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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“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Parliamentary Secretary for his reply. Besides SG Enable, will the Ministry consider working with Workforce Singapore and e2i for job-matching of special needs adults with suitable employers, with the appropriate funding schemes.”
“Thank you, Mr Chairman. Two clarifications: can services in the Community Care Apartments (CCAs) be extended to seniors living in existing HDB estates? And two: why is a first-timer family not eligible for the Fresh Start Housing Scheme? Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim: Mr Chairman, I thank the Member for the questions. CCA is a new concept and we need to evaluate the pilot to see how it helps in the physical and socioemotional well-being of the seniors. We will also take the Member's suggestion. That said, today if you look at MOH, they also have services that look after the frail, for example, home and day care. At the same time, for those who need social support, we have the befrienders. As we move forward, there will be a levelling up of the elder care centres to see how these can better serve as a point of contact for seniors in every community, providing active ageing, befriending and many more services where they can be a point of contact. But we are encouraged by the support and also the responses from the public about CCA. We will closely study its impact and we really want to make it work, so that we can give opportunities for our seniors to age-in-place.”
“Good housing designs should adopt universal design elements that are not only elderly-friendly but also cater to impaired mobility due to unexpected illness, injury or disability. The Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) is a good initiative. But sometimes, residents wait until something has happened, like after a fall, before they make the application. We should take a more proactive approach towards home safety for the elderly because a fall can really impair them. Indeed, we must do more, beyond the basic infrastructure, something that the PAP Seniors Group is pushing for. Can we look into integrating senior-friendly features that come with the new Community Care Apartments into our existing HDB estates? Some of the services in the optional service packages, like housekeeping, meal services and medical escorts, can also be designated to service providers and even senior activity centres in the community and extended to all mature estates with a high population of seniors. What other upcoming senior-friendly initiatives will be introduced to our housing estates? How is MND working with MSF and MOH to ensure that our built environment supports ageing in place? Ensuring Municipal Services Office's Efficiency”
“Madam, I wish to raise two issues for improvement for the OneService App. Firstly, tracking and coordination of municipal issues across agencies until resolution. A resident can submit feedback but there is no information about the status of operational processes. Sometimes, the case is closed before the problem is officially resolved, something that Member Cheryl Chan has earlier raised as well. 4.00 pm How does MSO track and coordinate issues for all cases until resolution, especially complex ones that may require collaboration with other agencies? How does smart technology assist us in this area? Another area is the resolution of neighbourly disputes, such as community noise and corridor obstruction. Such issues have been aggravated by work from home arrangements during the pandemic period. I think it was useful for OneService to disclose the units in the resident's block which are undergoing renovation works so that, in the event of noise issues, the resident can contact the owners of the unit. Can we go further to integrate this, for example, by allowing residents to raise concerns about noise issues in the app in a dedicated category? Furthermore, if the flat owner has downloaded the app, they would be able to see the concerns and respond, with a mediator on-hand to assist. Some residents do not wish to attend in-person mediation at the Community Mediation Centre or bring the matter to CDRT. Technology has made online mediation more accessible and popular. It is certainly something we should explore. Housing to Support Ageing-in-place As our population ages, we should aspire towards having our housing typology cater to our life needs. This is especially so when there is a growing preference among our seniors to age in place.”
“Mr Chairman, similar to Member Denise Phua, I agree with Minister Chan Chun Sing's speech on the three Cs that our universities should achieve: continual learning, connections and collaboration for value creation, and confidence building. And certainly, learning must not stop at a tertiary level. It needs to be a lifelong passion. However, the challenge ultimately lies in implementation. How do we track and monitor progress, both at the individual learner level and also at the societal level? What measurables do we use to define whether someone is a lifelong learner? These days we try to avoid labels, but it is still important to have some tangible ways to determine whether the various programmes are effective. This is to help promote lifelong learning in our youth and prepare them for the new challenges ahead. What does this mean for IHLs in shells in terms of delivery of content and certification? In the past, students were largely graded based on how they performed on paper. Assessments have since evolved over the years, with internships, project work, exchange programmes and 360° evaluations counting to their graduation results, but COVID-19 has nevertheless disrupted in-person learning and training. How will IHLs work with industry players to enhance the learning process for our students? For most students, the hands-on work experience with industry stakeholders will be their first taste of formal working experience, so it should be a meaningful and enriching one. How do we encourage more on-the-job training (OJTs) with industry players? Lastly, are there other societies and countries that we are studying with regards to the best practises for continuous learning?”
“Thank you, Mr Chairman. I have two clarifications for the Minister. One, will the transparency of the COMPASS framework allow employers to game the new system and, two, would the new COMPASS framework allow for more EP holders into Singapore?”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I have two supplementary questions. Can I find out the statistics for the number of common corridor fires in HDB flats in 2021? And two, how is MHA and SCDF working with agencies such as the Town Councils to prevent fires in common corridors of HDB flats, as this is a common concern amongst HDB flat dwellers? Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim: Sir, I thank the Member for the supplementary questions. In 2021, there were 122 fires that occurred at HDB common corridors and passageways. If you look at the breakdown of the top three causes of fires: (a) we had 43 fires due to electrical origins, for example, fires involving PMD and electrical risers; (b) we had 42 fires due to naked light, for example, candle flame, flame from lighters; (c) we had 32 fires due to indiscriminate disposal of lighted materials, for example, cigarette butts; and (d) we had five fires due to other causes. The number of fires at HDB common corridors and passageways has been decreasing over the years. With regard to how we work with the agencies, we have been working with HDB, Town Councils, MCSTs and many other stakeholders to educate and raise the awareness of how we can play our part in minimising or responding to fires. What we used to do was, if you remember, we had the Emergency Preparedness Day, prior to COVID-19. When the COVID-19 situation stablises, we will launch the Community Resilience Day. It would be roadshows in the heartlands where we will teach residents emergency preparedness and fire safety skills. The Member can also find more details on the SCDF website.”
