Zainudin Nordin
Singapore
“We may end up a burden to our future Government and our future generation, but it is necessary. We must do this and, at the same time, we should also make sure that there are enough resources in the future and safeguard and manage the Silver Support Scheme well.”
“They are worried that they would just simply lose their jobs upon reaching the age of 65. They are still alert and full of energy. These are real concerns of Singaporean workers. We should look longer into our Employment Act amendments and see how we can further take into consideration some of this feedback and take care of our workers.”
“Madam, I am very supportive of the Singaporean Core initiative. But on the other hand, I would just like to understand better if all these efforts of getting the EP are making the employers' job more onerous and more difficult, and whether there is a change in image about Singapore being a friendly country for investments, and also, in th…”
“Mdm Speaker, just a supplementary question. I agree with the Prime Minister on taking time and doing this properly. I would like to also reiterate the point that Mr Lee was a giant among the Pioneer leaders and I would not be wrong to say that he was much loved and respected by many.”
“Mdm Chair, for all the resources that the Government is investing in continuous education and training, more still needs to be done to instil a lifelong learning culture in the Singapore worker's psyche. So, I think SkillsFuture is a very promising initiative to encourage working adults to improve themselves.”
“A supplementary question, Mdm Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister if the recipients of the zakat donations are excluded from the regular assistance elsewhere, or can they also tap on the national schemes.”
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“It will have a different and enriched curriculum - special projects, research and programmes for their senior students that will be linked to university modules offered by NUS. Students will have access to NUS facilities and interact with NUS academics. They may even sit in on some university classes. Admission, which will be for next year, will be based on merit. The NUS High School will consider students on the basis of their academic performance, aptitude in science competitions and projects, and other special attributes. The next important change we have to introduce, as part of a more flexible and broad-based education system, is in school admissions. Dr Amy Khor, Dr Lily Neo and Mdm Halimah spoke of the need for a more flexible admission system. MOE agrees with this. We select students for secondary schools and JCs based on merit. However, the criteria for selection are quite narrowly defined. As Mdm Halimah has highlighted, they focus on single measures of academic merit - PSLE T-score for placement in secondary schools and 'O' level aggregate score (L1R5) for junior college admission. To achieve our objectives in our next phase of education, we will give schools greater flexibility in student admission, to allow them to recognise a more diverse range of intellectual achievements and other talents. By giving schools greater flexibility in how they select students, we will be reinforcing the changes that we have recently allowed in the university admission system - with NUS and NTU being able to admit up to 10% of their students on the basis of their own, independent criteria.”
“We have recently introduced more flexible criteria for admitting students to our universities, and will do the same for schools and junior colleges as I will elaborate on shortly. We will also revise the school ranking system to support and encourage schools in their efforts to provide an all-round education. We are able to make these changes because our education system is strong. The fundamentals are strong. It is, in fact, this confidence in the system that allows us to keep looking ahead, to review what we do, and make adjustments and changes in good time. Members are familiar with the new educational pathways that we are putting in place. Integrated Programmes, spanning secondary and JC education have been introduced in selected schools from this year, and a few more are coming onstream. Specialised independent schools are being established, in sports from this year, in Mathematics and Science from next year, the NUS High School, and as announced last week by Minister Lee Boon Yang, a School for the Arts from 2007. Alternative curricula and qualifications like the International Baccalaureate are now allowed in our schools. We will soon also allow for a few privately-funded secondary schools, which can provide their own models of education. Mr Inderjit Singh asked if access to the JCs offering the Integrated Programmes - these are the top JCs - would be reduced. The implementation of Integrated Programmes will not reduce access for deserving students to the top JCs. Their overall enrolment will remain close to existing levels. Mr Zainudin asked about the NUS High School. The School will provide a new type of programme to develop students with a special aptitude for Mathematics or the sciences.”
“We will be moving from a focus of quantity - in other words, on producing graduates of sufficient numbers from our various post-secondary institutions - to a focus on quality, from primary schools all the way up. We have introduced improvements and innovations in curriculum, and in the use of technology. We are moving towards single session primary schools, and smaller classes in the first two years of primary education, as announced in last year's COS debate. And we have made substantial improvements in the teaching service and school management. We have a well-trained teaching force, and a service that provides teachers and principals with considerable opportunities to develop themselves professionally and to occasionally retool and re-gear. More broadly, we have been moving in recent years towards a more flexible and broad-based education system. We are providing for more choices in schooling, and in the tertiary sector. We want to help students to develop themselves in diverse areas, in more varied intellectual pursuits as well as in sports and arts. We want to nurture students with all-round strengths, while providing space for those with special talents in a single area to go as far as they can. We are therefore moving towards a more flexible education system - new types of schools and programmes, alternative curricula, and more flexible or customised approaches to teaching students with different abilities. We are expanding university enrolment, providing the state-funded universities with greater autonomy, and opening up the sector to greater competition. We are also redoubling our efforts to provide students with a broad-based, holistic education, focused on more than examination performance.”
“Sir, the introduction of NUS High School is a positive development as it will help to enrich our education system. Together with the Singapore Sports School and the future of the Arts School, these are progressive steps that call for celebration. In this respect, Sir, may I ask the Minister to update the House on the NUS High School, its focus and objectives and, lastly, its enrolment criteria. Sir, the Singapore education landscape is changing rapidly. Parents and students alike are constantly bombarded with information and updates in bits and pieces of the latest changes and developments in our education system. I believe, as mentioned by Mdm Cynthia Phua, it is now timely for the Minister to give a consolidated summary of the sweeping changes that have taken place in the last few years. It will be useful for parents and students to digest and understand the impact of these changes in their lives. The Acting Minister for Education (Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam): I would like to thank Members for their views and suggestions in the debate so far on the MOE budget. I must admit that it was with a feeling of sublime joy that the Ministry received the news that there were 104 cuts on education this year. I hope Members will understand that it may not be possible for my colleagues and I to answer each and every point adequately. We will endeavour to respond to the main themes and to reply on specific questions where time permits. Sir, we have a robust education system. At each level and in each course, our students aim high. They do well, by any international reckoning. We have been repositioning the education system in recent years to help our young meet the challenges of a very different future, a much more competitive future.”
