1 Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health in light of the US nutrition policy shift towards whole foods and limiting processed ingredients (a) whether the Ministry is assessing its relevance to Singapore’s dietary guidelines and chronic disease management; and (b) what impact, if any, will this have on current health policies.
\tThe Senior Minister of State for Health (Dr Koh Poh Koon) (for the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health): Sir, this question has been answered in the written answer to Question No 19 at the Parliament Sitting on 3 February 2026.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Simplifying Administrative and Reporting Processes for Deputies Appointed under Mental Capacity Act","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"2 Ms Denise Phua Lay Peng asked the Minister for Social and Family Development whether the Ministry will review the administrative and reporting framework for deputies appointed under the Mental Capacity Act, with a view to simplifying procedures and easing the compliance burden, while maintaining safeguards for the persons they serve.
\tThe Minister of State for Social and Family Development (Mr Goh Pei Ming) (for the Minister for Social and Family Development): Mr Speaker, under the Mental Capacity Act, Court-appointed deputies must submit an annual report to the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). This report is an important safeguard against potential abuse as it requires deputies to set out how they have discharged their responsibilities under the Court order, which includes accounting for decisions made on behalf of the mentally incapacitated persons and how they have managed such persons’ property and affairs.
The Ministry for Social and Family Development (MSF) has been working to reduce the burden for deputies, including online submission of reports and a built-in finance tracker. OPG organises monthly workshops to guide deputies to fulfil responsibilities and requirements for the annual reports. And for deputies who require help with filing, OPG also provides personalised support.
\tMr Speaker: Ms Phua.
\tMs Denise Phua Lay Peng (Jalan Besar): I thank the Minister of State for his response. On the ground, we have heard recurring feedback from families and these are not just families with persons with disabilities, but also with seniors who, for some reason, have lost some of their capacities. My Parliamentary Question arises from all these recurring feedback.
There were two sets of issues normally cited. Despite what the Minister of State mentioned that OPG has been doing. The first set is around the difficulties when they apply for deputyship. Usually, many of these families have limited access to knowledge and guidance, they do not even know where to go. Despite a simplified process, it is actually not so simple. Most applicants, especially those who are not so educated or not so proficient in English, do require hands-on guidance. And without it, the process is quite daunting. Also, for deputyship, unlike the Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), it is more costly and administratively burdensome as well.
There are also difficulties after deputyship orders are made. Like the Minister of State mentioned, the annual report; it is not so easy for people to even fill up. Some of my volunteers, including lawyers who help them, find it is not so straightforward for those post deputyship burdens —
\tMr Speaker: Ms Phua, do you want to ask your supplementary question?
\tMs Denise Phua Lay Peng: Yes. Also, their banking constraints as well. The banks are not very consistent in supporting these families.
So, my supplementary question would be this: would MSF take a lead in setting up a small, maybe inter-agency work group, even including volunteers, to look into these problems that are really faced by the deputies who are family members and try to coordinate the efforts to assist them. And then, make the information available for them.
\tMr Goh Pei Ming: Mr Speaker, I thank the Member for her supplementary question. I believe the Member can appreciate that the scope of responsibility required of a deputy is much broader. The Member made comparisons to the LPA process. Indeed, for deputies, they do have to exercise quite a lot more responsibilities and these can vary quite widely depending on what the Court decides upon.
Having said so, I acknowledge the comments and feedback from the Member. We thank the Member for the feedback. We welcome that. We regularly and continuously engage key stakeholders, including deputies and prospective deputies, as well as members of the public. We will continuously review how we can improve both the application process and the reporting process, as well as the overall user experience in going through the deputyship journey.
Mr Speaker: Mr Patrick Tay.
\tMr Patrick Tay Teck Guan (Pioneer): To add on to the Member's point: the resources required to do a deputyship is a couple of thousand dollars, and time and effort. It is especially problematic when it comes to having to deal with amounts of those who have lost mental capacity and the amounts may not be a lot of money, but you need it for sustenance or maybe to settle some debts or some payments, particularly of caregivers, relatives, friends, even neighbours.
Is there a way to set some threshold where we allow maybe a statutory declaration or something else, rather than a full deputyship, to be able to handle this? Because now, increasingly, you have cases of dementia. We may be doing a lot of efforts at LPAs, but there are those who fall outside of it. This is a suggestion for MSF to look at, but can we set some thresholds with banks and financial institutions where we are able to withdraw those monies to pay for simple bills, rather than be in debt which then rolls on?
\tMr Goh Pei Ming: Mr Speaker, we note the Member's suggestion. We will take a look at it.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Remaining Vacancies in Secondary Schools following DSA Exercise and Affiliated Admissions","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"3 Ms Gho Sze Kee asked the Minister for Education (a) whether Direct School Admission (DSA) offers reduce the Secondary 1 quota available for students from non-affiliated schools; and (b) whether there have been cases where a secondary school had no remaining slots for students from non-affiliated schools after DSA and affiliation admissions.
\tThe Senior Minister of State for Education (Dr Janil Puthucheary) (for the Minister for Education): Since the 2019 Secondary 1 Posting Exercise, the Ministry of Education (MOE) has required affiliated secondary schools to reserve at least 20% of places of their Secondary 1 cohort for non-affiliated students. This requirement is applied to each posting group, so that our schools remain open to students of different backgrounds. Overall, over the past five years, non-affiliated students have comprised about half of the Secondary 1 cohort of affiliated secondary schools.
The total number of Secondary 1 places offered in each school is the sum of planned places offered under the Secondary 1 Posting Exercise and the Direct School Admission (DSA) exercise. While the DSA admissions does not reduce the number of Secondary 1 places available in a school, non-affiliated students admitted via the DSA exercise will be considered as taking up reserved places for non-affiliated students.
In the past five years, there have been only two instances where an affiliated secondary school filled all the reserved places for non-affiliated students in one posting group via DSA, and no non-affiliated students were posted for that posting group during the Secondary 1 Posting Exercise. However, non-affiliated students in the other two posting groups were still admitted via the Secondary 1 Posting Exercise.
\tMr Speaker: Ms Gho.
\tMs Gho Sze Kee (Mountbatten): Mr Speaker, I think it would be very helpful if schools were to publish the number of DSA offers made this year and the number of affiliated students admitted in the previous year, and also, the incoming cohort size. With these three metrics, I think it would allow parents and students to make better informed choices when deciding which school the students should apply for, for the Secondary 1 admission exercise. Will MOE consider this suggestion?
\tDr Janil Puthucheary: Mr Speaker, I thank Ms Gho for her suggestion. We will consider it. Perhaps, an opportunity to explain that in deciding whether to publish such details, we would have to consider whether the information would help parents make an informed decision. In other words, does the historical data have low variance and help to predict what will happen next? Or it has a high variance in which case it is not so helpful for the family to make the decision this year.
But we will certainly study her suggestion.
Mr Speaker: Assoc Prof Jamus Lim.
\tAssoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim (Sengkang): Sir, on the matter of affiliation, I wonder if the Senior Minister of State will be willing to share if MOE provides guidelines or imposes stipulations on how wide the differential between an affiliated and non-affiliated student may be. I ask this because I understand the principle behind wanting to encourage affiliated students to attend their given secondary school, but I have seen reports that this difference can be quite wide – as much as 10 points within the given posting group – which seems to undermine this principle of meritocracy.
\tDr Janil Puthucheary: Sir, I thank Prof Lim for the question. I do not have the data with me. This Parliamentary Question (PQ) that was filed by Ms Gho was about the DSA exercise. I would suggest that he file a PQ on the issue of the affiliation and non-affiliation data.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Managing Public Health and Food Safety Risks with New SAFE Framework","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"4 Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) how the new Safety Assurance for Food Establishment (SAFE) framework that will be implemented from 19 January 2026 is expected to address public health risks more effectively; and (b) what metrics does the Government plan to use in order to evaluate this.
5 Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) how will transparency and authenticity of the food safety grading under the new Safety Assurance for Food Establishment (SAFE) framework be assured, given that physical decals will be replaced by digital disclosures from 19 January 2026 onwards; and (b) how will consumers who are less digitally savvy still be able to easily access the food safety grading information.
6 Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment regarding the new Safety Assurance for Food Establishments (SAFE) framework (a) whether the shift to self-regulation and reduction in regular inspections is being driven by manpower constraints; (b) what is the revised inspection frequency; and (c) whether relying on track records risk making the system reactive, where food safety standards may slip unnoticed until a major lapse occurs.
7 Ms Poh Li San asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment with the new food grading system announced on 7 January 2026 (a) how will small businesses with limited resources be assisted to meet the additional requirements; and (b) what is the transition duration as well as the resources required by SFA to complete inspections under the new grading system.
\tThe Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment (Mr Zaqy Mohamad) (for the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment): Mr Speaker, may I have your permission to take oral Question Nos 4, 5, 6 and 7 in today's Order Paper, together?
\tMr Speaker: Please proceed.
\tMr Zaqy Mohamad: Mr Speaker, these four Parliamentary Questions (PQs) relate to the Safety Assurance for Food Establishments (SAFE) framework. The SAFE framework is a food safety grading system that communicates food establishments’ food safety performance more clearly to consumers, so that they can make informed choices. It is part of the Singapore Food Agency's (SFA’s) science- and risk-based food safety regime, which aims to keep the number of foodborne illness cases related to foodborne outbreaks low. It will be implemented in two phases, with the first phase implemented on 19 January 2026.
Under the SAFE framework, food establishments fall under two categories, based on their level of food processing or preparation. Category 1 food establishments are those with a larger scale of food processing or preparation, such as food manufacturers, caterers, central kitchens and large restaurants. The majority of food establishments such as hawker stalls, small restaurants and bakeries fall under Category 2. These have a smaller scale of food processing or preparation.
Food establishments are graded \"A\", \"B\" or \"C\" based on their food safety track record from SFA’s inspections. They do not have to fulfil any additional requirements, unless they are Category 1 food establishments that wish to attain Grade A. Such establishments will need to implement a Food Safety Management System (FSMS) and appoint an Advanced Food Hygiene Officer (AFHO) to provide better food safety assurance to consumers.
Those that commit a major food safety lapse and are convicted in court or suspended after accumulating 12 demerit points from food safety lapses will be downgraded to Grade C, regardless of their existing grade. Downgraded establishments will need to build up and maintain good food safety track records, before they can move back to a higher grade.
Compared with the annual snapshot assessment under the previous grading regime, the one that we are all very familiar with, the new SAFE framework considers a food establishment’s year-round food safety track record from its history of inspections, including any involvement in food-borne incidents. This encourages food establishments to consistently maintain good food safety practices. SFA will continue to conduct regular inspections of all food establishments under its targeted, data-driven regime. Food establishments with a larger scale of food processing or preparation, as well as those with Grade C, will be inspected more frequently.
For small businesses in Category 1 that wish to implement the additional requirements and maintain their Grade A status, government support is available. Individuals who apply for the AFHO training course will receive SkillsFuture Singapore subsidies of up to 70%. Food businesses can send existing staff to be trained. So, there is no need to hire additional staff, you can use existing staff to do this. As for FSMS implementation, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can receive up to 50% support under EnterpriseSG's Enterprise Development Grant to implement and certify their FSMS. This grant specifically supports local SMEs for their first-time certification and adoption of standards, and covers qualifying project costs such as consultancy and certification fees for FSMS standards.
Ms Nadia Samdin also asked about how the transparency and authenticity of the SAFE grades can be assured with the shift away from physical decals and how less digitally savvy consumers will be able to access information on SAFE grades. Under the previous system, physical decals were updated annually, once a year, following inspections and they may not follow real-time changes. By scanning the QR code on a food establishment’s licence, consumers can be assured of the most up-to-date, real-time and accurate information on the food establishment’s grade and track records. This mitigates the risk of outdated decals being displayed at the premises. Under the Environmental Public Health Act, food establishments must display their licence at a conspicuous and accessible position at their premises.
Consumers who are less digitally savvy or without smart devices can request the grade from the stall operator or seek assistance from a fellow diner with a smart device. To better support such consumers, SFA has also partnered with the Infocomm Media Development Authority on the Seniors Go Digital programme to teach seniors on how to use their phone cameras to scan the SAFE QR codes at food establishments.
\t
\tMr Speaker: Ms Nadia Samdin.
\tMs Nadia Ahmad Samdin (Ang Mo Kio): Thank you, Speaker, and thank you to the Senior Minister of State as well. I have three follow-up supplementary questions.
The first is really on the last point about accessing the food safety grading. While I understand that the new regime will provide more up-to-date grading, I think there is also something about a physical decal making it front-and-centre for consumers to be able to consider. So, will the Ministry consider including a physical decal requirement to be updated as and when the grade may change?
My second one is, I had asked about the measurement of the effectiveness of this change in regime. Could the Ministry elaborate whether there will be any outcome-based indicators beyond inspection performance? For example, outbreak severity or recurrence rates that will be checked alongside these compliance indicators?
My third and final one is, while SAFE strengthens assurance at the food establishment level, food safety risks can also originate earlier on in the chain – from import to processing to storage and distribution. I hope to understand how SAFE fits within the broader food safety and public health architecture, if possible.
\tMr Zaqy Mohamad: I thank the Member for her questions. For the first one, for now, I think the critical point is to get the information out in real time. The regime has changed significantly. With the risk-based regime, we are able to now do inspections more frequently for outlets that are found to be of higher risk or who perform poorly. The QR code enables us to change the grading as and when one performs poorly or one has improved performance, rather than waiting once a year.
But having said that, when you scan the QR code, it is part of the licence that you have to show or display. So, there is a display of the licence and the QR code. A quick show and you can actually see whether it is a Grade A, B or C. So, it is quite clear to whoever who needs to use it.
Having said that, nothing stops the outlet from also printing it themselves and pasting it up. But we will not make it compulsory or mandatory for now, but we will see how this goes and we hope that we can educate more to use the new format.
The Member's second question on the effectiveness, we will look into this. This is one way in which we also want to measure effectiveness of the system as well. But as it has just been launched and rolled out, give us a bit of time to assess the performance, how the ratings change. Because we do not have enough data now to see how it changes in the new system, so, give us a bit of time.
Certainly, one way in which we hope to see is to see improved performances over time. As food and beverage (F&B) outlets find that they are being monitored more in real time, they are more encouraged to keep performance up and keep food safety at a high standard.
The third question on whether we are able to trace back, down to the food source. I think we have to take a very risk-based approach. Firstly, we have about 45,000 licensees under this regime, both Category 1 and Category 2; and therefore, it is not possible to track every single one. But certainly, when there is an outbreak or when we think that there is a risk to the system, like I said, we do take a very risk-based approach especially for those who have large volume or large networks, or those have outbreaks or poor performance, and that is where we have to then assess the sources.
As part of the FSMS requirement, we will then also take a look at their records that they have to do for safekeeping. But I would also encourage F&B operators and all those licensees to really trace and track, and keep up the standards with the new grading system.
\tMr Speaker: Mr Yip Hon Weng.
\tMr Yip Hon Weng (Yio Chu Kang): Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Senior Minister of State for his reply. The new framework is called SAFE. But for many Singaporeans, the real concern is whether it remains safe in practice or becomes unsafe when lapses go unnoticed. A heavy reliance on past track record makes oversight reactive rather than preventive.
Could the Senior Minister of State explain what early warning indicators SFA uses to detect deteriorating food safety standards before a serious lapse occurs and how these safeguards protect consumers upstream rather than after harm has been done? And secondly, in addition, what independent verification or audit measurements are in place to ensure that self-reported compliance accurately reflects on-ground practice?
\tMr Zaqy Mohamad: I thank the Member for his questions. As I shared, our inspection regime adopts a targeted and data-driven approach. This enables us to also track proactively, which basically means, those under the Category 1, for example, larger kitchens, those with poor track records, they will be inspected more proactively. And of course, those who are doing better, we can do less. And therefore, as an overall, we will not have any less inspection than we have today.
What we want to do is to be more proactive, take a risk-based approach. With the gradings being monitored in real time, I think that encourages a lot of operators to monitor and ensure that they keep up their safety standards, because they are monitored in real time and whenever they have downgrades, I think there is impact.
Government procurement is one good example in which there is a minimum of Grade B in the criteria to be procured under Government contracts. So, in some contracts in some Ministries, I also am aware that if the gradings change, they will also review the contracting requirements, the contracting conditions. These are ways in which the Government also sets the standard to ensure and keep our food providers and caterers on their toes.
To the Member's second question on audits, for Category 1 and Category 2 classification as an example, there is no self declaration required. Technically, the data is based on licensee. So, in terms of audit, most of the data is already with us and we already assure them by licensing. And for grading, I think that comes as part of SFA's inspections. So, when it comes to audits as example, as part of inspections, we will inspect various things, whether it is your sources, whether your AFHO certifications are in place, whether you have a pest-free environment, and so forth. These are things in which our officers will look for which will go into your grading and risk profiling. So, there is data analytics involved, in short, and we will take a risk-based approach.
\tMr Speaker: Last supplementary question. Ms Poh Li San.
\tMs Poh Li San (Sembawang West): Thank you, Speaker and the Senior Minister of State. My supplementary question pertains to those establishments with poor performance, especially now that the decal is not being displayed. These establishments with poor performance would likely expect more frequent inspections and that means there will be disproportionately more resources on SFA's side to keep inspecting these few outlets. In that case, if they consistently do not perform, would SFA consider a safety time-out for these food establishments to protect the interest of consumers, especially if the decal is not even displayed and most people would not take the trouble to check, so how would they know that these are the frequent ones that do not improve?
\tMr Zaqy Mohamad: I thank the Member for her question. It is certainly a valid concern. For SFA, we have a Point Demerit System. So, the moment that triggers, you will face suspension and therefore, this safeguards public safety, the consumer safety. Food safety and hygiene is top priority and top of mind for us. In the case of court conviction as well, suspensions will kick in as well.
So, rest assured that there are measures under our food safety regulations and the Food Safety and Security Act to ensure that we maintain high food standards here in Singapore and for all our consumers.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Health Insurance Claim Disputes Filed with MAS or FIDReC and Proportion Resolved in Favour of Policyholders","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"8 Dr Hamid Razak asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (a) whether the Ministry has data on how many disputes relating to health insurance claims were filed with MAS or the Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre (FIDReC) in each of the past three years; (b) what proportion of such disputes were resolved in favour of policyholders; and (c) whether there has been an increase in disputes involving claim rejections, exclusions or post-treatment coverage.
\tThe Minister of State for Trade and Industry (Mr Alvin Tan) (for the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance): Sir, I refer the Member to the Monetary Authority of Singapore's (MAS') response to Mr Liang Eng Hwa and Mr Ng Shi Xuan for the Parliament Sitting on 4 November 2025.
Over the same three-year period of between 2022 and 2024, the Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre (FIDReC) completed an average of 246 annual mediation and adjudication claims related to disputes on insurance claim liability and amounts awarded. Of these, an average of 95 were health insurance claims. Independent assessors ruled in favour of the policyholders in 4% of the health insurance claims.
\tMr Speaker: Dr Hamid Razak.
\tDr Hamid Razak (West Coast-Jurong West): Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Minister of State for the reply. Given the very low percentage of adjudicated claims being in favour of the policyholders, has the Minister of State assessed why this is the case? For example, is this due to clearer policy terms or perhaps there are structural disadvantages that policyholders face? Because there has been ground feedback from healthcare providers that policyholders face delays or rejections, even at the pre-authorisation stage or even post-treatment, due to retrospective interpretations of policy terms.
So, I would like to ask if MAS has safeguards in place to ensure that insurance companies adjudicate claims transparently, consistently and do not disadvantage policyholders, especially when there are clear clinical indications for treatment.
\tMr Alvin Tan: Sir, I thank Dr Hamid Razak for his questions regarding the safeguards for consumers where they potentially face so-called unreasonable rejections of claims and pre-authorisation.
The onus is on the insurers themselves to demonstrate that the non-disclosure of the health condition to a question asked in the application form is material to the underwriting outcome before they reject a claim for non-disclosure. And both MOH and MAS expect insurers to process these claims fairly, according to the policy terms. MAS will take action against insurers who fail to do so.
Consumers who, nonetheless, believe that their claims have been unfairly rejected, should, first, contact their insurers who are required to handle these complaints independently, effectively and promptly. If a satisfactory resolution cannot be reached, consumers may file for mediation and adjudication at FIDReC, which offers independent, partial and low-cost dispute resolution services.
But I thought it is also important to put that 4% into context and take a look at the overall denominator. If you look at the numbers in perspective, every year, insurers naturally process and pay out claims in large numbers, large volumes. The numbers of disputes and complaints that eventually end up in FIDReC or MAS, respectively, represent less than 0.01% of all insurance claims. So, if we think about this one out of every 10,000 claims end up as disputes or complaints, which FIDReC or MAS then addresses. But the vast majority, 9,999 of these 10,000 are processed and they are paid out.
This indicates that for the vast majority of cases, the process works and most people settle their claims without needing any third-party help. But when a case does go into adjudication, as in that 4%, it is usually because it is complex or difficult. Think about our Meet-the-People Session cases, when they come to us, it is already quite complex.
But these cases fall into two broad categories, which I thought is important to share with the Member. First is on policy terms. If the adjudicator found that the insurer followed the specific terms and exclusions of the policy, that is one case; and even as the policyholder may disagree with the result. Second is when there is an event of a non-disclosure. And this happens when the policyholder leaves out certain medical history that he thought was not important at the start but actually was.
For example, to make it concrete, a person might not mention that he or she has a stomach condition when they apply for an insurance policy, and that if they later try to claim for a stomach-related issue, the adjudicator may rule that the insurer was right to exclude it because the information should have been shared from the start.
But while there is only a small number, which the Member mentioned, 4%, that result in an award for policyholder, I wanted to share with the House that there is a silver lining. Because we are seeing that the total number of cases needing adjudication has been dropping over the last few years. This indicates that maybe the insurers and consumers are getting better at speaking to one another and resolving issues early through mediation and negotiation, rather than the alternative of letting things escalate.
But behind every statistic is a person. And when a claim is rejected, it can be distressing. So, we have designed our system to address these issues to ensure fairness.
First, MAS expects insurers to pay legitimate claims promptly. If an insurer falls short of this, MAS will step in and can require them to review the earlier decision or to pay back the consumer. Second, if you cannot agree with your insurer, FIDReC is there. It is independent, impartial and low cost. And over 85% of their cases are resolved through mediation or adjudication, and it remains a very effective channel for Singaporeans.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Considerations for Athletes who Peak Later in Sport Excellence Potential and Other Programmes","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"9 Assoc Prof Kenneth Goh asked the Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) how programmes such as the Sport Excellence Potential (spexPotential) account for sports where athletes peak later, including how long athletes can be supported before reaching senior representation; and (b) how the Ministry ensures such athletes are not disadvantaged by early progression benchmarks.
\tThe Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (Mr David Neo): Sir, in high performance sports, every sport, and for that matter, every individual, is different, including the ages at which athletes peak their performance, and therefore, at what age and for how long they must be supported.
Because our aim is to make sure every athlete fulfils their fullest sporting potential, Sport Singapore’s High Performance Sport Institute (HPSI) designs our support for athletes based on their current performance and assessed potential, rather than solely age. And we do not place a limit on how long athletes can be supported as long as they meet performance and potential criteria.
Our Sport Excellence (spex) framework provides comprehensive support for athletes across different stages of their sporting journey. It seeks to retain athletes early in the developmental pathway and also, long enough for them to realise their aspirations and achieve their full potential.
The spexPotential programme, in particular, provides targeted financial and programmatic support to athletes with the potential to achieve gold medal success at the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games). It bridges our athletes’ journey towards the spexScholarship programme and sporting success at the Asian and world levels.
The spexPotential programme also supports athletes based on their developmental stage of their sport’s high performance pathway and it applies to athletes of all ages.
The framework of spex programmes – spexScholarship, spexPotential and spexCarding – also allows us to calibrate the level of support during various stages of an athlete’s sporting career. This means athletes will be supported throughout their sporting journey, even if their performance fluctuates from time to time.
The spex framework also supports late bloomers or athletes who switch sports. For example, we would be familiar with Theresa Goh, our Paralympian swimmer. She is also a late bloomer for para shooting. She took up the sport recently and won a gold and a silver at the recent ASEAN Para Games. As a swimmer, she was supported by spexCarding from when she was 14 years old and was awarded the spexScholarship when she was 27 years old. Now as a shooter, she is supported by spexCarding at 38 years old.
Once again, our aim is really to help every athlete achieve their fullest sporting potential. To do so, we work very closely with our partners, especially the National Sports Associations (NSAs) to develop our athletes. Together, we establish multiple pathways to account for differences in athletes’ development pathways and the characteristics of each sport, so that we can really support all our athletes.
Mr Speaker: Assoc Prof Goh.
\tAssoc Prof Kenneth Goh (Nominated Member): Thank you, Mr Speaker, and I thank the Acting Minister for his response. It is reassuring to know that within our sporting framework, that we are an inclusive system, not just in terms of athletes who are differently abled, but also across different ages as well.
I bring up this question, because at the recent SEA Games it was reported that one of the sprinters who won a gold medal was not on the spex programme, despite him having been a former SEA Games medalist, having also competed in the Asian Games and in the Commonwealth Games. And so, my understanding was that these performances, while exemplary and something that we celebrate, fell outside of the window for consideration in awarding the spexScholarships and the spex grants.
So, my question to the Acting Minister is whether the Ministry would consider extending the window for consideration of these spex grants, especially in relation to older athletes? And one reason for that is because as older athletes have different and more varied life circumstances. If you are talking about younger athletes, I think their life circumstances are more homogeneous – they go to school and they participate in sport. With older athletes, they work, they take care of family, they have a variety of responsibilities and that takes them off the high performance track. And so, in considering a broader window for these spex grants, I was wondering if that is something the Ministry will consider, to better hang on to our athletes and support them throughout their careers.
\tMr David Neo: Mr Speaker, I thank the Member for the supplementary question. I believe I know the athlete in question and actually, he was supported by our spexCarding programme, and the spexGLOW programme, which allowed him to train full-time for a specific period of time.
I think to the Member's suggestion, for sure, because our focus is on helping every athlete achieve their fullest potential and therefore, we are definitely open to looking at the wider windows, different data points, but it is all with the view of how do we support our athletes better.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Information for Parents about Preschools' Safety Violations and Enforcement Action Records","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"10 Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) whether ECDA will introduce policy measures to increase transparency about preschools with safety violations and enforcement actions taken; (b) whether parents can access information about preschools' safety records and ECDA's regulatory actions; and (c) what safeguards exist to ensure parents are informed when serious safety violations occur at their children's preschools.
\tThe Minister of State for Social and Family Development (Mr Goh Pei Ming) (for the Minister for Social and Family Development): Mr Speaker, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) takes a serious view towards child safety issues. In cases of a regulatory breaches, ECDA will not hesitate to take firm action against errant operators. This may include revoking the preschool's licence where breaches are severe and systemic, or when the preschool can no longer provide services in a manner that is safe for children.
Under the Early Childhood Development Centres Act and Regulations, preschools are also required to notify parents immediately when there is a serious incident or illness that affects their child, and to also report such incidents to ECDA. ECDA has released statements regarding incidents of serious safety violations in preschools and the corresponding enforcement actions taken. However, ECDA does not generally name the preschools, to ensure that the identities of children involved are protected, especially in cases where gag orders are imposed in court proceedings.
We recognise that parents are concerned about their children's well-being and safety in preschools. Parents can make informed decisions about preschools by considering the centre's licence tenure, which all preschools are required to display at a prominent location that is accessible to the public and which is also available on LifeSG platforms. The licence tenure serves as an indication of a centre's quality and performance. For example, a 24-month licence indicates that a centre has met all key licensing requirements, while a six-month licence indicates that the centre has several areas for improvement.
Mr Speaker: Mr Muhaimin Abdul Malik.
\tMr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik (Sengkang): Thank you, Mr Speaker. With reference to the 2023 molestation case involving the three victims, ages one to two years old, that are under a gag order imposed by the Courts, I have two supplementary questions. The first question: were the parents of the other unaffected children informed of the safety violations? Question two: while ECDA and the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) have restricted new enrolment into the preschool, were parents of these new children informed of the recent safety violations?
\tMr Goh Pei Ming: Mr Speaker, I thank the Member for the question. I think the question that the Member has raised is specific to the 2023 incident. I do not have the details of the incident and cannot respond to this case.
I think how ECDA responds to every incident will depend on the context, and what the Court rules and decides on. If it is in the interest of all parents and the public to know about the incident, and the Court has not imposed a gag order, we will make a deliberate decision whether or not to release such information. But in this case, like what the Member has mentioned, there was a gag order and therefore, in such cases, we will typically not share information.
I want to reiterate the fact that, especially for parents who are concerned about safety, we do note the importance, and that all parents want a safe, nurturing and conducive environment for all our children to grow up in. ECDA's mission is exactly that. We regulate the sector through the Early Childhood Development Centres Act. We have a Code of Practice, which is regularly updated and stipulates the minimum licensing requirements, regulatory requirements to ensure safety and well-being of our children. We cover aspects from safety to health, to nutrition, hygiene, curriculum, incident management, staff deployment, even administrative processes. A most recent addition was the requirement for closed-circuit television to be installed in the centres.
I think these are done in consultation with the industry, as well as taking into consideration international best practices. These are what we do to ensure that we have a tight regime and control, to ensure safety in all our preschools. We also come together regularly as a sector to share best practices and also take feedback from all our operators.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Balloting and Placement Data for 2025 Secondary School Posting Exercise","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"11 Ms Gho Sze Kee asked the Minister for Education (a) how many students were subject to balloting in the 2025 Secondary 1 Posting Exercise; (b) of this number, how many were unsuccessful and consequently considered for their next choice of school despite having met the cut-off points of their higher-order choice; and (c) since 2021, how many students have been similarly unsuccessful in balloting each year.
\tThe Minister for Education (Mr Desmond Lee): Mr Speaker, the Secondary 1 Posting Exercise operates on merit, with students achieving a better Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) score receiving priority for their preferred schools. Under the Achievement Levels (AL) scoring system, more students will have identical scores. When two or more students have identical scores and are competing for the last available vacancy at a school, the Ministry of Education (MOE) applies tie-breakers in the following order: the student's citizenship status, then the student's ranking of that school in their choices and finally, computerised balloting if needed.
In the 2025 Secondary 1 Posting Exercise, around one in 10 students underwent computerised balloting. This has been stable over the last few years. MOE does not track the number of students who were not successful despite meeting the cut-off point for a school, as this number can vary widely for individual schools each year, depending on students' choice. Instead, MOE tracks the percentage of students who were placed in a school amongst their top six choices. Since 2021, more than eight in 10 students were posted to a school within one of their top three choices, and more than nine in 10 to a school within their six choices.
Mr Speaker: Ms Gho.
\tMs Gho Sze Kee (Mountbatten): Mr Speaker, I noted the Senior Minister of State's answer to my earlier Question No 3. I just wanted to be clear. If there is a compression of available places for non-affiliated students because Direct School Admission (DSA) for non-affiliated students do eat into the minimum quota of 20%, as we have just learnt, is this a contributing factor to student who have just met the cut-off point and nevertheless still be balloted out? That is my first question.
The second question: would MOE consider setting up a hard quota for non-affiliated and non-DSA admissions? So, this would ensure a meaningful and predictable number of places that remain available to students applying through the Secondary 1 admissions exercise.
\tMr Desmond Lee: Mr Speaker, for the first question, the cut-off point, there are two – one is the historical cut-off point, which is the cut-off point from the last balloting exercise, and then the cut-off point for the current exercise, which is dependent on the number of students applying and their scores, and then you look at the last available student going in, and then you derive that cut-off point. It varies, could be varied by one to two points, depends on each year's exercise.
So, in a way, each school's balloting rate depends ultimately on school choices and students' decisions, and DSA numbers and the kinds of students and numbers of students they admit each year. Having said that, it is linked to the Member's second point, and the Ministry will certainly study all of these suggestions and more.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Trend of SingPost's Compliance with Postal Quality of Service Standards and Feedback Received on Service Improvements","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"12 Ms Hany Soh asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information over the past three years (a) what has been the trend of Singapore Post Ltd’s (SingPost) compliance with the Postal Quality of Service (QoS) standards set by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA); (b) whether the IMDA has received feedback for service quality improvement by SingPost; and (c) if so, what are the three highest categories of feedback received.
\tThe Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information (Mr Tan Kiat How) (for the Minister for Digital Development and Information): Sir, SingPost has consistently met the Postal Quality of Service (QoS) standards over the years. Data on this compliance is published on the Infocomm Media Development Authority's (IMDA's) website.
In 2025, last year, IMDA received 23 pieces of feedback on postal service quality, all of which were related to misdelivered letters and delays in letter delivery. Similar trends were observed in 2023 and 2024.
\t
\tMr Speaker: Ms Hany Soh.
\tMs Hany Soh (Marsiling-Yew Tee): I thank the Senior Minister of State for his reply. In this regard, I have two supplementary questions. One is pertaining to a recent feedback that I have received from my Woodgrove residents. In fact, it is about misdelivery or missing letters that they were supposed to receive, inviting their children to attend our Woodgrove's Edusave ceremony. This is a rather unfortunate incident and we wondered how does the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) intend to ensure that there is continuous improvement to SingPost's services; bearing in mind, in the Senior Minister of State's earlier reply, it was mentioned that, indeed, some of the feedback has already been brought to the Ministry's attention.
The second supplementary question is, can MDDI share about SingPost's QoS standards in comparison with other countries' services standards?
\tMr Tan Kiat How: Sir, firstly, may I say that I am sorry to hear about that incident at Woodgrove. I know Edusave Awards mean a lot to parents and their children. And hearing this, I will ask my IMDA colleagues to take a look into this particular case.
Secondly, on the issue of the how we assess SingPost's compliance with the QoS framework, IMDA gets an external, independent assessor to do a simulated letter test on a quarterly basis to determine whether SingPost has met the QoS requirements. And the results are published on IMDA's website.
In terms of the comparison of our QoS standards with other countries, in fact, Singapore has one of the most stringent QoS requirements compared to many other countries. For example, in Hong Kong, for Hongkong Post, letters are typically delivered within one to three days. And for many other countries the letters are generally delivered between two and five days.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Including Input from Singaporeans Who Graduated Overseas in Fresh Graduates Employment Data","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"13 Mr Saktiandi Supaat asked the Minister for Manpower (a) whether Singaporeans who graduated overseas were included in the fresh graduate employment data published by the Ministry in September 2025; (b) of these graduates who found employment, how many were underemployed; and (c) how have recent labour market conditions affected these graduates' employment outcomes.
\tThe Minister for Manpower (Dr Tan See Leng): Mr Speaker, Sir, the fresh graduate employment figures published by the Ministry in September 2025 covered graduates from the local autonomous universities and did not include Singaporeans who graduated from overseas universities.
Based on the internationally recognised measure of time-related underemployment, which refers to part-time workers who prefer full-time employment, the underemployment rate among residents aged 25 to 29 who graduated from overseas universities was 0.8% in 2025. This is about 0.1%, slightly above the 0.7% recorded for graduates from local autonomous universities.
Overall, the employment outcomes for graduates aged 25 to 29, remain generally strong for both local autonomous universities and overseas universities graduates, with around nine in 10 employed. Even so, graduates from local autonomous universities continue to have slightly more favourable outcomes on balance, and this is reflected in their lower unemployment as well as higher median wages.
We will continue to support all of our fresh graduates' entry into the workforce. Students and fresh graduates from our Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) can access Education and Career Guidance services within the IHLs. All students and fresh graduates, including those from overseas universities, may also make use of the career matching and coaching services offered by Workforce Singapore (WSG) and the National Trades Union Congress' (NTUC's) Employment and Employability Institute (e2i).
\tMr Speaker: Mr Saktiandi Supaat.
\tMr Saktiandi Supaat (Bishan-Toa Payoh): Thank you, Mr Speaker. I have three quick supplementary questions. I thank the Minister for the answers.
The first supplementary question is whether the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) intends to publish overseas graduate employment outcomes separately on a regular basis and how the Ministry ensures that these graduates are not systematically under-represented in headline fresh graduate statistics.
The second supplementary question is whether existing graduate employment support schemes – I think Minister shared some of the schemes nationally – are adequately calibrated for overseas educated Singaporeans? And whether MOM has observed different placement or wage outcomes, compared to locally educated graduates?
The third one is mainly from a sectoral perspective. Whether weaker hiring conditions in certain sectors have disproportionately affected overseas educated graduates, who typically return to Singapore later or maybe earlier in the hiring cycle and separate from the autonomous universities graduates?
\tDr Tan See Leng: I thank the Member for his supplementary questions. For his first point on publishing more data related to fresh graduates from overseas universities, MOM tracks as well as monitors the employment outcomes of graduates across various types of institutions and these include overseas universities, as well as our local private educational institutions. This is reflected through our comprehensive Labour Force Survey. The key findings from the survey are published in MOM's annual report on Labour Force in Singapore. We will continue to review the data collected and published, because we also want to be able to go sectorally and adopt a more differentiated and develop more precise and laser-focused insights into some of these problem areas.
For the second point, with regard to how well some of the overseas graduates are supported, we constantly work with the industry partners, with the advisory chambers and panels, as well as the trade associations and chambers, to calibrate many of our training, reskilling, upskilling policies. What we have seen from last year, which I want to share with Members, from the employment rate in 2025, the local autonomous universities graduates, as well as the overseas universities graduates, employment rate was at above 90%. The differential between overseas universities graduates versus the local autonomous universities graduates is just slightly over 1%.
If you look at the proportion of those in permanent employment – so we are talking again, juxtaposing the local university graduates versus the overseas university graduates – it is also above 90%. Again, that delta is 1%.
So, we do not think that at this particular point in time, that there are issues of concern between the two sets of graduates coming in. And moving forward, we will also be publishing which are the sectors that are still hiring. And we will try to show what the type of jobs graduates are looking for, versus the sectors that are hiring.
Very often, it is also about matching the expectations versus what is available. If I may also refer the Member to the Labour Market Advance Release for the fourth quarter in 2025 that we have just released, I believe it was last week. For the entire year, for 2025, the total employment growth, which is about 57,300, was stronger than a year ago, in 2024, which was about 44,500.
The unemployment rates in December of 2025 were broadly unchanged from a quarter before. And looking ahead, for this particular year, for the first quarter of 2026, business expectations suggest that the labour market will continue to expand, albeit amidst increased hiring caution. Another slight note of optimism, the share of firms expecting to hire in the next three months only edged down slightly – from 44% in September 2025, to 43% in December 2025.
But if you compare this at the same time, a larger share of firms expects to raise wages over the same period, rising from 19% to about 26%. So, actually, the market, notwithstanding the cautious optimism, does somewhat point to slightly improving business outcomes and continued competition for labour in certain areas. I hope that reassures the Member.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"ComCare Applications Rejected Due to Applicants' Non-compliance with Employment Action Plans","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"14 Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) in the past three years, how many ComCare applications were denied citing non-compliance with employment action plans; (b) whether applicants are given the opportunity to provide evidence of their engagement with partner agencies before such denials; and (c) whether the Ministry will ensure applicants are heard before being denied on such grounds.
\tThe Minister of State for Social and Family Development (Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim) (for the Minister for Social and Family Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, ComCare Short-to-Medium Term Assistance (SMTA) helps clients with their basic living expenses as they work on improving their financial situation. Our Social Service Office (SSO) officers work closely with clients to develop suitable action plans to achieve this.
Clients are informed at the very outset that they must adhere to these action plans. However, should they face genuine difficulties meeting them or if they need more time, the action plans can be reviewed.
Based on the household's adherence to action plans and progress towards self-reliance, the amount and duration of the SMTA may be adjusted while ensuring dependants' basic needs are being met. The Ministry for Social and Family Development (MSF) family coaches, who are working with the families, will also get them help from the community, for example, with the provision of milk and diapers, if necessary.
We do not track the number of applicants who were not given ComCare because they did not comply with their action plans.
\tMr Speaker: Mr Tiong.
\tMr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat (Aljunied): Thank you, Speaker. One supplementary question. It has been represented to me – and these are the facts, as I understand them – that a young married constituent with young children, unemployed and living in a rental flat, was denied ComCare because he did not follow up with e2i. But he has WhatsApp records that e2i messaged him on 15 December, asking him if he was still looking for work and he replied \"yes\" on the same day. He followed up on 24 December, asking about jobs with hours compatible with sending his children to school. And as far as I can tell, e2i did not respond to either messages. The SSO rejection letter arrived before anyone asked him for evidence of his engagement.
So, without pre-judging things, my question is, does SSO take e2i's or other employment partner agencies' word, unconditionally, before rejecting an applicant for non-engagement? Is the applicants given a chance to present their side?
