Recent Debates
Explore the latest parliamentary debates, where Members of Parliament discuss key issues and proposed legislation in detail. Stay informed about the topics shaping Singapore's laws and policies, and access the official records in the Hansard.
Increasing Bus Services for Residents Living in New HDB BTO Project at Rivervale Shores
7 Aug 2024
- Chua Kheng Wee Louis inquired about potential increases in bus services for residents of the new HDB BTO project at Rivervale Shores to support higher ridership and improve connectivity.
- Chee Hong Tat noted that residents are currently served by bus Services 50, 62, and 85, connecting them to various locations, including Sengkang town centre.
- The Ministry of Transport has announced enhancements to bus services as part of the Bus Connectivity Enhancement Programme to better accommodate commuters' needs, with details to be shared later.
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Regulations on Decals Resembling Police or Government Agency Vehicles
7 Aug 2024
- Melvin Yong Yik Chye inquired if vehicles can use decals that resemble those of police or government agency vehicles.
- Chee Hong Tat responded that such decals are generally prohibited to prevent public misleadings.
- Unauthorized use of the Land Transport Authority's symbol and Police insignia is specifically banned under respective laws.
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Reviewing Accident-prone Road and Traffic Junctions and Increasing Awareness to Alert Motorists and Users
7 Aug 2024
- Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim inquired if the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has reviewed accident-prone road or traffic junctions to enhance safety.
- Chee Hong Tat responded that LTA uses traffic accident data and community feedback to implement road safety improvements, including replacing discretionary right turns with Red-Amber-Green arrows at over 1,200 junctions, resulting in a 40% reduction in traffic accidents.
- Additional measures include the installation of road safety signs, banners, and the organization of road safety events and campaigns to raise public awareness and promote safe practices among motorists and pedestrians.
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Complaints Received and CPF Nominations Annulled Over Past Five Years
7 Aug 2024
- Gerald Giam Yean Song inquired about the number of complaints regarding fraudulent CPF nominations over the past five years, the number of annulled nominations, and the reasons for these annulments.
- Minister Tan See Leng responded that complaints about CPF nomination fraud are rare, averaging fewer than 10 per year, with no established cases of fraud from investigations.
- Some nominations were annulled due to non-compliance with instructions on the nomination form, and the CPF Board conducts proactive verification checks as part of its safeguards.
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Considerations in Granting In-principle Approvals and Employer Liability for Migrant Domestic Workers
7 Aug 2024
- The Ministry of Manpower considers police and immigration records when assessing work permit applications for migrant domestic workers (MDWs) to prevent undesirable individuals from working in Singapore.
- Employers are responsible for the costs of bringing in and repatriating MDWs, ensuring that they are not left stranded in Singapore after employment termination.
- If an MDW's employment is terminated within six months, the employing agency is required to refund at least 50% of the placement fees paid by the employer.
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Estimated Costs and Expense Apportionment for Hosting 2025 World Aquatics Championships
7 Aug 2024
- The Ministry for Culture, Community and Youth is currently unable to disclose the estimated budget for hosting the 2025 World Aquatics Championships due to ongoing sponsorship negotiations and commercial sensitivities.
- Hosting this event is part of Singapore's strategy to attract world-class sporting events that generate economic and social benefits, boost tourism, and create job opportunities.
- Detailed planning and budget measures have been implemented, drawing from previous hosts' experiences, to ensure a cost-effective operation while meeting international standards for competition venues.
- The temporary venues constructed will cater to various aquatic events and community activities, enhancing the spectator experience in the Kallang Alive precinct.
- Plans are underway to utilize the competition pools for the World Aquatics Masters Championships and possibly extend their usage before and after the main event.
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Promoting Healthy Lifestyles in Public Sports Complexes through Commercial Tenant's Alignment with Healthier Choices
7 Aug 2024
- Yip Hon Weng raised concerns about promoting consistent healthy lifestyles in public sports complexes and suggested excluding commercial tenants that do not align with these values, such as those selling sugary drinks or fast food.
- Edwin Tong Chun Fai highlighted that ActiveSG Sport Centres play a significant role in promoting active lifestyles and have guidelines for food and beverage tenants to ensure healthier options.
