Teo Ho Pin
Singapore
“Mr Chairman, Sir, when Total Defence was first introduced in 1984, it was recognised that threats will not simply affect our military but potentially Singaporeans, combatants and non-combatants alike. Thus, we must continue to build resilience in our people and community.”
“Chairman, over the past year, we have witnessed an increase in the number of cybersecurity breaches. As a response to these incidents, many countries are stepping up efforts to strengthen their cybersecurity capabilities.”
“Sir, I wish to seek an update from the Minister on the skills upgrading and development of public officers as well as aspiring public officers, especially in the three areas which I have mentioned. Can the Government also consider giving out scholarships to nurture and attract talent in these fields? Role of PMO”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, we should empower the community to come up with innovative solutions like North West 911 and build capabilities in our people to cope better during emergencies.”
“The French Government passed a law in 2016 mandating that large supermarkets have to donate excess food to food banks and charitable organisations. If we had a similar initiative in Singapore, we can not only reduce the amount of food waste, but we can also help those in need.”
“Sir, I have three clarifications for the Senior Minister of State. First, will the Ministry consider licensing PMDs so as to manage the growth of PMDs in Singapore and also to make it compulsory for the PMD riders to attend a safe riding course?”
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“So, we now have Olinda Cho, one of the finalists of the Singapore Idol programme, to record the latest upbeat version of the Total Defence jingo. For adults, of course, we have more serious stuff. So, if all the agencies work together, and together with the CDCs, I think we will bring the Total Defence awareness to a new level.”
“Under these programmes, students participate in team-building activities and visit places of worship. Thereafter, they organise projects for the school and CDC. Total Defence touches each and every aspect of our lives. Hon. Members might wish to log on to the website Totaldefence.com.sg for a more comprehensive list of the things we have done and can do. Sir, I would like now to answer Dr Teo's specific question on why we chose 15th February as Total Defence Day. As he mentioned it in his speech, 15th February 1942 was the date which marked the fall of Singapore and, for three years and seven months, Singapore was plunged into darkness - a period of humiliation and indignity. That ended when the Japanese formally surrendered to Lord Mountbatten on 12th September 1945. The Total Defence Day is not a day in a way to celebrate. It is a day for us to remember and be sombre about, that a day like this should never be repeated in Singapore. So, we cannot change the date. But Total Defence does not mean that we just do things related to Total Defence on 15th February. We do it on a daily basis, as I have elaborated in my speech. Singaporeans today are aware of Total Defence and they are participating in an active way. We need to do more. We hope to enlist the help of Mayors like Dr Teo Ho Pin to reach out to the people who have not been touched by Total Defence just yet. In fact, Total Defence reaches out to not just adults but to the very young. For example, on this website called NeoPets - those with young children will know that the NeoPets website is one of the most popular - we reach out to the very young. We also reach out to the young. For the young, the most popular thing is the ring tone.”
“Similarly, if their parents, employers, families or the community do not support them while they are performing their NS duties, then these are just words. So, Psychological Defence provides the glue that binds all the four pillars together. Sir, our tagline for Total Defence is "There is a part for every one", and Singaporeans appear to have hoisted that in. Our surveys consistently show there is a very high public awareness and commitment to Total Defence, eg, we do National Service and our attitude towards National Service. Today, even after 30 years of National Service, support for NS has not wavered. Every family is proud to send their sons for National Service. At the grassroots level, there are a number of programmes to help residents acquire the skills and knowledge of Total Defence. We have long had a Civil Defence Executive Committee in every constituency. There is now another key programme, and this is the Community Safety and Security Programme (CSSP). In this programme, members of the local community, such as GRO leaders, volunteers, residents and students, work together with the People's Association and the Home Team to solve issues affecting the neighbourhood. The CSSP also serves to foster community cohesion and bonding, as it brings people from diverse backgrounds together and solve problems from a community perspective. The People's Association also develops numerous community activities to strengthen cohesion. For example, there is now the IRCC. There are also special programmes to reach out to the young and the very young. An example is the Racial Harmony Youth Ambassadors' Programme, which aims to develop dynamic youth leaders who contribute actively in the development of its cohesive and harmonious community.”
“Singapore Tourist Promotion Board and the tourism industry mounted intensive campaigns to lure tourists back to Singapore. The Ministry of Home Affairs and the National Security Coordinating Secretariat have been working with businesses to ensure that in the face of a security threat, their power supply will not be threatened. All these are just examples of Economic Defence at work. Beyond these, Economic Defence also means that Singaporeans must be economically employable. It is the responsibility of individuals to ensure that our skills are market relevant. Hence, all of us have to learn, unlearn and relearn our skills on a lifelong basis. At the same time, it is the job of the Government to restructure the economy so that we are prepared to face the new globalised world. The fourth pillar of Total Defence, Sir, is Social Defence. Social Defence is a critical component of our multi-racial and multi-religious country. The racial and religious harmony in Singapore is very precious. It has taken us years to reach this stage of racial harmony and cohesion. Every Singaporean has a role to play in Social Defence. We were put to the test when the JI network was uncovered. Not only did we pass the test, we emerged from the episode stronger and achieved a deeper understanding of each other's religion and faith. The final pillar of Total Defence is Psychological Defence. Sir, Psychological Defence is really the social glue that binds all the other four pillars together. It is the bedrock of our Total Defence. All the other four pillars do not count for much if we do not have the resilience and commitment to see them through in words and deeds. For example, when we talk of Military Defence, if our NSmen do not take NS seriously, it is mere words.”
“The lead agencies here are the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Singapore Police Force and the Singapore Civil Defence Force. Together, they ensure the security of our homeland. Post-September 11, security threats have taken on new dimensions. MINDEF and the SAF now work hand in glove with the Home Team, the SCDF and many non-security agencies, such as the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Customs, Infocomm Development Authority and others, to fight internal and external threats. But, Sir, it is not just Government agencies which have to be alert and vigilant. Our people must be equally alert and vigilant. This is where Civil Defence comes to the fore. The Ministry of Home Affairs has a security outreach programme in which they work with businesses and the community to raise the level of public vigilance. For example, people who work in our shopping centres, MRT stations, including some taxi drivers, have been co-opted to work as our eyes and ears of the Home Team. In addition, the SCDF runs programmes and exercises to prepare our people to deal with any emergency. They include the Community Emergency Preparedness Programme which has practical training and survival skills and almost weekly emergency community spirit and emergency preparedness exercises. Many Singaporeans take part in these programmes seriously because they know that when a crisis develops, they have to be ready. And there is no second chance for them and their families. In addition to Military Defence and Civil Defence, we have the third pillar, ie, Economic Defence. When we had SARS, the Government worked with businesses and industry to help them withstand the economic shock. This included aggressive temperature-taking at all public premises.”
