• IP addresses are NOT logged in this forum so there's no point asking. Please note that this forum is full of homophobes, racists, lunatics, schizophrenics & absolute nut jobs with a smattering of geniuses, Chinese chauvinists, Moderate Muslims and last but not least a couple of "know-it-alls" constantly sprouting their dubious wisdom. If you believe that content generated by unsavory characters might cause you offense PLEASE LEAVE NOW! Sammyboy Admin and Staff are not responsible for your hurt feelings should you choose to read any of the content here.

    The OTHER forum is HERE so please stop asking.

The Workers' Party

Re: WP Doing Nothing?

"Although the Government decided not to factor in the full increase based on the CPI, and instead, to spread the increase over the next few years and to shift the target of reaching Minimum Sum to 2015, the Minimum Sum now looks to be a moving target.

To most Singaporeans, we wonder what would be the eventual amount for the Minimum Sum when we reach our time to retire.



[h=5]The Workers' Party[/h]
I am of the view that it is timely to review the Minimum Sum and to establish a reasonable yearly adjustment rate that is not only based on increase in CPI. [...]

There is anxiety amongst middle lower and lower income wage earners that the amount of money they can withdraw from their own CPF savings at the age of 55 would decrease with the ever-corresponding increase in the Minimum Sum." ~ MP Low Thia Khiang (14 March 2013)




COS 2013 Debate: MOM – CPF Minimum Sum (MP Low Thia Khiang)
wp.sg
By MP for Aljunied GRC, Low Thia Khiang [Delivered in Committee of Supply on 14 March 2013] The Minimum Sum amount was set at


 
Re: WP Doing Nothing?

"Mdm, there have been many improvements made to prepare our society for the silver tsunami. Facilities have been enhanced to enable the disabled to travel far more easily within our urban environment. Much has been done, but much remains to be done especially with regard to the care that these groups receive from their own family. Family is often the first line of support and it is important for us to enhance the family unit and strengthen the support given to the elderly and the disabled within the family unit. This is particularly critical for many lower income families."

"With the above in mind, I would like to propose to the Ministry to introduce a Family Care Leave, applicable in particular to caregivers of the elderly, the disabled and individuals with chronic illnesses such as stroke and kidney disease." - MP Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap (14 March 2013)


COS 2013 Debates: MOM – Family Care Leave (MP Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap)
wp.sg
By MP for Aljunied GRC, Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap [Delivered in Committee of Supply on 14 March 2013] Mdm, many pro-family policies and workplace i


 
Re: WP Doing Nothing?

"Childcare needs do not suddenly change when a child enters Primary One; parents still need to work and the child is still unable to care for himself. Student care should be seen as a natural extension of childcare. This will help both parents to remain in the workforce and reduce the demand for foreign maids, while providing a safe and nurturing environment for the children."




Supply of childcare and student care (MSF) | geraldgiam.sg
geraldgiam.sg
The government also needs to invest more resources into improving the supply, accessibility, affordability and quality of student care. Childcare needs do not suddenly change when a child enters Primary One; parents still need to work and the child is still unable to care for himself.


 
Re: WP Doing Nothing?


[h=5]Yee Jenn Jong, JJ (余振忠)[/h]
But there is far too much emphasis on exams. We should not be defined by our results. We are so caught up in trying to score well that we neglect learning.

We memorise lecture notes and revere the 10-year series almost as if it were a religious text.

Our education system does not promote learning. Sometimes, when we ask teachers questions, we are given an answer that says “it is not in your syllabus, you don’t have to know it”.

We learn only what we need to learn, not what we want to learn, choosing the courses that are easier to score so as to get higher grades and enrol in better schools.

- Tieu Xin Yi, writer to TODAY Voices

The above was written by a recent graduate from one of our junior colleges. Do you agree with her views? I made 4 speeches in the just concluded Committee of Supply debate on MOE this week on topics related to education system, one of which was on the high failure rate in year 1 promotion exames in some Junior Colleges.



Promote learning, not scoring well in exams
[url]www.todayonline.com
Fresh out of junior college, the recent discussion on the education system (“Education system reflects societal norms”, March 14) resonated


[/URL]
 
Re: WP Doing Nothing?


Yee Jenn Jong, JJ (余振忠)

A collection of several opinions about changes to our education system by readers of TODAY. It is interesting that more and more are now calling for primary-secondary through-train system. Last year, I made that call and found NMP Laurence Lien promoting the same idea at the same debate. This year, I continued to call for such pilot schools. MP Denise Phua also called for pilot pre-school to secondary through-train schools.

Do you think such a school will be accepted in Singapore? Should we have just a few such schools or can we one day implement this across the country? Some have said that would not be fair and would cause the pressure to be shifted to getting into the right preschool / primary school.



Rethinking what we want from our education system
[url]www.todayonline.com
My wife is Finnish, and our preference for our children now is the Finnish education system. The outcome in terms of how we rank in results


[/URL]
 
Re: WP Doing Nothing?


[h=5]Yee Jenn Jong, JJ (余振忠)[/h]
Extracted the parliament records of a recent parliamentary question I filed about fighting dengue in the East Coast / Telok Kurau area, which had over 100 cases a week then. I understand the number of cases has since dropped but let's all stay vigilant in the fight against dengue.


