders' safety when passing vehicles leave uncomfortably little space. Accordingly, riders ride defensively, sometimes two abreast, to occupy the entire lane, which would be more inefficient than designating a clear, even if narrow, bike lane and correspondingly narrow lines for regular vehicles. Dedicated bike lanes will support commercial activity. Since cycling paths currently allow the use of powered vehicles, delivery riders that cannot ply foot paths, will have a safe alternative for their Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs). In Sengkang, such delivery riders and dedicated bike lanes seem like a win-win solution that will accommodate our many PMD users. Such bike lanes will also encourage activities that promote environmental sustainability. Lanes that connect within estates will serve as an important supplement to the tripling of bike trails envisioned in the Singapore Green Plan 2030. Shared Use of Footpaths”
“With Singapore moving towards being a car-lite society, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic leading to a cycling boom, there have been many altercations between motorists and cyclists in Singapore. These incidences may be uploaded on social media, which serves to stoke further tensions between them. Therefore, the recommendations from the Active Mobility Advisory Panel (AMAP) came at a timely juncture to ensure safety as motorists and cyclists increasingly share the roads. I am glad the Panel has recommended that cyclists take up third-party liability insurance. It can help protect the cyclists when accidents occur, providing compensation for victims of accidents. As such, I would like to find out the timeframe for rolling out these measures. Even though the Panel has decided not to license on-road cyclists, public education is still an important part of the adoption of these recommendations. There is also a concurrent need to educate the drivers as well. Motorists may not be aware of what cyclists can do on the road and not all cyclists are familiar with the highway code. What will the Ministry be doing to step up public education on road safety for cyclists and motorists hand-in-hand with its enforcement action? How will the Ministry be ensuring that errant cyclists and motorists will be caught and censured? Bike Lanes in Towns Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim (Sengkang): Sir, I wish to make the case for designated bike lanes in towns, carved from the existing road network. These lanes would be proposed by the Town Councils in collaboration with LTA and can be piloted on roads that are less heavily utilised within their estates.”
“Singapore has taken the bold step of enhancing its climate change target and having its carbon emissions target set to net-zero by around 2050. This is especially reflected in its plans for urban development. The Government aims to green 80% of Singapore's buildings by 2030. We can do so by designing and constructing greener buildings. Currently, buildings account for over 20% of Singapore's carbon emissions. In addition to that, according to the Singapore Green Building Council, the shorter building lifespans due to urban renewal means that embodied carbon emissions could go up to 40%. How will BCA continue to support our transition to a low-carbon built environment? The Government is also driving R&D in urban sustainability. This is to ensure that our urban infrastructure is made more climate-resilient while reducing carbon emissions. Can the Ministry give an update on the progress made and how it plans to encourage or incentivise stakeholders to adopt these solutions? Singapore Green Building Masterplan”
“In the latest graduate employment survey for 2021, it was found that more university graduates secured full-time employment, with salaries also increasing as Singapore’s economy recovered. It was found to be "comparable to pre-COVID-19 levels". The Polytechnics have also shown improvements in employment rates and salaries. However, the results for ITE have not been released. May I know if MOE has an employment survey for ITE graduates? And if that is available, what are the employment rates and starting salaries? Has it improved over the year, or rebounded to pre-COVID-19 levels? What is the percentage of ITE graduates who have furthered their studies instead? I understand there are many traineeships available currently for these young graduates. However, may I know the rate of conversion to full-time employment for the ITE graduates and if they are comparable to those from Polytechnics and Universities? For those who have been unable to convert, what are the reasons cited by the ITE graduates as well as the companies themselves? Should there be initiatives to encourage companies to hire ITE graduates? It is of concern to me as if these graduates are not able to get decent-paying full-time employment, many of them might turn to gig work, especially if they have to help with their family finances. The longer they stay in gig work, the more difficult it will be for them to get out. IHLs”
“Chairman, I am heartened that at this Budget, the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) will be expanded to help more workers. However, the payments depend on gig workers making MediSave contributions. Considering that gig work income may be unpredictable, unstable and, sometimes, insufficient to support their household, they may be discouraged to contribute to MediSave due to more urgent, current needs. Therefore, would the Ministry consider relaxing the MediSave requirements on a case-by-case basis to allow the gig workers who are struggling during this period of heightened inflation to benefit from WIS? In future, though, with no mandatory contributions to CPF, there is a likelihood that their retirement preparations are affected. Moving forward, would the Ministry consider mandating or incentivising the gig workers and platform companies to make CPF and MediSave contributions? The Progressive Wage Model (PWM) will also not cover these workers. Career progression with accompanying wage increases will be difficult. I am also concerned about the gig workers if accidents occur. They may have to pay for their own medical bills while being out of work. Several platforms provide benefits and protection, in the form of sponsoring skills training courses and providing insurance, though not all. How can we assist the gig workers pivot to new careers? Will the Ministry consider including them in WICA so that the gig workers will have mandatory protection while doing their jobs? Update on Advisory Committee on Platform Workers”
“Mr Chairman, digitalisation is a priority for many countries, Singapore included. However, as mentioned, with increased digitalisation comes exposure to online harms. All segments of the community are vulnerable to online harms. We all know the recent OCBC phishing scam where 790 customers lost $13.7 billion. That is one type of online harm. Another type relates to content found online, for example, online sexual grooming, doxing, cyberbullying, online harassment or stalking and the sharing of misinformation or unlawful content. 1.15 pm As we know, platforms, such as OnlyFans, have been used to show unlawful content. On the metaverse, there have been reports of avatars being bullied and verbally and sexually harassed virtually. I must commend the Ministry for doing much in educating the public on how to navigate the Internet safely. However, what can we do to always make sure that we keep ahead of all the online changes and can we do more in terms of regulations? I watch with interest the developments of the Online Safety Bill in the UK which would determine how online platforms should deal with content and how to prevent the propagation of illegal content. Australia also recently promulgated its e-safety legislation. Would the Ministry consider introducing legislation to regulate online content here as well?”
