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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“Sir, the planning authorities, URA must review our existing land use planning policies and regulations to better support industry transformation and the clustering of industries. More planning reforms, such as plot ratio increase or change of use, should be implemented to attract industry champions to spearhead industry transformations and developments. Sir, we often receive feedback from the business community that our planning regulations pose many constraints on business and increase business costs. With the proposed industry transformation, it is, therefore, an opportune time for the authorities to review their respective policies and regulations. The provision of some breathing space from excessive regulation may help to foster a more vibrant and innovative business community which will inevitably contribute to the economic well-being of Singapore. Second, provide more flexibility in our building, environment and manpower regulations. Sir, we must also review our building regulations, environmental rules and manpower policies to create a more pro-business environment. For instance, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) should continue to encourage buildability and maintainability of buildings. But it should allow more flexibility for the industry stakeholders, such as developers, consultants, contractors and suppliers, to develop solutions for productivity and quality improvements. Sir, to prescribe the use of certain methods of construction, such as Pre-fabricated Pre-finished Volumetric Construction (PPVC), though it appears to have saved time on construction and manpower, may have undesirable consequences, such as increasing the cost of construction, straining the capacities of the industry and will cause maintainability problems in the future.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of the Motion. Sir, I support the five priorities as highlighted by the President as follows: (a) securing a place in the world for Singapore; (b) building a world-class city; (c) developing a vibrant economy; (d) forging a caring and inclusive society; and (e) nurturing a distinct Singapore identity. Sir, as a small country with limited natural resources, Singapore must always strive to nurture our human resource, seize economic opportunities and stay relevant to the world. Singaporeans must be mindful that we are living in a highly competitive world and we must continue to develop the drive to be innovative and competitive, without losing our ability to stay grounded in reality. We must stay united as one people so that we can progress together for a better future. Sir, to achieve the desired outcomes of the five priorities, there is a dire need for us to transform the built environment in Singapore and I wish to propose three areas which the Government can focus on to transform our built environment for the future. First, transforming our built environment for the future economy; second, transforming our built environment for quality living; and, third, transforming our built environment for retail and recreation. First: transforming our built environment for future economy. Sir, we need to take bold steps to transform our built environment to cope with the new challenges of the future economy. The transformation of our built environment must be aligned with the proposed industry transformation as laid out in the 23 Industry Transformation Maps (ITMs). There are three ways we can transform our built environment to support the industry transformation. First, review of land use planning policies and regulations.”
“To ensure the safety of all parties, all cyclists and PMD users must slow down and signal in advance to warn pedestrians. LTA should also set up mobile enforcement teams to act against reckless cyclists and PMD users based on feedback from the public. In the facilitation of enforcement, a telephone hotline to gather information from the public on "hot spots" or accident-prone areas will be of great value. The setting up of a hotline will also encourage more people to keep watch on the behaviour of cyclists and PMD users. This will enhance safety for all. Sir, I support the Bill.”
“At the same time, we hope that LTA and other Government agencies will also expedite the provision of parking places at bus stops, Light Rail Transit (LRT) and MRT stations, parks and public amenities. Sir, I urge LTA to expedite the installation of Geo-Station and quick response (QR) code technology for all yellow boxes, including those at the Town Councils. This will ensure the docking of shared bikes at these yellow boxes by all bike sharing users. In addition, it is of paramount importance that LTA ensure that regular housekeeping is performed by the bike sharing operators to make sure that shared bikes are properly parked in the yellow boxes. Third, enforcement against bike operators, cyclists and PMD users. Sir, I support section 8P on regulatory action against licensees. This will ensure that bike sharing operators take measures to maintain a fleet of safe and roadworthy bikes for hire, and adopt appropriate measures, technological or otherwise, to prevent the indiscriminate parking of bikes by the hirers. The Bill has specified performance standards for the licensee. However, it will be more effective if LTA can introduce a penalty system which imposes demerit points on the licensee, based on different types of infringements, eventually culminating in the termination of operating licences upon reaching a certain threshold. Sir, besides regulating bike sharing operators, it is necessary for LTA to conduct regular enforcement operations to address the reckless behaviour of some cyclists and PMD users. I urge the Ministry to consider imposing default liability on cyclists and PMD users if an accident occurs along a pedestrian footpath, unless it is proven that the accident is attributed to the behaviour of pedestrians, rather than the cyclists and PMD users.”
“I wish to propose several measures for LTA to consider to make the use of shared bikes and PMDs a more pleasant experience for all in Singapore. First, infrastructure for cycling and PMDs. Sir, many footpaths in our built environment are not suitable for cycling and PMDs. As a result, accidents which have resulted in injuries to pedestrians, cyclists and PMD users have occurred. We need to expedite the building of cycling and PMD-friendly paths, especially along LTA's road pavements. Where possible, cycling and pedestrian paths should be separate to minimise the risks of accidents. In addition, cycling paths should be wide enough, preferably about 3.5 metres in width, so that both novice and experienced cyclists can cycle safely. Second, provision of bike-sharing parking places. Sir, to support bike sharing in public housing estates, the 15 PAP Town Councils have drawn 3,000 yellow boxes at the void decks of our blocks. These provide enough space to store 28,000 bicycles for our residents and have drastically reduced the indiscriminate parking of shared bikes in our blocks. I would also like to draw attention to a pilot project undertaken by the Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council involving the implementation of Geo-Station technology. This has also encouraged shared bike users to park their bikes at the designated yellow boxes in our town. Although the increase in the supply of bicycle lots at the HDB void decks has reduced indiscriminate parking, many shared bikes are still left at various places outside and around housing estates. These pose safety hazards. Sir, the Town Councils will continue to identify places to house more yellow boxes.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of the Bill. Sir, the 15 PAP Town Councils support the use of shared bikes and PMDs to facilitate the last-mile connection for our land transport system. Cycling is also a healthy and environmentally friendly mode of transport. Sir, since the introduction of shared bikes and PMDs in Singapore, the Town Councils have received feedback from our residents outlining various concerns. The key concerns which have been received are as follows. First, the dangers cyclists and PMD users bring to pedestrians, especially when they travel along footpaths and common areas. Second, the dangers they bring to themselves, drivers and riders when they travel recklessly on roads, ignoring traffic rules and basic road etiquette. Third, the indiscriminate parking of shared bikes at common areas. And fourth, the inconsiderate use of shared bikes, exemplified in the abuse and dumping of shared bikes. These have generated not only inconveniences, but also tangible hazards to the health and well-being of our people. Sir, the 15 PAP Town Councils support the Bill which will provide a regulatory framework to address the problems of indiscriminate vehicle parking, make provisions for private parking places, and introduce an enforcement regime to manage the behaviour of shared bike operators, cyclists and PMD users. In particular, we strongly support clause 6 which will license all bike sharing operators in Singapore. Sir, to ensure the successful use of bike sharing services and PMDs in Singapore, we need the support of all stakeholders to take ownership, exercise due consideration, and comply strictly with the proposed regulations.”
