Wong Kan Seng
Singapore
“We all want a better future for our children and the future generations. Amid the debates, let us not lose sight of what we are working for – we are working for the benefit and future of Singaporeans. Not for growth targets, not for foreigners, but for Singaporeans.”
“Mrs Mildred Tan also suggested doing a longitudinal study on the impact of new citizens on Singapore. I am told that there is a periodic study on the perception of integration and rootedness of Singaporeans and PRs. A study is now ongoing too.”
“All they need to do is simply declare that they meet the residential criteria. EASING IN US ECONOMY (Impact on Singapore) 9. Ms Sylvia Lim asked the Senior Minister what will be the expected impact on the Singapore economy arising from the US Federal Reserve's announcement on 3rd November 2010 of a "quantitative easing" of the US economy…”
“Well, from the data I have here, 553 registered to vote before the 2006 GE and this is the data I have but Ms Lim may be right. There may be 1,000-odd that Ms Lim had mentioned. From what I am told now, we have 1,325 Singaporean overseas who are eligible to register to vote have registered.”
“But, as I said, there are so many other possibilities that they could come in and there could also be many possibilities that we could have missed and they have entered or left Singapore. LAND SWAP AGREEMENT FOR KTM STATION AND RAILWAY LANDS 2.”
“They are also recruiting people by offering them scholarships. So, we hope more of our companies can do that. Hopefully they come here to work for a while and, if they like our place, they may want to settle down. This is a place which they can think about. POPULATION AND TALENT DIVISION 5. Assoc. Prof.”
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“For foreign students who are benefiting from our university fee rebates, particularly those on scholarships, they are already required to work in Singapore for a period. For those who come in here with subsidised rates, they are also required to work in Singapore for a period of three years before they can go elsewhere. This scheme applies not just to those in the universities, but also to those who study in our polytechnics.”
“Currently, our CCs do conduct courses for all kinds of foreign languages and I will certainly ask the PA to consider organising courses for those immigrants who need to beef up their English or Mandarin. It will not be free but at a fee.”
“The Elections Department would develop appropriate plans and measures to deal with each of them. And when these are ready, it would be presented to Parliament in the form of an amendment in the law. The current election laws and regulations do not cater for crisis situations, such as adverse weather or bomb hoax. The Elections Department officials have a very limited range of responses to deal with any such contingency adequately. Legislative amendments will therefore be required to enable the Returning Officer to relocate the venue of an election activity or to defer the activity deadline by either abandoning or restarting the activity or suspending and resuming the activity later. This will give us the flexibility to respond to contingencies that could disrupt time-sensitive election activities on Nomination Day and Polling Day, while protecting public safety and ensuring the integrity of the election process. The Elections Department will consult the Attorney-General's Chambers on the legislative changes to effect these improvements. When ready, the Amendment Bills will be presented to Parliament for approval. Monetary Policy - Targeting Interest Rate”
“Candidates and their agents should refer to the Parliamentary or Presidential Elections Act and the relevant regulations for a detailed description of the law and seek advice from the lawyers, when necessary. Sir, the Elections Department will also enhance its e-services to allow candidates and election agents to perform certain transactions online as far as practicable and allow them to download softcopies of the relevant forms which they need to use during the election from the Elections Department website. In addition, it will also improve the application software on the "CD-Registers of Electors" that candidates can buy. Improved version will contain more user-friendly features, such as allowing the user to save all entered information for subsequent editing. More forms will be added to it, such as forms to apply for certificates from the Malay Community Committee, the Indian and Other Minority Community Committee and the Registrar of Political Donations. To tighten the procedures and workflow for accepting and tracking submissions from candidates and election agents, the enhanced computer system will capture applicants' data upon receipt of the applications. This will ensure that the applications are processed in good time. The system will also print out acknowledgement receipts for all submissions received. Sir, Mr Matthias Yao asked about contingency planning in dealing with the scenarios he sketched out although none has happened in past elections. I am pleased to say that the Elections Department has started to identify possible threats such as natural calamities or other circumstances that may disrupt the conduct of elections during nomination, polling and counting activities.”
“Sir, from the next election, the Elections Department will engage a professional call centre operator, operating 24 hours during the election period, to handle queries from local and overseas voters in the four official languages. To supplement the call centre during the election period, members of the public can also go to or phone up the community centres for any queries on the election. They can also visit the Elections Department website for information and e-services, send an email to the Elections Department's Feedback Account or send an SMS using their mobile phones to check on their voting eligibility and the location of their assigned polling stations. Ms Lee Bee Wah called for better interface between candidates and election agents. Sir, the Elections Department will improve its customer interface with candidates and election agents during different phases of the election. According to feedback and enquiries received by the Elections Department at previous General Elections, it is clear that some candidates and agents are simply not sure about how certain rules and procedures operate and how they govern the election activities. To help them better understand such rules and procedures, the Elections Department will produce a guide for candidates and their agents. The guide will be made available on the Elections Department website and will also be printed in booklet form for distribution. However, I must stress that this guide is only a "guide" and not a legal authority or document. While we try to provide as much accurate and useful information as possible in the guide, the publication is not a substitute for the law.”
“Based on these considerations, the cities where we can site overseas polling stations are those where we have Consulates or Missions. So far, eight cities where overseas polling stations can be set up in our Missions are Canberra, Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, London, Washington and San Francisco. We will now add New York to the list. Ms Denise Phua asked about voter education and especially helping the elderly take part in the election process. The Elections Department will take a proactive approach to educate our voters. A mix of electronic services and traditional media channels, such as the Internet, mobile phone platform and mass media like the newspapers and TV will be used. During the election period, educational brochures on what are required of the voters in order to cast their votes, and the "Do's" and "Don'ts" of the voting process will be mailed to every household. Softcopies of the brochures will also be emailed to overseas Singaporeans who have registered themselves as overseas voters. In addition, educational videos explaining, in simple language, on the voting procedures on Polling Day and how the secrecy of vote is ensured throughout the whole election process will be produced for television broadcast, video streaming from the Elections Department website and for distribution to community centres, community clubs and RCs. The Elections Department will also study the various locations where polling stations are conducted so that they are easily accessible even by those who need help because they have physical disabilities or they are old.”
“The introduction of such online facilities for registration of overseas voters and the increased use of information technology and systems in the backend processing will enable transaction and processing time to be significantly shortened. The registration period for overseas voters can therefore be longer than the current 21 days. The registration period will be extended to the date when the writ of election is issued. Currently, every overseas elector is assigned an overseas polling station to cast his vote. This assignment is done at the time of registration. To cater for situations where voters return to Singapore or relocate to another country, overseas electors will be allowed to deregister or change the assigned overseas polling station at any time, up to when the writ of election is issued. This will allow changes to be made in time for updating the registers for the Polling Day. It will not be advisable to allow changes when the election period has already started, as it will pose a lot of operational difficulties. Sir, while we try to have more overseas polling stations to allow more Singaporeans overseas to access to vote overseas, the selection of a city for overseas polling must take into account several factors. Firstly, there should be a critical mass of Singaporeans living in the city and country. Secondly, the city must have Singapore Government managed facilities which enable the officials to exercise operational command and control, bearing in mind that it is not Singapore. Thirdly, in order to ensure that we are able to optimise our limited resources, the city and country should not be nearby where Singaporeans can travel back to Singapore to vote on the Polling Day with relative ease.”
