Wan Rizal
Singapore
“Better wages, better welfare and better work prospects. Third, make growth sectors accessible. So, every Singaporean, our youth and our rank-and-file workers, can see, can enter and progress in these opportunities. Mr Speaker, our ambition is not just to remain a global transport hub.”
“Also, the type of support that we provide depends on the prevailing circumstances. Should haj be cancelled or disrupted this year, we will work closely with AMTAS to allow the affected pilgrims to defer to the subsequent haj seasons.”
“Thank you, Chairman. Three clarifications for Senior Minister of State Koh. Senior Minister of State had shared earlier about the NMHO that was established to coordinate multi-agency initiatives.”
“Thus, I seek the Minister's views on: how does the Government plan to strengthen coordination between Ministries, institutes of higher learning and community partners so that this support for youth transition can be implemented more systematically, with measurable outcomes, and help more of our youth enter good jobs in growth sectors?”
“So, my question to the Minister is this: how will MOM measure whether enterprises are redesigning jobs alongside technology adoption? Second, will MOM publish outcome indicators, such as the number of jobs redesigned and wage progression outcomes?”
“Sir, I thank the Senior Minister of State for sharing on the efforts done by MOE and working together with the unions and e2i to support both the teachers and of course, the parents in this process too. I have also raised the concern whereby the teachers are now given extra load to do interim supervisory duties.”
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“Sir, as an adviser for Singapore Teachers' Union (STU), I have joined the STU in several dialogues with delegates and teachers. We hear their feedback, aspirations and concerns. Teaching can be challenging yet rewarding but also requires much physical, emotional and mental energy. Sometimes it may lead to stress and even burnout. We must protect our teachers. Together with STU, I have a few suggestions. First, could MOE establish clearer guidelines on work hours and designated times for teachers? One way is the introduction of a whitespace for marking, lesson planning and student guidance or counselling work. Second, could the Ministry cultivate teacher agency so teachers can negotiate deployment to achieve win-win outcomes for the teacher and the school? The teacher agency could also help teachers plan for their re-employment years so that they make purposeful decisions in keeping with their life stage and priorities. Third, could MOE establish a zero-tolerance policy with clear protocols for handling harassment or abuse of teachers? Notwithstanding the questions posed earlier, could the Minister share MOE’s plan to support the growth and well-being of teachers? Education for Future Economy”
“Sir, the pandemic has shown the important role of technology in education. Schools shifted to home-based learning, highlighting the need for a robust technology infrastructure and content-ready digital resources to support teaching and learning. As technology continues to advance rapidly, it has become increasingly important to integrate it into teaching and learning practices to prepare students in the modern world. In the Parliament recently, I asked the Minister about the use of AI tools like ChatGPT. I started out having some resistance of my own, but having seen the capability, I am encouraged that it can help students. Sure, you will not get an A or B grade, but if it can give a student who is struggling, to give them that nudge to a C or a pass, to get them to open a book or their notes and cross-check the AI solution for content accuracy, then I say, let us do it. Teach them the skills to discern, to edit, to incorporate critical thinking to the original AI solution. Thus, I would like to ask the Minister what efforts the Ministry made to support the integration of technology, including AI, into teaching and learning practices.”
“Chairman, the job landscape is dynamic and evolves rapidly and job requirements are changing along with it. When you consider external constraints like the pandemic, jobs can become redundant or evolve altogether. Thus, there is a need for us to have a flexible curriculum that develops our students with a wide range of skills and helps them pursue their passion outside their main areas of study. In my Budget speech recently, I mentioned that Jobs-Skills Integrators scheme is a gamechanger because they will change the mindset that skills training can translate into good employment outcomes. I hope we can embed it in our ITEs and polytechnics, where students can stack skill modules on top of their specialised course. It may increase their employment opportunities and allow them to remain agile in a dynamic job space. My greatest hope is that it will also address the issue of increasing income wage gap between the non-graduates and the graduates. I would like to ask if MOE would consider more flexibility within curriculum hours to allow students to take up elective modules to develop their interests outside their area of specialisation. Education Technology”
“Chairman, as an educator, I have seen first-hand how students' mental states can impact their learning engagement and ability to achieve their full potential. Students today face a unique set of challenges unlike those faced by few years generations. Rapid technological advancements, economic uncertainty and a dynamic job landscape are just a few examples of the challenges our students must navigate today. Students also deal with increasingly complex, social and personal pressures that impact their well-being. For example, social media have fundamentally changed how students interact with each other and the world around them. While social media can be a powerful tool for communication and self-expression, it can also create an environment of constant comparison and pressure to present a perfect image of oneself. This can lead to feelings of anxiety, low self-esteem and depression among youths. In light of these challenges, we need to work towards identifying areas for improvement and develop more relevant and effective strategies to support our students' well-being. Could the Ministry please update on its efforts in promoting and supporting the wellbeing for our students in schools and IHLs? Stress in Education”
“Chairman, Singapore has excellent ties with Malaysia at the federal level. Malaysian Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently made an official visit to Singapore in January 2023 where he met both President Halimah and Prime Minister Lee. Prime Minister Anwar and Prime Minister Lee also witnessed the signing of several Frameworks and MOUs, including Frameworks on Cooperation in Digital Economy and Green Economy, and an MOU on Personal Data Protection, Cybersecurity and Digital Economy. Additionally, Deputy Prime Minister and Minster for Finance Lawrence Wong's first official visit in his capacity as Deputy Prime Minister was to Malaysia in September 2022. I would like to ask the Minister, how is MFA engaging Malaysia at the state level and how does the Ministry plan to encourage greater people-to-people links. Singapore-Brunei Bilateral Relationship”
“Chairman, our NSmen form the backbone of Singapore's defence and work tirelessly every day to ensure that they are always ready to respond to any current and future threat against Singapore. Yet, the continued strength of our defence cannot be predicated on the individual soldier alone. For a NS man to carry out his duties effectively and with commitment, the support of his community and family is essential. Singaporeans from every part of our society must continue to also show appreciation for the hard work that they put in. ACCORD plays an integral role, by reaching out to individuals from all walks of life, to strengthen their commitment to defence. ACCORD must continue its efforts to engage individuals, corporations and community groups, to mobilise support for defence issues, especially for NS. Could MINDEF thus update the House on ACCORD's initiatives and how it has encouraged community support for defence issues, particularly, with regards to NS? Singapore Discovery Centre”
“(In English): Mr Deputy Speaker, in conclusion, the Budget is well-balanced and a well-conceived plan that addresses the country's immediate needs while investing in the future. The focus on enhancing social safety nets, promoting economic growth and investing in the future will benefit Singaporeans from all walks of life. The support for vulnerable groups, particularly in the areas of education, young families and the elderly, is a testament to the Government's commitment in creating a more equitable and caring society. These measures will go a long way in reducing income inequality, improving access to healthcareand providing a more supportive environment for families. Overall, the Budget is a positive step forward in the new era. Mr Deputy Speaker, I support the Budget.”