Dengue hotspot in East Coast / Telok Kurau
joochiattoday.wordpress.com
The following is reproduced from parliament records ([url]www.parliament.gov.sg) of my parliamentary question regarding Dengue in East


[/URL]
 
Re: WP Doing Nothing?

227022_211352448887076_4552221_s.jpg

[h=2]Budget Speech: Financial Restrictions on Car Ownership
[/h]
by Pritam Singh (Notes) on Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at 9:02pm


Attached here is the second part of my budget speech on the new restrictions on car ownership.
_________

Madam Speaker, one subject covered in the budget that affects many middle-class Singaporeans are changes to the government’s policies on car ownership. The significance of the budget and associated changes to the government’s car ownership policy led the executive director of a leading dealership to say, “in my 28 years in the trade, this is the most serious development I've seen", while an accounting partner of a big four firm was quoted as saying, “the minister is riding through Singapore’s Sherwood Forest to tax the rich who own high-end property and drive luxury cars.” While I would not take it as far as the accounting partner, as there is much more room for greater progressivity in our tax system, I am in favour of higher taxes paid by those who drive luxury cars.

It was telling that as the Minister spoke about the tiered ARF in his budget, an MAS circular about a cap on loan-to-valuation (LTV) ratios also started making its rounds. The circular established that the new loan quantum for a car with an OMV of less than $20,000 would be 60% of the car price and 50% if the OMV is higher. Significantly, the maximum loan repayment period is now only five years from ten years previously. On one level, the Finance Minister’s budget speech on changes to the ARF appears to continue with the theme of progressive taxation. But the possible effects of the budget announcement and MAS circular taken together leads me to conclude the opposite, that the rich will benefit from the latest changes to our car ownership policies as the latest changes do not address the high disposal income of the rich. In the context of the budget statement, it would have been helpful if the Minister had addressed the changes to the ARF with the policy intent of MAS circular, especially since the two are so inextricably linked.

If these changes were implemented to force Singaporeans to use public transport, the system as it stands, leaves much to be desired, particularly during peak hours. I am not sure what the effects of these latest changes to our car ownership policies will be, as there are differing views on the impact of the latest policy changes on COE prices and as a result, the price of cars. But the effect of the new LTV ratio is likely to felt most acutely by families with two or more children, those with elderly family members or the disabled who need the mobility provided by a car, but are unable to raise the down payment since a larger household size necessarily entails a lower disposable income set aside for the higher down payment required.

There is also the tangential concern about the inability of larger families to purchase a vehicle, which from a policy perspective may well indirectly stymie efforts to promote our Total Fertility Rate (TFR) since the lack of mobility for family leisure, travel and support may well factor into a person’s decision to have fewer children and prejudice those who already have large families. It would be imperative for the government to look at possible tweaks to the system if indeed larger families and families that include disabled Singaporeans, or elderly parents are genuinely affected, as the effects of the new policy kick in over the next few months. One specific way could be to raise the LTV ratio for cars back to 70% as it was previously, but only for families with 2 or more children so as to buttress and incentivise the government’s efforts to raise TFR.

Madam Speaker, it would be a tragedy if younger Singaporeans included the inability to purchase a car as a reason for wanting to look abroad for greener pastures, in addition to the visceral insecurity of a more crowded Singapore in future. It may be helpful for the government to solicit feedback from Singaporeans about our car ownership policy going forward particularly on the aspirations of owning a car, even if the stated objective of this policy is to discourage Singaporeans from over-leveraging. This may even entail a deeper look into the COE system or even larger national considerations such as the future population size of Singapore, so that the policy fear of a more crowded Singapore does not operate to scupper the aspirations of Singaporeans to own the car of their dreams; unless of course, the government’s intention, be it directly or indirectly, is to remove the dream of car ownership for middle-class Singaporeans.

On the flip side, I am encouraged by tweaks to the COE policy that give greater business flexibility to SMEs. In January 2013, I asked the Minister for Transport in a parliamentary question whether the Ministry will consider reviewing the COE bidding system for goods vehicles and buses to alleviate the costs of doing business for small businesses and SMEs. While the Minister replied that there were no plans to review the COE system for the said category, he did say that as part of Budget 2013, his Ministry would carefully consider if more help was needed.

To this extent, I welcome the flexibility granted to commercial vehicle owners whose vehicles reach the end of their ten-year COE, as they can now choose to renew their COEs for five years in the first instance, and a further five years later. Likewise the granting of a one-year 30% road tax rebate for goods vehicles, buses and taxis is also welcome. It would be helpful if the government could make the extension of such road tax grants permanent, especially for the mom-and-pop SMEs with a headcount of 5 or less when COE prices reach astronomically high levels, as they have been in the recent past for Cat C COEs. In addition, as some SMEs owners, particularly hawkers and sundry store owners work with narrow margins, it may be useful to look into allowing Cat C COE holders to extend their COE every 30 months (two and a half years) rather than every five years as the budget has announced. Such a move would allow for even greater flexibility for SMEs and also indirectly nudge SME owners to consider putting an older vehicle off the road since the decision making cycle on renewing a COE would be shorter.