“Many of our Singaporean workers want FWAs to continue post-COVID-19. Failure to accommodate would lead to an outflow of talent, especially with Singaporeans being able to work remotely for overseas companies. Likewise, foreigners are able to work remotely for companies based in Singapore. Such cross-border virtual employment can complicate labour laws, CPF obligations and taxation matters. What are we doing on this front to ensure that our laws keep up with the trends? I understand that the legislation of hybrid workplaces is not the most tenable at the moment, lest we impose too many restrictions on businesses. I am glad that the Tripartite Advisory on Mental Well-being introduced guidelines for employers to set reasonable expectations for after-hours work communications. But besides guidelines, we should do more to nudge companies in the right direction. Other countries have started implementing new work laws to cater to this trend. For example, in Portugal, employers are prohibited from contacting employees after office hours. Written contracts for teleworking arrangements, equalising rights for remote and on-site employees and requiring employers to cover remote work expenses are amongst the popular items in remote working legislations around the world. Are we learning from other countries and exploring some of these new laws to update our legal framework? Promote FWAs/Work-life Harmony and Employment for Women”
“Expanding the HSS is a good way to support households that need help with certain aspects of their family but do not wish to hire a live-in foreign domestic worker. How does the Ministry ensure that there are merits for two distinct schemes and that the policy intent remains for both schemes? In the area of respite care for seniors, will workers be equipped with skillsets to care for the elderly with special needs and challenging conditions, such as dementia? Will MOM work with MOH to provide training and certification for these workers? Additionally, some social service agencies specialising in eldercare as well as nursing homes may already provide such services for elderly caregiving. How does MOM work with MOH and MSF to streamline and harmonise the availability of such services and make it easier for the public to assess their options? Support for Mental Health in Workforce”
“Mr Chairman, I am glad to hear that the Jobs Growth Incentive (JGI) has been extended to September 2022. To a certain extent, it has helped to encourage employers to retain local staff and expand local hiring. But this will be a mere stop-gap measure when the JGI ends, if there is no mindset change towards employing seniors. What other measures are we taking to improve the employment of seniors? Can we set specific targets with regard to senior employment rate in the growth industries? Some of Britain's biggest companies recognise the importance and value of senior workers and had, on their own accord, set targets and plans to increase the number of over-50s they employ by 2022. The American Association of Retired Persons has an Employment Pledge Programme to recognise companies that are committed to hiring persons aged 50 and above. We must do more to identify the companies that are age-diverse, and work on expanding this group. On the new SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme, which will replace the SGUnited Skills Programme and the SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Programme, can the Ministry elaborate on which industries will it focus on and how long will the training be for? Extend SGUnited Jobs and Skills Package”
“Will the Human Resources (HR) Industry Manpower Plan take this into consideration and help our HR practitioners to develop better hiring and talent management practices? 4.30 pm Definition of Complementarity”
“Mr Chairman, businesses continue to face a challenging operating environment. Operational costs are going up with the upcoming increase in GST, carbon tax and foreign worker levies. Border restrictions have led to some foreign talent leaving the country and not returning. There is an urgent need to review our strategies concerning the hiring and retention of foreign talent. The competition for talent at the high-end is global. In 2021, 69% of companies globally reported talent shortages. By 2030, the global talent crunch is estimated to reach 85 million people. This translates into a potential loss of trillions of dollars in economic opportunity for companies. For Singapore, the loss is estimated to go up to $143 billion. Knowledge-intensive industries, like financial services, technology, media and telecommunications and manufacturing are expected to take the hardest hit. We need a framework that gives more certainty to companies for manpower planning. But the bigger question is, how do we overcome our talent crunch, be very selective and attract the cream of the crop to come here? As we are also extensively upskilling local workers to reduce the skills gap, we should only aim to attract the best from overseas to complement the local workforce. How do we determine what is the best, compared to the mediocre? How can we attract the next Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg or Elon Musk to contribute their expertise to Singapore? What will it take to build the next Amazon, Facebook or Tesla here? What are our strategies to do so, as we come out of COVID-19? Amongst talent hiring strategies shared by industry experts, many of them have to do with the hiring process itself and human resource management.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Senior Minister of State for his reply. Will the Ministry consider integrating all healthcare functionalities into the LifeSG app, since more than 70 Government services are on that app already? This is to make it more convenient for residents as they have only to use one app to interface with Government, as opposed to having to download many different apps to interface with the Government.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Will the Ministry consider working with Workforce Singapore and NTUC's e2i to include measures for job scams in their job coaching curriculum for senior jobseekers?”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Minister for her reply. Are there plans to involve caregivers or family members of seniors for such programmes? Will MCI also rope in the Silver Generation Ambassadors for scam education as part of Silver Generation Office's (SGO) outreach into the community?”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Senior Minister of State for his reply. What is the infection rate of children under five years old in Singapore? There is a new study that suggests that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is less effective for children. Is the Ministry looking into other vaccines like the one by Johnson & Johnson or non-mRNA vaccines like the ones by Sinovac or Novavax, for approval for use in children below five? What more should parents of children below five years old do to prevent them from getting COVID-19, since there is currently no vaccination?”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Minister of State for her reply. I ask this Parliamentary Question (PQ) because remote and hybrid work arrangements are going to be here to stay and perhaps may even be more prevalent in the post-COVID-19 world. I agree that the Government should not overreach. I just have a short supplementary question, which is that will the Ministry consider leading the way in terms of coming up with certain financial assistance or grants to help facilitate companies to take up remote and hybrid work arrangements, including the use of technology?”
