The Minister for Health (Mr Gan Kim Yong):\tMdm Speaker, may I seek your consent and the general assent of Members present to move that Question Time at this day's sitting be exempted from the provisions of Standing Order No 22 (1) so as to enable Questions for Oral Answer to be taken till 4.00 pm today?
Mdm Speaker: I give my consent. Does the Minister have the general assent of hon Members present to so move?
[(proc text) Hon Members indicated assent. (proc text)]
[(proc text) Question put, and agreed to. (proc text)]
[(proc text) Resolved, that notwithstanding Standing Order 22(1), Questions for Oral Answer set down on the Order Paper for today be taken till 4.00 pm at this day's sitting. (proc text)]
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Security Breach at Woodlands Checkpoint","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"1 Mr Zaqy Mohamad asked\tthe Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs with regard to the recent Woodlands Checkpoint breach on 8 March 2014 (a) what are the security measures that failed to prevent the breach; (b) why does it take the Police hours to track down the vehicle and driver following the breach; and (c) whether Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) or the Police have personnel or vehicles on standby to chase vehicles or persons who breach our immigration checkpoints.
2 Mr Hri Kumar Nair asked\tthe Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs if he can provide an update on the review following the
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unauthorised entry by a Malaysian driver through the Woodlands Checkpoint on 8 March 2014 and what steps will be taken to prevent such incidents.
\tThe Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs (Mr Teo Chee Hean): Mdm Speaker, may I have your permission to take Question Nos 1 and 2 together?
Mdm Speaker: Yes, please.
\tMr Teo Chee Hean: On 8 March 2014, at about 4.00 pm, a Malaysian driver, after having cleared Singapore immigration, drove his Singapore-registered car to the secondary clearance area for security checks. When an Auxiliary Police Officer (APO) was inspecting the boot of the car, the driver suddenly got into the car and drove off. The APO immediately pressed the alarm, which triggered the activation of the security barrier. The car's progress was stopped by the barrier. Several officers at the scene responded to the alarm and an APO was injured in the process of stopping the car from leaving. However, the driver persisted in trying to drive across the security barrier. He managed to force his car over the security barrier and exit the checkpoint.
Police confirmed the identity of the driver within 15 minutes of the incident and activated an island-wide search for the driver and the vehicle. Taxi drivers were also asked to look out for the car. Meanwhile, Police continued to establish and follow leads to precisely locate the driver and the car. Police steadily closed the ring around the driver and subsequently arrested him five hours after the incident. His car was separately recovered at another location prior to his arrest. He has been charged in court for offences under the Penal Code and Vandalism Act. He is also being investigated for contraband goods smuggling and other offences under the Customs Act.
Our investigations revealed that the security barrier initially stopped the car, but failed to stop the car from leaving because hydraulic fluid leaked from one of the cylinder seals for raising and maintaining the position of the security barrier. The security barriers are checked and serviced every three months, and the last servicing was done on 18 February 2014. Following the incident, ICA is replacing the hydraulic components in all the security barriers and is also conducting daily checks to ensure that the security barriers function properly.
Mdm Speaker, this was the second incident in two months in which a car had successfully breached Woodlands Checkpoint. After the first incident on 17 January 2014, various immediate measures were implemented to strengthen
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the security at Woodlands Checkpoint, including tightening the coordination between ICA and Police, improving the response protocols and conducting drills and exercises to validate the response plans and enhancing the supervision of the APOs. Other measures, such as installation of additional CCTVs and enhanced security barriers, are being expedited.
ICA and Police will also be deploying mobile crash barriers and tracking vehicles as additional lines of defence to stop suspect vehicles from fleeing the checkpoint and apprehending all suspects.
The two breaches show the scale and complexity of the checkpoint operations. This requires a team of officers able to carry out robust and effective measures to prevent and deal with a wide range of threats, including attempts to get through the primary or subsequent layers of security at our checkpoints. At the same time, our land checkpoints have to facilitate the swift and secure clearance of people and goods. Finding the right balance is not easy.
A Ministry-level review committee, chaired by Senior Deputy Secretary Khoo Boon Hui and comprising senior representatives from ICA, Police, ISD and other Home Team agencies, has been formed to comprehensively review the security measures at our checkpoints and identify any systemic issues and rectify them. This Committee has updated me on the progress of the review, including enhanced security measures already undertaken – which I had listed earlier – and the need for interim arrangements while wider systems are further improved.
MHA views each and every single security breach seriously. If there are gaps and failings in our security regime, be they structural, systemic or individual, we must quickly and thoroughly address them. Commissioner ICA and the other relevant Home Team Department heads have given their full commitment to take concrete actions at all levels to quickly put right any weaknesses, and implement measures to ensure that our border security is tight and effective to keep out all threats. MHA HQ will give them our full support.
\tMr Zaqy Mohamad (Chua Chu Kang): Mdm Speaker, I thank the Deputy Prime Minister for his reply. I understand this is a complex issue, and I also see that structural facilities are being enhanced to improve security. So, I just have two questions. Firstly, if a vehicle should breach the checkpoint, should there not be other standby vehicles to chase them down? The fact that Singapore is small, the five hours spent to find the vehicle is too long, especially if we have a potential terrorist threat, for example. Secondly, manpower is an issue today.
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Is it difficult to recruit Police Officers and has that contributed to some of these lapses?
\tMr Teo Chee Hean: Indeed, five hours is a long time. We have looked at the measures and we will be instituting additional measures to take care of this issue. Those who are travelling through the Causeway may see an additional line of barrier. The first objective is to try and prevent people from exiting the checkpoint and to contain cars and individuals within the checkpoint. We are also putting in vehicles which will be able to follow any suspect vehicles that leave the checkpoints. Those are being put in place.
In this particular case, Police was able to identify the subject within a very short time because he had cleared immigration. And so, we knew his identity, his address and various other things. They were actually tracking him quite closely after the breach. They localised him and then arrested him. Very early on, Police was able to come to an assessment that this case was not likely to be terrorist-linked.
\tMr Zaqy Mohamad: Deputy Prime Minister, may I have the reply to the second question on manpower?
\tMr Teo Chee Hean: As I had mentioned in the Committee of Supply (COS) debate, manpower for the checkpoints and at ICA has increased quite substantially since we did a review in the mid to late 2000s. A substantial increase in manpower had been provided at that point in time. I would say that our major constraints today are infrastructural because the checkpoints themselves were built some time ago and it is a very tight space. They were built before September 2001. Many of the security measures that are being put in place had been added on to the existing infrastructure at the checkpoints. These measures have, therefore, resulted in some delays to the clearance of particularly vehicles through the checkpoints.
We have done a number of things to maintain security while increasing the capacity at the checkpoints. For example, since then, we have reopened the old Woodlands Checkpoint and put in new facilities there, including four additional counters for lorries and 20 additional counters for motorcycles in 2008 and 2009. We are putting in 30 additional car counters by 2016. Today, ICA is already opening up 20 of these car counters during peak periods, Sundays and public holidays. We try to maintain a balance between tight security as well as making sure that we clear cars as smoothly as possible through the checkpoints.
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Motorcycles contribute another very large volume of traffic at the checkpoints. There are more than 72,000 motorcycles passing through every day. Thirty percent of motorcycles today use the automated self-clearance system. They come up to the immigration counter and both the rider and the pillion clear through automatically. ICA will continue to channel more passengers and vehicles to use these self-clearance modes. We are now going to bring all Work Permit and S Pass holders to be automatically enrolled on ICA's Automatic Clearance System by the middle of this year. This will make 95% of all Malaysian motorcycle trips eligible for automatic clearance.
What this will do is it will help to speed up clearance of motorcycles, reduce the queues for motorcycles, and, therefore, free up some of the existing capacity for other vehicles. Again, this will help us strike a better balance between speedy clearance as well as tight security.
\tMr Nicholas Fang (Nominated Member): Mdm Speaker, one supplementary question for the Deputy Prime Minister. I understand the latest news is that there was another attempt yesterday of another driver from Malaysia attempting to make an illegal entry at Woodlands. Are there any indications, in the review and investigation, why there seems to be a heightened increase in frequency in recent months of these sorts of attempts? Is there any indication whether this is an upward trend that is likely to continue, or is it too early to say?
\tMr Teo Chee Hean: The Member asked if there was a case yesterday of a Malaysian who attempted to evade immigration checks. He was stopped according to the procedures and was arrested. Police will take the appropriate action against him. He came through, so far as we know, with no travel documents on him. We are investigating the matter. This incident shows that we do require tight checks on both sides of the border to make sure that there is some redundancy in our checks.
There will always be attempts by people to evade customs or immigration checks. This is not unique to Singapore. People will present false documents, they might sneak in and so on. Overall, I would say that our border security is very tight. Although we have detected instances of people either attempting to or inadvertently passing through immigration or customs without proper clearance, we have managed to contain most of them.
In the three cases that have evaded and exited the checkpoints, the persons were subsequently arrested and appropriate action was taken. I would say that
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the measures that have been taken at the checkpoints have been reasonably effective in deterring and containing entry into Singapore by persons or goods that are not allowed to.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Detection of Fake Passports at Singapore's Checkpoints","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"3 Ms Mary Liew asked\tthe Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs (a) what is the frequency of our usage of Interpol's database of Stolen and Lost Travel Documents (SLTDs); (b) whether ASEAN members use the SLTD database for their border checks; (c) whether ASEAN members do submit information on stolen and lost passports to INTERPOL's database; and (d) whether there are any regional security collaborations with ASEAN members to stem the trade of SLTDs in our region.
4 Mr David Ong asked\tthe Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs (a) what is the number of passport infringements for both incoming and outgoing passengers at Changi Airport in the last three years; and (b) whether ICA has taken measures to prevent future possible lapses, in light of the MH370 incident.
5 Assoc Prof Tan Kheng Boon Eugene asked\tthe Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs (a) how many Singapore passports are reported lost, missing or stolen each year for the last five years; (b) what is the average time lapse, at each stage, between the filing of the missing passport report, cancellation of the passport by ICA, and the reporting to Interpol of the missing passport for inclusion in its database; and (c) whether the ICA will step up public education efforts to encourage Singaporeans to better protect their passports and what they should do when their passports are lost or stolen.
6 Mr Zaqy Mohamad asked\tthe Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs what precautions does ICA take at our checkpoints to ensure that there are strict procedures to prevent detection failure of fake passports.
7 Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked\tthe Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs (a) whether ICA has been checking the passports of all outbound and inbound travellers at all ports of exit and entry against Interpol's Stolen and Lost Travel Documents (SLTD) database in the last three years; (b) how many travellers have been caught using lost or stolen passports which are not their own; and (c) what punishments have been meted out for the
\tPage: 17
commission of such offences.
\tThe Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs (Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M) (for the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs): Mdm Speaker, with your permission, I will take Question Nos 3 to 7 together.
Mdm Speaker: Yes, please.
\tMr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: All persons entering or leaving Singapore are subject to stringent checks at the checkpoints, which include travel document examination and identity verification. There are several layers of checks to detect stolen or fraudulent passports.
ICA actively taps into its network of global partners to exchange information on lost and stolen travel documents to prevent undesirable persons from using such documents. Since 2008, ICA has been using the INTERPOL's database containing over 40 million travel documents reported lost or stolen by 167 countries, in the passport document examination process. Singapore is one of several INTERPOL member states that cross-check travellers' passports against this database, accessing it about 29 million times a year, to determine if a passport presented had been reported lost or stolen.
Over the past five years, about 7,000 Singapore passports are reported lost or stolen each year. Once a report is received, ICA will immediately cancel any reported lost or stolen passport, update its database and convey the relevant information to INTERPOL.
Over the past five years, across all our checkpoints, an average of about 350 travellers per year have been detected to be in possession of forged or tampered travel documents, or had presented a travel document that did not belong to him or her. Under section 47 of the Passports Act, anyone found guilty of offences relating to false foreign travel documents shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years or to both.
To deter forgery or tampering with Singapore passports, Singapore is one of many countries which have issued new passports with stronger security and protection features, such as biometrics. These passports comply with the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) recommendations and requirements, including security standards to ensure the integrity of biometric
\tPage: 18
passports.
It is an offence under the Passports Act not to report any loss of passport. A Singapore passport is an important document and highly valued by local and foreign criminals. During the passport application and collection process, and in public outreach and community engagement through talks and exhibitions, ICA constantly reminds Singaporeans of the importance of safe-keeping their passports and the need to report any loss of their passports immediately.
ICA maintains our security with tight controls at our borders over persons who present stolen or lost passports. At the same time, the security features of our Singapore biometric passport, and the education efforts and strict enforcement of laws regarding lost and stolen passports, help ensure that Singaporeans who travel, face fewer queries and delays due to inquiries regarding their passports.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Higher Viewer Subscription Charges for Broadcast of World Cup and Sports Programmes","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"8 Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked\tthe Minister for Communications and Information what more can be done to make popular sports programmes, such as the World Cup soccer matches, more accessible to Singaporeans.
9 Mr Baey Yam Keng asked\tthe Minister for Communications and Information with regard to the broadcast of World Cup matches on TV (a) how does Singapore compare with other developed countries with similar-sized populations as well as countries in our region in terms of (i) free-to-air availability and (ii) pay-TV pricing; (b) whether it is beneficial for our sports culture to leave the pricing of the match viewings to market forces; and (c) whether MDA's cross-carriage measure has achieved its objective for consumers' interest.
10 Mr Zaqy Mohamad asked\tthe Minister for Communications and Information (a) what are the factors behind the recent announcement by a telco to charge pay-TV viewers a significant increase in rates of $104 for the FIFA World Cup screenings in June 2014; (b) whether the continued signing of exclusive content for soccer events at high bidding prices renders the cross-carriage regime ineffective; and (c) whether the Ministry will consider reviewing its cross-carriage policy to mitigate high subscription prices of sports events
\tPage: 19
and ensure that major sports are accessible to all, including low-income earners.
11 Mr Pritam Singh asked\tthe Minister for Communications and Information with regard to the local pay-TV rates for the FIFA World Cup 2014, whether the Ministry will consider conducting a thorough review of the regulatory framework and policies that govern the broadcast of popular soccer and sporting events in Singapore so as to better protect the interests of the viewing public.
\tThe Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information (Mr Lawrence Wong) (for the Minister for Communications and Information): Mdm Speaker, with your permission, I would like to take Question Nos 8, 9, 10 and 11 together.
Mdm Speaker: Yes, please.
\tMr Lawrence Wong: Madam, on 12 March 2014, SingNet announced that it had acquired the exclusive broadcast rights to the FIFA World Cup 2014. SingNet announced that it would sell the World Cup 2014 content as a standalone channel, at $105. Since then, they have offered an Early Bird price of $88. This Early Bird price is the same price charged by the pay-TV operators for the 2010 World Cup. That is the regular 2010 price, so this year's Early Bird price is the same as the 2010 regular price. Furthermore, for those who commit to subscribe to the Barclays Premier League (BPL) content for two years till 2016, SingNet will provide the World Cup content at no extra charge. In other words, the average price paid per subscriber for World Cup 2014 will be significantly lower than $88, once we add the subscribers who will obtain it at no additional cost.
With cross-carriage, all SCV subscribers would be able to enjoy the World Cup package through their SCV set-top boxes at the same $88 Early Bird price offered by SingNet. And this is precisely the purpose of the cross-carriage measure – to widen the distribution of exclusive content across all qualified pay-TV retailers.
Indeed, cross-carriage has been successful in reducing content fragmentation in the Singapore pay-TV market. Back in 2010, there were only seven channels available on both pay-TV platforms. Consumers had to install multiple set-top boxes from different retailers to enjoy the content they wanted. Today, there are over 60 channels available on both SingNet's and SCV's platforms. These include entertainment and sports channels, such as Celestial
\tPage: 20
Movies, National Geographic Channel, FOX Sports and STAR Sports. Pay-TV retailers have also shifted their strategy to compete for subscribers on value-added services, like mobile apps that allow subscribers to watch TV on the go.
From this perspective, the cross-carriage policy has achieved its objectives. The policy has just been introduced and we will want to continue to review and see how it can be further fine-tuned and improved. I would like to remind Members that the intent of cross-carriage is not to regulate content prices. So, we should not judge its effectiveness in terms of whether content prices have dropped.
In fact, the acquisition and provision of top-level sports content on TV is not just left to market forces alone. The Government is committed to ensure that key sporting events, particularly those of national significance, are available to all Singaporeans, and not just on pay-TV. This is why MDA supports MediaCorp's provision of sports programming featuring Team Singapore athletes, including the Summer Olympics, the Commonwealth Games, the SEA Games, all of which through Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) funding.
MDA also puts such events on the anti-siphoning list and this was updated only last year, following a public consultation. An event on the anti-siphoning list means it must be available for Free-to-Air TV broadcasters to acquire. And I should explain that placing an event on the anti-siphoning list does not mean that the programmes will be free. It simply means that pay-TV retailers cannot acquire the content on an exclusive basis, therefore, giving the Free-to-Air broadcaster an opportunity to acquire these rights.
For the World Cup, MDA included four key matches, which are the opening, the semi-finals and the finals in the anti-siphoning list. They also included matches featuring Team Singapore, but that is not relevant in our context, so, the four key matches are the opening, the semi-finals and the finals. For the upcoming World Cup, Singapore viewers will be able to watch these matches on MediaCorp. Besides the matches on the anti-siphoning list, I also understand that the People's Association (PA) is in talks with SingNet to screen the World Cup matches for free at several Community Centres across the island.
Some Members have asked for more regulation of subscription prices for sports content. But the key is that content owners like FIFA are not obligated to sell their content at a price they do not agree with. It is not something we welcome, but on this issue, we are unfortunately a price-taker, and not a price-setter. We cannot wish away the fact that the cost of premium sports content
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has been rising globally, not just in Singapore. Broadcasters around the world are paying anywhere from 20% to 40% more for the broadcast rights to the World Cup 2014 compared with the previous edition.
Comparisons of subscription prices across different jurisdiction are also inherently fraught, as the operating circumstances in each country are different. There are wide variations in terms of the size of the pay-TV market, as well as the potential advertising and sponsorship revenue available to broadcasters.
Some have asked why MDA did not put all World Cup games on the anti-siphoning list. I think the rationale is that if you have an overly long list of World Cup matches on the anti-siphoning list, that may lead to unintended consequences. In particular, pay-TV operators will then have little incentive to acquire the matches. Instead, the cost burden will then have to be borne largely by the Free-to-Air broadcaster. Doing so would then divert a significant portion of PSB monies which are used to support a diverse range of programming covering varied interests and genres, including support for minority channels, as well as programmes that promote Singapore's culture and heritage.
In conclusion, MDA has to achieve a delicate balance. It should not be hasty to adopt populist measures that ultimately backfire, leaving consumers even worse-off.
I would, however, like to assure Members that MDA will continue to review its policies, including cross-carriage, as I have mentioned earlier, and the anti-siphoning list. Cross-carriage will be reviewed as part of a larger review of the Media Market Conduct Code later this year. As for the anti-siphoning list, the public was last consulted on this in 2012, and will also be reviewed in due course and I would encourage Members to provide feedback during the review of these policies.
\tEr Dr Lee Bee Wah (Nee Soon): Thank you, Mdm Speaker. I would like to ask one supplementary question. I note the Senior Minister of State's reply that we are a price-taker, not a price-setter. However, football is very popular among Singaporeans and there are many countries which telecast World Cup free-of-charge, such as Japan, South Korea and even neighbouring countries like Thailand, Indonesia and Cambodia. Can the Ministry look into doing more for fellow Singaporeans who do not subscribe to those paid channels?
\tMr Lawrence Wong: Madam, I understand where the Member is coming from in terms of the popularity of the sport and also the concerns about pricing.
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We have to understand, as I have mentioned earlier, that, inherently, this is an issue where the rights owner, the property owner, calls the shots. And they have been doing so across all jurisdictions because broadcast payment has gone up 20% to 40% around the world, not just in Singapore. Some countries are able to offset that in a more effective way because they have bigger markets, they can get more sponsorships and more advertising revenues. So, different countries find different ways to price the content to the consumers but, across the board, the acquisition cost has gone up. All the countries are paying more to FIFA and that is, I think, how the business has evolved over the recent years, in terms of premium sports content, in particular, football.
It is something we have to review. As I have said, we are going to review our anti-siphoning list. We are going to review our cross-carriage measures as well. I am not sure that these would inherently change the dynamics of the game because these are internal measures. In the end, however we adjust, somebody has to pay FIFA this amount of money. We have to look at it in two aspects: one, understand the realities of the football market today. This is what is happening. We are, unfortunately, a small market with a high interest in football. And we may not have enough of a subscription base or an advertising revenue base to offset the cost, unlike other countries. In such a dynamic, in such negotiations, ironically, the more desperate we are to acquire, the more the rights owner on the other side will feel that they have the ability and the leverage to charge us at a high price. So, we have to understand the broader dynamics that are happening in the negotiation as well.
\tMr Baey Yam Keng (Tampines): I would like to ask the Senior Minister of State whether he is able to share or confirm that MediaCorp has to pay to broadcast the four matches under the anti-siphoning list and how their rates compare with what SingTel pays. In the scenario where we were to include all matches under the anti-siphoning list, what is the impact of this on the pricing that MediaCorp, as a Free-to-Air station, has to pay, versus a pay-TV operator?
\tMr Lawrence Wong: Madam, I think these are relevant questions that people have been asking. It is true that MediaCorp has to pay SingNet to acquire the four matches and that is only simply because FIFA does not bundle and separate out its package: four to sell to MediaCorp; the rest, to sell to SingNet. FIFA does not do that. FIFA sells the entire package to one purchaser. That purchaser can be a pay-TV operator; it can be a Free-to-Air broadcaster. It does not matter. For them, they look at the market, the purchasing power of the market. They will sell to whoever bids for it as an entire package.
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How the person who bids for it then breaks it up into the different channels and the different events, that is not something that FIFA looks at because that depends on the domestic rules: what is in the anti-siphoning list and what are the cross-carriage measures.
In this case, MediaCorp will have some ability – it already has worked out an arrangement with SingNet – to acquire the matches that are on the anti-siphoning list – the opening, the semi-finals, the finals. I will imagine that there will be some cost apportionment between SingNet and MediaCorp, and they will work out the cost. And MediaCorp, through its sponsors, through its advertising revenues, would then be able to acquire these matches.
I cannot reveal the specifics of the pricing because these are commercially-sensitive figures. But that would have been worked out between SingNet and MediaCorp.
I would also say that SingNet, based on all the revenues that it is getting from the World Cup content, actually is not able to recover the costs of acquiring the content today. So, this is not a matter of SingNet profiting or getting a handsome dividend from acquiring this package. For all the revenues that SingNet is getting from the World Cup content, it probably will not be able to cover the costs.
The question the Member also asked was: what about having all the matches put on the anti-siphoning list, having a Free-to-Air broadcaster bid; or, for that matter, as some have suggested, why not make a joint bid? But, as I have said, this does not matter from the FIFA perspective. From a property owner perspective, they look at the market, meaning the entire country, and what the country can afford. And whether it is a joint bid, a Free-to-Air broadcaster bidding or a pay-TV operator bidding, those may have a little bit of an impact on the negotiation dynamics but it will not materially change the game, which is that they will look at the overall purchasing power of the market, that is what FIFA looks at. And as I have mentioned earlier, fundamentally, that price has been going up across the board, not just in Singapore.
\tMr Pritam Singh (Aljunied): Three supplementary questions for the Senior Minister of State. Firstly, in view of what he has said, will MDA mandate that all contracts signed between telcos and content providers for exclusive content be wrapped up 12 months prior to the staging of the event, like in many other countries which seal the arrangements early, so telcos can offer lower charges to the viewing public in view of the lead time available to source for
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more advertising revenue to subsidise the costs of content procurement?
The second question: has the Ministry considered whether Singapore Pools, the only legal lottery operator which benefits from World Cup punting, could contribute towards subsidising the Singapore viewing public in reasonable proportion to its soccer-related betting collections and payouts?
And, finally, would the Minister clarify if the Programme Advisory Committee for English programmes (PACE) made any specific recommendation or advised MDA on measures to reduce the costs of watching the World Cup to Singapore consumers in light of the escalating costs from the 2010 experience?
\tMr Lawrence Wong: Madam, on the regulations or proposed regulations that the Member asked for, to require that negotiations or the contract be wrapped up 12 months earlier, is something that MDA can look at. I would say that MDA is not opposed to looking at any form of regulation but it will always apply a cost-benefit to these regulations, meaning to say, what is the benefit of making a regulatory move and weighing that against the costs, which may include inadvertent consequences to commercial operators, and the perceptions that it will create in our pay-TV market.
