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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“There may be a disproportionately large number of low- versus high-value transactions. As such, the Government may require disproportionately more resources to ensure that individuals comply with the new GST regulations. How will the Government ensure that there are adequate resources to enforce the new policies in an efficient manner? Will more personnel be hired to handle the additional workload at IRAS? In light of the additional cost to ensure compliance, has any study been done to weigh up the cost of compliance, including prosecution of GST evasion, and the potential tax revenue that may be generated? With the new law, individuals are subjected to taxation or reverse charge. Is IRAS ready for the potential increase in enforcement action when this comes into play? As for businesses, local GST is imposed on all GST-registered companies in Singapore. They collect GST from the customers or absorb it. And the collective amount is paid to the Government. Will foreign retailers who wish to sell to the Singapore market be GST-registered? How will the Government engage these foreign businesses and provide them with the relevant legislative and administrative material, so that they have sufficient time to understand and apply the new practices? Perhaps this ties in with my above point on compliance. There are foreign companies with a large online shopping presence in Singapore, such as Amazon, Taobao and Lazada. These companies allow smaller third-party companies to sell on their platform. Have the relevant stakeholders engaged these companies to collaboratively resolve the issue of compliance? What if the foreign retailer withholds GST payment? How will the Government deal with overseas companies who fail to comply with our GST regulations?”
“If the savings on purchasing foreign imports are reduced, this could diminish the attraction of overseas purchases, thereby encouraging more Singaporeans to support local businesses. Nevertheless, why do Singaporeans shop from overseas sites? According to a survey, eight in 10 local respondents shared that the main reason was the overall lower cost of procuring goods and services from foreign sites. The second reason was the wider variety of international brands’ products and the lack of availability from local retailers. If Singaporeans cannot find their preferred brand, services or shopping experience locally, the imposition of the GST will do little to shift their buying behaviour towards local businesses. As such, local businesses must not be lulled into a false sense of security, thinking that they can rest on their laurels and become complacent with the perceived decreased competition from foreign markets. They must continue to innovate, use business analytics to understand their customers’ needs, establish global partnerships and bring in products that are in high demand. The Government must continue to encourage and support our local businesses to compete globally by embarking on digitalisation and by getting onto these online retail platforms. In this connection, perhaps the additional tax revenue from the imposition of GST can be funnelled to support the globalisation efforts of local businesses. Mdm Deputy Speaker, my third point is on the need to tackle implementation challenges that come with the new taxation policies. With more companies and individuals obliged to comply with the new GST regime, compliance costs will, therefore, increase. What is the estimated number of low-value transactions in a year?”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, cross-border spending constitutes a key component of our e-commerce market. This is projected to reach $8 billion in 2025. As such, it is important to ensure that our tax policies are reviewed and revised accordingly. The decision to impose taxes on all imports by air or post will help to level the playing field for our local retailers. It will also help to supplement the increased Government spending in the upcoming years. I would like to share my thoughts on four issues. First, Mdm Deputy Speaker, we need to provide more support for lower-income households. I am concerned that imposing GST on all incoming overseas goods will lead to an increased burden on these residents. Has the Government done research or sought feedback on how foreign online retailers intend to handle this tax increase? Will it be absorbed? If not, how much of it will be passed on to the consumers? As this new Bill mainly impacts individual buyers, the additional tax will be a heavier burden for our lower- to middle-income families. This will be compounded by the impact of the GST hike that is likely to be implemented in the next few years. Are there further measures on top of the existing Assurance Package and GST vouchers to mitigate the impact on them? Or can the quantum of these initiatives be increased to help families, given this new change? Will it be possible to utilise the Assurance Package or GST vouchers to cover online purchases, too? Second, Mdm Deputy Speaker, we need to continue to encourage our local retailers to compete globally. Compared to many of their overseas competitors, which have large economies of scale, SMEs are disadvantaged, as they often have to pay high rental and labour costs.”
“He works in an office and does not believe his workload should be reduced or changed because of his age. The difference in attitudes between both seniors is a reminder that there is no one-size-fits-all policy. As a progressive society that strives for a senior-friendly workforce, we must avail more employment options so that seniors like Mdm A would not have to choose between working full-time and leaving the workforce completely. Meanwhile, seniors like Mr B, should be able to contribute their fullest potential to the workforce for as long as they wish. This would be facilitated by raising the R&R ages. Their fears and anxieties about age discrimination are valid. We must continue to engage employers, with the goal of eradicating ageism. Employers, too, must communicate with their employees to understand their wishes and to bring out the best in their senior workers. Finally, as our workforce becomes older and more age-diverse, we need to encourage Singaporeans to continue working and to contribute meaningfully to society for as long as possible. We need to keep the support structures and the assurance that they will receive their CPF payouts. Retirement should not become a problem but, rather, a milestone to look forward to. I support the Bills.”
“I am pleased to note that redesigning jobs at the workplace is among the Tripartite Workgroup on Older Workers recommendations. Can the Minister share more details about this? Specifically, whether there is a specific timeline for the expected progress and what can employees expect from the redesigned jobs? Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, my last point is on CPF payouts and contributions. Many of my senior residents are concerned about the impact of raising the retirement age on CPF payouts and Silver Support. They worry that if the retirement age was to go up further, so, too, will the CPF withdrawal age and Silver Support Scheme eligibility age. This worries the lower-income residents, who have less confidence in achieving the Basic Retirement Sum (BRS) by 65. Will the Government increase the BRS? The current recommendations only mentioned the BRS until 2022. What will it be in 2023 and beyond? Furthermore, what are the Government’s plans to assist lower-income Singaporeans to achieve the BRS? In conclusion, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, raising the R&R ages must be accompanied by policies and mindset changes. This is to support Singaporeans to stay in the workforce for as long as they desire. In Yio Chu Kang, I spoke to two residents, both 62 years old and currently employed. Mdm A would consider putting off retirement plans, if her working hours can be reduced. She wants to spend more time with her family and her grandchildren and pursue her interest in calligraphy. The additional income from her part-time work would supplement her retirement savings. On the other hand, another resident, Mr B, wants to continue working full-time to accumulate more retirement funds. He is concerned that his employer would not re-employ him on the same terms as before.”
