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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Every one of 647 lines we hold for Zainudin Nordin, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 12 of 13.
“Sir, very often, for technology start-ups, the entry barrier is high and often difficult to start --- The Chairman: Mr Nordin, can you start summing up now?”
“In countries, like China, Taiwan, Australia, South Korea and Malaysia, and even Thailand, incubation centres with the support of Government are sprouting out like mushrooms. More often than not, in these countries, new technology start-ups are given the support and facilities, infrastructure, software and hardware for them to start their work and focus on what they are best at, that is, design and create. Sir, for Singapore to move forward, private enterprises must be encouraged, engineered even for the sake of growth, if this is indeed the direction that we have charted for Singapore. Are we willing to seriously assist our start-ups, in every sense of the word, by sincerely providing infrastructure and financial assistance? Supporting them inevitably is part of the conducive environment that we need to create. This is why I support the call by Members for the formation of relevant financial institutions to assist start-ups. Perhaps, the changing of mindset is the greatest challenge at hand. It is time for us to listen to the industry players and stakeholders. In my interaction with the industry professionals and also budding start-ups, I often hear them complaining of so many schemes that are supposed to assist them. But, in the end, the criteria, requirements and controls are so cumbersome and tedious that most give up and prefer not to ask for help at all. It may not be fair to say this, but the impression that I get is that civil servants and Government officers seem to be oblivious of happenings in the industry. Do we need so many complex schemes, so many different names and acronyms? Would the Ministry consider simplifying and streamlining these assistance schemes? Can we make the application process more transparent?”
“Sir, for the past three years, I have also been involved in efforts to promote the IC design activities and support companies and research institutes in their efforts to design electronic silicon or integrated circuit. This industry has huge potential and has been growing at a phenomenal rate over the years. The semiconductor industry is about US$300 billion. For those who are not aware, semiconductor chips are pervasive, and they are found in computers, cellular phones, watches, cars, pacemakers, coffee pots, satellites and greeting cards. In short, they are everywhere. In our effort to promote entrepreneurship, there is a clear need for Singapore to nurture technology start-ups. Why? Just as I speak here in this House, other countries like China, Taiwan, Australia, South Korea and Malaysia are very seriously moving into this area. This is because they know that as they embark on to the IC fabrication industry, there is a need for them to grow and develop their activities so as to increase the number of local design, products and innovation. In Shanghai, for example, mainland China's second foundry, Grace Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (GSMC), is now being built. GSMC is among the companies looking out to make money, by being in the first wave of advanced semiconductor concerns to establish manufacturing bases in mainland China. With many of their orders coming from foreign design houses and much of what they make going overseas, they are also doing their utmost to ensure the growth of their local design industry and local design houses because they know that, eventually, a rising type of local design houses would eat up fab capacity and drive expansion. This is what our local fab pride, CSM enjoys, and could not benefit from.”
“Sir, going back to the current situation that faces the nation, my last word on this is that we need to work together and help our people to get out of the doldrums. The retrenched may actually find themselves employed in a shorter period, if some things are put into perspective. Often enough, we hear of jobs and opportunities in the service industry, but they are not well regarded and thus the take-up rate is slow. It is time we started to change mindsets and prejudices towards jobs and careers in the service industry. To those who are considering to go into this industry, let me give this small piece of advice which I picked up from a movie that I watched over the weekend. There was this very professional and dignified butler who said, wisely: "To serve people takes dignity and intelligence, but remember, they are just people with money. Although we serve them, we are not their servants. What we do does not define who we are. What defines us is how we rise after falling." I wish that every Singaporean would remember this. 4.28 pm”
“Let us not choose the convenient and so-called obvious choice of cutting expenditures in this area and, thus, bringing us back in time. The importance of continuous learning and upgrading in all areas cannot be emphasised enough. Our schools and institutes of higher learning are intricately linked with our chief engines of growth. The formation of a statutory board to focus on this area is laudable. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would propose to this new organisation to try and leverage on the existing institutions and bodies, and streamline the schemes and programmes that could further encourage and incentivise lifelong learning. Our workers are worried that, even after picking up new skills and knowledge, they still cannot improve their chances of getting new jobs. We need to address this concern clearly. Beyond that, our tertiary institutions must continue to remain relevant and serve not only the student cohorts but also the working adults who yearn to upgrade themselves. Our universities need to be relevant, and the recent university review was timely. They need to work closely with industries and look at feedback seriously. This brings me to the kind of graduates that we are producing at our universities. Can our graduates think for themselves? During the recent student dialogue with our Senior Minister, the criticism was that the questions were mainly from foreign students, whereas the Singaporeans were often silent. Are they simply shy to ask or are they complacent, contented to simply sit comfortably and absorb without doing more serious thinking? Are they independent? Can they cope with not being able to find a job immediately after they graduate?”
“However, having said that, addressing real needs is part of our commitment to care for our people, and this deserves our full attention. Health cost is a real problem to three categories worth mentioning here: the senior citizens and retirees with chronic illnesses, the handicapped and the unemployed. Not all companies can afford to provide healthcare, post retrenchment. Some may, but are not motivated or required to do so. This is a problem and needs to be looked into seriously. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the arts carry very little weight to the average Singaporean. This area of interest is not perceived as a serious subject. At best, it is limited to a favourite pastime. I know many parents who send their children for piano or violin lessons with the contention that the stimulation helps their children to perform well in mathematics and science instead. Perhaps, there is a neurological link. Credible or not is not to be discussed here, but my point is that the mentality at large does not regard the arts very highly. I am often worried and concerned that in these difficult times the support and resources for arts and culture will be reduced. However, thankfully, our hearts are at the right places, and the cultural achievements in 2002 are very encouraging. It presents concrete steps to change perceptions and mould different opinions. It is thus heartening to note that we will continue on our pursuit of creating a cultural capital and boosting our arts scene and industry, as recommended by the ERC. The economic and social potential of our cultural capital cannot be denied, and the ERC recognises this fact. I certainly believe that, as we develop and grow as a young country, these aspects of our development should not be neglected.”
