Yip Hon Weng
Singapore
“But we must also keep building our trust. It is the only infrastructure a small country cannot afford to lose. Every generation since Independence has earned our place in the world. Our responsibility is to see that the next generation is given the chance to do the same.”
“It can reinforce Singapore's role as a trusted financial centre, a gateway to Asia and a platform for long-term growth. But at the end of the day, we should also be clear about how success will be measured in practical terms. How much incremental daily trading volume are we seeking to generate?”
“I thank the Minister of State for his reply. While the US dollar remains dominant, some economists have suggested that the global monetary system may gradually become more fragmented and multi-polar over time.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Minister for his reply. Given reports that some firms are slowing workforce expansion due to cost pressures due to the situation in the Middle East, has MOM observed any corresponding shift in firms hiring preferences between local workers and our foreign workforce?”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Minister of State for her reply. Many Singaporeans are already facing rising premiums year after year. As we have seen recently, even with cheaper riders, base premiums continue increasing. So, households may still have to pay more overall.”
“Because this is not just a technology transition, it is a workforce transition. The establishment of the Tripartite Jobs Council is an important step in ensuring that this alignment happens in practice. Technology will move. Markets will adapt. But we must be clear about the future we are building.”
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“How did the tripartite partners provide guidance to employers through advisories, like the tripartite advisory on managing excess manpower and responsible retrenchment? Were these advisories sufficient and effective? How did the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) ensure compliance or should we have done more, like move legislation, to ensure that retrenchments were necessary and done as a last resort? Lastly, due to the pandemic, numerous businesses had to downsize, shut down entirely or pivot operations, which led to retrenchments. How did the Government assist workers who were retrenched, particularly older workers, who face challenges in finding new employment? What were the lessons learnt and how can we apply these lessons as we move ahead to promote senior employability in the workplaces? By addressing these issues, we can improve our approach to manpower management in future pandemics. It is already challenging enough to navigate a pandemic and we should strive to prevent additional job losses and financial insecurity. In conclusion, Mr Speaker, Sir, the key question is what if the next pandemic strikes tomorrow? Three years have passed since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Yet, many aspects of how we should respond should a novel virus emerge and spread remain uncertain and fiercely debated. How do we get our population vaccinated as quickly as possible, without knowing the full side effects and safety aspects of new vaccines? How do we build stronger supply chains without overspending, in order to improve our resilience? Most importantly, how does the Government instil trust whilst making hard policy decisions with little details when the next Disease X hits us? COVID-19 brought out tremendous resolve, scientific innovation and individual and collective steadfastness.”
“How can we pre-emptively develop our own guidelines to shield our population from the next pandemic? Another area of concern is vaccine approvals, given there were many types of vaccines to tackle COVID-19, for instance, mRNA versus non-mRNA, each manufactured by different pharmaceutical companies. How can Singapore further hasten the process of vaccine approval for future pandemics, learning from the COVID-19 experience? How can we also support our local research and developments, like the COVID-19 vaccine that was developed by Arcturus Therapeutics and Duke-NUS? Next, Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to raise several manpower-related questions. Firstly, was the implementation of vaccination-differentiated safe management measures (VDS) necessary in the workplace in January 2022? Looking back, were safe management measures (SMMs) and mandatory mask wearing sufficient in managing the risk of COVID-19 spreading through the workplaces? How were the measures enforced at workplaces? Were the efforts deemed successful? I believe that implementing SMMs can help prevent the spread of diseases in the workplace. However, their effectiveness depends on both employees and employers following them diligently. It would, certainly, be too intrusive and resource-intensive to monitor workers to ensure that they wear masks at all times and keep the recommended distance between them. So, how can we strike a balance in future pandemics to ensure that everyone takes responsibility for good personal hygiene and follow SMMs? Secondly, there were employees who lost their jobs due to VDS. What was the assessment of the support given to these employees?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I wish to start by expressing my appreciation to all our frontline workers who have made sacrifices and worked extremely hard to get Singapore through the pandemic to emerge stronger. This COVID-19 After Action Review (AAR) process provides us with an opportunity to learn and improve for the next pandemic. My clarifications on the White Paper will focus on the areas of health and manpower, given my roles in the two Government Parliamentary Committees (GPCs). First, Mr Speaker, Sir, on healthcare-related measures, it is important to acknowledge the roles of international bodies, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), in shaping our pandemic response. We adopted many WHO-recommended measures, including mask-wearing and border restrictions. But every country has different traits, such as demographics, population density, geography and so on, that require different approaches to managing pandemics. Therefore, our response should be tailored according to Singapore's unique traits. It is, thus, essential to ensure that we have access to independent data and research to make informed decisions that align with our best interests. We should not blindly follow the advice of international bodies. Such advice can serve as a general guideline but may not apply to individual countries' interests. Likewise, the recommendations may only be announced after an incident has happened, making it difficult to implement them in a timely manner. Can a Ministry explain how we can develop access to such independent data and research, especially from overseas? How do we develop the capability to evaluate global data and guidance critically, with a view to adapt them to our local context?”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. My question is for MCCY. Learning from this incident, how will the Ministry strengthen the process, such that credible partners will be selected for future recycling projects?”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Senior Minister of State for his reply. Just one short supplementary question. Will the Ministry of Health (MOH) consider initiatives, such as reducing paperwork and streamlining some of the admin processes, to make a more conducive work environment for our junior doctors?”