“Chairman, on behalf of Bukit Panjang residents, I would like to thank the Minister for Transport for announcing the upgrading of Bukit Panjang LRT. Just one clarification – will the upgrading work include building a noise barrier because some parts of the LRT are very close to the HDB flats?”
“Hokkaido's libraries have partnered various senior welfare-related organisations, and provide many senior-friendly library services, such as book delivery services, "dementia café" and recitation services for those who are visually impaired. Sir, I hope that the Minister can update the House on initiatives that the National Library Board (NLB) has undertaken to promote reading, especially in regard to library and digital content services.”
“Sir, a survey conducted by the National Arts Council in 2015 indicates that there is an inverse correlation between the age and the tendency to read. With a fast-ageing population, our libraries will face an uphill task to encourage reading among our seniors in the future. This challenge is further compounded by the fast pace of life and high-tech society in Singapore. Sir, Singaporeans spend many hours reading phone messages, using social media applications or watching videos through various media. All these factors may have reduced the motivation for people to read in print, especially in the library. More 26 million people visit our 26 libraries yearly. I wish to commend the efforts of the libraries in adopting many initiatives, such as mobile apps, reading clubs and e-books, to encourage reading. Despite that, the number of adults who visit the library and borrow books for their own reading and learning has not been increasing. We need to transform our 26 libraries into "active lifelong learning centres" to further encourage reading and learning among Singaporeans. We must redesign our libraries to create more conducive learning corners for children and provide a more comfortable reading environment for adults, especially seniors. We must also make our libraries friendlier for the elderly and organise more regular activities, such as talks, to support active ageing. Sir, the libraries in Japan have introduced various innovative ideas to make their libraries more elderly-friendly. For example, Chiba Prefecture organises seminars on a regular basis for seniors on various topics that are relevant to the elderly.”
“Sir, AI has promising applications in many areas, such as expert systems, robotics, speech recognition or gaming. With the improvements in machine learning, AI can enhance its accuracy in diagnostic work, facilitate intelligent surveillance round the clock, and improve productivity through the reduction of manpower and the streamlining of work processes. Sir, given the applications of AI being explored and the ethical questions that may arise, such as personal data protection, are there plans by the Ministry to introduce regulatory frameworks to guide AI deployments and ensure that Singaporean society is ready to accept the effects of the adoption of cutting-edge AI? Digital Economy”
“Sir, the SAF Volunteer Corps (SAFVC) allows Singaporeans from diverse backgrounds who are not eligible for NS to also make contributions to Singapore's defence. Its main mission is to serve in assigned roles alongside SAF NSFs, NSmen and regulars to enhance the security of Singapore. SAFVC is also a great opportunity for citizens from diverse backgrounds to meet, train and bond together. This contributes to a more resilient Singapore. Sir, can MINDEF provide an update on the SAFVC recruitment status and also share with us the types of voluntary work assigned to SAFVC members? Youth Engagement”
“Intensity and pervasiveness of the experience present a valuable opportunity for inculcating a productivity-driven work ethic in NSFs. In addition to ensuring that the skills picked up in NS are relevant to the needs of the economy, what can be done to take advantage of opportunities to assess and improve the individual productivity performance of NSFs? It will help to ensure the sacrifice of time and effort made by young people in full-time NS have a continuing relevance to their working lives. 11.30 am I have three questions for the Minister: what is the role of full-time NS in shaping the work ethic of young Singaporeans? What does NS contribute to promoting an awareness of the importance of productivity performance and efficiency at both the individual and organisational levels? And, finally, what are the possibilities for coordinating regimentation in the Armed Forces with productivity and efficiency? Total Defence”
“Sir, NSFs undergo various types of military and skills training while serving their NS. Many of these knowledge and skills, such as leadership, planning, command and control or safety measures, are applicable when the NSmen join the workforce. Sir, can I ask the Minister to provide an update as to what is MINDEF doing to enable skills and knowledge acquired by our NSmen during NS to be recognised beyond NS? Productivity Performance of NSFs Assoc Prof Randolph Tan (Nominated Member): Sir, the importance of defence in Singapore has become more critical rather than less over the years. Defence spending must keep up with Singapore's partnerships and match the growing sophisticated needs of our advanced economy. Like all areas of Government, defence spending will be put under pressure in years to come. In anticipation of this, defence spending must keep up with the state of the economy. This includes the area of manpower use and productivity. Sir, in our defence, one of the five pillars of total defence calls for having a strong and resilient economy. Strength and resilience of an economy are based on, among other things, a workforce which embraces productive and efficient work practices and habits. The natural starting point for promoting and understanding how individual contribution to workforce performance is part of economic defence, is full-time NS. Full-time NS is a major milestone in our young people's lives, often the most significant initial encounter with a regulated work environment. Even for those who deferred entry into the labour force after NS because of studies or other pursuits, the concentrated immersion in full-time NS work cultures so early in their adulthood exerts a major influence over the attitudes of young people.”
“Sir, the main mission of SAF is to defend Singapore. Today, Singapore faces new threats, such as terrorism and cyberattacks, in addition to the conventional threats. Therefore, it is crucial that we transform and build new capabilities in our defence force to deter any potential aggressors and overcome any aggressors with a swift and potent defence force. Sir, technology and intelligence play an important part in strengthening our defence and enhancing our SAF's capabilities. In 2017, MINDEF announced that it will set up a Cyber Defence Organisation and train 18,000 soldiers per year in land, sea and air operations to counter terrorism. These are good initiatives but do we have the manpower to do so in the future, especially when we are faced with a low birth rate? Sir, furthermore, with an ageing population, many of our Operationally Ready NSmen (ORNS) will be over 60 years old in 10 years' time. This will significantly grey the profile of our defence force. Many of these older ORNS may not be so tech savvy and will face difficulty in catching up with new technologies adopted by SAF. Thus, upgrading of these older ORNS to integrate into the defence force will be challenging. Sir, last year, the Minister for Defence spoke about the "Next Generation (Gen) SAF" that will be positioned for the future, and able to deal with threats in the 21st Century. In this regard, I wish to seek clarifications from the Minister on the following: first, how SAF has leveraged technology to better equip our defence force; and second, update on the operational readiness of SAF for future threats.”