“These threats posed far-ranging consequences. However, these threats were swiftly contained and neutralised by the professional agencies and by all Singaporeans. What happened was really Total Defence. Singaporeans reacted calmly, positively and actively, and that they did very well. Sir, because we have Total Defence, we had a coherent and integrated approach to the problems posed by JI and SARS. We overcame these threats from different angles, using our different strengths. From the agencies, there were the direct responses. We took security measures against the JI terrorists. From the health angle, we took health measures against SARS. But the most critical element that determined our successes in the fight against these two threats were the unity and resilience of Singaporeans. That was Total Defence at work without Singaporeans knowing that they were playing their part. Without knowing it, all five pillars of our Total Defence were at work. Singaporeans of all races and religions rallied together against the JI terrorists, which cloaked itself as a religious movement. We also stood together as a nation to fight an invisible enemy, which was SARS. At the end of it all, we emerged more united and resilient. Sir, let me now elaborate on the five key components of Total Defence. Military Defence is the purview of MINDEF and SAF, and this includes the many National Servicemen who make up the backbone of the SAF. The Total Defence spirit also comes from the support that families, friends and employers and the community give to our NSmen as they perform their duties to defend Singapore against adversaries both internal and external. Military Defence, Sir, is complemented by Civil Defence.”
“We must be strong in Military Defence, Civil Defence, Economic Defence, Social Defence and Psychological Defence, and all these were enumerated quite clearly by Dr Teo himself. Together, Sir, they represent the five pillars of Total Defence. The official logo is shaped in the form of a hand, and each finger represents an aspect of Total Defence. Outstretched, it represents our home. But when the five fingers work in concert, they become a formidable fist. Sir, the key to the effectiveness of our Total Defence is the active participation and involvement of all Singaporeans, and, I repeat, all Singaporeans. Dr Teo does not know the championing agency. In fact, MINDEF is the championing agency of Total Defence. However, MINDEF works in concert with all the other Ministries and agencies in Singapore. Indeed, MINDEF works with every Singaporean to play our part in Total Defence. Sir, if I may refer MPs to the A-Z of the centrefold and ask them to just look at X and Y, it reads: "Total Defence is not about doing anything extra. It is really the little things you can do every day. For example, take NS seriously, take part in civil defence, take part in civil emergency exercises, pick up new economic skills, forge close ties with Singaporeans of other races and religions, or just feel proud to be Singaporeans. This is how you can contribute to Total Defence." Sir, let me give hon. MPs some examples. Dr Teo suggested that many Singaporeans do not know what to do in Total Defence. Indeed, based on their actions, many Singaporeans do know what they do without knowing that they are doing a part in Total Defence. For example, the discovery of the Jemaah Islamiyah network was a shock to Singaporeans. The outbreak of SARS was totally unexpected.”
“45 pm Sir, another group of regular servicemen is our WOSE corps. Mr Ang Mong Seng might know them as the NCOs in his days when he was doing National Service. WOSEs are Warrant Officers, Specialists and Enlistees. They typically retire from service at the age of 55, not 45. They, too, have concerns about transition to a second career. We also put in place a scheme for them. The equivalent of the SAVER for WOSE is the Premium Scheme. Under the Premium Scheme, they receive a lump-sum payment upon completion of service. We also offer similar career transition programmes for the WOSEs. At the end of it all, transition is a personal matter that our officers and WOSEs have to do on their own. It comes down to attitude, expectations and adjustments. Some have been more successful than others. MINDEF does its best to help transit to a second career. Sir, I have asked for the latest issue of Pioneer magazine to be distributed. This is a special issue, because it profiles our men and women in Operation Flying Eagle. But it is also important because of the special Total Defence issue. Hence, I have asked for it to be circulated. My interest here is really centrefold, which is the ABCs of Total Defence. You might like to read them in your own spare time, but before I answer the specific questions raised by Dr Teo, I would like to give an overview of Total Defence so that I can answer his question in totality. Sir, Total Defence is a concept which Singapore adopted way back in 1984. In essence, what Total Defence means is that, if Singapore is to be a secure and safe country, we have to deal with all unexpected contingencies and setbacks. In order to achieve that, we must be strong in five departments.”
“An SAF career is a meaningful and rewarding one, and few jobs can match a job in the SAF. Sir, many go on to establish successful careers for themselves outside the SAF by leveraging on the skills they have learned in the SAF. The knowledge and experience they learned in the service are sought after by many employers. Sir, ex-SAF officers have transited to various industries, such as manufacturing, logistics, financial services, human resources, real estate, education and training, consultancy and safety, property management and security management, and others. MINDEF and the SAF also re-engage some of them as civilians in jobs that make best use of their experience and expertise. Sir, transition to second career is not unique to the SAF. Through better medical care, the life expectancy of Singaporeans have risen over the years. Coupled with globalisation and rapid technology changes, careers have become shorter all over the world. So transiting to a second or third career will increasingly become a way of life for all of us. Notwithstanding, Sir, MINDEF recognises that transition has its challenges and has put in place programmes to assist officers in their transition. Under the SAVER Scheme, officers receive a lump sum payment on completion of their service. We also run programmes to facilitate the officers in their career transition. For example, we help officers with private sector employment and offer officers time and opportunity to work in new jobs with allowance during the transition, to make up for the interim loss of income. MINDEF and the SAF also offer courses and programmes to help bridge the gap between their existing skill sets and the new skill sets required by their prospective employers. 12.”
“The results of the SWOT analysis must be conveyed to our people regularly so as to ensure that they update and upgrade themselves to better cope with these emergencies or crises. Sir, Total Defence provides a good platform to build community ownership among Singaporeans. I would like to urge the Government to devolve more Total Defence functions to the community. Sir, I would also like to urge the Ministry to focus more on reaching out to the community to further strengthen our Total Defence capabilities. I would like to ask the Ministry the following questions: (1) What is the status of achievements and operational readiness of Singaporeans in Total Defence? (2) In what ways has Total Defence multiplied our defence capabilities? (3) What are the plans to reach out to the community to build our Total Defence capabilities? The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence (Assoc. Prof. Koo Tsai Kee): Sir, I would like to thank all Members of Parliament who have spoken on the retirement age and Total Defence. Sir, first, I would like to answer Mr Ang Mong Seng. The SAF needs timely renewal of the SAF leadership and constant infusion of new ideas at all levels of the SAF is critical if the SAF is to remain dynamic, energetic and forward looking. At the same time, we need to strike a balance between experience and dynamism. So in order to be fair to the individual officers, our career scheme must be such that the officers on completion of military career are young enough to acquire skills and knowledge to make a career switch. They must also have enough working years left for a meaningful second career. Therefore, our scheme is structured such that our regular officers transit to the second career around the age of 45 years.”
“Some do not even know that they are vulnerable to certain threats. Sir, although Total Defence day is on 15th February of every year, not many Singaporeans commemorate this day by displaying their readiness in Total Defence. I understand that 15th February was chosen so as to commemorate the fall of Singapore to the Japanese Occupation in 1942. Sir, there are certain setbacks to this date. First, Total Defence day, which is on 15th February, is not a public holiday. As such, many Singaporeans, especially those who are working, may not be able to have time to organise Total Defence activities except for schools. Second, 15th February is one day after Valentine's Day. Many young and old couples still have hangover after their Valentine celebrations. It is also near the Chinese New Year festive season. Third, 15th February is not an easy date to remember. Sir, I would like to suggest that we change the date of Total Defence day and make it a public holiday where all Singaporeans can come together to organise Total Defence activities as a nation. I would suggest a day which is not during school holidays, not near or within examination periods, and not near another public holiday. Maybe, 1st July can be a good day to rally our nation to showcase our Total Defence capabilities before we celebrate National Day on 9th August. Sir, for Total Defence to work effectively, we need to appoint a champion agency and develop a more effective community outreach strategy. We need to regularly conduct SWOT, which is Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats, analysis on our Total Defence strategy. This will better prepare Singaporeans to respond more effectively to potential threats or disasters.”