“Sir, while we are refining and making improvements to our education system, there are still concerns that our system is still putting emphasis on the high achievers and the academically inclined. We may be seen to have a system that promotes elitism in our education. Schools are recognised based on their ability to produce top students, not only in education but also to top the charts in the various sports events. The impressions are that these are the schools which would receive all the attention, all the special grants and privileges and be equipped with new buildings and sports facilities. Thus, it is with great joy that we see many schools being upgraded and improved for the benefit of our students. But, similarly, it is sad to observe that there are some or most of the special schools are still looking the same and remain stagnant in time. Recently, a Member complained that some of the schools look the same as they were in the 1950s. Sir, I would like to ask the Minister what are the plans that MOE has for other sectors of education, such as the Vocational Institutes and schools that cater to the mentally challenged, visually handicapped, hearing impaired and students with learning difficulties. Can MOE do more to assist these schools and improve their infrastructures and facilities? 4.00 pm Education Structure”
“Madam, I am happy with the efforts and the initiatives that are drawn by MUIS to enhance and improve the system and quality of religious education in Singapore. In my view, the changes and developments that are carried out by MUIS must be given support. I believe that this will bring positive rewards in the long run. Madam, we are also aware that more Malay students are going to institutions of higher learning and universities overseas, such as Egypt, Jordan, Malaysia and other places. In this rapidly changing and challenging environment that we are facing at present, we must understand that our students will be facing many challenges and issues in their lives as students. It is good if we can determine that these students are given the assistance and necessary guidance. I think MUIS can assist in setting up an association and a range of assistance for these students. Our students must be within this network so that it will be easy for them to get in touch with each other and MUIS. With this system, it will be easier for them to refer their problems and obtain assistance. I would like to ask the Minister what are the efforts and programmes that will be initiated by MUIS for Singapore students going overseas for their Islamic religiouseducation. If these efforts have been started, such as a secretariat for the development of students' resources, perhaps the Minister could explain the development and further efforts taken. Zakat”
“Sir, we recently visited the Sports School. For myself, I am very pleased with what I saw. There are many more new specialised schools coming our way, such as the NUS High School focusing on Mathematics and Science, the Arts School that was recently announced in the House by MITA. These are all positive steps that call for celebration.The educational landscape is changing quickly, perhaps too quickly to yield any immediate results. The infrastructure can be built overnight. On the other hand, building passion and changing mindsets will take a longer time. But I am delighted that what can be done now has been done, and that it is anattempt to create a conducive environment for sports talents. Support provided by the Government in terms of resources, facilities and training would most certainly help in harnessing Singaporean talents in our bid to create champions for Singapore. Thus, I am a bit concerned, as Mr Tan Soo Khoon has said, aboutthe cuts in the sports budget. Following what Mr Ng Ser Miang has said, I would also like to have an update in the House on the progress of some of the initiatives that were proposed in the COSS report. Whatnew plans and concepts, if any,are weexploring to achieve the vision of sports excellence, grow the local sports industry and nurture a sports culture in the community and the society?”
“Sir, often enough, we hear and read in the media criticisms and feedback about censorship in Singapore. But if we look closer and study the type of feedback about censorship, we will realise that the more vocal and louder voices that we hear are from people who want more freedom and openness. In the past few years, or maybe more, we have witnessed many relevant changes and a relaxation of the rules, and I am cheered by this development. Several of my former expatriate friends who had lived in Singapore in the 1980s, in their recent visits, observed that Singapore has evolved tremendously. They said that some of the things that are possible and doable now were non-existent before. They are quite impressed by the changes and the progress. However, recently, at a dialogue session, I recall a father who is concerned about the photographs of scantily-clad women on the advertisement billboards at bus-stops. He was worried that his young children are easily exposed to such images, which he felt are undesirable influences to the young. Therein lies my concern. In our eagerness to facilitate creativity and give more freedom and cater to the diverse tastes, choices and lifestyles, are we listening too much to the minority and loud critics? How then do we also, in our earnestness to be as inclusive as possible, manage the sensitivities of the silent majority who generally carry conservative views? Could the Minister also enlighten us on the role of the Board of Film Censors in the light of the recent comments in the media about the practice of censorship and the Censorship Review Committee's recommendations to shift towards greater choice for the individual and greater exercise of individual responsibility?”
“Sir, can I take both cuts together at the same time?”
“Sir, to follow up on what was said by the GPC Chairman, Mr Seng, I would like to add that we can see how a country like New Zealand is able to bring itself to world prominence in the movie industry. There is a lesson to learn from here. Several blockbusters in their pockets have helped tremendously develop their movie industry and the knock-on effect to the tourism industry as well. I not only hope that we have many Jack Neos, but from the result of the last movie that he has made, the award that he had won in Taiwan for the young girl, I think there is also possibility for Jack Neos of Singapore to conquer the world. In this respect, I would like to ask the Minister how we can leverage on the growing film industry in Asia Pacific. With key players like New Zealand emerging, can Singapore position itself to ride the wave and promote our local film industry, talents and also professionals? Media 21”
“This is due to the lack of follow-up programmes to engage these Singaporeans in e-services, especially the e-Government services. Sir, the Community Development Councils provide an effective outreach platform to encourage the participation of e-Government services. I hope that IDA will consider working with the CDCs to build a virtual community. To many working Singaporeans, IT skills have become a necessity for employability. Many working Singaporeans or job seekers are still lacking in IT skills, especially in the areas of office automation, work group and Internet applications. So we must step up efforts and train more office Singaporeans to be IT competent as early as possible. Sir, I wish to ask the Minister the following questions: (1) what targets have been set to develop an e-inclusive society in Singapore? (2) what are the plans of the Ministry to engage Singaporeans in e-Government services? (3) Can the Ministry consider providing ICT training for job seekers registered with the CDCs?”
“Sir, even without me informing the House, we are aware how rapid the world is changing, and I attribute a lot of this to the fact that we are living in a modern and technologically driven world, specifically the info-comm technology. Technology changes very fast, and sometimes I wonder how we can keep up. Recently as a member of the delegation of DPM's official visit to India, it was not a long one, what I saw has opened my eyes. I discovered with fascination and amazement the potential of this country. They have a pool of people, the skills and talent and naturally the hunger for knowledge and success. The IT professionals are making waves abroad and at home. This is a country that is challenged in terms of infrastructure development but it did not hinder them from exploiting technology to their advantage. I think we have a formidable challenge ahead of us. If we want to remain in the game and continue to have a share in the ICT industry I believe we can do it, but we must continue to build capabilities and develop our manpower. Though we may be small, we can produce high quality and capable ICT professionals. In this respect, may I ask the Minister what are the IDA’s strategy and plan to further develop manpower and further uplift the capabilities of Singapore ICT practitioners. Dr Teo Ho Pin: Sir, the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore has a vision to build a connected Singapore. It plans to get every Singaporean connected both locally and globally so as to build an e-inclusive society. As such, IDA has launched a number of initiatives to increase the IT literacy and IT skills of Singaporeans. Although over 200,000 Singaporeans have attended the national IT literacy programme, not many of them have been connected to the e-inclusive society.”