“In conclusion, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the pandemic has posed many challenges to our society over the past two years. Our Budget is well-balanced and provides a path forward as we emerge from COVID-19. To be prudent, we should reflect on what we can spend less on – cut waste, reduce redundancies and for the Government to coordinate better. Resources should be channelled to areas where more help is needed. One clear area is in caring for an ageing population. The signs are already here. We may be an ageing society, but what we face need not be a "silver tsunami". It can be a "silver fountain" – one of vitality and productive longevity, where we all keep well, age well and die well. I support the Budget.”
“A Yio Chu Kang resident, Mr K, confided that he gave up his career and went into full-time caregiving to both his aged parents. The burden fell upon him as he was the only son. He did not feel safe leaving his parents in the care of a foreign domestic worker, who may neither have the professional experience nor temperament to care for the elderly with special needs. He does not regret the decision, but it is no doubt a setback for his career. Most of us would agree that caregivers like Mr K should be applauded for prioritising family over career. But we should not take the sacrifices of caregivers for granted. As a society, we must do more to uplift caregivers. Lastly, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, we need to help seniors at the end of life to leave well. In my past experience working in the healthcare sector, I see how people die badly. They die in pain, with tubes connected to all parts of their bodies in a sterile hospital environment, just to have life extended by days and at max, by weeks. It is a torture, both for the individual as well as for the families. We need to facilitate their departure to be as comfortable as possible, and for them to live out their remaining lives with dignity. We must push for higher standards of palliative care. Only four in 10 of healthcare professionals received training in palliative care, according to a 2021 survey. Consequently, most healthcare professionals did not feel prepared to give palliative care. The Singapore Hospice Council is doing good work and they are developing a training framework on palliative care. Will the Government provide more resources and funding to support this effort? How will the Government take the lead to improve the quality of palliative care and to generate more awareness in Singapore?”
“For example, to offer integrated search and listing platforms, with accreditation and training available for persons who may want to take up micro jobs in the community, such as healthcare assistants and babysitting. Next, focus on job redesign by allowing employers to hire and retain senior staff in the long-term. We need to look into stronger support for workplace redesign for senior workers. How many companies have made use of the Job Redesign Grants for older workers? Will the Government take on a more proactive approach to coax and compel companies to move in the right direction? Second, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, for those seniors who are frail and cannot work, we must ensure that we can better care for them. From my conversations with my residents, care navigation in Singapore has room for improvement. Today, Government agencies like MOH and MSF often focus on policy and administrative matters and devolve the actual provision of care to various social service agencies, or SSAs. Yet, some of these organisations have limited resources. They may also not be equipped to deal with clients saddled with multiple co-morbidities and complex social issues. Having choices and a lack of clear information complicates matters for caregivers trying to find the most suitable and affordable formal care service for their family's needs. We need a simple platform that integrates all available resources and service providers, for caregivers to seek out all the available options and do their own cost-benefit analysis. Ultimately, we need an integrated care system that works on the ground. This means better sharing of information, care plans, resources, networks and financial support schemes. Caregivers need only to browse this one-stop centre to have all their concerns addressed.”
“It also inconveniences residents who have to navigate numerous websites and install many apps on their phones. Can we take some inspiration from the UK government, which consolidated their 300 over websites into one in 15 months? Being prudent with finances is a virtue that is not incentivised enough. When a department receives a budget, the goal purportedly is to spend it all. The common mentality is that having surpluses would imply that the department did not work hard enough and need to find new areas to work on. We need to stop linking expenditure with KPIs. Ministries should not feel guilty about having excess money to return to the coffers. In fact, the Government should throw a grand challenge – create an award and recognise Ministries that best reduce their expenditure, streamline their operations and cut out non-essential projects. The savings can go to the people or be used for more important areas and social programmes. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, one important area which we will certainly need to do more for is for our seniors. We are a rapidly ageing society. The provision of minimum protections around risks like illnesses, unemployment and old age are better shared by society and the community, rather than individuals, families or employers. I have three suggestions. First, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, we want our seniors to live well. One particular area is to facilitate meaningful employment for our seniors, who wish to work. I applaud the raising of CPF contribution rates for senior workers. But we need to go beyond monetary incentives. I wish to reiterate my hopes for the Government to play a bigger role in promoting micro jobs. Many Members have shared about this earlier.”
