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.”
The complete record
Every one of 775 lines we hold for Sim Ann, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 9 of 16.
“As for expanding the range of subsidised rental offerings, especially for medium- to long-term accommodation, we would need to consider this very carefully. It is common to see young people renting their own apartments in big cities all over the world, but this is largely unsubsidised and subject to market forces. This phenomenon also reflects different social circumstances. For instance, the city that one works in could be very far from one's hometown and, hence, living with one's parents is out of the question. In some societies, it is a norm for young adults to move out from their parents' homes, even if they do not work in a different city. The rent that such tenants pay is a consumption expense, which could have gone into home ownership, if home ownership was within reach. But without public housing subsidies that support home ownership, some end up renting for many years, or even for life. In Singapore, a wide range of open market rental options are also available in HDB and private estates, of varying sizes, locations and rent levels. Amongst these offerings, co-living appears to be increasingly popular amongst the younger generation. We have observed more Singaporeans taking up such co-living options, compared to previously where it mainly catered to foreigners. We will continue to study and monitor this trend further. Mr Louis Chua suggests that there could still be a gap in the rental offerings today, as there are Singaporeans who prefer to rent instead of own for a certain number of years but are not eligible for public rental and do not wish to take up open market or private sector options. Mr Louis Chua suggested that HDB rent out flats at rates set at a discount to that of the open market to meet demand from these groups.”
“When families are ready, they can also obtain housing grants and personalised guidance from HDB's Home ownership Support Team on budgeting and the flat-buying process. Our home ownership policies also support our family formation policies, which reflect another important aspiration of many Singaporeans. The recent World Values Survey in 2020 showed that families are important to Singaporeans and most want to have children, preferably two. Changing societal trends may reshape how some Singaporeans perceive home ownership. More Singaporeans are remaining single and may wish to own their own homes, too, while some young people who do intend to get married eventually might also desire to live apart from their parents for a few years, as alluded to by Mr Louis Chua. These are diverse aspirations and, understandably, lead to questions about whether our public housing policy can be more flexible in accommodating them. HDB has moved on singles' flat ownership. 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 recognise the home ownership aspirations that many singles have. For instance, some singles have had to forgo opportunities of forming families of their own because of caregiver responsibilities. Seniors who are single also tend to be more vulnerable than those who can count on the support of their spouses, children and even grandchildren. In such cases, home ownership can be material in improving a person's well-being as well as financial security. We are very mindful of the circumstances of this group and will continue to study ways to assist them.”
“We have also provided a steady supply of public housing over the years to meet demand and provide affordable and inclusive public housing for Singaporeans. While our home ownership rate is high, we recognise that some may not be quite ready for home ownership and require some additional assistance and support. That is why we provide subsidised rental housing options targeted at specific needs. For low-income households with no other housing options, we provide highly subsidised rental housing under the Public Rental scheme, as a social safety net. The income guideline which Mr Louis Chua has referred to in his speech is not a hard-and-fast rule. HDB has and will continue to exercise flexibility on a case-by-case basis, where necessary. For families who need an interim housing option while waiting for their BTO flats, we rent out flats under the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme, or PPHS. We also provide Interim Rental Housing for lower-income households who need temporary accommodation while waiting to buy or collect the keys to their own flat and have no other housing options. However, given the significant subsidies involved, such rental options are very targeted. Our aim is to help households in public rental eventually achieve home ownership as well. HDB and social agencies work closely to support rental households in overcoming the various challenges that they face. For example, through Community Link, or ComLink, Government agencies and community partners work to support families with young children living in public rental flats, to help them achieve stability, self-reliance and social mobility.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, I thank Mr Louis Chua for laying out his views on housing and for his suggestions to make our public housing landscape "more rental, less ownership". Since Independence, we have strived to support the diverse aspirations of Singaporeans. In recent years, the Government has been engaging citizens, more deeply and extensively, to consult and co-create solutions on issues we all care deeply about. This includes our public housing programme, which is unique and unlike any others in the world. Home ownership has been the cornerstone of our public housing policy and a key tenet of Singapore's social compact. It was an audacious goal – to make it easy for citizens of a young, developing nation, to own their homes, to give families stability, develop a sense of rootedness and a concrete stake in Singapore's progress. Beyond being homes, HDB flats are also valuable assets that can be monetised to supplement their owners' income during their retirement years. We have more than achieved this goal. Today, Singapore has one of the highest home ownership rates in the world, at 90%. This compares with 65% in the US, 72% in the EU and 63% in Australia. More remarkably, around 85% of our low-income households own their homes. This reflects the priority the Government places on keeping home ownership attainable for Singaporeans. New flats are priced with a generous subsidy and supplemented with grants for affordability. For buyers considering the resale market, we offer up to $160,000 in housing grants, with the grant structure heavily tilted towards the lower- and middle-income households. For many Singaporeans, these housing subsidies constitute one of the most significant bundles of subsidies that they enjoy.”
“(In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.]: If Ms Hazel Poa had not mentioned this, I would not even want to bring it up. Mr Leong Mun Wai from PSP has repeatedly cast doubt on the nationality of the CEO of DBS, Mr Piyush Gupta, and we have discussed this at length. Here, I would like to say that somebody needs to speak up on behalf of people like Mr Piyush Gupta. In fact, this type of argument is exactly what I referred to as drawing lines between Singaporeans. I think we have already had a clear discussion on the matter. I suggest that PSP need not undermine itself by reminding us of what they have said. 8.45 pm”
“The Workers’ Party has asked to include another paragraph calling on the Government to release more information. I do not think we lack information for this debate. This was a delaying tactic employed by the PSP when they could not answer questions posed to them. I do not think the Workers’ Party needs to go along with them and add an unnecessary limb to the Motion. Hence, the Government and PAP Members will support the original Motion standing in Minister Lawrence Wong’s name and not the amendments proposed by the Workers’ Party. So, let us adopt a more objective attitude in addressing the challenges that we will inevitably face when developing our economy and creating jobs for Singaporeans, and not be swayed by seductive arguments or waver in our commitment towards an open economy. Most importantly, we must not allow trust between the people and the Government to be eroded. Let us work hand in hand to overcome immediate challenges and build a stronger foundation for our future and that of our next generation. Mr Speaker, I cannot accept the Motion standing in the name of Mr Leong Mun Wai and Ms Hazel Poa. I support the Motion standing in the name of the Finance Minister. 8.43 pm”
“I hope that this debate would have dispelled some doubts in people’s minds and help them to see that: we have a comprehensive approach towards boosting the competitiveness of local PMETs and ensuring their fair treatment; the Government values middle-aged PMETs and seeks to relieve the pressures they experience; the Government has been regulating the entry of foreign PMETs and will tighten if necessary, but we must not drive away enterprises or that will harm the interests of Singaporeans; and the Government has no special affinity for workers from any country, including India. We exist to serve the interests of Singaporeans. Moreover, it is the duty of the Government to consider the needs of Singaporeans at every life stage. Undoubtedly, we should care about middle-agers. However, old age comes after middle-age, which means significant expenses for both the individual and society in terms of retirement adequacy and healthcare needs. If our economy does not do well, our people will have little purchasing power and the state cannot afford more subsidies. Who could possibly retire in peace in such a scenario? I would like to address the Workers’ Party’s proposed amendments to Minister Lawrence Wong’s Motion. Minister Lawrence Wong’s Motion contains a phrase “supports Government actions to manage the population of foreign manpower”. The Workers’ Party has proposed replacing “supports” with “calls for stronger”. In addressing the third doubt, I have mentioned that the Government will continue to be judicious in balancing the needs of managing foreign manpower and maintaining our economic vitality to safeguard Singaporeans’ interests. That is well captured in the original Motion.”