“Sir, although the concept of Total Defence was first introduced in 1984, not many Singaporeans, especially the heartlanders, fully understand their roles and responsibilities in Total Defence. A recent article in the Sunday Times on 27th February 2005 has highlighted that many Singaporeans are not well equipped for emergency or disaster, such as the preparation of emergency bag. Sir, various reasons were highlighted for the lack of emergency preparation among Singaporeans. These include: Singapore is safe, it is fated, no time to think, too old to worry and nowhere to run. This is indeed very worrying and disturbing. If this state of mind is reflective of all Singaporeans, we will need to urgently step up our national education efforts on Total Defence. Sir, Total Defence is about the different things that we can do every day in every sector of our society to strengthen our resilience as a nation. Total Defence comprises five key aspects, namely, military defence, civil defence, economic defence, social defence and psychological defence. These five pillars of Total Defence require the full participation of our citizens, households and business community in order to achieve an effective and all-rounded defence for Singapore. But there are certain constraints and challenges which we must overcome in order to develop our Total Defence capabilities. First, the five key aspects of Total Defence presently come under the purview of many Ministries. As such, there is no single champion to drive the efforts and monitor the progress of our Total Defence capabilities. Sir, to-date, many Singaporeans do not know what to do under the five defences. Many also do not know whether they are well prepared for Total Defence against various threats.”
“Even simple technology like the thermal and radiographic scanners can serve as a line of defence against SARS or disease outbreak and, at the same time, they can be used commercially to prevent human and goods trafficking. As such, conventional and non-conventional threats have created more opportunities for the use of technology in different situations, thus increasing the commercial viability of defence technology. Sir, today, defence technology, such as communications system, information system, electronic system, remote control system and radar system, can be commercially applied in various business operations. Thus, there are lots of potential to develop the defence technology industry in Singapore. But we must first attract a critical pool of talent to conduct R&D in defence technology. More scholarships should be awarded to encourage more Singaporeans to join our defence science organisations and Defence Science Technology Agency. We should also allocate more resources to spearhead strategic defence technology's R&D projects. Second, we must provide more flexibility to market non-sensitive defence technology. Sir, I wish to seek the following clarifications from the Ministry: first, how does MINDEF adopt various technologies to further enhance our defence capabilities? Second, what are the R&D efforts and achievements in defence technology? And, third, are there plans to develop a defence technology industry? Offset in Procurements”
“Mr Chairman, Sir, today many countries face both conventional and non-conventional threats in their national defences. In Singapore, our SAF is tasked to defend our sovereignty and has always strived to improve our defence capabilities. Besides developing capabilities in conventional warfare, we must also identify new and suitable defence technologies to strengthen our non-conventional warfare capabilities. For example, terrorist, chemical and biological threats will pose new challenges for us to overcome these threats in our built environment. Therefore, defence technology has become increasingly important in strengthening our defence capabilities. Sir, with the rapid urbanisation of cities, the use of technology for fighting in built-up environment will play a more significant role in the future. Therefore, we must enhance our built-up defence or fighting capabilities by introducing advanced communications systems, thermal scanners, laser tracers or precision weapons. Sir, as Singapore apportions a sizeable proportion of our budget for defence, we need to apportion carefully our investment in defence technology for both conventional and non-conventional threats. Ideally, we should invest in technology that will prepare us for conventional, non-conventional threats as well as relief operations during peacetime. One good example is the use of helicopters with different fighting capabilities and carrying capacities that allow flexible deployment in all situations. Another example will be the use of naval ships for waterways defence as well as sea surveillance or relief operations.”
“Sir, I wish to seek the following clarifications from the Ministry: (1) What is the status of bilateral relations between Singapore and China? (2) What initiatives are taken by the Government to further strengthen bilateral relations? (3) Are there plans to further improve people-to-people relations of both countries? Singapore-PRC-Taiwan Relations”
“If all Singaporeans adopt this simple philosophy, I believe we can avert many awkward situations where political leaders or people of other countries have to defend their political or national positions at the expense of bilateral positions. Sir, I wish to make the following suggestions on strengthening our bilateral ties with China. First, we should encourage more interactions between Singapore and China at all levels - political leaders, Government officials, business community and people. Networking at all levels will help strengthen friendships among our people and thus deepening bilateral ties. We can provide more scholarships for students and teacher exchanges. Second, we must facilitate more business partnerships among businessmen of the two countries to conduct businesses both in Singapore and China. Third, we can tap on the network of our Chinese clan associations in Singapore to further develop ties with community-based organisations in China. This will further promote understanding of both our cultures and values. Fourth, more dialogues or exchange of views or experiences can be conducted through the Internet, such as online social network or e-forum to connect the people of the two countries. Sir, although it is difficult to measure and quantify the strength of bilateral relations, I would urge the Government to establish some indicators where we can measure the progress of our efforts in foreign relations. These could be in the form of a number of people involved in various exchange programmes, number of visitors, surveys on mutual understanding of peoples of different countries or the value of business partnerships or projects.”
“Sir, as a small sovereign country, Singapore has adopted the correct foreign policy to make friends with as many countries as possible and develop win-win relationships. This policy of strengthening bilateral relations with countries, especially the growing economies, like China and India, will become more crucial as globalisation brings countries closer. Although Singapore always tries to develop bilateral relations based on mutual respect and mutual benefit, we do encounter occasional hiccups in bilateral relations due to changing circumstances, such as change in political leadership and domestic situations in various countries. Sir, the recent private visit by Mr Lee Hsien Loong to Taiwan is an example of how bilateral relations could be affected due to changing circumstances in other countries. Despite Singapore maintaining a consistent one-China policy, the visit had caused some uneasiness in China. Sir, sometimes our actions and viewpoints are not clearly understood, or deliberately being misunderstood by others, thus causing strains in bilateral relations. In a volatile world, we must always be careful and sensitive in maintaining and further strengthening our bilateral relations with other countries. We must also put in more efforts to better understand and respect the national interests of other countries. Sir, I would like to suggest a simple strategy which we can adopt in strengthening bilateral relations with other countries. That is to practise what a Chinese phrase states: duo cheng zan, shao pi ping. What it means is "More compliments and less criticisms". Sir, compliments will normally help to strengthen ties, while criticisms tend to strain relationships.”
“Mr Chairman, Sir, I especially asked in the debate on the Budget Statement about the increase in the skilled foreign worker levy. I mentioned that because a lot of construction and marine contracts were called on for a certain period, if we increase this levy, it is not fair to the contractors and also the shipyards because they have already tendered based on the old amount of foreign worker levy. So I am asking whether the Finance Ministry would take my suggestion to only increase the levy for new foreign workers, whereas the existing foreign workers should be paying the same rate.”