“I called on the Government and employers to review workload and job scope to ensure quality work-life balance. These include setting clear guidelines on working hours and introducing WHITESPACE or time that is set aside specifically for workers to perform additional work or projects. As for education, I welcome the announcement to enhance the KidSTART programme nationwide. This move demonstrates a strong commitment to combat inequality as early as possible and ensures that every child is given the opportunity to fulfil their potential. Although this year's Budget did not directly mention mental health, it is clear that this Budget will have a positive impact on mental health. For example, improvements to the GSTV Scheme and Assurance Package will reduce cost of living pressures. It covers not only low-income families but also middle-income families and large households. For low-income individuals and senior citizens facing financial difficulties with their medical bills, MediFund will help and ensure that there is a safety net for them. For me, the biggest positive impact is on families. I am heartened that in this Budget, the concerns of young families can be addressed. First, by supporting housing aspirations through additional ballots for BTO flat applications and by increasing the CPF Housing Grant. Second, help for parents towards the cost of raising children, and support to manage work and family commitments. I hope that young families will take advantage of the support and grants provided. I believe that, through this Budget, Singapore will emerge stronger in our effort to move forward in the new era.”
“I spoke previously about the need for employers to be more compassionate to our workers and recognise that individuals' priorities vary at different stages of their lives and that work and life are interdependent but increasingly intertwined. Therefore, I am heartened that the Government will introduce the voluntary Tripartite Standard on Flexi-Work Arrangements and make these arrangements more pervasive. At the same time, I urge employers to review their mental wellness programmes and consider providing workers with a time-out where they can unwind, recharge and be free from work emails, texts, or calls. Sir, my final point is about workplace health. Recently, there has been an alarming number of workplace accidents. MOM and the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) have made efforts to foster a workplace safety and health culture. However, more must be done to support workers to ensure workplace safety and health. I propose that the Government make it mandatory for every company to have a work-safety committee that includes a qualified union representative. These representatives know the ground well and they are familiar with the safety processes. The Government can incentivise companies to form these committees with union representatives through grants to foster work-safety culture and processes. Mr Speaker, in Malay, please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] This year's Budget is a thoughtful and inclusive one. I support the Deputy Prime Minister's call to strengthen our social compact. In my English speech earlier, I touched on three issues: Comprehensive support for workers, Education and Health. Allow me to summarise. First, I urged that we provide more comprehensive support for workers, especially for healthcare sector workers and teachers.”
“First, supporting housing aspirations through the additional ballot for their BTO flat applications and the enhanced CPF housing grant. I know many of the young families welcome this. However, I also know that not all families are identical for various reasons and circumstances. For instance, more could be done to support single-parent households, who often face greater financial strain. I received feedback from a single mother who shared her concerns about raising three school-going children and aspired to own her own flat. She shared that she had no CPF as she was not working previously but currently holds a good job and wants to be self-reliant. Additionally, the Government could consider increasing support for families with children with disabilities or special needs. These families also face additional financial burdens due to the higher care and education costs. Collectively providing additional financial assistance and support services for these families would help ease their financial burden and improve their quality of life. The second concern is the cost of raising children. I know many of my younger married colleagues welcome the many related announcements. This includes the Baby Bonus. But beyond the monetary support, the support for parents to manage their work and family commitment is, in my opinion, the most impactful. Numerous studies have shown that the time spent with children is the best investment. While many factors contribute to a child's development and well-being, spending time with children has shown to have numerous positive outcomes.”
“To me, this is a game-changer because not all skills training will translate into good employment outcomes. This will plug the gap and ensure that training improves employment and earnings prospects. Additionally, if successful, it could be the building block as to how we address the issue of increasing income wage gap between non-graduates and graduates. I hope the pilot programme will succeed and we can extend this further to other industries. Going upstream, I hope such integrators can be embedded in our Institutions of Higher Learning (IHLs). Apart from the main programme where our students may specialise in, flexibility could allow them to take up other modules of interest. These integrator-like modules could stack on top of their specialised course and this increases their employment opportunities and allows them to remain agile in a dynamic job space. Sir, although the Budget this year does not mention mental health directly, it is clear that many of the announcements will positively impact our mental health. For example, the enhancements to the GSTV scheme and Assurance Package will cushion the pressure of the cost of living. It covers not only the lower-income families but also the middle-income families and families that are much larger. This includes those with the elderly and children. For the lower-income individuals and seniors who face difficulties with their medical bills, the MediFund would go a long way in ensuring a safety net for them. But Sir, to me, the greatest positive impact is on families. A family, the bedrock of society, is our source of love, support and strength. I am heartened that in this Budget, the anxieties and concerns held by young families are addressed.”
