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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“This means we are not helping 92 out of every 100 people who deserve help. Let me tell you a story. Imagine spending weeks planning for a perfect surprise birthday party but the birthday party boy did not show up. Why? Because you forgot to send out his invitation card. Or maybe, you did send it to him but in a language he could not understand. It ends up that the one person you went to great lengths to plan the party for cannot appreciate your effort. Would you not have gone a mile to prevent this from happening? It should be the same in this CPF case. I therefore appeal to CPF Board to consider an action plan based on three O's - outreach, outreach and outreach. But we can all learn from the three O's. In the recent roadshows that NTUC did in the heartland, it was discovered that many of the residents were not familiar with the financial assistance schemes to help the needy. Traditional media like the newspapers and TV media may not be effective outreach vehicles as low-income families may not access them. More direct and innovative methods have to be used, and it can be done. During the SARS period in 2003, Central Singapore CDC and the Chinese Clan Association reminded the elderly using Hokkien over the radio and in person to wash their hands regularly. This is just one example of how we can tailor our outreach to our audience. It can be done. We just need to think creatively. I have spoken a lot about the immediate relief measures. But I do in fact think that the long-term measures are more critical to making an impact on the poor. I want to focus here on the need for continuous workforce upgrading skill and development. This not only ensures national economic competitiveness, but it also ensures individual competitiveness.”
“It is even cleverly tailored to give the elderly a headstart, since the amount of the L-Bonus will vary such that older and less well-off members will receive more. If you choose to participate in the CPF LIFE scheme, you will receive an income for as long as you live. Now, with this Budget, we are also saying that if you join early, that is, the first five cohorts, you can get up to $4,000 bonus top-up from the Government into your CPF account. So, is it better to spend 30 minutes standing in a 4D queue for a very small chance of winning something, or 30 minutes standing in a CPF branch queue for 100% certainty of getting $4,000? But, more importantly, I believe the CPF LIFE scheme will give you a peace of mind, and that is priceless. However, Sir, I think the CPF Board can do more. There are over 100,000 casual workers and self-employed who are probably not going to qualify for the CPF LIFE because they cannot achieve the $40,000 Minimum Sum savings. Some of them may decide to do their own top-up but only if they have the means to dig deeper into their already very shallow pocket. Still, they are luckier than others, such as cleaners, shop assistants and house help who will probably never be able to accumulate their eligibility sum using their own earnings. These workers will have to rely on Workfare and its CPF linkage for additional top-ups. I therefore appeal to CPF Board to give these workers proper advice on how to plan for their sunset years. Unfortunately, this picture does get bleaker. There is still a substantial number of low-income workers not placed on the CPF schemes. Recent estimates showed that only 9,000 out of 112,000 people who qualify for the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) have signed up.”
“The rest of the surplus, it is wise that the Government keeps for a rainy day since the weatherman already forecasts rain for the coming year. Lao Zi said, "Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day; teach him how to fish, and he will eat for a lifetime." This year's Budget shows that the Government is doing both - in fact giving the man a fish for today and teaching him how to fish for the future. I applaud the Government for this for two reasons. Firstly, for recognising that giving immediate relief to the poor will go a long way. Secondly, I applaud the Government for not compromising on its core belief that long-term solutions are the only sustainable path to uplift and bring along the low-income households. The Budget proposals that will provide more skills upgrading opportunities and that will stimulate economic growth in order to create more jobs, speak to this. The Government is also generous to the low-income and the needy in its other proposals. The Public Assistance rates for those unable to work due to old age, illness or disability will be raised from $290 to $330. The ComCare Fund will receive a top-up of $200 million this year. The $10 million fund promised by the Government last year to the community organisations to provide help to the needy will also be doubled this year. This probably means twice as many people can be helped. This Budget is also senior-friendly. The Government's proposal to top up an amount of up to $450 to the Medisave accounts will help older Singaporeans pay their medical bills and higher MediShield premiums. The LIFE Bonus (L-Bonus) to encourage early adopters of the CPF LIFE scheme is also a step in the right direction.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, please allow me to join my fellow colleagues in the debate on the 2008/09 Budget Statement. What can $10 buy us at the market today compared to last year? In January last year, I could buy chicken, milk and bread for just under $10. Today, I can still buy my chicken and milk, but, wait, I can no longer afford my bread. What has happened here? Well, it is called food inflation. It is also part of the overall increase in consumer price levels in Singapore - a 4.4% jump from last year. The price of crude oil also crossed the magic US$100 per barrel recently. This means we can probably feel its effects in the prices of not just what we eat but how we get to work or the shops or what we use to power our TV and almost everything else at our home. Singapore is an open economy, and we cannot insulate ourselves from the effects of world-wide inflationary pressures. Singapore will probably experience 4.5%-5.5% inflation again this year. This concerns me deeply as I believe that the lower income earners will bear the brunt of the impact. It is simple primary school Mathematics. Let me show you. Recent statistics tell us that the income of the bottom quartile has grown, but the growth is below 4%. With an expected inflation of 4.5% this year, any rise in income is quickly wiped out: 4% minus 4.5% is less than zero. What will happen if we are not able to provide them the resources to bring home the bread but they are also unable to bring home the dough? This is why I am glad that the Government intends to return almost 85% of its fiscal 2007 budget surplus of $6.4 billion to the citizens of Singapore. Even better, it is shown that $1 out of every $3 of this will go specifically to the poor and the elderly - those who really need help.”
“MOE is currently looking at whether there is a need to further enhance measures in some of these areas, to help our pre-school operators level up. The Pre-school Qualification Accreditation Committee (PQAC) was set up jointly by MOE and MCYS in 2001 to ascertain that the courses conducted by teacher training agencies meet the prescribed standards. Its role is to assess and accredit the pre-school teacher training courses in Singapore up to Diploma level. The course content is regularly reviewed with input obtained from the stakeholders, such as the practitioners and trainers, to ensure that it is in line with recent developments in the ECE field. The latest review of the pre-school teacher training courses is underway and is expected to be completed some time in 2008. Column No : 360 LIFT UPGRADING PROGRAMME FOR POTONG PASIR The following Question stood in the name of Mr Chiam See Tong - 17. To ask the Minister for National Development whether Potong Pasir will be selected for the Lift Upgrading Programme before 2014 and whether he is aware that 63 lifts in the area are more than 20 years old and should definitely meet HDB’s criteria for the selection.”