“I am glad that more support is being allocated, and the Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Mr Raymond Lim, has eloquently spelt out his vision and mission towards this effort. My hope is for him to listen to the industry players and stakeholders. Very often, I hear people lamenting that the policy makers are oblivious of happenings on the ground when they are churning out policies, schemes and programmes that are supposedly intended to help the companies. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in the present economic climate and challenges that face the country, the Malay/Muslim community must continue to strive along. It is definitely not easy for all Singaporeans, but it is also commonly known that the majority of the Malay/Muslim workers are in the lower-income and the lower-skills category. If the economic slowdown persists, the community will naturally be hit by retrenchments and loss of jobs. But this does not mean that we should just lie down and consider ourselves defeated. Instead, we should take this opportunity to improve and upgrade. The community must take these challenges and face them, just like all the other difficulties that they have faced and overcome in the past. We should continue to focus on education and the vision of a community of excellence. The young and the youths of the community are doing better. Similarly, the Malay/Muslim organisations and NGOs have done quite a commendable job in terms of providing accessibility to resource and assistance. However, the journey surely cannot end here. They should continue to work closely with the Government agencies and other self-help groups to continue to uplift the community. Sir, in the long run, we all agree that handouts need to be reduced. We do not intend to be a welfare state.”
“The recent increase in job losses, the highest unemployment rate since 1986, and the daily war rhetoric are all very disheartening. As a nation, we have also recently been plagued by a series of freak accidents, beginning with the Pedra Branca tragedy and a few others. We are terribly saddened by the loss of innocent lives amidst the economic and geo-political uncertainties. While Budget 2003 is really a continuation of Budget 2002, the global situation has since last year deteriorated, and our people need more hope than ever. Hope, hope and more hope are my mantra these days. The belief that this too, like most things in life, will pass, holds true. Sir, I hope it is obvious to many that Singapore needs to embark on a different path where individual entrepreneurship will propel the economy while the country is on the path of consolidation. Private enterprise must be encouraged, engineered even for the sake of growth. If this is indeed the direction that we have charted for Singapore, are we willing to seriously assist our start-ups in every sense of the word, and sincerely provide infrastructure and financial aid? Supporting them is inevitably part of a conducive environment that we need to create. How do we create risk takers when the predominant culture is to always ensure certainty, back-up plans after back-up plans? I support the call by Dr John Chen and other Members that our civil service officers should be more pro-business and act as advocates for companies and start-ups, rather than just apply rules and uphold regulations. It will certainly help to smoothen the flow of requests and applications and reduce wastage of time and money. Perhaps, Sir, the changing of mindsets is the greatest challenge at hand.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, like many of the hon. Members in this Chamber, I would like to join in the debate on the Budget Statement delivered by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance. I hope to give my perspective and views on the matter and, at the same time, give feedback on views that I got from the ground. As I stand here before you today, I can safely say that I do not recall a period where the nation has faced greater uncertainty. The seemingly inevitable war in Iraq and the performance of the regional and US economies will pose serious challenges for us. In fact, they are already affecting us. Indeed, we are facing difficult times. The waves that we have to ride may grow in size. We do not know. Therefore, we can only do what is humanly possible to stay prepared and survive this period in our nation's life. I believe that fellow Singaporeans are very familiar with the way the Government works. Our approach in times like this is almost predictable. It is simple. We study the problem at hand and we seek solutions. Often, the way out is not a breeze. It is usually painful. But we go to our people and work with them. Retrospectively speaking, we have been fortunate that they understand when it is necessary to grit our teeth as a nation, persevere and patiently wait for the storm to blow over. More often than not, the fruits of our policy changes emerge after several years. History has shown that they are not immediate. It is this lag period which many find excruciating, and no amount of explanation will appease the man-in-the-street who bears the brunt of the economic slowdown and, on top of that, the additional blow from policy changes.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, with reference to the proposal by Malaysia for the ASEAN+3 Secretariat to be located in KL, may I ask the Minister whether there were other members of ASEAN besides Indonesia, as mentioned in the Statement, who were opposed to this proposal? My second question is: how and when did Singapore express its support to the EAEC proposal, and why is there a confusion on this? Prof. Jayakumar: On ASEAN+3, I can inform Members categorically that I was present at all the ASEAN meetings where this topic had been discussed, including at some retreats of Foreign Ministers. And I can assure the House that many countries in ASEAN, not just Singapore, but Indonesia and a few others, such as Thailand and Vietnam, also had discomfort and reservations about this proposal. On the EAEC, I shall not repeat what is in the written answer that I have circulated in the Annex, but Members will find there chapter and verse, quotations from speeches that Prime Minister Goh and others had given, which expressly supported the concept and the idea enunciated by Prime Minister Mahathir on the EAEC.”
“For fear of our own safety, we so quickly group people according to visible references, eg, a bearded man or a man wearing a turban. What happens if the next terrorist attack is carried out by a group of people wearing casual shirts and pants? Do we then have to go around without anything at all? This brings us back to the question: do we all need to dress alike to forge mutual respect? We recognise that each Singaporean has the right and the privilege to be different. This is the basis of our humanity. Let us not judge and jump to conclusions from one's look but rather by his or her actions. I believe the key word here is "respect". Respect for others does not mean having to conform to their belief systems or practices, but a greater sensitivity and an acceptance of these differences. In fact, in the past, we have celebrated our differences and remain one united Singapore. We can learn from our past forefathers. Finally, I would like to emphasise the recommendations put forth in the White Paper, and that is with psychological strength and mutual respect terrorism can never take root here.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, I would sincerely like to thank the community leaders and religious leaders of the Muslim community, among others, from MUIS and Pergas, who have come forward and clearly registered their stand on the issue of terrorism. They have unanimously spoken against the use of violence in the name of Islam. They have denounced this unacceptable tenet. This will certainly allay any fear or anxieties that may still linger. I have often asked myself this question: where is the kampong spirit of the 60s and 70s that was earlier mentioned by Dr Yaacob? Do people smile easily in Singapore? No, I do not think so. Do we often hear the "thank you" and the "please"? Just the other day a foreigner who has been working here for two years related to me how many times he bent to pick up a dropped ticket or handphone, but never received a thank you, and how he often witnessed an elderly or an expectant lady being made to stand in the MRT train, because no seat was offered to that individual. Does this sound very familiar? As the nation progresses, how did something as fundamental as being a compassionate and kind human being erode? Often, being rude and cold is mistaken to being efficient, sophisticated and successful. This is a grotesque equation. What is success? Bill Clinton profoundly explained that "Getting what you want is not really success. Doing the right thing with what you have is. True success is about relating to other people until your time runs out on earth. The most important thing in life is just being a human being." I am sure we know of Singaporeans who would never greet their neighbours, even as they share the same lift, feeling of suspicion lurks beneath. Why should wearing the sarong mean asserting one's ethnic roots?”