“A zero-tolerance policy with clear protocols for handling such cases must be established. We must do more to say that if you harass or abuse our officers, there will be consequences. Sir, two areas in this year's Budget that resonate with me are providing opportunities for everyone to advance in life and strengthening our social compact. I will touch on these two broad areas: education and health. I welcome the announcement that that we will invest more in our children – to scale up the KidSTART programme nationwide to support more children in disadvantaged families. I note, however, that for children aged three to four years old residing in public rental flats, the preschool enrolment rate is lower than the national average. Residents have shared their challenges and I empathise. But I do believe that the mindset of preschool education must change. It is not just play. In early childhood education, children are provided with opportunities for deliberate play and exploration, allowing for social interaction and problem-solving skills beyond what books can offer. This is essential in their development. Perhaps it is time that we mandate compulsory education for preschool. This will underline a strong commitment to tackle inequality at the earliest juncture possible and ensure that every child can discover the joy of learning, exploration and play. Sir, in my maiden speech, I mentioned that I envisioned a future where specialised courses are curated in collaboration with industry partners, creating a symbiotic relationship between content and relevance and further supported by a robust apprenticeship approach. Thus, I am heartened that we will continue to invest in our people and the Jobs-Skills Integrator is an excellent initiative.”
“Mr Speaker, I rise in support of the Budget. In my speech last year, I gave an analogy that we were taking a roller coaster ride in the dark. We do not know where and when the twists and turns are, but we stayed united and trusted each another, and now, we are out of the tunnel and can anticipate the turns and the twists. And that is what this Budget is about. It is about knowing there is much global uncertainty, cost of living issues, an ageing population and the need to sustain social mobility. This Budget anticipates these issues and aims to navigate Singapore onwards in solidarity and unity in an ever-dynamic landscape. Sir, I want to thank our public service officers, especially our healthcare workers and educators, for their commitment and professionalism over the past three years. We must continue to support them by providing a better work-life balance. I have some suggestions. First, clear guidelines on work hours and designated times for disconnecting should be established. For teachers, a suggestion from the Singapore Teachers' Union (STU) is the introduction of a whitespace for marking, lesson planning, student guidance and counselling. This will allow the teacher some focused time to get some work done rather than doing it after school hours. A second suggestion by STU is the enhancement of effective communication channels between teachers and management. For example, how do we empower teachers and cultivate teacher agency, so that teachers can negotiate deployment such that win-win outcomes are achieved for the teacher and the school? Third, I am also aware of the abuse healthcare workers and teachers may encounter. I ask that we explore and provide practical ways to support and protect them.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the Minister for the comprehensive reply. My concern is really about the growing divergence in the starting pay of the ITE, the polytechnic and the university students. My greatest concern really is over time, this gap widens, it increases and it is very difficult to catch up over time. Having taught students from ITE and right now in polytechnics too, I can see the potential in them especially when they come back to do their part-time diplomas or degrees. But they do feel that because they had started way further, it becomes more difficult for them to come forward. Many of this issue stems from the issue of stigmatisation. How do we overcome this? And that is why I ask in the Parliamentary Question what are the measures that the Ministry would take to change the mindset among employers? And that would be my supplementary question. But at the same time, can we set a timeline for an implementation? At the very least, we can give ourselves this idea that we are going toward somewhere. And we can give our ITE and polytechnic graduates that idea that we are trying our best to close this gap. In that regard, would we be willing to start a longitudinal and continual study, and data collection on the pay gap between the different groups so that we can use this data to supplement our policy planning?”
“This could be difficult especially if they were not present in the flat at the time of the offence or if the elderly, mentally or physically disabled are the ones who are involved. Could the Ministry consider extending the period of 14 days to 30 days? Sir, in conclusion, the Bill is important in improving the already high environmental and public health standards in our country. While I have raised some concerns and suggestions, I am confident that the Ministry will address these issues fairly to all parties concerned. It is fundamental that Singaporeans play an active role to maintain high environmental and public health standards. We all play a part. We cannot take things for granted and we must stand for a cleaner, greener Singapore. Sir, I support the Bill.”
“The proposed fines, starting at $2,000 for the first offence and increasing with subsequent convictions, will serve as a strong deterrent against littering. Recently, I conducted house visits together with the Public Hygiene Council. We sought residents' views on the proposed presumption law and were glad that every resident was supportive of this move. Nevertheless, I understand that there may be some concerns regarding the implementation of this Bill. The Bill's proposal of the presumption of guilt for flat owners and tenants may raise questions about due process and fairness. Could the Ministry share and elaborate further on its plans to ensure that members of the public understand the processes and their cases would be dealt with fairly? Additionally, could the Ministry provide assurances and examples on how the enforcement process would consider the well-being of the elderly, young children and vulnerable groups, including those who are facing mental health issues? Sir, I ask this because I have come across cases where the offender is facing mental health issues. Often, they are considered serial offenders and despite continuous intervention and support from their own family members, the Residents’ Committee (RC), the Town Council, NEA as well as the Police, they continue to litter. Would the Ministry then consider working closely with the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), for example, to provide mandatory counselling support? Similarly, this may be extended to the elderly. Sir, the burden of proof to rebut the presumption could be onerous for the registered owner or tenant. They would need to provide evidence within 14 days of being notified by NEA that an offence has been committed.”
“Mr Speaker, I rise in support of the Bill. The Bill proposes several key amendments. In my speech today, I will focus on two. First, I welcome the introduction of the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) for waste collection and disposal workers. This is an essential step for our essential workers. It includes paying workers a baseline wage, overtime and an annual bonus per the Tripartite Cluster for Waste Management's recommended wage schedule. I understand that the wage schedule is expected to stretch to 30 June 2029. However, I hope that this schedule can be shortened by increasing the opportunities to upskill workers and introduce technology. Sir, this Bill also aims to address the growing concern of high-rise littering. Just last week, a resident approached me and shared his long-time frustration at a neighbour throwing a cigarette butt out of the window and onto his air-condition ledge and sometimes, into his room. He shared the difficulty the agencies had in catching the culprit despite the deployment of cameras and enhanced surveillance. Sir, he is not alone. Many others have shared similar experiences. Sometimes, litter in the form of food, face masks, tissue papers land in their rooms and it is certainly distressing especially if they have children or elderly family members at home. Complaints about this similar issue have nearly doubled over the past few years, and it is imperative that we take swift and effective action to address it. Despite the increased deployment of cameras, the success in curbing high-rise littering has been incremental. The proposed clause would make it easier for NEA to take enforcement action against littering from residential flats by automatically presuming the registered owner or tenant is the offender.”