Madam Speaker, post-budget, the Finance Minister acknowledged that the country continues to be in an unhappy part of the property cycle, following up from the budget speech that reiterates the government will spare no effort resolving the pressing challenges facing housing and transport. While I look forward to the resolution of these problems, it would be equally important for the government to explain the reasons behind significant policy shifts instead of leaving Singaporeans to second-guess the government’s real purpose, as has been the feedback for MAS’ changes to the car-ownership policy. Such engagement would help reduce unpredictability, encourage a more participatory democracy and allow Singaporeans to plan for their future with more certainty.

Ends.

Picture source: http://ride.asiaone.com
225431_541104859245165_1420773467_n.jpg
 
Re: WP Doing Nothing?


[h=5]Pritam Singh[/h]
Dear Eunos Residents,

Correct as of 18 Mar 2013, the NEA has reported dengue cases at Blk 108 (2 cases), Blk 110 (1 case), Blk 115 (1 case), Blk 117 (2 cases) and Jalan Singa (1 case). The Town Council will work together with NEA to address this as best we can, but we do need residents to play their part.

Please peruse this brochure and act immediately.
http://www.dengue.gov.sg/images/materials/hdb_b5_v13.pdf

According to the dengue.gov.sg website,

"Residents living in the following nine areas (*Bedok Reservoir Road being one such area) with a higher risk of DEN-1 virus transmission are advised to step up dengue prevention measures by checking for stagnant water in their homes at least once a week. Our population has lower immunity to the DEN-1 virus serotype which could mean quicker transmission of dengue in these neighbourhoods if effort is not taken to remove all mosquito breeding habitats. NEA on its part will work together with members of the Inter Agency Dengue Task Force to step up checks in the public areas in these neighbourhoods."

Please see the following supplementary question put to Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Mr Vivian Balakrishnan by NCMP Yee Jenn Jong on what preventive measures can be taken to address the spike in dengue cases and the Minister's reply about the effectiveness of generalised fogging as a means to resolve the problem.

http://app.mewr.gov.sg/web/contents/contents.aspx?contid=1787






Dengue
[url]www.dengue.gov.sg


[/URL]
 
Re: WP Doing Nothing?

40190_149674681715790_2741543_t.jpg
[h=2]Parliament Highlights – The COS Debates 2013 (PMO)
[/h]
by The Workers' Party (Notes) on Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 10:21pm


Here are some highlights of cuts from Workers' Party MPs during the Committee of Supply (COS) Debates 2013, for the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

Enhanced Baby Bonus
By MP for Punggol East SMC, Lee Li Lian
The recent enhancements to Parenthood Package offers higher baby bonus pay-outs. The increase in the cash gift quantum appears to be a welcome relief for parents in lower-income families as it could potentially mean a greater cash inflow for them. However, the dollar-for dollar bonus structure tends to favour higher-income groups over those who may be more in need of extra financial help to raise children. Many of the lower-income and middle-income families presently have many financial obligations to meet, leaving them with little cash flow for the month.

Thus, it would not be a surprise that given such circumstances, many lower and even middle income families are not able to put down $6,000 or more in order to receive bonuses from the state.

This House has discussed the urgent need for TFR to rise. If we are truly committed to pushing the TFR up, it is important to revisit the way the baby bonus scheme is structured, to cater to a larger segment of couples who can be persuaded to have children.

Read the full cut here: http://wp.sg/2013/03/cos-2013-debates-pmo-enhanced-baby-bonus-mp-lee-li-lian/

Childcare Leave
By Non-Constituency MP Gerald Giam

Currently parents of Singaporean children under age seven are entitled to six days of paid childcare leave.

Younger children tend to fall ill more frequently than older children, particularly when they first start attending childcare. One bout of HFMD, which requires the child to stay at home for at least a week, can wipe out an entire childcare leave entitlement for the year. While the law provides for six days of unpaid infant care leave for children under two, the fact that it is unpaid renders it of little value to most employees.

Furthermore, whether a parent has one or three children under age seven, his or her paid childcare leave entitlement is the same. Would the Government therefore consider granting parents about two additional days of Government-paid childcare leave for each child under the age of three? This will not only help parents of younger children, but also give greater benefits to parents who choose to have more children.

In order to make our childcare leave scheme more effective and equitable, can the Government give all parents of Singaporean children, including single parents, equal childcare leave benefits?

Read the full cut here: http://wp.sg/2013/03/cos-2013-debates-pmo-childcare-leave-ncmp-gerald-giam/

Car Loans
By MP for Punggol East SMC, Lee Li Lian

Madam, I am glad to hear from Minister Tharman this afternoon that MAS will create temporary exemptions for the recently announced car loan restrictions for the disabled and their caregivers which partially addresses the original intent of my cut.

I have a few clarifications to make based on this announcement.


  1. How long will the exemption last, since these are temporary.
  2. Why this should be temporary rather than a long-term exemption especially if the affected member is permanently disabled.
  3. Whether these exemptions can be extended to Families with elderly dependents who have problems with mobility. These families also rely the most on cars and will be affected by these changes.
Read the full cut here: http://wp.sg/2013/03/cos-2013-debates-pmo-car-loans-mp-lee-li-lian/

PR and Citizenship Application
By MP for Aljunied GRC, Pritam Singh

In the recent debate on the population white paper, Minister Grace Fu stated that when assessing applications, the government considers a holistic set of criteria to evaluate applicants not only their economic contributions, but also the years they have spent in Singapore, their ability to integrate, their linkages and their family ties. But as it stands, Singaporeans do not have any idea how each of these factors are evaluated or whether one is weighted more heavily than the other, to say nothing of subjective criteria like ability to integrate, especially since our experience has suggested that integration cannot happen overnight.

