Vivian Balakrishnan
Singapore
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not issue advisories on wait times at overseas airports. Travellers may wish to monitor airline and airport websites, as well as news reports for real-time information on wait times and potential disruptions at specific airports.”
“When the conflict in the Middle East deteriorated and commercial flights were halted in March 2026, the Singapore Government mounted four repatriation flights from Muscat, Riyadh and Jeddah to bring stranded Singaporeans home.”
“The Government has stepped up public engagement to explain our foreign policy fundamentals and responses to key international developments to Singaporeans and to hear their views. We do this through dialogue sessions across segments of society, including students, youths, businesses and community leaders.”
“And the larger point during the Committee of Supply was that precisely, because the world is in such a difficult, prickly, volatile and dangerous state, actually, if we keep our wits about ourselves, we maintain unity and we continue to have this clear eye-realistic, but principled, approach, there are many opportunities for Singapore.”
“Well, in short, I completely agree with you. And that is why we have indeed been hosting these events and in your own capacity as a national athlete and also as an official now, you have seen how it works in practice.”
“Since 2022, about half of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) employees are women. The proportion of women in senior appointments has remained stable at about a quarter. We recognise that overseas postings are disruptive for officers with families, especially female officers who bear greater caregiving responsibilities.”
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“This aims to put in place an integrated nationwide sensor platform to improve municipal services, city-level operations, planning and security. You may not feel the direct impact of this straightaway, but a better and more systematic use of sensors and data will enable us to build and run a smarter, greener and more liveable city, including more responsive and reliable public transport, better public security and improved urban planning. The trials for various aspects of the Smart Nation Sensor Platform are ongoing right now. Ms Jessica Tan and I think Mr Cedric Foo quite rightly emphasised that digital services should be citizen-centric and anticipatory. The Moments of Life initiative is one example where we are reorganising Government services to provide personalised, customised services at a citizen-centric level. You used to have to navigate your way to access the myriad of services that the Government provided. Then our next step was to have a "No Wrong Door Policy", meaning it does not matter which door you knocked on, it was supposed to work and bring you to the right place. Frankly, I think we need to reorganise the Government so that the delivery of our services is organised based on the citizen rather than the agency providing those services. And this is actually not a question of technology but of re-engineering our processes. And if we succeed, then the doors should disappear. In June 2018, we will release an app for Singaporean couples starting a family or with children aged six and below. We will call this app – and we have not thought of a better name yet – "Moments of Life (Families)".”
“Our public agencies will shortly start using PayNow as well. In March this year, CPF Board will allow eligible CPF members over 55 to receive their lump sum withdrawal through PayNow. What is the advantage? It means the funds will be transferred within the same day, hopefully on their birthday, rather than waiting five days, which is the current turnaround time. We will also be piloting the use of PayNow to disburse Edusave Award monies to Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and polytechnic students. This will surely be more efficient than having to bank a cheque. This year, we will also launch PayNow Corporate, which will enable businesses to link their bank accounts to their Unique Entity Numbers (UENs). They will be able to use PayNow in order to pay other businesses and also receive payment from consumers. In other words, this will now become business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) as well. We will be promoting the adoption of the Singapore Quick Response (SGQR) code, which will be a national QR code standard. This will increase consumer convenience but, more important than that, it will also enable cheaper and infrastructure-light payments systems, which will benefit especially smaller businesses. I am also glad that the Network for Electronic Transfers (NETS) and EZ-Link are working together to enable the EZ-Link card acceptance at NETS terminals and vice versa. Frankly, this is long overdue. But we welcome and encourage, and, in fact, we want to make it a rule from now on, to achieve interoperability of wallets and payments systems. This will make it much more convenient for consumers and businesses. Another Strategic National Project is the Smart Nation Sensor Platform.”
“For instance, the processing time to open new bank accounts and credit card applications has been reduced by 80%. Backroom processes have become efficient. I have heard Mr Zaqy Mohamad’s point that maybe we need to take this same methodology to social assistance as well to reduce repetitive form-filling and speed up backroom processes. Private companies can innovate and build on top of these platforms. Ms Tin Pei Ling will be pleased to note that we are enabling businesses, through the MyInfo Developer and Partner Portal, to integrate their own digital services into MyInfo, which is the Government-initiated secure data platform. Since the portal’s launch in November 2017, just three months ago, more than 150 businesses from various industries have expressed interest in doing so and we look forward to onboarding more later this year. Let me say a few words on e-payments. We are not going cashless for its own sake. And we are certainly not doing it for tax collection. The ultimate objective is to lower transaction costs for all businesses and for citizens who are purchasing goods and services. It is to expand opportunities and, especially for small companies, freelancers, entrepreneurs, the gig economy and the small handicraft maker. You want them to be able to access this at the lowest possible transaction cost in order to enhance competitiveness and participation in our economy. PayNow was launched by our banks last year to allow easy and immediate funds transfer using the recipient’s NRIC or mobile phone numbers. So far, it has been used mostly for mainly peer-to-peer (P2P) payments, between persons, and more than $370 million has been sent on this basis through the PayNow system. But this is only the beginning.”
“The formation of SNDGG last year, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, has enabled us to be even more coordinated and responsive in the execution of our strategy. In particular, we are accelerating the delivery of our Strategic National Projects. These form key digital platforms and infrastructure and are essential for a vibrant and innovative digital economy and for us to enhance our Government services. These projects are on track and let me quickly give Members some specifics. First, on National Digital Identity. Ms Tin Pei Ling, I believe, asked about the progress of the National Digital Identity and of e-payments. Both are essential if we are to achieve seamless, convenient and secure digital transactions. We will launch the SingPass mobile app in the second half of this year. I think Members would be aware of the current SingPass system. It has got two-factor authentication, but that requires you to either have a hard token or to receive a short message service (SMS) message. The new SingPass mobile app will enable citizens to authenticate ourselves more quickly and conveniently. It will allow biometric authentication, and Singaporeans who are overseas will not have to wait to receive an SMS probably at some charge before they can log on to SingPass. A secure digital identity will also enable our citizens to share data safely and securely with other organisations. This point is important because we have already linked 70 Government services and 30 banking services to MyInfo. The purpose of MyInfo is to eliminate repetitive form-filling and document verification and it will also enhance accuracy. This will increase convenience, improve service standards and reduce processing time.”
