Sharael Taha
Singapore
“L, link regional ecosystems. O, we orchestrate with AI and frontier technologies. And W, we win by creating greater economic value, better jobs and better lives for Singaporeans. For the past 60 years, Singapore mastered the movement of ships. Then we mastered the movement of aircraft. Today, we are mastering the movement of data.”
“This is a test of our social compact, a compact that must now be renewed for a new era where businesses commit to not just profits but to people, where workers commit to not just jobs, but to lifelong growth, and where the Government continues to stand with both, ensuring that no one is left behind.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank Minister Tan for sharing the dual fuel nature of our power plants. My supplementary question is how quick is this switching? Can it manage the volatility, especially this unprecedented volatility? And do we need to re-optimise our power plants to manage our energy generation resilience?”
“Thank you, Chairman. Chairman, the Rail Reliability Taskforce has set out clear recommendations – accelerate renewal of ageing core systems, including train signalling and traction power, strengthen backup and resilience measures, improve asset management and spare part planning, deepen workforce capabilities and enhance commuter communic…”
“Thank you, Chairman. I thank the Minister and the political office holders for their comprehensive response. I have a few supplementary questions. I believe the Minister did not get an opportunity to address my cut on the role of NAIC. What precisely is its role?”
“Okay. Mr Chairman, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Minister Josephine Teo, Senior Minister of State Tan Kiat How, Minister of State Rahayu, Minister of State Jasmin Lau and the Permanent Secretary of MDDI, and the whole MDDI team for the responses and the great work that they do.”
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“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, and I thank Senior Minister of State Koh Poh Koon for his reply. Sir, I would like to ask a question: can the Ministry also consider how it can work together with companies to encourage the employment of our dialysis patients through flexible work arrangements? For example, can the Ministry consider a scheme for call centres to hire dialysis patients as work-from-home call operators? In Pasir Ris, I have a few residents who are dialysis patients in their late 30s and early 40s. They are still able to work but they struggled to find employment as their dialysis is usually three or four times a week. So, can we encourage more employment for abled, less fortunate residents by leveraging on flexible work arrangements?”
“The amendments will enable SPF to continue keeping Singapore safe and secure amidst an increasingly complex operating environment. I would like to take the opportunity to thank all our Police officers for keeping us safe. Notwithstanding the clarifications above, Sir, I support the Bill.”
“As such, it is appropriate that we do allow Police officers to enter any place in case of medical emergencies, to protect persons from injury or death. I would like to seek clarification on the definition of a "medical emergency". What constitutes a medical emergency? And how would a Police officer assess the medical emergency behind locked doors? This amendment also seeks to protect Police officers from liability for acts and omissions done in good faith. This will allow our officers to carry out their duties with greater assurance. Given the recent false allegations on social media in the recent months against our Police force, it underscores the importance of protecting our Police officers in the course of their duty. For example, an officer who has been dispatched to a road traffic accident has only a split second to decide on what to do next. While waiting for the arrival of paramedics, the officer may need to provide first aid to the victim. While administering CPR, the officer may have cracked the victim’s ribs. The victim may or may not have survived, but should we not protect our officer for acting in good faith and using as much care as he possibly could at that moment? This amendment will, undoubtedly, protect and reassure our officers as they carry out their duties. Can this assurance be extended to prison wardens and other officers in the Home Team, too? As we enhance and strengthen protection for our officers, we must never allow irresponsible and errant officers to escape punishment. These officers should be fined and disciplined or prosecuted for criminal offences. If they are found to have acted inappropriately, they should face stiffer penalties. (In English): Allow me to conclude in English, Sir.”
“While awaiting the arrival of paramedics, the officer, having been trained in CPR, may need to provide first-aid to the victim. While administering CPR and trying to resuscitate the victim through chest compressions, the officer may have cracked the victim's ribs. The victim may or may not have survived, but should we not protect our officer for acting in good faith and using as much care as he possibly could at that moment? The last few weeks also saw an example where a shirtless man was acting aggressively towards our Police officers. The officers were unable to calm the man down, he continued to behave aggressively and, finally, tried to attack our officers. At that point, there was no other option for our officers but to tase the person. What if the individual who was tased had died due to a pre-existing medical condition? Should the officer not be protected from liability? It stands to reason that if the officer had acted in good faith and followed all the rules of engagement and SOPs, he should not be personally liable in these instances. This amendment would undoubtedly protect and reassure our Police officers as they go about their duties. Should this assurance be extended to our Prison wardens and other officers in the Home Team, too? While we increase the protection to our officers, we must never allow errant officers who act inappropriately to hide behind this. Hence, the protection from liability in the act of good faith must be balanced with stiffer penalties if this is abused. Mr Deputy Speaker, in Malay, please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] It is important for us to equip our Police officers with the necessary powers so that they can respond swiftly in order to protect and save lives.”
“Can the Minister clarify on the type of powers which the CP cannot delegate to civilian officers? Will the CP or DCP delegate the power to investigate scams, financial or cybercrimes, given the increase in the number of such crimes which may require a different skillset from the traditional policing? Do we have a shortage of this skillset within our current men in blue and how do we ensure that delegating these powers do not dilute the investigative capability of our Police from solving scams, financial or cybercrimes that are getting increasingly complicated? The amendment also seeks to "Make explicit the protection for Police officers, Special Police officers (SPOs), Commercial Affairs officers (CAOs), Intelligence Officers and Forensic Specialists from liability for acts and omissions done in good faith and with reasonable care." Currently, our officers rely on the defence of necessity under common law. The amendment seeks to codify and enhance existing protection for our officers in their execution of the Police Force Act (PFA) or any other written law. This will allow them to carry out their lawful duties with greater assurance. Nevertheless, officers may still be taken to task and face disciplinary actions or even charged for criminal offences if they are found to have acted inappropriately. Given the recent false allegations on social media against our Police Force in the recent months, it underscores the importance of protecting our men in blue in the course of their duty. An officer faces many important decisions daily. An officer, for example, who has been dispatched to a road traffic accident and is the first officer at the scene, has only a split second to decide on what to do next.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. The amendments will enable SPF to continue keeping Singapore safe and secure amidst an increasingly complex operating environment. I am in support of the amendments. However, I would like to raise three clarifications: One, more clarity on the power to enter any place in case of an emergency; two, the delegation of Commissioner of Police (CP) and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) powers; and three, protecting officers from liability for acts done in good faith. Firstly, it is important for us to update and equip our Police officers with the necessary powers so that they can respond swiftly in order to protect and save lives. As such, it is appropriate that we do allow our Police officers to enter any place, in case of medical emergency, to protect persons from injury or death. This would allow our Police officers the necessary access in situations where lives may be at stake. I would like to clarify on the definition of a "medical emergency". What constitutes a medical emergency? And how would a Police officer assess the medical emergency behind locked doors? Secondly, the CP is a respected public officer who wields considerable authority and is appointed by none other than our own President. Currently, the CP may only delegate his and the DCP's powers to Police officers in leadership positions within SPF. However, with the new amendments, the CP is empowered to delegate CP and DCP powers to civilian officers in leadership positions within SPF. In his opening statement, Minister of State Desmond Tan had shared that one instance in which the CP may consider delegating his power is when the CP delegates his or her power to the Director of Commercial Affairs to issue SOPs.”