“Sir, in 2015, the 10 ASEAN member states established the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), integrating a potential market size of about US$2.6 trillion serving over 600 million people. The AEC Blueprint 2025 was also adopted by ASEAN leaders to provide broad directions to guide the next phase of economic integration from 2016 to 2025. Sir, based on feedback from our local business community, many firms are not familiar with the details of AEC. The business community and our people also do not understand the benefits of AEC. In order to help our local businesses to seize business opportunities in AEC, it would be useful if MFA and the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) can organise more industry-focused talks and forums. Such meetings will also provide opportunities for our business leaders to forge partnerships with other ASEAN business leaders. Sir, I support the Finance Minister’s proposal to launch a new ASEAN Leadership Programme to help our business leaders to build networks and expand their business overseas. Instead of just focusing on our business leaders, we can extend this programme to other business leaders in ASEAN. In this way, more opportunities can be created for our business leaders to forge partnerships. Sir, I wish to seek clarifications from the Ministry in the following: first, what are the key deliverables of Singapore’s position as ASEAN Chair? Second, an update on the AEC’s progress and achievements to date. ASEAN Integration – Citizen Engagement”
“Are there concrete examples on how these initiatives have benefited individual officers? Are there also examples of officers who have progressed well in their careers based on good performance and skills, despite not having traditional academic qualifications?”
“For example, the introduction of the Building Information System (BIM) for building projects by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) sets the pace for the digitalisation of building designs. It also provides better coordination among different stakeholders of building projects, thus enhancing productivity and reduce wastages. Sir, I wish to seek the Prime Minister's update on the following: one, what are the skills upgrading plans for staff in our public agencies; and two, how do we measure the desired outcomes of these skills upgrading programmes? Beyond Qualifications Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim (Nee Soon): Sir, some agencies, for example, the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Singapore Police Force (SPF) have unified their schemes of service to promote greater opportunities for career progression and development for non-graduate officers. This means that officers without graduate degrees can be eligible for similar opportunities as graduates and can move up to higher positions of responsibility if they perform well. I feel that these are good initiatives and convey an encouraging message to current and future officers that they can aspire to a fulfilling career in the various public agencies regardless of their academic qualifications, as long as they have the required skillsets and can contribute well in their roles. This is consistent with the larger SkillsFuture movement which calls for the private sector to look beyond paper qualifications. The Public Service should also respond to the call, given it is the largest single employer in Singapore. I would like to ask the Deputy Prime Minister if the initiative to go beyond paper qualifications and better recognise skills has been adopted across the whole of the Public Service.”
“Sir, the Committee on the Future Economy (CFE) has proposed the development of ITMs to guide our industries to move into the future. To date, 23 ITMs have been launched focusing on creating jobs for Singaporeans in various strategic industries. The Government has also launched the SkillsFuture programme to equip Singaporeans with skills for future jobs. Sir, in this regard, I wish to seek clarifications from the Prime Minister as to whether the public agencies have a Public Sector transformation map which is aligned with the 23 ITMs. As we create new jobs which require new skills in the industries, the public agencies must also correspondingly upgrade and deepen the skills of public officers to better serve the public and business community. Sir, I would like to propose that all public agencies develop their respective Public Service transformation maps to improve public services and upgrade the skills of public officers. With digitalisation and emerging technologies, public agencies should also adopt these technologies to further improve their productivity, efficiency and customer service. Over the years, many Government agencies have outsourced part of their services to private service providers in areas, such as project management, facilities management, management of public hotlines and so on. In the process, some public agencies have lost expertise or capabilities in these areas, thus resulting in some lapses, as highlighted by our annual Auditor-General's findings. We need to relook into the skills required by our public officers to better manage outsourced projects or services so as to achieve better public accountability in using public funds. At the same time, the public agencies must set up systems to be interfaced with industry practices.”
“Sir, studying CASBEE and the method by which it evaluates and rates the environmental performance of buildings and subsequently adopting it for use in Singapore may be of value in allowing us to become a Greener city. Sir, over the last 10 years, North West CDC has been championing many green programmes to promote a green living lifestyle among our residents. We have worked with our people, public and private (3P) partners to organise resource conservation projects, recycling and climate change education programmes to promote environmental ownership. I would urge the Government to provide more funding support to the community to champion green projects. Sir, this year’s Budget is a good and strategic Budget. I hope that more initiatives to make Singapore an eco-friendlier nation could be included within the Budget to make Singapore a sustainable green city.”
“I hope the Ministry will address these problems and scale up the installation of solar panels in all high-rise buildings so as to build more solar energy banks. Sir, to further enhance sustainability in our built environment, we need to take a multi-pronged approach to engage all stakeholders to adopt Green Living practices. We can learn from many Japanese cities which have embarked on various successful eco-sustainability policies, incentives and education. In 2008, Japan selected 13 cities under the FutureCity Initiative to transform Japan into a low-carbon society. These are some examples of projects undertaken by the various cities. First, Toyota city has encouraged the use of eco-friendly cars through programmes which assist buyers in purchasing such vehicles. Two, Kyoto has tapped into its budget to incentivise schools, neighbourhood businesses and organisations to become eco-friendlier. It has integrated eco-friendliness as part of its cultural identity under the "Do You Kyoto" project. In addition, Kyoto also subsidises households which utilise solar energy. As of 2013, over 7,000 households have taken up the subsidy programme, making a seven-time increase over five years. Three, Yokohama provides economic incentives, such as lower property taxes for houses, if they meet certain energy-efficiency standards. Four, Chiyoda has developed measures for both new and existing buildings to become eco-friendlier and provide assistance in the form of technical support under its "Greenstock" Strategy. Many Japanese cities have also adopted the Comprehensive Assessment System for Built Environment Efficiency (CASBEE) to measure eco-friendliness. CASBEE may be used to assess eco-friendliness at various scales, ranging from individual buildings to entire cities.”
