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.”
The complete record
Every one of 373 lines we hold for Wan Rizal, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 7 of 8.
“Chairman, there are many ways for an admission to the Polytechnics. Apart from the Joint Admission Exercise (JAE), there is also the Early Admissions Exercise (EAE) for graduating "O" level students, who receive conditional offers based on their aptitudes and interests before taking their GCE "O" levels. The Direct Admissions Exercise (DAE) allows applicants who are not eligible to participate in the EAE and JAE to apply for the course of their interest. And finally, there is the Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP), a one-year programme that accepts Normal (Academic) students. I have witnessed many students from the PFP programme as well as those from the ITEs, and they are doing just as well as or even better than their "O" level counterparts. Sir, as a whole, I am grateful that we allow the Polytechnics greater flexibility to select students from varied pathways, based on broader measures of merit, beyond just academic grades. But I think we can do more. We can do more to continue to change mindsets and show that truly, there are multiple paths to success. There are several questions that I would like to raise. Firstly, would the Ministry consider expanding admission to Polytechnics via the PFP, in a move to continue to broaden the definition of academic merit and results beyond what was achieved in the national examinations? Second, for students enrolling in Polytechnics from the ITEs, are there plans to introduce industry attachments prior to this admission so that they are better prepared before they embark in the diploma programme? And finally, for students who need more time to build up their academic foundation, what are some of the options for them to be eligible to enrol in Polytechnic courses based on their non-academic achievements?”
“Chairman, I began my career as a teacher more than 20 years ago, and have taught at various levels from Primary to Secondary schools, Polytechnics and University. Like many of my fellow educators, what keeps us going is our love for teaching. The joy of curating lessons and imparting knowledge to students is hard to describe. But being an educator it not just about teaching. The inconvenient truth is, educators wear many hats. They are administrators, disciplinarians, confidantes, counsellors, peer support advisors, CCA coaches and managers, amongst others. And certain hats require them to work beyond their work hours. In my recent Budget speech, I mentioned about the need for individuals to undergo phases to re-invent themselves, to prevent them from going through physical and mental burnouts. I also believe that it is important to expose educators to new and different opportunities beyond their teaching scope. This experience will rejuvenate them and help them to inject fresh ideas into their work. Thus, I would like to ask, how is the Ministry supporting and managing teachers' well-being? And this includes the deployment and workload as well as defining clear working hours and discourage educators from responding to emails and texts so that they are well rested mentally and physically.”
“Chairman, based on the 2020 Population Census, more residents are using English as the most frequently used language at home, that is 48.3% in 2020 as compared to 32.3% in 2010. Unfortunately, this means that more residents are speaking less of their mother tongue at home. Our ability to be bilingual or trilingual gives us a huge advantage when it comes to competing for jobs locally, regionally, globally, and this makes us an attractive business hub. Having a strong command of our mother tongue is not only important culturally, but also economically, if we want to stay relevant and remain ahead in the global competitive market. Hence, I would like to ask the Ministry if there are any initiatives that students can get to expand their opportunities to learn about their mother tongue languages and culture, beyond exams. Supporting Continuous Learning”
“Chairman, Singaporeans are now spending more time online, which means they are more open to online content – and some content may hold extreme or even extremist views – online gaming and possible gambling as well as engaging in social media that may not be able to regulate all of its contents. Different segments of the community may be exposed to varied levels of online harms. The youths, for example, are most susceptible to negative influences like cyberbullying, hate comments or even online shaming. The elderly, too, are not spared from being cyber victims. I welcome the Alliance for Action to tackle online harms, especially those targeted at women and girls. What are some targeted measures that MCI will put in place to protect the different segments of Singaporeans from varied forms of online harm? Protection from Online Harms”
“Sir, in this digital age, we are witnessing a proliferation of technology driven solutions across various industries. Of course, the defence industry or ecosystem is no exception. Militaries around the world have been leveraging on technology to transform themselves. The possibilities range from enhancements in systems efficiency to augmented reality-based immersive training experiences. My focus today, however, is something closer to our hearts – the safety of our servicemen and women. The proliferation of tools to harness data could aid the development of training regimes that are more effective, more efficient and most importantly, safe. Could MINDEF provide an update on efforts to leverage data and technology to strengthen training safety in the SAF?”
“Chairman, safety is not something that should gain salience only when incidents occur. We must always keep safety at the forefront of our minds. The SAF must ensure that our servicemen and women return home to their families safe and sound. They should be kept safe not only in terms of their physical but mental health, too. At the COS debate last year, Senior Minister of State Heng Chee How said that a third External Review Panel on SAF Safety had been commissioned. This panel, like the panels before them, comprises a diverse range of experts who are well-positioned to provide fresh perspectives to the SAF. Could MINDEF provide an update on the panel's findings so far? How are these efforts being translated into positive outcomes to strengthen SAF's safety culture? Inspector-General's Audit Findings”
“This includes setting clear guidelines on working hours and introduce time-outs for workers to come back stronger to their workplace. As for education, I welcome the announcement to scale up the KidSTART and UPLIFT programmes. It underlines a strong commitment to tackle inequality as early as possible and ensures that every child is given the opportunity to fulfil their potential. In my previous speeches in Parliament, I highlighted several suggestions to eradicate stigmatisation and increase support for mental health. Beyond Parliament, other PAP MPs and I have organised campaigns on social media and discussions to raise awareness about mental health. Therefore, I am heartened to hear the Minister laying out broad plans to enhance support for mental health. The establishment of an Inter-Agency Task Force shows that the Government is concerned and took action against mental health stigmatisation and supporting the needs of Singaporeans. I urge employers and everyone from all walks of life to join us in this endeavour. United we stand, divided we fall. Many hands make light work. (In English): Mr Speaker, in conclusion, I can only say that change in the only constant and if we, as Singaporeans, are committed to creating a caring and inclusive Singapore for our generation and the generations ahead, we need to continue to take decisive actions and remain agile in a dynamic, volatile landscape. With the Government reiterating its commitment and the community stepping forward to co-curate these solutions, I am confident that we can be the shining light for other countries to emulate as we "chart a new way forward for Singapore together". Mr Speaker, I support the Budget.”