“If we restrict enterprises in their hiring of Indian professionals, they will feel constrained. Their operational plans will be affected. Some might even consider giving up on Singapore and going elsewhere. It is clear that the growing presence of Indian PMETs in Singapore has nothing to do with CECA, nor any special affinity that the Government has for Indians. It has to do with our economic strategy to grow as a financial hub and an IT hub, which we have no reason to abandon. These are among the world’s fastest growing industries and can bring good jobs for Singaporeans. While there is no special affinity, we certainly have nothing against Indian PMETs either. Approval of EPs should be based primarily on the needs of companies. We pay attention to overall numbers and whether Singaporeans are treated fairly, rather than focus on any particular nationality. The Government will also continue to pursue integration efforts, and encourage foreign professionals working and living here to respect local culture and integrate well. Indian EP holders have to clear the same bar as those from other sources and checks are in place for all sources to guard against letting in under-qualified EPs. However, becoming Permanent Residents (PRs) or Singapore Citizens (SC) is quite a different matter altogether. When it comes to PRs, we are careful not to cause major shifts in ethnic proportions. When it comes to naturalisation, we are even more careful. This is why many well-qualified Indian nationals have yet to receive approvals for their PR/SC applications even after a long wait.”
“India happens to be a major exporter of skilled manpower for both industries, especially when it comes to ICT. India and China produce the largest number of skilled manpower in the world for the IT industry. Indian ICT professionals are not only numerous, but also well-versed in English. China’s own ICT industry has been developing at a rapid pace. With a huge domestic market, the demand for their homegrown talent is robust. So, relatively fewer ICT professionals are available to come to places like Singapore now. You will find large numbers of Indian professionals in any English-speaking economy that seeks to build finance or ICT hubs. It is the case in Silicon Valley, New York and London. As mentioned previously, intra-corporate transferees under CECA had been few. Most Indian PMETs entered Singapore on EPs applied for by their employers, via normal channels. In other words, even if CECA did not exist, our strategy of building a finance hub and ICT hub would mean that there would likely be as many Indian PMETs here. Singapore, too, has been grooming our own finance and IT talent, so that they can do well in these fast-growing sectors. From 2005 to 2020, in the ICT sector, there were 35,000 jobs created for local PMETs, compared to a 25,000 increase in EP holders. In the finance sector, there were 85,000 jobs created for local PMETs, compared to a 20,000 increase in EP holders – four times as many. Then, do our companies really need to hire so many Indian PMETs? I have mentioned that India is a major exporter of skilled manpower in finance and ICT. IT students enrolled across various tertiary settings in Singapore were 7,600 in 2020. According to an OECD report, India produced 585,000 ICT graduates in 2015, which also outnumber those in many other countries.”
“It makes no sense for them to cause offence, but some might take longer to blend in, in terms of lifestyles, work habits and the way they interact. A handful of Indian PMETs have been caught on social media misbehaving, which has caused those who are already uneasy with the change to feel more offended. We have been emphasising racial harmony in Singapore over the years. Hence, most people would refrain from public discussion about race and nationality. However, we cannot rule out some people wondering quietly: why is the Government so welcoming of Indians? A letter by Mr Tay Ping Hui was published in Lianhe Zaobao in May this year. Entitled “I give my heart to the moon, but does the moon care?”, the letter expresses this sentiment in a subtle manner. The main gist of his piece: is it worthwhile for Singapore to be so generous towards India and Indians, when the goodwill is not reciprocated? The letter referred to some circumstances relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and alluded to bad behaviour by some Indian PMETs. Not everyone can write as well as Mr Tay. Some are fearful of crossing red lines and causing unnecessary misunderstandings, and choose to keep their doubts to themselves. This creates space for those who peddle critiques of CECA. Most people might not know or care about the details in CECA. They only know that it is an FTA with India and assume that it could explain why more Indian PMETs have appeared in Singapore. Hence, critiques of CECA have found a ready audience. Soon, CECA became a code word for Indians, and a cover for some racially-charged commentary. The answer: Singapore has no special affinity for workers from any country, including India. What we want is to become a finance and digital/ICT hub, to create better jobs for Singaporeans.”
“Minister Ong Ye Kung and Minister Tan See Leng had, on 6 July, clearly explained why the Movement of Natural Persons provisions in CECA have very little impact on the actual entry of Indian professionals into Singapore and that there had not been many intra-corporate transferees under CECA. Mr Leong Mun Wai had acknowledged during the debate that he and Ms Hazel Poa are for FTAs. He expressed understanding that the interests of Singaporeans had not been used as bargaining chips in FTA negotiations and that Singaporeans’ interests had been taken into account. Nonetheless, the Motion standing in their names today once again mentions “widespread anxiety among Singaporeans on jobs and livelihoods caused by the foreign talent policy and the provisions on Movement of Natural Persons in some free trade agreements like the CECA”. Even if we leave aside the question of their motivation for bringing up CECA repeatedly, I doubt it would do much good to painstakingly repeat our answers. Let us cut straight to the chase and address the fourth doubt: has the Singapore Government got some special affinity for India and Indians, so much so that we welcome ever-increasing numbers of Indian nationals to live and work in Singapore, in competition with local PMETs? PMETs from India have, indeed, increased in numbers. Minister Tan See Leng has said that Indian nationals have grown from one-seventh of EP holders in 2005 to one quarter in 2020. Many Indian nationals can be found in some professions, especially finance and IT, and there are concentrations of residents from India in some private estates. Some locals find this hard to get used to. Indian PMETs are here to make a living.”
“After the concert, the CEO of SSO, Mr Chng Hak Peng, asked for my views, and I shared my thoughts with him candidly. He said, “Guess what? The question I get asked most often is what proportion of the SSO is Singaporean. I would reply that the majority of our musicians are Singapore Citizens. But I would get asked further: how many of them are local-born?” So, it can be seen that some people do draw such lines in our society – whether in the commercial, arts or sports fields. There is an ancient Chinese saying: “Judge not a hero by where he came from.” If we do the opposite, we end up going down a path of no return, which is not even logical. Think about it. We are happy with local-born Singaporeans doing well. But when someone wishes to make Singapore their home, and fight alongside us, should we not be happy, too? This person could be working here, serving Singaporean customers. He could head a listed company and make money for Singaporean shareholders. He could be providing healthcare for our elderly or educating our young. Talent from around the world have many options. If the person chooses to come to Singapore and not elsewhere, is that not also a form of success for Singapore? If we keep drawing lines between the local-born and naturalised citizens, we would have defeated ourselves, even before we face competition from others. Let us not forget that the pandemic has accelerated the trend of working from home. Anyone can be hired from anywhere. For companies that need foreign manpower, this brings about many advantages. It also means a new challenge for Singapore and Singaporeans. We should be upholding, not undermining, our competitiveness at such a critical juncture. Let me turn to CECA.”