“To further expedite the greening of our buildings, I propose that BCA compile best practices on green building designs, mechanical and electrical installations, interior fittings and maintainable designs in order to guide developers, consultants, contractors and facilities managers. These best practices should also be included as part of the Green Mark Scheme. Buildings, especially air-conditioned ones, consume large amounts of energy and contribute significantly to the overall greenhouse gas emissions. In Singapore, our hot and humid climate encourages more people to spend more time indoors in air-conditioned places, such as offices, shopping centres, restaurants. More HDB flat owners are also installing air-conditioners in their flats. The proliferation of air-conditioners will undoubtedly increase energy demand and add to emissions. To ensure the more efficient and prudent use of air-conditioning, we should encourage the installation of energy monitoring systems that will help building owners to track their electricity consumption and reduce wastages. An example of such a system is the Home Energy Management System (HEMS) in Japan, which allows for the control of electrical appliances, such as air-conditioners and lights, to reach optimal energy efficiency. The Energy Conservation Center Japan cites an 11% reduction in energy usage in facilities equipped with HEMS after a 12-month study. To fight climate change, we need to expedite the adoption of renewable energy sources, such as solar energy. HDB has started the installation of solar panels on HDB rooftops. However, the progress is slow due to various financing constraints and pricing problems when solar energy is sold to PowerGrid.”
“This will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, especially from power plants and industries. However, the carbon tax may not be as effective in reducing emissions generated from transportation and buildings. Sir, emissions from transportation and buildings constitute an estimated 16% of all emissions in Singapore. We must act fast and take bold steps to make our transportation and buildings eco-friendlier. As of 2017, we have about 160,000 goods vehicles and buses on Singapore roads. Many of these vehicles are not green-certified and emit PM2.5 which is detrimental to the health and well-being of Singaporeans. Sir, this problem is further aggravated by heavy trucks that travel between Singapore and Malaysia. Many of these vehicles travel at night and in the early hours of the morning. Pollution is less visible during these hours and our enforcement officers may not be present at these hours to enforce air pollution controls. Sir, we must adopt sustainable solutions to convert our fleet of goods vehicles and buses into green vehicles. As goods vehicles and buses are costly to replace or upgrade, the Government can consider providing low interest loans and subsidies to accelerate the replacement of our existing fleet of heavy vehicles. Sir, moving on to buildings, we have an estimated 5,000 high-rise buildings and skyscrapers in Singapore and over 5,000 other buildings and amenities. Many of these buildings date back to the 1970s and are not equipped with eco-friendly features. Only about 25% of our buildings, that is, about 2,400 buildings, are certified green under the Building and Construction Authority's (BCA's) Green Mark Scheme.”
“Many SMEs are still not coming forward to develop competitive edges and prepare for overseas business expansion. Many of them also do not understand how they can seize business opportunities under the 23 ITMs. I would urge the Government to step up its efforts to engage and help our SMEs more effectively. Sir, in 2017, the North West Community Development Council (CDC) SME centre engaged 1,080 SMEs to provide information on various SME assistance schemes. Only 148 firms took up assistance schemes designed to upgrade their firms and staff. Many are reluctant to upgrade or expand their businesses. From the feedback gathered, while SMEs are keen on solutions, they are afraid of the process of adopting these changes. This trend is unhealthy as it affects the survival of our SMEs and results in wastage of resources through inefficient processes. Sir, one of the key challenges faced by SMEs is the recruitment and retention of talent. I propose that the Wage Credit Scheme be extended to help SMEs retain staff by including performance and loyalty-based bonuses as part of the scheme. Third, sustainable environment. Sir, I am pleased that this year’s Budget has placed emphasis on making Singapore a Smart, Green and Liveable city. As a global city with a compact built environment, it is crucial for all stakeholders of our society to adopt sustainable solutions to make Singapore an eco-friendly city. Sir, there are four major contributors of greenhouse gases and particulate matter (PM)2.5 emissions in our built environment, namely, first, power plants; second, industries; third, transportation; and fourth, buildings. I support the introduction of the carbon tax to encourage businesses to adopt cleaner technologies.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of the Budget. I support the key thrust of the Budget which is about sustainability. Sir, the key questions we have to ask ourselves are: first, how do we make our fiscal position sustainable so that the Government has a steady stream of revenue even while facing increased Government expenditure arising from both an ageing population and ageing infrastructure? Second, how should we support local firms to sustain and grow their businesses in order to provide better jobs and wages for Singaporeans? Third, how can we build a sustainable environment where Singaporeans can live, work and play? First, fiscal sustainability. Sir, I support the proposed increase in GST to 9%. Doing so will provide a stable income for the Government to fund the increase in expenditure, particularly in the healthcare and security areas. However, more has to be done to help low-income Singaporeans cope with the potential increase in prices. As more Singaporeans are eating out these days, I propose that the permanent GST Voucher Scheme take into consideration the increase in cooked food and drink prices, especially in relation to serving sizes, when determining the quantum of assistance. Second, sustaining business growth and providing jobs. Sir, as highlighted by the Finance Minister, there will be three major shifts affecting Singapore: first, a shift in global economic weight; second, a shift in the emergence of new technologies; and three, an increasing ageing population. All these shifts will pose immense challenges to our local businesses, especially the SMEs. Sir, despite the introduction of many SME assistance schemes, SMEs have been slow in building up their capabilities.”
“Madam, instead of reminding Town Councils of their duty to manage common property, HDB should first take responsibility to ensure these new flats and common property are properly built to meet the expectations of flat owners. This includes ensuring that all defects identified during the defects liability period are properly rectified before it is handed over to the Town Council for management. Thus, I would propose that HDB adopt the practice by private developers, where they will be required to take charge of the management of new flats and common property during the defects liability period. In this way, HDB will be directly responsible in ensuring the quality of both the design and construction of new flats which satisfy the needs of the flat owners before these flats are handed over to the Town Councils for management.”