“While I am grateful that our mental healthcare infrastructure is robust and sound, it is sad that many of us are still not stepping forward to receive help. Stigmatisation remains a pertinent issue. Mental health issues are varied in nature. Some are obvious, others are silent and almost unnoticeable. It would be unwise for one to generalise. Therefore, a strong support system of family and friends play a key role in helping a loved one. Thus, the need for mental health literacy for everyone remains important to eradicate stigmatisation and create a more caring support system. Thirdly, is our community. With Singapore having one of the highest internet penetration rates globally, almost every adult and youth are connected to the internet and social media. Cyberbullying, the woke culture and online shaming are becoming more rampant and have a detrimental effect on the mental health of those affected. Therefore, it starts with us, not the Government alone or social media platforms, it begins with us – the community – to set a good online and offline code of conduct to create a more caring and inclusive home for all of us. Mr Speaker, in Malay, please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] I was happy to see this caring and inclusive Budget delivered by the Minister of Finance. I support his call to renew and strengthen our social compact. In my English speech earlier, I spoke about three issues. First, comprehensive support for workers; second, education; and third, mental health. Allow me to summarise. First, I urge that we provide a more comprehensive support for workers, especially healthcare sector workers and teachers. I call on the Government and employers to review their workload and job scope to ensure a quality Work-Life balance.”
“sg, IMH, the Muslim Healthcare Professionals Association and many more, as well as volunteers and residents together. Within my constituency, we have also organised workshops for grassroots leaders so that they can better support our residents. That is why I am very happy to hear our Finance Minister laying out broad plans to enhance and integrate mental health and social services in the community. The setting up of the Inter-agency Task Force shows that the Government is committed to taking action towards mental health stigmatisation and supporting the needs of Singaporeans. In November last year, MOH published its National Population Health Survey and found that younger adults aged between 18 and 29 had the highest proportion of poor mental health, for about 21.5%. Therefore, I call on the task force to expand outreach and support for this particular group and hope that with the rising numbers as a whole, we can also increase the number of psychiatrics services that we made available. Mr Speaker, while the Government can enact policies and guidelines, it does not have the monopoly of solutions to make Singapore a caring and inclusive nation. We need all hands on deck. Here, I would like to call upon three groups to play their part. The first: employers. I spoke previously about the need to be more compassionate to our workers and provide them with periods to recharge, therefore I urge employers once again to review their mental wellness programmes, encourage regular health screening, both physical and mental and consider using time-outs. Like some say, a happy employee is a productive employee, but most importantly, an even happier employer. Secondly, is family and friends.”
“In my previous speeches, I emphasised the need to give our graduates broad skills that can be generalised across other disciplines. This will put them in a better footing and give them the confidence to apply their skills across other sectors. I would now go a step further and ask if we could allow greater flexibility to allow students to choose modules outside their main course and pursue side interests. I could be a sports scientist with a good foundation in entrepreneurship. Or an engineer with graphic design skills. Inevitably, time is a factor. Polytechnic students, for example, have three years to complete the course. Perhaps, it is time to review if a slightly longer duration would allow students to develop better, to get that much needed time and space to equip themselves and pursue these interests. Mr Speaker, many PAP Members, past and present, have touched on the importance of mental health and support. In my previous adjournment motions, I highlighted several suggestions to destigmatise mental health. These include a push for mental health and social media literacy in schools and workplaces, improving accessibility at community touchpoints, providing regular mental health screening and introducing time-outs for individuals to recharge, re-organise and come back stronger to school or work. I also called for the Government to expand our mental healthcare infrastructure, expand community support network and to make mental healthcare and support affordable. Beyond Parliament, with support from other PAP Members, as well as the Young PAP, we drove the #452TooMany campaign and conducted dialogues to bring community partners like Total Wellness Initiative, ItAllStartsHere.”
“Nevertheless, the move for an enhanced KidSTART and upscaled UPLIFT programme underlines our strong commitment to tackle inequality at the earliest juncture possible and ensures that every child is given the opportunity to discover the joy of exploration and play and importantly, stand a fighting chance when they enter Primary school. Mr Speaker, when I recall my Primary and Secondary school experience, it was all about the PSLE, the "N" and "O" levels. I understand the need to hold these major exams, but I think we can do with fewer exams in between. If we are serious about redefining success, then it can start by redefining what exams mean. I urge this call in unison for a "whole-of-society approach" to change the mindsets on education, from daily school issues to major examinations and how we perceive success and learning as a whole. It is about time to change this "Assessment of Learning" culture to a "Journey of Learning". We must create a culture of appreciating the joy of learning and the challenges such a journey presents, be it easy or difficult, whether we get success or failure and accepting that there are multiple paths to achieve success. In removing the minor exams, we can nurture an optimal lifelong learning concept and this, in turn and hopefully, result in a better mental health environment. Sir, the second phase, "re-discover", is at the Polytechnic or University stage. We have done well to create multiple pathways. There are now numerous courses that a student can enrol in that matches their interests. However, one lesson we learnt from the pandemic was the inability of some of our fresh graduates to be agile in a volatile job environment. This is not their fault. Who could have predicted that certain sectors can be so affected by the pandemic?”
