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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“In response to Mr Murali's question, HMCG is a multi-agency effort. In practice, however, it would usually be the HDB officers that are interfacing with the case on the ground and it would also be the HDB officers who are interacting more frequently, for instance, with the neighbours or perhaps the grassroots' advisor, or with the Town Council or whoever has been raising the alert in the first place. As for documentation, within HMCG, the various agencies consulted, depending on the specific details of the case, would contribute their inputs and at the HMCG level, we will be keeping a record of all the various cases. Also, I also want to take this opportunity to thank advisors, like Mr Murali, who has been following up closely with HMCG on various specific interventions.”
“We seek the understanding of the public that we cannot allow decluttering efforts to be blocked by the remonstrations of individuals who may be endangering public health and safety with their actions. Lastly, HMCG alone cannot identify all hoarding cases. Residents who come across hoarding behaviour with public health and safety concerns may report such cases through the OneService App, which will then be referred to agencies for further assessment.”
“Even if their homes were successfully decluttered once, the clutter may recur as habits do not change so quickly. However, as recent cases have shown, decluttering is needed not just for the communities' safety, but to protect the individual's safety. HMCG will continue to work hard at this problem. We empathise with neighbours' frustration with the recurrence of inconveniences and disamenities, but also seek your understanding that the challenges and complexities in hoarding intervention require persistent efforts sustained over a long period, both on agencies' and the hoarder's part. To this end, agencies are committed to reviewing enforcement levers and acting more decisively on decluttering efforts. We plan to intensify actions to keep corridors clear for passage. In the coming months, agencies intend to work with Town Councils to step up enforcement on cluttered corridors. In tandem, MSO will work with the media as well as social and grassroots workers to further spread and reinforce key messages through more Public Education on the dangers of hoarding and cluttered corridors. We will also continue to tackle known cases of egregious hoarding within flats. We will work with agencies to assess risks posed by the worst hoarding cases. Where orders are issued for public health and safety reasons and hoarders are cooperative, we will proceed to declutter via the community-based approach with the assistance of volunteer groups. However, even in cases where hoarders are unwilling to part with their items, we will act firmly in the interest of public health and safety to intervene.”
“Agencies work closely with healthcare workers, community partners such as social workers from Family Service Centres, grassroots leaders, volunteers and the hoarders' family members in a concerted effort to resolve hoarding cases. However, even with the involvement of mental health agencies and professionals, deep-seated issues may still result in recurrence as behavioural change is unlikely to happen overnight. Nevertheless, HMCG has achieved some success, and as of the first half of 2022, we have managed to reduce the severity of 210 cases of hoarding and are actively monitoring these cases to prevent recurrence. If your family member is a hoarder, we seek your strong support on agencies' efforts to declutter as family intervention has proven to be a major success factor in hoarding intervention. Agencies are currently working on another 260 active hoarding cases. These complex cases remain protracted and unresolved because it is difficult to gain hoarders' cooperation to declutter. Frontline officers face real tensions on the ground in balancing between the person's individual right to choose how they want to upkeep their own home and their neighbours' enjoyment of their own residences, especially in cases where the clutter falls short of outright legal violations, or does not meet the threshold for public health and safety risks as determined by SCDF and NEA. In such cases, officers need to obtain the cooperation of the hoarder to help them declutter. This involves repeated engagements, persuasion and at times, referrals to social workers and/or mental health professionals. We have encountered cases where hoarders refuse to open their door for inspections or cooperate in decluttering – some may even threaten self-harm at the thought of losing their belongings.”
“These public health and safety risks and dis-amenities warrant state intervention for the well-being of both the hoarder and the community. The Government has taken an inter-agency approach to address hoarding because of its complexity and potentially fatal public hazards. The Hoarding Management Core Group (HMCG), led by the Municipal Services Office (MSO), was set up in 2014 to coordinate efforts across agencies and resolve protracted and severe hoarding cases. The HMCG comprises HDB, NEA, the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) of NParks, SCDF, MSF, People's Association and the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC). In the Hoarding Management Framework (HMF), hoarding cases are assessed and prioritised based on whether there is threat to public health and safety. Where risks are identified to the extent that established rules and laws are violated, regulatory agencies will issue orders or take enforcement action on the hoarder or homeowner. For example, NEA may order the owner to remove items contributing to pest infestations in their home, while SCDF may order the owner to cease hoarding flammable items, such as fuel. AVS will also act against hoarding of animals within a HDB flat where animal welfare is harmed, or Town Councils may require owners to remove hoarding in the common areas. HMCG considers community and social interventions in tandem with enforcement efforts. If the hoarder is suspected to have mental health issues, the hoarder will be referred to AIC and the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) for professional assessment and treatment.”
“Thank you. Sir, compulsive hoarding is characterised by the excessive acquisition of items that are of little or no value and an inability or unwillingness to discard them. While hoarders’ homes may be filled from floor to ceiling with what most may deem as "rubbish", they view these items as important and cannot bear to part with them. In the most severe cases, the hoarder may even rough sleep outside their homes as there is hardly any space left inside. Internationally, the Clutter Image Rating Scale (CIRS) is used to measure the extent and severity of hoarding. The root cause of a hoarder's behaviour is complex. For example, one's hoarding could be a symptom of underlying mental health conditions like Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), or developed after trauma or deep grief. Hoarding behaviours could also be exacerbated by social factors, such as disputes with one's family or the stockpiling of collected items at home for one’s “karang guni” business. Hoarding strikes people of all ages. While hoarding is more often observed in the elderly, it is a behavioural trait that could have slowly deteriorated throughout adulthood and worsened as one ages. Hoarding can happen within the confines of one's flat, but can also spill out into common areas such as shared corridors. A hoarded home may be infested with pests from rotting food or pose a fire risk as occupants may be unable to escape in an emergency due to blockages to exit routes from the extreme accumulation of clutter. Hoarding that clutters corridors also obstructs evacuation routes for neighbours in times of fire. The emanating stench may also inconvenience neighbours and be a nuisance by preventing them from enjoying living in their own homes.”
“Mr Speaker, a few preliminary matters, please. First, I seek your permission to answer Question Nos 19 to 22 together? Second, Members Mr Don Wee, Mr Murali Pillai1, Mr Melvin Yong2, Mr Desmond Choo3, Mr Gerald Giam4 and Ms Joan Pereira5 have also filed questions on the same topic which are scheduled for today and tomorrow. My reply will effectively address their questions as well, and as such they may wish to withdraw their questions if their queries are answered today. Third, Question Nos 23 to 26 on today's Order Paper on the issue of fire risk in HDB flats, which are directed to MHA, have a bearing on and are relevant to, the MND Parliamentary Questions (PQs). As such, may I request that the answers to both the MND and MHA PQs be provided first, and the supplementary PQs from Members on both sets of questions be taken together thereafter.”
