Tan Wu Meng
Singapore
“So, if I may just recall briefly what I said five years ago during the debate on the President's Address. Healthcare is about all our people's lives, your life and mine, the lives of our loved ones, the life of every Singaporean. And with that, let us all hope for healthier and happier lives together.”
“Mr Chairman, I thank all who contributed to this debate. Our MOH leadership and MPs of all persuasions. Also want to express deepest thanks to our entire healthcare family, our front liners, the support team and our public officers. If I may briefly seek the indulgence of Speaker —”
“I thank the Ministry of Transport (MOT) for sharing that there are plans to introduce regulations to address the issue of online shops selling AMDs that are in breach and unsafe.”
“The online Community Justice and Tribunals System brings convenience to those who can go online. What happens to seniors who are less digitally-savvy, less literate or who may not be so familiar with the English language?”
“Mr Speaker, I thank MOE for this move. On the topic of social capital and social network diversity, can I ask the Senior Parliamentary Secretary that for these studies, will MOE look at it much further into the future?”
“Mr Speaker, I thank the Minister of State for her answer. My Clementi residents shared with me that they discovered their child was vaping. Because they did not know what to do, they brought their child to the nearest Police station. The Police referred the case to HSA and the child was issued with a $300 fine for vaping.”
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“At my Meet-the-People Session, I met a resident in his 50s. He works as a delivery driver. He used to be on an employment contract. But recently, his employer called him in and said, "We are changing you to a new contract". So, he asked what is this new contract about? His employer said, "You are no longer going to be a payroll employee, you are now going to be a contractor, a solo contractor providing contract for service". He was not given much of a choice − sign the new contract or be terminated. Same work, different contract; less benefits, more vulnerable. So, this is a real issue affecting our workers, especially vulnerable workers. And as more jobs become part of the gig economy, I worry more Singaporeans will be affected. Madam, it is a serious issue, in my opinion. And I believe we need to address this sooner rather than later, before the labour market norms reach a tipping point as more companies join the gig and there is a race to the bottom. Otherwise, we risk having a cohort of gig workers who have been disadvantaged by this market failure. Our policies must keep up, so that our workers are not left behind. But Mdm Speaker, there is hope. Singapore is small enough, nimble enough and organised enough that we can reinvent our policies for a new century. We can build a better understanding of the job market to improve opportunities for all our workers. Imagine if our Ministries apply big data analytics to the job market, pulling data from multiple databases, getting data on how training leads to jobs. Who finds work fastest? Which course helps to find work fastest and best? How many people are using the skills they were trained for? Was the training provider selling hope or helping our workers to gain skills and opportunities?”
“All these things have been coming together through that relationship between employer and employee and at the workplace. But today, we see that being disrupted. It is possible for an employer to redefine the job at the stroke of a pen. A delivery driver may be doing the same work as before. But instead of being a payroll employee, he is now called to be doing a contract for service. But Madam, this shifts responsibility and risk to the worker. Who pays the CPF contribution? Who covers the insurance? Who is responsible if an accident happens on the job while on duty? And these developments could have very profound implications for Singapore, because so many of our social and labour policies today are tied to that nexus − the employer-employee relationship or the workplace. For example, the employer CPF contribution. If the CPF system is undermined by the gig economy, there are knock-on effects as well. Home ownership, healthcare because of MediSave, retirement adequacy. And all these, if they come to a head, will affect our fiscal policies as well. Madam, we see employers shifting these labour practices because an employer may see economic advantage: privatising the benefits of having a worker but socialising the responsibilities of looking after the worker. Some have said that the market alone is enough. But Madam, I believe the market is not enough to impose discipline. Even in the tightest of labour markets, there can be segmentation. Some workers having a more difficult time than others. Some workers needing a job more urgently. And it is the vulnerable workers who are not able to find a job in the regular labour market who will have the least bargaining power in the gig economy. Madam, this is happening to Singaporeans today.”
“It is sometimes called "the gig economy". Many of us have spoken about this. I have raised it in this House and elsewhere. There are opportunities in this brave new world. The gig economy can unlock skills and experience not yet tapped from the labour market. This is important, given our ageing population, demographic constraints and smaller families. Madam, many of our older workers have a lifetime of wisdom and experience. I remember a retired nurse I met on my home visit in Clementi. She is 65 years old, or rather 65 years young, full of energy, still wants to make use of her skills. But because her husband is sick, she needs to spend extra time looking after him, which makes it harder for her to work a full shift or even a partial shift. The gig economy can help our seniors and young families who have caregiver commitments. Singaporeans with caregiving duties can also work more flexible hours − a retired nurse can keep active, does not have to work a full shift, maybe helping at a clinic near her home or as a private nurse to fellow residents in the neighbourhood, changing a catheter, changing a wound dressing. Micro-jobs, but they add up to skills that can be tapped. Additional income, helping people who receive the service, helping the person who is earning. It also helps SMEs which may not be able to afford a full-time department, whether it is a legal department, graphic design department, copywriting department. It helps people, it helps SMEs. But, Madam, there are also big challenges when the nature of work changes. For decades, the relationship has been very much between the employer and the employee at the workplace. For a long time, this has been a focus for legislation, sick leave benefits, healthcare coverage or CPF.”