“Madam, a September 2021 report on youth delinquency by the National Community of Prevention, Rehabilitation and Recidivism showed an encouraging reduction of 43.3% in the number of youth offenders in the last 10 years. I would like to ask whether the Ministry tracks the recidivism level among youth offenders? What percentage are real offenders and when they reoffend, do their offences get more serious in nature? Is there scope to go further upstream, to work with such youths and reduce the rate of recidivism? Additionally, the recent investigations into the OCBC phishing scam, revealed that the suspected perpetrators were all youths aged 18 to 22. No doubt, we may see more or similar offences as a new generation increasingly becomes more tech-savvy. Even if proven guilty, given their young age and misguided talent and promise, what efforts will the Ministry undertake to deter youths from misusing technology to commit offences and ensure that those who offend are guided to more constructive use of their talents and skills? Early Intervention to Prevent Crime”
“(In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] The first quatrain (pantun) refers to the student himself, who, when asked where he was from, he replied proudly that he was from Singapore. In the second quatrain, he describes Singapore as a peaceful and prosperous country, where all the communities get along with one another. The final quatrain is a declaration of his love for his motherland and his readiness to sacrifice everything for Singapore. (In English): Therefore in these times of uncertainty, I would like to say to the youths, have courage. As it takes courage of heart, will, mind and spirit to face the headwinds of tomorrow. Mdm Deputy Speaker, I support the Budget.”
“Can we therefore go one step further from a transient inter-agency task force, to the formation of a permanent mental well-being office under PMO, such as one inspired by SNDGO? Mdm Deputy Speaker, it seems that there are many concerns facing Singaporeans. The youths may be especially worried about their future. Even before the pandemic, Singapore youths were already concerned about job prospects, the climate crisis, inequality and mental health. The World Economic Forum Global Risks Report 2021 also showed a worsening of mental health since the start of the pandemic, leaving youths vulnerable to depression, anxiety and disillusionment. In China, we have the "lying flat" movement. Though I do not think Singaporean youths are at this stage yet, how do we prevent this from happening and wearing out the potential of our youths? Especially when bad news seems to come from all sides? I hope that the youths can find comfort that this Budget demonstrates how the Government places importance on improving social mobility and reducing inequality in the rapidly changing global economy. Mdm Deputy Speaker, even with all the disruptions facing Singapore and the world, in my engagements with youths, I discovered something else: hope. Hope and optimism that together as one Singapore, when we make the effort to look out for one another, regardless of our differences, we can make sure that no one gets left behind. There is a common Malay Saying, "Berat sama dipikul, ringan sama dijinjing". It means when we face challenges, we surmount them together, because together we are stronger. Together, even the greatest of challenges make light work. This is exemplified by a "pantun" written by then 12-year-old Iman Solihin Bin Mohamad Fariq which won an SG50 poetry competition.”
“But in a competitive market, businesses will compete to provide consumers with the most value-for-money products and services. As sustainable products and services become more mainstream, economies of scale could bring down costs." This means, however, that, in the meantime, costs will trickle down to consumers. Will there be monitoring on how the costs are trickling down to consumers, similar to the safeguards and monitoring that will take place by the Committee against Profiteering for the GST hikes? Mdm Deputy Speaker, another issue of importance that I would also like to bring up is mental health. The rising cost of living may lead to greater mental anxiety and strain among Singaporeans about the future. This is exacerbated with the impact of the pandemic on mental health. A new study by BMJ suggests that catching the COVID-19 virus increases the risk of developing mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, stress and adjustment and substance use disorders. As you know, as significant proportion of our population is infected with the virus. It is significant that a Minister mentioned mental health and the inter-agency task force for mental health in the Budget. It signals the seriousness of the Government to tackle the issue and its recognition that all segments of the society have mental health needs. Our SG Mental Health Matters, which is a community of mental health policy advocates, comprising individuals who also have lived experiences of mental health challenges, recently advocated for a whole-of-Government approach to mental well-being. I agree with this approach as it would consolidate all efforts between Ministries, public agencies, social service agencies and ground-up initiatives to plan for the short, medium and long term more effectively.”
“In this regard, I wish to highlight that the migrant worker population is set to be more vulnerable than ever to the effects of the rising costs and GST increases. The GST increase will affect them from the onset and at the same time, they will not be able to qualify for the GST Vouchers. They are also less able to adapt to these increases due to their low wages and debt. They do need help. The migrant workers have been integral in our nation-building. Our streets, houses and skyscrapers are built by them. Does the Government have any plans on reviewing the social support schemes to ensure that their well-being is also looked after? For the persons-with-disabilities, I am pleased that we are launching the Enabling Masterplan 2030 and am looking forward to hearing more details about it. Mdm Deputy Speaker, I will now speak of the environment. In this Budget, Singapore has taken a bold move forward and it is something I support. In terms of carbon taxes, aiming to increase it to $80 per tonne in 2030. This may inevitably lead to the rise of electricity bills and coupled with the effect of inflation, many families and businesses are concerned about how they can cope. It is comforting that additional U-save rebates will be provided to cushion this transition. However, as seen by how electricity prices may be affected by many factors, recently by geopolitical changes, could I ask if the Government is considering more support for households and businesses if the electricity bills increase more than expected? Likewise, green technologies are more expensive in the short-term. As Minister Fu answered in my Parliamentary Question in the last sitting, and I quote, "Green products and services may cost a bit more.”