\tMr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim: Mr Speaker, Sir, I thank the Member for the supplementary question. I will say this: for each family and each applicant, they face various unique circumstances and challenges. For this particular case, SSO is aware and is currently considering the appeal. And actually, for this particular family, it is a known family and the family coach has helped the family in other ways as well, including provision of food rations, infant milk powder and diapers.
Having said that, this cessation of financial assistance or the tapering off of it, is not something that SSO takes very lightly. SSO reviews it with the help of the Social Assistance Officer (SAO), who has embarked and partnered with the applicant family on the action plan, which would help them to improve their financial situation.
And so, the SAO will contact the applicants for an interview and at the stage of assessment of the SMTA, the SAO will also get information from the family coach, from other sources of information as well, to ensure that they look at the entire assistance that is required by the family.
\t
And rest assured, for the Member, that every applicant for SMTA will be able to get financial assistance by SSOs and we will look at how to help them meet their basic living needs and also journey with them on this journey for self-reliance so that they can improve their financial situation. That is the purpose of the action plan.
I ask all Members in this House, if they know of any residents or they know of any applicants, partner with the SSOs so that we can embark on this action plan with them together on the path towards self-reliance, not just financial assistance.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Data on Companies with More Than 25 Workers Paying Retrenchment Benefits in Line with Tripartite Guidelines","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"15 Mr Pritam Singh asked the Minister for Manpower for each year from 2020 to 2025 for companies with more than 25 workers, how many have paid retrenchment benefits at (i) above and (ii) below the prevailing tripartite guidelines governing retrenchment payouts respectively, to workers.
\tThe Senior Minister of State for Manpower (Dr Koh Poh Koon) (for the Minister for Manpower): Mr Speaker, my reply will also address Question No 46 for written answer, raised by Mr Patrick Tay in today's Order Paper, as the subject matter is similar.
\tMr Speaker: Go ahead.
Dr Koh Poh Koon: Based on Mandatory Retrenchment Notification (MRN) data submitted by companies with 10 or more employees, around nine in 10 eligible employees received retrenchment benefits from 2020 to 2025. Among them, around eight in 10 received retrenchment benefits of at least two weeks’ salary per year of service, in line with the norms stated in the Tripartite Advisory on Managing Excess Manpower and Responsible Retrenchment (TAMEM).
Mr Speaker: Mr Singh.
\tMr Pritam Singh (Aljunied): Thank you, Mr Speaker. Sir, the second half of 2025 saw a raft of reports on retrenchments in Singapore, ranging from foreign and local companies, affecting both professional, managers, executives and technicians (PMET), and rank and file workers. In one case, a unionised company did not inform the Ministry of its intentions, leaving workers in the lurch, while there are reports of another company including a clause in its severance agreement to disentitle workers from retrenchment benefits if they report the retrenchment to the authorities.
My first supplementary question is this. Will the Government mandate that all retrenchments by companies, regardless of size, be it more or less than 25 workers, would have to be reported before an exercise is carried out? And second, that a company that includes punitive and unreasonable clauses with respect to retrenchment, like the one I referred to earlier, can at minimum expect to have its Work Pass privileges revoked, in addition to other penalties?
My second supplementary question: I note Senior Minister of State's reply and the differentiating factor was companies with 10 or more employees, and my Parliamentary Question covered companies with 25 or more employees. I use the number \"25\" because the recent Workplace Fairness Act created a differentiated regime based on this number of employees. Companies with more workers were deemed to have more resources to comply, while those with less were exempt, even though they still have to comply with the spirit of the law through the Tripartite Guidelines for Fair Employment Practices.
In view of the reply given by the Senior Minister of State, would the Government similarly consider a differentiated guideline on retrenchment benefits, requiring an increase in benefits for companies with more than 25 workers, above the Government's prevailing retrenchment guidelines, rather than having a one-size-fits-all guideline that extends the same recommended retrenchment benefits to companies, both big and small, so that our workers receive equitable retrenchment benefits?
\tDr Koh Poh Koon: I thank the Member for his three supplementary questions. His first question pertains to whether we can mandate companies of all sizes to notify the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) of retrenchments. I think there is no real right or wrong answer to this, whether it should be companies of a certain size to notify MOM. At this moment, our requirement for mandatory retrenchment is for companies that retrench five or more workers to notify MOM – and not specific to company size per se. The reason for this is that we want to understand if a company has a sizeable retrenchment of more than five workers, MOM would want to know and we want to extend early support to these workers who may be losing their jobs. So, notification is not necessarily related to company sizes per se. [Please refer to \"Clarification by Senior Minister of State for Manpower\", Official Report, 4 February 2026, Vol 96, Issue 16, Correction By Written Statement section.]
But to require every single company to notify MOM of just one worker being retrenched, I think that would impose a lot of extra burdens. So, we want to just size it where we can make a meaningful contribution to helping workers who may be in need without imposing excessive legislative demands on companies.
On the issue of punitive clauses, I believe there was a Parliamentary Question that was asked about the specific company, and I have addressed it in a previous Parliamentary reply. So, I will not go into further details on this particular instance, on the punitive clauses. The Member can check the answer for that previous Parliamentary reply.
His third question is whether companies of different sizes, especially those which have more than 25 workers, can be mandated to give more retrenchment benefits, rather than what he calls a \"one-size-fits-all\" requirement. I think, when it comes to retrenchment, we must understand that companies retrench workers for various reasons. And the tripartite partners have actually deliberated extensively on whether to make retrenchment benefits mandatory at all, regardless of company sizes – just the idea of a retrenchment benefit being made mandatory. And in fact, to also think about whether we should specify the minimum quantum in legislation.
So, the questions of minimum quantum and mandatory retrenchment benefits have been deliberated extensively by the tripartite partners. And we concluded that a balanced approach to protect workers, while at the same time providing businesses flexibility, would achieve better outcomes for both workers and businesses. Because there are many reasons why a retrenchment exercise takes place. Imposing strict conditions, such as legally mandating retrenchment benefits, may affect the viability of companies who are already in financial difficulties and put existing employees, other employees who may still be in employment with the company, at risk of also being retrenched, if the company then gets into further financial difficulties by the fact that we mandate a certain requirement for monetary compensation that actually makes it difficult for them to even continue.
The second reason, of course, is that mandatory retrenchment benefit may also result in employers becoming more hesitant to offer long-term or permanent contracts to employees. And stipulating a minimum retrenchment benefit quantum in law will likely result in that quantum becoming the norm itself, such that even when companies are able to give more, they may then say, \"if this is the only thing that is required by the law, let us just do the minimum as required and not go beyond that\". So, this will not benefit workers in situations where the employers are able to pay higher amounts.
The tripartite partners agreed on a balanced approach to issue guidelines instead, which stipulate the prevailing norms for retrenchment benefit quantum and as mentioned in my reply, most employees today already receive retrenchment benefits in line with these tripartite guidelines.
Mr Speaker: Mr Singh.
\tMr Pritam Singh: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Two quick questions for the Senior Minister of State. The first one is, when was the last time the tripartite partners deliberated on retrenchment benefits and the legislation of retrenchment benefits, or the appropriate amount that ought to be set for these benefits?
The second question, I may have not heard the Senior Minister of State accurately at the beginning. My question pertains to companies that pay out retrenchment benefits at the prevailing guidelines and those above the prevailing guidelines. Because that will give us a sense of whether there could be some adverse selection arising from setting one fixed guideline, which then forces companies instead of paying more, they just pay the lowest amount. So, the question is, do we have data on how many companies pay above that guideline and how many companies pay at the prevailing guideline, which was the Parliamentary Question that was asked?
\tDr Koh Poh Koon: Sir, I refer to my main reply, which said that for companies with 10 or more employees, around nine in 10 eligible employees received retrenchment benefits and among them eight in 10 received retrenchment benefits of at least two weeks' salary per year of service. But I do not have the breakdown of how many among these eight in 10 received more than two weeks per year of service, because the difference also arises from whether this is a company where the employees are unionised.
In general, for unionised companies, if they have a collective agreement, the prevailing norm in unionised companies with a collective agreement is one month per year of service. So, depending on whether the worker is a union member, whether this company is unionised, workers who were retrenched could get at least two weeks, maybe even more, per year of service. And there are instances in which certain companies actually value their long-term workers who may have been with them for longer and give in excess of a month per year, up to a month and a half, sometimes with a lot more ex gratia as well.
So, that is why I said it is a balanced approach, given flexibility to the company and for companies which may have better financial means where the number of workers retrenched are lesser, they could lean forward a lot more and support the workers a lot more. But for companies who are in financial distress, where they have to lay off a large number of workers, they may not have the financial wherewithal to go beyond that two weeks per year of service quantum, and they have to then spread the financial support to a lot more of their workers who are being retrenched. I hope the Member understands where that kind of flexibility afforded to the workers and to the company is important in such instances.
Mr Speaker: Okay, last supplementary question. Mr Singh.
\tMr Pritam Singh: It is not a supplementary question. It is the question that I asked prior, with regard to when was the last time the tripartite partners deliberated.
Mr Speaker: Your first supplementary question, yes.
\tDr Koh Poh Koon: Sir, I am afraid I do not have the detail of the exact date in which we did this review, but I would say TAMEM, I think, there was a recent update, probably just around the period of the COVID-19 crisis. So, I will have to check back on that. But the Member could also maybe check on the website and see when that guideline was revised.
Mr Speaker: Mr Patrick Tay.
\tMr Patrick Tay Teck Guan (Pioneer): Just one supplementary question for the Senior Minister of State on retrenchment benefits payout. I have noticed anecdotally some multinational companies set retrenchment benefit caps. They are lower than the prescribed benchmark set in TAMEM. In that, we have 25 years, but some may have set lower, for example, 12, 15, especially for the PMEs that are affected. Is MOM doing anything about this?
\tDr Koh Poh Koon: Sir, I think this is something that we will have to continue to engage with companies on, because some of these multinational companies may follow certain norms that they bring over from their operations in other jurisdictions or their home country. But in general, we do encourage our unions to continue to engage with multinationals, and many of them do engage with these multinationals. And through a more interactive understanding between the unions and the companies, we hope to socialise them to the norms that are here. And in general, many of these companies, once they understand the different tripartite environment in which they operate here in Singapore, many of them, over time, will consider moving closer to that kind of norm, especially in a collective agreement setting.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Data on Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder on Waitlist for Placement at Day Activity Centres","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"16 Ms Kuah Boon Theng asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) how many persons with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are currently waitlisted for placement with a Day Activity Centre (DAC); (b) what is the average waitlist time before an applicant with ASD is offered a place at a DAC; and (c) are there any plans to make more DAC places available for persons with ASD.
\tThe Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social and Family Development (Mr Eric Chua) (for the\tMinister for Social and Family Development): Sir, there are eight Day Activity Centres (DACs) that specialise in serving clients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD); 130 are on the waitlist for placement in these centres and the average waiting time for enrolment is nine months.
The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) is ramping up DAC capacity by 500 places to address the demand for DACs, as announced in MSF’s Committee of Supply in 2024.
Mr Speaker: Ms Kuah.
\tMs Kuah Boon Theng (Nominated Member): I thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for his answer. I should declare, first of all, that I am a parent with a child with ASD, who would be classified as requiring high support needs.
I am grateful for the data that has been supplied. My understanding, though, is that average number or wait time, can vary widely depending on which type of DAC we are referring to. And in some of the larger ones with more facilities, I understand, that the wait time can be up to five years or more. Is that correct, may I ask?
And really, I have two main supplementary questions.
The first is whether there are any concerns that what we see on the waitlist may not really be a true reflection of the actual demand and need for these services. And I say this for two factors: one, parents with ASD children want predictability in terms of the arrangements for their care, the environment that they are in. And sometimes, when they are on the waitlist for too long, they can decide to take the child off the waitlist because the child has gotten used to being kept at home, even though it is not ideal. So, that is one factor.
The other factor is that DAC costs for ASD, in particular, are quite high. I know that there were announcements less than two years ago that with the fee caps introduced, families that earn $2,800 or less will have their costs managed. But those who earn more than $2,800 a month can pay up to $1,900. So, if you have a family that has a household income of $5,000, they are being asked to commit 40% of the household income to pay for DAC. So, there is a concern that the waitlist does not look so bad because it is not affordable. So, that is the first question.
\t
The other question I have is, are there any plans to work and collaborate with private providers of special education for young adults with ASD, to explore if more places can be made available to address the short- to middle-term critical shortage of DAC places and possibly to extend subsidies to help more families afford those fees.
\tMr Eric Chua: Sir, I thank the Member for her supplementary questions. I think we most certainly look at the issue of capacity, not just in the uni-dimension of number of places alone. We do look at the different disability types, the demand under each category, and also we take an island-wide view of where the availability of these centres are for each of these disability types. It is a more nuanced approach than my main reply would suggest. But at the back-end with MSF and also with SG Enable, we do work very closely with our partners, with our colleagues in SG Enable as well as our social service agencies to understand, drill down to what are the real needs in terms of the heat map around the island. So, rest assured that we are doing a much more nuanced analysis than just capacity alone.
With regard to whether we are prepared to work with private providers, the short answer is yes. We are looking at options to see how we can vary the different service models that we are looking at today.
I think one of the key principles that I really want to hark back to is to take a step back to see what is our end objective for persons with disabilities, persons who are living with autism. And one of the key objectives is to make sure that they can continue to live in the community with the families for as long as possible. That is to say we want to delay institutionalisation for as long as possible.
Hence, that is why in the past few years, we have worked vigorously on various pilots. Pilots like the Enabled Living Programme, the Home Support Programme, which will start in the second half of this year. These provide community living options for persons with disabilities and special needs.
And then, there is the Enabling Services Hub (ESH), for which we have set up three across the island now. Progressively over the next few years we will be setting up more of these ESHs to make sure that we can provide community connections through the provision of social activities, caregiver support, as well as referral services. Because we are not dealing with a situation where there is a lack of services for persons with disabilities; rather, sometimes is that navigation of this quite complex landscape that is the issue.
And also the Enabled Enabling Skills for Life Programme (ESLP) which is fundamentally a new service model that we are looking at which integrates the current DAC, as well as shelter workshop models to provide and equip persons with disabilities for independent living, for community participation, as well as for employability.
It sounds like there are many pilots and there indeed are. But the end goal is this: that we want our persons with disabilities and special needs, we want them to not just make do in life, but we want them to be able to thrive and flourish.
On the related issue of affordability, rest assured that through the inter-agency task force that is currently headed up by Minister of State Goh Pei Ming, we are looking at that deeply in terms of affordability of services, not just the availability of services.
And I think I want to close by making a call to our Members of this Chamber, as well as to the larger society, that our vision is for our persons with disabilities to flourish, to thrive and not just to survive in the community. We can be closer to our vision when more in our society can embrace our fellow workers, our fellow students, fellow members of a community. I call upon all Members of this Chamber to be part of this movement so that we can move the needle towards making Singapore a more caring and inclusive society.
Mr Speaker: Ms Kuah.
Ms Kuah Boon Theng: Just a quick further question. I appreciate the Senior Parliamentary Secretary's point about understanding different needs. But the question I raised was actually specifically for those who require high support needs. And although every parent wants to see their child learn to be more independent, the reality is that for those with high support needs, that is the most challenging category, they are going to need a lot more care. And yes, we all want to delay institutionalised care, but the earlier we are able to get them into a DAC where they are stimulated and they are exposed to activities, the better. So, at the end of the day it does come down to capacity and I know that we have a shortage of people willing to work in this area. I do hope that the Ministry will do more to provide more resources for that.
\tMr Eric Chua: Sir, I thank the Member for her supplementary question. We are in agreement, total agreement. As I mentioned, we will increase DAC spaces by 500 over the next few years by 2030; and we are prepared to ramp up even more if there is an assessed need to do so.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Tracking Food and Beverage Outlet Closures and Common Reasons for Closures","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"17 Mr Saktiandi Supaat asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry (a) whether the Ministry tracks food and beverage outlet closures each year from 2015 to 2025; (b) the breakdown between standalone outlets, local chains and foreign chains; (c) common reasons for closures; and (d) whether measures exist to preserve the unique local area heritage through a mix of food and retail offerings.
\tThe Minister of State for Trade and Industry (Mr Alvin Tan) (for the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry): Mr Speaker, the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) tracks and publishes information on the formation and cessation of all business entities. The Government does not track the breakdown of cessations between standalone outlets, local chains and foreign chains.
The food services sector is highly competitive due to low barriers of entry, high product substitutability and rapidly shifting consumer preferences. Between 2015 and 2025, there has been a net increase of 42% in the number of food and beverages (F&B) entities, with formations outpacing cessations in most years.
The Government values Singapore's local heritage and takes steps to preserve and sustain it in our F&B landscape. Senior Parliamentary Secretary Dr Syed Harun, shared yesterday about our efforts to support heritage businesses under the Inter-agency Task Force for Heritage Businesses, Traditional Activities and Cultural Life. Enterprise Singapore also supports initiatives that protect and enhance local heritage through curated F&B and retail experiences. An example is, of course, New Bahru, a creative cluster that blends heritage conservation with a curated mix of contemporary local F&B and lifestyle businesses.
Mr Speaker: Mr Saktiandi Supaat.
\tMr Saktiandi Supaat (Bishan-Toa Payoh): Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank Minister of State for his answer. I have three supplementary questions.
One is for the granular data that the Minister of State mentioned the Government does not collect, whether there is a possibility going forward that there will be the collecting granular data, in particularly in mature heartland estates, so that we can have a feel of the shifts?
Second is whether the Ministry has observed whether the closures disproportionately affect independent operators compared with chain outlets and how this may shape the character of neighbourhood centres over time?
The last supplementary question is in relation to the independent operators, if they face difficulty, is it possible for SME Centres and maybe the consultants within these SME Centres to be more proactive to help these independent operators before they fold, especially some of those who are heritage independent operators?
\tMr Alvin Tan: Sir, I thank Mr Saktiandi Supaat for his supplementary questions. We do not track those data, so we will take his suggestion into consideration.
With regard to the support for many of these independent operators or SMEs, or even heartland shops, I would like to assure the Member that, in fact, in addition to the SME Centres, Enterprise Singapore works very closely with heartland shops as well as SMEs on a variety of programmes. Every year, in Budget 2023, 2024, 2025, we have announced new measures to help SMEs.
We have also new programmes that help them. Recently, we have the food services productivity report, which allows for SMEs to benchmark themselves with their peers to see what are the best practices, for example. Then, we have the Food X Programme, for example, that enables them to maybe outsource some of the more operationally difficult or expensive parts of their operations. And then, we also have a Process Optimisation Programme which helps them to adopt new technology to help to streamline their businesses.
At the same time, we work very closely with the trade associations and commerce; for example, the Restaurant Association of Singapore and the Singapore Retailers Association. In fact, I just met them earlier this week to speak about these as well as other issues to help to raise the competitiveness of our SMEs and our heartland merchants.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Proposal to Use Life Expectancy Factor of 83.5 Years When Calculating CPF Savings for Property Purchases","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"18 Mr Foo Cexiang asked the Minister for National Development whether the CPF Board will consider aligning the life expectancy factor with the Department of Statistics Singapore's reported average of 83.5 years when tabulating how much CPF savings can be used to purchase a property, instead of the existing 95 years.
\tThe Minister for National Development (Mr Chee Hong Tat): Mr Speaker, our rules on Central Provident Fund (CPF) usage for property purchases are intended to encourage Singaporeans to buy a home for life, which safeguards their housing and retirement adequacy.
Under the current Home for Life condition, the remaining lease must cover the youngest owner till at least age 95. So, if we set the requirement at 83.5 years, many seniors would live longer than this average lifespan.
\tMr Foo Cexiang (Tanjong Pagar): Thank you, Speaker. I thank the Minister for his response. And I acknowledge that there are many seniors who are living beyond 83.5 years. At the same time, there are also many others who do not live till 83.5. And in my interactions with several of my residents, I have met a couple of categories who are unable to get onto the home ownership journey but who have extenuating circumstances that I think may merit a deeper look into this requirement.
The two groups of residents are: one, they are renting on the open market, typically mid-career, hit by some midlife crisis, perhaps career, perhaps marriage. Their incomes are too high to rent Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats, but at the same time they cannot own in the private sector. So, therefore rising rental cost in the private market is a big concern for them.
The second category are those who have been renting HDB flats for a long time and they have been making good income, working hard, trying to get out of the rental spiral. However, because of this 95-year-old requirement, they are a couple of years short of a lease tenure of a price that they will be able to afford to own their own HDB flat.
So, I seek HDB's consideration to review whether we can do something for these categories.
\tMr Chee Hong Tat: Mr Speaker, I understand where Mr Foo is coming from. And the two groups of residents that he spoke about, I think many of us would have encountered them in our constituencies too. So, certainly I think the Ministry of National Development and HDB will take a look and see what are some of the appropriate ways that we can help these individuals.
But I would say that in helping them, we got to be also mindful that we are helping them not just to find a house for the immediate period, but also for a home that can last them for life. And that is why I think this safeguard of ensuring that the remaining lease can last them till at least age 95 is an important one.
If there are other ways in which we can help them, I think we are open to reviewing and looking at different possibilities.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Headcount Retention and Technology Transfer for Citizen Workforce of Singapore-based AI Company Recently Acquired by Meta","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"19 Mr Low Wu Yang Andre asked the Minister for Manpower regarding the recent acquisition of Singapore-based AI start-up Manus (a) what percentage of the company's core workforce comprised Singapore citizens prior to the acquisition; (b) whether the acquisition terms include guarantees for local headcount retention or technology transfer; and (c) how the Ministry ensures that foreign-founded start-ups benefitting from Singapore's business environment facilitate skills transfer to local workers.
\tThe Senior Minister of State for Manpower (Dr Koh Poh Koon) (for the Minister for Manpower): Sir, the acquisition of Manus is a commercial agreement between parties involved. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) does not intervene in such acquisition agreements. The Government does not disclose details of the workforce demographics of individual companies in line with confidentiality obligations, and all foreign companies operating in Singapore are expected to comply with Singapore's manpower laws and fair hiring practices.
The Economic Development Board (EDB) works closely with foreign companies and startups to facilitate skills transfer, training and capability development for the Singapore workforce, ensuring that Singaporeans benefit from the presence of such companies in our business environment. For example, EDB has rolled out initiatives such as the Enterprise Compute Initiative (ECI) to support skills transfer and capability development. ECI partners major cloud service providers such as Microsoft to help Singapore-based companies build dedicated local AI teams. These companies can also tap on reskilling and upskilling support from Workforce Singapore and SkillsFuture Singapore to equip our Singaporeans with the capabilities needed to take on new growth job roles.
\tMr Speaker: Mr Low.
\tMr Low Wu Yang Andre (Non-Constituency Member): Thank you, Speaker. I have three supplementary questions for the Senior Minister of State.
Just to set the context, Manus AI is an example of a company that was redomiciled to Singapore from another jurisdiction. The timeline was they were launched in March of last year, moved to Singapore in around the middle of the year and the acquisition was announced in December. So, one cannot help but feel that Singapore's business environment was taken advantage of opportunistically to achieve certain aims and then now, being cast aside.
\t
So, my three supplementary questions are: regarding redomiciled companies, are they subject to any targets on hiring Singaporeans? The second follow-up supplementary question: if they are, what timelines are they expected to comply with in order to meet these targets, after redomiciling? And finally, does MOM have any considerations to discourage companies from using Singapore as a flag of convenience, without accruing any benefits to the Singapore labour force?
\tDr Koh Poh Koon: Thank you, Sir. I am mindful that time is running out, so, I will keep my reply short.
In general, we do not treat new, redomiciled or existing companies any differently in terms of hiring practices. All companies operating in Singapore ought to comply with Singapore labour laws. Any arrangements that occur as a result of acquisition or restructuring is something that is a commercial arrangement between companies. The Government will not intervene in it. But we will make sure that when it comes to hiring or retrenchment, as we have discussed in an earlier Parliamentary Question, the laws will protect the rights of our workers and make sure that they are treated fairly and equitably.
Mr Speaker: End of Question Time. Senior Minister of State Koh, I believe you wanted to make a clarification.
[Pursuant to Standing Order No 22(3), provided that Members had not asked for questions standing in their names to be postponed to a later Sitting day or withdrawn, written answers to questions not reached by the end of Question Time are reproduced in the Appendix.]
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Clarification by Senior Minister of State for Manpower","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OS","content":"The Senior Minister of State for Manpower (Dr Koh Poh Koon): Sir, thank you for your indulgence. Just a quick clarification to the reply given to Mr Pritam Singh earlier.
I mentioned that only five workers or more being retrenched will need to notify, but that is wrong. Actually, it is that companies that have more than 10 workers will be required to notify the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) of any retrenchment within five working days. It is not five workers but within five working days. [Please refer to \"Data on Companies with More Than 25 Workers Paying Retrenchment Benefits in Line with Tripartite Guidelines\", Official Report, 4 February 2026, Vol 96, Issue 16, Oral Answers to Questions section.]
As long as the company has more than 10 workers, even if one worker gets retrenched, it would need to notify MOM. Thank you, Sir.
Mr Speaker: Order. The Clerk will now proceed to read the Order of the Day and Notice of Motion.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Land Transport and Related Matters Bill","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"BP","content":"[(proc text) Resumption of Debate on Question [3 February 2026], (proc text)]
[(proc text) \"That the Bill be now read a Second Time.\" – [Acting Minister for Transport]. (proc text)]
[(proc text) Question again proposed. (proc text)]
Mr Speaker: Ms Valerie Lee.
Ms Valerie Lee (Pasir Ris-Changi): Mr Speaker, I rise as the first speaker today to continue this debate on the Land Transport and Related Matters Bill.
Yesterday's debate covered a wide range of issues – from safety to enforcement and lived experience. I hope to build on those contributions, beginning with my experience with enforcement on the ground before turning to specific provisions of the Bill.
Just a couple of weeks ago, I witnessed a joint enforcement operation conducted by the Traffic Police, the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) in the northeastern part of Singapore in Tampines East and Changi. The operation took place between 2.00 am and 5.00 am.
While most Singaporeans were asleep, officers were out on the roads, conducting checks, managing risks and keeping our communities safe. I and, I am sure, hon Member Dr Charlene Chen, would like to place on record our appreciation for these officers who work late nights, often unseen, so that our roads are safe.
After I shared a short post about the experience, intended mainly for my residents, I was struck by the response from across Singapore, with many asking for more of such enforcements in their own neighbourhoods. That reaction is telling. Singaporeans care deeply about road safety, public order and fair enforcement and they expect these to be applied consistently.
It is in this context that the Land Transport and Related Matters Bill is timely. The Bill strengthens enforcement, clarifies powers and responds to realities on the ground. I support its intent and direction. I will touch on four areas: illegal vehicle modifications, Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) reforms, active mobility and speed limiters for lorries. Across all four, the common thread is simple: rules must be clear, enforceable, credible and implementation is fair.
I begin with illegal vehicle modifications. Clause 52 strengthens penalties for unauthorised modifications and this is necessary. Excessively loud exhausts and unsafe aftermarket parts are not minor lifestyle choices. They create safety risks, public nuisance and enforcement challenges. And in Changi, residents regularly tell me how late-night noise from illegally modified vehicles disrupts sleep, affecting the elderly, young children and working adults.
By raising penalties to fines of up to $20,000 and/or imprisonment, the Bill sends a clear message – personal preference cannot come at the expense of public safety and community well-being.
This need to align policy with reality also applies to ERP 2.0. I welcome the move to decriminalise missed ERP charges and treat them as administrative matters. In an automated system, this avoids unnecessary criminalisation for what are often genuine technical lapses.
At the same time, accountability should be fair. Holding vehicle owners liable in all cases may not reflect actual usage, particularly in legitimate shared-use contexts such as large families. A more nuanced approach could better align responsibility with behaviour.
Trust also depends on reliability. A motorcyclist in my constituency experienced a faulty On-Board Unit (OBU) that was initially eligible for a replacement. However, after a minor hairline crack was detected, he was required to bear the full replacement cost despite no major accident or misuse. This raises questions about durability standards, especially in Singapore's climate.
Beyond enforcement, OBUs can also enhance safety. Existing alerts on bus lanes and speed limits are useful. The Ministry could also explore further features such as alerts for flood-prone roads during heavy rain to support drivers.
Mr Speaker, nowhere is the gap between rules and lived experience more visible than on our shared paths. Last December, a 71-year-old resident, Mrs Malar Singam, was knocked down by a power-assisted bicycle (PAB) near Pasir Ris Mall. She suffered serious injuries, required jaw reconstruction surgery and continues to undergo follow-up care with the dentist and speech therapists. She is still unable to consume solids.
I want to be clear. This incident involved a PAB, even though this Bill focuses on personal mobility aids (PMAs). I raise it not to conflate device types but to highlight a fundamental reality – on shared paths, pedestrians bear the greatest risk when this risk is mismanaged.
Following the incident, Mr Frank Singam, Malar's husband, conducted a ground-up public survey which attracted over 600 responses. The aim was not to centre in one case but to see if it reflected a broader pattern. The findings are clear. More than half feel unsafe walking. Over three quarters have experienced or witnessed unsafe incidents. There is strong rejection of fast-moving devices on pavements and an overwhelming view that pedestrian safety must come first.
What is striking is that respondents are not calling for extreme measures. They are just asking for three things: clear prioritisation of pedestrians, proper enforcement of existing rules and alignment between policy intent and daily experience. This Bill moves us in that direction.
Clause 16 introduces a Certificate of Medical Need for PMA users, which is an important safeguard. To work well, the process must be clear, accessible and affordable. Excessive or opaque cost or administrative burden risks penalising genuine users. A transparent appeal mechanism is also important, especially for temporary or borderline conditions. Safeguards should protect the vulnerable and not overwhelm them.
Speed limits on shared paths matter only if they are enforced. Public concern is less about the precise number – whether it is 10 or six – and more about excessive speed in crowded, high-risk areas. Any speed limit, no matter how well designed, is meaningless if it is not enforced.
Several hon Members yesterday suggested permanent enforcement measures such as fixed cameras near schools, bus stops and high-traffic pedestrian areas. These are all sensible suggestions. Visible, location-focused enforcement supported by design-based speed calming is how speed limits move from policy intent to real safety. Without enforcement, speed limits are just suggestions.
Enforcement aside, it is also meaningless and unfair to users of PMAs who do not have speedometers for their own awareness of the speed they are going at in the first place.
As enforcement tightens, we should also support compliance. This Bill makes it an offence to keep non-compliant devices. I hope we can consider transitional measures such as buy-back or trade-in schemes that could help users shift to compliant devices, particularly where earlier purchases were made in good faith.
Fire safety related to PMD- and PMA-charging remains a serious concern. Designated charging and parking areas under residential blocks, also suggested by many hon Members yesterday, could reduce unsafe home charging while improving orderliness in shared spaces.
Finally, Mr Speaker, on speed limiters for lorries. I had raised this issue through a Parliamentary Question in November 2025 and I thank the Minister for Home Affairs for his response. I support the safety intent behind this requirement, but at the same time, I wish to share feedback from a resident of mine who is also a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) operator.
She highlighted that further differentiation of speed limits by vehicle class could allow some more operational flexibility, especially for lower-weight lorries, specifically for those between 3,500 and 5,000 kilogrammes maximum laden weight, whose drivers often face punishing work schedules or reactive work orders. Uptake also remains a concern. A more targeted outreach and hands-on installation support could help smaller operators comply.
On subsidies for encouraging installations, I would also like to point out that the Productivity Solutions Grant should be meant for genuine productivity uplift and not regulatory compliance like this one. Using productivity grants for mandatory requirements risks diluting their purpose.
Mr Speaker, notwithstanding the above suggestions and clarifications, I support this Bill because it strengthens safety while reflecting realities on the ground. At its heart, it challenges all of us to improve safety without making daily life harder for those already trying to comply and do the right thing. I look forward to the Ministry's response. And to Mrs Malar Singam, I wish you a smoother path to full recovery.
Mr Speaker: Mr David Hoe.
Mr David Hoe (Jurong East-Bukit Batok): Mr Speaker, Sir, let me first begin by saying that I am speaking in support of the Land Transport and Related Matters Bill.
Specifically, I welcome the Bill's active mobility provisions with respect to those on mobility devices and e-scooters. This is because in my role as a Member of Parliament (MP), I have received multiple emails from different Clementi residents about personal mobility devices (PMDs) travelling too fast on walkways, near misses and the anxiety this causes for pedestrians, especially for our seniors and our young children.
Furthermore, other residents in Clementi have also shared with me their concerns seeing seemingly able-bodied users riding oversized devices and also clarifying with me, asking whether it is all right to have more than one passenger on the same device. I am certain that I am not the only MP in this House who has received such feedback.
At the heart of this feedback, I can understand the anxiety and concern for the wider community. But beyond supporting this Bill, I have three broad clarifications and concerns.
The first is on how do we ensure a high compliance with this new regulation.
While the intent of the Bill is definitely a positive one, it is worth noting that for someone who wants to be able to ride a mobility scooter, there are a few hurdles for them to cross. On this note, I am glad that seniors aged 70 and above will be exempted from the medical certification requirement. However, for those that are not exempted, such as those who are slightly below 70, the first hurdle that they would have to clear is having a valid Certificate of Medical Need to use a mobility scooter on public paths.
The fact that time and effort is required to make an appointment, to find a doctor or occupational therapist who could assess and issue the certification; then, they have to pay for the consultation. These are hurdles that individuals who need mobility scooters have to cross. If this process is not implemented well, it may deter people who genuinely need a mobility scooter.
Medical certification aside, individuals who need a mobility scooter will also need to cross another hurdle, which is registering and waiting for the approval of their PMA. In the event that the individual is still using a non-UL2272 e-scooter, time and resources will be required to find a compliant e-scooter.
My main point is this: if we put ourselves in the user journey, it appears that there are a few hurdles that they will have to go through. Furthermore, if you happen to be a senior who is just slightly below 70 years old, and happen to be not fluent in English and perhaps not great at navigating the online space to register your mobility scooter, your user journey will end up to be significantly longer than expected as you have to rely on the goodwill of others to help you through this process.
Hence, I hope that the implementation of this Bill will take into account these anticipated challenges and hopefully, prioritise the user experience by keeping the process as straightforward and simple as possible. For instance, information should be made accessible. It should not only be made available in English, but in all other official languages.
Beyond the digital space and in light of the target population that I have just mentioned, there is a need to roll out information on this policy shift using physical materials placed at face-to-face touchpoints such as our polyclinics, community centres or even general practitioner (GP) clinics.
I know we are serious about implementing this, but I hope that we will be able to reduce the friction involved in navigating the compliance process. At the end of day, we want to ensure that our vulnerable populations who need the mobility scooters will not be deterred by the process.
Against this backdrop, I am also heartened to know that the Bill also states that LTA has the power to provide financial incentives, support, grants, aid and assistance. With this in mind, the Government should consider how financial support and aid will be operationalised in the active mobility compliance context. For example, whether there will be means-tested assistance and transitional support for those who are moving from non-compliant devices?
In this regard, would the Ministry of Transport (MOT) or LTA be able to share details on when and who can qualify for such financial assistance and the extent of financial assistance so that those who need this more will have this assurance that we are designing this with them in mind?
Beyond financial means, allow me to speak further a little bit about the medical certification. As we move towards mandatory data sharing for National Electronic Health Record (NEHR) system, will LTA consider working with the Ministry of Health (MOH) on how medical certification for mobility scooter can be generated based on previous records so that it reduces the friction or the need to see a physical doctor?
Presently, the use of NEHR is only limited to specific purposes or circumstances. MOH should also perhaps consider allowing NEHR access to streamline the certification of need. And what this means is that for our seniors, they can just go to the Active Ageing Centre, find a staff who can help them to navigate through the process, generate the medical certification that they need if they have already met the criteria.
At the heart of it, we want to make compliance smooth, not difficult. If the perceived expected costs incurred in terms of time and effort are too significant, compliance will be challenging.
Second, allow me to speak on matters pertaining to enforcement. In order to ensure that compliance within speed limits and good behaviour with mobility vehicles on footpaths, the certainty of enforcement plays an important role. If not, to the mobility vehicle user, this new speed limit is really nothing more than just head knowledge and may not be taken into heart.
Against this backdrop, I wonder how can we ensure enforcement will be more effective. While I think we can deploy manpower to deter mobility vehicle users from speeding in this interim period, I wonder, will LTA consider a technology-enabled enforcement solution, especially at high-traffic nodes at our Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and also mall linkways. This could include targeted pilots using speed detection sensors, camera-supported enforcement and other pragmatic tools. It could involve working closely with Home Team technology partners, including the Home Team Science and Technology Agency so that detection and responses can become faster and more consistent.
A good thing is this: in Singapore, we fortunately have a strong foundation to build on. For instance, given our extensive Police Camera (PolCam) network deployed across neighbourhoods and transport nodes, this raises a practical question of whether we can leverage on the camera infrastructure and analytics to identify wrong behaviour more quickly, such as speeding of mobility vehicles or even pillion riders on mobility scooters, so that we can ensure enforcement can be carried out more swiftly.
Beyond enforcement, our behaviour is also shaped by our infrastructure. Just as vehicles drive on roads, where we often have speed limits to remind us drivers of what are the permissible speeds, could we also do something similar for our mobility vehicle users? The broader question is really how do we ensure that the education of this new speed limit is not just one-off, but repeated periodically and ingrained into our behaviour?
Finally, I would also need to put out this point that we need to assure and secure the trust and acceptance of users who depend on these mobility devices. Because for many of these residents, mobility vehicles are not a lifestyle choice. This is a lifeline. If the new regulatory regime is perceived as one that is making daily living more difficult, more stigmatising, more uncertain, then compliance will be a lot harder and the policy intent may not be fully achieved.
In one of my recent house visits, two of my residents who are wheelchair-bound and they use mobility vehicles to get around, raised a valid concern and I hope the Ministry can give some assurance to this. One of these residents mentioned to me saying that if she were to be travelling at six kilometres per hour upslope, their fear is that they will roll backwards given the slower speed. From a layman’s perspective as she was sharing that during my house visit, I could understand why she raised this concern, because it is quite easy to conflate two concepts, power and velocity, together.
So, what I then did was I raised this concern with my volunteers at my Meet-the-People Session and my Clementi running group. We sat down together using concepts we learnt from physics and engineering, we drew a free body diagram to simulate whether this concern is valid. Using our very simple physics model, the motors of the mobility vehicle must be able to overcome the downhill component gravity of mg sin θ. Our back-of-the-envelope calculation suggests that for a 90-kilogramme system on a typical 4.8-degree ramp, 158 watts is needed to maintain at six kilometres per hour.
Let me just say this: I fully acknowledge that this is a simplified model. The point is not about academic precision. The point is about perception. For many users, this fear is real: will I roll backwards at a slower speed? It would be helpful if LTA could also provide reassurance in terms of public communication that devices designed for public paths will not roll backwards on typical gradients, even at lower speeds.
Another concern is the issue of being unfairly judged or confronted. Some have shared that they fear being stopped or challenged in public, not because they have done anything wrong, but because they “do not look disabled”.
This has been highlighted by disability advocates and rightly so because disability comes in many forms. For instance, some users can still walk a short distance but rely on mobility aid intermittently.
If the new regime unintentionally results in more public suspicion or harassment of legitimate users, it will undermine social trust. I therefore hope LTA’s communications will be clear that the intent is to prevent unsafe misuse, not to encourage policing by all of us and by the public, and that enforcement will be guided by training and clear protocols.
Mr Speaker, all these concerns that I raised today really do sound operational, but they go at the heart of public acceptance. Ultimately, this Bill is more than just enforcement, it is about how we live together in a dense, compact city with shared spaces.
A \"we first\" transport culture must mean that pedestrians feel safe. It also means that legitimate mobility aid users also feel respected and supported. Our safety rules must not only be stated but enforced consistently, supported with the right resources and technology, applied with fairness so that vulnerable users are not priced out of mobility.
Mr Speaker, in closing, this Bill advances a simple \"we first\" principle in my opinion: those who operate powered devices and vehicles hold greater capacity to cause harm and with that capacity comes greater responsibility.
Mr Speaker: Mr Hoe, we have some students from St Hilda's Secondary School and from their looks I think your calculations are correct. Ms Lee Hui Ying.
Ms Lee Hui Ying (Nee Soon): Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of the Land Transport and Related Matters Bill. This introduces new and important regulations. It is so important that despite my broken voice today, I wish to share my thoughts, my residents' thoughts on this Bill to ensure safer paths for all.
The growth in the use of PMAs in Singapore shows how our city has evolved – from an ageing population with greater needs for independence to a broader expectation that our public spaces accommodate different forms of mobility.
