Sim Ann
Singapore
“Sir, given the increasingly transnational nature of crime and the rapid advancement of digital finance, international cooperation is indeed key. Singapore will continue to issue MLAs where it is appropriate, but also pursue international cooperation in informal manner. This applies not just to AML/CFT and PF, but also to scams.”
“Sir, I believe that the first and the third supplementary questions from the Member are related. I would say that if the facts of the case are such that it warrants taking action under the Penal Code for offences relating to the circulation of intimate images, the Police will do so.”
“Sir, we have a national movement to prepare Singaporeans against terrorism – SGSecure. This is one way through which we disseminate important information so that Singaporeans are aware of security risks.”
“Sir, we want to see everyone get home safe everyday. If safety is compromised, then livelihoods and many other good things in life are going to be at risk. We believe that the public will see our proposed for changes in this light, particularly our vocational drivers, because safer roads also mean a safer working environment for them.”
“To Ms Cassandra Lee's question, the alcohol limits that are currently enforced have been in place since 1985, and that is more than forty years ago. Now, Singapore is one of the jurisdictions with the highest alcohol limits, while the other jurisdictions have adopted stricter regimes with lower limits.”
“MFA is working with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to strengthen our safeguards against foreign interference, which will be elaborated on by MHA during its Committee of Supply. Mr Chairman, foreign policy begins at home.”
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“Building on the success of the Locker Alliance pilot, IMDA will launch a nationwide deployment of 1,000 locker stations in HDB estates, MRT stations and Community Centres by the end of 2022. This will complement existing commercial locker stations and doorstep deliveries. The goal is to place a locker station around five minutes' walk from every HDB block. Users can collect their parcels on their way to work, or on their way home, any time of the day. Merchants and logistics service providers will also enjoy greater delivery efficiency. This may result in more competitive delivery prices for consumers. IMDA has received strong support from major e-commerce marketplaces like Qoo10 and Shopee, and logistics service providers like Qxpress. IMDA will also partner with SingPost to leverage its extensive postal service experience. As we strengthen infrastructure, we must also safeguard our social cohesion. We believe all citizens should have access to trusted information. We do this in two ways. First, our media industry creates compelling content for its audiences. MCI supports the growth of the media sector so it stays ahead of the curve. Second, our Government communications are always centred on citizens. MCI varies the modes of engagement, using face-to-face and multilingual communications to connect with all Singaporeans. Let me cover them in turn. The media industry plays a significant role in keeping citizens well informed. Mr Darryl David asked how the Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) can continue to be relevant. PSB has evolved alongside citizens' consumption preferences by providing customised content across multiple platforms. For example, Mediacorp's vernacular programmes are taking a multi-platform approach.”
“Sir, like the rest of the world, Singapore is headed towards a digital future. It is MCI's mission to ensure this digital future is also a brighter one for all Singaporeans. In my speech, I will address three key strategies to realise this goal. First, help citizens get more out of the digital economy by improving last-mile delivery infrastructure. Second, strengthen social cohesion by making trusted information widely available. And third, help all citizens to be digitally connected. Mr Mohamed Irshad talked about disruption and future prospects for post as well as parcels. Members would recall SingPost had a number of service lapses in 2018 and early 2019. We are in a different place this year. SingPost has been improving service delivery since 2019 to rebuild public trust. They have extended delivery hours for peak periods, improved staff remuneration and also hired more postmen. Consumer complaints fell by about 40% in December 2019 compared to 2018. Consumer satisfaction has also grown. SingPost's stronger performance reflects the efforts they have put in. MCI and IMDA will continue to work closely with SingPost to enhance its service delivery. Mr Irshad also asked about the future prospects of postal industry. In Singapore, the popularity of e-commerce has led to a steady increase in parcel deliveries. But given Singapore's urban context and consumers' busy lifestyles, doorstep deliveries often mean missed deliveries. Our postal infrastructure must evolve to offer practical alternatives to doorstep deliveries so that all logistics service providers, and not just SingPost can overcome this costly challenge.”
“It is our hope that the SG Youth Action Plan will not only foster many projects undertaken by youths for the betterment of society but also develop skills among youths for engaging with the wider society and instil confidence in them that their ideas can be translated into action and, ultimately, make a positive difference. [(proc text) Question put, and agreed to. (proc text)] [(proc text) Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn". (proc text)] Adjourned accordingly at 7.35 pm.”
“They would need to work out ways to inform, persuade and mobilise others in support of their cause. Their chances of success would grow if they are open-minded and prepared to have their ideas and beliefs challenged, and if they are able to recognise and address the needs and perspectives of other segments of society. MCCY encourages this through the design of the Youth Conversations. Among those who participated, 80% of youths indicated a better understanding of issues that Singapore faces and close to 90% agreed that they became more aware of different views. The next stage would be to prepare our youths to take concrete action for positive change. This is why we started the SG Youth Action Plan. It is a platform for our youths to articulate their ideas and vision for Singapore's future, and to create positive change. The SG Youth Action Plan is led by a diverse group of youth leaders who have taken an inclusive approach to reach out to youths from different walks of life and from different educational and professional backgrounds. The SG Youth Action Plan seeks to support youths in coming up with robust and impactful policy ideas and projects by equipping them with the information and resources they need. In addition, we are bringing youth leaders to engage directly with Ministries on policy issues, such as sustainability. In the next phase of nation-building, the Government will shift from working for citizens, to working with all segments of citizens. SG Youth Action Plan is very much a part of this approach, which we have termed SG Together.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I would like to address Assoc Prof Walter Theseira and Ms Anthea Ong's points on youth activism. I also cannot help noticing that the concluding paragraphs of Ms Anthea Ong's speech very nicely answered the concerns that she raised at the start. I believe that Members of the House who have heard the concluding paragraphs of her speech can only conclude that our youths, through her words, are passionate, energetic and quite uninhibited in speaking up. I agree that such youths who wish to help shape the future of Singapore should have avenues for doing so. This is, indeed, something that the Government has publicly committed to supporting. The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) has been actively engaging youths to better understand their views, aspirations and needs. Last year, we started the Youth Conversations, hearing over 8,000 youths on topics that matter most to them, such as social inequality, mental health, environmental sustainability and narratives of success. These topics were identified by youths themselves. We are heartened to see that our youths show a strong sense of purpose and care deeply about the long-term future of our country. At the same time, we want to help our youths go beyond talking about the topics and causes that captivate their attention. Good ideas need to be translated into action before they can result in concrete and positive change. Such action can be taken by the youths themselves, in partnership with others or in partnership with the Government. In the process of conceptualising and designing effective action, youths can gain a hands-on understanding of the responsibility that comes with advocating for change.”
