Tan Cheng Bock
Singapore
“As I said, we have not done much. We must not be captured by our old style of managing the old. The new old, as I said before, are better educated and travelled, and are very knowledgeable. So we must quickly explore new ways and methods to meet the expectations of the new old.”
“If we only have such a small pool of talents in Singapore because of our population size, we should spare no effort in seeking every such talent.”
“Thank you. I accepted the Minister's reply on the different pricing in the outpatient polyclinics and the hospitals. My point is that the patient's problem has still not been solved. Whenever a doctor refers a patient from a hospital to an outpatient clinic, he still has to pay more.”
“Six out of the nine items were much more expensive. Sir, I am asking why is there such a difference. Is this a one-off incident or is it going to be a norm? How can doctors in the hospital then refer patients back to the outpatient clinic if the patient is going to pay more?”
“I move this amendment to ask the Minister what is the Ministry's stand on seat belts to be made compulsory for primary and kindergarten buses. I heard over the radio that the Ministry is reviewing the case. There are two issues here, question of cost and question of safety. I think safety has a higher weightage over cost.”
“I also want to commend the NTUC for working with the Government to put this package together. I believe that without the NTUC's representation in putting forward the workers' case, the workers would not be able to benefit so substantially this year from this package.”
The complete record
Every one of 1,095 lines we hold for Tan Cheng Bock, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 1 of 22.
“Sir, I have two small points to make. School buildings are important. They provide a sense of history, identity and attachment for their students. But, nowadays, schools seem to be torn down as fast as the new ones are being built. We seem to pay more attention to the building of new schools. I think it is very disruptive and affects students because of transport and distance from home. And how do we develop alumni when we do not have a common reference point? Sir, my point is: why can the planners not think long term? It is a very expensive exercise and should be avoided, as good times do not last forever. I just want to caution that we should be more careful with spending. My second point is: why is a primary school built so big? Sir, have you seen Henry Park Primary School? I am sure you would have thought that it is an industrial building, with a big ramp running across the front of the building. I wonder how a Primary 1 student feels, just fresh from a void deck kindergarten, when he goes to this school. I think he will suffer a shock. I am hoping that, next time, let us have some sense of proportion when we build primary schools. They are young children. Give them a chance to play. Give them a chance to be educated in a very nice environment. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY REPORTING PROGRESS”
“If we only have such a small pool of talents in Singapore because of our population size, we should spare no effort in seeking every such talent. 4.45 pm On encouraging locals to pursue higher degrees locally, first, at the local universities, we should not use academic achievement as the main or sole criterion for admitting research students. While I understand the need to maintain the standards of graduate students, quite often, research and academic achievements may not go hand in hand. To increase our local talent pool, we should selectively pick and interview students who may be weaker academically but with strong inclination and potential. I urge the local universities to look into putting in a set of procedures for the selection of students who may not have Second Class Honours and above, but are keen and capable in pursuing higher degrees. Polytechnics”
“(5) Many also wish to start working early to accumulate CPF savings to buy their first HDB flat; and (6) They need to start working to prepare for their marriage, especially if their girlfriends are of the same age as them from JC days. Sir, these are not trivial personal and family reasons, but are the real hard facts of life of many graduates from average families. These considerations have discouraged locals from pursuing higher degrees whether locally or overseas. Some of these considerations are also stopping good local students from applying for A*STAR's AGS scholarship that has attractive stipends. It has been reported that 15% of A*STAR scholars are foreigners. A student asked me, "Ma'am, does the Government understand our problems?" I had made some suggestions in my motion on the R&D thrusts of Singapore in a previous sitting. I would like to additionally propose the following suggestions: (1) Provide more financial help and assistance to the local students. (2) Help the local students to repay their study loans, eg, through helping them to defer the interests on their study loans should they decide to pursue higher degrees. (3) Provide more attractive monthly scholarship stipend of more than the current $1,500 for the university research scholarships. (4) Provide simultaneous on-the-job working opportunities that could lead to CPF contribution for those who decide to pursue higher degrees. (5) Allow local students to use their CPF savings to repay their study loans; (6) Provide job matching for local students who have completed their higher degrees. No Singaporean PhD holders would want to be forced to go overseas to look for jobs as we can almost be sure that we would have permanently lost this talent.”
“(3) A lack of recognition for local researchers and home-grown talents, as the general view is that they are not world-class while the foreigners are world-class, and this seems to follow the Chinese saying that "local gingers are not hot". (4) A lack of proper research career for scholars as many are deployed to perform administrative duties in the research institutes upon their return; and (5) Little prospect of holding leadership position in research projects and institutes. For example, when a new research institute is set up, there will usually be an international search for the director of this institute; a local home-grown talent, at best, can only be a deputy director. Sir, until we can give due recognition to our home-grown talents, local researchers and our local PhD degrees, we will not be able to encourage more locals to pursue an R&D career. In addition, a graduate at the age of 25 thinks differently from a young JC or secondary student. Research idols have no effect on him as, by that age, the hardship of life would have impressed upon him, leaving him with many personal and family considerations, namely: (1) Many local students work part-time to support themselves. Some students told me that the part-time work has affected their studies and their potential class of honours. (2) Many graduates prefer to start work immediately so as to start repaying their study loans. (3) Many students are heavily debt-ridden upon graduation now as compared to 10 years ago, and it would take a longer time to repay their loans, as the starting pay of a graduate now is still about the same as 10 years ago and yet the university fees have increased. (4) Many students need to start working to support younger siblings in their studies.”
“In nurturing local talents, one key aspect is to encourage locals to pursue higher research degrees, whether locally or overseas, and an R&D career. Currently, only about 25% of university research scholarship holders are locals, and the rest are foreign students, mainly from China and India. Granting of US visa to foreign students and scientists has since been relaxed after the 9-11 event. Soon, we will not be able to attract any good foreign students and researchers to pursue research in Singapore. A different perspective to view this is: our local universities and research institutes have been training research talents for other countries. Thus, we need to train and develop our own talents, and address the issue of why so few Singaporeans are pursuing higher degrees and an R&D career. Recently, the IBN director was quoted in Lianhe Zaobao saying it is easier to bring in foreign researchers as compared to persuading local PhD scholars to return, and she said that one reason being that these scholars are not appreciative of the excellent local research environment. Perhaps this director, having spent most of her years abroad, does not have a good feel of why locals are not pursuing higher degrees and an R&D career and the scholars are not returning. Some causes why few locals are pursuing local PhD degrees, an R&D career and possibly why scholars are not keen to return are: (1) A lack of recognition of local PhD degrees, although many undergraduates have told me that it is financially more viable to pursue PhD locally. (2) Locals are being passed over for foreigners in research job applications, even when they have graduated from the same university.”