“We are in the midst of a digital revolution. I think everyone knows that, and we know that it is transforming our economy, our society, our jobs. 4.30 pm During the previous industrial revolution, the people and the regions that first got it were the first to adopt the latest technology, achieved a headstart and they made enormous fortunes and amassed great power. In fact, I often think we are speaking English today because the last industrial revolution began in England and spread to Europe. The beginning of every new technological shift is often characterised by an initial Gilded Age, an age when there are greater inequality and profits amassed by the few who get it and have access to the new means of production. It takes time for new skills to be commoditised, the means of value creation to be more widely disseminated, and then you get a larger middle class. We saw such a golden age in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War, with a demographic dividend, mass education and a massive investment in infrastructure. We believe that the current digital revolution reflects such an inflection point. The pace of change, however, of this revolution will be much faster than the previous industrial revolution. And that is why we need to ensure that all Singaporeans, and I emphasise all, master the new skills, and that our economy is rapidly restructured. Then, and only then, will our people have good jobs with good incomes and then we can remain a cohesive and fair society. So, this is the context, the narrative, behind our Smart Nation efforts. I am glad to inform Mr Zaqy Mohamed, Ms Jessica Tan, Mr Saktiandi Supaat and Mr Teo Ser Luck that we are making good progress.”
“The short answer is, no, there was no time and no opportunity to cobble together a consolidated ASEAN position. But having said that, I am not even sure that that would have been ideal. As I said, this was a very sensitive and delicate situation, and I think every country had to take a position based on its own analysis of its own national interests. So, this was not an occasion to try to chorale or to put pressure on the individual members of ASEAN. I say this in full cognisance that there will be, I am sure, future situations and future resolutions where it may be even harder for us to get together and to settle on a common position. So, I would not a priori aim to do that. I do not view that, therefore, as a setback that a couple of ASEAN members state abstained and that all the rest of us voted in favour.”
“But we do so in all sincerity as a reflection of who we are as a multi-religious society and our longstanding friendship, support and advocacy for peace in the Middle East. That, in a nutshell, is about all that we can do. We are not a superpower.”
“But everyone knew we were from Singapore, this is a multi-religious, multiracial group, and we were welcomed and were protected by both parties. So, there was that sense of gratitude, that sense of special access. People talk about the Singapore passport being very powerful. It is not really about the passport but the fact that the world welcomes and trusts us. The third sentiment I felt during that trip was I thought about thousands of lives that had been lost and all the blood that had been shed on that hill, in the name of race, language and religion. It made me more determined than before to appreciate what we have in Singapore, that when we say we believe in peaceful resolution and we believe in direct, honest negotiations and that we believe in living side by side, even to the point where we need an Ethnic Integration Policy, we are not just describing to the world. We are living a real example of multiracial, multi-religious peace. When we say to live side by side in peace and security, we are a working vision, a working example of that future. So, that, in a sense, in an anecdotal way, informs our attitude to this issue. So, in any particular resolution, and there have been lots of UN resolutions on this, I will not be able to tell you a priori whether we are going to abstain, vote against or for, but I am sharing with you the principles behind which we will interpret the resolution and then we will vote accordingly. And from time to time, we will have to take a different position from friends or supporters but I am confident that they know Singapore, they know Singaporeans well and they know that we do not grandstand, we do not take political postures for the sake of posturing.”
“For that kind of relationship to occur, when you have two parties who have been fighting for thousands of years, you can imagine it is a very difficult role to play. Nevertheless, because both Israelis as well as the Palestinians, and the Arabs and all the other countries in the Middle East know that Singapore does not take sides. They know that we do not bend for the sake of pressure or inducements and that we genuinely stand for peace and for development. So, that gives us special access. I felt this special access. In April 2016, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong made a first visit as an incumbent Prime Minister of Singapore to both Jordon and Israel. Among the various parts of the trip, I think the most significant was when we had a chance to go up to Temple Mount, or the Arabic term, the Al-Haram Al-Sharif, where the Dome of the Rock is and where Al-Aqsa Mosque is. At the risk of being longwinded, let me tell you my sentiments, as the Prime Minister and our delegation, including Minister Masagos and Member of Parliament Dr Intan, went along with us. The first sense I got was the sense of awe. Whether or not you are religious, if you visit Jerusalem and you go to those sites, you cannot help but feel that this is a special place, a sacred place. A place where heaven and earth seems to come to a confluence. That is the first sense. My second sense was gratitude for being a Singaporean because here we were accompanied by security from both the Israeli and Jordanian sides and they gave us full access. Minister Masagos even had the chance to pray in the cave beneath the Dome of the Rock. And they gave us full access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and we are not Muslims.”
“I thank the Member for those two questions. On the first question, when you are faced with a resolution, there is always a choice – you can vote in favour, you can abstain or you can vote against. In fact, there is a fourth choice, which is to be absent. But I think Members of this House will know that that is not Singapore's style. When we are confronted with a question, we face it head-on and we make what we believe is an appropriate choice that is consistent with our position, policy and our values. We look very carefully at this resolution. As I explained earlier, the real problem or the catalyst for this current resolution, and I am going to say what I am going say now without naming names and without identifying countries, but what really precipitated this was an announcement. An announcement which could be construed as changing the status quo. And hence, in our view, could be unilateral and premature pronouncement which, instead of helping peace, would actually impede the peace process. So, that is why after very careful consideration and consultation, we decided to stand by our principles and say we do not think that this is a good idea and, therefore, we are voting in favour of the resolution. It is a principled decision because we are actually not taking sides, but not saying one party or the other or its supporters are right or wrong. This relates to the Member's second question. Singapore is not a superpower. We are not a regional power. We are not a key player in the Middle East. For our approach, I would look at it at two levels. First, we do want to be friends with everyone but we want to be not just a fair-weathered friends. We want to be long-term, reliable and principled friends.”
“Although other states, including the bigger powers, may occasionally differ or disagree with certain positions that we take, we maintain a consistent application of this principle and this ability to maintain consistency over the long term has enabled us to be taken seriously and to be regarded as a reliable partner who can play a constructive role in international affairs. Indeed, Singapore remains a steadfast partner of the US, of Israel and of the Palestinian people. Our longstanding bilateral relations with all countries are strong and multifaceted, and our shared interests far exceed differences. At the same time, this gives us access and a strong relationship based on trust with the Palestinians and, indeed, with the Middle East as a whole. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, Singapore's vote in favour of the UN General Assembly resolution on 21 December 2017 was actually a vote for peace and stability. As a small country with a multiracial and multi-religious population, Singapore, of all countries, fully appreciates that tolerance and the peaceful resolution of disputes are vital for social harmony and for our success as a nation and, indeed, for world peace. We therefore hope that the parties involved will work towards the resumption of direct peace negotiations. This can only be achieved when both sides approach these longstanding sensitive issues in a spirit of good faith and appreciation for each other's beliefs, values, aspirations, hopes and anxieties.”