“However, in order to enhance the effectiveness of this clause, I would urge the Ministry to lay out clear rules and procedures for Town Councils to comply with. This would include rules and procedures for the listing of property database, customer information, assets and liabilities, ongoing contracts and work in progress. In the interest of fairness, the Ministry can also appoint an independent auditor to oversee both the handing and taking over of all Town Councils. Further, in the event of a dispute amongst the Town Councils, the Ministry can mediate or arbitrate the conflict and propose an amicable solution that will better serve the interests of the residents. Third, handing over of new housing estate. Madam, finally, I wish to highlight my concerns with regard to the proposed amendment in clause 28 of the Bill which introduces a new section 54A that attempts to facilitate a smoother handover in relation to the control and management of common property in new housing estates. Although HDB has developed a comprehensive management system to ensure the quality of new flats, building defects are still commonly found in flats that HDB hands over to the Town Councils. Common defects include frequent lift breakdowns, water leakages and seepages, wall and ceiling plaster cracks, and incomplete external site works. Most of these defects can often be attributed to either poor or impractical designs, or shoddy workmanship during construction. Town Councils frequently experience great difficulty in getting the relevant consultants and contractors to rectify the defects properly and promptly due to their lack of authority over them. As a result, this has caused much anxiety and unhappiness amongst flat owners, MPs and Town Council staff.”
“This amendment to the Act will require Town Councils to display their audited accounts, financial statements and the auditor's report at an online location accessible to all residents within 30 days after it has presented the report to Parliament. This results in greater transparency and will allow Town Councils greater accountability to their residents. In this regard, I propose that the Ministry set down rules pertaining to the format and presentation of the audited accounts and financial statements, so as to facilitate greater understanding of the accounts by the residents. Two, handover process of Town Councils. Madam, in every General Election or by-election, many Town Councils undergo a handover process upon change in electoral boundary and elected MPs, between members of the same political party or between different political parties. In such instances, most Town Councils follow the handing and taking over guidelines provided by MND to effect the handover. Generally, most Town Councils have not encountered any major problems when taking over the property data, financial data, contracts and work in progress from the previous staff in the Town Councils who were managing the information. Moreover, the Town Councils which are taking over would usually set up their own computer systems to manage both their accounts and estates in order to serve their residents better. However, sometimes, miscommunication may occur. Madam, in order to avoid any finger-pointing or confusion, I support clause 3 of the Bill which introduces a new section 3(3A) setting out the arrangements that are vital in ensuring a smooth handover of responsibilities between the incoming and outgoing Town Councillors.”
“Madam, the Town Councils Act was passed in August 1988 to give elected MPs the authority and responsibility to manage public housing estates in their respective constituencies. This arrangement enables elected MPs to manage and serve their residents and, more importantly, ensures that they are accountable to their residents when running the estates. Over the past 28 years, many elected PAP MPs have run Town Councils to serve their residents. These PAP Town Councils have always practised financial prudence to ensure that they provide quality maintenance services to their residents. The PAP Town Councils have also been diligently submitting their audited accounts, financial statements and annual reports on time to Parliament for the purposes of public accountability. Madam, I fully support the amendments as set out in clause 20 of the Bill which repeals and re-enacts section 35 of the Town Councils Act which states the duty of the Town Council to keep proper accounts and manage its monies properly. I also agree to the implementation of the new requirement as stipulated in section 38. This requires all Town Councils to submit their audited accounts and financial statement within six months after the close of the FY to the Minister. This requirement is necessary as it will ensure that all Town Councils will not only keep proper records of their accounts, but also have their accounts properly audited by independent auditors. In particular, I believe the new requirement under section 38 (13A) will further strengthen corporate governance.”
“Mdm Speaker, I wish to declare my interest as the Chairman of Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council and also the Coordinating Chairman for the 15 People's Action Party (PAP) Town Councils. Mdm Speaker, I rise in support of the Bill. The proposed amendments to the Town Councils Act will further improve corporate governance, transparency and public accountability of the Town Councils. As elected MPs running Town Councils, we owe a duty of care to our residents and the public to manage our HDB estates properly and in compliance with the Town Councils Act and financial rules. We must also ensure that Town Councils get value for money when procuring products and services. This includes providing fair and open competition, proper tender evaluation and awarding contracts to ensure public accountability. Against this backdrop, the 15 PAP Town Councils support the amendments which will guide all Town Councils to better serve our residents. While MND has so far adopted a light-touch approach as regulator, I appreciate that a "light-touch" does not mean "no touch". Recent events have also shown us that not all Town Councils act decisively to rectify problems that surface. At the end of the day, MND must be given the powers to move in and nip the problems in the bud and ensure that public interest is not compromised. Madam, the PAP Town Councils have been doing their level best to serve their residents and comply with the Town Councils Act and financial rules. We look forward to working with MND to identify ways in which we can continue to improve to serve our residents better. Madam, I wish to highlight three areas of the Bill which I hope the Minister can clarify and make provisions to ensure compliance by all Town Councils. First, keeping proper accounts and financial statements.”
“Madam, I wish to seek clarifications from the Ministry on the following. First, provide an update on the progress of the National Reading Movement. Second, what measures are taken to inspire Singaporeans to read? Madam, I recently conducted a quick survey of 278 persons to find out how many of them have read at least one book of more than 100 pages last year. Only 25 persons or 9% of them have read at least one book of more than 100 pages. This finding is, indeed, not surprising as many Singaporeans, especially adult Singaporeans, are losing interest or face increasing difficulty in finding time to read books. Madam, although the National Library has invested significant amounts of money to purchase books and provide a conducive library environment for reading, the active readership among adult Singaporeans remains low. Common barriers to reading books include a lack of time, interest and motivation, or a combination of all three factors. Madam, we need to think of more innovative ways to inspire and motivate Singaporeans to read more. I wish to propose a few suggestions. First, make eBooks easily available to Singaporeans and free of charge, if possible. Second, broadcast book extracts and reviews through smart phone applications and provide book delivery services or book pick-up services at Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations or supermarkets. Third, set up thematic book reading clubs at community clubs, such as Travel and Leisure, Health and Medicine, Investment and Wealth, Personal Skills and Improvement.”