“Question No. 16, Sir. The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education (Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M) (for the Minister for Education): Mr Speaker, Sir, understanding about the importance of early childhood education is still evolving. Some recent international research suggests that the early childhood years are a sensitive period in which a child's future development can be influenced. MOE's own data indicates that pre-school education is particularly helpful in allowing children from low-income and non-English speaking families to be more school-ready. MOE has done much to help children from diverse pre-school experiences to transit to formal education in Primary One. In this way, all children will have the opportunity to benefit from the quality education in our schools, regardless of starting points. Some examples include the reduction in Primary One and Two class sizes from 40 to 30 for smoother transition from kindergarten, enhancement to the Learning Support Programme to build literacy skills, and the introduction of a similar programme in Mathematics. MOE's support for early childhood education has been targeted at areas which would have the greatest leverage. These areas include: (a) Delineating the Desired Outcomes for Pre-School Education which are aligned to the desired outcomes of primary education; (b) Developing a curriculum framework; (c) Raising the minimum professional qualifications of teachers; (d) Developing a professional development framework to encourage continuous professional development of pre-school practitioners; (e) Organising workshops, courses, seminars and sharing sessions for kindergarten leaders and teachers; and (f) Promoting kindergarten self-appraisal to encourage a culture of continual improvement among pre-schools.”
“Muslims make up 21% of the 600 patients in Singapore who are waiting for an organ transplant but account for only 2% of the patients who actually receive a new organ. The purpose of the HOTA Amendment will improve this situation by allowing enhanced access for Muslim patients to donated organs, as those who require an organ transplant will enjoy equal priority for organ transplants as all other Singaporeans who have not opted out. By consenting to donate our organs, the Muslim community is showing compassion to all and also, in return, benefit from our support. Mdm Deputy Speaker, as we debate on this Bill today, I am sure the thing that is top of the mind of all that is present here is the patients placed on the organ waiting list. Here and now, we have a chance to make a difference to their lives. Without even lifting a finger, we have a chance to save lives. Mdm Deputy Speaker, I support the Bill. 5.15 pm”
“A typical haemodialysis treatment involves three sessions per week, with each session lasting about three to five hours, and treatment is generally done at a VWO-run dialysis centre and in Government or private hospitals. And after each session, patients sometimes suffer from side effects such as hypotension, lightheadedness, nausea, muscle cramps and fatigue. Apart from the time factor, treatment cost is certainly a concern because unsubsidised haemodialysis is about $80 per day, which comes to about $2,400 per month. This does not include the costs of medication, transport and patient care. As of end 2007, there are about 2,100 patients on haemodialysis. To help these patients, we need to increase the likelihood of finding a suitable donor and recipient match. And we can do this by having a larger pool of donors and donated organs. This is a proven fact. Prior to HOTA, deceased donor kidney transplantation only averaged five per year and after HOTA, the number increased to about 13 per year. We have basically tripled the number of lives saved per year and, I think, the Minister has mentioned, it is even more than that. The patients who benefit from organ transplantation came from all races and background. And, hence, it is only fair that all should contribute to help the whole community. With the inclusion of Muslims under HOTA, we can expect up to five additional organ donors per year and, as mentioned by Dr Fatimah earlier, yielding up to 10 kidneys, 10 corneas, five livers and five hearts. Based on records in the year 2006, Malays made up 21% of the total number of patients on the kidney waiting list. However, in the same year, only 16% of the transplanted patients were Malays.”
“A recent study cautions us that by the year 2030, it is estimated that 14% to 15% of the adult Singaporean population will be diabetic. Furthermore, based on some recent statistics, the incidence of end stage kidney failure among the Malays is disproportionately higher than in other races. Of the new cases of end stage kidney failure, 22% were Malays, although we make up only 14% of the total resident population. The National Health Survey reported that an estimated 11% of Malays have diabetes mellitus compared to 7% of Chinese and 15% of Indians. Diabetes mellitus is the main cause of diabetic neuropathy which results in kidney failure. We know disease patients who are seeking treatment would have to face some tough decisions about the choice of treatment - either haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and kidney transplantation. Each treatment has advantages and disadvantages and the choice of treatment will have a big impact on the patient's day-to-day lifestyle. Although kidney transplantation is the best treatment for kidney failure, in reality, only a small proportion of the patients receive a kidney transplant. Of the total population of kidney failure patients, only 5% to 10% receive a kidney transplant. Matching a transplant candidate and recipient is complicated due to multiple factors including medical and biological profile compatibility. I was told that we currently have about 600 dialysis patients waiting for deceased kidney donor transplant, and the average waiting for a deceased kidney donor transplant in Singapore is seven years. While waiting, patients undergo other treatment options such as haemodialysis. I mentioned earlier that the choice of treatment will impact the patient's lifestyle.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, I rise in support of the amendments proposed, specifically the inclusion of the Muslims under the presumed consent framework of organ transplantation and the provision of enforcement powers to investigate offences under HOTA. When the Human Organ Transplant Act was introduced more than 20 years ago, Muslims were not automatically included as organ donors. Muslims could, however, choose to opt in and pledge their organs for donation under the Medical (Therapy, Education and Research) Act (MTERA). This option was provided in view of the sensitivity of organ transplantation at that point in time. Following the recent edict or fatwa by MUIS on Muslim organ donor and transplantation, all apprehension on the matter has been generally lifted and doubts have been widely cleared. More importantly, through extensive dialogues and feedback sessions, we have noticed the positive change in mindset towards organ donation. And with these proposed amendments, we have been presented with a clear path to move forward. While the scope of HOTA covers vital organs such as our kidney, liver, heart and cornea, I would like to focus on one of the top 10 causes of mortality in Singapore, ie, kidney disease. Kidney disease can lead to kidney failure. It heightens the risk of heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure and premature death. It causes anaemia, bone disease and malnutrition. We all know that the escalating prevalence of diabetes and hypertension are some of the common factors that contribute to the increasing incidence of kidney disease. Coupled with the increase in life expectancy, we foresee that a higher percentage of the senior population will be affected by this disease.”
“Sir, the Minister has mentioned that in the last five years, HDB prices have gone up by 11%. I just wanted to know whether the measurement is based on the reported resale price or the price which buyers normally buy. There is always an above-valuation value. Are those values captured? Recently, I also heard that the prices above valuation have gone up quite significantly. Is this a common practice or is this considered as normal?”