“Sir, to answer the Member, we hope to make as many documents and records publicly viewable and also searchable as possible. So, all this is ongoing work. Also, to add on to my reply to the Member's earlier question, Members of the public can also make requests for this information and our NAS staff will also facilitate.”
“I thank the Member for his supplementary questions. First, if I understand it correctly, the Member is referring to whether more declassified documents can be made viewable to everyone on the online portal. In fact, on the online portal, if you do a search, you will find that there are quite a number of documents there that are already viewable in full and they can also be seen in portable document format (PDF) form. Our intention is to make more of these available. To the Member's question on timeframe, if I understand him correctly, what he means is that: for even older documents, will there be a review process to look at those that have not at first been deemed suitable for public access and then to relook at them again. I should explain to the Member that our priority is to declassify. I have shared the numbers just now. So, there is quite a lot of work to go through for the current number of records that are 25 years and older. We will take the Member's suggestion into consideration. But really, the priority is to declassify as many documents as we can and to encourage our agencies to do so and to help us in doing that. In fact, we have, in recent years, sent 750 officers from different Government agencies for basic declassification training in the hope that this will help more officers understand the importance of declassification, and to do it well and to do it quicker. In terms of definition of researchers, this is based on our common understanding of what they do. This is also explained in our NLB Act.”
“(In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] I believe that Mr Low Thia Khiang has just undermined his own argument. The Member claimed to have understood the Report very well, but whether you have understood it or distorted it will become clear. We still have plenty of opportunity and I believe the issue will become obvious as the debate continues.”
“Mr Speaker, in Mandarin again. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Speaker, Sir, I think this debate has become more bizarre. The WP seems to believe that the Government has some kind of weapon to tackle the problem of falsehoods, weapons that even the most advanced governments and countries of the world do not have. I believe that Mr Low Thia Khiang may not have looked at the SC Report in detail. The problem of online falsehoods is a global one which has left many countries at a loss about what to do. If you say the current Government already possesses tools to stop the proliferation of fake news immediately, does it not mean that this debate has been totally meaningless? 3.44 pm”
“Mr Speaker, in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] I think we have now come to a very important theme of the debate. I believe there is some confusion over the scale of the issue. I think Members from the WP have tried their best to conflate the impact of falsehoods with the impact of personal opinion when they are entirely different. The SC Report has pointed out that the effects of online falsehood can come thick and fast and are far-reaching. This is why I used the analogy of "using water far away to put out a fire nearby". In the event where society and security are seriously affected by the proliferation of falsehoods, how can it be that we should still seek "water from far away" to put out this "fire" raging nearby?”
“Mr Speaker, in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Speaker, Sir, I have listened to the debate between Members Mr Gan Thiam Poh and Mr Low Thia Khiang, and Mr Low used an analogy that seemed a little violent, so I would like to clarify. I believe that under this Bill, the Minister is actually "merely reporting" and not "beheading". Why do I say that? In most cases, the Minister's role is to inform the public that a falsehood has been put out and to issue Directions for correction, while the original post can be retained. Hence, there is no cause for claiming that "beheading" has occurred. The WP suggests that the Minister should lodge an application with the Court and let the Court decide. But the Minister has explained that online falsehoods can spread very quickly. If the Court is the first arbiter, then it is akin to using water far away to put out a fire nearby. This is precisely what today’s debate is about; we do not want slow remedies.”
“Mr Chairman, I want to assure Ms Anthea Ong that there are many other sources of funding in support of all groups, regardless of whether they are IPCs. This includes, for instance, Our Singapore Fund. It includes our network as well as capability-building platforms that are run by NVPC. I would like to take this opportunity, in fact, to assure organisations that perhaps have the aspiration but have yet to become IPCs, to really take advantage of the various skills-building and capacity-building workshops and courses that are available to help them get to the next level in terms of governance. We also hope that more of them can do that, so that they can be more transparent and accountable to donors, and that helps them reach out to an even larger pool of givers. That is actually the reason why there is a distinction in treatment between organisations that have attained IPC and those that have not. So, for those who have yet to do so, there is support for them to get there, because it is ultimately towards the very laudable goals of better governance.”
“I think what Ms Anthea Ong asked is at the heart of many of the efforts that we are doing in MCCY across all domains. The key I think is in coordination in outreach and networking. The approach taken under the SG Cares umbrella is, first and foremost, bringing stakeholders together, for instance, the service providers, experts who have been studying various social issues, as well as champions for beneficiaries who understand particular aspects of their needs and aspirations. And we have found in instances where this occurs, that the networking and information sharing very often lead to new ways of collaborating, new partnerships, and I think all these will only serve to further benefit the vulnerable segments in society and, in the process, make many of these voluntary organisations stronger because they learn from one another.”
“Spaces along Somerset Road, such as *SCAPE, The Red Box and Skate Park, have already been serving as congregation points for youths, featuring music and media, entrepreneurship, learning and urban sports. But as Orchard Road renews itself, we have a unique opportunity to re-imagine the Youth Belt. We will be engaging youths through a placemaking exercise, with online and face-to-face sessions, so that they can show us how to take this youth precinct to the next level. The Youth Belt is but one of the many partnerships we hope to engender under the Youth Action Plan. Let us give our youths a headstart in leading the way into the future. Let us help them get going on the next chapter of the Singapore Story. Our shared values, as embedded in our DNA, will be an important guiding light as we chart the future of our Singapore. MCCY will continue to actively partner the community in building a caring and inclusive home together.”
“The Panel will work closely with Government agencies and the National Youth Council to engage youths from all walks of life and other stakeholders. The Action Plan will articulate our youths' vision for Singapore in 2025 and identify priority areas. From the Youth Conversations, we know that such issues could range from jobs and employment to mental well-being and environmental sustainability. These engagements will be carried out both online and face-to-face, and details will be announced later this year. The Panel will also identify opportunities for youths to provide recommendations on policies and create partnership projects with the Government, communities, non-profits and businesses to spearhead the change they hope to see. Seeds of change are being planted even now. For example, Lee Ying Ying and a fellow Youth Conversations participant co-founded the School of Ability and Recovery (SOAR), following a Youth Conversation on mental well-being. SOAR aims to combat the social stigma associated with mental health issues through community workshops. Other youths from the same Youth Conversation have also stepped up, with some forming a panel of resource persons for the Health Promotion Board (HPB). They have provided feedback for HPB's programmes and collaterals, shared insights into mental health-related issues among young people and raised awareness of HPB’s initiatives in their own networks. Within the Action Plan, youths can also get involved in the transformation of the Youth Belt. As part of the larger Orchard Road rejuvenation plan, we want to develop a vibrant youth district at Somerset that supports our youths’ aspirations.”