“Madam, I wish to seek clarifications from the Ministry on the following. First, to provide an update on the implementation of PDPA. Second, what measures have been taken to ensure the protection of personal data of Singaporeans embarking on the Smart Nation initiatives? Madam, in today's e-services and digitally-driven economy, many agencies or organisations in both the public and private sectors collect personal data of Singaporeans or customers respectively for various purposes. As a result, lots of personal data are vulnerable to abuse and cyberattacks. Madam, the recent breach of the Internet system or the I-net of the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and subsequent theft of several hundred MINDEF personnel's personal data on 28 February 2017 have raised concerns about personal data protection. Similar breaches had also previously happened in private firms, such as K- Box and PropNex Realty, in which the personal data of thousands of customers were leaked online. 4.15 pm Madam, while the Government agencies may have more resources to build robust Internet systems to reduce cyberattacks or breaches, companies and organisations in the private sector will face immense challenges in getting resources to build such cyber defences. Thus, the personal data of Singaporeans are at risk of abuse. Madam, as Singapore strives to develop a digital economy on its journey to becoming a Smart Nation, more personal data will be collected by service providers in various applications, such as smart payment systems, e-Government services and e-commerce activities. This will undoubtedly be a cause of concern for consumers. "Live" Proceedings and Smart Nation”
“Madam, I do hope that MINDEF can map out a set of total defence skills which Singaporeans must possess so that they can play a more effective role in contributing to total defence. We need to constantly test the operational readiness of Singaporeans in Total Defence. Total Defence requires practical defence skills. Thus, I would urge MINDEF to make Total Defence real and drive the fighting spirit of Singaporeans.”
“Madam, I wish to seek clarifications from the Ministry on the following: how does MINDEF reach out and engage Singaporeans on a sustained basis in order to inspire them to learn, practise and be operationally-ready for Total Defence? Madam, due to the changing landscape of warfare, it is necessary for Singapore to review our Total Defence approach. Based on the defence spending in our region and new threats to our security, we need to build our defence and fighting capabilities in urban and cyber warfare. Every year, Total Defence Day is observed on 15 February to commemorate the day when Singapore fell to the Japanese in World War II in 1942. Since 1984, a wide range of activities has been organised to remind Singaporeans of the roles they can play in building a strong nation and defending Singapore. The five pillars of Total Defence, namely, military defence, civil defence, economic defence, social defence and psychological defence, provide a framework to guide Singaporeans to play a part in Total Defence. Despite much effort, there is a general lack of understanding and total defence readiness among Singaporeans. Many Singaporeans still do not know their roles in the five pillars of Total Defence. The operational readiness of Singaporeans in Total Defence is also lacking. Madam, I visited Israel many years ago and was, indeed, very impressed by the operational readiness of its people to respond to terrorist attacks and conventional warfare. Both the young and old Israelis are ready to respond to any attacks on their land. In fact, when I was there, I saw a group of youths armed with rifles patrolling the streets of the city centre. These youths performed their duties very diligently while ensuring safety and security in the areas patrolled.”
“Madam, I wish to seek clarifications from the Ministry on the following: Due to the changing landscape in warfare, how does MINDEF evolve its training and operations to meet new challenges in urban warfare? Madam, this year, Singapore celebrates 50 years of NS. Many male Singaporeans who have served NS understand the importance of defending Singapore and have developed the resolve to protect our land. However, most of them were trained in conventional tactics, such as jungle warfare, which may not be relevant in today's hybrid warfare threats. Hybrid warfare is a military concept that involves using conventional weapons and unconventional tools, such as economic sanctions and communications, to achieve victory without resorting to open war. Madam, in today's densely built-up areas and changing threats, both within and outside Singapore, the operating environment for warfare has changed quite drastically. Therefore, we need to review our training doctrines and outcomes to develop new capabilities in our defence force. Besides training our NSFs and regular Servicemen on new capabilities, we also need to develop a training roadmap to upgrade the capabilities of our NSmen. Madam, in my opinion, we should focus on three areas to strengthen our defence force. First, develop fighting capabilities in built-up areas for urban warfare; second, develop information and communications capabilities to counter cyberattacks; and third, develop attack capabilities to deter or destroy any aggressors to our country.”
“Sir, I wish to seek clarifications from the Ministry on the following. First, in this rapidly changing and uncertain world, how does MFA review its work processes and allocate its resources to respond effectively in protecting the interests of Singaporeans? Second, what sort of training programmes must MFA staff undergo in order to be operationally-ready? In today's ever-changing geopolitical situations and the high-speed flow of information, there is a need to develop new capabilities among our MFA staff to better respond to these challenges. Smartphone applications and the Internet have allowed information and news, including fake news, to travel fast and reach out to many people which, in turn, affect political developments rapidly. Thus, our MFA staff − especially those involved in overseas missions − must be tech-savvy to respond effectively in a dynamic political environment. Staffing Needs for a More Complex World”
“More trade missions should be organised to facilitate business partnerships, investments and promotion of goods and services among ASEAN countries. Three, encourage more people-to-people exchanges and interactions to foster stronger friendships among our people. We should encourage twin cities arrangements so that more opportunities can be created for residents of different ASEAN countries or cities to know each other better. This will further strengthen the unity of ASEAN. Relations with Other Southeast Asian Countries”
“I would like to seek clarifications from the Ministry on, first, what are the key achievements of ASEAN over the last 50 years? Second, how can ASEAN remain relevant in the future, in view of the changing geopolitical landscape? Sir, ASEAN was formed on 8 August 1967. Its main role is to promote regional peace and stability, accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region, and also maintain close cooperation with international organisations with similar purposes. The 10 ASEAN countries cover a land area of about 4.4 million sq km and have approximately 625 million people. Although ASEAN has been in existence for 50 years, not many people in the ASEAN countries understand the key roles and operations of ASEAN and how ASEAN has benefited them. In fact, some have criticised ASEAN to be a talk-shop among political leaders without achieving any desirable outcomes that benefit its businesses and people. Some have said that ASEAN is "big on words but small on action", and ASEAN policies have proven to be mostly rhetoric, rather than actual implementation. Sir, as ASEAN will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, it is a good opportunity to re-examine the key roles of ASEAN and re-position it to be more effective in responding to the changing geopolitical landscape. In my opinion, ASEAN should focus on three areas. One, strengthen the unity among ASEAN countries so as to achieve peace and stability in the region. Political leaders and government officials must put in more efforts to further improve diplomatic relations among countries and friendship among government officials. Two, promote more partnerships among businesses in ASEAN countries to create better jobs for our people.”
“Sir, in addition, HDB has been working with the Town Councils to install solar panels in our HDB blocks, thus adopting clean technologies. I would once again urge the Minister for Finance to consider giving grants or incentives to further expedite the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in Singapore.”