“I am also heartened that the GST Voucher (GSTV) will remain to help defray some of the cost of living and that the assessable income threshold for GSTV will be increased to enable more Singaporeans to qualify for the rebates. However, I would like to enquire if the Government will be prepared to reconsider how it awards the GSTV. Currently, GSTV is only awarded after review of both assessable income and the annual value of recipients' property. It is also only awarded to Singapore citizens aged 21 years and above. This ignores the fact that residents of houses with identical annual values may have vastly different financial needs and require greater rebates based on the number of household members and children under 21, who maybe residents. In the same vein, would the Government also be relooking at the eligibility criteria of each social welfare scheme, especially in the backdrop of rising costs? If it is assessed that it is not the time for such a review, then would there be clearer guidance of when the Government will decide to review the eligibility criteria and amount of benefits under each social welfare scheme? Mdm Deputy Speaker, in Malay, there is a proverb, "Hati gajah sama dilapah, hati kuman sama dicecah". When there is more, everyone will get more, when there is less, everyone will get less. Scaffolding vulnerable groups are something youths also feel strongly about. The National Youth Council's regular sentiment polling showed that in the area of supporting vulnerable populations, the top issues youths feel need to be addressed include the empowerment and social safety nets for lower-income communities; the rights, treatment and policies for migrant workers; and capability development and empowerment of persons-with-disabilities.”
“It sends a strong signal that Singapore wants to re-distribute its wealth and reduce wealth inequality. More importantly, it sends a signal that Singapore priorities efforts to ensure that our social mobility framework remains agile. It is a good start and one that I am sure was only made after careful research and calibration. While the wealthy should not be made to shoulder the entire of the society's tax burden, at the same time, it is only equitable for those with more to also contribute greater to the society they have benefited from. I do hope these measures are but the beginnings of a more progressive tax system in Singapore. As the Minister stated in his Budget speech, "Everyone chips in and contributes to a vibrant economy and strengthened social compact, but those with greater means contribute a larger share." The COVID-19 pandemic has already affected low-income families in rental housing disproportionately compared to the rest of the population. The Singapore Longitudinal Early Development Study, published in November 2021, found that lower-income families were hit the hardest by the pandemic due to the economic impact, job losses, struggles with adapting to work-from-home and home-based learning as well as social distancing measures, affecting them physically and mentally. The combination of rising costs driven by this period of heightened inflation and the newly announced GST increase will hit the low-income families hard. I am therefore heartened to see that this Budget has boosted social support for Singaporeans, especially those from the low-income. The Budget promises a top-up of the ComCare Fund by $5 million over five years, with another $12 million awarded over four years to self-help groups to better support low-income families.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, this year's Budget has brought to focus on the worries Singaporeans have regarding the rising cost of living and their ability to cope with it. Official statistics taken from MAS and MTI indicate that Singapore's core inflation in January rose to 2.4% on a year-on-year basis, the highest level in more than nine years. This increasing inflation rate is contributed in no small part by the cost of food, electricity and gas in our country brought about by supply chain disruptions caused by the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Now, with the Russian invasion of Ukraine causing the prices of oil and natural gas to skyrocket, as well as imminent threat of further global supply chains disruptions occurring down the road, Singaporeans are no doubt worried that the cost of living will continue to increase to a level greater than they can grapple with. This worry has also trickled down to the youths: "Will I be able to earn enough in future to keep up with these increases?", "Am I reskilling or upskilling enough so I can earn better wages?", "Can I support my family?" These are just some questions that the youths ask. And lastly, "how do we ensure those more vulnerable are not left behind?" This Budget's theme, "Charting Our New Way Forward Together", demonstrates that everyone has a part to play for us to progress as a country. This Budget is noteworthy, because it tries to uphold the values of care and inclusivity. This Budget introduces measures to ensure that those with more contribute more, to help build a more balanced society. For example, I am highly encouraged by the recent moves to increase the personal income tax, property tax and luxury car tax levied on the more well-off in Singapore.”
“I thank the Minister for her clarification. I just have two supplementary questions. I am very happy that we have this Packaging Partnership Programme. I realise it has been there for a few years. Would the Minister know how has the take-up rate for this programme improved over the years or has it stayed the same? And how are the companies being encouraged to take up this Packaging Partnership Programme so that consumers would have a wider range of choices who prefer food products or packages that have greener carbon footprints because I realise that they can actually put a logo for reduced packaging for these particular companies?”
“By not needing to state the fault of a divorce and to prove or disprove allegations and thereby causing further tensions, children may be spared the trauma of such experiences. This will help children of divorce to better adapt and cope with the divorce process. I am, therefore, also happy that MSF has also decided to introduce programmes for the children of divorces and to expand the groups of people who have to attend family support programmes. Divorce may have a traumatising effect on all parties involved, especially children, and even then, not just those in the immediate family. This step allows families to be better supported throughout the whole process, placing importance on their mental well-being and, hopefully, ensuring that the divorce process has a reduced impact on other aspects of their lives. Community and religious organisations also have a part to play to assist in the mediation and counselling processes as faith-based teachings can also be tapped on to achieve the best outcomes for suitable couples. Therefore, I actually hope that these resources will also be tapped on to offer marital and divorce counselling support and that the positive changes here will also be extended to Muslim marriages, though they are not administered by the Women's Charter but by AMLA. All in all, I do believe that the underlying intention is to strengthen marriages and to mitigate the negative effects of divorce and, for that, I support the Bill.”
“Mr Speaker, I would like to express my support of this Bill. I am happy that the amendments reflect the importance of the institution of marriage. As someone who is newly married, of course, my hope is that it does not end in divorce. Before my marriage, I also attended a pre-marriage course in the hopes that it would prepare me better for the greater responsibilities that would come. At the same time, I do acknowledge that marriage may sometimes fail despite the best efforts from both parties. The new section inserted for marriages that have "irretrievably broken down" is a good step forward to make the divorce process less acrimonious for parties involved, particularly if there are children already in the marriage. There are worries on whether it will make the divorce process easier. On the contrary, the current safeguards, such as having to be married for at least three years before filing for divorce, as well as a three-month period before the divorce is finalised, are there. In addition, couples will have to show that they have tried to reconcile and the efforts they have made to settle their children and financial affairs after their divorce. The Court is also able to reject the couple's application if it is deemed that reconciliation is possible. Such couples will have to go through further mediation and counselling. What this section strives to achieve though is to avoid dragging out the divorce process for couples who are already trapped in an unhappy marriage and are aiming for a peaceful resolution but are just waiting for the legal processes to go through. In addition, this also aims to protect the children's interests.”