“The design, proportion and distribution can be studied by the agencies, so that the effect is salubrious rather than divisive. It is something that I believe the Ministries should look into. Or void decks, Mdm Speaker. Some of my residents feel sad that newer estates are devoid of void decks. Or the void deck is shaped such that people do not meet one another as naturally as before. I suggest, Mdm Speaker, that HDB should revive the older-style void decks or at least think of ways to channel people together, so that people meet naturally, grow to know one another, build friendships. Likewise, the shape of our HDB blocks matters, too. Some of my residents said that our blocks today are not shaped the way they used to be. In some precincts, including award-winning precincts, the common corridors branch off. Little alcoves, little corners. It means fewer lines of sight for neighbours to meet one another, look at one another, start that conversation in the morning on the way to the lift; fewer chances for people to get to know one another spontaneously, day by day. This is something our agencies should look at, Mdm Speaker. Urban design shapes who we live with; who we know; who we meet. How we build our homes, how we build our heartlands affect our social cohesion. Our estates are our home today, but they shape our society tomorrow. Madam, I also want to speak about work, how work is changing and how that is affecting our social compact as well. We have seen many legal innovations in recent years. Temporary jobs becoming permanent temporary jobs where workers keep on rolling over new temporary contracts in what we call "perma-temps". Micro-jobs as well. Today, people can do independent work for multiple hirers, using online marketplaces to match supply and demand.”
“But in many societies around the world, social cohesion is being eroded. Social media has made society more atomised: in some countries, people living in their own little world and not learning to see through the eyes of fellow citizens; watching only one side of a social media feed; becoming more vulnerable to "fake news" that sharpens prejudices while blunting human understanding; echo chambers, not just in politics, but in values and social mores, too. Smaller family sizes are shaping societies. A child growing up in a one-child family has a different experience and may not learn the same social skills to get on with others until preschool or school begins. So, if we lose our cohesion, Mdm Speaker, we are finished. Because we will not be able to organise to meet challenges, we will not be able to move as one, we will be less than the sum of our parts. Without social cohesion, we are less than a dot. Even as we transform for the future economy and watch our bottom line, our fiscal sustainability, we need to keep on paying attention to social cohesion in all our policies across the whole-of-Government. Mdm Speaker, let me speak a little on public housing. It is an important issue because design changes in public housing can be revenue-neutral, but they shape an entire generation of society and our heartlands. We have the Ethnic Integration Policy today. But in the modern era of globalisation and wealth inequality, our Ministries should also look at closer integration of Singaporeans from different economic backgrounds within the same block. For example, what if new HDB blocks were designed to have a certain proportion of units designated for rental within the same block?”
“Mdm Speaker, I stand in support of this Budget. Madam, I am often inspired and moved by my residents and their stories. One of our young couples in Clementi had a baby girl at home. A beautiful baby with a proud mommy and daddy. But when it was time for the HDB's Home Improvement Programme − upgrading within the home − the parents were worried about noise and dust during the construction. The next-door neighbours opened their home, offered their own home as a place to babysit the baby girl. Today, the renovations are done. Baby is happy and the neighbours have grown closer together. I am also moved, during times of sadness, when I meet with my residents at funeral wakes at the void deck, whether it is a breadwinner who passed away and the family is wondering what to do in economic challenge or whether it is an old parent who has passed on after a long illness. But I also see neighbours coming together in this moment looking out for one and another, supporting one another in this time of need. Madam, each of these stories tells us a very deep truth: that there can be a special strength in a community and society, a strength that comes from a sense of fellowship, of being together, of being near to one another in life's journey. But I also hear stories from residents about how society is changing and how newer HDB estates seem to make it harder to meet neighbours and new friends. Today, I will speak on how we build a stronger society and a stronger economy through stronger social cohesion and updating our social compact to keep pace with the future of jobs. Madam, we must never take our social cohesion for granted. Our multiracial society is very special, very precious. It also helps us, as a country, connect economically to the West and to many parts of Asia.”
“The point was raised by Assoc Prof Goh's colleague earlier, and there is a thread about standing with our people and our SMEs. So, I was wondering whether these points might be clarified at some point.”
“Thank you, Mdm Speaker. I just have a couple of clarifications that I would like to ask about the evolving corpus of the Workers' Party economic model. I understand that the previous speaker Mr Perera had mentioned land sales could be lost revenue. I was wondering if Assoc Prof Goh might elaborate on what he views as an appropriate level of land sales to front our current Budget. For example, what percentage of land to sell in this term of Government and what percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) the sales should be? Secondly, I was also wondering in terms of supporting our SMEs and standing with our people, as Assoc Prof Goh has mentioned, what his view would be on the optimal level of foreign manpower in our SME sector? Should be it more, less, or the same amount as we have today? Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong: Mdm Speaker, I have not mentioned these two points in my speech. So, I am not sure what I am supposed to clarify.”
“I thank the Deputy Prime Minister for his answer. I was wondering if the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) might want to explore different ways of measuring the distance to the nearest ATM, if MAS is not already doing so. For example, distance according to "the crow flies" versus distance traversed on the ground by able-bodied pedestrians or, for that matter, barrier-free distance on the ground. These various metrics may be useful to understand how different segments of the population will be affected, especially as our population ages.”
“I thank the Minister of State for his answer. I was wondering, in light of his earlier reply to the Parliamentary Question, saying that chickens carry a higher risk of transmitting bird flu compared to other birds like mynahs, surely the number of birds would matter as well. I was wondering from the Ministry of National Development's (MND's) viewpoint, is there a threshold for the size of the flock at which this risk would increase to the public? If so, would MND consider taking additional measures and a more active approach to managing the bird pest issue in estates, such as Clementi, where I serve?”
“I thank the Minister of State for his explanation on an issue which has caused the public's imagination to take flight. I have two supplementary questions. Firstly, will the Ministry continue to study the size of the congregation of birds that will be required to trigger an enforcement action, the reason being that, at some point, this number may change, depending on the epidemiological risk? It may be useful to study that, so that the public is reassured that this calibrated approach is ongoing. The second supplementary question is that, from time to time, friends, people on social media may post pictures of having encountered a chicken near their home. I was wondering what the Ministry's advice would be to residents and other folks who encounter such chickens, free-ranging or otherwise, and whether they would need to report these animals to AVA.”