“We do not take sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Our objective has always been to support a peaceful resolution to this conflict. We have been a steadfast advocate of a negotiated two-state solution, with Israel and Palestine living side-by-side in peace and security. Accordingly, the future status of Jerusalem should be determined through direct negotiations between both sides and any unilateral and premature action that might alter the status of Jerusalem would only serve to further destabilise the region. It would impede progress towards a just and durable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Our vote on the recent resolution is, therefore, consistent with this policy position. It has, at its foundation, a key principle of Singapore's foreign policy, which is the promotion of a rules-based global community, governed by the rule of international law and always seeking peaceful resolution of disputes. It is also in this context that Singapore has always strictly abided by all UN Security Council Resolutions. Indeed, UN Security Council Resolution 478 (1980) specifically calls on all UN member states not to take any action that purport to alter the character and status of Jerusalem. Singapore's position on this issue is well-known and our vote at the various UN resolutions related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have been guided by this same principle, regardless of the positions of others.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, Singapore voted in favour of the recent United Nations (UN) General Assembly resolution (A/RES/ES-10/19) at the 10th Emergency Special Session (ESS) on the Status of Jerusalem. Our vote in favour of this resolution is consistent with our longstanding position on the unfortunately long-running Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Our position over the years has been based on the principle of seeking peaceful resolution of conflicts by upholding international law and abiding fully with UN Security Council Resolutions. Jerusalem is a unique city. It has profound religious significance for Muslims, Jews and Christians, and the status of Jerusalem is a very complex and sensitive issue with a very long history, fraught with political and religious dimensions. These special circumstances of Jerusalem have been addressed by numerous UN resolutions, with the most recent instance being the resolution that was voted upon on 21 December 2017. In fact, an almost identical resolution was considered by the UN Security Council, a week earlier, on 18 December 2017. At that UN Security Council session, 14 of the 15 members of the Security Council voted in favour of the resolution, and the United States (US) was the sole member to vote against and ultimately, to cast a veto against the resolution. And that is why the resolution then came to the General Assembly. The resolution in the General Assembly reaffirms previous UN resolutions and, in particular, it rejected any decisions or actions which purport to alter the character and the status of Jerusalem, and the same resolution calls on all states to comply with existing UN Security Council resolutions on Jerusalem. Singapore's position on this has been consistent.”
“A 15-member inter-ministerial committee has been formed to look into the recommendations. Myanmar has also welcomed the offers of the international community to contribute towards the government's humanitarian assistance programme. We hope that these efforts will be fruitful. There is an urgent need to restore peace, stability, harmony and reconciliation among all the communities in Rakhine State. As ASEAN member states, we are all committed to abide by the principles set out in the ASEAN Charter to enhance good governance and the rule of law. ASEAN has conveyed its hope and support for a long-term solution to a complex intercommunal issue with deep historical roots. While responsibility to resolve the complex issues involving the peoples of the Rakhine State ultimately rests with all the parties concerned in Myanmar themselves, Singapore and our fellow ASEAN member states can do our part to support efforts by all parties to work towards a viable solution, so that affected communities can rebuild their lives.”
“The ASEAN Foreign Ministers recently held an informal meeting, which Minister Vivian Balakrishnan attended, in New York on 23 September 2017 to discuss the issue of the Rakhine State. The meeting began with Myanmar Minister of State for Foreign Affairs U Kyaw Tin's briefing on the developments in the Rakhine State, followed by a frank and robust exchange of views among the Foreign Ministers. Following the meeting, the Philippines issued an ASEAN Chairman's Statement on the Humanitarian Situation in the Rakhine State, which condemned the recent acts of violence and welcomed Myanmar's efforts to resolve the situation on the ground. The Chairman's Statement also reflected the undertaking by all ASEAN member states to support Myanmar's humanitarian relief effort, and to activate the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre) to work with the Myanmar government-led mechanism, in cooperation with the Red Cross Movement, to deliver humanitarian assistance to all displaced inhabitants without discrimination. This was in line with the Foreign Ministers' recognition of the need for increased humanitarian access to all affected communities. The Myanmar government has acknowledged that they need to address this crucible of intercommunal tension in the Rakhine State. One year ago, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi established a commission led by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to make long-term recommendations to address the challenges facing the ethnically and religiously divided Rakhine State. The Advisory Commission on Rakhine State has submitted its final report and recommendations. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has expressed her government's determination to implement them fully and "within the shortest time possible".”
“Earlier in December 2016, RLAF and our local communities had also channelled more than S$180,000 of humanitarian aid to affected communities in the Rakhine State. Mercy Relief will also raise funds and is planning to deploy a team to conduct aid distribution in Bangladesh. Mercy Relief will work with Action Aid International, an established international non-governmental organisation in Bangladesh, as well as the Bangladesh Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, to distribute S$100,000 worth of items, including solar lamps, blankets and shelter, for affected communities. The funds raised will be used to provide humanitarian aid to all affected communities in that region, regardless of ethnicity or religion. Members have also asked about the role ASEAN can play. Mr Christopher de Souza asked specifically if Myanmar can be compelled under the relevant articles in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Human Rights Declaration (AHRD). AHRD reaffirms ASEAN member states' common interest and commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as the purposes and the principles enshrined in the ASEAN Charter. Although the AHRD does not impose legal obligations, we expect all ASEAN countries to uphold the spirit and the principles set out in the document. The situation in Myanmar affects all ASEAN countries as well as the wider international community. It is in our common interest to work with the Myanmar government to support its efforts to restore peace and stability, and to find long-term solutions to this complex communal problem in the Rakhine State. While the principle of non-interference is enshrined in the ASEAN Charter, the Charter also calls for enhanced consultations on matters of common interest of ASEAN.”
“As a close friend and neighbour, Singapore stands ready to support the Myanmar government in whatever way we can to make a positive contribution. Given the scale of the humanitarian needs, the Singapore Government will be offering bilateral humanitarian aid to both Myanmar and Bangladesh. We hope to contribute to the efforts to help all affected communities on both sides of the border, regardless of ethnicity and religion. For Myanmar, we will be offering an aid package comprising approximately S$100,000 worth of supplies from the Singapore Government. For Bangladesh, given that it is experiencing a more severe refugee crisis, we will be offering two humanitarian loads comprising approximately S$200,000 worth of supplies from the Singapore Government. Our community organisations have also launched fundraising drives for the affected communities in Rakhine State. I would like to highlight three such organisations in my reply. The first is the Singapore Red Cross (SRC), which has been providing humanitarian assistance in Rakhine State since 2012. SRC has launched a month-long public fundraising appeal1 and committed S$27,150 worth of relief items to be distributed in Rakhine State. This is in addition to an earlier contribution of US$50,000 in shelter items to the Rakhine State. SRC will work with the Myanmar Red Cross and the Bangladesh Red Crescent to ensure that the relief items reach the affected communities. The second is the Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation (RLAF), a community-based charity, which has raised more than S$300,000 thus far2. RLAF will work with the United Nations (UN) High Commission for Refugees to distribute aid to the refugees in Bangladesh.”