“While we acknowledge that a growing number has done well for themselves, the community must realise that it cannot afford to sit on its laurels. Mdm Deputy Speaker, the Malay/Muslim community has made lots of progress over the past 30 years. This was clearly shown in the recent release of study conducted on the progress of the community. But we still have a long way to go. We should put our efforts together to further improve the academic achievements of our students. We must imbibe in our young the value and the concept of excellence in their daily life. The community has benefitted from the system of meritocracy and it has made us stronger and more resilient. I believe that we would not have arrived at what we are today, that is being proud Singaporeans, standing tall as equal among the other races, if we had accepted tokenism and charity. Yes, there are more things to achieve. Yes, we are still lagging behind in some areas, but we should not despair. We should, and will continue, to work and develop the community and improve the community for the good of not only the Malays but for all Singaporeans. Mdm Deputy Speaker, there is still a long way to go in terms of creating awareness among the people. They must be made to see that social mobility is a way out. They must be flexible and adapt to changing circumstances. They must be willing to pick up new skills, explore new industries and areas. The jobs that are typically held by Malays in the production line, for example, are vulnerable to down-sizing when the going gets tough. The changing paradigm takes time and efforts must begin now.”
“We do not feel that we are exclusive. But how do we give off the right signal? Given the fact that public opinion is shaped more by television, radio and film, than anything else, and sad to say, generally the media shows negative images of Islam, the challenge becomes more daunting. We must all become active participants and not mere observers and hoping that someone else will do all the work for us. If this is about defining and projecting a positive identity of the community, then the responsibility rests on all in the community. The White Paper also highlighted the importance of preserving harmony with the vast majority of Singapore Muslims who practise their religion peacefully and are generally law-abiding. This category must not be made to feel awkward or apologetic for being Muslims, nor made to sacrifice the principles for the sake of acceptance. They have harmed no one and must be given the basic respect any fellow human being deserves. Despite all that has taken place, let us not lose sight of the grander scheme of things, and that is to continue building and developing the skills of the community to face the many challenges ahead of us. The need to improve knowledge-based skills and other competencies all require serious attention. We must remain committed and focused on the bigger picture. During an economic downturn, such as the one that we had recently, the lower skilled and lower income groups are badly hit. Statistics have shown that the impact on the Malay/Muslim community is quite significant. While not marginalising the importance of other issues pertaining to the community, an urgent challenge that has far-reaching consequences is the academic achievement and the economic standing of the Malay community. The means of a livelihood is critical.”
“The White Paper did precisely what it intended to do, and that is to put the JI issue and the threat of terrorism in perspective. The JI terrorists have been singled out as a deviant group, and one that the majority of Singaporean Muslims completely reject and denounce. The White Paper contained information that needed to be shared with the nation. It was, indeed educational, to say the least. It explained the arrests and how the threat was effectively dealt with. Mdm Deputy Speaker, history reveals to us how many have committed great crimes against humanity in the name of political ideology or belief system. The systematic campaign of extermination of people carried by Nazi Germany, the Cambodian genocide of 1975-79, Catholics' and Protestants' troubles in Northern Ireland, Israel and Arab conflicts in the Middle East and, more recently, in East Timor, Guatemala, Yugoslavia and Rwanda, having proven how one can combine extremist ideology with ethnic animosity and a diabolical disregard for human life to produce repression, misery and murder on a massive scale. It is indeed tragic when something as revered and sacred as religion is used as a scapegoat. We have just witnessed how its pure preachings can be manipulated to serve one's own hidden agenda. JI's heinous plans and the would-be consequences are harrowing, to say the least, for all Singapore citizens, both Muslims and non-Muslims. The group, though small in number, poses a national threat. The Malay/Muslim community must take concrete steps to police itself against the spread of terrorists and extremist ideology through religious teachings. It is clear that the onus is on every one of us to convince the rest that we are not a threat. That we are part and parcel of the same community.”
“The fact that we are spending time and effort to debate this issue in this Parliament also reflects the importance and urgency of the matter. Nevertheless, I cannot but ponder upon and calculate the amount of resources in terms of finance, manpower and time that the world is dispensing to tackle this issue. I am not quite sure how one can justify pouring sinful amounts of resources and funds in the area of security threat at the expense of starving children and millions who are jobless. Resources are being rechanelled and the pinch is being felt by developing countries that require aid. Let us not forget that the world is still divided among economic lines. Though it is important that we understand how vital it is to tackle the threat of terrorism, it is similarly sad that the developed world is now pre-occupied with this threat, to a point that many other issues are put in the back-burner. Thus, to put it simply, there are many victims of the present state of affairs that was brought about after terrorism became a globalised phenomenon. Maybe we cannot blame the pre-occupation of the world leaders to minimise the threat of terrorism, but we should not expect the goal of stamping out terrorists to be a universal goal, knowing very well that other equally urgent problems lay upon us. Some may feel somewhat unsettled with the release of the White Paper. The issues of terrorism and Islam have received extensive coverage since the September 11 attack. Many Muslims were put on the defensive. Just as the attention wanes with the coming of the new year, the White Paper surfaces and once again putting the Malays in Singapore in an uncomfortable spotlight. This may be the perception of some but, to them, I say this is certainly not the case.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of the motion in the name of the Minister for Home Affairs. Sir, the Malay/Muslim community in Singapore has travelled a long way. We have witnessed several milestones in its development as the community becomes increasingly educated and economically stronger. Even though the JI is not representative of the Muslim community in Singapore, their arrests and the threat that was posed sets us back many years, and this saddens me tremendously. While I do not defend what took place, nevertheless, a sense of responsibility arises. Their actions have hijacked the community and at the end of the day, the Muslims cannot help but feel victimised. [Mdm Deputy Speaker (Mrs Lim Hwee Hua) in the Chair] 4.31 pm Just yesterday, over the radio on the BBC news programme World Today, there was this gentleman who was lamenting that the developing and third world countries are feeling the impact of uncertainty in security and the threat of terrorism. He claimed that the resources and attention towards voluntary service organisations that operate in these countries are dwindling significantly. Madam, we can see that the victims also include the impoverished nations of the world. The world cannot seem to run away from the dollars and cents, and we can see the economic ramifications of the way the issue of security threat has been dealt so far. Let us honestly look at the state of the world today. Heads of states, especially America, and numerous other countries and organisations are spending huge amounts of resources in this area. Since funds are limited, then logically the equation of opportunity cost arises. The threat of terrorism is real and is being felt all over the world.”
“There are more Members who have indicated that they wish to speak and Mr Tharman and I hope to respond to all the Members tomorrow. But in the meantime, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Debate be now adjourned." Question put, and agreed to. "That the Debate be now adjourned." - [RAdm Teo Chee Hean].”