“It is necessary to regulate foreign manpower, but we have to do so cautiously and not in abrupt ways. Repeatedly calling for curbs on foreign manpower may win some support, but this could morph into xenophobia and discourage companies from coming here or remaining here. This would affect Singapore’s competitiveness and threaten Singaporeans’ prospects. The exchange between Ms Hazel Poa and Minister Tan See Leng worries me, because the line of questioning was about local-born Singaporean Citizens. I, too, am a born-and-bred Singaporean. I would be especially happy to see fellow born-and-bred Singaporeans do well. It is very natural. First, local born Singaporeans share many collective memories and feel a bond with one another. It is only natural that we cheer for one another. Second, Singapore is such a small country, with a small population. To achieve international acclaim in the economic sector or in entrepreneurship, innovation, sports and the arts is no easy feat. We would, undoubtedly, feel happy and proud. But if we were to question a successful person’s citizenship and ask if he is a local-born Singaporean, instead of first congratulating him or being happy for him, then something is changing in our society. A few days ago, I was invited to a concert co-organised by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and Lianhe Zaobao, featuring Mr Jin Ta, SSO’s Principal Flute. He played beautifully, but my mind was occupied with today’s debate. I feel apologetic towards him. There he was, such an outstanding musician performing for the audience, and all I could think about was wondering whether everyone would sincerely enjoy his music, or judge his contributions based on his birthplace.”
“If not for the fact that we have expended so much effort to build our economy up to a certain scale, we would not be in a position to even talk about curbing foreign manpower. Of course, we seek to uphold the interests of local jobseekers. The Government is going to take a further step, of legislating the Tripartite Fair Employment Guidelines and enhancing our stand against unfair workplace practices. This was a carefully considered decision after taking in views from Labour Movement representatives and NTUC Members of Parliament. I am glad to hear that Ms He Ting Ru has noticed this, too. However, we must go about this carefully and strike the right balance. Just now, Ms Janet Ang gave a vivid description of the dire consequences if we do not get the balance right. We have a saying in Chinese: "it is easy to invite a deity into your home but hard to send it away". It is the opposite when it comes to developing the economy and attracting MNCs: it is hard work to attract them, but only too easy to send them away. It is not only MNCs, but local companies, too, who constantly appeal to the Government to relax curbs on foreign manpower so that they may have more breathing room. The Government understands their challenges, but we have to put the interests of Singaporean workers first. In the latest world competitiveness rankings by IMD, Singapore slipped from No 1 to No 5, because we ranked lower for factors, such as “attitudes towards globalisation”, “availability of skilled labour” and “immigration laws preventing companies from hiring foreign labour”. Still a good result, but it goes to show that international competition is stiff. Losing companies to other economies will result in the worst possible outcome for Singaporean workers.”
“SkillsFuture, established in 2015, is, by design, tilted towards supporting middle-aged workers. Unlike fresh graduates, they have been out of school for a longer time and need to reconnect with lifelong learning. A SkillsFuture Mid-Career Support Package was launched last year, and additional SkillsFuture Credit top-ups were made available for those aged 40-60. Workforce SG also focuses its career counselling and job-matching efforts on those who are middle-aged and above. It is also a focus of the National Jobs Council led by Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam. Middle-aged PMETs face other pressures, aside from those related to the workplace. Other policies launched by the Government help to relieve such pressures. Increases in preschool subsidies, enhanced financial assistance schemes for schools, as well as subsidies and bursaries for Institutes of Higher Learning help to reduce the burden on parents. Meanwhile, the Pioneer Generation Package, Merdeka Generation Package, MediShield Life and CareShield Life help those who have to bear their elderly parents’ medical expenses. Older middle-agers can also be direct beneficiaries of some of these schemes. The Government values middle-aged PMETs. They are a policy priority. The third doubt: will enterprises really be driven away if we further restrict the entry of foreign manpower? Building an international trade and finance hub is an arduous task. While Singapore has some competitive advantages, there are also obvious drawbacks, such as our limited manpower pool and high manpower costs. We have strong rivals ahead of us, and competitors nipping at our heels.”
“So, we are most familiar with everything that is associated with this life stage. Middle-aged people have to look after aged parents and, often, young children. At work, aside from dealing with the demands of their bosses and customers, they need to upgrade and keep up with ever-changing technology and face up to intense global competition. We are not as fit and spry as we once were. At the very least, we need new reading glasses. Some among us will also have health worries. The Government pays particular attention to middle-aged workers, especially middle-aged PMETs. PMETs used to be in the minority within our workforce, but our economic structure has changed significantly; we are now a knowledge-based economy. Knowledge enterprises have grown, and PMETs now form more than half of the workforce. It is normal for companies to restructure and close, and for new companies to be formed all the time in a market economy. So, more PMETs will experience displacement, and more will find themselves changing firms or even professions. Nonetheless, we have managed to keep PMET unemployment low. However, since 2015, we have observed that the unemployment rate for PMETs aged 50 and above has been trending above that for PMETs in general. This is a structural trend which reflects the impact of digitalisation and the rapid changes in skills that the market seeks. The jobs held by some middle-aged PMETs were replaced through digitalisation and automation, but new jobs have also emerged, including those related to digital tech. We need a structural solution, and not simply curb the entry of foreign manpower. We use a multi-pronged approach to help middle-aged PMETs master new skills and regain employment as soon as possible.”
“As Prime Minister Lee has said during the National Day Rally, MNC leaders do pay attention to whether their operations in Singapore have reason to cause concern to the Government. It is the Government’s duty to keep reasonable tabs on enterprise behaviour. The Government pursues an open economic policy for the benefit of Singaporeans. Although we cannot do without some foreign manpower, the Government will not allow unlimited importation of foreign manpower and will not stand for discrimination against local workers. Subsidies in skills upgrading are largely limited to local workers; support schemes for individuals and families to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 are also focused on locals. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused incalculable damage to the world economy. However, in 2020, local employment in Singapore increased by 14,900 even as overall employment shrank by 166,600. In other words, foreign manpower bore the brunt of the impact of COVID-19 on the Singapore economy, cushioning the locals. Moreover, PMET vacancies remain. It is clear that the Government puts the interests of Singaporean workers first. The second doubt: has the Government truly taken to heart the struggles of middle-aged PMETs? The Chinese phrase “人到中年” is often quoted in reference to all the pressures and frustrations that people experience once they become middle-aged. In 1982, a Chinese movie of the same title was released. I was very young then and did not fully understand the content. But I recall that the protagonist was long-suffering and that middle-age seemed to be a troubled life stage. Middle-aged is usually defined as 45-65 years of age. I am now middle-aged, and so are my friends and many of the constituents I serve. I dare say most Members of Parliament also belong to this age group.”
“We also invest heavily in lifelong learning and implement a full suite of measures under SkillsFuture that encourages reskilling, so that Singaporeans can take on larger roles or enter new professions. The Government also regulates the entry of foreign PMETs and takes action against unfair treatment. This includes imposing minimum age-salary requirements for EPs so that companies would recruit foreign PMETs of a certain quality who are more likely to complement local PMETs rather than compete directly with locals on wages; requiring companies to follow Tripartite Guidelines for Fair Employment Practices and fairly consider local jobseekers before recruiting foreigners; and paying special attention to companies with a concentration of foreign PMETs of a particular nationality. They may be placed on the Fair Consideration Framework Watchlist and have their EP privileges curtailed. Even if a company satisfies the above requirements, the Government would take seriously any claim of discrimination against Singaporeans working there, for instance, a foreign boss favouring employees from his country and passing over deserving local employees. Local employees would naturally feel particularly aggrieved if they were being treated unfairly by foreigners, on our own land. Since the whole rationale of allowing foreign manpower in is to help make good jobs available to Singaporeans, the Government will certainly not condone this. If MOM were to receive such reports, it would commence investigations in line with the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP). Companies that behave unfairly will face consequences. Although such interventions are not public, companies operating in Singapore know they do occur.”