“If I may quote the poet and novelist Mary Ann Evans who wrote under the pen name George Eliot in the poem Romola in 1863: "Little children are still the symbols of the eternal marriage between love and duty." An all-out drive to encourage procreation without equally emphasising the accompanying responsibility of parenting is very dangerous. If a couple can financially afford to have a baby but cannot provide a nurturing environment for the child, should they still be encouraged to embark upon the journey of familyhood? Financial means alone does not guarantee a nurturing environment. Who will mould our children and ensure that they will grow up and become useful citizens that do us proud? Can money alone without time do the job? Can money and six months ensure a safe journey to adulthood? What happens to the children during the impressionable years? We need to be clear. We cannot afford the risk of undermining the important role of parenthood, de-sacralising something so sacred, the responsibility to the child as father and mother is great. First-time parents must be physically, psychologically and emotionally prepared and strong before embarking on this journey. Going back to the car analogy, since we need a licence to drive a car, maybe we need a licence to become parents too. And while you can always sell a car and scrap it, your children are yours forever. Our people must be made to understand. In conclusion, Sir, I shall end by saying that 2003 has made fighters out of us. We fought hard to survive, and the fight is not over yet. The difficulties have made us much stronger, that much wiser, that much bolder, and that much smarter. Our skin is a little bit thicker now. And, for that, I am grateful.”
“The theory is sound: remove the financial obstacle, create financial incentives and give rebates. Yet, what have we got to show for all of these after years of implementation of such schemes? Apart from the minor spike in 2000 for the year of the dragon, I think we have not improved the TFR. We are bothered by the plummeting birthrate of 36,000 last year, an all-time low since independence. It is serious. We need to - and I am borrowing a term from the papers - jump-start the system and achieve the goal of 50,000, as we were told. Till now, it has all been about figures and numbers. Could the current approach to this problem at hand reduce the subject of procreation to just that, ie, a birth rate that we are comfortable with? Therein lies my concern. Take the case of the car driver that I mentioned earlier. He or she needs to be above 18 years of age and go through rigorous lessons before taking a driving test. And unless and until he or she passes the test, then will the person be given a driver's licence. But, to be married and be a parent, it is much easier. If you are at the right age, then all you need is to go to the Registry of Marriages, get yourself registered and you are married as man and wife, ready to start a family. But what is there to teach these young couples the importance of parenthood and the responsibilities that come with it? We should not, in promoting young parenthood, go to the point where we solve a problem but create another in the process. Will the Government consider introducing a form of public education programme on the responsibilities of parenthood so that those who bear children will know that it is a lifelong commitment and they are mentally prepared for parenthood and not because of the incentives offered by the Government.”
“Often enough, I hear start-ups lament about the so-called assistance schemes that are cumbersome and tedious. And I am not only talking about the application aspect. I have not even mentioned about the conditions and constraints to be met after you are granted with some of this assistance. I sincerely hope that we can further improve the direct assistance to local start-ups and SMEs. Mr Speaker, Sir, I have observed with interest the debate on the birth rate. I am happy that we are seriously thnking about some of the unthinkable and turning every stone to try to drastically improve the TFR. I must say some of the proposals and ideas put forward by my colleagues before me are good and worthy of serious consideration. Thus, I would like to lend my voice to the call for more efforts to improve the total environment for babies and families. I will not be too ambitious to ask for a reduction in the maid levy, but I would at least ask the Government to remain status quo. Mr Speaker, Sir, I once heard someone tell me that, in Singapore, it is easier to have a baby than to own a car. When I asked him for the reasons, he said that to own a car, you must go through many tests to acquire a licence and, subsequently, buy a car at an exorbitant price and pay all sorts of taxes. Yet, if we were to ask most young couples what would be at the top of their wish list, I will not be surprised if owning a car or condominium would be ahead of having babies and starting a family. Mr Speaker, I agree that we do have a problem, and this problem is not new but it has become an acute one. Hence, our leaders do what they do best, ie, tackle a problem at its core, using means available to the Government.”
“The support for start-ups is no longer just for technology companies but encompass all other sectors. This is laudable. I can only hope more can be done in this area. There are many small firms and start-ups, not necessarily in the high-tech sector, which are in need of financial support. I encountered many in the course of my work, and they may have good business propositions and are prepared to venture, but their lack of financial resources has hindered their growth. Thus, this group of budding entrepreneurs will certainly welcome the Enterprise Investment Incentive, and I hope they will take the offer and move on successfully. The improvement to the access of funds and periodic tax exemption will go down well with the budding companies. But it is still not enough. I think the Government and its agencies can do more to provide assistance where it matters and has the most impact, ie, by reducing operational cost. I have also seen in recent years countries like China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Australia, Thailand, South Korea and many others starting up incubation centres and grooming their local entrepreneurs and talents. These incubation centres are growing like mushrooms in China and some of the countries that I have mentioned earlier. My observations had shown that both state and private sector are actively involved and working towards a common goal, that is, to ensure that these companies be the first to innovate and create. Are we doing enough for our entrepreneurs? If we are, can we do more to help them to compete? I sincerely believe we can. Just like what we are trying to do for the "baby" problem, we should also tackle this dearth of home-grown entrepreneur issues head-on. We need to put our money where our mouth is, so to speak, and really help.”
“As Deputy Prime Minister rightly put it, and I quote, "2003 was a tough year, but we emerged from it stronger" and, if I may add, we emerged from it wiser, smarter, it made us work a little bit harder, it made us learn a little bit faster, and it turned us into small fighters! The Budget for financial year 2004/2005 is in line with expectations. To avoid unnecessary spending is indeed the way forward. I hope this trickles down to the rest of the economy. Some sectors will definitely benefit from the budget policy more than others, such as the defence-related ones. Generally, the majority of the Ministries need to tighten their belts, with the exception of MINDEF. The allocation for defence is kept at up to 6% of the GDP in the Budget. I wish the same can be said for education. I completely concede that protecting Singapore's sovereignty and territorial integrity must be the leadership's prime concern at all times. However, having said that, I also feel that educating the nation contributes to total defence in the long term. Education is the best tool yet to mould any nation. It should be on par in terms of importance. It is my ardent hope that, in future, education will not experience a budget cut. If I may quote John Dewey, who lived from 1859 to 1952, psychologist, philosopher and thinker on education, whose writings and thinking have profound influences on education in the US: "Education is a social process ... Education is growth ... Education is not a preparation for life; education is life itself." Sir, I am also pleased that the current Technopreneur Investment Incentive is to be expanded to include all forms of start-ups, not just high-tech ones, and is renamed the Enterprise Investment Incentive.”