“In closing, Sir, I would like again to remind all Singaporeans to rationally review and assess the proposed changes in totality, and weigh the risks and long-term benefits. We should be fair to ourselves, our family and our society. Only then, can we see clearly the path ahead towards an active and secure retirement and ageing. Sir, I support the proposed changes to the CPF scheme. 1.51 pm”
“Mr Speaker, Singapore would not be enjoying its current success without the contribution of our workforce in building the nation. This contribution is an ongoing and continuous cycle and as our workforce ages and enters post-retirement, it is our responsibility as a society and not just the Government's, as some had suggested, to take care of our elderly. We all share this responsibility and it is only logical that we pool our resources together. We must abandon the individualistic mindset and embrace the concept of shared responsibility. This is the basis of the compulsory longevity insurance and annuity that will be introduced to help provide income to the elderly beyond 85 years old. My other concern, Sir, is if this scheme is to be made compulsory, it would be worthwhile for the Minister to elaborate on the enforcement mechanism and the penalty that entails for those who fail to comply, if that happens. Similarly, I urge the policy makers to consider favourably exemption from annuity for small - I repeat this again - small pockets of individuals who would clearly not benefit from it. I trust that the ongoing feedback sessions with the public and our stakeholders would help to identify this group of people who should be exempted from compulsory annuity. I would also like to ask the Minister for Manpower whether any provisions have been made for individuals without sufficient CPF contributions to also tap into the annuity plan. These tend to be generally the low-income and low-skilled workers, such as odd job labourers and contract workers, who are not paid CPF. There could also be people who have fallen into hard times and depleted their CPF savings. I hope that there will also be provisions for people without CPF to come on board the annuity scheme.”
“The proposed changes must be viewed as a package - of different parts working together, to provide a more secure retirement future for Singaporeans. The first of these parts, and also the most welcomed change, is the change in the CPF interest rates, which would result in an overall increase of the CPF savings of all Singaporeans. I would like to commend the Government for this "investment" in our people. It illustrates that it is serious about tackling this challenge and truly believes in the long-term benefits for all Singaporeans. Nevertheless, Sir, this would not be sufficient because we also need to stretch our savings as life expectancy increases, and hence the proposed change, which is a rise in the Minimum Sum draw-down age (DDA). We have heard many expressing their concerns about this perceived delay. But this deferment should not be assessed in isolation because it works hand-in-hand with the re-employment legislation and the increase of the Workfare Income Supplement for older workers. Furthermore, the proposed draw-down age changes will be made progressively and painlessly to allow contributors to make adjustment to their retirement plans and meanwhile to maximise the benefits of compounding interest. On top of this, there are the D- and V-Bonuses to help CPF account holders to cope with the increase in the draw-down age. But, Sir, for most workers, the proposed change to the DDA is clearly a non-issue if, and only if, there are jobs, jobs and jobs so that they can continue to earn a decent salary. First, I would say that, fundamentally, the concern is still about job security in their old age. How can we assure our workers that they will still remain employable and relevant at 62 and beyond?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, please allow me this opportunity to give some of my thoughts on the proposed CPF reforms and other measures for a secure retirement. Since our independence in 1965, we have seen our country grow stronger socially and economically. And while we face many storms along the way, Singaporeans have survived and prospered, thanks to two significant pillars of our governance structures; the Housing and Development Board and the Central Provident Fund. Sir, as our quality of life improves, Singaporeans, either living in Radin Mas, Kreta Ayer or elsewhere, are living a lot longer today - life expectancy is now at 82 years compared with 66 years in 1970. The ageing of Singapore may be the most important demographic change this country would undergo in this century. It is the Government's and, more importantly, also Singaporeans' duty to ensure that we are able to safeguard our security for old age. Mr Speaker, we can foresee that the challenges will mainly come from rising healthcare and cost of living. Therefore, we need to ensure that our CPF system remains relevant and is robust, so that it will continue to play its role to provide post-retirement security. The CPF must be constantly fine-tuned to anticipate future challenges and be there for its contributors. Sir, from the feedback sessions that I had attended and discussions that I had with the residents, grassroots leaders and friends; some said that the Government has no right to interfere with the contributors' savings after retirement. And there are also the cynics and others that simply doubt the Government's intentions of making these changes. Here, I would like to urge all Singaporeans to assess the proposed changes in totality and look at the long-term benefits.”
“Can we include in the proposed legislation a programme with all the eyecare professionals to support the national programme, especially in patient education? Besides the problem of myopia in our younger population, we also face the problem of blindness in the young. Could we also enlist the support from these eyecare professionals to screen for conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration and refractive errors which can affect the vision of the elderly? While patients with refractive errors can be treated by the optometrists, those found to have age-related macular degeneration, which is a leading cause of blindness in developed world, or glaucoma or cataracts, should be referred to the ophthalmologists for proper treatment. If left untreated, the patients may be unaware of its seriousness and treatment may no longer be effective. Mdm Deputy Speaker, the introduction of this Bill is both timely and necessary. I strongly believe that the proposed framework will benefit both patients and the profession. Patients can be assured of access to eyecare that is affordable and of high standards whilst practitioners will be accorded their deserved professional development, recognition and protection. Mdm Deputy Speaker, I support the Bill. 4.33 pm”
“Optometrists who are academically qualified are commonly regarded as the general practitioners of eyecare. For example, in the United States, Canada and the Philippines, very often, the practising optometrists are highly qualified and he carries the title of "Dr of Optometry" as he provides professional primary eyecare. And, at times, the combined assessment by an eyecare professional together with the relevant medical specialists can lead to early detection of systemic manifestations such as anemia, diabetes, hypertension, neurological problems such as tumours and minor strokes, not to mention many primary eye conditions. For maximum effectiveness, the Government needs to embark on a continuous public education programme to help patients better understand the field of optometry. Singaporeans need to see the differences between opticians and optometrists and the capabilities of each professional. Only then can members of the public help to weed out the errant practitioners. Before seeking treatment, patients should approach their practitioners eyeball-to-eyeball and demand that they provide their qualifications and relevant certifications. I mentioned earlier that myopia is the most common eye problem amongst children in Singapore. I believe that we are all very concerned with this trend. I am also encouraged to see that in the 2007 Budget, $86 million has been set aside for health education and promotion initiatives including the National Myopia Prevention Programme. I have been following the National Myopia Prevention Programme organised by the Health Promotion Board since it started in 2001 and would like to enquire on the public response and effectiveness of the programme. Are we doing enough to raise awareness on myopia amongst the students and parents?”