“We have to run to stay in the same place. We must not depend only on our existing competitive advantages but must also capture new growth areas. Our various strategies are interlinked: attracting foreign investment, strengthening local companies, grooming the local workforce through formal education and lifelong learning, and bringing in foreign manpower to complement the local workforce. Singaporeans are very familiar with this set of economic strategies, particularly our drive to gain hub status for various industries. We seek to attract MNCs to invest in Singapore, particularly to set up their Southeast Asia, Asia-Pacific or even global HQs. This brings better jobs and a wider range of employment choices for Singaporeans. For these strategies to work, it is not enough to have a well-trained and diligent local workforce. We have to let companies recruit foreign manpower to overcome the shortage of local workers and staff the positions available in regional and global HQs, which require familiarity with different countries and regions. So, this foreign manpower would complement local manpower, but also compete to some extent. Our economy has been growing but the local-born Singapore population has not been able to keep pace. So, we see more foreigners in our economy, and locals feel that competition has intensified. The Government wants good job opportunities and careers for local employees. How to bring this about? First, we raise Singaporeans’ competitiveness. We develop a well-rounded and diversified education system, where curricula are regularly updated based on industry feedback, and which prioritises work attachments and internships, so that each graduating cohort is amply prepared for the workplace.”
“We may never find out what is the PSP’s real stance on the issue, but that does not really matter. I do not believe most Singaporeans would support discrediting the whole of the Government’s economic strategy. But it is true that employment is a sensitive topic to many people, especially because of the impact of digitalisation and automation, as well as COVID-19 on our livelihoods. So, inevitably there will be some anxiety. I doubt the public would care particularly about our specific responses to Mr Leong Mun Wai and Ms Hazel Poa, but they would want to know whether the Government is aware of some reasonable doubts they might harbour and what the Government is going to do about them. I believe we can group these into four main doubts. If the Government truly prioritises the interests of Singaporeans, why allow in so many foreign PMETs to compete with Singaporeans? If I am treated unfairly by my foreign boss or colleagues, how would the Government help me? Is the Government truly aware of the struggles of Singaporean PMETs, especially those who are middle-aged and facing stiff competition and fears of being replaced? Is Singapore not a highly competitive place? Surely, MNCs will continue to invest here even if we further restrict hiring of foreign manpower. Is the Government simply unwilling to do so? Does the Singapore Government have some kind of special affinity for India and Indian PMETs? The first doubt to be addressed: why does the Government allow in so many foreign PMETs to compete with Singaporeans? If I am treated unfairly by my foreign boss or colleagues, how would the Government help me? The Government has focused heavily on developing the economy over the years to secure better jobs and better lives for Singaporeans. International competition never ceases.”
“Please allow me to speak in Mandarin, Mr Speaker. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.]: Mr Speaker, thank you for letting me join the debate. The impact of foreign manpower on our economy and on Singaporeans is once again a hot topic. The issue is not new. Foreign manpower makes up one-third of our total workforce and are present in many professions. It is quite normal to have objective discussions about the advantages and disadvantages associated with foreign manpower. However, the focus seems to have shifted over the last one to two years. FTAs, especially CECA, have been targeted. Some claim that CECA allowed for the influx of large numbers of workers of Indian origin, harming the interests of Singaporean PMETs. It is not hard to notice PSP’s enthusiasm for such claims. On 6 July, Ministers Ong Ye Kung and Tan See Leng gave thorough clarifications and rebuttals to such claims. Today, the PSP is moving a Motion on Singaporeans’ anxiety on jobs and livelihoods, making specific mention of CECA again, as though the discussion on 6 July never took place. Clearly, PSP remains unmoved by what the two Ministers had shared. The PSP has been using guerrilla-style tactics, raising piecemeal questions in Parliament and on social media on the nationalities of foreign workers and the structure of our labour force. When asked point-blank, they have expressed agreement with the Government’s economic strategy, only to change tune again. Hearing their speeches today, I feel even more confused. Mr Leong Mun Wai said in his speech that CECA is not his main focus today. Then why put it in the title of the Motion? When he could not answer Minister Shanmugam’s questions, his response was to ask for more data.”
“I thank Mr Louis Ng for the question. Our approach towards wildlife management, as I have mentioned, is such that we would have to be very much based on the science of animal management. We would need to study the ecology and, where possible, to work on the upstream measures. The upstream measures are very key and include food source reduction. So, this is where we place a lot of our efforts. Where necessary, we would also consider animal control measures, but these would have to be done in a humane and safe manner. With regard to the use of poison, specifically, NParks does not use poison in the control of pest birds. NParks is also working with the Town Councils to encourage them to move away from the use of toxins and to adopt animal control measures and practices that are humane and safe.”
“All of us can also play our part by not feeding wildlife, keeping our residential areas clean and appreciating wildlife from a safe distance.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the National Parks Board (NParks) adopts a holistic, science-based approach to wildlife management and works closely with the community to promote harmonious human-wildlife co-existence. NParks works with various stakeholders, such as nature groups, academics, agencies and the community in its public education and outreach efforts. This is one of the key thrusts of NParks’ wildlife management approach. For example, NParks partners these stakeholders to develop educational resources and outreach initiatives to advise the community on how to respond to wildlife sightings and to raise public awareness on the negative impact of feeding wildlife. In addition, NParks works with stakeholders to host its monthly human-wildlife encounters webinar series, to promote responsible behaviour during such encounters. NParks also works with nature groups as part of various working groups to manage wildlife, including co-creating plans to address issues, such as wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and release. As part of NParks’ science-based approach to wildlife management, NParks also conducts population surveys and research studies to better understand the distribution of wildlife in Singapore. For example, by identifying wildlife hotspots, NParks is able to implement mitigation measures against roadkill, such as putting in place vehicle speed reduction measures. Notwithstanding this, NParks may have to carry out measures, such as the removal of wildlife, to safeguard public safety, where needed. NParks will continue to work closely with the community to promote harmonious human-wildlife co-existence as part of our efforts to transform Singapore into a City in Nature.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, in answer to Mr Gerald Giam's question, at this point in time, our focus is in establishing the operations of Pick and having their processes stabilised. The lockers in fact will be going live, we hope, later this month. So, I think we are in very early stages yet. However, what I can share is that we do intend for it to become a well-functioning part of the eco-system. We do believe that there are certain gaps in the market that do need to be plugged so that the previous inefficiencies that we have described, will then be eliminated but we do not intend for this to be done at the expense of long-term subsidies. So, the Pick team is working very hard to ensure that they are able to deploy the parcel lockers at the right spots. And that in terms of the adoption by the e-commerce marketplaces and the DSPs, that it is sufficient in order to create the kind of economies of scale to make this project a success.”
“While the Network strives to fulfil its role in achieving productivity for all DSPs that it partners, we expect DSPs to also play an active part in training and equipping their workers, drawing on the comprehensive upskilling measures administered by the MOM family of agencies. Through this partnership, we hope that the Network will help to bring about better jobs and better prospects for delivery workers. Mr Deputy Speaker, I believe I have substantively addressed the issues that Members have raised. In conclusion since the PSA was first enacted 22 years ago, the landscape has changed significantly and we have also taken corresponding strides in transforming our postal sector. Taken together, the amendments in this Bill to effect nationwide deployment of lockers in tandem with the changes pertaining to letterbox infrastructure and regulation of postal services, will ready us for the digital and technological shifts in our postal landscape. They will enable us to embrace the global search in e-commerce while putting us in good stead to cope with manpower constraints in the sector with a more skilled and better-equipped postal workforce ready to face the challenges of the digital age. These will ultimately benefit consumers and the industry alike. Mr. Deputy speaker, Sir, I beg to move.”