“One view is that companies producing goods that are more labour intensive will head for China while Singapore will attract companies that want to produce higher end goods, with more technology content. Hence, the need for our people to build the necessary competencies to attract such companies. However, Sir, Singaporeans must climb the knowledge and technological ladder quickly. Because it is only a matter of time before the others catch up. Even as my colleagues and I lament about the unemployment and slow job creations, we know that there are jobs out there that are not filled because the workers that were displaced could not fill these jobs. Clearly, there is mismatch. So I ask these questions. How is this Budget going to help? Are there clear strategy and schemes to help the unemployed? What are the tangible and concrete steps to retrain and re-profile our workforce? Mr Speaker, Sir, according to an OECD report recently, China ranks third after the US and Japan, in terms of R&D. This is quite alarming. Yes, the PRC has now leapfrogged ahead some of the developed and illustrious European nations, like Germany and France, in this respect. China is catching up rapidly, even in terms of so-called high-tech industries like computers, electronics and semiconductors. Clearly, we are losing the appeal that we once had. May I suggest that we take this opportunity of some positive development in the economic front to consolidate the position of Singapore and South East Asia. Thus, this year's Budget that some had touted as "pro-business" is welcomed. Looking back from where we are today, I can confidently say that we have demonstrated our resilience as a people.”
“Singapore is still ranked the second most competitive small economy by the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2003 and the sixth most competitive economy of the Global Competitiveness Report 2003-2004. Pleasantly surprised, the manufacturing and service sectors recovered from the Q2 slump of 2003. Since the containment of SARS in June, the services sector improved steadily. As for the manufacturing, a strong rebound in the US as well as the Japanese economy certainly helped. Nevertheless, Sir, not all is nice and rosy. The construction industry and the property market have been the worst performing sectors mainly due to the downsizing of the construction industry. We all know that the strong growth of property market in the 90s will not happen again in the near future. A good number of our citizens are now straddled with lifelong property loans and negative equity. I am seriously worried that this situation will have a long-term dampening effect and impact on our economy. So what can we do to ameliorate this situation? Many are still not aware of what hit them and from the MPS cases that I saw, many are badly affected by the slump in the property market. Sir, through difficult times our workers have discovered that they must be lifelong learners. They must constantly upgrade their skills and knowledge to stay relevant and employable in this rapidly changing world. The experience of the recent past has also taught them not to be picky, where jobs are concerned. Singapore is and will face challenges from fast growing economies of China and India. The threat from China and India is a real one.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to join in the debate on the Budget Statement delivered by DPM and the Minister for Finance. I hope to give my perspective and views on the matter. Last few years have truly tested the leadership of this nation and Singaporeans alike. It began with the economic debacle of 1997, from which we emerged somewhat unscathed. On hindsight, the Asian financial crisis was not as unnerving as SARS was, in terms of its impact on our economy and the morale of our people. SARS shook and jolted us as a nation. Year 2003 will always be remembered as the year where the security of our health was threatened. Thankfully, with our discipline and diligence, we managed to avoid a nationwide outbreak. We look forward to a better year in 2004 and it has started promisingly enough for us humans, but I could not say the same for the birds and chickens. Unemployment rates in Singapore rose to 5.9% in September 2003. This is partly due to the impact of SARS, which figures seem to indicate, contributed to nearly half of the decline in the GDP in the second quarter of 2003. On top of that, the war in Iraq set us back several steps. The war had a depressing effect on the consumer economy and investors' psychology. Simultaneously, on the home front, we had to deal with the threat of security and other tragedies that hit our nation. The general sentiment was one of gloom and doom. Fortunately, Singapore's economy grew faster than originally expected towards the last two quarters of 2003, expanding on a rebound from the SARS outbreak and the recovery in the global economy. The good news is that our economy grew by 1.1% in the year 2003, better than the initial estimates of about 0% or less. Generally, our reputation remained intact.”
“Mr Ng Ser Miang asked the Minister for Community Development and Sports (a) what is the progress on the planning and construction of the new sports hub; (b) when is this new sports hub expected to be completed; and (c) when will Singapore host the next South East Asian Games. Assoc. Prof. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: Sir, in 2002, my Ministry conducted a feasibility study on the sports hub project, primarily to determine its location, the facilities and capacity that would be required and the estimated project cost. In 2003, a more in-depth study was conducted to determine the size of the sports hub site and transport accessibility to the site. Besides the infrastructural requirements, it is also critical that there be a sound business model for the sports hub. My Ministry is currently studying the ownership and funding model and looking into the details of the business plan and operational model. We hope to complete the new sports hub by 2009 or 2010. Hosting of SEA Games is on a rotation basis. Based on the expected completion of the sports hub, the earliest that we can host the SEA Games would be in 2011. The host country for the 2011 SEA Games will only be decided in 2007.”
“Sir, may I ask the Minister what are other new programmes that MCDS will introduce to improve the overall sporting environment and also the sporting culture in Singapore? I would also like to ask the Minister how he intends to uplift the reputation and also the respectability view of the public towards our sportsmen in Singapore. Assoc. Prof. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: I think our sports champions are well-respected by Singaporeans in general. When Ronald and the badminton team did well in the recent Commonwealth Games and subsequently in the Singapore Open competition, there was a lot of support among Singaporeans for him and our badminton team. We will continue to find ways to expose our sportsmen and sportswomen to the general public, especially with the young, so that there is a base of young Singaporeans who may be interested to follow the careers of these athletes and see what we can do to increase their image and profile. As to the new programmes, I will leave it to the SSC to explore on what are the things that we need to do. At this point in time, we are confident that the system that we put in place is adequate to meet the targets that we have set for ourselves in the Committee on Sporting Singapore. Participation rate amongst Singaporeans towards sports is on the rise. The recent SEA Games shows that we are able to achieve a higher level of excellence. But having said that, I will assure the Member that we will not rest on our laurels. We will explore other ways to see how we can not only increase sports participation, but also continue to develop the sports industry in Singapore and to push for sports excellence in Singapore. SPORTS HUB 9.”
“Hence, I must register my full support for the Bill as, if all goes well, it will take our education system to another level.”