“Our election law currently disqualifies Singaporeans as electors if their names are entered in the electoral registers of other countries. The rationale for this provision is to exclude any citizen who could be a potential participant in the political process of a foreign State. However, our law does not make any distinction between those who volunteer to be included in the foreign electoral registers and those who are included as a matter of course. The latter has become prevalent in foreign States facing a declining voter registration trends in the recent years. Our provision will be refined to remove this disqualification for overseas Singaporeans who, by reason of their residency status in a foreign country, find themselves included involuntarily in that country's electoral registers. Sir, the current registration process for overseas electors requires an applicant to submit a completed and signed registration form, either by hand or registered post, to any overseas registration centre or to the Elections Department directly, within a 21-day period. This registration procedure will be simplified. The Elections Department will provide for online registration via the Internet, and eligible voters can use their SingPass to authenticate their identity in place of their signature. 4.15 pm Those who want to restore their names on the Registers of Electors will also be able to do so online. The Elections Department may ask them for supporting documents for verification. This online facility will make it more convenient for Singaporeans, especially those who are overseas, to apply to restore their names on the Registers of Electors.”
“We believe that it is reasonable to expect overseas Singaporeans to come home to visit their families and friends for at least 30 days over a three-year period, giventhat most citizens working abroad would have an average of 21 days of annual leave. We expect that they will spend at least half of their leave at home in Singapore. A three-year period is also considered a reasonable base period to use for the computation of the residency requirement. This is a good balance between a one-year period, which can be perceived as too tight, and the current five-year period. The 30 days out of the last three years residency requirement, together with the need for an overseas Singaporean to maintain a local contact address with ICA for his name to be entered into a register of electors, will ensure that the eligibility for overseas voting is extended to only those Singaporeans who maintain links to Singapore. All overseas Singaporeans who wish to vote will just need to fulfill this single, new and more liberal residency requirement, regardless of why they are overseas. There will no longer be any separate eligibility for SAF personnel, Government officials and Government scholars on full-time service or full-time study overseas, Singaporeans employed overseas by approved International Organisations, and their immediate family members. When the registers of electors were last revised in early 2006, we learned that the United Kingdom (UK) has a law requiring foreign residents from the Commonwealth countries, for which we are one, to register themselves in their electoral registers. As a result, some Singaporeans residing in the UK have unwittingly found their names appearing on the UK electoral registers.”
“Sir, I want to thankMr Matthias Yao, Ms Lee Bee Wah and Ms Denise Phua for their comments. Ms Lee Bee Wah suggested that the Prime Minister's Office do an overall review of the electoral system and processes. This has always been done after every General Election (GE). Following the 2006 GE, I appointed a Committee to review the conduct of the election, including issues concerning overseas voting. I will highlight the more significant changes and improvements that will be implemented for the next election. Overseas voting was conducted for the first time in the 2006 General Election. With more Singaporeans going overseas to work, study or to be with their immediate family, we now have a significant diaspora of overseas Singaporeans. They would want to have an opportunity to vote at a General Election. That being so, the Government will further liberalise the criteria to enable more Singaporeans overseas to qualify to vote while maintaining the spirit of the law that only those who continue to keep their links back home should be entitled to vote. The Government has decided to shorten the residential period requirement from the current two years out of the last five years, to 30 days out of the last three years before the cut-off date for the registers of electors. This will be the only residential period requirement for an overseas Singaporean to meet in order to vote. An overseas Singaporean who meets this residential period requirement must also maintain a local address with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) in order for him to have his name included in a constituency's register of electors. Some Members mayask, why 30 days out of the last three years?”
“We have to work together to break down barriers and dispel unwarranted biases. Sir, attracting immigrants to Singapore is and will remain a key strategy for our long-term growth and prosperity. As Singapore becomes even more globalised and cosmopolitan, more foreigners will want to come here to live, work, study and play, with some settling down permanently to eventually make Singapore their home. So let us open our doors, minds and hearts. We must work together, be welcoming to new immigrants and help them integrate into our community. There is a need for mutual acceptance, adjustment and respect. We can then live as one harmonious family to create even greater possibilities for ourselves, our children and future generations to come. Election Process”
“The PA will soon introduce a host of family programmes whereby foreigners will be paired with local families to enhance mutual understanding and integration. Likewise, many immigrants reciprocate by being involved in community and grassroots activities. There are 900 PRs here who are volunteers at our grassroots organisations, including Englishman Mr Anthony Fulwood of Bukit Panjang, Chairman of Zhenghua INC Committee; and recently-naturalised citizen, Mr A Swaminathan, who is the Secretary of Jurong Green CC Indian Activity Executive Committee. For them, lending a hand is their way of giving back to the community which once helped them settle into life in Singapore. Local community organisations, such as the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA) and Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCCI), have also stepped up efforts to integrate new immigrants through activities in their areas of interest. The SFCCA is organising a seminar with new Chinese immigrant clubs during the Chinese Cultural Festival next month to discuss how new immigrants can better integrate into and contribute to our society. New immigrant associations, such as the Kowloon Club, Tian Fu Club and Hua Yuan Association, worked with the SFCCA to host a Chinese New Year's Eve Reunion Dinner earlier this month for Singaporeans and new immigrants. The Kowloon Club also joined in the Chingay procession for the first time this year. Efforts are also underway by our Indian community leaders to reach out to and integrate the Indian immigrants into our society. I welcome and support more of such ground-up initiatives. It is through such efforts that we can promote greater interaction, understanding and, ultimately, integration of locals and newcomers.”
“There are already several ongoing efforts by companies. I am told that PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) tries to familiarise its foreign staff with the local culture and make them feel at home. Only last week, they were treated to a Chinese New Year "Lo Hei" lunch and given insights into the significance of tossing the "yusheng". Why does PwC do this? I think the answer is quite simple – an integrated and motivated workforce is a more productive one. The value of such initiatives cannot be underestimated. 4.00 pm I would like to see more employers follow PwC's lead and organise such programmes for their staff. For employees, whether Singaporeans or new immigrants, I hope they will put in more effort to get to know their colleagues better; they can easily do this at corporate events like the year-end function, during after-office drinks or even over a simple meal at lunch. At the community level, I am encouraged by the many integration initiatives involving locals and newcomers themselves. As Dr Teo has mentioned, the People's Association initiated the Integration & Naturalisation Champions (INCs) programme, to reach out to newcomers and engage them in local activities. Since November last year, the PA has appointed 690 INCs to spearhead integration efforts in the 84 constituencies. The focus is on reaching out to foreigners and helping them integrate through community activities. I am also heartened to see many Singaporeans, such as Mr Richard Hoe and Mr Bob Shaw, who have taken the initiative to reach out to new immigrants. Mr Hoe engages new citizens and PRs through fruit parties and dragon-boating activities in Punggol East while Mr Shaw organises cricket matches in Marsiling.”