“I thank the Minister for the clarifications on this. I think we have moved far along in the mental health and well-being discourse. I do note that the Minister said there is always continual review for this. I was wondering whether there are any reviews upcoming and whether the Interagency Taskforce for Mental Health and Well-being can look into this to figure out a common meaning and understanding for future legislation.”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State for his clarification on the situation. I know that you have said that patients with underlying conditions, even if well-controlled, will still be at a higher risk of death; and that not being vaccinated will put Singaporeans at an even higher risk. Could I ask if currently MOH has any data on the percentage of vaccinated patients who have died from COVID-19 who have underlying conditions that are actually well-controlled; and if not, would MOH consider tracking this?”
“However, I do hope that in the implementation of this Act, we do not inadvertently lose public trust, discourage local political discourse or advocacy, or affect Singapore’s reputation as an open trading hub.”
“Would these regulations give the impression that the Government is discouraging this? If it does, it will cast a shadow on the trust that the youths have for the Government which is something we should guard against. Youths are our future and trust is essential for governments to effectively lead. Third, section 4 has defined the meaning of “foreign principal” very broadly to capture any and everything that is remotely foreign in nature, regardless of whether such foreign nature is political or government-related or has a public interest. A foreign principal includes a foreigner even if he or she is a Permanent Resident of this country. This is understandable, as foreign interferences may masquerade as normal foreign entities when in essence they are not. However, I would like to caution and remind, in the wake of these broad definitions and this House's very recent extensive debates on foreign manpower and CECA, to guard against inadvertently enacting legislation that is potentially discriminatory in nature. This may have unintended effects on Singapore’s reputation as a hub for global trade and investments that upholds its constitutional values of equality and fairness. This is something we should always be vigilant about. Mr Speaker, Sir, at the end of it all, the fundamental question that needs to be asked is if the needs of national security outweigh the needs of checks and balances and transparency. A balance must be struck and its consequences understood as it also has a bearing on the trust Singaporeans may have in the Government and its systems. I fully agree that Singapore must always be prepared against the threat of foreign interference. This is something I recognise and that no one can deny.”
“Although it does not apply to Singaporeans expressing their own views on political matters, unless they are agents of a foreign principal and it may not be the intent of the Bill to stifle political speech, there are some members of the community, for example, members of academia or humanitarian and advocacy groups who have genuine concerns about this. These groups have many foreign connections due to their nature that encourages cross-border collaboration. The fear is that their work, which may touch on complex local political issues, and their ties with foreign entities, foundations and states as well as associated funding, may mean that they are at risk of running afoul of the law. It may be argued that this does not cross the threshold of “public interest”. However, there is a sense of unease on the ground and reasonable concern that the current non-exhaustive way that “public interest” is defined in section 8 would still mean that their activities fall under it. Could more be done in the wording of the Bill to provide greater certainty to organisations on the types of entities that would be designated a Part 4 PSP and subject to directives, such that it avoids casting a shadow on their activities? After all, unless winter is coming in Singapore, surely it would be in the country's best interest to avoid casting a chilling effect on such complex cross-border research and activities. I am also concerned about how our youths have received this. Youths include Singaporeans, foreigners and PRs among them, interacting together. And our youths value the ability to talk about potentially politically sensitive and difficult topics and is increasingly comfortable doing so on an online platform.”
“However, provisions can be enacted in the Bill to require that sensitive information be sealed or otherwise not disclosed in the Court hearing such as to allow a judicial review to still be carried out. We have seen some precedent for this in the treatment of whistleblowing information and whistleblowers' identity in court proceedings. If time is of the essence and there is need for judicial reviews under this Bill to be expedited, surely this can also be provided for in the Bill as well. A reviewing Tribunal, even if presided by a High Court judge cannot replace the role of judicial oversight. We must strive to maintain Singapore’s reputation of holding and protecting the rule of law while recognising the ills of foreign interference. Second, there have also been concerns about the transparency of the Bill. One example is the criteria on who can be designated a Part 4 PSP. In the Bill, a Part 4 PSP is a person or organisation whose activities are directed in part towards a political end in Singapore and the Competent Authority opines that it would be in the public interest to impose countermeasures on the entity. This is further elaborated on in sections 7 and 8 of the Bill. These definitions, though, are still broad and not easily understood by the community. Section 20 will also grant the Minister for Home Affairs powers to issue directions to various entities such as social media services, relevant electronic services, internet access services, as well as persons who own or run websites, blogs or social media pages, to help the authorities investigate and counter hostile communications activity that is of foreign origin.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act recognises that Singapore remains vulnerable to foreign interference. In cyberspace, the cyberattacks and hostile information campaigns have increased in complexity and have become more illicit, masking themselves in seemingly innocuous ways. Therefore, these risks should be actively pre-empted and addressed for the national security of Singapore. I believe in the legislative intent of the Bill. However, I have concerns about certain aspects, namely transparency and the need for more checks and balances. Is there a way we can realise and uphold the good intentions of the Bill while at the same time provide some amendments which can address the concerns? I will speak on three points. First, on the possible avenues of check and balances that can be incorporated into the Bill. Second, on how we can increase the transparency of this Bill. Thirdly, I will speak on how the definition of foreign principal may bring about potential discrimination which may affect Singapore’s reputation as a global hub. First, the Bill grants considerable powers to the Government. For example, section 21 allows the Minister to give anticipatory directions even when the Minister only suspects or has reason to believe that the person is “preparing for, or planning to undertake, online communications activity by or on behalf of a foreign principal”. The substance of these decisions under the Bill are not subject to judicial review. I understand that in cases of foreign interference, speed may be of the essence and information received must be acted upon quickly. Moreover, this information may be sensitive and require confidentiality to be preserved.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the Minister for his answer. May I also ask what are the plans in future for regular testing of the children so that all these activities can open up faster?”