But as PMAs become a common sight, it is our duty to strike the right balance of safety, clarity and responsibility between the different users of our public paths. On this Bill, I have a few clarifications regarding the enforceability and impact of these new measures.
First, focusing on the most impacted group: the PMA users. From June this year, users must have the Certificate of Medical Need to own a PMA, which can only be obtained after completing the Assessment for Mobility Scooter (AMS) from doctors or occupational therapists. Given that these PMA users would need the vehicle for basic mobility, the AMS should and must remain affordable for all.
Will MOT be coordinating with MOH and the Ministry of Social and Family Development to ensure accessibility and affordability of these services by public and private GPs and occupational therapists that can offer AMS for existing and also new PMA users? Will there be a fee cap to avoid opportunistic price hiking to obtain the AMS?
As users’ medical conditions change over time, it is important to ensure PMA users continue to be fit to operate PMAs to reduce the likelihood of accidents. Assessment to Own does not mean Assessment to Operate. I have seen some PMA users, while medically allowed to own a PMA, may not have the ability to safely operate their devices and this jeopardises other path users. PMA users should meet baseline requirements of eyesight, dexterity and mental state to safely operate their devices.
I would like to ask if the AMS will include an assessment test to determine if the patient is able to safely operate a PMA? This may also change with time if health conditions worsen or simply from ageing. Will there be a validity of each AMS to ensure continued assessment on safe riding of PMAs? For example, a reassessment once every three years for those with severe chronic conditions.
Second, the effectiveness of the regulations in making our footpaths and roads safer for everyone. From 2023 to Q3 2025, MOT said there were around 710 reported accidents involving PMAs, PMDs or PABs that resulted in injuries. And approximately 590 were on the roads and 120 were off-road, inclusive of public paths. There may have been much much more accidents that went unreported.
The new regulations aim to reduce accidents involving pedestrians due to reckless speeding on footpaths and shared paths. However, the prevalence of motorised PMA users might make it difficult to enforce penalties against many cases, with some riders who decide to hit and run after the collision to avoid punishment.
So, enforcement is extremely key here. Most will comply but there may still be recalcitrant users who disregard the rules. Can the Ministry consider establishing a demerit system for PMA users to deter repeat offenders who fail to consider the safety of others? Will there be physical features installed, similar to red light cameras on the roads, on shared paths to track speed limits?
There are still some confusion on regulations surrounding active mobility vehicles such as the speed limit and which paths or roads each vehicle is allowed to ride on. Just as we are getting used to the terms of PMA, PMD and PAB, we are now hearing new terms from the Ministry – motorised vehicles, motorised wheelchairs, motorised scooters. Will the Ministry consider increasing better and fuller public communications efforts, such as placing visible signages on speed limits and designating which vehicles are allowed on footpaths, shared paths and roads? This will reduce the number of accidents due to some riders and pedestrians who unintentionally use the wrong paths.
Additionally, which I think has been highlighted in this Chamber by some Members, there are other factors other than speed that pose safety risks and public disturbance.
Sometimes, you hear them before you see them. Some active mobility users play loud music on their devices, almost like a mobile disco blasting through the Housing and Development Board (HDB) blocks and footpaths. And sometimes, during wee hours of the night. Will the Ministry look into restricting the playing of loud music on such devices to minimise disturbance and to show consideration for the community?
Third, some delivery riders switched to PMAs after PMDs were banned from footpaths in 2019. The new regulations on speed limit and vehicle registration are likely to result in loss of income for many delivery riders who depend on the device for their livelihoods. So, the transition support is crucial.
Has the Ministry consulted with major food delivery platforms on changes in compensation structures or job allocations due to the new regulations? This could include allocating shorter distance deliveries to more PMA delivery riders to mitigate potential fall in earnings. Or will there be career transition assistance for those who wish to switch out of their delivery jobs?
Additionally, delivery riders who switch to PABs or PMDs would not be able to legally ride on pedestrian paths, making it challenging for them to complete their deliveries in HDB estates. So, those who do so illegally might pose an even greater risk to pedestrians due to the higher speed limit. Therefore, could the Minister or the Ministry share on plans to improve last mile connectivity by increasing the accessibility of shared paths network within the HDB estates? Sir, in Mandarin, please.
(In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mr Speaker, the use of Personal Mobility Aids (PMAs) has become increasingly common, and we have a responsibility to balance the safety, responsibility and clarity for all users on public paths. I hope MOT can further clarify the impact of this Bill on PMA users, road users and food delivery workers, as well as how the new measures can be enforced.
Firstly, starting from June this year, mobility scooter users must obtain medical certification after completing relevant assessments by doctors or occupational therapists before they can own a mobility scooter. These users often depend on assistive devices for basic mobility, so this assessment must be affordable for them.
Will the MOT coordinate with MOH and the MSF to ensure that existing and new mobility scooter users can easily access assessment services provided by doctors and occupational therapists at affordable prices? Will the authorities set a fee cap for this service to avoid opportunistic price hiking?
Furthermore, the health condition of PMA users changes over time. They must be fit enough to operate mobility aids to reduce the likelihood of accidents. Even if they are assessed to own, does not mean they have the ability to operate. Therefore, users must meet basic requirements for vision, dexterity and mental state to safely operate assistive devices.
Will the assessment for mobility scooters include evaluating whether patients can safely operate the assistive device? Considering changes in their health conditions and the effects of ageing, will assessments have time limits for safety purposes? For example, patients with serious chronic conditions might undergo reassessment every three years?
Secondly, regarding effective enforcement of regulations. I believe most users will comply with regulations, but for those bad actors who repeatedly ignore advice, will the MOT consider implementing a demerit point system as a deterrent to ensure others' safety? Will the authorities consider installing speed detectors on footpaths, similar to enhanced speed cameras and traffic cameras on roads?
Thirdly, regarding the livelihoods of food delivery workers. In 2019, after PMDs were banned from footpaths, some delivery workers switched to using PMAs. The new speed and registration regulations will likely cause delivery workers, who depend on these devices for livelihoods, to lose their income.
During the transition period, they desperately need additional support. Will delivery workers who want to change careers receive employment assistance? Delivery workers who switch to PABs and PMDs will not be able to use pedestrian-only paths, causing difficulties when delivering in HDB estates. Can the Minister reveal what plans there are to improve the convenience and connectivity network of shared paths in HDB estates?
With our rapidly ageing population, mobility aids will only become more prevalent. I hope this Bill can ensure that all Singaporeans can use our roads safely and conveniently.
(In English): Mr Speaker, Sir, notwithstanding these clarifications, I fully support the Bill. With the increasing prevalence of PMA use in our ageing population, I hope that this Bill enables safer and more accessible roads and paths for all Singaporeans.
Mr Speaker: Mr Yip Hon Weng.
Mr Yip Hon Weng (Yio Chu Kang): Mr Speaker, Sir, I am speaking on this Bill on behalf of Yio Chu Kang, a constituency with a significant and growing senior population. Many of my residents rely on PMAs to move around their estates safely and independently. For them, these devices are not a convenience, but an essential part of daily life.
My residents want safer paths and fewer fires in our HDB blocks, but they also want a transport environment that is safe and inclusive. I support the Ministry's intent to tighten regulations, but legislation is only as effective as its implementation. When we move from policy papers to the pavements in our estates, the \"how\" becomes just as important as the \"what\". With that in mind, I would like to raise four clarifications on the Bill.
Mr Speaker, Sir, my first point concerns the new requirement for a Certificate of Medical Need. We all agree with the intent. We have witnessed seemingly young and able-bodied individuals speeding on mobility scooters, treating them as casual transport. This endangers pedestrians and undermines confidence in genuine PMA use.
However, for many of my elderly residents, a mobility scooter is a lifeline. It is the difference between being confined at home and being able to buy groceries or meet friends. While I note the exemptions for seniors aged 70 and above, and for subsidy recipients, I am concerned about what I term as the \"sandwich class\" of disability. These are residents in their 50s or 60s who may not meet a strict clinical definition of being unable to walk, but who suffer from chronic pain, arthritis or joint degeneration. They may manage short distances within their flats but cannot walk several hundred metres to essential amenities.
At the same time, mobility needs are not always permanent. Some residents may require PMAs immediately after surgery or injury but later recover sufficiently. This raises important questions about how \"temporary\" medical need is defined and managed in a way that is fair, clear and not open to abuse.
I seek three clarifications.
First, will there be a fast-track or temporary certification process for residents who need a PMA after surgery or injury, ensuring rehabilitation does not become a compliance case? Related to this, how will the system manage the point at which a temporary medical need ends? Will they be assigned a deadline where they are expected to stop using the PMA? Must they undergo reassessment if their mobility issues persist beyond the expected recovery period, in order to continue using it?
Second, with the rollout starting in mid-2026, I worry about bottlenecks at polyclinics. Can the Minister assure us that residents will not be left house-bound while waiting for certification? During the initial rollout, will enforcement officers prioritise helping residents comply rather than penalising them?
Third, regarding digital inclusion, how does a non-tech-savvy senior who falls just below the age exemption prove their status? If verification relies on digital platforms, we risk creating anxiety. Simple, physical proof options still remain essential.
Mr Speaker, Sir, my second point concerns the mandatory registration of mobility vehicles.
I acknowledge the Ministry's efforts to reduce compliance burden through retailer-led registration for new devices and a phased transition for existing users. Registration strengthens accountability and accountability is necessary. However, residents fear that honest mistakes may be treated as offences. Section 28I creates an offence for using an unregistered vehicle and section 28M makes the register prima facie evidence. I have four questions.
First, if a retailer makes a registration error, will the resident using the device in good faith bear the penalty? How can such errors be resolved simply, especially for seniors who may not have full documentation? Second, can the Minister clarify the costs involved? For low-income seniors, even modest fees can be a barrier. Will subsidies or waivers be considered? Third, are there implications for public rental tenants regarding insurance or tenancy rules? We must ensure registration does not disadvantage vulnerable residents. Fourth, with rules phasing in until 2029, how will residents be clearly and repeatedly informed of what applies at each stage?
Mr Speaker, Sir, my third point concerns the new offence to keep unsafe PMA devices. This is a necessary shift. Many fires occur while devices are being charged at home. However, we must distinguish between willful offenders and residents who simply do not know how to dispose of old devices. I have four suggestions.
First, unsafe devices need a \"safe exit\". If disposal is difficult, residents will hide these devices, keeping the risk inside the home. Any disposal framework should focus squarely on safe and accessible removal of unsafe devices.
Second, we must be practical. Seniors cannot transport heavy devices to distant e-waste points. Town Council-level collection drives and bulky-item removal services will be essential and has to be supported by sustained public education.
Third, online sales remain a weak link. A suggestion is to have all PMA device listings and categories to come with an advisory on compliant models and make it a reportable offence if the seller mislabels an illegal or modified vehicle as one that is compliant. Also, how will the agency combat sales through messaging platforms, like Telegram?
Fourth, will the Ministry work with the Ministry of National Development to designate charging or parking spaces in suitable locations, such as void decks? This could minimise the risk of PMAs being parked or charged in corridors or lift lobbies.
Mr Speaker, Sir, my fourth point concerns delivery riders, platform responsibility and enforcement. Residents are frustrated by fast-moving riders, but they want calmer paths, not just more summonses. Rider behaviour is shaped by platform incentives. I support deeming platform operators as employers for liability, but liability alone may not change behaviour. I seek five clarifications.
First, how do we prevent contractual distancing, where platforms shift blame to riders without changing operational pressures? Second, why does the Bill not explicitly require training or delivery-time management, including algorithmic changes that do not reward speed at the expense of safety? Third, will success be measured by reduced accidents and complaints, or simply by enforcement numbers? Fourth, will enforcement data be used to redesign recurring conflict hotspots in estates? And fifth, will platforms share anonymised data to support safer estate planning?
More broadly, I must raise a concern about enforcement. Many of these rules are sound on paper, but enforcement on the ground may be inconsistent and unpredictable. Errant users learn when and where to avoid officers. Only when enforcement is visible, consistent and credible will behaviour truly change. Otherwise, even well-designed laws risk becoming paper tigers.
In conclusion, Mr Speaker, Sir, let me end with a moment that many of my residents will recognise from lived experience. On 4 November 2025, close to midnight, a fire broke out in the lift lobby of Block 641 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4, involving a PMD. About 200 of my residents were evacuated. Four were taken to hospital. Electrical supply was disrupted and lifts were damaged. These disruptions were avoidable and they underline why prevention and enforcement matter.
In such incidents, it is not just the user who pays the price. Entire blocks are disrupted. Neighbouring units suffer damage. Some families even lose beloved pets, or in the worst case scenario, their loved ones.
This brings us to the heart of this Bill. On the Certificate of Medical Need, safety must never come at the cost of dignity. On mandatory registration, accountability must be paired with fairness. On unsafe devices, fire risks must be removed, not hidden. And on delivery riders and enforcement, safety must be real on the ground, not just written in law.
This Bill matters because safety is not an abstract concept. It is not a statistic. It is the quiet confidence of a senior walking home. It is the assurance that a charging device will not put homes and livelihoods at risk. It is the belief that shared spaces belong to all of us and must protect the most vulnerable amongst us.
My residents are not asking for perfection. They are asking for reassurance. They are asking for rules that are firm, but fair. For systems that protect, not intimidate. For enforcement that is real, consistent and visible.
Mr Speaker, Sir, this Bill gives us the tools. But laws alone do not make communities safe. The choices we make in implementation do. If we choose compassion alongside enforcement, clarity alongside regulation and care alongside accountability, the measure of this Bill will not be found in the number of offences recorded. It will be found in fewer fires; in safer footpaths; in the vulnerable amongst us, who can move through their estates without fear.
And for residents in Yio Chu Kang and for all Singaporeans across this island, that is not just good policy. It is the kind of society we are building together. With that, Mr Speaker, Sir, I support the Bill.
Mr Speaker: Mr Edward Chia.
Mr Edward Chia Bing Hui (Holland-Bukit Timah): Mr Speaker, I rise in support of the Land Transport and Related Matters Bill. I focus my remarks on one central issue: how technology can allow us to manage traffic more intelligently, beyond relying primarily on pricing. Singapore is land scarce. Our road network cannot expand indefinitely and there are many competing demands on land – we need more housing, more parks, more cycling paths and so forth.
For decades, ERP has been one of our levers for managing congestion. ERP has been effective. But as technology advances, the question is no longer how much we price road usage, but how intelligently we manage traffic as an integrated system.
ERP 2.0 is often framed as a pricing upgrade, but this framing understates its broader potential. At its core, ERP 2.0 is also a data and sensing platform. The new OBUs generate richer, more granular and real-time data – both for motorists and the LTA.
This creates an opportunity to move beyond passive congestion pricing towards active traffic management. Internationally, cities are already using real-time flow data to dynamically manage their road networks.
In London, for example, the Split Cycle Offset Optimisation Technique (SCOOT) system uses live data from sensors and cameras to adjust traffic light timings. This increases green time in congested corridors and eases bottlenecks without expanding road usage. Drawing on such precedents, ERP 2.0 data can be integrated with adaptive traffic signal systems, incident responses and corridor-level optimisation. Real-time congestion data can enable more responsive traffic light timings, improve directional flow during peak periods and allow faster interventions at known choke points.
Beyond day-to-day operations, ERP 2.0 data also offers a powerful planning tool. Instead of expanding roads broadly, planners and engineers can use longitudinal flow data to identify where capacity is genuinely constrained and where it is under-utilised. Such data can show which junctions, rather than entire corridors, are the true bottlenecks; and which lanes are consistently under-used and could be reallocated to other users, such as pedestrians and cyclists.
This enables a shift from broad-based expansion to targeted, data-driven interventions, where minor redesigns, signal adjustments or directional changes could outperform the construction of new roads.
Mr Speaker, it is also important to emphasise that ERP 2.0 should not be perceived as a system that only impacts private motorists. The same flow data can also be used to improve outcomes for public transport users, particularly bus commuters.
ERP 2.0 data can support bus lane prioritisation, by identifying corridors where buses experience the most delays; better route design, based on actual congestion and demand patterns; transfer optimisation, improving coordination between bus services and MRT nodes; last mile connectivity planning, by highlighting short but congested links that disproportionately affect bus reliability.
By embedding these insights into planning and operations, ERP 2.0 can directly enhance bus punctuality, reliability and journey times – strengthening public transport as an attractive and dependable choice.
Mr Speaker, may I ask the Minister what ERP 2.0 data is already integrated today, and how it will be used in the medium and longer term to support smarter traffic management, such as adaptive signals, incident response and bus operations, beyond pricing alone?
Turning to virtual gantries and network effects. The shift to virtual gantries under ERP 2.0 offers flexibility and reduces physical clutter. However, international experience suggests that flexibility must be accompanied by clear principles and guardrails.
Mr Speaker, as we move towards virtual gantries, some of my Zhenghua residents are concerned that it may become easier to introduce more pricing points across the island. It is, therefore, important to consider the overall impact of more granular road pricing and to ensure that flexibility does not create uncertainty for motorists or lead to higher costs without real congestion benefits. So, may I ask the Minister whether there will be clear limits and transparent criteria for adjusting ERP 2.0 pricing zones, and regular public updates on congestion and travel times to ensure that flexibility delivers real improvements on the ground?
Turning to user experience of OBUs. Early feedback on OBUs has raised concerns around aesthetics, usability and power consumption. Specific vehicle types or older car models face technical difficulties powering the OBU, given that it requires more energy than the previous In-vehicle Unit (IU). Mr Speaker, may I ask the Minister whether there will be carve-outs for vehicle types that face technical installation challenges, and if so, how would such users be made to pay ERP 2.0?
With regard to user experience issues, other cities have addressed similar challenges through iterative design improvements and structured feedback loops. In Seoul, for instance, smart mobility systems were rolled out alongside continuous refinements, with user satisfaction explicitly tracked as a performance indicator.
To that end, may I ask the Minister how is LTA is incorporating user feedback to refine the OBU experience? And beyond familiarity over time, what new features are planned to ensure ERP 2.0 becomes genuinely more intuitive and useful for motorists?
Turning to active mobility, the Bill strengthens penalties and enforcement powers, particularly for PMAs. This is important for safety, but enforcement capacity must be sustainable.
Cities, such as Paris and Amsterdam, increasingly rely on camera-based and automated enforcement to ensure consistent compliance without excessive manpower demands. Camera-based enforcement enables round-the-clock monitoring, unlike manpower-based enforcement, which relies on occasional checks and predictable hotspots due to inherent resource constraints.
Leveraging technology in this way allows enforcement to scale with usage while maintaining fairness and predictability. Mr Speaker, may I ask the Minister what cameras are currently used for active mobility enforcement, how much manpower is presently deployed for this purpose and the associated man-hour labour costs of such enforcements?
Further, with the expansion of rules and enforcements introduced by this Bill, what are the projected manpower requirements and costs going forward and what immediate plans are in place to scale up automated enforcement to manage these constraints?
On the requirement for medical certification for PMA users, this is welcomed. From time to time, my residents in Zhenghua have been asking me whether certain types of PMA users should, in fact, be using PMAs, as some appear young and healthy. A certifiable medical requirement helps remove such suspicions and ambiguity. This is essential to foster trust and social acceptance within our community.
At the same time, I wish to raise an issue of equity and access. Some PMA users come from lower-income households and even small administrative costs can become a barrier. To ensure this does not unintentionally exclude those who need mobility support the most, can the Ministry regularly publish a clear list of clinics offering certification and update together with indicative fees, to enhance transparency and keep the process affordable and fair?
Mr Speaker, this Bill offers us an opportunity to move beyond a narrow conception of ERP as simply a pricing mechanism, towards a smarter, integrated mobility system. One that uses data to optimise traffic flow, guide infrastructure planning, improve public transport reliability and enhance user experience.
Cities around the world show that pricing works best when paired with real-time traffic management, adaptive control and thoughtful use of data. I hope Singapore will continue to lead in this space, not just by pricing roads efficiently, but by managing them intelligently.
Mr Speaker, as I conclude, I wish to stress that the concerns raised today in this debate are not abstract policy observations. They are the lived realities and anxieties of residents, workers, caregivers and persons with mobility challenges whom we meet on the ground every day. These views reflect a consolidated position of the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Transport and fellow People's Action Party Members, shaped through extensive discussions within the Committee, engagements with Members and most importantly, direct feedback from residents across our constituencies who will feel the full impact of this Bill.
Taken together, the GPC's views rest on three clear and urgent concerns. First, Members strongly support safety as the central objective of this Bill. Safer paths, safer roads and safer homes are not optional – they are essential. Residents want assurance that injuries, misuse, fires and unsafe modifications linked to increasingly powerful devices will be decisively addressed. At the same time, they expect safety measures, such as speed limiters, tougher penalties for dangerous alterations and smarter traffic management systems to deliver real, visible improvements on the ground, not just rules on paper.
Second, while Members support the introduction of a Certificate of Medical Need to curb abuse, we must be clear-eyed about who we may have left behind. For many genuine users, those with temporary injuries, functional mobility challenges, caregiving duties or delivery riders relying on mobility aids for their livelihood, the Bill is not theoretical. It affects whether they can move, work or live with dignity. The GPC therefore urges that implementation be flexible, affordable and clearly communicated, so that administrative complexities, cost or narrow definitions do not unintentionally exclude or penalise those who depend on these devices the most.
Third, Members emphasise the success of this Bill will ultimately be judged on enforcement. Residents are asking for enforcement that is consistent, credible and fair – not sporadic crackdowns or uneven treatment. This means sustained enforcement on the ground, better use of technology and clear accountability for platforms and marketplaces that profit from the usage and sales of these devices. At the same time, the GPC calls for a sensible transition period, one that prioritises education and understanding, and exercises discretion where users are acting in good faith and adjusting to new rules.
Mr Speaker, these are calls to make it work for people it most directly affects. The GPC supports the intent of the Bill. We offer these views to ensure that implementation is firm yet fair, strong yet compassionate, so that safety is enhanced without losing sight of inclusivity and lived realities.
Mr Speaker: Senior Minister of State Sim Ann.
The Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs (Ms Sim Ann): Mr Speaker, I thank the Members for their interest and support for the Bill. Please allow me to address their comments on the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)-related amendments.
Ms Joan Pereira and Ms Yeo Wan Ling asked about the regulatory and enforcement approach for foreign-registered heavy vehicles, vis-à-vis Singapore-registered heavy vehicles. Speed limiters are employed upstream to reduce the speeding risk before the offence occurs. In 2024, the speed limiter regime was expanded to include lorries with a maximum laden weight of between 3,501 kilogrammes and 12,000 kilogrammes.
Singapore-registered heavy vehicles account for the bulk of daily heavy vehicle traffic on our roads. Installing speed limiters for these vehicles would therefore reduce the road safety risks associated with heavy vehicles very significantly.
We also recognise the need to address the safety risks associated with foreign-registered heavy vehicles. We require them to comply with our road traffic laws and regulations, and we conduct on-road enforcement on them. Foreign vehicles that commit speeding offences will be dealt with in accordance with the law. We do not require them to install speed limiters, because they also ply in other jurisdictions with different speed limits from Singapore.
It is worth noting that, since Singapore-registered lorries are already required to install speed limiters and, therefore, will be unable to speed, this allows the Traffic Police to focus speeding enforcement on all other vehicles on our roads, including foreign-registered heavy vehicles.
To Ms Joan Pereira’s question on installing speed limiters for \"higher-risk passenger cars\", speed limiters are currently required for heavy vehicles as part of a targeted, risk-based approach. These vehicles pose higher risks due to their size, weight and operating characteristics. But the risks associated with passenger cars, on the other hand, arise primarily from driver behaviour, rather than vehicle attributes. These behaviours are more appropriately addressed through public education efforts and deterrent penalties, rather than through speed limiters.
Members also asked about speed limits for heavy vehicles. Ms Yeo Wan Ling asked whether the speed differential between passenger vehicles and heavy vehicles gives rise to unsafe driving conditions. Ms Valerie Lee suggested that lighter vehicles with a maximum laden weight of 3,501 to 5,000 kilogrammes should be subject to a higher speed limit of 70 kilometres per hour, instead of the current 60 kilometres per hour. Let me clarify. On expressways, passenger vehicles may travel at speeds of up to 90 kilometres per hour, while heavy vehicles are subject to a vehicular speed limit of 60 kilometres per hour, enforced through speed limiters. But these differing limits should not be seen in isolation. They are paired with lane-discipline requirements, where slower vehicles are required to keep to the left lane, except when overtaking.
The rationale for this framework is road safety. Heavy vehicles differ from passenger vehicles in terms of mass, braking distance, stability and blind spots; and when accidents occur, they can cause disproportionate harm. Speed control is, therefore, a critical safety lever to reduce the risk and severity of accidents involving such vehicles.
To Ms Valerie Lee's suggestion, vehicles with a maximum laden weight of between 3,501 and 5,000 kilogrammes are subject to the same 60 kilometres per hour speed limit as vehicles above 5,000 kilogrammes because they pose similar road safety risks, such as longer braking distances and reduced manoeuvrability at higher speed.
Sir, we are starting to see results from our policy. The number of speeding-related accidents, including fatal ones, involving heavy vehicles has decreased by 28% from 25 cases in 2024 to 18 cases in 2025, as more lorries installed speed limiters last year. We expect these figures to further decrease after all lorries install speed limiters by 1 July 2027.
We also recognise that good lane discipline is essential where there are differences in vehicle speeds. The Traffic Police will continue to educate motorists on the importance of maintaining lane discipline and enforce against violations.
Ms Yeo Wan Ling, Ms Valerie Lee and Dr Choo Pei Ling asked questions about the compliance burden on businesses and whether assistance is being provided to businesses to facilitate the installation of speed limiters.
To Ms Yeo's query, the speed limiter requirement applies to lorries that continue to operate on Singapore roads. Where a vehicle is earmarked to be scrapped after its statutory installation deadline, the vehicle must be installed with a speed limiter in order to operate on the roads after the deadline. While I appreciate Ms Yeo's suggestion to exercise flexibility for those with firm scrapping plans, we will have to draw the line somewhere and there will always be lorries which are intended to be scrapped after the deadline. We have thus decided to maintain a consistent approach by not extending the deadline for any group. Lorry owners have been given adequate lead time to plan their installation decisions in accordance with their business and operational needs.
On assistance provided to businesses, in this first phase of speed limiter installation, 94% of the lorries that needed to install by 1 January 2026 – or about 2,300 lorries – had completed their installation before the deadline. To support SMEs, Enterprise Singapore has expanded Productivity Solutions Grant support to cover speed limiters for eligible SMEs that install between 1 October 2025 and 31 March 2027. This recognises that speed limiters can also indirectly improve productivity by reducing downtime in the event of accidents.
Beyond this, the Traffic Police has introduced UN ECE R89 as a third approved speed limiter standard. This expands the variety of approved speed limiters available in the market and provides more options for lorry owners looking to install speed limiters. The Traffic Police has also worked with the industry to significantly increase installation capacity, expanding the number of authorised agents more than six-fold since January 2025, to 70 currently. The industry has also been offering on-site installation and bulk discounts to encourage installation.
Turning to the other proposals in the Bill, Mr Jackson Lam asked how fairness and public trust would be maintained in the context of increasingly automated enforcement systems. Ms Sylvia Lim asked for details about the outsourcing arrangement to private sector companies.
Let me first clarify that clauses 74 and 79 of the Bill only allows for the administrative processing of straightforward violations to be carried out by authorised civilians, after an offence has been detected. These amendments do not involve the automation of enforcement decisions. They also do not change the current process for appeals, including the viewing of camera footage upon request, which will continue to be managed by the Traffic Police.
These authorised civilians will assess traffic camera footage to determine if a traffic violation has been disclosed. This is based on an assessment framework provided by Traffic Police. For example, for footage captured by red light cameras, these civilians will view a series of photos to confirm that the vehicle had crossed the stop line after the traffic light had turned red. In short, the authorised civilians will not exercise enforcement discretion. The Traffic Police will continue to be responsible and accountable for enforcement policy and decisions.
We are working out the procurement details and approach. That said, we agree with the Member that any use of automation or outsourcing must be subject to robust safeguards and oversight, to ensure fairness and public confidence in traffic enforcement.
Finally, we thank Dr Hamid Razak for his support for measures to enhance road safety. Let me address Dr Hamid's suggestion to raise penalties and demonstrate stronger deterrence for dangerous and careless driving offences. The Ministry fully agrees with the need for adequate deterrence and appropriate punishment, commensurate with the culpability of the offender and the harm caused through the offending act. The maximum penalties set out in the Road Traffic Act reflect this calibrated approach. Building on this, MHA is working with the Sentencing Advisory Panel, chaired by Justice Tay Yong Kwang, to publish sentencing guidelines for the offences of dangerous and careless driving. The Ministry is studying further measures to shape responsible driving behaviour and improve overall road safety. Further details will be announced when ready.
I thank Members for supporting the Bill. Mr Speaker, I seek to move and will now hand over to the officeholders from MOT to address amendments that are related to MOT.
Mr Speaker: Minister of State Baey Yam Keng.
The Minister of State for Transport (Mr Baey Yam Keng): Mr Speaker, I thank the Members for their support of the Bill and their thoughtful questions. Let me first address the specific points that Members raised.
At the outset, I wish to make clear that we are not banning the use of mobility scooters but safeguarding them for those who truly need them. Our intention is not to target any specific group, but to set ground rules that provide clarity and keep our paths safer for all.
Several Members, like Ms Joan Pereira, Ms Choo Pei Ling and Dr Haresh Singaraju spoke about how medical needs will be assessed to allow for the use of mobility scooters. We will need the support of our doctors and occupational therapists (OTs), to assess the medical needs to determine whether a person's medical conditions lead to mobility challenges that require a mobility scooter. MOH has issued guidelines for healthcare professionals to conduct the assessment, including a non-exhaustive list of possible conditions. Some examples include cardiovascular diseases, such as severe heart failure; and musculoskeletal disorders, such as muscular dystrophies and rheumatoid arthritis.
Members including Mr David Hoe, Mr Ng Shi Xuan and Dr Hamid Razak asked about the process to obtain a Certificate of Medical Need, validity periods and timelines. For the convenience of users and assessors, both digital and hard copy certificates will be possible. The doctor or OT may fill in a standard online form to submit the data to LTA or issue a hard copy of the standard form. Once the assessor completes the form, the certificate is granted. For the hard copy, the user is encouraged to take a photo and submit it to LTA so that it is stored in LTA's digital registry.
As part of the certification, the doctor or OT will assess and indicate if the user's need for a mobility scooter is long-term or temporary. For the latter, the period that the Certificate is valid will be specified. The Government will maintain a registry of those with valid Certificates of Medical Need and those exempted from the requirement.
Seniors exempted on the basis of age will not be in the registry. I know some seniors may look younger than their age, so if enforcement officers were to ask, their National Registration Identity Card (NRIC) year of birth just needs to show that they are 70 years old and above. As an example, for this year, everyone born in and before 1956 are automatically exempted.
Enforcement officers will request the user's particulars to perform a back-end check on the spot. If the certificate has not been submitted online, the user just needs to produce the hard copy form for inspection. Individuals can also check their certification or exemption status on LTA's OneMotoring website.
Dr Choo Pei Ling asked whether physiotherapists can grant the Certificate of Medical Need. We have worked with MOH to determine the groups of assessors for the certificate. Currently, mobility assessment, device prescription and user training are not part of the routine training of a general physiotherapist. Hence, MOH's position is that only doctors and OTs can assess and grant this certificate. MOH will continue to monitor demand if these competencies should be built into training for a wider pool of healthcare professionals.
Members including Mr Jackson Lam and Mr Yip Hon Weng reminded us to streamline processes to minimise the burden on genuine users, particularly persons with disabilities and seniors. We fully agree. Risk-managed exemptions include seniors aged 70 and above, those who have already obtained Government-subsidised mobility scooters and those who have applied for MOH disability schemes to help with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) needs in \"mobility\" and/or \"transferring\". We are working to exempt more user groups with other relevant assessments where possible, such as applicants for other disability schemes.
Members including Ms Yeo Wan Ling, Dr Wan Rizal and Ms Lee Hui Ying also asked about the cost to undergo the Assessment for Mobility Scooter (AMS), if polyclinics will offer the AMS and if subsidies will be extended. For those who need certification, we have engaged the healthcare sector to encourage private GP clinics to offer the AMS. We want it to be widely available and accessible, so that users can have affordable choices. As Dr Haresh Singaraju has emphasised, we encourage users to go to their regular doctor or regular OT, who already understand their medical history, to streamline the assessment process. All doctors, including polyclinic doctors, are allowed to conduct the AMS. However, doctors may decline to assess users who are not their regular patients, depending on the doctor's comfort level to conduct the certification.
Healthcare subsidies will not be accorded for visits made solely to obtain the Certificate of Medical Need. However, as long as the patient is seeking healthcare services from a doctor or OT at public healthcare institutions or community care organisations, and the AMS is conducted as a clinically indicated part of their regular medical care, the overall care episode, including the AMS, can be given healthcare subsidies.
Members, including Mr Cai Yinzhou, Mr Dennis Tan and Mr David Hoe, asked about specific plans to engage existing PMA users on the new rules, especially seniors and persons with disabilities. LTA will continue to work with the Agency for Integrated Care and SG Enable as well as relevant social service agencies, such as SPD, to reach out to seniors and persons with disabilities. LTA's public communications campaign on the new rules will also be rolled out in various languages.
On the ground, enforcement officers will engage and educate PMA users on the upcoming rules. We will also reach out through grassroots channels, and I seek Members' support to raise awareness among your residents.
Members including Ms Yeo Wan Ling and Ms Joan Pereira raised concerns on how the new PMA rules may affect platform delivery workers.
We understand the concern on how the new rules could potentially affect the number of deliveries and thus the earnings of delivery workers. Only workers with mobility needs should use PMAs for their work. Such workers have to abide by the reduced speed limit and dimension limits for everyone's safety. This protects not just other path users but the PMA riders themselves.
By going at a slower speed and using devices that are not oversized, they can navigate crowded paths and complete their deliveries safely. They reduce the risks of serious accidents, which would affect their earning stability.
I thank Ms Yeo Wan Ling for sharing that the National Delivery Champions Association (NDCA) will provide financial assistance to help riders comply with the new rules.
For delivery riders without mobility challenges, PMAs are not the right mode of transport for them. They should not misuse PMAs. They can continue their trade by switching to other devices or vehicles before 1 June 2026.
We had engaged the Digital Platforms Industry Association and the NDCA last year. They expressed support for the new PMA rules, including the six kilometres an hour speed limit, in a joint statement. The platforms have committed to be inclusive in allocating jobs and providing earning opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those with mobility challenges who rely on PMAs for their delivery work.
Ms Gho Sze Kee and Mr Yip Hon Weng also asked about platforms incentivising faster deliveries that may lead to speeding.
Platform companies are responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of their delivery riders. This includes ensuring that their riders using active mobility devices on public paths have adequate third-party liability insurance coverage during the course of their work.
We will continue to encourage food delivery platforms, rider associations and industry partners to promote safe riding practices and explore what more can be done to deter errant riding behaviour. LTA and the Traffic Police have also conducted campaigns, such as Be Safe, Be Seen, to promote safer riding habits with Grab, and safety talks and training sessions for delivery riders with foodpanda.
Mr David Hoe raised a concern that the reduced speed limit could affect users' ability to travel upslope. Indeed, this was a concern that we had when developing the proposal. So, we spent some time studying the issue. Our studies support the calculations done by Mr Hoe's volunteers – that motorised PMAs will be able to travel upslope along public paths safely with a speed limit of six kilometres per hour. It is the motor power and not the speed that pushes the wheels upslope.
Nonetheless, we understand the worries and LTA will improve awareness to reassure PMA users that six kilometres per hour is safe.
Ms He Ting Ru asked whether scientific literature was considered for the Active Mobility Advisory Panel's (AMAP's) recommendation of the speed limit reduction. Ms Yeo Wan Ling, Mr Dennis Tan, Mr Fadli Fawzi and Mr Cai Yinzhou raised concerns that the lower speed limit would increase journey times and affect delivery riders' earnings.
In accepting the recommendation to lower the speed limit to six kilometres per hour, our primary consideration was to peg the speed to brisk walking speed since PMAs are a replacement for walking. We acknowledge that the trade-off is that users travel more slowly. This is necessary to protect themselves and other path users.
So, I thank Mr Foo Cexiang for citing the many jurisdictions internationally that use six kilometres per hour as the speed limit for PMAs based on brisk walking speed. On Ms He Ting Ru's suggestion, AMAP already comprises stakeholders across various interest and professional groups as well as academics.
Ms He Ting Ru and Mr Cai Yinzhou asked if users would have sufficient time to comply with the new rules that will come into effect on 1 June 2026. Mr Speaker, it will almost be two years since the proposals were announced in March 2024. We have received strong calls to implement the rules swiftly to improve path safety. Affected stakeholders, including retailers and users, have had time to change to compliant devices before the PMA rules commence on 1 June 2026.
But we will provide more time, until 1 January 2029, for existing mobility scooter users to register their devices and change to devices that comply with the new maximum device speed of six kilometres per hour.
Mr Foo Cexiang and Mr Yip Hon Weng asked about the cost of registration and how mobility scooters can be transferred or sold.
Retailers need to register the devices to their business before sale or ensure that the device is registered. Ahead of 1 June 2026, LTA will work with retailers to register their existing stock of compliant mobility scooters.
Before the sale of the mobility scooter, retailers will check via OneMotoring website to ensure that the prospective owner is either granted a Certificate of Medical Need or exempted from the requirement. The sale should only be completed upon the successful transfer of ownership.
We will be mindful that the cost of registration should be kept affordable so as not to place an undue burden on genuine users. As a comparison, the current cost of registering PABs is $50.
Dr Hamid Razak suggested markers to visibly identify those with medical need for mobility scooters for ease of enforcement. On the other hand, Mr Foo Cexiang asked if registration and identification marks raised privacy concerns.
We appreciate these concerns and we assure Members that the registration and enforcement processes will be handled sensitively.
The registration system addresses both concerns. Registration and identification marks will display the device's unique identification number rather than personal details of the owner, similar to e-scooters, where it is a sticker. In addition, as a general rule, only individuals granted a Certificate of Medical Need or exempted from the requirement can register mobility scooters.
The registration framework will allow families to share a single mobility scooter.
Registration is for the mobility scooter to ensure device compliance. It is not an offence to ride a mobility scooter that is registered to another person as long as the user is granted a Certificate of Medical Need or exempted. This is no different from how vehicles can be driven by multiple drivers as long as each driver has a valid driving licence and the vehicle is insured accordingly.
Several Members, including Ms Tin Pei Ling, Ms Joan Pereira, Mr Dennis Tan and Mr David Hoe, raised suggestions to strengthen enforcement of the new PMA rules, including expanding the use of cameras, increasing plainclothes operations and action against non-compliant retailers.
To enforce the PMA rules, LTA has a comprehensive strategy. Active Mobility Enforcement Officers will patrol public paths and conduct checks on user and device compliance. They will be supported by volunteer Active Mobility Community Ambassadors to enhance engagement efforts.
Ms He Ting Ru also expressed concern that enforcement officers will rely on casual visual perception of able-bodiedness. Enforcement officers will be trained to be sensitive in checking for the Certificate of Medical Need.
Public tip-offs on errant users are gathered through LTA's website and social media today, as Members, such as Ms Poh Li San, Mr Ng Shi Xuan and Mr Cai Yin Zhou, have suggested. These complement other data sources to identify offence hotspots for targeted enforcement deployments.
Closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs) focused on paths are already deployed island-wide to detect and deter offences, such as speeding. Some of the CCTVs are deployed permanently while others are deployed on a roving basis to allow us to respond quickly as new hotspots emerge.
In addition to ground enforcement, LTA conducts targeted operations against retailers who display or sell non-compliant and unregistered devices or offer illegal modification services. Non-compliant devices are seized and enforcement actions taken against offenders.
But we must acknowledge that no matter how many boots we put on the ground, enforcement officers cannot be everywhere, neither is it desirable to foster a culture where correct behaviour is dependent only on enforcement and penalties.
It is better to also focus on education and awareness. This is why LTA works with the community through Active Mobility Community Ambassadors to promote awareness of active mobility rules.
Members, such as Ms Gho Sze Kee, Ms Sylvia Lim and Ms Valerie Lee, asked about enforcement against unsafe devices. LTA will act on feedback received via official channels and social media, surveillance as well as day-to-day operations. Targeted enforcement checks will also be conducted where e-scooters are commonly used, including areas where such devices may be parked or kept. PMDs verified by LTA as non-UL2272 certified will be seized.