The gist of this cut is therefore to query the PMO as to why the ICA does not give reasons for rejection, to call for a change of this policy, and to explore the prospects of introducing a more transparent system so applicants are well informed of their PR and citizenship prospects before application. Such a system would also streamline not just the selection process, but the appeals process as well, and reduce insecurity especially for Singaporeans married to foreign spouses and applicants in general.

On the government side, a transparent PR and citizenship application regime could greatly assist with the government’s efforts to support integration and would build trust between citizens and the government on the population policy. On the citizen end, it is my belief that a more open and accountable system that would allow Singaporeans to better appreciate who our neighbours are, where they are from and on what basis they were selected would in turn contribute to a more inclusive Singapore and ease the emotional and visceral worries many Singaporeans have to contend with, an emotion that is usually exemplified with remarks like – I don’t recognize Singapore anymore.

Read the full cut here: http://wp.sg/2013/03/cos-2013-debates-pmo-pr-and-citizenship-application-mp-pritam-singh/

Population and Immigration Data
By MP for Aljunied GRC, Sylvia Lim

The government annually releases data on the size of the population and some demographic details. However, the government has not been willing to disclose certain other details such as the country of origin of persons in Singapore e.g. the numbers of PRs taken in from specific countries each year. Even at the Parliamentary level, when Members of Parliament had filed questions on how many persons from specific countries had been granted PR status, the standard government answer was that it was unable to provide the data. Instead, answers given provided numbers from broader regions like the total numbers from Southeast Asian countries, and the total numbers other Asian countries.

By contrast, there are other governments which are more transparent e.g. Australia publishes annual breakdowns of their new citizens, indicating the former citizenships held by the new citizens. Will our government be prepared to do so as well, or at least to answer Parliamentary questions to this effect, in line with the PM’s indication of greater openness? Or would the government elaborate on what concerns it has about releasing such information?

Read the full cut here: http://wp.sg/2013/03/cos-2013-debates-pmo-population-and-immigration-data-mp-sylvia-lim/

Proportion of Malays in Singapore
By MP for Aljunied GRC, Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap

Puan pengerusi,

Parlimen baru sahaja mendebatkan tentang Kertas Putih Kependudukan baru-baru ini. Saya ada beberapa soalan mengenai isu tentang kadar kaum Melayu di Singapura.

Pada hari terakhir perdebatan Kertas Putih Kependudukan bulan lepas, Perdana Menteri, dalam ucapan beliau, telah memberi kepastian bahawa Pemerintah akan berusaha untuk memastikan kestabilan peratusan kaum Melayu di Singapura namun beliau tidak menjelaskan apakah langkah-langkah yang akan diambil oleh pemerintah dalam perkara ini. Perdana Menteri juga pernah mengulas pada Disember lalu di sebuah sesi Perbincangan Singapura Kita’ bahawa Pemerintah berusaha bersungguh-sungguh dan bekerja keras untuk menarik bakat Melayu dari Malaysia dan Indonesia namun bilangannya amat kecil setiap tahun. Oleh itu, soalan (i) pertama saya adalah apakah langkah-langkah yang telah diambil oleh pemerintah selama ini dalam menarik bakat Melayu dari Malaysia dan Indonesia namun tidak mendatangkan hasil yang baik dan apakah langkah-langkah yang akan diambil oleh pemerintah seterusnya dalam usaha menarik bakat-bakat Melayu ini.
Pada sesi debat yang sama, Menteri, Puan Grace Foo, telah menyatakan bahawa peratusan kaum Melayu dalam Populasi Kerakyatan Singapura (Citizen Population) iaitu tidak termasuk Penduduk Tetap adalah stabil, dimana pada tahun 2000 ,14.9% dan pada 2010 kenaikan kepada 15.1%. Kenyataan ini amat memberangsangkan namun jika kita lihat kepada keseluruhan dari sudut Populasi Penduduk Singapura (Resident Population) yang merangkumi Warga Negara serta Penduduk Tetap Singapura, peratusan kaum Melayu telah mengalami kemerosotan dari 13.9% pada tahun 2000 ke 13.4% pada tahun 2010.
Soalan (ii) kedua saya adalah apakah faktor-faktor penyebab kemerosotan pada peratusan kaum Melayu dari sudut ‘Resident Population’ walaupun ada peningkatan pada peratusan kaum Melayu dari sudut ‘Citizen Population’ .

Didalam ucapan saya pada debat Kertas Putih Kependudukan, saya ada menyatakan bahawa saya berpandangan, kemungkinan Penghijrahan adalah satu daripada faktor-faktor yang mungkin menyebabkan kemerosotan dalam peratusan kaum Melayu di Singapura. Soalan (iii) ketiga saya, adakah tren penghijrahan kaum Melayu meningkat dalam sepuluh tahun kebelakangan ini dan berapa jumlah tahunan individu-individu Melayu yang telah berhijrah keluar dari Singapura dan adakah ia satu faktor utama yang menyumbang kepada kemerosotan peratusan kaum Melayu.