“We need to understand these shifts in the youth sector well and to respond to them meaningfully. Since the launch of Youth Conversations, we have reached out to 8,000 youths through online and face-to-face sessions. They spoke candidly and eloquently on their aspirations and hopes. Many care deeply about their relationships with their parents and families and want to make them proud and happy. They also care about achieving personal success on their own terms in the eyes of their peers and society at large, and wonder whether they can do so, all at the same time. They sometimes worry about whether there are gaps between what they love to do and what others want for them. They also have a keen desire to help shape a future Singapore that is even better than today by opening up more pathways to success, doing more for the environment and becoming a more inclusive society. They are interested in understanding more, too, about the viewpoints, preferences and choices of those who are older than them. In attending Youth Conversations, I encountered some views I had anticipated and some that I had not, all of which were intriguing and rewarding. More insights from Youth Conversations will be available in an interim report to be released later this month. The Youth Conversations have given us a good sense of our youths’ aspirations, needs and interests. We know the youths want to move these conversations into action. To do so, we will support the creation of the SGYouth Action Plan to give them a clear say in the Singapore they want to build. I will be co-leading a Panel comprising youth leaders from various sectors and organisations to develop this Action Plan.”
“More than half of the nearly 180 Bicentennial-related events are community-led or initiated, and MCCY is supporting more than 30 of such efforts. One of these ground-up projects is "Forge of Nations", a family card game developed by Mr Wan Jun Yan. As village chiefs in 20th century Southeast Asia, players have to make decisions on their population and infrastructure to transform into a nation. The game allows an appreciation of the challenges our predecessors faced and the values that have shaped Singapore over the past 200 years. Our multicultural heritage will also be commemorated through the Bicentennial. Singaporeans can look forward to the Eurasian Festival in July supported by Our Singapore Fund, as well as special upcoming exhibitions on the lives and contributions of our early migrants. These exhibitions will be featured in the Malay and Indian Heritage Centres and the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall. As we look back at our past and examine the present during our bicentennial year, it is also timely to look ahead and ask, "What next?" The exercise of charting our future would be incomplete without engaging our youths. Mr Henry Kwek and Mr Darryl David asked for an update on the Youth Conversations as well as MCCY's plans to give youths a bigger voice. The younger generation in any given era can always be expected to think, behave and communicate somewhat differently from those who are older. However, the rise of digital technology and social media has now accelerated changes in how youths produce and consume goods, services and information; relate to one another; and derive meaning and identity. This has created more diversity in our midst but also the potential for significant divergence in values and choices between generations.”
“As more donors start the habit of giving, we expect a ripple effect in the wider giving ecosystem, which includes non-government organisations and ground-up groups. We are mindful that some charities, especially the smaller ones, may face resource constraints in their governance efforts and in meeting regulatory requirements. To help them, the Commissioner of Charities will streamline and simplify regulatory reporting requirements, particularly for smaller charities. Clearer guidance to charities will be provided via the Charity Portal. We will also expand various outreach initiatives, such as shared services and training sessions. The Commissioner of Charities has plans to increase the number of shared services to help smaller charities be more cost-effective. This year, charities will also have access to a wider range of learning opportunities to develop their capabilities for good governance. For instance, we are jointly collaborating with the Singapore Institute of Directors and the Charity Council to kickstart our inaugural series of "In Conversation with the Commissioner of Charities" in April, with the first session focusing on Board Culture, Ethics and Governance. Mr Chairman, I had begun my speech by referring to "gotong royong" as a very old strand in Singapore's DNA. With the Bicentennial commemoration, we will have opportunities to examine and appreciate many other elements that make Singaporeans who we are and reflect on our past, present and future. Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked how our nation’s shared values will be brought out through the Bicentennial programmes. Our values of openness, multiculturalism and self-determination are reflected, first and foremost, in the enthusiasm of community groups to take the lead in commemoration activities.”
“Starting this year, SportSG has extended five of its initiatives – Academies and Clubs, Active Health, SportCares, Sport Centres and Sport Events as Team Nila Giving Platforms, so that Team Nila members can spearhead their own initiatives and promote active living in the community. Over the years, we have put in place various grants and funds to grow our climate of giving. These funds served to encourage contributions by donors, and are an added push to level up sectoral capabilities. In addition, these matching funds are tailored to meet each sector's specific needs and challenges, and promote shared ownership by deepening partnerships within the community. Over the years, we have put in place various grants and funds to grow our climate of giving. These funds serve to encourage contributions by donors and to level up sectoral capabilities. In addition, these matching funds are tailored to meet each sector's specific needs and challenges, and promote shared ownership by deepening partnerships within the community. For example, the Cultural Matching Fund seeks to promote cultural philanthropy. We also have the One Team Singapore Fund in support of Team Singapore Athletes. 2.15 pm Minister Heng Swee Keat earlier also announced that a $200 million Bicentennial Community Fund (BCF) will be introduced this year. The Fund is meant to encourage a spirit of giving in our bicentennial year. BCF is a one-off boost to our local giving ecosystem, channelled through our IPCs. Our IPCs are held to a higher standard of regulatory compliance and governance by the Commissioner of Charities. Today, there are more than 660 IPCs.”
“Last year, for example, HeritageCares partnered the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled Singapore and the Cerebral Palsy Alliance (Singapore) School to organise training sessions for volunteers and museum docents. This helps our volunteers provide quality experiences for visitors of all abilities to our museums. In sports, we seek more sporting opportunities for vulnerable and underserved communities. Since its inception in October 2012, SportCares has engaged over 26,000 individuals through various sports programmes, empowering many of them in the process. SportCares will develop Communities of Care, an initiative aimed at addressing the needs of the vulnerable and underserved, such as youths-at-risk and isolated seniors. This initiative marks SportCares' shift in focus toward network-building and scaling up. Communities of Care will bring together Family Service Centres, social service organisations and key sports partners within the same neighbourhood to help identify and reach out to beneficiaries in a more targeted way. Communities of Care will commence in Bedok and Jurong later this year. For example, SportSG will partner Glyph, a social service organisation, to organise weekly SportCares swimming sessions for children from lower-income families to build up their resilience and confidence. More details will be shared in due course. Today, Team Nila comprises a diverse group of 20,000 volunteers spanning all backgrounds, races and ages, united by their passion to give back through sports. They have proven themselves to be a vibrant and energetic volunteer force. We can do more to tap on Team Nila's enthusiasm, skills and networks. SportSG is helping volunteers to step up and assume larger leadership and organisational roles.”
