Sun Xueling
Singapore
“We are deploying electric vehicle (EV) chargers in tandem with growing demand, within the constraints of space and electricity. As EV technology is continuously improving, we are also mindful not to overbuild as chargers can become obsolete quickly.”
“I thank Member Dr Choo Pei Ling for raising feedback from her Tengah residents. Currently, two multi-storey car parks in Tengah have EV chargers, and LTA subsidiary, EV-Electric (EVe) Charging Pte Ltd, is in the process of deploying EV chargers in another eight multi-storey car parks in Tengah.”
“The Government targets to deploy 60,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging points by 2030, which comprise 40,000 in public car parks, and 20,000 in private premises. As of March 2026, there are 30,500 EV charging points deployed in Singapore. We are on track to achieving our 2030 target in tandem with the growing demand for EVs.”
“In 2025, about 30% of Build-To-Order (BTO) blocks were completed earlier than their estimated completion dates at the point of flat booking. On average, these blocks were completed about two months earlier.”
“Yes, thank you. We agree with Dr Neo that it is important to bring together the wider ecosystem and we will consult all stakeholders. The Ministry of Transport's immediate focus is to drive the usage of drones more extensively, especially by the public sector and this is because we already have many potential use cases.”
“I thank the Member for her question. Earlier, I mentioned in my reply that the HDB notifies buyers at three junctures. This is to give buyers adequate time to plan. And that is why it is at the one year before, six months before and three months before.”
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“Instead, there will be more information channels and greater freedom to obtain information. A further question is, will this new Bill lead to the abuse of Ministerial powers? I have a personal view, which I believe can help allay some of the concerns raised by Mr Low Thia Khiang. I think that the Chinese character "众" (zhong) used in "公众利益" (gong zhong li yi), the Chinese phrase that refers to public interest, is made up of three "人" (ren), the Chinese character that refers to people. Just like the three "人" or "people" that make up the character "众" (zhong) or "public", the Minister will be monitored on three fronts under this new Bill. Firstly, he will be monitored by the public. Individuals or organisations that have been issued the correction order can lodge an appeal at the Courts and challenge the Minister's decision. Secondly, he is monitored by the Court because the Court is the final adjudicator. Thirdly, he is monitored by Parliament as Members can also question the Minister's decision. If the Minister requests that certain information be taken down, this directive will also be published. Therefore, the new Bill monitors the Minister on three fronts to ensure that he does not abuse his power and that the process is, indeed, in the public interest. Senior Minister of State Edwin Tong also explained that although the Courts can try to expedite the trial for cases concerning falsehoods, this is plagued with challenges as a lot of details are involved, and if we do not stop the spread of falsehood quickly, it can do a lot of harm. Earlier, the Minister also mentioned that this Bill merely provides a framework. Within this framework, we must all do our part to combat falsehoods.”
“Furthermore, the new Bill is targeted at false statement of facts, while personal opinion is not considered falsehood. Therefore, we will not face criminal punishment if we express our opinions in our daily lives, or if we accidentally share online fake news. Here, I would like to share my personal experience. I have quite a few elderly relatives who are very health conscious and often share information with one another, especially with regard to food safety. Some time ago, they received information from friends, claiming that consumption of broccoli together with prawns will trigger a chemical reaction in our bodies that will cause originally harmless substances to turn arsenic. By consuming prawns with broccoli, one may start to bleed and eventually die. After listening to this horrific piece of information, I assured them that fried broccoli with prawns is a common dish and there is no need to worry. Then they started to worry if they would face criminal punishment under the new Bill if they had unwittingly shared the information with family and friends. I told them firmly that the new Bill is not targeted at kind-hearted common folk who are unaware that certain information is false. Instead, it is meant to deal with purveyors of falsehoods, people who deliberately spread falsehoods with malicious intent. Then, will this new Bill affect freedom of speech? This is also what Mr Low Thia Khiang is concerned about. I believe that by requesting for the correct information to be put up alongside the false information, we are turning on a spotlight for everyone, so that they can refer to more information and judge for themselves. Therefore, the new Bill will not affect freedom of speech.”
“Secondly, is this new treatment targeting the root of the problem? Will there be any side effects? Let us now look into these two aspects. First of all, is the new Bill better than our existing legislation? Earlier, Mr Low Thia Khiang said he does not believe that the new Bill has given less authority to the Minister. But the Minister had explained earlier that existing legislation in Singapore, such as the Broadcasting Act, was implemented 23 years ago. Back then, there was no social media or large-scale Internet platforms. Therefore, we did not have legislation that target online falsehoods specifically, which is a new kind of "virus", and this new Bill does the job of plugging the gap. Under existing legislation, blocking out content is the primary measure taken. However, the Minister has explained that under the new Bill, Correction Orders would be the main tool used to clarify false information. Internet platforms that have been issued Correction Orders will only need to put up corrections alongside the falsehood to avoid punishment. This is an innovative approach. In many other countries, the primary measure taken is to request the Internet company to take down the falsehood entirely. Comparatively, the new Bill proposed by Singapore is more tolerant and more in line with the needs of the new environment. Secondly, Mr Low Thia Khiang also believes that this new Bill has greater legal powers than existing legislation, as it is not only targeted at companies, but also individuals. Here, there is a need to clarify that this new Bill is not targeted at ordinary folks but purveyors of deliberate online falsehoods that are detrimental to public interest.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in Mandarin, please. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Deputy Speaker, the Minister and a few Members of this House have talked about the problem of online falsehoods. The extent of destruction that online falsehoods can cause is evident. It is like a new form of "virus" that can spread widely within a very short period of time. Societies afflicted by online falsehoods are like people who have been infected by viruses. If we cannot find a new treatment for these new viruses, we will continue to be plagued by them. If we are sick, we should see a doctor. We cannot delay treatment just because we are afraid of seeing a doctor. This new Bill is, therefore, a new treatment to deal with this new "virus". Singapore is not the only country that is battling against this virus. Last year, together with Senior Minister of State Edwin Tong and Mr Pritam Singh, leader of the WP, I attended the Committee Hearing on International Fake News and Falsehoods organised by the British Parliament. We discussed the issue of falsehood with representatives from eight countries. Many other countries, such as France and Germany, are also drafting new laws to counter fake news online and setting up regulatory regimes specifically for digital platforms. Therefore, our measures are not unusual. Countering online falsehoods is also a common practice in other countries. Singapore and other countries are working together to fight against this new virus in order to safeguard the well-being of our nation. Well then, is this proposed new treatment a good treatment? I think we need to look into two aspects when we are considering the merits of this treatment. First of all, is this treatment better than the existing treatment?”