“In addition, many community-based organisations such as the Chinese clans or associations have requested for a waiver of property tax as they are non-profit entities. These organisations do play a role in promoting community ownership and bonding. As recognition of their efforts and contributions, I would urge the Government to waive property tax for these organisations. Sir, this year's Budget provides a good framework for the Government to create opportunities for all Singaporeans to do well economically and build strong community. I support the motion.”
“This has hampered community bonding and the development of other facilities in estates such as Jurong West Town and Sembawang Town. Vacant flats pose holding cost to the Government, and they deteriorate faster, thus resulting in higher maintenance cost. Furthermore, HDB is paying town council the monthly service and conservancy charges for these unsold flats. Singaporeans who have bought and moved into these half-occupied flats or estates also encounter various problems such as security, lack of neighbourhood facilities and lesser community activities. This situation is detrimental to community bonding. Sir, we must provide solutions to occupy or sell these unsold flats. I would suggest to HDB to consider the following options: First, we can sell these unsold flats to the open market at valuation prices. Second, we should rent out these flats to Singaporeans who are not eligible to rent subsidised flats from HDB. Third, we should provide a special start-up family grant for young married couples to purchase these flats. (3) Promoting community ownership Sir, our home ownership programme has provided a strong pillar in promoting community ownership and bonding. Many Singaporeans have stayed in their HDB flats for many years and made friends with their neighbours. To further encourage home ownership, we should reduce the cost of owning a flat. The recent revision of annual value for HDB flats has increased the cost burden of many home owners. At present, home owners pay 4% of property tax based on the annual value of their property. I would urge the Government to consider reducing or waiving property tax for owner-occupied flats. This will align with the Government's policy of encouraging home ownership.”
“As a compassionate Government, we must always provide a helping hand to support our needy to become independent. As announced, ComCare will have three key programmes, namely, ComCare Self-reliant, ComCare Growth and ComCare Enable. These programmes will provide a focused approach to help needy Singaporeans to become more self-reliant. It will also provide more opportunities and flexibility to the CDCs and grassroots organisations to reach out and help the needy. Sir, there are two ways to help the needy to improve their situations. First, we must increase their earning capacity. Many of them are lowly skilled or suffer from health problems. Saddled with debts, such as utilities or service and conservancy bills, skills upgrading will not be placed on top priority. Those with health problems cannot afford medical treatment. The Government should provide free training to those who are keen to upgrade and subsidise medical treatment to enable those who are sick to become productive workers as quickly as possible. With the ComCare Fund, we can support the needy, such as paying for their current bills for a specified period while they attend training courses or make efforts to be self-reliant. Sir, we should also focus our attention to help their children to be productive citizens. With more flexibility, the CDCs and grassroots organisations will be able to help these residents to get on their feet faster and ensure that their children receive the necessary support in their studies. (2) Unsold HDB flats Sir, I am concerned about the large number of unsold HDB flats and its impact on community bonding. To-date, more than 10,000 new HDB flats are unsold and left vacant for many years.”
“As VWOs have limited resources, they hope that the Government can implement the People-for-Jobs Traineeship Scheme (PJTPS) to VWOs. This will encourage more Singaporeans, especially older workers, to join the healthcare and community service industry. Having more healthcare workers or a population with healthcare skills will support Singapore's ambition to be a healthcare hub in the region. Second, we must train more Singaporeans to join the service industry, such as hotels, retail, food and beverages, and entertainment sectors. To boost tourism, I support the investment of $40 million to rejuvenate Orchard Road. But I would urge the Government to support the hosting of more international mass participation events, such as Chingay, which draw tourists to Singapore. Tourism creates job opportunities for both the young and older Singaporeans in the service industry. We should decentralise the training of the service industry. Accredited institutions such as the universities, polytechnics and ITEs can extend their services to facilitate adult lifelong learning programmes. This will ensure quality training of our workforce. Third, with a better educated and ageing population, we can tap on the expertise and experience of our elderly to boost the education services sector. Experienced and older Singaporeans, who have undergone proper training, can provide tutoring, counselling and training services to further boost our education services industry. Thus, there is a need to set up more Teachers' Training Colleges in Singapore. Given this option, many retirees can be actively and meaningfully engaged for many more years and be economically independent. Building community (1) ComCare Fund Sir, I welcome the set up of the ComCare Fund to help the needy.”
“Based on the CDC's job assistance experience, although we have helped some of our job-seekers to secure jobs, such as cleaners, retail assistants, factory operators or security guards, many of these jobs offer salary between $600 and $900 a month. Furthermore, firms are offering low-paying part-time or odd jobs with no CPF contribution and medical benefits. These low-paying and non-permanent jobs are affecting the morale and quality of life of our workers, especially older Singaporeans. With such low pay, it is indeed a challenge for families to survive if there is only a sole breadwinner in the household. Sir, we need to address this problem of low-paying jobs. I would like to suggest adopting a two-pronged approach to address this problem. First, we must provide free and easy access for these Singaporeans to learn new skills quickly. Many job-seekers are not able to attend training courses due to family commitments or financial constraints. We must identify employable skills courses and make them easily accessible. The courses can be taught in modules thus enabling the acquisition of these employable skills on a continuing basis. They should be conducted in the community or through distance or e-learning mode to provide easy access. Second, we must add value to low-paying jobs to increase the salary. Sir, I am indeed heartened to learn that NTUC will focus on job redesign and job re-creation. I would suggest that we focus on a few strategic industries in view of our ageing population. First, we should encourage more Singaporeans to join the healthcare industry. Recently, I met up with all the VWOs in North West District. Many VWOs are supportive of training and employing Singaporeans to join their organisations.”
“Sir, as the saying goes, "Health is wealth". As human resource is the only resource we have, I would urge the Government to place more emphasis on healthy lifestyle and create more opportunities for Singaporeans to exercise regularly and stay healthy. Regular exercises, such as brisk walking, taiji, qigong or cycling should become part of our daily life. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Health Promotion Board and the Singapore Sports Council for partnering with North West CDC to set up 95 brisk walking clubs in our district. Today, we have 22,600 brisk walking club members who exercise regularly. (4) Creating jobs for Singaporeans Sir, creating jobs for older Singaporeans remains a key challenge as globalisation continues to transform our economy. Another challenge is structural unemployment. Many Singaporeans who were affected by structural unemployment possess unemployable skills in the new economy. Some have taken up contract, part-time or odd jobs while others remain unemployed. Job-seekers, especially the handicapped, ex-convicts, bankrupts and mental patients, faced different hurdles to secure full-time employment and were demoralised. We are seeing more people suffering from depression and mental disorder due to this sense of hopelessness. Sir, I support the suggestion by Mr Iswaran that the Government can provide incentives such as double tax deduction for employers who employ these people. In addition, I hope the Government can support companies that practise corporate social responsibility by employing these people. This would provide more opportunities for them to join back the workforce and integrate into our community.”