“I could not agree more with the Minister when he said that the assessment and examination system therefore cannot be static and never has been. Sir, as educators, policy makers and testing professionals embark on this new millennium, we must prepare for a new century of learning with new technology and face so many changes in the educational and assessment system all over the world. We must tap the knowledge and experience of foreign systems that preceded us. I am not advocating that we blindly copy them. But systems that have worked for nations that share similar educational objectives as ours should be emulated. Thus, the setting up of the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board will further facilitate and improve communication with other international organisations involved in educational assessment, enabling sharing of professional expertise and enhance cooperation with other educational agencies around the world. As mentioned by many Members, we enjoy an excellent reputation in the international arena. The Board is well poised to exploit the Singapore Brand to further promote our education system and our country as a knowledge and education hub of the region. In this respect, Sir, may I ask the Minister about MOE's plans and strategy on how we can exploit the economic potential of our education system, standard and our brand. In conclusion, it is my sincere hope that with the establishment of this new Board it will result in further refinement and improvement of our education system. Be that as it may, we should continue to further invest in our education system so that we can produce the desired outcomes and ensure that our children enjoy the wonderful gift of education.”
“The Board would be an important institution to help us face issues in education, such as the democratisation of education through distance learning and the assessment of non-traditional students, internationalisation and multi-culturalism in assessment, new paradigms in quantitative and qualitative assessment, assessment of multi-intelligence, empowering teachers in classroom assessment, large-scale test programme management, the quality assurance and transparency of all steps of the process, and relations between candidates, schools and assessment centres, among others. Sir, we all know that tests and assessments are powerful policy tools for educational improvement. If developed and used properly, tests can provide useful feedback on teaching and learning. Hence, if not monitored closely, a wrong analysis of examination results may lead to negative consequences for students and educators. We must use examinations and assessments correctly as a tool to measure and realise the students' scholastic potential and to continuously improve our education system, the curriculum and syllabus. Because tests can have such positive or negative consequences, it is important to monitor their use in an on-going fashion. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in a competitive society like we have in Singapore, national examination is highly consequential for students, teachers and schools. More often than not, the results of these examinations are adopted as key performance indicators for evaluation and decisions on individuals. They represent tools used in making admissions, promotions or graduation decisions, and can also be used to evaluate schools and school reforms.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board Bill. Sir, the goals and objectives of Singapore's education system must prepare our young Singaporeans for varied challenges of the future. So far, the system has served us well. However, past successes provide little guarantee for the future in these uncertain times. Not too long ago, Sir, we were all too gungho and, dare I say, rushed into adopting an external examination like the SAT. This is all done in the name of different ways of assessing our students. I sure hope that the SAT experiment has taught us something. After all, it really is in our best interest to be more cautious and avoid making mistakes like the SAT examination, if I may be allowed to classify it as such. New educational initiatives need to be embarked upon with care. These decisions have repercussions and long-lasting impact on our students, parents and educators who have to continuously grapple with change, not to mention our children, who perhaps receive the brunt of these changes. Sir, the experience and expertise that MOE has acquired over the years would be a strong foundation for it to be built upon. I believe that it is an opportune time and it is well poised to develop Singapore's very own standards and assessment methods that may be even better suited for the local environment and the world. The Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board's major role is to design and monitor closely national examinations that can realise our educational goals.”
“I would like to ask the Minister of State whether MND has done any study to see the unintended impact of EIP on certain sectors of the community, because we understand that even though the objective and principle behind the EIP is a good one, and we support it, the realty of the market is such that the impact may not be the same on different communities.”
“I have a question for the Minister. With regard to the report of the investigations, is there any indicator in the findings of the investigations of what may have caused or compelled the trainers or officers to grossly divert from the lesson plan and break rules? RAdm Teo Chee Hean: Sir, I have no information on that. I would not like to speculate on what the motives or the reasons why these officers behaved in the way that they did.”
“The CPF retuning introduced by the Government will benefit the big companies more than the smaller ones. We have to do more to help our SMEs who are our own home-grown companies, our own entrepreneurs. These are the companies that do not employ many workers, due to their size or technology. Many of them do not benefit much from the CPF cuts. Though the package announced earlier to assist SMEs is a welcome one, I hope that the Government will work out a wider package of other measures to help our SMEs. In conclusion, the current scenario brought me back to my student days when I was in France in the 1980s. I read about European companies leaving the country to move to Southeast Asia, where operating costs were lower. It caused unemployment, and unions battled with the employers and government, as protectionism sentiments emerged. Today, some of the industries returned to Europe, especially those which are dependent on a highly-skilled workforce. But unemployment still prevails and the numbers are still high. What it means for Singapore is that, even as we take these corrective measures, we cannot but face the fact that, in time, we have to change mindsets as we will have to face the ills that come as we approach the developed economy status. Yes, there is economic growth, but so too unemployment. With this, I would wrap up by hoping that the Government will look into the proposal to give further protection to workers' CPF by amending the rules and drawing up a more comprehensive package which will help our SMEs. I am sure many Singaporeans will be cheered by the generous relief package announced by DPM earlier but, again, some may not. Nevertheless, I am confident that many have found something to be happy about in it. Mdm Deputy Speaker, I support the retuning of CPF.”
“To the younger generation and potential property owners, may I suggest that they plan wisely and think carefully. With the greater policy changes that may come soon, as mentioned by DPM earlier, our younger generation will have more choices and they should plan better. I would say it is better that they endure a little hardship or inconvenience now while in their youths, than jeopardising their future at old age. In the same light, I am glad that the Ministry of National Development will make the necessary changes, and it will be a welcome one in these present times. Madam, we must understand that the ripple effect of the CPF cut goes beyond just servicing mortgage or property loans. Consumer spending pattern will change, as people prioritise on their expenditure. But for the economy to get out of its current woes, the dose of medicine will require a multi-disciplinary approach. The Government should also look at a whole spectrum of indirect taxation that is contributing to high business costs. The efforts announced by DPM in his speech is good news, but I hope they will translate into significant cost cutting, and the cost of all governmental fees will need to be realigned to the new economic situation. Additionally, Government Ministries should be more frugal in spending. Cost-cutting measures should be introduced wherever possible. By this, I mean that civil servants should be measured against their ability to provide an efficient and cost-effective public service, not by the credit balances in their coffers at the end of each year. Singaporeans are practical people. They know that there are other charges that will have to be increased in the days to come for one reason or another.”