“Small and home-based businesses keen to use Pick's lockers can work with any DSP registered with Pick to drop off their parcels at Pick's lockers for delivery to their customers. Mr Gerald Giam had also raised a scenario in which perhaps the locker space would be taken up by a specific player and this is something which Pick does intend to monitor in terms of the usage volume of is lockers in different locations. Where there are locations that have been shown to have very high demand, then pick would have to make operational decisions about whether to situate more lockers nearby or to expand the existing locker stations. Pick is also exploring with its industry partners on ways to address their cross-border fulfilment challenges, in a bid to help them tap on a larger e-commerce market beyond Singapore. And I believe this also addresses a point that Ms Janet Ang was alluding to. As we work closely with the industry to use the Network for greater productivity gains, we also agree with Mr Patrick Tay and Mr Yip Hon Weng that it is important to work with employers to ensure that our postal and DSP delivery personnel are well-trained and well-equipped to operate in this new environment. Projected e-commerce growth will continue to intensify the demands for last mile delivery services, and by extension, delivery workers. So, the question is not so much whether delivery workers will be displaced, but how we can help them enjoy better prospects. As Members would know from many previous discussions in this House, increased productivity is an important precondition for upgrading jobs and uplifting workers.”
“For example, the software component will be subject to vulnerability testing by independent cybersecurity experts, before the parcel lockers are available for use. During and after deployment, IMDA may set out detailed obligations by issuing codes of practice and/or directions in relation to the installation and operation of the Network. This may include setting out cybersecurity requirements pertaining to the Network, for Pick's compliance. We will carefully review Ms Ng's suggestions for additional measures where required. Ms Janet Ang and Mr Darryl David have also spoken about how businesses could be better supported to use the Network. As I mentioned in the opening speech, the Network will provide the industry with public e-commerce infrastructure that will give more options for last mile delivery. The strong support from and partnership between Pick and various industries stakeholders are crucial for the Network's success. To this end, Pick has undertaken various initiatives to onboard DSPs and e-commerce marketplaces. Ms Janet Ang will be glad to note that that these include supporting DSPs and e-commerce marketplaces to integrate their systems with Pick's one-stop access to all lockers in the Network, joint promotions with e-commerce marketplaces to encourage consumer adoption and featuring partners in Pick's marketing campaigns. Mr Don Wee's suggestion of allowing small and medium-sized retailers to block-book a limited number of lockers to serve as retailers' "shopfronts" and advertisement space is an interesting one. Pick will consider carefully how such a concept could be implemented. Mr Sharael Taha may also note that Pick's Network is open to all DSPs.”
“We would like to thank Members for their support for greater innovation and their various suggestions to this end. Mr Sharael Taha suggested piloting the usage of automated storage retrieval systems. In response, we could review the commercial viability of incorporating such technology into the Network's parcel handling process after the Network has been established and its operations stabilised. Ms Ng Ling Ling, Mr Louis Ng and Mr Gerald Giam asked about whether the amendments which accord exclusive privileges to Pick will entrench its market dominance and stifle the industry. Let me clarify that our intention is not to put Pick in a favoured position. Pick's exclusive privileges are confined to the provision of parcel lockers at specified premises only. In this regard, the Network, which would be available for use by all e-commerce marketplaces and DSPs will serve to complement, but not compete with existing locker offerings from the industry, which are accessible only by selected operators. As Pick will not be involved in parcel delivery, it will also not compete with DSPs in this segment. As I mentioned in my opening speech, the Network is linked to an interoperability platform which will connect DSPs and e-commerce marketplaces with the Network's parcel lockers. While the digital platform will enhance the user experience for the industry and consumers, Ms Ng Ling Ling and Ms Joan Pereira raised important points about the need to safeguard the Network against cybersecurity threats. This issue was also raised by the industry during our public consultation. Pick will have to comply with requirements set out by IMDA to ensure the resilience and security of the Network before, during and after the deployment of the Network.”
“Based on the Locker Alliance pilot which started in 2018, participating DSPs reported a four-fold increase in delivery efficiency with just 70 parcel locker stations, established in two HDB towns and eight MRT stations. With a nationwide Network of 1,000 parcel lockers stations, the potential productivity gains for the industry will be significant. However, these gains can be realised only if two key factors are met. First, the Network will need to be deployed expeditiously so that scale and network effects can be realised. Second, the Network should be deployed by a neutral operator to ensure open and non-discriminatory access for the industry. In fact, this point was expressed by industry stakeholders during consultation. We listened to the voices from the industry and we very seriously considered having a neutral operator that industry stakeholders will have confidence in, in providing that open access to everyone. We believe that these twin objectives that I have outlined would be best served by a Network operated by the Government – in this case, it would be IMDA – and to give effect to this intention, IMDA formed a subsidiary, Pick. Having Pick, an IMDA subsidiary, operate the Network will allow IMDA to directly manage locker placements and deployment timelines while ensuring prices are reasonable and affordable. As a subsidiary, Pick will have the flexibility to undertake commercial decisions and nimbly respond to market dynamics, while balancing the interests of the Network as a public infrastructure. Second, this would provide the assurance that DSPs and locker operators are looking for, which is the neutrality of the Network, while factoring in both consumers' and the industry's needs in the administration of locker operations.”
“I should also take this opportunity to mention that although there may be some PUDOs that operate on a 24/7 basis, many do not, and in fact, this was also one of the reasons why in our early studies of urban logistics that it was decided that we consider building up a network of parcel lockers that consumers can access 24/7 because this would be more convenient compared to some pick-up and drop-off points which may have limited operation hours. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, we also agree with Mr Don Wee and Mr Gerald Giam that ensuring the cleanliness of Pick's parcel lockers is crucial. While Pick is responsible for the maintenance of the parcel lockers and will ensure that the lockers are cleaned regularly, we urge consumers to maintain personal hygiene when using the parcel lockers as they would with any other piece of public infrastructure. Let me now address the second theme which pertains to enhancing business productivity while safeguarding the Network against cybersecurity threats. Mr Gerald Giam and Mr Darryl David have spoken about Pick's role in the urban logistics eco-system. Against the backdrop of a flourishing last mile delivery sector, the current private sector driven market for parcel lockers is largely fragmented with competing players deploying their proprietary networks, which are accessible only by selected DSPs. This has given rise to deep inefficiencies for locker operators. The lockers are duplicated at high-traffic commercial locations, and e-commerce marketplaces and DSPs are unable to access all lockers which may be available. Mr Yip Hon Weng asked about the productivity savings that DSPs can expect to enjoy from utilising this network once the inefficiencies that I have mentioned previously have been addressed.”
“These are useful suggestions, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic when doorstep delivery for supermarket purchases and medicine becomes a practical option for many households. While there are some examples of refrigerated or temperature-controlled locker units overseas, these are mostly deployed on a trial basis or on a very small and localised scale. For instance, many new condominium units in Tokyo have parcel lockers, but only a handful of buildings are installed with refrigerated lockers. Pick is studying the feasibility of including such units for some of its lockers. For now, Pick is engaging retail chains on the possibility of using its parcel lockers to deliver non temperature-sensitive products to residents. Mr Don Wee and Mr Gerald Giam may also be pleased to note that Pick is in talks with industry players for its parcel lockers to be used as collection points for recyclable e-waste as part of our effort to reduce Singapore's carbon footprint. And as for the returns of parcels, yes, this is already catered for, and in fact this is the reason why we made the amendment in the Bill. While Pick's lockers will not facilitate consumer to consumer sales and exchanges due to security reasons, Pick will continue to explore other innovative and sustainable use for its parcel lockers. Mr Gan Thiam Poh had made a suggestion with regard to pick up and drop off points, and asked if it is possible for Pick to also enter into a network of Pick Up, Drop Off Points (PUDOs). Right now, PUDOs are operated mostly by private sector players and Pick has no intention of entering this sector.”