“The decision to raise the retirement age to 63 was deferred once because of COVID-19. How can we ensure that the plans to raise the R&R ages will not be affected yet again? As many companies will look to the Government to take reference, what is the timeline for the Civil Service to implement the raise? Furthermore, what is next beyond 70 years old? Will we raise the ages again? Or will we abolish the retirement age altogether? A number of countries, including Australia, Canada, the UK and the US, have no mandatory retirement age, with exceptions made for certain professions. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, my next point is on the impact of COVID-19 on workforce transformation. This has an impact on the R&R framework. One such change is the acceptance of flexible working hours and arrangements. Some seniors may choose to work less or work from home more, because they want to spend their retirement years with their family or to pursue their own interests. Others may no longer be fit to work long hours at a stretch, but are still willing to contribute. We should capitalise on workforce transformation to encourage and support employees who have job-sharing and flexible working hours as part of their re-employment options. Have such workforce changes been taken into account for the R&R framework revision? The pandemic has posed a threat to senior workers in some ways. Some elderly frontline workers have resigned from their jobs as they were afraid to contract COVID-19. We have to press on to leverage more on technology to redesign jobs, so that they are less labour-intensive and can be done remotely. This will increase job inclusiveness, so they can be done with reduced risks and lower demands physically or mentally.”
“Correspondingly, older employees are perceived by employers to be more expensive. Last year, middle-aged and senior residents who have lost their jobs would tell me that they were more than willing to accept a pay cut for their new job. However, prospective employers have assumed otherwise, simply because of their age. The mindset that a wage system is necessarily based on age needs to be phased out. This is especially so in this era, where we expect to change careers multiple times in a lifetime. When we start a new job in a different industry with fewer responsibilities and relevant skills, we, generally, do not expect to command a similar salary to our previous job. Likewise, if a re-employment contract stipulates fewer job responsibilities, it is fair for the salary and benefits to be reduced correspondingly. Basically, we should pay an employee based on his worth. On the other hand, changing someone’s responsibilities without consulting them in advance may result in unnecessary misunderstandings and misconceptions. Companies should be upfront and discuss such issues with employees who are due for re-employment and ask about their plans and aspirations moving forward. The employee should also be consulted on his or her ability to cope with the demands of the position. If the company would like to offer the employee a different role, clarifying their intentions would go a long way to reduce misgivings and increase retention rates. There must be a way to implement and promote these conversations for all our employers. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, my third point pertains to the timeline for raising the retirement age. The timeline from now until 2030 appears to be unnecessarily prolonged. Many things can happen in 10 years.”
“One Yio Chu Kang resident who was in a managerial position shared that he was asked to relinquish his position so that the company could groom a younger employee to take over. He thought this was a fair intention but he expected to take on a mentorship role. Instead, they offered him an entry-level position that was completely unrelated to his previous job scope, skill set and interest. Feeling insulted, he decided to resign and accept the Employment Assistance Payment (EAP). It was worth noting that his HR manager did not even ask why he rejected the re-employment offer. When re-employment does not work out, getting a new job after 62 can be a tall order due to the misconceived notion that older employees are less productive, amongst other things. In a February 2020 survey on ageism in the workplace, older workers were stereotypically ranked lower in alertness, ambition, productivity and so on. They were ranked higher in susceptibility to accidents and resistance to innovation and change. These findings are not true across the board. They can severely dampen seniors' employability. Such beliefs may likewise ingrain ageism. They may lead seniors to sense that age, by default, limits opportunities. This stiffens their morale and desire to retrain or upskill for career advancement. It is interesting to note that a highlight of the MOM Labour Force Report 2020 was the increased number of discouraged workers concentrated in older residents. If employers do not change their mindsets, we will lose precious human capital. Second, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, both employers and employees need to adjust their mindsets and expectations about re-employment. Many companies still use a seniority-based wage system, translating to the belief that wages should rise annually.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, our workforce is ageing rapidly. There is an urgency to review our retirement and re-employment, or R&R, framework to prolong our workforce's longevity. This is important to drive economic activity. As our seniors live longer and healthier lives, their expectations for living standards will increase. Raising the R&R ages makes it possible for seniors to stay productive and enjoy greater financial independence. However, it is not uncommon to hear stories of seniors facing difficulties seeking employment in their silver years. I have five issues to raise. First, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, we must ensure that senior workers are employed in meaningful roles. These would be jobs that match their skill sets, experiences or interests. It is heartening to note that the employment rate of those aged 65 and above has increased from 27.6% in 2019 to 28.5% in 2020 despite a pandemic-ravaged economy. However, we need to go beyond numbers to get more insights into the employment landscape for seniors. Can the Minister share data on the types of professions and roles that seniors are employed in? How many were successfully re-employed in different sectors from their previous roles? How many were re-employed in the same sector but in different roles? From my conversations on the ground, I understand that many employees who have reach the retirement age are actually not re-employed. Others were constructively dismissed by employers who deliberately reduce their working hours, responsibilities and consequently, their salary and benefits without prior consultation. This indirectly pressurised the senior to leave on his own accord.”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State for the clarity about the COVID-19 situation in Singapore in the Ministerial Statement. Given that seniors, especially those who are not vaccinated, are most susceptible to severe illnesses due to COVID-19, can there be initiatives to identify, isolate and protect these seniors? And thus, if we can implement such measures to protect seniors in an effective way, is the Ministry prepared to consider loosening safe management measures for the rest of the population?”
“I recognise that the public and buyers of service may be uncomfortable with ex-offenders as private security guards, due to the perception that ex-offenders may recidivate. Be that as it may, if the industry further evolves and develops sub-specialties in roles, surely we can find positions for ex-offenders in the industry. These include appropriate roles that give them an opportunity to perform and show that they have reintegrated into society, without the perceived risk of putting a known thief to guard one's belongings. From there, they can further professionalise and assume greater responsibilities, having demonstrated that they have turned over a new leaf, perhaps through licensing and so on. In conclusion, Mdm Deputy Speaker, when we occasionally encounter a problem at work or in public places, one of our first instincts, besides calling the Police, is to approach the security officer for help. When a child goes missing in a mall, the parents would ask the security officer for help to look for the child. When one encounters a stalker, they head immediately to the nearest security officer for protection. It is ironic that despite our reliance on security officers for safety, they command little respect and recognition for their work. This must change. Our security officers must have more protection, more training and we must prevent haphazard designation of work that is unrelated to their job. I support the Bill.”
“Beyond the abovementioned issues, many security officers have to work up to 12 hours a day for six days a week to alleviate a persistent manpower crunch. The long hours and lack of rest time make the job unappealing, which only perpetuates the problem. I hope the Bill will introduce regulations to make it explicitly illegal for security officers to be tasked with extra work beyond the agreed job scope. But it takes more than laws to eradicate the undesirable mentality that such workers are at the beck and call of the privileged who engage their services. We must continue to address this problem through multiple angles. This includes drawing awareness to the problem through education and by enforcing stiff penalties against those who abuse their positions of power towards the vulnerable. Mdm Deputy Speaker, my last point is on granting reformed ex-offenders the chance to qualify for security jobs. A few residents shared with me about their distresses with job hunting at my Meet-the-People Sessions. They were keen to be security officers, given the high demand for such jobs. They were willing to attend the necessary courses to obtain the relevant skills. However, because they have a criminal record, they have had difficulties obtaining a security officer licence. Can the Ministry clarify whether a criminal record automatically disqualifies one from working in the security industry? This information is not immediately clear from the Security Officer Licence application website. However, past media reports suggest that this is indeed the case. While security is an industry that requires a high amount of integrity and trust, writing someone off for having a criminal record seems to run contrary to our advocacy for giving second chances and for the Yellow Ribbon initiative.”