“Mr Louis Ng and Mr Pritam Singh's questions relate to the situation in Rakhine State. Mr Christopher de Souza and Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar also posed related questions at yesterday's Sitting [Please refer to (a) "Compelling Myanmar to Remedy Human Tragedy in Rakhine State", and (b) "Singapore's Role as 2018 ASEAN Chair to Address Humanitarian Situation in Rakhine State", Official Report, 2 October 2017, Vol 94, Issue 51, Written Answers to Questions for Oral Answer Not Answered by 3.00 pm section.] I will address the four questions in my reply this afternoon. In Myanmar's Northern Rakhine State, a humanitarian disaster has unfolded in the aftermath of a terrorist attack on 25 August 2017 and subsequent related acts of violence. The conflict has resulted in loss of lives, destruction of homes and the displacement of large numbers of people. The situation in the Rakhine State is a complex intercommunal issue with deep historical roots, dating back more than half a century. There are no quick fixes. The immediate task at hand is for all the parties involved to cease actions that will further worsen the situation on the ground, so that humanitarian assistance can reach those desperately in need, regardless of ethnicity and religious affiliation. We urge the restoration of peace, stability and the rule of law in the Rakhine State. It is the responsibility of every government to protect every civilian and to restore law and order. Comprehensive, long-term and sustainable solutions must also be found to address the underlying challenges and build trust among the different stakeholders and communities and define the legal status of everyone in Rakhine State.”
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) encourages Singaporeans to eRegister their overseas travels through the MFA website or MFA@SG mobile application in our public outreach and messaging. To get more Singaporeans to do so, we will continue to make it easier and more convenient for them. For example, we have reduced the number of fields required to make the process more user-friendly. The MFA App is now linked to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) SGSecure application. We have also collaborated with SATS Ltd to allow Singaporeans to eRegister via SATS' new travel application, and we are open to work with other partners to improve our consular services. We will continue to leverage technology to offer more convenient online platforms. One of our current priorities is to finalise the MFA Chatbot – in collaboration with Govtech – which can interact with users through conversational channels on social media platforms, such as Facebook Messenger, and allow users to eRegister. While we continue to explore different platforms for eRegistration, we are mindful that it is essentially a voluntary exercise. As our resources are often stretched and focused on providing assistance to those in genuine need during crises and emergencies, we also urge Singaporeans to do their part by taking precautions and practising personal responsibility by staying vigilant, observing local laws, purchasing travel insurance, and staying in touch with family and friends when overseas.”
“As ASEAN member states, we are all committed to abide by the principles set out in the ASEAN Charter to enhance good governance and the rule of law. ASEAN has conveyed its hope and support for a long-term solution to a complex inter-communal issue with deep historical roots. While responsibility to resolve the complex issues involving the peoples of the Rakhine State ultimately rests with all the parties concerned in Myanmar themselves, Singapore and our fellow ASEAN member states can do our part to support efforts by all parties to work towards a viable solution, so that affected communities can rebuild their lives.”
“Following the meeting, the Philippines issued an ASEAN Chairman's Statement on the Humanitarian Situation in the Rakhine State, which condemned the recent acts of violence and welcomed Myanmar’s efforts to resolve the situation on the ground. The Chairman’s Statement also reflected the undertaking by all ASEAN member states to support Myanmar's humanitarian relief effort, and to activate the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance (AHA Centre) on disaster management to work with the Myanmar Government-led mechanism, in cooperation with the Red Cross Movement, to deliver humanitarian assistance to all displaced inhabitants without discrimination. This was in line with the Foreign Ministers’ recognition of the need for increased humanitarian access to all affected communities. The Myanmar government has acknowledged that they need to address this crucible of inter-communal tension in the Rakhine State. One year ago, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi established a commission led by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to make long-term recommendations to address the challenges facing the ethnically and religiously divided Rakhine State. The Advisory Commission on Rakhine State has submitted its final report and recommendations. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has expressed her government's determination to implement them fully and "within the shortest time possible". A 15-member inter-ministerial committee has been formed to look into the recommendations. Myanmar has also welcomed the offers of the international community to contribute towards the government’s humanitarian assistance programme. We hope that these efforts will be fruitful. There is an urgent need to restore peace, stability, harmony and reconciliation among all the communities in Rakhine State.”
“The funds raised will be used to provide humanitarian aid to all affected communities in that region, regardless of ethnicity or religion. Members have also asked about the role ASEAN can play. Mr Christopher de Souza asked specifically if Myanmar can be compelled under the relevant articles in the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD). The AHRD reaffirms ASEAN member states' common interest and commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as the purposes and principles enshrined in the ASEAN Charter. Although the AHRD does not impose legal obligations, we expect all ASEAN countries to uphold the spirit and principles set out in the document. The situation in Myanmar affects all ASEAN countries as well as the wider international community. It is in our common interest to work with the Myanmar government to support its efforts to restore peace and stability, and to find long-term solutions to this complex communal problem in the Rakhine State. While the principle of non-interference is enshrined in the ASEAN Charter, the Charter also calls for enhanced consultations on matters of common interest of ASEAN. The ASEAN Foreign Ministers recently held an informal meeting, which Minister Vivian Balakrishnan attended in New York on 23 September 2017 to discuss the issue of the Rakhine State. The meeting began with the Myanmar Minister of State for Foreign Affairs U Kyaw Tin’s briefing on the developments in the Rakhine State, followed by a frank and robust exchange of views among the Foreign Ministers.”
“For Bangladesh, given that it is experiencing a more severe refugee crisis, we will be offering two humanitarian loads comprising approximately S$200,000 worth of supplies from the Singapore Government. Our community organisations have also launched fundraising drives for the affected communities in Rakhine State. I would like to highlight three such organisations in my reply. The first is the Singapore Red Cross (SRC), which has been providing humanitarian assistance in Rakhine State since 2012. SRC has launched a month-long public fundraising appeal and committed S$27,150 worth of relief items to be distributed in Rakhine State. This is in addition to an earlier contribution of US$50,000 in shelter items to the Rakhine State. SRC will work with the Myanmar Red Cross and the Bangladesh Red Crescent to ensure that the relief items reach the affected communities. The second is the Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation (RLAF), a community-based charity, which has raised more than S$300,000 thus far. RLAF will work with the United Nations (UN) High Commission for Refugees to distribute aid to the refugees in Bangladesh. Earlier in December 2016, RLAF and our local communities had also channelled more than S$180,000 of humanitarian aid to affected communities in the Rakhine State. Mercy Relief will also raise funds and is planning to deploy a team to conduct aid distribution in Bangladesh. Mercy Relief will work with Action Aid International, an established international non-governmental organisation in Bangladesh, as well as the Bangladesh Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, to distribute S$100,000 worth of items, including solar lamps, blankets and shelter for affected communities.”