Memetik dari ucapan Menteri Puan Grace Foo pada debat Kertas Putih Kependudukan, bahawa pemerintah akur tentang pentingnya mengekalkan kesimbangan kaum dalam populasi Singapura demi untuk mengekalkan atau memelihara kestabilan sosial.

Atas dasar ini, saya meminta agar Pemerintah dapat melaksanakan langkah-langkah yang lebih efektif dalam isu kadar komposisi kaum Melayu di Singapura.

Read the full cut here: http://wp.sg/2013/03/cos-2013-debates-pmo-proportion-of-malays-in-singapore-mp-muhamad-faisal-bin-abdul-manap/

Anti-Corruption Stance
By MP for Aljunied GRC, Sylvia Lim

Since Chinese New Year last year, Singaporeans have been gripped by the investigations and subsequent prosecution of several top civil servants under the Prevention of Corruption Act. There have been recent reports of corruption complaints against other public officials e.g. an assistant director from the Media Development Authority is suspected of borrowing money from applicants for MDA grants. Now, an assistant director of Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau itself is under investigation for alleged embezzlement.
This series of announcements naturally arouses public concern. On the one hand, we can certainly take comfort in the fact that the complaints came to light and are being investigated and prosecuted. On the other hand, some may worry whether there is cause for concern about slipping standards of conduct in the public service.

The most recent report of the CPIB available on its website is for the year 2011. It shows that from 2007 to 2011, there had been a steady fall in the number of corruption-related complaints to CPIB. During this period, the number of CPIB investigations also declined significantly, from 323 in 2007 to 138 in 2011. As 2012 appears to have been a busy year for CPIB, could the government confirm whether the declining trend has now been reversed i.e. has there been an increase in the number of corruption complaints and prosecutions in 2012?

Read the full cut here: http://wp.sg/2013/03/cos-2013-debates-pmo-anti-corruption-stance-mp-sylvia-lim/
 
Re: WP Doing Nothing?

40190_149674681715790_2741543_t.jpg
[h=2]Parliament Highlights – The COS Debates 2013 (MHA, MinLaw, MCI)
[/h]
by The Workers' Party (Notes) on Friday, March 22, 2013 at 8:36pm


Here are some highlights of cuts from Workers' Party MPs during the Committee of Supply (COS) Debates 2013 for the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Ministry of Law (MinLaw), and Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI).

Ministry of Home Affairs


Policing
By MP for Aljunied GRC, Sylvia Lim

There is a wide body of research from developed countries on the effectiveness of different policing strategies in crime reduction. For instance, evidence from the United States generally shows that community policing in and of itself is not effective in crime reduction, though it is useful in promoting good relations with the public. On the other hand, there is clear evidence that problem-oriented policing and hot spot policing show strong results in crime reduction. The general thrust of the research is that successful policing strategies combine two elements – focus on specific problems, and diverse approaches which involve not just law enforcement but other stakeholders. For instance, if a neighbourhood has a high incidence of housebreaking, successful responses typically involve the police focusing on the problem area and working with the local housing authorities, citizens and the local councils to approach the problem from many fronts.

In Singapore, our policing models have gone through several milestones. Community policing was introduced in the 1980s via the Neighbourhood Police Post system, which was then replaced by the Neighbourhood Police Centre model by around the year 2000. After more than 10 years of the NPC model, we now have the recently unveiled COPS or Community Policing System.

It has been publicly stated that the reason for the change to COPS was to adjust to new population trends and to devolve more authority to the local units. I would like government to clarify whether the decision was based on any evidence of what has or has not worked in Singapore or in other countries i.e. to what extent was the decision evidence-based?

Read the full cut here: http://wp.sg/2013/03/cos-2013-debates-mha-policing-mp-sylvia-lim/

Ministry of Law

Criminal Procedure
By MP for Aljunied GRC, Sylvia Lim

First, I would like to re-visit the suggestion to video-record the statements given by accused persons in custody. This practice of video-recording is in place in several advanced jurisdictions including Australia, the United Kingdom, South Korea and Taiwan. Its purpose is as a safeguard, to ensure that the person in custody gave his statement voluntarily and that the words in the statement fell from the accused’s own lips and were not force-fed.

In other countries, video recording has been found to save police and court time, as both sides may decide not to pursue certain matters after viewing the recording. At the same time, it is a safeguard to maintaining high standards of law enforcement. We in Singapore may need this safeguard even more, since an arrested person’s right to see counsel under arrest is so limited. Would the government at least re-think its position on this issue, or pilot some trials?

Secondly, the Criminal Procedure Code 2010 introduced a new pre-trial case disclosure regime where both prosecution and defence are required to disclose evidence relevant to the case well ahead of the trial. Since its implementation, I have assisted as defence counsel in a few court cases under the framework, and I can see its value and contribution towards a fair trial. Currently, only District Court cases under the Penal Code and selected statutes come under the disclosure regime. Other cases, e.g. those charged under the Prevention of Corruption Act, have not been brought under the framework yet. As the framework has proven useful and successful, when will its scope be expanded to cover other laws like the PCA?