“It will be a shame if our nation were to lose good and dedicated teachers who resign from the teaching profession over this matter. I have spoken to a few experienced teachers who have dedicated the better part of their life to the welfare of their students in their charge. They are all for maintaining a link with parents, but ask for their basic right to privacy. First, the mobile phone and line are completely paid for by the teacher. Therefore, the decision on whether to give parents their personal phone numbers should be solely left to the teachers. There should be no undue pressure upon the teachers by the school management to provide parents with their private phone numbers. Second, if the teachers so choose to give parents their mobile phone numbers, they should be awarded their basic right to privacy. The Ministry of Education has to come out with guidelines to parents to prevent the abuse of this privilege. For example, parents should not call teachers on their mobile phones after 7.00 pm or on weekends. The Ministry should also educate parents that having the teacher's mobile phone number is a privilege and not a right. Sir, I speak on this because I have to treat a patient with depression because of this. Higher Degrees Assoc. Prof. Ong Soh Khim (Nominated Member): Sir, I declare that I am an academic at NUS. I agree with the Prime Minister that we should attract foreign R&D talents. However, we also need to develop our own talent and give due recognition to our home-grown R&D talents, in order to be able to significantly increase the percentage of local researchers in the R&D scene as, currently, only one-quarter of the researchers in Singapore are Singaporeans.”
“Sir, I want to talk on teacher harassment and the use of handphones. The issue with regard to teachers giving their handphone numbers to parents has been widely debated among teachers. Currently, there is no specific rule passed down from the Ministry of Education with regard to this matter. In some schools, form teachers are strongly encouraged by the school management to provide their personal handphone numbers to parents. In any case, it is often a requirement for teachers to give students their mobile phone numbers when they organise field trips or external sports training. Therefore, their phone numbers will eventually reach the parents. Some schools promote the idea of giving teachers' mobile phone numbers to parents as it creates a direct link between parent and teacher. Most teachers are fine with this concept, but complain of the abuse of this privilege given to parents. Parents have been known to call teachers at night and over the weekends. Others call teachers during the school hours to pass their messages. Sometimes, parents get frustrated when teachers do not answer their mobile phones, return calls or SMS messages. There have been cases where parents have complained to the school management about this. The current situation points towards parents believing that it is a right and not a privilege to be given the teacher's personal mobile phone number. Thus, there are many disgruntled teachers who have complained that constant phone calls from parents at odd hours are infringing their basic right to privacy. Teachers are human too. The job calls for dedication to the students, but not to be on 24 hours standby to answer every parent's needs.”
“As I said, we have not done much. We must not be captured by our old style of managing the old. The new old, as I said before, are better educated and travelled, and are very knowledgeable. So we must quickly explore new ways and methods to meet the expectations of the new old. The setting up of the Gerontological Unit should not be delayed further. It could be in the universities or polytechnics. I think it is up to the Government to decide. It would provide courses for the care-givers and also policymakers so that they can better understand the subject. There are two aspects of gerontological education. The one that Members are most familiar with is geriatrics. But it is the other aspect, the social aspect, which has not been well studied. And many of us assume we know a lot. But we will be surprised that we really do not know that much. Therefore, I am asking the Government to have a good look at this subject and incorporate it perhaps as a subject or course in the university and, also, maybe in the polytechnic.”
“Mr Chairman, Sir, in 1984, the Howe Yoon Chong Report on Ageing was debated in the House, and I remember the report suggested that there should be an education called Gerontological Education, ie, studies on ageing. He said that Singaporeans must be better prepared for the impending ageing population. Now, 20 years have passed and I do not see that this particular education has been supported. I think it is time that we studied this particular subject again. I think the Howe Yoon Chong Report is actually a very good report. The only problem was that it got hijacked by the issue of the withdrawal of CPF monies at age 55, which spoiled the whole report. But there are many, many good aspects in this report. Let me just quote what he said: "Ageing is not only a physical process but also a state of mind. Today, large sections of society still deem the elderly to be a group of persons who should be classified with the sick and the disabled who are no longer fit for employment or capable of being retrained or re-educated to fit into the new jobs." This is a very important statement. And this is what he suggested, ie, that this particular education should be established to encourage the academic staff, scholars and students of the NUS to do research, studies and investigations into the field of gerontology, to include gerontology in the curriculum of sociology or social science students, and to incorporate geriatric medicine as part of the medical curriculum, and also to encourage research, investigations, studies and regular surveys to monitor the social, economic and other changes that affect the aged. This report, therefore, called for a new look at ageing by calling for the studying of ageing through properly structured courses to better understand this subject.”
“Thank you. I accepted the Minister's reply on the different pricing in the outpatient polyclinics and the hospitals. My point is that the patient's problem has still not been solved. Whenever a doctor refers a patient from a hospital to an outpatient clinic, he still has to pay more. That is the question I am asking the Minister: how is he going to solve that problem?”
“Sir, I want to pose a question to the Minister with regard to my cut.”
“Six out of the nine items were much more expensive. Sir, I am asking why is there such a difference. Is this a one-off incident or is it going to be a norm? How can doctors in the hospital then refer patients back to the outpatient clinic if the patient is going to pay more?”
“Sir, the Government provides outpatient clinics so that Singaporeans can get affordable and good healthcare. So it is the usual practice for general practitioners and hospital doctors to refer patients to the outpatient clinics for more affordable treatment. But if the cost of drugs at the outpatient clinic is higher than the cost of hospital drugs, then it defeats all the Government's purpose of setting up such outpatient clinics, because it is meant to allow Singaporeans to have a cheaper form of treatment. Recently, I was shown two bills from a patient - one for drugs taken from a hospital and the other bill for drugs taken for an outpatient clinic. The hospital's prescribed drugs cost $48.30. The same prescription from the outpatient clinic costs $85.25. Of course, when I look at the two bills, I was thinking that maybe the difference could be due to the difference in the quantity of drugs prescribed. He could have been given more drugs at the outpatient clinic and less at the hospital. So I studied the unit cost per drug and I found that the unit cost per drug at the hospital side was much lower than the unit cost per drug at the outpatient side.”