“We must provide support for such workers to face this transition so that they will not be caught in a situation where they find themselves unemployed or unable to contribute meaningfully to the economy. (In English): Let me conclude in English, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. Notwithstanding the above, I stand in support of the additional support measures for the Phase Two and Phase Three (Heightened Alert).”
“In addition to these workers, many have also experienced declining incomes. The situation is getting tougher this time around as this is not just about losing income during Phase Two, but it is a broader challenge as they have experienced restrictions for over one and a half years and their livelihoods were disrupted during this pandemic. Some have also stated that they have exhausted their savings during this period. The Minister has outlined in the Transition Roadmap where we can return to some degree of normalcy. To achieve this, more people have to be vaccinated. Currently, we have been successful in getting two-thirds of our seniors vaccinated and continue to encourage more to receive their vaccination. However, we must find more ways to reach out not only to our seniors, but to every segment of our community to encourage them to get vaccinated. In Pasir Ris-Punggol, the M3 volunteers visited elderly residents who have not taken the vaccine to encourage them to be vaccinated. How can our community encourage those who have not been vaccinated to take the vaccine to protect themselves and their families? With more people vaccinated, we would be more confident in reopening the economy and allowing greater freedom to gather with family and friends, to travel for business and pleasure, as well as to participate in religious activities together. Lastly, as our economy and employment rates improve further, let us keep in mind that some jobs arising from this pandemic are temporary roles. Jobs, such as swabbers and Safe Distancing Ambassadors, will not be so critical as we transit into a more normal situation.”
“What can we do now to avoid a situation of structural unemployment for these workers in temporary COVID-19-related roles as we prepare for the transition to normalcy? Mr Deputy Speaker, in Malay, please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] While the JSS has been able to provide support for industries and individuals affected by the pandemic, the reality is that the pandemic has affected different groups of people to different extents. One of the groups of people who have been very badly affected by the pandemic are our freelance team sports coaches, such as those providing coaching services for hockey, netball, floorball and soccer. It has not been easy for them to conduct the training online and, as such, they have seen a drastic drop in their income during Phase Two. Despite these challenges, these coaches remain positive and strong. As the Malay proverb goes, one must see through any task, regardless of how difficult it may be. They diligently conduct training through Zoom. In fact, there are those who provide free training! Coaches like Mr Rizal Rais, a football coach, Mdm Sa'adiah Khamis, a netball head coach, and Mr Norani Zaini, owner of the Youth Floorball Academy, did it out of their interest to teach young athletes and their hopes of seeing the sport grow even during this pandemic. Can the Government consider more assistance for these individuals? I also support the help given to food stall owners and stalls in the markets. Many stall owners have indicated that their loss of income in the Heightened Alert period is between 40% and 60%. Therefore, I am glad to hear about the support package for hawker centre and market stallholders, including rental assistance, the Market and Hawker Centre Relief Fund and the Food Delivery Booster Package.”
“Given these circumstances, under the CRG-Temporary Support Scheme, 50% loss of income may be too stringent a criterion before some support is extended to them. Can we instead consider a tiered support at different levels of income loss, for example, starting at 30%, 40% and so on? I am heartened to note that the Minister and fellow MTF Co-Chairs have been preparing a roadmap for Singapore to transit to a scenario where we learn to live normally with COVID-19. Can the Minister share when we can expect the roadmap to be completed and shared in greater detail? I look forward to hearing the details about the roadmap. I would like to highlight two issues here. Firstly, on increasing our vaccination rates. Given that our target is 80% by September and we still have many seniors who are unvaccinated, do we have sufficient teams to do the mobile vaccination? How are we increasing the capability and capacity of our healthcare system to better manage the possibility of more infections that may arise from the gradual reopening of our economy, even if they are possibly less severe? What else can we do differently to reach out and encourage more people to be vaccinated to achieve our 80% target? Have we deliberated on the risks of vaccinating children under 12 or should we extend the unvaccinated children under 12 to do home-based learning while we overcome this transition? Secondly, the Minister had said the economy is recovering and our employment situation is improving. However, we must take into consideration that there are people currently employed in temporary COVID-19-related roles, such as swabbers, safe entry screeners, Safe Distancing Ambassadors and vaccination staff. These temporary roles may no longer be required as more and more people are vaccinated.”
“The nature of team sports makes it difficult for effective coaching through Zoom. Yet, despite these challenges, they have held on, persevered and, even in such adversity, continued to coach, hoping that the situation will get better soon. At times, they even do it for free! Why? Because of their passion to coach our young athletes and their desire to see the sports, such as netball, hockey, football and floorball, continue to grow despite this pandemic. This is especially pertinent with the Tokyo Olympics going on even as we speak. We should continue to support the growth and development of our coaches and sportsmen, especially at the grassroots level, where they already face considerable challenges even under normal circumstances. Can the Government consider extending more support for these affected individuals? Another vulnerable group is our market and hawker stallholders. Our market stallholders at Pasir Ris have shared that their income loss during the Heightened Alert period stands at between 40% and 60%. Hence, I am glad to hear about the support packages for them, including rental relief, the Market and Hawker Centre Relief Fund and Food Delivery Booster Package. I would also like to inquire on the progress of the SG Together Alliance for Action (AfA) - Online Ordering for Hawkers. How can we quickly get more of them on board? Beyond these groups of workers, many others have had their income affected, too. The situation is more strained this time as it is not just about entering into another round of Heightened Alert; it is the broader challenge of having to endure more than one and a half years of restrictions and continued disruptions to their livelihoods. Many have shared that they have exhausted their savings during this period.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. I am in support of the additional support measures for Phase Two and Phase Three (Heightened Alert). However, I would like to raise two clarifications: one, on the additional assistance for some affected individuals and, two, clarification on the transition roadmap. JSS support has been well-received across some of the affected industries. However, the reality is that the pandemic has affected different groups of people to different extents. One of the groups that has been very badly affected are our freelance team sports coaches. While there are other freelancers, such as gym instructors and tuition teachers that have pivoted effectively and gone online, the incomes of team sports coaches, such as for hockey, floorball, netball and football, have seen a drastic decline as they face an uphill struggle to move their trade online. One of our Pasir Ris residents, Mdm Sa’adiah Khamis, the lead coach and owner of Singapore Netball Academy, which has 12 netball coaches, has shared that during the Heightened Alert period, the income of coaches may drop by 80%! This concern was echoed by Mr Vijayan, Head Coach of Maruti Hockey Academy. Under normal circumstances, these coaches will be physically coaching for 30 to 34 hours per week but during the Heightened Alert period, they are only able to provide at most 10 hours of Zoom training sessions per week. Similarly, the owner of Youth Floorball Academy, Mr Norani Zaini, and another Pasir Ris resident, Mr Rizal Rais who was previously the football coach at White Sands Primary, shared that their incomes had been generally reduced by more than 20% and, in the months of the Heightened Alert, it can be reduced by more than 50% to 60%. Freelance team sports coaches are often paid an hourly rate.”