“I thank the Parliamentary Secretary for his answer. I was wondering ‒ given that internships can be a way for students to discover their aptitude, their affinity and calling for certain lines of work ‒ whether the Ministry could re-double its efforts to make internships more equitable, in terms of access to these allowances, so that students from less advantaged backgrounds, from less well-off families, do not find themselves having to make difficult choices in what internships they choose to apply for. Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim: Madam, we certainly agree with Dr Tan Wu Meng's view. In fact, the Polytechnics and ITEs are working with the companies to see how we can increase the percentage of internships that provide an allowance. I would like to assure Members in the House that all the Polytechnics and ITEs have funds to cater to students who need financial assistance. For example, Singapore Polytechnic has a Needy Fund to support students. The Polytechnics and ITEs will also look at how we can further assist our students whenever they need help, including the period during their internship.”
“I thank the Minister for Manpower for his comprehensive answer. Big companies have a certain footprint, especially those which are linked to the Government or doing significant business with the public sector. How can we strengthen human resource best practices in such companies and are there lessons which can be applied more broadly from what happened in Surbana?”
“But within these limitations, we should look at how to reduce the amount of blue light given out by LED lights. With LTA's plans to replace all streetlamps with LED lights by 2022, we are at an inflection point in our national lighting infrastructure. It is not too early for us to be thinking about these questions. And in our Ministry of Education (MOE) schools as well, there may be a role for looking at warm yellow-white LEDs when replacing the older fluorescent light tubes. And Deputy Speaker, all these could be part of a shared design language that shapes the aesthetics of our housing estates and our shared spaces throughout our little red dot. Deputy Speaker, as a little red dot on the Equator, we have 12 hours of daylight each day. The rest is night; one half of our existence. So, it matters how we light the night. The colour of night matters, and there is emerging evidence that by choosing a better way to colour the night, we can reduce the risk of casting a shadow on our sleep and our health. May we always choose well and always seek the right kind of illumination.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, even if the consensus does not shift for a few more years, it would be prudent of us to consider possible future developments in the industry and future shifts in the consensus because an LED lamp, once installed, is an investment that will be around for many years, long enough to possibly become obsolete if international safety standards shift. And even if we leave aside the discussion about health implications, there is something to be said for having the night-time lighting look just that little bit more natural − a more yellow shade of white, a city at night that looks warmer and more natural. So, Mr Deputy Speaker, I call upon the Ministry of National Development (MND) and HDB to look at this issue to consider standardising and moving towards LEDs which give out less blue light. We can do this by choosing LED lights with a bit more of a natural yellow colour, or a "warm white" colour. To ensure that our living environment is still bright enough for the elderly, HDB could also study the perceived brightness of different types of LEDs. What kind of power output is needed for a pure white LED to look as bright as a warm yellow LED, how to calibrate this, how to have these standards? And once these standards have been studied by HDB, they could be shared with other agencies as well as the private sector. And I wonder if HDB's Building and Research Institute could help look into this. We should also encourage the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to think about having less blue light when illuminating our roads at night. Safety on the road is important. It is important that road users can see one another, can see pedestrians, and can stay out of danger.”
“I am grateful to experts, such as Prof Michael Chee from the Duke-NUS Medical School, for highlighting some of these pointers. Even in the commercial sector, even among the companies that build your portable devices, such as the Apple iPhone, has a "night mode", where the colour of the display shifts to a more yellow shade of white, with less blue light emitted. So, why is this important to Singapore? This is because in our built-up housing estates, the colour of night is shaded by what kind of lighting we choose. Corridor light in our housing estates and in our void decks can shine into living rooms and bedrooms. It is not a short exposure. At the same time, it is also important that our housing estates are energy efficient. And our housing estates must also, at the same time, be brightly lit enough so that all residents, especially our vulnerable and elderly, are able to move about safely at night. Mr Deputy Speaker, I am told by Housing and Development Board (HDB) colleagues that, for health and safety of lights, HDB relies upon the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standard called IEC 62471. Currently, both the pure white light and warmer yellow-white light LEDs would satisfy this IEC criteria. But, at the same time, given the discussions going on in the US and Europe, it is quite possible that the consensus may be shifting in favour of warm yellow-white LED lights, lights which are less pure white but have a warmer yellow-white colour.”