“Even if the CPF Board was a first lien on any money that was left of the insolvent company, there would be nothing to compensate these workers for the loss of their very own monies. So the CPF first lien becomes a paper type. Just as the Law Society is looking into requiring lawyers to deposit their clients' monies into a special account held by an independent body, the time is opportune for the CPF rules to be changed. With electronic banking and technology, the CPF can arrange for employees' contributions to be deducted directly from their salaries into the Board's accounts. In this way, even if a company sinks, the employee will only lose his employer's contribution, but not his own contribution. In fact, employers who use their employee's contributions to roll back into business and defer payment to the CPF Board are arguably committing a serious offence. I believe it is now timely to do something about this. Since the Government is fine-tuning the CPF rules, it should also look into this loophole and protect the workers for whatever that is left in their savings. For those who escape the property downturn, I hope that they learn from the experience of others. Singaporeans must take heed of their own financial planning. They have to understand that the days of going for bigger and bigger flats are no longer viable, just as prices can go up, they can fall too, and even faster. I remember that, in 1995 and 1996, Bishan flats were one of the highest priced HDB properties. Today, some of these property owners are facing serious difficulties. Even if they want to cut losses and bail out, they may find difficulty in finding a buyer, at least in the near term. In fact, the demand pattern is likely to change with more people turning to rent, rather than buy the flats.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, as many of my colleagues have spoken before me and many issues have been raised and covered, I would only touch on some of the issues that I feel strongly about and try to keep my speech as short as possible. Generally, Singaporeans understand the need to tweak the CPF to save jobs. What it means for many is that, be it in their take-home pay or their CPF account, they have to make every penny work and work even harder. But I am sure that the announcement made by DPM would go down well to allay some of the concerns of the workers. In fact, I am really happy that the Government is showing genuine concern and is acting on the feedback from the ground. Madam, recently, there has been an increase of bankruptcy cases. In fact, the Straits Times reported on 27th August 2003 that bankruptcies are set to hit an 18-year high. It will reach levels not seen even during the last major recessions of 1985 and 1986. With the weak economy, there are many companies that hit the bottom of the sea, taking with them many individuals who are either directors, owners, or sole proprietors with them. That is part of the business risk, and these businessmen knew what they were in for. But the unfortunate group are the employees who find that they have not only lost their jobs but also their CPF contributions held in trust by the companies. As I understand, many of these companies would deduct their employees' monies as CPF contributions but delay for months from crediting the amounts to their CPF accounts. As a result, when the companies hit the iceberg and sank, the employees were left in the cold icy water. All that the CPF Board could do was to represent them at the creditors' meeting.”
“In conclusion, I urge the Agency, the workers and employers alike to please take full advantage of this opportunity, as a platform for everyone to move in tandem with the Government's role to remake and take our nation to a new era of economic development and growth.”
“The Agency should judge its success not by the monies it has amassed from fees, grants and donors, but by the number of workers it has reached out to and assisted them in their retraining. It is probably appropriate also to remind employers that they should not see the birth of the Agency as the beginning of the end of their role in employee training programme. We know of many workers who have gone further up the career ladder than they thought they could. Why? For some, it is because they know their own potential and they develop it. But for others, it is because someone else, often the employer, thought that they have the potential to go higher and gave them the training and support. This is where employers, human resource professionals, should continue to look out for these people, and render them the support and encouragement to upgrade their skills and knowledge to enable them to move ahead. Employers should also shift their thinking and be more magnanimous towards training and upgrading. With the opening of new opportunities as Singapore undergoes economic restructuring, employers should be sympathetic towards workers who seek training in an area perhaps quite unrelated to their field of work. Employers must overcome any selfish thoughts of denying the workers the training for fear of losing them in the months ahead. We know that there are people who have undergone one form of training in the past, trudging to change career path midway through life, holding the view that he has perhaps gone down the wrong road. I feel that if someone is going down the wrong road, then he does not need motivation to speed up. What he needs is education and training to turn him around to the lane where he will excel and thus become a multi-disciplined worker.”
“Companies will always pursue the lowest cost structure, because of the tide of globalisation, because competition has suddenly become tougher and cutting cost becomes the only way to survive. Madam, you may say that the superworker, which I mentioned earlier, is ideal but not realistic. The point is, the worker needs to understand that jobs are not "safe" any more, even skilled jobs of the white-collar type, as highlighted by the other Members earlier, once considered safe are not safe any more. Thus, our workers need to recognise that the careers that they studied for may not be able to maintain them throughout their working lives, because someone in India or China may be able to perform the same thing for a lot cheaper. Those who have spent years establishing themselves and their careers would have reached a comfort level and cannot imagine how all of that can now be at risk. Well, let me remind them that it can - all in the name of cost-cutting. Restructuring or Remaking, the message being sent out is clear: the people need to change before it is too late. By that, I mean the employer, the employee and the establishment. We need to have a broadly educated workforce that keeps on learning. With the establishment of the Singapore Workforce Development Agency, the Government has institutionalised life-long learning for the workforce. It represents an earnest and proactive effort by the authorities to help the people and the economy become more resilient and increase the possibility of life-time employability. However, I hope the Agency will not make its operations a labyrinth of rules and regulations that it becomes a hurdle rather than a door for the workers to enter and realise their ambitions.”
“Moving forward, it is going to be tougher to get FDIs. This leads us to the most vital question: what about our workers? Are Singaporeans keeping up their employability? Even if there are enough jobs, do Singaporeans have the know-how or skills to carry them out? Learning new skills can mean new job opportunities. Are Singaporeans willing to match employers' expectations in terms of salaries, or are employers compelled to hire foreigners to cut cost? The way ahead is to equip our workers with the skills, the knowledge and the know-how so that they can look at the employers in the eye and tell them, "Anything a foreigner can do, I can do better." There seems to be a need to be reminded time and time again that like hills and the open grounds, we are constantly swept by the winds of change. Progress will not come unless we have changed. I guess we realise its importance and Remaking Singapore is indeed the right thing to do. Similarly, as the economy undergoes restructuring, the "worker", being the basic unit of the economy, needs to be redefined. Mdm Deputy Speaker, to me, the ideal worker is the "superworker", one who possesses the versatility to perform any task required of him or her because of changing conditions. The master-of-all-trades, the superworker, may not materialise, but a generalist with some value-added expertise to offer is very possible, if only the worker would change his attitude towards learning. Hence, to the workers, I would say the biggest opportunity probably lies under their own feet, be it their current job, industry they are in, their education or experience. So, do something about it. We know that economic evolution is inevitable.”