In this instance, I am not familiar with the details but I would imagine that one would ask the question: if MDA were to impose such a requirement, would it end up with a situation where the pay-TV operators, or whoever submits a bid, may actually end up paying a higher price inadvertently, because you are forcing them to negotiate and wrap up within a certain time limit. I am not sure, but it is something that MDA would have to answer or look at, weighing the benefits and the costs of the regulatory measure.
Singapore Pools does contribute. I do not have the details with me but they do contribute and they do provide support through a wide range of different schemes in the sense that it is not just for MediaCorp but also for the community centre viewing. They provide some support, as I understand, to various platforms to allow Singaporeans to view the World Cup. I do not have the details of how much they provide. That is something we can take separately, but they do provide support for the World Cup viewing.
PACE – I do not have details, too, but I would imagine that they would have given feedback if it was something that mattered to them in terms of consumer pricing and the concerns that occurred even before the EPL and the World Cup
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experience the last round.
But as I said earlier, fundamentally, the challenge is not something that you can overcome because the fundamental nature of this is that the rights owner, FIFA, has a monopoly over the rights. It is a content owner who has increased in popularity around the world and they are now having the ability to charge higher prices to all markets. And in a market like Singapore, which is small, which has high demand for football, they will look at that market and say, \"Well, I think you have the purchasing power to pay a high price\", and they will do so accordingly. They cannot do this indefinitely because, at some point in time, if we are prepared to say, \"Look, we will walk away\", then they will realise that the dynamics are changing. But until then, until such time that this happens, it is very hard to change the fundamental dynamics, which is, that they will look at us as a market that can afford this rate.
It is something that we have to bear in mind when we do our review, that this is the reality of the landscape. As we do our review for cross-carriage, anti-siphoning or any other regulatory suggestions and measures that Members may have, we will have to think through how best to structure this because, ultimately, then somebody has to pay. It may not be the consumers but it may be the taxpayers, but somebody will then have to pay FIFA for the rights until the dynamics fundamentally are altered.
\tMr Baey Yam Keng: Thank you, Madam. I gather from the Senior Minister of State's answer that there are two factors here affecting the pricing – one would be the purchasing power of the market, Singapore's market; and, secondly, a bidding war would lead to higher pricing. So, in theory, if MediaCorp were mandated to show all matches under the anti-siphoning list, there will be no interest for SingTel or StarHub to go into a bidding war, and only MediaCorp would have interest to purchase the rights. So, would that not be something within our control that can affect the negotiations and, hence, probably, a reduction in the price that MediaCorp has to pay to FIFA?
\tMr Lawrence Wong: Madam, to a large extent, I think the unhealthy dynamics of competitive bidding, causing prices to go up, have been addressed through cross-carriage, in the sense that whatever the entity that bids for it recognises and knows that that product has to be cross-carried on other platforms at the same price. So, it does not matter whichever price you pay for and whichever operator gets the rights to broadcast, if he chooses to do so on an exclusive basis, under cross-carriage, that content has to be carried at the same price on other platforms. So, that, to some extent, would already have ameliorated some of these internal bidding dynamics that the Member talked
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about.
That is why I say, even if you have a joint bid or if you have MediaCorp coming to it, yes, I acknowledge it may have some impact, it may help to reduce marginally, but I do not think it will significantly move the needle. We know from the assessment of the pay-TV operators, who have been in this game and business, that there is basically a range where FIFA is looking at in order for us to secure these rights to broadcast the World Cup; that is where they are looking at. This is the range; it is a narrow range, but you need to pay that amount of money in order to get the rights.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Law Enforcement Activities in Geylang Area","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"12 Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef asked\tthe Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs if he will provide an update on the management and handling of the disamenities caused by the vice activities taking place between Geylang Lorong 24 and Geylang Lorong 42.
\tThe Second Minister for Home Affairs (Mr S Iswaran)\t(for the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs): Mdm Speaker, the Police are cognisant of the challenges in the Lorongs in Geylang and have been working closely with the local Members of Parliament, grassroots leaders and various Government agencies to tackle law and order concerns, as well as the disamenities in the area.
In particular, Police have deployed significant resources on the ground in Geylang. Geylang Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC) has about 160 Police officers, and that is about 60% more than the manning levels in other NPCs. In the evenings, especially on Fridays and weekends, additional Police fast response cars are deployed to augment the regular fleet, for incident management and to enhance Police response in and around the Lorongs in Geylang. In addition, Special Operations Command (SOC) troopers are deployed in the area to project a strong Police presence on a regular basis. In 2013, SOC troopers were deployed in Geylang on 41 occasions and there were more than 1,000 anti-vice operations conducted in that area. CCTVs and street-lights were added to the back alleys and side lanes to deter streetwalking and other illegal activities.
\tPage: 27
With a significant Police presence and through regular enforcement action, illegal activities have been contained, and the number of major offences in the Geylang Lorongs has fallen by 36% since 2008. Police also work closely with MOM, NEA, URA and Singapore Customs in their enforcement operations against illegal lodging houses, illegal hawking and other regulatory offences.
In addition, Police will augment the current 47 CCTV cameras in the area with 160 more CCTV cameras. Police are also working with LTA to further enhance the lighting conditions in the Geylang Lorongs. I want to assure the Member that MHA, Police and other Government agencies remain resolute in our commitment to maintain law and order in Geylang and we will take additional measures where necessary.
Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef (Marine Parade): I thank the Minister for the response and also for mentioning some of the efforts I have spearheaded with my grassroots leaders in the last several years.
The second supplementary questions. With the present efforts mentioned, feedback of fear, concern and discomfort by residents in the area continues to persist and also escalate, especially recently, with the comment by the Commissioner of Police. What else and how else can the relevant authorities assist to mitigate these concerns?
Second supplementary question: crowding, congregation of people, open soliciting, noise pollution, littering, crime, moonlighting by foreign workers, gambling and a lot more, just to name a few, are actually all the activities that go on hour to hour, day to day, month in, month out, year in, year out. So, I would like to know how is MHA coordinating and working with relevant agencies in a more concerted and concrete way to contain, if not to eradicate, these activities.
\tMr S Iswaran: Madam, I thank the Member for enumerating the concerns of her residents. And I also want to acknowledge the fact that, as I said in my earlier reply, Police have been working with and appreciate the cooperation from the Member as well as the grassroots leaders and other stakeholders in the area. The Member raised two points. Let me deal with them in turn.
The first is on the Commissioner of Police's comments, and I think she is referring to his comments in the context of the Committee of Inquiry on the Little India riot. I think we should be quite clear about the context of that comment because that would help to put things in perspective. Firstly, I think it
\tPage: 28
was in the context of the Commissioner seeking to share with the members of the Committee Police's strategies and tactics in dealing with some of the challenges they face across Singapore and, in this instance, he was highlighting not just Little India but also Geylang as an example. In the context of Geylang, I thought there were three points that were important to note, and I think this would go some way in addressing the Member's questions and the concerns of her residents.
The first is that the situation in Geylang, with its complex social ecosystem, does pose specific policing challenges and that was the point that the Commissioner was making. Second, is that the Police recognise this challenge and that is why there have been these specific additional measures that have been dedicated to enforcement efforts in Geylang. I think that is borne out by the numbers, both in terms of the deployment of resources and the outcomes we have seen. The trend is downwards. Of course, more can be done and residents would certainly prefer more to be achieved.
And, thirdly, I think it is also about the Police having to continually evaluate different operational needs on the ground, from the policing perspective, and from the law and order perspective, in allocating resources. And that is also an important point to recognise – that this is the level of resource allocation dedicated to Geylang because there is an assessment of an operational need on the ground, and the Police will adapt and respond to situations as it evolves. I thought that it is important to clarify so that the Member is also able to reassure her residents on the context and the intent of the comments made by the Commissioner.
Secondly, with respect to what the Police are doing in terms of addressing the other disamenities and so on, in general – I think as the Member is aware, and to share with Members of the House – Police focus on law and order, crime issues and related matters. But, as part of an overall strategy in Geylang, Police also coordinate their activities with other agencies, as I elaborated, whether it is MOM, URA, NEA and so on. And I think the intent is to continue to work on this sort of joint efforts whilst the Police focus, in particular, also on crime and law and order concerns, and I would add that, apart from what I have already shared, the Police also have certain targeted efforts in, for example, other kinds of criminal activities which are not captured in the general enforcement statistics that I have shared with all of you today.
Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef: I have just one more supplementary question, Madam. The Minister mentioned about the allocation of manpower resources. Certainly, would it not be better if we can actually solve the root
\tPage: 29
cause of the problem? Then, the manpower can certainly be diverted to other more important issues in Singapore, at the national level.
\tMr S Iswaran: Madam, I am not sure what the Member means by \"the root cause of the problem\" and, indeed, whether it can be eradicated. But if she means by that, removing it from the Geylang area, whilst it may solve her problem, it would become somebody else's problem and, certainly, for the Police and for MHA, it will remain a pressing problem.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Student Drop-out Rates","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"The following question stood in the name of Mr Alex Yam –
13 To ask\tthe Minister for Education (a) what has been the student drop-out rate for primary, secondary and ITE levels over the last five years; (b) what are the main reasons for dropping out of school; (c) are these students tracked after they leave school; and (d) what programmes does the Ministry have in place to encourage potential drop-outs to stay in education.
\tMr David Ong (Jurong): Question No 13, Madam.
\tThe Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education (Mr Hawazi Daipi) (for the Minister for Education): Madam, the overall proportion of each Primary 1 (P1) cohort that does not complete secondary education has fallen from 4% in 2000 to less than 1% in the last five years. The majority of the students who dropped out did so because of a complex interplay of several factors, including difficult personal and family circumstances and negative peer influence outside of school.
To engage students in their studies, our schools proactively build caring and supportive environments which motivate them to learn and grow. This includes providing good pastoral care, appropriate career guidance and various programmes that help students build self-esteem, take responsibility for their actions and develop a desire to lead a purposeful life.
Schools closely monitor students at risk of dropping out and engage and motivate them to stay in school. One intervention is the Time Out Programme where the students are taken out of their regular classes and instead provided with a customised programme that aims to rekindle their desire to learn, as well
Page: 30
as help them develop ways to cope with and overcome any personal, family or social problems that they might be faced with, before they are re-introduced back into their regular classes.
As the reasons for dropping out are many and complex, MOE reaches out to these students by tapping on the expertise and networks of relevant agencies, such as the Central Youth Guidance Office, MSF, MHA, SPF, CNB, self-help groups, Family Service Centres (FSCs) and Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs).
For example, students who drop out of school are referred to the Enhanced STEP-UP Programme set up by MSF. Under this programme, VWOs engage the out-of-school youth individually, as well as together with their family. Youths on this programme also participate in group activities to support them in returning to school or to be meaningfully engaged in society.
Parents are an essential partner in these efforts by our schools and VWOs. They help to effectively instil and reinforce the right values in our students, and provide support and encouragement to them. Schools will continue to engage and work with parents to support their child's needs.
The attrition rate at ITE has likewise declined over the last few years, due to extensive efforts undertaken by ITE. Around one-quarter of each P1 cohort progress to ITE, and more than four-fifths of them graduate with a full certificate. ITE students drop out for many reasons. Some students find it difficult to cope because of their weak academic foundation or difficult personal or family circumstances; while others lose interest in their studies because of a lack of positive peer and family influence, a lack of motivation and other available job opportunities elsewhere.
ITE has adopted a number of measures to address attrition. It has introduced a more flexible curriculum framework to prepare students for a cluster of related careers to keep students interested even if they are not able to enrol in their first choice course. ITE is also catering better to students with different needs, abilities and aspirations, and expanding student counselling and services to better support its students holistically. This year, ITE also introduced the Enhanced Nitec Foundation Programme (e-NFP) which includes an additional year to strengthen the foundation for the students so that they will successfully complete their Nitec courses. Team-building programmes to foster a greater sense of belonging and support among students have also been expanded. ITE also closely monitors and assists the weakest students by giving
Page: 31
them additional remedial lessons and counselling. With time, many of these programmes and measures should ensure that more ITE students successfully complete their course of study.
\tDr Intan Azura Mokhtar (Ang Mo Kio): I thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the answer. It is heartening to hear that drop-out rates have decreased over the years. I have two supplementary questions. To what extent are parents engaged, especially for these at-risk students and for those whose parents are absent and not around, who would be the guardians, who would be taking care of them, that the school engages? The second question is: for primary and secondary schools, are there sufficient allied educators who may work closely with such at-risk students to ensure that their behaviour is monitored?
\tMr Hawazi Daipi: Madam, I thank the Member for the supplementary questions. ITE works closely with organisations that may be able to help students. The Enhanced STEP-UP Programme run by MSF, for example, works very closely with voluntary organisations, Family Service Centres and organisations that can help reach out to both the students as well as the parents, if necessary. So, it is working with organisations that have already the ability to reach out to parents that may prove useful. ITE is also working with voluntary organisations to run programmes that can help raise the motivation of the students who are in danger of dropping out. Based on the ITE reports, we are pleased to note that the programmes run by the two organisations are effective.
On allied educators, yes, almost all of our schools are supplied with allied educators for various reasons. Some are meant for classroom teaching and some allied educators are counsellors or helping the school with counselling work. We leave it to the school to decide on which type of allied educators they need and want to deploy.
\tMr Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap (Aljunied): I thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the answer. Following up on Mr Alex Yam's question, I would like to ask: is there any engagement by the school or the Ministry to engage those who have left school – whether there is any visit to the house to meet up with the parents or the students themselves to encourage them to go back to school?
\tMr Hawazi Daipi: Yes, Madam, in my reply, I did say that schools and ITE work with organisations to encourage those who have left school to return. Some of them are given the early foundation – the additional year that ITE gives
Page: 32
to the students who are academically weaker. It may be useful to help those who may be in danger of dropping out or those who may drop out later, to return with some foundation that may be useful for them to pursue the courses that they are sent to.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Partnership with Local Companies for Government Projects ","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"14 Mr Teo Siong Seng asked\tthe Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance whether the Government can include partnership with local companies as a condition in the tender specifications of key infrastructure projects so that these local companies can build up necessary expertise and track records to help them secure a foothold in overseas projects.
\tThe Senior Minister of State for Finance (Mrs Josephine Teo) (for the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance): Mdm Speaker, Singapore is a signatory to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Government Procurement and a number of Free Trade Agreements. For procurement covered by these agreements, signatories are not allowed to attach conditions requiring tenderers to partner local companies. This applies to Singapore as well.
To help Singapore companies take part in Government procurement, our focus has been and continues to be on strengthening their capabilities and competitiveness and improving their productivity. For example, to strengthen local capabilities in construction and help local firms build track record, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) topped up the $250-million Construction Productivity and Capability Fund with another $30 million.
Where there are synergies in working together for overseas projects, Singapore companies can work as a group and leverage IE Singapore's Global Company Partnership framework that allows them to undertake projects jointly and to share costs. For example, companies can engage consultants to conduct feasibility studies or to prepare bids for an overseas project, with IE funding up to 50% of eligible costs.
In addition, the Government has also initiated the establishment of Clifford Capital, which provides financing support to Singapore-based companies
\tPage: 33
participating in overseas infrastructure projects.
\tMr Teo Siong Seng (Nominated Member): I thank the Senior Minister of State for the reply. The point is about us being a WTO member and having to comply with fair bidding. However, we also hear that construction companies are coming from developed countries; in fact, they are coming here to bid at very low prices, and yet it is very hard for our companies to bid for contracts in their countries. So, it seems that this WTO agreement is not presenting a fair, level playing field, especially for big construction companies from developed countries.
The other point is about bringing the smaller companies in. Is there any scheme for the Government-linked companies (GLCs) to work with smaller companies overseas and, together, they bid for contracts?
\tMrs Josephine Teo: Mdm Speaker, I thank Mr Teo for his comments. On the point that he made about the foreign contractors coming to bid for jobs in Singapore and whether Singapore contractors equally can access jobs overseas, I take the point about participating as a member of WTO, indeed, is to enlarge the space that our companies are able to operate in and also to enlarge the market that they can take part in. If we were not members of this organisation, then the market size in Singapore is even smaller and it would be even harder for our companies to build up the capability and to spread their activities abroad.
So, I think there are two sides to the argument of being a member of WTO. On the one hand, you remain open, and it means that you have to allow foreign contractors to take part in Government procurement in Singapore but, at the same time, you enlarge the playing field that your own contractors can take part in.
There are many schemes that companies can avail themselves of. But I think the point that has also been considered is that operating out of Singapore is clearly very different from operating within Singapore. The rules are different; the partners are going to be very different; the way you organise your business is going to be very different, and where IE Singapore is concerned, my understanding is that they will extend all support and help wherever necessary, and if the trade associations and chambers have got suggestions on how else the Government can be of help, I think these will certainly be considered favourably. I would suggest that we engage in a conversation on more specific details of how the Government can be more supportive.
\tPage: 34
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Priority for Larger BTO Flats for Families with Children ","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"15 Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked\tthe Minister for National Development whether HDB can consider giving priority to families with children in applications for larger BTO flats such that a couple with two children gets an extra chance for a 4-room BTO flat application and a couple with three children gets an extra chance for a BTO flat of four rooms and above.
\tThe Minister for National Development (Mr Khaw Boon Wan): Madam, we do give priority to families with children in their flat applications through two schemes. First, under the Third Child Priority Scheme, HDB sets aside up to 5% of the flat supply for families with three or more children. Second, under the Parenthood Priority Scheme, HDB sets aside 30% and 50% of the public flat supply in Build-To-Order and Sale of Balance Flats exercises respectively for first-timer families with at least one young child, or who are expecting a child.
Under both schemes, a fixed quota of flats is set aside for these families. This ensures a better chance of success, as compared to giving them more ballot chances.
HDB also does not restrict the priority given to families with children to only 4-room or larger flats. This is to allow them to choose the flat type that best suits their budgets and needs.
\tMr Gan Thiam Poh (Pasir Ris-Punggol): I thank the Minister for his clarification. May I know how many applicants currently in the queue are non-first-timers? When will HDB be able to satisfy all of them?
\tMr Khaw Boon Wan: Madam, I used to carry such figures at the top of my head, but now I am unable to recall them. We have largely cleared the queue for first-timers. But the objective to satisfy every second-timer's demand for a new flat is a commitment I cannot make. I have the responsibility to try to meet the demand from first-timers as much as we can.
However, for second-timers, they have options. They already have a flat and they have choices. They can take their time to buy another one, from resale or some other accommodations. As we clear the queue for first-timers, the opportunity to satisfy other applicants with other needs has enhanced.
\tPage: 35
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Formula for Pricing Rental Flats under Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"16 Mr Png Eng Huat asked\tthe Minister for National Development in respect of the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (a) what is the formula for pricing the rental rates for flats under this scheme; (b) what are the costs involved in providing these rental flats; (c) What has been the number of applications for 3-room flat types; and (d) Whether the rental rates can be lowered to encourage the take-up rate for the bigger flat types.
\tMr Khaw Boon Wan: Madam, the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS) provides an additional option for families to rent a flat from HDB while they wait for their new flat to be completed. In setting the rents, we consider various factors, such as the flat type and also the location. PPHS rents are 40% to 60% lower than market rents in the vicinity.
The cost of providing PPHS flats includes the cost of retrofitting the flats before they are let out, and also the cost of managing and maintaining the flats.
The number of applications per month peaked at 409 last September, but has since dropped to 81. More than 900 of the 1,150 PPHS flats have been taken up. There are some larger flats still available. We are considering allowing some couples to co-rent, in other words, to share, these larger flats.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Extending Community Health Assist Scheme to House Calls Made by Doctors","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"17 Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef asked\tthe Minister for Health whether the use of Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) and its subsidies can be extended to cases where primary care doctors have to make house visits to manage elderly or sick patients.
\tThe Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health (Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim) (for the Minister for Health): Madam, today, home-bound patients with medical needs may be referred through the Agency for Integrated Care for a MOH-subvented home healthcare provider to deliver home medical service by a doctor. These patients can already receive means-tested subsidies of up to about $133 per visit. In 2013, more than 1,300 patients received home medical service under MOH-subvented home
\tPage: 36
healthcare providers. The majority are patients with long-term care needs, but some are also home-bound patients with shorter-term needs, such as those recovering from complex wounds post-discharge.
For patients with ad hoc medical needs but who are not enrolled in home medical service, if they are on the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS), they can receive subsidies for house visits by CHAS GPs but at the same subsidy rates, which are up to $18.50 per visit for common illnesses and up to $120 per visit for chronic conditions.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Business Opportunities for Smaller Local Companies","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"18 Ms Tan Su Shan asked\tthe Minister for Trade and Industry how can the Government encourage bigger businesses to give local smaller firms an equal chance to become a preferred provider that will provide these smaller players a useful head start to evolve into our next generation of global enterprises.
\tThe Minister of State for Trade and Industry (Mr Teo Ser Luck) (for the Minister for Trade and Industry): It has always been our objective to have the big companies work with the smaller ones in a partnership format or by forming a consortium to go overseas for projects, as well as to develop the smaller start-ups to increase their capabilities. We have developed several schemes and programmes for that purpose, one of which is the Partnerships for Capability Transformation (PACT) programme. It was introduced in 2010 with a budget of about $250 million under EDB to incentivise large companies to work with smaller companies to raise the capabilities of the smaller companies and enable them to become preferred providers or suppliers.
The PACT programme was further expanded last year. We have an additional $60 million over three years set aside for SPRING to engage these companies beyond manufacturing sectors. We enhanced it, broadened the sectors, so that more sectors would be able to use it. They support co-innovation projects between the large and smaller businesses.
PACT also helps smaller firms in three ways. First, PACT helps large firms to identify and partner local suppliers, local SMEs and helps these smaller suppliers learn best practices from the large companies. Second, PACT provides support for SMEs to upgrade their capabilities to meet global
\tPage: 37
standards and become qualified suppliers of large companies. Third, PACT supports co-innovation projects, which I have mentioned, where large companies and SMEs work together to test-bed new types of technologies or innovation. This helps SMEs build up their portfolio and track record.
The take-up rate for PACT has been quite positive. Over the last year, 40 large organisations signed up for more than 50 projects, with another 70 projects in the pipeline. The on-going PACT projects are expected to benefit more than 300 smaller companies. Of course, we can do more. With 160,000 or 170,000 SMEs, we continue to encourage big companies to work with the smaller ones to tap on these schemes.
The Government also supports joint overseas ventures in order to develop global companies. IE's Global Company Partnership (GCP) grant supports companies working as a group to land overseas projects, allowing large companies to undertake internationalisation activities jointly with smaller companies, and they can share the costs. Support under the GCP includes prototyping and market testing for products, as well as overseas attachments to large companies to acquire new technologies and capabilities.
In addition to some of these overseas schemes, there are some of those programmes and schemes that can help smaller companies to market and promote their products overseas. We strongly encourage these companies to use them, as well as the programme where they can tap on the network of resources to find out more information about the overseas market. The Government helps to defray some of the costs incurred in finding out the information. We continue to encourage big and small companies to work together and also to tap on those schemes.
\tMr Zaqy Mohamad (Chua Chu Kang): I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I just want to ask a couple of questions.
In terms of the PACT programme, when you look at innovation and co-development, do you also look at the payment terms? When it comes to big companies, they typically have economies of scale and they can demand longer payment term cycles. I have done SME dialogues where SMEs would complain that big companies expect longer payment terms and very harsh conditions of contract. This could be looked into. This is one aspect.
My second question is: in terms of putting all these companies together – it is related to the earlier question – how can we facilitate more to come together,
\tPage: 38
especially when they have very varied interests in terms of objectives?
\tMr Teo Ser Luck: For co-innovation projects, usually there will be some costs upfront that would need to be paid. If let us say it is a cooperation between a large and a small company coming together to develop the project, we usually try to encourage them to tap on some of our research institutes or agencies like A*STAR and so on to help to facilitate the whole process so as to help not just the cash flow but, more importantly, the content of the innovation project. How we can help both sides.
SPRING, A*STAR and IE are agencies that are there to help facilitate the process, including resolving some of these issues. It is important for the SMEs, or even the large companies, to surface these issues so that they can work it out. We have done it before. We have overcome such challenges before to facilitate the process of bringing big and small companies together, especially going overseas.
These are companies with a very small market. The size of that company is only that big. If they individually go out there to bid for overseas projects, sometimes their probability of success is very low. We always encourage them to form consortiums, look at major projects, because at the government-to-government level, we have very good relations and the trade growth has increased in many ways, say, for example, in big markets like China. But the project in China is relatively large. We need these smaller companies to group together, look at the opportunities and go for them. And many other countries, for example, the Taiwanese, Japanese and Koreans, are doing the same.