“In Myanmar's Northern Rakhine State, a humanitarian disaster has unfolded in the aftermath of a terrorist attack on 25 August 2017 and subsequent related acts of violence. The conflict has resulted in loss of lives, destruction of homes and the displacement of large numbers of people. The situation in the Rakhine State is a complex inter-communal issue with deep historical roots, dating back more than half a century. There are no quick fixes. The immediate task at hand is for all the parties involved to cease actions that will further worsen the situation on the ground, so that humanitarian assistance can reach those desperately in need, regardless of ethnicity and religious affiliation. We urge the restoration of peace, stability and the rule of law in the Rakhine State. It is the responsibility of every government to protect every civilian and to restore law and order. Comprehensive, long-term and sustainable solutions must also be found to address the underlying challenges and build trust among the different stakeholders and communities and define the legal status of everyone in Rakhine State. As a close friend and neighbour, Singapore stands ready to support the Myanmar government in whatever way we can to make a positive contribution. Given the scale of the humanitarian needs, the Singapore Government will be offering bilateral humanitarian aid to both Myanmar and Bangladesh. We hope to contribute to the efforts to help all affected communities on both sides of the border, regardless of ethnicity and religion. For Myanmar, we will be offering an aid package comprising approximately S$100,000 worth of supplies from the Singapore Government.”
“As ASEAN member states, we are all committed to abide by the principles set out in the ASEAN Charter to enhance good governance and the rule of law. ASEAN has conveyed its hope and support for a long-term solution to a complex inter-communal issue with deep historical roots. While responsibility to resolve the complex issues involving the peoples of the Rakhine State ultimately rests with all the parties concerned in Myanmar themselves, Singapore and our fellow ASEAN member states can do our part to support efforts by all parties to work towards a viable solution, so that affected communities can rebuild their lives.”
“Following the meeting, the Philippines issued an ASEAN Chairman’s Statement on the Humanitarian Situation in the Rakhine State, which condemned the recent acts of violence and welcomed Myanmar's efforts to resolve the situation on the ground. The Chairman’s Statement also reflected the undertaking by all ASEAN member states to support Myanmar’s humanitarian relief effort, and to activate the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance (AHA Centre) on disaster management to work with the Myanmar Government-led mechanism, in cooperation with the Red Cross Movement, to deliver humanitarian assistance to all displaced inhabitants without discrimination. This was in line with the Foreign Ministers’ recognition of the need for increased humanitarian access to all affected communities. The Myanmar government has acknowledged that they need to address this crucible of inter-communal tension in the Rakhine State. One year ago, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi established a commission led by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to make long-term recommendations to address the challenges facing the ethnically and religiously divided Rakhine State. The Advisory Commission on Rakhine State has submitted its final report and recommendations. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has expressed her government’s determination to implement them fully and "within the shortest time possible". A 15-member inter-ministerial committee has been formed to look into the recommendations. Myanmar has also welcomed the offers of the international community to contribute towards the government's humanitarian assistance programme. We hope that these efforts will be fruitful. There is an urgent need to restore peace, stability, harmony and reconciliation among all the communities in Rakhine State.”
“The funds raised will be used to provide humanitarian aid to all affected communities in that region, regardless of ethnicity or religion. Members have also asked about the role the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) can play. Mr Christopher de Souza asked specifically if Myanmar can be compelled under the relevant articles in the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD). The AHRD reaffirms ASEAN member states' common interest and commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as the purposes and the principles enshrined in the ASEAN Charter. Although the AHRD does not impose legal obligations, we expect all ASEAN countries to uphold the spirit and principles set out in the document. The situation in Myanmar affects all ASEAN countries as well as the wider international community. It is in our common interest to work with the Myanmar government to support its efforts to restore peace and stability, and to find long-term solutions to this complex communal problem in the Rakhine State. While the principle of non-interference is enshrined in the ASEAN Charter, the Charter also calls for enhanced consultations on matters of common interest of ASEAN. The ASEAN Foreign Ministers recently held an informal meeting, which Minister Vivian Balakrishnan attended in New York on 23 September 2017 to discuss the issue of the Rakhine State. The meeting began with the Myanmar Minister of State for Foreign Affairs U Kyaw Tin’s briefing on the developments in the Rakhine State, followed by a frank and robust exchange of views among the Foreign Ministers.”
“For Bangladesh, given that it is experiencing a more severe refugee crisis, we will be offering two humanitarian loads comprising approximately S$200,000 worth of supplies from the Singapore Government. Our community organisations have also launched fundraising drives for the affected communities in Rakhine State. I would like to highlight three such organisations in my reply. The first is the Singapore Red Cross (SRC), which has been providing humanitarian assistance in Rakhine State since 2012. SRC has launched a month-long public fundraising appeal and committed S$27,150 worth of relief items to be distributed in Rakhine State. This is in addition to an earlier contribution of US$50,000 in shelter items to the Rakhine State. SRC will work with the Myanmar Red Cross and the Bangladesh Red Crescent to ensure that the relief items reach the affected communities. The second is the Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation (RLAF), a community-based charity, which has raised more than S$300,000 thus far. RLAF will work with the United Nations (UN) High Commission for Refugees to distribute aid to the refugees in Bangladesh. Earlier in December 2016, RLAF and our local communities had also channelled more than S$180,000 of humanitarian aid to affected communities in the Rakhine State. Mercy Relief will also raise funds and is planning to deploy a team to conduct aid distribution in Bangladesh. Mercy Relief will work with Action Aid International, an established international non-governmental organisation in Bangladesh, as well as the Bangladesh Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, to distribute S$100,000 worth of items, including solar lamps, blankets and shelter for affected communities.”
“In Myanmar’s Northern Rakhine State, a humanitarian disaster has unfolded in the aftermath of a terrorist attack on 25 August 2017 and subsequent related acts of violence. The conflict has resulted in loss of lives, destruction of homes and the displacement of large numbers of people. The situation in the Rakhine State is a complex inter-communal issue with deep historical roots, dating back more than half a century. There are no quick fixes. The immediate task at hand is for all the parties involved to cease actions that will further worsen the situation on the ground, so that humanitarian assistance can reach those desperately in need, regardless of ethnicity and religious affiliation. We urge the restoration of peace, stability and the rule of law in the Rakhine State. It is the responsibility of every government to protect every civilian and to restore law and order. Comprehensive, long-term and sustainable solutions must also be found to address the underlying challenges and build trust among the different stakeholders and communities and define the legal status of everyone in Rakhine State. As a close friend and neighbour, Singapore stands ready to support the Myanmar government in whatever way we can to make a positive contribution. Given the scale of the humanitarian needs, the Singapore Government will be offering bilateral humanitarian aid to both Myanmar and Bangladesh. We hope to contribute to the efforts to help all affected communities on both sides of the border, regardless of ethnicity and religion. For Myanmar, we will be offering an aid package comprising approximately S$100,000 worth of supplies from the Singapore Government.”