“Mr Speaker, while the fight against COVID-19 is far from over, we are in a better position to chart a new way forward together. I support the Finance Minister's call to renew and strengthen our social compact. It resonates strongly with me and I will touch on two areas: education and mental health. Mr Speaker, I am a firm believer in lifelong learning. To sustain something lifelong requires us to acknowledge that one may be susceptible to physical and mental burnouts. In my previous speeches, I mentioned that one way to mitigate this is to provide opportunities or rather, phases for individuals to: discover, re-discover and re-invent themselves. I will cover two of them today, although all three are aptly represented in this year's Budget announcement. The first phase, "discover", begins from early childhood. Within this phase, we must provide our children with the opportunities to discover their strengths and interests. Opportunities for deliberate play and exploration will allow children to pick up social interaction and problem-solving skills beyond what books can offer. Therefore, I welcome the announcement that we will be investing more in our children to scale up the KidSTART programme nationwide and expand into a nationwide UPLIFT Community Network to support more children in disadvantaged families. However, I hope that we can also curate programmes for those in the middle class in the future, especially those who may be struggling or facing sudden change in their situation. As shown through the pandemic, being on a balance means that one can be tipped over fairly easily.”
“Mr Speaker, I rise in support of the Budget. The past two years had been like a roller-coaster ride in the dark. We do not know where the twists and turns are but we have, together, shoulder-to-shoulder, ridden over one peak after another, and it seems like we are now in the midst of another one. This has never been a fun ride, especially for our frontliners. To Team MOH and the healthcare workers who are once again called up to the fore, thank you, and I salute you for valiantly keeping our country going, not forgetting my fellow educators, who face students every day to provide normalcy amid a dynamic landscape. Alongside our Public Service officers, our healthcare workers and educators have taken up multiple, varied and new roles, which underlie their unwavering commitment. I am grateful as they give us the much-needed confidence to see the light at the end of this dark roller-coaster ride. I urge that we continue to provide our Public Service officers, especially our healthcare workers and educators, with the best support and work-life balance possible. Firstly, I ask that their workload and work scope be reviewed. How many hats can one person wear to remain effective? Perhaps, it is also time that we set clear guidelines on work hours, introduce timeouts and enforce the time for disconnect. Replying to non-urgent emails can wait but our families cannot. We must also continue to create and upgrade channels for communication between staff and this does not include the bi-annual staff appraisal. I am also aware of the abuse they face and the pressures of work from the stakeholders, and we should do more to create practical ways to allow them to come forth and be provided with the necessary support and protection.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Senior Minister of State Janil for sharing with us the plans for this. One of my supplementary questions will be the involvement of the paternal part in this programme. We do understand that although this programme looks into child and maternal health, we do see the importance of others in this role. I hope that we can see more inclusion of fathers in the programme and in other programmes; and also, including the grandparents. My second supplementary question is on screening as part of this programme. With more screening, inevitably, we will have more interventions, most probably. When we talk about intervention, I would think that there is a need for the task force to engage the workplaces. Are these in place? These will help the provision of workplace support for mothers in the future.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Minister of State for the very comprehensive reply. Can the Minister of State give us a sense of the growth outlook across the sectors, especially the sectors where business formations are taking place? We have heard about digitalisation and the formation of DEAs and how it would help Singapore. Could you elaborate a little bit more about MTI's plan to grow the capabilities and the potential of enterprises in sustainability or even in the green economy?”
“With that, I would like to ask the Minister of State if there will be a proper protocol, perhaps a whistle-blowing channel, for security officers to use to report incidents of abuse or harassment? I ask this as I would like to ensure that all security officers are free to report any cases of harassment or abuse that they might face in their line of duty without compromising their careers with the security agencies and their clients. Madam, I would also like to highlight the skills of the security officers in their line of duty. This is not to say that they are ill-equipped with the skills needed to be security officers, as we know they are required to undergo courses and trainings to face evolving challenges. Given the severity of abuse cases among security officers, will there be an upgrade of the framework that can be applied to officers across the board if they face any problems of abuse and harassment? Should security agencies invest then in body-worn cameras to better equip officers against possible perpetrators? Finally, we know that security officers work round the clock and man 12-hour shifts. This would induce lethargy among officers. Will the Ministry introduce any limit to working hours, including mandated off days or off hours, for officers, without affecting their salary? Madam, notwithstanding the queries I had presented, I am in full support of this Bill.”
“Madam, I rise in support of the Bill. Security officers play a vital role as the first line of defence for many of Singapore’s residents. They are on the lookout for any suspicious activities. They guard our homes, our businesses against unwanted incidents and crimes. With their responsibilities, we need to first acknowledge that security officers are not Police officers. They do not have the power to arrest. They do not carry arms. When they are carrying out their responsibilities, most of the security officers fend for themselves before any reinforcement arrives. We need to realise that these officers are someone’s parents, children, grandparents, relatives and friends. The Bill offers them greater protection and harsher penalties to those who cause harm to them, be it physically or not. I am in full support of the Bill. However, even as we enhance this Bill to protect their rights better, there are a few broad issues that I still find to be concerning. First, can the Minister of State give us an overview of the number of abuse and harassment cases reported against security officers by themselves, members of the public or security agencies over the past three years? Presenting this data would show the severity of the issue and the challenges security officers and agencies face. Moving on from that point, what are some actions taken thus far against those who abuse or harass security officers? Madam, the second point that I would like to raise is that, in this House, we can pass Bills and legislation to better protect the rights of Singaporeans from being abused or harassed. At the same time, victims must, they must come forward to report to the authorities about their abuse. There must never be any impediments for victims to lodge a report or complaint.”