“They are an important step forward in ensuring that our healthcare system remains safe, reliable, responsive and in time for the future. I support the Bill.”
“The pandemic saw a stronger demand for alternative therapies to manage stress and other mental wellness problems. Even though some of these services promise relief for insomnia and other mental health issues, these are generally health problems that should be consulted with a professional. Many people also seek chiropractic care due to body aches from poor postures and excessive sitting while working from home. Despite not being recognised in Singapore, chiropractic services have been discussed in articles by local mainstream and online publications. These shows the popularity of these services. From 2018, there have also been calls for the chiropractic industry to be regulated, even from within the industry itself. Can the Ministry share an update on its assessment of risks to patient safety and the need for possible regulation? Has the Government conducted recent studies on the percentage of the population in Singapore that uses CAM on a regular basis? If there is a growing trend, we should consider regulating these services. This is to ensure that they meet the same standards of safety, quality and professionalism, as other kinds of service providers. In conclusion, Mr Speaker, Sir, as I had worked on this Bill before, in preparing for this speech, I asked myself whether this Bill has met its intents when we first worked on this more than a decade ago. First, does the legislation help to future-proof our healthcare system? Second, does the legislation protect our people who use our healthcare system, which I think is a more pertinent consideration? I must say after reviewing the Bill, the amendments proposed are necessary and commendable.”
“What measures will MOH impose to balance the business considerations of healthcare institutions and public health? What are the safeguards in place to ensure that the licensing conditions imposed by MOH are genuinely necessary, to prevent urgent patient-safety issues in extraordinary circumstances? And is there a list of what these special circumstances are? Third, Mr Speaker, there is a need for greater clarity on the regulation of community services, such as community screening. What exactly does the regulation of community screening encompass? Does it cover blood pressure screenings conducted by non-healthcare professionals through community blood pressure machines, for example? Have there been incidences whereby the community machines were not calibrated correctly, resulting in false positive or negative screenings? What about eye examinations performed by optometrists, prescription of hearing aids by audiologists, or even the sale of shoe aids, sometimes carried out at pharmacies or sportswear shops catering to people with foot problems? That being said, I recognise the need for a balance between regulation, and the costs and accessibility of these services. Healthcare in the community should be both convenient and affordable. And we must not overlook this. How does the Government plan to achieve this balance? Fourth, Mr Speaker, Sir, will complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) be considered under the scope of the HCSA? This is a growing field. Many people turn to chiropractic, homeopathy, and other alternative therapies to manage their health. A 2016 Singapore Mental Health Study found that 6.4% of the adult population in Singapore used at least one form of CAM for the treatment and management of their mental illness.”