“I am heartened that the Government has listened to ground feedback. It has not only delayed the GST implementation, but has staggered it over two years. This gives more time for the job market and economy to adapt and prepare. I have also previously asked whether additional assistance would be provided on top of the Assurance Package and the GST Voucher (GSTV) scheme. I am pleased that the Government will continue to absorb GST on essentials like healthcare and education. Permanent schemes like the Workfare Income Supplement and the GSTV schemes are also enhanced. Overall, it is a fair and comprehensive Budget with an eye for the future. But, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, doing more for our people does not necessarily mean we should spend more. Instead, we should challenge ourselves and think hard about what we should spend less on. This is quite a contrarian view, as the Budget is a time when we discuss how Government will increase spending in various areas. The hard truth is that while it is good to have everything, our resources are finite. We should reduce non-essential, duplicative and non-strategic initiatives. One tangible example is roadworks. Roads are often dug up and closed for various types of works, ranging from the installation of broadband cables, water pipes to electrical cables and so on. They never seem to end. Many of the works are certainly necessary. However, can we coordinate better amongst the agencies for a fixed period, where the road is dug up and all are repaired at that time? Moreover, frequent road closures slow down traffic, adding to inefficiencies. Another example is the numerous Government apps and websites sometimes offering similar services. The more there are, the more maintenance is needed.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I will share three perspectives on the Budget. First, what this Budget is essentially about. Second, what we should do less of. And finally, what more can we do, to build up the Singapore we love. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as we emerge from the worst of the pandemic, we will have to increase Government spending, to strengthen our social compact and to create opportunities and growth. Managing the Budget is a zero-sum game. We consume public resources; therefore we need to pay for it. Yet, the idea of increasing taxes to fund programmes evokes resistance. In reality, revenue and expenditure are two sides of the same coin. To spend without regard for revenue, is not sustainable for the future. The question is how to raise revenue from taxes, in a fair and equitable way. One method is through a progressive tax system. This means that the wealthy and higher income earners will pay more taxes. This is a slight shift from previous Budgets in the direction of fairness and inclusivity. It brings to life our claims of a new social compact. But we must strike a balance. There will always be populist calls for wealth taxes. But if we push the narrative that the wealthy are responsible for driving inequality, we risk provoking resentment and jealousy, against those who may have accumulated wealth through hard work and sacrifices. This will only further polarise society. Our current revenue structure is a balanced one, where ultimately, everyone contributes taxes, but those who are richer contribute more. For the less privileged, I have raised concerns about the GST hike on previous occasions in Parliament. I shared my residents' sentiments that the GST hike should only be implemented after the job market stabilises.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Minister for the reply. My supplementary question is as such: are such workers, foreign remote employees subject to foreign workforce levers such as levies and quotas, as well as CPF payments? Will there be plans for them to subject to such levers and CPF payments in the future?”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Minister for his response. I have a few supplementary questions. Will the Ministry consider publicising where are these areas so that public are aware that these are eco-sensitive areas? And two, will the Ministry consider working with schools to better educate children on such eco-sensitive areas?”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I thank the Minister of State for her reply. Can MOM further recognise HR best practices, such as shorter work weeks and flexible work arrangements? Also, to what extent are HR practices a factor in tender specifications, for instance, either as a tie breaker or hygiene factor? Are there plans to ensure that good HR practices are further recognised in Government tenders and procurement processes?”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I thank the Minister for his reply. Will some companies use hybrid work to avoid paying the full CPF obligations? One possibility that I can think of is that some companies may have a physical presence but not declaring that the company is hiring workers who are working from home. What are the plans to periodically review and audit the CPF obligation by employers, especially, given the complexity brought upon by remote and hybrid workplaces?”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Senior Minister of State for his reply. I have a related supplementary question on COVID-19. How are the healthcare workers and healthcare system coping with the increased number of infected cases from the Omicron wave?”
“I would further argue that our status as an aviation hub is not only essential, but existential for our survival as a country. We must ensure that our aircraft, airports and airspaces are safe, if we are to continue to be a global aviation hub. Since 9/11, the nature of terrorism has evolved rapidly. Newer aviation technologies, some which are accessible to the layman, are being deployed. Warfare is moving from the conventional to the unconventional, to non-state adversaries. The lines are being blurred. Today, domestic terrorism is well on the way to become a much bigger threat than before, as widening disparities and misinformation threaten the unity of a nation. This Bill is thus important to ensure that our laws are relevant, comprehensive and in time for the future. Mr Speaker, Sir, notwithstanding all these queries, I support the Bill.”
“The agreement has been described to meet the civil aviation needs of both countries. It will ensure that our Changi Airport is able to operate efficiently and safely and uphold the safety and efficiency of the air traffic control in the region. International and regional cooperation is always essential to protect the safety of international air spaces and I congratulate the Prime Minister and the team for securing the new agreement. I would like to clarify whether the realigned FIR is covered under the Bill. Finally, Mr Speaker, Sir, can the Minister clarify what are the penalties for the newly-added offences 5A to 5D, which would see offenders using aircrafts to cause death and destruction or abetting the act of it? Section 9 of the Act lists the penalties for offences under the Act, namely, life imprisonment or a fine not exceeding $1 million. Do these penalties apply if the offender was successful in their attempt and caused death and destruction? Would capital punishment be more appropriate to match the severity of the crime? In conclusion, Mr Speaker, Sir, the September 11 attacks were the first time we saw an aircraft turned into a weapon of mass destruction by terrorists. More than 3,000 people were killed. It sparked a war on terror, which is still ongoing. Closer to home, as what Member Poh Li San has shared, many would remember the hijacking of SQ Flight 117. The reason why I am speaking on this Bill is because, with COVID-19 turning endemic, our aviation sector will pick up again. Our neighbours in Asia are building and expanding their airports, which could pose as a serious competition to our aviation industry. Aviation is thus important to Singapore.”