“This practice has increased cost substantially, resulting in higher prices for consumers. We must address this weakness in our retail system. Thus, I hope the rejuvenation exercise will result in better tenant mix of HDB shops, reduce the operating cost of retailers, and improve their service quality. (3) Healthy Lifestyle Endowment Fund Sir, in Singapore, people generally know that they must exercise to keep fit, but we tend to eat more and exercise less. Some of us exercise at random and cause more injuries to our bodies than good. As such, we have lower immunity and are more prone to diseases. This will have an adverse impact on the productivity of our workforce and increase demand on healthcare services. Therefore, it is crucial that we address this problem of Singaporeans not exercising enough. Sir, we must develop a culture of exercising and instil these good habits among our people. Although the Health Promotion Board is making efforts to promote a healthy lifestyle, the regular participation rate of Singaporeans in various keep-fit activities is dismal. More should be done to encourage Singaporeans to exercise more regularly. The promotion of a healthy lifestyle cannot be the sole responsibility of the Health Promotion Board. We need a multi-agency approach where community-based organisations such as the grassroots organisations, voluntary welfare organisations and other civic organisations, can be empowered to organise more keep-fit activities for their residents or their members. I would urge the Government to set up a "Healthy Lifestyle" Endowment Fund where proceeds of this fund can be used to support organisations which organise keep-fit programmes for Singaporeans and companies that allocate keep-fit days for their employees.”
“These trends, if left unchecked, will further increase the cost of our businesses and erode our business competitiveness. It will also impose more financial burden on building owners and home owners. Many building owners, town councils and management corporations are reluctant or face difficulty to convert their buildings into "green buildings" due to the large initial investment. I would urge the Government to provide incentives to encourage more building owners to improve the environment sustainability of their buildings. These incentives could include increasing plot ratio or allowing change of use without extra development charge, providing double tax deduction for approved green practice expenses, or property tax rebate for "green buildings". (2) Support for HDB retailers Sir, I support the measures to help the 15,000 HDB retailers to relocate, restructure or upgrade. HDB retailers play an important role in providing convenient and affordable goods and services to their customers. The relaxation of HDB's tenant-mix policy has resulted in the duplication of many retail shops in the neighbourhood. This trend is unhealthy and not sustainable, as there are too many similar trades in one location. Residents will not enjoy a good mix of retail services, and retailers will face stiff competition. It is a lose-lose situation, which we must revert. With the development of regional centres and more accessible public transport, HDB must re-plan our neighbourhood shops to help them develop niches. HDB neighbourhood shops must continue to provide affordable goods and services to our residents at their doorsteps. Sir, one contributing factor in the increase of operating cost of retailers is the multiple layer of sub-letting of shops and retail spaces.”
“School development and upgrading programme Sir, with the emphasis to provide a holistic education to all our students, there is a need to expedite the single-session programme for all schools. At present, only secondary schools have single sessions, while most primary schools are not on single session due to shortage of classrooms. We should speed up both the development of new schools and upgrading of existing schools so as to implement single session in all schools. As it is crucial to build schools near housing estates, we should consider building high-rise schools to maximise land use. It is not necessary for all schools to each own a football field. We should instead innovate and provide facilities within the school buildings which permit multiple uses, such as indoor school hall and gymnasium. Schools should be encouraged to use more community facilities, such as open fields in housing estates, public swimming pools, sports stadium, parks, or other public amenities. In this way, we can save land in the development of schools and, at the same time, maximise the usage of public amenities. "Green buildings" Recently, China has announced plans to build more "green buildings" which conserve energy. In Singapore, the Building Control Authority (BCA) has just launched the Green Mark Building Scheme. This is a voluntary scheme, which audits the extent of environment sustainability elements incorporated in a building. I would urge the Government to do more to spearhead "green buildings" in Singapore. Many buildings in Singapore are not built to achieve efficient operating cost. For example, our lighting systems are not energy-efficient, our air-conditioning systems consume lots of energy, and many buildings do not have facilities for water conservation.”
“These community-based facilities are necessary to support an ageing population, and provide support to families in need. The setting up of these centres will provide more effective outreach and shorten the recovery period of the affected people. MRT and LRT network The LTA should expedite the construction of the Circle Line and develop more LRT networks to further connect our public transport infrastructure. The connectivity of our MRT, LRT and bus networks is crucial in achieving the concept of work, live and play, as portrayed by the URA. We need to improve the access between the workplace and the homes of our people so as to reduce wasteful travelling time and boost productivity. Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP) Sir, recently, I visited 15 blocks of my residents in Bukit Panjang. I was surprised to learn that many of our senior citizens face various degrees of difficulty in walking up and down staircases. Many suffer from gout, arthritis and various types of leg diseases, thus inhibiting their walking abilities. This is of grave concern. First, we need to improve the vertical accessibility of all our HDB flats urgently. The Lift Upgrading Programme is very well received by residents. Providing lifts that stop at every landing will definitely improve the quality of life of our residents. Although the Prime Minister has announced that LUP will be completed in 10 years' time, I believe we can further shorten the period to five years, so as to meet the needs of our residents faster. We have also received requests from residents staying in 4-storey walk-up apartments for LUP. I hope the Government will include these 4-storey flats in the LUP. Second, we need to actively promote a healthy lifestyle among our people to prevent them from suffering such disabilities.”
“We need to develop a long-term strategy to spearhead our construction industry and increase its capabilities to export its services overseas. The Government must take the lead and provide opportunities for local contractors to grow into global companies. I would urge the Government to form a steering committee to chart key strategic directions for the construction industry. Sir, the increase in skilled foreign worker levy from $50 to $100 will further dampen the construction industry. Many construction firms that are currently working on projects will face an increase in cost. Many construction contracts are lump-sum contracts. Thus, developers and public agencies will normally not reimburse contractors for the increased foreign worker levy. Consequently, more firms will face cash flow problems or liquidation. I would urge the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance to consider imposing the increased levy on new skilled foreign workers instead of the existing ones. In this way, contractors who tender for future jobs would be able to incorporate this increased levy in their tenders and employ these new foreign workers accordingly. This arrangement will also encourage firms to retain their existing pool of skilled workers, thus resulting in higher quality and productivity. Sir, in times of downturn in the construction industry, the Government should capitalise on the lower cost of construction and initiate more public projects. There is a need to expedite the construction of the following facilities. Step-down care facilities At present, there is a shortage of step-down care facilities, such as mental patient care centre, crisis homes, rehabilitation centre, respite care centre, and health-related support centre.”
“Sir, although Singapore is affected by globalisation and structural unemployment, we must be mindful to provide equal opportunities to motivate our people to overcome these social disparities. The key is to give hope to all and support all to excel in their lives. I fully support the thrust of the Budget, which is to create opportunity and build community. I would like to suggest the following additional measures for the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance to consider. Creating opportunity (1) Nurturing the construction industry The construction industry has been in the doldrums for many years. At present, it is the only sector in our economy which has failed to recover, registering a negative growth of 6.5% in 2004. The downturn in the industry has caused many Singaporeans to lose their jobs. Many people do not realise that the slowdown of the construction industry has an adverse impact on the supply chain industries, such as building materials and services, furniture, office equipment, transport, machinery, food and many related industries. Over the last few years, we have lost many established construction firms due to liquidation and diversification. The present consolidation of the industry is unhealthy, as we are losing core expertise in the industry. This is a major setback for the construction industry. Today, sentiments in the construction industry are bleak and practitioners are pessimistic about the future of the industry. Many cannot see any light at the end of the tunnel, and some have lost hope. Sir, I would like to urge the Government to provide more support for the construction industry. At present, there is an apparent lack of opportunities for the industry to revive, and it seems to be heading nowhere.”