LTA has the responsibility to enforce against such devices. As Ms Sylvia Lim has acknowledged, LTA already conducts enforcement operations at residential areas to seize non-compliant active mobility devices and will continue to do so, working with our partners.
This Bill will allow us to go further. LTA can go beyond seizing the non-compliant device. The individual can also be prosecuted for the offence of keeping the unsafe device. This provides a stronger deterrent against fire hazards.
Mr Cai Yinzhou and Ms Poh Li San asked about the disposal process for non-compliant devices. If needed, owners may utilise designated e-waste recyclers or collection drives organised by ALBA in collaboration with Town Councils.
I thank Dr Wan Rizal and Ms Tin Pei Ling who expressed support for the new offence of keeping unsafe devices. They urged users to check that their devices meet safety standards and dispose of unsafe devices to keep their communities safe. For PMAs, we may not expect to see a large-scale wave of disposals. To meet the new maximum device speed limit, many existing devices can simply be adjusted. Those who do not qualify for a Certificate of Medical Need can resell their devices, provided they are compliant.
Disposal will likely be limited to oversized units or devices that cannot be brought into compliance, such as those with more than one seat, which are considered PMDs, which have their own set of requirements.
Beyond the provisions in this Bill, Members have asked about other measures to reduce the fire risks of active mobility devices. I will touch on these briefly as we plan to address some of these issues in a subsequent Bill later this year.
Dr Hamid Razak asked for national guidelines for safe charging. Mr Cai Yinzhou suggested periodic inspections for PMAs in the absence of a mandated safety standard. While we continue to monitor the development of international standards for PMAs, LTA and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) will remind the public of safe charging and usage practices when using motorised active mobility devices and against using modified second-hand devices and non-original parts.
Today, periodic inspections are required for e-scooters to check that they remain compliant with the UL2272 standard and have not been illegally modified. The benefits of mandating periodic inspections for PMAs solely to check dimensions and speed limits must be weighed against the burden on users.
Dr Choo Pei Ling and Mr Cai Yinzhou asked how online marketplaces can take responsibility to eliminate unsafe and non-compliant devices. Mr Yip Hon Weng suggested making it an offence for a seller to mislabel a device as compliant. Since we commenced the Active Mobility Act, the sale of active mobility devices and related services are now more common online. LTA actively works with major e-commerce platforms like Carousell, Lazada and Shopee to take down listings of non-compliant devices. We will look at how we can strengthen rules for online sales and advertising in our legislation.
Mr Speaker, I thank Members for their many suggestions and clarifications raised. Due to time constraints, I have not addressed them all, but we will certainly study the points raised and continue to review how we implement the new laws in the Bill, as well as new measures needed.
The proposals before us today represent more than new laws. We want to restore the original purpose of PMAs and ensure that they serve those they were truly intended for and protect all path users at the same time.
With the Certificate of Medical Need, we distinguish genuine users from those who misuse mobility scooters. Through registration of mobility scooters, we create accountability and ensure users purchase compliant devices. By making it illegal to keep unsafe devices, we keep communities safer.
As we conclude this debate, let us return to the fundamental principle that path safety is not merely a regulatory matter. While this Bill covers PMAs and non-UL2272 certified PMDs, it is a collective responsibility by users of all device types and all path users that will define us as a gracious society.
Like Ms Valerie Lee, my heart goes out to Mdm Mala who was hit by a PAB rider. I have met her a few times in Tampines where she is a volunteer. But when I visited her in December at her home in Pasir Ris, she was unable to open her mouth. Since then, her husband has been updating me and I am heartened that she is recovering slowly but steadily, and I wish her well.
Mr Speaker, the ultimate objective of this Bill is to foster a safe environment where gracious path sharing becomes second-nature, where the PMA user will travel at walking speed on a crowded path and instinctively slow down to give way to other users, where residents dispose of unsafe devices rather than endanger their families and neighbours, and where all path users prioritise mutual respect over rushing to their next destination, even when no enforcement officer is present.
It is these actions of the responsible majority that will keep paths safe and inclusive. And all of us can play a part.
Mr Speaker: Acting Minister Jeffery Siow.
The Acting Minister for Transport (Mr Jeffrey Siow): Mr Speaker, together with my colleagues at MOT and MHA, I would like to first thank fellow Members for their very thoughtful speeches on this Land Transport and Related Matters Bill over the past two days.
There were 24 speeches in total by fellow Members. I confess, my colleagues and I were not expecting this much interest in our Bill. But we are humbled and appreciative, because the speeches reflect how land transport is always top of mind for Singaporeans and there are many stakeholders and many points of view.
We have taken in Members’ feedback and suggestions to the best of our ability. Senior Minister of State Sim Ann and Minister of State Baey Yam Keng have addressed the points raised on enforcement and on active mobility. I will round up the debate on points related to ERP 2.0 and other amendments covered in this Bill.
For other topics that are not within the scope of this Bill, I would like to invite Members to consider filing Parliamentary Questions at future sessions.
Let me start with the comments made by Dr Choo Pei Ling, Ms Valerie Lee and Dr Hamid Razak on the decriminalisation of missed ERP payments. Indeed, most missed ERP payments are due to genuine oversight rather than an intent to avoid payment. This amendment would therefore make the penalties more proportionate to the offence. It is, in Dr Hamid’s words, a more mature regulatory approach.
Dr Choo asked whether shifting the onus for missed ERP payments to vehicle owners instead of the driver would create complications for shared vehicles. LTA has discussed these changes with fleet operators and taxi operators. Today, vehicle owners are already responsible for obligations and fees such as road tax, so putting the responsibility of missed ERP payments on the owner would be consistent. We expect vehicle owners, such as shared fleet owners to establish their own arrangements with the drivers to recover missed ERP payments, if necessary.
Dr Choo, Ms Tin Pei Ling, as well as Mr Melvin Yong also asked about plans for distance-based charging. As I mentioned yesterday, I do not intend to implement distance-based charging immediately. I would like the transition to ERP 2.0 to be as smooth as possible. So, it is best to let the situation stabilise and to have motorists get used to the new system before too many parameters, or new ones, are introduced.
Distance-based charging is still an option for the future. We have to study this further, as there are many trade-offs involved, as many Members have pointed out. But if we decide to implement distance-based charging, motorists will have ample notice.
Our desire to have a smooth transition is also why we are keeping the broad framework for ERP charges for now. I would like to assure Members that ERP rates will continue to be reviewed on a quarterly basis, using ERP 2.0 data, which will now be more accurate and reliable.
The infrastructure light nature of ERP 2.0 does mean that we can more easily adjust locations where we can have road pricing. Therefore, we can react more quickly to mitigate traffic congestion at hotspots, including in areas where it may not be physically possible to add an ERP 1.0 gantry today.
Mr Dennis Tan asked how we will manage ERP 2.0 data. This is a topic we have discussed before and have also discussed the use of Government data during the last Parliament Sitting, when we passed the Public Sector Governance Act.
LTA adheres to all laws and Government-wide standards on data sharing with other agencies and this includes how we will manage ERP 2.0 data. As we have said before, LTA will use vehicle-specific data only for payment, charges and enforcement. And this will include non-payment of ERP charges and cross-border taxi enforcement.
To prevent unauthorised access to the data, there are security measures and safeguards in place. For example, the design of the OBU is in line with the Federal Information Processing Standard level 4 security standard with cryptographic security keys.
Mr Edward Chia spoke extensively on how ERP 2.0 data can result in smarter traffic management and transport planning. My colleagues at LTA strongly agree. LTA is indeed excited by this possibility, and we will use anonymised and aggregated ERP 2.0 data for traffic management and transport planning purposes
For example, we are experimenting with merging or using this data to optimise the traffic light signal system, amongst other use cases that we are exploring. There is certainly great potential to improve traffic management using ERP 2.0 data. As we get better at doing so, it may well be feasible to create more capacity on our roads without taking up more land. Potentially this can allow us to have some future growth in our car population.
As we move closer to completing the transition to ERP 2.0, we are also addressing the final technical difficulties preventing some vehicles from installing OBUs. For instance, some electric vehicle models are unable to provide a constant power supply to the OBU. To overcome this, LTA has developed an External Battery Device to allow for the installation of OBUs for these vehicles. Where technical problems cannot be resolved such as old cars on the Classic or Vintage Vehicle schemes, we will exempt them from the requirement to install an OBU. Owners of such cars will then have to pay a daily flat fee if they use their vehicles on ERP operational days.
Mr Speaker, to conclude, I would like to thank Members once again, especially those from the GPC for Transport for their support and suggestions on this Bill. On safety and enforcement, this House is aligned on the need for deterrence, accountability and proportionality. On active mobility, we want to strike the right balance: to preserve the independence and dignity that PMAs provide for those with genuine needs, but also to act firmly against misuse and dangerous behaviour that puts others in jeopardy.
This Bill gives us the stronger tools to do so, and we will implement them with utmost care and consideration.
Mr Speaker, this Bill covers a range of different amendments, but it is united by one key principle. Mobility brings opportunity, but it must also come with responsibility. With the support of this House, this Bill will allow us to keep our transportation system safe, inclusive and ready for the future. Sir, I seek to move.
Mr Speaker: Clarification for the Minister, the Senior Minister of State and the Minister of State? Excellent. Looks like the round-up speeches by the three officeholders are very comprehensive.
[(proc text) Question put, and agreed to. (proc text)]
[(proc text) Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. (proc text)]
[(proc text) The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. – [Mr Jeffery Siow]. (proc text)]
[(proc text) Bill considered in Committee. (proc text)]
[(proc text) Bill reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. (proc text)]
Mr Speaker: Order. I propose to take a break now. I suspend the Sitting and will take the Chair at 5.05 pm.
Sitting accordingly suspended
at 4.43 pm until 5.05 pm.
Sitting resumed at 5.05 pm.
[Deputy Speaker (Mr Xie Yao Quan) in the Chair]
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Mr Deputy Speaker: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry.
The Minister of State for Trade and Industry (Mr Alvin Tan): Mr Deputy Speaker, on behalf of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in charge of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), I move, \"That this Parliament, in accordance with section 6A(2)(d) of the Bretton Woods Agreements Act 1966, resolves that the maximum amount of grants that the Monetary Authority of Singapore may give, under a bilateral agreement (or its subsequent variations) to be made by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Singapore) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to support the IMF's Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT) is 21,000,000 Special Drawing Rights, approximately US$28,600,000.\"
Sir, I will be moving a second Motion for a separate grant of SDR 4.48 million, approximately US$6.1 million to the IMF's Trust for the Special Poverty Reduction and Growth Operations for the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (PRG-HIPC Trust), to support Sudan's debt relief.
Sir, with your permission, I would like to propose that the substantive debate on both of these Motions takes place now, to allow the key considerations to be covered in a single debate. Subsequently, I will move the second Motion separately, in compliance with Parliamentary procedural requirements.
Mr Deputy Speaker: Yes, I give my consent to one debate and then two votes.
Mr Alvin Tan: Thank you, Sir. Sir, as part of its mandate to ensure the stability of the international monetary system, the IMF provides financial assistance to countries experiencing balance of payments difficulties. To carry out this important function, the IMF relies on resources provided by member countries, including Singapore. This has allowed the IMF to respond to external shocks, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, by stepping up financing support to member countries.
The IMF has been stepping up its financial support for member countries to build resilience in an increasingly fragmented and fragile external environment. Since the pandemic, it has deployed US$1 trillion in global liquidity and reserves through lending and allocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDR). Notably, it made the largest SDR allocation of US$650 billion to its member countries in 2021. This SDR allocation was made to enable all members to address the long-term global need for reserves, build confidence and foster resilience of the international economy through a series of disruptive events.
As required under the IMF's Articles of Agreement, the US$650 billion SDR general allocation was distributed in proportion to the quota shares of IMF's members and not according to the relative needs of its members. Singapore received 3.73 billion in SDR, notwithstanding that we did not require an augmentation of our resources.
The IMF is now calling on members with strong economic fundamentals and ample official foreign reserves to channel some of their SDR to various IMF trusts and programmes to support more vulnerable IMF members. The amounts that Singapore has been asked to contribute are in line with Singapore's quota share at the IMF and a relatively small portion of the 3.7 billion SDR we received from the IMF in 2021. Singapore will also be providing these contributions as part of broader, multilateral effort to support IMF's capacity to assist vulnerable, low-income countries.
Sir, the Bretton Woods Agreements Act enables the MAS to make grants through the IMF as part of international efforts to assist countries in need. This is subject to four conditions.
First, the IMF requests Singapore to assist in support of a fund programme for the benefit of one or more countries. The PRGT and PRG-HIPC Trust are such fund programmes.
Second, at least one other member country has provided or intends to provide similar financial assistance. This condition has been fulfilled, with a good representation of member countries pledging support or already contributing to the two programmes.
Third, MAS publicly discloses key information about the financial assistance via a Gazette publication.
Fourth, Parliament fixes by resolution the maximum amount of the grants.
I will now explain the specific context and considerations for the two grants.
First, Singapore's grant contribution to the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT). The PRGT supports the IMF's concessional lending to low-income countries. It plays a central role in debt resolution for distressed countries and provided emergency support to many low-income countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. The IMF's annual lending commitments increased five-fold compared to the pre-pandemic period to 5.5 billion SDR per annum during 2020 to 2023.
This surge in lending during the pandemic, coupled with the sustained high financing needs post-pandemic, driven by tighter financial conditions and rising food prices, have placed significant strain on the PRGT's finances. The IMF is hence seeking voluntary contributions from economically stronger member countries to support the PRGT's longer-term financial sustainability. The IMF has requested that Singapore provide a contribution of 21 million SDR, equivalent to US$28.6 million.
Sir, Singapore's contribution will be part of a broader multilateral effort, with 45 member countries, including the United States (US), having also pledged to contribute to the PRGT. The quantum of our proposed contribution to the PRGT is commensurate with our quota share at the IMF, which stands at 0.82% today.
Next, Singapore's grant contribution to the PRG-HIPC Trust to support Sudan's debt relief.
Let me first provide some background on the broader PRG-HIPC Trust. The IMF and World Bank launched the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative in 1996. It is to ensure that no poor country faces an unmanageable debt burden. To be eligible for the HIPC Initiative, countries need to meet certain criteria and also to commit to policy changes to reduce poverty, and then demonstrate a record of doing so.
In 2005, the HIPC Initiative was supplemented by the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative. This allows countries to receive 100% relief on eligible debts by the IMF, the World Bank and the African Development Fund after demonstrating sustained economic performance, implementing key structural and social reforms and also maintaining macroeconomic stability.
IMF financing for the HIPC Initiative comes from bilateral contributions from members and IMF resources, mainly investment income on proceeds from the IMF's gold sales in 1999. However, resources in the PRG-HIPC Trust have been insufficient to finance debt relief to the remaining two HIPC countries with protracted arrears to the IMF – that is, Somalia and Sudan. The IMF has thus initiated separate fundraising efforts to mobilise the resources needed for it to cover its share of debt relief to Somalia and Sudan. In 2021, following Parliament's approval, Singapore contributed SDR 0.68 million, approximately US$0.93 million to Somalia's debt relief. There has been no request for further contribution to Somalia.
Sir, turning to Sudan. Sudan is amongst the world's poorest countries, with an estimated two thirds of its population living in poverty. Its history is marked by political instability, internal conflict and isolation from the world economy. Following Sudan's efforts to re-engage with the international community in 2020, it met the necessary conditions to begin receiving debt relief under the HIPC Initiative. Completing this process would allow Sudan to regain debt sustainability and help it implement essential reforms to free up resources to tackle poverty and improve the social conditions for its people.
For Sudan, the IMF has requested Singapore to contribute 4.48 million SDR, equivalent to approximately US$6.1 million. The quantum of our contribution is determined based on our quota share at the IMF. Similar to the PRGT, Singapore’s contribution towards the debt relief for Sudan is part of a broader multilateral effort, with 122 members also having pledged to contribute, including our ASEAN-4 neighbours: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand.
Why should Singapore make these contributions to the IMF, considering today’s uncertain global environment? With multilateralism under threat, we should support multilateral institutions such as the IMF to help them to play their role in maintaining the stability of the global system.
It is also in Singapore’s interest to do so, because we are a stakeholder in the international community and it is our role to support the IMF. As a small open economy with multiple connections to global markets, Singapore has an interest in supporting initiatives that promote global resilience to crises and to safeguard stability in the global monetary system. Singapore also joins a broader base of other countries in supporting IMF programmes.
Sir, the impact of our contributions on our official foreign reserves (OFR) is not significant. As noted earlier, Singapore’s OFR increased by 3.73 billion SDR following IMF’s 2021 SDR allocation. Against this, our contribution to the PRGT will thus draw from Singapore’s allocation of the SDR, resulting in a reduction of MAS’ OFR by a relatively modest 21 million SDR, approximately US$28.6 million. The contribution to the PRG-HIPC Trust will be funded from Singapore’s share of IMF’s existing resources in IMF accounts and will not affect the size of MAS’ OFR. The proposed grant amounts are also proportionate to Singapore’s quota share at the IMF and are consistent with Singapore’s standing in the international financial system.
Mr Deputy Speaker, MAS has issued a media release on 28 January 2026 to inform the public of its intention to participate in the package of contributions to the IMF, including the grants for which it would seek Parliament’s approval. Following Parliament’s resolution to fix the maximum amount of grants that MAS can allocate to the IMF’s PRGT and PRG-HIPC Trust, MAS will publish in the Gazette key information about the grants. Mr Deputy Speaker, I beg to move.
Mr Deputy Speaker: Mr Saktiandi Supaat.
Mr Saktiandi Supaat (Bishan-Toa Payoh): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to declare that I work in a foreign bank. Mr Deputy Speaker, the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Finance, and Trade and Industry Members and I have worked to discuss on these two Motions.
Our GPC Members for Finance, and Trade and Industry – Member Victor Lye, Shaun Loh, Ng Shi Xuan and Lee Hong Chuang – come from varied backgrounds including finance and investments, local business and industry. We will be sharing our concerns and clarifications as well as some suggestions on these two Motions. Mr Victor Lye will touch on global stability, prudence and Singapore’s national interest. Member Ng Shi Xuan will focus on careful examination of safeguards, proportionality and accountability in Singapore’s IMF contributions. Mr Lee Hong Chuang aims to provide a strategic, values-based case for multilateral engagement grounded in Singapore’s economic interests. Member Shawn Loh will touch on the longer-term picture of multilateral institutions like the IMF and asking what our strategy would be.
Mr Deputy Speaker, I rise in support of both Motions. Singapore has always affirmed that contributing as a responsible member of the international community is in our national interest. Having once been a beneficiary of World Bank financing that supported our early infrastructure development between 1963 and 1975, we recognise that promoting stability, growth and debt sustainability in lower-income and vulnerable economies contributes to a more resilient global system, one that ultimately benefits a small and open economy like Singapore.
However, I do have some clarifications and suggestions, which I would put in three main buckets.
First, I wonder how much our world view has evolved, or needs to evolve, amidst the changing world order that we see today. The IMF is founded upon the United Nations and Bretton Woods system which has underpinned international economic relations for decades since World War II.
On that basis, I am aligned with Minister Ong Ye Kung’s statement when we moved similar Motions in this House back in 2021, that “it is in Singapore's interest to be part of this international community where we work together, where we cooperate, where there are rules, there are norms, there are best practices that hold every country into account to ensure that we live peacefully together in a global village”.
However, today we see that old multilateral world order is under threat, if not already consigned to history. Many countries are turning protectionist and focusing on narrow conceptions of national interest. So, the question I have is, do Minister Ong’s words in 2021 still hold true? It has been five years since. Do they still justify our continued contribution of significant amounts to uplift other countries in need?
One of the safeguards that Parliament had implemented on our loans and grants to the IMF is that our contribution must be part of a multilateral effort. In the latest round of collective fundraising for the PRGT and for supporting Sudan’s debt relief efforts, how many countries are joining the efforts and who are they? Are there any notable omissions?
The increasing fragmentation of the global world order also poses interesting questions for us. Just recently, we have seen news that the US has invited Singapore to join its “Board of Peace” to supervise the next phase of the Gaza peace plan. Commentators have observed that Gaza may just be a pretext for setting up a corporate version of the United Nations, where countries may buy themselves a permanent seat at the table for US$1 billion payable in case within the first year. How will we decide which organisations and international development efforts going forward to support as well?
Mr Deputy Speaker, second, we must also carefully assess the sustainability of Singapore’s efforts to contribute to international development efforts. This applies especially when Singapore is asked to contribute monetary resources, in addition to the other specialised capacity building programmes that we run for government officials, representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other organisations. The Enhanced Technical Assistance Package for the Palestinian Authority is one example of the latter programmes that Singapore provides and has been useful.
When countries including Singapore made a round of pledges to the IMF’s PRGT back in 2012, the IMF estimated that these additional resources would be able to sustain the PRGT lending to impoverished countries for two decades. Yet, today we need another injection into the PRGT. Would the PRGT eventually reach an amount that is self-sustaining, or will continual injections be required?
In a 2024 IMF policy paper, one of the reasons given for the fundraising need is that there has been a post-COVID-19 surge in requests and demand for financial assistance by countries. Has this post-COVID-19 demand abated? When do we expect it to abate? Or do we expect this to set a new norm for the level of financial assistance expected by developing countries?
The present Motions propose that the maximum amount of grants that MAS may give to the PRGT is 21 million SDR, or approximately US$28.6 million. Is this limit inclusive of the previous amount of 14.5 million SDR, approximately US$20 million, that this House passed in a 2016 Motion?
More broadly, how have Singapore’s past contributions been utilised and how does our cumulative contribution compare with countries of similar size or income levels? Does our support translate into enhanced participation or influence in IMF committees, programme design, or technical assistance priorities?
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, given that these grants are ultimately made through the MAS, I would also like to seek clarification on how such contributions are treated from a reserves-management and balance-sheet perspective. I am aware that Minister of State Alvin Tan has shared some parts of it earlier, but please indulge me in some questions on this front.
First, can the Minister of State clarify whether these grants are funded from MAS’ investment income or operating surpluses, and I think Minister of State Alvin Tan has mentioned that they do involve some direct draw, may not involve draw from Singapore’s OFR. This may need further clarification from Minister of State.
Second is, how are these contributions accounted for within MAS’ balance sheet and what safeguards are in place to ensure that repeated contributions do not lead to structural erosion over time? Third, at what point, if any, would the cumulative size or frequency of such contributions be considered material from a reserves-management perspective, and does MAS apply internal thresholds or stress scenarios in this regard?
Finally, can the Minister of State confirm whether these contributions fully comply with our constitutional and statutory framework governing Singapore’s reserves, including the protection of past reserves?
Mr Deputy Speaker, in addition, MAS' recent media release on 28 January noted that Singapore will also support the IMF’s Resilience and Sustainability Trust (RST) through a loan arrangement, rather than a grant, which is separate from what is requested from this Motion. But as the RST is designed to provide longer-term financing for climate and structural resilience, can the Minister also clarify whether MAS expects Singapore’s loan exposure under the RST to grow over time and what internal limits or review mechanisms are applied to ensure that such commitments remain consistent with our overall reserves-management framework?
These clarifications would help assure Singaporeans and Members of this House that while we remain a responsible global citizen, we continue to exercise prudence and discipline in managing our national resources.
Third, Mr Deputy Speaker, we must heighten awareness among Singaporeans of our international assistance efforts – what we are doing, why do we do it and how are we doing it. This is especially since not many people would read the Government Gazette, where the Government is required to publish the key information of the assistance provided to the IMF under our Bretton Woods Agreements Act. While MAS would issue media releases for each of our contributions to ensure greater transparency and accountability, I am not sure how effective these media releases would be in reaching ordinary Singaporeans.
Getting our citizens’ buy-in is important because there may be sentiments that we should help ourselves before helping others. In many other countries, this bitterness at “what could have been” has led to the rise of far-right movements and politics. These ideologies, which encompass xenophobia and identity politics, are deeply divisive and have triggered violence many a times.
In this regard, I have a few suggestions. One, can we give more weight to the role of these international organisations and Singapore’s relationship with them in our national education syllabus? Speaking to Singaporeans today, some of them are surprised or unaware that Singapore had actually been a huge beneficiary of World Bank assistance when we were building from Third World to First. Second, we can celebrate these organisations and the work they do in more public roadshows or commemorative events. This is especially since we host many of these international organisations in Singapore, such as the IMF-Singapore Regional Training Institute and the IMF Resident Representative Office.
Mr Deputy Speaker, today, Singapore is in a privileged position to be able to contribute to help lower-income countries in their development. But beyond contributing financial resources in a prudent manner, we should also consider how Singaporeans can participate in the development and implementation of international assistance programmes on the ground. More and more Singaporeans are in fact interested in making a real difference to our world, as exemplified by Singapore charity Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation’s efforts for Gaza.
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, notwithstanding the clarifications, I support both Motions.
Mr Deputy Speaker: Assoc Prof Jamus Lim.
Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim (Sengkang): Mr Deputy Speaker, as many in this House are aware, I was for many years an employee at the Bretton Woods Institution, with which these two Motions are associated. I declare, however, that while I maintain personal and professional relationships with staff at the World Bank, as well as a small balance in its retirement fund, I have no ongoing financial interests in the institution. This speech is therefore delivered in my capacity as a Singaporean Parliamentarian.
The Motions seek approval for grant support from the IMF's PRGT to the tune of around S$36 million for the trust fund, and a little less than $8 million for Sudan. The fund has been engaged in poverty reduction work for several decades now, and while I personally find that this smacks of mission creep, especially relative to its mandate versus the World Bank, I will concede that helping one of the poorest nations on earth need not be limited to the actions of one international agency alone.
In previous Motions of this nature, I had argued in favour of transferring some of our additional surplus quota contributions to other countries that are in need, and this Motion is precisely along those lines. For this reason, I support the Motion.
My contribution to this debate is threefold. First, I will seek more clarity on the choice of parameters for support; econd, I hope to obtain some additional context for the historical disbursements to the PRGT; and third, I will return to my call for a more institutionalised system for our nation's foreign assistance.
My first clarification has to do with the $36 million and $8 million sort. As Minister of State Tan shared, the amount for the PRGT contribution was conveyed by the IMF and as is typical, is consistent with our nation's quota subscription at the institution.
The amount for Sudan, under the auspices of the HIPC Initiative, is also presumably a proportional contribution to the total amount of debt relief that the country seeks. Still, I wish to ascertain that this is indeed how these specific amounts will arrive there.
Second, I have no doubt that Sudan is in severe need for debt relief, with a gross domestic product (GDP) per capita of about $1,250, the country is one of the poorest worldwide. The nation is faced with a debt of close to 2.5 times its annual income and recent analyses strongly suggest that this amount is unsustainable. Still, there are 39 countries listed on the HIPC list. This includes countries that are poorer, such as Afghanistan, Burundi, Malawi, as well as those with equally crushing debt burdens, such as Eritrea.
And while all but two countries on the HIPC list have previously enjoyed that relief, Eritrea, like Sudan, have not. I would therefore like to understand the premise behind the selection of Sudan as the beneficiary of this round of relief. Of course, this may well have been recommended by the staff of the Fund, but as donors, I believe that it is incumbent on us to also question the institution's rationale.
I am also aware that the amounts constitute maximums, which in principle, may turn out not to be fully assessed. To this end, I note that as of 2025, Singapore's pledges to the PRGT amounted to $1.25 billion. However, it is uncertain whether this amount has been fully disbursed. Would the Minister of State clarify the status of the prior pledged amounts, specifically, has part or all of the earlier $1.25 billion been drawn down already, which justifies this additional injection?
Relatedly, how do the current grants relate to our earlier commitments? After all, $36 million is a minuscule share, just about 3% of the prior $1.25 billion pledge. Why not simply tap on the earlier pool if it has not been paid out in full? Or are the two buckets materially different, insofar as the $1.25 billion was a pledge that could be called on, whereas the present monies are grants that will, for sure, be tapped?
Finally, Mr Deputy Speaker, I return to my call first made more than three years ago that our official foreign development assistance be institutionalised. The step would not even entail that much of a budgetary impact. This would simply collect our routine IMF and International Development Association subscriptions but also include a modest budget for a development fund to extend ad hoc aid, especially in the wake of economic crises or natural disasters.
To avoid frivolous disbursements, we can roll over annual budget subscriptions that remain unspent with no stipulation to exhaust funds in any given year. Such a move would step away from arbitrary allocations and idiosyncratic motions, and subject such funding to our standard, and in my view, more professional budget scrutiny mechanisms, such as the Public Accounts Committee and the annual report of the Auditor-General.
Sir, I previously explained, we have a history of efficiently running public agencies, which has plagued other agencies of this nature elsewhere and if run effectively, it will serve to further enhance our soft power in a global geopolitical environment where such power is in short supply, yet sorely needed.
Mr Deputy Speaker: Mr Ng Shi Xuan.
Mr Ng Shi Xuan (Sembawang): Deputy Speaker, Sir, I support both Motions before the House, relating to grants to the IMF's PRGT and the trust supporting Sudan's debt relief. My remarks focus on how these grants are controlled and what Singapore expects in return. I will make four brief points.
Unlike some IMF arrangements that involve lending or reserve assets, these two Motions involve grants, which are not repaid. The amounts are capped, specified and approved by Parliament, which is appropriate. But it is still important to be clear that these are direct transfers of public funds, not investments or loans.
Can the Government clarify whether grants of this nature are expected to be occasional and case-specific, or whether they are likely to become regular or automatic over time? And what principles are used to keep them limited in size and scope?
Second, on whether Singapore is doing more than its fair share. We understand that these grants sit outside domestic spending and do not reduce what Ministries receive through the Budget. Even so, Singaporeans may reasonably ask whether Singapore is giving more than others at a time when many countries are turning inward.
Despite this narrative, as Minister of State Tan has shared, many countries are still contributing to these IMF trusts. That suggests countries still see value in doing so. But the question is whether Singapore's share is reasonable. Can the Government share how much other countries are contributing to these two trusts and how Singapore's contribution compares with theirs?
Third, on what changes on the ground and how this is monitored. For the PRGT, and especially for Sudan's debt relief, Singaporeans will want to know what these grants are meant to achieve and whether there are adequate safeguards governing their use.
Sudan does not have strong institutions and is embroiled in ongoing conflict. Debt relief may be necessary, but it also carries risks if money is not used properly. Does the governance structure ensure that the money is used where it is most needed? And will contributors receive updates on how the funds are used and what outcomes are achieved?
Fourth, on flexibility if Singapore's own budgets come under pressure. While these grants are modest, they are still public funds. It is therefore reasonable to ask what flexibility Singapore has, if fiscal conditions tighten in the future. If Singapore faces tighter budgets, what options do we have to pause, reduce or recover overseas commitments, whether in the form of grants or loans, and how are these decisions made? Sir, I look forward to the Government's response.
Mr Deputy Speaker: Mr Lee Hong Chuang.
Mr Lee Hong Chuang (Jurong East-Bukit Batok): Mr Deputy Speaker. I will begin my speech in Mandarin, followed by English.
There is a great philosopher Mencius who once said, \"大舍前,齐天下\". What it means is, \"When successful, help the whole world.\" It means that once you have strength or prosperity, you should assist others. The underlying philosophy is that prosperity should lead to long-term stability, including for oneself.
(In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mr Deputy Speaker, I support the motion to provide grant to IMF's Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT).
At its core, this motion is not merely about an overseas financial commitment. It is about the kind of global partner Singapore chooses to be in an increasingly uncertain and volatile world. On the surface, this is resource support; at a deeper level, it reflects how we view risks, and how Singapore positions itself in an uncertain environment.
I believe that supporting the PRGT is sound in principle, necessary in overall assessment, restrained and measured in the use of public funds and aligns with Singapore's long-standing position of supporting multilateral systems and international cooperation.
Singapore is a small, open economy. Our prosperity depends on global stability, open trade and a resilient international financial system. When low-income countries are hit by shocks, whether from pandemics, climate events, debt distress or conflict, the effects do not remain local. They spill across borders through disrupted supply chains, financial volatility and regional instability. These risks can come fast, ultimately affecting jobs, investment and confidence here in Singapore, especially for SMEs.
The PRGT plays a critical role by providing timely and concessional financing to vulnerable economies at the onset of crisis. This helps countries stabilise their macroeconomic conditions, protect essential social spending and undertake necessary reforms, preventing local crises from escalating into systemic ones. Seen this way, support for the PRGT is not simply aid; it is a form of early risk prevention.
Mr Deputy Speaker, some may ask why this support should be channelled through the IMF and the PRGT. The answer lies in the strength of the mechanism. IMF programmes are grounded in rigorous assessment, clear policy conditions and strong monitoring, ensuring that funds are used to restore stability and confidence.
Meanwhile, IMF also has ability to mobilise resources quickly and coordinate internationally, an essential capability during cross-border crises. In addressing international balance of payments and financial crises, IMF's expertise enables relevant arrangement can be implemented under stress. The concessional nature of the PRGT allows low-income countries to stabilise their economies without sacrificing people's basic needs.
Mr Deputy Speaker, supporting the PRGT is also consistent with Singapore's long-standing commitment to a rules-based multilateral system. As a small state, we understand the value of clear rules. They make things predictable and allow small nations to have space and sense of security in the system. Our approach to international cooperation has always emphasised effectiveness, responsibility and systemic impact. Supporting PRGT reflects those principles.
Of course, we must also address domestic concerns. It is understandable that some Singaporeans may ask why we should support efforts overseas when there are domestic needs.
There are three points I would like to mention. First, our contribution is measured and controlled, and its impact is amplified through a multilateral framework. Second, this is not a zero-sum choice, external stability directly supports Singapore's economic resilience, investment and employment. Third, our own experience shows that external shocks can spread rapidly. Helping others stabilise their economies reduces the spillover risks that could otherwise reach our shores.
Mr Deputy Speaker, today, many low-income countries face the combined pressures of high debt, weak growth and limited fiscal space. Without concessional financing, they may be forced into sharp cuts to essential services or disorderly defaults, creating broader financial and social instability. The PRGT is a vital tool to prevent such outcomes and to safeguard international financial stability by helping countries to stabilise their fundamentals at the most difficult times.
(In English): Mr Deputy Speaker, in English, please. At its core, this Motion is not merely about an overseas financial commitment. It is about the kind of global partners Singapore choose to be in an increasingly uncertain and volatile world.
Singapore is a small, open economy. Our prosperity depends on global stability, open trade and a resilient international financial system. When low-income countries are hit by shocks, whether from pandemic climate events, debt distress or conflict, the effects do not remain local. They spill across borders through disrupted supply chain, financial volatility and regional instability.
These risks ultimately affect jobs, investment and confidence here in Singapore. The PRGT plays a critical role by providing timely and concessional financing to vulnerable economics at the onset of crisis. This helps countries stabilise their macroeconomics condition, protect essential social spending and undertaking necessary reforms, preventing local crisis from escalating into systematic ones.
Seen this way, support from the PRGT is not simply about aid. It is a form of early risk prevention.
Mr Deputy Speaker, some may ask why this support should be channelled through IMF and the PRGT. The answer lies in the strength of the mechanism. IMF programmes are grounded in rigorous assessment, clear policy conditions and strong monitoring, ensuring that funds are used to restore stability and confidence. The IMF also has the expertise and ability to mobilise resources quickly and coordinate internationally, and essential capability during cross-border crisis.
Importantly, the concessional nature of the PRGT allowed low-income countries to stabilise their economics without sacrificing basic healthcare, education or social needs. Supporting the PRGT is also consistent with Singapore's long-standing commitment to a rules-based multilateral system. As a small state, we understand the value of clear rules, accountability and predictable frameworks. Our approach to international cooperation has always emphasised effectiveness, responsibility and systematic impact. This contribution reflects those principles.
It is understandable that some Singaporeans may ask why we should support efforts overseas when there are domestic needs. There are three points I would like to mention here.
First, our contribution is measured and controlled, and its impact is amplified through a multilateral framework. Second, this is not a zero-sum choice. External stability directly supports Singapore's economic resiliency and employment. Third, our own experience show that external shocks can spread rapidly. Helping others stabilise their economy reduces the spillover risks that could otherwise reach our shores.
Today, many low-income countries face the combined pressures of high debt, weak growth and limited fiscal space. Without concessional financing, they have to be forced into shortcuts to essential services or disorder defaults, creating broader financial and social instability. The PGRT is a vital tool to prevent such outcomes and to safeguard international financial stability.
Mr Deputy Speaker, this Motion reflects a long-term strategic judgement rather than a short-term gesture. Like in Mandarin, they say, \"共同发展才能长久繁荣\". Only through shared development that lasting prosperity can be achieved. For this reason, I support the Motion.
Mr Deputy Speaker: Mr Lee, I hope you will get back your voice very soon. Mr Shawn Loh.
Mr Shawn Loh (Jalan Besar): Mr Deputy Speaker, I hope I also do not lose my voice. But I definitely support both Motions.
Singapore has long benefited from today’s global order, which was built on multilateral institutions, such as the United Nations, the World Bank and the IMF. It is this global order that has pretty much allowed us to earn our living in the world.
Our externally oriented economy can grow faster, and Singaporeans can access opportunities better, when global trade and financial flows increase and when more of such global flows flow through Singapore. This takes place when there are clear rules that countries abide by. It also takes place when more countries around the world experience economic development, financial stability and are plugged into the global economy.
[Mr Speaker in the Chair]
It is therefore in our national interest to ensure that the global economic environment remains conducive for Singapore to earn our good living, way into the future. For now, these multilateral institutions help us to do so. As responsible members of the global community, we have been contributing our fair share. I would, however, like to raise three points.
First, can the Government track where Singapore’s contributions are used so that we can find ways to deepen economic relations with these countries? This would help both sides enjoy economically stable, win-win relations. And Singaporean companies can also benefit.
Second, as noted by my colleague, Mr Saktiandi: although not required for Parliamentary approval, MAS has updated that 746 million of SDR will be loaned to the IMF’s RST.
This does not seem like a small sum in both absolute terms and as a proportion of our total SDR on our balance sheet. According to the IMF’s website, only 23 countries have contributed to this trust. Coincidentally, it is equivalent to around US$1 billion, the same fee to have a long-term seat on the US’ Board of Peace, although the contribution to IMF’s trust would be a loan, whereas the Board of Peace requires an expense. As a loan, it remains as an asset on MAS’ balance sheet. Can the Government share more about the mechanism of this loan to the IMF and whether there are any risks from this loan?
Finally, and most importantly for the long term, I hope the Government can address the bigger question, the elephant in the room. I am not so sure compared to my other Parliamentary colleagues: what should Singapore’s long-term strategy be, given the emergence of a more fragmented world order, divided into more adversarial blocs and driven by self-interest among states?
We should not be naive. Countries will always be self-interested. It is almost always “me first”. And blocs will always form and disperse. We have seen this in the Non-Aligned Movement of the 1950s, the formation of BRICS in the 2000s and so on. But in most instances in the past, these blocs were combinations of developing countries and middle powers, attempting to challenge incumbent multilateral institutions and an order underpinned by developed countries, first and foremost among them, the US.
But now, things seem different. The challenger is not another bloc of developing countries. It is the US itself, rebalancing its interests vis-à-vis these multilateral institutions.
We should therefore expect institutions like the IMF to come under extreme stress. Perhaps, they will even be unable to perform the key, international functions they were set up to do, such as development support or liquidity in times of global crises.
Some of our colleagues in the House have assumed that they will continue to do so in the future. I am not so sure. For example, consider the unthinkable. What if some member countries refuse to honour their obligations to supply their currencies as required by the Special Drawing Rights?
How should we respond to these new developments based on our own national interest? Should we capitalise on the opportunity to take a larger role in re-shaping existing multilateral institutions? Or should we capitulate and follow the herd of other countries looking out for their own immediate self-interest, potentially re-organising into new blocs? Or should we just carry-on assuming business-as-usual?
Mr Speaker, I do not expect the Government to provide a comprehensive answer at this juncture. But I thought to leave these questions as food for thought. Because as the old adage goes, if we do not have a seat at the table, then we might find ourselves on the menu. I support the Motion.
Mr Speaker: Mr Victor Lye.
Mr Victor Lye (Ang Mo Kio): Mr Speaker, I rise in support of the Motions to approve Singapore’s grants to IMF’s PRGT and the PRG-HIPC Trust under the HIPC Initiative.
The key point is that, to many Singaporeans, these may sound very foreign and very distant. But they are indeed relevant to us because Singapore is a small, open economy, deeply connected to the global trade, to global markets and global supply chains.
The key point is that when fragile economies collapse, the impact does not remain overseas. Such shocks and financial crises can quickly affect prices, jobs and business confidence in Singapore. Therefore, supporting these IMF trust funds is a form of reducing the likelihood of global shocks that would otherwise raise costs for households and businesses in Singapore.