“More needs to be done in the form of stricter penalties and regulations in drone use and security measures to prevent the abuse of drones for terror-related activities. Fourthly, Mr Speaker, Sir, would the Bill also apply to the unlikely scenario that a military, customs or Police service plane is used in the commission of an offence against civil aircraft and aerodromes? I note that clause 9 amends section 7(4) by providing that subsection (2)(a)(ii) does not apply to any act committed in relation to an aircraft used in military, customs or police service, unless the aircraft is used in the military, customs or Police service of the Republic of Singapore. What is the reason for the distinction, if any? To be comprehensive, would these types of aircraft be covered in other legislation, and what would these be? Next, Mr Speaker, Sir, how can we ensure that cross-border collaboration with other countries and collaboration between involved Ministries to enforce this Bill will be well-integrated and seamless? Domestically, a number of Ministries and agencies would be involved. MOT, MHA and the Cyber Security Agency deal with domestic terror issues relating to aviation, complicated by cybersecurity. MINDEF oversees our national defence and security, while MFA engages with international organisations. I am simplifying this network of relationships for the purposes of this speech. But, in reality, this cross-Ministry collaboration would be much more complex and possibly involve a greater number of agencies. Last month, Singapore and Indonesia signed a set of agreements on a number of critical bilateral issues, including the realignment of the boundary between the Jakarta Flight Information Region, or FIR, and the Singapore FIR.”
“Today, many aspects of aviation are digitalised, from the sale of air tickets, to inflight systems, to the management of jet fuel and air traffic control. The importance of software in civil aviation is paramount. For example, seemingly minor software issues eventually led to Boeing's 737 Max crisis. The expanded cyber footprint exposes aircraft and airports to the possibility of more cyberattacks. As such, the failure to adequately address such issues may have dire consequences. According to Eurocontrol, at least 1,260 cybersecurity breaches against airlines and other aviation bodies were reported in 2020. Last year, Singapore Airlines also suffered from a data breach. While experts believe the potential for hackers to gain control of a plane through such cybersecurity breaches is low, we should not discount any weak links. All it takes is one successful attempt to endanger an entire aircraft. Thirdly, Mr Speaker, Sir, does the Bill cover all forms of aircraft, including unmanned aerial vehicles and drones and such development in unmanned technology? In recent years, drones have become increasingly sophisticated. Its application has become more widespread through Government, commercial and personal use. A quick Internet search reveals that poorly secured drones can be easily hacked by the layman. Drones are already in use by terror outfits for the delivery of arms, explosives and targeted attacks. They do not have to be complex or carry explosives in order to terrorise or kill. The simple act of spraying water over a group of people or nose-diving into a crowd is enough to cause fear and a potentially fatal stampede.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the amendments to this Bill are introduced to give effect to the 2010 aviation treaty signed in Beijing. With the demand for air travel set to pick up over the next few years, this Bill is imperative. I have several queries on it. First, Mr Speaker, Sir, does the Bill cover all forms of technology, especially those recently developed and enhanced technology, which could be used for purposes of warfare and terrorism? For instance, there has been reports about the suspected use of electronic warfare and methodologies. These include microwave frequencies or directed, pulsed radio frequency energy from portable microwave weapons, to disrupt neurological function, also known as the Havana Syndrome. With experts on the subject matter suggesting the possible development of non-kinetic tools and other forms of electromagnetic pulse weapons, should we not be concerned that terrorists may discharge such components from planes? They could also use them to turn planes into weapons of destruction. Some of these technologies may not cause death or serious injury upon application. However, they could impair the judgement of pilots and aircrew or incapacitate them to the point where they are unable to maintain controlled flight. The sensitivity of electronic interference to aircraft navigation systems has been recently brought to light due to the introduction of 5G near some US airports. Second, Mr Speaker, Sir, does the Bill consider that hackers could control an aircraft by hacking an aircraft's systems? In 2016, the US Department of Homeland Security conducted a hacking exercise. They were able to penetrate the system of a passenger plane without insider help or being on board.”
“Is it not better to adjust the grace period so the prisoner receives the punishment during his incarceration, rather than extend his sentence? It is understood that such prisoners often have a grace period and their sentences are backdated, so there is no time to deal the punishment while they serve their sentence. However, durations of appeal can prolong the process, such that 21 days may not even be adequate. Mdm Deputy Speaker, in conclusion, I have met Yio Chu Kang residents at my Meet-the-People sessions who are ex-offenders. Employment and job search are top pain points for these residents. Wariness from employers, discrimination from the public and a lack of suitable skills are the key hurdles. The expanded EmPS would address some of these issues. For it to be more effective and benefit more former inmates, it needs to attract genuine employers – employers who are keen to help ex-offenders and at the same time, employ them to grow their businesses. This can be done with a proper framework that formalises their obligations and access to support from SPS. It should clarify the prohibitions of participants under the EmPS, which would serve as deterrence and give employers added assurance of good behaviour. It should also take into consideration concerns from the public and minimise prejudice to give inmates a chance to prove themselves. As we onboard more eligible employers and workplaces, I am hopeful that this will help increase the acceptance of ex-offenders into our society. I support the Bill.”
“Do they include serious offences already set out in the Second Schedule of the Prisons Act (Cap 247) like drug trafficking, culpable homicide not amounting to murder, or sexual offences and other violent crimes? I understand that all eligible inmates will be assessed by SPS for their suitability for the programme. There will be an independent advisory committee appointed by MHA to review the cases and make recommendations to the Commissioner. I believe that the eligible candidates would have proven themselves worthy. Nonetheless, can the Ministry assure the public that there is no risk of the inmate offending or causing harm while on EmPS? What steps will the Ministry take to mitigate such risks? Sometimes, a person’s discrimination against others can stem from past trauma. For example, a former victim of sexual assault with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may feel unsafe to spend time in the same space as a convicted sex offender. This fear should be taken into consideration. This further drives the point of the difficulty and necessity to balance the needs of the public. De-identifying EmPS participants gives them a fair chance at rehabilitation, to prove themselves without societal stigma. Correspondingly, how will the Ministry seek to protect the needs of victims of crime and to navigate situations whereby halfway through the EmPS, a co-worker or classmate rejects the presence of the participating inmate? Mdm Deputy Speaker, my last suggestion is to review the grace period for an inmate to receive punishment while servicing their sentence. Can the Ministry share how many cases of deferment to conduct punishments have occurred in the past?”