“China's Belt and Road (B&R) initiative is significant as it has the potential to enhance connectivity and accelerate infrastructure development across the whole of Asia. Singapore was an early supporter of the initiative. Our third Government-to-Government project with China, the Chongqing Connectivity Initiative, is a key priority demonstration project under the B&R initiative. China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi and I have also agreed for our two countries to jointly establish three platforms under the B&R initiative to enhance (a) connectivity; (b) cooperation on financial services; and (c) third party collaboration in human capital development. At the regional level, China's non-financial Overseas Direct Investment into ASEAN economies has more than doubled from 2008, reaching US$7.8 billion in 2014. Asia is expected to need US$26 trillion of investments between now and 2030 to develop power, utilities, telecommunications and transportation infrastructure. In this regard, demand for infrastructure in the region is huge. There is thus potential for the B&R initiative to complement and support existing multilateral and regional projects, including those in ASEAN. The B&R initiative and the Master Plan for ASEAN Connectivity 2025 reflect a convergence of interests between ASEAN and China. As such, ASEAN is keen to explore possible synergies, including how the B&R initiative can complement ASEAN's development plans, and vice versa, to maximise the results of our cooperation. As Country Coordinator for ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations until August 2018, Singapore is actively consulting both ASEAN Member States and China on how this will feature in our plans for the future development of the ASEAN-China strategic partnership.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply has made further progress on the Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 2017/2018, and ask leave to sit again tomorrow.”
“Mr Chairman, may I seek your consent to move that progress be reported now and leave be asked to sit again tomorrow?”
“We do have plans. I cannot announce all of them yet. I think what I can say today is that we are planning to upgrade our consulates in Batam and Medan, because more people and more businesses are passing or transacting through Indonesia. Although we do have some other plans, I am not in the position to announce yet. Again, I think the Member's larger point is that the demands on MFA are growing. I hope Members noticed that, in fact, our budget for this year is actually a bit less than last year. I do not say this in a facetious way, for it just illustrates how hard our staff are working. There is also another secret recipe that we have, that is, we also have a system of non-resident Ambassadors. For that, we take people from outside the Civil Service, in the business sector and others, who know the countries and are able to carry the flag of Singapore high and open opportunities for other Singaporeans in an altruistic way. We are also blessed to have that additional element. We have incredible career officers, while we are also supplemented by a cadre of well-meaning, high-achieving Singaporeans.”
“We know our place in the world. We cannot persuade everyone. I think if we can get a critical mass to operate on a rules-based system, to operate free trade, accompanied by appropriate domestic safeguards and social security nets and then you prove it by succeeding. That is the most persuasive argument. Again, this is not a debate; it is not a form of words that will settle it.”
“But, substantially, the direction of interdependence, mutual cooperation, win-win outcomes is the correct strategic direction." Did the Member have a second clarification? The hon Member Mr Vikram Nair stood at his seat to repeat his second clarification.”
“There is a complex interplay between domestic policy and foreign policy. If you can get your domestic policy right, it makes foreign policy and international trade so much easier. I do not want to be cynical about the evolution of US policy. At the same time, I do not want to trivialise and assume everything will be hunky dory. I think, let us wait and see. But every time we engage the US, we remind them that the last 70 years since the end of the Second World War has been, in a sense, a golden age for the world. Despite the Cold War, no nuclear weapons were fired in anger. Yes, there were proxy battles in the earlier part of the Cold War. But, actually, what you have seen, let us say, since 1978 in China, and 1991 in India, there has been an incredible upliftment of hundreds of millions of people from abject poverty. How was this achieved? Through the free market, through bringing down barriers, through investing in infrastructure, through economic integration. This has allowed a win-win proposition to be played out across the entire world and allowed people to achieve peace, stability and prosperity, without war and without engaging in zero-sum rivalry. The larger philosophical point we have to keep advancing on the international stage is to look for win-win outcomes and not to be trapped in prisoners' dilemmas or in zero-sum games. We advance this by being an honest broker, by being consistent in what we say and what we do, and by offering ourselves. People cannot copy our solutions but we say, "Look at the way Singapore and the way ASEAN have progressed in the last 50 years. We think this is a good formula. You want to make adjustments? Of course, you need to make adjustments.”
“As I have explained just now, I think the outlook of US policies and programmes is still evolving. The most recent speech by President Trump to the Joint Session of Congress was a far more positive and far more, I would say, conciliatory speech. We look forward to those sentiments being translated into policy and actions. If you also parse his comments carefully, he says he is pro-business. He also says he believes in free trade, but he wants it to be fair trade. I think this is actually not an unreasonable position. In fact, it is the duty of every national trade negotiator – you engage in either bilateral or regional negotiations to make sure that the terms of the agreement are fair and actually improve the overall position of your own country. The point is it is the duty of your own negotiator to secure the best terms possible. Secondly, when you enter into these negotiations, there is always going to be give-and-take. An important point about trade – and this is the political point – is that the advantages of free trade are sometimes not totally symmetrical with all segments of your population. Therefore, free trade has to be accompanied by domestic policy, which makes sure you address the needs of specific segments, especially the more vulnerable segments of your population. That is why you see – and this is a larger point that goes beyond foreign policy − in case of Singapore, we say we have no choice but to operate the free trade system. But we also actually are very socialist when it comes to housing, education and healthcare. You see so much of the Budget policy actually being focused on vulnerable groups: people or segments of our population who would otherwise be vulnerable to the vagaries of free trade.”
“I think this tension between a rules-based world order and a power-based world order will always be there. When I meet my counterparts, I explain to them that because we are a tiny city state and we live in a tough neighbourhood, Singapore has no choice but to subscribe to international laws. So, as a matter of principle, we stand for it. Secondly, in terms of practice, if you look at, for instance, the Pedra Branca issue, or the Points of Agreement (POA) issue, we have ourselves availed and abided by international law and the legal processes that it provides. So, we take that stand. But I will also tell Members, quite frankly, that big superpowers sometimes − and it is not only one; all of them, if you look through international jurisprudence − have, from time to time, taken liberties with international law. We have to quietly, non-provocatively just stand up to state our position. But we are in no position to enforce it. The ultimate challenge in international law is enforcement. That is actually very difficult, and it is impossible to enforce international law, except through moral suasion and through mutual agreement between countries. The Member's second point was on ASEAN Chairmanship. I would express full support for the Chairmanship of ASEAN under the Philippines. We just had the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat two weeks ago. We should be able to get through this year successfully. I give my full assurance of support to the Philippines.”
“Whilst competition between the US and China is inevitable, but what is different in historical terms is that never before have two powers been so interdependent, so intertwined economically. Even in the depths of the Cold War, remember that the American and Russian economies were never intertwined to the same degree that the US and Chinese economies are. Therefore, we hope that both sides, after they have measured these imperatives, will come back to the same conclusion that constructive engagement and win-win cooperation are the right formula. If they can achieve this, this will provide space for countries in the region, including Singapore, to be part of a common circle of friends and achieve win-win outcomes for all. This is, in fact, a key reason why for the last 51 years, Southeast Asia, in particular, the founding members of ASEAN, have enjoyed peace, security, prosperity over the last five decades. We hope that they will arrive at this conclusion. But we should also bear in mind that we have no say. We cannot determine the dynamics of that relationship.”