“I thank the Minister for the clarification. Just one supplementary question for me. As we transition to living with COVID-19, can the Ministry also consider encouraging the companies employing these temporary workers to send the workers for training, possibly through an additional training grant mechanism? Having supported the frontline through this pandemic, I worry that the workers, who have been in these temporary roles, may struggle to translate their experience to a new employment.”
“When ELU was started in 2014, it was to accommodate the increased electricity consumption in our homes due to the increased use of TVs, PCs, tablets and air-conditioners. Houses built before the 1990s need to have their 30-amp switch upgraded to a 40-amp switch, and has ELU now factored in the increased electrical load brought about by the charging stations in our estates? Can we ensure that this is done concurrently with the ELU programme in our older estates? Mdm Deputy Speaker, in Malay, please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] EVs are called a disruptive technology. Therefore, we need to acquire new skillsets to understand how we can use EVs safely. Our goal of achieving an entirely EV population by 2040 requires a significant change in the way we manage vehicles, while ensuring that our infrastructure is adequate to accommodate these vehicles. Besides working with EMA, LTA also needs to work hand in hand with HDB to ensure that the growth of infrastructure matches the growth rate of EVs. There should be sufficient charging stations to fully support the number of EVs in the near future. A clarification is also required on how the usage of such infrastructure will be charged. Is it through a road tax system that encompasses everything or pay-per-use? (In English): In conclusion, Mdm Deputy Speaker, though EVs pose significant opportunities, we must be aware of the significant changes that they will bring and we must be able to adapt quickly to ensure the safe use of EVs. Notwithstanding the above, I support the Bill.”
“One option is to use this as an opportunity to upskill and retrain more individuals from other industries, such as in the aerospace and oil and gas industries, to be proficient in the EV industries. Beyond safety regulations and enforcement, I am fully supportive of the amendments to the Bill for LTA to cooperate and collaborate with EMA relating to the electrical installation for the charging of EVs. Based on our population of 980,000 vehicles, our target of 60,000 charging stations by 2030 will mean that there is one charging station for every 16.3 vehicles. By then, what is LTA’s projection of EVs on our roads? To understand the adequacy of charging stations better, we also need to understand the capability of the charging stations. How many of the charging stations will be fast charge or slow charge? Based on the volume and mix of charging stations, is one station for every 16.3 vehicles sufficient? How are we studying concentration spots? Based on preliminary assessment on volume and type of charges, do we have enough power in the power grid from clean sources? Do we need more power stations or substations? How will this cost be distributed? What are the maintenance requirements of these chargers? Will maintenance be borne by LTA under an umbrella road tax payment or maintenance will be borne by users, in addition to the electricity cost? Or do we pay a small amount for the charger maintenance or do we pay maintenance through the Town Council on a monthly basis? As there are already 1,800 charging stations and BlueSG is one of the main players for rental of EVs, what lessons can we learn from BlueSG with its current fleet of vehicles and 1,800 chargers? How is LTA working closely with MND on the Electrical Load Upgrading (ELU) projects in housing estates?”
“Modifications to the electrical propulsion system though are done through new electronic control units, new software, which are not immediately visually detectable nor can it be heard by our law enforcement officers. For example, a modified Tesla Model 3 can shave off two seconds of its zero to 100 kilometres per hour pace through modifications and all of this is available on the Internet. Will these modifications increase the risk of battery fires? What will happen if these battery fires cause a larger fire in a cluster of vehicles at the carpark? How do we prevent illegal modifications that make it unsafe for fellow road users? Imagine our roads becoming more populated with these powerful vehicles that make little or no sound. Hence, though I am fully supportive of this Bill positioning LTA as the governing body to regulate the safe use of EVs, I would like to caution that this does not represent an incremental change where we can rely solely on the knowledge of the past and our experiences. EVs are a disruptive technology that will fundamentally change the automotive industry and we too must be prepared to relook at how we fundamentally manage the safe use of such vehicles. As it is within the responsibility of LTA to regulate the safe use of these vehicles, it is imperative that the officers in the Ministry are equipped with the right knowledge to address this new technology and be able to approach the policies for the adoption of EVs from a holistic perspective. There are now a few technical and diploma courses, such as that offered by Singapore Motor Workshop Association Training Academy and Ngee Ann Polytechnic, but more must be done to increase the expertise in these fields in preparation for an entirely EV population.”
“For development in the braking systems – brake by wire, regenerative braking and driver-assisted braking introduces complexity to the normal hydraulic mechanical brake systems commonly used now. What is a safe system? How do we define what is safe? EVs are also extremely quick. As they are propelled by electric motors, torque comes instantly at low rpms – and this is known as instant torque. This gives immense acceleration for an EV. An entry level Model 3 Tesla does zero to 100 kilometres per hour in five seconds. That is as fast as some high-end performance cars. Even an entry level city car like the Hyundai Ionic does zero to 100 in 7.7 seconds, which is about twice as quick in acceleration as compared to a Toyota Corolla five years ago. The Tesla Semi Truck, a semi truck that is capable of carrying heavy goods, unladen, can accelerate from zero to 100 in five seconds and the world's fastest production bike accelerates from zero to 100 in two seconds. In Singapore, as it is, accidents involving heavy vehicles continue to be high and the number of motorcyclist fatalities continue to be more than 50 a year. Hence, how are we going to be able to keep our roads safe when we will have more of these high-performance vehicles silently plying through our roads? In addition, how do we manage modifications that are now available for the EVs. Currently, it is a lot easier to enforce illegal modifications on internal combustion engine cars. Changing a straight-through exhaust, bigger turbochargers, uprated fuel injectors can be seen by the naked eye. Not only can the illegal modification be seen, they often can be heard, with frequent complaints to Members of Parliament.”