“A CC Green Committee was also set up to promote green living among residents. The Bukit Panjang CC incurred an expenditure of about $400,000 to install energy-efficient air-conditioning systems, light emitting diode (LED) lightings, water saving sanitary appliances, as well as a green wall to reduce heat transfer. Sir, as community touchpoints, CCs can play a pivotal role in rallying residents to adopt a green lifestyle. However, one barrier which currently prevents CCs from going green is the lack of funding to introduce green technologies and features into the CCs. Thus, I would like to urge the Minister for Finance to consider providing a one-off Green CC grant to expedite the greening of all CCs in Singapore. Sir, while I support the introduction of a carbon tax, which is based on the "polluter pays" principle, I am concerned that such a measure will further increase business costs which will ultimately be passed on to consumers. As an alternative to further encourage the adoption of green technologies that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, I would urge the Minister for Finance to also consider providing incentives or grants to companies or organisations which support such go-green initiatives. Sir, since 2011, the 15 People's Action Party Town Councils have implemented the LED bulk tender programme to replace the less energy-efficient 2D, panel light, tubular (T)8 and T5 lightings to LED lightings. To date, we have installed 1.18 million LED lights at the common corridors, staircase landings and void decks of HDB blocks, and are presently installing another 730,000 LED lights to replace lightings at the outdoor open areas. The LED lighting programme will result in about 40% energy saving and, thus, a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.”
“As we move towards building a vibrant and connected city, we must ensure that the public sector has a core group of project managers and facilities managers to procure, implement and manage public sector projects. The public sector can take the lead to develop a professionalism and quality assurance framework that incorporates industry best practices to upgrade the construction industry. Third, building a quality environment. Sir, I support the bringing forward of $700 million worth of public sector infrastructure projects, especially in the upgrading of community clubs and sports facilities. In line with the Government's push for environmental sustainability and the Public Sector Taking the Lead in Environmental Sustainability (PSTLES) programme, the North West Community Development Council launched its Eco CC@North West programme in October 2016, which focuses on two key areas of improvement for CCs, namely, first, the green "hardware", and second, the green "software". Green "hardware" refers to infrastructural works to enhance the environmental performance of CCs, which include aspects of energy and water efficiencies, while green "software" refers to the promotion of green consciousness and adoption of green practices among the users of CCs, such as using sustainable and environmentally-friendly products, reducing the use of energy and water, maintaining a healthy indoor environment, practising effective waste management and general education on the topic at large. Bukit Panjang CC was the first CC in Singapore to attain the Building and Construction Authority's Green Mark Gold Plus award under the Non-residential Existing Building Category after its installation of solar panels and retrofitting of its existing building.”
“At present, there is a general lack of initiatives from the ground up, as well as the necessary leadership to bring the industry into the future. Over the last 30 years, limited progress has been made to enhance professionalism, productivity and quality in the construction industry. To date, construction productivity is low, while its quality has struggled to meet clients' expectations. The industry's professional practices currently leave plenty of room for improvement as well. Sir, the Construction Industry Joint Committee (CIJC) is a ground-up initiative formed by eight professional bodies and trade associations of the construction industry in 1997. Its main role is to provide feedback to the Government and be a think-tank to discuss strategies for industry development. Sir, I have recently accepted to be the advisor of CIJC and have urged CIJC to take a more proactive role to spearhead the development of the construction industry. With that said, I also hope that the Government can co-chair with CIJC to jointly develop the construction ITM. I am pleased to note that the Budget has provided a $150-million Public Sector Productivity Fund to allow Government agencies to procure innovative and productive construction solutions. Based on the findings of the Auditor-General's Office, there are often lapses in the procurement and project management of Government projects. This is mainly attributed to a lack of expertise in inexperienced staff with regard to procurement and project management in the public sector. I would like to propose that the Government set up a Public Sector Construction Division similar to the former Public Works Department.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I rise in support of the Budget. First, building capabilities. I support the key thrusts of the Budget, namely: first, to build capabilities among our businesses and people; second, to seek new opportunities in the changing and uncertain global market; and third, to build a caring and resilient community in Singapore. As proposed by the Finance Minister, there is a dire need for Singaporeans and our businesses to embrace digital technology so that we can seize opportunities to pursue a better quality of life in the future. The proposed SMEs Go Digital Programme will definitely help our SMEs to enhance their digital capabilities and improve business operations, providing better customer services in turn. However, the key challenge faced by SMEs lies in training staff to go digital or recruiting and retaining staff who already possess the skills to do so. Due to the different learning abilities of workers, there is a need to adopt more standardised and industry-wide digital solutions. This will help to reduce the learning curve and ensure that the workers' new-found skills are applicable in various companies. To further support a digital economy, we must also equip consumers to be digital savvy. Many Singaporeans, especially the elderly, are still facing difficulties using e-services and smartphone applications. Thus, I would propose that we provide free e-services and smartphone applications training at every Community Club (CC) to build digital capabilities in our community. Second, construction ITM. Sir, I fully support the focus to transform our industries through close partnerships with trade associations and chambers. The construction industry is complex and comprises many stakeholders and trade associations.”
“To avoid disputes among users, I would propose that LTA build more dedicated and separate cycling paths connecting to MRT stations, town centres and various amenities in the town. By separating walking and cycling paths, both pedestrians and cyclists will enjoy safer use of public paths. Madam, I propose that LTA be the lead agency to resolve disputes among different users of public paths. This will enable LTA to gather feedback and understand the concerns of the users. In this way, more effective measures can be taken to fine-tune the Act in future to promote walking and cycling in Singapore.”
“To avoid confusion, we need to clearly mark walking and cycling paths with footprints or bicycle prints respectively at regular intervals. Signages must also be clearly displayed at the beginning, ending and cross junctions of public paths. I wish to clarify with the Senior Minister of State regarding the ownership and responsibility of those declared public paths within a town. Are the Town Councils supposed to transfer ownership of those paths which are declared as public paths to LTA for management? If not, who will be responsible to maintain and enforce the use of these declared public paths in the town? Who will take up the public liability insurance for the public paths? Madam, the maintenance and enforcement of public paths will entail additional expenditure if undertaken by the Town Councils. Second, enforcement. Madam, to ensure the safety of all users of public paths, we must adopt a comprehensive approach to educate the users and conduct regular enforcement to reduce accidents and injuries. Closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras can be installed at high-risk locations to regulate the use of all public paths. Mobile CCTVs can also be deployed to facilitate enforcement efforts on reckless riders. I would propose that LTA set up a 24-hour hotline to follow up on feedback from the users. In addition, LTA should deploy enforcement teams in every constituency to educate and instil discipline among users of public paths. To facilitate enforcement, LTA should consider registering all riders, bicycles and PABs. Third, dispute resolution. Madam, with more people walking and cycling on public paths, there will be more cases of conflict among the users.”