“Mr Speaker, thank you. I would like to thank the Minister for sharing the positives and negatives of ChatGPT. To be honest, when I started writing the Parliamentary Question (PQ), I was concerned with ChatGPT being used pervasively by students and giving them an advantage. But over time, after using it myself extensively and testing it against my essay questions and seeing how it can be caught for plagiarism, I understand that it is quite important that we teach our students the importance of using AI-related tools. I think that this is the wave that we should embark on. I would like to ask the Minister: would the Ministry consider having courses that would encourage people to make use of AI-related tools for their work in the future?”
“] In conclusion, the proposed amendments to the SSG Act and SDL Act are necessary to address fraud and abuse of the SSG funding scheme. However, it is important for SSG to ensure that these amendments are implemented in a fair and transparent manner and take into account the concerns and needs of small businesses. By addressing these issues, SSG can help to ensure that its funding schemes are used effectively and efficiently to support the skills development of Singaporeans. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to encourage everyone who have not used their Skills Future credits to start considering courses that they may be interested in, be it to upgrade themselves or their skills. If this Bill is passed, I hope it will give greater confidence to Singaporeans and reduce any doubts about registering for a course to upgrade themselves.”
“Additionally, it could indirectly impact students, such as reduced access to certain courses or programmes or increased cost. Another concern is the need for clarity, transparency and accountability in the enforcement process. Without adequate oversight and clear guidelines on how enforcement actions will be carried out, there is a risk that SSG's powers may be perceived as misused or abused. This could lead to a lack of trust in the system and discourage people from participating in the SSG's programmes. To address these concerns, there are a few suggestions for the Ministry to consider. The first would be to clarify the criteria and definition that SSG will use to determine whether a funding arrangement is abusive. This could help ensure that the powers given to SSG are being used fairly and consistently and reduce the risk of abuse by providing clear guidance on what constitutes an abusive funding arrangement. Another suggestion would be to provide more oversight and accountability in the enforcement process. This could be achieved through the establishment of an independent body that is responsible for reviewing and approving enforcement actions, as well as providing guidance as how they should be carried out. This would provide an independent and impartial source of oversight and help to build trust in the system. Finally, it would be helpful to provide more guidance and support for small businesses and organisations that may be affected by these amendments. This could include providing legal assistance or educational resources to help them understand and comply with the new rules. Sir, may I conclude in Malay, please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.”
“Mr Speaker, as an educator, I believe strongly in the value of lifelong learning. I have seen first-hand the transformative power of education and I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to continue learning and growing. This is why I rise in support of the two Bills, which aim to strengthen the regulatory powers of SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) to prevent fraud and abuse of its incentives and funds but, above all, protect lifelong learners and their interests. One of the key amendments in these Bills is the prescription of new offences related to "abusive funding arrangements" and the power for SSG to recover its funds or take action against false advertisements. This will help to deter training providers from trying to abuse SSG's incentives and funds and ensure that the money provided by SSG is being used in a way that supports lifelong learning and the growth of individuals. In addition, the amendment will allow SSG to appoint authorised persons and inspectors who would have greater investigative power and conduct enforcement actions. This will help ensure adequate oversight and accountability but, importantly, put errant training providers to task. However, there are a couple of concerns about the amendments. One concern is that the amendments may disproportionately affect small businesses and organisations, as they may not have the resources to defend themselves against enforcement actions. This could lead to an unfair distribution of the burden of compliance and discourage small businesses and organisations from participating in SSG's programmes. Small businesses and organisations are vital for driving innovation and economic growth.”
“One of the concerns that some of the lecturers shared with me is that we do already have to prepare make-up exam papers. But with this incident occurring, there might be an occurrence where we need to prepare more and this is something that we are concerned about.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the Minister of State for her reply. I declare that I am an academic staff at an IHL and clearly my concerns are for the students. I share the Minister of State's concerns that this is an added stress for our students. She mentioned about allowing sufficient time, but I would like to ask the Ministry if it could prepare a standard set of guidelines for all our IHLs to adhere to, just in case this incident happens again. This means the students has a standard time to prepare for the next make-up exam. My second supplementary question is for the lecturers themselves. I think one of the fears for us is when the exam papers leak, we need to prepare alternative papers. In this case, there could be instances where we need to prepare more. Can the Ministry provide assurance that we do not have to prepare too many alternatives in such incidents in the future?”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I would like the Minister for the reply. Foremost, I would like to declare that I am an academic staff at Republic Polytechnic. Sir, my concern is really for the academic staff, as well as the students from both PET and CET programmes. In December, for example, PET students undergo an exam period, that is, in December, they have the first two weeks of exams, followed by two weeks of supposed break. However, they are given graded assignments also, which means that throughout December, they are supposed to finish an assignment before they come back in January. Which means, probably, that they will not spend their December holidays. This means that they will spend less time with their family and catch-up with the younger siblings, if they have these. For CET students, the December period, especially for the part-time diplomas, that actually transcends throughout. For example, in December, their lessons are throughout December. And this means that, for us to encourage them to do a part-time diploma and have a work-life balance, this means sacrificing their December holidays, and in the spirit of celebrating families, I think that this is something that we are missing. The staff, they have to do the markings in December, which means they are usually affected. Or if they are teaching CET students like I do, we do not get the December holidays as a whole. So, will the Ministry consider removal of mid semestral assessments, both in terms of exams as well as these graded assignments within the December period? Second, would the Ministry consider blocking off the December holidays completely to allow staff and students to recuperate and consolidate at the very least and, of course, spend time with their families?”