“For example, Mr Deputy Speaker, exposure to light has been reported to suppress the production of melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone produced by the body that influences the body's own biological rhythms, what we call the circadian rhythms that tell our bodies when we feel sleepy and when we feel awake. While any kind of visible light can suppress the production of melatonin, we know from research at Harvard University that blue light, in particular, has a stronger effect than other kinds of light. For example, blue light suppresses the production of melatonin for about twice as long as green light of comparable brightness. It shifts the circadian rhythm − the sleeping, waking rhythm − by three hours instead of just one-and-a-half hours. Some researchers have even raised concerns about whether shifting this circadian rhythm can affect eating habits and, in turn, the risk of obesity and diabetes. The research is ongoing but questions like these are being talked about. We also know that modern fluorescent lights and LEDs produce more blue light than traditional light bulbs. So, this is a growing issue. Mr Deputy Speaker, what have other countries and other jurisdictions tried to do about these questions? If we look at the US and Europe, increasingly, there are policy suggestions proposing that the colour of light is important, especially at night. In Switzerland, the Federal Office of Public Health recommends that LED lamps should have less blue light component. The American Medical Association has also called for a reduction in the amount of blue light component in LED lights. The Harvard Medical School, in their Harvard Health Letter, has pointed out that having too much blue light at night may not be optimal for health.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, as the sun sets outside this House, it seems timely that we consider the night, the colour of the night and how we light up the night. Over the past 10 years, we have seen improvements in lighting technology. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have become more prevalent on the commercial market and have transformed the market for lighting. The lifespan of an LED is longer than that of a traditional incandescent light bulb. LEDs give out less heat, important in a tropical country like Singapore. LEDs, generally, are more energy-efficient than other types of light bulbs or even fluorescent lamps, and their energy efficiency is getting better year-by-year. They are an example of how science and technology are improving people's lives − new solutions to old problems. Today, there are many different types of LED lights, each with slightly different shades of colour, even different shades of white. To describe the shades of white, the experts use the phrase "colour temperature". This is not the temperature of the light bulb, but if I may use the language of scientists, it is the temperature of an ideal black-body radiator giving out light of comparable colour to the light source. What does that mean? You might call it the colour of "red-hot", "yellow-hot" or "white-hot", even if the LED light itself does not give out much heat. So, we have some LEDs which give out a yellowish, warmer, more natural-looking white, or colour temperature of around 3,000 Kelvin. Some have a harsher white colour, with a little bit of blue light as well, or a colour temperature closer to 4,500 Kelvin or more. Over the years, it has become easier for us to light up the night, but this has also brought to light new challenges as well.”
“I thank the Second Minister for his answer. Some of my residents have mentioned that when the number of traffic signs adds up and as the junction has more turnings, it gets more complicated, especially for older residents. Would the Ministry consider studying further how drivers of different ages, different experience levels, react to cluttered traffic junctions and road signs, both in the day time and at night?”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State for Health for her answer. I have one supplementary question. At present, my residents tell me, and from my own experience in healthcare, a patient's caregiver can learn how to give an insulin injection under the skin. This may be a spouse or a loved one, but in essence, a layperson can be taught this skill through a short course. So, I was wondering whether MOH will consider making these courses available for nursing aides, especially at our nursing homes. This will help them upskill and also allow cross-training of staff and improve deployability.”
“Madam, I thank the Senior Minister of State for her answer. I have two supplementary questions. Firstly, on my home visits to residents in Clementi, I have come across elderly residents with mobility needs who are seeking subsidised referrals to specialist clinics at our restructured hospitals, but because they are not mobile, they have difficulties going to the nearest polyclinic. So, I was wondering what options or recourse they may have to access the specialist clinics at our restructured hospitals. Secondly, Mdm Speaker, I would like to ask whether the assessment made by AIC is routinely shared with other agencies, so as to minimise the need for elderly residents to have multiple assessments which may add to the paperwork and potential inconvenience.”
“Just one more clarification for the Member. He mentioned the re-election process that would take place every six years. Would this be for all members en bloc or would it be a staggered process whereby the tenures are spaced out and overlapping? I was wondering if he could provide a bit more information, please.”
“Mdm Speaker, I thank the Member for his exposition. I just have three small clarifications which I am curious about. The Member for Aljunied mentioned that there would be a Senate with eight members, elected periodically. Would he be able to let us know how often in their proposal would they want to re-elect the Senators? Secondly, the Members also mentioned that a list would be outlined of 16 candidates of which eight will be elected. Would the Member be able to clarify whether they would be elected through a straightforward highest vote count or whether through, say, a single transferable vote system? And thirdly, would the Member be able to clarify how, under his model, they would handle a situation where there is a deadlock in the Senate, where four of the proposed Senate members vote one way and four vote the other? I was wondering if the Member could help us understand this a bit better.”
“I thank the Parliamentary Secretary for her answer. Would her Ministry be willing to comment on whether there is an increased role for having more skills ladders, more stacking of educational modules, with a view to helping these young folks transit seamlessly to adult education as they grow and mature? Page: 23”
“(In English): Mdm Speaker, there is imperfection within all of us, but also the opportunity to find our better selves. That is the paradox, it will always be the paradox, and the story of building a multiracial nation and a more perfect union amidst our diversity. This never-ending mission was once the work of our Pioneers, our Pioneer Generation Singaporeans. That responsibility now falls on us, our generation of Singaporeans. It is up to all of us, from every walk of life, to keep that dream burning bright. It is up to all of us to live the values of multiracialism, to live those values as best we can in what we do. It is up to all of us to try and build a better Singapore for our children and grandchildren, regardless of race, language or religion. I stand in support of the Bill. [Applause.]”
“And we must keep on trying to do better – whether it is the big gatherings, the small get-togethers or the friendships we build. So that the light of multiracialism will keep growing brighter – many lights, shining together. So that the song of the Singapore Story, our many tongues, will speak to a deeper harmony. So that under our sky, our little red dot can be a beacon to the world. We must continue seeing, learning, growing closer together. Mdm Speaker, if I may say a few words in Malay. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] In Singapore, we have many races, languages, religions. If we learn other languages, if we have friends from other races, we will be one united people and one nation. Mdm Speaker, I would like to speak in Mandarin, please. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Singapore in all the world is a unique little red dot. We are little, but within us is a great ideal – a Singapore united regardless of race, language or religion. It is said that "everyone is responsible for the fate of the nation". Maintaining racial harmony is not just the responsibility of the Government or national leaders, it is everyone's responsibility, too. And this is not limited to our thoughts and attitudes. We must show it in our actions and deeds. In Singapore, we promote the importance of mother tongue from young. I am sure we all agree that mother tongue helps us understand our own community's history, culture, thinking and traditions. Likewise, we should encourage our children to – through communication and interaction – learn about other communities' languages and cultures. This is because mutual understanding can overcome gaps and deepen understanding, thereby strengthening our nation's social cohesion. Please allow me to conclude in English.”