“We also agree with Ms Irene Quay that it is important to tap on the skills and expertise of business and public sector leaders. The Centre for Non-Profit Leadership's Board Match Programme reaches out to professionals across industries to identify candidates who can serve non-profit organisations (NPOs) in a leadership capacity. Candidates are matched to various leadership roles depending on their skills and seniority, according to the needs of the organisation. Over 500 matches have been made to NPO Boards and Advisory Councils to date. Such matching enables retiring or retired business and public leaders to contribute impactfully, while NPOs benefit from their expertise. MCCY will continue to develop volunteerism in the other domain areas we oversee – the arts, heritage and sports. In the arts, we will sustain current efforts to promote arts access to under-reached communities through ArtReach initiatives. The WeCare Arts Fund has supported over 100 social service organisations in Singapore and over 12,000 beneficiaries. Our Befrienders Arts Toolkit, created by local artists, has enabled volunteers and staff at care centres to befriend more effectively by introducing hands-on arts activities and new conversation topics with beneficiaries. Since its rollout last year, 1,200 kits have been distributed to 11 social service organisations. Since HeritageCares began in 2016, over 3,200 volunteers, including corporates and youths, have been engaged as befrienders or guides for various NHB programmes. Our volunteers go the extra mile to make our museums and heritage institutions inclusive.”
“Conjunct has since worked with 140 non-profit partners across various sectors, while mobilising more than 1,400 student and professional volunteers and creating over $3 million worth of social impact. I will now talk about senior volunteerism. A growing number of our seniors are educated, skilled, socially active and keen to contribute impactfully to our society. Many of them are among the Merdeka Generation, and some are even Pioneers. We want to welcome more of them into the ranks of volunteers as volunteering is one of the most rewarding ways to age actively. MCCY is working with community partners, such as the Organisation of Senior Volunteers (RSVP) Singapore and the Centre for Seniors, to engage seniors at their workplaces and raise pre-retirement awareness. To begin, roadshows and lunchtime talks will be held to highlight the many ways in which seniors can volunteer. For example, "Retire with a Purpose" by RSVP Singapore is one programme that introduces employees 40 and above to volunteering opportunities, equips them with relevant skills, and plugs them into an active and like-minded community. Another platform for seniors to consider is the Mentoring Alliance, a recent ground-up initiative by 11 youth and social service organisations. The Alliance's goal is to deliver 100,000 hours of mentoring and companionship to youths who need guidance and support. This is an ambitious but not impossible goal, because I believe there are many untapped potential mentors out there, especially among our older Singaporeans. Those who are prepared to offer their wisdom and life experiences can make extraordinary impact in shaping the lives of young Singaporeans.”
“While working in the Ministry of Home Affairs' headquarters as a former policy officer, I was introduced to my first volunteering opportunities by my Home Team colleagues. They encouraged me to tutor girls from troubled backgrounds living in a residential facility and, later, inmates studying for the GCE "A" level in the Prison School. I will always remain grateful for these opportunities. Without these first steps, I would not have discovered my own interest in ground work nor have gone on to seek out more volunteering opportunities in the community. Volunteering also gave me a better appreciation of the wide range of issues and challenges faced by my public sector colleagues. Within the domain of any one public sector agency, there are already good opportunities for its staff to give. With a strong PS Cares movement, these opportunities will multiply, and more good matches can be made between a wider range of needs, and a wider range of skillsets and interests among givers. Not only can more public officers derive personal satisfaction from helping others, but they can also gain new insights into domains of public service that they might not otherwise be exposed to. We can encourage officers to do more and engender greater impact from the ground-up. Mr Kwok Jia Chuan from the Smart Nation and Digital Government Office, for example, co-founded Conjunct Consulting (Conjunct) in 2011. Conjunct is a non-profit social change organisation borne out of Jia Chuan's goal of strengthening the capabilities of the social service sector. Over the past seven years, Jia Chuan has helped create sustainable strategies for many organisations. He also encouraged other professionals and civil servants to mentor and guide student volunteers in Conjunct projects.”
“The workplace is thus a natural touchpoint to reconnect with those who have volunteered as students and reach those who have yet to experience volunteering. Currently, only half of our companies are engaging in CSR efforts. We want to encourage more to start, and to help those which already do to expand their efforts and reach. We agree with Mr Yee Chia Hsing that it is important to ensure that CSR efforts are beneficial to both the giver and recipient. Companies that lack the knowledge and expertise to develop meaningful initiatives can tap on informational resources available under the Company of Good programme created by NVPC. Starting later this year, NVPC will serve as the first port of call for companies embarking on CSR. Companies can approach NVPC directly to be referred to volunteering opportunities that meet their interests and requirements. NVPC will closely partner key agencies like the National Council of Social Service in this effort. Businesses currently enjoy a 250% tax deduction through the Business and Institutions of a Public Character Partnerships Scheme (BIPS) when their employees volunteer at IPCs. To encourage more corporates along their volunteering journey, we will simplify the claims process of the existing BIPS. Fixed manhour rates can now be used in claiming tax deductions on wage expenditures incurred on CSR efforts. We will also engage companies and IPCs more proactively on BIPS through NVPC. As Singapore's largest employer, the Public Service will set a good example and take the lead by rallying officers to volunteer under the Public Service Cares (PS Cares) movement. MCCY will partner the Public Service Division and support Government agencies' CSR representatives to develop more varied and impactful giving opportunities.”
“We actively debate the merits of these schemes in this House, and will no doubt continue to do so. But relying on taxes and transfers alone to deliver help is not enough. It is not enough to create the social bonds that arise from assistance voluntarily given and warmly received. And many intangible goods that make such a positive difference to our lives do not come in the form of subsidies, vouchers and rebates – intangible goods like companionship, shared experience and individual autonomy. This is why we should not forget how we came to value both "gotong royong" and the spirit of self-reliance. This is the "why" for SGCares. Several Members have spoken on the importance of volunteerism, including Ms Irene Quay and Mr Yee Chia Hsing. My Ministry's approach is to get more people involved in volunteering; to drive volunteerism within our other domain areas like the arts, sports and heritage; and to support the giving sector through capacity-building and funding. Promoting corporate and senior volunteerism are two key strategies in our efforts to get more people involved. Our findings have shown that volunteerism rates dip at two life stages – when youths transit from school to work, and when people approach retirement. The Individual Giving Survey by the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) in 2016 highlighted that volunteerism amongst young working adults, aged 25 to 34, is at 29%, compared to 41% for youths aged 15 to 24. Similarly, the volunteering rate decreases from 43% for those aged 45 to 54, to 20% for those aged 55 and above. We will focus our efforts on connecting more young working adults and seniors with volunteering opportunities. We recognise that many young adults devote much of their time at work.”