“Ms Joan Pereira, Mr Patrick Tay and Mr Yip Hon Weng asked about what we are doing to support residents, especially seniors, in the use of the Network. We believe that seniors who are able to make purchases online are also very likely to be digitally ready to use the Network. Nonetheless, we will have digital literacy measures in place to support residents in the use of the Network. For example, we will add a segment on how to use Pick in IMDA's Seniors Go Digital programme. At the same time, we will widen the reach of the Seniors Go Digital programme which has trained over 69,000 seniors in digital skills to date to give even more seniors the confidence to embrace e-commerce. We also thank Ms Ng Ling Ling on her useful suggestions regarding disability friendly features and access to Pick's lockers. We are working on these options, including making the selection of wheelchair friendly lockers an option for consumers when they check out for their e-commerce purchases. Moreover, to broaden our outreach to residents of all ages, we also intend to leverage IMDA's events aimed at raising Singaporeans' digital literacy such as the SG Digital Wonderland when the COVID-19 situation improves. In terms of use cases for Pick's lockers, I am also very glad to hear the strong interest from Members as well as their various suggestions. Let me share that Pick and the National Library board are exploring the possibility of allowing residents to borrow and return library books through Pick's lockers. Ms Ng Ling Ling, Mr Don Wee and Mr Gerald Giam had also made similar suggestions on temperature-controlled locker units to facilitate delivery of medication, groceries and other kinds of temperature-sensitive goods.”
“In this regard, Enterprise Singapore and the Singapore Standards Council have launched the Technical Reference 76 (TR 76), which outlines e-commerce retailers' responsibility among others on the handling of lost or damaged items during delivery to protect consumers' interests. My Ministry and IMDA are cautious about introducing a formal regulatory framework for parcel delivery services at this point as we do not wish to raise compliance costs unnecessarily, which could also translate into an increase in prices faced by consumers. Given the existing measures, we will work with the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) on how to promote the adoption of these best practices among e-commerce businesses and to improve consumer awareness of their rights in e-commerce transactions. As we transform our infrastructure to support greater digitalisation, it is important to ensure our efforts are inclusive. To this end, Mr Sharael Taha, Mr Don Wee and Mr Yip Hon Weng may wish to note that access to Pick's lockers will be a simple affair even for those without a smartphone. Similar to the IMDA led Locker Alliance pilot, users will be notified via SMS or email on the arrival of their parcel and will be able to access the lockers via a one-time PIN issued by Pick. A helpline will also be available for residents who face trouble retrieving their parcels. Mr Sharael Taha may wish to note that consumers have up to three days to retrieve their parcels from the parcel lockers, after which they will have to make arrangements with the DSPs to pick up their parcels. This was deemed as a reasonable timeline based on the findings from the Locker Alliance pilot.”
“Mr Don Wee may also wish to note that locker compartments will have presence sensors to alert Pick if items appear in the lockers that are not supposed to be there, or if locker doors are not securely fastened. Mr Louis Ng may also wish to note that today, the Police has the powers to investigate the contents of lockers belonging to Pick and private sector operators if they need to. Nonetheless, we have taken into account public safety and security considerations in designing Pick's lockers. We will consider Mr Louis Ng's suggestion to explore how the security risk for private lockers can be further mitigated. Mr Sharael Taha asked about protection for delivery riders in the event where parcels delivered are damaged or lost through no fault of theirs. We believe that in general, the introduction of Pick's lockers would reduce the volume of disputes arising from parcel damage or loss as the CCTV cameras on Pick's lockers are able to capture the delivery process. Delivery into Pick's lockers would also provide more assurance compared to missed doorstep deliveries where some parcels are left unattended for a period of time. We will monitor the situation and if necessary, work together with DSPs to educate delivery personnel on proper delivery of items into the parcel lockers. On Mr Patrick Tay's suggestion about providing greater recourse for e-commerce bias in the event of failed doorstep deliveries or missed deliveries, the current industry practice is for the e-commerce retailer to ensure the proper delivery of the item to the consumer through its shipping contract with a DSP.”
“Some Members asked about the safeguards in place to mitigate security risks such as the placement of harmful or hazardous items in Pick's lockers and items placed in the parcel lockers being tampered with given that multiple DSPs have access to them. The Act already contains provisions upholding mail security. Similarly, we will also guard against mischief and tampering in the parcel locker setting. We are working closely with MHA and SCDF to develop security guidelines and requirements to ensure that the locker design and parcel handling workflows meet required safety and security standards. To Mr Patrick Tay's query on how we are monitoring and enforcing the placement of prohibited items before they are delivered to Pick's lockers, he may wish to note that parcels sent from overseas are screened by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). For domestic parcels, Pick has worked with DSPs to ensure that they have safeguards in place to prevent the placement of prohibited items in the lockers. IMDA will be empowered to issue written notices to Pick in relation to Pick's compliance with security requirements and guidelines. Relatedly, the new section 39J makes it an offence for a person to place prohibited items in the Network's parcel lockers. The classes of prohibited items will be expressly set up in subsidiary legislation. In terms of deterrence measures, IMDA has required Pick to put in place security measures to mitigate risks to consumers. Mr Patrick Tay will be glad to know that each Pick locker station will include two CCTV cameras with round-the-clock video surveillance, which will aid potential investigations into any incidents of theft.”
“Mr Yip Hon Weng has expressed a concern that widespread use of parcel lockers might cause businesses to cease offering doorstep delivery. In fact, it is precisely because doorstep delivery is manpower intensive and not sustainable as a long-term default that we believe businesses are likelier to continue to offer doorstep delivery at a reasonable rate to consumers if they are able to achieve productivity gains elsewhere, such as the kind of productivity gains we anticipate from the deployment of the Network. I should also add that we are heartened by the residents engagement surveys that Pick has been undertaking thus far, and in the surveys, residents have indicated other considerations apart from the price that they will be seeing on the e-commerce marketplaces for why they would use Pick's lockers. Ninety-six percent of residents indicated that they would use Pick's lockers due to reasons such as the convenience of 24/7 self-collection and the confidence of being able to access their deliveries safely rather than having their parcels being left at their doorstep unattended. With this kind of response from residents, we feel that we are on the right track. Mr Louis Ng asked whether IMDA is looking into how the trackability of parcels can be maintained throughout the delivery process given our amendments to implement regulated wholesale access of small packets and parcels into letterboxes. Please allow me to clarify that today, other DSPs are already able to hand over their packets and parcels to SingPost for delivery into letterboxes on commercially negotiated terms on a tracked basis. Hence, consumers' ability to track the delivery of their packets and parcels to letterboxes will not be affected by this amendment.”