- Sport Singapore mandates that F&B operators comply with standards such as using healthier oils and offering lower-sodium dishes or low/no-sugar drinks before leasing commercial spaces.
- The government will continue to collaborate with F&B operators to encourage healthier lifestyle choices while maintaining a variety of options for the community.
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Criteria for Removal of HDB Flat Resale Listings from HDB Flat Portal
7 Aug 2024
- HDB removes resale flat listings from its portal if they contain inappropriate or inaccurate content, including misleading advertising or claims that violate HDB policies.
- Listings with unrealistic prices are also subject to removal, with HDB providing explanations to sellers regarding the reasons for the action.
- Sellers can reinstate removed listings by addressing the cited issues, such as revising pricing or correcting misinformation, to maintain a reliable marketplace.
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HDB's Support for Maintenance of Older Flats Beyond Home Improvement Programme
7 Aug 2024
- HDB addresses maintenance issues in older flats through the Home Improvement Programme (HIP), focusing on repairs for spalling concrete, structural cracks, and piping.
- Town Councils are responsible for maintaining common property, while flat owners must manage interior maintenance and engage licensed plumbers for specific repairs.
- Minor wall cracks are generally not structurally concerning, and flat owners can handle repairs, while Town Councils perform inspections and upkeep for exterior walls.
- HDB provides resources like the Home Care Guide to assist flat owners in maintaining their properties effectively.
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Measures to Combat High Rental Costs in High Interest Rate Environment and Market Uncertainties
7 Aug 2024
- The government is addressing high rental costs by significantly increasing housing supply, with nearly 100,000 residential units expected to be completed between 2023 and 2025.
- Support programs like the Public Rental Scheme and Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme are in place to assist low-income renters, with financial vouchers available for eligible families.
- The occupancy cap for larger HDB flats and larger private residential properties has been temporarily relaxed, allowing for more unrelated tenants and increasing rental supply.
- Recent data indicates that private housing rents are stabilizing, having declined for three consecutive quarters, while HDB rents remain stable.
- An increase in commercial space supply is anticipated, with around 599,000 sqm expected to be completed in 2024 and 2025, leading to stabilization in commercial rents as well.
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Directions Issued and Contraventions under Section 10 of Wildlife Act Since 2020 Amendment
7 Aug 2024
- Since the amendment of the Wildlife Act in 2020, directions under section 10 have been issued for a total of 445 development projects.
- Out of these projects, three have recorded contraventions of the issued directions.
- Multiple directions can be issued per project to various key parties involved, including developers, main contractors, and Qualified Persons.
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Accuracy of Deepfake Detection Technologies and Differentiating Between Harmful Deepfakes and Legitimate Political Satire or Memes
7 Aug 2024
- He Ting Ru inquired about the accuracy of the Government's deepfake detection technologies, how it distinguishes harmful deepfakes from legitimate content, and the consequences of wrongly identifying videos as deepfakes.
- Minister Josephine Teo stated that the Government uses various tools for detecting manipulated content but does not disclose their accuracy rates to prevent exploitation by malicious actors.
- Action can be taken against online falsehoods under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) if they harm public interest, with satire or parody not automatically qualifying unless they contain falsehoods.
- The Government is evaluating the need for additional safeguards against the malicious use of AI and deepfakes, particularly during elections, and will provide updates on this assessment in due course.
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Extent of Impact, Lessons Learnt and Resilience Measures Resulting from CrowdStrike Outage
7 Aug 2024
- The CrowdStrike IT outage on July 19, 2024, caused disruptions primarily to businesses using its Falcon Endpoint Detection and Response solution, impacting internal operations and some customer services, such as airline check-in and HDB carpark operations.
- Fortunately, government services and essential services in Singapore remained largely unaffected, with most businesses implementing business continuity plans to manage disruptions effectively.
- The government is conducting an internal taskforce to assess the incident and improve resilience against future disruptions, emphasizing the importance of having recovery plans in place, as not all outages can be prevented.