“On one hand, we need to engage students in greater breadth of learning, on the other, we must maintain the depth of our JC subjects. We speak of importance of flexibility, yet we will not want to compromise the present rigour of our education system. Hence, balancing such opposing objectives will be a challenge for all stakeholders. Only then will reforms be successful. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the recommended changes and reforms may be unsettling but they will certainly add colour to our education landscape. It is indeed encouraging to note that we presently recognise the need to teach our young different life skills and we are bent on acting upon this realisation. Perhaps sometime soon, we will realise that developing such abilities may need to begin at a younger age. The impressionable years are precious and time may not be on our side. Hence, it will be worthwhile for the Ministry to consider making comparable changes for the foundation years. Like many of my fellow colleagues before me, I would like to add, and I cannot emphasise this enough, that at the end of the day, all the beautiful plans and instructional objectives will mean very little if they are not implemented properly. Hence, I earnestly hope that the Ministry will give full support in terms of resources to the teachers and principals to ensure that our true objectives are met. ADJOURNMENT OF DEBATE RAdm Teo Chee Hean: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, we have had a long day. I would like to thank the Members for having given their opinions and made very good speeches thus far. I note that all have supported the motion thus far, whatever persuasion they come from, whatever party they come from. My colleagues, Dr Ng and Mr Hawazi, have responded to some of them.”
“While we should provide greater variety and choice for Singapore students, we have to take steps to ensure that the desired standards are maintained. Also, the national education policy should be adhered to. My final concern pertaining to the private school initiative is the exclusive nature of such establishments. Should they grow in popularity and become relatively costly, what will happen to the less endowed or the have-nots? Will they be denied entry? The proposal to set up specialised independent schools could not have come at a better time. It is an urgent response to the diverse needs and aspirations of our students. This diversity will be our pillar of strength as we face the very challenges of the future. These schools will offer support to students with talents in the specific fields like arts, sports, Mathematics and Science. May I suggest that perhaps more areas of specialisation could be considered. As opposed to the privately-funded schools, this category of schools will complement, if not, enhance our education landscape. Success is almost certain as the relevant agencies will be encouraged to take the lead in this initiative, naturally with the support of MOE. We already have agencies with the appropriate expertise, networks and specialised resources that can be mobilised to support this endeavour. Also, if I may add, in the long-term, the related industries must be developed to ensure that these students have fruitful careers and can contribute positively to the economy. As I take one last look at the sweeping reforms we intend to carry out, I envisage the challenge that awaits us and, that is, to skilfully strike a balance between the objectives that are in fact contradictory.”
“What happens to these students if they fail their GCE "A" levels or the International Baccalaureate? Sir, the Committee proposed that the IP schools that do not offer "O" levels will continue to have school-based assessments to measure the students' progress. Will under-performing students have to transfer to another school? Will the employment industry adapt quickly to the new types of qualifications that they may come across or will the students have to bear the painful cost of convincing the would-be employers? Old habits die hard, so they say. More often than not, policy-makers may not always be able to see the unexpected results of these changes. IP schools can also be viewed as a disguised form of streaming, as mentioned by my earlier colleagues. Elitists, as it is called, to some. How do you manage these concerns? Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Committee highlighted the pertinent issues of privately-funded schools. What can they contribute? How do we position them? One important advantage with private schools is to allow families who have been away to come home and educate their children in Singapore. Providing this alternative is a sensible move. I personally know of a family who returned and was compelled to emigrate again when their children simply could not cope with the constraints and the requirements of our national schools. The language issue and the different curriculum can be overwhelming for both children and parents alike. Exposing young Singaporeans to foreign students within these private schools can also be beneficial to them. There are, however, some concerns with regard to such private entities. If we are not cautious, a different model may ultimately emerge, positive or negative, one incongruous to our fairly homogenous education landscape.”
“It is good to know that the co-curricular activities would be allocated a high percentage for university education. Until now, I must say that it all sounds well and good but have we considered the serious ramifications of this approach of learning? For example, the changes in the curriculum structure may be matched by changes in assessment. As suggested in the report, we may need to go beyond the traditional pen and paper test and introduce new methods of testing critical thinking if we can indeed assess critical thinking and creativity effectively. Consequently, the assessment system may be complex in nature, even subjective. How will students and parents alike react to this? We can expect that different teaching approaches become possible as students are encouraged to experiment, explore and discover. This is surely a step forward for all. We must keep in mind that the proposed changes can only work with the full cooperation of teachers and staff. Will they then be adequately trained? Implementation definitely will have some teething issues and we will need to prepare ourselves for this. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am in full support of the seamless upper secondary/ JC education proposal. The reason is obvious. Students that are especially ready for universities need not be subjected to two examinations over a period of three years. The through-train period will undoubtedly remove the elements of interruption and wasted opportunities. I know for a fact that, as it is now, the JC 1 students resent having to pass yet another examination to get to JC 2 where in fact, the examination that matters is the GCE "A" levels. Theoretically, the through-train system sounds simple but how do we prove that the GCE "O" levels is unnecessary to some?”
“Firstly, the need to develop thinking skills through a revised JC curriculum. I wonder whether we can actually teach creativity. Perhaps, an atmosphere of spontaneity is a natural way to encourage one to explore, discover and create. Secondly, students with different talents and aptitudes will have alternative routes to embark upon. The proposed changes will cater to their needs. Sir, it is felt that the JC curriculum seriously needs to change its focus. In the past, it was obsessed with content. Today, the emphasis must be on developing knowledge skills that are increasingly in demand. Tools of reasoning and interpretation would be the building blocks of independent research. A re-look at the scope and content of JC subjects would be imperative, if indeed we are to provide students with more breadth and flexibility. Curriculum content may need to be downsized to accommodate the introduction of new subjects and the increased emphasis on the non-academic curriculum. My concern, Sir, stems from parents' expectations. We have to allay their worries and make them understand. Changes, to some of them, may be radical and unjustified. JC subjects will be redefined to keep up with the latest advancements in science, technology and information technology. It is also proposed that any subject that cuts across traditional disciplines and adopts an integrative approach can and should be introduced. Take a subject like bio-chemistry, for example, it has become a must for anybody who wishes to embark on the field of life sciences. I think it is good that MOE is exploring introducing this subject. The non-academic area also deserves much attention if we are serious about developing more wholesome and well-rounded students.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of the motion in the name of the Minister for Education on the recommendations put forward by the JC/Upper Secondary Education Review Committee. Sir, when we compel our children to go to school, we assume collectively an overwhelming responsibility. For a period of 10 years or more, the children are conscripts, and there are youths who mitigated the seriousness of this fact. The school experience is a gift. It is for the children's own good, so we say, with genuine intentions. Do we realise that the school experience is as good as we make it to be? In the same breath, I ask: is it good enough for the society that will come into being when the present one is gone? Would our children have become people who rejoice in the exercise of creative intelligence, equipped for what lies ahead? This question needs to be asked and asked again, and reconsidered, as knowledge and circumstances change. In short, the educational enterprise needs to be managed. It needs to be managed effectively, and this is precisely what we are attempting to do. Singapore has travelled a long way in our short history. We are evolving from an industrial-based economy to a knowledge-based one. The engines of growth are knowledge and innovation. Likewise, our education system has been subject to multiple changes in accordance with the needs of nation-building. It has generally served us well. But the time has come to revisit the core beliefs and review them. The rationale for a review is very clear. Our children need to be better prepared for the knowledge age. Secondly, diversity needs to be injected into the system to cater to the different needs and talents of our students. The proposed changes will revolve around two central ideas.”