“They are also not allowed to use the words "Singapore" and "national." However, I am concerned whether existing institutions or companies that contravene the new regulations will be grandfathered. While this may be reasonable, considering the goodwill that these entities may have fostered, I am concerned that this amendment may not achieve its intended goal. This is to prevent patients from being misled into believing that such clinics provide specialist services or are endorsed by the Government. Will these businesses be required to display notices to clarify such matters? Or will there be other measures to ensure that patients are not misled? Furthermore, what measures will the Government implement to ensure that the public is informed of these new restrictions? We can use this opportunity to guide the public in identifying healthcare establishments that possess the required legitimate expertise as a medical facility to deliver their promised services. In doing so, let the public report on healthcare businesses that are errant. It is important that we weed out healthcare businesses with poor practices. This is especially important for seniors, who are more likely to take business names at face value and be misled. Second, Mr Speaker, Sir, there is a need for clarification and safeguard concerning clause 11 of the Bill that amends section 14 of the Act. This amendment proposes the lifting of the condition that MOH must give 14 days' notice before changing licensing conditions imposed by MOH on healthcare institutions. While this may be a step to ensure faster responses, there are concerns that healthcare institutions may not have sufficient turnaround time to meet the new conditions that MOH may have imposed and suffer business losses.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, this Bill is a poignant one for me. I had fond memories working on this Bill as a young MOH officer deployed to the Healthcare Regulation Division in MOH. This was in 2011. I recalled that it was a steep learning curve. I had to quickly understand the vast array of medical services, ranging from acute clinical treatment in restructured hospitals, to convalescent care in community hospitals and those in the community. Working with both doctors and administrators, we also had to study the healthcare services and legislations of other countries and learn the best practices. This was with the aim of assessing what can be applied in Singapore, given the unique history and evolution of our healthcare system. 2011 was more than a decade ago. The fact that this Bill has gone through multiple amendments and iterations over the years is a testament to its complexity and multifaceted nature. The crux of the matter is that healthcare is complex. Nothing is static in healthcare. Advancements in healthcare are turbo-charged by technology. The use of mRNA in vaccines is a prime example of how technology that was not originally designed for vaccine use can be leveraged to combat diseases. Given this context, I fully appreciate the challenges that come with moving a Bill such as this through the legislative process. I seek clarifications on four specific areas in the Bill. First, Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to seek clarifications on how the Ministry plans to enhance public education, particularly with regards to clause 19 of the Bill which seeks to amend section 19 of the Act. This amendment states that licensees are prohibited from using terms associated with specialties in their business names if there is no such specialist employed or engaged by them.”
“That is one and we also work with our Government agencies such as the Ministry of Education (MOE) – a key partner of our counterterrorism and counter-radicalisation efforts, where we look at how we collaborate with MOE schools and Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) on such efforts. For example, in 2022, ISD organised at least 69 counterterrorism and counter-radicalisation outreach events, both online and in-person for more than 2,300 participants, including student leaders, educators and other school staff. We also engage the principals, educators and student leaders and we also work with school counsellors and student welfare officers – as of 2022, over 350 school counsellors and school student welfare officers. At the end of the day, we will continue this journey. We have been engaging families, youths and as many people as we would like and are able to. Recently, we engaged a group of religious leaders and we are happy that they are more than willing to help us in this effort. What is key is that, as I shared in the MHA's Committee of Supply, we will continue to enhance our operational capabilities and our outreach efforts. In fact, this Thursday, I am engaging another group of stakeholders as part of the counter-terrorism and counter-radicalisation efforts. We hope that more Singaporeans can come onboard this journey and play a part. Most importantly, look out for your family members, look out for your children because today, our children spend a lot of time online and you never know what they come across because self-radicalisation is a process. For some, it can happen quickly, for others, it is a process and it is a journey, but we want their journey to be a positive one and a healthy one.”
“I think the Minister of State for his response. Just a short supplementary question. What is MHA's our overall engagement strategy to counter radicalisation especially for youths, for example, by engaging some of the stakeholders. Specifically, can the Ministry give further details of how it is working with families of these youths to prevent radicalisation. Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim: Sir, I thank the Member for the supplementary question. Indeed, MHA, specifically ISD, have been working with other Government agencies and community partners to reach out to different segments in the community, to raise public awareness of the threat of terrorism and online radicalisation. So, such upstream efforts are important, preventing radical ideology on taking root in our society. This is especially important for youths, who are impressionable and more easily influenced. Like what I shared earlier, we work with community partners, such as RRG and ACG, where they reach out to youths and families to have sessions and forums. They also have visits to the RRG resource counselling centres, we did online engagement during COVID-19 and we also reached out to the youth and families via physical engagements after we have recovered from COVID-19. For example, the RRG arranged a visit to ISD Heritage Centre for 50 youths and we also engage youths of Indian Muslim Social Service Association. When doing these, we also asked the media, we invited the media and we usually have good media coverage to share the messages. We also engage in online engagement.”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State for his reply. I just have a very short supplementary question. The waiting list for nursing homes is long, as I understand it. Are there plans to incentivise care staff from the acute hospitals to perhaps try a stint in the nursing homes to help beef up the manpower there?”
“Chairman, I have two clarifications. As part of our plans to improve palliative and end-of-life care, how will the Government promote the use and awareness of the My Legacy portal? There is a lot of useful information and services inside, such as applying for your LPA as well as ACP. I can say that many residents on the ground do not know about this and it is useful for them to get more awareness about this. Second, just now, the Minister mentioned that a lot of volunteers are needed for the AACs. Will MOH consider creating micro jobs for seniors to take up some of these tasks, like befriending other seniors and escort services for medical appointments? These will also keep them active and healthy in the spirit of Healthier SG.”