“Our ageing population needs a barrier-free environment to move about freely. So we build ramps, overhead bridges and escalators. These are all very fine. But for the old people living in high-rise buildings, they need to come down and they need the lifts, or else they will be house-bound. But in old housing estates, the lifts are rather old. They break down frequently and they do not stop at all levels. These old housing estates are actually housing all our old Singaporeans. For example, in my Teban estate, it is an old estate. The children have left them. They are all on their own. Their retirement funds are very low and they have hardly any cash. So we want them to pay for the lift upgrading. I feel that we must relook at this programme because they have made a lot of contributions to this nation. These are people who actually stood by us in the early years. Now, they have not much cash and they have been asked to make contributions. So I am asking the Minister to look at this programme again and see how best we can tailor the Lift Upgrading Programme to suit these people. I know we have new lift design, and so on and see whether, with this new design, we can cut down the cost and give them a better programme so that they do not have to contribute so much. Of course, if we can give them free as a gesture, that they have made so much contributions, it will be much better.”
“I move this amendment to ask the Minister what is the Ministry's stand on seat belts to be made compulsory for primary and kindergarten buses. I heard over the radio that the Ministry is reviewing the case. There are two issues here, question of cost and question of safety. I think safety has a higher weightage over cost. So I am wondering when the Ministry is going to review. There are only two issues, very straightforward, and the Ministry should quickly make a decision for our parents who are now very concerned. Recently, Members must have read in the papers about a school bus which overturned. Fortunately, no students were injured. But this has created a lot of awareness among parents on the importance of seat belts in buses, especially for kindergarten children. So I am hoping that the Ministry will quickly come up with some answers and do not just keep the parents waiting for a reply. Certificate of Entitlement”
“I also want to commend the NTUC for working with the Government to put this package together. I believe that without the NTUC's representation in putting forward the workers' case, the workers would not be able to benefit so substantially this year from this package. A businessman lamented to me that it is a pro-workers package and less of a pro-business package. Overall, I think it is a package that is much welcome on the ground, not because it is just an election year, as Mr Low Thia Khiang has put it - Mr Low is not here - but I would like to remind him that every Budget is really an election budget. Every day, for an MP, is really an election day, and as the work is not done today because next month or the month after or the month after that might be an election month, but because yesterday was supposed to be an election day. 4.05 pm”
“In Singapore, as we move forward in trying to encourage the society to employ more grey-hair people, I think we must calibrate this very carefully. Yes, as it stands today, where there is no legislation, companies are truly reluctant to employ older people, that is, because the people in charge - the CEOs and the human resource manager - do not seem to be convinced that older people can be as productive as younger people. I think we have to slowly encourage them to think positively and look at the world's most advanced companies, such as BMW and Toyota, which are setting the way. I want to also talk about the Budget today. The details have been splashed all over the papers and discussed at length in this House today. This year's Budget is a profound and seascape change, as I know it. For the first time, we are giving cash handouts. It is not a lot but it is symbolic, on top of other handouts which are kept in the CPF, in the schools through the Opportunity Funds, etc. This is something that people did not expect. They did not expect cash. They expected the CPF top-up. When my grassroots leaders asked me, "How is it that we are getting cash this year?", I told them that this is a different year and a different Prime Minister and Minister for Finance. It happens to be two-in-one, so it makes things easier. But I support this, because for the low-income people, and I have quite a lot of low-income people who are old in the rental flats. If we put money in the CPF and ask them to get the money from the CPF, it is quite an effort. What happens is that they go to their MPs and the MPs do a lot of the paperwork for them in order to get the money. This approach of directing some cash to those who need them most is very useful.”
“For them, it is a policy borne on necessity. But they also recognise that if you give encouragement to the older people and harness their other skills, so to speak, not purely their motoring skills, they can be as productive, if not more productive, than the younger people. This is something that we need to move forward. How do we move forward? That is the thing. I read in the papers that the Government is thinking of legislation. That is one way. But experience from the United States and Europe do not seem to point that way. In America, there is no Act to legislate retirement. But they have an Act called the America's Age Discrimination in Employment Act which is basically you cannot discriminate against older persons. So if an old person comes to see you, first of all, you are not allowed to put the age there, or whether you are an Indian, Malay, Chinese, Caucasian, Black, or Hispanic. You cannot put your religion there. That is only on paper. They can go around it in many ways. The economists have found that such an Act again and again discouraged employment of older people. Because once you employ an older person, you cannot remove him or her. In contrast to that, you find that a small country like Denmark, for example, has the most flexible employment policy. It hires and fires people almost at will. But it has the highest employment rate in the whole of EU, which is quite profound, and the wages in Denmark are very high, one of the highest in Europe. So you have these two countries to compare, the United States which tries to encourage employing older people through various legislative directives and Denmark where it is almost a free for all. You will find that the employment rate in Denmark is higher than in the United States.”
“For those who have been, let us say, in manufacturing where they depend a lot on their physical dexterity, their motoric skills, they can go into the service industry, for example, hotel industry, tourism industry, hospitality industry and healthcare industry. When you are at a certain age, you tend to, in a sense, give better service. You are less impatient, you tend to be more humane, if I may say. Whereas a young person is more impatient, wants to get things done, and in the process may trample on the customer's feet. That is I think one reason why, for example, in the service industry in Singapore, you have very young people in the shopping centres. But they do not provide the best of service. They are not rude, but they stand around not providing service. They are there, but when help is asked for, usually they are not around. If you contrast that to departmental store assistants in the USA, Canada and Europe, they are usually grey hairs, but they give you excellent service. Sometimes, they kill you with kindness. I think we need to strike a balance between getting very young people in the service industry who do not offer very good service, but they are there. We have very old people who offer very good service but they may be slow in, let us say, counting money, carrying barang barang, or things like that. Many companies around the world are actually polishing up their alumni list. Toyota, in fact, the world's most advanced motorcar company in the world, soon to overtake General Motors, in terms of volume production, has specifically redesigned their manufacturing processes for older people, people whom they take above 60 years old. BMW, for example, has just opened a plant in Germany where the policy is to employ people over 45 years old.”
“She makes more money dyeing man's hair than cutting man's hair. What she told me had a profound impact on me in later years because when I look around, it is true there are very few grey hair people in Singapore. Perhaps, she has an inside information. She is in the profession. There is this perception that when you grow old, when you grey, you are less useful to the society. In fact, the year 2006 is a landmark year because, officially, the baby boomers turn 60. Who are the baby boomers? These are the babies born in the years 1946, post-war, up to 1964. On 1st January this year, they clocked 60 years old. Around the world, the governments in USA, Europe and Japan especially are scratching their heads how to harness the grey power. The reason is very simple because there are a lot of grey hairs who are very productive and suddenly they are switched off. When they turn 60 or 65, depending on which country, they turn from being very useful to become totally useless. This is something that we should avoid. I think we are slightly behind the curve in that sense, but we are also onstream to becoming an older society. In fact, I was just reading the Time magazine about one week ago. It says, "How to sharpen your mind?". I was also reading in Parliament this article on "How to manage an ageing workforce?" Studies after studies have shown that as we grow older, our physical dexterity deteriorates. If you are a typist, you will type slower. If you are a speed reader, you will read slower. In other words, we cannot run faster, jump higher or throw further. We cannot take part in the Olympics. But what we can do is to become Olympic coaches or Olympic ushers. We can enter the service industry.”