“Locals and newcomers must reach out to one another, to bridge gaps and narrow differences, and to build on our shared beliefs and vision. There is no scientific formula for integration. It is about people-to-people relations; we must encourage integration everywhere – in schools, at the workplace, in the neighbourhood and the larger community. Dr Lily Neo, Ms Indranee Rajah and Dr Teo Ho Pin asked for an update on our efforts to integrate new citizens. Let me now elaborate our efforts in this area. The school environment is a natural setting for close daily interaction between our young immigrants and Singaporeans. Through the formal curriculum and co-curricular activities, our schools help students to better appreciate Singapore's history, culture and community, and give them opportunities to learn and play together. The Ministry of Education has recently set up a unit to enhance the integration process in our schools. We have many immigrant teachers and students who have adapted well and are contributing in our schools. Teachers like Mr S. Ponnalagu from India who not only teaches the Tamil language but is also an active grassroots member at his Residents’ Committee (RC). Another teacher, Madam Zhou Liang, was so impressed with the environment and security in Singapore that she took up Singapore citizenship in 2006. There is also Mr Simon Charles Reynolds, an Assistant Director with the MOE. Originally from Britain, he became a PR more than 15 years ago, married a Singaporean and they have three teenage children - all Singapore citizens. Among the students, Sri Thiri Tun from Myanmar and Kim Jin Ju from South Korea, are Head Prefect and Prefect respectively at Yu Neng Primary School. The workplace is another important platform for integration.”
“Instead of being fearful, we should be more confident of ourselves and our future. Mr Singh suggested that we have been opening the floodgates and letting in too many foreigners. We need to distinguish between long-term immigrants and the more transient foreign labourers in Singapore. Many of the latter are here because of the demand created by the resurgent economy in the past few years. They help us fill the jobs in industries where there are not enough Singaporeans. Indeed, without them, the problem of inflation that Mr Singh highlighted earlier, might worsen, as our companies still struggle to fill jobs. Whether they are long-term migrants wishing to make Singapore their new home or transient workers helping to keep our industries buoyant, we must be more understanding and accommodating to those who are here to contribute to our economy. We should welcome them. We do not gain from adopting a closed-door policy. But integration is a two-way street. Integration of people takes time and it is a never ending process. Ms Indranee Rajah just now mentioned the example of the time of Alexander the Great. Those Singaporeans whose parents were immigrants will remember how long it took for their parents to fully integrate into Singapore's society. As we achieve economic progress, we can also do better to cultivate a more gracious and accommodating society. Just as the Chinese saying goes, qian li zhi xing, shi yu zu xia (千里之行, 始于足下), we must take the first step towards this goal. This is what Minister Mentor meant when he wished for Singapore to reach the level of Austria in 10 to 15 years, ie, to reach their quality of social graces, culture and lifestyle.”
“MND is confident that, with creative planning and technology, Singapore can accommodate a larger population without compromising the quality of our living environment. While there will be trade-offs among different land use options, we can meet the needs of a larger population if we plan and invest ahead now. A few Members mentioned the 6.5 million population as a target. Let me stress that 6.5 million is not a population target. We have never set that out to be a population target. What we have said is that it is a planning assumption, and we will build up our capacity to accommodate more people should the need arise. Our long-term population may well be less than 6.5 million. What is important is that we must be able to sustain a viable and diverse population, one that can help us to continue to grow our economy and preserve our Singaporean way of life. Let me now address the Members' specific call for greater social integration. Like Singapore, many other developed countries compete aggressively for talented people from around the world in order to increase diversity and augment the population. However, they have paid less attention to the integration of the newcomers into the local society. This has resulted in clashes and disputes between communities in countries such as Australia, France and even the United States. Such problems can also arise in Singapore if we do not make the effort to integrate our immigrants. In this regard, I think we have fared better than most other countries. Our migrant roots have, in a way, enabled us to be more understanding and welcoming towards newcomers, but we should not be complacent. There are some Singaporeans who still harbour unwarranted fears and insecurity.”
“For example, the financial and business services sector saw a net employment growth of 65,000 jobs just last year. While the majority of the jobs were filled by locals, we had to make up the shortfall with global talent. A number of businesses and investment opportunities have passed us by, simply because we are facing such an acute shortage of manpower and office space. Once lost, these businesses may not come back to Singapore, as they have gone to places where there are opportunities. Members have heard Mr Tharman speaking on this earlier. Indeed, as a small city state with no other natural resources, we need others to join us, become part of us, and contribute to our community. However, Singaporeans must remain as the core of our population. We do not want to be like some Middle Eastern countries, where non-resident foreigners far outnumber the indigenous population. For Singaporeans to remain at the core, we must have more babies and encourage more suitable immigrants to become Singapore citizens. Mr Singh, Ms Eunice Olsen and Mdm Ho Geok Choo have also raised concerns over whether we can cope with the influx of immigrants in such a short time. I understand their concerns and I agree with Mr Singh and Ms Olsen that we must plan ahead to ensure effective and efficient use of land. So far, we have done well in this area, and we will do more. We had the Minister for Transport talking about expanding our roads and rail infrastructure, and MND will provide more space for Singaporeans, in terms of greenery, parks and housing. Singapore's excellent living environment has become our competitive advantage to root residents and attract investments and talent.”
“Whether we like it or not, those who are capable and talented will be drawn to places where there are better opportunities and where they feel welcomed. And if Singapore does not welcome them, they will simply look elsewhere and they will then compete against us. When Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited Singapore last November, he applauded Singapore's "无墙文化", or "no walls culture". He said that China had benefited from an open policy and likewise, "a small country like Singapore becomes big only when it embraces the world". His views were echoed recently, just a few days ago, by the Renmin Ribao (人民日报), which congratulated Singapore on our amazing capacity to take on major projects and bring in global talent in spite of our small size. If a big country like China can see value in opening its doors to the world, what more this "little red dot"? Since broadening the immigration criteria in 2004, we have seen an average of 52,500 PRs and 12,800 new citizens granted every year. Last year, we had 63,600 PRs and 17,300 new citizens. In comparison, we had just 760 more babies last year compared to 2006. While the increase is heartening, we are far from raising our total fertility rate back up to replacement level. Locals alone are not enough to meet our manpower demands. Contrary to Mr Inderjit Singh's suggestion that the rate of immigration is too fast and unrealistic, we still need more people to sustain our economic growth. Mr Banerjee is right to say thatwe must not slow down our ability to attract foreign global talent, just because some people feel uneasy about it. Last year, when 236,600 jobs were created, many companies had to turn to foreigners to fill the positions.”