“During the 1965 ethnic cleansing in Indonesia, about 50,000 Chinese were slaughtered. As a Singaporean, I would like to thank the Pioneer Generation for creating a harmonious environment. Racial and religious harmony need our continuous effort to maintain. Although Singapore may look peaceful now, it does not mean that we can lower our guard and be indifferent to it. When one of us steps forward to defend our social harmony, we should support him and be grateful for his courage and sense of responsibility. As a mother, I hope that Singapore has a peaceful future. I also hope that the younger generation of Singaporeans will work together with me to create a beautiful world without racial discrimination, religious discrimination, hatred or violence for our next generation.”
“Can we practise what we believe in our daily lives to fulfil our commitment to social harmony, and strike a balance between personal freedom and the freedom of others? Some may say, I am not a terrorist, I just want to listen to some music and watch some videos. Some contents may contain racial and religious discrimination, but I can discern good from bad, I will not become a terrorist. Can the Government have some confidence in me and not interfere with my freedom? To this question, what I will say is that when racial and religious discrimination creeps into the public view through various media, you may not be hurt, but the dignity of some other people may have already been hurt. This is like someone insulting and bullying you, then putting a video of his action on the web. How will you feel? Do not do unto others what you will not want others to do to you. We all hope that we live in a caring and courteous society, not one that is full of hatred and conflict. Racial discrimination and religious discrimination, be it in the form of words or actions, may not have hurt you, but it may have hurt other Singaporeans. When we see such words or actions, we should not remain an indifferent bystander. We should step forward, express our position and stop them. As members of the Chinese community, if we do not step forward and stand up for our Christian or Muslim friends today, we may be the one who would be hurt tomorrow. If we look at tragedies that have happened in our neighbouring countries, we will know that ethnic genocide may not be very far from us. For example, in 1998, during Indonesia’s Black May riot which targeted the Chinese community, there were almost 1,000 Chinese killed and nearly 500 Chinese women raped in Jakarta alone.”
“But let us not forget those who carry our burdens for us, anchoring our racial and religious harmony for the prosperity and stability of Singapore. Mr Speaker, in Mandarin, please. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] At the recent terrorist attack in Christchurch, the gunman killed 51 Muslims who were praying in the mosque. They were all unarmed. According to the gunman, it is the online hate speech and contents that have incited his racial discrimination and violent behaviour towards the Muslims. It is thus clear that we cannot underestimate the influence of speech and literature. Sometimes, speech and literature can lift one's spirit and give people courage. But sometimes, they can also give rise to hatred and violence. We have to be particularly wary about speech and literature that involve racial and religious discrimination. Because race and religion are the basic identity of a person. If a person is discriminated or insulted because of his birth, background, skin colour, religion and faith, it is equal to questioning the legitimacy of his very existence. And this can easily trigger hatred and conflict among races and religions. How do we handle these speeches and literature that involve racial and religious discrimination? Fortunately, Singapore has, since the early days of its Independence, established racial and religious harmony as the pillar of our society, based on our own experience, lessons drawn from other countries and the understanding of human nature. Our laws strictly forbid words and actions that instigate racial and religious enmity. However, besides laws, I think the more important question is whether each and every Singaporean has got enough sensitivity towards racial and religious discrimination.”
“Do we want civility, respect, consideration in our general discourse and public expressions of speech? The tradeoff may be some restraint and the inability to be "spontaneous". Or do we want absolute freedom and anything goes – potentially insults, taunts, offensive speech, in the name of freedom of expression? Should different lines be drawn just because it is on social media, or in arts and entertainment? We need to strike a balance. On the one hand, we cannot have a free-for-all situation so that one can step all over another and expect the other not to react or retaliate. On the other hand, we also do not want a situation where civil and considered discourse on all matters related to religion, race or a group’s values or orientation be avoided or tip-toed around so as to avoid any possibility of causing offence. In fact, this debate we are having in this House, in a considered way, shows that such issues can and should be discussed. As long as we understand what we are trying to achieve, and how we can work together to achieve them. In the words of the great American singer and songwriter Bob Dylan, who won the US Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012 and the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2016, he once said, "A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom." His songs gave a voice to his generation, mobilising them and motivating them. And he understood the balance that even artists have to strive to achieve. As we aspire to greater freedoms, with the stability and prosperity our society affords us, let us also have a care for those who may be impacted by our decisions, impacted by our words, and also those who toil to safeguard what we have. Our pursuit for freedom brings a lightness to our spirit.”
“Secondly, agencies need to be seen to be acting even-handedly towards different racial and religious groups. Minister Shanmugan has shared that bans on religious preachers in the past have been imposed on religious preachers across different religions. This even–handed approach is a point that is important to various racial and religious groups and needs to be repeated often. Thirdly, while a judgement call has to be made on whether music and performances harm racial and religious harmony, such judgement calls should take place as early as possible so as to minimise confusion to arts practitioners and misunderstanding from the public that the Government makes decisions based on pressure from religious groups. So, we should look at processes and see how we can avoid a repeat. On hindsight, we are all omniscient and prescient. Enforcement agencies will always be the whipping boy because they have to make a judgement call. If there is no public disorder, they are deemed to have over-reacted. If there is public disorder, they are seen to be lacking in preparation. Government agencies get no bonus points for active intervention to create a harmonious society. And, over time, a harmonious society is taken as a given. But, really, is it? Are we saying that society can magically chug along and, as active individuals in our society, we do not impact the course our society takes? I cannot believe that, and I do not think our young people will agree either. We are actually making a stand, taking action every day, in the words we speak, in what we do and what we do not do. Our actions, or lack thereof, have consequences. So, we need to ask ourselves: how do we want the tone and texture of discourse to be in our society?”