“Are healthcare institutions providing our healthcare workers with adequate support, such as counselling or support groups? Support for Healthcare Workers”
“Chairman, our healthcare workers are dedicated individuals who serve industriously on the frontlines. However, despite being mistreated, healthcare workers are obliged to continue looking after their patient, even if it means coming into frequent contact with the abuser, like the patient's caregivers, or even the patients themselves. This is because a healthcare institution cannot endanger a patient's life, by denying service to the patient. Additionally, patients are entitled to medical confidentiality and institutions have policies on media engagement. This may leave healthcare workers unable to respond to false allegations, even when they can be defamatory and lead to the identification and targeting of the employee or their family. I would like to know what institutional support and steps are being taken to protect healthcare workers when facing abuse in the line of work. This is especially when the abuse is from someone who is not ill, such as a patient's caregiver or relative. Furthermore, what if the manner of abuse is egregious or discriminating, such as abuse invoking a person's race or gender? Do healthcare institutions have policies in place to ensure that these incidents are reported, documented and recorded? If not, how can we accurately measure the true extent of the problem and take steps to address it? Moreover, when a healthcare worker's reputation is dragged through the mud with false allegations, especially on social media, what is being done to support and protect them? If the healthcare institution would consider suing for defamation, will patient confidentiality obligations and institutional policies present hurdles for healthcare workers to defend themselves? Finally, abuse can be traumatic for its victims.”
“If so, can we link them up with ActiveSG, while ensuring that there is no conflict and keeping the overlap of resources minimal? Furthermore, with the increasing popularity of home-based medical care services, would these be under Healthier SG? What are the Ministry's efforts in regulating this sector? Are there steps being taken to ensure the safety and quality of such services for patients who require them? Are there plans to allow the use of MediSave for home care services by approved providers? This could help alleviate the financial burden on patients who require such services and encourage the use of home-based care, where appropriate. As we promote the shift from hospital to community care, home-based care, too, plays an important role in achieving this and in freeing up hospital resources. Lastly, end-of-life and palliative care should be incorporated into Healthier SG. We should ride on the GP mantra "cradle to grave." Families that have a trusted GP that they have seen for years, will be relieved to continue receiving care with them. As part of this effort, can our GPs promote Advanced Care Planning, or ACP, as part of Healthier SG? We should encourage Singaporeans to tap on the MyLegacy portal for end-of-life planning. This is a good opportunity to involve the wider community, such as lawyers, grassroots, financial planners and religious leaders. Good palliative care is about providing loving care. It is not about medications. We should not over-medicalise palliative care. It should be patient-centric care led by nurses and allied healthcare workers, with an empowered family to deliver care, so that seniors can live their lives with dignity and in the care of loved ones in their final days. Assisted Living Services for Ageing-in-place”
“Chairman, Healthier SG is essential to support ageing in place. It focuses on preventive care and goes upstream to reduce hospitalisation rates. To achieve widespread participation and success, there are four critical areas that needs to be addressed. First, working with GPs is a vital component of Healthier SG. However, some GPs are concerned about the proposed Drug Whitelist and the price caps for each drug in the whitelist. Following these price caps could result in significant earnings loss for them. There is also no guarantee on earnings from Healthier SG payouts, as the number of new patient enrollees and complete cooperation from patients are not guaranteed. Ultimately, managing a private practice is a business venture. As such, if GPs believe that joining Healthier SG would result in a loss in earnings, they will hesitate to participate. In the end, residents lose out because they have fewer GPs to choose from. In fact, some of them would not even have a choice, because the GP that is nearest or most convenient for them, is not part of the programme. How will the MOH address these concerns in time for the rollout in July this year? Second, what can seniors expect when Healthier SG is launched? Many seniors have shared with me that they are concerned about what this means for their medical expenses. Third, there are also some concerns about social prescription, which is a major component of Healthier SG. Some community exercises led by HPB have closed down and have not resumed, even as we resume normalcy post-COVID-19. Are there plans to bring them back? Can the quantity and variety of Healthier SG activities be increased? Who is curating these activities? Are our healthcare clusters involved in the curation? Can ground-up activities be part of Healthier SG?”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State for his reply. How can the Government better help a particular group of retired seniors, who are private home residents but are cash poor, and would like to retire in the home that they have called "home" for decades?”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State for the reply. Will the Ministry consider more targeted and frequent noise monitoring at residential developments, which are affected by multiple construction projections managed by different agencies, as the noise can be amplified by these different things that are happening on the ground? For instance, Nuovo and Castle Green condominiums along Avenue 6 are affected by noise from the NSC, the MRT line, as well as the Build-To-Order (BTO) construction, all happening within the same vicinity. Will the Ministry of Transport (MOT) also consider constructing noise barriers along the MRT lines near these residential projects?”
