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Apr 5, 2010
MAINTENANCE OF PARENTS ACT
What amendments seek to achieve
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I REFER to Mr Philip Kwek's Forum Online letter last Thursday, 'Prevent abuse of 'filial piety' law'.
Like Mr Kwek, I believe a large majority of Singaporeans are filial and will look after their parents. But for a small minority, the need for the Maintenance of Parents Act (MPA) is very real. I am glad that Mr Kwek appreciates this and supports the need for such an Act.
Indeed, over the past 15 years, the MPA has been a public policy attempt to solve a very private problem. At the same time, little of its work is made public, with mediation and counselling forming a substantial and important part.
The intent behind the Act is essentially one that is conciliatory and non-adversarial. I agree with this approach. We also have to take into account the complexity of human relationships and ensure the process itself is rigorous enough to ensure abuses do not occur.
Mr Kwek also cautioned that 'more teeth' does not solve the problem. I agree, but only in part - more teeth alone does not solve the problem. But more teeth we do need, if we are to take the rights of parents seriously.
At the same time, I recognise the need to respect the choices and circumstances of adult offspring. Hence, what we are after is a sensitive, nuanced basis for the amendments, taking into account the 15 years of empirical findings and experience, and working within the sound jurisprudential foundation of the existing law.
Our workgroup comprising the 10 MPs and Nominated MPs has just met. We will organise focus groups to get feedback as well. I welcome Mr Kwek and all interested Singaporeans to join my team in this journey.
We have also set up a website www.mpa.sg and welcome readers to give their views via this channel. We have started to receive feedback from the public since it was launched just last week.
Seah Kian Peng
MP for Marine Parade GRC
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MAINTENANCE OF PARENTS ACT
What amendments seek to achieve
<!-- by line --><!-- end by line -->
<!-- end left side bar --><!-- story content : start -->
I REFER to Mr Philip Kwek's Forum Online letter last Thursday, 'Prevent abuse of 'filial piety' law'.
Like Mr Kwek, I believe a large majority of Singaporeans are filial and will look after their parents. But for a small minority, the need for the Maintenance of Parents Act (MPA) is very real. I am glad that Mr Kwek appreciates this and supports the need for such an Act.
Indeed, over the past 15 years, the MPA has been a public policy attempt to solve a very private problem. At the same time, little of its work is made public, with mediation and counselling forming a substantial and important part.
The intent behind the Act is essentially one that is conciliatory and non-adversarial. I agree with this approach. We also have to take into account the complexity of human relationships and ensure the process itself is rigorous enough to ensure abuses do not occur.
Mr Kwek also cautioned that 'more teeth' does not solve the problem. I agree, but only in part - more teeth alone does not solve the problem. But more teeth we do need, if we are to take the rights of parents seriously.
At the same time, I recognise the need to respect the choices and circumstances of adult offspring. Hence, what we are after is a sensitive, nuanced basis for the amendments, taking into account the 15 years of empirical findings and experience, and working within the sound jurisprudential foundation of the existing law.
Our workgroup comprising the 10 MPs and Nominated MPs has just met. We will organise focus groups to get feedback as well. I welcome Mr Kwek and all interested Singaporeans to join my team in this journey.
We have also set up a website www.mpa.sg and welcome readers to give their views via this channel. We have started to receive feedback from the public since it was launched just last week.
Seah Kian Peng
MP for Marine Parade GRC
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