“Self-defence training should be recommended and made accessible for those who are in the security industry or planning to join it. These courses should be tailored to different age groups. This is because the age demographic in the industry is varied, with youngsters in their 20s to elderly in their 60s. Those in a front-facing role should also receive training on communication skills. These skills should focus on managing disputes with residents and de-escalating conflicts. In this regard, would such training and skillsets be made mandatory in subsidiary legislations or guidelines? How does the Government plan to work with the industry to further professionalise the sector and provide pathways for progression? Expectations will be increased. However, these skillsets are transferable and will serve security officers well if they wish to explore other roles or to take on greater responsibilities in the sector. Third, Mdm Deputy Speaker, security officers are often ordered to do things that are beyond their job scope and they rarely receive remuneration for it. A resident of mine who is a security officer in a condominium told me that he has been asked to drop off the mail or food delivery, water the plants or even clean up messes when the cleaner is not available. Whilst some security officers do so out of goodwill, it should not be a given. Not only is this unfair, it is also dangerous. They are called away from their focus of security work. In the meantime, there is no one around to cover for them. Although they can lodge a complaint to MOM, I have been informed that some employers tend to side with the residents. Lodging a complaint may also threaten the officer's job security, so most would rather accept the extra work.”
“To address these concerns, one suggestion is for body cameras to be considered if the security guard works in a location where he is susceptible to higher risks of abuse, patrolling alone or out of range of nearby closed-circuit television (CCTVs). The body camera proposal is not just beneficial for the wearer. Section 17 of POHA states that the burden remains on the prosecution to prove the offence is beyond a reasonable doubt and disprove a defence raised based on a balance of probabilities. However, whether the accused's choice of words and tone can be interpreted as abuse is subjective. Moreover, prior provocation may have occurred to lead to their choice of words and tone. There has been feedback that some security officers are rude. There are usually two sides to every story. The truth usually lies somewhere in the middle. The body camera can help to even the odds. It can shed some objective light into where truth may lie. If harassment of security officers falls under this Act, the burden of proof falls on the accused to justify their word choice and behaviour. Likewise, without witnesses and audio-visual proof, it will be difficult to prove their innocence. Yet, in the eyes of the law, an accused is innocent until proven otherwise or beyond reasonable doubt. The onus should be on the plaintiff, in this case, the security guard, to provide the evidence of harassment or abuse. In this case, the evidence would come from the officer's body camera. It is indisputable evidence that is up for evaluation by the Court, rather than personal interpretation. Second, Mdm Deputy Speaker, security officers must be equipped with the necessary skills to protect themselves and to react appropriately when faced with aggression.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, a number of my Yio Chu Kang residents are security officers. Security officers play an unsung but important role in our society. We sleep soundly at night, knowing that with their vigilance, we are safe and that our property is protected. Yet, security officers are not safe from abuse. Many Members have spoken about this today. Nearly a third of security officers have experienced abuse on the job, a 30% surge over the past two years. We cannot claim to be a gracious and kind society if our workers are going into work expecting that it is unfortunate but normal to be insulted, threatened or even assaulted on the job. We need to improve protection and welfare of our security officers. I would like to highlight four issues. First, Mdm Deputy Speaker, we must be able to deter harassment by ensuring effective means to capture concrete evidence. The Bill introduces definitions to the offences that constitute the types of harassment and abuse faced by security officers. This is a good initiative. However, without a witness or closed-circuit camera in the vicinity, harassment and verbal abuse can be difficult to prove. The high-profile case of a condominium resident verbally abusing a security guard last year came to light only because it was caught on video and then circulated. Many other security officers would suffer in silence. Similar to the point made earlier by Member Joan Pereira, I urge the Government to consider recommending or requiring security guards to wear a body camera. Notwithstanding, we must account for the need to balance the provision of adequate protection with the challenges of ensuring data privacy, as well as managing rising costs in the industry.”
“Without further protection, whistle-blowers will still be reluctant to come forward. In conclusion, Mdm Deputy Speaker, the past two years have been difficult for our local businesses. Many continue to struggle to stay afloat to provide jobs for Singaporeans and to move our economy. They should be the target of our support schemes and tax exemptions to help them tide over these difficult times. The Government is also running a tight ship with increased demands and expenses, exacerbated by the pandemic. A poorly timed GST hike would lead to reduced consumer activity, which in turn hurts businesses. Additional prudence must be exercised. This is to ensure that the assistance offered is, as John Maynard Keynes put it wisely and succinctly, targeted, timely and temporary. I support the Bill.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, my last point is that I support the introduction of whistle-blowing protection in clause 50 of the ITA and the related tax statutes. This is consistent with the Cybersecurity Act 2018, as what the Minister has said, and the Regulation of Imports and Exports Regulations (RIER). This also helps to prevent unscrupulous companies from manipulating the provisions, a point I made earlier. In practice, it is difficult to detect corporate crime like money laundering and fraud. It does not mean that this does not exist. Corporate crime exists in Singapore. We have seen recent high profile cases involving Hin Leong and the fraudulent Envy nickel trading scheme. Whistle-blower protection is key to good corporate governance. It allows employees who want to do the right thing to speak up, alert the authorities and limit damage before it becomes too late. The fallout can be enormous and damaging. Hence, the introduction of whistle-blower protection in tax statutes is welcomed. Will the Government introduce similar provisions to other statutes concerned with corporate crime? Will the Government also consider enhancing the current whistle-blower protection clauses to prohibit corporations from retaliating against whistle-blowers? The current provision only protects informers from being identified in proceedings. However, it does not stop a company who is aware of a whistle-blower complaint, from initiating a witch-hunt to flush out the whistle-blower. The company may also place pressure on the whistle-blower, for example, by threatening to derail his career. Protection of a whistle-blower’s identity in the context of proceedings is scant reassurance, when they could still be retaliated against in other forms.”