“Sometimes, our vision is blurred by the appearances, especially when we enter a shop and are greeted by people in a crisp white coat and a shiny nametag. While there are opticians or optometrists who are truly qualified out there, there are also some who are merely "optical illusionists". In order to enhance our capacity for competent and cost-effective eyecare, the Ministry of Health has rightly introduced a statutory regulatory framework to regulate the practice of optometry and opticianry in Singapore. In essence, the general public has a lot to benefit from the proposed changes. I am confident, Madam, that the new regulation will raise the overall standard of eyecare by ensuring a certain level of competence, standards of practice and accountability by a certified eyecare professional. When a patient goes to see an optician or optometrist, he can be assured that the person he meets is a properly qualified, trained and recognised optometrist or optician. The patient will also know that the skills and knowledge of these practitioners are continually kept up-to-date with the latest developments in their field through a systematic professional education programme. The effectiveness of regulating the eyecare industry can be seen in many developed countries, such as the US, UK and Australia, who already have similar legislation in place. In most cases, statutory regulation has proven to improve the quality of eyecare for the patients and also develop experts and professionals in the practice of optometry. This also leads to an expanded scope of practice and career development. Mdm Deputy Speaker, qualified optometrists and opticians have an important role to play in patient education.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, thank you for this opportunity to speak on the Optometrists and Opticians Bill. Please allow me to start with these facts as a layman. Myopia is the most common eye problem among children in Singapore. One in four seven-year-olds in Singapore is myopic, compared to about one in a hundred in Australia. Every other 12-year-old Singaporean suffers from myopia. Over 80% of our 18-year-olds are shortsighted. These figures rank the country as having one of the highest rates of myopia in the world. If poorly treated, this medical condition can lead to irrecoverable loss in vision or, worse still, sometimes blindness. With such an alarming rate of myopia in the country, it is worrying to know that apart from the Contact Lens Practitioners Act of 1985, the eyecare industry is currently self-regulated. While we have first-class research and education expertise at the Singapore National Centre, a comprehensive cost-effective primary care structure is lacking. For instance, optometry, as a profession, is not really recognised. Practically, anyone can set up an optical shop, do a so-called eye test and issue prescription spectacles. In these cases, without the proper qualification and training, myopia and common eye diseases in children and adults will go undetected, poorly treated and, eventually, could lead to irrecoverable loss in vision. Mdm Deputy Speaker, we must realise that people who visit the optical shops are not merely "customers" seeking cool shades. They are actually patients seeking a diagnosis and treatment of visual deficiencies and eye health from someone whom they perceive as an "eyecare professional". Unfortunately, under the current circumstances, this might not necessarily be the case.”
“Sir, though we understand the need to have international students, the perspective of students who have been rejected from entering the universities is that the places that are available could have been offered to the locals. So how do we rationalise the same amount of resources provided for the university education to the foreign students?”
“If after they have sold their flat they want to buy another flat and take a loan from HDB, would they be considered as a first-time loan mortgagee by the HDB? &nbs2/16/2013p; Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman: If the first loan that they have taken is from the bank and they have been assessed as not having taken any loans before, then the household would be considered to be a first-time loan applicant and, therefore, they would be eligible for a HDB loan. But we have to really assess the case. This is because sometimes we have situations where the husbands or wives may have taken first loans with flats that they owned with their parents and they are not aware of it, and they think that they are first-time buyers. They come back to us and HDB made an assessment that when they had taken the first loan with their parents, they would be considered as second-time applicants and they would not be eligible for another loan unless they are an upgrader. Mr Cedric Foo Chee Keng (West Coast): Sir, may I ask the Parliamentary Secretary about the logic of allowing second HDB loans to upgraders and not for downgraders. The latter group is apparently the more needy group.”
“Sir, the Parliamentary Secretary mentioned about "informed". How are the mortgagees informed about their commitment and the help that they can get? And why are these first-time buyers going to the bank rather than getting their loans from the HDB?”
“However, Sir, to safeguard the interest of the patients, I support the move to register and regulate these professionals and that they are also governed by the Dentists Act. Dental Council related amendments There were also other proposals that were made to allow the Dental Council to function more effectively as a regulatory body. I believe that the proposed amendments will enable the Dental Council to effectively monitor, regulate and make recommendations for the advancement of quality dental practice in Singapore. With these revisions, the public will be assured of a regulatory body with more teeth and a council with the authority to bite. Meanwhile, the Council will also protect and uphold the good name of professional dental practitioners in Singapore and ensure that any enquiries and complaints against them will be dealt with in a professional, consistent and just manner. Mr Speaker, Sir, I trust that these amendments will benefit both Singaporeans as patients and the dental professionals too. It will ensure that patients receive oral healthcare of the highest standard, maintain the integrity of the profession and help thrust Singapore as a centre of excellence for dental medicine. 4.00 pm”
“Continuing professional education (CPE) The field of dentistry has evolved from dentists being known as drillers and extractors to masters of the art and science of dental practice. I remember the times when a visit to the dentist was like being sent to the dungeons for torture. In fact, I used to think they were paid based on the amount of pain and suffering inflicted onto the patient. Nowadays, going to the dentist is as pleasant and relaxing as a trip to the spa. With soothing music, aromatic candles, cable television, plush seats and the magic of anaesthesia, you do not feel the dentist "lasering" your teeth away. After a couple of visits, you come out with a set of pearly whites that glow in the dark! As with any professional operation, dental professionals would also need to keep up-to-date by continuing their professional development. Through knowledge expansion, these dental professionals will be able to provide better quality dental care to their patients. Patients would benefit from new developments in dental procedures, new materials and technologies. They can be assured that their dental professional is competent to give advice on treatment options, and provide sound recommendations. By raising their skills, expertise and professionalism, Singapore dentists and dental professionals will further enhance our position as a regional medical and dental hub. Registration and regulation of dental care professionals Let me touch on the registration and regulation of dental care professionals. Dental care professionals, such as dental hygienist and dental therapist, play an important role in promoting dental health. They provide affordable and quality oral healthcare to those who do not need the full spectrum of services provided by a general dental practitioner.”