“In this respect, I believe that the new Authority and its relevant agencies must begin to take inputs from the industry players as their experience in the industry is worth more than any advice from academic experts. Similarly, MDA should not be seen as always giving bureaucratic directions but, rather, it must be a partner of the stakeholders - the industry players, artistes, actors, directors and many more. Madam, we have made lots of progress and strides to promote the local media, entertainment and the arts scene. I have to commend MITA in their efforts. Looking forward, it may be worthwhile for MITA to continuously review and upgrade its policies and programmes to remain relevant. I have to admit that it is not an easy task. But it will certainly make the overall effort more meaningful and it will help strengthen the local film industry in particular and the entertainment industry in general. Mdm Deputy Speaker, I support the Bill.”
“Should we not start to let them learn to fend for themselves and learn to develop life skills and personal responsibilities towards their families and themselves? Similarly, we should continue to emphasise on the education and soft aspects of our development that will make our society and country even stronger in the face of more daunting challenges far more difficult than the undesirable contents that we are shielding them from. To top it all, it is becoming more difficult and almost impossible to effectively perform this protector role, due to rapid technological advancements as well as the fact that Singaporeans travel extensively. Madam, I am glad that MITA sees the formation of MDA as a body that will contribute positively to the local media industry. The area that I hope that would be given some attention and assistance would be the film industry. Back in the 1950s and 1960s, the local film and movie industry was thriving, and we produced many classic movies and we were considered as one of the main sources of quality productions. But, now, gone are the glory days of Jalan Ampas, Cathay Film Production and Shaw Film Production. But the recent development of the local film industry with the emergence of talented Singaporeans, such as Jack Neo, Eric Khoo and the likes, are making waves with their films like "Money No Enough", "I Not Stupid", "12 Storeys", and "Mee Pok Man". And it is very encouraging. It is my hope, Madam, that MDA will take a more active role to promote this industry. We can see that we do have talents in our midst. Furthermore, Singapore and the region are not short of resources to come up with respectable quality products and maybe, one day, we will see a Singaporean winner at the Cannes Film Festival and even at other competitions.”
“A few months ago, I had the opportunity to be part of the team to welcome some parliamentarians from Iran. In our discussions with them, they also highlighted the challenges that they are facing to balance their efforts to embrace new technologies like the Internet and satellite communications for all its benefits against the risks of exposure to undesirable contents that they want to protect their people from. They had wanted to hear from us and hoped to learn from our experiences. I thought it was quite flattering that they even considered us as a country to learn from. The point that I am highlighting is that even a country like Iran, which has a reputation, rightly or wrongly, as being conservative, is also toying with the idea of satellite communications and satellite television. I am wondering, Madam, what is our present status now. Have we made any progress in this area? Are we preparing ourselves for these changes? Is the new Authority, MDA, equipped and ready to come out with new initiatives and strategies? I personally was pleasantly surprised when Prime Minister Goh, in his National Day Rally speech, mentioned about bar-top dancing. I am happy not because of the bar-top dancing but by the fact that the Prime Minister is aware of the situation on the ground - the diverse views, the different lifestyles, requests and demands of Singaporeans. Mdm Deputy Speaker, I believe we have arrived at the juncture of our country's development and growth where we are expected to deliver something different. Do things differently and do not always stick to the old formula that has served us well. Let us strive to make our people more resilient and strong. I believe that we cannot afford to continuously shield and protect them from undesirable contents.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, thank you for allowing me to speak on the MDA Bill. Madam, I can fully appreciate the rationale of the Media Development Authority of Singapore Bill, and believe that it is timely. In this era of mergers and acquisitions, the formation of MDA as a single authority to coordinate the regulation and development of the media industry across the different media platforms, such as printing media, cyberspace and the airwaves, is sensible and logical. I believe that the aim is to streamline the roles of the different agencies and to give more flexibility and greater consistency to the Authority. As explained by the Minister, the MDA will also be taking over the roles of such organisations as the Films and Publications Department, the Singapore Broadcasting Authority and the Singapore Film Commission. All of these will come under the purview of MDA. As an integrated statutory board, it will oversee the licensing and content management of broadcast, films, publications and arts entertainment. Be that as it may, Madam, it is noted that the Bill has not attempted to make any substantive changes to the relevant Acts which MDA is tasked to administer. I am questioning the wisdom of this move. The past 10 years have seen the world changed drastically, due to the rapid scientific and technological advancement in communications and the media industry. Internet technology, handphones, PDAs and other mobile solutions are just some of the things that are now part and parcel of our lives. Moving forward, we will see more developments and breakthroughs in the communications field and, as we speak, Madam, more people, even those from the Third World countries, are starting to use or are considering the usage of satellite communications and satellite television.”
“We should be as inclusive as possible and avoid being exclusive and elitist in our approach. Every Singaporean matters, and we should re-emphasise this notion. In conclusion, Sir, Singaporeans and the Government alike need to acknowledge there are other avenues of meritocracy and talents whilst maintaining the fundamentals of these two policies. There should be no fixation of either foreign or local talent and failures in academic or business. With that, I support the Motion. ADJOURNMENT OF DEBATE Resolved, "That the Debate be now adjourned." - [Mr Wong Kan Seng].”
“We know the importance that the Government puts in education by the sheer size of resources they have imported into education. This cannot be denied. We cannot afford not to invest in our young. Furthermore, we should have a more holistic approach towards education. Academic excellence should not only be the thrust of education. A child should be nurtured on values, such as community spirit, social service, voluntarism and sports and arts. This would nurture a well-rounded individual with strong community ties. Ultimately, our education system should aim to develop citizens who are able to put Singapore and community before self. Sir, the new generation of Singaporeans is different. I think it is as expected. This is due to the success of our past leaders, the rapid development of our country and - surprise - our education system itself. I know it is paradoxical that most of our younger generation and young parents are complaining and criticising our stressful education system that has, in no small means, contributed to their own success. Singapore has a sound meritocratic system which has produced a society of achievers and success-only products, with little room for failures and errors. Singaporeans have also been moulded to be conformists and uniformists. We are now faced with difficulties to allow and, let alone, encourage creativity and bohemian lifestyle. Sir, Singapore needs to accept other avenues of success, meaning non-academic success, different lifestyles, being non-conformists, and entrepreneurship with tolerance for failures. We should allow, promote and encourage pluralism and diversity of opinions and views. I believe it is the basic tenet of our existence in a multi-racial and multi-religious society.”
