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http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/431606/1/.html
MPs urge S'poreans to seize opportunities amid adversity
By S Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 25 May 2009 1404 hrs
Photos 1 of 1
A view of the parliament building in Singapore.
Video
MPs urge S'poreans to seize opportunities amid adversity
Special Report
• Parliament Special Report
SINGAPORE: Singapore's Parliament kicked off its debate on the President's speech made on the opening of the second session of the eleventh Parliament last Monday.
The chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Defence and Foreign Affairs, Michael Palmer, who tabled the motion of thanks, said Singapore is at a turning point.
Hence, the country must lay the foundation for its recovery now and seize the opportunities that arise in the face of adversity.
Speaking on the debate of the president's address, 15 MPs gave their take on how Singapore can build its future with new growth strategies and emerge stronger.
"In times like these, the government has to show leadership and initiate such a review, as our economy is under stress and many companies are still struggling to survive the global economic meltdown," said Inderjit Singh, MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC.
MPs also raised their concerns on manpower challenges and stresses on Singapore's society.
"How can we help workers not only to remain hardworking and disciplined but also to be innovative and creative in their work, so that they can become more productive, add value to their work and earn better pay? And our workers cannot be globally competitive if we have weak managements with backward HR practices and poor employment conditions that do not help to bring out the best in people," said Halimah Yacob, GPC (Government Parliamentary Committee) Chair for Manpower, and MP for Jurong GRC.
"Our low income workers are also grateful for initiatives such as WIS (Workfare Income Supplement), especially the special payment that was made this year. Whilst it has been beneficial, one common complaint among workers is that the WIS penalises those who are hardworking as overtime is included for purposes of determining eligibility. This is unfair as the more hardworking worker is penalised... I would like to urge the MOM to review this," she continued.
"Alternatively, MOM should consider increasing the salary level for coverage from $1,500 to $1,800, so that more low income workers will benefit. Or it could consider keeping the $1,500 but look the income per capita in the family just like other help schemes."
Echoing the president's call to strengthen social cohesion, MPs also urged Singaporeans to practice tolerance, restraint and mutual respect to preserve national harmony.
"I appeal for members of the public to practice restraint and decency in cyberspace which has become the new battleground in our society. Whether it is the AWARE saga, or the issue of NMPs, we should not allow such debate to turn into a crusade against others who are different or hold different views. These can easily deepen divisions and be taken advantage of by various groups for their own selfish ends," said Amy Khor, chairman of REACH, and mayor of South West District.
And the government should also encourage more transparency and openness in dealing with the public, said MP Michael Palmer.
Citing Temasek Holdings' divestment of its entire 3.8 per cent stake in the Bank of America, he said online forums were abuzz with discussion on this issue.
"Clearly, the public wanted to know the rationale and reasons behind the decision to sell what was originally meant to be a long-term investment made with public funds. Unfortunately, due to the lack of information, speculation and discontent were rife," said Palmer, GPC chair for Defence and Foreign Affairs, and MP for Pasir-Ris Punggol GRC.
Mr Palmer said while Temasek finally issued a statement on May 21 explaining the rationale for the sale, questions remain, such as those relating to the timing of the sale and the actual sale price.
MP Inderjit Singh shared similar sentiments.
He said: "Both GIC (Government of Singapore Investment Corp.) and Temasek have evolved in their investment strategies… GIC used to focus on very long term investments, following investment principles which were somewhat conservative but generated good returns.
"Temasek used to invest in Singapore or government-linked companies at the very early stages, bringing them to become Singapore multinationals. Temasek in fact moved into what GIC used to do, investing overseas, and GIC has also begun investing in more risky investments. Should we allow so much of our reserves to be placed with GIC and Temasek, or should reserves be placed in much safer investments managed by people who understand that these are meant to be long term investments."
Nearly 50 Members of Parliament will speak during the five-day debate this week.
They will bring with them feedback they have obtained from their dialogue sessions with residents and during their Meet-The-People sessions, as to what Singaporeans hope the government would do to revive the economy and encourage more people to play their part in shaping Singapore their home.