“For example, patients who require preventive dental care, such as professional cleaning, need only to go to a dental hygienist, and patients requiring root canal treatment will go to an endodontist. The registry will also assist referral cases for those who need specific or extensive dental procedures. Sir, as protection to the consumers, only those with the qualifications and expertise can be registered and claim themselves as dental specialists. This is where the Dental Specialist Accreditation Board comes in to define the qualifications, experience and other conditions for registration as specialists. For the patients to derive maximum value from the creation of the Specialists Register, there need to be public education programmes to promote the use and benefits of the registry. The programme can help patients better understand the dentistry field so that they can make educated decisions regarding all available dentistry treatments. This includes information focused on the subject of general dentistry practices in addition to the growing cosmetic dentistry practice. Consumers will find information related to who makes the best candidates for each dentistry procedure, the recovery time after completion of their dental work, and the appropriate expectations. Sir, on the other hand, the Ministry of Health must also ensure dental fee transparency to mitigate unwarranted and arbitrary revisions to the guidelines of fees established by the Singapore Dental Association. Just to echo the same concern of Mdm Halimah, I hope that the specialist title should not be used as a licence to charge exorbitant fees.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of the Dentists (Amendment) Bill. Sir, Singapore has taken great strides to be the dental hub of the region. Recently, the Singapore Dental Association says that our dental clinics here are seeing more overseas patients than before. These patients seek more than just a quick clean-up or check-up. They are here for specialist treatment from prosthodontics to oral surgery. In another development, next year, Singapore will play host to the International Dental Exhibition and Meeting (IDEM Singapore 2008). This event will be the number one communication platform for the entire dental sector in the Asia-Pacific region. Continuing this development, in 2009, the Annual World Dental Congress (AWDC) will hold its annual congress also in Singapore. The congress plays an important role in the international advancement of dentistry and will include a Scientific Programme, a World Dental Exhibition and the World Dental Parliament. Reading the amendments proposed to the Dentists Bill, I can see that there are efforts to streamline common issues between the Singapore Medical Act and the Singapore Dentists Act. And this also includes the functions and roles of the Singapore Medical Council and the Singapore Dental Council. Dental Specialists Register The setting up of a Dental Specialists Register is one of the steps taken to assist in the growth and development of specialised dental practice. The registry will also provide patients access to up-to-date and specialised dental care. It will improve the general awareness of the public with regard to general dental practitioners and dental specialists, and help the provision of appropriate dental care at the right level.”
“That is why good laws alone cannot work. We need knowledgeable implementers, people who fully understand how the tubes on the Internet work, and how email is sent and received. Policemen who have grasped this concept will do a good job. We also need a judiciary who has developed capabilities and concrete technological foundation knowledge to handle the many Internet problems and issues. In addition to anti-spam laws, industry self-regulation and public education on, say, anti-spam technology are vital in helping us to fight against spam. As mentioned earlier, most of the spam is generated overseas. However, I believe that IDA will find ways to work with other international bodies such as APEC and the International Telecommunication Union to crack down on spam. Domestically, Sir, IDA has indicated that it will work together with Singapore business associations and Internet service providers to educate people on spam. This is a very good move. Sir, spam control is a global issue. It is going to be a very slow process, but, nevertheless, an important one. I am glad Singapore has joined the bandwagon of other countries, such as Japan, South Korea, Australia and the United States, to enact anti-spam laws, albeit a little late, it is better late than never. Indeed, our Spam Control Bill helps to build our image as an IT hub. The multi-pronged approach mentioned by the Minister earlier, together with the legislation, is what we need at this juncture. Sir, I support the Bill.”
“Some have said that the legislation alone will not solve the problem at hand. This is because most of the messages received come from overseas. In fact, according to IDA, 77% of spam originates from outside Singapore. With no cross-border agreements in this area, there is really very little that can be done to address this at the very moment. Perhaps, so, but legislation is a pivotal part of the process. No laws have ever totally removed criminal behaviour. We know this. Nevertheless, having said that, laws are a much needed deterrent. The same can be said in this particular case for the Spam Control Bill. Danny Levinson, a representative for anti-spam organisation, the Spamhaus Project in China, was quoted as saying that spam is "like influenza - we can build tools to avoid this scourge but influenza always remain". So the Spam Control Bill is meant to safeguard consumers. Marketers are compelled to label their messages clearly as advertisements. A recipient will be given the right to exercise his choice to receive or refuse such messages. If the request of the recipient is ignored, he can take the perpetrator to court. It sounds very straightforward, at least, in theory. Let me bring the attention of this House to the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 in the United States that has been described as a toothless law. Obviously, it has proven to be ineffective. If so, I hope we will not end up in a similar situation in Singapore. Also, I must add - it is possible that we swing to the other extreme of the spectrum in our enthusiasm to implement this new law - we must be careful not to hamper business operations. Legitimate Internet email traffic, such as online marketing, should not be interrupted. I believe this is what industry experts fear. There is this danger.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, thank you for the opportunity to speak on the Spam Control Bill. Spamming is understood as the sending of unsolicited email, messages in bulk, to people who have not requested for it. And because they are unwanted and "in your face", they can be a real nuisance, not to mention an invasion of privacy and even theft. How so? Spamming is actually a loss of money. Junk mails, flyers and even advertising on public space have been spared with the label "spam" on the grounds that the distribution costs are borne by the advertisers. Spam, however, is paid for by the recipients, in terms of bandwidth, CPU processing time and storage space. Spammers frequently use free dial-up accounts, so their costs may be quite minimal indeed. It is this offloading of costs onto the recipient that many consider spamming to be theft and even criminal conversion. Additionally, junk mail is traceable whereas spammers may not be easily tracked down. Businesses can be held responsible for what they sent. Spammers frequently use the so-called "anarchy" of the Internet as a cover. Different forms of spam have emerged. In addition to the email inbox, there are instant messaging, voice over Internet Protocol, the SMS spam. All the above further reduces bandwidth capacity which subsequently reduces productivity and that can only mean a loss of money which is not what we want. The Spam Control Bill was first mooted, as earlier mentioned by many of the Members in this House, in 2004 as part of a multi-pronged effort to tackle spam, which was said at that time to cost Singapore some $23 million in productivity loss each year. Ideally, the fight against spam should be industry-driven. Education is the best option in the long term.”
“I now regularly encounter Singaporeans who find daily living a growing financial burden and often fear for the future well-being of their family and their children in this increasingly competitive world. Then, we have decided to raise the GST. No doubt, any rational person calculating the offset package that the Government has generously given will know that the offset will pay for any GST hike for many years. Unfortunately, Sir, we all know too well that the issue we discuss today does not reside in the realm of rationale nor logic; it is an emotive matter. As to be expected, there are uneasiness and strong feedback about the proposed review. To mitigate some of the concerns on the ground among them, residents who still have not recovered from the last economic downturn or, worse, have not been able to benefit from Singapore's economic growth in the last few years, we must take pains to show the contributions that each member of the Government and each senior civil servant make to the well-being of Singapore and Singaporeans. Sir, there is a time and place for generalities, for broad big-picture statements, but what we need today is for the Government to clearly explain how each person who will receive this salary increase contributes to the well-being of all Singaporeans.”