“It has enough surplus, grown organically over the last 4 1/2 years, and the time has come to share that amount with the people. I am not a Teochew. Years ago, Mr Low Thia Khiang said, chen hu woo reed, lan men boh reed. I think you will find it difficult to repeat this line now because now, chen hu woo reed, lan men ah see woo reed liao. I think this is the right philosophy because if you operate on a year to year basis, bad times you squeeze the budget - no Growth Dividends, no Progress Package, no Workfare - and during good times, you suddenly splash even over a period before the fine good time, and the people will judge us over that period of time. But for today's Budget debate, Sir, I would like to focus on the main thing which has been occupying my mind for some time, that is, the low-income aged, particularly the aged. I like to tell this story which is a little story. Many years ago, when I was turning 40s, my hair began to turn grey which is not uncommon. So I went to my regular barber and she sensed an economic opportunity. She said, "Why don't you dye your hair?" I said, "No. I am past 40." I was 42. I said, "No. I don't want to dye my hair because turning grey is quite normal." She said, "No. You are wrong. In my business, all the men who come here when they turn grey, they dye their hair." I said, "Why?" She said in Mandarin, "Ni bu zhi dao, dang ni you bai fa, she hui dang ni shi lao ren, shi lao ren ne, ni jiu mian lin cai tui le." In other words, she is saying that the moment you turn grey, society thinks you have aged. As you age, you become less useful, you will be in the hit list for retrenchment. Of course, when she said this, I knew her agenda because cutting my hair is about $8-$10, and dyeing the hair is $30.”
“Koo Tsai Kee): Mr Speaker, Sir, Mr Low Thia Khiang is not here. I was listening to him very intensely and I found his speech puzzling because, as the Secretary-General of the Workers' Party, he does not seem to be in favour of the Government helping out the workers at this time of the year. Basically, his question to the Government was this. Last year, 2005, was a good year for the Government. How is it that in a good year, we did not register a surplus but registered a deficit, a substantial amount? He implied that we are doing it because we are looking at the election that is coming ahead and that we are actually deliberately engendering a deficit which goes against the Government's policy of creating surpluses during good times and managing a deficit during very bad times. Mr Low Thia Khiang is looking at it in a very short horizon. I cannot speak for the Government. But the way I look at it from where I sit and from where I read the papers and do my analysis is that, when you look at the Government's performance, you do not look at it from year to year. You look at it over a period of time. How long is the term of Government - four or five years - depending on when the Government decides to ask for a new mandate? In other words, do not judge me quarter by quarter, as the company CEO always says, "Judge me on a longer term." In fact, when you give a contract to a CEO, it is never quarter to quarter, nor even year by year, very rarely year by year, maybe three or five years. So at the end of three years, you ask for a mandate, "In the three years, have you grown the company? If you have, then I give you another three or five years." So over the last 4 1/2 years, I think this Government has done reasonably well.”
“I am hoping that, with the setting up of this centre, awareness will be created and, more importantly, having a core knowledge of the subject. Finally, I think it is important for Singaporeans to know that, over the years 2001 to 2006, there were always some assistance measures to help the lower income and Singaporeans at large to cope with the economic restructuring and poor economic conditions, and also to meet the retirement and healthcare needs. So if you look back to FY 2001, Singaporeans received New Singapore Shares. In 2002 to 2004, there were the Economic Restructuring Shares, and this amount was very high, much higher than what we got for this Progress Package. This year, 2006, the Growth Dividends will be given to all adult Singaporeans; even CPF top-ups, tiered in favour of the elderly, were given from 2004 to 2006. There will also be the 40th Anniversary NS bonus; the Workfare Bonus to help low-wage workers; Utilities Save, S&CC and rental rebates, tiered again in favour of lower-income households from 2001 to 2006. Including other reductions like personal income tax, increases in tax relief and exemptions, the Government has over this period 2001 to 2006 distributed a total of $10.5 billion. It is not a small sum. We have always given back to the people whenever we have created wealth, and we will continue to do. It is a generous, appreciative and fair way of rewarding Singaporeans who have supported us through thick and thin. Barring Avian flu, crazy oil prices and unforeseen circumstances, I am sure we can still continue to deliver all these, what we call, special transfers over the coming years. 3.50 pm The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence and Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (Assoc. Prof.”
“So I hope the Minister for Finance will correct this. If not, I will be the first to queue up for this fund for the upgrading of the lifts in my old estates. The other thing is we must treat old Singaporeans not as isolated groups. We must get them into the society. So what I did was I tried to rebuild an old daycare centre into what I thought would be a modern daycare centre so that it would allow old folks to go there and have some daycare service, at the same time meet older well Singaporeans and even young people. This needs a total mindset change. I got my young to do it, and they did a marvellous job. So that, to me, should be what we call a modern daycare centre or social care centre for everybody - an inter-generation daycare centre. But when you make all these changes, you realise you lose your funding. You cannot get the funding because MOH says, "I am sorry. This doesn't comply with the requirements of a daycare centre." So there goes one of my funds. Then MCYS says, "Sorry, you also don't qualify because you don't fit into our funding." So at the end, I am poorer. So I am asking the Minister for Finance, "Please help me!" Third, I think we have to consider the setting up - and this is concerning old age again - a gerontology faculty in either the polytechnic or university. There was a report being circulated, I think, among MPs and also to the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance. I think it is a very good report because it will give you an insight of how old people should be managed. We cannot assume that we all know. You will be surprised that we do not know much about the old. With the setting up of a centre like this, we can train the caregivers. Many of us do not understand that the caregivers are very important in managing the old.”