“Chairman, last year, Municipal Services Office (MSO) set up a Community Advisory Panel (CAP) on neighbourhood noise. I have several queries: first, how are the extended quiet hours being enforced? Are residents aware of this recommendation? As schools and community exercises have been cited as contributors of community noise, have we consulted the Ministry of Education (MOE) and Health Promotion Board (HPB)? Are condo residents required to abide by the quiet hours? If so, have the Management Corporation Strata Title (MCST)s been notified? Second, what measures are being used to determine the success of the extended quiet hours? If this does not resolve the conflicts, and perpetuators continue to violate the guidelines, will MND move legislation to resolve the problem? Third, we need to explore innovative ways to resolve these problems. Are we leveraging technology to monitor and enforce the guidelines? Are we learning from other countries on how they solve similar problems? Lastly, we should further involve the community to resolve community issues. In 2015, citizens were appointed as community wardens, as a pilot programme to support the Police to respond to noise complaints. What were the outcomes of this initiative? What have we learnt? Are there any plans to reintroduce it in some capacity? How else is MND encouraging the partnering of the community to redefine social norms, besides joss paper burning practices and community noise?”
“Mr Chairman, COVID-19 has hit the construction sector hard. We can do more for the built environment sector in the following areas. First, contractors must be paid in a timely manner. Currently, the finalisation of accounts is slow, often taking a few years after project completion. Variation Orders (VOs) are also not certified or paid in full, until the project is completed. New written directions are also being issued, after they complied with original written directions. Some VOs for larger projects can amount to millions of dollars, severely affecting contractors’ cash flow, without timely payments from clients. Government Procuring Entities (GPEs) should lead by example. They should streamline their final account process and certification of VOs and pay contractors promptly. Second, coordination amongst Government agencies can improve. Contractors often experience long waits for Temporary Occupation Permits (TOP) from the various Government agencies. Each agency also takes a significant time for service diversion, sometimes up to six months. Moreover, only their own appointed term contractor can carry out the diversionary works. We must establish timelines and escalation mechanisms or have an effective coordinating body to resolve inter-agency issues. Third, we need a bigger push to attract our local workforce to take up the higher value-added jobs, such as engineers. This is to build up resilience when the next pandemic or crisis hits us. Can MND consider a shorter work week of five days for the sector? This may seem counterproductive but when workers are well-rested, this promotes an accident-free environment and improves morale and productivity. Integrated Facility Management”
“I thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for his very quick answer. I am heartened to know that this option is already available today. How can the Government increase awareness of this option as many may not know and how long will this process take?”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State for his response. Just two supplementary questions. How will the Government monitor and encourage seniors who are eligible in 2023 to continue to apply for social support that needs application, as some may not know? And two, how much lead time will the Government give to let seniors and their families know the scheme eligibility in 2024?”
“Thank you, Chairman. Just a short clarification. I wish to ask the Ministry, given the current high inflation environment, whether it is a good time now to increase the CPF contribution rate for senior workers, as this will add to business costs for companies?”
“We also should push on with job sharing and micro jobs which have been raised several times before. We should also consider the concept of phased retirement. This allows seniors to gradually decrease the number of workdays a week until retirement. How can the Ministry encourage these initiatives? We must continue to make progress towards improving retirement adequacy and senior employability. For the seniors who derive employment from their work, we can help maintain their physical and mental well-being whilst also providing financial security. Seniors' Employment and Retirement Adequacy”
“Chairman, we need to push for improvement in senior employability and encourage those who wish to work to continue. I have queries in these three areas. First, it is worrying to learn that certain segments of the population such as senior workers in low-wage and casual jobs do not have sufficient CPF to address their retirement adequacy. How will the Ministry help this group of people separately? Separately, notwithstanding the CPF Transition Offset which is for one year, how do we ensure that companies continue to retain their senior workers, given the increase in the senior worker CPF contribution rates? Second, to truly understand whether Singaporeans have sufficient retirement adequacy, we need to move beyond subsistence level retirement and develop a formal definition of what defines a decent quality of life in old age. In 2019, a team of local researchers derived the amount of money needed for seniors to achieve a basic standard of living in Singapore. This study has been constantly quoted since. Does the Ministry stand by its results or does MOM plan to do its own in-depth study? Moreover, with high inflation in the past two years, is it time to review this amount? Third, we can do more on the labour front by having more flexible work options. Many older workers would like to work part-time and even go back and forth between periods of work and leisure. Some want to spend more time with their families. Others wish to travel and take care of their grandchildren and return to work after. There are a few ways companies can implement this and older workers can be allowed to take a few months' leave and then return to the job. Coverage of duties would have to be arranged with flexibility and creativity exercise.”