“Beyond tax exemptions, further support can be given in the form of mentorships and consultations, to guide businesses to tap on the existing relevant support schemes. Mdm Deputy Speaker, my third point is that the impending GST hike, originally planned to take place between 2022 and 2025, will come sooner than later, to make up for this loss in tax revenue. I have spoken about this before in my earlier speeches. Understandably, the GST hike was announced before the pandemic and there were plans to implement measures to cushion the impact on the lower- and middle-income groups. However, residents have expressed the sentiment that the GST hike should only be implemented after the job market stabilises, hopefully, in the short to medium term. This is especially so as we brace ourselves for overall increases in the cost of living over the next few years. Fourth, Mdm Deputy Speaker, there must be increased vigilance against unscrupulous companies who may manipulate the provisions. In the past two years, we have seen how some errant employers either tried to make money off the Jobs Support Scheme by falsifying CPF contributions, or asked employees to return part of their monthly wage in cash. Some would also split wages across business entities to circumvent the salary ceiling. What are the methods of auditing to prevent such acts from happening? Moreover, how would IRAS determine the validity of declared expenses to ensure that they are not frivolous, or worse, fictitious? This is relevant, especially in reference to clause 7 of section 13ZA, which relates to the exemption of certain payments received, in connection with COVID-19 events.”
“For instance, companies that have had to invest in R&R works to pivot their business, or to fulfil safe management requirements owing to the pandemic, should be the intended recipients of this tax exemption. On the other hand, there are also companies that have clearly expanded and are thriving due to the pandemic: delivery companies and online office solutions come to mind. There must be a way to differentiate between the former and latter type of companies, as the latter are not the intended recipients of these tax exemptions. These companies should indeed be applauded but they should be assisted through other schemes and grants that we already have in place which reward companies that are expanding or hiring more employees. As for tax exemptions on the design of packaging for overseas markets, I understand that this is meant to support internationalisation efforts. However, we should be promoting green and sustainable packaging, in line with the global call for more sustainability efforts. It would appear contradictory to our long-term goals of reducing waste in packaging, if companies can get subsidised for extravagant packaging. Let us not forget that the recently introduced Mandatory Packaging Reporting Framework under the Resource Sustainability Act, which was intended to help companies reduce packaging use, had also hit roadblocks due to COVID-19. I would propose a more targeted approach to identify relevant sectors and businesses for specific tax rebates. This is not to make things difficult for businesses, but to be judicious in providing rebates. Support schemes should remain sustainable. This is to continue providing the necessary assistance to businesses and workers for as long as needed.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, many businesses continue to struggle during this pandemic period. I support the provisions and exemptions to reduce some of their overheads. Nevertheless, I would like to highlight five issues. First, Mdm Deputy Speaker, I am concerned about ensuring adequate revenue streams from the loss of income tax due to the exemptions. The Government has already had to dip into reserves twice to fund the COVID-19 package. Through the Government’s prudent planning and reallocation of resources, we are assured that we do not need to expect to tap on the reserves anytime soon. Yet, it is apparent that the costs to deal with the economic effects of the pandemic are rising. In these trying times, it seems that the Government would continue to fund the bulk of the COVID-19-related healthcare expenses for as long as possible. With reduced tax revenues, how does the Government ensure that the expenses remain sustainable? What is the projected loss in revenue from the proposed provisions and tax exemptions? Mdm Deputy Speaker, related to the above, my second point is on ensuring that the tax exemptions for businesses meet their intended purpose of providing a lifeline to struggling businesses. These exemptions should remain sustainable, in case they have to be extended in light of the persistent uncertainty of COVID-19. Businesses have been accorded a litany of support measures to tap on, from the JSS to rental waivers, training grants and schemes, and so on. Do we really need to further exempt in areas that companies are supposed to strategise and exercise prudence on, as part of running a business? I am referring specifically to packaging, provision of doubtful debts and diminution in value of investments and renovations.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I thank the Minister for his reply. I have two supplementary questions. The first pertains to Question No 10. It is important that our workforce is equipped with the necessary skillsets to deal with the structural changes in our economy, post-COVID-19. How does the Ministry check whether these training and employment assistance are fit for purpose, ensuring that there are right workers equipped with the right skills in the right sectors? And what will be the KPIs for tracking outcomes for success? My second supplementary question pertains to Question No 12. In terms of plans and strategies for our workforce and companies, can the Ministry share in greater details: (a) what is insufficient today and what must change; (b) what must our workforce and companies aspire to do; and (c) when these plans must be firmed up to prepare for the opening of our economy?”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. And I thank the Minister and the Senior Minister of State for their replies. I have two supplementary questions. The first pertains to Question No 2. The COVIDsitrep website is a good initiative in terms of communications. I wish to ask whether the Ministry is prepared to consider a benchmark such as the probability and death rate of getting the seasonal flu and dengue fever versus getting COVID-19, in our public communications. This will help allay fears and contextualise the likelihood of getting COVID-19. My next supplementary question pertains to Question No 12. In monitoring the COVID-19 situation in Singapore, I wish to ask the Ministry what the next trigger points that MOH is worried about. And given the R-naught (R0) indicator, we can roughly predict when they will occur. As such, how does MOH intend to communicate both the trigger points as well as the time horizon to the public? This will give the public and industries sufficient lead time and early warning to adjust to new measures.”
“Thank you, Mdm Deputy Speaker. I thank the Senior Minister of State for his response. I have one supplementary question. How would the Ministry help companies that are locked into forward contracts with their customers, like those in the construction sector, to bear the additional cost of the LQS requirement?”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Senior Minister of State for his reply. We read that the UK will be offering the COVID-19 vaccination to older children from 12 to 15 as soon as next week. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may also authorise the use of the Pfizer vaccine for younger children from ages five to 11 by the end of the year. When can we expect approval to be given in Singapore for our children to receive the vaccine and for what ages?”
“I did a check in the Hansard. Issues relating to construction noise have been consistently brought up in Parliament on several occasions over the past 10 years, despite ongoing reviews to manage disamenities. Instead of having discrete and piecemeal recommendations, we need a multifaceted and holistic approach to tackle noise pollution. As mentioned in my speech, these include better feedback management, promoting greater public awareness of no-work days and having stronger guidelines on surveillance systems. We should also have greater clarity on the type of construction projects covered under the new amendments and have more enforcement bite. I believe that these suggestions working together as a system, will make a difference on the ground. I support the Bill.”