“Could the Minister also provide us with the types of scenarios contemplated that would require the exercise of the AG's new powers? The above queries are rooted in real-world concerns about the implications of the AG's new powers for parties to proceedings. For example, under the new section 4A(9), once the AG is granted permission by the Courts to intervene in any proceedings, he is deemed a party to the proceedings and inter alia, has the same right of appeal in the proceedings. Who will bear the burden of cost of the appeal if neither original party to the proceedings had sought for or wanted the appeal? Also, would the Minister be concerned about the chilling effect of these new powers on the rule of law and litigants given that, it is possible under the new laws, for almost every proceeding now to have an element of public interest? Mr Speaker, Sir, all in all, I believe the amendments will allow the Courts to carry out their functions more effectively and therefore, I support the Bill. 7.57 pm”
“Lay people would be unfamiliar with legal phrases that are often not used in everyday life. This move will improve the accessibility of legal due process for in-person litigants. That said, I would also like to highlight some concerns I have. There are inconsistencies in the terminology used for the civil and criminal courts and for the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC). Moreover, these new terms do not apply to the family division of the High Court, or Family Court, or a youth court. This inconsistency may be confusing for both laypersons and lawyers and may cause both legal practitioners and laypersons to talk at cross purposes given that similar sounding words have different meanings. Also, some of the terms considered archaic and to be removed by the SICC are now used as the new simplified expressions for the civil and criminal courts. This anomaly suggests a lack of agreement by the Courts and Legislature over whether such terms are archaic or not. Lastly, paragraph 10 introduces amendments to the Attorney-General (Additional Functions) Act, which enable the AG to intervene in any proceedings, even those that are not criminal proceedings, to which the AG is neither a party nor representing a party and retrospectively, in the public interest. These include proceedings that are often personal and private in nature. Then these powers are extensive. May I ask what prompted this change? May I also clarify when it would be of public interest for the AG to interfere with the legal process of matters that do not concern the AG's office? For example, when would an element of public interest arise in issues of civil or family proceedings?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Courts (Civil and Criminal Justice) Reform Bill aims to improve the accessibility of legal services for everyone. On the whole, I do support the Bill. However, I would like to bring up certain concerns and suggestions which I hope can be addressed in this debate. Firstly, under paragraph 4, the amendments that will be made to section 5 is broader in scope than the existing contempt provisions for unauthorised audio or visual recordings. Anyone who makes such recordings, even if they were not the source of the original recording or was present in Court at the time, would be penalised. If this is the intention of the legislature, would educational campaigns be held to notify the general public of this substantial change in contempt laws? Could I also clarify if lawyers and litigants-in-persons will also be prohibited from making their own non-official audio transcripts of court proceedings, trials and hearings? Such recordings can facilitate understanding for proceedings that may take several days and are information intensive. Moreover, I would also like to welcome the amendments introduced under paragraph 6 through the new section 26A. The new amendments will allow for the presentation of evidence via video or television links. Expert witnesses from other countries can now provide testimony through live video link without having to come to Singapore. This will make litigation not only more efficient but cost-effective as well. Additionally, in the midst of a pandemic, this is a necessary amendment to navigate the new realities of border closures. Secondly, I applaud the move to simplify court terminology to make our laws more accessible and understandable to the general public.”
“Treat the boys with compassion so they may become compassionate boys too. And women, we are allies of each other too. To raise each other up, we should also act in solidarity with the women from marginalised groups: the old, the differently-abled, the poor or the single mother trying her best to raise strong confident daughters of her own. (In English): And women, we are allies of each other too. To raise each other up, we should also act in solidarity with the women from marginalised groups: the old, the differently-abled, the poor, or the single mother trying her best to raise strong confident daughters of her own. Mdm Deputy Speaker, the mindset shift will take time. However, I am confident that the results of such efforts will be far-reaching and worthwhile, and I look forward to it. In closing, let me thank the Singapore Muslim Women's Association for their contributions to this speech.”
“Just this year, The Straits Times produced a video called InstaSex that delved into the stories of teens who encountered sexual harassment and physical assault as a result of interactions on social media. Separately, there was an online poll sexualising ustazah, or female Islamic religious teachers, with a view to committing sexual violence against them. The Internet has added a layer of anonymity that may embolden some to use it as a platform to denigrate women. These incidents should not be chalked up to people being oversensitive. These incidents should never be overlooked. This underscores the relevance and significance of the work of the Alliance for Action Committee formed to tackle online harms. Mdm Deputy Speaker, our boys will grow up to be colleagues, husbands and fathers, and we will raise them to treat women with dignity, honour and respect. Teach them to be our allies. Teach them to not make light of casual remarks that belittle women so that it does not become normalised, and teach them to stand up to those who do. Treat the boys with compassion so that they may become compassionate boys too. Mdm Deputy Speaker, in Malay, please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] We need a whole-of-society and community mindset shift to re-educate the society on shared responsibilities in the home. Gendered expectations start from young. Therefore, we need to involve the young and old, our boys and their caregivers in this conversation too. Our boys will grow up to be colleagues, husbands and fathers, and we will raise them to treat women with dignity, honour and respect. Teach them to be our allies. Teach them to not make light of casual remarks that belittle women, so it does not become normalised and teach them to stand up to those who do.”