“[(proc text) Question put, and agreed to. (proc text)] [(proc text) Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn." (proc text)] Adjourned accordingly at 7.49 pm.”
“Under the Built Environment Skills Framework, FM workers can improve competencies in key transformation areas through training and advance to higher wage bands. As some maintenance issues like cleanliness are attributable to human factors, we also strive to tackle these upstream and promote positive behavioural norms. For example, the Municipal Services Office has been coordinating public education efforts. These include strengthening norms that discourage high-rise littering and pigeon feeding. Mr Speaker, the Town Council concept goes beyond the physical management of a town. It represents an important partnership between the elected Members of Parliament and the residents in co-creating their living environment. An effective Town Council can build a town into a distinctive, cohesive and vibrant community with a unique identity that is endearing to its residents. I am heartened that the Member seeks to improve upon our unique approach to local governance and set out his views in a detailed and thoughtful speech. However, we would think very carefully before re-centralising township maintenance, as the Member has suggested because devolution is at the heart of the Town Council concept. But the Member has provided very helpful reminders to HDB and MND on giving due priority to maintenance costs when designing and building HDB towns and keeping a close track on how the costs of running HDB estates should be managed and apportioned between different stakeholders. We are committed to doing both. Township management is perhaps not the most exciting of topics, but one that affects the day-to-day experience of many Singaporeans. I thank Mr Murali Pillai again for the opportunity to respond to his ideas and set out MND and HDB's thinking on this subject.”
“Town Councils, being responsible for estate maintenance, play an important role in managing cost increases and apportioning costs among different households. This is why Town Councils have the full autonomy to set S&CC rates, including differentiated rates, to achieve both financial sustainability and equity. Nonetheless, let me assure the Member that the Government will continue to partner Town Councils closely in this endeavour. MND will be open to considering appropriate further measures, if necessary, to cushion the impact of rising costs on residents, especially those in greater need of help. We will also review the structure of S&CC operating grants regularly to ensure that it reflects the profile of our public housing stock, subject to the Government's fiscal position. The Member has highlighted the high turnover of Town Council property officers due to tough working conditions and lack of career prospects. We empathise with this. Manpower challenges are not unique to Town Councils and are faced by organisations across Singapore, including the public sector. We recognise the demanding nature of property officers' work. They need to have the technical competency to maintain infrastructure and also soft skills to manage multiple stakeholders. The Government has, thus, been providing significant support to help Town Council officers acquire the necessary skills to handle their work. These include: (a) regular training and sharing sessions to deepen their technical and case management skills; (b) providing technical advice for complex maintenance cases; and (c) establishing clear progression pathways for the facilities management (FM) workforce, including Town Council property officers.”
“Today, Town Councils can already fund such cyclical works through the Sinking Fund and, for lifts, through the Lift Replacement Fund. Town Councils have to apportion at least 40% of their income to these funds and a similar percentage of Government grants are also channelled to these funds. Hence, the Government already co-funds such infrastructural works. The use of S&CC to defray cyclical maintenance and replacement costs in HDB estates is no different from the practice in private condominiums where maintenance fees are used to pay for the cyclical maintenance and replacement of infrastructure, except that the Government provides significant support for public housing – both in terms of funding and otherwise. Town Councils should, thus, continue to set aside funds from S&CC collected for long-term cyclical replacement works. The Government is committed to continue to work with Town Councils to ensure their long-term financial sustainability. We provide substantial grants to Town Councils, with Government funding amounting to about $1.2 billion over the last five years. We further provide S&CC rebates directly to residents, to help those who require more assistance. We recognise that Town Councils face various cost pressures, due to a mix of internal and external factors, including tightening manpower, economic uncertainties caused by the pandemic and global supply chain disruptions. These inflationary pressures affect all sectors, including the Government, which also has to manage a tight fiscal situation. Hence, the solution cannot simply be for the Government to take over estate management or to fully fund cost increases. Ultimately, any long-term increases in costs will have to be borne in one way or another by all of us.”
“Otherwise, we would end up with cookie-cutter precincts that cannot reflect the aspirations of homeowners or the changing demands of urban living. The building of skyrise greenery is a good example. Incorporating more greenery into our compact and high-rise urban environment is an important solution for tackling urban heat. But such features must be thoughtfully designed to keep maintenance costs manageable. The key is to ensure good feedback loops between HDB and Town Councils pre-tender and during construction, so that adjustments can be made promptly to address potential maintenance issues. Such feedback loops should continue after residents move in and add to HDB's experience when designing subsequent projects. We value the Member's feedback and will review our processes to ensure that ease of maintenance is given due priority. We also agree that HDB should deal with design issues that might not have been evident upstream and which present themselves upon project completion promptly. Regarding the dislodged pavers that the Member has mentioned, indeed, there were issues. While HDB had tested the pavers for durability prior to approving their usage, following feedback from the Town Council, HDB investigated and found the profile and interlocking effect of these pavers to be not as effective as the typical interlocking tiles. Hence, HDB will be replacing the pavers and bearing the costs fully. HDB has incorporated this learning and will avoid using such pavers in future projects. The Member has suggested that the Government should fund the costs of replacing infrastructure beyond its lifecycle, and repairs to infrastructure damaged because tolerance limits are exceeded.”
“Second, the Government provides additional funding for replacing or maintaining major infrastructural items, such as the Lift Replacement Matching Grant and the Lift Enhancement Programme (LEP). Third, major efforts to renew HDB towns are heavily funded or even undertaken by the Government through dedicated programmes like the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP) or Remaking Our Heartlands (ROH). It is understandable for Town Councils to question whether the parameters under which they operate are fair and reasonable. After all, they have important responsibilities. They are subject to laws and regulations and are also accountable to residents. I see the hon Member's speech in this light and welcome it. The key points raised by the Member are tension between HDB's role in building and Town Councils' role in maintaining public housing estates, and whether HDB or the Government can undertake the maintenance of public housing estates. I will address these and the other points made by the Member about Town Councils' challenges and financial sustainability. First, the Member expressed concerns about the maintenance costs of features in new BTO developments, some of which have higher maintenance costs, due to the need for specialist contractors or equipment. Sustainability and maintainability are factors that HDB considers when designing new BTO projects. BTO projects adopt design for maintainability principles, including the appropriate choice of materials and finishes and proper detailing for durability and maintenance. HDB also seeks Town Councils' feedback on whether there are features that may affect maintenance. That said, many other factors besides downstream maintenance costs, are considered at the design stage.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I thank Mr Murali Pillai for sharing his views on how we can improve the way we manage our HDB estates. Let us revisit the rationale for forming Town Councils, which we did back in 1989. The purpose was to give elected Members of Parliament the autonomy to run their own towns and, thereby, let towns develop a distinctive character, guided by the needs of residents. It is also a testing ground for Members of Parliament to win, and retain, the trust and confidence of their residents. Not only are Members of Parliament expected to represent voters in Parliament, they are also required to pay close attention to the management and maintenance of our HDB estates. This is a role that comes with custodial and financial responsibilities. It is a uniquely Singapore approach to governance. The simplest way to describe the relationship between HDB and Town Councils is that the former builds while the latter does everything else – manages, maintains, replaces and repairs. To fund these activities, the Town Council collects Service and Conservancy Charges (S&CC) from HDB households. But that leaves out many important nuances. First, the Government does not leave it to Town Councils to raise the funds required from HDB households alone. We support them through S&CC operating grants. In FY2020, the Government provided $146 million in operating grants to Town Councils. In addition, the Government also provides about $132 million worth of S&CC rebates, tiered according to flat type, to help residents pay for their S&CC. This compares against a total S&CC collection of $770 million from residential units for that year.”