“I am heartened to hear their sharing and I believe that conversations like these must continue and so that we can destigmatise mental health. This act of solidarity will not just end here. I am inviting Members of this House, community leaders, activists, influencers and the public to join me and my 18 Members of Parliament on 10 October in conjunction with World Mental Health Day. Let us post on our socials, this 10.10 at 10.10 am a message of hope and commitment with the hashtag #452TooMany to signify that we acknowledge and care about mental health in Singapore. Mr Speaker, to those out there grappling with mental health, I would like to end with a n online quote that I have adapted: "You are bent but not broken. You are sad but not hopeless. You are tired but not powerless. You are depressed but not giving up." We are not giving up and you are not alone. We will stand by you. [Applause.]”
“First, identify the most vulnerable groups and give them support as soon as possible. Second, reviewing the mental health infrastructure. And third, reducing the cost of mental healthcare. So far, many activities and programmes are carried out to enhance awareness on mental health, and I personally support and welcome such efforts. However, our journey is still a long one. My hope is that with this suggestion, Singaporeans who are suffering from mental health issues are no longer ashamed to come forward to get support, and also view mental health as no less important than physical health. (In English): Mr Speaker, I have touched on three broad points as part of our efforts to prioritise mental healthcare and support for Singaporeans: identification, infrastructure and cost. We need to focus our efforts on identifying the vulnerable groups so that we can intervene quickly, review our current mental health infrastructure and explore how we can make mental health consultations affordable for those in need. We need to take affirmative action now, beyond just performative activism and populist rhetorics. To this end, I would like to thank my fellow PAP Members of Parliament colleagues for joining me in the #452TooMany Campaign. A special thanks to our community partners, volunteers, residents, mental health practitioners and researchers, like Devan from Mental Act and Jonathan from Total Wellness Initiative, for contributing their ideas and suggestions to strengthen our resolve to support Singapore's mental health movement. Special mention also goes out to four inspiring individuals: Xavierlyn, Athena, Afiqah and Devan who shared their experiences on mental health issues with me.”
“I hope this framework can be extended to students in IHLs as part of a module, so they too can be a ready-resource for the community support network. Similarly, I hope the training can also be extended to working professionals to develop their competencies and be their organisation's resource person at work. Mr Speaker, lastly, I would like to touch on cost. For mental health patients seeking help, the financial costs of treatment, especially over a long period, can be prohibitive. For example, the annual Medisave limit is $700 a year from the year 2022. However, this may be fully used after a few consultations. Perhaps the Government could explore increasing the Medisave claim limit for mental health consultations given that such consultations can be a bit more more regular for those who need more help. The Government could also provide greater subsidies for those who are under the Pioneer or Merdeka Generations, as well as those having CHAS cards. Although insurance policy providers have started to offer insurance policies that provide coverage for mental health conditions, there are many other providers who have not begun. Thus, I am heartened to know when Senior Minister of State Janil previously told this House that there are ongoing efforts to make treatment more affordable and MOH is also working with insurance companies and other stakeholders to further optimise the coverage process. Mr Speaker, in Malay, please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mental health is a very critical issue faced by Singaporeans. Last year, our country recorded 452 suicide cases, and this is very worrying. In my English speech earlier, I suggested three broad aspects in our efforts to prioritise mental health in Singapore.”
“Anyone screened for being at risk or having symptoms of mental health issues should promptly be referred to a Mental Health Practitioner. We want to engage early, before mental health issues disrupts their lives and risks them doing something harmful. Mr Speaker, my second point is regarding our mental health infrastructure to support mental health needs of our fellow Singaporeans. Firstly, I call on the Government to expand our infrastructure by equipping all polyclinics, general practitioners (GPs) and social service agencies with the necessary expertise and resources. By expanding our community mental health touchpoints, we can make mental health screening accessible to more Singaporeans. But beyond the hardware, it is the software that matters too. Diagnosing or sensing mental health issues takes time getting to know the patient, building trust and delving into the situation can make a difference. Therefore, it could be useful to consider and budget for longer consultation times in the future healthcare system. Secondly, we need to develop our resources to respond to our community's increasing mental health needs and here, I offer two approaches. The first approach is to review expanding existing programmes or creating equivalent ones in IHLs so that more mental health professionals can be produced. The second, is to develop a community support network of trained staff and volunteers. They can be our first point of contact to attend distress calls and walk in consultations. Therefore, I welcome the Task force’s recommendation to develop a national mental health competency framework with a common set of training standards and clearly defined degrees of competencies expected of professionals and para professionals.”
“For example, educators have had to adapt to the fluid COVID-19 situation tailoring their lesson plans and materials at short notice on top of the regular administrative duties, juggling various stakeholders' expectations and putting their students' first, always. As an educator I feel overwhelmed, frustrated and of course, worried. So, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our teachers for their commitment, their dedication for being our fortress in such turbulent times. On that note, I urge everyone as part of our “Whole of Society Approach” to change our mindset on how we view children's development, from daily school issues to major examinations. It is about time we change this "Assessment of Learning", culture to a "Journey of Learning". If we can create a culture of appreciating the joy of learning and the challenges that such journey presents be it easy or difficult, whether we succeed or fail in something and accepting that there are multiple paths to achieve success, we can nurture an optimal mental health environment from the onset. Hopefully, this would lead to a positive effect on the "parent-teacher-child" relationship and the positivity trickle down to our society. Our Singaporean workers, from healthcare professionals to teachers to public service officers, need our continued care and support. Therefore, reviewing their workscope may be useful for a quality work life balance, but, most importantly, we must continue to create and upgrade channels for meaningful communication and this does not include the biannual staff appraisal. Finally, we need to encourage and normalise mental health screening for all Singaporeans through key touchpoints like schools and IHLs, in workplaces and hospitals, and of course, the clinics.”