That said, I recognise that Singaporeans may have concerns. So, I seek three clarifications.
First, I seek to clarify that these grants do not constitute a drawdown of Past Reserves, and they do not trigger the Reserves spending threshold. That they are funded from current resources and that no Reserves are being touched.
Second, that these contributions do not replace or reduce domestic spending on healthcare, housing, education or cost-of-living for Singaporeans. That they are budgeted expenditures alongside and do not compete with our domestic priorities.
Third, that these grants are not bilateral transfers to an individual government but are channelled through established IMF trust funds with clear governance, accountability and oversight.
Mr Speaker, Singapore has long benefited from a stable, rules-based multilateral system. For a highly trade-dependent economy like ours, supporting global financial stability is a matter of national economic interest. At a time when commitment to multilateral rules is understrained globally, supporting well-governed institutions like the IMF is especially important for small states that rely on predictability rather than power. So, for these reasons and with the clarifications I have stated, I support the Motions.
Mr Speaker: Minister of State Alvin Tan.
Mr Alvin Tan: Mr Speaker, I thank Members for speaking and supporting the two Motions.
Members have highlighted the importance for Singapore to contribute to the IMF and to help other vulnerable economies, especially in today’s volatile and fragmented global environment. Let me address some of the questions they have raised in the debate.
First, they have asked whether Singapore should continue contributing to the international community in the current global environment. Mr Saktiandi Supaat and Mr Shawn Loh asked about Singapore's strategy in a more fragmented world and our interests as part of the global and international community.
I agree with them. We do indeed face a very different global operating context today, with multilateralism under threat amid wars, rising protectionism and intensifying geopolitical tensions. Prime Minister Wong had emphasised that even as multilateralism comes under threat, Singapore must do our part to preserve multilateral frameworks that matter and to lay the foundation for a more stable global order to emerge in the years ahead.
Mr Lee Hong Chuang put it well: this Motion concerns not just a financial commitment. It is about the kind of global partner Singapore chooses to be.
And it is against this backdrop that Singapore must and will continue to support key multilateral institutions, such as the IMF. As a small city-state with an open economy and a global financial centre, Singapore has a strong interest in the continued stability of the international monetary system, which the IMF plays a principal role in safeguarding. I would also like to add, Mr Speaker, that the IMF's mandate and functions continue to receive broad support from across its 191 member countries, including that of its larger members.
Mr Saktiandi also asked how the Government decides which organisations or international efforts to support. The Government assesses each organisation on its merits.
Mr Saktiandi and Mr Ng Shi Xuan both asked how Singapore's contributions compare to other countries. Over 40 countries have so far pledged to the PRGT and more than 120 countries have pledged to the PRG-HIPC. The US and Japan have pledged to contribute to the PRG-HIPC as well. In our region, other than our ASEAN counterparts, China and Korea have also pledged contributions.
Assoc Prof Jamus Lim asked how the amounts are ascertained. Sir, IMF's requests for members' contributions are generally commensurate with countries' respective quota shares. It is a point I made earlier on. These quota shares are determined by a country's relative position in the global economy, using a set of indicators comprising GDP, openness, economic variability and international reserves. Naturally, countries with larger quota shares are expected to contribute more.
Assoc Prof Lim also asked whether our earlier contributions had been drawn down. Sir, our past contributions add to the common pool of resources for the PRGT and it is not attributable to individual contributing members.
Mr Saktiandi also asked about the PRGT's self-sustainability. The IMF aims for the PRGT to be financially self-sustainable in the long run. In recent years, this has been challenging as overall demand for PRGT funding remained higher compared to demand pre-pandemic. This round of contributions is targeted at getting the PRGT closer to its goal of self-sustainability.
The IMF has also approved a comprehensive package of policy reforms and financing measures. These reforms naturally need time to implement and to be assessed for its efficacy. This is to ensure that the PRGT's long-term self-sustainability may be reached.
On a related note, Mr Ng Shi Xuan and Mr Saktiandi Supaat asked about future IMF grant requests.
IMF's fundraising requests are informed by periodic assessments of the demand for its various facilities and initiatives. This in turn rests on the state of the global economy and the financial system, and the needs of poor and vulnerable members.
Singapore last contributed to the IMF in 2016 and 2021, which the Members have alluded to, and these were brought to Parliament for approval. For any further request for financial assistance, MAS will carefully assess on a case-by-case basis the merits of the request and if the requested amount is reasonable. All proposed contributions to the IMF will also be assessed against the conditions under the Bretton Woods Agreements Act.
Mr Saktiandi also asked about the financing and reserves implications of the contributions. The proposed limit does not include the previous contribution to the PRGT. The current limit of 21 million SDR that is before Parliament is a separate contribution. We previously contributed 14.5 million SDR to the IMF in 2016, following Parliament's approval.
On reserves implications, which Members have raised, the proposed amount to the PRGT that will affect our OFR, as I mentioned in my original speech, is negligible relative to the size of MAS' OFR. The amount should be assessed against the backdrop of the 3.73 billion SDR that Singapore was allocated in the IMF's 2021 SDR General Allocation. I also mentioned that earlier.
MAS takes into consideration the contribution request relative to the size of MAS' OFR. Our past contributions have not impeded MAS in carrying out its mission of ensuring monetary stability, nor do we foresee the current contributions impacting MAS' mission.
Mr Victor Lye and Mr Saktiandi Supaat both asked if the grants will draw on our past Reserves or reduce domestic spending for Singaporeans. This set of contributions does not draw on our past Reserves, nor will it affect or reduce any domestic expenditure for Singaporeans.
Mr Ng Shi Xuan, Mr Victor Lye and Mr Shawn Loh asked about governance and accountability. The IMF has institutionalised a set of procedures for the use of financing facilities. These involve safeguards, oversight and approvals by the IMF Executive Board, which represents the membership of the IMF.
Singapore is represented on the Board through the Southeast Asia Voting Group. The IMF also imposes conditionalities on members' use of its financing facilities, requiring members to put in place appropriate programmes and implement reforms that will improve their macroeconomic conditions. The IMF has also a preferred creditor status and borrowing countries are expected to repay the IMF before other creditors. In addition, IMF regularly updates member countries, including Singapore, on the status and utilisation of our grant contributions.
Sir, Assoc Prof Jamus Lim had also asked about the choice of Sudan under the PRG-HIPC initiative over other highly indebted countries. The IMF had provided debt relief to 38 out of the 39 eligible countries that Assoc Prof Lim had mentioned. Of which, Sudan is the last country to be eligible under this initiative. The IMF has a framework for countries to qualify for debt relief under this HIPC initiative. For instance, satisfactory performance under the programmes, implementation of the poverty reduction strategy and key structural reforms.
Mr Loh also asked about the mechanism of Singapore's loan to the IMF's RST. This is included in MAS' media release last Wednesday. The RST is an IMF-administered loan-based trust to help low-income and vulnerable middle-income countries build resilience to external shocks and to ensure sustainable growth. It contributes to their longer-term balance of payment stability. After this Trust was established in 2022, the IMF sought contributions from 35 member countries with strong external positions, including Singapore.
Last Wednesday, the IMF announced that Singapore will channel 746 million SDR from the 2021 SDR allocation to the RST. We will join 22 other countries in supporting the IMF to meet its initial fundraising target of 33 billion SDR.
The contributions to the RST are considered loans and other financial assistance under the Bretton Woods Agreements Act, which do not require Parliament's approval. Mr Shawn Loh rightly pointed out that loans will continue to be recognised as assets on MAS' balance sheet and are not expenses – in contrast to the two grants that we are tabling today.
Mr Loh also asked about the risks associated with this contribution. When Singapore provides a loan in support of an IMF programme, such as the RST, for the benefit of one or more countries, we are providing the loan to the IMF and entering into an agreement with the IMF. So, we take on the credit risk of the IMF, which is low, instead of the direct credit risk of the countries that the IMF lends to.
As I shared earlier, the IMF has formal procedures for the use of its financing facilities, with safeguards and approvals, and conditionalities on members' use. As the IMF enjoys preferred creditor status, loans granted by the IMF must be repaid ahead of all other creditors.
The IMF, with the advantage it has from its preferred creditor status and the sizeable reserves it can use to protect its members, has always repaid its own creditors. In addition, member countries' loans to the IMF under the RST are remunerated at the SDR interest rate.
To Mr Saktiandi Supaat's question on the loan exposure under the RST, the recent contributions to the RST announced is a once-off. Any future requests will be similarly carefully considered on a case-by-case basis. As I highlighted earlier, our considerations will be based on the merits of the request, whether the amount sought is reasonable and, as Mr Saktiandi Supaat mentioned, the implications for our reserves.
Mr Ng also asked about the options Singapore can exercise in the event of budgetary constraints. Singapore's loan agreements with the IMF include a safeguard that the IMF is obliged to immediately repay the loan in the event Singapore has a balance of payments need.
I also thank Assoc Prof Jamus Lim's support for these Motions and his call for Singapore to do more. He has made this call in previous Sittings. It is in fact the sentiment that many of us share.
We want to be a force for good in the world. I think it is heartening that Parliament has expressed that. Indeed, Singapore has benefited from funding provided by the World Bank in the early years of our infrastructural development, which Mr Saktiandi had mentioned earlier on.
But even as we want to do good, we need to take a balanced approach. Our resources, as we have articulated many times in this House, are not infinite. Every dollar we commit abroad must be weighed against our needs at home – for our seniors, for our healthcare and our social safety nets. As I shared earlier, our contributions to the IMF are fair in that they are pegged to our quota share and assessed to be reasonable. It does not require Singapore to overextend ourselves even as we do good.
Assoc Prof Jamus Lim made a suggestion that he has made previously about institutionalising foreign international assistance. Our approach first looks at what is commensurate with Singapore's resources, and which best leverages our specific strengths.
Last year in April 2025, the Prime Minister announced the new unit in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then called the Development Partnership Unit and now the Development Strategy Unit, to coordinate efforts across Government agencies to strengthen coordination and collaboration and focus on areas where Singapore can make a meaningful impact.
We continue to extend capacity building and skills training to developing countries through our Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP). To date, over 160,000 officials from 180 countries have attended our SCP.
In other areas, we have also delivered international aid across the world, such as for Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka last year and most recently, to Gaza. We are also a founding member of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank. We have used our unique position as a hub to be a force multiplier, hosting multilateral institutions, such as the ADB, the World Bank, the International Energy Agency, and as Mr Saktiandi pointed out earlier, the IMF-Singapore Regional Training Institute and the IMF Resident Representative Office.
In fact, we are doing more, but in a way that is effective, that makes the best use of our strengths and ultimately, that is in Singapore's best interests.
Finally, Mr Speaker, Sir, I thank Mr Saktiandi Supaat for his suggestions to better inform Singaporeans of our IMF contributions through national education and also profiling the work of international organisations.
We had discussed this particular point in the last debate in this House in 2021, as I have explained in my speech earlier. We will put out additional public communications, such as social media posts and others, on this. In fact, it is indeed important that Singaporeans appreciate, like Members of this House, the external environment we are in today and how that shapes Singapore's stature and posture in supporting and contributing to relevant multilateral initiatives.
Mr Speaker, Sir, I believe I have addressed the queries from the Members and I thank Members – Member Jamus Lim and Members of the GPC for Finance and Trade – for their support. Mr Speaker, I beg to move.
Mr Speaker: Are there any further clarifications for Minister of State Tan? Looks like there is none.
[(proc text) Question put, and agreed to. (proc text)]
[(proc text) Resolved, \"That this Parliament, in accordance with section 6A(2)(d) of the Bretton Woods Agreements Act 1966, resolves that the maximum amount of grants that the Monetary Authority of Singapore may give under the bilateral agreement (or its subsequent variations) to be made by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Singapore) with the International Monetary Fund to support the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust, is 21,000,000 Special Drawing Rights (approximately US$28,600,000).\" – [Mr Alvin Tan] (proc text)]
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Grant to IMF's Trust for Special Poverty Reduction and Growth Operations for the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries","subTitle":"Motion","sectionType":"OS","content":"Mr Speaker: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry.
The Minister of State for Trade and Industry (Mr Alvin Tan): Mr Speaker Sir, on behalf of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister-in-charge of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), I move, \"That this Parliament, in accordance with section 6A(2)(d) of the Bretton Woods Agreements Act 1966, resolves that the maximum amount of grants that the Monetary Authority of Singapore may give under the bilateral agreement (or its subsequent variations) to be made by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Singapore) with the International Monetary Fund to support Sudan's debt relief efforts via the Trust for Special Poverty Reduction and Growth Operations for the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries, is 4,480,000 Special Drawing Rights (approximately US$6,100,000)\".
Mr Speaker, I beg to move.
Mr Speaker: As a formality, are there any other Members wish to speak again? No?
[(proc text) Question put, and agreed to. (proc text)]
[(proc text) Resolved, \"That this Parliament, in accordance with section 6A(2)(d) of the Bretton Woods Agreements Act 1966, resolves that the maximum amount of grants that the Monetary Authority of Singapore may give under the bilateral agreement (or its subsequent variations) to be made by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Singapore) with the International Monetary Fund to support Sudan's debt relief efforts via the Trust for Special Poverty Reduction and Growth Operations for the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries, is 4,480,000 Special Drawing Rights (approximately US$6,100,000).\" – [Mr Alvin Tan] (proc text)]
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Adjournment","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OS","content":"[(proc text) Resolved, \"That at its rising today, Parliament do stand adjourned to 12 February 2026.\" – [Mr Zaqy Mohamad]. (proc text)]
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Protecting Resident Well-being amidst Commercial Activity","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OS","content":"The Deputy Leader of the House (Mr Zaqy Mohamad): Mr Speaker, on behalf of Leader I move that Sir, I move, \"That Parliament do now adjourn.\"
[(proc text) Question proposed. (proc text)]
Mr Speaker: Ms Denise Phua.
Ms Denise Phua Lay Peng (Jalan Besar): Mr Speaker, Sir, thank you for the opportunity to speak on the topic of protecting resident well-being amidst commercial activity. It is a matter close to residents and I believe some of my fellow Parliamentarians in this House.
This Adjournment Motion is not not in opposition to commerce, enterprise or progress. Nor is it an attempt to pit residents against businesses. Rather, it seeks to highlight: one, the situations faced by residents arising from commercial activities in their neighbourhoods; and two, how these disamenities may be addressed in a way that preserves both liveability for residents and also sustainability for businesses, especially for responsible business operators who play by the rules.
I would like to first commend the agencies on the ground: the Housing and Development Board (HDB), the Singapore Police Force (SPF) – especially the Neighbourhood Police Posts and the Licensing Unit, Director Jarrod Pereira and their teams – the National Environment Agency, the Land Transport Authority, the Singapore Land Authority, Town Councils as well as partners such as the People’s Association staff and grassroots volunteers, who work tirelessly to manage disamenities on the ground. Their efforts often involve difficult trade-offs, difficult situations; and I thank them for navigating these with professionalism and care.
I also wish to pay tribute to the late Dr Liu Thai Ker, who passed away on 18 January 2026 this year. Often described as the father of urban planning in Singapore, Dr Liu wisely reminded us that cities exist first and foremost to serve the people who live in them, not merely for aesthetics or for economic efficiency. Dr Liu emphasised quality of life, dignity and community well-being as the ultimate goals of urban planning. At the same time, he also recognised that a good city must support livelihoods and enterprise, not suppress them. Singapore’s residential neighbourhoods are meant to be safe and family-friendly environments, homes for our people, while at the same time remaining economically active and inclusive.
Hope and reality. Many residents of ours embrace the vision of mixed-use neighbourhoods with shops, cafés and services such as preschools, Active Ageing Centers at their doorsteps. They hope for convenience, vibrancy and a more connected community. Indeed, when done well, such commercial activity adds value, creates jobs and strengthens neighbourhood life.
However, when intensity, scale or behaviour crosses certain thresholds, tensions can arise, not because this mixed-use model is flawed, but because the safeguards have not kept pace with lived realities.
Residents, of course, are not homogeneous. Some are more sensitive to disturbance than others and can make unreasonable demands. But many other residents recognise that well-run businesses add vibrancy and convenience to residential estates. However, when these commercial activities intensify without adequate planning or safeguards, even these residents experience persistent day-to-day challenges. Challenges such as noise and smell, continuous noise from exhaust fans, amplified music, late-night operations as well as cooking odours from kitchen vents, can travel into common residential areas and upper-floor homes, affecting residents’ rest and living comfort.
Challenges such as safety. Residents have also raised concerns about how certain ground-floor businesses operate in close proximity to homes. During my house visits, for example in the Crawford estate, families and seniors shared that visible solicitation activities outside some massage establishments made walking home very uncomfortable. Not just the wives, but also the husbands felt uncomfortable. While some of these premises have since vacated, my residents at Crawford remain anxious about what types of businesses may subsequently replace or occupy these spaces.
Many Members will also be familiar with the reported situation at Tanjong Pagar Complex under the hon Member Mr Foo Cexiang. This is a neighbourhood which is frequented by families for enrichment classes and daily necessities. It was reported that recent enforcement actions resulted in the closure of 10 massage and spa establishments offering illicit services, but only after an extended period of uncertainty and disruption for our residents and nearby businesses alike.
Member Ms Cassandra Lee also had appealed recently for assistance to counter vice activities in licensed massage establishments.
Challenges such as congestion and conflict. Finally, increased commercial footfall can lead to congestion and conflicts in shared spaces. Queues, waste disposal issues and competition for parking between residents and patrons can strain hygiene standards and create friction in otherwise peaceful neighbourhoods.
When existing safeguards prove insufficient. I want to stress that these challenges that I have mentioned would have been far worse without the dedication of frontline agencies and responsible businesses who make genuine efforts to comply and be good neighbours. Many of these business operators also provide essential services and are even part of our Community Development Council Voucher Scheme. However, despite existing frameworks and good intentions on all sides, some disamenities persist.
From conversations with residents, businesses and enforcement agencies, I see four underlying reasons why current safeguards fall short.
Reason 1: legislative and regulatory gaps. Take massage establishments as one example. Under the Massage Establishments Exemption Order 2018, premises that provide massage services in full public view are exempted from licensing and any regulatory oversight. They are only required to notify the licensing officer of their name and address before commencing operations.
Today, the number of such exempted establishments can run up to 2,000. Unlike fully licensed operators, they are not subject to the same operational conditions or compliance requirements. In practice, this regulatory light-touch has allowed a proliferation of outlets that contribute to neighbourhood disamenities, without adequate safeguards for residents or meaningful accountability.
Reason 2: siloed and fragmented enforcement. Enforcement responsibilities currently are often divided across agencies: licensing authorities for food, entertainment or massage; building management and estate maintenance; environmental health for noise or odour; and urban planning bodies.
The result is that no single agency has sight of the full neighbourhood impact. Issues are addressed sometimes in isolation rather than holistically. This fragmentation not only leads to gaps in enforcement outcomes but also risks inefficient use of public resources as agencies respond piecemeal to symptoms rather than root causes. Crucially, the cumulative neighbourhood impact is often insufficiently assessed.
Reason 3: insufficient zoning granularity. While zoning controls exist, they tend to operate at a broad, area-based level. They may not adequately account for hyper-local conditions such as the over-concentration of certain commercial activities within a single block or single precinct. It is unclear whether licensing or landlord agencies consistently factor in business clustering effects when such approvals are granted. What may be acceptable in isolation can, when concentrated, significantly erode residential amenities and community well-being.
Reason 4: consequences that do not deter poor behaviour. Finally, for some lucrative errant operators, fines or summons are simply treated as a cost of doing business. When penalties do not meaningfully affect business viability or impose operational consequences, there is little incentive for genuine behavioural or structural change. Without credible deterrence, enforcement risks becoming reactive and repetitive, penalising the same offenders without delivering lasting relief to our residents.
I want to speak next about a balanced framework of prevention, governance and enforcement.
Sir, unless more strategic and intentional measures are put in place, enforcement will continue to be reactive. It is a cat-and-mouse exercise that frustrates residents, burdens agencies and creates uncertainty for businesses. I therefore urge the Government to consider a more integrated framework of prevention, governance, enforcement – one intended to be practical and predictable, not punitive. It gives clarity to businesses upfront, supports early resolution between residents and business operators on the ground, and reserves enforcement for persistent non-compliance.
Let me now outline a proposed suite of measures under prevention, governance and enforcement.
First, prevention, getting things right early.
Proposal 1: clearer use classes. For better zoning granularity, planning categories can be refined to better distinguish between low-impact neighbourhood businesses and higher-impact uses such as late-night food and beverage, massage establishments, bars and karaoke outlets. Factors such as operating hours, alcohol service, music amplification, likelihood of late-night congregation and proximity to homes or schools should be taken into account. This gives businesses clear signals upfront and allows planning decisions to better reflect lived reality at the block or precinct level, rather than broad zoning assumptions.
Proposal 2: early, structured consultation. For higher-impact uses in residential areas, a simple, structured consultation at the pre-approval stage can help surface risks early. Many of us Members of Parliament have had to assist innocent business operators who unknowingly either signed tenancy agreements assuming licences were transferable or automatic; or they have committed substantial investments before being informed that their proposed use was already under heightened scrutiny or under policy review.
A clearly scoped consultation process, similar in nature, in principle to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority's Long-Term Visit Pass consultation framework or checklist helps to clarify regulatory expectations upfront, reduce costly missteps for businesses, minimise future disputes with residents and lower the likelihood of enforcement, appeals, or litigation downstream.
Early engagement is pro-business and pro-resident. It improves investment certainty and protects livelihoods for businesses, while also reducing distress for our residents and enforcement burdens for agencies.
Proposal 3: closing legislative or regulatory gaps. Existing legislation should be reviewed to ensure that all commercial activities that affect residential amenity are subject to basic, enforceable standards. This is not about over-regulation, but about ensuring that regulatory light-touch does not become a blind spot. I just read in the papers, I am so glad that the Ministry of Home Affairs is currently looking into these gaps.
Second, on governance, managing day-to-day realities on the ground.
Proposal 4: good neighbour agreements. For higher-impact uses, operators could enter into a simple good neighbour agreement setting out expectations on noise, waste management, crowd control, solicitation behaviour and responsiveness to complaints. This provides a practical way to resolve issues early, without immediately resorting to enforcement.
Good behaviour should also be recognised. At the community level, some of us already give out Good Neighbour Awards to residents. We should consider extending similar recognition to commercial neighbours who consistently demonstrate responsible behaviour and explore benefits such as greater flexibility in outdoor dining or longer renewal extensions for those with strong compliance records. This reinforces the message that good behaviour is rewarded, not just bad behaviour punished.
Proposal 5: better coordination across agencies. Oversight today can be fragmented and siloed. A shared single case view across planning, licensing, environmental health, estate management and public order agencies would allow patterns to be seen earlier, rather than each issue being handled in reaction, in isolation. This improves fairness, reduces duplication and helps agencies act with consistency and institutional memory.
My last proposal is related to enforcement – firm, but proportionate enforcement. Proposal 6: a transparent, graduated response. Enforcement should focus on repeated and substantiated non-compliance, not isolated lapses by responsible operators. A transparent, graduated framework would allow consequences to escalate only when problems persist – from tighter conditions or shorter renewal periods, to restrictions on hours or business activities and as a last resort, licence suspension or revocation.
This approach provides certainty for businesses, protects well-run operators from unfair competition and allows agencies to focus on the small minority that repeatedly undermine neighbourhood liveability.
In conclusion, Speaker, at its heart, this Adjournment Motion is not about opposing commerce, nor resisting vibrancy. Shops, cafés, services bring convenience, they bring jobs, they bring life to our estates. Many business operators invest their savings, employ local workers and genuinely want to be good neighbours. We should support, not penalise, these responsible businesses. And we should also not condone residents who are unreasonable.
The residents that I and many of my colleagues here speak up for today are not calling for blanket bans or heavy-handed crackdowns. They are asking for something far more modest: clear rules, fair processes, early intervention and proportionate enforcement, so that liveability is not eroded. Done well, the six proposals I suggested in this Adjournment Motion can benefit responsible operators by creating predictability, levelling the playing field and ensuring that those who cut corners do not impose hidden costs on our residents or on their better-run business counterparts nearby.
Speaker, a good city is not measured only by how lively it is at night, but by how liveable it remains at home. As Singapore continues to intensify and mix uses more closely, our governance tools must evolve accordingly. I look forward to the Government’s favourable consideration of the proposals that I have put up to protect our residents’ well-being while sustaining vibrant, responsible commercial activity in the neighbourhood. [Applause.]
Mr Speaker: Senior Minister of State Sun Xueling.
The Senior Minister of State for National Development (Ms Sun Xueling): Mr Speaker, I thank the Member, Ms Denise Phua, for her Adjournment Motion on managing commercial activities in our residential neighbourhoods.
Many residents value having shops, eateries and entertainment options close to home, as they bring convenience and vibrancy to daily life. A coffee shop downstairs can mean a quick bite anytime. Supermarkets provide easy access to daily necessities. Nearby entertainment options offer spaces for friends and families to gather and to socialise. These businesses play an important role in serving community needs and often add value to homes.
However, I fully agree with the Member that because these activities operate close to homes, they need to be carefully managed to ensure that they remain compatible with residential living. Government agencies therefore work together to plan, regulate and license commercial activities to balance community needs and residents’ well-being. In some cases, such as commercially run shopping malls or privately-owned HDB shops, market forces determine the mix of shops while adhering to regulations.
The Member has shared challenges faced by residents arising from noise, smell, hygiene and concerns on safety, caused by commercial activity. She has also proposed some measures with regard to legislative coverage, planning and enforcement. I will share how Government agencies plan, gatekeep and enforce rules for commercial activities to balance the needs of both residents and business operators. I will also respond to her recommendations.
First, on planning. URA considers where and what type of businesses can be located, knowing that different businesses can affect residents differently. Most businesses benefit residents and cause little disturbance, like retail shops and medical clinics. URA will continue to plan for such types of commercial activity to better serve residents.
There is also demand for other businesses, such as nightlife venues and massage establishments. Most nightlife establishments like bars and karaoke lounges are situated away from residential areas. Nightlife establishments are not allowed in both sold and rental HDB shops. New nightlife establishments are also not allowed within commercial developments integrated with residential units.
Responding to the Member’s point to look at local concentration of such outlets, the URA and SPF have identified exclusion areas, including Jalan Besar, where new nightlife or massage establishments are not allowed due to the high concentration of existing outlets and complaints from residents. Government agencies will continue to work closely with grassroots advisors to manage local concentration issues and will not hesitate to turf out unsavoury operators who do not adhere to regulations or tenancy conditions.
Massage establishments such as sports massage, chiropractor clinics and Traditional Chinese Medicine clinics, if properly regulated, provide wellness services that residents value, which is why they are allowed to operate in the heartlands. That said, HDB imposes planning and trade mix controls on heartland shops to strike a balance between having a vibrant commercial landscape and preserving the residential character of our HDB heartlands. HDB maintains a published list of allowable uses. Any change of use must first obtain HDB’s approval. For massage establishments, HDB sets quotas to regulate their numbers in each estate. Since September 2024, HDB has tightened the quota of licensed massage establishments in HDB estates.
Beyond determining where businesses can locate, agencies also have approval mechanisms to assess who can operate and under what conditions. Licensing serves as a gatekeeping tool to assess operator suitability and establish operational requirements to manage and to mitigate potential disamenities.
Nightlife establishments and massage establishments are regulated by the SPF and the licensing framework ensures that these venues are not misused for vice activities and to minimise law and order concerns. During the licence application process, SPF conducts background checks on applicants, including reviews of their general records for links to errant establishments.
I note the Member’s comments on the disamenities caused by open concept massage establishments which are exempted from licensing. Her feedback is very timely. SPF is currently reviewing the massage establishment regulations to ensure that the regulatory regime is updated and fit for purpose. Industry consultation will be done in due course.
Beyond licensing, agencies use tenancy conditions as an additional lever to mitigate disamenities. For example, food establishments such as coffee shops and small eateries are often located near residential areas to serve residents’ daily needs. For food establishments operating in HDB estates, HDB imposes tenancy conditions to manage potential disamenities. For instance, to minimise noise, HDB requires coffee shops to stop the use of outdoor refreshment areas by 11.00 pm. To control odour issues and to maintain hygiene, coffee shops are required to install appropriate exhaust systems and grease traps, and to implement proper waste management practices.
Where new business models with new products and new service offerings emerge to challenge existing regulations and trade mix controls, agencies will review the relevant frameworks to strike a balance between protecting residents from disamenities and preserving business viability and entrepreneurship.
Moving on to enforcement, there is no one-size-fits-all approach as it involves real-world operations with multiple stakeholders and varying circumstances. Agencies actively monitor businesses and take calibrated but firm action when issues arise. When repeated issues arise, we trigger tighter conditions and stronger enforcement action using planning, licensing and tenancy levers.
I thank the Member for her suggestion on a more coordinated enforcement framework and a single case view. Today, agencies strive to work closely together on enforcement. For example, URA works with agencies to adopt a three-strikes approach to deal with problems. When a business flouts any rules or requirements, they will receive a warning letter. If a business operator gets three warning letters in total, the relevant authorities may cancel their licence or planning permission or refuse to renew it.
For food establishments operating in HDB estates, HDB takes into account the feedback received by different agencies when assessing tenancy and tenancy renewals. For instance, HDB works with the National Environment Agency when there is feedback on noise and other environmental concerns. HDB also takes into account feedback provided to the SPF regarding law and order concerns. Most operators have been cooperative when HDB steps in to remind them of their tenancy conditions and the feedback received.
Where warranted, agencies have taken firm joint enforcement action. For example, following joint raids by SPF and HDB on massage establishments in HDB estates, HDB and SPF worked with sold shop owners to evict close to 40 massage establishment operators in 2025. SPF will continue to conduct enforcement checks and ensure public entertainment outlets and massage establishments comply with the rules and regulations and take strict action against errant operators.
On the Member's suggestion for structured pre-approval consultation, this is consistent with agencies' broader objective of providing greater clarity and transparency upfront. Today, applicants are provided with information on relevant planning parameters, licensing requirements and tenancy conditions. These set out the types of activities permitted and the operating standards expected. Agencies will continue to look at how to make these information clearer and more transparent upfront for applicants.
We also thank the Member for her suggestion regarding Good Neighbour Agreements. We would encourage it at the grassroots level as a way to establish good social norms and community relations between local businesses and residents. Government agencies would rely on legally binding tenancy agreements and/or licenses but will take into account the feedback from the community when considering the amount of outdoor leasing space and rental renewals.
To conclude, the Government is committed to maintaining liveable neighbourhoods through proper planning, careful gatekeeping and firm enforcement when needed. We want to achieve the best balance for both residents and business operators and we welcome the Member's suggestions to do this even better.
[(proc text) Question put, and agreed to. (proc text)]
[(proc text) Resolved, \"That Parliament do now adjourn.\" (proc text)]
Mr Speaker: Just before all of us go off, Members will be aware that we are approaching the annual Budget Statement and Committee of Supply (COS) Sittings. So, I would like to take this opportunity to inform Members that the online system for submitting your COS cuts is already operational. I would encourage Members to start preparing and submitting your COS cuts from today, using the online system. This is to avoid the rush and stress of meeting the closing deadline for cuts.
On that note, Order, Order.
Adjourned accordingly at 6.49 pm.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":"Matter Raised On Adjournment Motion","questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Appeals by Foreign Spouses of Singaporeans to Purchase BTO HDB Flats","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"20 Mr Foo Cexiang asked the Minister for National Development (a) in the past three years whether HDB has received appeals by Singapore-foreigner spouses for permission to purchase BTO HDB flats other than BTO 2-room Flexi flats; and (b) if so, how many of these appeals were successful.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: Singaporeans with non-resident spouses who have a Singaporean or Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) child are treated as Singaporean families for the purposes of access to Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats. They can purchase flats of any size from HDB, subject to other eligibility conditions.
Singaporeans with non-resident spouses and no Singaporean or SPR child can purchase a 2-room Flexi flat from HDB, if the Singaporean is a first-timer aged 35 and above. From 2023 to 2025, HDB received 16 appeals from such couples to purchase flats other than 2-room Flexi flats from HDB. HDB did not accede to these appeals because the appellants had alternative housing options.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Accounting for Potential Volatility in Global Energy Markets in Singapore’s Energy Transition Strategy","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"21 Mr Edward Chia Bing Hui asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry (a) how does Singapore's energy transition strategy account for potential volatility in global energy markets; and (b) what safeguards are in place to ensure medium-term decarbonisation goals remain on track despite short-term price fluctuations.
Mr Gan Kim Yong: Diversification of energy sources is critical for our energy transition efforts in the face of global volatilities and uncertainties. We will continue to decarbonise our power sector across our four switches of natural gas, domestic solar deployment, low-carbon electricity imports and low-carbon alternatives. Within each switch, the Government has also implemented strategies to ensure that we continue to press forward on greening our energy supply.
Today, around 95% of Singapore's electricity generation comes from natural gas. We must ensure secure and diversified natural gas supplies. To this end, we are developing a second liquefied natural gas terminal that will allow us to import gas from more countries and mitigate supply disruption risks.
For solar, we will continue to maximise domestic deployment. We are making good progress towards meeting our target of two gigawatt-peak (GWp) of solar deployment by 2030, having achieved over 1.7 GWp of installed solar capacity as of June 2025. We will continue to find new ways to accelerate and maximise solar deployment. The Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore had previously estimated that we can deploy about eight GWp of solar if we cover every viable space in Singapore with solar photovoltaic and with technological improvements.
However, maximising solar at eight GWp is only expected to meet up to 10% of Singapore's electricity demand by 2050. To supplement solar, we are pushing forward with our plans to import low-carbon electricity from the region. We are building a portfolio of projects that are diversified across energy types and source countries. To date, the Energy Market Authority has awarded conditional approvals and licences to more than eight gigawatts equivalent of electricity imports projects from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Australia. Project developers remain interested in supplying low-carbon electricity to Singapore and are working with the relevant authorities abroad to get the necessary approvals.
We are also building our capabilities in other low-carbon energy sources, including hydrogen, advanced geothermal and advanced nuclear. These technologies could become cost-competitive options in the long run.
The Government is prepared to provide support to mitigate the risks of strategic low-carbon energy projects. Such projects often require significant upfront capital. Geopolitical and commercial risks, coupled with energy price volatility, reduces private investment appetite to fund these projects. We established and injected $10 billion into the Future Energy Fund to support strategic low-carbon and energy supply security projects. We also established Singapore Energy Interconnections Pte Ltd to invest, develop, own and operate subsea interconnectors to transmit low-carbon electricity into Singapore.
In addition, we have implemented the carbon tax to ensure the cost of emissions are appropriately priced. Revenue collected from the carbon tax will be channelled to support decarbonisation efforts and help companies invest in low-carbon and energy-efficient solutions.
As we push forward with decarbonisation, we will continue to closely monitor global developments and take into consideration international climate efforts, to ensure that our energy transition trajectory is wearable and sustainable.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Regulating Fees Charged by Driving Centres","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"22 Mr Fadli Fawzi asked the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) whether the fees to learn to drive, such as enrolment and theory lesson fees, are regulated by Traffic Police or any other Government agency and (b) if not, whether the Ministry has conducted any assessment to determine if the recent increase in fees by the three driving centres represents anti-competitive behaviour; and (c) whether the Government will take any action to manage costs of learning to drive.
Mr K Shanmugam: Driving schools are required under the Road Traffic Act to charge fees for instruction that the Traffic Police (TP) considers fair and reasonable. Such fees include enrolment, theory and driving lesson fees.
Recently, the three driving schools had submitted separate fee increase proposals to TP. TP had assessed each proposal on its own merit and noted that the intent of the fee increases was to keep up with rising operating costs and raise the wages of driving instructors to improve recruitment and retention. As part of the fee increase, the driving schools have committed to increase the wages of driving instructors. This is expected to increase the supply of driving lessons and reduce wait times.
23 Ms He Ting Ru asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information (a) whether the Ministry has reviewed the January 2026 Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) findings on public messaging regarding citizens' contributions and what insights it has drawn; (b) whether the whole-of-Government communication frameworks ensure balanced portrayal of locals' versus foreigners' contributions; and (c) whether the Ministry will review its communication strategies to better reflect Singaporeans' contributions.
Mrs Josephine Teo: The member refers to a study initiated by the Government, in partnership with the Institute of Policy Studies, to trial new public engagement modalities on challenging topics, including local-foreign integration. One of the study's findings was that Singaporeans' contributions be appropriately recognised. We agree this is important.
Where opportunities arise, the Government recognises Singaporeans' contributions and accomplishments across multiple fields. National campaigns regularly spotlight local entrepreneurs, innovators and community leaders. During the SG60 celebrations last year, we celebrated the achievements of Singaporeans who embodied SG60 values, such as resilience, boldness and multiculturalism. Another example is our \"Together in the Lorongs\" digital series, which has featured ground-up community efforts in the community. The annual National Day Awards also honour Singaporeans from different walks of life, whilst our Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation packages explicitly recognised the foundational contributions of our senior citizens.
We always aim to do better and welcome suggestions from members as well as the public.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Assessing Need for Sixth Desalination Plant","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"24 Ms Hazlina Abdul Halim asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) what factors are being considered in determining the need for a sixth desalination plant; (b) how will projected water demand and climate risks affect this assessment; (c) what are the estimated capital and operating costs; and (d) how are operating costs likely to affect water tariffs for households and businesses.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: The Public Utilities Board (PUB) plans ahead and invests in water infrastructure to meet Singapore's growing water needs from its population and economic activities. This includes building up our weather-resilient sources, such as desalinated water. PUB is thus carrying out a feasibility study for a potential new desalination plant, the costs of which will be determined only after the study.
PUB will continue to price water to reflect the cost of supplying the next drop of water. This allows PUB to finance its long-term investments sustainably to meet future water demand and safeguard Singapore's water security.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Update on Inclusive Support Programme Pilot","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"25 Mr Foo Cexiang asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) for an update on the Inclusive Support Programme (InSP) pilot; and (b) whether the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) is considering the inclusion of environmental adjustments, such as providing frequency modulation (FM) systems, at preschools.
Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: The Inclusive Support Programme (InSP) serves children requiring medium levels of early intervention (EI) support, and who are suited to receive EI in a preschool group setting. The InSP evaluation study found that children with developmental needs in InSP preschools made significant progress in all domains of their development, narrowing the gap with their typically developing peers. Typically developing children in InSP preschools also demonstrated significant cognitive gains. In the inclusive environment, more meaningful interactions between children and greater acceptance of peers with different abilities were observed.
Given these promising findings, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) will progressively add about 600 more InSP places from 2026 onwards.
As part of the InSP, ECDA sets general guidelines on environmental modifications in preschools, such as therapy rooms and accessible toilets, to cater to children with developmental needs. Beyond these, InSP preschool operators can make specific modifications based on children's individual needs, such as providing frequency modulation systems to children who are deaf or hard of hearing. ECDA provides funding for InSP preschools to facilitate their provision of such modifications.
Beyond the funding provided to InSP preschools, families can also tap on the Ministry of Social and Family Development's Assistive Technology Fund, which provides a means-tested subsidy of up to 90% of the cost to acquire, replace or repair assistive devices. Families can also tap on Child Development Account funds to purchase, maintain or repair assistive technology devices from approved providers.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Adequacy of Grant to Help Smaller Importers in Beverage Container Return Scheme","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"26 Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) whether the Ministry consulted smaller beverage producers on compliance costs before implementing the Beverage Container Return Scheme; (b) what was the basis of the $2,500 grant amount given that small importers face annual sticker costs exceeding $24,000; and (c) whether the Ministry will review the adequacy of the grant to prevent significant price increases and reduce the compliance burden on small businesses.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: I thank the Member for his question. This question has been addressed in the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment's answer to Question Nos 1 to 5 at the Sitting of 3 February 2026. [Please refer to \"Mitigating Cost Impact on Customers with Beverage Container Return Scheme's Roll-out in April 2026\", Official Report, 3 February 2026, Vol 96, Issue 15, Oral Answers to Questions section.]
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Siting of Cross Island Line's Loyang MRT Station Away from High-density Residential Areas","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"27 Ms Valerie Lee asked the Acting Minister for Transport (a) what were the planning factors that led to the Loyang Cross Island Line (CRL) MRT station being sited away from the high-density residential areas of the Flora, Toh and Mariam estates; and (b) whether the Ministry will explore additional entrances or improved pedestrian, cycling or feeder-bus links to better connect these estates to the MRT station.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: The primary consideration in siting a new mass rapid transit (MRT) station is to maximise the number of commuters who can be served by the MRT station in the mid to longer term. The location of the Cross Island Line CR3 station, which has a working name \"Loyang Station\", was determined based on existing and future land use plans. Other factors, such as availability of space and engineering feasibility, are also considered in deciding station locations, to minimise the amount of land that needs to be acquired, thus minimising negative externalities to existing residents.