In order to help facilitate that, we are now reviewing some of our programmes, schemes and policies to facilitate that process. At the same time, we are also trying to empower the associations that have been set up overseas, like SinCham, the different offices that are set up, empower them to be able to bring their companies that are overseas together. Essentially, it is both ways. Both here and there, we have to coordinate. SPRING and IE undertake such a role to facilitate this whole process. And we definitely want to beef up our resources to do that.
\tPage: 39
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Recruitment of Bus Drivers for the Bus Services Enhancement Programme","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"19 Mr Teo Siong Seng asked\tthe Minister for Transport whether the public transport operators intend to recruit bus drivers locally or from foreign sources for the 450 buses that will be added to the existing bus fleet under the Bus Service Enhancement Programme.
\tThe Minister for Transport (Mr Lui Tuck Yew): Mdm Speaker, as is the case for the initial 550 buses under the Bus Service Enhancement Programme (BSEP), the Public Transport Operators (PTOs) will hire both local and foreign drivers for the 450 buses under the expanded BSEP that Mr Teo has asked about. However, they prioritise the recruitment of local bus drivers, through a Place-and-Train programme and progressive wage structures, amongst other measures.\t
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Complaints Filed Against Employers","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"20 Mr Ang Wei Neng asked\tthe Acting Minister for Manpower (a) in the past three years, what is the number of complaints filed by (i) local workers (ii) foreign domestic workers and (iii) other foreign workers from traditional and non-traditional sources; (b) how many of these complaints made by local and foreign workers are substantiated; and (c) whether there are instances where the Ministry took action against workers who make invalid complaints.
\tThe Acting Minister for Manpower (Mr Tan Chuan-Jin): Mdm Speaker, in 2013, MOM assisted approximately 7,000 non-domestic work permit holders of all nationalities with difficulties. About half of these cases were employment-related, covering claims for salary or overtime payments. The remainder included well-being issues, such as employers failing to ensure that their workers had acceptable accommodation, as well as work injury compensation-related issues, such as non-payment of compensation. As of 2013, just to give us a sense of proportion, this essentially represented less than 1% of the total non-domestic work permit holder population.
This was a significant drop from 2011 and 2012, where we assisted approximately 14,000 cases each year. This was in spite of the increase in foreign worker population.
\tPage: 40
With regard to foreign domestic workers, the number of workers assisted has also come down, from an average of about 700 workers per year in 2011 and 2012, to less than 500 workers last year, in spite of the increasing population. These cases tend to relate to salary disputes and illegal deployment. As of 2013, again to have a sense of proportion, this represented about 0.2% of the total foreign domestic worker population.
There has been a slight increase in the number of local workers who approached MOM to resolve issues related to employment and work injury compensation. In 2013, about 3,800 local workers lodged cases with MOM for such matters, compared with an average of 3,400 such cases annually in 2012 and 2011. Is there a particular reason for this increase? A lot of it has got to do with increased awareness. We have stepped up our efforts to make sure that our workers understand their rights considerably and this has been the impact of that.
While the overall situation is generally good – Members can see from the proportions that they do represent quite a small proportion of the overall foreign workforce – it is clearly not the perfect situation. There are egregious practices and there is, certainly, always room for improvement. My Ministry stands ready to assist any worker with a rightful claim, regardless of the nationality, but it is also important to emphasise that we also do not tolerate attempts to game or to take advantage of our system. People will be taken to task if they do so. Over the past three years, we have taken action against about 100 workers for making false declarations to our officers.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Public Education on Organ Donation under Human Organ Transplant Act","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"21 Ms Sylvia Lim asked\tthe Minister for Health what efforts are ongoing to educate the public on the effects of the compulsory donation provisions of the Human Organ Transplant Act so as to minimise distress to family members of patients who meet the criteria for compulsory harvesting of organs.
\tThe Minister for Health (Mr Gan Kim Yong): Madam, the Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA) facilitates Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs) who reach 21 years of age, to donate their kidneys, livers, hearts and corneas in the event of death, for the purpose of transplantation to save lives. Every year, the National Organ Transplant Unit (NOTU), sends a HOTA notification letter to all citizens and PRs who are about to turn 21 years old. This
\tPage: 41
letter clearly explains the requirements and implications of HOTA.
We also organise on-going public education programmes such as the \"Live On\" campaign which started in 2008 to raise public awareness and understanding about organ donation. Last year, SingHealth Transplant organised the \"Thanks a Million!\" project. Around one million paper roses were folded by over 18,000 school students and healthcare professionals from various institutions in Singapore to show appreciation to the gift of life made by organ donors.
This year, MOH has also planned a series of public education efforts including television commercials, newspaper advertisements, and roadshows to spread the message of organ donation and to encourage individuals to discuss their views and decisions on organ donation with family members and loved ones. Through this open sharing, we hope that the family members would then be more ready to honour the organ donation decisions of their loved ones when called upon to do so.
In addition to these public education efforts on the ground, our hospitals have teams comprising senior clinicians, medical social workers, nurses and transplant coordinators to engage family members of donors during the organ donation process. MOH also regularly conducts training programmes to equip these hospital staff with the skills to communicate sensitively with the family members of donors, explaining the organ donation process, hearing the family's concerns and clarifying any related issues that they may have.
We will continue to evolve our approach to engage Singaporeans about this important and emotive topic, so that the life-saving and life-changing benefits of organ transplantation can be better understood and embraced by family members and society at large.
Ms Sylvia Lim (Aljunied): Madam, I have two supplementary questions for the Minister. I note his comments about the Ministry's efforts in the past and pending this year to educate the general public on the implications of the law. I wanted to ask whether the Ministry also tracks the outcomes of the efforts so far. In other words, what is the general awareness level existing in the population right now. Despite all these efforts, is awareness high, low or what is it?
Secondly, I recently came across a case of a resident of mine who passed away and she qualified to be a cadaveric donor. The family narrated to me that
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they were very shocked about the implications of the organ donation law. I would like to ask the Minister whether such expressions of surprise or shock from families is commonplace in hospitals currently and is that how the Ministry is stepping up its efforts.
\tMr Gan Kim Yong: Madam, I thank the Member for the supplementary questions. We have been tracking the outcome of our public education programmes. We have done surveys from time to time to better understand the awareness of HOTA and what are the implications. I do not have the exact numbers with me but from our studies and our surveys, we find that the majority of Singaporeans know about HOTA. They may not know all the implications of HOTA but we do know that a significant proportion of Singaporeans do understand the implications of organ donation under HOTA, and the possibility of opting out.
To start with, we are sending letters to all Singaporeans and PRs reaching 21 years of age, to inform them of the option to opt out if they wish to. From time to time, when family members come into contact with the incident of a loved one passing away and they are confronted with the decision about organ donation, they may find it surprising and shocking at the point when they have just lost their loved ones. That is an encounter that we face from time to time at the hospital. When a person passes away, the family members are grieving. At the same time, the doctors and clinicians have to race against time to ensure the viability of the transplant. Therefore, they have to discuss with the family members on this issue that is sometimes very sensitive and very emotive. Therefore, we conduct training programmes for hospital staff so that they are better equipped in dealing with such issues to be able to understand the families' concerns and to manage the process in a more sensitive way.
I hope that by doing so, we would be able to improve the success of organ donation.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Singapore's Assistance in MH370 Incident ","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"22 Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked\tthe Minister for Defence what assistance has the Ministry provided to Malaysia during the incident involving Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370.
\tPage: 43
23 Mr David Ong asked\tthe Minister for Defence what is the extent of assistance rendered by Singapore to Malaysia in the search and rescue of Flight MH370.
\tThe Second Minister for Defence (Mr Chan Chun Sing) (for the Minister for Defence):\tMadam, if I may have your permission to take the next two questions together?
Mdm Speaker: Yes, please.
\tMr Chan Chun Sing: First of all, let us extend our deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of the passengers and crew of MH370. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.
On 8 March 2014, when news of the disappearance of flight MH370 first broke, MINDEF deployed our C-130 aircraft to assist in the Singapore Rescue Coordination Centre's search and locate efforts in the South China Sea. The C-130 aircraft arrived at the search area at about 2.00 pm that same day. Minister Ng Eng Hen also spoke with his counterpart, Malaysian Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, to see what else we could do to help. We subsequently deployed a Victory-class Missile Corvette (RSS Vigour), a Formidable-class frigate (RSS Steadfast) with a Sikorsky S-70B naval helicopter embarked, as well as a submarine support and rescue vessel (MV Swift Rescue) with divers on board to assist the search efforts in the South China Sea. Our Chief of Defence Force and Service Chiefs have also been in close touch with their Malaysian counterparts.
When the search and locate efforts expanded to the Malacca Strait, we further deployed a Fokker-50 Maritime Patrol Aircraft to Butterworth Air Base, Malaysia, to assist in the search efforts in the Malacca Strait.
When the search efforts were shifted to the Indian Ocean, we activated our Navy's Information Fusion Centre to reach out to its network of navies and shipping companies to report on any sightings in the new search areas. Relevant information received was then conveyed to the search coordinators in Malaysia and Australia.
\tMr David Ong (Jurong): Mdm Speaker, a quick question for the Second Minister on whether there is an ASEAN response plan and what kind of collaboration among the defence forces of ASEAN nations can be deployed such as information-sharing, security alerts on flight routes, as well as crisis
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management, in light of this unfortunate event.
\tMr Chan Chun Sing: Mdm Speaker, I think this incident is rather unprecedented. Various members of the ASEAN community have tried their best to provide assistance that would be useful to the Malaysians and the other parties involved in the search. For the ASEAN community, we do share tracks especially in shipping. Our Information Fusion Centre at Changi provides information to the shipping community on all the available information for shipping. We also have foreign liaison officers working with us in the Changi Information Fusion Centre to share such information.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Public Transport Updates on Multiple Broadcast Platforms","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"24 Mr Baey Yam Keng asked\tthe Minister for Transport whether there are plans to build an integrated network for live updates of bus and MRT arrivals and/or breakdowns which can be accessed on multiple platforms including the Internet, TV, radio and digital signboards at bus stops, bus interchanges and MRT stations.
\t
\tThe Minister for Transport (Mr Lui Tuck Yew): Mdm Speaker, the two Public Transport Operators (PTOs) provide \"live\" service information on their respective websites and smartphone apps like SBST IRIS and SMRT Connect.
In addition, LTA integrates service information from them and makes it available on various platforms for commuters' convenience. For example, it provides one-stop information access through the MyTransport.SG and PublicTransport@SG portals. This is augmented by dissemination through third party smartphone apps such as SG NextBus and SG Buses. LTA also broadcasts service delay information through its TrafficWatch radio announcements and Twitter.
\tDr Chia Shi-Lu (Tanjong Pagar): Madam, I thank the Minister for the reply. Just one supplementary question. I was wondering what were the criteria for the setting up of digital signboards at bus stops. Many residents have asked for digital signboards to be put up at certain bus stops. I was wondering what the criteria for the selection of these bus stops are.
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\tMr Lui Tuck Yew: The digital signboards are usually put up only at a major bus stop where there are many buses calling at it and it is heavily used by commuters.
\tMr Baey Yam Keng (Tampines): Mdm Speaker, I refer the Minister to an earlier report at the end of last year about the digital panels not displaying MRT information but just bus services information. The answer was that the commuters enter the MRT stations and get the information there. I think that would not be very useful, because we are talking about an integrated public transport system. It would be useful for commuters at the bus stops to know what is happening at the MRT stations. If there is going to be a disruption, they can make plans on the spot rather than go into the MRT stations and find out then that their service is disrupted. I hope the Ministry can consider this.
\tMr Lui Tuck Yew: Mdm Speaker, I thank the Member for the supplementary question. LTA is indeed currently studying ways to enhance the provision of real time public transport service information including through an integrated platform for both bus and train service updates. On service delays for trains, there is already a requirement under the Code of Practice that LTA has out up for the operators to make the information available to the public in a timely manner. Going forward, it is really looking at how we can integrate the provision of bus and train information.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Impact of Annexation of Crimea on Bilateral Trade between Singapore and Russia ","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"25 Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked\tthe Minister for Trade and Industry whether bilateral trade between Singapore and Russia will be affected by the annexation of Crimea by Russia and, if so, how much will the impact be.
\tThe Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry (Mr Lee Yi Shyan) (for the Minister for Trade and Industry):\tMadam, in 2013, bilateral trade between Singapore and Russia accounted for 0.7% of Singapore's total trade with the world. It is still too early to tell if recent developments in the Crimean peninsula will affect trade between Russia and Singapore.
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","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Free Movement of Professionals under ASEAN Economic Community Goal","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"26 Mr Yee Jenn Jong asked\tthe Minister for Trade and Industry (a) what is the status of negotiations on the ASEAN Economic Community goal to free up the movement of professionals; and (b) what safeguards will be put in place to protect Singapore PMETs and to ensure national control over our immigration policies.
\tThe Second Minister for Trade and Industry (Mr S Iswaran) (for the Minister for Trade and Industry): Mdm Speaker, under the ASEAN Agreement on the Movement of Natural Persons, Singapore has committed to allow the entry of intra-corporate transferees at the level of managers, executives and specialists. This means that only such employees of firms that provide services within Singapore through a branch, subsidiary, or affiliate established in Singapore and who have worked in their firms outside Singapore for at least one year can qualify. Entry for these intra-corporate transferees is limited to a two-year period that may be extended for up to three additional years each time for a total term not exceeding eight years. These intra-corporate transferees will still be subject to Singapore's prevailing Employment Pass regime which requires applicants to earn at least $3,300 and possess acceptable qualifications such as good degrees, professional qualifications or specialist skills.
Singapore has low unemployment. Therefore, allowing selected skilled labour from ASEAN to work temporarily here enables us to fill our skill gaps without compromising the job opportunities of our PMEs. Measures are in place to foster a level playing field for PMEs in the workplace. For example, the Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) introduced by MOM will take effect in August 2014. This framework seeks to send a signal to employers on the importance of considering Singaporeans fairly for job opportunities.
At the same time, the ASEAN agreement also facilitates Singaporean PMEs to work in ASEAN countries and gain regional experience. This enables Singapore to tap the growing opportunities around us. Regional experience is also a critical factor for Singaporean PMEs who strive to advance within multi-national corporations.
The Government will continue to help all Singaporeans including PMEs be job ready through our education system, and Continuing Education and
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Training and employment facilitation programmes.
\tMr Yee Jenn Jong (Non-Constituency Member): Thank you, Madam. I thank the Second Minister for the answer – one supplementary question. Last year, the Indian government officials have publicly stated that Singapore's curb on foreign manpower had possibly violated our bilateral CECA Trade Pact. I am concerned whether there will be any agreements in our current negotiations with ASEAN that will be too loosely worded that may lead to misunderstanding in future. So, I would like the Minister's assurance that all these will be factored in and that the definitions will be very clear.
\tMr S Iswaran: Madam, I assure the Member that our officials are very careful in their wording of these agreements and we are quite clear what our obligations are.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Tuition Fee Increases at Tertiary Institutions ","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"27 Ms Tin Pei Ling asked\tthe Minister for Education (a) how have the costs of talent, services and supplies for tertiary institutions increased over the past five years; (b) whether the rate of tuition fee increase is expected to remain over the next five years; (c) how will the fee hike defray the increase in costs and enhance our competitiveness; (d) what is the out-of-pocket expense and net cost for students once the fee hike and enhanced bursaries are factored in; and (e) how will students from the 25th, median, 75th and 90th percentile income households be affected.
\tThe Minister for Education (Mr Heng Swee Keat): Mdm Speaker, MOE seeks to keep tertiary education affordable and accessible to our students, by providing significant subsidies for all students and by providing a range of financial assistance. The Government provides substantial subsidies for tertiary education, at about 75% and 85% of the total education cost at the Universities and Polytechnics respectively.
Over the past five years, from 2009 to 2013, costs at the publicly-funded tertiary institutions have increased on average by about 4% per year. In contrast, fee adjustments for these institutions have been modest over the same period. Under the cohort-based fee system, undergraduates pay the same fees throughout the duration of the course. The average annual fee increases were lower, at 1% to 1.6% per year for each student cohort for the bulk of the courses.
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Polytechnic fees, which are lower, rose by $50 or about 2% on average over the past five years.
We review and adjust the tuition fees on an annual basis, taking into account the cost of delivering quality tertiary education, while mindful of the prevailing economic situation. Where economic conditions have been difficult, the tertiary institutions have deferred fee increases, such as in Academic Year (AY) 2009 due to the economic downturn. The fee increases help institutions to partially defray rising costs. The revised fees compare favourably with overseas tertiary institutions.
From AY2014, the Polytechnics will adopt the cohort-based fee system. This means that the student will pay the same fees for the entire duration of the course. This is a significant change, as the fee structure provides tertiary students with greater certainty regarding tuition fees and helps them to better plan the financing of their studies.
MOE periodically reviews the Government financial assistance schemes to ensure that these are adequate for Singaporean students in need. MOE is significantly enhancing the Government bursaries from AY2014 for students studying at tertiary institutions. With the enhancements, the household per capita income cut-off to qualify for the Government bursaries has been raised from $1,700 to $1,900 per month. This means that more students will qualify for the bursaries. The bursary quanta have also been increased by between $200 and $700. With these changes, undergraduates can receive up to $3,600 per annum and Polytechnic students can receive up to $2,000 per annum, depending on their household income.
Besides Government bursaries, there are also other financial assistance schemes offered by the tertiary institutions, foundations, private and professional organisations, community groups and self-help groups. Students can, therefore, tap on a range of financial assistance schemes.
With the Government subsidies and the range of financial assistance schemes, a Singaporean student from the bottom two-thirds of households by income, for instance, need not worry about direct cash outlay, as up to 100% of the tuition fees and a portion of living expenses can be covered through a combination of financial assistance and Government loans. Students from the 75th and 90th percentile can similarly tap on such loans to finance the bulk of their education cost, which are interest-free during the course of study.
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Assoc Prof Tan Kheng Boon Eugene (Nominated Member): Thank you, Mdm Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister whether the Universities can do more to cap the cost increases in delivering quality tertiary education.
\tMr Heng Swee Keat: I would like to assure the Member that the Universities are mindful of keeping their operations efficient. And in fact, management of cost is always an important issue which the councils of the Universities have been looking at and will continue to do so.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Student Rankings in Programme for International Student Assessment ","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"28 Mr Lim Biow Chuan asked\tthe Minister for Education with regard to the release of results of students who took problem-solving tests under the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) (a) whether the ranking of students will add stress on the students to maintain their performance in such tests; and (b) whether schools have been reminded on their role to educate the students and not to pursue good ranking in such international tests.
\t
\tThe Minister for Education (Mr Heng Swee Keat): Mdm Speaker, the purpose of our participation in PISA is not to get a good global ranking. Our objective is to find out how well our students are being equipped with important life skills that are important for their future.
In the PISA study, a sample of 5,400 15-year-olds was randomly selected by OECD for the pen-and-paper tasks on reading, math and science. Half of these students then went on to do a combination of the computer-based math, reading or problem solving tasks. There was no preparation required of schools and students.
PISA scores are meant to be reported at the national aggregate level, and not at the individual student or school level. The sampling technique used by OECD is such that scores at the individual and school level are not statistically meaningful. The test scores of individual students are not disclosed to the participants or to schools. Students do not have to make additional preparations for these tests. So, our participation in this study is unlikely to create stress to students.
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We have also been working closely with schools, parents and the community to drive home the message that we should work together to bring out the best in every child. Among others, this means equipping them with the moral compass and the navigation skills to apply their knowledge and exercise their creativity in various contexts and situations – including those which are unfamiliar and complex. The various PISA scores give us an additional source of input and an international benchmark. The more detailed PISA findings in terms of the proportions of our students achieving at various proficiency levels also enable us to review the effectiveness of our teaching and learning strategies in levelling up the competencies of all students.
Our students' good performance attests to their deep conceptual understanding and good thinking skills honed through the rich learning experiences provided by our schools and teachers – both in the classroom and outside of the classroom, for instance, in activities such as co-curricular activities, learning journeys, and Values-in-Action projects of various forms. Teachers have also made learning relevant and engaging, and ensured that students learn to use their knowledge and skills in real-life situations. It also reflects the emphasis that our parents place on education.
We will continue to work in partnership with parents to equip our students for the future.
\tMr Lim Biow Chuan (Mountbatten): I thank the Minister for the answer. I just want to be sure that when the Minister said \"randomly selected\", it does not mean that the school nominates them? How are they actually selected when the Minister said \"randomly selected\"? Was it by computer?
Mr Heng Swee Keat: I would like to assure Mr Lim Biow Chuan that MOE does not select the students. The student sample is selected by the OECD and the OECD has statistical agencies that advise them on how to ensure that the students they pick for the test are representative of the cohort of students in the entire school system. And it is just not in Singapore but all over the world. That is why the results are meaningful and comparable across different countries. I would like to assure Mr Lim that we have no hand in picking the students.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Extension of List of Improvements in Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) Scheme ","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"29 Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef asked\tthe Minister for National Development if the replacement of the older generation pipe-socket system for
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drying clothes with the new aluminium drying system in HDB flats can be added on to the list of improvements under the Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) scheme for seniors and elderly.
\tThe Senior Minister of State for National Development (Mr Lee Yi Shyan)\t(for the Minister for National Development): Madam, the Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) programme aims to improve the safety and comfort of seniors living in HDB flats. Currently, the EASE programme offers seniors three types of improvements to their flats, namely, grab bars, ramps and slip-resistant treatment of existing floor tiles of one bathroom/toilet. The installation work is relatively light and is typically completed within hours.
The replacement of clothes drying racks, on the other hand, requires elaborate engineering work and support structures, such as the use of gondolas, to carry out work on the external facade of the flat. The nature of the work renders it to be most safely carried out during large-scale upgrading programmes, such as the Home Improvement Programme (HIP) or the cyclical maintenance works.
We will therefore continue to offer the replacement of clothes drying racks under the HIP.
Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef (Marine Parade): I thank the Senior Minister of State for the response. Can I just find out what other options can be offered to our seniors living in our high-rise buildings whilst they wait for the HIP to come their way? The second supplementary question is, can he also consider lowering the age threshold for the EASE programme knowing that our population is ageing rapidly and a lot more of our seniors are getting disabled at an earlier age?
\tMr Lee Yi Shyan:\tI thank the Member for her suggestion. In the EASE programme, we are indeed reviewing the criteria for qualifying households. Lowering the age to benefit more seniors is definitely a possibility. On the replacement of the clothes drying rack, I think besides HIP, we can have a look at some of cyclical maintenance programmes that particular estate is carrying out. If the Member has special needs for her constituency, we welcome her suggestions and we can take these offline.
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","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Reinforcing Public Sector's Commitment to Environmental Sustainability Initiative ","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"30 Ms Faizah Jamal asked\tthe Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (a) what measures are in place to strengthen and reinforce the commitment to the Public Sector Taking The Lead in Environmental Sustainability (PSTLES) initiative, in particular in educating Government officers involved in procurements; (b) what steps are in place to measure and record the commitment and observance by all Government agencies of the PSTLES initiative so far; and (c) whether the Ministry will consider implementing PSTLES through a more systematic and compulsory green procurement policy as a way of keeping to Singapore's commitment to sustainability and in dealing with climate change.
\tThe Senior Minister of State for Finance (Mrs Josephine Teo)\t(for the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance): Mdm Speaker, in support of efforts to enhance environmental sustainability, the Public Sector has since 2006, put in place several environmental sustainability measures to promote recycling and efficient use of energy and water resources, including green procurement. When evaluating tenders, agencies consider factors like energy efficiency or other green measures and cost-effectiveness over the entire period of use. For instance, all new office information and communication technology equipment are required to meet the latest international standards, that is, the ENERGY STAR standards.
We are also taking steps to green our public sector buildings. New and existing large public sector buildings are required to achieve the Green Mark standards, which is the benchmark for environmentally sustainable buildings in Singapore. To date, 52 public sector buildings have received the Green Mark Platinum and GoldPLUS ratings, which are the highest ratings for green buildings in Singapore. For example, buildings, such as the National Library Building, Environment Building and Health Promotion Board Building, have all achieved Green Mark Platinum status.
To strengthen public sector's commitment to sustainability, we regularly review our standards. For example, now chiller plants in buildings have to achieve a higher energy efficiency level than previously and this has translated to roughly 15% reduction in the building's energy consumption.
MEWR, NEA and the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) track Government agencies' progress under the PSTLES initiative and also provide the necessary assistance to help agencies achieve the environmental
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sustainability standards.