“This trend will probably continue through 2003, and a recovery in the job market is only expected in 2004, if we are lucky. Exporters in Singapore have been slashing jobs and some are moving production to countries such as China, Malaysia and Thailand, which have lower land and labour costs. Wage costs in China, on average, are much lower than in Singapore. Some of the sobering examples, just to cite a few, are Japan's Seiko Epson Corporation, Sanyo Electric Company and Hitachi Limited, and have all cut jobs in Singapore. Madam, we all know that everyone needs a job. Generating jobs has always been an important preoccupation of our Government. Bringing in foreign direct investments (FDI) into our economy has, among other things, created jobs for our people. However, this tried and tested formula does not yield effective results today. The reasons are: first, the number of jobs FDIs bring in is significantly and comparatively smaller. Second, the profile has changed with regard to the specific skill set that is required. Third, an issue which is quite sensitive at the present time, foreigners may be more suitable at the end of the day, either because they have the experience, fit the requirements or they are basically cheaper to hire or simply more willing. An over dependence on FDIs is not ideal. We all acknowledge the need to develop our local industries, our home-grown entrepreneurs and companies that provide employment. While we encourage FDIs, we must also seriously commit to developing home-grown businesses. If this is not enough, to further complicate matters, there is the destabilising effects of security or rather insecurity in the region that must now be taken into account. We know that such developments will influence investors' sentiments and decisions.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, I rise in support of the Singapore Workforce Development Agency Bill. I think we all know that Singapore is experiencing the most difficult period of growth and development in its journey as a young nation. The country's economic growth turned sharply negative in the second quarter of 2003, falling to - 4.2% from positive growth of 1.7% in the first quarter. The volatility of Singapore's economy is becoming more and more apparent. I believe that the Singapore Government realises that an economy that is overly dependent on only electronics, shipping and financial services is prone to sharp swings. Hence, over the years, and more so recently, its courtship included chemical companies, pharmaceuticals and drug manufacturers, biotech firms, health and nutrition companies in the Government's bid to diversify. Madam, I hope no one is still holding his breath, hoping against hope that the years of rapid and exponential growth will return soon. This realisation must set in, so that we can move forward effectively. The main story is not whether the cycle is slowing down or not, but that the economy has become more difficult to predict. Moving forward will not be an easy task, because the rules of the game have changed. The problems that we are currently facing are different from the past, hence requiring different solutions. The two main issues that we need to look at, which were clearly articulated by the Acting Minister for Manpower, are job creation and workers' employability. The MTI quarterly review recently pinpointed the loss of more than 20,000 jobs in the last quarter, the 8th straight quarterly decline in employment and significantly more than the 4,000 jobs lost in the first three months of the year.”
“So, we also need to know what would the progress of the illness be like, so that it is in the interest of a potential victim to say that, "The earlier I go for treatment, my survival chances are better." We do not get the idea because there is no profiling of what it means to be a patient and if your treatment is too late, what happens. I know that there are variations but in a general sense, it is to assure the public that these two aspects ---”
“In view of the incident at Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Bowen Secondary School, I am just a bit concerned about the places for mass gathering. Are the schools and the institutions of higher learning (IHL) equipped to handle these operational changes of this crisis? Would there be more resources given to the schools and the IHL to handle these issues? Assoc. Prof. Ngiam Tee Liang (Nominated Member): Sir, I would like to refer to the societal battlefront that the DPM and Finance Minister mentioned. In trying to boost our psychological defence in this area, I agree with some of the hon. Members about the public perception and the kind of information that they are receiving regarding two very important critical aspects of our containment and isolation policies, ie, the Home Quarantine Orders. We get a glimpse of some of the SOPs that have been put in place, but to the lay person and the neighbours, it is still not very clear what home quarantine actually means. What we understand is that not everybody is actually put under quarantine at home, but only certain categories. Then, would there be a danger of cross-contamination for those who are allowed to leave the home? But if you were to ringfence everybody in, there is a question of daily living. It is not very clear how this is going to be maintained. The other aspect would be those who have to go for treatment in Tan Tock Seng Hospital. We have been told that the earlier you go and seek treatment, the better it is. But after that, it is blank. Nobody really knows what happens in it. And again, as hon. Members have mentioned, there are the misperception and all kinds of rumours and exaggerated horror stories about what happens.”
“Sir, personally, I feel that the National Library Board (NLB) is one of the most progressive statutory boards, as mentioned by Mr Loh Meng See just now. It has done a highly commendable job, in terms of providing accessibility to resources, and it has also effectively utilised technology. However, the journey surely cannot end here. The library, as a knowledge centre, is still at its infant stage, and its potential for growth is immense. As our economy slowly makes its way to become a full-fledged knowledge, I hope that the library will parallel this growth or, better still, pave the way and create space for lively debate and the sharing of knowledge. It can very well be our next icon and join the ranks of the libraries of the world. My concerns are the following: 1) What are the future plans of the NLB towards making our libraries the community knowledge centres? 2) What is the progress of the library construction and development in Singapore, eg, the National Library and the Community Libraries? 3) Many have expressed regrets and sadness on the possible loss of our National Library. What are the plans of NLB for the new National Library? Would it be a library that many will treasure and be proud of, as with the past National Library? 4) Can NLB turn our new National Library into a future icon, and perhaps make it one of the great libraries of the world or, if not, at least of the region?”
“The National Arts Council's support for local arts professionals cannot be emphasised enough here. Its mission to nurture the arts and make it an integral part of the lives of the people of Singapore is clearly an important one. NAC's progress in the promotion of arts appreciation includes the arts grants and awards, arts in the heartland programme and a significant increase in the number of quality arts events and festivals. This has added colour to our arts scene. We are providing funds and building the infrastructure required. However, I believe that an equal importance to the arts professionals exposure is important too. A platform to be heard by crowds can also propel them forward. Hence, I support the call by Miss Penny Low to provide the opportunity for our local arts professionals and artists on the scale of the Esplanade, for example. 1.15 pm Similarly, I have the following questions for the Ministry. What else are we doing to improve the exposure of local talents and artists? Do we give our local performers equal or better treatment compared to the foreign ones? How do we select recipients of grants and awards? Can the process be more transparent? To-date, how many and who are the recipients of these awards and grants? Do we monitor their progress? And where are they now?”
“On exporting education, it is known to all that the Singapore education system has become a brandname, one with real social and economic value. Its reputation precedes itself and it is precious. Currently, the education industry contributes about $3 billion to our economy, which is about 1.9% of our GDP. For many years, we have been providing lots of training and technical assistance to our ASEAN neighbours and other third world countries. We have built our expertise and gained valuable experience. Hence, the respect that we now enjoy in the area of education and training is well earned. However, this reputation has yet to be fully exploited. The time has come for us to reap the benefits of our hard work by exporting our education as a business. It can be our new niche. Education service is big business. Public education is focused on providing education for Singaporeans and meeting our manpower and capability requirements. Simultaneously, I strongly suggest that we systematically address the opportunities provided by the Singapore brand of education, and not just leave it at that. Additionally, we must also set up a quality assurance system for the private education industry to ensure that our brand, which is the Singapore brand of education, does not get tarnished. It is precious and must be preserved.”