“Chairman, we currently have a tight labour market. Our low total fertility rate (TFR) means we need a foreign workforce to complement our local workforce to compete globally. Other countries are waging a war for global talent. Countries such as New Zealand and Hong Kong already have measures to attract foreign talent post-COVID-19. We must bring in foreign workforce with the right skills and qualifications and at the right price. It is always a delicate balance between meeting our labour needs and protecting our citizens' interests. One concern is that the influx of foreign workforce may exacerbate the shortage of housing in Singapore, causing rental prices to go up. How does the Government plan to balance housing required for these foreigners and the need for affordable properties to rent for Singaporeans? In the same token, foreigners may be deterred from working in Singapore due to high rents. What are the Government's plans to assuage these concerns? Can the Minister also share updates to our foreign workforce policies, including COMPASS? What can we expect from the upcoming workplace fairness legislation that is to be enacted? Importing manpower is not the only issue. What is MOM doing to promote technology and productivity-enhancing measures in our workplaces? What else can we do to incentivise companies to invest in automation and other technologies? How can we equip workers with the skills needed to thrive in a tech-enabled workplace? COMPASS Shortage Occupation List”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State for her reply. Will the Ministry consider using technology and digital displays instead of physical waste to showcase excessive consumption and not use methods such as providing free items to generate additional waste for future campaigns?”
“Question No 5, please. The Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment (Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan) (for the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment): Sir, as this topic will be addressed in the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment’s (MSE) Committee of Supply (COS) debate, which will be happening soon, I would like to request that the Member waits for the detailed response during MSE’s COS debate.”
“I thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the reply. Learning from GFin, how can we better monitor and regulate the introduction of new initiatives and programmes that offer commercially high interest loans, which are just like licensed moneylenders?”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Senior Minister of State for his reply. I have two supplementary questions. First is, how much productivity gain is expected to be achieved as a result of this initiative; and two, will the affected civil servants be redeployed to other portfolios or take on other forms of work.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I declare that I am on the board of governors of a mission school and the parent of children in an ACS school but not ACS (Primary). I thank the Minister for his reply. Can I find out what is the Ministry's thinking on single-sex schools and whether the long-term direction of the Ministry is to allow the establishment of more single-sex schools to introduce more options in the education landscape or that we are moving towards more co-ed schools?”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State for her reply. I have two supplementary questions. Will social carpooling individuals be put in a difficult situation if LTA tightens regulations towards illegal carpooling and how effective is LTA's enforcement in differentiating between the two practices? Second, as many carpooling groups can operate through chatgroups, such as Telegram, how does the Ministry of Transport (MOT) intend to leverage technology and work with the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) to monitor such groups?”
“How can we remain agile and resilient to uncertainties, while avoiding a tech divide? Serving Citizens Better through Technology”
“Chairman, COVID-19 has taught us that technology can transform service delivery. But we can always do better and explore how technology can better serve residents. One common feedback about Government e-services is that there are too many apps and systems in place. Many services are also embedded within agencies’ websites, which makes them difficult to access. To complete a transaction such as getting a housing loan, one has to go through inter-related steps involving several Government agencies, before we can arrive at the process completion. Surely, we can do more in terms of process mapping, to make the digital service journey more seamless to residents. On a broader note, how can we also leverage on the benefits of new and emerging technology, such as generative AI, to turbo-charge Government services and processes? One population segment that can certainly benefit from using technology to access Government services are seniors. However, they are hit by a double whammy. First, many are still not as familiar with technology as the younger generations. Second, many are concerned about online scams. For instance, I know some of my Yio Chu Kang seniors have missed critical Government announcements as all these are sent electronically, as emails or through Government service apps. Some seniors either do not know how to access this online information or are too afraid to click on the relevant websites for fear of being scammed. How do we address these two dilemmas? One obvious response would be to push on with training and education, such as those offered by the SG Digital Office. We should also aim to go digital as much as possible, while keeping physical services and touch points available for seniors who are not digitally savvy, to access public services.”