“More such events will be staged here. The world's first Formula One night race will take place in Singapore in September this year. We also succeeded in our bid to host the inaugural Youth Olympics. That such major events are held here reflect the trust that people have in our ability to deliver what we promise. Singapore has been cited by various international surveys and articles as one of the best places to be in Asia. The UK's Telegraph carried a glowing testimonial on 28th November 2007 on the "buzz" and excellent infrastructure here. Last year, the ECA International named Singapore as the best city in the world to live for Asian expatriates, while Mercer Human Resource Consulting ranked Singapore as one of the world's most liveable cities. Singaporeans I met abroad have also told me that they have learnt to appreciate Singapore more now that they are based overseas. Some of them have come back to Singapore after spending many years in other countries. They returned home for the economic opportunities in Singapore, the high quality of education for their children, and because they miss their families and friends. We must continue to engage them. Following the very positive responses from the 6,000 overseas Singaporeans who turned up at the inaugural Singapore Day in New York last April, we will be organising Singapore Day 2008 in Melbourne this October. This event will allow Overseas Singaporeans in Australia a chance to get updated on the many exciting developments in Singapore, and rekindle and renew their connections with home and friends. For now, Singapore is a talent magnet for many. However, the global competition for talent is very intense.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, at last year's Committee of Supply, I talked about the three key strategies of tackling our population challenges: promoting marriage and parenthood, engaging overseas Singaporeans, and encouraging immigration. This year, several Members have spoken on the issue of immigration and raised questions and suggestions on how to attract and retain foreign talent without weakening our social cohesion and eroding our national identity. These are important matters and I want to thank all Members who have spoken on these matters. Today, I shall focus on this particular area of our population challenge. Mr Gautam Banerjee talked about Singapore being an exciting global city of opportunities and the need to attract and retain talent. We will continue to be a great city of opportunities if we do the right things, and do it rationally. Indeed, in order to stay competitive in this global economy, Singapore must be a great place to live, work and play for both Singaporeans and foreigners. Only when people are confident and comfortable with their living environment, will they consider major decisions such as getting married and raising children. Similarly, for those who have just come here, such an environment will strengthen their resolve and commitment to call Singapore "home". Singaporeans today enjoy good infrastructure, reliable healthcare services, clean air and water, and an efficient transportation system. We invest in our people, giving top priority to education. We have the Esplanade, and the Integrated Resorts and Sports Hub are to come. We have staged many international conferences, such as the IMF/World Bank Summit, the Shangri-La Dialogue, the International Bar Association Meeting and, most recently, the Singapore Air Show Aviation Leadership Summit.”
“The number of summonses issued for breaches of Rule 5 of the Road Traffic Rules in each of the last five years is set out in the table below: Number of Road Hogging Cases from 2003 to 2007 Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 No. summons issued 848 773 440 456 658 Road hogging is proscribed under Rule 5 of the Road Traffic Rules, which states that (a) every vehicle which is moving at a slow rate of speed shall be driven as close to the left-hand side of the roadway as possible, and (b) every vehicle shall at all times be driven in such manner as not to obstruct vehicles moving at a faster speed. Breach of that Rule is an offence under section 131 of the Road Traffic Act, which attracts a maximum penalty of a $1,000 fine or three months' imprisonment for the first offence, and a $2,000 fine or six months' imprisonment for a second or subsequent offence. Where a person is convicted of the offence, four demerit points will also be awarded under the Driver Improvement Points System. Column No : 423 PUBLIC RENTAL SCHEME 2. Mr Baey Yam Keng asked the Minister for National Development (a) what is the number of rental flats available under the Public Rental Scheme each year over the last 10 years; (b) what is the number of eligible applicants for public rental flats each year over the last 10 years; (c) what is the average number of public rental flat tenants per year who do not renew their leases for the last 10 years and their main reasons for not doing so; and (d) in addition to the 2,194 new rental flats announced recently, what plans does the Ministry have to address the increasing demand for public rental flats.”
“Er Lee Bee Wah asked the Minister for Transport with the latest increase in Electronic Road Pricing charges at the Central Expressway (CTE) (a) what is the percentage of reduction in vehicular traffic that the Ministry hopes to achieve; and (b) does the Ministry expect an increase in traffic on the CTE during the year-end school holidays.”
“Applications for the granting of permanent residence are assessed and evaluated in a holistic manner. Age is one factor which ICA considers. But it is not the only factor. ICA also takes into account several other factors such as the Singaporean sponsor's employment and income track record in order to assess if he has the means to maintain his foreign wife living in Singapore. The length of their marriage is also a consideration to ensure that it is not a marriage of convenience. While marriage to a Singaporean does not automatically entitle the foreign spouse to stay here, I would like to assure the Member that the guidelines in place for granting such long-term immigration facilities are sufficiently flexible to deal with the various types of cases that surface. As far as possible, ICA tries to allow families to remain together including approving their stay on a Long Term Social Visit pass when they do not qualify for permanent residence. Immigration is an important part of our strategy to support continued economic growth. Immigration can augment our population in the light of low birth rates and an ageing society. Hence we welcome immigrants who can contribute to our economy and to our society. In this regard, we must ensure that those who settle here have the means to take care of themselves. Otherwise, instead of contributing to our society, they will not only have difficulty sustaining themselves but also become a burden to their families and society. INCREASE IN ELECTRONIC ROAD PRICING RATES AT THE CENTRAL EXPRESSWAY (Percentage of reduction in vehicular traffic) 35.”
“Er Lee Bee Wah asked the Minister for Manpower in view of the need for employers to provide mandatory medical insurance for their foreign workers (a) what will be the impact of this insurance policy on the utilisation of our hospitals and outpatient facilities to meet the demands of these workers; and (b) what safeguards are in place to prevent possible abuses of this insurance policy.”
“Police actively engages industry stakeholders, including the media, financial institutions and remittance companies, online merchants and grassroots organisations to apprise them of common online scam scenarios and educate them on crime prevention methods. Police also puts out crime prevention advice on common scams through the Media, using SMS messages and through websites of the Commercial Affairs Department (http://www.cad.gov.sg) and Moneysense websites (http://www.moneysense.gov.sg). Crimewatch has also alerted Singaporeans not to be fooled by these scams. Third, we have put in place a robust legal framework to punish online scammers and deter other like-minded persons. Online scams constitute cheating offences and are punishable under the Penal Code with imprisonment terms of up to three years or seven years. An individual who knowingly facilitates online scams by allowing syndicates to use his bank account to receive proceeds of criminal conduct is also guilty of an offence under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and other Serious Crimes Act (CDSA). The key to tackling this scourge in the longer term is that the public should remain vigilant. They should not let their desire for quick gain get the better of them. Please do not fall prey to online cheating scams as their promises of riches or easy money are illusory. The public should also not allow their bank accounts or personal details to be used by online scammers. Any attempt by such scammers to elicit money or to use your bank accounts should be reported to the Police. MANDATORY MEDICAL INSURANCE FOR FOREIGN WORKERS 19.”