“The legislation ought to have a clearer definition on the projects it applies to. This could be determined by the project scale or some other measurable criteria, such as the amount of noise pollution emitted or the number of residents that would be impacted. Once the types of project sites are identified, we should also incrementally move towards having mandatory sound and dust-proof barriers for all these work sites. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, my last point is on imposing heavier penalties on construction companies that breach the no-work rule. For many Singaporeans, Sundays and public holidays are the only days in a week when they can take a break and recharge. Loud noise over prolonged periods triggers anxiety and stress. This is exacerbated by work-from-home arrangements during this pandemic period. Also, noise monitoring should not be limited to volume alone, but also frequency. Having mediated for community disputes among neighbours previously, some arising from construction noise, I can attest first-hand to the impact of unwanted noise on one’s mental well-being. Currently, there is a proposed penalty of a composition sum of $5,000 for construction sites that break the no-work rule for the first time. Subsequent offences lead to a Court summons with a maximum fine of $40,000. If we are to meaningfully address noise pollution as a threat to public health and not just as a mere annoyance, would these penalties be too light? As a more effective deterrent, violation of the no-work regulation ought to bear heavier consequences on the contractor’s ability to succeed at the next tender bid. We should also require such offences to be highlighted, when they next bid for projects. In conclusion, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, noise pollution is a real issue on the ground.”
“With the COVID-19-related delays, I expect that more projects would seek permission to work on weekends. Therefore, there needs to be more awareness and better understanding of the regulations. This is to avoid wasting residents' time and Government's resources to manage redundant feedback. Third, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, we need to ensure that video surveillance support remains sustainable and effective. Can NEA provide a rough estimate on the cost of installation and maintenance of video surveillance equipment? One of the common reasons worksites contravene no-work days is because they are racing against a deadline and budget. So, my concern is if quality video surveillance equipment is costly to install and maintain, they may have some challenges setting it up within the stipulated timeline. Some errant contractors may even try to cut corners. Moreover, as technology becomes increasingly sophisticated, we are observing a rise in digital capabilities to tamper with video equipment to create false content. How will NEA ensure that the equipment would not be tampered with, to present a fallacious impression? Fourth, Mr Deputy Speaker, we need greater clarity on the type of construction projects covered under the new amendments. Besides construction sites, I would like to seek clarification as to whether it also covers other projects that generate noise and other possible disruptions. Are small scale infrastructure developments in the housing estates like the building of covered linkways by the Town Council, piping works by PUB, or road works by LTA covered as well? What about home renovations for HDB and condominium apartments, as well as additions and alterations for houses in landed estates?”
“The relevant authorities should ensure that clear service standards are in place as to when replies must be provided. It should also be mandatory to provide advance notice to residents living within a 150-metre radius from the construction site. This could be in the form of information on display boards, as well as flyers distributed to nearby blocks. NEA should also consider using Municipal Services Office (MSO)'s OneService app to push out notifications to residents living near construction sites. This will give ample time to residents, whether it is to facilitate alternative arrangements, or to find ways to mitigate the noise. Contact details for the contractor and the relevant NEA feedback channels must also be clear and visible to residents. On my rounds, I noticed that the display of contact details was not uniform for all sites. Some constructions sites display their contact details and project information on a large board. However, for certain works, especially smaller-scale ones, the information is not always immediately visible. Some residents can therefore be surprised to see a barricaded project site appear, out of the blue. They do not know what it was for and do not know who to ask. I hope the Ministry can standardise the format and requirements for displaying relevant information and communication channels. Second, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, there needs to be more public education with regards to no-work days. Work is allowed on weekends for projects that meet certain criteria. Nevertheless, the ground reality is that this is not publicly known. As such, members of public would lodge a complaint when they see construction works during the weekends, despite the works being permitted by NEA.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is timely to rein in the emission of pollutants such as gases and noise. This is pertinent in densely populated Singapore, where there are many concurrent ongoing construction activities, with some at close proximity to residential areas. This is especially pronounced in Yio Chu Kang. There are construction works going on for the North-South Corridor and the new Thomson-East Coast Line. New BTO flats and private estate projects are being built in Yio Chu Kang. There are also existing upgrading works, for instance, at Mayflower Primary School. While I am happy to see such developments, many are taking place simultaneously. The effects of accumulated noise and dust can be vexing to residents. Furthermore, many projects have been extended due to COVID-19. I have received many feedback on noise pollution at my Meet-the-People Sessions (MPS). In my speech, I will focus on managing noise from construction sites. First, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, we should have better feedback management systems for residents to provide feedback on such matters. I support the new requirement for construction sites who have contravened the no-work rule on Sundays and public holidays to install electronic video surveillance systems. Over the years, authorities have increasingly leveraged on technology to monitor noise levels at construction sites. However, feedback from residents in the vicinity remains important, as they are personally impacted and may have practical concerns. As such, there should be dedicated feedback channels for residents to relay their concerns to the contractor. There should also be clear escalation protocols to NEA as the regulator, should problems remain unresolved, despite the initial feedback to the contractor.”
“In conclusion, Mr Speaker, Sir, protecting intellectual property is critical for innovation, which, in turn, is critical for Singapore to thrive as a knowledge-based economy. Job losses as a result of the pandemic saw many more Singaporeans setting up their home businesses or freelancing. Many would promote their creations and portfolios on social media, from music to visual content, source codes and so on. It is timely that we update the copyright laws accordingly. As mentioned in my speech, our copyright laws should not merely protect the rights of creatives to commercialise and prevent exploitation of their work. It should also respect the work of creatives. This will encourage more Singaporeans to share their creative works and inspire others, knowing that it is respected and protected by law. I support the Bill.”
“Besides mediation, there should be other mechanisms, such as tribunals and so on, that could be set up to hear such disputes. My other concern is whether these laws would have any impact, if the copyright infringement is committed by individuals or organisations overseas. This is likely to be increasingly widespread due to the borderless nature of the Internet. Mr Speaker, Sir, my last point is on the permitted sharing and copying of materials provided by the Public Service. This is for the purpose of facilitating public interest. Fake news moves very quickly these days. It is reassuring to know that we can simply forward an infographic from the Government's social media accounts to debunk myths, without fear of legal repercussions. Many of my Yio Chu Kang residents, especially seniors, do not enjoy reading walls of texts. As such, simple-to-understand infographics and digital pamphlets from the various Government websites, are very much appreciated. The agencies' logos on the materials save us the trouble from having to determine the legitimacy of the source. While the Bill states that the materials can be copied, I wish to clarify whether such materials can be incorporated into an existing publication, like a pamphlet that also contains other content. In essence, can contents from different sources be combined, without the need to seek permission? I recalled previously that a grassroots volunteer wanted to produce a community event flyer that would also contain information on social distancing and mask wearing. He was unsure whether it would be legal to copy the contents from the MOH website. In the end, he abandoned the idea. Can the Minister provide some clarification on this?”