“And the Government has a role and a responsibility to keep on building these shared common spaces, making sure that our common spaces will always remain open to, always remain accessible to Singaporeans of different backgrounds. It matters, whether we learn about one another's languages and cultures. You do not have to be an expert, and it should not be about sitting for an exam or having a curriculum item prescribed by the Education Ministry. What matters is learning with an open heart, so we can communicate with, connect with, learn from one another. Because to see through the eyes of a fellow Singaporean is to see further, closer and better. Mdm Speaker, in July, we hosted a Bulan Bahasa or Malay Language Month event at Clementi Community Centre in Jurong GRC. In September, many of us attended the national Bulan Bahasa Launch together with Malay friends and Minister Ng Chee Meng, Education Minister for Schools. More recently, we had our Jurong GRC Bulan Bahasa celebration at the IMM Mall, attended by residents of all races. Listening to the performances, even though I only know a little bit of Bahasa Melayu – "sedikit-sedikit", a little bit by little bit – it was very meaningful, very educational. At last year's Deepavali celebration in Clementi, young friends of all races enjoyed the cultural performances. And throughout the year, we attend different festivities and gatherings with our Indian community. Sometimes, there is even audience participation. Some of us have been invited to dance the Bhangra – or, in my case, trying very hard, and still trying to dance. Mdm Speaker, in each of these journeys, we see, we learn, we grow closer together.”
“They were controversial at the beginning but, today, we see their value as a safety check, to avoid a freak election result where every elected Member of Parliament is of the majority race. Likewise, there is value in having reserved elections as a safety valve for the Elected Presidency, so that every generation has a chance to see a President elected from their own community. But improving the process of the Elected Presidency is just one step. It is just one step. Because the arc of history does not bend just because of legislation. The arc of history does not bend just because of what we say or do in this House. It bends when all of us, Singaporeans from all walks of life, put our hands upon it, and move as one. We all can play a part to strengthen our multiracialism, so that someday, these provisions of a reserved election will never need to be triggered, when we have become a more perfectly united people. It starts with all of us, in our daily lives. It starts with how we connect with fellow Singaporeans of different races, languages and religions and how we set an example for our children and grandchildren. It matters, whether we recognise that in any democracy or social order, being with the majority will always carry a special responsibility. Even as we promote and take pride in the use of our mother tongues, it matters whether we communicate and transact in a shared language, such as English, in the presence of colleagues, teammates and friends of other races. It matters, whether our children spend time in shared, common spaces, building friendships from young, across all colours, tongues and faiths, because values are caught, not taught.”
“Yet, the New York Times reported in a 2009 study that of the 555 deputies elected to the National Assembly in metropolitan France, just three – three out of 555 – were from minority backgrounds. To put this in perspective, depending on which study you look at, between 10% and 20% of the French people have foreign origins, represented that year by three out of more than 500 deputies in the French National Assembly. In France and other societies, we have seen that a statement of aspiration is not enough. The natural workings of society are not enough. Good intentions are not enough. And today, many of these countries face deep, deep divides. Even in the United Kingdom, in its higher education and academia, amidst the idealism of dreaming spires, there was imperfection. I spent some time there as a student, lived as a minority for a while, got involved with student politics. Not part of the official curriculum, but it was still an education. At the Cambridge Union Society, if an Asian candidate went up against a White British candidate, it was clear that race would be part of the equation. You might not hear it at the hustings. It is not something that is ever put into writing. But word gets around, you hear of it. That is the reality of human nature. We are all imperfect human beings. We must be humble enough to recognise that as human beings, we have human flaws. We must be vigilant to guard against the arrogance which whispers that human nature no longer matters. And when we have imperfect human beings taking part in a closely contested election with racial differences, the outcome can be less than perfect. Candidates face the same finish line, but some will have had to walk further, longer and harder just to get to the starting line. This is why we have GRCs today.”
“Mdm Speaker, once upon a time, 60 years ago, our Founding Generation of leaders led by Mr Lee Kuan Yew – they had a dream. A dream of a multi-racial nation. A dream full of audacity and hope. It was the era of post-World War II, of decolonisation. Communal forces in newborn nations. The American Civil Rights movement had not even run its course. Today, looking around the world, in so many nations, that dream is still very far from reality. We see the lessons of Ferguson, Missouri – deep divides between races, a tinderbox set alight in the burning violence that followed. We see the lessons of the banlieues in France, where children can grow up isolated, seeing a ceiling above them almost from the time they are born, wondering if they will ever have a place in the broader society. We see the lessons from countries much closer to home. Because all too often, when societies are left to natural workings alone, human imperfection can lead a society to a less than perfect outcome. Economists know this. This is why the laissez-faire approach is now moderated to recognise the human externalities within ourselves. Last year's Human Development Report by The World Bank spoke of behavioural science – the art of understanding human strength and weakness. So, in an imperfect, often fallen world, how do we aspire to a better future? Do we start by blinding ourselves? Or do we start by strengthening our society by seeing better, understanding better, so that we may see beyond our differences? In France, the 1958 Constitution, the French Constitution's Article One states that there shall be equality for all French citizens, no matter their "origin, race or religion".”
“I thank the Minister for his answer and I was wondering if the Minister could reassure us that as part of the ongoing labour market study, whether MOM will continue looking at changing employment norms, especially with new trends, such as the "gig economy"?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer and, especially, the proposal for an online jobs marketplace that is one-stop and non-stop. But the strength of a marketplace is also in its centrality. Will there be incentives for employers across the board to join in, to take part, to make sure that the marketplace is the centre of gravity among the many competing job portals also in the private sector, so that we can have a best source of jobs, a best source of opportunities; a marketplace that is ‒ if I may say ‒ bigger, deeper, better?”