“The number of online cheating cases over the past three years has remained about the same: 61 cases in 2005, also 61 cases in 2006 and 57 cases, slight drop of four cases, in 2007. The most common situation is where someone places a false advertisement of a product or service on the Internet to induce victims to place orders online and make electronic payment. The victim then realises that he has been cheated only when the goods fail to arrive. Other online cheating scams involve fraudulent High Yield Investment Programs (HYIP), credit card frauds, lottery scams and advance fee scams. The number of cases solved in 2005, 2006 and 2007 was 29, 28 and 12 respectively, representing a ratio of about 40% of cases solved. The number of culprits arrested over the same three years was 22, nine and 15 respectively. Our strategy to combat online cheating has three key thrusts. First, Police works closely with the Monetary Authority of Singapore, financial institutions, and foreign law enforcement agencies including Interpol to share fraud-related intelligence and best practices. A framework is in place for local financial institutions to detect, monitor and report suspicious transactions. Under section 39 of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and other Serious Crimes Act (CDSA), it is mandatory for a person to make a Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) if he has reason to suspect that any property is connected to criminal conduct, and if such suspicion arose in the course of his trade, profession, business or employment. The second thrust is public education.”
“In summary, the situation in Geylang is under control. Police will continue to monitor the situation and press on with enforcement efforts against vice and gambling in the area. But I should add that it is not realistic to expect vice to be totally eliminated. We have an open economy and promote tourism as one key economic sector. More than 10 million visitors came to Singapore in 2007. We expect more to come in future years as new tourism products are introduced. Among those who come, there will be a very small number who enter under the pretext of social visits but engage in vice activities. This is the reality which Singaporeans should face up to. ONLINE CHEATING SCAMS 17. Ms Ellen Lee asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs (a) what is the number of reported cases of online cheating scams in the past two years; (b) what is the number of these reported cases where the culprits were arrested; (c) what are the measures undertaken by the police to detect and prevent such online scams; and (d) whether the police works with Interpol or other agencies as these crimes often involve an element of extra-territoriality.”
“Governments throughout the world have tried to eradicate vice but without success. In Singapore, we take a pragmatic approach to tackling vice by confining prostitution to traditional red light areas. Through sustained enforcement efforts by Police, the vice situation in Singapore is under control. Last year, Police conducted some 950 vice-related operations island-wide up from 890 operations the year before. As a result of these enforcement efforts, some 5,400 foreign prostitutes were arrested, a 25% increase compared to 2006. As many foreign sex workers congregate in Geylang, Police have regularly mounted enforcement operations against vice there. Besides enforcement, Police has also initiated several vice-control measures. For example, Police started to deploy CCTVs along selected Geylang streets in 2006 to prevent crime, which also have the positive effect of deterring solicitation by sex workers. In addition, Police imposes stringent licensing conditions for entertainment outlets and massage establishments there. MHA and Police also work closely with agencies such as the Hotel Licensing Board and URA to regulate the operations and development of budget hotels and lodging houses there. In 2002, Geylang Neighbourhood Police Centre formed a dedicated Task Force to supplement Anti-Vice Branch in tackling vice in the Geylang area. Illegal gambling in Geylang is not rampant. Police conducts daily operations and high-visibility patrols targeted at public gaming activities in the Geylang backlanes. This resulted in 280 persons being arrested for public-gaming related offences last year. As a result of these operations, Police's assessment is that the situation has improved. Public gaming activities are significantly less frequent and are smaller in scale.”
“In fact, ICA officers already have such powers in our present laws. From time to time, and we can read this in the press reports, the ICA does detain and confiscate such material. Indeed, if it is an offence to bring in a particular item, then prosecution may follow after the investigation. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Mr Wong Kan Seng]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. EDUCATION ENDOWMENT SCHEME (AMENDMENT NO. 2) BILL Order for Second reading read. 6.35 pm”
“Sir, Dr Fatimah asked about having a definition on "terrorists" or "terrorist groups". In fact, the international community has been locked in a long-standing debate, and there has been no universally accepted definition on "terrorists" or "terrorist groups". Despite the lack of consensus about the definition, there is international recognition that a more effective way to deal with terrorist threats is to focus on acts of terrorism and criminalise these in the appropriate legislation, instead of focusing on defining what a terrorist really is. The International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings targets specific terrorist acts of bombing using explosives and other lethal devices, and does not define "terrorists". So, our Bill has been crafted to criminalise terrorist bombings and follow quite closely what is provided for in the Convention. Dr Fatimah also suggested that the offences in the Bill be expanded to include other activities. As I said earlier, the purpose of the Bill is to enable Singapore to comply with the international obligations under the Convention. So, the types of activities which are included as terrorist bombing offences will therefore have to follow those too. But, of course, we also have other legislation to deal with the scenarios highlighted by Dr Fatimah, and they are already in place. But, from time to time, if there are new ways where terrorist activities can be carried out and we do not have an existing legislation to deal with them, then we will look at the law again to see whether we need to make any amendments to the law. Dr Fatimah also suggested that some officers, like customs officers, be authorised to detain and confiscate items or devices which are likely to cause a terrorist act.”
“However, any request for such assistance will have to be consistent with the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity and non-intervention in our domestic affairs. Singapore will render assistance within what is allowable under our domestic legal framework. Conclusion Sir, terrorism remains a real and present threat to Singapore. The Convention was designed to help track down and punish those who promote and perpetrate these heinous and violent acts. Singapore does not tolerate terrorism in any form or under any disguise. Acceding to the Convention and implementing the new Terrorism (Suppression of Bombings) Bill will strengthen existing counter-terrorism cooperation between Singapore and like-minded countries. It ensures no safe haven for the terrorists and complements domestic legal instruments already in place to deal with the terrorists. Through these international and domestic instruments, we reiterate our commitment to combat terrorism and our unequivocal condemnation of the violent activities and the ideology of hate and violence espoused by terrorists and their sympathisers. Sir, I beg to move. Question proposed. 6.22 pm”
“If taken into custody in Singapore, the person will be charged, tried and punished accordingly. Having this provision gives Singapore the ability and flexibility to prosecute any offender found in our territory if it is not possible or desirable to extradite him. It will also ensure that the perpetrators do not escape punishment regardless of who they are and where the offences were committed. (E) Extradition and mutual legal assistance Sir, the Convention requires Singapore to include terrorist bombing offences as extraditable offences. Clause 6 of the Bill provide for terrorist bombing offences to be deemed included in the list of extraditable offences under the First Schedule of the Extradition Act. This is to facilitate any extradition request made by countries who are parties to the Convention. The Bill also provides that the Minister of Law can issue a notification under section 4 of the Extradition Act to apply the Act when a request is received from a state which is a party to the Convention, but has no extradition treaty with Singapore or if the existing extradition treaty does not provide for the extradition of persons accused or convicted of terrorist bombing offences. To facilitate mutual legal assistance between state parties to the Convention, clause 5 of the Bill provides that a foreign terrorist bombing offence shall not be deemed to be an offence of a political nature. This also applies to an extradition request. This is to prevent anyone from blocking mutual legal assistance or extradition on the grounds that the offences in question are politically motivated. Sir, we are obliged to provide mutual legal assistance in relation to an investigation or criminal or extradition proceedings if requested by a country party to the Convention.”