“It is a perpetual challenge for young content creators, especially those who are just starting out, to protect their works from companies preying on their inexperience. As such, there must be effective and affordable means of enforcement for such matters. Granting and recognising rights is one thing. But it is meaningless if creatives are unable to effectively enforce their rights in an affordable manner and to seek recourse. Mediation is probably one cost-effective way to deal with such matters. Having volunteered as a mediator in MinLaw's Community Mediation Centre, I am an advocate for mediation before litigation. I have witnessed many disputes due to a misunderstanding or a lack of awareness. Many people are intimidated by the idea of Court proceedings. Hence, mediation is always a more approachable and affordable means for problem-solving. I note that the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) offers mediation as a formal route to settle copyright disputes. Even so, the costs can be hefty for a freelancer just starting out. The cheapest option appears to be an administrative fee of $50 per party and a mediator fee of $500 per party for a four-hour session. That, alone, may exceed the cost of a brand logo design. The victim may feel that the cost, time and effort to go through mediation are not worthwhile in pursuing the matter. With the rise in independent content creation, it is timely to consider a separate mediation route that is more affordable and streamlined. The goal is to make mediation more accessible to independent gig economy workers. Furthermore, if any copyright infringement has been found, the guilty party should be made to bear the entire mediation costs.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, while granting creatives the right to be identified is a positive step forward, my next point is that the Copyright Bill should grant creatives due recognition and protect their right to commercialise their work. With the challenging employment landscape, more young Singaporeans are turning to freelance content creation, with the hope of eventually turning it into a career. The proliferation of e-commerce has led to a surge in demand for digital marketing services and consequently, visual content. The gig economy has provided increased opportunities for graphic designers and content creators to work on projects and earn an income. This is not only within Singapore, but also from an international market. But to do so reliably, they must be able to defend the intellectual rights to their concepts and creations, as well as to guard against unscrupulous people who may plagiarise their contents. Otherwise, how can they expect to be fairly renumerated, if their creations and ideas can be copied and used by others without repercussions? Without such safeguards, such gig economy content creators may no longer find it worthwhile to create unique content. Consequently, we may lose such local talent. I know of a young designer who had once pitched a logo design to a company. Eventually, the company did not engage his services. But when the company revealed their logo design, he found that it bore great resemblance to the design that he had created. He was convinced they had misappropriated his design and merely altered it slightly. However, he thought it would be too troublesome and costly to take legal action. He also lacked confidence in achieving a successful outcome, as he did not copyright his design. His story is not unique.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I support the Government's move to strengthen copyright laws. I will touch on three points in my speech. My first point is on creating a culture that attributes creators. This is shown in the amendment which allows schools and students to use freely available resources from the Internet. These are for educational purposes, if they acknowledge the source and cite the access date. During home-based learning, some teachers face challenges with producing compelling learning content for their students. As the Internet is a gold mine of educational content, it is sensible to tap on it. This should come without encumbering teachers with the onerous requirement of getting consent, as long as the content is readily available for use. Students will, in turn, be reminded to discern the legitimacy of online sources, as well as to reference them in their assignments, when they see their teachers properly quoting their sources. The right to be identified and the mandatory acknowledgement of sources will help to cultivate a culture that recognises creators. Starting young also helps to inculcate the right habits of referencing and the value of honesty as they progress academically. Teachers can also inculcate the right referencing styles and the use of reference management programmes, especially as our youth become more tech-savvy. As assignments become more complex, students increasingly use online resources for their projects. Such skills will guard against plagiarism and ingrain the right values. Can the Government share on efforts to build up this culture in our schools?”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. My question is for the Second Minister for Finance. Would the Minister require all the remedial and recovery action that is to be reported to AGO be presented to Parliament when completed, to give public closure to these lapses and violations?”
“We only have one dental school in Singapore, in NUS. On the other hand, we have three medical schools in Singapore: the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, the Duke-NUS Medical School and the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine at NTU. Can we attract more foreign specialised universities to set up dental schools together with our universities? Is it possible for NUS to increase its intake? In this way, many of the students need not go overseas for their training. This would, in a way, reduce the number of returning overseas dental graduates. In conclusion, Mr Deputy Speaker, I appreciate that the overall aim is to get more dentists to practise in Singapore and, at the same time, uphold the quality of practitioners. We all know dentistry is more than just extracting a tooth or doing an implant. Dentists are essential in maintaining oral health in our population, especially for our seniors. Moreover, good oral health can make a difference. It allows one to eat well, speak well and age well. Last but not least, it keeps that smile going. Sir, I support the Bill.”
“Hence, the training of aspiring dentists is not just a four-year programme. Many who cannot get enrolled into NUS have gone overseas to pursue their studies. I have two suggestions. First, Mr Deputy Speaker, we need to better align the professional qualifications for our dentists. It is important to have more competent and well-trained dentists in Singapore. However, we should ensure that there is alignment in accrediting and consistency in our dentists’ professional skills. This is because they may come from a variety of foreign universities. Nevertheless, why is it that while their universities are listed in the approved Schedule, yet there is now a move requiring graduates from these universities to take a qualifying exam (QE) when there was none previously from the many years before? Has there been a change in the quality of graduates from some of the universities? The amendments to the Dental Registration Bill make the QE mandatory for all foreign-trained dental graduates with qualifications in the Schedule as well. Can the Minister clarify why the Ministry does not just refine the list of approved universities in the Schedule, to remove the universities that do not produce graduates on par with local graduates, instead of imposing a QE? Similarly, what is the timeline for the implementation of this QE? Will the current students who have already been enrolled in these foreign universities be made to undergo a QE when they choose to return to Singapore to practise? There may be some anxieties that existing Singaporean dentistry students in overseas universities will be affected. Second, Mr Deputy Speaker, the Government should consider opening up the intake for dentistry in Singapore without compromising the enrolment standards.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, dental health is important, as oral diseases affect people throughout their lifetime. Although these diseases are less likely to cause death, they can pose significant morbidity. We need more dentists to meet Singapore’s oral health needs, especially in the public sector. Indeed, with an ageing population, the demand for dental services are not only increasing, but also changing due to more complex dental needs of elderly patients. I see many seniors in my constituency who require dental care. For example, a resident, Mr Tan, told me that he had never visited a dentist in his life. It was only after participating in Project Silver Screen and seeking dental care at a mobile dental clinic deployed at Yio Chu Kang CC that he discovered that he needed dental implants. Indeed, the importance of dental care rises in old age. Cultivating good oral hygiene habits reduces the chances of dental and other health issues in the future. Among advanced economies, the top three countries with the largest ratio of dentists per 10,000 population are Sweden, Norway and Spain, based on the latest data available in 2018. Sweden's ratio of dentists per 10,000 population stands at 17.9, Norway’s is 8.7 and Spain's is 8.1. In Singapore, there were about 4.1 dentists per 10,000 residents. The discrepancy is significant. So, we need to up our number of dentists in Singapore. Mr Deputy Speaker, there are many Singaporeans who want to do dentistry. However, enrolment is very competitive, because the spaces in NUS are limited. Every year, there are between 50 and 60 dentistry graduates from NUS. From there, some stay in general dentistry or specialise. These range from orthodontics, prosthodontics, paediatric dentistry and so on.”