We will continue to refine our PSTLES framework to ensure that the public sector upholds our strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
\tMs Faizah Jamal (Nominated Member): Mdm Speaker, one supplementary question, please. Beyond green buildings and the points that have been mentioned, I would like to ask one question. There have been reports that paper that is commonly used in offices for photocopying and so on sometimes comes or is procured from or manufactured by companies that do not practise sustainable oil palm production. And in view of the fact that we are very concerned about transboundary haze, pollution and things like that, can there be at least greater vigilance and commitment towards this particular area of green procurement?
\tMrs Josephine Teo: Thank you, Mdm Speaker. If the source of this supply could be made known to us, I think we could take a closer look at it.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"GST Offsets for Low-income Households ","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"31 Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked\tthe Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (a) on average, what percentage of GST paid by the lowest 20% of households (by income) is offset by all forms of GST Vouchers last year; and (b) whether the Government will consider fully offsetting the GST paid by all households in the lowest quintile even in years when there are no one-off Special Payments made.
\t
\tThe Senior Minister of State for Finance (Mrs Josephine Teo) (for the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance): Mdm Speaker, in 2013, for the lowest 20% of households by income, on average, about half of their GST paid would have been offset by the regular GST Voucher. If we include the one-off GST Voucher Special Payment announced in Budget 2013, the benefits from the GST Voucher would have covered over 90% of their GST paid.
However, the GST Voucher scheme is not the only offset for the GST paid by lower-income households. The GST Voucher is part of a progressive system of taxes and benefits, that ensures that lower-income households get back far more benefits than the taxes they pay, including GST. These include childcare
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subsidies and financial assistance from school to tertiary education, Workfare, special and additional housing grants and healthcare subsidies. The GST that they pay is hence far more than offset by the benefits they receive.
\tMr Gerald Giam Yean Song (Non-Constituency Member): Madam, I thank the Senior Minister of State for the reply. I would like to clarify: what is the Government's philosophy behind the GST Voucher Scheme? Is it meant to offset the taxes that are paid by the lower income through GST? Or is it meant to just partially offset it?
I understand the Senior Minister of State's point that there are other vouchers and other subsidy schemes that would help to offset the cost of living, but specifically for the GST, does the Government see it necessary to fully offset the GST paid by the lower income, in recognition of the fact that it is a regressive tax? Because that was the understanding and the impression that I had when the GST Voucher Scheme was launched.
\tMrs Josephine Teo: Mdm Speaker, I thank the Member for his question. The GST Voucher Scheme is a permanent scheme. When the scheme was introduced, the idea was to ensure that even for lower-income households where they paid GST, there would be some form of permanent support for these households. But it does exist as part of a broader set of benefits that are provided to different households. And it is within this context that the GST Voucher Scheme is designed. So, we look at the benefits that are provided to households holistically and provide the support where it is most meaningful to them.
If I could also share and remind Members of the House, in every Budget, the support measures that are provided to lower-income households have been strengthened in many different regards. It could be in education; it could be in childcare; it could be in healthcare; it could also be in housing. So, we have to look at all of these in totality.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Update on Compulsory Weekly Rest Day for Foreign Domestic Workers ","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"The following question stood in the name of Ms Mary Liew –
32 To ask\tthe Acting Minister for Manpower since the introduction of the compulsory weekly rest day for foreign domestic workers (FDWs) (a) how many FDWs have chosen to take the weekly rest day; (b) how many have chosen to
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forgo their rest day in lieu of additional payment; and (c) how many complaints has the Ministry received about employers not granting rest days.
\tAssoc Prof Tan Kheng Boon Eugene (Nominated Member): Question No 32, Madam.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Acting Minister for Manpower (Mr Hawazi Daipi): Madam, MOM has been monitoring the implementation of the weekly rest day requirement since it took effect for foreign domestic workers (FDWs) with Work Permits issued or renewed on or after 1 January 2013.
Specifically, MOM interviewed more than 2,000 FDWs who arrived to work in Singapore for the first time in 2013. It is encouraging to see that 37% of the FDWs interviewed received a weekly rest day. In comparison, a 2010 survey of more than 900 foreign domestic workers showed that only 13% of FDWs received a weekly rest day. We also found that about 61% of those interviewed received at least a monthly rest day, compared to 53% in the 2010 survey. FDWs who forgo their weekly rest days have to be compensated with additional payment, as required under the law.
In the lead up to implementation on 1 January 2013, MOM carried out extensive public education campaigns for existing employers and FDWs and employment agencies. This included an information kit and rest day implementation guide, mailed to all FDW employer households. Employment agencies were briefed and given a recommended template for facilitating the written rest day agreement between FDWs and employers before commencement of employment, to allow expectations to be clearly communicated upfront. All first-time employers and FDWs were informed of the weekly rest day provision through the mandatory Employer Orientation Programme and the FDW Settling-In Programme.
We understand that FDWs and employers usually attempt to resolve any disputes and secure mutual agreement on the rest day arrangement between themselves, or through their employment agencies. Parties should openly discuss their concerns. Nonetheless, FDWs who do not receive rest days in accordance with the written agreement with their employers, or compensation in-lieu for working on a rest day, can seek assistance from MOM.
By 1 January 2015, the rest day requirement would have been in place for two years. This means that all FDWs will be on new employment contracts that
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will have to abide by the requirement. MOM hopes to see the rest day arrangement work well for employers, their families and the FDWs. A rest day provides FDWs a reprieve from their duties, much like how all of us Singaporeans need a break from our work. Ultimately, this will contribute to more well-adjusted FDWs who can better perform their jobs, benefiting our Singaporean families.
The Ministry will continue our efforts to educate and help stakeholders manage the rest day requirement, as well as work with partners to provide avenues for FDWs to spend their rest days productively.
\tMr Christopher de Souza (Holland-Bukit Timah): I thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the answer. In relation to the replacement contracts, the start-up kit and the settling-in programme, does MOM understand that in some situations, the maids are in unequal bargaining positions and whether these programmes and start-up kits or literature create a buffer needed to put the maids perhaps on a more equal footing in terms of rest days? But I am certainly encouraged by the statistics shared in terms of percentages.
\tMr Hawazi Daipi:\tI would say that there are two buffers. One is the employment agency. The employment agency would be actively involved in the agreement between the two parties, the employer as well as the FDW, on which day the FDW will get the weekly rest. If there is a dispute, the employer and/or the FDW can seek assistance from the employment agency that had overseen the written agreement between the two parties. If there is still a dispute, either party or both can seek assistance from MOM.
If there is a change in the agreement on the weekly rest day, the employer as well as the domestic worker are advised to write it down. So, I would say there are two buffers for both employers as well as the domestic workers, the employment agency can help them, and, finally, of course, the MOM.
\tAssoc Prof Tan Kheng Boon Eugene: Mdm Speaker, I would like to ask the Senior Parliamentary Secretary whether an employment agency can be a neutral party, given the fact that the FDW's employer is probably a client of the employment agency. In this regard, I would like to ask the Senior Parliamentary Secretary whether it is possible for the Ministry to be the so-called adjudicator. I agree with Mr de Souza that between the FDWs and their employers, there is an unequal, asymmetric power relationship there.
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While I am encouraged by the improvement in the figures, would the Senior Parliamentary Secretary agree that at 37% for what is supposed to be a mandatory rest day, that the figure is actually quite low? Are there plans to make the compulsory rest day to be truly a compulsory rest day?
\tMr Hawazi Daipi: Madam, let me take the second question first – whether MOM can make the compulsory rest day truly compulsory. It is actually compulsory. Employers are supposed to provide one rest day a week to their domestic worker, if the Work Permit was issued on or after the 1 January 2013. Those who were under the old agreement can continue with whatever arrangement they had agreed to before but come 1 January 2015, all maids will come under the new agreement that will require employers to provide one day off a week. So, it is compulsory.
If for some reason, the employer needs the maid to work on her rest day, or the maid says that she wants to work on her rest day, they will have to come to an agreement on how that will work out.
So, is there truly an imbalanced relationship between the two? Maybe. But then, there are avenues for them to resolve their differences. The employment agency, because they are a party or the facilitator to the mutual agreement, can continue to be the facilitator. MOM cannot be there all the time in every household we have about 210,000 maids. We would have to work with the agencies to facilitate whatever differences that may happen or may arise between the two parties, but we will still be there if the maid comes to MOM for assistance.
I would like to assure the Member that a compulsory rest day is truly compulsory. If for some reason the employer needs the maid to work on the agreed rest day, then they must work out an agreement and the maid must receive either compensation payment or an alternative rest day.
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","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Conclusion of Lift Upgrading Programme ","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"33 Mr Png Eng Huat asked\tthe Minister for National Development what is the roadmap to bring the Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP) to the 200 blocks of HDB flats that are currently without full lift access now that the main LUP is coming to an end in December.
The Senior Minister of State for National Development (Mr Lee Yi Shyan) (for the Minister for National Development): Mdm Speaker, the Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP) is a $5 billion programme to equip HDB blocks without direct lift access with lift access on every floor. Within this budget, the implementation of LUP has to be subject to reasonable cost caps.
LUP has over time covered 98% of flats in blocks built without direct lift access in Singapore, benefiting some 500,000 households from 5,000 blocks. The remaining 2%, however, are difficult for LUP because of the block configuration and other technical constraints, resulting in very high costs per unit. Nevertheless, HDB tried its best and found some solutions for these flats. It successfully reduced the initial 1,000 such blocks to about 200 blocks through the adoption of new technologies and innovative solutions.
HDB will continue to look for new technology solutions to overcome the current technical and cost constraints. We are piloting some possible solutions that look promising. However, we require some time to assess their suitability and user response. Meanwhile, residents who require direct lift access because of their medical conditions can approach HDB for special assistance.
\tMr Png Eng Huat (Hougang): I just want to ask whether the Ministry will consider engaging those blocks by providing the cost, such as the cost of original LUP, to that block and let the residents decide. If it is marginally more, the residents may be able to want to vote on it and be willing to pay.
The second question is, under the original LUP, there is economy of scale. Going back to only these 200 blocks, if you were to implement just for these 200 blocks, would it not be more expensive than if the implementation for these 200 blocks not be put under the original LUP programme?
\tMr Lee Yi Shyan: Well, Madam, 200 blocks still is a sizeable number as far as realising the economies of scale is concerned. But I think the issue is not really economies of scale. The issue is out of this very difficult configuration and sometimes the benefiting units are in between units that have lift access,
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how do you demolish existing balconies and punch through lift access shafts and so on? So, these are the kinds of challenges.
The cost is not just marginal. Some of the costs are as good as building new flats itself. It is a very difficult cost-benefit situation. Based on some of the solutions that we are experimenting with, such as what we call the pneumatic vacuum elevator and the vertical platform lifts, some of these are being tried out. They still have not been installed but we will install them. Some of these really require user feedback to see how robust they are in serving traffic when it is installed in HDB flats rather than in special venues.
The overall approach we take is one that, within our means, we will adopt innovative solutions that can mitigate or help solve some of these problems. In fact, some of them will not turn out very ideal because the blocks per se, if you build certain lift shafts, it becomes very convenient for residents at large but it may affect certain units facing the lift shafts in particular. So, there is no perfect solution. But the short answer is we will continue to try.
\tMs Denise Phua Lay Peng (Moulmein-Kallang): Thank you, Madam. I thank the Senior Minister of State. I would like to ask if the Senior Minister of State would consider several measures. One, to consider increasing the cost cap for the LUP programme. In view of the fact that many of the designs were designs of old which were not really the fault of the residents, not their doing. If we could increase the cost cap, then we could avoid the situation where we ask the elderly or the more disabled to leave or to move away.
The next thing that I would like to ask the Ministry to consider is before the final solution is implemented and developed, could there be some temporary measures to help some of the elderly residents to, for example, move from floor to floor, or to the floor where the lifts are available? I have seen in some homes wheelchairs that can slide down the railings. I wonder if the Ministry or HDB could consider some of these measures.
And knowing this is not an easy problem to resolve, I wonder if there could be a programme by which we could engage a bigger group of Singaporeans to propose certain solutions, either through the tertiary organisations or the general public, whether temporary or permanent, to help resolve this, to me, a very important issue.
\tMr Lee Yi Shyan: Madam, I thank the Member Denise Phua for her very good suggestions. I can understand the needs out there. In short, yes, we
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welcome these suggestions. We have a particular exercise running for two years now called \"Cool Ideas for Better HDB Living\". We have asked HDB residents and some of the University and Polytechnic students to come forward with ideas that can help improve HDB living. And in this particular case, certainly we can look into asking them for ideas that can help immobile or physically challenged residents without lift access to see how they can access the lifts better.
On the cost cap, I think we should also realise that it is not just adjusting the cost caps incrementally. Some of these costs are two to three times the cost caps. So, it is a huge cost. It is not something that within reason we can easily say, \"Let's do it\".
Also, it is not so much design. We cannot blame it totally on design. I remember distinctly when I was growing up and living in HDB flats for 20 years, there was a period of time people generally disliked choosing units next to the lifts because they value privacy more than anything else so they would choose units that were further away. So, the needs and lifestyles have changed. We have come to such a point that lift access becomes of great importance and becomes appreciated. We have to continue to adjust and see how our flat configurations can suit the new needs. In this case, it is retrofitting. I am sure our new flat design has all taken into consideration accessibility and universal design to aid mobility. So, in short, yes, we will consider all these suggestions.
\tEr Dr Lee Bee Wah (Nee Soon): Mdm Speaker, I would like to ask the Senior Minister of State for the remaining 200 units, for those who really need the lift, the Ministry is willing to help them to relocate, am I right? Okay. Currently, the cap, the construction cost is $30,000. Will the Ministry consider giving them the $30,000 for them to relocate?
\tMr Lee Yi Shyan: Well, we look at every case on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes, it is not the financials that they need. Sometimes, it is really the other form of assistance, maybe HDB loan and so on. Let us look at the specific case and see who else requires such assistance. Like the Member Ms Denise Phua said earlier, some people prefer to stay in the same place rather than moving away. There is a trade-off between going to a new place with lift access and staying at the same old place.
\tMr Christopher de Souza (Holland-Bukit Timah): As I see it, there are two limiting factors. The first is the deadline for the LUP project, a nationwide LUP project. The second is the cost cap. My question is, after the deadline,
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should there be advancements in engineering, advancements in the manner in which we can install lifts, thereby reducing the amount payable per unit to something in the region of the cost cap or, perhaps even below that, would the Government be still willing to consider putting lifts in? And I use as an example, Sunset Way, where it was previously above the cost cap and then we looked at it and we looked at it again. And then a solution was found. So, would there be open-mindedness on the Ministry's part for that?
\tMr Lee Yi Shyan: Yes, Mdm Speaker, we are open to look at solutions beyond this timeline. This timeline is to end this year but if we continue to find solutions that make sense we will definitely consider them.
\tMr Png Eng Huat: Madam, just one quick question for the Senior Minister of State. The new technology that the Senior Minister of State mentioned earlier, does it cater to low-rise or just high-rise flats? Because I know that certain technology can only cater for low-rise flats.
\tMr Lee Yi Shyan: Mdm Speaker, the Member is correct. In our non-eligible units, there are some that are high-rise but many of them are low-rise. Low-rise flats are usually fourth floor so there are very few benefiting units and some of them are segmented. We will find solutions that will suit low-rise and high-rise flats. We will continue to look for solutions, whether it is from the professional circle or from residents themselves.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Helping SMEs Manage Rental Costs ","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"34 Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked\tthe Minister for Trade and Industry (a) whether the Ministry is able to take steps to moderate rentals for SMEs to help them cope with rising operating costs; (b) whether the Ministry can work with REITs entities to help SMEs manage rent in the long run; and (c) whether tax rebates can be granted to SMEs to help them cope with rising rental costs.
The Minister of State for Trade and Industry (Mr Teo Ser Luck)\t(for the Minister for Trade and Industry): The Government's objective has always been to maintain a stable and sustainable property market where rentals remain competitive and affordable for businesses. We do so by ensuring that there is an adequate supply of space for long-term needs.
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Industrial rentals have been relatively stagnant from 2000 to 2006. Rentals saw an uptick in 2007, but declined during the Financial Crisis. In the second half of 2009, rentals started rising from a low base as our economy recovered. Rentals have since stabilised from last year. In general, rentals constitute between 3% and 7% of business costs for SMEs in the manufacturing sector but, of course, it depends on the different industry, different sectors where rental can be of a larger component. Over the next three years, an average of 500,000 sqm of multiple-user factory space will come on-stream annually. This is double the average annual space demand for such space in the last three years and is also expected to moderate industrial rentals further.
For retail space, URA's shop rental index rose by 2.9% and 2.6% in 2010 and 2011 respectively, before declining by 0.3% and 0.9% in 2012 and 2013. As retail leases are generally renewed every two or three years, tenants may experience increases at the point of lease renewal. Based on data from January 2012 to May 2013, the median increase in rentals upon renewal was in line with inflation. About one in 10 tenants experienced cumulative increases in rental of more than 50%, and these tended to be tenants renewing their leases after more than four years, or who had units in more attractive locations. Also, for about one quarter of tenants, rentals either remained unchanged or actually declined.
We expect retail rentals to moderate further. Over the next three years, about 145,000 sqm of new shop space will be completed each year. This is more than double the average annual demand for such space in the last three years.
The Government has, in the past, provided also tax rebates to help reduce business costs during severe economic downturns. Such rebates were provided from July 2001 to December 2002, and more recently, in 2009. In view of the current economic conditions which are relatively sound and rentals are also expected to moderate, such rebates and subsidies may not be necessary at the moment. I will continue to monitor the situation and determine if there is a need in future.
REITs are not leading players in the rental space market, as they currently own about 13% and 16% of retail and industrial rental spaces respectively. REITs typically select properties in locations that are more attractive, and invest in asset enhancement as well as undertake marketing efforts to increase foot traffic. These factors help explain why REITs are able to charge higher rentals. So, like any other landlords, they have to compete in the rental market to attract tenants.
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As rentals are driven by demand as well as supply, SMEs which operate in locations that are becoming more attractive will experience higher rentals. The Government is looking into publishing more comprehensive rental data for retail and industrial space to make the information more transparent so there is a sense of comparison and so as to provide the information on the overall rental market and also help businesses make some informed decisions and to make sure there is a fair practice so that they can consider their different options.
\tEr Dr Lee Bee Wah (Nee Soon): Mdm Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of State: for the 5,000 sqm that come into the market annually, is this space developed by private developers or by Government agencies? I just had my dialogue session with SME owners who are my residents two days ago. Many expressed their concerns on rising rentals. I would like to ask the Minister of State if it would be possible to bring back the previous JTC kind of factories that were leased directly to the SMEs. The other thing is, will HDB be building more shops and more office space to lease directly to the SMEs?
\tMr Teo Ser Luck: Madam, it is not 5,000 sqm. It is 500,000 sqm – that is double the annual demand. That is both JTC development as well as private development, which means that it would be through the Government Land Sale (GLS) Programme. What JTC is trying to do now is to play a more developmental role which is really to help SMEs and start-ups. Recently, we launched a larger area for new businesses and start-ups. We are also clustering spaces by industry, for example, goods manufacturing. Industries that seem to lag behind in the productivity movement, we help them to intensify space usage, or we can call it land intensification. We will cluster and build purpose-built factories for these companies to use and keep a balance. The supply of space will increase tremendously. That should moderate the general industrial space demand.
For HDB, I guess I have to leave it to MND to answer that question. Through the SME Workgroup, we have MND and HDB representatives in there. We are all coordinating to make sure that we are monitoring all rentals throughout the different space, to make sure our SMEs do not face tremendous increases in terms of rentals. For reasons of making sure that there is fair practice and also making sure that the inflationary measures that may impact the rental cost, are reduced.
We are looking at all these different measures to see what we can do. Within this year, we will come up with more transparent data and more information in terms of a rental index to make sure that both tenants and landlords have a sense of where their rates are and how they can have a sense
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of comparison to make sure that rentals are fair throughout the location.
\tEr Dr Lee Bee Wah: May I ask what proportion will be by land sales and what proportion will be developed by JTC directly?
\tMr Teo Ser Luck: I do not have the information at the moment. We will now have to plan to see how much out of the 500,000 sqm is for GLS and how much for development by JTC. I do not have that information; I could provide that later.
\tMs Denise Phua Lay Peng (Moulmein-Kallang): I would just like to ask the Minister of State what is the source of his information that the rental rate increases are generally aligned with the inflation rate? There seems to be some perception issues that are on the ground. I think it is quite important to address that. No matter what the Government says, that perception seems to be persisting. There are quite a number of data points that suggest that when retailers negotiate for a tenancy that is about to expire, they tend to get demands for increases as high as 100%. That kind of information goes around in the market. If that is the perception, I think that perception has to be addressed.
My second question would be when this data would be published. Do we have to wait until everything is available? If not, can it be done as soon as possible so that, again, that perception is addressed?
\tMr Teo Ser Luck: The data and the information that I have got is an aggregate, which means it is averaged out. There are different experiences and practices between landlord and tenants because of the contractual arrangements. At different locations, they will experience different commercial practices. The landlord may have a different mix of shops and tenants that they want, and so there are different types of contractual arrangements. That determines some of the rates that may apply to the tenants.
We are unable to go into such specific breakdowns such as by buildings. But on the whole, the intent is that as far as we can, we are looking for the sources that make sense. Perhaps by geographical points, within an area, and we can say how high or how low the rental index is in that area by comparison. We are still determining the sources and we are collecting the data and information with the help of associations and Government agencies. It is not just data from the Government agencies, but also from associations, practitioners and stakeholders of the market. We intend to do this and complete
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it within this year. We hope to do it as soon as possible, but we have to make sure that the data is accurate, comprehensive and complete.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Complaints on Do Not Call Registry","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"35 Mr Ang Wei Neng asked\tthe Minister for Communications and Information as of 31 March 2014 (a) what is the number of residents who have registered with the Do Not Call Registry; and (b) what is number of complaints received pertaining to offences related to the Do Not Call Registry.
The Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information (Mr Lawrence Wong)\t(for the Minister for Communications and Information): Mdm Speaker, by the end of March 2014, about 595,000 Singapore telephone numbers have been registered with the Do Not Call Registry. Over 3,200 organisations have also set up accounts with the Registry, with more than 113 million telephone numbers submitted for checking.
Since the Do Not Call rules came into effect on 2 January this year, the Personal Data Protection Commission has received some 3,000 valid complaints. The Commission has been following up on these and enforcement action continues to be taken, with over 200 written notices issued by the Commission to warn organisations of non-compliance. For more serious breaches, offers of composition have been made and accepted by two organisations. The Commission also continues to investigate one organisation with the most serious breaches, with a view to prosecution. Further details of the case will be provided by the Commission once investigations are complete. For complaints relating to illegal activities such as unlicensed money lending matters, the Commission has referred these cases to the Police for their attention.
We would like to thank members of the public who have come forward to provide information on organisations that may not be complying with the Do Not Call rules. It is hoped that the public can continue to assist the Commission in its investigations and respond positively if approached.
\tMr Ang Wei Neng (Jurong): Madam, I thank the Senior Minister of State for his reply. I note that more than 590,000 people have registered with the DNC registry. Is this number within the expectation of the Ministry?
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The second question is, I understand from the Senior Minister of State's reply that the Personal Data Protection Commission refers the moneylending SMSes to the Police instead of investigating them under the Data Protection Act. Does the PDPC follow up with Police on the number of such complaints and how they are being followed up by the Police?
The third supplementary question is, the Minister of State has said that for one case, MCI may bring the case for prosecution in the Courts. For the other cases, will they be brought to the Courts or will they mostly be settled with a compound fine?
\tMr Lawrence Wong: Madam, on the first question on registration, whether they are up to expectations, I would say that we have had a good response so far. It is difficult to say what the expectations were from the outset, but generally, we have had good response and feedback from the implementation. We will continue to publicise the scheme to make sure that there is widespread awareness from the public.
On the second point on unlicensed moneylending cases, unlicensed moneylending is a serious criminal offence. And so, the PDPC would want to work with the Police or to refer these cases to the Police to follow up on. We will continue to track them but we do want to make sure that the cases are dealt with in a serious fashion because of the gravity of these offences. The PDPC does not take unilateral action but they will work with the Police to make sure that there is follow-up on these cases.
On the third point about composite fines, and the fact that there was only one case with a view to prosecution and what would be the follow-up for the other cases, this will again depend on the seriousness of the offence. As I had mentioned, offers of composition had been made for two so far. And quite a number may also end up in this category. The very serious cases, the PDPC will certainly continue with prosecution. I am unable to give a breakdown today because investigations are still on-going for many of the cases.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"MOE's Financial Assistance for Students","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OA","content":"The following question stood in the name of Mr Alex Yam Ziming –
36 To ask the Minister for Education (a) what is the total number of students on financial assistance in 2013; (b) whether the numbers have seen an increase over the last five years taking into consideration the changes to the qualifying
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family income ceiling; and (c) apart from financial assistance, what other assistance does the Ministry provide to such students.