“Bombings are criminal acts and the penalties to be meted out under the new Terrorism (Suppression of Bombings) Bill have taken the grave nature of these offences into account. Upon conviction, an offender will be punished with the death penalty if he had intended to cause death or serious bodily injury and if death is caused. The punishment of life imprisonment applies in other cases. These severe penalties are aimed as a deterrent against terrorist bombings and to constrain the operating terrain of terrorists. (C) Withholding information Sir, given the devastating consequences that would arise from a bombing, everyone must play their part. Having prior information of terrorist plans enables the Government to act before these mature into actual terrorist operations. This is crucial as it can save lives. Hence, clause 4 of the Bill requires anyone who has information that can prevent a terrorist bombing, or which is useful to arrest, prosecute or convict the terrorist for bombing offences, to come forward and provide the information to the authorities. There are adequate safeguards for a person who provides the information in good faith. He will be protected against any civil or criminal proceedings. Conversely, failure to disclose such information renders a person liable to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or both. (D) Extra-territorial jurisdiction Sir, clause 7 of the Bill provides for extra-territorial jurisdiction over bombing offences. Any person outside Singapore who commits an act or omission which constitutes a terrorist bombing offence, if carried out in Singapore, is deemed to have committed the act or omission here.”
“The Terrorism (Suppression of Bombings) Bill allows Singapore to implement the Convention. We will establish extra-territorial jurisdiction over terrorist bombing offences and make these punishable with appropriate penalties. We will ensure that these offenders do not escape punishment by either extraditing or prosecuting persons accused of committing or aiding in the commission of terrorist bombings. The Bill also permits Singapore to afford assistance to other States in connection with criminal proceedings brought under the Convention. Sir, I will now touch on the key provisions in this Bill. (A) Terrorist bombing offences Bombings remain terrorists' preferred mode of attack and continue to make up the largest incidence of terrorist attacks today. Hardly a week now passes without a report of a terrorist bombing or attempt occurring in some parts of the world. Clause 3 of the Bill makes it an offence to deliver, plant and set off an explosive or other lethal devices to cause death, serious bodily injury or extensive destruction, targeting places of public use, State or government facilities, our public transportation system or any other infrastructure facility. Insurgents are also using chemicals such as chlorine gas to increase the lethality of their bombing attacks in places like Iraq. To address this emerging threat of chemical, biological and radioactive attacks, clause 2 of the Bill has expressly defined explosives and lethal weapons to include those that make use of chemicals, biological agents or toxins or radioactive materials. (B) Punishment Sir, terrorist bombings destroy lives and our livelihood. It creates a climate of fear and deprives people of the right to live the life they have worked so hard for.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, just let me say that I was not impatient with my SMS. Probably, he did not understand why Mr Low Thia Khiang and I were nodding at each other. He saw Mr Low Thia Khiang's face but not mine. We were just acknowledging that indeed the Workers' Party did make submissions to MHA regarding the Penal Code amendments. That is why I appreciated that. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Introduction To prevent and counter terrorist activities that had spread beyond the immediate boundaries of countries or regions, the international community developed a number of universal legal instruments to combat this threat. To date, there are 13 international conventions which are drafted within the framework of the United Nations system to deal with the internationalised nature of terrorism. One such instrument is the International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings. This Convention expands the legal framework for international cooperation in the investigation, prosecution and extradition of people who engage in acts of terrorist bombings by establishing a system of universal jurisdiction to punish this crime. This is especially important given the transnational nature and reach of the terrorist today. Terrorism threatens the peace and security of nations and no single country, government or agency can fight terrorism alone. Being a Party to the Convention will provide Singapore with another effective means to deal with the multi-faceted and ever evolving terrorist threats and facilitate international cooperation to fight this global challenge. Sir, the Convention requires States to punish perpetrators by introducing appropriate national legislation to criminalise terrorist bombing offences.”
“In 2005, 5,490 cases of Voluntarily Causing Hurt (VCH) were reported to the Police. In 2006, 6,406 VCH cases were reported while 3,697 cases were reported in the first half of 2007 (from January to June). Police does not actively track the proportion of domestic to non-domestic incidents for VCH cases. In 2005, out of the 5,490 VCH cases, Police initiated action on behalf of the victims in 734 cases, which constituted 13.4% of the VCH cases reported. In 2006, out of the 6,406 VCH cases, Police initiated action on behalf of the victims in 468 cases, which accounted for 7.3% of the VCH cases reported. In the first half of 2007 (from January to June), out of the 3,697 cases, Police initiated action on behalf of the victims in 319 cases, which constituted 8.6% of the VCH cases reported. Police will initiate prosecution into VCH cases where there is harm to the public interest and safety, and when it is assessed that the assailant is a bully who is taking advantage of the weak and vulnerable - especially young children, senior citizens and physically or mentally-disabled persons. Police will also initiate investigations into suspected cases of maid abuse or road bullying. Column No : 2305 ELECTRONIC ROAD PRICING (ERP) SCHEME 3. Dr Fatimah Lateef asked the Minister for Transport whether the ERP scheme has met the objectives that it was meant to achieve and if it has improved the traffic flow on our expressways especially during peak hours.”
“The numbers and percentages of the total population in the years 1990, 2000 and 2006 classified as (a) Singapore citizens; (b) Permanent Residents; and (c) Non-Residents are showed in the table below. Total Population by Residential Status for 1990, 2000 and 2006 (Mid-Year Estimates)1 Year 1990 2000 2006 Total Population 3,047,100 (100.0%) 4,027,900 (100.0%) 4,483,900 (100.0%) Singapore Citizens 2,623,700 (86.1%) 2,985,900 (74.1%) 3,145,800 (70.2%) Permanent Residents 112,100 (3.7%) 287,500 (7.1%) 462,700 (10.3%) Non-Residents2 311,300 (10.2%) 754,500 (18.7%) 875,500 (19.5%) Data Source: Singapore Department of Statistics 1The figures have been rounded to the nearest 100, not necessarily upwards. As a result of rounding, the sum of the individually rounded figures may not be equal to the (rounded) total. 2Non-residents refer to non-citizens and non-permanent residents of Singapore, who are working, studying or living here. Column No : 2303 INCIDENTS OF VOLUNTARILY CAUSING HURT 2. Ms Sylvia Lim asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs for the years 2005, 2006 and the first half of 2007, in respect of incidents of voluntarily causing hurt (a) what is the number of reports or calls for Police assistance regarding such incidents received by the Police; (b) what is the proportion of domestic to non-domestic incidents; and (c) what is the number and percentage of cases in which the Police voluntarily initiated prosecution of the suspect and the reasons for police initiation of such prosecutions.”