“I am confident that we will be creative and adaptable in developing win-win partnerships with the US even as President Trump pursues a new set of policies. We have had a strong and enduring base of relations for the last 51 years. These mutually-beneficial ties have spanned five Republican and four Democratic administrations. On the economic front, the US is Singapore's fourth largest trading partner in goods and our top trading partner in services. The US is also Singapore's largest foreign direct investor. Singapore is the US' fourth largest Asian investor, after Japan, Australia and the ROK. On the defence front, our Air Force has training detachments in Texas, Idaho and Arizona. The US is a significant user of both Changi Naval Base and Paya Lebar Air Base. And Singapore also supports the rotational deployment of the US Littoral Combat Ships and the P8 Poseidon aircraft. These fundamentals of our relationship remain unchanged and their value is recognised by both Republican and Democratic administrations. Similarly, the strategic and economic imperatives that have underpinned America's longstanding engagement of our region actually remain unchanged. We have to constantly look for new areas of convergence for win-win cooperation with the US. For instance, one of the more recent things we are working on is on cybersecurity and we signed an MOU on Cybersecurity Cooperation in 2016. Mr Vikram Nair and Mr Low Thia Khiang also asked some searching questions about how the relationship between China and the US will impact Singapore. Indeed, this is the key bilateral relationship that will affect peace, security and prosperity in our region and, indeed, the world.”
“Besides the JCBC, we also have candid exchanges and sharing of experiences through established platforms, such as the China-Singapore Forum on Leadership and the Singapore-China Social Governance Forum. The various projects, the business engagements, the people-to-people ties. You have heard: 2.8 million Chinese tourists come to Singapore and I think, for us, it would be 800,000 Singaporeans who have travelled to China in a year. The high frequency of interactions at senior leadership level has conferred a very high degree of resilience and, I would add, strategic trust, in our relationship. Therefore, even when we have differences over some issues, as I have said in an earlier session, we should not overact and we should, in a sense, anticipate that these incidents are not unusual even amongst close friends and neighbours, and we must recognise that our shared interests far exceed these differences. We must not be distracted from the larger strategic imperatives or allow incidents to derail the substantive, longstanding and mutually-beneficial cooperation. Senior Minister of State Josephine Teo will elaborate on the more specific details of our relationship with China, as well as give you an update on the JCBC after this. 6.45 pm Let me turn now to the US. There is a new administration; it is settling in. There is always a period of uncertainty, a period of adjustment that goes on both domestically and also at the international level when a new administration takes over, basically because the US is such an important superpower. As far as Singapore is concerned, we believe that our many decades of consistent policies and interactions with the US have created trust and I believe they consider us a reliable partner.”
“Our bilateral relationship right now, I would describe it as in "good working order". In November 2015, when President Xi Jinping came here, we signed an agreement which characterised our relationship as an "All-Round Cooperative Partnership Progressing with the Times". Put aside the words, the point is, historically, our relationship has been built on the strong foundations laid by Mr Lee Kuan Yew and Mr Deng Xiaoping. And over the decades, Singapore has supported, and demonstrated in action and investment, China's peaceful development and its progressive engagement of the regional and international community. We do so because we believe that China's success is good, first, for the citizens of China; it is also good for the region and it is good for us. I am always amazed that tiny Singapore currently is China's largest foreign investor, and we have been so since 2013. China is Singapore's largest trading partner also since 2013. Several Cabinet Members, including myself, had just accompanied Deputy Prime Minister Teo to Beijing. We came back just two days ago. We attended the Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC). It was a very good meeting and it gave both sides opportunities to explore ways to deepen cooperation especially in this flagship project of President Xi Jinping, the Belt and Road initiative. I also had a very good meeting with my counterpart, and I can say that this, again, is a reflection of the deep resilient nature of our relationship. Our third and latest Government-to-Government project, the Chongqing Connectivity Initiative, has been designated a priority demonstration project for the "Belt and Road", and will play a catalytic role in linking up Western China − both to Southeast Asia, as well as across to Central Asia and beyond.”
“We still have to try our best to build a network of friends. We have to be a relevant, valuable and reliable partner and, at the same time, be realistic about our place in the world. As the former British Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary Lord Palmerston once pointed out, nations have no permanent friends or allies; they only have permanent interests. Our key foreign policy principles, therefore, have not changed. First, we conduct an independent sovereign foreign policy in order to safeguard our independence and the interests of all Singaporeans. Second, we promote ASEAN unity and centrality. And third, we have to remain committed to a rules-based international system. Finally, foreign policy begins at home, and the effectiveness of our foreign policy depends on us being a successful nation-state and on the continued support of a united citizenry. And one point which I want to commend today − I have listened to the very thoughtful speeches from Mr Low Thia Khiang, Mr Pritam Singh − and I am grateful for the bipartisan support that we have in this House. This unity of purpose is essential for us to pursue our foreign policy goals in this uncertain and volatile environment. All Members of this House understand and appreciate the key tenets of our policy. Many Members have asked questions about Singapore's long-term value proposition and the relevance of Singapore to other countries. Ms Sun Xueling asked about Singapore-China relations; Mr Cedric Foo asked about the US-Singapore relations under the new Trump administration; Mr Amrin Amin and Dr Chia Shi-Lu have asked for updates on our relations with Malaysia and Indonesia. All of these are key relationships. Let me deal first with China. Singapore has been a steadfast and long-standing friend of China.”
“Thank you. Twenty sixteen was a tumultuous year for the world and a very busy year for MFA staff. The previous global consensus on the benefits of free trade and economic integration is broken. Unfortunately, unlike in this House, political discourse in many countries has become increasingly nationalistic, anti-incumbent and, even sometimes, xenophobic. The threat from terrorism, radicalisation and extremism has increased and new media has also amplified this threat far and wide. Quite frankly, we have to anticipate even more of such external challenges and challenges that will test our resolve, unity and agility. As a small city state, Singapore has no option. Isolation and protectionism are not an option for us. In fact, the world is even more interconnected than ever before. We actually have to double down on globalisation. The economic headwinds and global protectionist sentiments are not going to go away soon and they will have serious implications on our trade-dependent economy. We are probably the only country where our trade volume is three and a half times our GDP. So, for us, free trade is not a debating point. It is our lifeblood. If you think about it, the larger context of this Budget debate, of the Committee of Supply (COS) and of the Committee on the Future Economy (CFE) is that we have to enhance the competitive position of Singapore and Singaporeans. That is the only way we can survive and thrive in this uncertain world. Add to that the fact that major power interactions and rivalry will impact our region and will impact us, and we have seen evidence of that. The question, therefore, that all Members have posed is: how will we navigate these challenges? Our fundamental realities remain. We are still a tiny island in an uncertain neighbourhood.”