Read the full cut here: http://wp.sg/2013/03/cos-2013-debates-minlaw-criminal-procedure-mp-sylvia-lim/

Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI)

IDA’s penalty to operators
By MP for Punggol East SMC, Lee Li Lian

As an industry regulator, the purpose of IDA is to provide greater incentives for telecommunication services and infocomm to grow and help Singapore become a dynamic and vibrant global Infocomm hub to enhance Singapore’s economic and social development. I would like to ask MCI to elaborate on how IDA determines the sum of $10,000 as penalty for operators not meeting IDA’s QoS standards?

How much Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) and Operational Expenditure (OPEX) does the Ministry expect the operators will require in order to achieve QoS Standards? As commercial entities, the three operators will understandably seek to provide the greatest shareholder returns and profit margins. In order to improve their coverage and service quality, they will have to invest in additional hardware and related services which will lead to an increase in CAPEX and OPEX. From the perspective of a commercial entity, the S$10,000 fine may be a more cost effective alternative, than investing in the improvement of their network infrastructure for the benefit of Singapore’s economic and social development. I would like to ask the Minister if $10,000 is a sufficient penalty to push operators to improve their network services?

Read the full cut here: http://wp.sg/2013/03/cos-2013-debates-mci-idas-penalty-to-operators-mp-lee-li-lian/

Home-Based Work Initiatives
By MP for Aljunied GRC, Low Thia Khiang

In April 2012, IDA launched a Call-for-Collaboration (CFC) to conduct pilots with industry partners in home-based work and the setting up of Smart Work Centres, to encourage employers to adopt flexible working arrangements through the use of infocomm technology. The key to the initiative is for Next Gen Nationwide Broadband Network (Next Gen NBN) to connect 95% of Singapore by mid-2012 to further support and encourage home-based work initiatives. I would like to ask the Minister what milestone has been achieved and what progress has been made since?

Apart from connecting homes to Next Gen broadband network, other factors such as Internet speed is also critical to support Home-Based Work initiatives. Is there a reason why speed is not included as one of the compliance KPI for IDA’s quality standard? Although IDA stated that it is monitoring the issue of speed, could IDA provide its own data on multiple and single TCP speed, instead of relying on information providing by third party such as Ookla and Akamai?

I would also like to know is there a roadmap on the initiative given that the MOM had published “An Employer’s Guide in Implementing ICT-Enabled Home-Based Work”?

Read the full cut here: http://wp.sg/2013/03/cos-2013-debates-mci-home-based-work-initiatives-mp-low-thia-khiang/
Sustaining Singaporean creative musicians
By MP for Aljunied GRC, Sylvia Lim

I believe that for those who create original work, especially songs, the government could take a simple measure to boost the sustainability of their careers. This move will ensure that local music is played constantly and consistently, which will provide sustenance for the song creators to take their careers further, even internationally.

Currently, songwriters receive royalties when their songs are played in public, whether the songs are played in CD form or are played live. All organizations playing music or songs in public as part of their business or ambience must pay the song-music owners through COMPASS or the Composers and Authors Society of Singapore. When foreign works are played, the royalty money flows out of Singapore. To channel more royalties to flow to Singaporeans, the government can take the lead to encourage consistent and significant playing of local music.

Currently, the government plays music in its building lobbies, phone systems, and at events and occasions. At all these occasions, the government can direct its organisations to routinely include local works as often as possible. This will not increase costs for the government, as it would have had to pay royalties for music played anyway. However, this move will ensure that our local songs / music account for a good share of the royalties paid. This will also increase their public following, with more members of the public recognizing and appreciating local songs. I believe such a simple move can be documented easily to ensure that our local songwriters get the royalty payments due to them. I urge the government to consider this suggestion to give our creative musicians a leg up.

Read the full cut here: http://wp.sg/2013/03/cos-2013-debates-mci-sustaining-singaporean-creative-musicians-mp-sylvia-lim/
 
Re: WP Doing Nothing?

40190_149674681715790_2741543_t.jpg
[h=2]Parliament Highlights – The COS Debates 2013 (MND)
[/h]
by The Workers' Party (Notes) on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 3:35pm




Here are some highlights of cuts from Workers' Party MPs during the Committee of Supply (COS) Debates 2013 for the Ministry of National Development (MND)

Town Council Management
By MP for Aljunied GRC, Sylvia Lim

For a Town Council, the definition of what constitutes “common property” is of paramount importance as it has legal responsibility for it and must bear the cost of maintaining it. Under the Town Council Act (TCA), the definition of “common property” is any property which is not comprised in the flats, subject to certain named inclusions and exclusions.

I believe this definition of “common property” is too simplistic and has given rise to many practical problems. There are items which may be outside a flat but be used by the occupants of just one flat alone rather than be for “common” use, e.g. bamboo pole holders and air-con ledges and panels. HDB in fact had to issue a circular in March 2007 to TCs with Standard Operating Procedures on who is responsible for what. So for bamboo pole holders, the flat lessee is responsible for routine maintenance, but cost of replacement is to be shared between the lessee and Town Councils. As for air-con ledges and panels, Town Councils are responsible where an air-conditioner has not been installed but where it has been, the responsibility for repairs and replacement rests with the flat lessee. HDB has made a gallant and intriguing attempt to guide Town Councils and flat lessees through what is caused by an inadequate definition of “common property” under the TCA.