“In this regard, an individual's commitment and the whole community must move towards a healthy lifestyle and make preventive health happen. The Government alone cannot make it happen. However, I do hope that the plans laid in place will nudge and ease Singaporeans to control and begin a healthier lifestyle. Notwithstanding my concerns shared earlier, I support the Motion.”
“Thus, the importance of screening cannot be underestimated. It not only gives me a peace of mind knowing the results of my screening, but nudged me towards preventive health too. My initial commitment to physical exercise and increased physical activity then manifested into other aspects of health. For example, I became more conscious of nutrition, cutting down on salt and sugar and eating more vegetables. I also began to be conscious of my overall well-being, like cutting down on screen time and making sure I have enough sleep. So, lesson number two is health is not just about physical health. A holistic, balanced, sustainable approach to self-care, based on the numerous dimensions of health and wellness, is important – like mental, social and spiritual health. Notably, the people around me became the catalyst and motivation. Family members, friends, colleagues and even my grassroots leaders, were more receptive to my healthier lifestyle. For example, simple things like a healthier food spread, more family activities at the park and shorter meetings in the evenings, makes a lot of difference to our health. These allow me to maintain my newfound healthy habits and encourage others to pick up healthier habits too. So, lesson number three – it is always better together. I hope that MOH and community partners like PA plan activities for all the communities – activities that revolve around families. Studies have shown the elderly who stay connected to the family and participate in regular recreational physical activities benefit from a longer life expectancy, better immune system and better mental health. Madam, preventive health is a commitment that each of us must make, but it is often easier said than done.”
“Therefore, I am concerned about the impact on the quality of support for our seniors. Fourth is about the caregivers of the elderly who have worked wholeheartedly and tirelessly. I hope they are allowed to register the elderly under their care. This will enable doctors to prepare a more holistic and inclusive health plan for both of them. My final point is related to the use of digital devices. Our seniors have gone a long way in preparing themselves digitally. However, some are worried about the rapid advancement of technology and applications that continue to evolve. In addition, many are also anxious and afraid of online scams. So, how does MOH plan to address their concerns? Finally, I have frequently highlighted in Parliament about mental health issues and how mental health is just as important as physical health. I hope that the Minister can elaborate on the role of mental health in the Healthier SG initiative. (In English): Madam, please allow me to end by sharing a personal anecdote. Last December, I had a health scare and I conceded that at 43 years old, I just could not catch up with my children. I consulted a doctor friend and after analysing the results, he assured me that I was just too exhausted but highlighted that it is time I put my sports science knowledge into practice. So, I started the New Year with a simple goal of being more active, having a healthier lifestyle. To shift my BMI category from overweight to something more acceptable and lowering my body fat percentage from 25% to 20%. This means shedding about 10 kilogrammes off my deceivingly "okay-looking" frame. I am glad to share that I have met the objectives, but there are a few lessons learnt. The first lesson is looking okay or feeling okay, does not mean one is healthy.”
“Madam, through Healthier SG, collaborations and partnerships are increasingly emphasised. However, I was unable to find the roles of IHLs. Practice-based research efforts are expanding and courses that provide lifelong learning regarding public health have grown. IHLs play an important role within the public health system. To educate and train; conduct basic and applied research in disciplines pertinent to public health; and engage in the community and professional service. Of course, IHLs are not the only institutions that provides education, research, and service. However, it would be useful to tap on IHLs as additional resources. Madam, in Malay, please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] In my English speech just now, I touched on several matters that I hope the Government can clarify. This includes the matter of our seniors. In Jalan Besar GRC, for instance, where many of its residents are senior citizens, I am concerned about their health. And I hope that they will make full use of the Healthier SG initiative. I hope that MOH can provide some clarification on the issue of resources, both in terms of doctors and community partners, who are able to support our seniors. I hope that the quantity and quality of these resources will not be affected. Second, for senior citizens who are less mobile, frequent visits to doctors may prove to be challenging. So, how does MOH intend to engage and support them? During the COVID-19 pandemic, I was grateful that many of our seniors, who have difficulty getting around, could be visited by doctors and get vaccinated. I hope that the same effort can be made to support them. Third, consultations for senior citizens may require a longer time.”
“My fourth point revolves around the caregivers who selflessly tend to the elderly. Would it be possible to allow the caregivers to be enrolled with the elderly in their charge? This would allow the doctor to plan a more holistic and inclusive approach for both of them. Finally, with regards to the enhancement and usage of digital tools, our elderly have come a long way in getting themselves digitally ready. Nevertheless, some are concerned with how fast technology and apps have evolved. Moreover, the thought of being scammed, too, may hinder their usage of digital support. How, then, does the Ministry plan to address these concerns? Madam, throughout my stint in Parliament, I have continually raised the importance of mental health and how we should treat mental health just like physical health. Thus, I would like to ask the Ministry: how does mental health fit in the Healthier SG initiative? This would be more pertinent when Healthier SG is rolled out to the younger generation, who are more open to mental health issues and understand the importance of mental well-being. Nevertheless, the elderly are not spared too. Issues like dementia or depression due to social isolation remain pertinent issues. Therefore, concerns like whether there would be enough mental health trained GPs and, if so, how would these GPs engage and manage consultation time, bearing in mind that consultation times may differ in complexity, require deeper attention and may take a longer time. I believe Healthier SG is an opportunity to address the issues that I have raised previously related to accessibility and screening. GPs now would naturally increase the nodes for accessibility, and I hope health screening can also include aspects of mental health.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, I declare that I am an academic staff focusing on health and wellness at an Institute of Higher Learning (IHL). I welcome the announcement of the Healthier SG White Paper. The push toward preventive health is an area that I have advocated throughout my career, from being a Physical Educator and now, through research and programme design. I am supportive of the plans laid out by the Ministry, which have been on the agenda for many years. And now, with the fundamentals in place, we are taking this necessary step to improve our healthcare further. Madam, despite my support for the Healthier SG White Paper, I do have some concerns that I would like to put forth. Firstly, different constituencies have different demographics that may require specific considerations and attention. For example, as a whole, in my constituency at Kolam Ayer and Jalan Besar GRC, there are higher proportions of elderly residents and notably, there may be fewer GP clinics in the vicinity too. Therefore, concerning resources, both in terms of quantity and quality, will there be enough GPs and community partners that can support our elderly? Secondly, for the elderly who are less mobile or immobile, regular visits to the doctor may be challenging. How does MOH intend to engage and support them? During the COVID-19 pandemic, I was encouraged by the efforts on the ground to visit the elderly who are less mobile to provide vaccinations for them. I hope that similar efforts may be made to engage and support them. Thirdly, the elderly may take a longer consultation time. How does this impact the GPs daily workload and operations? And collectively, how will this impact the quality of support for the elderly?”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. And I thank the Senior Minister of State for the reply. My concern is more for the children, the elderly and the vulnerable groups. Given that this breach has happened, I would ask whether in this review process that is going on, will MOH be providing more stringent processes to ensure their safety and, of course, make sure that this does not happen again in the future?”