“I am glad that the Bill has drawn up very detailed conditions of the employment preparation order. With regards to clause 59M (2), the prohibitions in the said clause do not expressly mention vice activities, aside from drugs and alcohol. As a matter of deterrence, besides including the residual discretion of the Commissioner of Prisons to include conditions as the Commissioner deemed fit, it should be explicitly stated what participants are prohibited from doing. This is because some employers worry about vice and problematic behaviour, such as gangsterism and gambling among ex-offenders. This is especially if the participant inmates were formerly convicted of the said crimes. Having this clause will help allay their concerns. This is not to stigmatise the inmates, but to provide clarity and assurance to all involved parties. Mdm Deputy Speaker, my third point is about allaying concerns from the public and minimising stigma from EmPS participants. While Singaporeans in general approve of second chances for ex-offenders who are rehabilitated, the "Not in my back yard" syndrome, or NIMBY, can be apparent in this case. Whilst some agree on the need to train and rehabilitate ex-offenders into society, that does not necessarily translate into willingness of oneself to attend classes or work in the same workplace with them. So, I seek clarification on whether participating inmates will attend classes together with the public? If so, will there be ways to remove identifiers associated with the participating inmates, such as not requiring the wearing of prison attire, or wearing electronic tracking devices at a spot where it is not visible? Can the Government also clarify on the types of inmates who are eligible for EmPS?”
“Can employers count on our programme administrators for clear regulations and reliable support? Support can also come in the form of training for employers and managers on working with ex-offenders. Ex-offenders tend to carry emotional baggage and carry a stigma. Some believe that they are constantly being judged. Unpleasant events, like being criticised by their supervisor or customer, can trigger adverse reactions or discourage them. Employers should have timely access to support from prison counsellors to help with such situations. Employers who abuse the system or refuse to abide by the regulations are a potential concern. There are always errant employers who exploit the schemes. They may join the programme to benefit from the grants or positive publicity. On the flip side, they may not have a proper training plan or work arrangement for the participant. A first poor employment experience can be disheartening for inmates. It deprives them of a valuable integration opportunity. So, there should be regulations and penalties for errant employers. Can the Ministry also clarify whether remuneration for inmates will be managed by SPS? Or will remuneration be paid by the employers to the prisoner directly? Does SPS allocate the upskilling and training opportunities, or do the eligible participants have to source for the opportunities themselves? Are there plans to engage more employers to come onboard? With the expansion of the programme, how will the additional costs and resources be defrayed? Mdm Deputy Speaker, my second point is to request that prohibitions for EmPS participants be clearly specified. For EmPS to be successful, exemplary discipline of the participant inmate is important.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, employment is a critical part of an ex-offender’s integration journey into society. As such, The Employment Preparation Scheme (EmPS) is a step in the right direction. Besides rehabilitating them, it also helps to raise inmates’ employability, in line with our national upskilling endeavours. This new pool of trained employees will help to alleviate manpower shortages. I would like to raise four suggestions. First, Mdm Deputy Speaker, there is the need to ensure participation from genuine employers for the programme to succeed. Potential employers should meet certain conditions, or provide a specific training plan and remuneration schedule to the Singapore Prison Service, or SPS. Will there also be an appropriate industry body that accredits and matches potential employers? Ideally, these employers should meet relevant criteria or have a track record for rehabilitating and hiring ex-offenders. On the other hand, if the demands and requirements imposed on potential employers are too onerous, employers are unlikely to take part. It is important to establish a balance between the interests of employers and the participating ex-offenders. New Zealand’s Release to Work Programme requires potential employers to satisfy a set of criteria, before they can be considered for placement with inmates undergoing rehabilitation. A myriad of factors will be taken into account, to ensure a good match between the workplace and the employee. Briefings and ongoing support for employers and staff are provided before and during the placement. Will the Ministry or SPS likewise conduct similar placement assessments? Besides the employers, are the employees aware that they will be working with an inmate?”
“I thank the Minister of State for her reply. I have a similar supplementary question. I note that the Ministry does not want to impose rigidity in workplace arrangements. Can I ask what are the plans for the Ministry to enhance or update existing legislation like the Employment Act, Occupational Safety and Health Act, Work Injury Compensation Act and so on, to cover work-from-home situations and essentially, to cover the home as a workplace?”