“Sir, in Singapore, our workforce has been increasingly split between the permanent full-time employees and the ranks of "freeters". "Freeters" refers to the growing number of people who move from one temporary job to another. This "job security" gap between the two groups will affect our people psychologically and have significant impact on their future plans, such as getting married, setting up families or owning homes. In addition, the structural unemployment situation has also widened the gap among the full-time permanent and part-time or contract workers. Another phenomenon of the "expectation gap" is the lifestyle gap. For instance, two 25-year-old males could be earning the same income of $2,000 per month. But a single male living with his parents will certainly have more discretionary spending and enjoy a different standard of living, as compared to a married man supporting a family of two or three children with the same income. Similarly, there is a widening living standard gap among young couples staying with or near their parents and those living alone. Parental support improves the couples' prospects of career advancement, having children, and standard of living. Thus, the "expectation gap" will further widen the "status gap" between the rich and poor in our society. It will not only manifest itself in material wealth, but also in differences in opportunity. Increasingly, people of high status will find themselves in an environment where their efforts are rewarded and they have high hopes for their future, while people of low status are stuck in situations where their efforts are not rewarded and lost hope in life.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of the motion. Sir, this year's Budget has been well received by many Singaporeans. It is a Budget which benefits all Singaporeans, both young and old. The Budget is also strategically focused on creating opportunities for Singaporeans and building a strong community. It sends out clear signals to both individuals and businesses that the Government is compassionate and will always deliver its promise to share the fruits of the country's economic success with Singaporeans. Three clear messages are spelt out in the Budget, as follows: (1) Small and Medium Enterprises play a crucial role in our economy as they provide the backbone of our economy and employ many Singaporeans; (2) We must recognise the contributions and efforts of individuals who pay income tax to support our Government services; and (3) Every Singaporean has a role in building a strong community. Sir, globalisation has caused various social gaps in our society. These include income gap, asset gap or living standard gap. This widening disparity between the rich and the poor has increasingly caused concern and posed threats to our society. As such, the Government should strive towards providing a conducive social environment that will strengthen the fabric of our society. Besides these economic disparities between the rich and the poor which are easily quantifiable and measured, there is a growing concern of an "expectation gap" among our people. This qualitative gap reflects how people feel about their own lives. For example, job security gap, lifestyle gap and parental support gap. These gaps have resulted in a growing number of winners and losers in the new economy.”
“As a country, Singapore must seize every opportunity to bond our people. Very often, a crisis will test the bond of our people. The SARS epidemic and tsunami disaster have seen Singaporeans closing ranks to overcome these odds successfully. This shows the strength of our people and the confidence they have in our Government. We must ensure political stability, and maintain a clean and honest Government. Together, we can build a better future for all Singaporeans.”
“Family members staying near each other can support one another, thus strengthening family ties. The physical distance between families and their 'connectivity' by public transport will facilitate family members to spend more time together. It will also reduce travelling time and cost, thus benefiting low-income families and retirees more significantly. To further promote family bonding, we should encourage places of attractions and leisure to give perks or discounts for family entrance fees and memberships. This will promote family outings, thus strengthening family bonds. A cohesive family is a productive family, both economically and socially. Besides bonding with family members, Singaporeans should be encouraged to engage the community to make friends and contribute to the society. This is of paramount importance in a multi-racial and multi-religious society. Community-based organisations such as the CDCs and civic organisations must play a more active role in providing "multi-racial and multi-religious" platforms for Singaporeans to bond with one another. Examples of bonding platforms include exercising together, such as brisk walking on a regular basis or social gatherings which enhance inter-racial understanding. Community-based organisations can also organise more pro-family activities so that more family members can participate in their activities. More outreach effort is required to attract family members' involvement in the community. Many religious organisations have been successful in encouraging family members to join their activities. Grassroots organisations should realign their efforts and organise more sustainable pro-family activities instead of a one-off once a year family day celebration.”
“This benchmarking will help Singaporeans to pursue their dreams in Singapore and, at the same time, provide information to those who wish to migrate to make better-informed decisions as to whether to migrate out of this safe haven. Focus on bonding Third, focus on bonding. As Singapore strives to achieve greater economic growth, the pace of living among its people will become faster. This trend of material pursuits and fast-paced lifestyle will have adverse impact on the bonding of our people. In making Singapore a land of opportunity, we must also focus on providing opportunities for Singaporeans to bond as one people. Singaporeans need to make more concerted efforts to strengthen family and community bonds. The bonding of people needs time. We must provide more opportunities for Singaporeans to come together, and spend time to strengthen their bonds. Today, many Singaporeans are experiencing a busy life balancing between work, family and leisure. Many have lost much contact time with their family members and friends. This phenomenon, if left unchecked, will have an adverse impact on the bonding of our people. There is much more to life than economic and material gains. We do not wish to have just colleagues or business associates as friends in our lifetime. The recent 5-day working week proposal by the Government in the public sector has indeed provided much impetus in family bonding. I would urge the Government to also review its housing policies to facilitate nuclear families and extended families to stay near one another. HDB must be more proactive in helping family members staying in HDB flats or in the private estates to stay near to one another. This is crucial as we build the social support and network for an ageing population.”
“We need quality leaders who can inspire all Singaporeans to achieve their best in all sectors of our society such as politics, economics, social and the arts. To be competitive in the global economy, we must not only compete on price but also on quality. Singapore must further develop its reputation as a responsible and reliable global player. We must build up the goodwill of our products and services. With the growth of our affluent societies in the world, we should seize opportunities to brand our products and services to be of quality and value for money. We must satisfy the needs of better-informed consumers in the global market, and develop brand loyalty among these consumers. Although Singapore has limited land area, we can increase our production capacity by acquiring or taking a stake in world-class firms with quality brands. Similarly, we can invest in food-producing farms in politically stable countries so as to increase the resilience and quality of our food supply. With regard to the social needs of our people, we must strive to further improve the quality of life of Singaporeans. Members must have heard of some Singaporeans migrating to other countries in search for a better quality of life. In Singapore, we do not have any measure of our quality of life. As such, some Singaporeans do not know what is their quality of life. Many of them tend to take things for granted, and always have the urge to look for greener pastures elsewhere. As Singapore becomes a global city, it is important that we adopt a set of measures to benchmark our quality of life with other global cities.”