“If we leave them to engage in a public disagreement, this could result in an escalating crescendo of extreme views against each other. And what if this spills into real action in the real world? So, someone has to act. And oftentimes, this ends up being the Government enforcement agency’s responsibility. If the enforcement agency does not act, the parties may take matters into their own hands. The Government’s overview on music, performances and art is based on classification ratings, tied to age-appropriateness and consideration for public sensitivity. IMDA regulates this, not MHA. MHA is principally focused on public order issues and, with that, the maintenance of racial and religious harmony as it can impact public order. So, why did MHA get involved in the ban on Watain? MHA does not look at music and artistic content. MHA took into consideration the lyrics, views espoused by the band, and whether this would be significantly disrespectful, in this case, to the mainstream Christian community. In other cases, it could touch significantly on the sensitivities of other groups in Singapore. So, on religious harmony grounds, MHA recommended that Watain not be allowed to perform in Singapore. But I feel the whole episode provides a few learning points. Firstly, agencies need to explain to the public that they are not making a value judgement on the artform. In the ban on Watain, there is no value judgement on black metal music. The fact of the matter is that MHA was principally concerned about the words and the message that were being put out by the band, and the feelings, in this case, from the mainstream Christian community. It was not a value judgement on the genre of music.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, last week, IPS released an important survey on the role of religion in the public and private space. Of the 1,800 Singapore residents interviewed, one in four found it acceptable for religious extremists to publish their views on the Internet or social media. A significantly higher proportion of younger people found the publication of extreme views acceptable, with almost half of those surveyed aged 18 to 25 saying they would allow such publication. This is similar to the feedback received from some younger members of the public who disagreed with the cancellation of the Watain concert. They raised questions about the Government’s moral authority to police music, performances and artistic content. I can understand this sentiment. Aspiring to have the freedom to express what one feels, the liberty to read and enjoy what one feels like, is seen to be a hallmark of a free and democratic society. There are also other aspects of freedom that I think are important. The freedom to decide on one’s choice of religion and to practise it, the freedom to not be discriminated against because you are of a different race or religion. I am sure we agree that we want all of the above freedoms. But what happens when these two sets of freedom collide or are on a trajectory to collide? Some may be sceptical about why these two sets of freedom can collide. They can. If one were to ridicule or taunt believers of another religion, he may feel he is entitled to his “freedom of speech”, but the recipient can feel that he is entitled to be offended. And what about the recipient’s freedom of not being discriminated against? These are difficult issues and each party is entitled to their own opinions and their rights.”
“Many individuals stepped forward with donations and helped out at the events. Students across New Zealand performed the Haka, a Maori ceremonial dance, as tributes to the victims and as a signal of communal unity. As a further display of solidarity, the Muslim call to prayer was broadcast across New Zealand on the Friday after the attack, and the entire country mourned together. Should an attack happen here, we must, likewise, stand shoulder to shoulder, and show the attackers that we will not be cowed, that we will not let them divide us as a people, nor turn one Singaporean against another. The SGSecure movement launched in 2016 has greatly strengthened our preparedness as individuals and as a country to deal with a terror attack. We have made good progress. For instance, three in four Singaporeans responded that they know what to do if they are caught at the scene of an attack. Almost all Singaporeans affirm that they will step up to help others who are affected in an attack and see it as their responsibility to safeguard Singapore. We will continue to press ahead with our SGSecure efforts to strengthen Singapore's preparedness and resilience against those who would do us harm. [Pursuant to Standing Order No 22(3), provided that Members had not asked for questions standing in their names to be postponed to a later Sitting day or withdrawn, written answers to questions not reached by the end of Question Time are reproduced in the Appendix.]”
“These IRTs provide quick first response and complement the Police’s Emergency Response Teams and Rapid Deployment Troops, who are specially trained and armed to deal with terrorist attacks. More IRTs will be deployed island-wide this year, to further shorten our response time. The community has an equally important role. A key part entails being vigilant and reporting suspicious activity to the authorities early. This includes reporting self-radicalised individuals, of whom family members and friends are best placed to detect marked changes in behaviour, for example, if they start promoting extreme and intolerant views. It is equally important that the community knows how to respond should an attack occur. In both the Utrecht and Christchurch incidents, many public buildings were quickly locked down after the shootings began. The Home Team has worked with partner agencies to enhance the preparedness of our neighbourhoods, schools, workplaces and community organisations. Exercises have been conducted, including lockdown drills, in schools. But above all, the ability of a people to stand united and together will determine whether such attacks succeed in their ultimate objectives. Within hours of the Christchurch attack, people of various faiths rallied around their fellow Muslims. Buddhist groups offered prayers. Churches opened their doors to Muslims, whose mosques were closed. Despite it being the Sabbath, the holy day of the week for the Jews, synagogues were closed on the Saturday following the attack as a show of solidarity. The Sikh community transported family members of the victims to the burial grounds, and arranged langars, or free vegetarian meals, for those affected and attending the funerals.”
“The recent attacks in Utrecht and Christchurch are sombre reminders of the threat which radicalism and terrorism continue to pose. We condemn the attacks and share the sorrow of those who have lost family members and loved ones. The two incidents provide several lessons what countries should put in place to minimise the chances and impact of similar attacks. First is the need to unequivocally reject and counter extremist ideology and rhetoric. They can spread widely via social media and breed hate and violence. The manifesto published by the Christchurch attacker reeked of the disdainful and derogatory language typically used in white supremacist materials. If allowed to propagate, such hateful discourse can build up a culture of hate and intolerance, and lead to violence. In Singapore, we take a firm and unforgiving stance against extremist expressions and speech to make sure that the ideologies they represent never take root. This includes working with partners, such as the Religious Rehabilitation Group, to refute radical religious teachings. Second is the importance of firearms controls. A week after the Christchurch attacks, New Zealand proposed new laws to ban military-style semi-automatic weapons. We learnt our own lessons many decades ago. Today, unlawful possession of firearms is punishable with imprisonment and caning, and unlawful use is a capital offence. Third, the authorities must be well-prepared to stage a swift and effective response when an attack hits. The New Zealand Police apprehended the attacker within half an hour of the first call they received. Our Police have deployed In-Situ Reaction Teams (IRTs) at areas with high human traffic, such as Orchard Road and Marina Bay.”