“The People's Action Party Women’s Wing adopted the theme of tackling online harms for its International Women's Day activation for 2022. It partnered lawyers and counsellors to roll out a resource toolkit to equip branch volunteers to be good listeners and helpful responders when members of the public bring up issues relating to online harms during Meet-the-People Sessions. More broadly, we welcome interested community partners to join the Digital for Life movement. There is room for many of us to amplify efforts to build a safer digital future for all. Very recently, Straits Times journalist Malavika Menon wrote courageously about her personal encounter with online harms, including that of a sexist nature. Her piece reminded me of that first conversation I had, all those years ago, with a different woman journalist. Back then, I felt upset for her, but did not yet have a clear idea of what can be done to tackle such online harms and defend the dignity and confidence of women online. I believe we have a roadmap now, which is constantly being expanded and refined, thanks to the partnership and collective wisdom of the women and men who stepped forth to join our AfA, and all those who are committed to uplift digital safety for Singapore women and girls. The digital safety gap can be closed for our women and girls. Let us make it happen.”
“Since its launch in July 2021, the AfA has administered a survey to understand the incidence and impact of online harms in Singapore, engaged over 240 parents and youths to raise awareness about online harms and impart tips on how they can help their loved ones navigate the digital space safely, launched a website containing informational resources about online risks and safety tools on technology platforms. What has been particularly encouraging to the AfA members is that the Government is responding to the calls we have been making, by introducing Codes of Practice for Internet platforms. Parliamentary Secretary Rahayu Mahzam will share more on this later. The AfA will roll out more initiatives in the coming months to empower individuals to recognise online harms and build a more holistic system of support for victims. These include a workshop to equip youths to support peers who may be experiencing online harms and a pilot to provide counselling intervention to victims of online harms. We will work with community partners to develop public education initiatives to drive awareness about online harms and promote digital safety. Parliamentary Secretary Rahayu Mahzam and I are grateful for the support of all alliance members, including those who expressed interest in sustaining initiatives in the longer term. The AfA has been a platform for many of our members to forge new friendships and explore common areas of interest, including wider advocacy for the protection and advancement of women and girls, beyond tackling online harms. I am encouraged and look forward to new engines of activism in our society in support of women and girls. Beyond the AfA, we have seen the cause attract wide resonance.”
“I was moved by the number of people who came forward because this cause resonated strongly with them. This included not only women but also men. The number of men reaching out and supporting the AfA affirms and strengthens my belief that men are absolutely vital partners for improving digital safety for women and girls. As fathers, husbands, brothers, sons, friends and colleagues – they care for and want the best for women and girls. This is never about women versus men. This is only ever about women and men working hand-in-hand to push back against mindsets that exploit and victimise women. IPS Senior Research Fellow and Sunlight AfA member Dr Chew Han Ei exemplifies this solidarity. He joined the AfA because he wants to help shift societal mindsets and norms to empower men, as supportive allies of women, to speak out against behaviours that reflect and perpetuate retrograde and exploitative mindsets about women. These are men and women who recognise that online harms, which men and boys may similarly encounter, cannot be dealt with solely via Government action in the form of greater regulation and enforcement. The Government's role is necessary but not sufficient. Concerted efforts from the public, private and people sectors, to formulate approaches to victim support, undertake public education and engagement, and have Internet companies step up to do their part are also needed. Indeed, groups like the Singapore Council of Women's Organisations (SCWO), United Women Singapore, TOUCH Community Services and AWARE are among the organisations that AfA members hail from. I also wish to express my gratitude to the many officers from MCI who believe in the cause and contributed so much of their time and effort to provide the AfA with secretariat support.”
“The sensing poll conducted by the Sunlight AfA found that while 72% of males felt safe from harms while online, only 60% of females did. If left unchecked, online harms that promote exploitative and disrespectful attitudes towards women and girls may discourage women from being active online. We are not just talking about women deciding to make fewer posts or comments on social media. But avoiding important and meaningful undertakings, such as leadership roles or advocacy in real life, that might increase one's chances of encountering haters who wield online harms as a weapon. Reduced participation means reduced opportunities. Why should women accept this? If this mindset is left unchecked, it may erode the real-life safety that women in Singapore have come to rely on, by undermining the value of respecting women and girls as full human beings that we have worked so hard to build up over the generations. Some who are intent on doing real-life harm to women and girls are also availing themselves of online means to identify and isolate their potential victims – hyper-sexualised direct messaging being one of such means. No society that respects and values women can stand for this, much less one like Singapore where women have achieved so much freedom and confidence in real life. The digital safety gap must be closed. Our women and girls must feel as safe and confident online as they do in real life. This is, certainly, relevant to many of the topics being discussed in the Conversations on Singapore Women's Development. Therefore, while I was at MCI, with support from my former colleagues, I decided to make an appeal to those who care equally about women and girls' online safety, so that we can come together and do something about it collectively.”
“This goes beyond our sympathy and indignation on behalf of the victims and their families. There are wider and more insidious implications on society, too. What do these online harms have in common? They stem from seeing and portraying women and girls, primarily, as playthings, for the sexual gratification of men. This is a deplorable and backward mindset, one that I believe most men do not subscribe to, but is, nonetheless, difficult to eradicate from society completely. It may be rooted in age-old inequalities between the sexes, but is unjustifiable by any modern standard of morality or law. Generations of women – and men who support women – all over the world have pushed back against this mindset and fought for the dignity and safety of women and girls. Over time, like many other societies, we have developed clear laws and strong enforcement to protect women's safety in real life – against sexual assault, hurt crimes and trafficking. Singapore is now one of the safest cities in the world for women and girls, so much so that many of us take it for granted that we can go about our daily business alone and unaccompanied. Since 2017, we have been ranked first in Gallup's Global Law and Order report. But the exploitative and backward mindset towards women has found new means of expression in the Internet age. Perpetrators believe they can hide behind the cloak of anonymity. The digital publication and dissemination of information, allows for viralling at speed and the impact on victims becomes more severe and wide-ranging. Such harms can also be weaponised in a malicious and cynical manner to threaten and inflict trauma on individual women. Unsurprisingly, more women than men feel unsafe from gender-based online harms.”