“It clearly shows the synergy of what our 3P sector can achieve and which can produce better and faster results. We must continue to tap on the potentials of this partnership to bring more benefits to Singaporeans and the world. To further enhance 3P partnerships, I would urge the Government to be more proactive in providing a more conducive environment in which the 3P can come and work together. The 3P sector must also be encouraged to be more proactive to engage one another and strengthen ties. There must be mutual trust, respect and cooperation. There is much to be done to develop a culture of 3P partnerships in Singapore. Sir, I support the pro-business strategy as advocated by the Government. This will open new doors for companies to expand their businesses, thus benefiting more Singaporeans. With a pro-business strategy, more Singaporeans will be encouraged to become entrepreneurs. But we need a strategic framework to facilitate and ensure the proper implementation of all 3P initiatives. Focus on quality Second, focus on quality. To be a global player, Singapore must focus on quality. We must continue to nurture quality leaders in all segments of our society. The self-renewal strategy by our Government provides an excellent example for our companies, civic, and grassroots organisations to follow. It is crucial that younger Singaporeans be given the opportunities to take up leadership positions, and gain experience earlier. With a rapid changing world, the lifespan of leadership position has become shorter. As such, we must constantly search for new talent and quality leaders to maintain our position in the world.”
“The service sector, which will focus more on quality of services, can provide more job opportunities for our older and better-educated citizens. I support the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports' plan to facilitate the development of a 'silver' industry to cater to the economic and social aspirations of our increasingly better-educated retirees. The service sector provides excellent opportunities to develop this 'silver' industry. Sir, I fully support the seven key priorities of Government as set out by the President. I am confident that the proper implementation of these seven areas will make Singapore a land of opportunity for all, and a place for everyone. In order to achieve the desired outcomes, I would like to propose that the Government focus on the following three aspects when implementing the seven key priorities. Focus on partnership First, focus on partnership. Over the last four decades, Singapore has developed a strong 3P sector, ie, the public, private and people sectors. We have a strong and stable Government that has spearheaded our economy from a third world to a first world economy in a short span of 40 years. Our private sector is vibrant and has contributed significantly in providing good jobs for our people. We have a highly skilled and educated workforce where Singaporeans enjoy a good quality of life. As we move into the next phase of our country's development, we need to focus more on the partnership among the 3P sector. We must harness the strengths of our Government, private and people sectors to better position ourselves in the world. The recent response to the tsunami disaster by our Government, Singapore companies and our people is testimony of our strengths to contribute to the international community.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of the motion. As Singapore progresses towards a developed economy, we must further engage the international community. I support the President's call for Singapore to secure a place in the world and fulfil our responsibilities as a global citizen. Globalisation has changed the landscape and governance of many countries. Today, people around the world are better informed through various global communication devices such as handphone, Internet, and media transmissions. This has facilitated closer cooperation among countries in areas such as diplomatic ties, trade, tourism and flow of people. At the same time, globalisation has also posed many challenges to many countries such as volatile economy, structural unemployment, flow of talent, and a sense of rootedness of people to their respective countries. Singapore is a small country with no natural resources. To survive in the global economy, we must continually find niches in various fast-changing markets. We must stay focused and maintain our sound economic fundamentals. At the same time, we must seize global opportunities to further strengthen our economy. The Free Trade Agreements, which Singapore has signed with various countries, have provided the 'global economic infra structure' for companies to do business both within and outside Singapore. Our twin engines of growth, namely, manufacturing and service sectors, will provide new opportunities for Singaporeans to secure better jobs. The move towards industries in the electronics, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, engineering and other new industries will enable our skilled and young workforce to move up the value chain, and provide the competitive edge for our companies.”
“If there is a dispute between the SPs regarding the apportionment of repair cost, it can be referred to the Strata Titles Board for adjudication. Sir, I support the amended Bill.”
“I support the amendment that the Minister shall specify the documents that are essential for the proper upkeep of the strata development and shall modify the list from time to time to reflect changes in strata development. To balance the rights of majority and minority SPs, I support the provision of proportional representation according to share value, subject to a cap of 49% of the council seats. This provides a good check and balance mechanism to prevent undue domination of a single majority SP. (3) Improving operational efficiency Various new measures were introduced to further improve the operational efficiency in managing strata management. For example, the removal of the requirement to have 100 SPs to form a quorum for AGM and EOGM will facilitate the conduct of general meetings. Other measures, such as allowing council members to vote in writing and to resign as office bearers, will encourage more SPs to come forward to serve MC and expedite decision-making of the MC. Sir, a new provision was made to include a statutory presumption of liability to be attributed to the upper floor units in cases of inter-floor leakages. This provision is necessary as inter-floor leakage is common and often results in a stalemate situation when SPs of upper floor units refuse to cooperate in repairing the leakage. While the liability is assumed, the cost of repair for inter-floor leakages should be shared equally between the upper and lower floor units in normal wear and tear circumstances. But if the inter-floor leakages could be directly attributed to the actions, such as renovation works of the upper floor units, the upper floor units may have to bear the cost of repairs instead.”
“As stated in an article titled "Watch who you hire to run your condo" by Ms Tan Hui Yee of the Straits Times on 17th October 2004, management corporations must exercise due diligence when selecting managing agents. Appropriate tender selection criteria, such as professionalism, quality and track record, should be taken into consideration when awarding managing agent contracts. I would urge subsidiary proprietors to adopt a longer term view, and appoint professional managing agents to enhance the value of their property, instead of always going for the lowest tenderers. The proposed amendment to allow MC to appoint MA for a longer period of up to three years will provide more opportunities for MC and MA to work out plans to better manage their strata developments. Although some concerns were raised on the two-tier MC system, it will, nevertheless, provide more options and flexibility for subsidiary proprietors to adopt different approaches in managing their strata development, so as to better fulfil the needs of different groups of subsidiary proprietors. However, I would like to urge the Ministry to monitor closely the implementation of the two-tier MC system and evaluate its impact on the standards of maintenance and communal living. (2) Balancing the interests of various stakeholders Sir, to ensure proper management of strata development, it is crucial that developers, managing agents and subsidiary proprietors exercise their duties and obligations diligently and in compliance with the Act. At the start, developers must ensure that proper documents are handed over to the MC so that the MC can manage the strata development properly.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of the amended Bill. I wish to thank Minister Mah for agreeing to commit this Bill to a Select Committee. The response from the public is indeed very encouraging and constructive. Sixty-one written representations, coming from various stakeholders, such as developers, managing agents, lawyers, management councils, professional bodies, trade associations, researchers and subsidiary proprietors were received. Sir, I am pleased to note that the consultative approach adopted by the Select Committee has led to the acceptance of many suggestions as put forward by the representors. Sir, the amendments can be grouped into three key areas of improvements to the Bill. (1) Facilitating self-management Sir, I support the amendment to have better accountability of persons responsible for the maintenance of exterior features, such as external windows. Subsidiary proprietors, who are in control of their external windows, such as those that are openable or with openings, should be held responsible for the proper maintenance of these external windows while fixed external windows, such as claddings, should come under the responsibility of the management corporation. In this way, there will be more self-responsibility to ensure that incidents of windows falling from heights will be reduced. This will further enhance safety in our high-rise living environment. Sir, the appointment of managing agent is a collective decision by all subsidiary proprietors. Therefore, it is important that all subsidiary proprietors must take interest and bear the consequences of their decisions in appointing their managing agents. This is particularly important as managing agents are not regulated in Singapore.”