In comparison, the definition of “common property” under the Building Management & Strata Management Act (BMSMA) is much more practical and clear. In addition to being “not comprised in any lot”, property is only deemed “common” if it is “used or capable of being used or enjoyed by occupiers of 2 or more lots” i.e. units. If this definition was adopted for HDB estates, the bamboo pole holders and air-con panels or ledges would not be common property but would be properly the responsibility of HDB or the lessee. Such a definition would enable Town Councils to focus on property for common use and give rise to a more equitable allocation of expenses. I hope the government will review the definition of common property under TCA for better management of HDB estates.

Read the full cut here: http://wp.sg/2013/03/cos-2013-debates-mnd-town-council-management-mp-sylvia-lim/
Pricing of HDB flats
By Non-Constituency MP Gerald Giam
The Minister said in February this year that the prices of new HDB flats have been “delinked” from resale flat prices by varying the quantum of discounts applied to the selling price. He said that HDB will continue with this pricing policy for as long as “property remains hot”. What is the criteria he will use to determine if the housing market is cool enough, resulting in the prices of new and resale flats being “linked” once again? Would HDB consider permanently delinking the price of new and resale flats, so new flat buyers are not at the mercy of resale flat prices, which the Minister has said he is not able to control?

I understand from the Minister’s earlier replies in this House are that the factors used to determine the selling price of new flats include the typical household income of the families who buy them, the market price of similar resale flats in the vicinity and the attributes of the flats including their size and location. He said that HDB applies a discount to this price and gives housing grants to eligible buyers.

Could the Minister share with us what is the exact pricing formula used to string all these factors together to determine the selling price for new flats? More specifically, what is the formula used to calculate the discount or “market subsidy”? For future launches, could HDB publish the price of each new flat before and after the discount, so that home buyers will have a clearer picture of the market price of the new flats, and discounts that they are receiving from HDB?
Read the full cut here: http://wp.sg/2013/03/cos-2013-debates-mnd-pricing-of-hdb-flats-ncmp-gerald-giam/
HDB Housing Levy
By MP for Aljunied GRC, Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap

Mdm, I understand that the resale levy is introduced to reduce the subsidy on the 2nd subsidised flat with the function of exercising fairness in the granting of housing subsidies between 1st and 2nd-timer citizen families and to grant priority to 1st timers who have more urgent housing needs.

The resale levy itself constitutes a financial burden to owners with a monthly income of $1,500 and below. Often during my Meet-the-People sessions, I have come across many lower income families who have been advised by the HDB to sell off their flat due to outstanding arrears or owners who have been ordered by the Court to sell off their matrimonial flat due to a broken marriage.

Under the circumstances depicted above, it is noteworthy to highlight that the owner has little or no choice, as a result of evolving life circumstances to sell off their property. In the first place, these families already face considerable financial difficulties and the proceeds from the sale of the flat would provide some much-needed financial breathing space. At the same time, the owner has been debarred from renting a flat directly from the HDB and hence has to resort to paying open market rental rates. Any sales proceeds received would then be depleted by exorbitant rental rates. Moreover, by the time the owner decides to obtain a new flat, he would not have the financial means to pay for his resale levy. This has the effect of limiting his housing options and his desire for a new start. Hence, I would like to call upon the Ministry to consider allowing the resale levy to be incorporated into the new housing mortgage to be paid together with the monthly mortgage installment for lower-income families.

Read the full cut here: http://wp.sg/2013/03/cos-2013-debates-mnd-hdb-housing-levy-mp-muhamad-faisal-bin-abdul-manap/

Grants for old estates with LUP
By MP for Hougang SMC, Png Eng Huat

The Lift Upgrading Progamme (LUP) was subsequently rolled out to address the lift access issue. The LUP provides direct lift access to those pre-1990 flats but it comes with a heavy price that Town Councils and residents will have to bear going forward.

The LUP, while providing convenience to residents, has created a whole new set of issues to contend with. Some flats had to open up another doorway in the living room in order to access the new LUP lifts. Other oddities of LUP include lift landings with no escape stairwells and emergency buttons on the inside and outside of the lifts. The emergency button outside the lift is required because residents can get trapped outside the lift lobby as there is no escape stairwell provided in the LUP design for some of these flats.

Thus, HDB must acknowledge that the designs of some older flats are complicated to begin with and that implementing LUP for those types of flats will lead to rising maintenance costs. Residents and town councils are already made to co-pay for these new lifts so they should not be made to bear additional increases in lift maintenance costs due to a strange design decision taken by in HDB in the past.

Preliminary estimates for some LUP blocks in Hougang alone have already seen a doubling of the routine maintenance cost for the newly added lifts. I am sure other town councils will also experience a phenomenal rise in maintenance costs for those LUP blocks that ended up with more lifts than before. I therefore call upon HDB to review and raise its grant for 3-room, 4-room, and 5-room LUP flats to take into consideration the additional costs required to maintain those flats with additional LUP lifts.

Read the full cut here: http://wp.sg/2013/03/cos-2013-debates-mnd-grants-for-old-estates-with-lup-mp-png-eng-huat/

Parenthood Priority Scheme
By Non-Constituency MP Gerald Giam

I agree that Singaporean couples with children should get priority in flat allocation, because they not only have to house themselves, but also their children. However, the proportion of flats set aside for all first-timers remains unchanged at 85% for BTO flats in non-mature estates. This means that other first timers, including married couples who do not have children yet, will effectively have a lower proportion of the flats set aside for them. If the goal of the Parenthood Priority Scheme (PPS) is to raise birth rates, then it might be necessary to also include married couples without children, because many of these couples may be waiting to get their own home before having kids.