“It is a progressive policy, because those who benefit most are those most in need of protection – those who are less well-informed, less literate, less aware of the industry norms and buyer experience. Step by step, Mr Deputy Speaker, progressive policies help us build a fairer and more just society. And for these reasons, I stand in support of this Bill.”
“So, in this context, the Bill is a welcome improvement: making sure there are fewer loopholes, ensuring that dishonourable operators cannot escape enforcement. But I wonder if there is room for the Ministry to go further. There have been cases in the media involving prepaid packages, where consumers pay a significant amount upfront for goods or services which have yet to be provided. Even if a copy of the contract is provided to the customer, it may be too late to seek justice once the contract has been signed. So, will the Ministry consider introducing a cooling-off period for prepaid packages, especially those involving large amounts of payment upfront? This has precedent in the insurance industry. If I may now continue in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mr Deputy Speaker, in a fair and just society, we need to protect the people. The law and the law enforcement agencies have a very important role. The modern economy brings international challenges and international competition. Singapore is a developed economy. Goods and services in developing countries are cheaper than ours. Therefore, in the 21st century market, Singapore's competitive advantages include skills, science and technology and reputation. Our reputation is precious. It is worth our effort to cultivate and protect the trust of travellers and consumers in our market, our shops and department stores. We must stay vigilant and not let a few black sheep ruin the collective reputation of an industry or sully our national reputation. (In English): Let me now end in English. Overall, this Bill is a positive step towards a fairer and more equitable marketplace for consumers.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, one of Singapore's strengths is that people around the world trust us. We have a reputation for clean Government and clean business practices, by and large. We stand for the rule of law, which means that when there is misconduct, when there is fraud, we take firm action. Trust is also a competitive advantage for any economy, especially advanced economies which can no longer compete on being the lowest cost venue alone. But when there is a shortage of trust, consumers become afraid, consumers are worried, customers become scared. Some might say, "Let the buyer beware", or, in Latin, "caveat emptor". But taken too far, this becomes harmful. In a market with too little trust, buyers are fearful – caveat emptor becomes "timet emptor". Instead of "Let the buyer beware", it becomes "Let the buyer be afraid". Or to put it another way, without adequate safeguards, caveat emptor can become "bo cheng hu", if Mr Deputy Speaker will allow me to use the vernacular. When the market is short on trust, consumers miss out on potentially good offers, while sellers miss out on potential sales. There can be market failure. Trust is also a shared common good for the whole community. In a shopping mall, the whole business community benefits when the mall has a good reputation collectively for honourable merchants and shop owners. But there is also the problem of freeloaders and, in particular, what I will call "reputation polluters" – shops which treat consumers badly and unfairly, making unfair profits, polluting the reputation of neighbouring businesses and the entire mall. And, as we have seen in the past, dishonourable operators evading legal injunctions by changing the name of the company, finding proxies. Other Members in this House have pointed this out.”
“Madam, two supplementary questions for the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources. The first relates to the Minister's answer just now on the number of venues where breeding sites were destroyed. The Minister said that half were in homes. Another 5% were in construction sites. Would the Minister be able to share in what other areas, besides these, can these sites of breeding be found? The second question relates to a back-of-the-envelope calculation that I did, based on the figures the Minister provided. The Minister mentioned that about 5,000 breeding sites were found in the 638,000 homes that were assessed. That adds up to about one breeding site per 128 homes. On the other hand, the 5% figure means 500 breeding sites were found out of 4,400 construction sites studied. That means about one in nine construction sites has mosquito breeding sites discovered and destroyed. In light of this, would his Ministry consider taking an even more robust approach to stamping out mosquito breeding sites in construction sites, especially since my own Clementi residents have expressed concern every time a new construction site comes up nearby? Anecdotally, I can share that, on walkabouts, my residents and I also find that we are more likely to get bitten by mosquitoes when we are near a construction site that has active construction activity.”
“Mdm Speaker, if our Courts are to continue protecting the vulnerable, there must be measures to ensure Court judgments are respected and that due process is not undermined. In this century, Mdm Speaker, the right to a fair trial is as important as ever for Singaporeans from all walks of life. Madam, I stand in support of this Bill.”
“Could the Minister share with us on how the Courts will assess what is "necessary" when the Government makes a statement that might otherwise be sub judice? Can the Minister advise us how the Courts can act as a check and balance, so that any Executive decision under clause 3(4) can be scrutinised to confirm, as needed, that the decision was, indeed, "necessary" and within the bounds of reasonableness? This will help minimise the risk of affecting an ongoing Coroner or Court inquiry. And by ensuring interventions are no more than what is necessary, that check and balance will, in turn, further reassure the public's confidence in the system. Mdm Speaker, freedom of expression is part of the marketplace of ideas. We should not over-regulate. But neither must we become free market fundamentalists on this. As I have said previously in this House, it is quite possible for market failure to occur when there are inadequate constraints on the market. It has happened with laissez-faire economics. It can happen in the marketplace of ideas as well. And the negative effects can be subtle, eroding confidence in the Judiciary, so that judgments are less and less respected, undermining the Courts' ability to give a fair trial. And if the justice system is undermined through trial-by-media, it is the least well-off who will be most disadvantaged: (a) Singaporeans whose causes are not glamorous, or who are stigmatised by the public; (b) Singaporeans who do not have big social networks or influential writers on their side; and (c) Singaporeans who do not have a $100,000 budget to pay for advertising, to advocate their position or who are not wealthy enough to buy a private media company with millions of views online.”