“Mr Chairman, the Land Transport Masterplan 2040 vision of a car-lite Singapore is an ambitious and enticing one. To achieve these ambitious targets not only requires new infrastructure but also changes in lifestyle and commuting habits. To these ends, I would like to inquire how we are progressing in expanding pedestrian walkways to accommodate pedestrians and PMD users. And since the implementation of active mobility rules on 1 February 2019, how has enforcement kept up to ensure that PMD users are safety conscious and responsible users of public paths? Education is also an important part of the equation. How are we working with the community to disseminate good and safe etiquette on shared paths? Next, there has been an increase in the number of fires involving PMDs. There were 74 such fires last year, a 51% increase from the 49 cases in 2017. What guidelines are in place for PMDs and how do we ensure that the current stock of PMDs in the market are safe for PMD users and the community around them? PMD Sharing”
“That would depend on the submission of the documents that are required, as well as whether the inputs from the social worker have come in. But in general, if it is an urgent case, and the assessment can be quickly done, the rental application can be processed quite quickly. In general, the rental application time is about two to three months.”
“I thank Member Mr Louis Ng for his questions. The review that AVA will be embarking on, as I mentioned, is to look at how we can promote more responsible pet ownership, as well as deter abandonment. So, we will look at a variety of measures. We will also be looking into the additional measures that the Member talked about. This will be part of our entire holistic review of what is the best regulatory approach to deter pet abandonment. I would just like to add that it is very important that the education part of it goes upstream and work with the community and pet owners to encourage them to be responsible pet owners. That is going to be very important because when you look at regulations, we have to balance the needs of various stakeholders. So, I just want to add that. On the Member's question about single unwed parents, they can face unique family situations. When we consider their need for housing, we will look specifically into the background, whether or not they have family support and their income levels. They may face a variety of issues at home. That is why whenever we consider the situation for single unwed parents, we also seek inputs from social service workers. So, I would just like to assure the Member that we take a very holistic approach. It is very case-specific and very specific to the individual, but it is a very holistic approach. And our main aim is to be helpful and to ensure that single unwed parents with children will have a roof over their heads.”
“Nationwide, HDB manages about 230 rental blocks. I have mentioned in my speech that the improvement works we are looking at are for blocks built in the 1960s and 1970s. So, it will be a subset of the entire stock of rental blocks that we have. Like I mentioned, the improvement works are specifically to assist with lighting as well as for ventilation. So, the rental blocks are dispersed across the whole of Singapore. There are some specific areas where rental blocks in the 1960s and 1970s are congregated. We will be identifying the blocks and we will release more details in due course. As for the preparation works for the improvement works, we are looking to start this in the later part of this year.”
“I thank Mr Saktiandi Supaat for his question. On calculating the income, I just would like to share that income from odd jobs is counted when we look at income stability for the applicant. We do not just look at Home ownership Support Team separately from FSSP. Basically, we want to work with the applicants if they demonstrate that they are very keen to get on to home ownership. So, where there are specific criteria that they face difficulty meeting the Home ownership Support Team or the FSSP, depending on which programme that he can get on, they will work actively with the applicant to try to help him meet the criterion which he finds challenging at that point in time.”
“Yes, it is possible to still bring a case against the uncooperative party. And I would like to add that if the party refuses to cooperate, you can bring up a case for contempt of the Court and he can actually be penalised for it.”
“I thank Er Dr Lee Bee Wah for her question. Indeed, it is a difficult situation, the example that she cited. As both parties are legal owners of the flat, HDB cannot act on the sale without the signatures of both parties. For the example that the Member mentioned, it is possible for the resident to apply for a variation of the Court Order, like I mentioned in my speech, to include a provision for the Registrar of the Court to sign on behalf of the uncooperative party. And for the instance the Member mentioned about viewing times, timeline for the sale of the flat, the resident can also seek legal help and have that included in the Court Order as well. But I guess the starting point is that her resident would have to consult a lawyer and have the Court Order varied.”
“I mentioned in my earlier speech a couple of days ago that we are looking to set up the Home Ownership Support Team later this year. We hope to reach out to about 1,000 families. As to the conditions that they will consider, it is quite similar to FSSP. They will look at whether the families are stable, whether they have income stability, that they do not have family conflict and, if they have some of these challenges, how they can work with them towards home ownership.”
“Sorry, could I ask you to repeat the question? You have quite a few questions. I apologise.”
“Okay. Many of the rental families have very unique situations that they sometimes have to overcome. It could be issues, such as income stability, they may be facing challenges in terms of medical or social conditions. These are the various areas that FSSP will work with the families to help them overcome.”
“I thank the Member for his question. With regard to the difference between FSSP and FSCs, the new FSSP will focus on supporting the families to stay on track for a fresh start towards home ownership. For example, they will look at how they can help them ensure that they have enough housing budget to be able to afford the flat. For FSCs, they look at how to ensure family stability for the family unit. But for the purposes of ensuring that the family successfully gets on to home ownership, FSSP will work together with the FSC to achieve that purpose. Mr Alex Yam, you had a question about the numbers for FSSP?”
“Participating AWGs have been able to tap on the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' (SPCA's) sterilisation clinic since February. In the coming months, AVA and SPCA will also set up a central pool of professional trappers to support the programme. AVA has concurrently been engaging stakeholders, such as the Town Councils, People's Association and grassroots organisations, to raise awareness of TNRM and to address any concerns that may arise. Public feedback has generally been positive. AVA will continue to ensure that animal and wildlife management strategies are grounded in science and balance the needs and interests of various stakeholders. This will be further strengthened with the upcoming reorganisation of AVA's functions from 1 April 2019, as AVA's veterinary science capabilities will be combined with the National Parks Board's (NParks’) expertise in ecology and conservation.”
“Let me now speak about our work on animal welfare and management. Mr Louis Ng asked how the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) addresses cat abandonment. AVA takes animal abandonment very seriously and will investigate all related feedback. To establish the owner of an abandoned pet, AVA gathers evidence by walking the ground, interviewing witnesses and reviewing closed-circuit television footage. Persons convicted of pet abandonment can be fined up to $10,000 and/or imprisoned for up to 12 months for a first-time offence. Nonetheless, we recognise the importance of strengthening upstream controls to deter pet abandonment. The Cat Welfare Society (CWS) currently manages Project Love Cats, a pilot community-owned responsible cat ownership programme in Chong Pang, with the support of Government agencies. Under this pilot, CWS has been working with the community on microchipping pet cats to strengthen owner accountability. We can consider further expansion when the Chong Pang pilot meets these outcomes and when there is strong community support in other parts of Singapore. In addition, AVA intends to undertake a holistic review of the regulatory approach for pet issues, including how to promote responsible pet ownership and deter abandonment. Mr Louis Ng also asked for an update on the Trap-Neuter-Release-Manage (TNRM) programme. Developed in consultation with Animal Welfare Groups (AWGs) and veterinarians, TNRM is a humane way to sustainably manage the stray dog population nationwide. TNRM is being implemented in phases. Since its launch in November 2018, AVA and participating AWGs have been managing the operations at various sites across Singapore.”