“Even among our own PAP Members of Parliament, we embarked on our own #452TooMany Campaign last month to bring together our community partners, volunteers and residents to discuss issues on mental health. Although discussions and engagements are still ongoing, I would like to share some of those findings and recommendations today. Mr Speaker, the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified and made a significant impact on the mental health cases here in Singapore. Our suicide rate reached its all time high of 452, a 13% increase from 2019, with an increase across all age groups. If we picture a pyramid structure of mental health issues, certainly suicide is at its peak. What I want to bring forth today is not just the peak but the different ways we can come together to overcome issues surrounding mental health. Mental health issues can affect anyone, from children to the elderly, students to teachers, workers to retirees. No one is spared in that manner. Efforts to curtail the spread of the pandemic are necessary but unfortunately, have impacted the mental health of Singaporeans in different magnitudes. Measures to reduce social gatherings since the pandemic have increased stress and loneliness levels amongst our elderly and youths. This reduction of meaningful social engagement, coupled with stressors of the pandemic and adapting to technology and HBL, have understandably taken a toll on their mental well-being. Another group of concern is our local Singaporean workers, our frontline healthcare professionals, teachers and public service officers have seen an increase in workload since the onset of the pandemic. At its simplest form, those working from home faced the blurring of lines between work and personal time.”
“Mr Speaker, it has been almost a year since I raised my first Adjournment Motion on "Eradicating Mental Health Stigmatisation". During that speech, I shared the acronym L-A-S-T. Apparently, it was not my last Adjournment Motion. But, briefly, "L" stands for Literacy – to include mental health literacy in schoos and workplaces. "A" for Accessibility – to increase accessibility for people to come and seek help easier. "S" for Screening – like how we go for regular physical health screening, there should be one for mental health too. And "T" for Time-outs – to allow individuals to take a break and come back recharged. Mr Speaker, we continue to see a lot of effort being rolled out by the Government, community partners and ground-up groups to destigmatise mental health issues. I would like to highlight that I am not the first to talk about this issue. PAP Members of Parliament have been championing it in Parliament long before I had. It dates back to the mental health blueprint in 2007. From time to time, PAP Members of Parliament have risen in this House to ensure that policies on mental health are up to date and relevant. We have been consistent in our approach that progressive legislation can effectively promote access to mental healthcare and protect the rights of persons with mental health issues. Therefore, I welcome recommendations put forth by the COVID-19 Mental Wellness Task force in August 2021 to provide a whole-of- Government strategy to address the psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ground-up campaigns such as Beyond The Label, the Honest Cookie by Samaritans of Singapore and ThisConnect, to name a few, have not gone unnoticed.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, for spotting me at that corner. Mr Speaker advised me to do jumping jacks previously to attract his attention. I thank the Senior Minister of State for the answer on Dr Tan's question. There is a supplementary question here where we keep on asking ourselves. This whole idea of outsourcing creates what we call a double hurdle for those who are in FWAs. Because the contractor must be willing to provide FWAs in the first place, and then the outsourcing business must have workflows and preferences that can make it feasible for the contractor to provide FWAs. How do we ensure that companies and contractors do not pass the buck to one another? As a context, I will give an example. A number of my residents have come forward to me. They are working in outsourced companies, for example, in security and as cleaners. They face this problem when one of them falls sick, for example, they need kidney dialysis and they need that time off. It is very difficult for them to get this arrangement. Eventually, they need to resign and find another job. So, that would be my question: how do we ensure that these companies do not pass the buck to one another?”
“Thank you, Mdm Deputy Speaker. I thank the Minister for the reply. I must say that I am heartened to know that companies were caught for breaching this and I am happy to know that the workers are given such strong support. Based on industry feedback, some companies may try to circumvent the latest PWM requirement. They do this by cutting corners at the expense of service delivery to service buyers, engaging in non-licensed cleaning businesses and so on. Will NEA consider a whistle-blower system that will help in ensuring both buyers of cleaning services and cleaning companies comply with the intricacies of the PWM, such as fair contracts to achieve the desired social outcomes?”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I would like to thank the Minister for the heartfelt and reassuring Statement. The incident has hit many of us hard. As a parent, I share the sadness, the fear and the disappointment. As an educator, we wear many hats. We are not just the curators of knowledge, the choreographers of behaviour. We are not just disciplinarians, we are their friend, we are their confidant. When things go south, it is very easy to pinpoint the teachers and the staff. For the past week, thoughts of doubts, what ifs, maybes, have filled many of our heads, but, fundamentally and rationally, I know that schools must remain a safe space. The security within our schools goes a long way in instilling confidence in our students, parents, teachers and staff. Thus, my first clarification is, while we do not want schools to be made into fortresses, what security preparedness drills and initiatives are our schools equipped with? And, fundamentally, are our teachers prepared for major incidents? How else can we strengthen our school security so that schools remain a safe space for all? Inevitably, mental health is the talk of the town. My worry is that this talk will equate to fear and resets our efforts in destigmatising mental health. We want our students, teachers and staff to be able to easily and readily step forward to receive support whenever they need it. Thus, my second clarification is, how would the Ministry ensure that while we relook into mental health in schools and the approaches that we are going to take, it does not increase the stigmatisation and prevent people from stepping forward and asking for help?”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I thank the Minister for the update on the PCICS and the Singapore Islamic College. My first supplementary question is with regard to the graduates themselves and the current programme, whether we can include internship programmes within this course where they are given opportunities to go into the community to do some social service or work where they can acclimatise themselves further into our society. My second supplementary question is with regard to a series of discussions I conducted with current students overseas, mainly in Jordan and Egypt. Generally, they are receptive and supportive of the course but they also shared some concerns. One of them is that the course, being a year long, they are wondering whether part of it, since there is an online element, could be done when they are studying overseas. In this way, when they come back, it cuts down the course duration and they can get into the workforce sooner.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I thank the Minister for the reassuring reply. The enhanced pathway, or rather the structure goes a long way into destigmatising ITEs. Having taught students who went to the Polytechnics, I truly believe that ITEs is not an acronym for "It's the end", but "It's towards excellence". So, with that, given the increased accessibility to the Higher Nitec, are there plans to increase the places for the Polytechnic intake? And will there be a transition programme for these students in this batch of ITE students as they further their studies at the Polytechnic?”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State for that sharing. The most important was on public education and I totally agree with the importance of public education. Would the Ministry consider conducting safety lessons in schools? That is one of the early touchpoints where we can educate our children. But most importantly, in that context, would the Ministry consider working closely with MOE to inculcate this, put it into the curriculum so that our students are given better ideas of safety and road safety in the future?”