“But, as has been said earlier, if our loved one were the victim of a crime, would we not want a fair trial? Would we not want witnesses to be protected, so they can testify without fear or favour, without their recollections being affected by media coverage? Or imagine you were wrongly accused of committing a crime and the accuser mobilised a social media network or website to get you a trial-by-media, a guilty conviction in the minds of the public, even though the Court might later find you innocent. So, we must find a balance. On the one hand, freedom of expression, but we must also be mindful that it does not undermine the right of an accused person to a fair trial. Because when the Courts are diminished, it weakens their ability to protect the weak and the vulnerable. Madam, let me speak about the idea of "necessary". The idea of "necessity" already exists in the common law of sub judice. That is why restrictions on public discussion are for a limited time only. It continues so long as the limit is necessary. Once the trial is over, discussion can continue. It also brings me to clause 3(4) of the Bill, which has an exception to the sub judice contempt provisions under clause 3(1)(b). It creates an exception for situations where the Government issues a statement which it deems necessary in the public interest. I accept, Mdm Speaker, that there are situations where there may be public alarm or a threat to public safety and the Government may have to put facts out in the public domain. In the era of hybrid warfare, non-conventional threats, it is entirely possible that an attack might be followed by a deliberate campaign to publish false information, to turn Singaporeans against one another. But the key word is "necessary". The concept of necessity.”
“What happens if a witness, after reading the media coverage, starts to believe, "Well, maybe this person I have seen him somewhere before". There is a real example of this. A real example cited in Australia in 1994 when a magazine published photos of a man accused of murdering backpackers. Identification was an issue and the Supreme Court of New South Wales came forward to say this interfered with the due course of justice and could have skewed the recollection, affected the memory of witnesses. And, Madam, witnesses are human beings. They come under pressure, too. Would the witness have second thoughts about what they were going to say if they have been persuaded that everyone else believes a different story because that is what has been published in the media? Would witnesses be less willing to come forward, if they are afraid of being criticised by a newspaper with readership? Madam, witnesses can be intimidated, sadly, even without overt threats of violence. All it takes is for a website somewhere to publish their identity, home address, phone number, maybe even family photos on Facebook. It seems like an exercise of the imagination. But it is a real-world issue. And it has been mentioned in real situations, even going back many years. The Australia example above and the issue of witnesses were raised in the Irish Law Reform Commission's 1991 consultation paper. Real concerns from overseas; real lessons we can learn in Singapore. Madam, it is natural for newspapers to want to sell more copies, to reach more people, to send their message further. It is very understandable when members of the public are concerned about what is happening in a Court case and want to discuss it.”
“So, when we protect the stature of our Courts, it is not just about the judges. It is about justice and protecting justice for Singaporeans from all walks of life. This is why many Members have spoken about Court judgments needing to be enforced, because, otherwise, they are just words on paper without real impact in the real world. It is also why we have to protect against other ways in which justice can be undermined. Someone might interfere with the proceedings, seek to influence the Court process towards an unjust outcome while the trial is still going on, what we have called sub judice contempt. So, it is very important that once a matter is before the Court or the Coroner, that due process is respected and followed. Imagine, Mdm Speaker, if this were not the case. Imagine if a wealthy person were accused of a crime, someone wealthy enough to own significant equity in a newspaper. What if he used his own privately owned media channel to campaign for his case during the trial? Or if an accused person had a large social media following, campaigning for an outcome during the trial of the case? Some have argued in this House that sub judice is only relevant to countries with jury trials because judges have professional training and expertise. But witnesses, Mdm Speaker, are lay persons, too, and even though judges weigh evidence, it matters when witnesses are influenced. It matters when witnesses are undermined by what happens in the media. What happens, for example, if photographs of an accused person are widely published in a case where identification is an issue? Will it make the accused's face seem more familiar in the mind of a witness?”
“Mdm Speaker, the rule of law protects the vulnerable from abuse by the strong. In any civilised society, it prevents the rule of the jungle, the rule of the predator, the rule of the bully. It prevents the rule of inequality, as other Members have raised. It protects the vulnerable. For example, a wife, abused by her husband, now seeking divorce, safety, maintenance for the children. It protects a young family who have lost their breadwinner, now seeking compensation from the employer. It protects the Pioneer Generation uncle who worked hard all his life, saved up all his life but was cheated out of his retirement savings by unscrupulous businessmen. Madam, these are real stories of workers, families and from the Meet-the-People Sessions that I have in Clementi, stories which many of our other Members will have seen in their constituencies. The rule of law is also about social norms. Whether we, as a people, believe that all should be equal before the law; whether we, as a society, believe that the Courts should be the final arbiter of disputes; whether we respect due process and the decisions of the Courts – even and especially when those decisions might go against us. Madam, there is a moral stature and a moral suasion to the Courts as well. When a judge sentences a conman, it is not just the penalty or the prison sentence that sends a message. It is also that the judges are respected and, so, their judgments have moral weight. This is why it means something in our society. And I am sure both sides of the House will agree on this. It means something when a judge says that someone is suppressing the truth, is dishonest, is a liar, in cases where there has been impropriety, regardless of what sphere they may be in.”
“A further supplementary question for the Minister of State regarding TAFEP's enforcement measures and what the Government can do to promote fair employment practices. Would the Minister of State consider making it a requirement for participating in Government tenders or public sector tenders, that the company applying has a clean record with TAFEP and subscribes to fair employment practices?”
“I thank the Minister for his detailed answers so far. May I ask whether BCA conducts data analytics to identify sentinel events or warning signs that can help predict an impending lift breakdown? If BCA is able to identify such sentinel events, will it make the reporting and recording of such events mandatory?”