“Mr Chairman, our Bicentennial is an excellent opportunity for us to reflect on what makes Singapore. The spirit of sharing and helping others, as encapsulated by the SG Cares movement that started in end 2016 is really one of the oldest strands in our DNA. Many of our forefathers arrived on this island hungry, tired, but hopeful; often bringing not much more with them than the clothes on their back, their energy and their pluck. With few of their needs provided for in a fledgling port colony, they learned quickly to self-organise and support one another. Although wealthy philanthropists did emerge, much of the help that our forefathers gave to one another was modest and informal, made all the more meaningful because the givers often did not have much themselves. Over the years, we gave names to this sense of fellow-feeling. We called it "gotong royong", or the "kampong spirit". Other strands, equally old, also exist in our DNA. Almost all trades and professions that our forefathers engaged in depended directly or indirectly on our free-trading port. Livelihoods and fortunes were tied to the world's inclination to buy and sell, and the laws of demand and supply. Such an environment favoured the qualities of ruggedness, self-reliance and a pragmatic focus on material well-being. "Gotong royong" and self-reliance sound like opposites but are long-standing and complementary elements of what make Singapore. They pre-date the emergence of independent nationhood and also pre-date taxes and transfers as a way of redistributing wealth from those who have more to those with less. Indeed, as Members of this House know, help for vulnerable members of our society is delivered in no small part through the mechanism of taxes and transfers.”
“I thank Dr Teo Ho Pin for being such a strong supporter of learning pods. We will consider putting one in the Bukit Panjang Library.”
“I thank Mr Leon Perera for his question. As I have mentioned just now in the speech, the Government releases results of surveys that may be of interest to the public. As for the kind of reasons that the Member has shared earlier, indeed, these are some concerns because some of the surveys may touch on issues with regard to security or it may affect market sentiments on specific sectors. So, these would be some of the reasons, for instance, why not all survey results would be released to the public.”
“I thank Mr Darryl David for his questions on e-books. Indeed, we have seen very rapid growth in the use of e-books amongst our library users. From 2017 to 2018, the digital loans have almost quadrupled from 1.5 million such loans to 5.8 million loans in 2018. However, this remains a fraction when compared to the physical loans, which in 2018, stood at about 33 million. So, I think it is a situation in which e-books and e-loans are growing rapidly. But I would say that physical books are still very dominant. As to whether one will outstrip the other, that remains to be seen. But what is clear is that NLB very much should be with the e-books trend to ensure that while they take care of readers who prefer physical books, at the same time, we have to ensure that our collections of e-books and newspapers and magazines continue to be enriched.”
“The libraries have also introduced a new Seniors Tech and Read programme to teach senior citizens to borrow electronic books and access the Internet. So, we hope that our senior citizens will also be able to enjoy the convenience of e-books. We have been working hard on the communication of our policies and engagement of the public. We would like to take this opportunity to encourage our Parliamentary colleagues to make good use of all the budget-related information provided by the Ministry of Finance (MOF). Nowadays, there are more and more information available in the four official languages with richer content. We hope that beyond textual information, the Powerpoint slide shows with voice-over explanations made available by MOF will help our people better understand various policies. This is an example of how ongoing communication efforts can complement one-off television or radio programmes to reinforce Singaporeans’ impression of important policies. 4.45 pm”
“(In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.]: I thank the Member for her clarification. She asked about how we can help senior citizens embrace digital technology. Indeed, it is our hope that all senior citizens in Singapore will be able to ride the wave of the digital era and become savvy in digital technology. In terms of courses and training, there are two important points to note for seniors. Firstly, we noticed that many of them are still more comfortable learning in their mother tongue, so many of our courses are conducted in Mandarin, Malay or Tamil. Another point is that the programmes must be tailored for beginners and the pace must not be too fast. We take note of these two important points. Here, I would like to take the opportunity to introduce a few specific training courses and programmes, such as IMDA's Silver Info-comm Junction. These have been set up at more than 30 locations, many of them are in our community centres and some are in the libraries. They offer opportunities for our senior citizens to learn digital and ICT in a relaxing and comfortable environment. At the same time, IMDA also provides a Basic Digital Skills Curriculum working with partners. We have also set up mobile digital clinics to provide one-on-one instruction for senior citizens at different locations and time slots. This takes into account the fact that many of our senior citizens prefer to learn from instructors on a one-to-one basis. In addition, there are technology touchpoints available at eight community clubs, where our PA counter staff provide one-to-one assistance to residents and help them learn to use electronic devices and services.”
“For example, REACH has released surveys of public perception on the Annual Budget and the National Day Rally speech, fake news and public transport. Another example would be the study of social capital commissioned by MCCY. Other surveys released include studies of youth, national security awareness as well as attitudes towards water conservation. As for coordination, agencies need the operational flexibility to conduct their own surveys on issues of concern within their purview. Some questions may be common across different surveys because they are cross-cutting in nature. Our agencies coordinate such efforts when it is operationally feasible to do so. Mr Darryl David asked how we can improve civic discussion in schools and beyond to encourage the plurality of views among Singaporeans. Through public consultations, Singaporeans have a say in shaping public policies. More than 36,000 Singaporeans have provided feedback on issues like the cost of living, jobs, transport and fake news, at more than 250 REACH Listening Points and dialogues between 2017 and 2018. REACH regularly engages students on national issues at dedicated Listening Points and dialogues held at our IHLs as well. Among them was university student, Mr Alif Mohammad Hafidz, who gave his suggestions to this year's Budget and shared that the session motivated him to find out more about the Budget process. We will continue to consult the public on issues of importance to our nation’s future and invite Singaporeans to lend their voices to the ongoing dialogue. Mr Chairman, I have described how my Ministry plans to help Singaporeans stay connected and engaged, through reading, learning and being well-informed, and how digital transformation will play a key role in these plans.”