“In another episode, a father reached out to me because intimate photos that his daughter had taken of herself had been stolen from her phone and found their way onto blog sites that specialise in collecting and sharing such photos of young Singapore women. He went to great lengths to get the photos taken down. I will always remember his anguish when relating the severe trauma that this had caused his daughter and his fear that he might lose her forever should she do irreparable harm to herself. This is every parent's worst nightmare. Thankfully, in both cases, the women and their loved ones were able to overcome the harm they experienced and put these terrible episodes behind them. Our laws have been evolving. In 2019, the Protection from Harassment Act (POHA) was amended to outlaw doxxing, which would address the kind of harassment that the woman journalist had endured. But online harms, too, evolve. Another common form of such harms is hyper-sexualised communications on direct messaging platforms, typically involving the sending of lewd and sexually explicit photos. These are aimed at eliciting a response from the women and girls being targeted and linked to sexual grooming and eventual exploitation. The impact caused by such online harms can have severe consequences on the victims who are made to feel humiliated and ashamed, violated and unsafe, isolated and withdrawn, depressed and even suicidal. Their families and loved ones are also not spared. How many untold stories of scarred psyches or diminished lives are there? How many women and girls are out there who would never regain their self-confidence and peace of mind? Hearing about these episodes makes me and many others who care about the well-being of women and girls want to do something about it.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, since July last year, I have been co-chairing the SG Together Sunlight Alliance for Action (AfA) with my colleague Parliamentary Secretary Rahayu Mahzam, which tackles online harms targeted mainly at women and girls. I will elaborate how the Sunlight AfA, which seeks to support the Digital for Life (DfL) movement, tries to close the digital safety gap for women. Ms Rahayu Mahzam will share more about how MCI is responding to calls made by the Sunlight AfA. Online harms, especially those experienced by women and girls, are not something that can be understood in the abstract. Not everyone is aware of such online harms or what they look like. Based on a sensing poll conducted by the Sunlight AfA, 31% of respondents have either personally experienced or witnessed gender-based online harms or both. However, you can feel the devastating impact of such harms on individuals and their families even if you have never been directly targeted. All you need is to listen with an open heart to the story of someone who has gone through such an experience. I have heard several of such tales from personal acquaintances, each of which has remained deeply etched in my mind. The first that I recall occurred more than 10 years ago. A woman journalist related to me a harrowing experience, where her photos and contact number were posted by a person or persons unknown on websites that falsely profiled her as a prostitute. She was harassed and embarrassed by phone calls from strangers wanting to obtain sexual services from her. She had reason to think that this was part of a campaign by those who wanted to punish her for writing pieces that they disagreed strongly with.”
“Sir, currently what is being done is that HDB and LTA will look at the information that they have available if the Town Council approaches them and they will try to assist to the best of their ability. My understanding is that some Town Councils, if their by-laws allow, also detain the vehicle by clamping and require the vehicle owner to pay the fine at the Town Council's office before the vehicle is released back to them. That is also another way in which enforcement can be done.”
“Sir, Town Councils may prohibit or regulate the parking of vehicles on common property within HDB estates under their own by-laws. A breach of any of a Town Council’s by-laws is an offence. The Town Councils Act does not differentiate between foreign- and local-registered vehicles. Town Councils have the autonomy to decide how they wish to enforce their by-laws, including those pertaining to unlawful parking in common areas. Enforcement actions against vehicles found parked illegally on common property can include issuing notices of offence, removing, or detaining the vehicles, if the Town Council is empowered to do so under its by-laws. Town Councils can approach HDB and LTA for assistance if they require information about foreign-registered vehicles for their enforcement efforts.”
“Mr Chairman, in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] I would like to thank Mr Gan Thiam Poh for his question. With regard to the features of heartland shops, we are now conducting a public consultation exercise. According to the feedback we have received from the public consultation so far, they have a few unique features. Some participants have shared that heartland shops should provide essential goods and services for residents and blend in with the spirit and ambience of the estate. They also hope to see more specialty shops and heritage shops in the heartlands and that the heartland shops will continue to operate and retain their local identity and connection. At the same time, there are others who wish to see more innovative shops that can offer residents a fresh shopping experience. In general, most of the participants from the public consultation were of the view that there should be active curation and management of goods and services offered by the heartland shops. We will continue with the consultations based on the feedback received. After collating and analysing all feedback, we will craft a plan to enhance the shopping experience in the heartlands.”
“I thank Mr Lim Biow Chuan for the clarifications. For the Community Advisory Panel on Noise, we intend to invite onto this panel community leaders who have experience in handling or mediating issues to do with noise in the neighbourhood. And we also plan to have engagements and discussions where members of the public can also take part because the idea is to formulate a set of norms or benchmarks that can be useful in mediating conflicts arising from noise and also to guide our agencies in terms of their public education advisories. We are starting with noise because, amongst the different kinds of neighbour disputes that I have raised, which have their roots in human behaviour, neighbour noise is the most numerous and we would like to gain more experience from using this Community Advisory Panel to form these norms and then work in concert with enhanced community dispute resolution mechanisms and gain some experience from that before we apply it to other forms of neighbour disputes.”
“I thank Ms Joan Pereira for her clarification. HDB has been working together with Ms Joan Pereira and her team on the management of the sky gardens that she has talked about. And one of the considerations is the importance of keeping our HDB estates open in terms of their nature. I am also glad to update that we have been working, not just with HDB, but also with other agencies like MOM and NEA, in doing joint operations to manage against safe distancing or safe management measure violations at these sky gardens. My understanding is that the situation has come under control. We understand where Ms Joan Pereira is coming from and will continue to work with her to look for sustainable solutions.”
“We hope to establish CAP soon and invite the public to jointly discuss and develop a set of “community norms” regarding neighbourhood noise. For example, defining what is deemed as unacceptable or uncivil behaviour, as well as what residents should do to reduce noise disturbances to their neighbours. The “community norms” developed by CAP will facilitate mediation and decision-making at the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunal, as well as serve as a useful reference for our public advisories. Let us work together to create a better living environment for all. (In English): We will continue to work closely with our partners to maintain high service standards. To emerge stronger as a society, we need residents and communities to work together towards our shared goal of a better living environment for all.”