“We are unable to provide the specific data requested. APPENDICES”
“The Prisons Department (PD) maintains statistics to support its rehabilitation regime. Of the four categories of information requested, PD is unable to share statistics regarding income levels and ethnic groups. The profile of the population by gender and education in the drug rehabilitation centres, penal institutions, and juvenile homes as of June 2007 are set out in the tables below: Table 1 - Education General Population (as of June 06) DRC Population (as of June 2007) Penal Institution Population (as of June 2007) Juvenile Homes Population (as of June 2007) Level of Education/Type of Education Data Highest Education Qualification for Non-Students aged 15 yrs or above Declared Education at Admission Declared Education at Admission Education Attained at Admission Below Secondary 39% 39.4% 40.9% 59% Secondary 22% 51.5% 47.7% 39% Upper Secondary (ie, ITE or 'A' Levels) 11% 7.7% 10.2% 1% Polytechnic 9% 0.2% 0.2% - University 19% 0.3% 0.7% - Data Not Available - 0.9% 0.2% 1% Table 2 - Gender Gender General Population (as of June 2006) DRC Population (as of June 2007) Penal Institution Population (as of June 2007) Juvenile Homes Population (as of June 2007) Male 49.5% 81% 94% 60% Female 50.5% 19% 6% 40% STRATA TITLES BOARD (Figures on residential units) 3. Mr Siew Kum Hong asked the Minister for National Development in respect of estates for which the Strata Titles Board had made orders for collective sale on or after 1st January 2005 and for which the purchasers had obtained planning permission for redevelopment (a) what was the total number of residential units in the estates originally, broken down by district; and (b) what was the total number of residential units in the approved redevelopments, broken down by district.”
“We are unable to provide the specific data requested. TOWN COUNCILS' FUNDS 5. Ms Ellen Lee asked the Minister for National Development where Town Councils have surpluses or savings in any given financial year, whether these Town Councils can pass on these savings by reducing the monthly conservancy charges imposed on the residents for the next financial year instead of excessively building up their funds.”
“In between the periodic vehicle inspections, Land Transport Authority enforcement officers and Traffic Police conduct regular blitzes against modified motorcycles or motorcycles that are not roadworthy. Motorcyclists and other motorists need to play their part While Traffic Police and other authorities continue to run programmes to raise the level of safety for motorcyclists, riders should recognise their own vulnerability and be alert and cautious on the roads at all times. Other motorists also need to play their part in ensuring a safer road environment for all. They can do this by keeping a lookout and paying special attention to vulnerable groups of road users such as motorcyclists. Most road accidents can be prevented if road users adopt a safety conscious mindset and ride or drive carefully. Therefore, all road users should work together with the authorities so that all users will enjoy safe and pleasant journeys on our roads. PERMANENT RESIDENCY (Figures on Malaysian and Indonesian Nationals) 3. Mr Siew Kum Hong asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs of the 27,543 nationals from Southeast Asian countries who were granted permanent residency in 2006, how many of these were Malaysian nationals. 4. Mr Siew Kum Hong asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs of the 27,543 nationals from South East Asian countries who were granted permanent residency in 2006, how many of these were Indonesian nationals.”
“Traffic Police also engages motorcycle clubs, tertiary institutions and companies employing delivery riders to disseminate road safety messages that emphasise the importance of wearing helmets. Motorcycle Task Force at Traffic Police Traffic Police has also set up a Motorcycle Task Force to study the causes of the high accident rates involving motorcyclists and recommend measures to enhance motorcyclist safety and lower the accident rate among motorcyclists. For example, motorcyclists who are not properly attired (eg, those wearing shorts and slippers) are regularly pulled over and advised by Traffic Police officers on the importance of wearing proper attire (eg, gloves, jackets, etc), so as to reduce the severity of injuries in the event of accidents. Ensuring riders use proper helmets To ensure that motorcyclists wear proper protective helmets that are of the approved type, Traffic Police constantly reminds owners of motorcycle accessory shops that it is an offence to sell helmets that are not approved. Improving road engineering Traffic Police also works closely with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to identify road engineering hazards and the appropriate remedial measures at various motorcyclist fatal accident locations. Warning signs at such locations have also been put up to warn the riders. Ensuring vehicle safety standards On vehicle standards, the Land Transport Authority has in place legislation to require all motor vehicles to meet vehicle technical requirements and international safety standards before they can be registered for use on our roads. Motorcycles are also subjected to mandatory vehicle inspections annually when they are more than three years old.”
“Motorcyclists are the most vulnerable group of road users, accounting for more than 40% of all road fatalities over the past five years. Therefore, Traffic Police (TP) continues to accord high priority and takes a comprehensive approach to enhance the safety of this particular group of road users. Rider safety education One of our key efforts is to inculcate a road safety mindset among motorcyclists. For example, learner motorcyclists are taught not to ride in between lanes or weave through traffic. They are also given lessons on carrying pillion riders, night riding and emergency braking on wet road surfaces, to ensure their competence in handling their motorcycles on the roads. Traffic Police has an ongoing educational programme for motorcyclists. Working closely with motorcycle clubs associated with the Singapore Bikers Forum, road safety talks are given to motorcyclists who are studying in ITEs and polytechnics under the "road safety education for motorcyclists by motorcyclists" programme. In addition, during the Global Road Safety Week in April 2007, Traffic Police launched a new Road Safety talk package for riders, developed in collaboration with motorcycle clubs. A new poster featuring the consequences of motorcycle accidents has also been designed and displayed at motorcycle shops where many young riders shop for accessories. Traffic Police is working closely with the Bukit Batok Driving Centre (BBDC) to jointly organise a road safety programme designed specifically for motorcyclists in September 2007 where motorcyclists from various motorcycle clubs will pick up advanced riding tips from senior instructors at Bukit Batok Driving Centre.”
“SPF officers will be deployed to provide swift and firm response to any law and order incidents as well as contingencies. (h) Police, together with SCDF and MOH, will ensure that adequate medical services and facilities will be provided during race days in response to emergency situations such as fires or accidents. Ambulances, firefighting and other emergency response vehicles will also be pre-deployed within and outside of the circuit. A key measure is to plan for and put in place access routes in and out of the race circuit for emergency vehicles. We are working with the relevant authorities to consider providing tunnel access, overhead bridge access at various intervals and service roads. While there has not been any spectator fatality during an F1 race for the past 30 years, we will spare no effort in ensuring that the F1 race in Singapore will be conducted safely. MOTORCYCLE ROAD ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS 2. Dr Fatimah Lateef asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs (a) what steps are being taken to curb the increasing numbers of motorcycle road accidents and deaths; and (b) whether there can be greater enhancement of the rider education programme, fine-tuning of our road and traffic infrastructure and greater regulation of motorcycle equipment and accessories to ensure only the safest and approved gadgets are sold to consumers.”