“Resolved, That this House, noting the two recent construction-related accidents at Nicoll Highway and Ayer Rajah, urges the Government to (a) re-emphasise the importance of safety at workplaces in Singapore; (b) review current safety standards and practices; and (c) recommend appropriate measures, including legislative changes, to further enhance the safety of workers in the construction industry. ADJOURNMENT Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn to Tuesday, 15th June 2004." - [Mr Mah Bow Tan]. Adjourned accordingly at Twenty-three minutes past Seven o'clock pm to Tuesday, 15th June, 2004. WRITTEN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS GOVERNMENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS 1. Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan asked the Minister for National Development for each of the last three years (a) how many Government construction projects were put up for tender and what is the value of these projects; (b) how many of these projects were awarded to the lowest bidders; and (c) for successful bidders who were not the lowest bidders, what was the basis of the awards.”
“I still cannot feel the will-power among the various stakeholders to really develop a safety culture in the industry. The experience which I got from Japan, UK and even Australia is that their safety culture is really very, very strong, compared to the local construction industry. This is one area where we really need to focus our efforts on to see how we can develop a strong safety culture. I agree with Dr Ng that prevention of accidents is the key. We should focus efforts upstream, to make sure that every effort is made to prevent accidents. If we get the design and all the legal framework right, we will avoid a lot of risks downstream during construction, and that will reduce safety hazards during construction and even during maintenance. Sir, I am indeed very pleased to hear from Minister Yeo that LTA is very comprehensive and exercises due diligence in its 4-stage procedures when they implement their projects. It is important that we let the public know what is the process which LTA has gone through. LTA has exercised diligence in making sure that, even before construction, they have investigated the sites, surroundings, soil conditions, the impact of the proposed project on the surroundings and taken precautions to minimise those risks to property, people and the environment. That is important. That is very reassuring. I also mentioned before that safety is actually the responsibility of all stakeholders. I have made certain recommendations in my speech. I hope the joint committee will look into those suggestions. Finally, I would like to assure all Singaporeans that this Government does not just talk. We will make every effort to make sure we provide a safe work culture and safe workplaces for all our workers in Singapore. Question put, and agreed to.”
“I have mentioned before that safety in the construction site is the responsibility of all stakeholders, and it is important that every stakeholder in the value chain understands his roles and responsibilities and exercises those roles and responsibilities effectively for safety sake. I am glad that Minister Mah has also responded that BCA will also act as a one-stop centre to coordinate construction works in Singapore. This is very important, because there are so many projects ongoing all over Singapore, and the repercussions of construction works, especially excavation works and tunnelling works have a lot of impact on the surroundings. This is a very good lesson which we have learnt from these two accidents. Having a centralised coordinating agency will help to minimise all these adverse consequences on the surrounding buildings and structures. Sir, I agree with Dr Ng that the 3-pronged approach adopted by MOM has been useful and effective to a certain extent to bring across the messages to the industry, ie, tough laws, strict enforcement and also to promote self-regulation among the various stakeholders. In terms of safety legislation, we are definitely above or on par with many developed countries. We have very strict safety legislation. There is no doubt about it. But in terms of enforcement - I can understand that we have 4,000 sites, and there will be more sites and projects - we need to have a sustainable system where the authorities can take enforcement action and also make sure there is a tracking system where enforcement is effective to enhance safety at construction sites. With regard to self-management, this is one area which requires a lot of efforts from all stakeholders in the industry.”
“But my question is whether BATU can be more proactive and develop its own audit system to protect the interest of its workers, instead of relying on the tripartite system where there is a conflict of interests between the employers and the workers and the association. In fact, this morning, I received a letter from a director of a safety audit firm. He mentioned that SCAL has incorporated a subsidiary known as Singapore Construction Safety and Consultancy Pte Ltd (SC2) to look into the various aspects of worker safety and health at construction sites. But he questions whether SC2 is able to achieve objectivity and impartiality, because it is actually a subsidiary of the contractors' association. So, I think it is important that we make sure that the safety of this system is independent. That is the reason why I called for the parties, such as the developers or the insurance companies, to look into it. I hope the Ministry will look into that. I agree with Dr Amy Khor that there is a need to look into the safety audit on site. I think this has been mentioned quite a number of times. We really have to look at the whole CP79 and look at all the clauses and see whether they are comprehensive enough to provide a good safety system on site. Sir, I am indeed very glad to hear from the Ministers that they have agreed to set up a joint committee of the two Ministries, ie, MOM and MND, and that it will provide this integrated approach to look into the whole process and value chain of a construction project.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, first of all, let me thank all Members and also the three Ministers for speaking and supporting the motion. Sir, first of all, I agree with Ms Irene Ng that we need to review our tendering system. While Minister Mah has mentioned that 27% of the contracts were awarded not to the lowest bidder, the public agencies have the discretion not to award the contracts to the lowest tenderers. But the lowest tenderers have no choice to withdraw from their bids because there is a penalty system which would debar a contractor from withdrawing his tender bid. So we need to look into this system. Because if a contractor makes a bona fide mistake and if he cannot withdraw his tender bid, he would have to go along and be awarded the contract, and that would leave him with no choice but to cut corners in order to survive in the project. I also support Ms Irene Ng's call to look into the check and balance system for temporary works design. It is important that temporary works must be regarded almost the same as permanent works, especially for underground construction works. Because when you remove soil from the ground, you need to provide certain support system and that support system must be of equal strength to the permanent structure. I also support Ms Irene Ng's call on developing a safety culture in the industry. It is important, as all Members have mentioned, that we need to inculcate a sense of professionalism and a sense of responsibility for safety in the construction industry. Sir, let me respond to Mr Yeo Guat Kwang's defence of BATU. I want to clarify that actually I am aware that BATU is involved, together with the Ministry of Manpower and also the Singapore Contractors' Association, to develop a safety audit system called SC2.”
“Question proposed. EXEMPTED BUSINESS (Motion) Resolved, That the proceedings on the business set down on the Order Paper for today be exempted at this day's sitting from the provisions of Standing Order No. 1. - [Mr Mah Bow Tan]. SAFETY AT WORKPLACES Debate resumed.”
“A person who is found responsible for negligence will ultimately pay a higher premium or be ousted from the industry. Sir, I understand that some developers have also implemented independent safety audit in their projects in Singapore. One local developer went to the extent of developing a five-star assessment system to assess the performance of their contractors on safety and environmental health issues. Similar to the Construction Quality Assessment Scheme, the five-star assessment scheme will grade and benchmark the safety performance of contractors. It provides a platform for contractors to share experiences and improve their safety performance. I would urge the Minister for National Development to consider instituting a safety audit system whereby both developers and insurance firms can provide a truly independent checking system on safety for construction projects. To further improve the safety management and safety audit, we must develop a consistent method to measure the effectiveness of the safety system. Researchers from the National University of Singapore have developed a 3P+I model as shown in Chart 5 to assess construction sites safety. This model is made up of four main factors - policy factor, process factor, personnel factor and incentive factor. Each factor is further categorised into more distinct attributes providing a systematic checklist for auditing covering all clauses of CP 79. I would propose that the Ministry consider this 3P+I model to improve the quality of safety audit in the construction industry. Sir, safety is about life and death. Safety is about our attitude to life. I would like to urge this House to support this motion to enhance safety at our workplaces and safeguard the lives of all our workers in Singapore. Sir, I beg to move.”