“Mr Leon Perera asked about public opinion surveys conducted by the Government. Government agencies use a variety of means to better understand ground issues and concerns. These include outreach activities conducted by REACH, house visits and surveys which help our agencies assess public sentiment on issues, and public awareness of, and response to, Government policies and programmes. For example, after the Pioneer Generation Package was introduced in 2014, we conducted surveys to ascertain how well understood the package was by the target audience, that is, the Pioneers themselves. As a result of these studies, we decided to use Chinese dialects to communicate the package to our Pioneers who are less comfortable with English or Mandarin. We will undertake a similar process in planning our communications on the Merdeka Generation Package. Most surveys that MCI and other agencies conduct are for internal reference, like the ones I have described. The Government does not compile statistics on the surveys conducted by various agencies, or which among them are published. In MCI, REACH periodically releases survey data on a range of issues. In recent years, REACH has released surveys of public perceptions on the annual Budget and the National Day Rally Speech, Central Provident Fund changes, public transport and the public's awareness of financial assistance schemes, among other subjects. These survey findings may also be found on REACH's website. The Government does not make policy decisions or decide communication strategies solely on the basis of surveys. But they help ensure that service delivery and policy implementation are satisfactory. The Government releases surveys that may be of interest to the public.”
“Through ground events and engagement, Suria and Vasantham are able to connect with their communities and celebrate culture and values, while increasing social media outreach and the visibility of their content and artistes. From listening to citizens’ views and concerns, to explaining Government policies and schemes, the Ministry builds clear channels for communication that foster a well-informed and engaged nation. Ms Tin Pei Ling asked how we can improve communications of Government policies across age groups and communities. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, we customise the content, platforms and languages for different groups of Singaporeans. For our millennials, we produced a web series Ah Boys – Hidden Warfare, that covered topics of concern to them, like jobs and economy, and marriage and parenthood. For older audiences, there was the Getai Challenge, where we adapted the skits and music performances of a familiar local tradition to share useful information with our seniors, such as housing, social support measures and diabetes awareness. Age is not the only diversity we cater for. Our communications are also tailored for various communities. For example, we rode on the festive cheer of the Deepavali and Chinese New Year seasons to share timely and informative content with our Indian and Chinese communities. Topics included financial planning and healthy eating. Similarly, we customised programmes, such as Abang Teksi, which highlighted different forms of Government assistance to help Singaporeans tide through disruptions, including Adapt and Grow initiatives. Our post-campaign research showed about eight in 10 respondents were keener to sign up for Adapt and Grow initiatives after watching the programme, suggesting its effectiveness.”
“Mr Darryl David asked how PSB is evolving in response to increasing competition for eyeballs from online and foreign platforms. Indeed, PSB must keep pace with changing consumption habits so that it is integral to the lives of viewers. Our national broadcaster is engaging Singaporeans across a wide range of platforms so that viewers can easily discover and enjoy local content. Let me illustrate with the example of Channel 8's "SPOP Sing!", a nationwide competition which discovers and celebrates young singing talents. Instead of the traditional approach of airing the show exclusively on television (TV), Mediacorp released content on an array of platforms. Its efforts had borne fruit. On top of the 1.7 million viewers who tuned in on Free-to-Air TV, more than 850,000 watched it on Toggle. Performance tracks were streamed more than 150,000 times on major digital music platforms, such as Spotify, and social media and on-ground outreach events extended engagement further still. Another important priority of ours is to strengthen the reach of local vernacular content. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.]: In order to help the public access more information in Chinese and expand their audience base in the digital era, Mediacorp has pooled resources in TV and radio to create a new portal that includes news, entertainment and lifestyle information, and this is set to be launched in the middle of the year. (In English): Suria will continue to partner with community organisations in large-scale events, such as the opening of Wisma Geylang Serai. In the same vein, Vasantham is partnering the Tamil Language Council and Tamil Language Learning and Promotion Committee for community events like the annual Tamil Language Festival.”
“Moving into the digital era, NLB will strive to provide better services for our readers, who have been very supportive of our libraries. In the digital era, the definition of books has changed and has expanded from physical and paper books to include e-books. People can read countless books on a small mobile phone or tablet personal computer. In 2018, NLB increased the loan quota for e-books from eight to 16, and this was well-received by the public. From April this year, NLB will increase the loan quota for physical books to 16 as well. So, avid readers need not fret about not being able to borrow as many books as they want. The question is whether they can finish reading them all. Secondly, NLB and Government departments in charge of promoting Continuing Education and Training (CET) and IT literacy will collaborate to develop libraries as entry level classrooms for Singaporeans to learn new skills. Some of these courses are suitable for seniors and will be conducted in their mother tongue. For example, the Bedok Library, Toa Payoh Library and the new Harbourfront Library at Vivo City will provide these classes. I hope members of the public will give them a try. Thirdly, to encourage children to learn their mother tongue and increase their Mother Tongue Language (MTL) reading materials, NLB will select good quality children’s books in English featuring local content, and translate them into Chinese, Malay and Tamil. (In English): Our media have an important role in helping Singaporeans stay well-informed and, through shared discourse, fostering a sense of togetherness and identity. Most Singaporeans would be able to recall growing up with their favourite local drama series, or tuning into news and current affairs programmes to follow the unfolding of national events.”
“Another regular patron, Ms Leo Yih Nah, shared that book clubs were good social events that would help to lower the risk of dementia for seniors like her in the long run. NLB goes one step further in its aim to cultivate inclusive social spaces. It is committed to extending the multitude of opportunities I have elaborated on to all, especially learners amongst us who could use an added boost. One of our hallmark nationwide programmes is KidsREAD, which promotes early reading for less privileged children and which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. To bring the library even closer to them, WondeRead was launched in 2018. Similar to a subscription box delivery service, WondeRead delivers pre-loved library books quarterly to children who are not able to visit libraries on their own. WondeRead is accomplished with partner organisations, who either sponsored items in the box, or whose staff personally selected and packed books for each child. Many of the WondeRead beneficiaries look forward eagerly to their next box delivery. To enable job creation for persons with special needs, NLB will be extending its employment partnership with the Autism Resource Centre (ARC) in 2019. ARC clients were trained on collection arrangement work in late 2018 and, since January 2019, they have been employed by NLB to support the operations of the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library. Mr Chairman, in Mandarin, please. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.]: Our libraries are favourite go-to places for Singaporeans. They love to read books and newspapers in the library and nourish their mind in a cool and quiet environment. This is a delightful activity to complement our fast-paced urban lifestyles.”