“(b) Police will be deployed for crowd control and management of law and order situation. They will be supplemented by auxiliary police officers to conduct patrols for early detection of any law and order incident as well as to manage vehicular and human traffic flow. We will work with the Land Transport Authority to provide traffic advisories for motorists and pedestrians on the alternative routes to take during the road closure. (c) In addition, SGPPL will provide a pool of marshals who are specially trained to assist with race-related contingencies and incidents. Besides providing marshals, SGPPL will deploy unarmed guards during the event to look out for unruly spectators. (d) To ensure security for the event, Police will conduct checks on bags and personal belongings at designated access points to prevent smuggling of any weapons or prohibited items. Spectators who refuse to have their bags checked can be denied entry. Spectators who appear to be highly intoxicated could also be denied entry. (e) Vehicle movement into sensitive areas of the event will be restricted. For example, only essential vehicles with appropriate labels will be allowed into the paddock area where the VIP viewing gallery will be housed. Also, vehicles will be screened before they are allowed into the paddock area. Heavy vehicles, including petroleum tankers and trucks transporting tyres and vehicle parts, will be checked at a pre-designated screening point away from the paddock area before access is granted. (f) We are also exploring the deployment of CCTV cameras to complement the security measures. (g) In the event of a major incident, unarmed guards and auxiliary police officers will assist Police in evacuating the spectators in an orderly and calm manner.”
“Singapore will be hosting the Formula One Grand Prix from 2008. The race will take place in a street circuit around Marina Centre, in the heart of the city. At this stage, the various plans and details are still being worked out between the various Government agencies, the race promoter, Singapore Grand Prix Pte Ltd (SGPPL) and the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), which is the international governing body for all motor racing events. The F1 event is expected to draw a huge crowd, including a large number of foreigners. Apart from the issues of safety concerning the race drivers, officials and spectators, attention must also be paid to the threat of terrorism. Also, to facilitate the races, many roads around the Marina vicinity will have to be closed, and congestion can certainly be expected on the roads during the period leading up to and during the race. With regard to the safety aspects of the race itself, the FIA is the authority. The measures taken by FIA are tried and tested based on its experience with many races worldwide, in track circuits as well as street circuits. As a result, the FIA has comprehensive safety measures and regulations governing the conduct of F1 races so as to ensure the safety of the drivers, officials and spectators. The FIA will approve a new F1 circuit only if it meets FIA's stringent and internationally established safety standards. Security measures MHA will be working with relevant agencies, the race promoter (SGPPL) and FIA to implement the following safety and security measures: (a) For the safety of spectators, safety barricades will be lined up around the perimeter of the race circuit. This is similar to the arrangement adopted by most of the countries hosting F1 races.”
“Over the five-and-a-half year period since the first batch of offenders were released from the LT regime at end 2001, the proportion of persons who underwent LT and relapsed was less than 10%, or in absolute numbers, 336 persons. The relapse rate in 2006 for those who were released from LT in 2004 and relapsed within two years was very low at 1%. This low relapse has contributed favourably to the overall 2-year relapse rate of drug abusers arrested, which has dropped from over 60% prior to the introduction of the LT regime, to less than 5% in 2006. Singapore's integrated multi-pronged anti-drug strategy comprising strict laws, vigorous enforcement, preventive education, rehabilitation and aftercare, as well as the active involvement of the community, has ensured that the local drug situation remains under control. This approach has achieved positive results and our drug abuse situation compares very well against any other country in the world. SUICIDE RATES (Trend) 42. Mr Low Thia Khiang asked the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports from 2003 to 2006, whether there is a trend of increasing suicide rates for men in their 40s and women in their 50s and, if so, what are the reasons for the suicides and what preventive measures can be taken.”
“The drug addiction situation in Singapore is under control, even though 999 drug abusers were arrested in the first half of this year, compared to 446 over the same period last year. Of the total number of abusers arrested, Buprenorphine abusers formed the majority, at 41%, with heroin abusers at 30% and synthetic drug abusers at 25%. One reason for the increase of 553 abusers is that the Central Narcotics Bureau gazetted Buprenorphine as a controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act in August last year. As with any drug that is newly-gazetted, arrests are likely to be high in the initial period. With sustained enforcement, we can expect the number of Buprenorphine abusers to stabilise and taper off. Another reason for the increase in drug arrests is that some ex-Buprenorphine users had turned to heroin abuse after Buprenorphine was made a controlled drug. Around half of the heroin abusers arrested in the first half of this year, or 145 offenders, were ex-Buprenorphine users. An important indicator of the drug addiction trend is the number of new abusers arrested. This fell from 278 in the first half of 2006 to 204 over the same period this year. Among repeat abusers arrested, more than 60% were prosecuted under the long-term imprisonment (LT) regime. They will be kept away for between 5 and 13 years, thus preventing them from abusing drugs further or contaminating others. Relapse rate is another important indicator of the drug abuse trend. The LT regime has been effective in deterring recalcitrant abusers from relapsing again into drug abuse.”
“Sir, I think there are certain categories who may be allowed to carry truncheons and handcuffs. Because it is not just security guards or private investigators or whichever category who are currently licensed to do so under this particular Act. There could be others who were given permission under other legislation. And that is why that particular provision is moved to the Miscellaneous Offences Act. Every day, every month, we do see people bringing in such items from overseas, and it keeps our ICA very busy because as part of the security screening, ICA has to make sure that contrabands such as these are not brought in by unlicensed people. So, anyone who is caught carrying such items will be committing an offence and, therefore, he will be dealt with under the Miscellaneous Offences Act, rather than under the Private Security Industry Act. On approval channels, the licensing officer will have to decide on his own. He does not have to tell me. Why do I need to know what particular jobs individual investigators are being assigned? The licensing officer will decide on his own. It is only when the licensing officer decides that approval is not given to a particular agency or guard, then an appeal comes up. And the person being denied a permit or a licence can make an appeal to the Minister, and only then will the Ministry be informed. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Mr Wong Kan Seng]. Bill reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. ACCOUNTING STANDARDS BILL Order for Second Reading read. 3.58 pm”
“And if they do not do the job well, then there is a demerit point system where they will be graded. If they do not pay CPF, for example - and this is also Ms Irene Ng's question - that will also count towards the grading system. And if the breach is serious, then the licence may be withdrawn. So there is indeed a serious business implication for companies that do not comply with the licensing conditions or the provisions in the Act. Sir, I have dealt with most of the issues. Ms Sylvia Lim: Sir, I would like to thank the Deputy Prime Minister for clarifying my question on clause 11. One point which he did not touch on is my point concerning the approval channels that the Police would need to use. Will they be consulting people outside the police organisation as such? Secondly, there was also the point on the amendment to the Miscellaneous Offences Act, which appears to now envisage that certain private security personnel will be allowed to carry truncheons and handcuffs. I have some concerns there because they only have citizen's powers and they are not as well trained as the police or auxiliary police. Are we running the risk of excessive force being used on the public?”