“Among these, neighbourhood issues, such as noise from neighbours, cluttering of common spaces, high-rise littering and bird feeding, are more difficult to resolve. MSO will work with Government agencies, residents and communities to collectively address these neighbourhood issues and maintain a pleasant living environment, in two ways. First, we are collaborating with the business community and the public to harness innovative ideas and bring practical solutions to residents. For example, we piloted the “Switch for Community” initiative in Bukit Timah which offers affordably priced and conveniently located Switch work booths for residents whose attempts to study or work from home are affected by noise concerns. The pilot will last for a year, after which we will consider scaling it up to other areas. PA and HDB will also be co-leading an Alliance for Action (AfA) to study practical solutions to better facilitate group-buy activities in HDB estates. Group-buy activities are getting more popular these days, supporting small businesses and promoting interaction among residents. However, it can also cause inconveniences to some residents, such as cluttering of goods at the common corridor and blocking of passageways. The AfA will invite stakeholders, such as group-buy hosts, grassroots leaders and private companies, to identify better solutions together. Second, as an upstream measure, we will continue to focus on shaping positive social norms to mitigate neighbourhood disamenities due to human behaviour. In this regard, MSO and MCCY will set up a Community Advisory Panel (CAP) on Neighbourhood Noise. The CAP will consist of representatives from the community who have the relevant experience and expertise in managing municipal issues.”
“While our current priority is to catch up on the delays caused by the pandemic which Minister Desmond Lee has spoken about, we recognise that the needs and aspirations of Singaporeans are changing, including those who are single or have non-citizen spouses and will continue to study how best to extend more support to them as the situation stabilises. As we carefully balance trade-offs and hedge against future uncertainties, innovation and human ingenuity offers opportunities for us to overcome our constraints. Minister Desmond Lee earlier spoke about enhancements to our Cities of Tomorrow (CoT) R&D programme to fulfil our vision of a more sustainable, liveable and resilient Singapore. The research efforts under the CoT programme also allow us to tap on advancements in big-data analytics and social science research to aid our urban planning and design. In July last year, HDB completed a research project, in collaboration with Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), using data analytics and behavioural studies to look at how to foster the "kampung spirit" in our heartlands. One of the findings was the importance of visual connectivity and the development of a social hub to promote neighbourly interactions. This led HDB to develop a new model of "raised" multi-storey carparks, where the carpark levels are lifted to introduce a porous space on the ground floor where residents from surrounding blocks can interact and gather for social activities. Mdm Chairman, in Mandarin please. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Singaporeans are spending more time at home since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, feedback on municipal issues has significantly increased in the last two years.”
“To Mr Louis Chua's suggestion of a Rent-To-Buy model, our Government already provides generous grants and subsidies to help most Singaporeans own either a BTO or resale flat directly. Rent-To-Buy arrangements may serve a purpose in societies where there are significant gaps between home ownership aspirations and affordability. In Singapore, we design our public housing financing policy to minimise this gap. Flat buyers in Singapore, generally, require little or no cash outlay in servicing the payments for their flats as their mortgage loans can be paid using their CPF contributions, which leaves flexibility for them to pursue other aspirations and goals with their disposable income. Therefore, it is not clear how Rent-To-Buy is better for the aspiring Singapore home owner. We have also been expanding housing options and grants over the years for households of singles and families with non-citizens. For instance, single buyers have access to housing grants and can buy smaller BTO units in non-mature estates. While our overall housing policy continues to support families, we, nevertheless, recognise the home ownership aspirations of singles and, particularly, the circumstances of singles who are also caregivers and seniors. We are very mindful of their concerns and will continue to study ways to assist them. With limited land, we will have to consider the trade-offs and resources needed whenever we make policy changes. For instance, whenever we raise the income ceiling or liberalise eligibility criteria for public housing – for example, by lowering the age limit, demand will go up and we will need to make sure we have the land and the resources to meet such demand.”
“Minister Desmond Lee shared earlier about how we will strengthen the character and identity of our city by safeguarding our built heritage. Since October last year, we have followed up and facilitated in-depth discussions with more than 1,000 participants. We also tapped on discussion forums and webinars involving more than 7,000 participants. We discussed how we could achieve the four desired outcomes and how we should balance the trade-offs required. A wide range of ideas were raised. Some of them were quite imaginative, like using our canals and waterways as transport networks, or building floating or underground housing apartments to overcome our land constraints. The public engagement is still ongoing and will culminate in an exhibition in the middle of this year. We encourage Singaporeans to continue contributing their ideas and views. While not all of them are feasible today, they are harbingers of the future possibilities we need to keep in mind. Given the greater uncertainties we face in the future, key focus areas of the LTPR would be strengthening the resilience, flexibility and inclusiveness of our long-term plans and strategies. On public housing specifically, Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin and Mr Louis Chua asked about expanding public rental housing to cater to more groups of Singaporeans. The Leader of the Opposition and Miss Rachel Ong also asked about housing access for singles and families with non-citizens. Madam, a vibrant housing market exists. For the rental housing that HDB offers, our emphasis is on providing highly-subsidised rental flats to those who have no other housing options, such as those with financial difficulties, as well as first-timer families who have challenges renting from the market while waiting for their booked flats to be completed.”
“Finally, I would like to provide an update on our public engagement exercise for the Long-Term Plan Review (LTPR), as enquired by Miss Cheryl Chan. We embarked on the review last year to refresh our long-term land use plans for the next 50 years and beyond. This is not a new exercise. We have conducted regular reviews of our long-term plans since the first Concept Plan in 1971. Key infrastructure outcomes of the 1971 Concept Plan include Changi Airport and our current MRT lines. From July to September last year, URA engaged more than 5,800 Singaporeans through polls and workshops, to better understand Singaporeans’ values, hopes and concerns for the future. We found that Singaporeans aspire towards four key broad outcomes for Singapore. First, a sustainable Singapore – a city where we can grow in an environmentally responsible way, especially in light of climate change. Minister Desmond Lee covered our sustainability efforts extensively earlier. Second, an inclusive Singapore – a city where we can meet the diverse needs of our people and foster social cohesion and harmony. Minister of State Faishal Ibrahim will share more on how we are supporting our vulnerable citizens and forging community partnerships later. Third, an adaptable and resilient Singapore – a city where we can adapt nimbly to disruptions and seize emerging opportunities. MSE colleagues yesterday provided an update of our efforts to build a more resilient Singapore, such as our coastal protection plans to combat rising sea levels, our development of weather-resilient water sources through desalination and the transformation of our used water network with the Deep Tunnel Sewerage System. Fourth, a distinctive and endearing Singapore – a city that we are proud to call our home.”