“We cannot afford to have our strong and able simply leave to places or countries which they think can provide better for them and their families. Sir, this effort in our long journey of nation building is essential and all concerned members of our homeland should be part of it. On the other hand, in the long term, Singaporeans must also accept the fact that there must be a constructive effort to lessen the reliance or dependence on the Government in all areas. In the same vein, I would also say that Singapore needs to readjust its perception and perspective on law and punishment. Singapore should not be solely operated on laws and rules alone, but must instead encourage its people to be responsible and thinking citizens. I would like to highlight the importance of education in this process of change. From the feedback from my residents and grassroots, I have concluded that many parents are very concerned about their children's future. You can see from the two stories that I have told you earlier. The parents worry about whether their children can cope with the extremely competitive environment in Singapore. Yes, we parents are very concerned about our children's education. We are so afraid that our children will not get enough. Some cynics may say otherwise. But the majority does agree that we do have a good education system in Singapore. I believe we can still fine-tune it to make it even better. I would like to propose to MOE to put more resources and emphasis on early childhood education, that is, the foundation years. Our education system should prepare the future generations for the rapid changes and produce nimble, creative and innovative minds.”
“Without proper communication and understanding of what the Government is trying to achieve, I am afraid we may be creating many disgruntled citizens who will be bitter, cynical and anti-establishment. This is not to mention the minimum sense of belonging towards Singapore. We need to further improve what Mr Gan Kim Yong termed as "connections". These links must provide for a two-way channel of communication. The Government and its agencies must, in my opinion, take the lead in changing and adapting a different style of governance for the new Singapore. It must not be seen as always giving directions and taking a paternalistic role, but rather it must be a partner of the people, that is, for the Government to abandon its "Only Government knows best" mindset. We can tell the people to change their mindset. But is the Government willing to do the same in the way it does things? Thus, in this Motion, the call for Government to review its policies and programmes thoroughly and to take meaningful measures that will help strengthen the sense of belonging to Singapore is timely and laudable. There must be clear indicators and not just lip service in the way our key institutions run their businesses. They are well known for their efficiency and high standards. It is time that they showed the same high level of compassion and humanity, if not cynical remarks and reviews about the Government not being sincere will continue to persist, and the able will not come forward to take part in this process of change. Let us work together to change this negative thinking and get as many able and willing citizens to participate in the process. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Government's willingness to change its mindset will be a bold effort but, nevertheless, a necessary one.”
“Let us give them back the self-confidence, the morale and the self-esteem. We know that, in the present scenario of stiff competition and rapid globalisation, we certainly have to put our priorities right, that is, to implement measures to ensure Singapore remains competitive. But can we also emphasise on the soft aspects of our development, ie, our hearts and souls that will make the society and country even stronger in the face of more daunting challenges in the future? The expert advices and proposals from the Economic Review Committee on Restructuring our Economy are important. But equally important and probably more important in this present climate, Sir, are the inputs and proposals from the Remaking Singapore Committee. Ever so often, our efficient Government prescribes the medicine that they believe would solve the economic malaise. These are often bitter pills and expect the people to swallow. I would also strongly encourage the Government to take heed of the Remaking Singapore Committee's proposals and recommendations that will be coming up soon. It is almost a year since the last election and we are slowly recovering from the recession. During this period, we have gone through many difficult challenges and they range from the economy and security of our beloved country, and I am sure we will continue to face more such challenges in the new economy and the ever changing political and security landscape of the world. Sir, one of the most important challenges for the Government is to ensure that the masses are with them. They must understand that these changes are necessary and that we have to do it no matter how painful it is going to be.”
“The husband is gainfully employed in Singapore and shuttles between the two countries as much as he can. Recently, the family decided to come back and they are able to overcome some of the issues of the kids' education because the MOE had given them the approval to put their children in an international school. Sir, we cannot under-estimate or emphasise enough the importance of the children's education in their decision-making process of these families. In his National Day Rally speech, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong alerted us on his concern of the sense of belonging of our fellow citizens. This concern is even more pertinent with regard to the third-generation Singaporeans. We are hearing more who consider migration and hope to find a less stressful place in the sun for themselves and their family. These are generally those who are talented, mobile and can afford to uproot and move. Can we, as a country, afford this loss? Some say, "Good riddance." But I am saying that, for a small country, like Singapore, one talent loss is one too many. As it is, we are struggling to attract talent to our country. Similarly, are we taking care of the underdogs and the underprivileged of our society to face new challenges of this new economy? How then, Sir, can we allay all these worries that people are facing? Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I believe that we have arrived at the juncture of our country's development and growth where we are expected to deliver something different, do things differently and do not always stick to the old formula that has served us well. In moving forward to revive the economy, thus creating more jobs and businesses, we must not lose track of the very reason we are doing all these efforts, that is, the people.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise to support the Motion dubbed as "Stayers and Quitters" raised by my fellow PAP parliamentarians. I am going to tell you not the tale of two cities, but the tale of two Singaporean families. There are many stories and anecdotes about this topic of migration out there, but I feel that it is important for me to illustrate how complex this matter is. Sometimes the situation that may be clear-cut and obvious to us may not be so. These are stories of Singaporean families who have flirted with immigration in some degree of variations and with different outcomes. Family A is a middle-aged professional couple with four children. Sometime in mid-1990s, the family decided to go to New Zealand, and they brought with them their two youngest children. They made their living there and even managed to upgrade themselves and obtained their post-graduate degrees. The two youngest children grew up and studied in the New Zealand education system, while the other two elder children stayed back in Singapore, did very well in their studies and were pursuing their tertiary education (one in Singapore and the other in an overseas university). After four years, the family decided to come back to Singapore. But their stay was short-lived, and they decided to uproot the family again and migrate to New Zealand and maybe this time, it is for good. Why did this happen? According to them, they did it for their children. It is because their two younger children are having problems to cope with our academic system. Family B is a young professional couple with two young children. For many years, the wife and the two children stayed in Australia. The kids were there since the age of one and two.”