“Would the amendments to the tax administration scheme require any action on their part? Can the Ministry clarify whether this tax is already incorporated into the costs that they incurred from obtaining the selling rights and tickets from Singapore Pools? How will this affect them, especially with regard to their earnings? Third, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, how much more revenue does IRAS project to earn, following the implementation of the Bill? Lastly, we need to be mindful of the costs involved as a result of the Bill changes. A concern is that costs may be wasted on applications for assessment, reassessment of liability and appeals, based on similar facts from earlier cases. Furthermore, decisions and appeals made publicly available may allow appellants to discern whether to appeal, if the said appellants are made aware of previous decisions and facts hitherto. As such, will information of the appeals and decisions by the Commissioner or the Minister be published and made publicly available? The Bill is silent as to the costs against assessment, reassessment of liability and appeal. In this connection, would cost consequence against the taxable person be necessary to prevent frivolous applications? Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, all these queries notwithstanding, I support the Bill.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Gambling Duties Bill is introduced with the intention of improving the consistency of tax administration and enforcement across gambling-related taxes. With the unprecedented roll-out of various assistance schemes, free vaccination drives and increased healthcare burden amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, many Singaporeans have come to acknowledge the importance of having adequate Government revenue and savings in our reserves. There is also greater scrutiny of the Government's fiscal policies on how monies are spent and on the sources of income. Detailed bookkeeping is, thus, paramount. It helps to minimise discrepancies and misappropriation of funds. It is part of good governance. I appreciate the details on short levying, erroneous funding and overpayment in the various sections, as well as the recovering and refunding of shortfalls. I have four queries on the Bill. First, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, will the active detection and enforcement of actions against underpayments and other discrepancies require significantly more manpower and resources? How will the Ministry ensure that IRAS is able to cope with the additional responsibilities? How does IRAS fulfil the complex requirements of bookkeeping and following up with discrepancies? Are there plans to deploy smart technology to support their operations? If so, are there safeguards to ensure that such information will only be used for the purposes of collection of gambling duties and that the data is not compromised? Second, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, how will this Bill affect Singapore Sweep retailers and vendors? My main concern is for the small-time vendors and franchisees who sell Big Sweep and lottery tickets in the heartlands.”
“Their children would enjoy a healthy childhood under their co-parenting. While it is meaningless to trap people in unhappy marriages, we must continue to encourage the preservation of healthy and happy marriages. Pre-marital counselling is, currently, widely practised and accepted. The next step is to normalise marital counselling and encourage couples to seek professional help at the early onset of problems. This is all a part of improving communication and strengthening relationships. We must set aside the necessary resources to achieve this. I support the Bill.”
“The focus should be on the couple themselves, separate from assets and children. Interactions with the couple during the counselling session would enable professionals to develop a comprehensive assessment on both parties' attitudes and whether there is hope for reconciliation. If, indeed, there is not, they can proceed with counselling on how to move on with childcare, asset division and other implications related to divorce. Couples in a hostile relationship could greatly benefit from professional counselling that is targeted at improving their mental and emotional well-being. With a healthy mindset, both parties can then work together to seek fairer outcomes from the dissolution of marriage and move on with their lives. In conclusion, Mr Speaker, Sir, the implementation of a no-fault divorce must be accompanied by policies and processes to facilitate the amicable parting of ways. This is with the aim of reversing the breakdown or making the process less acrimonious for all, especially the children, if a dissolution is inevitable. I know of a Mr A who was in an unhappy marriage with his wife. They had attended marriage counselling but to no avail. As such, they are looking forward to the passing of the new no-fault divorce law so that they can divorce civilly and move on, without waiting for another three years. They have children and hope to co-parent them but have some disagreements over shared custody as well as the allocation of assets and resources. They have no wish to take the matter to Court. They agreed that some form of pre-divorce counselling to help them navigate the financial and emotional implications of their decisions would be helpful. With appropriate guidance, the estranged couple would, hopefully, come to an agreement.”
“As we expand outreach and improve our family and marriage support services, the demand for resources will grow. Do we have sufficiently trained professionals to cater to a projected growing demand? What is the average waiting time to seek family counselling under MSF and to get follow-up appointments? Is there remedial action if the couple does not attend subsequent counselling sessions? Mr Speaker, Sir, my last point is on ensuring continued and improved counselling support for parties in acrimonious marriages and contested divorces. I wish to propose that the Government consider extending mandatory counselling to pre-divorce couples. Under existing policies, there is a mandatory parenting programme for couples with children under 21 years old. In Sweden, a couple filing for divorce may obtain family advice to resolve cohabitation conflicts and, conceivably, avoid divorce. Should divorce be inevitable, the family advice service would help to alleviate the conflict to make it possible for the parents to operate together in a parental role. This service is provided by the municipal and county councils, religious bodies and other private individuals. I would like to propose for pre-divorce counselling sessions to apply even for couples without children. The mandatory parenting programme, presently, only applies when there is a child from the marriage. It will be beneficial for every couple, with or without children, to go for mandatory pre-divorce counselling before they can file for a no-fault divorce. This is to establish that, indeed, the reasons leading to divorce were untenable but mutually agreed – that no one would be held accountable for the divorce. Pre-divorce counselling sessions should involve professionals in relationship and marriage matters.”