\tDr Intan Azura Mokhtar (Ang Mo Kio):\tQuestion No 36, Madam.
The Minister for Education (Mr Heng Swee Keat): Mdm Speaker, MOE is committed to providing quality and affordable education to all Singaporeans regardless of their financial circumstances. Our education is highly subsidised at all levels and the Government provides a range of financial assistance schemes to assist those who may be in need.
The MOE Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) for Singaporeans in primary and secondary schools and JCs/Centralised Institutes has been enhanced over the years. In 2013, around 65,000 Singaporean students were on financial assistance in our schools. This was about 1.5 times the number of beneficiaries five years before, largely owing to changes to the criteria which enabled more students to be eligible. Students on financial assistance do not pay school and standard miscellaneous fees. They also benefit from free textbooks and uniforms. Students in primary schools who qualify for financial assistance are also provided with free breakfast.
In addition, MOE provides every school with additional resources for school leaders to provide assistance to deserving students who may not meet the qualifying criteria.
Singaporean students enrolled in subsidised programmes in our post-secondary educational institutions, namely our publicly-funded universities, polytechnics, Arts Institutions and ITE, benefit from the CDC-CCC bursaries or the MOE bursaries. In Academic Year (AY) 2013, around 47,000 Singaporean students in these post-secondary institutions received the CDC-CCC bursaries and MOE bursaries. This was about 2.5 times the number of beneficiaries five years before, largely due to the changes in criteria in AY2011 that enable more students to qualify. From AY2014, these bursaries have been enhanced to significantly increase the bursary quanta and raise the income eligibility threshold to benefit more students. In addition, students in our publicly-funded polytechnics and universities can also take up the Tuition Fee Loan and Study Loan to cover their tuition fees and supplement their living expenses.
Beyond direct financial assistance to the students, MOE also provides the Opportunity Fund which our schools, ITE and polytechnics can use for the provision of enrichment activities and other co-curricular development
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opportunities for Singaporean students from less advantaged backgrounds. The Fund can also be used to subsidise the purchase of computers for needy students in our schools under the IDA's NEU PC Plus Programme. Under this programme, the students can own a new computer at an affordable price.
MOE also partners with the Self-Help Groups in reaching out to these families or students who need additional assistance beyond MOE. Our Self-Help Groups have in place student assistance and support schemes to help needy students. We are also heartened to know that external organisations and individuals have also been keen to provide additional support to needy students. The School Pocket Money Fund is an example where corporations and individuals have donated generously to complement the assistance provided by MOE.
Beyond financial assistance, schools run programmes to support students to learn better in school. These include the Learning Support Programmes to help them level up academically. After-school care is another important area of learning support. Schools will proactively identify students from low-income families who would benefit from such arrangement and encourage them to enrol in the school-based student care centres. To ensure affordability for students who are enrolled in student care centres and require financial assistance, they can apply for the ComCare Student Care Fee Assistance – a scheme administered by MSF.
I would like to take this opportunity to assure the House that an education in our schools and post-secondary institutions will remain accessible to all Singaporeans. No Singaporean student will be left behind as a result of his or her family's financial circumstances.
Mdm Speaker: Order. End of Question Time. I propose to take the break now. I suspend the Sitting and will take the Chair at 4.20 pm.
[Pursuant to Standing Order No 22(3), Written Answers to Question Nos 37, 39-42, 44-46, 48-51 and 54-59 on the Order Paper are reproduced in the Appendix. Question Nos 38, 43, 47 and 52-53 have been postponed to the next available sitting of Parliament.]
Sitting accordingly suspended
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at 4.00 pm until 4.20 pm.
Sitting resumed at 4.20 pm
[Mdm Speaker in the Chair]
[(proc text) Order for Second Reading read. (proc text)]
The Senior Minister of State for Finance (Mrs Josephine Teo): Mdm Speaker, I beg to move, \"That the Bill be now read a Second time.\"
Singapore has garnered a strong reputation as a trusted international financial and business centre with a robust regulatory framework against money laundering and terrorist financing. Since 1992, Singapore has been a member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global standard setter for anti-money laundering and counter terrorism financing. As a responsible member of FATF, Singapore ensures that the framework applied here is constantly updated and aligned with established international standards.
With money laundering and terrorist financing activities becoming increasingly sophisticated, regulatory authorities and enforcement agencies need better tools to effectively address emerging risks. Although there are existing controls for sectors, such as banks and casinos, one area where they need to be strengthened is for corporate service providers, which are individuals or businesses that provide services, such as corporate advisory, office hosting, companies' set-up, corporate secretarial services and statutory filing of documents with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA).
Corporate service providers do not typically handle services that involve large amounts of cash. However, there is a risk that the companies they help to incorporate may be abused by criminals to set up complex or unusual business structures to conceal beneficial ownership, and reduce the transparency of transactions.
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Hence, there is a need to enhance the regulatory framework for corporate service providers. Besides mitigating the risks of money laundering and terrorism financing, regulatory enhancement will also raise the professional standing of corporate service providers.
This Bill and the new supporting subsidiary legislation will put into law the obligations of the Singapore Government as a member of FATF.
I will now elaborate on the key amendments in the Bill.
First, corporate service providers who perform statutory filings for their customers using ACRA's electronic filing system known as Bizfile will need to be registered as filing agents. The professionals whom the filing agents employ or appoint will need to be registered as qualified individuals. Both filing agents and qualified individuals must be fit and proper persons and satisfy competency and experience requirements.
Second, the amendments will impose new requirements on registered filing agents, through the subsidiary legislation. These requirements will be consistent with the relevant FATF recommendations, including the obligations to perform customer due diligence and transaction monitoring on customers, and to consider whether it is necessary to file suspicious transaction reports. For example, as part of customer due diligence, registered filing agents will be required to obtain beneficial ownership information of their customers. The availability of beneficial ownership information increases the transparency of transactions and makes it more difficult for money laundering and terrorism financing activities to be carried out.
Third, the amendments introduce enforcement powers for ACRA to sanction registered filing agents and registered qualified individuals who breach their legal obligations. These sanctions include issuance of a censure, suspension or cancellation of registration, or financial penalties. ACRA will take a calibrated approach in imposing sanctions, taking into account the seriousness and/or frequency of the breach.
As of March 2014, there are approximately 3,000 businesses and 3,600 individuals registered with ACRA as corporate service providers. These registered persons include advocates and solicitors, public accountants, members of the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants, the Association of International Accountants (Singapore Branch), the Institute of Company Accountants, Singapore, and the Singapore Association of the Institute of
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Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, as well as corporate secretarial agents.
ACRA intends to manage the transition carefully. Outreach programmes will be conducted and corporate service providers are encouraged to attend these programmes to familiarise themselves with the stricter regime. Thereafter, there would be a window period for the corporate service providers to decide if they wish to continue performing their business activities under the enhanced regulatory framework.
Existing providers who opt in during this window period will be transitioned to the new regime as registered filing agents and qualified individuals until end 2015, regardless of whether they meet the competency and experience requirements. ACRA will also waive the registration fee for them. After the transition period, they are required to renew their registration annually and meet these new requirements.
ACRA has also formed a working group, comprising professional bodies whose members are corporate service providers, to draft practical guidelines and templates to enable them to comply with their new legal obligations. This includes what corporate service providers should do when performing customer due diligence and what they should consider when setting up internal policies, procedures and controls.
Overall, the legislative amendments will raise the professional standards of corporate service providers in Singapore, and significantly reduce risks of money laundering and terrorism financing.
Madam, this Bill also proposes amendments to the ACRA Act to clarify and enhance ACRA's powers in several areas.
First, for better protection of ACRA's name and acronym against infringement, the amendments will make it an offence for anyone making unauthorised use of ACRA's name and acronym.
Second, the amendments will give additional powers to ACRA officers to facilitate enforcement, consistent with the Acts of newly set up regulatory authorities in Singapore. These include the powers to examine a person orally and to reduce such statements into writing, to enter premises for the purpose of investigating an offence, and to take photographs or video recordings.
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Third, the amendments will raise the maximum composition fine that ACRA may impose from $1,000 currently to half of the maximum fine or $5,000, whichever is lower. This will align the ACRA Act with other ACRA-administered legislation.
Finally, this Bill stipulates that monies which are collected by ACRA are to be paid into the Government Consolidated Fund. This change is to keep ACRA's funding separate from the monies it collects from penalties and composition sums. Mdm Speaker, I beg to move.
[(proc text) Question proposed. (proc text)]
Mr R Dhinakaran (Nominated Member): Mdm Speaker, thank you for allowing me to speak on this topic that is pertinent to the accountancy profession as well as to corporate governance in Singapore.
It is also a Bill that I take great interest in professionally. As Members of the House may know, I am a member of the accountancy profession in Singapore and I also wish to declare my interest as Vice-President of the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA), one of the bodies that have played an important role in the formulation of this Bill.
As the national accountancy body, ISCA has studied the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) (Amendment) Bill and is supportive of ACRA's decision on the new regulation governing Company Service Providers, or CSPs in short.
Professionalism of Industry. We believe that the revised licensing and supervisory regime will help ensure all CSPs are regulated according to the same standards, thereby raising the professionalism of CSPs and the quality of services provided in the industry. Similarly, this will raise the standard and image of ISCA members who are service providers in this field.
The revised regime will also assist in addressing the anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing matters. This is vital in helping to maintain Singapore's reputation as an international financial centre.
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Whilst we are supportive of the revised regime, we have some feedback on the Bill and key policies, including those received from our members.
Qualified Individuals (QI) Applications. Firstly, point 2 (a) of the Key Policies in the ACRA (Service Providers) Regulations proposes the categories of people who may apply to be \"Qualified Individuals\" (QI). Whilst it is good to name the institutions to be included in the categories of the people who may apply to be the QI, we recommend that the background of these institutions be evaluated from time to time to ensure that only institutions which are recognised internationally be included.
Madam, sections 28F and 28G call for the introduction of the fit and proper consideration for applications to be filing agents and QI. This is to ascertain if the applicant's previous conduct in either of these two roles had been satisfactory and, in the case of applications for filing agent, an additional assessment of whether the conduct of their directors or management members was satisfactory.
While it is agreed that fit and proper consideration is appropriate, such consideration could be judgemental from both the business and regulatory points of view. Instead, we suggest that the following factors be taken into consideration: the competency of the applicant; the relevant and number of years of experience the applicant possesses; and appropriateness of experience and type of exposure the applicant has. In addition, specific requirements for each of these factors should also be set out in the regulations. This will allow for more objective and relevant assessment of the applicant.
ACRA has responded that the fit and proper requirements are that the applicant must not have been convicted of an offence involving fraud or dishonesty punishable with the imprisonment of three months or more and must not be an undischarged bankrupt. The competency and experience of an applicant will also be considered as the Regulations state that only advocates and solicitors, public accountants registered under the Accountants Act, members of the various professional bodies and those with relevant experience as corporate secretarial agents are eligible to register as qualified individuals.
Due diligence. Section 28F (9)(a) states that every registered filing agent should perform such customer due diligence measures to detect and prevent money laundering and financing of terrorism.
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This calls for the requirement to apply customer due diligence matters when establishing business relationships with the customer, when there is a suspicion of money laundering or terrorism financing or when the identification or documentation involved appears dubious.
Although registered filing agents already conduct due diligence procedures of their own with respect to clients, these may vary. So, it is important to provide specific guidance to registered filing agents to help them determine the extent of the customer due diligence to perform for different categories of customers, including foreign entities.
Due diligence procedures need to be enhanced when dealing with politically exposed persons. Besides providing specific guidance on this, we further suggest that assistance be extended to smaller firms, that is, who may not have sufficient resources to maintain or subscribe to a list of politically exposed persons on the identification of politically exposed person when dealing with foreign customers. It is also important that a central database be maintained which lists all foreign countries that have deficient anti-money laundering or anti-financing of terrorism measures, and any changes to this list be communicated to all registered filing agents.
The registered filing agents also need to establish and maintain appropriate internal policies, procedures and controls. We propose that examples of appropriate policies and procedures or templates be provided to help registered filing agents to implement.
We have submitted our feedback and comments to ACRA during the public consultation exercise in November 2013 and ACRA has responded to the feedback. Some of the comments raised by ISCA which were accepted by ACRA include the following:
We suggested that guidelines be issued to help the Corporate Service Providers implement and determine the extent of work, namely, the qualifying criteria and customer due diligence measures; and
We proposed that a list of foreign countries that have deficient anti-money laundering or anti-financing of terrorism measures be maintained centrally and any new addition or removal of the list be communicated to Corporate Service Providers.
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ACRA's response to these recommendations was that it will issue a set of guidelines to assist registered filing agents in their compliance with the terms and conditions on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing measures. Where possible, links to the public lists of terrorists, politically exposed persons, or countries with deficient anti-money laundering or counter-terrorism financing measures will be published online so that registered filing agents may refer to them when doing their necessary due diligence.
We wish to commend ACRA for its time and efforts in obtaining comments from the public, as well as holding dialogue sessions with professional bodies, including the Singapore Association of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators (SAICSA), the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) and the Law Society of Singapore.
As one of the representatives in the ACRA's Corporate Service Provider Working Group, ISCA will continue to provide feedback on the guidelines to be issued by ACRA for Corporate Service Providers in future. But we also hope that our other proposals will be taken into account as it will help strengthen the regulations and the industry, to the betterment of Singapore. Mdm Speaker, on the whole, I support the Bill.
Mrs Josephine Teo: Mdm Speaker, I thank Mr Dhinakaran for his support of the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all respondents to the public consultation exercise which was held last year including ISCA. As Mr Dhinakaran has pointed out, MOF and ACRA have incorporated a number of ISCA's comments. Let me now address Mr Dhinakaran's specific comments today.
Mr Dhinakaran had raised suggestions that are related to the key policies of the ACRA Service Provider Regulations. This document only outlines the broad policies, whereas the details will only be formulated as a set of regulations after the Bill is passed. ACRA will take on board ISCA's suggestions when drafting the regulations. However, for the benefit of other Members, I will broadly address some of Mr Dhinakaran's points.
First, Mr Dhinakaran suggested that ACRA also consider factors, such as the competency and experience of the applicant, when qualifying applicants for registration as filing agents and qualifying individuals. In fact, these factors are
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already part of today's regime and will be retained. The amendments we are proposing aim to enhance the current regime through setting higher eligibility criteria. This includes requiring an applicant to be a fit and proper person, not to have been convicted of any offence involving fraud or dishonesty with imprisonment for three months or more, and not to be an undischarged bankrupt. So, the current amendments build on existing requirements, which already incorporate Mr Dhinakaran's suggestion.
Second, Mr Dhinakaran also suggested where corporate secretarial agents are concerned, that only those with at least three years' experience as a company secretary and who have been in the business of providing corporate secretarial services be eligible for registration. In fact, this is already in the existing requirements and will be retained.
Third, Mr Dhinakaran suggested that only members of professional bodies which are internationally recognised should be eligible for registration. I should explain that the enhanced regime does not enlarge the categories of persons that are allowed to register. Members of the old professional bodies that we currently allow have carried out their duties satisfactorily thus far, and there are no strong reasons to exclude any one of these professional bodies. Under the enhanced regulatory framework, members of these bodies however, who do not meet the requirements will no longer be registered. So, this will help to ensure that the quality of services provided by our Corporate Service Providers is not compromised.
Madam, let me now turn to the more technical but, at the same time, very important aspects of the Bill raised by Mr Dhinakaran and they have to do with the filing agents' obligations for customer due diligence.
We agree with Mr Dhinakaran that it is necessary to provide clarity and specific guidance to Corporate Service Providers on the new obligations under the revised framework. The working group that ACRA has set up and of which ISCA is a part, is mindful of this need. As one of the members of the working group, ISCA has also been actively providing useful feedback to ACRA.
Thus far, the working group has completed a draft, which is a set of practical guidelines based on international and local precedents for Corporate Service Providers, focusing on the extent of customer due diligence requirements. Now, depending on the assessed risks of each applicant, different levels of customer due diligence, either enhanced, normal or simplified will have to be performed. In other words, there is already a broad
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tiering of the extent of due diligence that will be required, depending on the assessed risks of different types of customers.
The guidelines will provide examples of risk factors and suspicious behaviour that filing agents will have to consider during the risk assessment. In addition, the guidelines will also include links to FATF's list of countries that have anti-money laundering or counter financing of terrorism that are considered high risk or deficient in terms of their controls, or enforcement. The FATF's list will likely be the most current one that anyone should refer to if they are in need of checking up on or for an assessment of the adequacy of controls and enforcements in any particular regime.
The guidelines will also provide examples of appropriate internal policies, procedures and controls that filing agents should maintain within their own organisations. In situations where a filing agent is unable to apply proper customer due diligence measures, a suspicious transaction report should be made to the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD).
Often, this is a judgement call whether to file a report or not. The Working Group has, therefore, specifically consulted CAD on the factors that ought to trigger the filing of a suspicious transaction report. A list of these factors will similarly be provided in the guidelines, together with a template containing the type of information required to be provided.
Finally, when deciding on the frequency of audit checks, ACRA intends to adopt a risk-based approach and consider factors, such as size and type of filing agents. ACRA will be formulating its audit policies and will share them with the industry in due course.
In conclusion, Madam, I would like to assure Members of the House that ACRA will do its best to provide corporate service providers with clear guidelines accompanied by the conduct of adequate and appropriate training.
Once again, I thank Mr Dhinakaran for his thoughtful comments and support for the Bill.
[(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)]
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[(proc text) The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. – [Mrs Josephine Teo]. (proc text)]
[(proc text) Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. (proc text)]
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Geographical Indications Bill","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"BP","content":"[(proc text) Order for Second Reading read. (proc text)]
The Senior Minister of State for Education and Law (Ms Indranee Rajah): Mdm Speaker, I beg to move, \"That the Bill be now read a Second time.\"
Madam, the Geographical Indications Bill proposes to strengthen protection for businesses and consumers by enhancing the regime dealing with representation of geographical origins of goods, where such origins are indicative of quality.
Before going into the provisions of the Bill, it may be useful for me to explain what we mean by \"Geographical Indications\" or \"GIs\" in the context of the Bill.
Geographical Indications or \"GIs\" are terms which we use to inform consumers that a product comes from a particular place. Such goods would often fall under the category of food and drink.
I thought, Mdm Speaker, that it might be useful to illustrate this. And with your permission, may I ask the Clerks to distribute an Annexure to the Members?
Mdm Speaker: Yes, please. [A handout was distributed to hon Members.]
Ms Indranee Rajah: Mdm Speaker, this annexure is to enable the Members to appreciate the full flavour of what we mean. MinLaw exercised some creative licence to come up with a menu to illustrate what it would look like if you had food and beverage with geographical indications. So, you would have, as starters, Melon wrapped with Prosciutto di Parma, followed by Belon Oysters and Baked Camembert Cheese from Normandy. For the mains, you
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have Chicken from Bresse braised in Red Wine from Burgundy, and followed by a Roast Kobe Beef Rib Seasoned with Sarawak Pepper. For dessert, Fresh Strawberries Drizzled with Balsamic Vinegar from Modena, a Provencal Olive Oil-Lemon Cake and a Champagne Granita. And, of course, not forgetting the wines. We have Chablis; Mosel for the White, a Bourdeaux and Brunello de Montalcino for the red with Digestifs of Grappa and Port.
Madam, the names of many of these products refer to a town, region or country, as can be seen from the menu. If Members wish to avail themselves of the menu and try it out, I can assure them that MinLaw will not be exercising its copyright in respect of the menu and they are free to do so.
We call these terms \"GIs\" when they signal to consumers that a product has special qualities or enjoys a certain reputation or other characteristic due to its geographical origin. Indeed, some of the terms in the menu are recognised as GIs in other countries.
Take \"Bordeaux\", for example. \"Bordeaux\" is a wine originating from the Bordeaux region in France. It is said to have a special flavour and characteristic because of its geographical origin. If \"Bordeaux\" is protected as a GI in Singapore, this means that only wines produced in the Bordeaux region can be labelled and marketed as \"Bordeaux\" wines in Singapore. Wines produced outside of Bordeaux that are labelled or marketed as \"Bordeaux\" wines would infringe the \"Bordeaux\" GI. The traders and producers of GI products, or their relevant associations, may then pursue civil action to stop the infringement or seek damages.
Why protect GIs? As indicated earlier, many GIs revolve around food and drink. Singaporeans increasingly consume and enjoy food products from all over the world, including various agricultural and dairy products, wines and spirits.
GI protection safeguards the interests of our consumers. It provides greater assurance that the products bought by our consumers truly carry the characteristics that they are known for, and which are attributable to their geographical origin.
Currently, GIs are already protected in Singapore under the Geographical Indications Act, in accordance with the World Trade Organization Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) standards.
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TRIPS provides a two-tiered scheme of protection:
First, all GI products enjoy a basic level of protection, where GI labels cannot be used on products which do not come from the place indicated by the GI, if this misleads the public as to the true geographical origin of those products.
For wines and spirits, there is an enhanced level of protection where GI labels cannot be used even if consumers are not misled as to the true geographical origin of the goods in question. One example of this is the use of the term \"Bordeaux-like\". This may not mislead consumers, but is nevertheless not allowed.
The present Act does not require GIs to be registered before they enjoy the relevant type of protection under TRIPS. However, in practice, the absence of a registration system means that a term can only be conclusively determined that it is a GI through a Court ruling in a civil suit. There have not been any such disputes before our Courts. Thus far, there have not been any such disputes before our courts.
I move on to the objectives of the Bill. Under the recently concluded FTA negotiations with the EU (the European Union (EU)-Singapore Free Trade Agreement or EUSFTA), we have agreed to take steps to bring the agreement into force by strengthening our GI regime.
The Bill proposes to: first, establish a Registry of Geographical Indications or \"GI Registry\"; second, enhance the protection of GIs in Singapore; and third, provide improved border enforcement measures for GIs.
I will now take the House through the main features of the Bill.
Part IV of the Bill establishes a system of registration for GIs. The aim of having a system of registration is to improve the certainty of protection given to GIs. Registration will give the holder certainty that a term is recognised as a GI and is, therefore, entitled to all the protections enjoyed by a GI, without needing to confirm this before the Courts. This will facilitate the enforcement of these rights.
The proposed GI Registry will reside within the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS). When established, the Registry will examine applications for GI registration in respect of: (a) wines and spirits; and (b) selected categories
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of agricultural products and foodstuffs, such as cheese, meat and seafood.
Registration will be a three-stage process that seeks to be transparent and fair. The process is similar to the trade mark registration system in Singapore and comprises the following:
First, application. Among other things, applicants will be required to specify the quality, reputation or characteristics of the good in question and how that is attributable to the geographical origin.
Second, there will be examination. There will be a detailed examination of each application to ascertain that they fulfil certain fundamental requirements. These are largely similar to what is mandated under the present Act and TRIPS.
Third, publication and opposition. Thereafter, the application will be made public for a period of time. This is to allow third parties an opportunity to object to the registration, for example, on grounds of \"generic-ness\", meaning that the GI has become a common name for describing that product in Singapore. In this respect, GI terms which are proven to have become common household names in Singapore may not be registered.
Registration of a GI will last for 10 years initially. Like the trade mark registration system, this can be renewed for further periods of 10 years. To protect existing rights, GI registration will also follow the \"first in time, first in right\" principle. This means that a new application for GI registration may not invalidate a prior conflicting GI or trade mark which already exists.
Trade mark owners today using terms similar to GIs being registered will thus not be inconvenienced. However, the GI can still be registered if consent is obtained from the owner of the prior conflicting trade mark. Consequential amendments to the Trade Marks Act will be made to align the current Trade Marks regime with this position.
There will also be exceptions for existing users of GIs so that their business operations will not be disrupted. For instance, if a person has continuously used a GI term in Singapore for a sufficiently long period of time, or has previously used the term in good faith, he or she may continue to use the term, even if the GI is subsequently registered.
We do not foresee a significant impact on consumer choice, as the majority of products labelled with GIs in the local market are already of the correct
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geographical origin. Moreover, for many products, there is substantial intra-GI competition. For example, there are many producers of \"Bordeaux\" wines, competing with one another in different segments of the market.
Businesses that import foodstuffs, wines and spirits may have to adjust their operations to comply with the new requirements. For example, they may have to work with producers to re-label such products for sale in our local market. That said, through our public and industry consults, we have already alerted our local businesses, and they have already started planning for the new GI regime. That is the first main change.