“Secondly, there is a need to showcase the strong Malay/Muslim women who are already in our midst. For example, through my work with the Young Women in Leadership Dialogue (YWILD), I have met many inspiring Malay/Muslim female youths. Being a woman, much less from a minority community, may bring about its own set of challenges, but these women have shown courage and grace in the face of adversity. They also embody success in many forms, whether in academics, sports or activism. Take Aida Saad, an artist whose art exhibitions and installations raise awareness of individuals with Down's Syndrome and allows the public to see the world through their lenses. She is feted as a rising artist by the National Arts Council. Or Nur Aziemah Azman, a former madrasah student and a graduate of the prestigious Al-Azhar University. She is currently an Associate Research Fellow at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS). Today, her mastery in multiple languages, as well as her research expertise in the domains of online extremism, international terrorism, religion and identity has given her team an edge in safeguarding Singapore's security. YWILD also aims to provide a platform for young women in our community to have those difficult conversations regarding gender and apply it within the context and value system of the Malay/Muslim community. Lastly, we need a whole-of-society and community mindset shift to re-educate the society on shared responsibilities in the home. Gendered expectations start from young. Therefore, we need to involve the young and old, our boys and their caregivers in this conversation too.”
“What usually happens, though, is a role overload in which an employed woman is expected to fulfil the traditional role as a homemaker, as well as juggle her career. In dire situations, when push comes to shove in a family, the female is also expected to sacrifice their career to assume the role of caregiver in society. In 2012, the then MCYS commissioned a survey on informal caregiving. They found more female caregivers, about 60%, as compared to male caregivers, about 40%. More recently, the MOM Report on Labour force in Singapore 2020 saw that for unemployed residents who cited caregiving as the main reason for leaving their jobs, more than two times of them are female. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our economic and social activities. With more of the workforce working from home, traditional gender stereotypes have resulted in women taking on added responsibilities at home, such as taking charge of their children's home-based learning. According to McKinsey, women's jobs are 1.8 times more vulnerable in this crisis than men's jobs. With these dire statistics, how do we ensure that our Malay/Muslim female youths are able to get the support they need to overcome these difficulties? Firstly, I feel we should encourage mentoring for women, by women. Women should be encouraged to mentor the younger generation and support them in their endeavours. The mentoring scheme can be organised through the community self-help groups where several initiatives are already in place to create safe spaces for women, or even informal networks. The Singapore Muslim Women's Association is also embarking on its journey to create a one-stop resource space to enable women to increase their knowledge and skills in various domains: legal, religious, workforce skills and so on.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, I come from a family full of women. Out of five children, only one is a boy. Needless to say, I grew up in an environment of outspoken females who never feared making their opinions known. Sometimes, I wonder how my brother feels being sandwiched between all these female voices. My mother was the pillar of our family, a homemaker running a tight ship at home. She made sure we ate, did well in school, but also that we had fun. More importantly, she also instilled in us that the Malay/Muslim woman was a capable woman. She is someone who is independent, courageous and who is of value to the world. In Islamic history, we have countless examples of inspiring women such as Khadijah, who was both a successful businesswoman and mother. Or Amra bin Al-Rahman, a well-known jurist who tutored many famous scholars and was described as a boundless ocean of knowledge. Closer to home, according to Population Census 2020, females, in general, have advanced more rapidly in educational attainment. In addition, more Malay females are attending University as compared to Malay males. This is an encouraging development. However, there is more that can be done to encourage and enable the success of young Malay/Muslim women. This is a cause that I feel strongly about. In many Asian countries, women are traditionally seen to be the caregivers of society while the men take the role of the breadwinners. However, this delineation of roles has blurred with the rise of dual-income couples. The Population Census showed that dual-income couples have increased from 52.9% in 2010, to 60% last year. This increase is also reflected in the Malay community. Nonetheless, an equal share of household responsibilities is ideal.”
“Lastly, for section 120A, which relates to the granting of permission for the sale or manufacture of Police uniform or insignia, may I suggest that the word "written" be inserted before the word "permission" in the revised section, meaning the section should be amended to read, "has the written permission of the Commissioner" for clarity and transparency of procedure? Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, all in all, I believe the amendments will allow the Police to carry out their functions more effectively and, therefore, I support the Bill. Before ending, I would also like to congratulate the Singapore Police Force on celebrating their 200th Anniversary. May they continue their good work for many more years to come. 6.56 pm”
“This may be particularly important in domestic violence cases where it is not clear or easy to determine if a crime is being committed in the premises. Additionally, in cases of forced entry, there may be circumstances in which there may be damage to the premises, or instances when the forced entry is actually unwarranted. I would, therefore, like to clarify if there is proper recourse available to the premise owner in such cases. Thirdly, I welcome the fact that forced entry is not applicable to persons who may be attempting suicide. I do agree that these are very complex and, possibly, emotionally-charged situations. Officers who do not understand the ramifications of forcing entry into premises occupied by a suicidal person may run the risk of making matters worse. The person they are trying to help may end up seriously injured or dead, with the officer as a contributing factor, intentionally or otherwise. For example, in February, officers had to force their way into a Toa Payoh flat after a 64-year-old man locked himself in his room and threatened to commit suicide. The man charged towards the officers and allegedly stabbed a Police officer in the thigh. I would like to clarify, though, whether units, such as the Crisis Negotiation Unit, are, today, already empowered to force entry to premises in attempted suicide cases, given that attempted suicide has been decriminalised since 1 January 2020. And if they do have the requisite powers, what sort of legal protections are afforded to them in the event their actions lead to undesirable consequences for the suicidal individual?”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, the Police Force (Amendment) Bill will enable the SPF to continue to keep Singapore safe and secure in an increasingly complex operating environment. On the whole, I do support the Bill. However, there are certain queries or concerns I have which I will put forth. Firstly, I have some concerns for section 17 which empowers the Commissioner of Police and Deputy Commissioner to delegate their powers to non-Police personnel in leadership positions within SPF if they are unable to carry out their duties. Currently, the Commissioner may only delegate his and the Deputy Commissioner's powers to Police officers in leadership positions within SPF. Non-Police personnel may not have the same experiences as a Police officer. Therefore, I would like to clarify in what instances the Minister of State envisages the need to execute section 17. Secondly, I would like to refer to section 26, which allows forced entry in order to protect the life, health or safety of a person. I feel this is especially pertinent and important in domestic violence cases where the victim may be in imminent danger. Just in January this year, the Minister of State for Home Affairs Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim had said there was a 10% increase in family violence cases every month between April and December last year. Having this amendment will add another layer of protection to the victims as it allows the Police officers to render help immediately as time may be of the essence in such cases. However, I would still call for caution when executing forced entry. There should be clear guidelines on what is considered a reasonable situation for it and all officers should be suitably trained before being able to exercise these powers. Limits should be clearly stated.”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State for his comprehensive reply. I just have two points of clarification. Moving forward, may I ask if the Ministry will consider reviewing the DRA Schedule more regularly because the last one was actually quite a while back and a lot of things have changed since then. Secondly, is it moving forward in a manner in which to only allow those from schools on the DRA Schedule to take the qualifying examination, for better clarity of all those involved, instead of depending on SDC?”