“Since 2007, HDB co-funds physical upgrading works and promotional activities through the Revitalisation of Shops scheme to improve the shopping experience for our residents. HDB also partners Enterprise Singapore to encourage our heartland retailers to modernise their operations and embrace digitalisation. To ensure our heartland shops stay relevant and vibrant, HDB and Enterprise Singapore are further engaging the public through the Heartland Shops Study to understand what Singaporeans value most in the heartlands. Since October last year, we have engaged over 2,400 residents, business owners and shop employees through surveys, interviews and focus group discussions. I joined one of these public engagements earlier in February and was excited to hear ideas on how we can shape the heartland retail scene, while preserving its cultural and social value. Together with HDB, we will thus explore ways to better curate the trades at our neighbourhood centres, taking into consideration the attributes that residents and businesses have told us they value and also better support the digitalisation and business sustainability of these shops. I encourage all Singaporeans to participate in the online survey for the Heartland Shops Study which is available on the REACH website until the end of this month. The findings from the study will help to shape and refine national programmes and plans to support our heartland merchants. We will follow up on participants’ feedback and partner Enterprise Singapore to rejuvenate our heartland spaces with new experiences as part of "Our Heartlands 2025", a new initiative announced by Minister of State Low Yen Ling during MTI’s COS.”
“The "community norms" developed by the CAP will help neighbours to better communicate with one another, as well as serve as a useful "benchmark" and reference for our public advisories, and to facilitate mediation and decision-making at the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunal. We hope to establish CAP soon and for the panel to submit its recommendations by the end of the year. MSO is also working with MCCY on how agencies would enforce against neighbourhood noise using these "community norms" as a reference and Minister Edwin Tong will share on this aspect during MCCY’s COS. Miss Cheryl Chan also asked for an update on the "Help Neighbour" feature in the OneService app since its launch in last September. Thus far, "Help Neighbour" has referred 272 cases of seniors in need, rough sleepers, cardboard collectors and tissue sellers to the social agencies for targeted assistance – of which, about 50% were new cases unknown to the agencies. With this feature, concerned residents can directly connect persons-in-need to social agencies, without risking over-exposing them on social media. I thus encourage everyone to use "Help Neighbour". I would now like to address Mr Xie Yao Quan’s query about HDB’s plans to keep our heartland shops vibrant and sustainable, amid the rise in online shopping and changing consumer habits. Our heartland shops must do well if our neighbourhoods are to remain vibrant and endearing. Beyond serving the day-to-day needs of residents, heartland shops reflect the distinctive character and identity of our neighbourhoods, provide spaces for residents to meet and interact and serve as a social glue for the community. Our heartlands can also be incubators for budding entrepreneurs and exciting new business ideas.”
“But when large quantities of goods are delivered to an estate and redistributed to individual buyers, there could be inconveniences, such as cluttering of goods at the common corridor and blocking of passageways. We would like to identify win-win solutions so that residents can continue to engage in group buying and support small businesses while minimising inconvenience to others. Members of the AfA will consist of stakeholders, such as group-buy hosts, grassroots leaders and potential solution providers from the private sector, to explore better ways of facilitating the delivery, storage and distribution of group-buy items, such as making use of HDB void decks. Second, we will continue to focus on shaping positive social norms to mitigate neighbourhood disamenities due to human behaviour. This is an upstream measure and one of many that needs to be put in place to holistically address the management of community disputes, as explained by Minister Edwin Tong during MinLaw’s COS. Ms Joan Pereira and Mr Lim Biow Chuan rightly highlighted that neighbourhood noise is a complex issue to resolve and can cause significant tension and unhappiness between neighbours. MSO and MCCY are exploring various ways to tackle this issue. As part of a holistic response, we intend to set up a Community Advisory Panel on Neighbourhood Noise to look at defining what is deemed as unacceptable noise disturbances, as well as what constitutes good civic norms that residents should observe, to reduce noise disturbances to their neighbours. The Community Advisory Panel (CAP) will consist of representatives from the community who have the relevant experience and expertise in managing municipal issues.”
“Several Members – Miss Cheryl Chan, Mr Yip Hon Weng and Mr Baey Yam Keng asked about MSO's efforts to address neighbourhood disamenities that arise due to differences in social norms or behavioural issues, such as the cluttering of common spaces, high-rise littering, bird feeding and noise from neighbours, given that work-from-home will remain an option for many people in the longer term. First, we are collaborating with the business community and the public to harness innovative ideas and bring practical solutions to residents. Switch is one such company. We facilitated the "Switch for Community" initiative by the People's Association (PA), HDB and Switch, which offers affordably priced and conveniently located Switch work booths for residents whose attempts to study or work-from-home are affected temporarily by renovation works or other forms of noise. I am happy that residents have found this initiative useful. Since its launch last December, over 100 individuals have used the work booths located at the Bukit Timah Community Club and Trivelis Residents' Network in Clementi. Due to demand, the operating hours of the work booths at Trivelis Residents' Network centre have also been extended to late evenings and the weekends. We will continue to monitor the outcomes of the pilot after a year and consider scaling it up if there is good demand. 5.00 pm In the spirit of Singapore Together, PA and HDB will also be co-leading an Alliance for Action (AfA) to study practical solutions to better facilitate group-buy activities in HDB estates. Group-buy activities support small businesses and promote interaction among residents.”
“Where, previously, all cases were labelled as "Closed" once the agency had responded to the feedback, now they are labelled as either "Resolved" or "Replied". With differentiated case status, residents have a more accurate understanding of the status of their case and can be assured that unresolved cases continue to be worked on. We will also continue to make our OneService e-services more accessible by introducing them on more digital platforms. In the second half of the year, residents will be able to submit feedback using the LifeSG app, in addition to the OneService app. In time, more of our digital offerings will be available on LifeSG so that residents who are currently not users of the OneService app can also enjoy our e-services. Together, we hope that tighter collaboration in the delivery of municipal services will bring greater convenience and satisfaction to residents. Mr Dennis Tan asked for an update on new technical methods to lower the costs of the Lift Upgrading Programme, or LUP, for HDB flats without direct lift access. Over the years, HDB has adopted innovative technical solutions, such as machine-room-less elevators and bubble lifts to provide direct lift access for such flats. More than 5,000 HDB blocks have thus benefited from LUP. There remains about 150 blocks where it is not possible to implement LUP due to prohibitive costs or existing technical and site constraints. We will continue to explore how to bring down LUP costs, as well as alternatives to LUP, such as powered stair climbers for wheelchair users. The Lift access Housing Grant is also available to help residents with urgent mobility or medical needs to move to another flat with direct lift access.”