“Mr Speaker, I thank the Minister for sharing some good news for our preschool educators. I am pretty sure the last two and a half years have been difficult for them, especially with our children and the COVID-19 situation. Thanks also for sharing a bit on the mental health well-being plans the Ministry has. Could the Minister expand a bit more on the points that he raised earlier on digitalisation and how we can better support them in those terms? They have also actually shared a bit on some ergonomic issues, for example, because they are sitting on really low seats and the tables are all smaller. Could we look into expanding this framework and see how we can provide ergonomically better or special equipment for all teachers as they teach, too?”
“] The Bill aims to enhance the collection of information from crime suspects through the comparison of DNA samples from a crime scene, with a larger database. The Police have been using DNA to help solve crimes since 1991 and the ability to use DNA analysis has greatly improved the chances of the police to solve cases. A larger database would mean that cases may be solved more effectively and efficiently. More importantly, although DNA analysis can be used as evidence against someone, it can also be used to exonerate someone and prove their innocence. As such, I hope that the Minister can provide clarification about the steps that will be taken to safeguard and protect the DNA data to prevent any modification and misuse. (In English): Mdm Deputy Speaker, in conclusion, I am convinced that the expansion of the collection and the use of DNA data would enhance the Police's effectiveness and efficiency in solving crimes and exonerate the innocent, and hence make Singapore an even safer and more secure home. I support the Bill.”
“Additionally, due to the high success probability of solving crimes and the possibility to exonerate the innocent, I am in support of the fine and/or jail term that will be introduced for accused individuals who refuse to provide blood samples without a reasonable excuse. Mdm Deputy Speaker, despite my support for this Bill, there are a few areas of concern. Firstly, in a situation where the Police searches through the DNA database and comes across a partial match. A relative may come across as a partial match. There are also instances where there are doppelgangers, people who look strikingly similar, but are not related. A recent study published in the journal Cell Reports has shown that their DNA sequence may be similar. Thus, what are the safeguards for the relatives of people or possible doppelgangers who are on the database? Secondly, with regards to the DNA sample collection and extraction, how would the Police address issues of sample contamination and what really constitutes a good sample? Thirdly, with evolving technology, there have been many advancements, amongst them, DNA fabrication. How does the Police safeguards against this and what are the plans by the Police to leverage on advancements in technology in DNA matching? Finally, with regards to data security. Upon collection of data and data storage, what safeguards are in place to protect the data: prevent the loss, modification and unauthorised access to any information recorded in various databases and also, would there be alternative secure storage locations. And, if so, will it be outsourced to an external agency? Mdm Deputy Speaker, in Malay, please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, I rise in support of the Bill. The Bill, amongst other amendments, aims to enhance the collection of information from suspects which will provide the authorities with a larger database to compare samples from crime scenes. A larger database would simply mean that cases may be solved more effectively and efficiently. Police have been using DNA to help solve crimes from 1991 and the ability to extract DNA from a crime scene and run it through a database has greatly improved the odds of Police in solving cases. For example, DNA profiling was crucial in solving a case of a serial fatal stabbing in 2010. In that case, the absence of CCTV footage, fingerprints as well as DNA had hindered Police from getting leads. However, at the fourth occurrence, the blade of a knife had broken off and it was found some metres away from the deceased. Police then found a plastic sheath that was used to cover the knife, where they were able to extract DNA samples, develop a profile and identify the perpetrator. Mdm Deputy Speaker, although DNA analysis can be used to prove to be conclusive evidence against someone, it can also be used to exonerate someone and prove their innocence. As such, I welcome a key amendment in the Bill which includes allowing individuals to provide his DNA or non-DNA identifying information voluntarily to Police. Critically, volunteers can request the Police to delete their information at any time and the Police must accede to their request. This will allow volunteers the confidence to step-up and provide them with the opportunity to protect exonerate themselves.”
“Thank you, Mdm Deputy Speaker. I thank the Senior Minister of State for sharing the recommendations. I hear the efforts by the interagency task force in reaching out and getting this. My question is, for those who are not reaching out, are there plans to increase these nodes or networks to allow them to be, in a way, screened or detected, so that we can prevent issues in terms of mental health?”
“While the Government leads the way in legislating these proposals, society, as a whole, must play its part. It is all hands on deck, regardless of gender or age, whether you are a student or a worker, employer or employee, private or public sector. To my fellow men out there – husbands, fathers, sons – let us ask ourselves what kind of future do we want to create and leave behind for our women, our daughters? If we want our daughters to be respected, what are we doing within our homes or within the online space? If we want our daughters to succeed in their careers, what kind of work culture are we practising in workplaces? Mr Speaker, I support the White Paper.”