“Firstly, in LTA’s role of promoting and regulating the safe use of vehicles, given new technologies and nascent safety standards on EVs, how do we determine what is safe for our roads and how do we deal with after-market modifications that may jeopardise other road users? In addition, we must also consider that other than the traditional automotive manufacturers, more new players are coming into the market; some are not traditional automotive manufacturers. How do we ensure safety standards are met with each new propulsion system or manufacturer? To be able to promote and regulate the safe use of EVs, we need to be able to understand these new technologies. This requires a different skillset from what we have today. Engineers in regulatory roles will need to understand EVs to ensure their safe use. There is a need to recruit or upskill/reskill talents in the automotive industry. Engineers in our LTA need to understand battery technology, safe practices for discharging of batteries and electrical infrastructure to be able to regulate the safe use of these EVs. New technologies are also challenging the norms. Hence, to regulate the safe use of the EVs, our officers must have the right skillset to understand and decide the appropriateness of these new technologies in order to ensure its safe use on our roads. Examples of new technologies include self-driving vehicles. We need to understand the system, failure rate, redundancy system to understand how it all works so that we can decide on the regulations. Which system, whose system is safe for use on our roads? In addition, crashes involving self-driven vehicles or driver-assisted aids, who is to be blamed? The driver or the manufacturer? How do we regulate the insurance of such vehicles?”
“Thank you, Mdm Deputy Speaker. Since I started my engineering career as an automotive engineer 15 years ago, I have seen many changes in the industry. Given that vehicles contribute to 50% of carbon emissions, this industry has been continuously looking for ways to make cars more fuel-efficient while also reducing greenhouse emissions. It was getting harder and more expensive to do so as we were pushing the limits of science for internal combustion engines, or ICE. The industry was in a flux as it searched for the right technology platform for the future of transportation. We tried to squeeze as much energy from each drop of fuel. We ventured into biodiesel fuels from soya beans and canola which had the effect of increasing the price of this food source instead. The industry also explored hybrid propulsion systems and hydrogen fuel cells. In the past five to eight years, the industry has landed on electric propulsion as the way forward and it is a very credible replacement for internal combustion engines. The technology for EV is already available. There are some who are of the opinion that we in Singapore are not moving fast enough to transit fully into an entirely EV population. However, to transit successfully into an entirely EV population requires more than just technological advancement. It also requires the right policies and regulations to ensure the safe use of the EVs. It also necessitates that our infrastructure is adequately prepared to support the EV population. Hence, while I am supportive of this Bill, I would like to pose a few clarifications for the Senior Parliamentary Secretary.”
“With regard to the mandatory theory test for PAB riders, we need to ensure that rolling it out does not affect the livelihood of many who are now dependent on the PAB. Notwithstanding the clarifications above, I stand in support of the Bill. 3.49 pm”
“Given the fees and destructive testing required for PSB certification, it may not be economically practical to conduct destructive testing. As such, for these branded helmets, I hope MHA can consider other internationally accepted safety standards, especially for helmets from well-known manufacturers. The new laws for power-assisted bicycles, or PABs, are another way to keep our roads and pedestrian footpaths safe. However, many people, like Foodpanda and GrabFood deliverers, rely on PABs to earn a living. Can they register immediately and undergo tests as soon as possible so that their incomes will not be affected by this new law? Can we conduct these PAB tests in the vernacular languages, such as Mandarin, Malay, Hokkien and so on, especially for those who are uncomfortable using the English language? Another consideration for the PAB test is its affordability. Can we make the PAB test more affordable for those who rely on it to earn their living? Perhaps we can provide subsidies through SkillsFuture. In our efforts to improve safety on the roads and pedestrian footpaths, let us ensure that these PAB tests are affordable and can be taken easily so that they can continue to use PABs for their jobs as soon as possible. (In English): In conclusion, Mr Speaker, Sir, the increased penalties for racing, time trials and road rage will assist to make our roads safer. It is also important to enforce basic safety standards for helmets. However, I hope that the Ministry can consider approving other internationally accepted standards like ECE and SNELL so that our riders can equip themselves with safety gears that meet the international standards.”
“We just have to consider the many Foodpanda and GrabFood drivers who use PABs to do their deliveries. For such cases, how soon can they sign up and go for the test such that their income will not be inadvertently affected by this new legislation? Should they fail the first-time round, how soon can they book for a subsequent test? Are we able to conduct these PAB tests using vernacular languages for those who are not as comfortable with English as a medium of instruction? Another consideration is the cost element of such tests. How affordable will it be for people who really depend on the PABs for their livelihood? Is there a chance that we can provide subsidies, possibly via SkillsFuture, to defray the costs of these tests? While we improve the safety of our roads and pedestrian walkways, let us not put such groups that depend on the PABs for their livelihood at a disadvantage. Let us try to make it as quick and convenient as possible for them to get their certification so that they can continue using their PABs safely for their livelihood. Mr Speaker, in Malay, please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Illegal racers not only put themselves at a serious risk but also expose road users and those who are innocent to this risk. To keep our roads safe, I support higher penalties for racing and speed tests. With regard to the higher penalties for unapproved helmets, I would like to seek a clarification. I believe this law will provide a good basic safety standard for helmets while improving the safety of motorcyclists and pillion riders. However, there are also helmets that are safer and conform to international standards, such as ECE and SNELL. High-end helmets, such as Shoei and Arai, often come in limited numbers to Singapore.”