“Sir, we have heard for many years now that there needs to be a change in mindset towards the way we pay our workers, that is, we should move away from the seniority-based wage system and move towards the task-based and performance-based system, irrespective of age. The progress has been slow. Many Members, union or otherwise, have lamented in this Chamber of the slow take-up rate from the private sector. I believe we should seriously look into how this could be changed. Mr Speaker, Sir, the seniority-based wage system is so entrenched and rooted in our economy that, I believe, maybe evolution is not enough, but rather a revolution is what we should start. May I be bold to suggest that the civil service, as the largest employer, should lead the way and revamp its wage system, rather than making minor changes here and there? Sir, the initiative to allow CPF members to invest in approved private pension funds is laudable. This gives the workers opportunity to decide on alternative schemes. They should be responsible for their retirement and if they feel that the returns from the pension funds are better and thus enhancing their safety net, so be it. My only concern is for the workers to be informed of the pros and cons of such schemes. Let them make informed choices and be responsible for their choices. In conclusion, Sir, I support the move to fine-tune the CPF system, and I believe that it is necessary to prepare ourselves for future challenges.”
“It has managed to get the views of the stakeholders and the masses before the recommendations are made. I believe that the workers understand that some of these changes are necessary and that we have to do it, no matter how painful it is going to be. But, Sir, I can assure you that there are many out there who still do not understand how these changes will have an impact on their lives. Many are just hoping that positive change will come about. We should continue to engage the people and get their views because this process of communications and consultations will minimise misunderstanding. Naturally, there will always be disgruntled people who will be bitter and cynical of whatever effort that we intend to do, or change. Mr Speaker, Sir, as we ponder upon the means and ways to make these changes and adapt, there are several issues which, I believe, I can highlight which deserve some attention from the House. Our older workers are constantly grappling with rapid changes and the need to acquire new skills and knowledge. Many of them are struggling and some of them are resisting these changes. Now, we are telling them that their CPF is going to be affected. How then can we assist them to manage this change? Can we be sure that the proposed CPF change will help them to be more employable? As it is, Sir, many have tried to re-profile themselves and acquire new skills, but yet they still struggle to get new jobs. We know that it is not going to be easy to assess how effective this measure is going to be, but we are surely going to be judged for this decision. So let us not make it more painful and assure those who fall under the age bracket of 50-55 years and are directly affected by this change that, if they need help, the help is there for them.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of the proposed changes to the CPF system, as described in the Ministerial speech. Sir, since its inception, the CPF system has been part and parcel of the working lives of all Singaporean workers. The success of this system is greatly due to the fact that we believe its principles and concept. It is a good system. It has served us well. It is one of the basic tenets of our social security system. As opposed to the common pool retirement fund systems that exist in many other countries, our CPF system is based on individual compulsory savings for retirement for every worker. Through CPF Board facilitation, thousands of our workers and their families are able to benefit from the fruits of their labours during their twilight years. Sir, when there were hints that the system was going to be reviewed, many were worried. Understandably so, because we are comfortable with it and many depend on their CPF savings to purchase property and some use their CPF accounts to invest in stocks. Naturally, the idea of the Government tampering with something that works and is not broken is unnerving and disturbing. But we also understand times have changed. We have just gotten through the worst economic recession of our short history and we are still not out of the woods. The world and the regional economic landscape have changed. Tight labour market and full employment that we have enjoyed for many years are no longer the order of the day. It is a relief that after lots of speculations, discussions and consultations that have taken place, here we are and the ERC has spoken. This topic, Sir, is very important and it touches across the whole strata of our population. I believe that it has been handled very, very well and it speaks very well for ERC.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, would the Ministry consider allowing teachers who prefer to do counselling as a career to change their career path from that of teaching to counselling, to increase the pool of professional counsellors? Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam: Mr Speaker, Sir, it is not necessary to set up a new career track within the Education Service for such professionals. But, certainly, if a teacher is talented in counselling and has a strong interest in engaging in this, how best we deploy that teacher, what the responsibilities of the teacher are, what percentage of the time is spent on counselling, are matters that can be looked at.”
“Little did I realise that I was given a shock introduction to a common thing - things that happen in Paris, ie, public transport strike. Needless to say, I had to walk back to my hostel. Let us not take things for granted. We do have a good transport system. It may not be the best, but it works, albeit with some minor hiccups now and then. But it works. It is the envy of many people around the world. Does this happen by chance? No. Apart from the infrastructure that we have, there are thousands of public transport workers that run it and make it all happen for us everyday. Like Mdm Halimah, I would also like to thank them for their effort and good work. Let me also take this opportunity, Sir, to remind the transport providers that they have to continue to improve and not let the commuters down. This fare increase, though small it may be, is done during difficult times. Thus, transport providers must, in good faith, provide their best and reward their loyal commuters by some other innovative means. Lastly, Sir, let me reiterate my support to the amendments to the Motion proposed by Dr Tan Boon Wan.”
“I believe that many Members have already expressed this eloquently, and I am just echoing their sentiments further. On the other hand, Sir, we also have to admit that the job of the PTC is not an easy one. They have to find a balance between the public interest without undermining the viability of the transport provider. The framework of regulations that we have in place has worked well for us. But in our usual continuous quest to improve and to do things better, I think we should widen the representations in the PTC to include members from the unions, political leaders, grassroots leaders, and dare I suggest, student leaders too. Let us be fair and give credit where it is due. Several Members openly admitted that the PTC has done reasonably well. We all understood that PTC has been given the responsibility and the unenviable task to do, we should have the confidence on the members and not undermine their role and integrity. Furthermore, we should not judge them on a single unpopular decision, but rather look at their track record over the period of their existence. Let us improve the processes and make it more transparent, but not destroy PTC's position. Mr Speaker, let me tell you an experience that marked me for a long time. This happened in 1986 when I was studying in Paris, France. It was my first winter and it was very, very cold. I was taking my usual train ride back to my hostel. I was about 3 kilometres away from the destination when the train stopped at the station. I noticed that it was longer than usual, but thought nothing of it. To my surprise and shock, after about ten minutes, there was an announcement that said that the train was not going to move because the driver had gone on an abrupt strike.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of the amendments proposed by the hon. Member for Ang Mo Kio GRC, Dr Tan Boon Wan. I have to admit that after yesterday's animated debate that we saw in the House, it is not going to be easy to up the tempo but, nevertheless, Dr Tan Boon Wan has risen to give a reasonable and realistic touch to the original Motion. I would like to give my take on the proposed amendments and overall issue of the public transport fare. Sir, in the proposed amendments, he has rightly taken into consideration PM Goh's support for the principle of PTC granting small increases. Similarly, he has put into context the concerns of the people in the present environment of uncertainty and economic slowdown by urging the Government to ensure public services remain affordable. These amendments are laudable and I think it should be supported. Mr Speaker, Sir, we have heard over and over again in this House about the difficulties facing all Singaporeans at this moment. The depth of the impact of economic recession on the lives of our citizens is further emphasised by the recent announcement of more job losses and increases in the request for financial assistance. Sir, we cannot, and should not, under-estimate the effect of the slowdown in the global economy on their livelihood. Many of my constituents that I met during grassroots functions and block visits expressed the concerns and worry. With the perceived spate of increases in the charges for basic services, they are just waiting for the last straw that would break the camel's back. They are at a loss of what is happening. They view the recent increase in the bus fares as contradictory to the overall effort to lower cost and tighten their belts during these hard times.”