“They will just need to obtain the Final Judgment before collecting their keys and ensure that they are still eligible for the flat that they have booked. We hope this will give divorcing parties some peace of mind as they go through an emotionally difficult period. A final group, as Mr Louis Ng mentioned, are those with shared care and control of their children, who require agreement from their ex-spouse to buy a subsidised flat with their children listed. In such cases, both parents have a shared and equal right to list their children in their flat. That is why we start by encouraging parents to agree on the listings in the best interests of their children. But we understand that there may be difficulties sometimes, So, if there are, indeed, difficulties, HDB will look at the case more closely, and will be prepared to exercise flexibility to help protect the interests of the children. For single unwed parents in need of housing, I assure Mr Louis Ng that no applicant will be turned away at HDB's counters. HDB will first seek to understand their circumstances to see how best to help them, because their needs differ, and often the input of social workers is also required. We want to provide help and will do our best to accommodate their requests for housing, be it to purchase a flat or to rent one. These are just some examples of how HDB does consider individual circumstances which our housing policies may not cater to fully. This includes households above the public rental income ceiling, which Mr Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap spoke about. In the last three years, 590 households were helped with public rental despite exceeding the income ceiling. HDB considers each application holistically. The income ceiling, while relevant, is not the only factor considered.”
“I think Members will agree with me that our proposed works will be a marked improvement to the living environment of the rental blocks. We will extend these works to more rental blocks and will provide details in due course. As some tenants may need to move for the improvement works, HDB will help them to move within the same or nearby blocks. HDB will work closely with local organisations and the relevant agencies to ensure a smooth transition. (In English): Mr Louis Ng and Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked whether we can better support divorcees in their housing transition, especially those with children. Mr Louis Ng also asked whether we can help young single unwed parents to rent a flat from HDB more expeditiously. Last year, we lifted the time bar on divorcees to facilitate their housing transition after divorce. However, some still face difficulties due to acrimony between both parties. Some cannot take action on their matrimonial flat because their ex-spouses are uncooperative and do not adhere to the Court Order. Parties whose ex-spouses are uncooperative may seek legal help to resolve the issue, for example, by applying to the relevant Court to vary the Court Order to empower the Registrar to sign on behalf of the uncooperative party. There are also those awaiting their Final Judgment of divorce. They may be worried about their next housing arrangement and hoping to apply for a flat earlier. This is understandable. HDB will now allow divorcing parties to apply for a new flat from HDB if they have an Interim Judgment and have settled the ancillary matters on their matrimonial property, and the custody, care and control of their children. This means they no longer have to wait until the Final Judgment in order to apply for a flat.”
“This shows a typical corridor of a block with units on both sides. And this is a corridor at Block 217 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1, where HDB piloted the upgrading works. The works made a marked difference to the inside of each block – more common space, more sunlight, more ventilation. I have visited the older blocks and an improved block myself, and I think Members will agree with me that our proposed works will be a marked improvement. We will extend these works to more rental blocks and will provide more details in due course. 11.15 am As some tenants may need to move for the improvement works, HDB will help them to move within the same or nearby blocks. HDB will work closely with local organisations and the relevant agencies to ensure a smooth transition. Chairman, Sir, in Mandarin please. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mr Lim Biow Chuan also suggested improving the living environment in our older rental blocks. HDB has consistently upgraded rental flats just as they do for sold flats. But we want to do more, especially for older rental flats built in the 1960s and 1970s. As Mr Lim Biow Chuan highlighted, some blocks have long corridors with rental units on both sides. As a result, the natural ventilation and brightness are more limited than those of newer designs. To address this, HDB will undertake works to create more openings along the corridors, by removing some flats on each floor of such blocks. This will provide a permanent improvement for the residents in terms of the airflow and brightness of the block. HDB has piloted this and the feedback from residents has been positive. I have visited the older blocks and the improved block myself and experienced the changes brought about by these works.”
“Instead, HDB will work with them on their home ownership options once they are ready. To further encourage these households, we will not increase the rent for those who have made the downpayment for a new flat. They will continue to pay the rent they were charged at the time when they made the downpayment. This will take effect for tenancies which commence from 1 June 2019. We hope this will put households in good stead for their next milestone as homeowners. Mr Lim Biow Chuan suggested allowing tenants to buy over their rental flats. We currently have no such plans, as there are many measures to help tenants buy a new flat from HDB. This also maintains our rental flat supply for others who have no other housing options. Mr Lim Biow Chuan also suggested improving the living environment in older rental blocks. HDB has consistently upgraded rental flats just as they do for sold flats. But we want to do more, especially for older rental blocks built in the 1960s and 1970s. As the Member highlighted, some blocks have long corridors with rental units on both sides. As a result, the natural ventilation and light are more limited than those of newer designs. To address this, HDB will undertake works to create more openings along the corridors, by removing some flats on each floor of such blocks. This will provide a permanent improvement for the residents in terms of the airflow and brightness of the block. HDB has piloted this and the feedback from residents has been positive. Chairman, Sir, may I show some visuals?”
“This is Mdm Narziah and her mother. They have lived in a rental flat since 2006 with Mdm Narziah's daughter who is not pictured here. The Housing and Development Board (HDB) met Mdm Narziah last year to share about Fresh Start, and she decided to apply. She welcomed the assistance under the scheme and was appreciative that HDB officers met her in person to ask about her home ownership aspirations, and guided her through each step of buying a flat. She is now looking forward to her new flat in Tampines. Mdm Narziah is not alone in her home ownership aspirations, and we want to help more families like hers. In my earlier speech a few days ago, I shared that HDB will introduce a dedicated team to provide personalised guidance for families towards home ownership. The Home ownership Support Team will reach out to tenants who are more able to consider home ownership, for instance, those who possess a stable income and family stability. Tenants who need advice on home ownership can also approach the team for help. Miss Cheryl Chan and Mr Seah Kian Peng asked how we ensure that rents do not discourage tenants from working towards higher incomes and home ownership. Our public rental rates are structured progressively to keep the subsidy allocation fair. Nonetheless, to mitigate cliff effects, HDB waives the rent increase for up to two terms when tenants first cross the $800 income threshold, if their income remains less than $1,500. In the last three years, about 5,200 households have benefited from this waiver. HDB also reduces the rent for households on a case-by-case basis if they cannot afford it. I would also like to emphasise that HDB does not ask tenants to leave solely because their income has increased past the ceiling of $1,500.”