“We are also finding ways to deliver better services with the pilot of integrated municipal operations in Tampines town and have commenced ground operations last month. Next, I will speak about improving user experience, as mentioned by Miss Cheryl Chan and Mr Yip Hon Weng. Every day, agencies and Town Councils receive over 4,000 cases of feedback on municipal issues. Most are straightforward cases that can be resolved within a week, but some complex cases can be long-drawn, especially where investigations or neighbours' cooperation are required. Case owner agencies, currently, have the flexibility to decide how to close cases, be they straightforward or complex. MSO is working with our partners to improve the handling of municipal feedback, in terms of how they should close the feedback loop for the different types of cases. For straightforward cases that involve only one agency and where concrete actions can be taken to fully resolve the case, agencies should close the feedback loop only upon complete resolution of the case. For complex cases, agencies should close the feedback loop only after explaining to the feedback provider the actions taken or the intended action plan, as well as provide an estimated timeline. We have implemented two corresponding changes in the OneService app. First, photo evidence is provided upon resolution of straightforward cases. This initiative has been implemented since 2020 for feedback concerning public cleanliness and has since expanded to include other straightforward issues, such as the maintenance of common property in HDB estates, HDB car parks and commercial properties, and lights along covered walkways and footpaths. Second, we have differentiated the status of cases since May 2021.”
“Mdm Chairman, I thank Mr Henry Kwek for highlighting the challenges facing MSO, our partner agencies and Town Councils. Feedback on municipal issues has indeed significantly increased with the onset of COVID-19 as Singaporeans spend more time at home. This has spurred us to find new ways to work and to forge stronger partnerships with the public on issues which the Government alone cannot fully resolve. MSO will work with our partners to make progress in three areas: increasing productivity of municipal services; improving processes for better user experience; and forging stronger community partnerships to holistically address complex neighbourhood issues. Our key goal is to deliver resident-centric services in an efficient and seamless manner. The OneService app has been a useful platform to achieve this. It is, today, a one-stop neighbourhood platform with many functions, beyond reporting feedback. Since its launch in 2015, our user base has increased 10-fold to more than 430,000 users. This is the result of MSO constantly enhancing the OneService app to meet residents' evolving needs. For instance, to help residents plan around potential disamenities and inconveniences, residents can now refer to the "Happenings" feature for information on HDB-approved renovation works at their blocks and will soon be able to check the crowd levels at public libraries should they wish to find alternative locations to study or to work. Residents can also access the "Book Facilities" feature to perform end-to-end contactless booking and payment for the use of common areas and facilities, such as multipurpose halls and void decks in their estates.”
“Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Second Minister Maliki Osman and myself, as well as MFA’s senior management and foreign service officers regularly communicate key messages on our foreign policy through engagement sessions, media interviews and digital media platforms. We also reach out to students through dialogue sessions to help them understand key foreign policy issues and challenges. Our goal is to keep the Singapore public well-informed about the geostrategic forces at play, encourage critical thinking about our national interests, and strengthen resilience against foreign influence and agendas that do not benefit Singapore. In conclusion, I would like to reiterate that Singapore’s continued success is contingent on many factors. Both domestic and foreign policy considerations play a role. In keeping with our Mission to protect and advance Singaporeans' interests, MFA will continue to invest in our relations with global partners, and support international norms that help Singapore navigate challenges thrown up by a complex global landscape. MFA will also strengthen our consular support of Singaporeans during this pandemic period and beyond.”
“Since its establishment, there have been over 360 successful sign-ups. As more VTLs are established, MFA has received increased requests for consular assistance from travelling Singaporeans, particularly those caught off-guard by changes to travel regulations and border policies announced at short notice. Similarly, more Singaporeans have requested consular advice and assistance to return home after contracting COVID-19 overseas. MFA has been using social media and our website to provide advice and travel information updates where possible. We have also explored the use of technology to improve our consular services. This includes newly-launched e-Services to report loss of passports and apply for Documents of Identity (DOIs) online. This will help mitigate the inconveniences Singaporeans face after losing travel documents while overseas. We thank Mr Vikram Nair and other Members of the House for the appreciation shown for the work done by our officers. The pandemic reminds us of our vulnerability and interdependence in a fast-changing global environment. But fundamentally, foreign policy begins at home. Our diplomacy is only credible if we maintain domestic consensus and nurture a deeper understanding of Singapore’s foreign policy priorities. This includes our interests and vulnerabilities as a small state, such as our consistent, unequivocal support for a robust, rules-based multilateral system that gives Singapore an equal voice. Ms Joan Pereira asked how we can deepen Singaporeans’ understanding of the key tenets and considerations of our foreign policy. MFA has undertaken sustained efforts to engage Singaporeans on this through different means.”
“Mr Alex Yam has indicated interest in knowing more about how MFA has facilitated the return of overseas Singaporeans, given the unpredictable epidemiological situation and border control measures. Let me give some examples of the good work done by our MFA officers over the past year. On 16 December last year, Typhoon Odette landed in Siargao Island and swept through the Visayas, affecting mobile networks, power and water supplies. Our Embassy in Manila reached out to the 12 Singaporeans in the Visayas e-registered with MFA and confirmed their safety. However, four Singaporeans in Cebu needed assistance and our Embassy worked with airlines to have emergency supplies sent to them from Metro Manila to provide temporary relief. Nearer home, MFA has assisted the return of over 450 Singaporeans stranded in Malaysia since March 2020. Mr Desmond Choo asked how MFA can assist Singaporeans who need to travel overseas for compassionate reasons and improve the delivery of its consular assistance to overseas Singaporeans. MFA has explored new initiatives to address consular needs arising from the COVID-19 situation. For instance, Singapore launched the Death and Critical Illness Emergency Visits (DCEV) scheme with Malaysia last May. Under this unique bilateral arrangement, Singapore residents can make urgent trips to Malaysia to visit immediate family members who are critically ill, or to pay their last respects, without serving the full quarantine duration in Malaysia. Malaysia residents can similarly use the DCEV scheme to visit immediate family members in Singapore for similar reasons. Last September, MFA and MOH launched dedicated vaccination channels for overseas Singaporeans which made it more convenient for them to return home for inoculation.”
“We will continue working with other key European partners, in particular the European Union (EU), on post-pandemic recovery and enhance cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, the digital economy and the green sector. We welcome efforts by the EU and its member states to step up engagement of the region through their Indo-Pacific strategies and will encourage their further engagement with ASEAN through the areas outlined in the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. Mr Gan Thiam Poh has indicated interest in knowing how Singapore contributes to the development of other developing countries. The Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP) is our way of giving back to the international community, having benefited from similar assistance during our formative years. 2022 marks the SCP’s 30th anniversary. We have hosted some 137,000 foreign government officials to our programmes over the past three decades. Many have come to Singapore as strangers but left as friends. We continue to update our programmes so that they remain relevant and cover areas, such as public health governance, sustainable development and digital transformation. This is part of our contribution to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We will continue to focus our capacity-building efforts on developing countries and small states, such as through the “FOSS for Good” technical assistance package, which was launched in conjunction with the 30th anniversary of the Forum of Small States (FOSS) this year. A core function of MFA’s work is our consular assistance to Singaporeans across the globe, especially during this pandemic. As more Singaporeans live, work and travel abroad, MFA will need resources to support those in need.”