“Thank you, Mr Chairman. I thank the Minister for articulating clearly the position of the Government on the issue of tudung in uniformed services. Indeed, these are sensitive issues that should be handled with much care. I am also grateful to note that these conversations are on-going and have been made with various segments of the community. Earlier, the Ministers mentioned about the importance of asatizah within the community and I am in agreement with their dedication, their ability and of course, their influence. Therefore, I would like to ask on the role of our asatizah in this regard. How can they continue to work with the Government on handling such sensitive issues so that the community is also convinced that the religious sector can provide them with the right and appropriate guidance?”
“I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the principal of Madrasah Aljunied, as well as the teachers and students for their success once again. The IB programme creates new pathways for madrasah students to non-religious opportunities. In this regard, the students should also be given exposure like attachments in various non-religious sectors. Can the Minister share any plans to further value-add the madrasah curriculum in creating opportunities for madrasah students to gain experience beyond the religious sector?”
“Chairman, my cuts in Malay, please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Minister Maliki recently announced that M³ has expanded to three other towns at Geylang Serai, Jalan Besar and Toa Payoh. I welcome this move as it allows for better outreach to the community, especially in engaging the more vulnerable families within the towns. It also makes M³ programmes more accessible to the Malay/Muslim community. I am grateful because M³@Jalan Besar has the support of young and capable volunteers from various sectors. For instance, the come from the media, interfaith, education, social service, and public service sectors. I am heartened by the contributions and roles played by more young professionals when they help out as M3 volunteers. Their contributions are critical to ensure that the outreach efforts of M³ are effective and sustainable. Can the Minister provide an update on the plans to ensure that M³ volunteers are equipped with the relevant skills to reach out to the community more effectively? Developing Holistic Madrasah Education (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] The Madrasah education system has come a long way. I personally know many former madrasah students who are now notable alumni. Other than producing reputable Muslim scholars, there are also madrasah graduates who are now business leaders, scientists, social science researchers, lawyers and many more. There are two Madrasah located in M³@Jalan Besar. Recently, I visited Madrasah Aljunied to thank them for their success and congratulate them on passing the IB Programme. All 25 students in the IB programme passed the exams, and their average score is higher than the average global scores.”
“Chairman, in my recent speeches, I spoke about the importance of mental health and the need to destigmatise mental health issues. Now, its frequency has reached to a point where my students have given me hashtag DWR4MH, which means "Do what's right for mental health." Chairman, we need to change the negative perception and treat mental health issues like any other health conditions. Additionally, it is crucial for those who need assistance are able to get them quickly and properly. Some time ago, I was approached by a family who has a teenage son who was depressed and suicidal. They did not seek professional help and I quote them, "malu" which means "embarrassing". "The incident was indeed embarrassing and brought shame to the family." And when they were convinced to seek help finally, they found it daunting to go to the polyclinics, let alone IMH. The longer we delay the assistance rendered, the shorter the window period to undo this damage. We need a more comprehensive framework to address the issues of stigmatisation and, of course, accessibility. Last year, the Ministry announced that it would be expanding mental health services under the Community Mental Health Masterplan to enhance the reach and provide support for youths and their families. May the Minister, please, provide an update on this?”
“Mr Chairman, I was asked recently, why am I asking for a cut for MOH when they should be getting an increment for their outstanding work in this pandemic, on top of the good work that they have been doing all this while. So, a big thank you to the Minister, his team from MOH and, of course, our healthcare workers. Unfortunately, we have read reports of healthcare workers being abused physically and mentally while carrying out their duties. Their sacrifice and courage were met by behaviours unacceptable in any circumstances. When the pandemic started to unfold, we hear of healthcare workers being sprayed disinfectant by neighbours, denied boarding private vehicles and many other instances on social media. The number of abuse and harassment cases increased from 1,080 in 2018 to 1,300 last year. How does MOH plan to further protect our healthcare workers' physical and mental well-being, considering the injustices made against them? Abuse aside, we are also aware that our healthcare workers work long hours and have overnight schedules. We must provide them with the best work-life balance to maintain healthy, mental well-being. How does the Ministry plan to support our healthcare workers in this aspect?”
“Therefore, what policies will the Ministry of Education pursue to preserve the use of mother tongue languages among students so that they will not only appreciate but also understand the importance of mother tongue in their daily lives? Mental Health Education and Programmes (In English): One persistent issue that I have been confronted with my students and young residents alike, is mental health – from anxiety to addiction to depression originating from various sources from home, school and the cyberspace. The cyberspace is not just a digital playground. It is a source of information or misinformation, and a platform for rich interaction. Our youths use social media pervasively, and they may feel that they must present a particular front to keep up with their friends' fake realities on social media. This behaviour may induce unnecessary stress that may affect their mental wellbeing. Additionally, this stress may be compounded and worsened when cyberbullying comes into play. It can be as simple as continually muting a fellow classmate in class such that he cannot participate in an online class anymore. Or it can be more serious ones, where they gang up on online social media, target an account, attack them and ridicule these accounts. Chairman, as a parent, as an educator, I am naturally concerned. In my recent speeches, I highlighted the importance of mental and digital literacy to teach our students how to manage their mental wellbeing, protect themselves in cyberspace but most importantly create future generations of social media users who are discerning and uphold an unwritten code of conduct. Therefore, could the Ministry share their plans to further institutionalise, incorporate, and enhance mental health education and cyber wellness in the current curriculum.”