“There was also a question raised by Mr Gerald Giam about the siting of the parcel lockers. Pick will focus on rolling out the Network in areas that will be convenient for the public. In looking for ideal locations for these parcel lockers, Pick has taken on feedback from the ground, including all town councils in determining suitable locker sites in HDB estates. It is also working closely with MOT and LTA to review data such as transport ridership, while taking into account operational, safety and security requirements, to identify suitable locker sites at public transport nodes. Mr Darryl David has also raised a concern about the pricing for parcel locker use. I should highlight here that the charges for the parcel locker will be charged to the DSPs and the consumer may or may not actually see what these charges are because usually the consumer will interface with the e-commerce marketplace. And as to how this is then translated into the consumer price, we leave this to the workings of the e-commerce marketplace, the sellers as well as the DSPs. However, I should highlight that from Pick's perspective, in order for us to achieve the kind of efficiencies that we envision for the entire urban logistics sector, it stands to reason that the prices offered to the DSPs has to be affordable. Because if it is not affordable, there is no way to make a good business case ultimately to the consumers and we might still default to doorstep delivery, and that is what we are trying to change here. Pick is very conscious of the importance of making the numbers work and to offer a vey attractive business case so that the DSPs will find it worth their while to use these parcel lockers.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I thank Members for their support for this Bill, and for their questions on important issues that this Bill seeks to address. Members' responses and questions fall into two broad themes, namely first, what we are doing to ensure citizens and consumers can fully benefit from the deployment of the nationwide parcel locker network or the "Network"; and two, what we are doing to enable businesses to reap productivity gains from the Network, while safeguarding it against cybersecurity threats. Let me begin with the first theme, on providing a convenient, secure and inclusive Network that can be used by residents of all ages. In my opening speech, I spoke about how the Network is an efficient solution that provides greater convenience and more options for parcel deliveries beyond doorstep delivery. We note Mr Patrick Tay and Mr Gerald Giam's query about whether there are plans to deploy Pick's lockers at private estates and condominiums. Parcel lockers can help achieve efficiencies in residential estates with sufficient density, and which are currently under-served. This is why Pick's rollout plan is focused on HDB estates. Some private condominiums are already being served by a commercial parcel locker operator, who has agreed to join the Network. Pick will encourage its partners to expand their deployment wherever feasible, so that more locations, including private condominiums, can be served. Private estate dwellers, including those who live in less dense estates, which might not be ideal for parcel locker deployment can also benefit from Pick's lockers deployed near them, especially those at public transport nodes and Community Centres or Community Clubs.”
“Thank you, Mr Lim, for your follow-up question. When it comes to spalling concrete, we help our residents beyond the goodwill repair assistance scheme, which I should also add households can benefit from more than once. We are also assisting by researching into better repair methods so as to be able to advise the contractors accordingly. I have also shared more comprehensive plans are being looked at but that would be further down the line because that would be for our HIP2 and more details will be shared closer to commencement. However, we do take the Member's feedback very seriously and I will come and visit the units that you have mentioned, together with HDB, to ensure that residents' concerns are being addressed.”
“I thank the Member for his follow-up question. As shared, where we place the commercial facilities in any town would have to take into account the shops that have already been planned for and also in terms of the space that is proposed, whether, for instance, it was built for that purpose and, if it is not built for that purpose, what kind of modifications would be required in order to achieve that purpose. In the case of MSCPs, for instance, we may have to look at loading factor, provision of water and also, very importantly, because the space may not have been originally intended for commercial purposes, what would be the impact to residents in terms of people moving in and out and so forth? So, I think we would be prepared to look at specific proposals if the Member has something to share or a plan to share. But what I have shared would be the general factors for consideration.”
“Last year, we piloted the OneService Lite QR code reporting in Jurong-Clementi and Aljunied-Hougang Town Councils, so that residents can report issues simply by scanning a QR code. This year, we will expand it to more estates in Holland-Bukit Panjang and Sembawang Town Councils. We will also be starting a trial for OneService Lite reporting in Chinese, which will bring convenience to residents who are more comfortable with Chinese. We will also launch the OneService Chatbot in the second half of this year, which will guide residents to provide feedback via WhatsApp and Telegram. Third, we will also introduce a new "Help Neighbour" feature in the second half of this year, which residents can use to alert agencies to persons in need of assistance. We will also provide support and funds for residents to develop community solutions for issues within their neighbourhoods via the Love Our 'Hood Initiative. In the past two months, over 30 passionate participants in Mountbatten have helped to develop initiatives to tackle issues such as animal feeding and neighbour noise. Residents in Bukit Gombak and Pioneer can also look forward to participating in Love Our 'Hood Initiative later this year. We will continue to work with HDB residents to rejuvenate our estates, through the Remaking Our Heartlands programme, and to revitalise our heartland shops through the Revitalisation of Shops framework. Let us build lively and vibrant neighbourhoods together. 6.15 pm (In English): Back to English, Chairman. COVID-19 may have changed the way we live. But it has also given us the opportunity – and renewed impetus – to build well-maintained, connected and caring neighbourhoods together.”
“HDB has also been working closely with heartland shops in their revitalisation and digitalisation efforts, which have become even more important amid the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, HDB launched two new mobile apps, RetailerLink and ShopperLink to enable HDB retailers to connect with shoppers online. RetailerLink helps HDB retailers manage customer engagement and promotions, and analyse sales data; while ShopperLink allows shoppers to browse and purchase products from heartland shops, attend their events, and even chat with the shop staff. Together with MTI and MCI, we are also improving the Revitalisation of Shops framework to facilitate upgrading for heartland shops. HDB will continue to partner our heartland shops in their transformation journey. Through these various platforms and initiatives, residents can look forward to more opportunities to contribute ideas and efforts, as we work together to build a more caring and vibrant neighbourhood. Chairman, before I conclude, please allow me to say a few words in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] The Municipal Services Office (MSO) will work with agencies, Town Councils and residents to build a better living environment together in the following ways. First, we will leverage technology for predictive maintenance work to spot issues and resolve them before they become a problem for residents. We will also pilot a new model of municipal service delivery in Tampines town later this year, one that would integrate services around residents' needs at the township level, rather than by agency and land boundaries. This will enable us to resolve the municipal issues more swiftly and effectively. Second, we will make feedback provision more convenient.”
“Beyond these block-level works, at the wider neighbourhood- and town-level, we will continue to involve residents in revitalising our common spaces, to keep them vibrant and to foster a stronger sense of community. For instance, residents can help shape the rejuvenation of their towns through the Remaking Our Heartland programme, or ROH. For the latest batch of ROH towns in Ang Mo Kio, Bukit Merah, Choa Chu Kang, and Queenstown, HDB gathered feedback through an online survey, and engaged more than 300 residents and Grassroot Leaders through Zoom focus group discussions. HDB will now study residents’ suggestions, and work with relevant agencies on the preliminary proposals. We will then engage residents again to further develop the proposals. We will continue to review the design and implementation of our upgrading schemes to meet residents’ evolving needs. Our rejuvenation efforts extend to our neighbourhood commercial spaces as well. Associate Professor Jamus Lim suggested converting the top floor of HDB’s multi-storey carparks to commercial use. These may not be very suitable for commercial facilities, as retailers usually prefer locations with good pedestrian flow and visibility. Instead, the top decks of such carparks are typically landscaped and provided with recreational facilities like playgrounds, exercise areas, and community gardens. Some can even be converted into urban farms. Such landscaping also helps to reduce the urban heat island effect. Nonetheless, HDB makes sure to include enough commercial spaces in its estates. Most HDB residents can access commercial facilities within 400 metres of their homes.”