With the opening of the station, first- and last-mile connectivity will also be enhanced to improve access to the new CR3 station for residents in Flora, Toh and Mariam estates. This could include possible improvements to the covered linkways and cycling path network, as well as possible adjustments to bus services to improve connections to MRT stations, including the upcoming CR4 station that will also be in the vicinity of these estates.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Criteria to Revise CPF Additional Withdrawal Limits for Integrated Shield Plans","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"28 Mr Pritam Singh asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health what criteria determine the revision of the CPF Additional Withdrawal Limits (AWLs) threshold for Integrated Shield plans.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: Premiums of our national health insurance scheme, such as MediShield Life, are fully payable by MediSave. As Integrated Shield Plans (IP) are optional, commercial products that provide additional coverage for unsubsidised care, MediSave use for IP premiums are capped by the Additional Withdrawal Limits (AWLs).
In considering enhancements to the AWLs, we would need to strike a balance between allowing Singaporeans to use more of their MediSave for private insurance while ensuring that they preserve adequate MediSave for other basic healthcare needs in the future.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Accommodations for Student-athletes when Trainings and Competitions Clash with Universities' Course Schedules","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"29 Assoc Prof Kenneth Goh asked the Minister for Education (a) whether the Ministry works with the autonomous universities to accommodate student-athletes whose core module examinations clash with national training or overseas competition travel, particularly in structured degree programmes where deferring a core module delays subsequent modules and graduation; (b) if so, how; and (c) whether such accommodation includes alternative assessment arrangements.
Mr Desmond Lee: The autonomous universities (AUs) are committed to supporting our national athletes in balancing their sporting and academic pursuits.
The AUs customise academic support for student athletes based on their specific circumstances. For instance, student athletes can arrange for their examinations to be taken before or after their overseas trainings or competitions, where feasible. Alternative assessment arrangements may also be considered, including online assignments or testing, as well as the use of pre-recorded presentations.
These athlete-friendly practices have been set out in a memorandum of understanding signed between the AUs and the Singapore Sports School in April 2025.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Statistics on Motorists Booked for Failing to Keep Left and Plans on Intensifying Public Education and Enforcement","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"30 Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) how many motorists were booked annually since 2021 for failing to keep left; and (b) whether the Traffic Police will intensify public education and enforcement efforts to ensure heavy and logistics vehicles and slower motorists occupy leftmost lanes when available, to improve road efficiency and address persistent road hogging despite speed limiter regulations.
Mr K Shanmugam: Between 2021 and 2025, the Traffic Police (TP) issued about 1,930 summonses on average annually for the offence of failing to keep left. TP will continue to enforce against such behaviour and educate motorists on the importance of maintaining lane discipline.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Discrepancies in Immigration Entry and Exit Records","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"31 Ms Gho Sze Kee asked the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs in view of the recent cases of long-term overstayers discovered after many years (a) how many discrepancies between immigration entry and exit records are there currently on ICA's records, where individuals have no record of exiting Singapore when they should; and (b) whether the median length of overstay has been increasing since 2019.
Mr K Shanmugam: Based on the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority's (ICA's) records, there are currently 500 to 600 overstayers whom ICA is trying to track. This is less than 0.001% of our annual visitor arrival numbers. The median duration of foreigners who overstayed and were arrested each year has remained stable since 2019, averaging at about three months.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Decisions on Opening Hours of Public Libraries","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"32 Mr David Hoe asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information (a) what factors determine the typical opening hours of public libraries, particularly those resulting in most mall-based libraries opening only at 11.00 am; and (b) whether NLB will consider piloting earlier opening hours at selected libraries, such as Clementi Public Library, to better serve seniors and early-risers, including through low- or no-staff operating models during early hours.
Mrs Josephine Teo: In deciding on the operational hours of its libraries, the National Library Board (NLB) considers factors, like patron demand and operational sustainability; and in the case of mall libraries, the opening hours of the mall itself.
NLB has piloted extended operating hours at Harbourfront Library and Yishun Library since 2024 and 2025 respectively, where patrons can enjoy self-help services from 9.00 am to 11.00 am, before the staff-assisted hours from 11.00 am to 9.00 pm. NLB plans to roll out such earlier opening hours at more libraries where it is operationally feasible, including at Clementi Library after its revamp. More details will be released in due course.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Reference Data for Determining Baby Bonus Quantum","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"33 Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (a) whether the Ministry publishes official estimates of child-raising expenditures by age band, as the United States has since 1960; (b) what reference data determines Baby Bonus quantum; and (c) whether Baby Bonus cashflow fit has been evaluated against cost peaks in the first 36 months, particularly for lower-income households facing immediate infant care expenses.
Ms Indranee Rajah: The Government is strongly committed to supporting Singaporeans to realise their marriage and parenthood aspirations. We provide a suite of generous financial support for families with children, in the form of cash and cash-like payouts, grants, education and healthcare subsidies and tax benefits.
We do not publish estimates of child-raising expenditure. Such standalone estimates would not be useful as child-raising expenditure varies greatly depending on a family's needs, parents' expectations and choices.
Instead, in determining the quantum and cashflow for the Baby Bonus Scheme, we consider data, such as household income and expenditure, including child-related expenditure, as well as feedback from parents. For example, in 2023, in response to parents' feedback, we enhanced the Baby Bonus quantum and adjusted the payout structure to provide parents with sustained financial support until their child enters primary school.
We recognise that the costs incurred by parents is higher when the child is younger. Hence, a larger portion of the Baby Bonus Cash Gift is paid to parents upfront to support the higher initial costs at birth and infancy, with regular payouts thereafter until the child turns 6.5 years old.
Over and above the Baby Bonus Cash Gift, other support is provided within the first 36 months of a child's birth. Families also receive support through the Child Development Account (CDA) First Step Grant given at the child's birth, as well as Government co-matching of parents' savings into the CDA. CDA monies can be used for approved child-related expenses, such as infant care, preschool and medical fees.
The Government has also kept preschools affordable by providing subsidies to parents of Singapore Citizen children and imposing fee caps at Government-supported Anchor Operator (AOP) and Partner Operator (POP) preschools.
Currently, all Singapore Citizen children enrolled in a licensed preschool are eligible for a basic subsidy of up to $300 per month for childcare and up to $600 per month for infant care. To further lower costs, eligible families receive additional means-tested subsidies, with more for lower-income. We enhanced these additional subsidies in 2020, by raising the income ceiling from $7,500 to $12,000 and increasing subsidy amounts across all eligible income tiers.
We have also progressively reduced fee caps in AOP and POPs. Fee caps were lowered for both full-day infant care and full-day childcare in 2023. They were further reduced for full-day childcare last year and at the start of this year. In addition, lower-income families benefit from further support through other targeted schemes, such as the Child Care Financial Assistance and Start-Up Grant. All these help defray the costs of the child at a younger age.
We will continue to review our measures to strengthen support for parents in managing the costs of raising children.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Gaps in Support Pathways for Individuals with Serious Mental Health Conditions Who Are Unable to Maintain Community Living","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"34 Ms Elysa Chen asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health regarding the current tiered mental health care model anchored in community-based support through Community Outreach Teams and Community Intervention Teams, whether there are plans to address potential policy gaps regarding support pathways for individuals with serious mental health conditions who are deemed unable to maintain community living but not of the profile for admission to Institute of Mental Health.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: Singapore has established psychiatric intermediate- to long-term care facilities to support stable individuals with mental health conditions of varying severity.
These facilities include psychiatric nursing homes for patients with long-term care needs, psychiatric rehabilitation and psychiatric shelter homes for patients that require residential psychiatric rehabilitation and psychiatric day care centres to support individuals undergoing rehabilitation in the community.
Our community and step-down care models enable individuals with severe but stable mental health conditions to progressively reintegrate back into the community.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Privacy Concerns of Residents of Landed Properties Located Near Towering BTO Projects","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"35 Ms Diana Pang Li Yen asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether HDB accounts for privacy concerns of residents in landed property estates whose homes risk being overlooked onto by new Build-to-Order (BTO) projects; (b) what architectural or design measures are mandated to address such privacy concerns; and (c) whether clearer standards will be issued or strengthened in this respect.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: All Build-to-Order projects are designed and constructed in accordance with prevailing building codes. This includes guidelines on building setbacks to ensure adequate spacing from adjacent developments.
The Housing and Development Board also adopts designs that are sensitive to surrounding developments. These include the strategic placement and orientation of buildings, as well as landscaping along common boundaries. For instance, dense and tall trees are typically planted to enhance privacy and provide visual screening.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Expansion of and Training for Mental Health Counsellors Workforce","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"36 Dr Charlene Chen asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health for Tier 3 of the National Mental Health and Well-being Strategy's Tiered Care Model (a) how does the Ministry assess the adequacy of current postgraduate training pathways for mental health counsellors; and (b) how does it work with Agency for Integrated Care, public healthcare institution and community partners to strengthen training capacity, supervision and structured transition-to-practice pathways into community mental health services.
37 Dr Charlene Chen asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health in support of the National Mental Health and Well-being Strategy, what are Ministry plans, if any, for the mental health counsellor workforce over the next five years, including (i) plans to address projected needs across healthcare and community settings and (ii) how supervised practice placements, clinical supervision capacity and entry-level roles will be expanded to support newly trained counsellors.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: The Minister of Health (MOH) does not actively track manpower data on counsellors. Based on data from the Singapore Association for Counselling (SAC), the number of counselling practitioners who voluntarily registered with SAC increased from 969 in 2022 to 1,838 in 2025. The social service agencies and public health institutions continuously review their individual service needs and recruit additional counsellors to meet these demands.
Newly trained counsellors receive support, such as supervision, structured induction, professional development, peer networks and administrative guidance, though structures vary by organisation. Under the SAC's constitution, entry-level counsellors working towards registration must receive clinical supervision from a Registered Counsellor or Registered Clinical Supervisor. The SAC membership provides access to professional development opportunities, research publications, networking and updates on landscape developments through Government and regional collaborations.
In addition to the National Mental Health Competency Training Framework that guides mental health practitioners, including counsellors, in developing competencies aligned with the Tiered Care Model, counsellors can also refer to the Skills Framework for Social Service for the required core skills and competencies, as well as the counselling career trajectory map. Counsellors could also enhance their capabilities through postgraduate courses and specialised skills training, such as Master's degrees in counselling offered by the Singapore University of Social Sciences and the National Institute of Education at Nanyang Technological University or postgraduate diplomas in counselling provided by the College of Allied Educators.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Programmes or Grants for Media Startups Producing Local Content","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"38 Mr Ng Shi Xuan asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information (a) whether there are any Government programmes or grants available to media startups that are producing local content, including content featuring local culture, customs and traditions; and (b) if not, whether the Ministry will consider introducing such programmes or grants.
Mrs Josephine Teo: The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) supports local media companies, including startups, in content creation and capabilities development. Information can be found on IMDA's website.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Average Time Taken from HIP Announcement to Polling of Residents and Start of Construction Works","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"39 Ms Valerie Lee asked the Minister for National Development regarding Home Improvement Programme (HIP) projects over the past three years (a) what is the average time from the HIP batch announcement to polling and start of construction; (b) what are the major reasons for any variations in timeline; and (c) what are the measures taken to compress the timeline so that residents are better able to plan their own self-funded renovations.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: This question was addressed in the Ministry of National Development's reply to the questions asked by Mr Ng Shi Xuan and Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik on 3 February 2026. [Please refer to \"Allowing E-polling via Singpass for Home Improvement Programme and Extending Programme to HDB Blocks Built After 1997\", Official Report, 3 February 2026, Vol 96, Issue 15, Written Answers to Questions for Oral Answer not Answered by End of Question Time section.]
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Plans for Alternative Stadium with Higher Capacity than Jalan Besar Stadium","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"40 Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked the Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth whether the Ministry has plans to construct or designate an alternative stadium with a capacity significantly higher than the 6,000-seater Jalan Besar Stadium to serve as a backup venue for major international football matches, given that the National Stadium has been unavailable for regional tournaments due to scheduling conflicts.
Mr David Neo: The NS Square and Toa Payoh Integrated Development are currently undergoing construction and are due to be operational by 2027 and 2030 respectively. With stadium capacities of 30,000 and 10,000 respectively, we will have more options to host major international football matches and other major events.
In the meantime, we have and will continue to employ innovative solutions. One example is the Asian Football Confederation Champions League Two's Final between the Lion City Sailors and Sharjah last year, when three spectator stands were added to Bishan Stadium, temporarily increasing its capacity to 10,000 and allowing more Singaporeans to cheer for our Singapore Premier League club.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Data on \"Buy Now, Pay Later\" Transactions and Updating Practice Code to Reduce Purchase Limit for Those Below 21","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"41 Mr Cai Yinzhou asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (a) what is the total value of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) transactions in 2025; and (b) whether MAS will consider collecting data on the number of Singaporeans who are unable to repay their debts incurred via BNPL services on time with breakdown by age and income ranges.
42 Mr Cai Yinzhou asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (a) whether MAS will consider updating the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) Code of Conduct to lower the maximum purchase limit for those below 21 years old; and (b) whether MAS will consider coordinating across BNPL providers such that a unified spending limit is applied per individual customer and the total sum shared between all accredited BNPL platforms.
Mr Gan Kim Yong (for the Prime Minister): Let me first reassure the Member that there are safeguards in place to limit the risk of consumers getting into unsustainable debt. All \"Buy Now, Pay Later\" (BNPL) firms operating in Singapore have committed to implement protections in line with the BNPL Code of Conduct. A user's BNPL facility will be suspended once a payment is overdue. The BNPL firms have committed to cap late payment fees, disclose them clearly and not subject outstanding amounts to compound interest. The BNPL firms also cannot grant customers a limit over $2,000 without additional credit assessments, including BNPL credit bureau checks.
While growing, BNPL transactions remain small. It accounts for less than 2% of the value of total credit card and debit card payments in the first half of 2025.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) is collecting information from BNPL firms through surveys to monitor the use of their services and assess if they pose a concern. From our survey, 1.5% of BNPL firms' customers are below 21 years old. The median BNPL user with missed payments had outstanding amounts below $400 in aggregate across all BNPL firms and the vast majority have outstanding amounts below $1000. Rather than charging interest, the industry typically charges a late fee that is disclosed up front. While there is no need for further measures at this time, MAS will continue to monitor the situation and will review how to enhance our surveys to better monitor the sector.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Day Activity Centre Clients with Primary Caregivers Aged Above 65","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"43 Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) how many clients of Day Activity Centre (DAC) have primary caregivers aged 65 or older; (b) what demand projections exist for Adult Disability Homes (ADH) as this caregiver cohort ages; (c) whether ADH capacity is adequate to meet projected demand; and (d) what support is available to families planning the transition to residential care.
Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: About one-third of individuals enrolled in day activity centres, or around 500 individuals, have at least one caregiver aged 65 and above. Our aim is to enable persons with disabilities to live and age in the community for as long as they are able. Thus, we are piloting community-based support services to provide alternatives to residential care, such as the Enabled Living Programme pilot launched in 2025 and the upcoming Home Support Programme pilot. Through the Enabling Skills for Life Programme proof-of-concept, we also aim to support persons with disabilities to access living skills and vocational training and build up skills for independence.
Admission into adult disability homes is considered as a last resort for adults with disabilities who have no alternative accommodation. As of December 2025, over 1,000 persons with disabilities reside in 11 Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF)-funded adult disability homes, most of which operate at utilisation rates of over 80%. MSF continues to monitor and plan ahead with our partners to ensure that we have sufficient capacity to meet projected demand.
More information and support for future care planning can be accessed through SG Enable, including via the Enabling Guide, which serves as a first-stop online resource for information on disability in Singapore. Caregivers may also tap on community support networks, such as CaringSG, and a range of caregiver-led initiatives supported by SG Enable for peer support and practical guidance.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Cases Registered through Healthcare Mediation Scheme and Mediation Agreements Signed","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"44 Mr Pritam Singh asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) how many cases were registered through the Healthcare Mediation Scheme from 2020 to 2025; and (b) for the same time period, how many mediation agreements were signed by consenting parties through the scheme.\n\n
Mr Ong Ye Kung: Between 2020 and 2025, 50 cases were processed under the Healthcare Mediation Scheme. About 31 cases were successfully mediated.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Guidelines for Proportion of Work To Be Completed In School and At Home","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"45 Ms He Ting Ru asked the Minister for Education (a) whether the Ministry conducts assessments on implementing guidelines regarding the proportion of schoolwork and homework that should be completed (i) in-school and (ii) as take-home assignments across pre-school, primary, secondary and tertiary levels; and (b) if so, what are the Ministry's findings.
Mr Desmond Lee: The Ministry of Education (MOE) does not dictate the proportion of schoolwork to be done in school or at home. Based on the teachers' professional judgement and the students' learning needs, teachers may include class work as part of a lesson or assign work to be done at home to reinforce learning. Schools have homework guidelines to keep homework purposeful and manageable.
MOE monitors the implementation of these guidelines at the system level. Based on our findings, all schools have a homework policy which articulates the objectives of homework and how homework load is monitored and regulated. Schools review their homework guidelines regularly to calibrate homework load, with due consideration for student learning and well-being.
For pre-schools, the involvement of families in their children's learning is key. As such, home-based activities, such as take-home activity kits, may be provided in preschools. This encourages families to extend their children's learning at home and to foster family bonding and interactions.
Our Institutes of Higher Learning also have their respective academic policies and guidelines to ensure that student workload is appropriate and aligned to learning outcomes.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Studying Correlation between Lower-income Households and Diet-related Chronic Diseases","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"46 Mr Low Wu Yang Andre asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) whether the Ministry studies the correlation between lower-income households and diet-related chronic diseases; and (b) whether current subsidies for healthier food options are sufficient to ensure nutritional security for bottom-percentile income households.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: Studies around the world have consistently shown that lower income households have a higher risk of developing chronic diseases, which are associated with unhealthy diets.
To counter this, the most critical public policy is to ensure universal access to healthcare, education and housing, which are the key risk drivers of poor health. Healthier SG, in particular, ensure access to evidence-based preventive care to all Singaporeans aged 40 and above.
In addition, the Ministry of Health and the Health Promotion Board (HPB) have implemented specific initiatives to improve access to healthier food options.
Under the Healthier Dining Programme, healthier meals are accessible across different settings, enabling availability for all, including at hawker centres, coffee shops and food courts. HPB also works with supermarket chains under the Healthier Choice Symbol Programme to increase the variety of healthier and more affordable house brand products.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Number of PMA Users Certified by Registered Medical Professionals","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"47 Ms Lee Hui Ying asked the Acting Minister for Transport how many personal mobility aid users have been certified by registered medical professionals for each year since 2019.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: Certification of medical need to use a mobility scooter under the Active Mobility Act has not yet begun. From 27 February 2026, users can undergo the Assessment for Mobility Scooter conducted by doctors and occupational therapists.
The Member may refer to the Second Reading of the Land Transport and Related Matters Bill for more details.
48 Ms Diana Pang Li Yen asked the Minister for Manpower (a) whether the Ministry monitors recurring congregation hotspots of foreign domestic workers on rest days; (b) what measures will the Ministry take to address persistent complaints involving noise, littering and noise-generating activities such as recording TikTok dances that have affected residents living near typical gathering hotspots; and (c) whether alternative gathering spaces can be provided or designated.
Dr Tan See Leng: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) monitors locations where migrant domestic workers (MDWs) congregate during their rest days and works with agencies and partners in the community to manage any disamenities that may arise in these areas. For example, we engage town councils and residents' committees in these locations to co-create solutions that address noise and littering disamenities, while balancing the MDWs' social and recreational needs.
Since 2025, we have been piloting the use of community spaces in Clementi and Paya Lebar to provide MDWs with accessible and conducive resting spaces on Sundays. We invite non-governmental organisation partners to conduct recreational activities and training programmes at these spaces so that MDWs can spend their rest days meaningfully. We also share information with MDWs on this via channels, such as MOM's MDW WhatsApp channel.
MOM will continue to work with agencies and our partners to expand the number of alternative gathering spaces for MDWs to rest and unwind. Even as we encourage MDWs to be considerate when using public spaces and endeavour to provide alternative gathering spaces for them, we do need to recognise that public spaces are shared by everyone, including MDWs on their rest days.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Data on Pilgrims Who Have Cleared Medical Screening for Upcoming Haj","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"49 Dr Wan Rizal asked the Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs (a) whether the Government has data on the percentage of pilgrims who have cleared the medical screening for the upcoming Haj; and (b) whether the Acting Minister can share how the Government or MUIS will be assisting those who did not clear the medical screening.
Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim: Of the applicants who have undergone medical screening for this year's Haj pilgrimage, about 98% cleared the medical screening.
As for the remaining applicants, the Fatwa Committee has provided guidance based on their medical circumstances. For those who are unable to perform Haj due to health reasons, they may defer their Haj participation to a later year. For those who are suffering from chronic conditions and are unlikely to recover, they may appoint a proxy to perform Haj on their behalf (Haj Badal). However, if this cannot be fulfilled despite all efforts, the Haj obligation is lifted for them.
MUIS will provide further details on the Haj Badal arrangement when ready.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Increasing Quantum of Benefits and Grants for Large-family Households","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"50 Mr Ng Shi Xuan asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance in light of the introduction of the Large Families Scheme in 2025, whether the Government will consider increasing the quantum of other benefits and grants given to each such large-family household, such as U-Save utility bill rebates and GST vouchers, in support of the proportionally higher household expenditure of such larger families.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: The Large Families Scheme was introduced to support married couples who have, or aspire to have, three or more children. It builds on other marriage and parenthood measures and subsidies for preschool and education, which already provide support on a per-child basis. This means that families with more children already receive significantly greater support.
Other social schemes are designed differently for their specific purposes. For example, the Goods and Services Tax Voucher scheme is means-tested so that more support is given to lower-income households and resources are directed towards those with greater need.
The Government will continue to regularly review our social schemes to ensure that households in need of greater help will receive the appropriate support.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Longer-term Support for SMEs to Maintain Employment and Wages of Older Workers","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"51 Mr Shawn Loh asked the Minister for Manpower whether more longer-term support, including through wage support and reducing employment-related costs, such as insurance, can be provided to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to maintain employment and wages of older workers, so that the impact of decreasing productivity of some older workers as a result of structurally faster technology cycles can be shared between employers and the Government.
Dr Tan See Leng: Senior workers bring a wealth of skills and experience accumulated over their careers. We want to enable senior workers to contribute productively to the economy and support employers in reaping the benefits of an experienced workforce. The Government encourages employers to hire senior workers through the Senior Employment Credit, or SEC. Under the SEC, employers, including the small and medium enterprises, can receive wage offsets of up to 7% for Singaporean employees aged 60 and above, earning less than $4,000 a month. The Government has recently extended the SEC to end-2026 while we conduct a more fundamental review of our senior employment strategy.
In this regard, the Government and tripartite partners have convened a Tripartite Workgroup on Senior Employment to review and refresh our policies to support senior employment. In particular, the Workgroup is studying how to help employers build capabilities to manage a multi-generational workforce and empower senior workers to remain productive and employable. More updates will be provided when the Workgroup releases its recommendations later this year.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Update on Negotiations with US on Tariffs and Economic Restrictions","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"52 Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry whether the Ministry can provide an update on the negotiations with the United States regarding tariffs and economic restrictions, including but not limited to semiconductors and pharmaceuticals.
Mr Gan Kim Yong: Singapore's exports to the United States (US) are currently subject to a \"reciprocal\" tariff rate of 10%. The US has also imposed various Section 232 sectoral tariffs, such as on imports of steel and aluminium, copper and lumber. There are other section 232 investigations ongoing, including into semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, which are currently exempt from the 10% \"reciprocal\" tariff.
We are still in discussion with our US counterparts on the tariffs. We are also engaging industry, including the semiconductor and pharmaceutical sectors, to assess and manage the potential impact on Singapore. We will provide an update when ready.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Summonses Issued to Individuals Who Leave Refuse Bags at HDB Void Decks Next to Refuse Bins","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"53 Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) how many summonses have been issued by NEA in 2025 to individuals specifically for leaving refuse bags at HDB void decks next to refuse bins; (b) whether enforcement against such littering is the responsibility of Town Councils or NEA; and (c) whether there are plans to deploy dedicated ground level surveillance cameras to identify these offenders.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: Leaving refuse bags beside the litter bins constitutes a littering offence under the Environmental Public Health Act 1987 and it is enforced by the National Environment Agency (NEA). NEA does not track the number of enforcement actions taken for specific ground littering scenarios, such as leaving refuse bags next to litter bins.
For persistent cases of litter being left beside litter bins in Housing and Development Board (HDB) void decks, NEA works with Town Councils, which manage cleaning of HDB estates, to educate residents on proper disposal practices. NEA also works with Town Councils to deploy or make use of existing surveillance camera systems to gather video evidence to facilitate NEA's investigations and enforcement of the littering offences.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Correlation between Higher Phase 2A Take-up Rates in Primary 1 Registration Exercise and Socio-economic Clustering in Schools","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"54 Mr David Hoe asked the Minister for Education (a) whether the higher Phase 2A take-up rates in Primary 1 registration have been found to be contributing to socio-economic clustering in some schools; (b) whether the Phase 2A priority have been assessed to impact perceptions of fairness in access to schools; and (c) whether the Ministry will consider further refinements to Primary 1 registration in this regard.
Mr Desmond Lee: Our schools provide common spaces for students of different backgrounds to interact with one another, learn together and forge shared formative experiences. These help to undergird the foundations of a \"we first\" society in Singapore.
While the majority of primary schools have a good distribution of students from different backgrounds, some schools may have a larger proportion of students from similar backgrounds. For some, this could be due to the neighbourhood where the school is located. For others, it might be due to alumni priority of parents under Phase 2A. As a result, children in these schools may have fewer opportunities to interact and learn with children from other backgrounds.
To this end, the Ministry of Education (MOE) has been studying ways to support social mixing among students across schools. In a 14 January Parliamentary reply, MOE had shared how we have introduced cluster-based co-curricular activities to bring together students from different schools to pursue common interests. We are also reviewing the Primary 1 Registration Framework to enhance access to our primary schools for students of different backgrounds.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Ensuring Sufficient Budget Meal Offerings for Those with Genuine Need","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"55 Ms Poh Li San asked the Minister for National Development with the implementation of optional budget meals in coffee shops, how will HDB ensure that there are sufficient budget meal offerings for those who cannot afford regular-priced meals.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: The Member may wish to refer to the combined reply given by the Ministry of National Development on 3 February 2026 to similar questions posed by Assoc Prof Terence Ho and Ms He Ting Ru on budget meals in Housing Development Board's coffee shops. [Please refer to \"Reduction in Budget Meal Options for Lower-income Residents with Scrapping of Budget Meal Initiative at HDB Coffee Shops\", Official Report, 3 February 2026, Vol 96, Issue 15, Written Answers to Questions for Oral Answer not Answered by End of Question Time section.]
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Dedicated Mental Health Support Services Beyond Helplines for Migrant Domestic Workers","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"56 Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan asked the Minister for Manpower (a) what dedicated mental health support services beyond helplines are currently available for migrant domestic workers; (b) how many migrant domestic workers have utilised these services in each of the past five years; and (c) whether the Ministry will consider conducting a needs assessment directly with migrant domestic workers to understand their mental health needs and barriers to accessing support.
Dr Tan See Leng: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) takes a multi-pronged approach towards mental health support for Migrant Domestic Workers (MDWs), starting with upstream touchpoints to pre-emptively identify and address mental health and well-being concerns. All first-time MDWs attend the settling-in programme on arrival, which provides guidance on stress management and the avenues to seek help. MDWs are also required to undergo the six-monthly medical examination, which serves as another channel for doctors to detect any signs of distress.
Employment agencies conduct welfare checks within three months of MDW's placement while the Centre for Domestic Employees (CDE), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), conducts two interviews on behalf of MOM with all first-time MDWs in the first year of their employment. Besides these interviews, CDE also conducts recreational activities for MDWs on their rest days and runs a 24/7 helpline for MDWs in distress.
Beyond MOM's MDW helpline, MDWs that require mental health support can contact NGOs, such as CDE and Brahm Centre, which also operate helplines and provide counselling services. Serious cases will be escalated for medical attention and treatment. Additionally, MOM partners the Alliance of Domestic Employees to scale and train \"Care Sisters\", who serve as a peer support network, in psychological first aid, suicide prevention and mental well-being support to fellow domestic workers. The Care Sisters network comprises MDWs of various nationalities, ensuring that peer support is delivered in their native language and in a manner suited to their cultural backgrounds.
MOM does not collect data on MDWs' utilisation of mental health support services in Singapore. Nonetheless, a MOM-Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health and Institute of Mental Health study in 2024 showed that most MDWs were able to seek help when faced with emotional issues.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Coordination with International Partners to Address Regulatory and Enforcement Gaps in Dealing with Illegal Shipping Practices","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"57 Mr Edward Chia Bing Hui asked the Acting Minister for Transport in light of reports that shadow fleet vessels engaging in illegal or deceptive shipping practices for the facilitation of circumventing sanctions often operate just beyond Singapore's territorial waters, what steps is the Government taking to coordinate with international partners to address regulatory and enforcement gaps arising.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: Given that these alleged illicit activities take place beyond Singapore's territorial waters, we need international cooperation to address them.
In the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, our agencies work closely with neighbouring countries to combat illicit maritime activities. For example, we share information and conduct coordinated patrols with Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand through the Malacca Straits Patrol. We have cooperation mechanisms with international partners to exchange information, which can aid investigations on breaches of our domestic regulations. Our agencies also work with international partners to conduct regular industry engagements with the business, maritime and financial communities on sanctions imposed by other countries, including associated secondary sanctions risks.
Singapore is one of the Vessel Traffic Service authorities for the Mandatory Ship Reporting System in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. In the areas under our purview, we closely monitor vessel movements and provide information to ensure safety of navigation. Any contraventions of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO's) conventions and instruments are reported to the vessels' Flag State for their follow-up actions.
Singapore fully implements the United Nations Security Council resolutions and does not condone illegal or deceptive activities by shadow fleet vessels. All vessels that do not comply with our domestic legislation and requirements, as well as the relevant conventions and instruments of the IMO may be denied entry into or detained in Singapore.
This is an important and complex issue that the Singapore Government pays close attention to. We will continue working closely with international partners to address these challenges effectively.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Successful Applicants of Phase 2B with No Prior School Affiliation and Proportion of Children of Alumni","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"58 Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Education over the five years from 2020 to 2024, for schools that conducted Phase 2B balloting, (a) how many successful applicants in those schools had no prior school affiliation; (b) what proportion of applicants in those schools entered as children of alumni under Phase 2A; and (c) whether the Ministry will consider reserving at least 40 places for unaffiliated families under Phase 2B.
Mr Desmond Lee: The Primary One Registration Framework balances a number of factors, including the convenience of having the younger sibling attend the same school as the older sibling, ties that the parents have to the school, proximity to home and providing access to those without ties to the school.
From 2020 to 2024, in schools that balloted at Phase 2B, on average about one-third of their primary one cohort were admitted via Phase 1, one-third via Phase 2A and the remaining one-third via Phases 2B and 2C.
As I had shared recently in an interview, Ministry of Education is reviewing the Primary 1 Registration Framework to enhance access to primary schools for students of different backgrounds.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Managing Teething Issues of Autonomous Vehicle Shuttle Implementation in Punggol","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"59 Ms Poh Li San asked the Acting Minister for Transport in view of the recent accident involving an autonomous vehicle (AV) shuttle in Punggol, how will LTA manage teething issues of AV shuttle implementation in Punggol while ensuring commuters safety and meeting implementation timeline.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: This incident highlights the importance of the familiarisation phase in allowing the autonomous vehicles to adapt to local conditions and for safety officers to get used to the behaviour of the autonomous vehicles. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) and ComfortDelGro have jointly reviewed the operating procedures on transitions between autonomous and manual driving. LTA will continue to work with fleet operators to ensure that autonomous vehicles are deployed in a safe manner. The Member may wish to refer to LTA's 29 January 2026 news release for more information.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Data on Caseloads Handled by Community Outreach Teams and Community Intervention Teams, and Ensuring Professional Credentialing as Teams are Expanded","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"60 Dr Hamid Razak asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) in each of the past three years, what have been the (i) average caseloads (ii) session frequency and (iii) duration of cases, handled by Community Outreach Teams (CREST) and Community Intervention Team (COMIT) workers, respectively; and (b) how does the Ministry ensure workloads remain safe and sustainable as demand for their services rises.
61 Dr Hamid Razak asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) what proportion of allied health professionals in Community Outreach Teams (CREST) and the Community Intervention Team (COMIT) are registered with their respective professional bodies; and (b) what plans are in place to ensure appropriate professional credentialing as these teams are expanded.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: These questions have been addressed in the written answer to Parliamentary Question No 16 at the Parliament Sitting on 3 February 2026. [Please refer to \"CREST and COMIT Referral Statistics by Source in Past Three Years and Assessment on Appropriate Care Tiers\", Official Report, 3 February 2026, Vol 96, Issue 15, Written Answers to Questions section.]
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Data on Real-term Growth in Tourism Receipts after Accounting for Inflation","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"62 Mr Edward Chia Bing Hui asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry whether the Ministry can provide information on the real-term growth in tourism receipts between 2019 and 2024, after accounting for inflation during this period.
Mr Gan Kim Yong: While tourism receipts declined by 4.3% in real terms between 2019 and 2024, after accounting for inflation, we are seeing a positive trend in spend per visitor. In the same period, spend per visitor increased 10.7% from about $1,630 in 2019 to $1,800 in 2024, in real terms.
We are also seeing an uptick in tourism receipts in the past two years. In 2024, tourism receipts reached $29.8 billion for the full year. From the nine months between January to September last year, tourism receipts reached $23.9 billion. This represents a 5.8% growth compared to the same period in 2024, in real terms.
Singapore Tourism Board will continue to pursue high-growth visitor segments and markets with higher propensity to spend, by developing compelling experiences and supporting our tourism companies and workers to enhance their capabilities. This shows that our Quality Tourism strategy is delivering sustainable results.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"High Speed Pursuits Initiated by Police and Safety Protocols for Public Safety","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"63 Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) in each of the last three years, (i) how many high speed pursuits on Singapore roads were initiated by the Police and (ii) how many resulted in traffic accidents; (b) whether the Ministry will review the safety protocols for such pursuits to prioritise public safety; and (c) what methods are used to track fleeing vehicles as alternatives to high speed chases.
Mr K Shanmugam: The Police do not specifically track the number of high-speed pursuits initiated by the Police, or the number resulting in traffic accidents.
Safety is important in Police protocols on vehicle pursuits. There is specific training for officers on high-speed vehicle pursuits. As a general rule, only officers who have undergone such training engage in high-speed vehicle pursuits. Officers who have not undergone such training engage in vehicle pursuits with stricter safety limits. Officers will use sirens and blinkers to alert other road users during the pursuit and will terminate the pursuit if it becomes too dangerous.
We do not disclose details of the Police's capabilities to track fleeing vehicles due to operational reasons.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Reasons for Increase in Lack of Full-time Employment Offers by Polytechnic Graduates","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"64 Mr Fadli Fawzi asked the Minister for Education in relation to the Polytechnic Graduate Employment Survey (a) what are the main reasons why the percentage of students who have applied for jobs but have not received any full-time permanent job offers has increased since 2023; (b) whether any courses of study are overrepresented among these students; and (c) what actions are being taken to help these students.
Mr Desmond Lee: My response will also address written Question No 49 in the Order paper for the Sitting on 3 February 2026. [Please refer to \"Rise in Involuntary Part-time or Temporary Employment among Fresh Polytechnic Graduates from 2023 to 2025\", Official Report, 3 February 2026, Vol 96, Issue 15, Written Answers to Questions section.]
Employment rates are affected by various factors, including economic and labour market conditions. Some fluctuations in employment rates year-on-year are to be expected. In the last ten years, polytechnic graduate outcomes have remained stable, with around nine in 10 graduates securing employment within six months after graduation. The proportion of polytechnic graduates in involuntary part-time or temporary employment has also remained stable at about 3% over the past ten years.
That said, 2022-2023 marked a high in the employment rate for polytechnic graduates, in line with a post-pandemic surge in hiring. The number of job vacancies has moderated from the post-pandemic peak, driven by reduced churn and slower hiring and reflects a more cautious hiring sentiment amid broader economic uncertainty and geopolitical developments.
While there continue to be entry-level job opportunities for fresh graduates, some outward-oriented sectors, such as information and communications, saw more subdued hiring compared to previous years due to the uncertain global economic environment. In comparison with other course clusters, the information and digital technologies and engineering course clusters had a marginally higher percentage of students who applied for jobs but did not receive any full-time permanent job offers within six months after graduation.
The polytechnics will continue to support graduates who have difficulties securing employment through the provision of education and career guidance support services, such as career coaching and employment facilitation support. Graduates can also approach Workforce Singapore and National Trades Union Congress' Employment and Employability Institute career centres for additional assistance. Sectoral initiatives, such as the Infocomm Media Development Authority's TechSkills Accelerator for Institute of Technical Education and Polytechnics Alliance, will also provide graduates with industry-relevant training that will enhance their employability.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Reasonable Asking Price for Flats in EIP Buyback Scheme","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"65 Ms Elysa Chen asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether pegging asking price to non-Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP)-constrained flats would fail to meet the reasonable asking price requirement under the EIP buyback scheme, implying a mandatory discount; (b) how the reasonableness of asking price is determined; (c) whether HDB's buyback valuation includes an EIP-related discount; and (d) if so, what is the calculation methodology and rationale for such discount.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: The Housing and Development Board (HDB) provides a range of assistance measures for flat owners who face genuine difficulties selling their flats when the Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP) quotas have been reached. This includes buying back flats from eligible EIP-constrained flat owners.
HDB will assess requests for buyback assistance on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the household's specific circumstances, including whether they have tried to sell the flat at a reasonable asking price for at least six months. HDB will refer to prices of recently transacted flats with similar attributes to determine if the marketed price is reasonable. All past transaction prices are published on the \"Check Resale Flat Prices\" e-service on the HDB InfoWEB.
For flat owners who are eligible for buyback assistance, HDB will appoint a professional licensed valuer to value the flat based on established valuation principles and make an offer for the flat at a fair price. Flat owners can take up to three months to consider HDB's buyback offer.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Additional Costs Incurred by Government and Public Waste Collectors to Transport, Sort and Incinerate Contaminated Recyclables","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"66 Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) what is the estimated additional cost per tonne incurred by the Government and Public Waste Collectors to transport, sort and subsequently incinerate contaminated recyclables from blue bins; and (b) for the tracking contamination rates, whether the Ministry will transit from aggregated national-level data to estate-level data for more targeted, community-specific interventions and accountability.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: The National Environment Agency (NEA) appoints Public Waste Collectors (PWCs) through open tenders to provide refuse and recyclables collection services for domestic and trade premises. The Government does not incur additional cost for the collection and incineration of contaminated recyclables from blue bins as such costs are included in the overall fees paid to the PWC.
However, PWCs do incur additional costs to segregate the recyclables and channel the contaminated recyclables for incineration. These costs will vary depending on each PWC's specific sorting processes and operational efficiency. Contaminated recyclables also contribute to additional demand on our waste management infrastructure and lost potential revenue from recycling.
Currently, sampling for contamination of recyclables is done at the Materials Recovery Facilities on an aggregated basis. NEA will continue to explore ways to strengthen our data collection to provide more targeted, community-specific interventions. We urge all residents to be mindful of depositing only recyclables in our blue bins to make a positive contribution to our sustainability effort.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Issuing Implementation Directive under OCHA to Detect and Remove Moneylending Advertisements on Social Media that Target Migrant Domestic Workers","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"67 Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) whether the Ministry has considered issuing an Implementation Directive under the Online Criminal Harms Act requiring social media platforms to detect and remove unlicensed moneylending advertisements targeting migrant domestic workers; and (b) why the approach taken for impersonation scams has not been extended to illegal moneylending advertisements that facilitate harassment of workers and their employers.
Mr K Shanmugam: The Police work with online platforms, like Meta and TikTok, to strengthen upstream measures to prevent unlicensed moneylending through pre-emptive detection and blocking of accounts. Between 2023 and 2025, the Police flagged more than 10,900 online accounts and advertisements involved in unlicensed moneylending to online platforms for termination.