“Ultimately, this is not about technology but really about maximising future job options and ensuring a better quality of life and an inclusive society. Our vision is that a visitor to Singapore should come, look, experience and say, "I have seen the future and it works." Marriage and Parenthood”
“Even when people do not own any smart phones, cannot use technology and we have to handhold, train, provide so that everyone can ride on this. Finally, let me answer this question on what sets us apart. What is our unique selling point or competitive advantage? I believe we are approaching this from a position of strength. We continue to offer one of the best digital infrastructures in the world. Second, our people are well-educated, well-trained and tech-savvy. Third, we have only a single layer of Government. And we have a Prime Minister who can code, a Prime Minister who certainly gets it, who is a mystery customer on many Government websites. If it is a complaint, it is usually, especially a smart complaint, it is almost always the Prime Minister. The key here is not just tech innovation but policy innovation and the spirit of internal disruption and the willingness to rewrite regulations, absorb ideas. Another thing in which we want to be different is to feed our own start-ups by buying their services; and to be a test bed for novel solutions, for urban solutions and, especially, including in areas like fintech, transport, healthcare, homecare and social services. To conclude, we need to urgently build skills and capabilities in our people and enterprises. We need to ensure pole position, with the best infrastructure in the world, we need to be prepared to fundamentally disrupt the way the Government provides services. We need to forge new partnerships with the private sector, we need to make sure our start-ups, especially, have access to technology and opportunities, and we need to be open to the global flow of talent and ideas.”
“In the digital world, you think about it, the short-run marginal cost − different from the long-run marginal cost − of serving the next customer, trends towards zero. Whether you serve one or you serve a million, your marginal cost has not gone up but your unit cost goes down considerably. We need our public agencies to systematically eliminate application forms, streamline processes, streamline information flow. That is the way we can reduce fees for routine services by working smarter. I also totally agree with Ms Chia Yong Yong, Mr Zaqy Mohamad and Dr Teo Ho Pin yesterday on the need for digital inclusion, especially for the elderly and the disabled. We are not far away from the day, Yong Yong, when you will walk in here with an exo-skeleton, perhaps. If there is a place we can start, it should be Singapore. For homes, we are piloting remote monitoring solutions in places like Yuhua, Marine Parade and Bedok. This will allow family or caregivers to be able to monitor the activity, security and health of the seniors and to have peace of mind. We are also promoting the use of assistive technologies. We have set up Tech Able in the Enabling Village which I think you might be familiar with. This is a one-stop resource centre on assistive technologies and devices for people with disabilities, for caregivers, therapists and social service professionals. Tech Able has reached out to about 3,000 people thus far. MOE also provides dedicated funding for special education schools to procure computer facilities courseware and other assistive technology. We will also focus on digital inclusion in our community centres. Members have heard about the Silver Infocomm Initiative, and this is a way.”
“We need to bear in mind the fact that we need a renewed sense of urgency to uncover new possibilities to work across bureaucratic boundaries and to be willing to disrupt ourselves. Let me give you another example from land use planning. This is complex. From time to time, you come up here and you give speeches about how there are missing gaps in covered walkways and so on and so forth, because different people own different pieces of land. Many agencies are involved in this. I believe that the old way of coordination in a top-down fashion, although it can be facilitated to some extent by email, is still not the optimal way to organise it. URA developed ePlanner, a one-stop digital portal that aggregates large volumes of geospatial data and it supports planners from 25 different partner agencies who can now collectively access and analyse land use planning information and make decisions objectively on the basis of data, not on the basis of opinion. This has transformed land use planning within the Government. We also intend to make sure that we can serve the public better, faster and cheaper. Another example is, in June last year, URA revamped the URA SPACE, which is an online map portal that consolidates detailed land use information, including private property-related information. One example of an e-service is that it allows businesses to check the allowable and approved uses for private shophouses. In the past, you would have had to fill up a form, send it in, wait seven days for a response. Today, with this portal, the answer is instantaneous and − my favourite word – free! Not many cities in the world can do this, because it involves intense integration at the backend. We need more examples like this.”
“You can pre-book seats on 15 selected routes and these are identified using data from a "crowd-starting" platform − developed and provided by GovTech. You can use this to enable private bus operators to use the same analytics to improve the fleet management and operations, including the tracking of punctuality of drivers. The real issue is this. Private transport is from point to point. Public transport is hub to hub and then you have a last-mile issue. If you can make it smart, public transport can be revolutionised to be point to point, responsive and in real time. That is how we can get a revolution to make public transport the preferred mode of transport and how we can get higher throughput without increasing our roads to more than the 12% of land that they already take. This is an example where we need to push harder and faster. While we do all these − make data available, allow people to ride on it, allow new programmes, the e-payments digital identity − do not forget that cybersecurity is an absolute pre-requisite. Our critical control systems need to be protected, even if we make them smart. Members have just heard the recent breach in the MINDEF system. I hope this now emphasises the point that when we decided to have Internet Segregation of the Public Service, it was absolutely the right decision. Otherwise, that breach could potentially have led to breaches of internal control and secure systems. I can assure Members that our civil servants still continue to be able to serve the Net. For instance, in my Ministry, we have ensured that Wireless@SG is pervasive throughout the building. Everyone can continue to surf on their tablets, phones or on separate computers. So, civil servants are not cut off from the Internet.”
“Another thing which we are working on − in fact, the Prime Minister has been pushing − is this concept of Open Data. The Government has lots and lots of data, including real-time data, down to the location of every bus and taxi. We want to make this data available for free for everyone. Let me give you some examples. If you are on Facebook, you go to Messenger, search for this chatbot called "BusUncle". It is not written by the Government. It was written by someone who did not like the interface for bus arrival times. So, this is a chatbot, you just send a message, it will tell you when the bus is coming and he does it in a very quirky Singaporean way. Go and check that out. But actually, the real interesting thing about this chatbot is the fact that, beneath it, it is accessing real time LTA data for free. This is an example where providing Government data, having open data and allowing the private sector to ride on top of it, creates a whole new level of services that we could not have imagined or we could not have delivered with such style. In fact, today, public transport data is downloaded about 16 million times a day. Most of this is by commuters who are checking bus arrival times on their apps. By freeing data, we believe, we enable businesses and citizens to innovate, to develop new products that will serve their own needs. We can still allow proliferation at the front end and at the top end, but let us create common platforms and open data underneath it. I will give another example. From today, this is being launched by Grab, there is GrabShuttle. I am afraid it is another app, or maybe it is another side feature of the app. What this does is that it allows commuters to crowd-start their new routes.”