“We should have actual conversations with parents to find out if these measures have boosted their confidence to grow their family in Singapore. These measures would be useful to assess if the initiatives have truly translated into family-friendly work environments. In conclusion, Mr Deputy Speaker, I appreciate that the Government is extending cash benefits and employment leave benefits to a wider group of parents. As a father of five myself, this issue concerns me personally. I am aware that many fathers do not take paternity leave. In 2019, only 45% of all fathers took paternity leave. As such, the amendments to the Government-Paid Paternity Benefit (GPPB) will be welcomed. It will spur employers to support more fathers to spend time with their families. Likewise, we hope that fathers will actively take up these entitlements to spend time with their children, as they go through their formative years. Nothing should be more important than being there for one's kids when it matters most. Mr Deputy Speaker, I support the Bill.”
“They are in greater need. I also wish to request that support for parents with stillborn children be extended to those who have suffered a miscarriage or other pregnancy loss. While some employers may not be compassionate enough to allow them to take bereavement leave, suffering a miscarriage is not quite the same as losing a family member to external circumstances. We should acknowledge and empathise that a miscarriage is a devastating life event, which can take a significant toll on one's physical and emotional well-being. Second, Mr Deputy Speaker, with more parents and, in turn, employers becoming eligible for the leave benefits, are they required to apply for the grants or will the process be automated? If manual application is required, can the Ministry share about the application and approval process? Can the platforms to apply and to check on applications be made digital and seamless? For a start, I think applicants should not be required to produce the supporting documents, as the relevant information on employees' marital status, number of children and so on should be available in the Government database. The hassle may be off-putting for employers. It is also an unnecessary inconvenience for the officers processing the applications. Lastly, Mr Deputy Speaker, as with all new and enhanced initiatives involving finances, there must be effective means to monitor how well they are working. Can the Government share how we intend to measure success for this initiative? What are the KPIs to determine whether more parents are benefiting from family-friendly policies at the workplace? Are we looking beyond the amount of reimbursements issued and leave granted? I hope we can go beyond counting the figures.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, families with young children have been profoundly affected by the pandemic. Many have to juggle with work-from-home arrangements and, at the same time, help their children with home-based learning. For others, they may have been made redundant or experienced a drop in income. The Bill amendments reflect that the Government is aware of parenting challenges during this difficult period. I will touch on three issues in my speech. First, Mr Deputy Speaker, the Government should consider extending the benefits to single parents, including those who are unwed, separated or divorced. Many Members have also proposed this. It would not be a stretch to say that single parents are the hardest hit during the pandemic. They have to juggle managing their children, their jobs and everything else, with little to no support without a spouse. Even if they qualify for maintenance fees, it is a perpetual challenge for some to claim these fees, which involves going to Court each time. At recruitment interviews, their marital status and caregiving arrangements are a perpetual concern for interviewers. They also do not have sufficient childcare leave or someone else to share the burden. A resident of mine, a single mother of one child, told me that she has been unemployed for two years. This was because she has been unable to find an employer who would accommodate her need to fulfill her caregiving duties. Although single parents from low-income households may tap on financial assistance, the application and renewal processes are reportedly tedious. Regardless of their circumstances, these children are Singapore Citizens. They are our future. I hope that the Government can accord the same benefits eligible to conventional families to the single-parent families.”
“We are currently having the largest Budget deficit in our history despite the best efforts to manage the Budget judiciously. All these points to an impetus to bring forward the imminent GST hike, which is scheduled to be implemented between 2022 and 2025. Nobody likes to pay increased prices, especially in this climate. But as the Government's expenditure goes up, with new support measures announced and extended, I am sure the GST hike has been looming in everyone's minds. However, given the current circumstances, perhaps the Government should consider pushing back the GST hike for a few years. Even the traditional arguments for hiking GST and then providing rebates to the people worst affected may not be salient in a crisis like today. If there is a need to raise money, perhaps the Government should consider raising other taxes within reason. This could be more acceptable to the general public once the economy stabilises. In conclusion, Mdm Deputy Speaker, the strong discipline and sense of responsibility among Singaporeans have brought us through this pandemic. The Government should be more flexible and sensitive when imposing rental and fee increases, including the GST hike. The Government should also streamline support measures for individuals and small businesses, especially to make it simple for them to utilise. Keep it simple, keep it useful. In doing so, I am confident that the people and the Government can weather all storms together. I stand in support of the Supplementary Budget.”
“Despite this multitude of assistance and with our economy faring better than last year, an annual survey report published in February revealed that 81% of more than 400 SMEs surveyed in the fourth quarter last year do not expect their businesses to grow this year. Thirty-nine percent are even expecting to cut manpower. Although 95% of SMEs are aware of the pandemic support packages, only 61% took them up. It is a shame that there is such a huge wealth of resources to support our local businesses and yet they are not put to use. Businesses' feedback is that there are simply too many schemes. Businesses are, hence, not sure how or which one they are eligible for. Has the Government done further analysis and engaged our SMEs to find out why the businesses are not participating? Can the schemes be further streamlined and repackaged so that companies do not have to deal with multiple applications for different schemes? Can we match eligible businesses to the right schemes and connect with these businesses to provide the necessary advice? One solution is for the SME support to be delivered as packages instead of in a modular format today. The packages can be tailored for specific industries. The application process should also be digitalised end-to-end and be a seamless click through. In doing so, there might be a need to not only adjust the generosity of the packages but to simplify the packages that will enable and incentivise more SME businesses to get access to the support. Mdm Deputy Speaker, my last point is on the impending GST increase. Even as we look forward to a full re-opening of the economy, the Government will continue to incur many expenses to keep our businesses and individuals abreast with the evolving pandemic situation.”