Implementation Directives under the Online Criminal Harms Act are issued when there is an urgent need to put in place a specific measure to address the proliferation of an offence or possible immediate impact. The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued Implementation Directives when there was limited cooperation from the platforms involved. In the context of unlicensed moneylending, the existing collaboration between the Police and online platforms is assessed to be adequate to deal with the issues.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Measures to Protect Workers and Prevent Mass Casualties in High-impact Road Accidents","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"68 Miss Rachel Ong asked the Acting Minister for Transport in respect of cases where workers were thrown from lorries during high-impact collisions, (a) whether new measures will be implemented to prevent mass casualties during such accidents; (b) if so, what measures; and (c) whether the Ministry will consider mandating passenger restraints, speed-triggered emergency alerts or other measures to protect workers sitting at the rear of lorries, particularly against high-impact accidents on expressways.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: We regularly review measures to improve the safety of workers on lorries. Some of these have been implemented in recent years, including requirements for lorries to be fitted with canopies and higher protective side railings, have lower speed limits and to meet minimum space requirements for workers at the rear deck. Lorries with maximum laden weight between 3,500 kilogrammes and 12,000 \tkilogrammes are also required to install speed limiters by 1 July 2027 to cap their maximum speed at 60 kilometres per hour. The Land Transport and Related Matters Bill 2026, introduced in the January Parliament Sitting, includes heavier penalties for speed-limiter related offences. Altogether, these measures help reduce the occurrences and severity of high-impact collisions, which improves the safety of worker transport.
We have consulted industry and academia extensively on the feasibility of fitting seatbelts on the rear decks of lorries. Such restraints would have to be retrofitted on existing lorries which may compromise the structural integrity of the lorry and create new safety risks. There are also liability issues, as manufacturers will not fit seatbelts onto the rear deck of new lorries, nor vouch for the safety of such lorries.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Developments and Considerations for Assessing US Invitation to Join Board of Peace","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"69 Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs (a) what specific developments since October 2025 have prompted the formal assessment of the US invitation to join the Board of Peace; (b) whether the Ministry assesses this initiative as a shift toward an alternative US-led international order; and (c) whether Singapore will coordinate with ASEAN partners for a unified regional response.
70 Ms Hazlina Abdul Halim asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs (a) what are the Ministry's considerations in assessing the invitation to the Board of Peace; and (b) what is the Ministry's plan to engage Singaporeans who want to play a part in the humanitarian efforts aimed at reconstructing Gaza, if any.
71 Mr Liang Eng Hwa asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs what are the Government's (i) assessment and (ii) considerations with regard to the invitation by the United States for Singapore to join the Board of Peace.
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: The Singapore Government is assessing the invitation from the United States to join the Board of Peace.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Establishing Government-operated Adult Disability Homes and Day Activity Centres to Complement Social Service Agency-run Ones","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"72 Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) whether the Ministry has evaluated the feasibility of establishing Government-operated Adult Disability Homes and Day Activity Centres to complement the existing Social Service Agency-run model; and (b) how the Ministry plans to address the current waiting list durations for these facilities, particularly for adults with high support needs whose caregivers are ageing.
Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) appoints and funds Social Service Agencies to operate Adult Disability Homes and Day Activity Centres. We tap on these service providers' specialised knowledge of disabilities, operational expertise and community networks, to deliver services tailored to the needs of persons with disabilities and their caregivers.
Appointed service providers are required to abide by service model requirements and standards. Additionally, the Social Residential Homes Act was passed in 2025, establishing a common regulatory framework for social residential homes and codifying the good practices that have been established in raising the quality of care in our homes over the years. At this point in time, we do not have plans to establish Government-operated Adult Disability Homes and Day Activity Centres.
MSF closely monitors the demand and supply across disability programmes to ensure needs continue to be met. For Adult Disability Homes, MSF will be adding a new facility by 2030 to expand capacity. SG Enable also works with the appointed Social Service Agencies running the homes to optimise placements and ensure cases with urgent needs are prioritised. In parallel, we are piloting community-based support services to provide alternatives to residential care, such as the Enabled Living Programme.
For Day Activity Centres, MSF is progressively increasing the capacity by 500 places by 2030, up from the current 1,800 places. For suitable individuals on the waitlist, SG Enable facilitates referrals to other facilities with available capacity and supports continued engagement through activities at the Enabling Services Hubs and the Supported Transition and Engagement Programme for graduates of special education schools.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Tracking of Food Insecurity Prevalence in Singapore","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"73 Mr Low Wu Yang Andre asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) whether the Ministry tracks the prevalence of moderate to severe food insecurity in Singapore using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale or an equivalent metric; (b) if so, what is the trend over the last five years; and (c) if not, how is food insecurity officially quantified.
Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) does not systematically track the prevalence of food insecurity in Singapore. There are some occasional global publications, such as the Food Insecurity Experience Scale by the Food and Agriculture Organization. The measured levels for Singapore are comparable to those of high-income economies, although like the experience of other economies, there has been an increase in recent years.
Our approach is to ensure the availability of financial support if households are in need. Social Service Offices (SSOs) provide ComCare assistance to support families to meet basic living needs, including food-related expenditures. SSOs may also link applicants up with other forms of support, including those that do not qualify for ComCare. There are also efforts by food charities, volunteer groups, grassroots organisations and corporates to provide food support to households in need.
That said, MSF regularly reviews the range of measurements it tracks, in order to better identify needs and groups that need more support. We will include food security as one of the possible areas to consider for more systematic measurement.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Sufficiency of Current Cooperation with Neighbouring Countries to Safeguard Network of Submarine Cables","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"74 Mr Lee Hong Chuang asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information in view of Singapore's plan to double its 26 submarine cables (a) whether the current cooperation with neighbouring countries is sufficient to safeguard the network of submarine cables; and (b) whether Singapore shall further invest in alternative transmission pathways, such as satellite-based systems.
Mrs Josephine Teo: The Infocomm Media Development Authority chairs the Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Working Group on Submarine Cables, which focuses on enhancing the resilience of our regional submarine cable network through capacity-building engagements and information exchange. The Working Group has developed the Enhanced ASEAN Guidelines for Strengthening Resilience and Repair of Submarine Cables. This was endorsed at the ASEAN Digital Ministers' Meeting in January 2026. The Guidelines spell out best practices ASEAN member states can adopt to strengthen the protection of submarine cables and expedite repairs to damaged cables.
The Ministry of Digital Development and Information recognises the importance of enhancing the resilience of our cable networks. We will continue working with ASEAN member states to build up regional capabilities and cooperation on this front.
Singapore will also continue to explore new ways to enhance our digital connectivity, including through satellites.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Update on Hawker Centres and Food Retail Establishments with Smoking Corners","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"75 Mr Ng Shi Xuan asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) whether the Ministry can provide an update on the number of hawker centres and food retail establishments with smoking corners; and (b) whether the Ministry will take more proactive action to eliminate such corners, including requiring the removal of such corners as a condition of renewal of the licences of the food retail establishments.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: The National Environment Agency (NEA) has stopped accepting applications for new smoking corners in retail food establishments since June 2017. Existing smoking corners will be phased out when the licences of the establishments are terminated or cancelled. For existing hawker centres, NEA has been engaging local stakeholders, such as the Hawkers' Associations and Town Councils, on the progressive removal of smoking corners when opportune, such as during repairs and redecoration works.
In June 2017, there were about 1,000 smoking corners across hawker centres and retail food establishments. This decreased to about 600 when we last updated Parliament on this issue in October 2022. As of December 2025, the number of hawker centres and retail food establishments with smoking corners has further reduced to about 10 and 270 respectively. There are no current plans to require their removal as a condition for licence renewal.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Expected Improvements to Travel Times, Traffic Resilience and Connectivity with Completion of Loyang Viaduct","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"76 Mr Sharael Taha asked the Acting Minister for Transport how the Loyang Viaduct is expected to improve travel times, traffic resilience and connectivity for commuters and businesses travelling between Pasir Ris, Changi and the Airport Cargo Complex.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: The Loyang Viaduct is an integral part of the ongoing infrastructural developments along Changi Northern Corridor to support the industrial, business and aviation growth in the Loyang, Pasir Ris and Changi regions.
It will serve as an alternative road corridor and decant some traffic from the existing roads. It will also add resilience to the road network in those regions. Motorists and bus commuters travelling from Tampines Expressway and Loyang Avenue junction to Nicoll Drive during the morning peak hour can expect travel time to be reduced from approximately 22 minutes to 16 minutes on average, saving about 30% in travel time.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Strengthening Monitoring Systems to Prevent Abuse of Prescription Drugs","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"77 Dr Choo Pei Ling asked the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs how will the Ministry work with the Ministry of Health to (i) strengthen the monitoring systems to prevent abuse of prescription drugs (ii) expand prescription drug addicts' rehabilitation and support services and (iii) enhance inter-Ministry coordination, including public education efforts, to address any emerging trends in prescription drug abuse.
Mr K Shanmugam: The Ministry of Health and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) oversee registered health products, which include prescription drugs. All prescription medicines require approval by HSA before they can be legally supplied in Singapore and companies licensed to import or distribute prescription medicines are regularly audited.
There are multi-agency enforcement operations to curb the illegal import, manufacture and/or supply of unregistered health products in Singapore, including prescription drugs and illicitly manufactured cough syrup. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Central Narcotics Bureau and Singapore Police Force (SPF) share information and work closely with HSA to strengthen investigation and enforcement against such activities through multi-agency joint operations. For example, SPF refers to HSA any cases of unregistered health products that are detected during Police operations and subsequent investigations. ICA also works closely with HSA to detect and disrupt illegal imports of health products at the Checkpoints. Such operations are publicised, where appropriate, to enhance public education and deterrence.
The Ministry of Home Affairs is not involved in the provision of rehabilitation and support services for prescription drug addicts. Our efforts are focused on supporting abusers of controlled drugs.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Monitoring of Donees and Deputies Appointed under Mental Capacity Act for Compliance with Fiduciary Duties","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"78 Ms Diana Pang Li Yen asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) whether the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) monitors donees and deputies appointed under the Mental Capacity Act for their compliance with fiduciary duties; (b) how does OPG address non-performing deputies who refuse or fail to act; and (c) whether OPG will introduce stronger oversight such as periodic reporting, targeted audits or sanctions.
Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) requires deputies appointed by the Courts under the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) to submit annual reports. The reports must provide an account of decisions made by the deputies for the mentally incapacitated person including how they have managed the property and affairs. This will be used to assess the deputies' compliance with the Court orders and whether they have fulfilled their responsibilities under the MCA.
If OPG suspects potential ill-treatment or abuse of persons who have lost mental capacity, whether through the deputy reports or through whistleblowing, it will investigate and conduct further checks as necessary. This includes assigning a Board of Visitor, comprising of medical professionals and elder care practitioners, to assess the person's condition and standard of care.
Donees or deputies who do not adhere to good practices in managing the property and affairs of the person under a Lasting Power of Attorney or deputyship are placed under closer supervision by OPG, to ensure compliance with their responsibilities. Where there is evidence of fraud or financial mismanagement, OPG may apply to the Court to suspend or revoke the appointment of the errant donee or deputy and require him or her to make restitution to the mentally incapacitated person who has suffered loss. OPG may also refer appropriate cases to the police for criminal action to be taken.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Median Starting Salary for Engineering Graduates Compared with Those in Other Disciplines","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"79 Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Education (a) what is the median starting salary for engineering graduates in 2023 compared to other competitive disciplines; (b) how many engineering graduates entered non-engineering roles within three years of graduation in the past five years; and (c) what measures have been implemented since 2020 to close remuneration and career progression gaps between engineering and other high-demand professions.
Mr Desmond Lee: Based on the Graduate Employment Survey, the median starting salary for Engineering graduates was $4,400 and $2,800 for autonomous university and polytechnic graduates, respectively, in 2023. This is higher than the median starting salary of $4,295 for autonomous university graduates in general and comparable to the median starting salary of $2,800 for polytechnic graduates in the same year.
The Ministry of Education does not track the number of Engineering graduates who entered non-engineering roles within three years of graduation.
Remuneration and career progression opportunities in any sector reflect the market demand for specific skillsets. The respective sector agencies will continue to work with industry to build up their talent pipelines and address sector-specific manpower needs. Our institutes of higher learning will work with these agencies and industry to ensure that the curriculum remains industry relevant and support the upskilling initiatives.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Empowering HDB and Town Council Officers to Issue Mediation Orders and Provide Admissible Statements in Areas Where Community Relations Unit Do Not Operate","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"80 Mr Shawn Loh asked the Minister for National Development whether HDB and Town Council officers can be empowered to issue mediation orders and provide statements that are admissible to the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunal in areas where the Community Relations Unit does not operate.\n \n
Mr Chee Hong Tat: The Minister-in-charge of the Community Relations Unit has the power to appoint public officers and employees of statutory bodies to issue mediation directions (MDs). These include Housing and Development Board (HDB) officers and Town Council officers. We are piloting the Directed Mediation framework in Tampines and HDB officers and officers from the Community Relations Unit are authorised to issue MDs for neighbour noise disputes. We will expand the MD framework to more towns. Given the nature of MDs and that non-compliance can result in a fine of up to $1,500, non-public officers have not been appointed to issue MDs.
The Community Disputes Resolution Tribunal (CDRT) may consider any information that is relevant to the resolution of a CDRT claim. In this regard, the CDRT can ask a HDB or Town Council officer to provide information for the purposes of its proceedings.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Proposal for SkillsFuture to Partner AUs to Provide Subsidised Courses in High-demand Sectors and Implementing Consolidated Lifelong Learning Accounts","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"81 Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Education whether the Ministry will refresh the SkillsFuture model by (i) formally partnering with the Autonomous Universities to provide subsidised courses in high-demand sectors; and (ii) implementing consolidated lifelong learning accounts to facilitate structured, long-term skills progression instead of the current fragmented usage of credits.
Mr Desmond Lee: Under SkillsFuture, our autonomous universities deliver training programmes with funding from the Ministry of Education (MOE) and SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) to meet different upskilling and reskilling needs. These include curated, short training programmes that focus on emerging skills, SkillsFuture Career Transition Programmes, as well as full qualifications and stackable micro-credentials. To tighten the nexus between skills demand and training supply, SkillsFuture Singapore regularly monitors labour market skills needs and provides jobs and skills insights, tools and resources through the Jobs-Skills Portal.
SkillsFuture Singapore provides a range of training support, to help Singaporeans develop to their full potential throughout life. At the age of 25, all Singaporeans receive an opening SkillsFuture Credit of $500, which does not expire and can be used for a wide range of skills-based courses. When they reach 40, Singaporeans receive further training support under the SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme, in the form of additional credits and the Training Allowance, to pursue a substantive skills reboot, to help them stay competitive in a rapidly changing economy. This structured approach to training support recognises that learning needs may evolve throughout one's career.
The Career and Skills Passport, a joint career health initiative between Ministry of Manpower and MOE/SSG, also serves as a personal skills account for every adult Singaporean to track his acquisition of skills through upskilling and work experience. SSG has started to develop personalised training advisories based on this passport, to provide structured guidance to the individual throughout his working life.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Feedback on Bus Captains' Handling of Passengers with Strollers or Prams on Public Buses","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"82 Ms Hany Soh asked the Acting Minister for Transport (a) in the past three years, what is the number of feedback cases received by LTA pertaining to public bus captains' handling of passengers who use strollers or prams on board public buses; and (b) whether LTA will consider implementing or enhancing training for bus captains at the Singapore Bus Academy to address such matters.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: From 2023 to 2025, the Land Transport Authority received an average of about one complaint per month regarding bus captains' handling of passengers travelling with strollers or prams.
New bus captains receive training from the Singapore Bus Academy on how to assist passengers who may need special assistance, including passengers travelling with strollers. Such skills are also part of refresher programmes attended by in-service bus captains, to keep them up to date on the latest best practices.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Measures to Ensure Safe, Nutritious and Affordable Food in Schools","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"84 Ms Hazlina Abdul Halim asked the Minister for Education in light of concerns over the Central Kitchen Meal Model and recent gastroenteritis cases at River Valley Primary School (a) what new measures will be in place to ensure that school meals are safe and nutritious, if any; and (b) what recourse is available to parents, schools and students when catering companies are found to have breached food safety standards.
85 Ms Lee Hui Ying asked the Minister for Education given the challenges of retaining or finding new school canteen stallholders, whether the Ministry will consider providing support for schools to partner local businesses or hawkers in selling food to students at affordable prices.
Mr Desmond Lee: These questions have been addressed in my response on the school canteen and Central Kitchen Meal Model at the Parliamentary Sitting on 3 February 2026, which will be made available on the Ministry of Education's website. [Please refer to \"Enhancing Food Safety Measures Following Recent Gastroenteritis Cases at Primary Schools and Incentives for Operators of School Canteens\", Official Report, 3 February 2026, Vol 96, Issue 15, Oral Answers to Questions section.]
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Monitoring Commercial Rental Trends and Tenant Composition in Heritage Conservation Zones, Suburban Towns and Neighbourhood Centres","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"86 Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether the Government monitors commercial rental trends and tenant composition in heritage conservation zones such as Kampong Glam; and (b) what impact rising rents have on the retention of longstanding or culturally significant retailers and on the overall cultural character of these districts.
87 Mr Saktiandi Supaat asked the Minister for National Development in view of increasing rents in the heartlands (a) whether the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) tracks changes in retail rents in suburban towns and neighbourhood centres, given that its Retail Rental Index reflects only Central Region leases; (b) if not, why not and (c) what measures are in place to mitigate the displacement of long-standing heartland businesses with heritage value due to rising rents.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: This question was addressed in the Ministry of National Development's reply to the questions asked by Ms Denise Phua Lay Peng and Mr Fadli Fawzi on 3 February 2026. [Please refer to \"Moderating Shop Rental Increases in Heritage Precincts Such as Chinatown and Kampong Glam\", Official Report, 3 February 2026, Vol 96, Issue 15, Oral Answers to Questions section.]
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Regulation for Protection of Consumers Affected by Fraudulent Transactions Involving Third-party Payment Platforms","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"1 Mr Gabriel Lam asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance whether clearer regulatory guidance can be issued to protect consumers by setting out (i) how liability is determined when fraudulent transactions involve third-party payment platforms such as digital wallets and (ii) whether banks can disclaim responsibility by attributing losses from fraudulent transactions to such platform interfaces.
Mr Gan Kim Yong (for the Prime Minister): Existing regulatory guidelines, such as the E-Payments User Protection Guidelines, set out duties for financial institutions (FIs) that operate bank accounts or issue personal payment accounts containing e-money (e-wallets), which, in turn, govern the responsibility for losses arising from unauthorised transactions. Examples of such duties include imposing a 12-hour cooling off period after a digital token is activated on a device or after a login to an e-wallet account on a new device and sending real-time transaction notification alerts.
When fraudulent transactions occur involving several FIs, like a bank and e-wallet provider, customers should report promptly to the involved FIs. The Monetary Authority of Singapore expects each FI to investigate the matter and consider whether its individual obligations were fulfilled and whether customers acted responsibly in the context of their individual account relationships with the FI. An FI may not disclaim responsibility solely by citing the involvement of another FI, and should consider the specific circumstances of each case.
Should customers disagree with the outcome of the FI's investigation, they may approach the Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre (FIDReC) for mediation and adjudication. FIDReC is an independent and impartial institution that provides a low-cost dispute resolution service for FIs and their customers. FIDReC will independently consider all available information and whether each party has fulfilled their responsibilities in determining recourse for customers.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Consumer Risk Assessment for Overseas Fraud Victims and Regulatory Guidelines for System Alert Delays and Consumer Loss Liability","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"2 Mr Gabriel Lam asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (a) whether MAS has assessed the risk to consumers when victims of fraudulent transactions are overseas or are unable to receive SMS alerts on a timely basis; and (b) whether regulatory guidelines can be provided on (i) how banks shall account for such cases and (ii) whether consumers shall bear losses arising from system delays of transaction alerts in circumstances beyond their control.
Mr Gan Kim Yong (for the Prime Minister): The Monetary Authority of Singapore's (MAS') E-Payments User Protection Guidelines require banks to provide real-time transaction notification alerts by way of SMS, email or in-app notification. Major retail banks generally offer parallel notifications through at least two channels, with in-app and email notifications being the common default channels. Customers currently receiving notifications by SMS can check if they are also receiving notifications via in-app and email notifications. If not, we strongly encourage that customers opt to do so with their banks, so that they have more channels to be kept informed promptly, even when they are overseas.
When notified of a scam, banks will look into each case. MAS expects banks to treat customers fairly and they must consider if they have fulfilled their obligations. This would include looking into whether notifications were sent in a timely manner. Each incident involves unique circumstances that banks will have to evaluate carefully. If a scam victim is not satisfied with the bank's determination, he or she has the option of approaching the Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre for mediation and adjudication.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Rate of Commercial Viability of RIE-funded Deep Tech Projects and Implementing Outcome-linked Grant Funding Models","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"3 Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (a) what proportion of Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) funded deep tech projects achieve commercial viability; (b) whether the Ministry has studied Israel's model where innovation grants are repaid only upon commercialisation success; and (c) whether RIE2030 will introduce similar outcome-linked funding mechanisms.
Mr Gan Kim Yong (for the Prime Minister): Investing in deep tech is a complex endeavour that takes years. There is no single or simple metric of commercial viability that applies. The Government uses a range of indicators for Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE)-funded projects, such as Intellectual Property (IP) licensing, capability and knowledge building, growing startups and catalysing private sector investment. For example, in RIE2025, of the corporate laboratories that support partnerships between public researchers and companies to co-develop technologies for industry, about 80% are expected to generate licensing revenue from jointly created IP.
Singapore keeps abreast of good practices in deep tech commercialisation from other countries, including Israel. The objectives behind our support schemes and mechanisms for deep tech commercialisation have broad similarities to those of other countries, but the governance and funding structures have been adapted to meet the needs of our RIE ecosystem.
We capture value from RIE through various means, including licensing revenue generated when commercial partners license IP from research institutions or returns from equity stakes when startups built around these technologies achieve commercial success. In addition, research collaborations with both global and local industry partners help anchor them in Singapore, thereby contributing to a more dynamic and competitive economy.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Breakdown of Singapore's Foreign Currency Reserves Protected against Exchange Rate Fluctuations and Safeguards to Prevent Excessive Hedging Activity","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"4 Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (a) what proportion of Singapore's Reserves invested in foreign currencies is currently hedged, disaggregated by the five main currencies; (b) how has the average cost of United States-dollar hedges changed over the past five years; and (c) whether there exist internal thresholds beyond which state investment agencies must cease or scale back such hedging activity.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: Our investment entities, namely GIC and Temasek, invest their portfolios in accordance with their mandates, with the primary objective of achieving sustainable long-term returns. In doing so, they take a holistic view of portfolio risks, including foreign exchange risk, and will take the necessary measures to mitigate these risks.
Market pricing for hedging the United States dollar to the Singapore dollar has increased steadily over the past five years. These costs are one of several factors that our entities consider when managing their portfolio risk exposures. Decisions on such risk mitigation strategies are made by GIC and Temasek in a dynamic manner and may vary across asset classes and market conditions. For commercially and market sensitive reasons, they do not disclose details of their hedging positions or internal risk thresholds.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Data Collection for Household Sector Balance Sheet at Household and Income Decile Levels","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"5 Mr Cai Yinzhou asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry whether the Ministry will consider collecting data for the Household Sector Balance Sheet at the household level and disaggregating the data by household income deciles.
Mr Gan Kim Yong: In line with international practice, the Singapore Department of Statistics compiles the Household Sector Balance Sheet using aggregated data from firms and institutions. As such, it would not be possible to disaggregate the Household Sector Balance Sheet data by household income deciles.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Strengthening Legislation on Vapes by Extending Classification of Etomidate and Related Analogues as Class C Controlled Drugs","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"6 Mr Ng Shi Xuan asked the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs whether the Ministry plans to extend the classification of etomidate and its analogues as Class C controlled drugs pending the Ministry of Health strengthening existing legislation to deal with vapes.
Mr K Shanmugam: The Ministry of Health (MOH) is finalising its proposed legislative amendments and will table it in Parliament within the first half of 2026. The Ministry of Home Affairs will extend the listing of etomidate as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act, until MOH's Bill comes into force.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Usage Statistics of AEDs in HDB Towns and Plans for Expansion to Private Developments","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"7 Mr Pritam Singh asked the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) since their installation, how many automated external defibrillators (AEDs) located in Housing and Development Board towns have been used to assist individuals suffering from medical conditions; and (b) whether there are plans to expand the availability of AEDs to private developments.
Mr K Shanmugam: The Save-a-Life initiative was launched in August 2015 with the aim of installing one automated external defibrillators (AED) at the lift lobby of every two Housing and Development Board (HDB) blocks across Singapore. By end-2025, over 5,000 AEDs had been deployed under this programme. These AEDs have been used more than 4,500 times.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) partners with community partners and Residents' Networks on the installation of AEDs in private residential developments, including landed estates and condominiums. SCDF is also working with the Singapore Heart Foundation to maintain a registry for all publicly accessible AEDs, engage businesses to install AEDs on their premises, and encourage registration of these devices on the national registry.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Regulatory Requirements for Commercial Landlords and Enforcement Measures for Premises Conducting Vice Activities","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"8 Ms Elysa Chen asked the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) what are the regulatory obligations for landlords of commercial properties to exercise due diligence regarding the nature of businesses operating on their premises; and (b) what enforcement action will the relevant authorities take against landlords when their premises are found to be used for illegal vice or sex trade activities.\n
Mr K Shanmugam: All property owners are expected to exercise due diligence when leasing out their premises to ensure that they comply with the relevant laws and regulations. This includes ensuring that their properties are not used for vice activities.
If such premises are found to be used for vice activities, property owners are criminally liable under section 148(4) of the Women's Charter unless they can show that they had no knowledge and could not, with reasonable due diligence, have ascertained the premises were used for vice activities at the point of entering into tenancy agreements. Police will take enforcement action where warranted.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Rationale for Singapore Citizen Minors' Applications for New or Replacement Passports Without Parental Consent","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"9 Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs why Singapore Citizens aged 16 and above and are still considered minors can apply for a new or replacement passport on their own without parental consent.
Mr K Shanmugam: The Passports Regulations 2007 requires a passport application to be accompanied by parental consent only when the child is below 16 years of age. The age cut-off is consistent with section 361 of the Penal Code which criminalises kidnapping from lawful guardianship, if a minor below 16 years of age is removed from a lawful guardian without the guardian's consent.
This age cut-off seeks to strike a balance between requiring parents to consent (when applicant is below 16) and giving parents the discretion within family arrangements to allow their children to apply for a passport (when aged 16 and above).
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Exploitation of Youths Involved in Vaping Offences as Distributors or Intermediaries and Rehabilitation Pathways for First-time Youth Offenders","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"10 Mr Jackson Lam asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) whether youths involved in vaping offences are increasingly being exploited as distributors or intermediaries; (b) how such cases are assessed to distinguish users from organised sellers; and (c) what diversion or rehabilitation pathways exist for such first-time youth offenders.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: We are not seeing an increasing trend of youth being involved in the supply or sale of e-vaporisers.
We impose stiff penalties against supply and sale of e-vaporisers to ensure sufficient deterrence and protect Singaporeans from the harms of e-vaporisers. In the course of investigations, the Health Sciences Authority takes into account several factors, including the quantity and types of illicit products involved, as well as evidence of intent to sell or supply to others, to determine the nature of the offence.
Factors, such as their age or number of past offences, will also be taken into consideration by the Courts when determining the appropriate sentences.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Update on Strengthening Regulation Measures and Legislation on Vape Laws and Etomidate","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"11 Mr Ng Shi Xuan asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health whether the Ministry can provide an update on when existing legislation will be strengthened to deal with vapes, including those with more harmful substances like etomidate.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: The Ministry of Health is finalising its proposed legislative amendments and will table it in Parliament within the first half of 2026.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Breakdown of Long-term Accident and Health Insurance Premiums Collected and Claims Made by Hospital Plan Type","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"12 Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) whether the Ministry tracks gross premiums collected and claims settled for long-term accident and health insurance, disaggregated by (i) private hospital Integrated Shield Plans and (ii) public hospital Class A or B1 plans; and (b) if not, whether it will require insurers to provide this breakdown in regulatory submissions, rather than reporting only aggregate figures.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: Annually, insurers submit to the Ministry of Health the gross premiums collected and claims settled for Integrated Shield Plans, broken down by the ward class and type of the plan. The numbers reveal that loss ratios for private hospitals are higher than public non-subsidised wards. However, only aggregate numbers are publicly available.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Unsubstantiated Complaints Lodged against Healthcare Workers in Last Three Years and Enforcement Measures to Deter Repeat Offenders","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"13 Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) over the last three years, how many complaints lodged against healthcare workers, including nurses, are found to be frivolous and vexatious after investigations; (b) whether investigations are conducted against such complainants, especially in cases where the complaints are lodged anonymously; and (c) whether the Ministry will consider enhancing enforcement actions against repeat complainants to deter such behaviour.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: The Ministry of Health and Public Healthcare Institutions have established systems to process complaints appropriately. For complaints that are frivolous, a polite reply may be issued. Complaints that raise serious concerns are investigated, even if they are submitted anonymously. In cases where complainants become abusive, we disengage from further communication. However, we do not specifically track the number of frivolous, vexatious or anonymous complaints.
For complaints lodged with the Professional Boards, there are procedures in place to investigate these complaints and dismiss those that are unsubstantiated. In the past three years, 32% of complaints were dismissed this way.
The Professional Boards do not initiate investigations against frivolous complainants. However, measures are in place to deter frivolous and vexatious complaints. For example, individuals making complaints against registered healthcare practitioners are generally required to make a statutory declaration concerning their complaint. Action may be taken against complainants who make false declarations.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Subsidies Available for Knee Osteoarthritis Injectable Therapy and Approval Thresholds for Other Regenerative Injections","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"14 Dr Hamid Razak asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) given that steroids and hyaluronic acid are currently the only injectable therapy subsidised for knee osteoarthritis, whether the Ministry has assessed how this compares with international guidelines; and (b) what clinical and cost-effectiveness thresholds must be met for other regenerative injections to be considered for approval or subsidy.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: Subsidies are accorded to treatments if they are assessed to be clinically effective, safe and cost-effective. Hence, only intra-articular corticosteroid injections are currently subsidised for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.
Hyaluronic acid and other regenerative injections are currently not subsidised as there is insufficient evidence of their clinical effectiveness. This assessment is aligned with high-quality international guidelines. The Ministry of Health will continue to evaluate the evidence from both local and overseas studies as these become available.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Data on PREDICT Programme Screening and Plans to Expand Outreach of Programme","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"15 Dr Choo Pei Ling asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health regarding the PaREnthood genetic DIsease Carrier Test (PREDICT) Programme (a) how many couples have been screened; (b) how many screenings have been conducted before and during pregnancy respectively; (c) how does the Ministry reach out to couples to publicise screening availability; (d) whether the programme be expanded to all obstetric clinics; and (e) if so, when.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: The Parenthood Genetic Disease Carrier Test (PREDICT) programme is an ongoing pilot programme to screen parents for autosomal recessive genetic conditions such as Pompe disease and spinal muscular atrophy, which are not covered in existing prenatal screening tests. The pilot was started in 2024 by KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH). As at end 2025, a total of 674 couples has undergone screening during the pre-conception phase at KKH.
The Ministry of Health will work with KKH to assess the clinical and cost effectiveness of the pilot when the results are available to determine if the PREDICT screening tests should become a mainstream service.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Data on Rejected Applications for Subsidies under Seniors Mobility and Enabling Fund","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"16 Ms Lee Hui Ying asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health for the past five years, how many and what percentage of applications for subsidies under the Seniors Mobility and Enabling Fund were rejected because the applicants did not meet the additional criteria for mobility vehicles.\n
Mr Ong Ye Kung: Applicants for a subsidised Motorised Device (MD) under the Seniors' Mobility and Enabling Fund (SMF) must fulfil the following criteria beyond the standard SMF eligibility requirements: (i) requires an MD to be able to age in place within the community, as assessed by a doctor's memo; (ii) is mentally and physically fit to drive the MD; and (iii) not able to use a manual wheelchair independently and does not have a full-time caregiver who is able to push the wheelchair.
Naturally, some applicants will not qualify. However, the Ministry of Health and the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) do not track success or rejection rates. Applicants who require further assistance on SMF may approach AIC for more information and support.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Breakdown of Day-surgery Bills Fully Covered by MediSave and Bills Requiring Out-of-pocket Payment from 2020 to 2025","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"17 Mr Pritam Singh asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health for each year from 2020 to 2025 (a) what percentage of day-surgery bills were fully covered by Medisave; and (b) for bills not fully covered, how much cash was needed to settle bills at the 25th, median, and 75th percentiles. \n\n
Mr Ong Ye Kung: Based on available data between 2020 and 2024, over eight in 10 Singapore Citizens did not pay cash out-of-pocket for their subsidised day surgeries after MediSave and MediShield Life. Among the minority who incurred cash out of pocket, the large majority paid less than $500.
MediFund is available to those who require help affording healthcare expenses after subsidies, MediSave and MediShield Life. No one will lose access to appropriate healthcare due to an inability to pay.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Update on Development of Potential Dengue Vaccine and Patient Support Service for Dengvaxia Vaccine","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"18 Ms He Ting Ru asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) for an update on the development of potential dengue vaccines or drugs; and (b) what assistance or support is available to recovered dengue patients contemplating whether to take the Dengvaxia vaccine.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: Dengvaxia is currently the only licensed dengue vaccine in Singapore. The supplier has decided to discontinue it due to low global demand. It is therefore only available for individuals who have already initiated the three-dose series.
There are two other dengue vaccines approved in other countries – Qdenga and Butantan-Dengue Vaccine. These vaccines are however not approved for use in Singapore. One had withdrawn its application following a review by the Health Sciences Authority on its submitted scientific data and there is no application for the other. Another dengue vaccine candidate, V181, developed by MSD, is currently undergoing Phase 3 clinical trial.
The Ministry of Health and relevant agencies will continue to monitor the development of dengue vaccines and therapeutics as part of a multi-pronged approach to dengue control in Singapore.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Usage of Blue and Orange CHAS Card for Discounted Products and Services at Non-healthcare Retailers","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"19 Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health whether the Government has conducted a study on the number of retailers and types of sectors outside of healthcare that have adopted the Community Health Assist Scheme Blue and Orange cards as a basis to offer discounted products and services.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: Some retailers have chosen to use Community Health Assist Scheme cards to offer special benefits or discounts to targeted customer segments. These are private initiatives and unrelated to Government subsidies for healthcare. As such, my Ministry does not collect data on such uses.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Data on Women in Elective Egg Freezing Programme by Participation Numbers and Age since July 2023, and Average Cost of One Complete Cycle at Public Hospitals","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"20 Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) how many women have undergone elective egg freezing since its implementation in July 2023; (b) what is the age breakdown of these women; and (c) what is the average total out-of-pocket cost for one complete cycle of elective egg freezing at public hospitals.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: Since the introduction of elective egg freezing (EEF) in June 2023, more than 800 women have undergone EEF (as of 31 December 2025). Approximately 57% of them are 35 years and above, 39% between 30 to 34 years, and 4% below 30 years. An egg freezing cycle at public hospitals costs approximately $10,000.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Impact of US' Withdrawal from International Organisations on Singapore and Resultant Contribution Changes","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"21 Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs following the United States' (US') withdrawal from certain international organisations in January 2026 (a) what is the assessment of the impact on Singapore; (b) whether Singapore's annual financial contributions to these international organisations will increase as a result; and (c) whether the Government intends to deepen its investment in these organisations or adopt a more cautious approach.
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: This question for written answer has been addressed by an earlier response to Question No 98 on the Order Paper for 3 February 2026 [Please refer to \"Impact of US' Withdrawal from International Bodies on Singapore's Interests\", Official Report, 3 February 2026, Vol 96, Issue 15, Written Answers to Questions for Oral Answer not Answered by End of Question Time section.].
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Plans for Adequate Designated Public Fishing Zones","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"22 Mr Cai Yinzhou asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) how does the Ministry measure whether there are adequate designated fishing zones for the public; (b) whether there are plans to open more designated fishing zones; and (c) whether there are any public consultation in town planning and design to incorporate fishing zones.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: The Public Utilities Board does not actively plan for fishing zones, but will assess requests for recreational fishing along waterways and reservoirs, based on safety considerations and with input from relevant land planning agencies.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Publicly Accessible Monitoring Registry Tracking Removal Status of Asbestos from Older Buildings","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"23 Dr Choo Pei Ling asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment regarding asbestos in older buildings (a) whether the Ministry has an updated registry of such buildings that is accessible to the public; (b) if so, what measures and incentives are available for owners to remove asbestos; and (c) how the Ministry monitors and manages asbestos exposure risks for visitors to these buildings.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: There is no central register of asbestos in buildings. Building owners are responsible for ensuring compliance with the requirements relating to work involving asbestos in their buildings. Under the Ministry of Manpower's (MOM's) Workplace Safety and Health (Asbestos) Regulations, asbestos surveys need to be conducted prior to carrying out building works in buildings built before 1 January 1991.
The need to remove asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) depends on the condition of the material. ACMs in buildings pose minimal health risks if the materials are in good condition and are not damaged. However, if the ACMs are damaged or likely to be disturbed due to building works, building owners must engage an asbestos-removal contractor approved by MOM to remove the ACMs.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Licensing Criteria and Approval Processes for Central Kitchens in Shophouse Units","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"24 Ms Diana Pang Li Yen asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) whether shophouse units may be licensed as central kitchens; (b) what criteria apply to such licenses; and (c) whether existing safeguards sufficiently address food hygiene and safety across such operations and their distribution to food and beverage establishments.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: Central kitchens must generally be located within designated food zone areas or in approved food factories with the infrastructure in place to support the food processing operations. In view of the nature and scale of the use, central kitchens are not allowed in shophouses.
Central kitchens are involved in significant food handling and have a larger scale of distribution than other food and beverage establishments. They are therefore subjected to more frequent inspections by the Singapore Food Agency based on factors, such as the food safety risk of food they prepare and their food safety track record.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Bass Noise Assessment of Shophouse Pubs and Discos to Address Disturbance Reports by Surrounding Units","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"25 Ms Diana Pang Li Yen asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) whether National Environment Agency (NEA) will adopt standards to measure low-frequency bass sounds such as from pubs and discos on the first floor of shophouses, which may not be captured by decibel meters, to address disturbance reports from residents on upper floors and nearby homes; and (b) whether NEA will coordinate with Urban Redevelopment Authority and Singapore Police Force to address this.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: Nightlife establishments, such as pubs and discotheques, are required to comply with noise control requirements as stipulated in the licensing conditions in their Public Entertainment licence issued by the Singapore Police Force (SPF). Where necessary, these establishments may also be required to implement additional noise mitigation measures.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) does not regulate nightlife establishments. Upon feedback from residents, NEA will work with SPF and other agencies to engage these nightlife establishments to take further mitigation measures as far as practicable.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Coverage Selection Criteria for Project Wolbachia in Private Estates and Possible Expansion towards Changi Division","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"26 Ms Valerie Lee asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) what other factors, besides Aedes mosquito population, historical dengue prevalence and estate size and landscape, are considered for the selection of estates for Project Wolbachia releases; (b) what percentage of households in private residential estates is currently included in Project Wolbachia; and (c) whether there are plans for Project Wolbachia to be expanded to Changi Division.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: Site selection for Project Wolbachia is based on the assessed dengue risk of the area, and the main considerations are the historical dengue situation, current Aedes aegypti mosquito population and the size and landscape of the area.
Currently, Project Wolbachia covers 35% of private landed estate households. The National Environment Agency (NEA) has announced that Project Wolbachia will be expanded to the Housing and Development Board estate in Pasir Ris, which includes parts of Changi division, from March 2026. NEA will announce new sites for further expansion of Project Wolbachia when ready.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Data on DigitalAccess@Home Scheme Household Support and Measures to Increase Take-up Rate","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"27 Mr David Hoe asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information (a) how many households have been supported with subsidised broadband and device packages since the launch of DigitalAccess@Home Scheme in April 2023; (b) whether the scheme is on track of (i) its target to support 60,000 households and (ii) the allocated budget of $80 million; and (c) if not, what steps will be taken to increase the take-up rate among eligible households.
Mrs Josephine Teo: The DigitalAccess@Home scheme has supported over 30,000 assistance packages to low-income households since its launch in 2023. The figures cited by the Member represent resources provisioned to meet demand from qualifying households, rather than predetermined targets to be achieved.
Nonetheless, the Infocomm Media Development Authority works together with Government agencies, such as the Ministry of Social and Family Development and the Ministry of Education, and social sector partners (for example, Social Service Agencies, Family Service Centres) to raise awareness of the scheme and streamline applications processing.