“The other challenge facing Singapore is our aging population. Many issues on the old have been discussed and debated in this House. Calls and recommendations have been made to improve the environment and a barrier-free one. Jobs have been redesigned and recreated to suit the old and the not-so-old, and the CPF top-ups have been given. However, I would still like to cover three grounds. One is the upgrading in old estates. It is obvious that old estates need upgrading, especially the lifts, because these people living there are old. We should relook the present package for lift upgrading in such old estates. Their children have moved out, their income depends on their children and they have not much savings because they belong to the old generation. They need help to move about and they need the lifts to get out of their homes or they will become house-bound. Yet, they have been asked to contribute to this lift upgrading. So I am actually asking the Government to now relook at this. Do not have one formula fits all. Surely, for all these old housing estates where lift upgrading is needed, we should give them. It is no longer a luxury, it is a need. So I hope that the Government will look into this and maybe give free to all these old estates. While I was trying to source some funding for the lift upgrading, I came across an article in the New Paper which was very interesting reading, but I am not so sure how truthful it is. It concerns capital receipts that were not in our Budget statement. According to what the paper wrote, these capital receipts, which refer to the sale of land and goods, have a total amount of about $13-over billion. To me, I am concerned how come this sum is not in our Budget statement, and I am sure there must be some error here.”
“Even the water desalination plant, a new water plant, will enjoy this PPP status. But change ownership has its new problems. I think Mdm Halimah has put it very clearly about the problems that were encountered with best sourcing. So there is no point for me to go through it again. But these business changes are not bad. It shows that there is different thinking, different view on a particular business model and, therefore, I accept it. However, some Singaporeans think differently on some fundamental issues, like race and religion, especially among young Singaporeans, and the Internet is the battlefield. They have no history of the past and no emotional attachment to such issues. This is a change I am concerned about. And I am glad that the Police took quick action. Singaporeans must be free to live with one another, irrespective of their race and religion. It has been a cornerstone of success and pride. We legislated in the House on the right of each race to practise their religion. We had a big debate in the old House on this subject. We legislated the Group Representation Constituency to ensure minority representation in the House, so that Malays, Indians and other minorities will be represented. We had a long debate. I think Mr Chiam can testify to that. Therefore, it would be wrong and unwise to challenge the GRC concept. I met many other MPs abroad and they were impressed with this idea of getting the minorities into Parliament. But they had no political will to entrench it in their Parliament. But we did it because we believe in it. If young Singaporeans challenge the number of MPs that makes up a GRC, then it is legitimate, and we can challenge that. But to totally remove the GRC is not wise and will open up communal politics.”
“The challenge that Singapore has to face is an affluent and rapidly ageing society. An affluent modern society has many high expectations and needs. Better educated, better informed, more knowledgeable, and coupled with the rapidly changing fast telecommunication have brought about mindset changes with regard to work, culture and behaviour. In the past, if you changed jobs too many times, you were a job-hopper. And I remember in the old House, and Mr Chiam and I were in that House, there was a big debate condemning job-hoppers. But, today, this moving from job to job is called "upgrading", "improving", and is very welcomed. Also, it looks good on your CV if you list your past job experiences in your next job application. There is also a big shift in thinking of how to do business. So, even in the Government, we have privatised or corporatised our waste and garbage disposal, our power and water, and many others. Again, in the past, when I brought up the issue of privatising refuse disposal, ENV came up with reasons why it could not be done, including it was the Government's responsibility. But, today, things have changed. Today, involving public-private partnership is becoming a norm. It is called best sourcing, and I think Mdm Halimah has spoken at great length about best sourcing. Now, I will borrow what the Budget has defined "best sourcing", which is, "best sourcing is about choosing the provider who can best do a job, namely, to do it efficiently and economically." So you see HDB and URA outsourced their car parks and enforcement functions to private providers in August 2005. Then they have also many non-strategic areas like facilities management, IT, security, audit, document management, call centres and library services - all have also been sourced out.”
“We have no research culture. Our strengths have been in trading, finance and services. This fund will come in handy to help and encourage research. Our education system is now moving towards a more innovative, creative and research base. So when these students graduate, the working environment to meet their drive and passion for research must be there. It is very important - the working environment must be there for them - or they will move elsewhere. This fund will provide the seed money for local companies to think of R&D and we hope they develop many innovation-centred products of world recognition and acceptance. My hope is less red tape for drawing on this fund. And I also see a possible issue arising from this research fund, ie, who has ownership of intellectual property should the product become commercialised? For example, if the research fund funds a research company to develop a test kit for avian flu and is successfully commercialised, who owns this intellectual property? Does it belong to the provider, or is it shared between the provider and also the researcher? I think this has to be worked out. It should be a win-win arrangement or else not many will want to draw on this funding. We must try to capture a slice of the Islamic financial business which is booming. So, it is a good move to promote Islamic financing activities by harmonising the tax treatment of Shariah compliant financial products with that of conventional financial products. It is up to the banks and insurance companies here to now take the cue from the Government - create, market and distribute such products. And I know they can. This morning, NTUC Income has already responded, and it is good. This will help us move into the Middle East which is now a fast-growing area.”
“He will also benefit from the recreation of 10,000 jobs a year under the Enhanced Job Recreation Programme. This is the $40 million programme over three years. And if he is an elderly person, he will get CPF top-ups to meet his retirement and healthcare needs. Therefore, it is a good Budget. It spells out clearly the Government's intention of sharing wealth with each and every Singaporean and more for those who really need it. It also shows that the Government knows and understands the urgency and need to allay their anxiety and ease their financial hardship. In fact, the Prime Minister and Finance Minister said, and I quote, "this Budget aims to build a vibrant economy where opportunities abound, and an inclusive society where no one is left behind." I see that if we do not do something for those who are likely to be left behind, it will lead to the formation of an underclass group. They are usually 40 years and older and their income shrank 3.2% a year from 1998 to 2003. This data is gathered from the Household Expenditure Survey 2002-2003. This group spreads across all races but the Malay community is hardest hit, as can be seen at our meet-the-people session. It is a vicious cycle - no job, no money, no hope to come out of the poverty trap. So this Budget and the Prime Minister's assurance that no one will be left behind are timely, and we at the ground will support the various programmes to uplift their lives and hope that their children will be better educated and have more opportunities to have better jobs and income. I support the upgrading and restructuring of the economy. We must become a knowledge hub. So the setting up of an R&D Trust Fund under the National Research Foundation is most welcome. This fund will fill a huge funding gap for R&D in Singapore.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to support the motion standing in the name of the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance. Over the last two to three years, Members of this House have consistently brought to the attention of the Government three groups of Singaporeans hardest hit by the economy: (i) the low-skilled/income workers; (ii) the older workers; and (iii) the professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMET). They belong to the 40 to 49 age group. So, has the Budget helped ease the pain of these Singaporeans? The answer is a definite yes. Now, at my meet-the-people sessions (MPS), I can confidently tell a low-wage worker that since he works regularly for the past six months and he earns $1,500 or less per month, he will be receiving Workfare Bonuses ranging from $150 to $1,200 in two portions. If he comes from the lower-income household, he will be helped with Utilities Save rebates, ranging from $60 to $200, and also continues to get rebates of up to four months of service and conservancy charges and up to three months of rent. On top of that, he, like all other Singaporeans, will get Growth Dividends, ranging from $200 to $800. And with the work support programme, his family will be helped with childcare and student care assistance, so that he and his wife can go out and work. Then there is the education assistance scheme to further ease his anxiety and financial woes over his children's education. All this and the ComCare Fund are very generous assistance programmes. Even this low-income group also has special CPF housing grant. So, it is very, very generous. At my MPS now, for an older worker, when he comes to see me, I can tell him that he can get help through a scheme to help companies hire and re-employ him and his older worker friends.”