“NEA has made a number of exceptions in light of the pandemic, including subsidising table cleaning and dishwashing services. Could the rental revision not have waited at least until after the restrictions have been relaxed for a period of time? A rent increase is still an increase, regardless of how small and no matter how few would be affected. This whole episode exemplified a seeming disconnect between the public and policymakers. I hope, in future, when similar issues arise, agencies can exercise more flexibility and sensitivity when imposing rental and fee increases. This is with the aim of ensuring that such a situation does not occur again. Perhaps the Ministries in charge of the Statutory Boards and agencies should play a stronger gatekeeping role. They should make sure that such fee increases proposed by their agencies are approved before they are allowed to be implemented. Mdm Deputy Speaker, my next point is to streamline and simplify the huge gamut of support measures for SMEs, which can be overwhelming. I am glad that the focus of the Supplementary Budget is on SMEs. A significant amount of money is going to the SMEs in the form of the extended Jobs Support Scheme, rental reliefs, the extension of the Temporary Bridging Loan Programme and the Enhanced Enterprise Financing Scheme – Trade Loan. Besides these, there are still many financing schemes under Enterprise Singapore to tap on. It is literally an alphabet soup of schemes. There are 10 grants alone under Enterprise Singapore and this does not include loans, tax incentives, investments, mentorships and so on.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, the events of the past few weeks, with large clusters forming, have demonstrated the importance of staying vigilant and adaptable. I thank the Minister for the continued support measures. I wish to touch on three specific issues. First, the Government should be cognisant of the current situation when deciding on increasing rental and fee charges. We know that one group that has been badly affected is the hawkers and the market stallholders. When dining-in was suspended earlier, some hawkers faced the possibility of closing down for good. Some have probably already done so. Our current dine-in restrictions affect our hawkers and their incomes significantly. Our hawker culture is important to us. It is our national asset. It is an integral part of our Singapore identity and recognised on the UNESCO Heritage List. Hawkers offer dishes rich in local flavours at affordable prices. This is pertinent in these economically uncertain times. Can the Government do more to help our hawkers, especially those who would really like to continue but lack the financial means to do so? Is there any ongoing effort to reach out to those on the verge of closing down and giving up their licences? I would like to circle back to the recently announced increase in rental fee charges. While calls to help hawkers hit badly by the re-imposed restrictions were circulating, news about NEA increasing hawker stall rents made its rounds. It appeared to be ill-timed and devoid of sensitivity and empathy. Many members of the public spoke up on behalf of the hawkers. They expressed disappointment and dismay with the move. The subsequent response also came across as lacking in compassion.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for his response. How can commuters on our buses and trains provide feedback if they experience difficulty maintaining a distance of one metre from other passengers or if passengers talk among themselves or on their phones, despite repeated reminders from the announcements? How should operators manage such feedback?”
“OPG should also have a central hotline to provide support for all the GPs and SSAs. LPA consultations should be made more accessible in various languages and dialects. Likewise, the new online LPA service should be made available in four languages. Extending this further, we should take a whole-of-Government approach for outreach and awareness. Offer LPAs to everyone who is above 30 years old, like CareShield Life. We should start early because the risks of stroke and dementia are higher as we age. MSF should also work with CPF Board to see whether we can incorporate the process of reviewing one's nomination for CPF as well as LPA. In conclusion, Mr Speaker, Sir, the LPA is a critical legal document. Whilst moving towards making the LPA process through OPGO more convenient is in the right direction, we need to make sure safeguards are in place and encourage greater outreach and awareness. This will benefit all Singaporeans. Mr Speaker, Sir, I support the Bill.”
“Under PAP Seniors Group, we will be rolling out LPA awareness talks to the public, encouraging more people, especially younger Singaporeans, to make their own LPA. I wish to circle back to a point I made when I spoke on the Electronics Transaction (Amendment) Bill earlier this year. Digitisation is merely an enabler. We should review the fundamentals of the LPA application process to ensure that is user centric. Although the LPA is for adults above the age of 21, statistically, elderly Singaporeans are more vulnerable to mental incapacitation. We should, therefore, continue to focus our efforts on seniors. Advanced Care Planning, or ACP, is a critical component of ageing. The LPA may be important in ensuring that ACP is properly implemented in tandem. Unlike the ACP, which is non-binding, an LPA is a legal document that appoints donees. Should one have already made an LPA, it would be ideal and advisable for one's donee and the nominated healthcare spokesperson to be the same person. This is to avoid possible disagreements when making healthcare decisions on one's behalf. I hope that the Government will look into incorporating ACP options into the LPA drafting process on the electronic system. MSF could work with MOH to encourage all general practitioners (GPs), especially those who are concurrently qualified CIs, to proactively provide packages of LPA and ACP to their patients. Both Ministries should also build an integrated process from the Social Service Agencies, or SSAs, to the healthcare institutions to encourage this effort. SSA officers should be trained to provide this service. In the hospitals and polyclinics, they should actively highlight LPA and ACP matters to their patients.”
“This is in the scenario if there is suspicion that fraud or undue pressure was used to induce a donor from making an LPA or appoint a particular person to be his or her donee. Beyond this, another suggestion would be to make it mandatory for donees to notify the OPG of their intention to exercise their authority before doing so. This is to better protect donors from abuse. Requiring the donee to notify the OPG can act as a road bump to make some potential abusers think twice. Checks and processes could also be added to look into cases where a Singaporean with living blood-related family members decides to appoint an unrelated person as his donee. There were 21,000 LPAs registered in 2020. Currently, 90% of donees are immediate family members. Still, that leaves 10% of them, or about 2,100 donors in 2020 alone, who have unrelated donees. According to the recent population census, more people are choosing to remain single. Some married couples are opting to go childless. As such, we will likely see more Singaporeans choosing unrelated donees due to the lack of younger relations to count on. Having such checks may prevent fraud incidents like the high-profile Mdm Chung's case in 2016, who appointed an unrelated former tour guide from China as a donee. The 2020 edition of LPA Form 1 requires the donor to specify the relationship of the donee to the donor. This helps to alert the OPG should an unrelated donee be appointed. Hence, OPG should institute precautions when such unrelated donees are appointed, especially when LPA applications involve vulnerable groups. Lastly, Mr Speaker, Sir, we should do more with regard to awareness and outreach to make sure more residents know about this important process.”
“This will be useful for residents who may have suffered from a stroke and have difficulty signing physical documents, or those who are illiterate among our elderly. Next, Mr Speaker, Sir, along with increased convenience, we need to make sure that there are sufficient safeguards in place. With digitisation, a growing concern is the rising trend of data leaks. In this case, we are looking at potential leaks of highly personal information. It could leave donors vulnerable to online fraud or blackmail. How will the Government safeguard our data in the event of a cybersecurity breach? How can donors be assured that they will not be left to their own devices to navigate the associated issues? Separately, there was public feedback for the OPG to assist healthcare professionals and providers to retrieve the LPA and donee's contact information in a timely and cost-efficient manner. Currently, healthcare practitioners may login via Singpass to the OPG's e-services portal to make a search request. The search results indicate whether the patient has made an LPA and the relevant details of the donee. As the LPA will now be digital, can an LPA be automatically updated on the National Electronic Health Record system? This is so that in the event that an LPA needs to be activated, the healthcare professional need not wait two working days and pay $20 just to know who to contact. I note that as part of the additional safeguards for donors, the Public Guardian may interview the donor. The Public Guardian may disclose to the donor the number of LPAs for which his or her prospective donee has already been appointed, or intends to be appointed.”