The second relates to the enhanced protection for registered GIs. Under the TRIPS two-tier system of protection, wines and spirits enjoy an enhanced level of protection. This enhanced level of protection means that protection is conferred even if consumers are not misled as to the products' true geographical origin. Clause 4 of the Bill will extend this enhanced level of protection beyond wines and spirits to all successfully registered GIs, including agricultural products and foodstuff.
The third change relates to border enforcement measures. Under Part VI of the Bill, owners of all registered GIs will have access to improved border enforcement measures. For instance, they will be able to request that our Customs authorities detain suspected infringing goods which are to be imported into or exported from Singapore. These measures are generally based on those in the Trade Marks Act, with modifications to suit the situations involving GIs.
I move on now to implementation. The changes under the Bill will be implemented in stages to correspond with the EUSFTA's ratification timeline.
The GI Registry will be established only if the EU Parliament ratifies the EUSFTA. The enhanced protection for all categories of registered GIs will only kick in when the benefits of the EUSFTA is provisionally applied both ways. Improved border enforcement measures will only be effected within three years after the EUSFTA enters into force. This will give Customs time to build up capabilities to undertake enforcement action.
The staged implementation ensures that any potential disruptions to local businesses dealing with or using GI products do not kick in before the benefits of the EUSFTA start to accrue.
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It will also give businesses time to make the necessary changes to adjust to the new GI regime, including, for example, the re-labelling of products for sale in the local market, which is what some local businesses are already in the process of doing.
When the new GI protection regime comes into force, it will not over-ride or undermine any rights which GI holders already have under the existing regime. These rights will co-exist with those under the new regime.
However, those who wish to benefit from increased certainty of recognition, enhanced level of protection and improved border enforcement measures can opt for registration.
Mdm Speaker, in conclusion, the EUSFTA, when it comes into force, could bring about the following benefits: (a) tariff concessions on our exports; and (b) greater EU market access for Singaporean companies.
The proposed changes in our GI regime will put us in a position to meet our obligations under the EUSFTA, should the conditions for implementation arise. It will also then benefit our consumers.
At the same time, we have structured the implementation in phases to minimise disruption to businesses and ensure that the benefits of EUSFTA accrue in a fair manner to both parties. Madam, I beg to move.
[(proc text) Question proposed. (proc text)]
Mr Christopher de Souza (Holland-Bukit Timah): Mdm Speaker, a geographical indication, or GI for short, is a legal term that refers to a sign or indication that identifies a good as originating from a particular location. These GI products are typically characterised by a special quality, reputation or unique characteristic. Well-known examples of GIs include Darjeeling tea, Champagne and Parma ham.
It is essential that we respect the geographical origins of these products as they represent a guarantee as to the quality of the products that are being purchased. Beyond that, these GIs may also promise a specific taste, aroma, appearance or characteristic which consumers are willing to pay for. Equally,
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should there be goods produced in Singapore, their Singapore-linked GI should be respected. What I am about to do to your menu is, well, tongue-in-cheek! For example, if under the starters we had Ghim Moh chwee kway, or under the mains we had Katong laksa, or under the desserts we had Geylang ondeh ondeh, or under the beverages we had wines. The broader point I am making here is we, too, should not only have to protect GIs of other countries but, should the time come, reciprocity should be accorded to our country, Singapore, by countries in terms of relevant goods produced here or eventually produced here.
As such, it is essential that we honour the GIs of goods and products that are being sold on our shores or that are being exported or imported through our ports.
Under existing laws, GIs are automatically protected under the existing Geographical Indications Act (GI Act), as there is no requirement for parties to file an application to protect a GI. This protection applies to GIs of any country that is a member of the WTO, a party to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Intellectual Property, or a country designated by the Minister as a \"qualifying country\".
Further, interested parties are able to bring civil claims to obtain a court injunction to stop third parties from using their GIs, or obtain compensatory damages or the account of profits from the infringing third party. Beyond the GI Act, interested parties may also be able to obtain protection for a GI as a certification or collective mark under our Trade Marks Act.
Mdm Speaker, I support this Bill as the re-enactment of the Geographical Indications Bill enhances and augments the existing legal regime for the protection of GIs under our domestic laws, and provides for clearer rules relating to the protection of goods and products with registered GIs.
The impetus for the repeal and re-enactment of this Bill is to ensure that Singapore continues to meet its obligations under the WTO's 1994 Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS), as well as our forthcoming commitments should the EU Parliament ratify under the European Union-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (EUSFTA), which I had the privilege of accompanying the Prime Minister to France and Poland last year to push for.
In the lead-up to this re-enactment, MinLaw, MTI and the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) had launched public consultations to garner feedback and views from the public regarding the proposed re-enactment and
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relevant changes to related legislation.
Could the Ministry highlight some of the key feedback that was garnered from the Public Consultations that were conducted and whether any feedback received from those consultations were incorporated into the Bill that is being debated today?
Mdm Speaker, one key component of the proposed Bill is the establishment of the Registry of Geographical Indications (GI Registry) under IPOS. This newly created GI Registry will be responsible for the registration of GIs for wines and spirits, and selected categories of agricultural products and foodstuffs. The proposed GI Registry will adopt a three-stage process for the registration of GIs, similar to that used for trade mark applications.
Agricultural products and foodstuffs that are registered with the GI Registry will be accorded enhanced protections beyond the existing regime, beyond the level accorded under Article 22 of TRIPS, while registered GIs for wines and spirits will be afforded the same level of protection that it currently possesses.
Further, the point that I want to stress is that the advantage of registration is that owners of registered GIs will have access to augmented border enforcement measures. These improved border enforcement measures will empower customs authorities to carry out active enforcement of the IP protection of GIs, rather than reactionary or passive enforcement.
Under the proposed Bill, owners of registered GIs will be able to request the Singapore customs authorities to restrict the import of infringing goods, or to seize and detain suspected infringing goods which are expected to be exported or imported into Singapore. Customs authorities will also be vested with the authority to search, examine and inspect vehicles and the baggage and belongings of persons entering into Singapore by land, sea or air.
Mdm Speaker, this pre-emptive approach to the protection of intellectual property rights is preferable as it ensures that infringing products are kept out of the market early, rather than relying on after-the-fact enforcement by the authorities.
In the event that these IP infringements fall through the cracks or go undetected at our borders, the Bill also provides adequate and effective remedies for owners and interested parties of registered GIs to obtain relief and
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remedies against infringing parties.
Lastly, the proposed amendments to the Trade Marks Act allows for the alignment of the two registries in areas where there is potential for conflict.
Specifically, the proposed amendment to the Trade Marks Act would prevent the registration of a trade mark that contains a GI that is already registered under the GI Registry, or if an application for the registration of the GI was lodged before the application for the registration of the trade mark.
This is particularly important in cases where the trade mark is intended to be used for goods or products that are in the same category as the good for which the GI relates to, and such goods or products do not originate from the place indicated in the geographical indication.
Further amendments will be made to allow users of trade marks identical or similar to a registered GI to continue using their respective terms, if they are able to show that they have been applying for or have been continuously using the term in good faith for trade, before the application for the registration of the GI was lodged or before GI became protected in its country of origin.
Mdm Speaker, the flexible approach adopted ensures that the protection of GIs and intellectual property rights is stringent, yet ensures that it does not hamper trade through Singapore.
Taken together, all these proposed changes and augmentations will ensure that Singapore remains a champion for the protection of intellectual property rights in the region, if not globally, and will ensure that goods and products that are being sold, imported or exported through our shores are accorded the requisite protection that they deserve. Madam, I support the Bill.
Ms Indranee Rajah: Mdm Speaker, I thank the Member for his support of the Bill and his very helpful comments. He had actually also highlighted an example which I think I should address because it illustrates what is meant by Geographical Indications. So, for example, Katong laksa would not, unfortunately, qualify as a GI, the reason being that, in order to be a GI, its components would actually have to be grown or originate from Katong. So, the laksa leaf would have to be a Katong laksa leaf, the rice flour would have to come from rice grown in Katong, the tau pok would have to come from the soya
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bean that was grown in Katong and the clams would have to be harvested there as well.
The Member had asked about feedback from the public consultations and whether any feedback received was incorporated into the Bill. The feedback from the consultations largely revolved around particular GIs of interest to various producers from different parts of the world. The feedback related to issues that have been debated in other countries, such as whether certain GI terms were viewed as generic and can be registered. The takeaway from the exercise was to confirm the need for us to create a transparent and fair system for registration, which would examine each GI application on a case-by-case basis. This we have done through the three-stage process for registration. I have described this process in my earlier speech. But the Member may rest assured that we will work to have a fair and transparent GI regime that will enhance our reputation as an intellectual property hub in this region.
[(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. – [Ms Indranee Rajah]. (proc text)]
[(proc text) Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. (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 Parliament do now adjourn to a date to be fixed.\" – [Mr Gan Kim Yong]. (proc text)]
Adjourned accordingly at 5.14 pm
to a date to be fixed.
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","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Improving Usage of Productivity and Innovation Credit","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"37 Mr Yee Jenn Jong asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (a) whether the Ministry is satisfied with the distribution of the Productivity and Innovation Credit (PIC) claims among the six different qualifying activities; and (b) what measures does the Government have to increase the usage of PIC by companies in activities more directly related to innovation.
Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam: The Productivity and Innovation Credit (PIC) was set up as a broad-based scheme to support a wide range of activities that can help businesses, and SMEs in particular, improve their productivity and foster innovation.
The Government does not have a preferred distribution of the PIC claims. Instead, we monitor the claims and feedback from businesses, and make adjustments to enhance support where necessary. For example, in response to feedback that SMEs tend to license IP rights rather than acquire the IP for innovation, we allowed costs incurred to in-license IPRs to qualify for PIC benefits. The information on claims from Year of Assessment 2013 onwards will help to ascertain how many firms benefit from the liberalisation of the scheme.
Besides PIC, there are other schemes that support innovation by businesses. In particular, SMEs can tap SPRING Singapore's grant schemes, such as the Innovation & Capability Voucher (ICV), to get help from consultants to upgrade their capabilities. The Capability Development Grant (CDG) provides additional financial support for innovation projects.
The Centres of Innovation, set up by SPRING Singapore, in partnership with selected Polytechnics and research institutes, provide laboratory facilities, technology consultancy, training courses and assistance for SMEs to test and develop new technology projects.
SMEs can also leverage on the technical assistance and expert secondment from A*STAR Research Institutes to upgrade their in-house R&D or technical capabilities to develop new products or processes.
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For design projects, DesignSingapore Council provides grant support for businesses working with consultants to build innovative design solutions and develop design capabilities.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Restrictions on Heavy Vehicles in School and High Pedestrian Traffic Zones","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"39 Ms Lee Li Lian asked the Minister for Transport (a) how does LTA implement localised traffic schemes that restrict the entry of heavy vehicles to areas around schools or that have high pedestrian activity; (b) whether monitoring is done on a regular basis to assess the effectiveness of such schemes; and (c) whether LTA requires contractors who undertake projects to build flats or commercial projects to submit route planning for their heavy vehicles to ensure the safety of school children and residents living in the vicinity.
Mr Lui Tuck Yew: Heavy vehicles usually ply roads serving industrial areas, which are located away from residential areas. However, when there are construction activities within residential areas, some heavy vehicle movements are unavoidable. Before starting construction works, the developer or contractor will typically seek inputs from LTA on the routes of heavy vehicles moving to and from the site. In most cases, the localised traffic scheme and safety measures, such as warning signs, will also be shared with the community. Thereafter, LTA will monitor and make adjustments where necessary.
To further ensure the safety of school children in particular, as I mentioned at the Committee of Supply debate last month, the Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety Committee has put together a comprehensive \"toolkit\" of School Zone safety initiatives. This will be piloted at 10 Primary schools this year before it is progressively extended to other schools.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Personal Responsibility for Climate Change Issues","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"40 Assoc Prof Tan Kheng Boon Eugene asked the Prime Minister in view of the recent National Climate Change Secretariat survey (a) what are the
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likely reasons for the decline in public concern and the lower sense of personal responsibility and action on climate change issues; and (b) what strategies are being envisaged to better reach out to Singaporeans on climate change issues with a view to enhancing personal responsibility and action.
Mr Teo Chee Hean (for the Prime Minister): The National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS) commissioned a survey from September to October 2013 to gauge public perception on climate change. The survey found that about seven in 10 (70.2%) respondents were concerned about climate change, marginally (3.6%) lower than the previous survey in 2011. However, only 39% of respondents felt that individuals should be mainly responsible for taking action on climate change, compared to 56% in the previous survey.
The results could have been influenced by the severe transboundary haze that affected Singapore in June 2013. This is because half of the respondents (50.6%) cited \"clearing of forests\" as the key contributor to climate change. As there is not much that an individual could do to prevent transboundary haze, this could have led to more respondents looking towards the Government to take action.
On the other hand, over 80% of respondents indicated that they adopt climate-friendly behaviour – they turn off electrical appliances at the mains when the appliances are not in use, choose appliances which carry an energy label, use public transport or car pool when possible and practise the 3Rs, that is, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. This is an improvement over the 2011 survey where over 70% of respondents said that they were doing so.
NCCS adopts a whole-of-nation approach, working closely with stakeholders in the people, private and public sectors to raise public awareness about climate change and encourage greater personal action. It reaches out to Singaporeans through community events, schools and the social media. For example, to generate greater awareness on climate change among young Singaporeans, NCCS organises the National Climate Change Competition each year for students. Through the competition, students produce videos to help to spread the message of climate change and what individuals can do to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
A new climate change exhibition will also be launched at the Science Centre by the end of this year. Undertaken by NCCS, the Science Centre and the Meteorological Service, the exhibition will help Singaporeans better understand the science behind climate change, through fun and interactive
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displays.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Enhancing Commitment to Climate Change","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"41 Ms Faizah Jamal asked the Prime Minister what development plans and past strategies need to be reviewed as a \"whole-of-Government\" approach to ensure that the recommended solutions of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change are heeded and our commitment strengthened in dealing with climate change.
Mr Teo Chee Hean (for the Prime Minister): According to the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report (AR5), global warming could increase risks of flooding, food insecurity, insufficient access to drinking water, heat-related mortality, breakdown of infrastructure networks and services from extreme weather events, and loss of biodiversity. The report highlights the importance of countries taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing their resilience to climate change. It is an authoritative document based on the collective assessment of scientists worldwide.
I chair an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Climate Change (IMCCC) to oversee how Singapore can help arrive at a global agreement, how to build resilience in the face of climate change and how we can bring down or mitigate our greenhouse gas emissions. These policies, plans and actions are reviewed regularly to take into account international developments and the latest information, such as from AR5.
Climate change can impact Singapore’s physical environment. The Centre for Climate Research Singapore (CCRS) was established in 2013 to build local expertise in climate science and help inform policy decisions. The CCRS is collaborating with the UK Met Office, Hadley Centre to undertake our 2nd National Climate Change Study, which will draw on AR5 and develop more detailed projections for Singapore – on climate parameters, such as rainfall, temperature and sea-level rise. These will, in turn, advance the understanding of local impacts of climate change and the necessary measures.
We have adopted measures to future-proof our assets. For example, in 2011, we raised the minimum reclamation levels for all new coastal lands by one
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metre to at least 2.25 metres above the highest recorded tide. We have developed our Four National Taps to ensure a robust and diversified water supply, and embarked on drainage improvement works to better manage flood risks. To address the challenges of food security, our key strategy is to diversify our food sources, supported by other measures, such as reducing food wastage and boosting our industry production capacity and resilience.
Singapore contributes to global efforts in emission reductions. We have made an unconditional commitment to reduce emissions by 7-11% below the business-as-usual (BAU) levels for 2020. When a legally binding global climate change agreement for all countries is reached, we will work towards a deeper 16% reduction from the 2020 BAU.
As Singapore has limited access to renewable energy, our key strategy in reducing emissions is to improve energy efficiency. We have programmes and incentive schemes in the various sectors to promote energy efficiency. We introduced the Energy Conservation Act last year to require all large energy users in the industry and transport sectors to appoint energy managers, report energy use and submit energy efficiency improvement plans.
Singapore supports multilateral negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) where countries are working towards a post-2020 global agreement. As part of this effort, we are studying how we can stabilise our long-term emissions.
Addressing the global challenge of climate change requires the participation of all countries. Singapore is committed to working closely with the global community to address this challenge together. Everyone has a part to play, whether through lifestyle adjustments or changes to business processes. Every individual effort, such as using more energy-efficient appliances and modes of transport, will count.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Detecting Aircraft that Stray from Flight Path","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"42 Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Defence whether the RSAF has measures in place to identify and be alerted to aircraft flying near Singapore which veer off their flight path so that they can be intercepted in time
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before they reach Singapore.
Dr Ng Eng Hen: The RSAF has a robust air defence system to monitor our skies and protect the sovereignty of Singapore’s airspace. Working closely with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, the RSAF detects and identifies aircraft before they enter our airspace through its suite of radars.
If an aircraft veers off its flight path, a series of preventive measures will be triggered. First, air traffic controllers will communicate with the aircraft to verify its reason for veering off its flight path. If there are doubts regarding the intent of the aircraft or the aircraft does not adhere to air traffic control directions, RSAF fighter aircraft will be activated to intercept the aircraft. Ground-based air defence systems will also be activated.
On past occasions, the RSAF had responded swiftly to suspicious aircraft approaching our airspace. For instance, in 2008 when an unknown aircraft was detected heading towards Singapore, the RSAF activated our F-16 fighters to intercept and identify the aircraft, and the fighters escorted it till it landed.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Availability of Student Care Places","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"44 Mr Yee Jenn Jong asked the Minister for Social and Family Development how does the Ministry track the availability of student care places in the industry and whether it will track and publish the provision of student care places as one of its key performance indicators in the Government's Budget Book on revenue and expenditure estimates.
Mr Chan Chun Sing: MSF registers Student Care Centres (SCCs) which administer the ComCare Student Care Subsidies. MSF tracks the availability of student care places at these centres to gauge demand and take-up rate. We will look into how to make the information more widely available for parents who are looking for available places for their children.
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","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Introduction of ERP2 System","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"45 Mr Png Eng Huat asked the Minister for Transport with regard to the introduction of ERP2 in 2020 (a) what is the roadmap to roll out the new islandwide GPS-based road pricing system and its value-added services; (b) what is the estimated cost of ERP2; and (c) what are the safeguards to minimise privacy issues.
Mr Lui Tuck Yew: We plan to call a tender for the next generation electronic road pricing system, or ERP2, in the coming months. ERP2 will continue to be a congestion management tool. Some of the value-added services which could ride on ERP2 include improved dissemination of traffic information to drivers and electronic roadside parking, which will enhance the driving experience.
It is too early to provide an estimated cost for ERP2 as this is dependent on the tender submissions and the technical solutions proposed.
I understand the concerns over privacy but it is really too early to say how these concerns would be mitigated, before we have seen the proposals. What I can assure the Member at this stage is that we will put in the appropriate safeguards wherever required.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Organising Singapore Day","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"46 Ms Faizah Jamal asked the Prime Minister (a) how much is spent on the Singapore Day event held in London in March 2014; (b) how many people are flown from Singapore for the event; and (c) what steps are there to ensure that future Singapore Day events use eco-friendly ware and not disposables, in keeping with green procurement efforts under the Public Sector Taking The Lead in Environmental Sustainability (PSTLES) initiative.
Mr Teo Chee Hean (for the Prime Minister): A budget of $4.4 million was committed for Singapore Day 2014, which was attended by over 9,000 participants. As the event has just been completed, the Overseas Singaporean Unit is still finalising the total expenditure, which should be close to the
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budgeted amount.
Singapore Day is put together with the support of our partners from the private, public and people sectors, many of whom volunteer their services. Wherever possible, our public service agency representatives tie in their participation in Singapore Day with other official duties. For example, MOE, Ministry of Health Holdings (MOHH) and Contact Singapore conducted recruitment sessions in and outside of London in the lead-up to Singapore Day 2014. In total, 182 personnel from Singapore were involved. This comprised representatives from public sector agencies, food crew, concert artistes and production crew.
Singapore Days are held in public parks. Many of these parks have stringent environmental regulations that the organiser has to address during the application process and closely abide by during the event. Whenever possible, portable items, such as kitchen equipment used by the hawkers, are recycled for subsequent Singapore Days.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Recruitment of Police Officers","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"48 Mr Lim Biow Chuan asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs whether the Singapore Police Force (SPF) intends to increase the recruitment of more police officers so as to provide better enforcement of law and order in Singapore.
Mr Teo Chee Hean: Over the past 10 years, the Police Force has grown from about 9,000 officers to about 10,300 officers, an increase of about 15%. This number includes uniformed officers and civilians.
In terms of Police officers, SPF has seen an increase of 10% in its uniformed staff strength over the same period, from 8,010 to 8,780. SPF has recruited an annual average of 480 Police officers in the past three years, and its establishment is currently 96% filled.
The Police Force has grown over the years to build new operational capabilities and to support the roll-out of new initiatives. Since 2008, a total of 1,000 new posts have been added to the Police to support areas, such as the Community Policing Scheme (COPS), investigations at the Police land divisions
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and Safer Roads Singapore.
While growing operational demands will mean that more may have to be recruited in future, we are mindful that there are natural limits to how much further we can grow the Police Force, without compromising the standards that are expected of our officers. Indeed, we will find it challenging to recruit enough officers and enough good officers, due to our ageing population and fewer Singaporeans entering the labour force each year. It is, therefore, important that we not only look at adding to quantity but also make the best use of our Police Officers by deepening their capabilities, by deploying superior operating models and strategies and by leveraging more on technology as a force multiplier and recruiting civilian officers to take on specialised roles, such as in crime scene investigation, where such civilian officers can be deployed to complement uniformed officers. SPF has also raised the retirement age of its officers and re-employed officers beyond retirement age, where appropriate.
Apart from regular officers, the Police Force has a committed Voluntary Constabulary numbering 767, and 3,688 Full-Time National Servicemen and 25,133 Operationally-Ready National Servicemen who also play important policing roles.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Fees and Drop-out Rates for Continuing Education Courses","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"49 Ms Lee Li Lian asked the Minister for Education, for Continuing Education and Training (CET) courses and National Institute of Technical Education Certificate (Nitec) and Higher Nitec courses (a) what are the current subsidised and full module fees for Singapore citizens; (b) since 2012, what is the trend of drop-out rates and the percentage of Singaporean students who drop out because they are charged full fees for repeating modules; and (c) whether the subsidies can be reduced instead of being withdrawn completely for repeating modules so as not to discourage learners.
Mr Heng Swee Keat: The tuition fees for the full-time Nitec and Higher Nitec courses are charged on a semester basis. For Academic Year (AY) 2014, the full tuition fees before Government subsidy are $5,175 per semester for Nitec, and $9,325 per semester for Higher Nitec. Singaporean students pay a small fraction of the tuition fees – $155 per semester for Nitec, and $280 per
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semester for Higher Nitec.
On the other hand, the CET programmes offered at the polytechnics and ITE are conducted on a modular certificate basis, where a full CET programme is delivered in bite-sized modules to make it more manageable for adult learners to upgrade and attain their full CET qualification. The full fees before Government subsidy for such modules range between $1,140 and $3,400 per modular certificate for a CET programme at ITE and the polytechnics, depending on the level of study. However, after netting off the Government subsidy, the modular certificate fees payable by Singaporean students are much lower – between $105 and $1,000 per modular certificate. We review the fees regularly to ensure that they remain affordable for Singaporeans.
Drop-out rates for the full-time Nitec and Higher Nitec programmes have improved significantly from about 35% in the 1990s to less than 20% today. Students are not likely to drop out because of high fees as MOE provides subsidies for students who need to repeat subjects for up to an additional year beyond the normal course duration of two years. ITE students who need financial assistance can also tap on Government bursaries. MOE has announced that from AY2014, these bursaries would be enhanced significantly, with increases in the bursary quanta, as well as changes to the income eligibility criteria, which would allow more students to qualify. With these changes, full-time ITE students can receive up to $1,200 per annum, depending on their household income, which is more than sufficient to cover the fees payable. Financial assistance will likewise be extended for up to an additional year beyond normal course duration for eligible students who need to repeat subjects.
Besides MOE subsidies and financial assistance, ITE has also introduced several strategies to help students complete their course of study successfully, such as supporting students with weak academic foundation and providing special assistance to those who are at risk of dropping out.
The polytechnic and ITE CET programmes are modular in nature, meaning that trainees have the flexibility to pause and continue their studies at a later date, within the maximum candidature period for the programme. As the modular CET framework was introduced only in 2012, it is too early to compute programme-level drop-out rates, but we can look at the completion rates at modular level to give an indication. For the AY2012, the average completion rate for polytechnic CET modules is about 87%.