“Sir, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Sir, I am happy that MITA is developing the Old Parliament House. This historical and important heritage of our country must be given due importance and accorded the right place in our society. With respect to this, can the Minister update the House on the progress of the development and the future plans for the Old Parliament House? May I also ask what is the difference in the model of development compared to the old SJI? I had the opportunity to accompany the Minister on his visit to Reflections at Bukit Chandu recently, and it was really an exciting and interesting experience. I would like to encourage the House to pay a visit to this new museum at Bukit Chandu. If this is an example of the kind of future development that we can get for our museums, I have to really say that it is a commendable effort, and I would encourage MITA to work on the same model for the Old Parliament House. 4.45 pm”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head Q of the Development Estimates be reduced by $10 in respect of Code QH 5200. Every major city of the world has its own historical and cultural landmark. The Esplanade's design and development have caused some stir in the architectural circle and among our citizens. Personally, I have to admit that I am an admirer of this national landmark. Say whatever you like, it sure stands out like a sore thumb on the bay. For many years, we could only turn to several common sites for concerts and performances. Now, with the Esplanade, I am confident Singaporeans can benefit and enjoy a modern, hi-tech, world-class theatre and concert hall. The Esplanade will go a long way in promoting and elevating the art scene in Singapore. Sir, my only concern is regarding the status and role of the Esplanade, as a private entity, in the effort to promote arts. I am for the investment in the arts and culture. It is important. With regard to this, I would like to highlight the major investment towards this project and ask the Minister how is the Esplanade going to balance its role to be economically viable and, yet, making the arts accessible and affordable to the masses.”
“Sir, the burst of the dot-com bubble has been a painful lesson for many. I would like to caution the Minister on the hype and hoo-ha of the 3G technology. It is all good and well to anticipate and project the possible growth and earnings from this technology. There are still many uncertainties and technologically speaking, there are many hurdles to overcome and bugs to cure. We could learn from the experience of the European countries that had inadvertently thrown their telecommunication companies into battle for the coveted 3G licence, even before any concrete system or services could be rolled out. Is this a good thing to do? Sir, I would like to caution the Minister against putting a high premium on the 3G licence, because in the end, it is the consumer who is going to pay for these services, and worse still, it could hinder the growth rather than help it to develop to its full potential.”
“We must not be lagging behind if we see ourselves in the forefront of electronic commerce. I would, therefore, like to ask the Minister to consider the following measures: One, ask IDA to seriously explore the legislative option for providing a baseline of protection for informational privacy; Two, advise and direct all websites or content providers in Singapore to make available a privacy policy that is couched in simple language and not legalese; and Three, to encourage the use of IBM's free technology solution to privacy, the Tivoli programme, that will, amazingly, translate all written privacy policies into electronic format and apply the whole new rules to the website of the content provider. Sir, in consumer law, there is a general rule called caveat emptor or "buyers beware". This rule has increasingly been supplanted by legislation protecting the rights of consumers to physical goods. In the case of the Internet, as far as personal privacy is concerned, it is still the situation of "Surfers beware. Cookie monsters are everywhere." Sir, it is time to act to protect informational privacy in a meaningful manner and, I hope, the Minister will take note of that.”
“I myself have had advertisements for flowers, chocolates, even pregnancy kits which, of course, I do not think I need. Obviously, many see this trend as a severe infringement of personal privacy. And the US legislature has recognised this by considering a Bill on online personal privacy, which has just secured the approval of the US Senate Commerce Committee. The general view is that good privacy practices mean good business. Consumer confidence will increase and more will use the Net for their purchases. Sir, recently, a number of letters have surfaced in the Forum Page of the Straits Times, lamenting the lack of such laws in Singapore. Singapore has so far preferred the self-regulating solution for both the private and public sectors. However, this is generally now regarded as insufficient for a number of reasons. Firstly, companies may set out having a good privacy policy but may actually change in due course without the users' consent after collecting information. Secondly, there are many cases of companies facing bankruptcy and selling their databases as a means of keeping afloat and yet others, of course, may deliberately use cookies to surreptitiously collect information for commercial reasons. Such companies are unlikely to abide by any self-regulating code without teeth. Sir, to promote consumer confidence is to promote electronic commerce. Promoting consumer confidence requires serious attention to be paid to the protection of personal data. Only legislation can lay down the baseline of personal privacy protection. Self-regulation has not been a success so far. This is recognised in the United States and other countries, such as the EU, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan.”
“Sir, with the rapid advancement of technology in the info-communications arena, the challenges faced for control are approaching impossible. In this respect, I would like to ask the Minister to choose more education over control on the issue of Internet. Assoc. Prof. Chin Tet Yung (Sembawang): Sir, the right to be left alone or to keep information about ourselves to ourselves is a right that I believe everyone would value. Informational privacy has become one of the most significant forms of this right in the last decade, because of the advances made in technology and the everyday use of the Internet. Perhaps, in recognition of this, the IDA is charged with the specific duty and given the power to establish, maintain and promote data protection, standards and codes relating to privacy. The technology to make it easier for us to surf the Internet also presents risks to informational privacy. Everyone knows what cookies are. Those who have yet to surf the Net probably think that they are biscuits. Children are more familiar with the cookie monster. But, for those who surf the Net, they know cookies as software devices that are used by server connections to store and retrieve information about the user. It is intended to make life easier for the user, because the user preferences are then stored and become known to the server. But, increasingly, these cookies are becoming cookie monsters. They are used by many service providers to collect information, which is then sold commercially, usually to mass marketing agencies. The users suddenly find themselves bombarded with thousands of messages advertising all sorts of products. I am sure the experience is not unique to anybody, and it is a common one.”
“For a country like Singapore, we can learn from countries which are having difficulties and yet they are able to grow their film industry. So I would like to ask what are the plans of MITA to boost this area.”