“The answer is that NLB champions continuous, self-directed learning in many ways. We are making it easy for adults to take advantage of the library’s learning resources. For example, NLB's Digital Business Library offers more than 4,000 e-book titles condensed into 10-minute, bite-sized reads for busy adults. I would also like to thank Dr Teo Ho Pin for his suggestion on how NLB could work more closely with SkillsFuture Singapore. NLB is actively partnering industries, SkillsFuture Singapore, Workforce Singapore and the Council for Third Age to deliver a comprehensive slate of job and skills-related programmes for Singaporeans. For instance, "SkillsFuture Advice" helps Singaporeans understand the importance of career planning and skills upgrading. Learning today is no longer confined to information gathering, but also actively practising in a guided environment, under the tutelage of mentors. Singaporeans who are keen to tap the brains and insights of industry gamechangers, such as the founders of Carousell and ShopBack, can do so through the "Breakthrough: Conversations with Entrepreneurs and Innovators" series. NLB will do even more. Over the next five years, we target to run 1,500 workshops benefiting more than 50,000 participants. Mr Darryl David asked how libraries can continue to serve as inclusive social spaces for Singaporeans of all ages. I am pleased to say that for all the transformation our libraries have undergone, certain principles remain constant. Libraries bring people of diverse backgrounds together. In the words of 29-year-old Karimah Samsudin, "The library allows you to expose yourself to different ideas, so you do not just stay in your own box or cocoon and get to know different kinds of people".”
“From 1 April, we will be doubling the physical loan quota from eight to 16 items permanently. In effect, library users will be able to borrow 32 physical and electronic items at any one time. Another branch in the evolution of the libraries’ collections has been expanding our local content. Reading is a great way to deepen our love for our mother tongues and ethnic cultures. NLB will grow its collection of localised children's books in Chinese, Malay and Tamil. It is currently shortlisting titles that Singaporean children up to the age of 12 can enjoy and relate to, for translation into vernacular languages. As Members are aware, we face a fast-changing future. In this fluctuating environment, our libraries can serve as every Singaporean’s personal learning retreat, where you can retool and enhance your personal and work life. I recently met Ms Noorjahan bte Kamaruddin, an avid learner and volunteer who inspired me in more ways than one. To achieve her lifelong dream of publishing a recipe book, Ms Noorjahan set out to acquire skills on electronic publishing, copyright, privacy and cybersecurity matters at the "Silver Digital Creators" Workshop organised by NLB and IMDA. She continued working on the project after the course, and is now the proud author of the eBook "Noor's Just Right Recipes". But Ms Noorjahan did not stop there. With the knowledge she gained, she has begun training others. Noor's story demonstrates how collaborative learning has enriched her life and the lives of others. It also shows how technology can be harnessed by Singaporeans to achieve great things. 4.15 pm Dr Teo Ho Pin asked how our libraries can play a more proactive role in supporting SkillsFuture and lifelong learning.”
“Offerings like these, combined with the library's innovative design and panoramic view of Sentosa and our port, make for a delightful visit and all-round experience for every user. Our libraries of the future have been well-received by Singaporeans. They have generated 50% higher loans and an increase of around 65% in visitorship, compared with their non-revamped counterparts. This is in spite of the downward trend in visitorship and loans observed in the libraries of many other countries. Over the years, we have also transformed our library collections, going beyond providing purely "books", to a vast array of learning resources. A major push on this front has been going digital, which has redefined convenience and the reading experience for all library users. Members of the public have written in to express their appreciation of the NLB Mobile App, launched in 2016. Mr Jeffery Sung discovered that within minutes of downloading the app, he was able to read newspapers from around the world and browse the bestselling books in town. Essentially, the App has placed the library within our pockets. Our eBook loans have more than doubled since 2017. To meet the rising demand for eBooks, NLB had raised the eBook loan quota from eight to 16. Singaporeans who have yet to try eBooks and audiobooks can sample them outside the library at our eReads kiosks. NLB will roll out eight to 10 more of these kiosks across the island this year. For many years, NLB has doubled the loan quota of physical items to coincide with the school holidays. Each time we run this, we consistently get great feedback from our users, who take advantage of the promotion to read and borrow more. I am pleased to announce that users need no longer wait for the school holidays.”
“Mr Chairman, Minister Iswaran and Senior Minister of State Janil Puthucheary have shared the exciting opportunities in a digital future and what we are doing to help every Singaporean reap the digital dividend. Digital transformation is also the key theme of enhancements to our libraries, media and Government communications, where our focus is in supporting Singaporeans in reading and learning, and in being well-informed. Let me start with our libraries. As Members would know, the transformation of our libraries is among the most thorough and dramatic ever experienced by our public sector agencies in their drive to serve Singaporeans better. We remain committed to this transformation journey. Beyond better collections, more comfortable surroundings and more efficient customer service, we continue to site, design and refresh libraries in a manner that keeps pace with Singaporeans' urban lifestyles. Our goal is to stay ahead of changing preferences, and to continually delight library users. We site where footfall is high, and we put extra effort into space and programme design. Let me illustrate this with library@harbourfront, which opened in January this year. During my visit, I was heartened by the scene of students, children, working adults and grandparents reading and learning under the same roof. Parents were guiding their children through hands-on activities based on Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) concepts at the children's makerspace. Just a few steps away, the programme zone was bustling with seniors chatting and enjoying one another's company while picking up tips on cybersecurity.”
“MCCY has been working alongside a number of organisations that help match seniors to volunteering activities according to their interests, availability and preferred locations. Arts and culture will not only help seniors to communicate more but also improve the quality of their lives. MCCY, NAC and NHB have been working with arts groups, social workers and healthcare organisations to launch arts activities suitable for seniors so that they can enjoy their golden years. Of course, having good health is also very important. MCCY and Singapore Sports Council have been working together to build more elder-friendly sports facilities. In particular, gymnasiums managed by the Council will progressively install exercise equipment suitable for seniors to help them stay active and fit. (In English): Let me now conclude in English, Mr Speaker. Many of our seniors want to continue making a positive impact to society and remain active and connected throughout their silver years. We recognise that they have much to offer for future generations. Hence, we must support them as best as we can and involve them in the community in ways that are meaningful and fulfilling. Mr Speaker, Sir, I support the Motions.”
“MCCY, the National Arts Council (NAC) and National Heritage Board (NHB) are working very closely with the arts community and other partners from the social service and healthcare sectors on programmes that are accessible and relevant to our seniors. For instance, NAC has organised an annual Silver Arts Festival since 2012 to showcase the creativity of our seniors and promote intergenerational bonding. The 2018 Festival featured a community arts project between youths and seniors from NTUC Health Active Ageing Hub at Kampung Admiralty, which included an installation and performance on the theme of "happiness". In addition, our Heritage Institutions serve as Silver Hubs to promote active ageing. For example, seniors and their families, friends and caregivers can engage one another through a Conversation Starter Kit co-developed by NHB and the National Council of Social Services, Care Corner, the Singapore Action Group of Elders (SAGE) Counselling Centre, TOUCH Community Services, and Yong-En Care Centre. This kit includes images of significant landmarks and artefacts, prompting the exchange of personal memories and intergenerational dialogues. MCCY, NAC and NHB will continue with these efforts. We want to ensure that our seniors have ample opportunities to participate in our arts and culture landscape. Sir, allow me to say a few words in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mr Speaker, Sir, Singapore's social structure is changing rapidly. As the average age of our population rises, MCCY will endeavour to help our seniors live an active, healthy, meaningful and fulfilling life. We plan to create more opportunities and channels for seniors to participate in volunteer work, sports and arts activities.”