“In addition to considering accepting ECE and SNELL standards, some other proposed solution could be conducting the destructive test once per model rather than per batch and possibly making the testing free or at a highly subsidised rate to ensure affordability and, hence, enhance the safety of riders. If, however, the concern was counterfeit products from these renowned manufacturers, perhaps the Ministry can consider dealers showing proof of source direct from manufacturer. The challenge of scale in Singapore's small domestic bike market is even more evident if special helmets are required. For example, since the demand for a good kid's pillion helmet is small in Singapore, it does not make economic sense for a dealer to provide for PSB-approved kids' helmets. This may subsequently result in the child riding pillion having to wear an ill-fitting, oversized PSB-approved helmet as compared to a correct fitting helmet approved by the ECE or SNELL standards. This seems counter intuitive to the intent of the legislation, which is to improve the safety of our motorcyclists and their pillions. In a Facebook video created by content creator TRI333PLE for the motorcycling community, the video showed how some expensive high-end helmets with SNELL and ECE certification performed better at impact testing as compared to cheaper PSB-approved helmet. As mentioned by a few riders, Mr Imran Ayub and Mr Sultan Shaheed, they want to be given the opportunity to provide the best safety gear for themselves and their loved ones. Many welcome the new legislation for PABs as yet another way to keep our roads and pedestrian walkways safe. I would like to highlight though that, especially since the circuit breaker in 2020, more and more people depend on PABs as a means to earn their income.”
“The dealers will have to then pass on this cost to the riders and this may be a deterrent to the riders, especially if we have riders from the lower income group. Hence, while we seek to ensure better safety standards for more of our motorcyclists and their pillions, the economics of testing may hinder the intent of the legislation. Given Singapore's small motorbike market compared to the world, by requiring an additional destructive test on an already small batch of helmets increases the helmet price prohibitively and may act as a deterrent for motorcyclists to get the good helmets that can keep them safe. One way we can overcome this is if we can consider accepting other standards that are internationally accepted. Renowned bike helmet manufacturers like Shoei and Arai that are declared safe for MotoGP use, the "Formula 1" of motor racing, usually come with the ECE or SNELL standards. ECE refers to the Economic Commission for Europe safety standard, which is used by more than 50 countries, including Europe, and recognised by international racing bodies. World safety standards for helmets also include the US Department of Transportation (DOT) and SNELL standards. We must also consider motorcyclists who have already purchased such high-end helmets with internationally-accredited standards but without the soon-to-be mandatory PSB certification. It would be economically costly for these motorcyclists to have to purchase yet another helmet when the present high-end helmet they have, such as those produced by Arai and Shoei, are already internationally-certified as safe.”
“How do we ensure the consequence to cyclists and motorists can be equally meted out as we have seen videos of cyclists verbally abusing and punching motorists on several occasions already? I support the penalisation of motorists who fail to ensure their pillion wears an approved helmet and the introduction of stiffer penalties for those selling poor quality non-approved helmets. I think that this legislation would provide a good baseline safety standard for helmets that should be used on our roads and improve the overall safety of our motorcyclists and their pillions. I would also like to seek clarification on the penalising of motorcyclists who fail to ensure their pillion wears an approved helmet as well as the stiffer penalties for those selling non-approved helmets. I appreciate and understand the intent in ensuring that helmets pass certain safety standards so that they can protect both rider and pillion. In Singapore, the standards follow the TUV SUD PSB Standard. It involves one-drop test on the front, back and side of the helmet, a penetration test using a sharp object falling on the helmet and a chin strap test using a weight pulling on the strap. These tests are conducted in batches, meaning dealers have to put about 1% to 4% of each batch of helmets that they bring in, that they import in, through these destructive tests. According to the Singapore Motor Cycle Trade Association (SMCTA), the price of testing open face helmets is S$1,283 for a minimum of four pieces, with the next five pieces costing S$194 each. There is also an additional stamp duty of S$110. The high price, compulsory batch destructive testing and the small market make helmet testing an economical burden to both the dealers and the riders.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker, Sir. From 2018 to 2020, a total of 31 people have been arrested over four cases of illegal street racing. During the circuit breaker period, we have seen videos of an illegal street race along KPE where six men and two women were eventually arrested. In a separate incident, also during the circuit breaker period, 57 motorists in 50 vehicles were investigated for taking part in an illegal car race in Tuas. The roads of Lim Chu Kang, Seletar, Tuas have been observed at times to be used for drag competition, with multiple cars gathering at these locations to watch the race. And how can we forget the shocking deaths of five young men earlier this year after they sped through Tanjong Pagar? These illegal racers not only put themselves at serious risk of harm, but also expose other road users and innocent bystanders to these risks. While I understand that some people are passionate about cars, these racing-related activities do not have a place on our public roads. We have been lucky thus far that no innocent bystanders have been hurt, which makes it even more important for us to act now to ensure that our roads remain safe for everyone who use them. Hence, to keep our roads safe, I am in support of the increased penalties for racing and speed trials. In addition, to ensure that the right punishment is meted out to the right individual, I am also in support of the stiffer penalties for individuals who mislead the Traffic Police in their investigations. Additionally, I am in support of disqualifying motorists for road rage. However, I would like to seek some clarification on this matter. What if the accused was a cyclist exhibiting road rage to a motorist?”
“With that Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, notwithstanding the clarifications above, I support the Bill.”
“Previously, when the delivery rider delivers directly to the customer, the customer receives the parcels in good condition and this also protects the delivery riders from fraudulent claims. However, with the current proposal, the delivery riders will place the parcel in designated lockers. How can we ensure the delivery riders are protected when the parcel is damaged between the time when the parcel is placed in the locker to the time when the customer retrieves the parcel? For delivery riders earning less than $5 per successful delivery, fraudulent claims can affect their income. Fraudulent claims may cause delivery riders to lose their entire income for a few days. Thus, we must ensure a robust system of parcel delivery and a claims process that is fair to all parties. Notwithstanding, with the provision of a nationwide parcel locker network, we can promote a more effective use of space. It also prevents parcel locker providers from allocating their lockers to specific platforms only. This can also increase the number of successful deliveries. Finally, it also represents a responsive adaptation by our postal service to remain relevant in light of the growth of e-commerce and the decline of mail volume as a result of increased digitalisation. (In English): In conclusion, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the deployment of a nationwide network of parcel lockers in specified premises has many advantages and benefits to businesses, customers and last mile delivery providers. It is also a responsive adaptation of our postal service in light of the growth of e-commerce and the decline of mail volume as a result of increased digitalisation. The amendments to the Postal Service Act will ensure the continued relevance of our postal service to future generations of Singaporeans.”