“For example, even though MENDAKI has a female Chief Executive Officer, only seven out of 21 members on its Board of Directors are women. In MUIS, five out of its 19 Council members are women. What about the number of women appointed as members of the mosque management boards? I am thankful that during my service as a mosque Chairman in the past, I have worked with many capable women. We already have a woman President of the Syariah Court. In fact, our President Mdm Halimah Yacob is ranked 37th on the list of 500 most influential Muslims in the world. Perhaps, it is time for us to have a woman mosque Chairman? I hope that more opportunities and spaces are open for our women to assume leadership responsibilities in our institutions, not just in MENDAKI, MUIS and mosques, but also in Malay/Muslim bodies and private companies, so that a diversity of opinions can be obtained through discussions and policy presentations. Second, we still see many single mothers and mothers from low-income families facing many challenges. These include those who have to quit their jobs to look after their children. I hope that the tabling of this White Paper can further enhance support and assistance for women and children from needy families, especially in terms of providing more preschool and after-school childcare services. With this, mothers can feel reassured enough to return to work and the children will also receive support in terms of their education and mental well-being. (In English): Mr Speaker, the White Paper on Women's Development is a strong signal of the Government's direction towards a fairer and more inclusive society where men and women are seen as equals and complementary in building a better Singapore.”
“Mr Speaker, we need to strengthen support for women in vulnerable groups, those from low-income families as well as single parents. Their biggest worry is their children's well-being. We can help alleviate their worry and better support them mentally and emotionally by focusing our resources on supporting their children's well-being. We need to get the children in school, focus on their studies and set them on the multiple pathways of success. Sir, we have now seen an increase in childcare and preschool places around Singapore. Perhaps, we can have more child-minding or student care services in schools and within clusters of low-income families, so that children from vulnerable families can get access to care conveniently while their mothers go out to work and focus on their careers. If we can focus our resources on the well-being of children, I am optimistic that we can help our women from vulnerable families get back up and provide better for their families. In that regard, I welcome the expansion of KidSTART and hope that, as the programme continues to expand, the content and delivery are not diluted. Sir, in Malay, please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mr Speaker, I welcome the tabling of this White Paper on Singapore Women’s Development and support all the actions being proposed. In my English speech earlier, I have touched on two areas, namely, career aspirations and support for children. More Malay women are now serving as members of the Mosque Management Boards, as well as Malay/Muslim bodies in Singapore. However, compared to the number of men, the number of women has yet to reach 50% in terms of those becoming members of board of directors.”
“Staff welfare clubs for women or the set-up of childcare arrangements within the building can also be implemented to allow women to have a strong support group within workplaces and allow their children to be near them while they work. Hence, I hope more companies can consider rolling them out to allow more women to return to the workforce. Mr Speaker, the second area I would like to highlight is the need for us to support women in their children's well-being. Sir, apart from my mother and my wife, my late grandmother continues to be my inspiration. When my mother was born, her father passed on soon after. My grandmother raised seven children on her own. She held multiple jobs. She was a religious teacher teaching Quranic recitation; she was a seamstress, sometimes doing clothes for free so that the children in the kampung can have nice clothes; she was somewhat an entrepreneur, she cooked and sold epok epok in the kampung, too. She was a resilient woman. She held a tight ship, ensuring ends meet and that the children were well cared for. My mother, being the youngest, had sisters who were doubling up as mothers. In situations like this, the elder ones usually make way for the younger ones to support their education. Although things turned out okay for my family, I have seen families of similar profiles within my constituency who are facing challenges. During a recent house visit, it pained me to find that the elder siblings who have yet to complete Secondary education, forgo their studies so that they can help with the family income. There were also times I found children who were without preschool education due to multiple constraints faced by single parents.”
“Mr Speaker, I rise in support of the Motion. The White Paper encapsulates the collective aspirations of women in Singapore. Importantly, it tackles the deep and long-running concerns and stigma and discrimination our women face at home, at school, workplaces and the community. Regardless of where women are in their lives, we, as a society, must support them. Let it be their choice and not a decision or judgement that we impose on them. Hence, I welcome the 25 concrete action plans that have been tabled in the White Paper. Sir, I would like to touch on two areas: supporting career aspirations and supporting their children's well-being. Sir, the pandemic has taught us that physical meetings can be replaced by virtual ones and matters can be easily resolved over emails. Importantly, we saw how FWAs allowed organisations to remain productive while allowing workers to juggle other commitments at home. This alleviates the mental burden faced by women who are caregivers but, at the same time, it allows the husbands the opportunity to share the load. Importantly, it can also encourage women who have not been working for some time to return to the working world with ease. I commend efforts, such as Mums@Work, Career Navigators and MENDAKI Sense's back-to-work women programme, which mentor women who wish to get back to the working world, retain them, retrain them and partner companies to ensure a smooth transition. In that regard, I welcome the recent news by MOM that employers must consider staff requests for FWAs by 2024. However, I hope that the Government can push the deadline earlier and explore accreditation models for companies that support FWAs and have concrete back-to-work women HR policies within their organisations.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Senior Minister of State for that. My concern is really for the healthcare workers who were involved in this unfortunate incident, because when this news went viral, clearly, they were the first in line to be blamed. My question is: how could we better protect them in the future when these things happen again? Because, apparently, it was not the first; there was a subsequent incident where healthcare workers were blamed. What can we do to protect them in the future in this regard?”
“Chairman, in Malay, please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] In the recent Budget debate, I supported the plan to expand the KidSTART and UPLIFT programmes to more children across Singapore. It underlines the Government's strong commitment to address inequality as early as possible. In Singapore, no one will be left behind especially our children. Early childhood education and good support will give them a strong foundation and a good start in their educational journey. Since its inception, M3 agencies have been very supportive of all efforts to strengthen the family and education institutions. As such, I would like to ask the Minister how M3 agencies and their volunteers can work more closely with the Government to ensure that children in rental housing get early help, so that they are not left behind when they enter primary school.”