“For example, Mr Lim Biow Chuan had concerns about spalling concrete in older blocks. As HDB flats age, there will be some natural wear and tear. When such cases occur, HDB can help to make rectifications, and share half of the repair costs through the Goodwill Repair Assistance Scheme. We have also announced that all HDB blocks will receive a second round of subsidised upgrading under HIP II when they reach 60 to 70 years old. More details on HIP II will be shared closer to its commencement. Mr Dennis Tan asked about the Lift Upgrading Programme, or LUP. Over the years, we have provided direct lift access for the vast majority of HDB blocks, including by exercising flexibility for some blocks above the cost cap of $30,000 per household. However, for blocks where the costs are still too high, it would not be prudent to offer the LUP. In some cases, the LUP cost might be almost the same as that of a new flat. Therefore, while we continue exploring new technical methods to bring down LUP costs, we have also introduced the Lift access Housing Grant (LHG), which helps residents with urgent mobility or medical needs to move to another flat with direct lift access. Mr Faisal Manap suggested a national programme for façade repairs. The external walls of HDB blocks are common property under Town Councils’ management. There are currently no plans for a new programme for façade repairs, as such issues can be addressed through regular maintenance by the Town Councils. To ensure that building façades are regularly inspected and promptly repaired, BCA has also introduced the Periodic Façade Inspection regime. Where repairs are required for HDB building facades, the Government will assist Town Councils with 50% of the costs.”
“We look forward to collaborating with Mr Baey Yam Keng Tampines Town Council team in using this tool to facilitate community decision making for the residents. Second, we will provide support and funds for residents to develop community solutions for issues within their neighbourhoods. We are doing this via the Love Our ‘Hood Initiative, with the support of MCCY and the Singapore Kindness Movement. Over 30 passionate participants in Mountbatten spent the last 2 months tapping on their ground knowledge to develop initiatives to tackle issues such as animal feeding and neighbour noise. Residents in Bukit Gombak and Pioneer can also look forward to participating in Love Our ‘Hood initiatives at their neighbourhoods later this year. We will also sustain our support of the community through the now-formalised OneService Kakis Network, which comprises over 2,000 members of public and stakeholders we have worked with over the years, and bring these like-minded citizens together to spark off ideas with one another. Finally, as Miss Cheryl Chan highlighted, one of our priorities is to keep our HDB estates both lively and liveable, and to involve residents in this process. For our upcoming estates, HDB launched the new Designing for Life roadmap last year. This sets out how HDB will plan and design both new and existing areas to provide a high-quality living environment that can better support residents’ overall health and well-being. As for our existing estates, we have many upgrading programmes to keep them in good condition, including the Home Improvement Programme at the block-level, the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme at the neighbourhood-level, and the Remaking Our Heartland Programme at the town-level. Members raised queries on some of our block-level works.”
“In the coming month, we will implement changes to the interface to provide residents a clearer understanding on the status of actions undertaken by agencies. Together, providing feedback will be even more convenient, inclusive, and integrated with our everyday lives. Mr Lim Biow Chuan, Ms Nadia Samdin and Mr Baey Yam Keng asked about MSO’s effort to encourage greater neighbourliness, so that residents can live harmoniously alongside each other. In October last year, MSO hosted an Emerging Stronger Conversation focusing on this exact topic. Many participants hoped for neighbourhoods where neighbours know and talk to each other, are considerate and tolerant, and are able to work issues out amongst themselves, rather than just complain to the authorities. In the spirit of SG Together, we want to support residents in translating these and other worthy goals into action. First, we will enhance the OneService app so that residents can look out for one another, especially those in need. In partnership with MSF and the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), we will introduce a new “Help Neighbour” feature in the second half of this year, which residents can use to alert agencies to persons in need of assistance. This is especially important during the pandemic, where residents may find themselves having fewer interactions with their usual social networks. In addition, residents can soon alert their neighbours in the same block to upcoming renovations with the “Happenings” feature, so that affected neighbours can plan around such inconveniences and find alternative spots to rest and work. We have also used the What Say You? residents survey tool to support Town Councils in polling residents on neighbourhood renewal programmes and block paintings.”
“Miss Cheryl Chan asked how MSO was using technology to make providing feedback easier and more inclusive, and Mr Yip Hon Weng asked on the progress of the OneService Chatbot. To that, let me share two updates. First, we piloted the OneService Lite QR code reporting in Jurong-Clementi and Aljunied-Hougang Town Councils last year, so that residents can report issues without downloading an app. This year, we will expand it to more estates in Holland-Bukit Panjang and Sembawang Town Councils. In addition, in our trial in Yuhua last year, some seniors shared that QR codes were more convenient than phone calls, as they did not need to wait to speak to the phone operator. They asked if feedback reporting could be done in vernacular languages, which they are more familiar with. We have taken in the feedback and will be starting a trial for OneService Lite reporting in Chinese, and later in Malay and Tamil as well. Second, we have made progress in developing the OneService chatbot. Residents can look forward to reporting cases on-the-go, via WhatsApp and Telegram in the second half of this year. The chatbot is supported by artificial intelligence, which currently predicts with 80% accuracy, the case type and agency-in-charge based on residents' submitted feedback. This is expected to improve as public trials continues. This conversational reporting format complements the OneService App’s more structured reporting format. Miss Cheryl Chan commented on closing the loop on municipal feedback. Some complex cases require extensive investigation or repair works, and we agree that cases should not be marked as “closed” when agencies have undertaken to handle them but have not completed their actions.”
“This, like other predictive capabilities undertaken by NParks in the management of greenery and parks, enables us to better predict potential faults, and undertake pre-emptive rectifications. We look forward to the trial outcomes, and to supporting their scale-up. We also need to address structural barriers that prevent us from providing better services. One such barrier is the delivery of municipal services along agency lines. That is why we are piloting a new model of municipal service delivery in Tampines town later this year. This model integrates municipal services that are already outsourced by Government agencies today around residents’ needs at the township level, rather than by agency and land boundaries. This has several benefits. First, we can more swiftly resolve municipal issues within the same town, such as connectivity-related infrastructure. Second, we can provide services more efficiently, by streamlining operational processes and training workers to be multi-skilled, so that they can be flexibly deployed across job functions. For example, workers inspecting for municipal infrastructure defects could also be trained to spot pest issues. Over time, more higher-skilled municipal jobs will be created for locals. Finally, by integrating multiple services, there will be economies of scale for service providers, which incentivises them to invest in better operations-technology capabilities, to deliver improved services at lower cost. This integration of services, alongside our harnessing of tech and data insights, will lead to better maintained neighbourhoods for our residents. Nonetheless, residents will still encounter some issues.”
“Mr Chairman, COVID-19 has changed the way we live. We now spend more time in our homes and are more keenly aware of the state of our living environment and neighbourhood. All of us want to live in a well-maintained estate with convenient access to services and enjoy good, friendly relations with our neighbours. The Municipal Services Office, or MSO sees opportunities to help more Singaporeans achieve this vision. In its first phase, MSO has worked closely with 10 agencies and now 17 Town Councils to improve our feedback response time and resolve complex issues more effectively. The one-stop OneService community app has also grown to over 340,000 users, up from less than 200,000 in 2019. In its next phase, MSO will work with these partners to deliver high-quality, resident-centric services, pre-empt issues where possible and partner like-minded residents to build a better neighbourhood together. 6.00 pm Miss Cheryl Chan asked about the impact of COVID-19 on the delivery of municipal services and what MSO would do to address these challenges. Indeed, at the height of circuit breaker, many municipal tasks had to be de-prioritised due to the lack of available manpower. As we emerge stronger from these disruptions, we need to move away from a heavy reliance on manpower. One way to do that, as rightly pointed out by Ms Tin Pei Ling, is to leverage technology for predictive maintenance work. MSO and our partners are doubling down on such efforts, to spot issues – and resolve them – before they become a problem for residents. For instance, HDB is working with Town Councils to progressively install the Smart Lighting System in all estates, which monitors common area lighting points in real time, and automatically adjusts them in response to human motion.”