“Each case is different and I think Mr Sin Boon Ann gave a wonderful discourse just now on why there should be flexibility. May I therefore urge MINDEF, the Ministry of Law and the Attorney-General's Chambers to consider the use of community sentencing as a form of punishment, perhaps in addition to a fine. I think there should be a fine because when the child is older and when he comes of age, he must take some responsibility. The defaulter can then perform an extended period of community service as a means of rehabilitating and reintegrating into our society. So someone like Melvyn Tan can be asked to contribute a part of his expertise to the community in the form of free music lessons or perform a series of concerts for charities. We need to expand our idea of what National Service is, including returning defaulters. As Singapore goes global, many get posted overseas and when they bring their children along, we can expect the numbers to increase over the years. So we must not be captured by our past ideas of NS. We must take a look again and see whether we can expand our idea of NS to include some of the ways that Members of this House have articulated well.”
“I know and met some overseas Singaporeans in such situations and they are very talented. If they wish to bring their talent back to Singapore, we must not make it prohibitive that they fear to return unless we are prepared to write them off as Singaporeans. Nobody will want to come back if they face the prospect of jail. We have been told, time and again, that every Singaporean is valuable and talent is important, because we are a small nation and need each other. So, why is it that in this situation, suddenly talent is not valued? Sir, can a 17½-year old boy decide whether to come back to do NS or not? Some may. But at 17½ years, the reality of the situation is that his parents decide whether he should continue with his studies or come back to serve, and he will probably, being of Asian upbringing, follow his parents. Even the Government does not think that a 17½-year old boy can make good decisions and therefore does not allow him to vote until he reaches 21. Perhaps we should study this issue from the parents' end. Take a look again at the security bond. Is $75,000 adequate now or should we up it to a much higher figure? I think the MINDEF people can decide - even to $¼ million if they think it is not high enough. Or if half of the total income of the parents is still not enough, then they can take a look and decide on what they want. I am sure a high security bond would dissuade parents from preventing their children to come back. I am not in favour of mandatory imprisonment for such cases - and I am glad the Minister has told us so - or pressing for custodial sentences for all cases. Because, according to the Minister, the majority of them do come back before they are 21.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, thank you for allowing me to join in this debate. I did my NS training under the Israelis, so I know what it is like. It was really tough. NS is a citizen's obligation to his nation. It is the willing sacrifice of 2.5 years, and now reduced to two years, of full-time service plus, lest we forget, one to two decades of intermittent reservist duty. Almost half a lifespan is set aside for a great and noble cause to undertake the role of a defender of Singapore. We demand this commitment for male Singaporeans because a day we do without it, we will cease to become an independent self-reliant republic. The Melvyn Tan's saga has inflamed the sentiments of many Singaporeans, especially the men. It has escalated into a national issue - the questions, the sufficiency of punishment for defaulter evading NS. Whilst I understand the intensity of the public backlash, we, as a nation, must always make room to forgive. Where possible, Singapore must never reject a returning son. We must try to understand why some young Singaporeans are not returning. Putting aside emotions, let me try to look at this issue. I am mindful that some defaulters may have no say in remaining overseas in the first place. Many are children of parents who chose to migrate to Australia or Canada. They left Singapore at a very young age. Being obedient kids, they really have no choice but to follow their parents. Therefore, the question is, should the law take to task a boy who was taken overseas by his parents and decided to stay there? This same question was posed in one of the articles in the Straits Times on 14th January 2006. While overseas, most of them do very well and some achieve fame in fields of science, technology and arts.”
“Out of about 300 km of drains inspected, PUB will carry out urgent minor repair works for 10 km of drains identified at some 250 locations islandwide within the next three months.”
“Mr Zainudin Nordin asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources if his Ministry will consider introducing a more targeted upgrading programme for old drains in private estate, similar to the concept of the Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP). The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (Assoc. Prof. Koo Tsai Kee) (for the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources): Mr Speaker, Sir, PUB has an on-going programme to systematically upgrade and rehabilitate old drains including those in the private estates. Over the last 10 years, 240 km of drains have been upgraded or rehabilitated at the cost of $194 million. This includes the upgrading of 160 km of drains carried out together with the Estate Upgrading Programme (EUP) at 19 private estates. The list of old drains identified for upgrading or rehabilitation is drawn up based on PUB's catchment planning and regular surveillance programmes. In addition, the list also includes those identified by NEA and from feedback from members of the public. Where an old private residential estate is selected for upgrading under EUP, PUB would carry out a study to identify those drains which need to be rehabilitated. The drain rehabilitation works would then be carried out in tandem with the EUP works to minimise inconvenience to the residents. In addition to the above drain upgrading works, PUB also carries out minor repairs to those drains which have sunken or are damaged at localised sections. These minor repair works will help to eliminate water stagnation in these drains. Recently, PUB has intensified the joint inspection with NEA.”
“Sir, I thought I heard the Minister say that there are asymptomatic cases. I would like to ask the Minister whether these asymptomatic cases are actually suspected dengue cases and we have to report these cases to the Ministry of Health. The Minister should be aware that these cases are viremic, ie, they do carry the viruses. How is his Ministry or the Ministry of Health managing these suspected dengue cases which are carrying potential reservoirs of viruses and could possibly re-infect the community? Assoc. Prof. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: Sir, that is exactly one of the research areas that we are looking into. We understand the difficulty with the asymptomatic cases because without the symptoms it will be difficult for us to alert the GPs on what to look out for so that we know that they are dengue cases or otherwise. One of the studies that both MOH and EHI will conduct will involve about 5,000 people, 11 years and older, and this will be carried out to determine the range of symptoms of dengue infection and the extent of asymptomatic infection in the current dengue epidemic. This study will also help to identify the risk factors associated with the dengue transmission and it is expected to be completed within six months. One of the benefits of this research is that the knowledge of the proportion of asymptomatic cases will help us to determine to what extent dengue cases go unreported. That is the first thing that we need to know and a high proportion of such cases will drive the shift towards more preventive measures and this will also help our GPs to determine the spectrum of clinical symptoms to more efficiently identify dengue patients. DRAINS IN PRIVATE ESTATES (Upgrading programme) 2.”