“Mdm Speaker, I rise in support of the Bill. Madam, the 15 People's Action Party (PAP) Town Councils support this Bill to promote walking, cycling and the connectivity of our public transport system. We also support the various measures proposed to promote and ensure the safety of users of public paths. This Bill will set out the legal framework and code of conduct for all users of public paths to minimise conflicts among the users and support our nation's drive towards a car-lite society. Madam, the 15 PAP Town Councils manage thousands of footpaths in our respective HDB towns. These footpaths, including covered footpaths, are mainly the common property of the Town Councils. The Town Councils are responsible to maintain these footpaths and enforce the by-laws to ensure the safe use of these footpaths. Every year, the 15 Town Councils receive about 200 complaints from our residents related to bicycles, PABs and PMDs. These complaints include: (a) speeding and reckless riding, (b) illegal parking of bicycles, and (c) disputes among users of footpaths. Madam, I wish to highlight three concerns regarding the implementation of the Active Mobility Bill. First, classification of public paths. Clause 6 of the Bill declares and classifies public paths into three types, namely, pedestrian-only path, footpath, and shared path for different types of users. The definitions of pedestrians, riders and various types of footpaths are quite confusing. It may be easier for the public to understand if we just classify public paths into walking path, cycling path and walk-and-cycle path. Walking path shall allow users to walk, move on motorised and non-motorised wheelchairs, ride mobility scooters or PMDs, pull trolleys or skates. While cycling paths are for riders using bicycles or PABs.”
“Sir, the Bukit Panjang Arts Street with its colourful motif and vernacular arts design on the tiles, themed-business signage lining the street, and designed walkway, will also see a more environment-friendly canopy to shelter residents from unpredictable weather and interesting lighting to reflect the mood and many festivities in Singapore. Sir, we plan to use the arts street to root arts as part of everyday life and get local artists and more residents to participate in the arts and culture activities. One day, the Bukit Panjang Arts Street in the heartland may find a place on the Singapore tourist map. Nurturing Arts Appreciation from Young”
“Mr Chairman, Sir, MCCY has been very supportive in promoting arts in the community. Since the formation of the Community Arts and Culture Club (CACC) in Bukit Panjang in 2014, we have organised many arts and culture activities to benefit more than 7,000 residents. 7.15 pm These activities have added much vibrancy and inclusiveness in our community where arts and culture become more accessible to everyone, everywhere and every day. I wish to ask the Ministry whether it will continue to promote community arts by providing more funding support to CACCs in the community. Sir, MCCY has brought greater vibrancy to the community by creating a space where people can develop a greater emotional connection to our heritage and society. In line with this, I am pleased to share with Members that Bukit Panjang constituency has started work to build a "Bukit Panjang Arts Street" at Bangkit neighbourhood centre. Arts streets are often found in important towns and cities. It is a place where local artists frequent, display their arts craft and engage the local community. The Bukit Panjang Arts Street will not only promote arts and culture. It will also generate greater vibrancy in the community and be a pride of place for our residents. Sir, can I have your permission to show a slide on the LED screen?”
“Chairman, I would like to seek a clarification from the Senior Minister of State whether the Ministry will consider reviewing or removing the terms and conditions of the land sales, such as specifying the method of construction, which has an effect on increasing development cost?”
“Today, building consultants, such as architects, engineers and quantity surveyors, are usually paid a percentage fee based on the value of the project. Such a fee structure may result in a conflict of interest as some consultants may not be incentivised to produce simple, functional and lower-cost designs. I urge the Ministry to consider developing a fair remuneration framework that will encourage building consultants to adopt professional practices and for a fair fee. This could be in the form of lump-sum fees based on the size and complexity of the project. Three, build a core team of Singapore builders. Sir, over the last 30 years, the construction industry has suffered a serious brain drain of building professionals. Many architecture, engineering and building professionals have left the industry. This is attributed to a lack of recognition of the professions, tough work environment and the poor image of the industry. At local universities, architecture, engineering and building courses are not top choices among university applicants. In fact, the building course in the National University of Singapore (NUS) had to be repackaged in order to attract applications as the building degree is not recognised by the authorities in Singapore. Sir, if this outflow of talent continues, we will soon face a shortage of local building professionals to build and rejuvenate our city. I urge the Ministry to take immediate action to build a core team of building professionals in Singapore. Four, Construction Future Steering Committee. Sir, the construction industry needs a steering committee to map out its development for the next 50 years. I propose that the Ministry set up a Construction Future Steering Committee to make Singapore a Global City. Lift Upgrading Programme Designs”
“Chairman, Sir, the construction industry is a very complex industry, comprising many stakeholders, such as the authorities, developers, consultants, suppliers, and contractors. With rising expectations from clients and users, construction projects are becoming more complex. Thus, we need to find new ways to improve construction productivity and quality. 5.30 pm Sir, I wish to ask the Ministry to provide an update on the progress of the construction industry. First, what are the key initiatives implemented by the Ministry to improve the innovation, productivity, quality, safety and professionalism in the industry? Two, what is the future roadmap for the construction industry? Sir, the construction industry needs a major transformation to grow and succeed in the future. I would like to propose four recommendations for the Ministry to consider. One, review the terms and conditions of all land sales and qualifying certificate for developers. The land sales' terms and conditions such as project completion period, extension premium scheme, use of Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction (PPVC) method and the need to sell all dwelling units in a housing development within two years from the temporary occupation permit (TOP), have increased development risks and construction costs correspondingly. These cost increases are ultimately passed on to property buyers and users. I propose that we review or remove these land sales requirements to allow more flexibility for developers to adopt more innovative and productive methods in their developments and encourage developers to be more creative in finding more cost-effective solutions for their developments. Two, develop a fair remuneration framework for building consultants.”