“Sir, our education reforms and training must create a globally competitive, creative, employable workforce. Our system must facilitate Singapore's transformation into a knowledge-based economy, and this system begins with the very young. A growing body of research has identified the complex interplay between the brain and what a child learns from his environment. And that the young immature brain is very open to early experiences, good or bad. The fact is that from the time of conception to the age of five, a child's brain develops at a faster pace than at any other time in his life. The National Association of Education of Young Children (NAEYC) in the USA believes that the children who have high-quality early childhood programmes "gain skills that are normally associated with greater brain development such as problem solving and language, mathematics and literacy skills." They also gain other competencies such as self-control, higher motivation for learning and social skills. Thus, it cannot be argued otherwise that pre-school education provides the foundation for learning throughout the child's life. Naturally, Sir, I am happy to see new initiatives such as the PSC grants and plans to uplift the pre-school standard. They are positive steps. However, I believe more needs to be done. I would encourage the approach to be more holistic - things like preparation for school, character development, discipline, the child's initiative, inquisitiveness, creativity and so on. My message is that the same amount of emphasis and importance that we give to formal education must also be given to pre-school education in Singapore.”
“Sir, even as a young boy, I sensed from my school environment that the arts subject is one which is least emphasised. It is the easiest to handle because faring well in it was really inconsequential, unless, of course, the student hopes to use the arts subject marks to pull up his or her cumulative results, then it becomes useful. On the other hand, parents are also not to be blamed. They respond to the environment and prepare their children to face the future where arts have little to contribute to. Perhaps this is what they feel. In times like this, my worry increases as support and resources for arts and culture are threatened. We have, however, demonstrated some commitments when funds are given to private arts schools like NAFA and LaSalle-SIA. However, the real issues remain: what is the position of arts in our local schools? Are qualified teachers teaching the subject, or has it been reduced to logistics and available manpower, ie, any teacher from any discipline that has an hour to spare will end up teaching the subject? Are we particular about standards? Is it still the first to be sacrificed each time the school is shorthanded?”
“Sir, as Singapore faces the 21st century with its many new challenges and rapid global developments, we envision a nation of responsible citizens and creative thinkers who are determined to learn throughout their lives. The emphasis is on continuous upgrading and the thinking should be "Am I a knowledge worker? And if I have succeeded in becoming a knowledge worker today, I may need to acquire new skills tomorrow so that I am not obsolete in my dynamic environment." Indeed, Madam, the university sector review is timely. And I fully support the major initiatives and plans. Our institutes of higher learning are intricately linked to our chief engines of growth. However, are concrete steps being made to open up university places to the thousands of diploma holders and working adults who dream of a tertiary education and experience? Are there still university courses that are not open to the diploma graduates? If so, why is this so? Madam, with the plan to turn NTU to a full-fledged university offering a comprehensive range of courses, what are the Ministry's plans or check and balance to ensure that NTU continues to gain more momentum and become more reputable, instead of falling back to its past reputation? May I suggest that it may be worthwhile for NTU to consider a new name to reflect its renewed identity, mission and vision. Lastly, Madam, may I also propose that our universities exercise flexibility in allowing the students to take breaks and sabbatical leave to explore and try new experiences, maybe start up a business or travel the world in between their course period.”
“Sir, there are also public concerns over means testing. Means testing is currently used in step-down care services, those moving from private to restructured hospitals, and from upper class to lower class wards in the restructured hospitals. Recently, the Ministry has said that it may extend means testing to patients referred from polyclinics to the specialist outpatient clinics in the restructured hospitals as well. The problem with means testing is that the criteria and basis for it as well as the administrative cost of doing so are not very clear. Sir, I have the following questions to ask of the Ministry of Health. What is being done to contain healthcare costs and ensure that they remain affordable to Singaporeans? Secondly, what is the Ministry of Health's policy on means testing? What are the criteria and basis that it intends to use? How will the Ministry ensure that really needy patients are not denied access to healthcare? And before introducing means testing in other areas, will the Ministry first inform and educate the public widely, so that there is no confusion and anxiety?”
“Sir, can we do more besides encouraging the companies? We are not a welfare state and I am not suggesting that we try to be one now, just because we are in trouble. However, we are also here because we have made a commitment to the man-in-the-street. Where do we draw this line? When is it a hand-out and is it a response of genuine call for help? Mdm Halimah Yacob (Jurong): Sir, over the last one year, I have received a number of requests for help from residents in my constituency to settle their medical bills. Those who face great difficulties are the elderly, those with long-term illnesses and those who have lost their jobs. Under our system, those who are really poor and needy can look towards Medifund to help them. But there are a number who are sandwiched in between. They are neither poor enough to fulfill the stringent requirements stipulated under the Medifund but, on the other hand, they cannot afford the existing rates. One approach would be to provide them with short-term financial assistance or loans or longer instalment payments. But these are largely temporary measures. In the long term, a fundamental issue that has to be addressed is what can we do to ensure that healthcare costs remain affordable. For some years now, the CPI for healthcare has been higher than the overall CPI rate. One explanation on how to contain costs is through the presence of two hospital clusters. But to Singaporeans, having two hospital clusters have not helped to reduce costs, as costs have continued to go up. There seems to be problems of coordination and economies of scale as well. The recent example of different prices being charged for non-standard medicines by the polyclinics and hospitals, even within the same cluster and across clusters, is a case in point.”
“Sir, very often, during the meet-the-people sessions, senior citizens come forward complaining that medical costs are too much for them to bear, even choosing to die earlier if the choice were theirs. Such is the state of affairs on the ground. It is thus heartening to know that the Ministry of Health will be revising Medisave withdrawal limits based on the resources needed, and not hospitalisation days to treat a medical condition. However, I am not referring to surgeries or hospital days, but outpatient treatment or long-term prescribed medication that can be expensive. Does a person need to be hospitalised to be able to draw from his Medisave and MediShield? The question here is: are we too restrictive? Can more be done in this area? We need to step back for a minute and look at the macro picture that I am about to paint. We worry about surging ahead in the age of globalisation with its rapid technological and economic change, and we tinker with ideas of remodelling Singapore. Indeed, such concerns are pertinent. We are doing our job. However, simultaneously, we need to grapple with demographic changes and implications. Among other things, a longer life expectancy, the aged, the non-working population, out of which 88% have not saved enough for retirement. They spend too much on housing perhaps, but this realisation will not solve the problem for us. Additionally, with increased unemployment, the issue of medical coverage arises. Those in between jobs often do not enjoy medical benefits. The two-pronged predicament is banging on our door for effective and immediate attention. On this subject, the Government has accepted the recommendation of the ERC and intends to encourage companies to provide portable medical benefit scheme or the transferable insurance.”
“Can we not do something to lower these barriers and encourage more young, able and talented professionals in this field to explore their ideas and take the leap of faith to be the next big companies from Singapore?”