“I am trying to say that the Minister's argument may not be so accepted. My question is to please spend some of the money in building special centres to isolate all our dengue and dengue-suspect patients.”
“I am not so sure I can agree fully with the Senior Minister of State when he advised that patients should use repellents to prevent themselves from being bitten. I have advised my patients but they are very careless and they get bitten. Now, my worry is that the hospital is not taking in patients when their platelet count is about 100,000 or they have lowered down to 80,000, that means these patients who are dengue infected already are being sent home by the hospital back to the community where there are many mosquitoes lurking around and you cannot control the mosquitoes. So you are bringing in a reservoir of infection, which should be in hospital and sheltered, back into the community and the poor Minister would be struggling like hell trying to kill the mosquito which is so elusive. Therefore, I think this practice of not taking in patients with that level of platelet should be reviewed by the high ministerial committee. It is a very dangerous practice. I would advocate sheltering, isolating and ringfencing all these patients who are already infected with dengue, in other words, we have got to build shelters. We have $30 million given to this committee. We should build special isolation shelters so that we can house all these suspected dengue and dengue-infected patients in these buildings, keep them there and do not let the mosquitoes get to them. Now, we are letting the patients go back to the community to be infected by mosquitoes.”
“To do this, amongst others, we need to build activity-based iconic structures like the integrated resorts and the Esplanade and supported by an environment of good educational, health, cultural and business institutions. How we can find the right mix to excite the visitors to want to come back to our city and spend that tourist dollar is a challenge not only for the Singapore Tourism Board but for all of us here in this House and for Singaporeans at large.”
“But a small paragraph calling for a rethink on the CPF withdrawal at age 55 years was hijacked, and it became the central issue for that debate and the real virtue of that report was thrust aside. I see some similarity in today's debate. So we must be careful. We must stay on course, explaining and extolling the virtues of these projects and yet detailing and assuring Singaporeans on the measures that we will be taking to cushion the social ill effects, the safety and security aspects of the casino project. I think this is very important. This assurance must be given to all Singaporeans. We must keep to this thrust of argument and let Singaporeans understand the true benefits of the project. Get them excited through roadshows, and the media should help, and I am sure Singaporeans can come on board with us. So if anyone wants to hijack the casino element and turn it into a political potato, Singaporeans would have seen the merits of the projects and not be easily persuaded. However, a resort would get outdated because land and money can build one. It would be slowly trumped by another one in time, but culture, arts and science create jobs for the long haul. Why do you think France and Spain are up there? They put a premium on creativity. Talent will go where they can contribute, not where they can be a consumer. So while we go for the IR, we must continue to build on our other institutions for the arts, science and culture. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, this debate is not just on integrated resorts but on how Singapore can position herself as a global city of excellence and distinction, how she can draw people of talent, tourists and businessmen, to this city, showcasing the arts, science, theatres, culture, and to events and activities.”
“It is from a gentleman by the name of Daniel Koh Kah Soon and this is what he said, and I quote, "Clearly the libertarian/utilitarian consideration has prevailed, but those who hold virtue ethics are saying that worthwhile virtues take a long time to cultivate and nurture. The virtues, which we have inherited and nurtured should not be eroded by an over-emphasis on libertarian/utilitarian concerns that may allow for vices like gambling to sneak in and undermine time-tested virtues, required and so necessary for any community to flourish as people of good character." The thrust of his concern is shared by many. Personally, I think it is good that Singaporeans hold such views. Yet these virtues, I believe, built and nurtured in the family and Government, should put us in good stead to face the challenges the new Singapore we want to reinvent. I cannot imagine how the strong character that we have developed over the past would succumb to the temptations for the bright lights of the casinos so easily. But some may, although the majority will not. I think the reality of living in a big exciting global city is you have to live with the good and the bad. How we manage ourselves in the new global city that Singapore wants to aspire is a test of our resolve and strength. I am sure we are not gullible and naive. Let me digress a bit to highlight a point. In the 1980s, in the old Parliament House, there was a heated debate on the report on the healthcare of the elderly. It was a report written by Mr Howe Yoon Chong, the Health Minister then. It was a good report, detailing how Singaporeans should examine the problems of the aged and called for many changes to the healthcare delivery system to meet the demands of an ageing population.”
“But I believe the decision was carefully and thoroughly researched. You can see three Ministries put forward their plans to cushion the possible social ills and security measures to ensure its success. This shows the determination of the Government to assure Singaporeans that the IR projects could be managed well and 35,000 jobs will be created. These IR projects are enormous and mind-boggling. 95% of these projects will be theme parks of fun and games, with convention centres, hotels, and only 5% for casino. So why is it that Singaporeans are concerned about the 5% casino element? One, they are not aware of the other 95% in the first place. They have no idea of what the 95% is going to be like. They have no details. They were merely told. In fact, some of them were concerned that they have to pay $100 to enter into the complex. It shows that the communication is not so clear. In other words, they were not excited enough. Of course, the media went to town on the casino issue. So, day in and day out, we read in the newspapers on how casinos are functioning and they only feature the bright lights of the casino. But the most important reason is that the casino hits at the very virtues that this Government has always strived for - clean, safe, non-corrupt way of living. They fear that the casino will change our clean lifestyle and image, and I share their concerns. At this juncture, I would like to thank the many Singaporeans who emailed me their concerns and fears. Let me read out an excerpt of one such letter.”