“However, Sir, I do recognise that the timing for this salary review comes at a time when there are still quite a number of people out there without jobs or facing retrenchment or have unpaid utilities bills to settle or long-term medical expenses to meet or have difficulties to service housing loans or struggling to cope with their children's future needs or having difficulties to upgrade and improve their careers amidst a rapidly changing globalised world. My heart especially goes out to those who are struggling with low-paying, very often temporary, jobs and have aged parents to support too. We can emphathise with them. We can feel their frustration and pains and they do confide with us when they come to see us at the meet-the-people sessions. Many of these folks are normal folks who, like any other Singaporean, have hopes and aspirations for their family and children. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, we must remember that while the economy today may be humming along, the victims of the last economic downturn have still not recovered. I am sure my experience is mirrored at the meet-the-people sessions of Members of this House too. There are still too many who are unable to find jobs. There are many who, despite Government's help schemes, cannot afford to fully support their children's education needs, and I do not mean simply paying school fees, because we all know that the cost of education today is much more than school fees. Many middle-aged workers, even skilled workers, have not found jobs of the same quality or pay to replace those that they have lost during the downturn.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I do not think I can add anything to the thinking behind why we need to pay for talent. Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has said it simply and said it best - the price of not having the top talented people in the Government and the civil service is the failure of Singapore. No one can deny this point. It is a given. But I would like to raise several points that the Government, this House and the civil service could consider and reflect on. All of us here are for a purpose and while we are here in this Chamber as Members of Parliament, we have the responsibility to uphold the basic tenet of what makes this country work and why we should defend that principle. Though it is ironic that we should be discussing and debating on something that we may have direct benefit, it is for this very reason that the Members of Parliament are elected to do. In fact, this matter does not concern any individual civil servant or Minister. It concerns every Singaporean because it is about the future of our civil service and our leadership. Let me start by offering one perspective for my fellow Singaporeans to consider. Support for this salary review for civil servants will send a strong, enduring and permanent signal by the people, especially to the world out there watching us, that we are committed to have and will continue to have the right and best talent in Government and political office in order to continue having the right policies and executive actions to sustain our country as one of the best places to live and to do business. This, we do so that Singaporeans will never lack good-paying jobs, continuous employment, better facilities and infrastructures, like schools and homes, and steady economic growth to assure a better future for our children and their children.”
“Sir, with regard to the point raised by Dr Fatimah, is there any possibility of changing the age limitation for Muslim marriages? Assoc. Prof. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: Sir, as I mentioned in my reply, we are studying this. I hope Mr Zainudin Nordin will support us.”
“Sir, I just would like to ask the Minister if we have the capability and capacity to handle the youth sector. Do we have enough social workers and youth workers? What efforts are being put to increase the numbers? Assoc. Prof. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: Sir, it is one of the gaps that we have identified earlier in the Malay/Muslim community - the lack of youth workers trained to deal with out of school youths and youths at risk. We have stepped up our training programme. Last year, we spent some money through Mendaki to train about 20 youth workers. I am happy to announce that, this year, we will step up the youth training programme even further to invite experts from overseas, such as Australia, to train a lot more youth workers within the Malay/Muslim community. The challenge is really to be able to equip our youth workers with the relevant social skills to deal with kids who not only bring their own personal problems but, because they come from families which may be dysfunctional, there are other inter-related problems that our youth workers will have to handle.”
“The Community Leaders' Forum has now been a platform for discussions and this is in line with our culture and religion. *Cols. 3649-3650. This will continue to be our thrust of practice and achieving consensus. We must practise the principle of consensus among our community.”
“Indeed, the Executive Director of the Islamic Society of North America, Dr Louay Safi, felt that Singapore can be a model for places where Muslims are a minority. So while we recognise the issues that concern us, we should be proud of what we have achieved. Let us work even harder to achieve our vision of being a community of excellence. Allow me now, Sir, to sum up in Malay. (In Malay): [For vernacular speech, please refer to Appendix A *. ] The Malay-Muslim community in Singapore has shown strong determination and has achieved very encouraging results. We are on the right track in determining our future direction and in tackling social issues and the challenges of a globalised world. Our religious life is dynamic and progressive. Our objective is to achieve a better standard of living for our community in line with our vision of being a community of excellence and a community that is active in bringing well-being and prosperity to our country. I would like to take the opportunity to express my thanks to community leaders, asatizahs and Malay-Muslim organisations for their active participation in efforts to move the community forward. As the proverb says, "berat sama dipikul, ringan sama dijinjing " we work together no matter what the challenges are. With the sense of unity in purpose and a common goal, I am sure we can overcome the challenges that we are facing now and will face in the future. Although sometimes we do not achieve consensus in some matters, it is important that we should not allow this to affect our main objective of bringing progress to our community together. For this purpose, it is important that we put aside whatever personal or group interests that we may have in the interest of the community.”
“MUIS and the mosques have been actively involved in the National Steering Committee on Racial and Religious Harmony chaired by Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, and the newly-repositioned Inter-Racial Confidence Circles (IRCCs). The Harmony Centre, launched by our Prime Minister just five months ago, has already received more than 2,300 visitors and many warm reviews from people of all faiths. To better promote its message of peace and inter-faith understanding, the Harmony Centre will be launching its own website in the second half of this year. At the international level, MUIS Academy recently inked an agreement with Hartford Seminary, a premier institution from Connecticut that is well-known for its research into Muslim-Christian links. Through this link-up, MUIS will be organising inter-faith seminars and courses for people of all religions. MUIS also launched the Distinguished Visitors Programme last May and welcomed His Eminence Dr Sayyed Muhammad Tantawi of Al-Azhar as our first distinguished visitor. MUIS will continue to invite more eminent speakers, both Muslim and non-Muslim, to share their insights. Sir, our Muslim community is confident and forward looking. We have steadily been putting in place a solid base - empowering individuals, connecting with our youths, strengthening families, and enhancing the progressive practice of Islam. Our model has been studied, recognised and commended by many international authorities and observers. Our haj and halal certification services are sought after by many other countries, and we have even shared our madrasah curriculum with them. A UK group of Muslim parliamentarians and community leaders visited us last July and were impressed by how Muslims here integrated and contributed to the wider society.”