“Will small businesses or homebased businesses that do their own delivery for costs reasons have equal access to these facilities as it can potentially help with their operations and costs? How viable is it for us to extend the use of such facilities to them? Can we also consider extending this service to parcel pick-ups and parcel returns, too? This is an additional service that is provided by current parcel locker players and I think we should provide such a service, too. A final consideration would be, with the increased use of packaging, which will inevitably increase with the growth in ecommerce, how do we use these platforms to promote our Green Plan recycling effort? Can we have reminder posters at parcel lockers, or else, incentivise the proper disposal and recycling of packaging? Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in Malay, please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Over the past few years, we have experienced the rapid growth of online shopping. This increase, as well as advances in technology, has also led to the development and growth of last mile delivery participants. As the e-commerce sector grows and online purchases become more prevalent, there is a need to look into a critical gap in the last-mile delivery industry. Currently, we have multiple players in a fragmented market, with others intending to join in to provide the service. With the provision of a nationwide parcel locker network, we are able to provide certain standards and guidelines in order to protect customers and businesses. With the establishment of a nationwide parcel locker network, it is also important that we keep in mind how we can protect the delivery riders.”
“With economies of scale, ASRS may also enable the use of technology to capture the condition of parcels at the point of delivery to ensure that there are no wrongful claims and disagreements between buyer, seller, third party last mile delivery providers and Pick Network. Current businesses and customers face a 7% failed delivery rate at doorstep. Access to network of lockers will enable last mile delivery providers to increase their successful delivery rate. Hence, delivery companies can do more for the same amount of resource. There is the potential for less failed delivery and, hence, less wastage on travel times, leading to savings in fuel and operating costs. Consequently, this will also be beneficial for businesses and deliverymen who may only be paid upon successful delivery. Parcel lockers also help improve individual productivity. Customers are better off as they no longer have to remain at home in anticipation of a delivery. We can also consider an accompanying messaging app to inform recipients that their parcel has been safely delivered at the respective collection points so that they can be retrieved. The faster the turnaround time for these lockers, the higher the capacity for the network. With this in mind, will there be a time-bound constraint for the use of these lockers? Will customers be charged accordingly? Are there any other costs incurred by businesses and customers using this facility? Beyond costs, there are other considerations to these parcel lockers. Firstly, who will have access to these parcel lockers? Will it be limited to only some last mile service providers?”
“Notwithstanding the need for a robust and reliable system to safeguard all the stakeholders involved, through the provision of such lockers, the common practice of delivery staff taking pictures of customers receiving parcels or even taking pictures of customers' homes upon delivery of parcel to avoid being unfairly penalised for parcel damage or as proof of delivery, will no longer be necessary. This would be of great benefit in terms of protecting the customers' privacy, too. Another consideration that we should take note of is that, in the current market, each service provider operates independently, providing their own physical lockers which vary in terms of size and accessibility. They also often service only their own propriety platform, for example, Ninja Van lockers. If two or more competing service providers are at the same location, such as with Ninja Van and Bluport, it may result in under-utilisation of lockers and inefficient use of space. Provision of a nationwide parcel locker network and allowing access to these assets to last mile delivery operators would help promote more effective use of valuable space. This is in line with the current trend of co-sharing assets to promote its efficient utilisation, such as that seen on platforms like AirBnB, Grab and MoBike. Additionally, in locations that experience a high volume of parcel delivery, we can also consider piloting the use of Automated Storage Retrieval Systems (ASRS) that are more volumetrically efficient at storage and has a more efficient physical footprint.”
“With the new proposed network, last mile delivery riders may no longer have direct contact with sellers and, instead, deposit parcels into lockers at designated locations. Therefore, from the moment the parcel departs from the seller until it arrives safely in the hands of the customer, it is essential to protect sellers, last mile delivery riders, customers and Pick Network from wrongful claims in the event of damage to the parcel even whilst in transit. We must especially keep in mind the delivery riders who currently deliver direct to customers. Customers receive the parcels in good condition and this protects the delivery riders from fraudulent claims. However, with the current proposal, delivery riders will deliver to parcel lockers. How can we ensure that the delivery riders are protected when the parcel is damaged between the point of him/her completing the delivery to the parcel lockers and the customers retrieving the parcels? I have met a few delivery riders who are exceptionally cautious when delivering parcels and resort to taking pictures of the recipient receiving their parcels to ensure that he/she is safe from any claims of damages to the parcels as such fraudulent claims may pose a significant financial loss to the delivery riders. Assuming delivery riders earn less than $5 dollars per successful delivery, if a fraudulent claim of a damaged parcel worth $100 is made on him, it will mean he loses his entire income for a day or two. Thus, we must ensure a robust and reliable system of parcel delivery, with proper recourse, should parcels be damaged or lost.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, over the past few years, we have experienced the rapid growth of online shopping. This increase, as well as advances in technology, has also led to the development and growth of last mile delivery providers and participants. As the e-commerce sector grows and online purchases become more prevalent, there is a need to look into a critical gap in the industry for the provision of parcel lockers. Currently, we have multiple players in a fragmented market, with others intending to join in to provide this particular last mile delivery service. Current parcel locker providers are extremely differentiated and unstandardised. They vary in terms of business, operations and subscription models, customer interface and even locker size. As a result, customers and businesses who use parcel lockers face multiple challenges trying to navigate through the variety of particular last mile delivery services. With the provision of a nationwide parcel locker network via Pick Network Pte Ltd, we are able to provide standards and guidelines in order to protect customers and businesses. As mentioned by a few Members – Ms Joan Pereira and Ms Ng Ling Ling – there is a need to look into issues of accessibility for seniors and the less abled, as well as physical and cybersecurity requirements, particularly since we anticipate the sector to grow even further in the coming years. In the near future, customers using such services should have ease of access, which is to say, there should be sufficient parcel locker locations, making it convenient for customers to receive and collect their parcels in a safe and timely manner. Currently, the custody of a parcel goes from seller to last mile delivery riders before it ends up with the customer.”
“I would like to thank the Deputy Prime Minister for sharing the progress made by the ITMs and the improvements we have in productivity and I look forward the ITM refresh. I would like to pose two supplementary questions on ITMs. Given that the ITMs began a few years ago, much has changed since then and we have learnt a lot in the past one year from the pandemic and changing macroeconomic situation. Are we incorporating these lessons learnt and revising the ITMs to better prepare ourselves for the future? For example, in the manufacturing ITM, should we be incorporating capability for vaccination production or preparing for PPE production in preparation for the next pandemic? And for the healthcare ITM, should we explore the use of technology or develop more skills to build latent capacity in our healthcare system that can be called upon and scaled up quickly when the next pandemic arises? For the second question, coincidentally, today marks the first day, after close to a year, where working from home is no longer the default work arrangement. In an earlier Straits Times poll, three in four respondents do not wish to return to the workplace full-time. Work from home or work from anywhere has brought about many benefits for both businesses and employees, including for the vulnerable workers and workers with mobility challenges. Not only does it allow jobs to be more accessible to all, it could also be a competitive advantage for companies in Singapore to vie for jobs outside of Singapore. This could be a game-changer for our professional services ITM. Can we lock in the gains of remote and flexi-work arrangements before we revert back to the pre-COVID norms? Can we relook at the opportunities to incorporate this into our ITM, moving forward?”