“Chairman, one of the biggest takeaways from this Budget is that it is pro-family. Some young parents have provided feedback to me that the Budget policies do help to ease cost of living and promote work-life balance for families. However, they also voiced some concerns. Firstly, we have heard from many Members from this House who have voiced concerns about the changes to the Working Mother's Child Relief (WMCR). How does the Government intend to better communicate the intent of these policy changes? 3.45 pm In addition, how does the Government intend to encourage middle-income families with mothers in PME jobs to remain in the workforce after giving birth, as they have much to contribute to the economy? The lapse of the FDW levy tax relief may also be interpreted as a signal that the Government is reducing support for working mothers. Such tax reliefs make a significant difference to household finances, especially for families with more than one child. I hope the Government can shed more perspectives about these policy changes. I appreciate the acknowledgement that monetary support alone has a limited impact in incentivising working mothers to have children. Ultimately, a rounded approach is needed to create a conducive child-rearing environment. This is where changes like increased Government-paid paternity leave come in. What can we learn from other countries' best practices, to improve the Government's strategies to encourage Singaporeans to settle down and have children? How can we encourage the wider society, such as employers and communities, to play a part in engendering a more family-friendly environment? What are the measures of success for this?”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I declare that I am working in an investment firm and I am involved in a consortium that manages COVID-19 Community Isolation Facilities. I have two supplementary questions. How does MOH intend to communicate the subsidised and unsubsidised costs of COVID-19 treatment, long COVID treatments as well as the stay in Community Isolation Facilities to our residents? Second, if residents are unable to pay for such treatments, especially for long COVID that may last awhile, what assurances can the Government give that medical care will not be denied?”
“This includes, as I have said above, empowering them to leverage technology in their daily life. It also includes enhancing their understanding on how to make the best use of Government schemes that are available to them. This is so that they can have access to a good quality of life and live out their aspirations. So, how would you like to spend your silver years? Let us work together as a society to create a Singapore that values our seniors and enables them to live out their aspirations. Let us support their caregivers and the sandwiched families. This is so that they may continue to find pride and value in giving their loved ones the best kind of care possible. Only then, can we truly establish a Singapore Made for Families. Only then, can we make Singapore a great place to live and age in. I support the Budget.”
“If we believe family should be the first pillar of support, we must keep innovating better forms of assistance for the very people who are trying their utmost to live out that value, especially those who are less financially privileged. In conclusion, Mr Speaker, Sir, sometimes I ask myself: what do I want to do when I am of older age? If I can work, I would certainly like to continue contributing to the workforce. If I am retired, I would like to rediscover myself through new passion projects or pick up interests where, previously, I did not have time for. Former US President George Bush Senior used to mark every fifth birthday after his retirement in a very special way – by putting on a parachute and jumping from a plane. His last skydive took place on his 90th birthday in 2014, despite him being confined to a wheelchair. I do not think I am as adventurous as President Bush, but I would certainly like to pick up a musical instrument, enhance my skills in photography, travel around the world, and take in the new experiences and sights. And if I have the blessings of having grandchildren, I would love to spend time and share my life experiences with them. How would you like to spend your silver years? How can we, as a society, enable our seniors to pursue their passions, stay energised and continue to be enthusiastic about life? For one, we must shift our mental model of our society from viewing seniors as a burden. We must view them beyond just a group that we support with schemes and social assistance. Instead, we should value our seniors' contributions and reframe their silver years as a different phase of life. This is a phase where they get to live a fulfilling life at a more relaxed pace. We should empower them to stay independent and confident.”
“We must recognise the importance of caregivers and the critical role they play in our families and communities. Caregivers are often the unsung heroes, quietly providing for their loved ones, without much recognition or backing. We need greater social health integration on this front. Our population is trending towards smaller families and smaller old age support ratios. This means greater awareness and more aid for this shrinking group of eventual caregivers is needed. We must not neglect emotional and psychological assistance for caregivers. Navigating a fragmented landscape of caregiver assistance and services can be frustrating and intimidating for an average Singaporean, let alone one who is already acutely stressed from custodial duties or limited in their English language proficiency. Much as the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) currently helps in this area, we also do not want to go to the extreme of providing case management for every single case. This will be resource intensive for a care sector already dealing with a manpower crunch. Can AIC or the Regional Health Systems (RHS) be more targeted and consider training a team of coordinators who can journey with our caregivers, especially those from the lower-income families, from start to end? Having a dedicated care coordinator for a family makes sense for a few reasons. They can guide caregivers to assess practical help. They can also help to look out for caregivers' psychological well-being. A coordinator can spot early signs of caregiver mental stress and provide timely intervention.”