“MUIS has expanded the range of the age-specific part-time religious education programmes to include the youths as well as tweens; those just before becoming teenagers. The response to the part-time religious education programme has been positive. So far, about 26,000 students are attending the part-time religious education classes in our mosques, and this figure does not include those who are following other part-time religious education classes offered by other organisations. Let me just cite one example on the effectiveness of the programme. Siti Hairani Aznor, a young working adult who had signed up for the two-month YouthAlive primer course said that she now has a better appreciation of the contributions of Muslims in various fields over the centuries. I am happy to report that there will now be more of such learning opportunities for more youths as the part-time religious education syllabus is expected to be rolled out in all our mosque religious classes or part-time madrasahs by 2010. MUIS has also started a new annual programme called the Shared Perspectives Seminar, which is targeted at youths, and will prompt discussion on issues relevant to our faith and the role and place it occupies in the current times. This is a point that was raised by Mr Zaqy Mohd. The first seminar will be held next week. Sir, finally, on the issue of community engagement raised by Mr Zainudin Nordin who wants to know about our efforts. Singapore, as we all know, is a multi-racial and multi-religious country. Muslims must remain open, appreciate the faiths of fellow Singaporeans and also help them to understand Islam. This will help Singapore stay strong, vibrant, united and resilient. At the local level, Muslims have participated in many inter-faith and inter-ethnic initiatives.”
“To better support their students, the madrasahs have worked with private operators and Mendaki to provide good learning support programmes. To date, 369 pupils from five madrasahs have benefited from the M-Power (Mathematics) Programme organised by Mendaki. MUIS is also working to allow each madrasah student to receive a student grant that can be used to pay for enrichment programmes that would expose him or her to a wider range of opportunities. Dr Maliki has asked whether the madrasahs are ready for the PSLE. We are confident that with the support that we have given, our madrasahs will be able to face the challenges of the PSLE. Notwithstanding that, as agreed during the debate on the compulsory education, the 400 students who are exempted from the madrasahs will remain and for those madrasahs that cannot meet the PSLE standards, MUIS will continue to provide assistance to ensure that their secondary and post-secondary curriculum continue to be updated and improved. Sir, madrasahs are important institutions for developing our religious elite. We want to see our madrasah students succeed in both their religious and academic studies so that they have as many options available as possible for further studies and their future careers. So we must make it a target for us in our community that all of the students pass the PSLE benchmark. As such, considerable resources have been channelled by MUIS and the community to the madrasahs. Dr Maliki has also asked about the revamp of part-time religious education. The needs of the vast majority of the Muslim students who attend or have attended national schools are indeed a priority.”
“Sir, let me now turn to the issue of madrasahs, raised by Dr Maliki, and the question that Mdm Halimah wanted to ask. Our madrasahs are expected to meet the PSLE requirement in 2008. The madrasahs and MUIS have been working closely to ensure that madrasah students are prepared for PSLE. They have concentrated their resources and efforts in three key areas: teacher development, curriculum review and student development. To date, MUIS has spent $7.6 million to strengthen the capacity of madrasahs in these three areas. 1.15 pm Sir, a structured training programme has been put in place to ensure that all madrasah teachers are formally certified. MUIS will commit a total of $1.3 million to ensure that all madrasah teachers obtain at least a Diploma in Education. I am heartened to note that our madrasah teachers are committed towards continuous training, taking up courses offered by both local and foreign institutions. I commend our madrasahs, both the management and the teachers, for their dedication and efforts to keep abreast of the latest pedagogical skills and technology. Sir, our madrasahs have significantly increased the contact time for English, Mathematics and Science (EMS) to match the exposure time that these subjects get in Government schools. MUIS has spent $5.9 million to revise the curriculum for Islamic studies and Arabic language for Primary 1 to Secondary 4. With the revised curriculum, our madrasah students can continue to get a strong foundation in their religious curriculum, while receiving the increased exposure to English, Mathematics and Science. Student development is another important area which the madrasahs and MUIS have been focusing on.”
“MUIS, together with its partners and stakeholders, has helped to ensure the practice of Islam in Singapore remains progressive, confident and compatible with our multi-racial and multi-religious context. Our asatizah, or religious clerics, play a key role. And here, I thank our senior asatizah for their selfless contributions to the work of the Religious Rehabilitation Group, or RRG, and going further to organise public forums and dialogues to dispel misconceptions, thereby strengthening Islam further. The Asatizah Recognition Scheme, as raised by Mr Hawazi, introduced last year through the efforts of MUIS working hand-in-hand with Pergas, has received positive feedback and acceptance from the asatizah and the community. To date, about 700 have registered through the scheme. The religious teachers' directory has become a trustworthy reference that also safeguards against any fake preacher pushing self-serving beliefs. Recognising the important role of asatizah, I am pleased to announce that a full-time structured leadership development programme will be made available for our asatizah to enhance their leadership capabilities. Such courses can provide asatizah with deeper insight into the principles that govern Singapore and enhance the ability to make a greater contribution to society. Ustaz Murat Aris, a MUIS officer, recently attended a month long Governance and Leadership Course organised by the Institute of Policy Development. I am hopeful that more of our asatizah will be able to participate in such programmes. Mr Hawazi also raised the question of informal teachers. Sir, MUIS will endeavour to bring them into the scheme as quickly as possible and, where necessary, will advise them on how their skills can be upgraded so they can become part of the scheme.”
“A premarital counselling programme piloted for minor couples is showing heartening results. 17% of 333 couples who underwent counselling decided not to proceed with marriage for the time being. I am sure this is good news for Dr Fatimah. For those who decide to proceed, PPIS-Jurong FSC and AMP will be managing two centres dedicated to support them through their marriage. We want to make sure that the marriage lasts. These centres will be operational in the second quarter of this year. Sir, such efforts are starting to deliver some results. Preliminary figures from the Registry of Muslim Marriages show that there has been a 25% drop in the number of minor Muslim brides and grooms over the past two years. Between 2004 and 2006, the number of minor brides dropped from 564 to 506 to 422, while the number of grooms dropped from 159 to 140 to 118. Our community and leaders have come together to make this happen. However, marriages involving minors are twice as likely to end up in divorce when compared to other marriages. Thus, while we should continue extending our support to the married minors in our community, we need to have a long-term approach to prevent such issues from getting acute and entrenched. One measure, which Dr Fatimah has raised, that we are studying is raising the minimum age of marriage under the Administration of Muslim Law Act, or AMLA. This is currently set at 16 for the bride and groom, lower than the minimum age under the Women's Charter which is 18. We will be studying this further with the community. Sir, let me now move on to the issue of religious development raised aptly by Mr Hawazi, which is central to the well-being of the community.”