“One last sentence, sorry. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Can the Minister provide an update on the Youth Mentoring Office and share some of the plans that it has implemented or will be implementing?”
“Shafiq, together with young professionals like Mr Amir Zakaria, a robotics engineer who is experienced in 3D-printing, are young trailblazers in our community and I wish them all the best for their pursuit to learn and subsequently embark on a career in the digital industry. Can we initiate a network of mentors from the industries to help young people like them in their journey? For younger students, MENDAKI has rolled out mentoring programmes for youth under the Youth Mentoring Office since last year. More than 1000 volunteers have registered as mentors and more than 500 mentors have been trained.”
“Digital skills and knowledge of the green economy will be integral to ensure that we remain relevant in the job market. Through the M3 network, in particular MENDAKI SENSE, may I ask the Minister, what more can we do for Malay/Muslim workers to develop their digital competencies or expertise in the green economy, so that they can be part of these emerging industries? How do we increase awareness about the jobs available in these emerging industries among our community? As the Malay proverb goes, "Bend a bamboo while it is still a young bamboo shoot". How do we prepare our children and youth to have a passion for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics so that our children can be prepared for the new economy? I recently spoke to a group of students from ITE College Central. They were excited to enter the job market, but some are worried about what they perceive to be discriminatory practices when looking for jobs and while working. We need to reassure our youths that there are existing laws that may be able to address some of their concerns. Most importantly, we must continue to convince them that the best way to overcome this, is by deepening their capabilities in Digital or Green Technology that are needed by employers so that they can seize any available opportunity. Mentoring our Youth (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Last October, I presented the MENDAKI award to Muhammad Shafiq Akmal Bin Supri who topped his class in the Business Intelligence and Data Analytics diploma course in Temasek Polytechnic.”
“Thank you, Mr Chairman, Sir. Yes, I would like to take my cuts; L, M and N together, please. Mr Chairman, in Malay, please. Support for Vulnerable Families (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] COVID-19 has drastically impacted the lives of Singaporeans. This is especially so for at-risk families, who require more support in terms of resources, learning tools, upskilling and gaining employment. During the circuit breaker, M3 and other Malay/Muslim organisations provided assistance particularly to at-risk families through programmes such as SGBukaPuasa. However, some families remain unaware of programmes, assistance and support that are available, and how to access them. I am concerned and would like to know, how we can, through the M3 network, engage at-risk groups within the Malay/Muslim community more effectively? How do we also ensure that those in need of support actually receive it? Training for Digital and Green Economy (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] I would like to quote Minister Chan Chun Sing's speech that "COVID-19 is the crisis of our generation, but it can also be the opportunity of our generation." COVID-19 has changed our business and employment landscape. Certain industries will decline while others, such as those in the digital economy or supporting the Green Plan, will see increased demand. Disruptive technologies like driverless vehicles or drone deliveries, and our move towards electric vehicles, will render many present jobs redundant in affected industries. Bridging sunset industries and emerging industries will be challenging. Workers in affected industries may feel that the transfer of skills is not easy, but we must try nonetheless.”
“Singapore needs to continue to remain attractive for investments. Our lower tax rates compared to other developed countries is one of the many reasons that makes us attractive for investments. How will an increased in carbon tax impact our climate strategy? Will it encourage the industry to adopt new technologies to be more efficient or will it reduce our attractiveness for investments as investors look for cheaper and less restrictive alternatives in this region? How do we strike this balance?”
“Mr Chairman, we continue to invest in our people and in providing for more support through SGUnited Jobs and Skills Package for our workers. Of the many upgrading courses available, many are on digital skills. These courses need to translate into real changes. How can we increase the efficacy of these trainings into driving real digital transformation? Can we consider measuring success through transformation-driven metrics rather than course take-up rates? A tiered approach can be used, where applicable, to provide basic subsidy for attending the course and enhanced subsidy if the employee drives a change to the business. An example is the lean sigma black belt course, which is an operational excellence training course where a participant receives his certification only after showing a $1 million operational improvement to his organisation. Enterprise Pillar of Skills Eco-system”
“While we have debated extensively on foreign workforce quotas, let it not distract us from the fundamental question: how do we keep our workforce competitive and relevant in the global market, especially when workforce quotas are losing relevance in protecting jobs? How can we prepare, upskill and provide opportunities for our workforce such that we remain relevant in the global economy and not only do jobs in Singapore, but also do jobs for other countries remotely? Can the Ministry or trade associations provide a platform for our remote professional services to be procured globally? Remote working also requires a different set of skills for both the employer and employee, and an equilibrium of trust must be struck for it to work. Remote working managers must be able to set targets to manage the output of the team and not just manage the team purely based on counting the number of hours clocked. At the same time, employees must also not take advantage of the flexibility afforded to them due to remote working and be more self-directed in managing themselves to ensure that productivity is never compromised. 7.44 pm Moving forward, even as we focus on investing in upskilling our workforce in terms of hard digital skills, let us concurrently promote the adoption and refinement of the softer skills of remote working to establish a suitably efficient and productive remote work culture environment. We should also consider how MOE can better prepare our children for a future of remote working. Workplace Bullying and Sexual Harassment”
“Thank you, Mr Chairman. Sir, in the past 12 months, the pandemic has taught us that for 60% of Singaporeans who are PMETs, our jobs are likely to be able to be done anywhere, and at any part of the globe. Workers are no longer confined to office cubicles, and close physical proximity is no longer a prerequisite for collaborative work. Employers are now trying to implement HR policies that strike a fair balance between work from home and work from office. For some, work from home has improved their quality of life while, for others, work from home has been very difficult to juggle as the lines between work and home are getting increasingly blurred. What is the balance point that is fair to both employers and employees? For example, for office employees or non-workmen that are on work from home but have OT pay in their working contracts, how do we remunerate such workers that is fair for both employers and employees? How can the Ministry ensure the rights of both employers and employees are protected through encouraging fair work employment practices? How can the Ministry ensure that high productivity is maintained while encouraging and improving good work-life balance for our workforce? We must capitalise on this opportunity and ensure Singapore remains one of the more attractive places to work and, more importantly, retain the talent within Singapore. Fair work practices and a good work life balance will go a long way into ensuring our comparative advantage as we shift towards new working norms. Work from home has also demonstrated clearly how jobs can be done anywhere in the world.”