“Third, there are also families who applied for Fresh Start but who did not meet some of the criteria. If they are serious about Fresh Start and have good potential to meet the criteria fully, they can get special consideration to join. Once they join, they may book a Build-To-Order (BTO) 2-room flexi flat within one year like other Fresh Start families. They will also get more intensive support under the Support Programme, focusing on the criteria that they did not meet. They will need to meet all the criteria by one year before their key collection. We estimate that this will benefit about 80 families over three years. We look forward to partnering our tenants closely towards home ownership. Chairman Sir, may I show some visuals?”
“Mr Chairman, I would like to begin by thanking all Members who have spoken in support of the vulnerable, the less advantaged and the lower-income. They are our fellow citizens, and Singapore is a shared home where we all belong. Several Members have asked how we can better help tenants to have homes of their own. I would first like to share that the number of public rental households who moved into home ownership flats has increased steadily. The number almost doubled over the past five years, from about 700 in 2014 to about 1,300 last year. We are committed to helping more tenants move into home ownership. Members have asked whether we are reviewing Fresh Start. I am pleased to announce some enhancements. First, we will raise the age limit on the youngest child for Fresh Start applicants, from 16 to 18. This will allow more families to benefit from the scheme. The new age limit will also apply for other schemes for parents with dependent children, namely, the Parenthood Priority Scheme, and the Assistance Scheme for Second-Timers who are divorced or widowed parents. Second, we will intensify support for Fresh Start families through a new Fresh Start Support Programme. We have found through our experience that closer and more regular contact with families allows for early intervention to address issues that may emerge. The Support Programme will also take a holistic approach to strengthen them in various areas, such as financial management, family functioning and overall stability. The Support Programme will be overseen by the Ministry of Social and Family Development and they will appoint a service provider with social work expertise, and this will commence later this year.”
“HST will provide guidance through the process of the flat purchase and ensure that everything proceeds smoothly, up to the collection of keys. We realised that having someone to provide information and advice and, more importantly, the human touch, is very important for these residents. Before buying the flat, some families would need to resolve complex challenges, such as family disputes. Therefore, our priority is to help these families stabilise. Hence, we will be providing spaces for MSF to establish social service hubs near rental flats to offer localised programmes and services. Once these families have stabilised, we will help them embark on the journey of home ownership.”
“Once these families have stabilised, we look forward to engaging them for HDB to work with them on their journey towards home ownership. I have met many rental tenants who aspire towards home ownership. Some shared with me that they are working hard and saving up diligently to buy a flat for themselves and to give their families a better future. We are heartened that, last year, about 1,300 households moved into home ownership. These numbers have increased steadily in the last few years. We want to keep this up and will work hard to partner our tenants in their efforts. Mr Chairman, in Mandarin, please. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Home ownership allows every Singaporean to live and work with peace of mind and to grow with the nation. In spite of this, there are families that face difficulties in life, such as unemployment, and are unable to afford their own flat. Members have asked how we can help households living in rental flats to buy their own homes. I would like to share with Members that as of last year, 1,300 families have bought their own flats and moved out of rental flats. We will continue these efforts and do more to help rental flat tenants own their homes. We noticed that some tenants in rental flats require budgeting advice when buying their own flat, some are grateful for the face-to-face counselling and assistance provided. I am glad to announce that HDB will establish HST, which is a dedicated team to help tenants in rental flats kickstart the process for home ownership. First of all, HST will help tenants understand the policies and processes of buying a flat and discuss suitable options for them after considering their needs and budget.”
“This is why we regularly review ways to enhance Fresh Start and to intensify support for those who are already on the scheme. I will share more details on these enhancements at MND's COS. Through Fresh Start, we have gained a better understanding of how best to support our tenants in their journey towards home ownership. For example, some needed advice on budgeting for a flat purchase. Others shared that they appreciated the face-to-face support from the Fresh Start team. As Members can imagine, it is a manpower-intensive effort, but such individualised efforts are well worth it. We are heartened by this and want to scale up our efforts. I am pleased to share that we will set up the Homeownership Support Team (HST), a dedicated team in the Housing and Development Board (HDB), to help our rental households towards home ownership. We want to provide stronger, personalised handholding for families which are ready for home ownership. HST will help tenants navigate home ownership policies and processes, from discussing the options that would best meet their needs and budget, guiding them through the purchase, and checking in to ensure that the family remains on track for key collection. We have learnt that having someone to consult and, more importantly, to provide the human touch, is important for our tenants. HST will be set up later this year and will start reaching out to families with potential for home ownership. Home ownership may not be an immediate goal for some tenants who may first need to address more complex challenges, such as family conflict. Our priority is to help these families stabilise. Hence, we will be providing spaces for MSF to establish social service hubs near rental flats to offer localised programmes and services.”
“Mr Chairman, I will speak on home ownership, which is central to providing stability and progress for families in the long run. Home ownership gives Singaporeans a stake in our country, and gives each family a permanent place to call their own. Also, households can use their CPF to pay for their mortgage, giving them a home and an asset, instead of using cash to pay rent. That said, some families run into difficulties, such as job losses, and are unable to own a home for some time. We work closely with MSF to ensure that they are not left without a roof over their heads. Those who lack family support and alternative housing options will be assisted with public rental housing. Members have asked how we help tenants to attain home ownership. We agree that public rental should only be temporary for tenants who are work-capable and are, therefore, increasing support to help tenants progress towards home ownership. As highlighted by Mr Saktiandi Supaat, the Fresh Start Housing Scheme was designed for this purpose. We introduced Fresh Start in 2016 to assist second-timer rental families with children to buy a 2-room flat. Families on the scheme can get a grant of up to $35,000. Beyond direct financial assistance, we seek to ensure that the families can sustain home ownership independently. We also work with MSF to check in with the families regularly to ensure that the family situation remains stable. To provide Mr Ong Teng Koon with an update, as of last month, 74 families have joined Fresh Start, of which five families have collected their keys. These numbers may seem small, but for those who benefit from the scheme, the help provided means a lot and we want them to succeed in their home ownership journey.”