- Organizations, including critical information infrastructures, must adhere to strict security and resilience requirements, and businesses are urged to prioritize risk assessments and build robust recovery plans to mitigate potential disruptions.
- The Ministry provides resources and support for businesses to enhance digital resilience, encouraging them to utilize available government programs and advisories to improve cybersecurity measures and incident recovery capabilities.
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Top Symptoms for Referral to Menopause Centre and Possible Screening of Symptoms under Healthier SG
7 Aug 2024
- The top symptoms leading to referrals at the KK Menopause Centre include hot flushes, poor sleep/insomnia, mood disorders, vaginal dryness, and sexual problems.
- The Ministry of Health emphasizes the importance of the relationship between primary care doctors and patients under the Healthier SG initiative, allowing women to discuss menopausal symptoms for appropriate assessment and management.
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Considerations for Importation of Generic Medicines into Singapore
7 Aug 2024
- Assoc Prof Jamus Lim inquired about the Health Sciences Authority's role in the importation of generic medicines into Singapore.
- Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung affirmed that the import of generic medicines is encouraged after original patents expire.
- All medicines, including generics, must meet safety, quality, efficacy, and Good Distribution Practice standards as evaluated by the Health Sciences Authority before being supplied in Singapore.
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Benefits of SG Arrival Card System on Public Health Outcomes and Plans for Discontinuation
7 Aug 2024
- The SG Arrival Card system is a key public health surveillance tool focused on managing infectious diseases like Yellow Fever and Ebola, aiding in the early detection of high-risk travelers.
- Approximately 240 travelers per month report symptoms upon entry, prompting medical assessments to mitigate the risk of disease spread in Singapore.
- Travelers without valid vaccination certificates from endemic regions are quarantined to prevent Yellow Fever transmission.
- The Ministry of Health plans to update health declarations for new infectious diseases as needed, indicating the system will remain in place while there are ongoing risks.
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Data on Trends and Waiting Times for Entry Into Nursing Homes for Respite Care and Night Respite Services
7 Aug 2024
- Dr. Syed Harun Alhabsyi inquired about data on five-year trends and current waiting times for entry into nursing homes for respite care and night respite services.
- He also questioned if there are differences in waiting times based on patients' needs, specifically for general care, psychiatric care, and intellectual disabilities.
- Minister Ong Ye Kung stated that this question has been addressed in a written answer provided in the Official Report dated August 6, 2024.
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Statistics on Proportion of Singaporean Nursing Graduates and Median Salary in Public and Non-public Hospitals
7 Aug 2024
- Approximately 70% of practicing nurses registered in Singapore have been working in the public healthcare sector between 2020 and 2022.
- Fresh nursing graduates entering the public healthcare sector can expect starting base salaries ranging from $2,050 to $4,050 per month, depending on their qualifications.
- The Ministry of Health does not have salary data for nursing graduates employed in private healthcare settings.
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Median Waiting Time for Cancer Treatment in Public Hospitals by Ward Class and Specialty
7 Aug 2024
- Hazel Poa inquired about the median waiting times for new specialist outpatient appointments and cancer treatments in public hospitals.
- Health Minister Ong Ye Kung provided the median waiting times for outpatient appointments in 2023 but noted that the Ministry of Health does not track waiting times for cancer treatments.
- Ong explained that waiting times for chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery vary based on cancer type, stage, and individual patient needs, and that some patients may choose to delay treatment after consulting with doctors.
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Current and Projected Statistics of PwDs Without Caregivers
7 Aug 2024
- Ong Hua Han inquired about the percentage of adults with disabilities living independently without caregivers and the projected future number of such individuals in Singapore given the ageing population.
- Minister Masagos Zulkifli noted that most persons with disabilities enrolled in care facilities live with family, with about one-third having caregivers aged 65 and above.
- He highlighted the importance of planning for future care arrangements as caregiving roles may change over time due to various factors.
- People with disabilities lacking caregiving support may be placed in Adult Disability Homes as a last resort, and a taskforce is exploring community living models to help them live independently.
- Recommendations from the Enabling Masterplan 2030 Taskforce are expected to be released later this year.
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