“Thank you, Mr Chairman. We aspire to be a greener nation and successful transformation necessitates getting everyone on this journey. It is inevitable that certain industries face decline while other industries such as those supporting the Green Plan will see an increase in demand. For example, with no internal combustion engines by 2040, there will not be any petrol stations then. What about the impact of disruptive technologies like driverless vehicles and drone deliveries? Bridging between the contracting and emerging industries will be challenging and it would be erroneous to assume that everyone can make the transition smoothly. We need to balance and manage this workforce transition, especially when most of the jobs that will be lost are lower wage roles. I urge the Ministry to consider updating our industry transformation roadmap (ITM) to include workforce transition strategies for low-wage workers, seniors and persons with disabilities. Our ITM and green plan should purposely feature this group of workers so that the industries can proactively redesign jobs to ensure inclusive growth in the post-pandemic economy. Support for SMEs and SME Workers”
“Thank you, Chairman, and I thank the Minister and the two Senior Ministers of State for all their clarifications. Just a minor question for me. I would like to ask the Minister, he mentioned that the Digital Leaders Programme would be for 80 companies. Sounds like a very good programme as we need to grow our digital leaders. So, how will these companies be selected? Will it be by industry or the value proposition that they are looking for?”
“Mr Chairman, although a lot efforts have been made to improve digital literacy, not all Singaporeans have equal access to digital devices and are digitally literate. This pandemic has widened the gap between the digital haves versus the digital have-nots. Beyond having the basic skills, individuals must also have the devices, networks and purpose to continuously immerse themselves in a digital environment. How is MCI helping the vulnerable, or low-income families and youths gain the digital skills that they need? Are we doing enough to prevent these less fortunate families from being left behind? Narrowing the Digital Divide”
“How can MCI help businesses unlock new value through digitalisation, especially digital starters that need more assistance? With more home-based businesses (HBB) and Singaporeans in the gig economy, how can MCI also assist HBBs to unlock value? Opportunities in ICT Industry I applaud the continuous support for the SGUnited Jobs and Skills programme. I have met many residents who have benefited from the programme, from mid-career professionals to fresh graduates. Of these, many hold aspirations for joining the growing ICT industry. However, some are still concerned that they lack the skills and industry background to seize digital opportunities. Many share that despite taking up several digital courses, they have yet to be given an opportunity for a career in the industry. They cited that they have been turned down as they lack experience. But without the opportunity, they will never be able to switch industries and gain experience in the ICT industry. How can MCI help workers get an opportunity in the industry and secure good jobs in the digital economy? Can the Ministry consider some mechanism to balance the hiring of experienced and inexperienced talents in the growing ICT industry? SMEs and Digital Transformation”
“Coming from the industry, trying to navigate transformation is difficult as this is not merely improving productivity but is fundamentally transforming business models. Many companies may need help to navigate the multitude of different schemes available. To assist companies to fully leverage on the suite of support packages available, can the Ministry consider some form of overarching business transformation support through a membership programme or handholding to help companies navigate the cross-Ministerial support for transformation? We need a more concerted approach to business transformation to help companies gain traction and better navigate the diverse cross-Ministerial support provided. SMEs Unlock Value Through Digitalisation My second cut is about bridging the digital divide, in particular, inclusive growth for SMEs. The Go Digital Programme has assisted a lot of SMEs through their digital journey. One example of an SME that has performed well in their digital journey is Saffrons, an eatery in the east known for its fish briyani. Through adopting digital tools such as food ordering, third party food delivery apps, digital posts, witty marketing and, of course, good food. Its owner, Mr Rijal, shared that he has grown his customer base and revenue significantly. Saffrons is an example of a small, non-digital native enterprise that has been able to leverage on digital transformation. However, not all SMEs have made equal progress in digitalisation. This pandemic has widened the gap between the digital haves and the digital have-nots. Some SMEs are still struggling to find value through digitalisation. With a lot of schemes available, how can MCI assist digital starters to navigate the eco-system of support?”
“COVID-19 has been a catalyst for business transformation. In the past, our close proximity to workplace, shops and markets meant ease of physical access. There was no burning need to digitalise to bridge physical distances. However, the pandemic has made it necessary for organisations and companies to explore digital solutions, such as the use of Zoom, e-payment and e-commerce. We now better understand how digitalisation can help make our operations more convenient and efficient. The next step is to move from pockets of digitalisation or pilots to fully adopting real and sustainable digital transformation. This will enable us to go beyond the superficial grafting of technology onto current processes and instead, leverage fully on digitalisation and create fundamental shifts to our business models. Only then, can we be fully poised to take full advantage of the opportunities emerging from the post-pandemic world economy. It is noteworthy that the recent McKinsey report indicated that 85% of ASEAN companies are still stuck in this digitalisation pilot trap. How can MCI, MTI and MOM work closer together to support companies in driving real, sustained digital transformation? By stringing together cohesive programmes across Ministries to enable companies to build a coherent, successful transformation strategy and execution, possibly through a clear operation and technology roadmap from MTI, supported by skilled manpower through MCI's Digital Leaders Programme and SGUnited Jobs and Skills training guided by experienced practitioners using MCI CTO as a service while training organisational capabilities to drive insights from the better use of data. Each Ministry holds a piece of the jigsaw puzzle.”
“Mr Chairman, Sir, please allow me to submit my cuts (e), (f) and (g) together.”
“Mr Chairman, in the Smart Nation Summit on 26 June 2019, Prime Minister Lee mentioned, for us, being a Smart Nation, it is not about flaunting fizzy technology, but it is about applying technology to solve real-world problems that will make a difference to people's lives. As we battle the pandemic over the past 12 months, we have witnessed clearly how Smart Nation applied digital technology that has made a difference to our lives, such as MOE's student learning space which enabled home-based learning for all students; TraceTogether (TT) token, which reduced contact tracing from four days to 1.5 days and the supply airline app which manage the distribution of critical supplies, such as 90 million masks and more than 500,000 meals for Redeem SG. Moving ahead, what are the Smart Nation initiatives can we look forward to to help deliver more personalised and inclusive services for our citizens?”