“Seniors also use WhatsApp video calls to communicate with us during our Meet-the-People Sessions. When physical activities were stopped, many went online and took part in Zoom cooking classes and other activities. But we certainly can do more. I will cover this topic in greater detail in my Committee of Supply cut for the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). One area where we can go big on is in telehealth. Seniors will be the biggest beneficiaries of this technology. I have met many seniors who found it a hassle to go to the clinics and hospitals for their follow-ups because of mobility issues and the long wait times. Telehealth can be a game changer in this regard. By adopting telehealth, we can provide seniors with access to medical care and support from the comfort of their own homes, or at convenient nodes in the community. Next, we can also do more for the sandwiched families. When we think of seniors who need help, seniors who live alone or with their spouse comes to mind, but this is not always the case. Seniors exist within the context of families, and many families are struggling to balance caring for both their children and their parents. Unfortunately, I do not see many incentives in this Budget that are specifically targeted towards helping sandwiched families. Although financial relief is always appreciated, there are other ways that we can support these families. For instance, we could provide resources and materials to help them navigate the complexities of caring for aged parents. We can also provide more assistance for end-of-life care, which can be an especially difficult time for families. I will touch on these issues in greater detail in my upcoming Ministry of Health (MOH) cut. Third, we need more support for caregivers.”
“This includes the Pioneer and Merdeka Generation packages. While all these initiatives are appreciated, it is important to consider whether there is a holistic view of all these schemes. The many disparate initiatives cause confusion. And seniors do find it difficult to navigate through all the help that is available to them. We should consolidate and communicate these schemes to seniors better. Such schemes have to be translated into tangible support. I often hear from seniors during my house visits or at the market that they do not fully comprehend or know how to access many of the schemes. Our grassroots team is always glad to do our best to address these queries. But the fact remains that many of them are unable to understand the schemes without external help. Some do not even know that they are beneficiaries of these schemes. This is concerning. Effective schemes should be implemented and communicated in ways that make them readily accessible to beneficiaries. Beneficiaries should not have to go through multiple agencies or move mountains to get the support they need. That can be discouraging, considering that our older generations have always had a fiercely independent spirit that helped build the Singapore we have today. I will now move on to speak on areas where we can do more for seniors. First, we need a greater push to help seniors benefit from the digitalisation of services. Digitalisation is the way forward for our Public Service. It enhances service delivery and productivity. It is worth noting that during the pandemic, we have seen seniors embrace digital technologies. I have seen seniors using Zoom to connect with their loved ones overseas, when borders were closed.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, this Budget is a roadmap towards a better future. Even though we are recovering well from COVID-19, there are still many geopolitical headwinds to contend with. The ongoing war in Europe and the tensions between the US and China have caused much uncertainty on a global scale. A small country like Singapore is certainly not spared. In this Budget, I am pleased that we are taking a bolder approach to increasing revenue. This is by getting those who can afford it to contribute more, thus lessening the burden on the less privileged. In my Budget response, I will focus on seniors. This topic is close to my heart for several reasons. Firstly, we are a super ageing society. Next, we should view the silver sector as an opportunity, not as a burden. Finally, my constituency is home to many senior residents and it is my purpose and duty to represent their voices. Foremost, I will share my perspective on the need for a holistic review and consolidation of senior-related initiatives. I will then share my thoughts on areas where we can do more for seniors, which were not touched on in this Budget. To start, we should systematically review all the senior-related initiatives and consolidate them as far as possible. This is with the goal of making them more easily understandable and accessible for our seniors. Many new or enhanced schemes to provide for seniors were announced during this Budget. They ranged from financial incentives such as the Cost-of-Living Seniors’ Bonus, to promoting senior employability and retirement adequacy through the Senior Employment Credit extension and increment of CPF contribution rates, to top-ups for the ElderCare Fund and the Community Silver Trust. There are also existing schemes for seniors today.”
“I thank the Minister of State for the reply. For the individuals under the Global Investor Programme, which sectors are the businesses or investments in? And what is the total investment amount that they have brought in over the last three years?”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State for his reply. I wish to ask the Senior Minister of State, which PWM sectors have greatest potential for productivity increase and what is the Ministry doing to improve productivity for these sectors?”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Minister for his reply. What are some of the benefits to consumers once the review is completed and the changes implemented? For instance, will consumers continue to have choice in terms of retailers?”
“Thank you, Speaker. And I thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for her reply. I take the point that it is too early. When does the Ministry of Health plan to move towards this new healthcare financing model under Healthier SG? Because Healther SG is coming up in the middle of the year, so some residents have asked: what are some of the costs involved.”
“I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I have two supplementary questions. First, does MAS have the regulatory powers to oversee family offices to prevent tax evasion and fraud? Second, will the Government consider having the employment of Singaporeans as a hiring requirement for family offices for local job creation?”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State for his reply. I have senior residents in Yio Chu Kang who have raised similar concerns about bivalent vaccines having higher risk of stroke. Hence, some are reluctant to take the bivalent vaccine. How will the Ministry work towards allaying some of these concerns and thereby, improving the take-up rate of the bivalent vaccine among our seniors?”