“I thank the Member for his question. As I mentioned earlier in my reply, the Police will consider all proper representations which include representations from elected Members of Parliament and from GRAs on behalf of their own constituents, and their grassroots leaders.”
“We succeed only when the community stands with us, shares our vision and partakes of the same effort. Together, we will build a safe and secure Singapore.”
“The SGSecure movement began by sensitising the public to the terror threat, and imparting basic information and skills to cope with an attack. As awareness grew, we focused more on raising preparedness. We have worked with workplaces, schools, neighbourhoods and places of worship to help them be crisis-ready. Today, three in four Singaporeans are aware of SGSecure, one in two Singaporeans believe that we are well-prepared to handle a terror attack on our shores, and almost all Singaporeans believe that we will stand united in the face of an attack. In the coming months, a new series of SGSecure initiatives will be rolled out. They include holding SGSecure events at condominiums, more public roadshows, forming an SGSecure Responders Network to mobilise first responders from the community, and bringing together stakeholders from different domains to be part of the Community Response Round Table. With these new initiatives, we hope to make participation in SGSecure programmes more accessible and to strengthen our whole-of-society response to the terror threat. LastIy, I would like to address Mr Faisal Manap's question about the Police's standard procedure in replying to appeals. The Police will consider all proper representations which include representations from elected Members of Parliament and from GRAs on behalf of their own constituents, and their grassroots leaders. All appeals will be assessed on their own merit. Representations by non-elected Members of Parliament, such as NCMPs and Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs), will be treated as personal appeals by the appellants. Mr Chairman, let me conclude. In the face of public safety risks and the heightened terror threat, it is more important than ever for Singaporeans to partner the Home Team.”
“Mr Christopher de Souza asked about measures that MHA is taking to detect and deter self-radicalisation. The threat is very real. Since 2015, 24 radicalised Singaporeans have been detected and dealt with under the Internal Security Act. This is a stark increase from the 11 such cases that were detected between 2007 and 2014. While the overall responsibility for counterterrorism lies with the Home Team, the community also plays an indispensable role, especially in detecting suspected cases of self-radicalisation. Families, friends and colleagues are best placed to notice such signs in an individual. For example, Mr Mohamad Faishal bin Mohamad Razali who was detained under the ISA in April 2018, had told two of his friends about his plan to participate in armed violence overseas. His friends and family members had tried to dissuade him but to no avail. Eventually, someone who knew of his plans, alerted the authorities so that he could be prevented from continuing down the path of radicalisation. So, I encourage the public to report suspected cases as soon as possible. Early reporting not only prevents the commission of violence and loss of lives; it also gives the individual the best possible chance of being rehabilitated. Our religious communities also played a critical role. For example, the Religious Rehabilitation Group is a voluntary group of Islamic scholars and teachers, who not only conduct counselling and rehabilitation for radicalised individuals, but also invest significant educational efforts to ward off extremist thinking in the general Islamic community. We cannot allow extremist ideologies to take root in our society, and we must safeguard our way of life. Mr Gan Thiam Poh and Ms Rahayu Mahzam asked for an update on SGSecure.”
“Currently, SCDF reviews the Fire Code constantly to stipulate new fire safety provisions. For example, a new requirement last year was for home fire alarm devices to be installed in all new residential premises. 6.00 pm However, changes to the Fire Code only apply to new buildings and buildings that undergo addition and alteration works. To ensure that older buildings are also upgraded with time, MHA will be amending the Fire Safety Act. Owners of selected older buildings will be required to put in place critical fire safety upgrades. We will prioritise high-risk industrial buildings, public buildings and hospitals, and work closely with their owners to ensure that the new requirements are practicable. The amendments will also address enforcement gaps. Currently, it is an offence for certain parties, such as building owners, occupiers and industry professionals, to install non-compliant fire safety products. However, it is not an offence if parties are involved in the supply of non-compliant fire safety products but stop short of installing them on buildings. With the amendments, SCDF will be able to take action against any errant party who use, or cause the use of, non-compliant fire safety products. SCDF will also be able to order errant parties to take remedial actions, such as recalling or stopping the sale of non-compliant products, and removing them from buildings if they have been installed. Mr Chairman, I will now speak on our counterterrorism efforts. The terrorism threat to Singapore remains high and we remain an attractive target to ISIS and other groups. We may not have yet been hit but we certainly have been targeted and we must not take our security for granted.”
“SCDF has also produced a poster and disseminated a poster to specifically educate residents in such buildings on what they should and should not do in the event of a fire. Mr Chairman, in Mandarin, please. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Many of our fire safety provisions are incorporated at the design stage. For example, every residential unit is designed as a fire compartment to prevent the spread of fires to adjacent units. Fire escape routes are designed to have adequate ventilation, while infrastructures like rising mains and hosereels are built in to aid firefighting operations. SCDF regularly conducts events, like Emergency Preparedness block parties, to teach residents emergency response skills, such as how to put out small fires at home, or how to escape from a smoke-filled rooms. For super high-rise buildings, we require them to incorporate various fire safety measures in their design, such as refuge floors and fire lifts. We are also building up a strong corps of community volunteers to help with evacuations. SCDF works closely with the C2E committees and CERT to direct evacuation procedures in the event of a fire incident. These teams comprise grassroots leaders and residents staying in the vicinity who are trained to assist in evacuation and crowd control in an emergency. These volunteers are key partners to manage fire incidents in their initial stages, until Home Team officers arrive on the scene. On-site Home Team officers will go door-to-door and facilitate the evacuation of residents who have yet to leave their units and, if necessary, will use the fire lifts to evacuate those with mobility issues. (In English): Mr Chairman, in English. Ms Jessica Tan also asked how we can improve fire safety standards for older buildings.”