“This can be in the form of short optional courses they can apply for, which the Dental Council can conduct. These young graduates are, essentially, our next generation of dentists and we should give them the support they need so that we do not lose our talents, especially as we aim to raise the standard of dentistry in Singapore. Before I end, I would also like to wish a Happy Nurses’ Day to all the nurses who are such an integral part of the healthcare system, for their hard work, dedication, contributions and sacrifice, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you! Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, notwithstanding those questions, I support the Bill.”
“However, there will be instances in which these young Singaporean graduates with foreign degrees may fail this examination and this may be due to a variety of reasons. For example, as an orthodontist and dentist myself, I have learnt that certain dental principles have to be applied to the local context. Dental graduates from foreign universities may not be so well-versed in, for example, the Singapore public health aspects, or that a Caucasian face would need a different treatment plan, as compared to the Asian face, or the fact that the range of common diseases changes from country to country, which means their experience and skills may differ accordingly. The current guidelines dictate that the qualifying examination may be taken a maximum of two times. May I suggest increasing this but within reasonable limits, especially for the Singaporean graduates who have invested significantly in their dental education. The serious implication that we must take into account is that after failing these qualifying examinations, the young graduate is, practically, unable to practise dentistry in Singapore. They are forced to look for alternative career pathways and maybe not even practise dentistry at all. Another situation I feel we should think about is the fate of the young graduates with foreign degrees who come from families which are not so well-off. They are not able to work while doing the qualifying examination, which takes about a year to complete. If they fail, this may extend to another year, which may have a big impact on the family’s finances. A suggestion I have is to provide some sort of scaffolding for these young dental graduates who may need help in retuning their skills to the local context.”
“Thirdly, I do have some queries regarding section 14A which states that “any person who does not hold a Singapore degree or a degree from a specified university may also sit for the qualifying exam if the degree the person holds is, in the opinion of the Council, not lower in standing than the specified degrees.” May I know if the Council will be having a set of objective criteria to determining the quality of these foreign degrees? I am, however, glad that the Ministry said that it is going to review the Schedule and adding universities or deleting universities from the Schedule, because I believe it will have more clarity for the students who are involved. For example, in my work with youths, I have encountered families who have decided to send their children to study in non-accredited universities just to help them realise their children's dreams. This kind of clarity will allow such families to make more informed decisions when preparing for entrance examinations before university. Similarly, in subsection (b), clarity will also be beneficial in how the Council determines if a person has “a standing that is not lower than that of a local practitioner”. This is because the assessment has to be made before they are permitted to even take the qualifying examinations, which aim to peg their skills to the skills of a local practitioner. Fourthly, I would also like to clarify what sort of circumstances MOH is envisaging would be of public interest to allow a graduate to sit or not sit for the qualifying examination. Lastly, on the basis of the qualifying examination, it is based on the final examinations and competencies criteria of the dental graduates in Singapore. I think this is a fair benchmark to aim for.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I start by declaring my interest as a locally trained dentist in a public hospital. For my speech, I will focus on the proposal to register all graduates who hold a foreign degree in dentistry, to pass a qualifying examination before they are granted conditional registration to practise as dentists in Singapore. Firstly, I would like to say that I believe this is long overdue. Having the qualifying examinations ensures that the competencies of foreign graduates are aligned with the competencies of graduates holding a Singapore degree in dentistry. This protects the public by ensuring that only dentists who are adequately trained and qualified are eligible to start practising under conditional registration. This is already present in most other overseas jurisdictions and, with this, Singapore is actually aligning itself with the rest of the world. Secondly, though I welcome this proposal, I do have some concerns regarding the implementation timing. At this juncture, there are many young students who are already enrolled in overseas universities who are part of the Schedule. They did so, particularly aiming for these universities, so they would not need to take the qualifying examinations. Therefore, I believe it is only fair to carry out these policies prospectively, giving them a few years, taking into account students who have already been accepted into these universities or who are unable to start the degree programme yet due to circumstances, such as National Service.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, and I thank Minister Chan for the Statement. I would also like to express my sadness over the incident. I have a few clarifications. Number one: preliminary investigations revealed that the 16-year-old was already assessed at IMH before. What is MOE's strategy with suicide prevention and post-self-harm and suicide attempts for students? Number two: what is MOE doing to raise awareness in not just teachers but students as well? Because such a shock could easily render a student and teacher helpless and not knowing that he or she actually needs help. One last question: should there be students or teachers who are deeply affected by the incident but are afraid to seek the counselling services that MOE has set in place due to entrenched stigma, what are the alternative platforms they might be able to turn to and are they actually aware of these?”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. My question relates to financial planning and estate planning for Malay/Muslims. I would like to thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply just now. I just have a few supplementary questions on it. It is not uncommon for estates that go to intestacy to lead to familial disputes over the allocation of assets. Muslim estate planning, under the Faraidh laws, allows Muslims to plan for one-third of their assets. Yet, today, there are still many Muslims in Singapore who passed away intestate. Will the Ministry consider compiling data on whether there is currently still a lack of clarity on the estate planning options available to Muslims in Singapore? And would the Ministry also consider programmes for older or more mature families, not just for newly wed couples or young couples, who may be less tech-savvy and not as easily accessible for institutions, such as mosques or MENDAKI to reach out to?”