“Come closer to home is Malaysia. Only last week, I visited KL and Putrajaya and I can see that the changes that took place in KL and Putrajaya are really remarkable. The Twin Towers and KLCC complex, with its large shopping malls, convention centres, hotels and even a beautiful park for the busy businessmen to relax in between meetings, were established for them to enjoy. And I believe KL's night life is very trendy and hot. So Singapore is no longer that special for the tourists. It is becoming a stop-over place for the tourists, as mentioned by many in this House. They would not stay here long. The competition is heating up and Singapore must quickly change to meet the expectations of the modern tourists. Yesterday, we heard many speakers mentioning how London changed, how New York changed, how the new iconic buildings in many countries are catching the attention of the modern tourists. The changing pattern of air travel, including cheap budget airfares, has brought a new dimension to the tourist trade. There are now many choices and many exotic destinations to go. So like what the Prime Minister and other Ministers have said, we have to take a critical look at ourselves, at our value systems we hold so dear, our past beliefs, our prejudices and compare them with the future needs of the country. It is a balancing act but we have to find the right mix. While we imbibe in new ideas, we have to watch carefully that we do not go overboard. We have decided to move with the tide of change and bite the bullet and accept the new changes that are happening around the world. But there are always consequences. Our Singaporeans were shocked when they heard that there were two instead of one mega integrated resort project.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, like many before me, I too take a practical and realistic view of life. I do not approve gambling but do enjoy betting on Toto and 4-D occasionally with my friends, staff and my grassroots. In fact, on many special occasions, my grassroots would want me to pick the numbers of 4-D and Toto because they believe I got some luck. But so far, the winnings are small. I do hope that they will strike big one day. Many speakers before me have spoken on the social ills of gambling. I share many of their concerns and I will not repeat what has already been said. I look at this debate from a global perspective and how the future holds for us. Many speakers, including the Prime Minister, SM and MM, have painted what future directions Singapore should take to avoid becoming a dull and unexciting place. When I first entered this House in 1980, Singapore was obviously well ahead of many countries in the region. In fact, Singapore was an exciting place and our infrastructure was excellent, we have good airports and seaports, we got many visitors. There was less competition from the surrounding countries. China and India were not featured at all. Malaysians, Indonesians, Filipinos and Thais came here to shop and take in the sights. Tourism was indeed booming. Our main competitor then was Hong Kong. Life was simpler then and the tourist demand was less. But over the last 10 years, I see changes happening at a very rapid pace. The Shanghai I visited in 1987 and the Shanghai of today are vastly different. There are so many modern buildings and highways and the city is buzzing with activities, event happenings and conventions. Also, I can see changes in Australia; the Opera House and Darling Harbour are star attractions for many tourists.”
“Sir, religious teachers have a great influence on our Muslim community, especially at the mosques where they preach. Sometime ago, in this House, I asked the Minister why some of the mosques allow the PAS religious teachers to come to Singapore. PAS is a Malay Islamic opposition party in Malaysia. So I am curious, with MUIS monitoring very carefully, whether we still allow PAS religious teachers to preach at our mosques. Assoc. Prof. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: Sir, if Dr Tan remembers the reply I gave to him at that time, for that particular incident, they were not members of a political party. It is not uncommon to find religious groups, be it Muslim or otherwise, that would invite foreign speakers. But we have a scheme in place, where in this case for the Muslim community, when they apply for permission to get a foreign speaker, they will apply through MUIS and we will investigate and give our blessing and approval. Where we need to get approval from authorities, in this case MHA, we will seek and do so. So I like to assure Dr Tan that there is a scheme in place to ensure that when we bring in foreign speakers into our mosques, we are clear about the status of the person, his position and especially in terms of his views and orientation.”
“Thank you, Mr Chairman, for letting me say a few words. I know I did not make a cut here, but I am just curious to find out from the Minister on some of those sports complexes that are left vacant now, in particular some of those swimming pools. I think we must put them to good use. The Ministry can come up with some plan where we could put the building to good use through shared cooperation, say, between the Ministry, Sports Council and the grassroots organisations. We must make full use of those vacant sports complexes.”
“I want to seek a point of clarification from the Minister. He said that MediShield covers only "B2" and "C" classes. If somebody has a catastrophic illness and he chooses to go to "B1", must he downgrade, if he has MediShield cover to enjoy the MediShield payment?”
“But as I have said, I believe the majority will opt for upgrading. The last option, of course, is based on household income. Here, the combined salaries of the working individuals in the family are taken into account. It tracks the family. It tracks the whole group, not individuals. As I said, unlike the individual income option, this is on a group basis and so it tracks the whole group. In such an option, unemployed members of the family, including spouses and children, share the same tag as the working members, unlike the option based on individual income. Which is better and which is fair, I think we have to examine all the options, and I am sure the Ministry must have also many options for us to consider and I look forward to the Minister's reply. 5.30 pm”
“It is an easy administrative move, but I am not so sure whether it is fair. Payable income is another option. But this means that automatically 75% who are not paying income tax will be classified as "C", and I am not so sure that the Ministry is prepared to accept such a big number. How about individual income? Individual income, I think, is an interesting option. Under this option, everyone will carry a tag. Those who have no income will be automatically classified as "C" class. Of course, this will include children, grandparents, housewives - all not working. Those who are working will also carry a tag according to the income they earn. So the lower income earners will still be in "C" class, and the rest accordingly. Upgrading, of course, should be allowed. If one carries a "C" class tag and he has lost his job, he still remains in "C" class. But if one of the relatives carries a "C" class tag, for example, the wife who is not working, and he wants to upgrade her, go ahead, he can upgrade. We can give them that option to upgrade. So there is option for upgrading. Of course, if one is tagged as "B" class, and one loses his job and gets retrenched, let him downgrade and he becomes "C" class. The snag here is that it covers high earner families also. In other words, high earners with non-working spouses and children are tagged "C". So they all have access to "C" class hospitalisation. However, the argument is, so what? These people actually pay high income taxes. They have actually contributed a lot to the country's coffers. Why should they not use it too? But I believe this particular group will probably upgrade their spouses to a higher class ward. So we have to be very careful in this area. Honestly, I am thinking deeply into this.”
“Sir, means testing will be introduced soon. Many Singaporeans wait patiently for this scheme because it is going to affect their medical bills. They want to know how it is going to be implemented. Would there be two sets of means test - one for hospitalisation and the other for outpatient services? Because of its complex nature and its implications on the individual's medical cost, I move this cut to find out from the Minister what has been done so far. What criteria are they using for their assessment of who should be in "A", "B" and "C" classes? I am sure they must have turned up many ideas as to how they are going to implement this scheme. However, let me share some of my thoughts. I could think of four options. We could assess them through flat sizes, payable income, individual income and household income. We consider the flat size. This is the usual way the Government has been giving out rebates based on flat sizes. In other words, if one is living in a 3-room, one gets a higher rebate, 5-room gets a lower rebate. I am not so sure whether this is fair because the size of the flats does not reflect the earning power of the individual, especially in today's context, unlike before. Today, many choose to live in 3-room flats, even though they could really afford bigger flats. I think many of them is because of practical reasons. Some of these people who opt for 3-room flats are actually professionals. Some of them are even doctors. Some, of course, are small families and why should they opt for big flats. A small flat will do. They have a lot of disposable income. So we have to think very carefully. Some of them living in 5-room flats or even Executive flats have lost their jobs or retrenched. How are we going to classify them? They are actually quite poor then.”