“Thirty years ago, the "typical" route for Normal stream students was to do their "N" levels and get into ITEs. Alternatively, they can do well for "N" levels, get themselves to do the "O" levels next, and then get to the Polytechnics or Junior Colleges. This pathway still exists. It is not a bad one. Many of my best students actually come from the ITE route. Another group that stood out is from the Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP). Many have done well – even better than those that come in from the "O" levels route. Students nowadays are lucky. When I was doing my diploma 25 years ago – yes, 25 years ago – courses were limited to business, IT, or engineering-related one. Now, we have a variety of courses, from Sports Science all the way to designing games for gamification. In my previous speeches, I have brought forth the need to review courses in IHLs to cater for the diverse learning needs and interests and better prepare graduates for the future economy. This include meaningful and relevant internship programmes. Therefore, I would like to ask the Minister, what are their plans to enhance the current pathways in the IHLs? Promoting the Use of Malay Language Sir, my second card in Malay, please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Language is a reflection of a person’s race, culture and character. It also links one’s identity to his or her heritage. As Singapore transformed into a developed nation that places importance on using the English language fluently, let us remind ourselves that the major economies in this region do not use English as the lingua franca but our mother tongue languages instead like Malay, Mandarin and Tamil.”
“Chairman, may I take the three cuts together?”
“Chairman, in recent years, we see countries behaving in an insular manner. Protectionism is on the rise as well as nationalistic sentiments. Now, the pandemic also undermine international bodies for the alleged biases, leanings and political pressures. However, Singapore still needs to open up, work together with other nations through the various multilateral platforms. Now, besides the pandemic, can the Ministry shine some light on what are the other important challenges facing Singapore that we are working with the international community and at multilateral platforms? Safety and Efficiency of Digital Flows”
“Chairman, the strength of our Total Defence depends on every Singaporean playing his or her part to help our country overcome and emerge stronger from each crisis. Singaporeans have put Total Defence into action to overcome past crises, such as the outbreak of SARS as well as economic downturns and terrorism threats. The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented test of our collective resilience as a nation. It is heartening how Singaporeans have risen to the occasion to play their part in their fight against this COVID-19. Our people have banded together through adversity despite the uncertainties of the situation and personal hardships. Singaporeans have much to be proud of our response to COVID-19. Yet, the fight is far from over and we must not let our guard down. I would like to ask the Ministry: how can we fortify our Total Defence as we continue to battle COVID-19 and how can we increase our resilience against future challenges? ACCORD”
“Mr Chairman, in many parts of the world, the global pandemic caused by COVID-19 has weakened public confidence in Government's capacity to respond to threats to public health. In Singapore COVID-19 has disrupted our way of life, although have thus far, have been able to mitigate and contained the impact. When the crisis is over, many countries will need to better prepare for the next pandemic including new biological threats. Given our collective experiences over the past year, many now agree that global health issues can and will have an impact on national security. Can the Minister for Defence share with us what MINDEF is doing to strengthen our defence against future pandemics and other potential biological threats? SAF's Operational Readiness”
“I welcome the plan to increase the salaries of workers in the healthcare sectors as stated in this Budget. However, besides financial support, attention should also be given in terms of expanding career paths, enlarging spaces and providing opportunities to upskill. The final, and to me, the most important point is about giving them protection from the pressures and harassment that they may face when carrying out their duties. I would like to assure the community that PAP Members of Parliament will continue to look after and care about all groups, in a holistic and comprehensive manner. In my recent Facebook post about the launch of M3 at Jalan Besar, I quoted the Malay proverb uttered by the Prime Minister in 2018, "Tied up like a bunch of betel leaves, clustered like a bunch of lemongrass” This year's Budget provides support to all segments of society. It is only when we Stay United and help one another that we will be able to become a Community of Success and Emerge Stronger together.”
“Therefore, I call for us to review the processes to enhance the support and protection of our healthcare workers. Mdm Deputy Speaker, please allow me to end my speech in Malay. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] I support the Budget that was presented last week. As our economy recovers from the impact of COVID-19, other aspects of our lives will also begin to show signs of recovery. However, our battle against COVID-19 is not over yet. As we rise to combat this pandemic, I would like to highlight three important aspects. First, the importance of taking care of our mental health. I would like to recommend four strategies that can help us pay more attention to mental health together. First, make mental health education and digital literacy programmes compulsory in schools. Second, create access for those suffering from mental issues to seek immediate help. Third, introduce mental health screening in the current physical health checks, and lastly, introduce "time-out" for students and workers who are suffering from stress or mental issues. Besides mental health, I also touched on diversifying pathways in education. With the pandemic in our midst, many of our students are concerned about their future job prospects. I would like to highlight the need for educational institutions to offer skills that can be or will be practised in all fields of work. It will make our graduates more competitive as well as provide better confidence and opportunities to obtain employment in the future. Lastly is the support system for healthcare sector employees. We are proud that our nurses understand their professional roles and continue to serve with excellence. We thank them for their sacrifices and hard work.”