“What are the main objectives and findings that we wish to achieve through the International Conference on Communities of Success (ICCOS) and how can ICCOS benefit the Muslim community of Singapore and complement other efforts in the religious sector? Progress of MUIS' RLTD Programme”
“(In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Our religious teachers play an important role in guiding and shaping our community with the skillsets, character and citizenship so that we become a Community of Success. This exists because we have an efficient madrasah education system. I am grateful and proud that we can see progress in our students. Over the last five years, the percentage of madrasah students pursuing secondary school education has increased. More than 98% of madrasah students who took PSLE in 2021 qualified for secondary school. Recently, Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah students obtained excellent results in their IB diploma examination. The best student achieved a perfect score and all students who went through the programme have passed, with an average score higher than the global average. Congratulations to the Principal and teachers as well as the students on your success! With the good performance of madrasah students in last year's examination, as well as in previous years, can the Minister share his plans to continue nurturing young talents in the religious sector to ensure that there is a pipeline of the next generation of religious leaders? Developing Bodies of Religious Knowledge (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Muslim minority communities around the world are faced with various unique challenges that are different from the challenges faced by those living in the Muslim majority societies. Actions and solutions to issues relevant to our society should be carefully resolved with an understanding of the context, especially in formulating knowledge, so as to help the minority Muslim community address new and complex challenges. MUIS has organised two pre-conference seminars in 2021 ahead of the main event.”
“(In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Last year, MOH set up the Minority Community Outreach (MCO) working group to improve health for minority communities. These health issues need to be addressed with care and strategically, taking into account factors, such as cultural differences. Since then, we have seen several innovative campaigns and programmes, such as Yok Jalan Amal organised by M3@Jurong in Jurong, which received encouraging response. Besides physical health and diet, other issues such as mental health have also captured the interest of the community, especially among the youth and elderly. I would like to ask the Ministry if it can provide an update on MCO's efforts. 2.45 pm Adult Immunisations Programme”
“Chairman, mental health issues and well-being are a whole-of-society approach that spans across different age groups and segments of the community, from students to workers, youth to the elderly – and rightly so. In last year’s COS, MOH announced two task forces to strengthen support for mental health and well-being as a whole. First, Senior Minister of State Dr Janil Puthucheary shared that the Taskforce for Mental Health and Well-being will work on three areas: the development of a national strategy; creation of a resources webpage; and a competency training framework. The second task force, announced by Minister Masagos, revolved around Child and Maternal Health and Well-being, to provide comprehensive support to women and their children. Like some say, "A healthy and happy mother has a healthy and happy child". And, of course, an even happier father. Sir, the family nucleus remains an important bedrock of our society. Investing more in our children is, inevitably, investing more in our mothers, too. Therefore, we must continue to provide the infrastructure and support: through greater access points within the community like the GP clinics and polyclinics. Support programmes and resources for mothers and families as a whole must continue to be made available and accessible. Sir, I also believe that screening, both physical and mental, is important, especially at the antenatal and postnatal stages so that proper and early intervention is provided. Therefore, I would like to ask the Ministry what are the updates from the Mental Health and Well-being Taskforce as well as the Child and Maternal Health and Well-being Taskforce respectively. Support for Mental Health”
“Chairman, it is clear that COVID-19 has complicated matters, especially for our healthcare workers. Due to exigencies of service, many are required to cover one another – sometimes at the last minute – work a bit longer, do a bit more and these may add up to less rest time or family time. The number of abuse or harassment cases rose from 1,200 in 2019 to 1,400 as at the end of November last year. In the first half of 2021, 1,500 workers resigned, compared with 2,000 annually before the pandemic. The increase in the number of patients, coupled with rising expectations from patients and their family members for high quality care and service, may be the push factors. Hospital visitation, limited by COVID-19, may also have resulted in heightened frustration from some of the patients’ families. Sir, our healthcare workers have always been exemplary in their service. We expect them to care and smile, but do we care and smile back? The COVID-19 situation merely spotlighted the hard work that they have always, always put in. Thus, we must ensure that they come to work energised, feel protected and respected by both colleagues and stakeholders. Sir, I would like to ask the Ministry what plans are there to continue to safeguard the well-being of their workforce and improve retention. 2.00 pm Manpower Planning for Healthcare Workers”
“Thank you, Mr Chairman. My question revolves around the mental well-being of the students and teachers. Maybe, I start with the teachers first. Sir, thank you for laying out these plans that you have for the teachers but I think what is missing right now for the teachers is really a hard cap on their working hours because they tend to mark and it goes beyond their working hours. That is number one. Can the Ministry consider that as part of my clarification? Number two is really on the students —”
“Chairman, last year, we were rocked by the unfortunate loss of life in school during school hours. The incident impacted many – students, educators and parents. Inevitably but most unfortunately, the issue of mental health was brought to light. Our educators are trained to look out for signs of distress amongst their students and mental well-being is taught in the curriculum. There is also a peer support programme to bridge the gap. However, as an educator and a peer support coordinator, I find that it is not easy to identify these students. I have had students coming up to me and sharing their difficulties and I in turn, in confidence, make subtle arrangements to accommodate such students. But often, they go totally unnoticed or students and parents are aware but would like to keep their issues private. It is understandable. Over the past two years, I have asked for mental health literacy programmes, screening both physical and mental as well as time-outs to be introduced. I am grateful that Character Citizenship Education (CCE) now covers the literacy aspect and I hope that the Ministry can integrate screening as well as time-outs. I would like to ask, Sir, what are some of MOE's plans to enhance support for firstly, students who have yet to be identified to suffer from mental health issues and secondly, students who are suffering from mental health and well-being problems in schools and at home or outside?”