“With the rising property prices and delays in BTO flat completions, there will definitely be a further strain on everyone involved. However, I believe that, as a modern, developed country, this is something we do have to work towards in the long term. But what can we do in the meantime? Minimally, seatbelts should be mandated on lorries. Earlier on, Senior Minister of State Amy Khor had said that the lorries are not built to withstand the forces needed to hold the seatbelts. I feel that this strengthens the finding that lorries are not safe for carrying people. I echo what Member of Parliament Mr Melvin Yong has said previously – that trucks and lorries should only be used to transport goods and not humans. Additionally, after a long day of work, workers on trucks may also fall asleep and, while being transported in such a state, it will be difficult for them to react to cushion any major movements made by the lorry. How do we counteract this? Reinforcements on these lorries should be considered. Similar to what fellow Member of Parliament Mr Alex Yam brought up about SAF having seat belts for their five-tonners yesterday, should we revisit the discussion on how SAF has been transporting their men and how we can adapt such measures to these cases? I welcome the announcement that there will be a review on this issue with all the relevant stakeholders. There is a saying that safety rules are written in blood. Let us not add to it. Notwithstanding what I have asked to be considered, on the whole, I feel this Bill protects the lives of everyone on the road and, for that, I support the Bill.”
“For example, if searches have to be conducted on female commuters, should there also be some sort of initiative where when frisk searches are done, there should be some sort of recording which can protect the rights of the officers and commuters if there are any contentious reports? Only when this is done will citizens be confident that decisions are made fairly and ensure public safety. Last but not least, in relation to safety on the roads, I would like to talk about the recent accidents that involved migrant workers on the roads. In a span of two weeks, two accidents claimed the lives of two young men – 28-year-old Mr Sugunan Sudheeshmon from Kerala and 33-year-old Mr Tofazzal Hossain from Bangladesh. Both left behind young families they were supporting. At the same time, more than 20 others were injured in these accidents. Just a few days ago, there was another accident involving a Police van and lorry, which left 17 men injured. According to the Traffic Police, three people died and 244 people were injured in similar accidents last year and, for us, it is only the first half of the year. It seems like the measures we have in place may not be enough to protect the lives of these young men and this needs to change. I am cognisant that changes may incur more financial costs to the construction industry. But how do you determine the value of human lives? Therefore, I feel that any change in safety standards has to be legislated for it to be duly enforced. How can we make it safer for them? The gold standard would be to use buses to transport them. In fact, Bahrain has already outlawed lorries. I am aware this means additional costs which are likely to be borne by all stakeholders.”
“Could I also ask if there may be provisions to improve accessibility for seniors to take this certification test? For example, the certifications could be conducted in various languages. For the less digitally savvy seniors, could provisions also be given to allow them to take physical tests instead? The costs of the certification renewal could also be kept low for the seniors or less abled who require use of the PABs for mobility. The cost should also not be a hindrance to maybe food delivery riders who may need to depend on PABs for their livelihood. Thirdly, developments in the region have also required us to be more vigilant of possible threats from within or outside of Singapore. It has been deemed that there is a need to legalise security searches on a person on the public transport system. However, I would like to advise caution. The powers accorded to the officers seem wide-ranging. Therefore, officers authorised to do such work must be well-trained in identifying suspects using objective criteria that must be set out beforehand. This is especially pertinent for the purposes of the revised section 127B, which empowers officers to frisk individuals and to request that one or more garments of the bus passenger or entrant – that may be conveniently removed – be removed and for the garment to be inspected. In a multi-racial and multi-cultural society, we must always be mindful of actions that may imply racial or ethnic bias and constantly guard against it. Therefore, it cannot be understated that clearly written policies on these details may be more important than ever. There must also be set protocol and adequate infrastructure for the searches carried out by officers to be done in a dignified and respectful manner.”
“Sir, the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill deals with the issue of safety, whether on the roads or on various modes of public transportation. I feel this is timely. Firstly, because of progress in technology, autonomous vehicles (AVs) no longer seem like something from a faraway future. I am excited and welcome the extension of the regulatory sandbox for a further five years. More synergistic cross-collaborations between the Traffic Police, LTA and AV developers would pave the way for better AVs that are road-safe-by-design. Secondly, power-assisted bicycles have become a common sight on the roads. This will inevitably lead to more instances of accidents involving cyclists and motorists. According to LTA, there were 417 road accidents involving cyclists and PAB users from January to November 2019. It also means that when accidents happen involving a car and a cyclist, the cyclist will usually be at a greater risk. In March 2021, a 42-year-old food delivery rider on an e-bike was killed following an accident with a Mini Cooper along Hougang Avenue. On 3 May 2021, a 49-year-old leisure cyclist was killed in an accident involving a shuttle bus at NTU. By all public accounts, she was a new cyclist who had only just bought her bicycle the week prior to the accident. Therefore, the recommendation to have certifications for PAB users on roads is an important step towards improving the safety of motorists and cyclists on the road and is long overdue. In addition to these theory tests, may I also ask if there will be concomitant increased enforcement action and penalties on the road for errant cyclists as well? I feel that this step has to go hand in hand with the education of cyclists to ensure that knowledge of good rider habits is put into practice.”