“I have taught many students from the Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP) and many have done very well – in fact, they do even better than the ones who come in through the "O" levels system or route and I felt that because they entered the Polytechnic slightly earlier than the rest, it allows them the time and space not only to settle down but to chart their education journey better. Finally, I hope that we continue to review the curriculum in IHLs so that it remains robust and most importantly relevant, working closely with the community and industry to ensure that every Singaporean is future-ready and remains employable. Mdm Speaker, my final point is on the support for our healthcare workers. Without a doubt, our healthcare workers deserve all the accolades that come their way. I would like to thank them for their sacrifice and hard work and hope that the proposed increase in salary laid out in the Budget will spur them even further. But we know it is not all about money. Nursing is inherently a very demanding profession and entails long hours and overnight schedules. Part of the job includes dealing with angry, mostly frustrated patients and family members. We must continue to provide them with the best support possible. From ensuring work-life balance to enhancing their career pathways, to continually provide opportunities for them to develop and gain expertise. But above all, it is protecting them against the abuse and harassment that they face in conducting their daily duties. The number of abuse and harassment cases increased from 1,080 in 2018 to 1,300 last year. Over the same period, the number of such cases involving on duty public healthcare workers that were reported to the Police under the Protection of Harassment Act increased from 40 to 58.”
“The strategies that I presented requires a whole-of-community effort. Madam, mental health is not a life sentence. It is not something that one has to go through alone. There are ways for us to overcome these challenges. Early mitigation would certainly help, but we need to do it, together. We can only emerge stronger together as a united society, not only in terms of social and economic factors, but also in terms of our mental health. Mdm Speaker, the collapse of certain sectors and the streamlining of the workforce brought upon by COVID-19, has exposed the inability of some of our fresh graduates to be agile in a volatile job environment. Recently, I had a chat with a resident who is about to finish his Diploma in Aerospace Engineering. As the industry is deeply impacted by the pandemic, it is natural that he was feeling anxious. He expressed that he felt that he made the "wrong decision" when choosing the course. That should not be the case. In my maiden speech, I highlighted that early specialisation constrains skillsets and limits opportunities. I emphasised the need for broad skills that can be generalised across other disciplines so that we can put our fresh graduates on a better footing and give them the confidence to apply their technical skills across other relevant sectors. I call for MOE to continuously review pathways, to prepare our graduates with the agility to navigate through the varied and diversified workforce and discover their passion. I also call to review how we can ease the progression from Secondary school to ITEs or the Polytechnics so that anyone who has a passion for a certain field, are allowed to seize it.”
“And in that way, we holistically support the emotional and mental well-being in workplaces. Mdm Deputy Speaker, another issue that was raised fervently by both young and old was the influence of social media. Instagram, TikTok, the latest app is Clubhouse, if you are not in that yet, and other social media platforms allow us to connect virtually, but it also means that nothing is private anymore. Name-calling, rumour-spreading, deliberate online falsehoods are pertinent and challenging aspects of social media. I have seen how both youths, as well as adults, are belittled online by their peers, and the damaging effects of cyberbullying. As a father myself, I am worried for our children, who might be vulnerable and having their mental well-being affected. Collectively, mental health issues become more apparent and intervention is much needed in times like this. We need to make concrete and concerted efforts to support those with mental health issues beyond mere awareness and promote positive mental well-being. I call again for these four strategies: first, to enhance mental health literacy as well as digital literacy programmes in our schools; second, to create more accessible touchpoints so that those who feel that they need help are able to do easily; third, including mental health screening as part of physical health screening and this should not be limited to just schools or workplaces only but also within the community so that our seniors may also receive help. Lastly, to introduce time-outs at workplaces and in schools, so that those who are under stress may take the option to take a mental break, but such breaks are recorded and the next time one takes it, we know that they may have something that we need to help with.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, I rise in support of the Budget. Twenty-twenty was a tough and disruptive year, with the pandemic adding complexity to our lives, our livelihoods and our norms. Thus, I am grateful for the relief and assistance provided by the Government to cushion the impact of COVID-19. This year, while the fight against COVID-19 continues and we know it is far from over, we are in a better position to emerge stronger together. I move for us to consider, or rather reconsider, some of the important lessons learnt. The COVID-19 situation has surfaced one pertinent issue that has always been stigmatised – mental health. After my Adjournment Motion last year, I received several emails. Some complained about working from home and the pressures that they face. But coincidentally, it was during the annual ranking exercise and many shared the pressure that they faced and they have to perform. The fast-paced and highly competitive nature of our meritocratic system produce the best results globally, but it also means our workers face immense stress. Some highlighted the toxicity and the dog-eat-dog atmosphere. Others felt the pressure to maintain a high grade whereas some are just trying to avoid a C-minus grade. I was wondering why a C-minus grade? Because a C-minus grade may mean limited developmental opportunities and, perhaps, the end of their career. As an educator, I believe that it is important that we continue to recognise our top performers but I also believe that those who did not do well, for whatever reasons, be given a chance to bounce back and emerge stronger. I call for the Public Service to lead the way in tweaking the ranking exercise and move towards a balanced model of performance and development.”
“Mr Speaker, my question is, with regard to these 700-over students from the polytechnics and those who dropped out because of these issues, but those who remain, are they in the same field that they actually studied in? Is that the reason why most of them got jobs or stayed on in the programme? That would be my question, Sir.”
“Mr Speaker, I thank the Senior Minister of State for the reply. With regards to the GP clinics that are already participating, there are really a lot more that are not. Is there a reason why some of these GP clinics are not keen to participate in such a partnership programme? Would the Ministry consider handing out incentives to encourage participation or even make such programmes mandatory for all GP clinics?”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State for the reply. I am certainly heartened by the measures and programmes that are available for mental health at the workplaces. So, my question will be, will these progammes and measures be made mandatory across all workplaces. And my second is, if these programmes are in place, will MOM conduct regular studies on the efficacy of the programmes so that we can better understand and use these programmes to help our workers?”