“I thank the Minister of State for his answer. Would the Minister of State agree that there is a group of patients who may fall into what some of us term the "sandwich class", who might not qualify for as many subsidies as lower-income patients but, at the same time, would still want to take advantage of the benefits provided by their IPs purchased from the private sector when they were healthy? Would the Minister of State agree that, at the moment, the present system makes it somewhat unfortunate that these patients can access their IP benefits in a restructured hospital but cannot, should they choose to seek end-of-life care at an inpatient hospice?”
“I thank the Minister of State for his answer. If I may ask three supplementary questions. Firstly, would the Minister of State agree that different pre-existing medical conditions have different implications for risk? Secondly, would the Minister of State agree that in an ideal insurance market, pre-existing conditions will have an incremental price for coverage, rather than the insurer refusing to provide cover at all, which is the case that many of my residents have told me when they sought to obtain additional cover beyond MediShield Life? Thirdly, would the Minister of State give his view on whether the Ministry has a role in preventing market failure within the private healthcare insurance industry?”
“May I declare first that I am a doctor who has served in the public and private sectors. Medical records are essential to good patient care. Better information means better quality diagnosis, more timely treatment and better patient safety. Yet, today, when patients move around across public hospitals, private hospitals, polyclinics and their local GP clinics, it can take time to get a full picture of the patients' medical records. Even within the same public or private hospital, information can be spread between paper and digital, sometimes in multiple digital databases, and not all databases are in the National Electronic Health Record (NEHR). Sometimes, it can be almost like opening a different web browser app to view each different website. We should look at ways to enhance the use and user-friendliness of information technology (IT) in healthcare to improve productivity and patient safety everywhere.”
“The monthly household income per member capped to qualify for CHAS subsidies should be raised from $1,800 to the prevailing median monthly income from work for an individual which stands at $3,900 in 2015. This is so that retirees who live with their working children, who are themselves parents, are not excluded. This would also provide some relief for the children of the retirees, who belong to the sandwich middle-income group. Another benefit is that this would provide support for and promote multigenerational households, where the elderly would not be disincentivised to live with the children and grandchildren. Primary Care Services Enhancement Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef: Madam, primary care has been on MOH's radar for a while and there are initiatives being planned. However, there are still some gaps that need to be addressed. One area is the need for service and its siting. For example, in the eastern part of Singapore, the polyclinics are very heavy in terms of patient load. Bedok, Geylang East and the newly renovated and opened Marine Parade polyclinics are all very busy clinics, besides the Clementi one that I just heard about. The waiting times, too, are affected by this. I am sure we know. Some seniors tell me they have to place an item or stand in line from as early as 6.30 in the morning. I tell them to make an appointment because we know that it is a lot easier and more efficient. Can MOH consider having another polyclinic in the Geylang, Eunos, Haig Road and Ubi vicinity to meet the needs of the patients there? The need and demand for Government primary care services will continue to rise, especially with the introduction of the PG Package, the CHAS programme and other subsidy schemes.”
“With more seniors, and even with the best preventive efforts, we can expect more chronic diseases in the years to come. The demand for primary care is going to continue increasing. We already see this in Clementi where I serve: the Clementi polyclinic is very busy. I was informed that their headcount of chronic disease patients has increased: 32,600 in 2012; just over 35,070 in 2015; a 7% increase in three years. The nearby Family Medicine Centre sees chronic disease cases, too, and they are also very busy. Indeed, Madam, I am told that the Clementi Polyclinic has the highest patient attendance per gross floor area (GFA) in the National Healthcare Group (NHG) chain of polyclinics. They hope to expand, but there is a shortage of available HDB tenant space elsewhere in the block. Clementi, I am sure, is not the only town facing these challenges. Mature, built-up estates have fewer greenfield sites, and this constrains how easily an existing polyclinic can expand. As such, it will be important for MOH to work together with other agencies to set aside space for polyclinic expansion in our mature housing estates. I am sure the agencies are all working hard on this very important issue and I look forward to whatever updates MOH can provide in this Committee of Supply debate or at a later date. Enhanced Primary Care Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong: Mdm Chair, primary healthcare at GP clinics should be seen as a form of preventive healthcare to arrest the development of illnesses before they escalate to the needs for costly hospitalisation. Costly, that is, to the public purse and the public, given universal hospitalisation insurance or MediShield Life.”
“Mdm Chair, in countries like the UK, patients see the same family doctor for many years, building a deep doctor-patient relationship: holistic care, individual touch, a doctor knowing the patient well, walking together for years in sickness and in health. It helps the doctor make better decisions, because they understand the patient over months and many years. A familiar face is often key to changing lifestyle and fighting chronic disease. A smoker is more likely to stop when it is a familiar face who has known him for many years asking him to quit. A diabetic patient is more likely to comply with medication when it is an old friend explaining why the medication is needed to save his life and to save his limbs and his organs in future. 1.15 pm Yet, today, there is still doctor-hopping. There is still a culture of patients going from doctor to doctor, often within the course of a single illness. Sadly, this means no single doctor may have the full picture of the patient's condition and no single doctor may have understood the patient's illness over time. This can lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment. It does not help the patient. It does not help the doctor. It does not help our control of chronic diseases. Our family physicians have a very important role to play and it is crucial that MOH supports family medicine and primary care, including enhancing primary care subsidies. These subsidies, in addition to being enhanced, can also be structured and communicated, so that patients have peace of mind and are not afraid to be screened for chronic diseases. I look forward to MOH sharing its vision for primary care and how we can empower our doctors and support our patients. Primary Care Infrastructure Madam, our population continues to age.”