“Thus, I urge the Government to share more details about the assessment process. Will it involve professionals in family affairs, such as marriage counsellors, therapists, mediators as well as social workers who work with family and children? How long would the process take from the time that divorce is filed until there is a conclusion? Can the couple appeal if the Court rejects their request for a no-fault divorce? Mr Speaker, Sir, as with all problems, prevention is better than cure. If we can identify potential problems early, couples may be better prepared to deal with them and ameliorate any consequences. My suggestion is to normalise marriage counselling and make it more accessible to all. I am heartened that many religious leaders have expressed support to help strengthen marital ties and resolve marital disputes. MSF, likewise, provides free marital counselling. Last November, a new Strengthening Families Programme was launched, where 10 Family Service Centres will offer specialised services to address issues related to marriage, finances and parenting. That said, there remains a stigma among some that seeking counselling is a sign of failure. I have a resident who wanted to get marital counselling. However, her husband was of the opinion that her concerns are too trivial and that seeing a counsellor was embarrassing and deemed as a waste of time. Unfortunately, marital problems may be analogous to cancer. If your signs are not detected and addressed early and when they snowball, the situation becomes implacable or terminal. We must do more to destigmatise the shame and trivialisation often associated with marriage problems so that more would take a proactive approach to seek professional help.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, societal views on relationships and marriages change over time. As such, marriage and divorce laws ought to be updated accordingly. With the new no-fault divorce policy, we follow in the footsteps of countries like Australia, Canada, China and Sweden. England and Wales will also adopt this no-fault approach this coming April. This approach is increasingly advocated due to the widespread consensus that a contentious divorce has grave negative implications on children. In serious cases, it causes post-traumatic stress disorder. Subsequently, when no blame is ascribed, parties involved in the divorce can also move on with their lives. Despite its growing prevalence, no-fault divorce remains controversial. This is largely attributed to the common belief among naysayers that it will erode the sanctity of marriage and lead to a breakdown of the family unit. Considering this, I wish to raise three issues. First, Mr Speaker, Sir, the Government must ensure that the no-fault divorce policy will not be misconstrued as an easy way out of an unfulfilling marriage. Many Members today have spoken about this. The Ministry has also shared about the safeguards in place to prevent this from happening. Marriage is a blissful time. When vows are exchanged, couples look forward to spending the rest of their lives with their partners. Couples in Singapore must commit to marriage for at least three years before any sort of divorce is allowed, barring exceptional circumstances. For at least one party in a marriage to consider divorce, especially when there are children in the picture, it may signify that there were irreconcilable differences. Whether this is factual, the Court's assessment of the relationship and further intervention would come in handy.”
“Mr Speaker, I thank the Ministers and the Senior Minister of State for their replies. My supplementary question is for Senior Minister of State Janil Puthucheary. Some young children may have undetected medical conditions and, especially allergies, if their parents do not send them for non-mandatory medical reviews. As such, I wish to ask whether MOH would advise all young children to undergo a medical review before going ahead with the COVID-19 vaccination. This is similar to how some adults with underlying medical conditions are advised to get clearance from the doctor in the early stages of the vaccination drive.”
“I, therefore, urge the Government to provide some support to the lower-income groups, micro businesses and entrepreneurs like Mdm K and her family who may be significantly affected by the changes, if the tax is passed to them. This policy is also an opportunity for our local businesses to innovate, in the face of a globalised world. If local businesses are unable to improve their offerings and customer experience, they can expect our residents to continue shopping overseas. Our competition is the world. If we do not innovate, we will stagnate. Finally, implementation is policy. We must ensure that the relevant agencies are well-equipped to handle the additional workload and customer enquiries. The policies must be well-enforced, with adequate information made accessible to the public, lest they become loopholes to be exploited for dishonesty and fraud. I support the Bill. 6.58 pm”
“Are these second-hand items still subjected to GST taxation a second time? It is also not unheard of that some foreign retailers would allow customers to under-declare the value of their purchases to evade taxes, or to reduce the amount of tax payment due. How will the Government police these? Mdm Deputy Speaker, my last point is on the implementation for media sales. Many firms now employ gig workers from overseas or outsource to provide remote services like designing programmes or media pieces. Such services are difficult to apply a quantum to and are easy to evade. As such, many of these services could be under-declared or not declared at all, to avoid GST. In addition, many of these small firms may neither have a turnover of $1 million nor are GST-registered. Will these firms – which may be acting as an underlying supplier or re-deliverer – be liable for reverse charge, if the services provided are below $400? If reverse charge still applies to these firms, can they still pass these additional costs to the consumers? In conclusion, Mdm Deputy Speaker, taxing all imports is necessary as e-commerce grows globally. Nevertheless, the Government should provide some support to lower-income groups who are impacted by such taxes. In Yio Chu Kang, I recall meeting Mdm K during a house visit, who was a homemaker looking after three kids. Her husband, who is the sole breadwinner, is a delivery driver and does not earn a lot. Mdm K supplements her family income by importing children’s story books, toiletries and cosmetics from China and Korea, which are either cheaper or not available in Singapore. These items do not cost a lot. And Mdm K brings in items in small amounts.”
“In the case of New Zealand, their Inland Revenue would monitor for non-complying retailers. Under international agreements, it can request counterparts in some countries to collect tax on its behalf or assess and pursue unpaid tax through a retailer’s national courts. Is this an option that we would pursue? Or will the burden then irrevocably fall on the customer as a reverse charge? In addition, similar to Member Saktiandi Supaat's earlier point, how will consumers be made aware about whether their payment at the point of purchase already includes GST? And will they be told that they have to pay additional GST to collect their parcel in Singapore? SingPost has recently switched to an online cashless system for collecting GST on packages valued above $400. The new policy would see a significant rise in the number of packages due for GST payment. This could also provide opportunities for scams. Unscrupulous merchants may leverage on this to cheat consumers into paying them a sum to retrieve their purchase. Parcel clearance scams, where callers masquerade as customs officers asking for payment to retrieve a parcel, have not been uncommon even before this. It is thus imperative to educate consumers on when and where GST is to be paid and the official payment platforms to do so. I would expect that SingPost or other online delivery platforms would be well-equipped by then to address more queries concerning GST payments on their parcels. How will the Government keep track of all parcels coming into Singapore and their GST payment status? Some packages may contain purchases from small businesses, or gifts from family and friends. Some may not come with invoices. Second-hand items like those from eBay, may have had their GST paid when the items were first bought.”