We will continue to promote the scheme to ensure inclusive digital access for all.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Government Call Verification Measures to Protect Seniors against Scams","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"28 Ms Valerie Lee asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information (a) whether the Government has assessed the impact of heightened scam vigilance on agencies' ability to contact residents, especially seniors; (b) what measures are in place to help residents verify Government agencies' calls; and (c) when will a permanent nationalised caller ID system identifying Government-assistance related calls be implemented.
Mrs Josephine Teo: The Member is right to be concerned that vigilance against scams may discourage residents from receiving legitimate calls from public officers. Having heard about scammers who impersonate Government officials, they may feel it is safer not to engage with anyone who claims to represent a public agency.
Thus far, this problem has not significantly affected public service delivery. Nonetheless, the Government is exploring ways to help the public identify genuine calls from public agencies. This has been addressed in our reply to the question on \"Additional Measures to Tackle Increase in Cases of Government Officials Impersonation and Phishing Scams\" published after the Sitting of 23 September 2025. [Please refer to \"Additional Measures to Tackle Increase in Cases of Government Officials Impersonation and Phishing Scams\", Official Report, 23 September 2025, Vol 96, Issue 3, Written Answers to Questions for Oral Answer not Answered by End of Question Time section.]
In the meantime, we have issued advisories to remind the public that Government officials will never ask them to transfer money, disclose bank log-in details over a phone call or install mobile applications from unofficial app stores. We recognise that such messages take time to be internalised. We will continue to feature them prominently through various communication channels, including websites, mobile applications, social media, physical letters, collaterals and digital display panels. If in doubt, members should call the 24/7 ScamShield Helpline at 1799.
The Cyber Security Agency of Singapore and the Ministry of Home Affairs will also be piloting a National Simulated Scams Exercise, focusing initially on Government Officials Impersonation Scams. Members of the public can register to take part at https://go.gov.sg/NSSE to experience the scam tactics in a safe environment and learn how to avoid falling prey.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Assessment of AI Technology Uptake among Singaporean SMEs Versus MNCs, and Individuals","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"29 Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information whether the Government has conducted studies on the adoption and active usage of artificial intelligence software by (i) companies with a breakdown between small and medium enterprises versus multinational corporations and (ii) individuals in Singapore.
Mrs Josephine Teo: The Government tracks artificial intelligence (AI) adoption as part of broader efforts to develop the digital economy. Since 2023, the Infocomm Media Development Authority has been publishing the annual Singapore Digital Economy Report, which contains data on AI adoption by companies of different sizes and workers in Singapore. The Member may wish to refer to it.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Bus Services Fare Hike at Pathlight School and Analysis of Participants in Tender Exercise","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"30 Ms Gho Sze Kee asked the Minister for Education (a) whether the Ministry has any information on the circumstances of the tender exercise for school bus services at Pathlight School that led to the 40% to 50% increase in bus fares; (b) if so, what are the circumstances; and (c) whether the number of bidders who participated in the tender exercise and the quote of the next-lowest unsuccessful bid can be shared.
Mr Desmond Lee: This question has been addressed as part of the Ministry of Education's reply to Oral Question No 74 on 3 February 2026. [Please refer to \"Number of Bidders for School Bus Service Contracts for SPED Schools\", Official Report, 3 February 2026, Vol 96, Issue 15, Written Answers to Questions for Oral Answer not Answered by End of Question Time section.]
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Addressing Challenges and Strengthening English Language Learning Outcomes in Primary Schools","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"31 Mr David Hoe asked the Minister for Education (a) what is the Ministry's current approach to teaching English language in primary schools, particularly in balancing contextualised communication with explicit instructions on grammar and vocabulary; (b) whether the Ministry has observed declining grammatical accuracy or knowledge of the English Language as pedagogy shifted over recent decades; and (c) what challenges does the Ministry face in strengthening these outcomes.
Mr Desmond Lee: In our primary school classrooms, English Language teachers adopt a balanced approach of contextualised and explicit teaching of English. Our students learn English through engaging stories and texts, complemented by direct instruction in grammar and vocabulary. Reading and writing are interwoven with oracy activities where students get to speak more extensively than in the past.
The shifts in pedagogy over the decades and wider use of English in homes have led to increased confidence in spoken communication and stronger reading literacy among our students. Our Primary 4 students' reading literacy scores in the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) have shown steady improvement over the past 20 years.
However, enjoyment of reading among our students has declined based on the PIRLS Study between 2016 and 2021. This trend is also observed globally. Reading widely and for enjoyment is important for language development. Broader shifts from reading to other forms of entertainment are challenges to sustaining the reading habit. The Ministry of Education will continue to partner schools, public libraries and parents to sustain the joy of reading in students.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Breakdown of GCE \"O\" Level Results' Grade Distribution for Past Three Years","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"32 Mr Foo Cexiang asked the Minister for Education for a breakdown of Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level results by percentage of grades for the past three years.
Mr Desmond Lee: The percentages of General Certificate of Education \"O\" Level students who obtained grade C6 or better in the core subjects of English Language, Mother Tongue Languages and Mathematics have remained consistently high from 2023 to 2025. In each of these subjects, about nine in 10 students achieved grade C6 or better.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Breakdown of GCE \"N\" (Academic) Level and \"N\" (Technical) Level Results' Grade Distribution for Past Three Years","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"33 Mr Foo Cexiang asked the Minister for Education for a breakdown of Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Normal (Academic) and Normal (Technical) Level Examinations results by percentage of grades for the past three years.
Mr Desmond Lee: The percentages of General Certificate of Education (GCE) \"Normal\" (Technical) (N(T)) Level students who obtained grade D or better and GCE \"Normal\" (Academics) (N(A)) Level students who obtained grade 5 or better in the core subjects of English Language (EL), Mother Tongue Language (MTL) and Mathematics have remained consistently high from 2023 to 2025.
About nine in 10 GCE N(T) Level students achieved grade D or better in EL and MTL respectively, while about eight in 10 achieved grade D or better in Mathematics.
More than nine in 10 GCE N(A) Level students achieved grade 5 or better in EL and Mathematics respectively, while more than eight in 10 achieved grade 5 or better in MTL.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Extension of SkillsFuture Mid-Career Training Allowance for Clinical Mental Health Counselling Training","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"34 Dr Charlene Chen asked the Minister for Education (a) whether the SkillsFuture Mid-Career Training Allowance can be selectively extended to support accredited postgraduate training for clinical mental health counselling, which has a shortage of trained professionals; and (b) if so, whether any such allowance will also be available during clinical placement periods that form part of the training and accreditation.
Mr Desmond Lee: The SkillsFuture Mid-Career Training Allowance supports mid-career substantive training up to the undergraduate degree level. There are no plans to extend the Training Allowance to postgraduate programmes at this juncture. We will continue to monitor the need for postgraduate upgrading and adjust our level of support accordingly.
Mid-career Singaporeans can use their SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career) of $4,000 to offset the out-of-pocket training fees for postgraduate programmes offered by the Autonomous Universities. Individuals can also apply for sectoral sponsorships and school-based study awards.
35 Ms Elysa Chen asked the Minister for Education whether the Government is exploring the expansion of international schools with Singaporean curriculum in Southeast Asia under the premise that international schools can support inter-regional talent mobility and work opportunities for Singaporeans as well as expansion of Singaporean businesses into regional markets.
Mr Desmond Lee: The Ministry of Education (MOE) has no plans to set up new international schools with Singaporean curriculum in Southeast Asia.
When Singaporeans move abroad, their children can apply for Leave of Absence from their school. While they are overseas, they can access online learning resources to keep abreast with the local curriculum. This can ease their eventual transition back to our education system. When they return to Singapore, they can be readmitted to the school directly. For those who need to apply to the next level of school (for example, secondary school or junior college), MOE also supports their placement into our mainstream schools.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Statistics on School Gastroenteritis Cases by Food Source from 2022 to 2025","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"36 Ms Lee Hui Ying asked the Minister for Education from January 2022 to December 2025, what is the number of gastroenteritis cases in schools due to food consumed by the students from (i) central kitchen caterers (ii) canteens and (iii) general food and beverage outlets in schools.
Mr Desmond Lee: This question has been addressed as part of the Ministry of Education's oral reply to Question Nos 14 to 20 on 3 February 2026. [Please refer to \"Enhancing Food Safety Measures Following Recent Gastroenteritis Cases at Primary Schools and Incentives for Operators of School Canteens\", Official Report, 3 February 2026, Vol 96, Issue 15, Oral Answers to Questions section.]
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Timeline Status for Multi-Agency Task Force on Invisible Disabilities in Justice System","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"37 Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked the Minister for Law (a) whether the multi-agency task force to support persons with invisible disabilities in the justice system has been convened; (b) if not, what is the expected timeline for its formation; and (c) if it has been convened, when will the task force publish its findings and recommendations.
Mr Edwin Tong Chun Fai: On 26 March 2025, the Ministry first announced its commitment to a taskforce to better support persons with “invisible disabilities” in the criminal justice system at the inaugural Access to Justice Symposium hosted by Pro Bono SG. The organising committee for the Symposium was led by Ms Peggy Yee, Managing Director of PYLegal LLC and advocate for persons with “invisible disabilities”.
Since then, the Ministry has been working with Ms Yee and other key stakeholders and community partners on foundational steps for the taskforce's work: bringing together representatives with the right expertise and experience, identifying the taskforce's preliminary scope and the potential areas that it may study and establishing the necessary administrative and support structures.
The formal launch of the Inclusive Justice Taskforce was announced on 8 January 2026.1
The taskforce is co-led by Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Law and Social and Family Development Mr Eric Chua and Ms Yee. It comprises a multi-disciplinary group of representatives from across the private and public sector, including lawyers, policymakers, law enforcement officers, social service professionals, healthcare experts, community partners and caregiver representatives.
It will examine how our society can better support individuals with disabilities and mental health conditions who are at risk of offending or may interact with Singapore's criminal justice system, including accused persons, victims and witnesses. A thorough and consultative review process will be undertaken to ensure that the taskforce's recommendations are well-considered and practical.
The taskforce has started its work and will provide an update on its progress or recommendations in due course.
The Ministry looks forward to the taskforce’s contributions as part of our ongoing commitment to strengthen our legal system and advance access to justice to all, including those who are vulnerable.
This launch is the latest instalment in the Ministry's extensive efforts to ensure that our legal system remains effective, accessible and inclusive. These include our efforts to make laws, legal processes and Court procedures easier to understand and navigate, the provision of civil legal aid and criminal defence aid to lower-income beneficiaries by the Legal Aid Bureau and the Public Defender's Office, and our partnerships with Pro Bono SG, the legal fraternity and social service agencies to provide more holistic socio-legal support to those in need.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":["1 : Link to the Ministry of Law’s Press Release on the launch of the Inclusive Justice Taskforce can be found here: https://www.mlaw.gov.sg/new-taskforce-launched-to-better-support-persons-with-disabilities-and-mental-health-conditions-in-criminal-justice-system/"],"footNoteQuestions":["37"],"questionNo":"37"},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Expansion of Legal Aid Scheme for Persons With Special Needs Ineligible for Pro Bono Legal Services","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"38 Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked the Minister for Law whether the Ministry will consider expanding existing legal aid schemes or introducing new targeted legal support initiatives for persons with special needs who do not currently qualify for pro bono legal services.
Mr Edwin Tong Chun Fai: The Legal Aid Bureau and the Public Defender's Office provide legal aid to Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents, including those with special needs, who satisfy the means and merits tests.
Applicants with special needs who do not meet the means test criteria but have extenuating circumstances will also have their applications reviewed by an independent Means Test Panel for possible support.
Pro Bono SG provides legal assistance at their Community Law Centres and various legal clinics across Singapore. They run schemes, such as the Ad Hoc Pro Bono Scheme, which accepts referrals for needy or vulnerable individuals who do not qualify for other legal aid schemes but require legal help due to exceptional circumstances.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Streamlined Neighbour Dispute Resolution Outlets for Failed Community Mediation Cases","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"39 Mr Shawn Loh asked the Minister for Law whether the Government can consider reducing the barriers for neighbour dispute cases to seek recourse through the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals (CDRT) such as by empowering the Community Mediation Centre, on the advice of agencies, to refer cases involving failed mediation to the CDRT without the need for a fresh application or additional costs.
Mr Edwin Tong Chun Fai: The Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals (CDRT) is an avenue of last resort for addressing neighbour disputes, after all other amicable options such as mediation, have failed. As a Court of law, the CDRT must adhere to certain basic principles to ensure the fair and proper administration of justice. For example, CDRT claims must be supported by evidence, and the respondent must be given the opportunity of a fair hearing.
At the same time, the CDRT framework is intended to be affordable and accessible.
First, fees and costs ought not to discourage genuine cases. CDRT filing fees are kept low. In addition, individuals with demonstrated financial need can apply for an upfront fee waiver. Those who succeed in their claim may recover the filing costs from the respondent.
Second, the CDRT’s processes are much simpler than other litigation proceedings. Residents can file and manage a CDRT claim online through the Community Justice and Tribunals System (CJTS). The CJTS allows residents to commence or respond to a claim using plain English forms, and also leverages on Singpass to auto-populate personal particulars.
Third, CDRT claims are heard using simplified processes. CDRT Judges take an active role in managing the case, such as by posing questions to parties or asking them to produce supporting evidence. Parties are not expected to, and generally cannot, engage legal representation.
In the review leading to the Community Disputes Resolution (Amendment) Act 2024, the Ministry considered empowering the Community Mediation Centre (CMC) to refer unsuccessful mediation cases to the CDRT. However, this is difficult to implement for various reasons, including the fact that the CMC is not able to share detailed case information with the CDRT as the mediation process is private and confidential. Additionally, parties may be more reluctant to attempt mediation or engage in frank discussions if the CMC is able to refer cases or provide detailed information to the CDRT.
Nonetheless, parties who attend mediation at the CMC are informed of other avenues to seek further recourse, including filing a CDRT claim if mediation is unsuccessful.
For completeness, under the Community Disputes Resolution (Amendment) Act 2024, officers from the Community Relations Unit (CRU) are empowered to investigate cases, collect evidence, and submit the same to the CDRT. The CRU is currently being piloted in the Housing and Development Board (HDB) estates of Tampines Town for serious noise and hoarding cases. In addition, we are working to operationalise an enhanced process to enable the Director-General of the CRU to apply for a dispute to be heard by the CDRT.
Individuals who require assistance with filing their CDRT claims or have questions regarding a fee waiver may visit the State Courts Service Hub, located at Level 2 of the State Courts.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Study on Labour Impacted by AI in SMEs and Plans to Support Workers Substituted by AI","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"40 Mr Shawn Loh asked the Minister for Manpower with SMEs employing 70% of the workforce (a) whether the Government can consider conducting a study to better estimate for whom artificial intelligence (AI) is complementary and for whom AI is a substitute for their labour; and (b) whether there are differences between SMEs and MNCs so that the Government can have more targeted plans for those substituted.
Dr Tan See Leng: The Government is studying the impact of the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) on Singapore's labour market, including how AI may substitute or complement different groups of workers.
While we recognise that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and multinational corporations (MNCs) operate in different contexts, with varying structural complexities, risk appetites, organisational capabilities and resources, the impact of AI on workers and firms depends more on the nature of business activities and job roles than on firm size. Accordingly, the Government's workforce transformation programmes support all firms to redesign jobs and reskill workers in tandem with AI adoption. Our programme partners tailor the level of support provided to meet firms' needs, offering closer guidance for those undertaking larger and more complex workforce transformation projects.
The Government remains committed to helping all workers prepare for AI and stay relevant, regardless of the type of jobs or firms that they are in today. For workers displaced by AI, we will also work with companies to support their transition into new roles through workforce transformation and reskilling programmes.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Data on Distribution of Singaporean Workers in Outward- and Domestic-Oriented Sectors of Years 2015 with 2025","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"41 Mr Shawn Loh asked the Minister for Manpower (a) what is the number and proportion of Singaporean workers in (i) outward-oriented sectors as compared to (ii) domestic-oriented sectors, for the most recent year compared to ten years before that; and (b) whether the employment distribution trend, if any, is expected to continue in the future.
Dr Tan See Leng: In December 2025, outward-oriented sectors1 employed 1.25 million residents (or 50.5% of all employed residents), compared to domestic-oriented sectors2 which employed 1.21 million residents (or 48.7%).3
These distributions closely mirror the distribution observed 10 years ago, when outward-oriented sectors employed 1.14 million residents (or 50.4%) and domestic-oriented sectors employed 1.10 million residents (or 48.6%).
Business transformation and technology adoption will continue to change the nature of jobs. The distribution of resident employment between outward-oriented and domestic-oriented sectors may evolve. The Government will continue to work with tripartite partners to equip Singaporeans with the skills needed for future jobs.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":["1 : Outward-oriented sectors refer to Manufacturing, Wholesale Trade, Accommodation, Transportation and Storage, Information and Communications, Financial and Insurance Services, and Professional Services.","2 : Domestic-oriented sectors refer to Construction, Retail Trade, Food and Beverage Services, Real Estate Services, Administrative and Support Services, and Community, Social and Personal Services.","3 : Data for December 2025 are preliminary. Proportions for the respective time periods do not sum up to 100% due to a residual group of industries that are not separately shown. Source: Administrative Records and Labour Force Survey, Manpower Research and Statistics Department, Ministry of Manpower."],"footNoteQuestions":["41"],"questionNo":"41"},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Regulatory Measures against Systematic Base Fare Cuts by Platform Companies after Implementation of CPF Contribution Scheme","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"42 Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Manpower (a) what is the monthly median change in net take-home pay for platform workers who opted into the CPF contribution scheme since January 2025; (b) whether the Ministry has detected any systematic reduction in base fares or incentive premiums by platform operators that offsets the operator’s required share of contributions; and (c) what measures are implemented to prevent such practices.
Dr Tan See Leng: Between January and September 2025, the monthly median change in net-take home earnings1 for platform workers who opted2 to increase their CPF contributions beyond the mandatory MediSave contributions ranged from a decrease of 12.7% to an increase of 8.2%. No consistent trend was observed, as monthly earnings fluctuate depending on factors, such as hours worked and the seasonality of demand and supply.
We have not received any feedback from platform workers and Platform Work Associations that suggests systemic reduction in fares or incentive premiums due to CPF contributions. In September 2025, the Platform Workers Trilateral Group – comprising the Ministry of Manpower, the Ministry of Transport, the National Trades Union Congress and major platform operators – released a set of industry-wide principles that establish baseline expectations for platform operators when setting and reviewing their fares and incentives. These principles include fair and transparent earnings for platform workers, as well as visibility on structural changes to incentive schemes. Platform workers may seek assistance from their registered Platform Work Associations if they have concerns with the way fares and incentives are set.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":["1 : Net take-home earnings are calculated by gross earnings minus the Fixed Expense Deduction Amount (FEDA) and platform workers' share of the CPF contributions.","2 : Based on opted-in platform workers who received increased CPF contributions in platform operators’ submissions for any of the months between January to September 2025. This does not include platform workers with no CPF contributions, as they earn below the respective income threshold, i.e., $50 or less in that month."],"footNoteQuestions":["42"],"questionNo":"42"},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Five-Year Trend Analysis of Disguised Retrenchment Cases Reported to MOM and TAFEP","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"43 Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked the Minister for Manpower for each year from 2021 to 2025, how many complaints of disguised retrenchments have the Ministry and Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) received.
Dr Tan See Leng: From 2021 to 2025, the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) received fewer than 10 complaints each year on disguised retrenchment. This represented less than 1% of total complaints received each year.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Ten-Year Statistics on Employment Pass Exception Approvals and Assessment Criteria","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"44 Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for Manpower (a) for each of the last 10 years, what is the total number of Employment Pass applications that have been granted which do not meet the qualifying salary, broken down by industry sector respectively; and (b) what factors are considered when granting such flexibility.
Dr Tan See Leng: Over 2016 to 2025, the Employment Pass (EP) qualifying salary has increased from $3,300 to $5,600, while the number of EPs has increased from 192,300 to 202,100. Table 1 provides the number of EPs issued that did not meet the EP qualifying salary over this period.
The Ministry of Manpower works with the Ministry of Trade and Industry and economic agencies to provide targeted flexibilities in support of our national priorities. These flexibilities support Singapore's economic growth and transformation and promote job creation for locals, such as in courting new investments and supporting research and innovation.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Disqualification Criteria for Hiring Live-in Migrant Domestic Workers","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"45 Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan asked the Minister for Manpower (a) what criteria currently disqualify individuals from hiring migrant domestic workers; and (b) whether individuals with criminal convictions for violent offenses are prohibited from hiring live-in migrant domestic workers.
Dr Tan See Leng: Employers can be debarred from hiring migrant domestic workers (MDWs) if they commit serious offences against an MDW. These include physical or sexual abuse, non-payment of salary, inadequate provision of food or rest and instructing their MDW to perform unsafe tasks. The debarment period varies with the severity of offences committed, and the Ministry of Manpower will assess the suitability of the household to hire MDWs before lifting the debarment. Egregious offenders, such as those who inflict violent harm on their MDWs, will be permanently debarred.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Distribution of Local Employees Retrenchment Benefits from 2023 to 2025","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"46 Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked the Minister for Manpower for each year from 2023 to 2025, (a) how many eligible local employees received retrenchment benefits; (b) of these, how many received retrenchment benefits equivalent to two weeks to one month's salary for each year of service; and (c) if such data is not available, whether the Ministry will conduct a survey on retrenchment benefits.
Dr Tan See Leng: Based on Mandatory Retrenchment Notification (MRN) data submitted by companies with 10 or more employees, around nine in 10 eligible employees received retrenchment benefits from 2020 to 2025. Among them, around eight in 10 received retrenchment benefits of at least two weeks' salary per year of service, in line with the norms stated in the Tripartite Advisory on Managing Excess Manpower and Responsible Retrenchment.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Raising Renewal Age Limit for Migrant Domestic Workers Aged 60 Years and above for Long-term Family Employment","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"47 Mr Liang Eng Hwa asked the Minister for Manpower whether the Ministry will consider raising the renewal age limit for migrant domestic workers beyond 60 years for those who have worked with the same family for 20 years or more.
Dr Tan See Leng: We understand that employers value their migrant domestic workers' (MDWs) experience and dedication, and some employers may wish to continue employing their MDWs beyond 60 years old.
The age limit is to ensure that MDWs can continue to meet the various demands of household needs as well as the impact of additional medical costs on households, which generally increase with age. Balancing between these considerations, on appeal, the Ministry of Manpower may approve the renewal of work permits beyond the age limit, taking into account the MDW's health, experience and the employer's household needs.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Compliance Rate of Mandatory CPF Contributions and Enforcement Actions Taken against Non-compliance","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"48 Mr Low Wu Yang Andre asked the Minister for Manpower (a) what is the compliance rate of platform operators regarding mandatory CPF contributions since the commencement of the Platform Workers Act; and (b) what is the total number of enforcement actions taken for non-compliance to date.
Dr Tan See Leng: Non-compliance cases are defined as instances of late or underpayment of Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions. Since the implementation of the Platform Workers Act in January 2025, we have seen a high level of compliance where the vast majority of payments have been made on time. A small number of late payments cases were encountered, and they were resolved within two weeks after a reminder notice was issued.
On underpayment of CPF contributions, the CPF Board has taken action against four platform operators by demanding payment and charging late payment interests. These cases were due to administrative lapses, such as incorrect calculation of earnings. They have since been resolved.
To help familiarise platform operators with the new process of paying CPF contributions for platform workers, the CPF Board has provided them with a guide on good practices. Platform workers also receive CPF contribution alerts when their CPF contributions are credited, which allow them to monitor and verify the accuracy of their CPF contributions.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Data on Platform Workers CPF Transition Support Scheme Uptake, Disbursement and Rejection","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"49 Mr Low Wu Yang Andre asked the Minister for Manpower (a) as of January 2026, how many platform workers have qualified for the Platform Workers CPF Transition Support (PCTS) scheme; (b) what is the total value of PCTS offsets disbursed to date; and (c) what percentage of applications were rejected and the primary reasons for these rejections.
Dr Tan See Leng: In 2025, close to 24,000 lower-income platform workers qualified for the Platform Workers CPF Transition Support (PCTS) scheme, and over $4 million was disbursed in total. Data for January 2026 is not yet available.
The Central Provident Fund Board automatically assesses platform workers' eligibility for PCTS every month and no application is required from platform workers.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Data on Migrant Domestic Workers' Assault Reports to MOM and/or SPF, and Employer's Prosecution and Permanent Bans in Past Five Years","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"50 Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan asked the Minister for Manpower in each of the past five years (a) how many migrant domestic workers have reported cases of (i) physical assault and (ii) sexual assault against their employers to MOM and/or SPF; and (b) of these cases, how many resulted in (i) prosecutions, (ii) convictions and (iii) permanent bans on the employer from hiring future domestic workers.
Dr Tan See Leng: All reports of Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) abuse are referred to and investigated by the Police. From 2021 to September 2025, an average of around 300 reports of MDW abuse by employers or household members of the employers were made each year.
The majority of these cases were unsubstantiated. A total of 30 employers were prosecuted during this period, of which 14 were convicted and permanently debarred from hiring MDWs. In addition, an average of 70 employers were issued with warnings each year.
51 Ms Gho Sze Kee asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether the Ministry maintains records of pet deaths or injuries linked to incidents at licensed pet-related businesses, including grooming establishments; and (b) if so, what are the figures recorded in each of the past three years.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: This question was addressed in the Ministry of National Development's reply to the questions asked by Ms Jessica Tan on 14 January 2026. [Please refer to \"Review of Enforcement Measures Against Pet Groomers and Proposal for Mandatory CCTV Recordings in Pet Grooming Facilities\", Official Report, 14 January 2026, Vol 96, Issue 14, Oral Answers to Questions section.]
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Data on HDB Household Leaders Aged 65 and Older and Breakdown of Seniors Living in HDB Households from 2018 to 2024","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"52 Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for National Development with regards to the HDB survey released in November 2025 (a) what is the actual number of HDB-dwelling households in 2024 whose principal flat decision-maker was aged 65 or older; (b) how many seniors aged 65 and above are in these households; and (c) how have both of these numbers changed in absolute terms since 2018.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: A senior household is one where the household decision maker is aged 65 years and above. For Housing and Development Board (HDB) sold flats, they must be the owner, co-owner or their spouse. For HDB rental flats, they must be the registered tenant or their spouse.
Based on the 2023/2024 HDB Sample Household Survey (SHS) findings, the estimated number of senior households rose from around 260,000 in 2018 to 340,000 in 2023/2024. HDB does not collect information on the total number of seniors in these households in the SHS.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Status of Quantitative Noise Thresholds Review for Residential Boundary Noise","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"53 Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked the Minister for National Development (a) what is the status of the review on quantitative noise thresholds for residential boundary noise, which the Community Advisory Panel recommended in 2022; (b) whether the review has considered WHO guidelines of 50 to 55 decibels and lower thresholds in Germany, Korea and Japan; (c) whether the Ministry will clarify that NEA's industrial noise standards do not apply to household disputes.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: We had completed the review in May 2024 and replied to a similar Parliamentary Question in October 2024. [Please refer to \"Implementing Distinct Quantitative Noise Thresholds for Evening Period in Residential Areas\", Official Report, 16 October 2024, Vol 95, Issue 144, Written Answers to Questions section.]
The Member may also refer to the Municipal Services Office’s website, as well as the Second Reading of the Community Disputes Resolution (Amendment) Bill in 2024, for more details.
The National Environment Agency’s industrial noise standards are set for a different purpose, and do not apply to neighbour noise disputes.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Waiving MOP for HDB Flat Owners Seeking to Sell in View of Neighbour Disputes and Measures to Ensure Fairness and Consistency","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"54 Dr Hamid Razak asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether HDB has established clear criteria for when neighbour disputes, including noise or harassment, rise to a level that justifies waiving the Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) for HDB flat owners who are seeking to sell; and (b) how are such cases assessed to ensure fairness and consistency.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: The Housing and Development Board assesses all appeals for a waiver of the Minimum Occupation Period on a case-by-case basis, considering the specific circumstances of the flat owners and their families.
When neighbours are involved in a dispute, our priority is to bring them together to find a mutually acceptable solution. Most neighbour noise disputes are resolved this way. Many of the remaining disputes are resolved after mediation at the Community Mediation Centre. As a last resort, residents can consider seeking recourse from the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Breakdown on Outcomes of MENDAKI Financial Assistance Applications for Muslims of Non-Malay Descent in Last 10 Years","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"55 Mr Fadli Fawzi asked the Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs in each of the last 10 years, how many Muslims of non-Malay descent have (i) applied for and (ii) successfully received financial assistance, respectively, from any of the financial assistance schemes under MENDAKI, broken down by the race listed on their NRIC.
Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim: As a self-help group for the Malay/Muslim community, MENDAKI offers various financial assistance schemes, including study loans and bursaries, to all Malay/Muslim students. These schemes ensure that no Malay/Muslim student will be denied higher education because of their financial difficulties.
Based on latest available data, an average of about seven in 10 non-Malay/Muslims were successful in their application for MENDAKI's financial assistance schemes from 2022 to 2025. This is comparable to the success rate for Malay/Muslim applicants.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Response to Peak-Hour Congestion at Clementi MRT Station Link Bridge and Future Cross-Island Line Interchange Capacity Planning","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"56 Mr David Hoe asked the Acting Minister for Transport whether LTA will (i) consider improving pedestrian flow and safety at the Clementi MRT station link bridge to Clementi Mall through near-term measures given significant peak-hour foot traffic build-up and (ii) make longer-term infrastructure upgrades to the link bridge and access routes to increase capacity, given anticipated higher footfall with Clementi’s future Cross-Island Line interchange.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: Two additional entrances and link bridges had already been built at Clementi station in 2015 to relieve pedestrian crowding along the two existing link bridges. During peak hours, service ambassadors are deployed to guide commuters and facilitate safe pedestrian flow along the link bridge to Clementi Mall.
As part of the Cross Island Line project, the Land Transport Authority plans to replace the existing link bridge with a new, wider link bridge to meet the anticipated higher footfall.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Investigation Findings of Accident Involving Autonomous Vehicle on 17 January 2026","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"57 Mr Fadli Fawzi asked the Acting Minister for Transport in an accident involving an autonomous vehicle on 17 January 2026 (a) whether the Ministry is aware of (i) the vehicle's response when it detected a small object on the road and (ii) whether the accident was caused by human error during the manual takeover or the vehicle's response; and (b) if so, what is this information.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: This question was addressed in the reply to Question 59 during the 4 February 2026 Parliament sitting. [Please refer to \"Managing Teething Issues of Autonomous Vehicle Shuttle Implementation in Punggol\", Official Report, 4 February 2026, Vol 96, Issue 16, Written Answers to Questions for Oral Answer not Answered by End of Question Time section.]
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Impact of Aircraft Altitude Reduction on Residential and School Areas in Yio Chu Kang and Measures to Mitigate Noise and Safety Risks","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"58 Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Acting Minister for Transport (a) whether there has been a lowering of aircraft flight altitudes over residential and school areas in Yio Chu Kang in the past six months; (b) what are the current minimum altitude restrictions; and (c) whether the Ministry will review flight path and altitude limits to mitigate noise and safety risks.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: Aircraft have not been operating at lower altitudes over Yio Chu Kang than before in the past six months. The current minimum height restriction around the Yio Chu Kang area is about 210 metres to ensure safe takeoffs and landings at Seletar Airport, based on requirements set by the International Civil Aviation Organization.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore has put in place measures to mitigate noise arising from civil aviation for residents, including routing aircraft away from residential areas when wind conditions permit, and disallowing flights between 10.00 pm and 7.00 am at Seletar Airport, except for medical evacuation and emergency flights.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Addressing Noise Fatigue from Prolonged, Cumulative Exposure and Infrastructure Works and MRT Operations in Yio Chu Kang","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"59 Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Acting Minister for Transport regarding noise from North-South Corridor works and MRT tracks in Yio Chu Kang (a) whether noise mitigation efforts account for residents’ noise fatigue from prolonged, cumulative exposure; (b) what is the maintenance regime for existing noise barriers; and (c) whether barriers will be proactively installed along MRT tracks to support rising population density.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: Noise mitigation measures are put in place to ensure that cumulative noise levels from construction sites and MRT viaducts are within the National Environment Agency’s guidelines for prolonged exposure. Noise barriers are installed along MRT viaducts that are very close to residential developments. These barriers undergo regular maintenance to ensure they remain effective. For construction sites such as for the North-South Corridor, contractors are required to carry out localised noise impact assessments prior to new construction works. Where necessary, they must deploy noise barriers, noise enclosures and fit mufflers on machinery to reduce noise levels.
The impact of railway noise is monitored through regular noise measurements and in response to feedback from residents. Where noise levels are found to have exceeded guidelines, further mitigation measures such as additional noise barriers will be implemented.
60 Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked the Acting Minister for Transport as of 31 December 2025, what is the profile of registered private-hire drivers by (i) gender, (ii) age and (iii) highest educational qualification attained.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: The average age of the private hire car drivers is 52 years. The majority of them are male, and have secondary level education or below. Less than one-third of all drivers have tertiary education.
61 Ms Yeo Wan Ling asked the Acting Minister for Transport for each year over the past five years (a) what is the number of first-time (i) Private Hire Car Driver's Vocational Licence (PDVL) and (ii) Taxi Driver's Vocational Licence (TDVL) approvals; (b) what is the number of (i) PDVL and (ii) TDVL renewals; and (c) what is the distribution by the number of times each license has been renewed.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: The number of first-timer Private Hire Car Driver's Vocational Licence (PDVL) and Taxi Driver's Vocational Licence (TDVL) approvals is as follows:
The number of PDVL and TDVL renewals is as follows:
The number of times each licence has been renewed is as follows. Each licence is valid for three years.
62 Ms Valerie Lee asked the Acting Minister for Transport (a) what measures and systems are in place to support bus captains in navigating safely during route diversions when route familiarity is disrupted; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider enhanced tools, such as real-time GPS navigation prompts or in-vehicle guidance systems to better assist bus captains during such diversions.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: Bus captains can request real-time guidance and support through voice communication with their Operations Control Centre during route diversions. Bus captains are also given briefings and route maps of the diverted route prior to starting the journey.
The Land Transport Authority will work with bus operators to evaluate and deploy technological solutions to support bus captains during route diversions. For example, SBS Transit has deployed a mobile navigation app to support bus captains who are driving less familiar routes, such as when they are involved in bridging bus operations during a rail disruption.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Impact of Defaults and Fleet Sales on COE Prices and Used-Car Market and Measures to Control Problematic Financing Practices in Coordination with MAS","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"63 Ms He Ting Ru asked the Acting Minister for Transport in light of reports of high debt levels in the car-leasing sector (a) what stress-testing has been done on the impact of defaults or fleet sales on COE prices and the used-car market; and (b) whether, in coordination with MAS, steps will be taken to curb in-house financing or over-trade practices that circumvent loan-to-value limits.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: Private hire cars account for around 15% of the car population, and the five largest car-leasing companies own around 3%. The remaining private hire cars are owned by smaller car-leasing companies and individuals. Defaults or fleet sales are unlikely to have a significant effect on COE prices or the used car market over the long term.
Motor vehicle loans granted by financial institutions must abide by the Monetary Authority of Singapore's (MAS') motor vehicle financing restrictions. Alternative financing arrangements extended by car dealers are not regulated by MAS. Buyers are strongly advised to obtain loans through regulated arrangements. The Government is monitoring the situation and will tighten regulations to manage the abuse of such regulations if necessary.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Impact of Marginal Bidders in COE Auctions Disproportionately Influencing Clearing Prices across Categories A and B","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"64 Ms He Ting Ru asked the Acting Minister for Transport (a) whether the Ministry has analysed the marginal bidder effect in COE auctions, including how a small number of relatively price-insensitive corporate bids, supported by tax treatment or in-house financing arrangements, may disproportionately influence clearing prices across Categories A and B; and (b) if so, whether further details will be shared.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: The Certificate of Entitlement (COE) bidding is a uniform price auction, with the clearing price set at the highest unsuccessful bid plus $1. Across bidding exercises in 2025, three in four Category A and B COEs were won at bids within 5% of the eventual clearing price. This is also why a Pay-As-You-Bid (PAYB) bidding system, which is often suggested, will not bring down COE prices, as all bidders pay the clearing price regardless of what they bid.
There is evidence to suggest that corporates are, in fact, price sensitive when bidding for COEs. In the most recent bidding exercise that ended on 21 January 2026, the rise in COE prices for Category A and B saw a significant drop in the proportion of bids won by car-leasing companies to 4% in Category A and 5% in Category B. In 2025, car-leasing companies won around 10% of Category A and B bids.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Data on Outcome of SpexGLOW Grant Applications and Reasons for Rejections","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"65 Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth since inception (a) how many applications for spexGLOW (Grant for Loss of Wages) have been (i) made and (ii) rejected respectively; (b) what are the reasons for these rejections; and (c) how many athletes under spexGLOW have gone on to medal at major games.
Mr David Neo: TeamSG athletes who aspire to train full-time and have performed well at major competitions or demonstrate the potential to do so are awarded Sport Singapore's (SportSG's) spexScholarship or nurtured under the spexPotential programme and given monthly stipends to support their living expenses.
There are also TeamSG athletes under SportSG's spexCarding programme pursuing non-sporting full-time careers and may wish to take no-pay leave before major competitions to train full-time. We support them through the spex Grant for Loss of Wages (spexGLOW) scheme.
SportSG works closely with athletes and their respective National Sports Associations on their training and competition plans. spexGLOW operates through this collaborative planning process to identify athletes who wish to take no-pay leave to train and compete before each competition campaign, assess their eligibility and needs and determine the support required. This approach ensures that all qualifying athletes who require support and apply receive spexGLOW assistance.
Since 2018, we have supported 216 applications for the spexGLOW programme. At the recent 2025 SEA Games, 39 athletes who received spexGLOW support won medals. Notable medallists include Calvin Quek, who won Singapore's first SEA Games gold in 60 years in the 400-metre hurdles, and Siti Khadijah, who won bronze to become Singapore's first woman's wushu sanda medallist. Members of the silver medal-winning netball team also benefitted from the spexGLOW support.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Clarification by Senior Minister of State for Manpower","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WS","content":"[(proc text) The following statement was made by the Senior Minister of State for Manpower (Dr Koh Poh Koon) during a clarification at the end of Question Time for the Parliament Sitting of 4 February 2026: (proc text)]
The Senior Minister of State for Manpower (Dr Koh Poh Koon): Sir, thank you for your indulgence. Just a quick clarification to the reply given to Mr Pritam Singh earlier. I mentioned that only five workers or more being retrenched will need to notify, but that is wrong. Actually, it is that companies that have more than 10 workers will be required to notify the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) of any retrenchment within five working days. It is not five workers but within five working days.
As long as the company has more than 10 workers, even if one worker gets retrenched, it would need to notify MOM. Thank you, Sir. [Please refer to \"Data on Companies with More Than 25 Workers Paying Retrenchment Benefits in Line with Tripartite Guidelines\", Official Report, 4 February 2026, Vol 96, Issue 16, Oral Answers to Questions section.]
[(proc text) Written statement by Dr Koh Poh Koon circulated with leave of the Speaker in accordance with Standing Order No 29(5): (proc text)]
I wish to make the following factual correction to my clarification at the end of question time for the Parliament Sitting of 4 February 2026. My statement should read as follows:
The Senior Minister of State for Manpower (Dr Koh Poh Koon): Sir, thank you for your indulgence. Just a quick clarification to the reply given to Mr Pritam Singh earlier. I mentioned that only five workers or more being retrenched will need to notify, but that is wrong. Actually, it is that companies that have 10 or more workers will be required to notify the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) of any retrenchment within five working days. It is not five workers but within five working days.
As long as the company has 10 or more workers, even if one worker gets retrenched, it would need to notify MOM. Thank you, Sir.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null}],"writtenAnswersVOList":[],"writtenAnsNAVOList":[],"annexureList":[],"vernacularList":[{"vernacularID":6891,"sittingDate":null,"vernacularTitle":"Vernacular Speech by Ms Lee Hui Ying","filePath":"d:/apps/reports/solr_files/20260204/vernacular-Lee Hui Ying LTA 4Feb2026 -Chinese.pdf","fileName":"Lee Hui Ying LTA 4Feb2026 -Chinese.pdf"},{"vernacularID":6892,"sittingDate":null,"vernacularTitle":"Vernacular Speech by Mr Lee Hong Chuang","filePath":"d:/apps/reports/solr_files/20260204/vernacular-Lee Hong Chuan IMF 4Feb2026-Chinese.pdf","fileName":"Lee Hong Chuan IMF 4Feb2026-Chinese.pdf"}],"onlinePDFFileName":""}