“Seniors can then get active by participating in programmes at our ActiveSG centres and Sport-in-Precinct facilities. To date, two Labs have been opened at Our Tampines Hub and Heartbeat@Bedok, with another four more scheduled to be opened in Bishan, Jurong East, Sengkang and Woodlands by end-March 2019. There are also Active Health Mobile Labs deployed across the island for those who do not live near an Active Health Lab. Living better through sports is not limited to physical activities. It includes community roles for seniors who can sign up to be Team Nila volunteers at the ActiveSG centres. They can serve as sports or Active Health champions, where they have opportunities to meet like-minded volunteers while they galvanise the community to get active. MCCY is also working with SportSG to ensure that our sporting spaces are designed to cater to our seniors. For example, at the upcoming ActiveSG gym in Ang Mo Kio Community Centre, seniors can participate in elder-friendly exercise programmes when it opens later this year. We will make sure all our ActiveSG gyms provide an environment that is safe and accessible for our active agers and furnished with equipment that is suitable for their usage. There will also be qualified staff onsite to provide any assistance. It is important to involve our seniors in our arts and heritage, too. This can improve their quality of life, while enriching our cultural offerings. As pointed out by Mr Terence Ho, the arts can play an important role in building social bonds and increasing mental well-being as we age.”
“NVPC has been exploring partnerships with learning institutions and community organisations that run courses for older PMETs. Through such partnerships, older PMETs can be connected to volunteer opportunities where they can apply their newly acquired skills, such as community gardening or befriending. As Mr Ang Wei Neng has raised, senior volunteers can provide valuable advisory services to VWOs. We agree that the Centre for Non-Profit Leadership's (CNPL's) BoardMatch Programme is doing good work in reaching out to committed and highly qualified professionals across various industries and sectors and identifying candidates who are able to serve non-profit organisations in a leadership capacity. There are many opportunities for such volunteers to help with building up governance capabilities and bringing fresh perspectives to the non-profit sector. Senior volunteerism is an integral part of the larger SG Cares movement where we want to grow care and inclusivity in Singapore. We hope to identify more champions from various walks of life who can rally fellow seniors to serve in their communities. We also support the recommendation to encourage seniors to take greater ownership of their health. We will continue to dedicate more resources to cater to their needs in the area of sport and exercise. Beyond the ActiveSG Masters Programme mentioned in the report, we also have Active Health. It is a national social movement that goes beyond healthcare to health, to celebrate living. To kickstart their journey, seniors can visit an Active Health Lab for a free onboarding session to assess their health status and fitness level. Active Health experts will then work with them to set personal health and wellness goals.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) believes that our seniors' golden years should be fulfilling ones, where seniors can continue to pursue their aspirations and also give back to society. We agree with the suggestions made by many hon Members that seniors should be involved in the wider community, be it through volunteerism, sports or the arts. Our seniors may have transited out of the workforce, but they continue to have much to offer due to their wealth of life experiences and skillsets. Through volunteerism, seniors can also reap benefits, such as sustained social and mental wellness. At the same time, they will serve as inspirations and role models for future generations and strengthen our society through norms and values. According to the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre's (NVPC's) Individual Giving Surveys, the volunteerism rate among those 50 and older has been growing steadily over the years, from 13% in 2008, to 29% in 2016. In fact, our seniors have been shown to be far more avid and consistent at volunteering than younger age groups! We agree with the recommendation made by Members to provide more support for seniors’ volunteer efforts. We will continue to grow partnerships with community partners to engage more seniors. MCCY has already been working alongside a number of organisations that help match seniors to volunteering activities according to their interests, availability and preferred locations. One such organisation is the Organisation of Senior Volunteers (RSVP) Singapore, which has been actively training and matching over 2,500 Silver volunteers for the past 20 years. We will continue to support RSVP and similar groups.”
“However, we are very conscious of the pain points that consumers have reported, including pain points concerning services that are not covered by the QoS, and this is the reason why IMDA is now also considering additional regulatory standards.”
“First, Er Dr Lee has asked about staffing issues. I think that by announcing its plans to hire more postmen, SingPost is acknowledging that there are vacancies and I believe it is not only restricted to the Woodlands distribution centre. We believe that with SingPost's intention to also review remuneration for the staff, we hope that these vacancies will be easier to fill than they currently are now. In terms of the concern on manpower, indeed, we share Er Dr Lee's concerns about the importance of maintaining the well-being of the postal workforce. This is the reason why it is not just about tightening requirements and levying the penalties, but also monitoring very closely to ensure that, first of all, the workforce is adequately trained and prepared for the job that they have to do. This is certainly a priority for my Ministry and also for IMDA. In terms of the circumstances under which the licence for being the public postal licensee will be revoked, first of all, I want to state that we do need an operator to maintain the universal service obligations. As I have mentioned, it is not just about delivery of the letters. It is about maintaining the posting boxes, it is about issuance of stamps, it is also about having somebody who undertakes to deliver and collect letters from anywhere in Singapore. So, this has to be a given. What we currently have is a set of QoS standards to monitor the delivery of letters. But as I have mentioned, SingPost is not immune to competition here. IMDA will be monitoring this very carefully. I do not think at this moment that the lapses in terms of the QoS standards are such that it warrants removing of the licence.”
“I thank Ms Tin. We make no assumptions as to how long this journey is going to take. But I can share at this moment that IMDA aims to release its decision with regard to SingPost's 2018 letter delivery by the middle of this year.”
“I thank Ms Denise Phua. I shall ask IMDA to work closely with her CDC to understand this pilot scheme that she has started and to see how this can improve postal services. In terms of other solutions that the Member had asked, I would also like to take this opportunity to say that locker trials have started in two locations in Bukit Panjang and in Punggol under the Locker Alliance. This is a trial that SingPost is also a part of, to see whether there can be better solutions for the last-mile delivery of parcels which may be too large to fit into letter boxes.”