“We will also work to enhance existing cooperation and explore new areas of collaboration. To Mr Dennis Tan’s query, Singapore welcomes the US’ intention to shape a robust and comprehensive regional economic strategy, including through its proposed Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and will contribute meaningfully towards enhancing the US’ open and inclusive engagement of Southeast Asia. Now, a few words about how to strengthen our global network of friends. Mr Don Wee asked what steps we have taken to strengthen cooperation with Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) during the pandemic. We have kept up close cooperation with both countries, including in the digital economy and safe resumption of travel. High-level visits have gradually resumed. Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin and Minister Edwin Tong visited Japan last August for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, while Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hagiuda Koichi visited Singapore in January this year. ROK Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong made an introductory visit here last June, while Minister Tan See Leng visited Seoul last November. We have steadfast partners in Europe including the United Kingdom, with whom we share deep historical ties and close partnership. Another milestone was reached last week when we signed the UK-Singapore Digital Economy Agreement – the first digital pact between an Asian and a European country, and a pathfinder in setting high-standard digital trade rules between both regions. We will continue exploring further opportunities for collaboration, particularly in the green sector.”
“Whether it is official visits, people-to-people exchanges, overseas studies, study visits or investment activities, we hope to resume air connectivity with China in a safe and appropriate manner and recover pre-pandemic levels of frequent in-person exchanges. (In English): Mdm Chairman, allow me to continue in English. Mr Dennis Tan and Mr Vikram Nair asked how we can continue engaging the US. Our relationship with the US is robust and longstanding, with multifaceted cooperation in defence, security, trade and economic domains, as well as people-to-people ties. Singapore is the US’ only “Major Security Cooperation Partner”, demonstrating the strength and depth of the relationship. Our relations have continued to strengthen despite the pandemic. Our Prime Minister Lee and US President Joe Biden had a fruitful meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Meeting in Rome last October. We were honoured to receive US Vice President Kamala Harris in Singapore last August. On our part, Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Ministers Ng Eng Hen, Vivian Balakrishnan and Gan Kim Yong visited the US last year to engage their counterparts and other key stakeholders, and discussed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation and our strategic partnership. Amidst intensifying geopolitical tensions, Singapore will continue to engage the US meaningfully and urge it to remain engaged in the Asia Pacific. Domestic preoccupations will continue to be top-of-mind for the Biden Administration, particularly with the November mid-term elections. We will work to keep up the good pace of engagement, find ways to support US policy priorities where opportune, and continue supporting US engagement of Southeast Asia.”
“Thank you. Mdm Chairman, in Mandarin, please. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mr Don Wee asked how we have broadened our ties with China amidst the pandemic. Singapore and China have enjoyed close bilateral relations and established a wide range of cooperation mechanisms – the Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC), the eight provincial-level Economic and Trade councils, and three Government-to-Government projects. Prior to the pandemic, bilateral visits were frequent. As the pandemic situation evolved, it has been harder for us to visit each other due to differences in our approach to public health policy and border controls. Nonetheless, we have continued to keep up the momentum of collaboration and high-level exchanges via virtual meetings. At the 17th JCBC last December, we agreed on new areas of bilateral cooperation. Economic cooperation continued to flourish. Last month, President Halimah Yacob attended the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games – our first high-level visit to Beijing since 2020. Her friendly discussions with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang served to cement our bilateral relationship and affirmed the substantive, wide-ranging and forward-looking nature of our unique "All-Round Cooperative Partnership Progressing with the Times" established in 2015. 2.00 pm As China embarks on a new development paradigm, we look forward to strengthening the bilateral partnership to better seize opportunities in the future, especially in the digital economy and green development. Naturally, in-person interactions are more effective than virtual meetings.”
“Mdm Chairman, as we are making good time, may I ask for a few extra minutes for my speech?”
“Thank you — choosing from a range of leases, based on their preferences. Madam, homeownership has been and will continue to be our key housing strategy for Singapore. Beyond just a roof over our heads, homeownership has provided Singaporeans with a sense of stability, security and belonging and has given us a strong stake in our country’s progress. Nevertheless, MND will continue to study how Singaporeans’ preferences and aspirations evolve over time and continue to develop our public housing programme to meet changing needs. That said, mainstream rental represents a significant departure from our public housing policy and principles. It will reshape our social norms and could weaken our communities, because, unlike home ownership where people sink their roots, rentals are more transitory. This is not something we will embark on lightly, without deep consideration. In the meantime, given our limited fiscal space, we will continue to prioritise our resources to support Singaporeans in achieving their homeownership aspirations, that is, homes owned by Singaporeans and not by private investors through REITs.”
“Madam, MND closely monitors evolving trends and social norms to identify market gaps to cater to the housing needs of our diverse population. For example, we introduced the 2-room Flexi scheme in 2015 as a new housing option to better cater to the diverse housing needs of families, singles and seniors. For seniors buying 2-room Flexi flats, they have the option of choosing —”
“We thank Mr Louis Chua for his suggestion. It represents a change in the nature of our public housing policy and is something we would need to consider very carefully, for reasons of principle as well as practicality. We see the provision of a subsidised rental option as a means towards achieving home ownership because we believe in the benefits that home ownership brings to Singaporeans. Members of this House would be aware that we recently launched the new Prime Location Public Housing model, or PLH for short. In developing the new model, we embarked on an extensive engagement exercise to seek views from Singaporeans. Many suggestions were raised, including suggestions for the Government to rent out prime location flats instead of selling them as home ownership flats. We had considered this suggestion carefully but decided not to adopt it for now for several reasons. As I have shared, we continue to believe in the benefits of homeownership for Singapore and Singaporeans. Apart from this, without substantial rental subsidies from the Government, most Singaporeans would be unlikely to find it attractive to pay market rent using cash. Flat owners who purchase a flat of sufficient lease and complete the loan payments are assured of a roof over their heads for the rest of their lives. The same cannot be said for those choosing to rent, as rental payments would continue to recur even after retirement. We would also need to study the impact of introducing a new supply of rental flats at rates lower than market, which may affect rental rates across the board. The same considerations would apply, if we were to contemplate the provision of subsidised rental options for public housing in the manner that Mr Louis Chua has described.”