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","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Social Media Etiquette Course for Secondary School Students","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"50 Ms Tan Su Shan asked the Minister for Education whether the Ministry will consider introducing a compulsory course on social media etiquette and protocol as part of the educational curriculum for all students from secondary school onwards.
Mr Heng Swee Keat: The skills required for social media etiquette and protocol are taught in the Cyber Wellness syllabus for primary and secondary schools. The syllabus is designed based on the principles of \"Respect for Self and Others\" and \"Safe and Responsible Use\" of technology. This syllabus is implemented as part of the Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) curriculum in 2014. It focuses on equipping students with social-emotional competencies and sound values so that they can be safe, respectful and responsible users of ICT.
Students learn to develop a healthy self-identity both online and offline, build safe and meaningful relationships, and make discerning choices. For example, in the topic on \"Online Identity and Expression\", students learn about what is appropriate to share about oneself and the consequences of insensitive remarks. For the topic on \"Online Relationships\", students learn about relationship management skills and ways to interact with socio-cultural sensitivity online.
Students discuss authentic case scenarios on safe and responsible uses of the Internet. Teachers guide them through a reflection process so that students fully grasp the key points, change their attitudes and behaviours where needed.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Tenders for Coffee Shops in HDB Estates","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"51 Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Minister for National Development (a) what is the number of coffee shops that have been put up for tender by HDB in the last 24 months; and (b) what has been the average or range of successful tender prices.
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Mr Khaw Boon Wan: In the past 24 months, HDB tendered out 11 eating houses. The successful tender bids ranged from $21,600 to $78,000 per month, or from $60 to $228 per square metre (psm) per month.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Ramps Leading Up to Pedestrian Overhead Bridges","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"54 Mr Lim Biow Chuan asked the Minister for Transport (a) what is the average cost of the construction of ramps leading up to pedestrian overhead bridges; and (b) given the length of such ramps, whether there has been any assessment as to the effectiveness of such ramps.
Mr Lui Tuck Yew: The average cost for the construction of a pair of such ramps is about $1.8 million, compared to the construction cost of a pair of lifts at a pedestrian overhead bridge (POB), which is about $2.9 million.
Given their typical length of 100 metres, ramps are built at existing POBs where there is space to do so, as they improve overall barrier-free accessibility, especially at locations near park connectors or across expressways. To make ramps accessible, particularly to the elderly, LTA has provided additional features, such as flat surfaces every nine metres, railings and hand grips. All ramps comply with gradient requirements of the BCA Code for Barrier-Free Accessibility in the Built Environment.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Better Protection against Physical Assaults","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"55 Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs in cases where the victims of assault are told by the Police to seek civil redress (a) under what circumstances will the Police effect an arrest to prosecute the offender who hurts another person and causes bodily harm; and (b) whether the Ministry will strengthen the current law to better protect a person who is physically accosted and injured.
Mr Teo Chee Hean: Assault cases span a wide spectrum. The Police will make preliminary enquiries to establish the facts and circumstances for every case that is reported. An arrest would be effected if an assault results in
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grievous injuries. As for cases where there are minor or no injuries, Police will classify them as voluntarily causing hurt (VCH). Such cases can range from a slap during a family dispute to the use of physical force during incidents of road rage.
For VCH cases where there is clear harm to public interest and safety, such as assault in the context of road rage, or which involve vulnerable victims or those who perform public services, Police will initiate action and apply for an order from the Public Prosecutor to investigate the matter. Such cases comprised about 9% of the reported VCH cases over the past three years. Upon the conclusion of investigations, the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) will make the final prosecutorial decision, based on the evidence available. The defendant may be prosecuted or administered with a stern warning and, in some cases, AGC may decide not to take any further action.
However, the majority of VCH cases are resolved without further Police involvement. In some cases, the parties involved do not want to pursue the case even after a police report has been made by them or a third party. This is especially true for cases involving family members or friends. It is also often difficult to obtain objective evidence as it may be the word of one party against the other. Hence, Police would normally allow the parties to reach an amicable solution without pursuing the matter further if the case does not involve the aggravating elements described above.
If an aggrieved party wishes to pursue his or her case, there are several options available. One option would be for the aggrieved party to engage his or her own lawyer to bring the defendant to Court in a civil proceeding. Another option would be to lodge a Magistrate's Complaint. Depending on the circumstances of the case, the Magistrate may refer the parties for mediation at the Community Mediation Centre (CMC) or direct Police to conduct further investigations.
MHA will continue to monitor the situation and review the need to impose additional measures, legislatively or administratively, in order to protect victims of assault.
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","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Illegal Moneylending Cases","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"56 Mr Ang Wei Neng asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs for the past five years (a) what is number of complaints related to moneylending SMS received by the Police; (b) what is number of illegal moneylending cases investigated by the Police that are linked to legal moneylenders; and (c) how many illegal moneylending cases are solved.
Mr Teo Chee Hean: The Police have continued to enforce strongly against loan-sharking and related illegal activities. Between 2009 and 2013, there has been a two-fold increase in arrests for unlicensed moneylending (UML) and UML-related harassment offences, from 965 persons in 2009 to 1,953 persons in 2013. Over the same period, the number of reported UML-related cases fell by 55.5% from 18,649 cases in 2009 to 8,306 cases in 2013. These improvements are also attributable to the strong support given to the Police by the community.
However, loan sharks are becoming more sophisticated and resorting to new methods to lure unsuspecting victims, such as masquerading as licensed moneylenders. This includes advertising their services via e-mail blasts and SMSes, as Mr Ang has highlighted. Licensed moneylenders are not permitted to advertise their services through such means.
While the Police and the Registry of Moneylenders (ROM) do not track the number of complaints relating to SMS advertisements sent by unlicensed moneylenders, both agencies will take immediate action once such information is received. For instance, the Police work with ROM and mobile service providers to terminate the telephone lines that are used by UML to send these advertisements. At its end, ROM has administered warnings to two licensed moneylenders for advertising through SMS. Their moneylending licences were also suspended and part of their security deposits was forfeited.
There were two cases where a licensed moneylender was found to be involved in UML activities. The accused persons have been taken to task under the Moneylenders Act. In one of the cases, a licensed moneylender had assisted in his friend's UML business as a runner. He was sentenced to 15 months' imprisonment and fined $210,000. ROM also revoked his moneylending licence and forfeited his security deposit in full.
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","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Resale Levy on Inherited HDB Flats","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"57 Ms Sylvia Lim asked the Minister for National Development whether the Government will abolish or review the resale levy payable by persons who inherit subsidised HDB flats upon the demise of the former lessees.
Mr Khaw Boon Wan: Flat owners who bought a subsidised flat directly from the HDB or had taken a CPF Housing Grant for a resale flat are referred to as second-timers, and have to pay a resale levy when they buy a second subsidised flat. This is to reduce the second housing subsidy, and maintain a fair allocation of subsidies between first- and second-timers. The same treatment applies to second-timers who take over ownership of a subsidised flat by way of transfer, including inheritance upon demise of the former lessee.
Second-timers who do not wish to pay the resale levy can consider options such as selling the flat in the open market or having other family members who are first-timers and eligible to take over the flat ownership. If the beneficiary needs the inherited flat for accommodation and has genuine difficulty paying the resale levy, HDB is prepared to assist based on the merits of the case.
HDB conducts regular reviews of its policies to ensure that they remain relevant to changing ground situations. The issue raised by the Member is among those which will be looked at in its reviews.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Coach Bays at Schools for Private Buses","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"58 Mr Teo Siong Seng asked the Minister for Education if more schools in Singapore can consider opening up their coach bays for private school buses to park during non-peak hours and in the evenings.
Mr Heng Swee Keat: Currently, there are 169 schools providing a total of 630 overnight parking lots for school buses. When we receive new requests for overnight parking at specific schools, MOE will work with the school bus operators on the arrangements, while taking into consideration school safety and security.
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","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Reasons for Suicides in Singapore","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WANA","content":"59 Mr Laurence Lien asked the Minister for Health what are the top five reasons, by percentages, for suicides in Singapore in 2012 and 2013.
Mr Gan Kim Yong: Suicidal behaviour has a large number of complex underlying factors, including family, social, economic and mental health issues. A local study based on Singapore's suicide statistics from 2000-2004 had reported that relationship problems were associated with one-third of all suicides and financial or employment issues were associated with a further one third. For suicides amongst elderly, gradual physical disability and suffering were important risk factors especially if coupled with the lack of adequate community and family support. However, it is important to note that it is often not just one factor but a combination of several factors interacting with each other which may trigger suicidal behaviour.
In view of the complexities and multi-factorial triggers, multi-pronged strategies are required to help address suicide behaviours. These include collaborative efforts among different Ministries such as MSF, MOE, MHA, MOH and stakeholders in the social sectors. The broad approaches involve: (a) building greater resilience in the population; (b) developing targeted interventions for high-risk individuals, and; (c) increasing public awareness of mental health issues.
Building resilience takes place at many levels. In schools, students are taught to set realistic and achievable goals for themselves, build positive and healthy relationships with others and seek help when necessary.
There are a variety of professional services to support persons who are at risk. Family Service Centres (FSCs) provide professional intervention and support to help families and individuals resolve their social and emotional difficulties and build resilience, stability and independence. FSCs will also help to pull together community resources and services to help these families and individuals where necessary. For elderly persons who live alone, there are also befriending programmes and Senior Activity Centres that offer support through centre-based activities and home visits.
To increase public awareness of mental health issues, the Health Promotion Board (HPB) conducts public education programmes regularly to promote mental well-being among children, adults and seniors. These programmes
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include workshops at the workplace where young employees pick up skills to manage stress and build their resilience. A workplace mental health promotion grant was put in place from 2011 to support employers in carrying out mental health promotion activities.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Revamping the Public Service Machinery for Better Efficiency and Coordinated Outcomes","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"1 Ms Tan Su Shan asked the Prime Minister what more can be done to revamp the Public Service machinery, particularly those targeting the same outcomes, so that various Government organisations do not work in silos but are encouraged to share resources and work together for better efficiency and coordinated outcomes.
Mr Teo Chee Hean (for the Prime Minister): The Public Service and the various agencies recognise that issues are increasingly complex and interrelated, requiring multiple agencies to work together. Whole-of-Government and interagency coordination is achieved at three levels: strategy, organisation and operations.
The Government has established strategic outcomes at the whole-of-Government level. These include: (a) a nation of opportunity; (b) a society that cares for its people; (c) a liveable and endearing home; (d) a safe, secure and influential Singapore; (e) a cohesive and resilient community; and (f) a high-performance and trusted government.
These strategic outcomes serve as unifying objectives that our agencies work to achieve together. For example, \"A Nation of Opportunity\" covers issues ranging from giving opportunities to every child, creating good jobs and sustaining income growth for Singaporeans. These whole-of-Government strategic outcomes facilitate interagency coordination, resource allocation and performance management.
Funding and manpower resources are allocated according to these priorities to achieve these shared outcomes. Agencies are evaluated not just on achieving their agency's mandate, but also by how they contribute to these
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shared outcomes.
The Singapore Public Sector Outcomes Report (SPOR) takes stock of how Singapore has fared in key areas of national interest. This allows Singaporeans to see how well our agencies are doing in achieving our whole-of-Government strategic outcomes.
When needed, we have restructured organisations to better meet the needs of Singaporeans and to achieve our whole-of-Government objectives. The new Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) was inaugurated last year to integrate all agencies setting policies and implementing programmes for early childhood care and education. In 2012, the Government also restructured the responsibilities of two Ministries to establish MCCY in order to sharpen focus on social and community issues.
There are also inter-agency committees and platforms to deal with issues that span several agencies. These include the National Productivity and Continuing Education Council (NPCEC), the Ministerial Committee on Ageing (MCA), the National Population Committee and the Security Policy Review Committee.
To provide better service to citizens, Government agencies have adopted the No Wrong Door (NWD) and the First Responder Protocol (FRP). NWD channels feedback and service requests from a member of the public quickly to the appropriate agency. The FRP requires a \"first responder agency\" to quickly resolve interagency requests and issues, even while back-end policy and operational issues are sorted out between relevant agencies. These protocols help ensure that feedback and service requests from the public are addressed quickly.
ICT platforms and services, such as SingPass, OneInBox and the Online Business Licensing System, enable agencies to streamline and coordinate services at the back-end, while providing a better integrated experience for citizens and businesses at the front-end.
Ultimately, the Public Service needs a culture of collaboration and officers who work together to achieve joint outcomes.
The Civil Service College (CSC) conducts leadership development programmes which bring together about 1,800 officers a year from different agencies to develop a broader understanding of common outcomes, foster
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esprit de corps, strengthen networks within the Public Service, and provide opportunities to discuss interagency policies and operational issues.
A key component of an officer's appraisal is how well the officer works and collaborates with other agencies. This sends a clear signal that the Public Service values officer's contributions to whole-of-Government outcomes.
As part of leadership development, selected officers are also rotated across different Ministries and agencies to help them build broader whole-of-Government perspectives and networks.
Best Practice Awards for Interagency Collaboration are awarded annually as part of the Excellence in Public Service Awards (ExPSA). In 2014 the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) was conferred this award for partnering agencies to address public feedback on animal-related issues.
Singapore continues to confront new and more complex issues which require the Public Service to work more closely across different agencies and new domains, as well as with our people and private sector partners. The Public Service is committed to a continued improvement of its structures, processes and culture of collaboration to achieve collective outcomes. We welcome any specific ideas about areas where the Government can be more coordinated.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Number of Cyclist Accidents at Crossings and Cyclist Safety","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"2 Ms Irene Ng Phek Hoong asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs if he will provide an annual breakdown, for each year from 2009 to 2013, on the number of cyclists who were killed in road accidents while cycling across (i) pedestrian crossings at traffic junctions and (ii) zebra crossings.
3 Ms Irene Ng Phek Hoong asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs if he will provide an annual breakdown, for each year from 2009 to 2013, on the number of cyclists who were hit by motorists while cycling across (i) signalised pedestrian crossings at traffic junctions and (ii) zebra crossings.
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4 Ms Irene Ng Phek Hoong asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs (a) what were the actual minimum and maximum penalties imposed on motorists responsible for road accidents involving cyclists from 2009 to 2013; (b) what were the particulars of these cases; and (c) whether there is an increasing trend of accidents involving cyclists from January 2013 to March 2014, and, if so, whether the Ministry would mount a concerted road safety campaign targeted at motorists to help ensure cyclist safety and to condition motorists to look out for them on roads.
Mr Teo Chee Hean: The number of accidents between cyclists and motorists at signalised pedestrian crossings and zebra crossings between 2009 and 2013 are shown in the table below.
Over the last five years, there were 16 accidents on average each year between cyclists and vehicles at signalised pedestrian crossings and zebra crossings. About one out of these 16 cases each year was fatal. There is no discernible trend in these numbers.
The number of cyclist accidents as a whole has generally been on the downtrend over this period, from 592 in 2009 to 371 in 2013 (reduction of 37%).
A driver who causes injury or death to a person, including a cyclist, in a road traffic accident may be charged under the Penal Code or the Road Traffic Act. The actual penalties vary according to the circumstances of each case and the degree of culpability of the driver. In egregious cases where there is gross
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negligence, imprisonment terms have been imposed in addition to lengthy driving bans.
The Traffic Police (TP) conduct regular talks and exhibitions to educate the public on cycling rules and safe riding. Cycling-related components are included in the curriculum and driving tests for motorists. For example, learner drivers are taught to give ample room to cyclists when passing them and not to make sharp turns at corners.
TP, MOT, LTA and the other stakeholders like the Singapore Road Safety Council also work together through interagency platforms to review and develop appropriate road safety initiatives for cyclists. The Government will consider the suggestion to focus on cyclist safety as part of a road safety campaign.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Measures to Protect and Ensure Safety of Taxi Drivers","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"5 Mr Ang Hin Kee asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs (a) how many taxi drivers have been robbed over the last two years; (b) what are the safety measures put in place to protect and help ensure the safety of the drivers; and (c) whether the Ministry will consider new measures such as making it mandatory for all taxi operators to install an in-car camera which faces inwards and comes with voice-recording capability in each taxi as a deterrent measure.
Mr Teo Chee Hean: There were 18 reported robbery committed against taxi-drivers in taxis in the last two years (2012 and 2013). This is lower than the number of such incidents reported in the previous two years.
Police work closely with taxi operators and the National Taxi Association by providing regular updates on crimes targeting taxi drivers and advising them to be alert and adopt basic crime prevention measures during their duty shifts.
In April 2013, the National Crime Prevention Council and the Singapore Road Safety Council published and distributed 50,000 copies of the Taxi Driver's Handbook to educate taxi drivers on crime prevention and road safety.
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Police also encourage taxi operators to take greater ownership in protecting their drivers against crime, such as installing GPS tracking systems and distress buttons within all their taxis. Currently, all taxis are installed with distress buttons and most of them have installed GPS systems. In December 2013, ComfortDelGro announced that it would be installing in-vehicle cameras in all its taxis as an added safety and security measure, with features that take into consideration the privacy concerns expressed by passengers. MHA welcomes such initiatives by taxi operators. We will monitor the outcomes and may consider recommending additional measures when appropriate.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Measures to Address Shortage of Police Officers","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"6 Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs (a) what is being done to attract more people to join the Police Force; (b) how is the shortage of Police officers impacting on policing in the heartlands housing estates; and (c) whether the Police actively recruit volunteers to augment its manpower needs.
Mr Teo Chee Hean: In order to attract and retain good officers, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) has to ensure that a policing career offers attractive value propositions – the job is meaningful and purposeful, its terms and conditions are competitive and career development prospects are good.
Over the past 10 years, the Police Force has grown from about 9,000 officers to about 10,300 officers, an increase of about 15%. This number includes uniformed officers, civilian specialists and civilians.
In terms of Police Officers, SPF has seen an increase of 10% in its uniformed staff strength over the same period, from 8,010 to 8,780. SPF has recruited an annual average of 480 Police Officers in the past three years and its establishment is currently 96% filled.
Recruitment is not only to fill vacancies arising from retirements and resignations but also to meet new requirements such as the Community Policing System and Traffic Police resources under the Safer Roads Singapore initiative. Besides school leavers from our Polytechnics and Universities, SPF also reaches out to mid-career persons and Police National Servicemen.
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The Community Policing System (COPS) is a key SPF policing strategy. SPF will recruit an additional 450 officers for COPS. The officers will be deployed across all Neighbourhood Police Centres (NPCs) to tackle local crime concerns and enhance community engagement. This will boost overall staff in the NPCs by 16%, compared to May 2012 before COPS was launched. Each of the 35 NPCs will, on average, see an increase of 13 more officers once COPS is fully rolled out by end-2015.
Police has an active volunteer scheme with 767 Volunteer Special Constabulary officers or VSCs. VSCs are vested with police powers, don the police uniform and work alongside regulars in anti-crime patrols and operations. They undergo rigorous training and serve, on average, 40 hours a month. Police also has 3,688 full-time National Servicemen who perform important roles alongside regular officers, such as patrolling our public transport system and performing frontline duties at NPCs and Police Coast Guard. In addition, 25,133 Police NSmen supplement our regular officers when they are called up for duties, for example during national events.
SPF also actively forges close partnerships with the community. It engages volunteers and residents through the Safety and Security Watch Groups, Neighbourhood Watch Groups and Citizens-on-Patrol groups in our local communities. Our volunteers and partners complement regular policing resources. They do not replace trained Police manpower. We will continue to work with partners and volunteers to build even stronger community partnerships.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Liquor Licences Issued to Establishments within or Near Institutions of Higher Learning","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"7 Assoc Prof Tan Kheng Boon Eugene asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs (a) for each institution of higher learning for the last five years, what is the number of liquor licences (active and inactive) issued to establishments located on and within 0.5 km of the premises of these institutions of higher learning; (b) whether the Liquors Licensing Board regulates the number of liquor licences issued to establishments within or in close proximity to institutions of higher learning; and (c) what more can be done to ensure that our institutions of higher learning do not become \"alcohol
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friendly\" with alcohol being easily available on our campuses.
Mr Teo Chee Hean: There are currently 33 establishments with valid liquor licences at the various Institutions of Higher Learning (IHLs). The establishments include staff clubs, alumni associations, restaurants and retail outlets, for example, 7-11 convenience stores and supermarkets, some of which also serve the general public. The number of licences in each IHL is shown in the table below.
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The management of each individual IHL has the ability to decide on its own policy and impose contractual requirements on whether liquor can be sold or consumed in the premises that it operates or lets out. Police regulate the sale and consumption of liquor mainly from the law and order perspective. Each liquor licence application is assessed on its own merit. The background of the applicant and the law and order situation at the location will be considered before a licence is granted. In granting liquor licences to outlets in IHLs with students below 18 years old, such as the Polytechnics, Police will require the applicant to obtain the IHL management's consent. The licences are issued with conditions, one of which prohibits the licensee from permitting the sale to or consumption of any liquor by any person below the age of 18.
MHA will review the existing liquor control measures as part of its ongoing review on the liquor licensing regime.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Net Investment Returns Contribution","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"8 Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance what percentage of the Net Investment Returns (NIR) on the net assets managed by Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC), Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and Temasek Holdings is contributed to the Government's Budget as Net Investment Returns Contribution (NIRC) for each of the last five years, given that NIRC comprises up to 50% of the NIR on the net assets managed by GIC and MAS and up to 50% of the investment income from the remaining assets (which includes those of Temasek Holdings).
Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam: The Net Investment Returns (NIR) framework allows the Government to tap the investment returns of our reserves for budgetary spending in a sustainable way. Under the framework, the Government can spend up to 50% of the long-term expected real return from the net assets managed by GIC and MAS, and up to 50% of the net investment income from Temasek and other assets.
The Government generally budgets to take in 50% of Net Investment Return Contribution (NIRC) at the start of each Financial Year (FY). The actual NIRC taken in at the end of the FY may vary due to changes in the fiscal position and to differences in the actual outturn for the maximum NIRC compared to what
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was budgeted at the estimates stage.
From FY2009 to FY2013, the actual NIRC taken in has been close to the maximum 50%, with the Government taking in, on average, slightly above 47% of the NIRC. We expect to take in the maximum 50% of NIRC in FY2014, in view of an expected overall budget deficit.
The NIRC has been able to supplement the Budget by $7 billion to $8 billion annually. Our approach to taking in NIRC reflects a prudent approach to fiscal spending. We should spend to achieve desired outcomes, rather than spend to the last dollar available.
Further, our Government spending needs will increase over time and the NIRC will remain an important source of revenue over the long term. It is therefore vital that we spend in a disciplined way and ensure sustained benefits from the returns on our reserves.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Terms and Rates Offered to Tenants of LaunchPad @ one-north","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"9 Mr Zaqy Mohamad asked the Minister for Trade and Industry what are the terms and rates being offered to tenants of the LaunchPad @ one-north and how do these differ from rates for tenants of Block 71 Ayer Rajah Crescent.
Mr Lim Hng Kiang: The JTC LaunchPad @ one-north is a five-hectare industrial site at Ayer Rajah Crescent that is envisaged to be a vibrant community for start-ups and incubators in the biomedical sciences, infocomm, media, electronics and engineering industries. It comprises three blocks – the current Block 71 and two new blocks, Block 73 and Block 79. Blocks 73 and 79 will be completed by the end of this year.
Since 1 April 2014, JTC's rentals have been applied uniformly across all the units of Block 71. They range from $20.00 per square metre per month, for non-air-conditioned units, to $27.00 per square metre (psm) per month, for units with air-conditioning and power provision. These rates will also apply to Blocks 73 and 79 when they are completed. The anchor tenant, NUS Enterprise, will pay the same rates. JTC will periodically review these rates.
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Tenants who entered into tenancy agreements before 1 April 2014 were paying rentals that range from $15.07 to $18.80 psm per month, depending on when they started the tenancy and which floor their units are located. When these tenants renew their tenancy agreements, the new rates will apply. However, for tenants who face significant rent increases, JTC will phase in the rental increase to help them adjust.
The LaunchPad is dedicated to growing start-ups. Companies that have been incorporated for less than five years can apply for space at the LaunchPad. Existing tenants which were incorporated less than five years old ago can apply to renew their leases for one more term. Each term of tenancy is three years.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Methods to Audit Mobile Network Traffic Logs","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"10 Ms Lee Li Lian asked the Minister for Communications and Information whether IDA uses technologically advanced and more accurate methods to audit mobile network traffic logs besides drive and walk tests and, if so, what are these methods.
Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: The Member is incorrect in suggesting that the IDA audits mobile network traffic logs by using drive and walk tests. It is illogical to use network traffic logs to measure network coverage since by definition, network data logs can only measure performance within the network and cannot possibly measure coverage in an area if it is not covered by the network. Hence, to measure network coverage, IDA uses drive-walk-cycle tests. Measurements for call success rates and drop call rates are based on the operators' network traffic logs.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Actual Experience of Mobile Subscribers","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"11 Ms Lee Li Lian asked the Minister for Communications and Information in light of drop call rates published by IDA which state that subscribers should only experience 2.7 to 4.1 dropped calls for every 1,000 phone calls that they make (a) whether this accurately reflects what subscribers are experiencing on the ground; and (b) what measures are taken to ensure that the results are in line with actual experience.
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Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: IDA determines the drop call rates by auditing the mobile operators' respective network traffic logs. For example, in August 2013, the drop call rates on the operators' network were 0.27% (for M1 and StarHub) and 0.41% (for SingTel). Since the figures are derived from total set of network transactions, they are measuring the actual experience of the subscribers on the ground for that month.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Drop Call Rate as a Measure of Availability of Radio Channels","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"12 Ms Lee Li Lian asked the Minister for Communications and Information how does IDA conclude that the drop call rate is a measure of the availability of radio channels to handle and maintain established phone calls when there have been no tests done or monitored for the availability of radio channels based on IDA's Quality of Service (QoS) standards and performance results.
Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: Even if the channel is not available, the operators' network equipment will be able to register that a call was being attempted. This, together with calls that were established, goes into the calculation of IDA's call success rate under the 3G QoS standards. Availability of radio channels is more relevant to mobile operators to diagnose network congestion to further improve on their networks.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"SIM Card Users with More than Three Pre-paid Cards Registered under their Name","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"13 Mr Pritam Singh asked the Minister for Communications and Information (a) since 2005, how many Singaporeans, Permanent Residents and foreigners respectively have more than three pre-paid SIM cards registered under their name; and (b) how many of these pre-paid SIM card users have not topped up their SIM cards at least once in the six-month window as required for their continued use.
Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: As at end-2013, 92% pre-paid SIM card subscribers held three or less cards, while 8% held four or more cards. Of the
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8%, 1% were Singaporeans and 7% were non-Singaporeans. For the whole year 2013, an aggregated number of about 2.6 million pre-paid SIM card subscriptions were not topped-up within six months and hence expired. For such expired cards, the mobile operators will recycle the telephone numbers.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Fire Insurance Policies Purchased by HDB Home Owners","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"14 Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked the Minister for National Development (a) how many HDB flats are currently covered by fire insurance purchased by home owners; (b) what is the range of annual premiums of such fire insurance; and (c) whether HDB can work with insurance companies to make such insurance premiums more competitive so as to encourage home owners to take up home fire insurance policies.
Mr Khaw Boon Wan: As at 31 March 2014, 708,363 HDB flats, or 81% of sold HDB flats, are covered by basic fire insurance offered by HDB's appointed insurer. HDB does not track the number of HDB flats covered by fire insurance offered by other insurers.
The basic fire insurance premiums offered by HDB's appointed insurer are inexpensive. They range from $1.80 for a 1-room flat, to $8.77 for an Executive/Multi-Generation flat, for a five-year period.
HDB appoints its insurer after an open tender. The premiums are hence very competitive. Flat owners should not have any difficulty getting coverage and are strongly advised to do so. HDB will continue to encourage home owners to take up home fire insurance policies.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Update on Situation of Rohingya People in Myanmar","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"15 Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs (a) if he can provide the latest update on the situation of the Rohingya people in Myanmar who have been forcefully displaced; (b) what is the Myanmar government's latest stand on this matter in view of their efforts at social and economic reforms; and (c) what is Singapore's response and ASEAN's collective response to the situation.
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Mr K Shanmugam: The Myanmar government has introduced significant political and economic reforms. It is also tackling longstanding challenges like national reconciliation with the ethnic minorities, and rebuilding peace and stability in Rakhine State. The rehabilitation of Rakhine State will take time, and the Myanmar government's continued willingness to cooperate with the United Nations (UN), major donor countries and other development partners to respond to the humanitarian needs in Rakhine State is a step in the right direction.
Inter-communal relations in Rakhine State have a complicated history. There is no quick fix – patience, restraint and time are required to restore law and order, address humanitarian needs, and build trust among the different stakeholders and communities.
At the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar during the 25th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on 17 March 2014, ASEAN released a Joint Statement which, inter alia, welcomed the steps taken by the Myanmar government to address the Rohingya issue. In particular, ASEAN noted the Myanmar government’s cooperation with UN agencies and non-governmental organisations to address the humanitarian needs of the affected persons and communities in a non-discriminatory and impartial manner.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Abduction of Sombath Somphone in Laos","subTitle":"Request for assistance","sectionType":"WA","content":"16 Mr Charles Chong asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs (a) whether the Government has requested for assistance from Laos in tracing the whereabouts of Mdm Ng Shui Meng's husband, Sombath Somphone, who was abducted in front of a police station in Laos on 15 December 2012; (b) if so, what has been the response from the Laotian authorities; and (c) whether our embassy in Laos seeks regular updates from Laos on the investigations of this case.
Mr K Shanmugam: Since Mr Sombath Somphone's disappearance in December 2012, the Singapore Embassy in Vientiane has been in close contact
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with Mr Sombath's wife, Dr Ng Shui Meng, a Singapore Citizen resident in Vientiane, and providing her with consular assistance. Our Ambassador in Vientiane facilitated a meeting between Dr Ng and the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR) over this issue.
The Singapore Government has also consistently raised our concern to the Lao PDR government over Mr Sombath's disappearance at the highest levels, including with the Lao PDR President, Prime Minister, President of the National Assembly and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. We have urged the Lao PDR government to expedite their investigations and to resolve this case as quickly as possible. In all our interactions with the Lao PDR government since December 2012, they have assured us that they were taking Mr Sombath's disappearance very seriously and have maintained that they were doing all they can to investigate the case.
The matter is within the purview of Lao PDR. There is little that countries outside of Lao PDR can do. Nevertheless, our Embassy in Vientiane will continue to keep in close contact with Dr Ng and seek regular updates from the Lao PDR government on the investigations into Mr Sombath's disappearance.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Victim Compensation Orders Granted by Courts","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"17 Ms Sylvia Lim asked the Minister for Law (a) how many victim compensation orders have been granted by the Courts under section 359 of the Criminal Procedure Code in 2012 and 2013 respectively; and (b) what is the range of compensation amounts awarded and for what types of offences.
Mr K Shanmugam: Section 359 of the Criminal Procedure Code allows for claims for compensation in criminal proceedings and makes it mandatory for a court convicting a person of any offence to consider whether a compensation order should be made. Thus, it has been made compulsory that in every criminal case, the court will have to consider compensation – this was done to help all victims. It is the easiest way for them to get compensation. The number of victim compensation orders that were granted by the Courts under section 359 of the Criminal Procedure Code in 2012 and 2013 can be found in the table below.
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Of the compensation orders made in 2012 and 2013, more than 70% were made in relation to cases involving hurt, mischief and theft. The remaining cases involved other offences, including cheating. In 70% of all instances where compensation orders were made, the compensation amounts were less than $2,000. In 20% of these cases, the compensation amounts were between the range of $2,000 to $10,000. The remaining 10% were above $10,000 with the highest being $63,716.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Number of Patients Not Collecting Medication at Restructured Hospitals","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"18 Ms Sylvia Lim asked the Minister for Health in 2013, how many patients who are prescribed drugs at restructured hospitals do not collect their medication at all or do not collect the full course of their prescriptions.
Mr Gan Kim Yong: MOH does not routinely collect data on the situation of non-collection of medicines. However, feedback from the public hospitals indicates that most patients do collect their medicines as prescribed by their doctors.
For the few patients who do not, the most common reason cited is that they already have sufficient medicines. Other reasons cited include patients wanting to collect medicines from other sources or at other times, patients not aware that there were medicines to collect or forgetting to collect them. Patients who have financial difficulties will be referred to medical social workers for assessment and provided with financial assistance where necessary.
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Our public hospitals will continue to improve in communicating and reminding patients to collect their medicines.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Language, Orientation and Immersion Programmes for Foreign Healthcare Professionals","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"19 Mr Yee Jenn Jong asked the Minister for Health (a) what content is covered in the language, orientation and immersion programmes for foreign healthcare professionals and what is the duration of such programmes; (b) how many foreign healthcare staff have attended these programmes each year in the last five years; and (c) what percentage of total foreign healthcare staff does this participation represent.
Mr Gan Kim Yong: Public healthcare institutions have put in place programmes to familiarise foreign healthcare staff with the local clinical practice, language and cultural contexts, so as to help them adapt to the local working environment.
These programmes cover a broad spectrum of topics, including Singapore's history, culture, policies and regulations, overview of healthcare in Singapore, workplace safety as well as practical resource information and general advice for living and working in Singapore. The programmes typically range from half a day to one day and all newly recruited foreign staff without prior working experience in Singapore are strongly encouraged to attend them.
Language courses are also provided where necessary to enable better patient-staff communications. These include training in basic conversational Mandarin, Malay and Chinese dialects and the training duration per course is about 30 hours or more over several weeks. In addition, institutions also run orientation programmes for all new employees.
The participation rate in such programmes in each institution varied depending on the profile and roles of foreign staff in each institution. Almost all staff participated in the orientation programmes. For language programmes, about 35% of foreign staff recruited in the last five years had participated in at least one language programme. Some of the foreign staff have been in Singapore for some time and are already familiar with our language and culture
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and, therefore, do not need to attend such programmes.
Our public healthcare institutions will continue to encourage foreign healthcare staff to attend such programmes and to explore more ways to help them adapt to their working environment, so that they can better contribute towards the delivery of public healthcare in Singapore.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Expansion of Target Medical and Nursing Intakes","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"20 Mr Chen Show Mao asked the Minister for Health (a) what plans are there to expand the target medical and nursing intakes beyond the current 500 and 2,750 respectively; (b) what are the constraints to expanding the target intakes; and (c) what steps can be taken to overcome these constraints.
Mr Gan Kim Yong: MOH regularly reviews Singapore's healthcare manpower needs taking into account changes in population demographics and disease trends. The Ministry then works with MOE to make the appropriate adjustments to our local healthcare training pipelines.
We have increased medical intakes by 80% over the past 10 years, from 230 in 2003 to 413 in 2013, through the expansion of the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine's medical intake, the establishment of the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School in 2007 and the NTU Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine in 2013. The local medical intake is projected to grow to 500 doctors annually.
Likewise, we have increased the nursing intake by 40% from 1,202 in 2003 to 1,682 students in 2013, through expanding intakes at the Institute of Technical Education and the Polytechnics as well as the Bachelor of Science (Nursing) course at NUS from 2006. We will further increase the nursing intake to 2,750.
We will continue to monitor and take into account demographic trends and changes in our healthcare needs in our manpower projection. In parallel, we are working to enhance the attractiveness of healthcare careers by enhancing professional development, career advancement, remuneration, recognition and staff well-being. This is further supported by increased branding and outreach efforts to attract more young Singaporeans to join this meaningful and rewarding sector.
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","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Tracking of Waiting Time for Admissions to A&E Departments of Public Hospitals","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"21 Mr Chen Show Mao asked the Minister for Health in respect of accident and emergency departments of public hospitals (a) in addition to the median waiting time for admissions to wards, whether the 95th percentile waiting time for admissions is tracked; (b) what waiting times for registration and consultation are tracked; (c) what an acceptable waiting time should be for registration, consultation and admission to ward; and (d) whether these waiting times can be released on a weekly basis in addition to median waiting time for admissions.
Mr Gan Kim Yong: Patients who arrive at the Emergency Departments (EDs) are prioritised and attended to based on the severity of their conditions. All life-threatening (P1) cases are attended to immediately.
For emergency but less life-threatening cases (P2), the median waiting times and 95th percentile waiting times for consultation are tracked on a monthly basis and they averaged about 24 minutes and 80 minutes respectively. Time taken for admission ranged from 2.6 hours at the median and 9.6 hours at the 95th percentile. Even before admission, medical teams will monitor the patients and institute appropriate investigations and treatments for them.
As ED admissions can vary significantly from week to week, due to seasonal and other factors, such as multiple casualties in a traffic accident, it is more meaningful to study monthly trends.
Our hospitals have put in place protocols to ensure care is not compromised despite high demand for ED services. At all shifts, the EDs are staffed by at least one senior doctor, working alongside a team of other doctors and ED-trained nurses. Our hospitals also deploy inpatient medical teams to initiate prompt medical assessment and definitive care at the ED, for patients who are awaiting admission. We have also stepped up efforts to encourage patients to visit general practitioners (GPs) for non-emergency conditions, so that our EDs can focus their resources on those who really need emergency services. One example is the GPFirst initiative launched in January this year, where the Eastern Health Alliance works with GPs in the east to educate and encourage the public to tap on GPs to manage non-emergency cases.
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","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Implementation of Nationwide Programme for Colonoscopy","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"22 Mr Chen Show Mao asked the Minister for Health (a) what steps are being taken in implementing a nationwide programme for colonoscopy; (b) how much additional resources are needed in terms of facilities and number of specialists for such a programme; (c) whether there is a timeframe for implementing such a programme; and (d) given that screening participation rates typically take time to build up, whether the Ministry will consider running a pilot programme in the interim.
Mr Gan Kim Yong: Colorectal cancer is the most common cancer in Singapore. Screening for colorectal cancer in the recommended age-groups can detect cancers early, and has been shown to reduce mortality and improve health outcomes. Hence, the National Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme was established in 2011. Outreach for the programme was enhanced when colorectal cancer screening was incorporated into the Integrated Screening Programme (ISP).
Under the ISP, Singaporeans and Permanent Residents aged 50 years and above are invited to screen for colorectal cancer annually using the Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) kits at the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) GP clinics. The FIT test is available free of charge and CHAS patients enjoy a subsidy of $18.50 for each related GP consultations up to two visits a year. Under the CHAS scheme, GPs can also make subsidised referrals for those with abnormal results to have further tests done at the public hospitals, such as colonoscopy.
Those who do not wish to go for FIT may opt for colonoscopy once every 10 years to screen for colorectal cancer. Medisave can be used to pay for colonoscopy. However, the procedure is not without risks as one in 10,000 may have perforation of the colon or other complications.
Based on data from the Health Behavioural Surveillance Survey in 2013, 33.8% of Singaporeans aged 50-69 years old were screened for colorectal cancer with either FIT or colonoscopy within the recommended period. While this is an improvement from screening coverage of 26.8% in 2011, we will continue to step up our efforts to raise screening coverage with either FIT or colonoscopy. We will ensure that there are sufficient specialists and facilities
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available to perform colonoscopy for those with abnormal FIT results.
Under the ISP, we will continue to encourage eligible Singaporeans to undergo screening, not just for colorectal cancer, but also other cancers, as well as for chronic diseases. We recognise that \"prevention is better than cure\". Hence, MOH and HPB have been stepping up our efforts on encouraging healthy living in the population over the past years, including having a balanced diet, doing regular physical activity, leading a smoke-free lifestyle and going for regular health screening.
To further consolidate these efforts and to make healthy living accessible, natural and effortless for all Singaporeans, MOH has developed a Healthy Living Master Plan which aims to keep Singaporeans healthy and free of illness for as long as possible through the adoption and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Development of Qualified Native Maritime Manpower","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"23 Ms Mary Liew asked the Minister for Transport in light of the development of maritime manpower for work on Singapore commercial ships, how many Singaporeans have been trained with qualifications in (i) nautical studies and (ii) marine engineering in the last 20 years.
Mr Lui Tuck Yew: Training for Singaporeans to work on board commercial ships is primarily provided by Singapore Polytechnic and its Singapore Maritime Academy. Over the last 20 years, Singapore Polytechnic awarded the Diploma in Nautical Studies to 518 Singaporeans and Permanent Residents, and the Diploma in Marine Engineering to 1,927 Singaporeans and Permanent Residents.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Reviewing Job Structure for Taxi Drivers","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"24 Ms Tan Su Shan asked the Minister for Transport whether the Ministry will consider working with relevant taxi operators to rethink the job structure for taxi drivers so that they can also look forward to CPF contributions from their employers.
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Mr Lui Tuck Yew: Today, taxi drivers prefer to be self-employed and are, therefore, responsible for their own CPF contributions. Nevertheless, under the Drive-and-Save Scheme initiated by the National Taxi Association in 2011, taxi drivers who contribute at least $15 a month to their Medisave accounts receive a co-contribution of $15 from their companies.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Breakdown of Motorcycle Population and COE Revenue Collected","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"25 Mr Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap asked the Minister for Transport (a) what is the breakdown of the motorcycle population in the Class 2, 2A and 2B categories for each year from 2011 to 2013; (b) what is the amount of COE revenue collected from the three categories respectively for each year from 2011 to 2013; and (c) whether the Ministry will consider abolishing COEs for motorcycles in the Class 2B category as these lower capacity motorcycles are usually used by lower-income persons for work purposes.
Mr Lui Tuck Yew: The breakdown of the total motorcycle population and the revenue from Certificates of Entitlement (COEs) for the registration of motorcycles is shown in the table below.
The COE system is intended to control the population of vehicles in Singapore at a level that can be sustained by our road network. As all motorcycles occupy about the same amount of road space, regardless of their engine capacity, it would not be appropriate to exempt motorcycles in the Class 2B category from COE.
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26 Mr Ang Hin Kee asked the Minister for Transport whether the Ministry has plans to relocate the bus terminal at Queen Street to a new site to alleviate the traffic around the area and to have a purpose-built facility for buses and taxis plying between Singapore and Malaysia
Mr Lui Tuck Yew: LTA's assessment is that current traffic conditions at Queen Street are manageable and that, based on the projected demand, a purpose-built facility for buses and taxis plying between Singapore and Malaysia is not needed in the near to medium term. In the longer term, LTA and URA will explore a suitable site at which to relocate the bus terminal at Ban San Street (Queen Street).
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","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Certifications under Singapore Preschool Accreditation Framework (SPARK)","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"27 Mr Yee Jenn Jong asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) what percentage of preschools are currently certified under the Singapore Preschool Accreditation Framework (SPARK); (b) what percentage of kindergartens and childcare centres are certified under SPARK respectively; (c) what is the share of SPARK-certified centres from the five anchor operators; (d) what percentage of preschools operated by the anchor operators are SPARK-certified; and (e) whether the Ministry can provide an update on its effort to get centres tested under SPARK.
Mr Chan Chun Sing: The Singapore Preschool Accreditation Framework (SPARK) was introduced in 2011 as a voluntary accreditation scheme to help raise the quality of our preschools. It also serves as a quality benchmark for parents when choosing a preschool for their child.
Today, one in six preschools are SPARK-certified. One in four kindergartens and one in seven childcare centres are certified.
Anchor operators are leading the sector in terms of having their centres SPARK-certified. Among existing anchor operator kindergartens and childcare centres, more than one-third are SPARK-certified. These centres make up two-thirds of all SPARK-certified preschools.
Going forward, ECDA will continue in its efforts to encourage more centres to be SPARK-certified. We have taken steps to make SPARK assessment more accessible to centre leaders and teachers.
First, a SPARK Information Pack has been developed and distributed to all centres to help centres understand SPARK better. Second, additional and targeted training for centres will be conducted on key quality areas assessed under SPARK.
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","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Key Principles on Information Sharing in Collective Bargaining","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"28 Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked the Acting Minister for Manpower what are the key principles on information sharing that management and unions in unionised companies should follow in order to facilitate constructive discussion and settlement of disputes during negotiation for collective bargaining.
Mr Tan Chuan-Jin: The key principles to guide information sharing between management and unions in unionised companies are articulated in the Code of Industrial Relations Practices jointly formulated by the Tripartite Partners.
Unions and management should have regular platforms where relevant information can be shared and discussed in an open and honest manner. There should also be a clear understanding and agreement on the type of information that can or cannot be shared and on how relevant information can be used by the parties involved especially during negotiations.
I am happy to note that by and large, management and unions have observed the principles on information sharing articulated in the Code of Industrial Relations. Many have also held regular sharing sessions or dialogues to share relevant information and discuss issues of mutual concern. Sharing of relevant and timely information facilitates constructive dialogue and negotiation in good faith and helps build stronger trust and respect between management and unions. It also helps to strengthen labour management relations at the company level, thereby benefiting both workers and the company.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Help with Fees of Detailed Medical Reports for Low-income Workers Claiming Work Injury Compensation or Reimbursement","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"29 Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef asked the Acting Minister for Manpower what can be done for low-income workers who are not able to bear the fees of detailed medical reports in order to claim for work injury compensation or
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reimbursement.
Mr Tan Chuan-Jin: The Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA) offers workers a no-fault, expeditious and low-cost route to compensation for any injury arising out of and in the course of employment.
Employers are required under WICA to pay for their worker's medical leave wages, medical expenses and compensation for permanent incapacity or death, where applicable. For medical expenses, which include fees for medical reports to support work injury compensation claim, employers are liable to pay up to $30,000 or one year from date of accident, whichever is reached first, as long as treatment is considered necessary by a Singapore-registered doctor. Injured worker who has paid for his medical reports or treatment from his own pocket can seek reimbursement from his employer.
Local workers who require financial assistance while waiting for their compensation claims can apply for the Special Relief Fund1 administered by the Singapore Labour Foundation. The fund which sets out to aid industrial accident victims provides up to $5,000 in temporary relief for eligible applicants.
Workers are advised to approach MOM for assistance if their employers fail to compensate them for work-related injuries. The Ministry will not hesitate to take firm actions against such errant employers.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":["1 : The Special Relief Fund provides interim lump sum financial relief of up to $5,000 to Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents with household income of up to $1,800 or per capita income of not more than $500, who are injured while working."],"footNoteQuestions":["29"],"questionNo":"29"},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Applying the Progressive Wage Model to Benefit More Low-wage Workers","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"30 Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Acting Minister for Manpower how does the Government plan to raise the wages of local low-wage workers in industries other than cleaning, security and landscaping given that that there are around 110,000 employed residents in Singapore earning less than $1,000 per month (excluding part-time workers) and the enforcement of the Progressive Wage Model in these three industries is expected to impact only
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about 80,000 low-wage workers.
Mr Tan Chuan-Jin: I have talked about the need to raise the incomes of lower-wage Singaporeans for a few years now and we have been putting in place measures to do so. It requires a holistic and wide-ranging effort. As a key first step, we need to keep the economy healthy, competitive and vibrant so that a wide range of jobs is available.
Secondly, our tightened labour market helps to keep unemployment low and put some upward pressure on wages. Thirdly, we have enhanced Workfare, which now supplements the incomes and retirement savings of more than 400,000 Singaporean workers earning less than $1,900, and encourages them to work regularly and up-skill. Through the Inclusive Growth Programme, low-wage workers benefit from companies' productivity gains through higher wages. MOM has also raised the full-time equivalent (FTE) salary for full-time local workers from $850 to $1,000 in July 2013. The FTE salary is used to determine how many local workers a company has, as a basis to calculate the foreign worker quota that the company is entitled to. It also ensures that local workers are employed meaningfully and are not paid token salaries just to pad the numbers.
However, it is important to also understand that raising incomes has to be based on productivity improvements, to be sustainable in the long run. Mandating the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) to support wages at the very low end is a highly targeted intervention applied to specific sectors where there is a particular problem with the labour market, such as prevalent cheap-sourcing coupled with a lack of union representation for the workers. We are applying the PWM requirement through legislation in the Cleaning, Security and potentially the Landscape Sectors. But this legislation approach will not be appropriate for all sectors and occupations. A better approach for other sectors is NTUC's on-going efforts to work directly with employers to develop progressive wage structures and career progression pathways for rank-and-file and even PME workers.
We also support the low-income earners through a range of other support schemes whether in the form of housing, medical and education subsidies.
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","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Holding of Finals of Featured Sports at Sports Hub","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"WA","content":"31 Assoc Prof Tan Kheng Boon Eugene asked the Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) whether the finals of any of the featured sports under the Community Games will be held at the Sports Hub; (b) whether the 2nd National Games will be held in the latter half of 2014; and (c) whether the finals of any of the featured sports under the National Games will be held at the Sports Hub.
Mr Lawrence Wong: The finals of the Community Games 2014 will be held at various venues including Community Clubs, Secondary Schools and Sport Singapore (SportSG) facilities. They will not be held at the Sports Hub as its facilities were not open for booking when the games were planned.
The second Singapore National Games (SNG) will be held in the second half of this year.
SportSG will hold some finals of the second SNG at Sports Hub venues such as the Multi-Purpose Indoor Arena and Aquatic Centre. This will provide opportunities for Singaporeans to enjoy sporting experiences at the Sports Hub, as participants, officials, volunteers and supporters.
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