“SCDF also works closely with senior activity centres to conduct regular fire safety awareness workshops for the elderly. Mr Low Thia Khiang asked about whether residents in super high-rise public residential buildings can safely evacuate during a fire. Our evacuation strategy for ensuring the safety of residents in such buildings is multi-layered. First, we require such buildings to incorporate various fire safety measures in their design, such as refuge floors and fire lifts. Next, we are building up a strong corps of community volunteers to help with evacuations. SCDF works closely with the Community Emergency and Engagement (C2E) Committees and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), to direct evacuation procedures in the event of a fire incident. These teams comprise grassroots leaders and residents staying in the vicinity who are trained to assist in evacuation and crowd control in an emergency. SCDF familiarises them with the fire safety facilities unique to super high-rise residential buildings to ensure that they are equipped to perform their roles effectively. These volunteers are key partners to manage fire incidents in their initial stages, until Home Team officers arrive on the scene. On site, Home Team officers will go door-to-door and facilitate the evacuation of residents who have yet to leave their units and, if necessary, will use the fire lifts to evacuate those with mobility issues. SCDF also devotes specific resources to educate residents living in such buildings. For example, SCDF conducts door-to-door engagements and evacuation exercises for the residents of these buildings to ensure that they are familiar with evacuation procedures.”
“Furthermore, Traffic Police do not enforce drink-driving offences based solely on whether one has violated the alcohol limit. A person would also be deemed to have been drink-driving as long as he has consumed alcohol and had been unable to control his vehicle, even if he did not exceed the prescribed statutory alcohol limit. These criteria apply to all drivers, regardless of age or driving experience. In the end, we must recognise that the problem of dangerous driving cannot be curbed by regulations alone. Since the launch of the "Use Your Roadsense" campaign in 2015, Traffic Police and its partners have been actively promoting graciousness and responsibility amongst various groups of road users. Road safety is a shared responsibility, and we all need to play our part. Mr Chairman, I will now speak on fire safety. Ms Jessica Tan and Mr Low Thia Khiang asked how we can improve fire safety. Singapore has one of the lowest rates of fire fatalities in the world. This is owed largely to our high fire safety standards. Many of our fire safety provisions are incorporated at the design stage. For example, every residential unit is designed as a fire compartment to prevent the spread of fires to adjacent units. Fire escape routes are designed to have adequate ventilation, while infrastructures, like rising mains and hose reels, are built in to aid firefighting operations. Ms Jessica Tan and Mr Low Thia Khiang said it was important that residents know what to do in the event of a fire. Public education is, indeed, a key priority for us. SCDF regularly conducts events, like Emergency Preparedness block parties, to teach residents emergency response skills, including how to extinguish small household fires and how to evacuate from a smoke-logged room.”
“Mr Chairman, I will focus on three areas: road safety, fire safety and counterterrorism. I will first speak on road safety. Mr Sitoh Yih Pin asked how MHA will address the upward trend in irresponsible driving, such as drink-driving and redlight-running. Ms Jessica Tan spoke about distracted driving. Since 2014, the Traffic Police has been doing its utmost to encourage responsible driving, nudge motorists to drive safely in camera zones. It has publicised the locations of its cameras, installed signage and blinker lights, and painted the cameras in bright colours. Yet, irresponsible driving remains a concern. To address this, MHA will be amending the Road Traffic Act to enhance criminal penalties for irresponsible driving, especially in egregious cases. We want to ensure that irresponsible drivers receive sentences commensurate with the harm that they cause and are kept off the roads for longer periods of time. To complement this, MHA will also raise composition sums for road traffic offences, including the offence of using a mobile phone while driving. Mr Sitoh Yih Pin also asked if MHA will review course requirements for new or inexperienced drivers. This year, Traffic Police will be introducing mandatory simulator training for all learner drivers, on top of existing course requirements. Mr Murali Pillai asked if MHA would consider putting in place a tiered drink-driving approach that takes into account the effect of alcohol on probationary or young drivers, as compared to other drivers. Our laws currently do not differentiate alcohol limits to different classes of drivers, because we cannot make an a priori claim on the effect of alcohol on persons based on factors like age and experience.”
“Ultimately, cooperation between two countries is based on each dealing with its internal challenges and opportunities and working with each other to advance common interests. How do we intend to take this mutually beneficial cooperation between Singapore and China to the next level? Relations with Emerging Markets”
“Mr Chairman, our Leaders, including the Prime Minister, Emeritus Senior Minister and Mr Lee Kuan Yew have had frequent meetings with their Chinese counterparts and enjoy good relations with them. Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean has also been described by former Chinese Vice Premier, Mr Zhang Gaoli, as an old and good friend. Notably, in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of his reform and opening up, China post humorously conferred our Mr Lee Kuan Yew the Reform and Friendship Award in December 2018, in recognition of Singapore and Mr Lee's long-standing support for China's reform and opening over the years. Our good relations with China did not happen by chance. It was cemented by cooperating on a wide span of areas from economic cooperation, sustainable development, human resource development to social governance. It is also heartening to see that our 4th Generation (4G) leaders are aiming to maintain the momentum of cross-partnerships by taking the lead in many engagements with China. Many of our younger Ministers are leading the engagements via the Bilateral Trade Councils established with the Chinese provinces. For instance, Minister Heng Swee Keat is the Singapore Chairman for the Jiangsu Bilateral Trade Council and Minister Chan Chun Sing is the Singapore Chairman for the Chongqing Connectivity Initiative. 1.15 pm As our economic ties deepened, more young Singaporeans will find opportunities to study and work in China. I would like to suggest that our young be briefed on the history and current developments of Singapore-China relations before they embark on their learning journeys in China so that they are given a holistic and current perspective.”
“We agree that more can be done to provide flexibility for buyers of shorter lease flats, while still safeguarding their retirement adequacy. We are working with CPF Board to review and update the CPF rules for the purchase of older flats and will announce them once the details are ready. Miss Cheryl Chan also spoke about seniors having to top up their RA in order to qualify for LBS. The LBS allows seniors to monetise their flat for their retirement needs while continuing to live in it. As such, the LBS proceeds are, first, used to meet the members' CPF retirement needs. This ensures that seniors are able to benefit from a lifelong income stream under CPF LIFE. Any remaining amount can then be taken out in cash. In conclusion, Mr Speaker, our seniors are a treasured part of our Singapore society, and we will do our best to help them age actively and retire gracefully in our housing estates and public spaces. We will be looking forward to share more details of our plans at the upcoming Committee of Supply debates. On this note, Mr Speaker, I support both Motions.”