- CNA/ir/ls
MPs urge S'poreans to seize opportunities amid adversity
By S Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 25 May 2009 1404 hrs
Photos 1 of 1
A view of the parliament building in Singapore.
Video
MPs urge S'poreans to seize opportunities amid adversity
Special Report
• Parliament Special Report
SINGAPORE: Singapore's Parliament kicked off its debate on the President's speech made on the opening of the second session of the eleventh Parliament last Monday.
The chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Defence and Foreign Affairs, Michael Palmer, who tabled the motion of thanks, said Singapore is at a turning point.
Hence, the country must lay the foundation for its recovery now and seize the opportunities that arise in the face of adversity.
Speaking on the debate of the president's address, 15 MPs gave their take on how Singapore can build its future with new growth strategies and emerge stronger.
"In times like these, the government has to show leadership and initiate such a review, as our economy is under stress and many companies are still struggling to survive the global economic meltdown," said Inderjit Singh, MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC.
MPs also raised their concerns on manpower challenges and stresses on Singapore's society.
"How can we help workers not only to remain hardworking and disciplined but also to be innovative and creative in their work, so that they can become more productive, add value to their work and earn better pay? And our workers cannot be globally competitive if we have weak managements with backward HR practices and poor employment conditions that do not help to bring out the best in people," said Halimah Yacob, GPC (Government Parliamentary Committee) Chair for Manpower, and MP for Jurong GRC.
"Our low income workers are also grateful for initiatives such as WIS (Workfare Income Supplement), especially the special payment that was made this year. Whilst it has been beneficial, one common complaint among workers is that the WIS penalises those who are hardworking as overtime is included for purposes of determining eligibility. This is unfair as the more hardworking worker is penalised... I would like to urge the MOM to review this," she continued.
"Alternatively, MOM should consider increasing the salary level for coverage from $1,500 to $1,800, so that more low income workers will benefit. Or it could consider keeping the $1,500 but look the income per capita in the family just like other help schemes."
Echoing the president's call to strengthen social cohesion, MPs also urged Singaporeans to practice tolerance, restraint and mutual respect to preserve national harmony.
"I appeal for members of the public to practice restraint and decency in cyberspace which has become the new battleground in our society. Whether it is the AWARE saga, or the issue of NMPs, we should not allow such debate to turn into a crusade against others who are different or hold different views. These can easily deepen divisions and be taken advantage of by various groups for their own selfish ends," said Amy Khor, chairman of REACH, and mayor of South West District.
And the government should also encourage more transparency and openness in dealing with the public, said MP Michael Palmer.
Citing Temasek Holdings' divestment of its entire 3.8 per cent stake in the Bank of America, he said online forums were abuzz with discussion on this issue.
"Clearly, the public wanted to know the rationale and reasons behind the decision to sell what was originally meant to be a long-term investment made with public funds. Unfortunately, due to the lack of information, speculation and discontent were rife," said Palmer, GPC chair for Defence and Foreign Affairs, and MP for Pasir-Ris Punggol GRC.
Mr Palmer said while Temasek finally issued a statement on May 21 explaining the rationale for the sale, questions remain, such as those relating to the timing of the sale and the actual sale price.
MP Inderjit Singh shared similar sentiments.
He said: "Both GIC (Government of Singapore Investment Corp.) and Temasek have evolved in their investment strategies… GIC used to focus on very long term investments, following investment principles which were somewhat conservative but generated good returns.
"Temasek used to invest in Singapore or government-linked companies at the very early stages, bringing them to become Singapore multinationals. Temasek in fact moved into what GIC used to do, investing overseas, and GIC has also begun investing in more risky investments. Should we allow so much of our reserves to be placed with GIC and Temasek, or should reserves be placed in much safer investments managed by people who understand that these are meant to be long term investments."
Nearly 50 Members of Parliament will speak during the five-day debate this week.
They will bring with them feedback they have obtained from their dialogue sessions with residents and during their Meet-The-People sessions, as to what Singaporeans hope the government would do to revive the economy and encourage more people to play their part in shaping Singapore their home.
- CNA/ir/ls