“Sir, let me now address Dr Fatimah's concern on high Muslim divorces and the measures taken to strengthen Malay families. To address the issues upstream, the issues of teenage sexuality and marriages, involving minors, the NURteensLine and the NUR Drop-In Centres, projects funded by the ComCare Social Support Projects Fund, were introduced in December 2005. Since then, the NURteensLine has received more than 1,000 calls and SMSes. A third of the calls received centred on sexuality issues and parent-teen relationship. Sir, I am happy to announce that two new Drop-In Centres have been set up this year, one in Bukit Batok and the other one in Yishun, bringing the total number of NUR Centres to five for the Malay/Muslim community. Sir, over the last two years, MCYS and MediaCorp's Suria have worked together to promote awareness within the community on teenage issues. SEKSa - a series which coaches parents on how to bond and broach sensitive topics with their children - follows on the runaway success of another programme, Hanyut, which through the various efforts, reached out to 600,000 people. I am told that SEKSa is currently the top info-ed programme on Suria. Other community initiatives have similarly attracted wide attention and support. The month-long Lebih Sexy Katakan "Tidak!"(or in English, It is Sexier to say No!) initiative has since reached out to more than 400,000 people from all walks of life. Keluarga AKRAB - a movement of Family Excellence Circles, or FEC, introduced in 2005 to strengthen families - has now grown to involve more than 300 parents. More FECs have been formed with more partners coming on board. Sir, we are also focused on helping those who intend to or have just started out on marriage life.”
“MUIS' Empowerment Partnership Scheme, or EPS, started in 2004 complements national schemes available to all needy Singaporeans and helps ensure that the needs of families are holistically addressed. Allow me to give an example. 40-year old Mdm Suzana and husband - with three children and an elderly mother to care for - first got into the EPS when they ran into financial difficulties. She picked up business skills from the self-employment assistance programme offered by the CDC. By putting together her cooking talent and the new business skills, she managed to grow her $700 monthly household income three-fold. I commend Mdm Suzana's self-reliance, determination and success in uplifting her family. Moving forward, to better support such families, MUIS will be investing up to $1.2 million over the next two years on selected programmes run by community organisations with a good track record. MUIS, Sir, will also be developing a blueprint to see how zakat can be used to complement the national help schemes, and to better help the low-income families within the community. Sir, under the Employability Network of the Community Leaders Forum, there are a number of other economic empowerment programmes that have provided employment opportunities. In fact, Mdm Halimah herself had already announced three such initiatives - Suri Stitch, Suri Salon, and Suri Spa - which are all social enterprise projects funded by the ComCare Enterprise Fund. These projects will help more of our womenfolk to be economically active, including single mothers. I urge more in our community to take advantage of the many programmes available to upgrade themselves and to enhance their family's financial well-being.”
“[For vernacular speech, please refer to Appendix A *.] Mr Chairman, in the past years, a number of incidents have occurred which have raised tensions between Muslims and non-Muslims, such as the Danish cartoons, the Pope's speech, etc. Singapore is a young, multi-racial and multi-religious society and these stresses will have an impact on us. It is better that we be prepared before an undesirable incident happens in Singapore. It is critical that Singaporeans develop a strong understanding of each other's faith so that we can build bonds and this will enable us to withstand the stress during the crisis. Sir, the CEP programme launched by the Prime Minister last year aims to achieve these objectives. We understand that it is the responsibility of every community to promote racial harmony and inter-faith understanding. What is the effort by the Malay/Muslim community in this respect? *Cols. 3647-3648. The Minister for the Environment and Water Resources and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs (Assoc. Prof. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim): Mr Chairman, this year's Budget has focused on the segments of Singapore society which requires more help strongly underpins the Government's commitment that no one will be left behind as the country progresses in an era of globalisation. Mdm Halimah requested for an update on the use of zakat funds. Sir, financial stability is the key priority as it is the *Cols. 3645-3646. basis from which we build strong and stable families. Rather than giving direct handouts, MUIS has been working with community organisations and other service providers to empower and build self-reliance among the recipients. This is similar to the philosophy behind the Workfare Income Supplement.”
“How does this programme differ from the past efforts in objective and substance? What are the new resources that will be made available for these efforts? What are the new strategies and methods that are being deployed for CEP? Race Relations”
“Sir, our country has gone through more than 40 years of nation building. Since the early days of our independence till today, we have been promoting racial harmony, building community bonds and strengthening social cohesion through many efforts at grassroots level and national platforms. Every year, Singaporeans celebrate the Racial Harmony Day on 21st July. Our students attend National Education programmes at schools. Our young men serve National Service where they share common experiences and develop lifelong friendships and bonds. Singaporeans have enjoyed long and uninterrupted peace and stability in this country for quite some time now. But this does not come about by chance. We have implemented policies and work hard on programmes that are crucial in helping us to maintain racial and religious harmony. Some of these policies are difficult. We do it because we know that if we leave it to chance and take a casual attitude towards one of the key pillars of our success, the price to pay may be too high. 12.45 pm Nevertheless, Sir, just as we are careful and as we give lots of attention to these issues, we are not totally shielded from the outside world and there will always be elements in our midst that are mischievous and are willing to test the boundaries. Unfortunately, there also exist people with sinister minds that wish to exploit our vulnerability, to divide us and, worse, wreak havoc and chaos in our society. With respect to all these programmes and policies, may I ask the Minister if these efforts are effective in achieving their objectives? How do we measure, if ever is possible, the level and the quality of race relations in our country? Last year, our Prime Minister launched the Community Engagement Programme (CEP).”
“Sir, with the development of the new hospital in the north of Singapore, I would like to know whether we have enough medical officers to cope with the Health Ministry that is growing at the moment. Specifically, Sir, I would like to know how is the progress of our training for nurses and what is the quality of our nurses compared to the other developing and developed countries. I would also like to know whether the number of nurses that we are training is enough and are we producing enough Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) that are equipped with up-to-date and advanced skills to reduce the over-dependency on doctors to perform basic operations, like what is being practised in the developed countries. I would like to echo the same comments made by the GPC Chair about the need for us to protect our APNs more. Because if we want to treat the professional nurses as equal partners in the treating of our patients, we also need to give them proper protection so that they can do their job better and perform their task better. May I also ask the Minister what is the progress of our hospital in the north? Is the progress up-to-date and when can we expect the hospital to be ready?”
“Sir, just one point of clarification. I am very happy by the efforts of the Government to lower the number of smokers in Singapore. But there is always this observation that I made regarding the basements of major shopping centres and buildings. Is there a misunderstanding that people think they can smoke in the basement of car parks in major buildings? Assoc. Prof. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: Sir, I have to check on that. I am not sure whether there is a restriction on that, but I have to check. In enclosed places, due to the secondary smoke effect, we do have restrictions. I will check and get back to the Member on this.”
“Mr Chairman, Sir, I am very happy and assured that the Minister is committed to R&D for defence. But I would just like to know what is the guiding principle between purchasing technology and developing our own technology as in the allocation of resources.”