The Minister has said that once the HDB clears the backlog of first-timer married couples with children, the HDB can extend the PPS to married couples without children. Will this mean that all first-timer married couples—with or without children—will be allocated 30% of BTO flats and 50% of SBF flats, or will married couples without children have a separate allocation? I think more clarity on this will help prospective home buyers better plan their flat applications.

To get a sense of the size of the backlog, for the BTO launch in January 2013 during which PPS was first offered, what proportion of PPS applicants had unsuccessful applications for previous BTO launches? Can the Minister provide an estimate of when this backlog married couples with children is expected to be cleared, and when married couples without children can start to benefit from PPS? Lastly, will PPS be a permanent scheme or will it only be in place until the current backlog of flat applicants is cleared?
Read the full cut here: http://wp.sg/2013/03/cos-2013-debates-mnd-parenthood-priority-scheme-ncmp-gerald-giam/

Rental Housing
By MP for Punggol East SMC, Lee Li Lian
Singaporean citizens whose spouses hold Long Term Visit Passes are disqualified from applying for a rental flat under the HDB’s Public Rental Scheme. On 25 February 2013, the Senior Parliamentary Secretary. Dr Maliki Osman, said in Parliament that the HDB rental scheme treats a citizen married to another citizen differently from a citizen married to a foreigner. He also said that HDB will consider the merit of each case and exercise flexibility to help those truly in need.

Madam, I have seen such cases every week at the Meet The People Session in Punggol East. These families who seek rental housing are typically those already in need and not financially well-off. While the government would like to exercise flexibility, it must also understand that such flexibility creates uncertainty and instability for such families.

Minister Khaw Boon Wan said on 2 March 2012 that he was mulling over how to help groups faced with special circumstances, and he specifically mentioned foreign spouses. He said that he has not forgotten these groups.
I hope that the Minister has started to think deeply about this issue and can share with us, from the appeals that HDB receives, under what conditions or criteria has the HDB granted a rental flat to a Singapore citizen with a foreign spouse? If not, what other alternatives are there for them?

Read the full cut here: http://wp.sg/2013/03/cos-2013-debates-mnd-rental-housing-mp-lee-li-lian/
Rental Flat Criteria
By MP for Hougang SMC, Png Eng Huat

Although the government will continue to encourage all Singaporeans to own their homes, there will always be a group of Singaporeans who are unable to do so for various reasons. For these Singaporeans, the only option left is either to rent from the open market or HDB. For families with household income of $2,000 and below, renting a flat from the open market is not a financially prudent thing to do. The latest median rents for a 3-room flat range from $1,750 to $2,400 depending on locations. For some of these families with young children and belongings, renting just a room is also not a conducive arrangement.

Another group of Singaporeans who need assistance in housings are single parents with children born out of wedlock. For low wage earners in this group, renting a room is already a strain on their pockets. As the children grow and the need for bigger space arises, renting a small flat from the open market is virtually out of reach. A third group of Singaporeans are elderly with no or very little income. Some have no children while others cannot depend on their children.

I would like to ask HDB what other measures are there to help Singaporeans, some of whom are caught in between policies, to find a place to call home whether on a temporary or long term basis. Can HDB look into relaxing the income ceiling criteria for families with children for a start? Can HDB relax its family nucleus criteria for single parents with young children born out of wedlock as well?

Read the full cut here: http://wp.sg/2013/03/cos-2013-debates-mnd-rental-flat-criteria-mp-png-eng-huat/
Debarment Period For Rental Housing
By MP for Aljunied GRC, Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap

I recall one of my residents who came to seek my help at my Meet-the-People session. He is a low-income earner with 5 young children under his care. He was left stranded and homeless and his family has to resort to sleeping in a tentage by the beach after he had exhausted all of his sales proceeds on renting a flat from the open market. Officers from the Ministry of Social and Family Development subsequently picked him up and his family was placed in a community shelter. During the 30-months long period in which he was unable to rent a flat from the HDB, he built up another series of arrears as a result of his tight financial situation where the bulk of his proceeds went to servicing his rental commitments. Today even though he has been allocated a HDB rental flat, he is still struggling to pay off the arrears he accumulated during the 30 months long period. The family remains trapped in the debt cycle.

The case I have illustrated is not unique. In fact, many members of this House would have come across similar cases during the course of their work. We can and should do more for lower income Singaporeans. I would like to call upon the Minister to consider to exempt the lower income family from the debarment policy or at least reducing the debarment period for renting a HDB flat from the current 30 months to a period not exceeding 12 months, preferably between 10 to 12 months. Such a move would be most welcomed by many lower income families.

Read the full cut here: http://wp.sg/2013/03/cos-2013-debates-mnd-debarment-period-for-rental-housing-mp-muhamad-faisal-bin-abdul-manap/
Collaboration between HDB and VWOs
By MP for Aljunied GRC, Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap

During the course of my work as a Member of Parliament, I have familiarise myself with the generic responses offered by the HDB to my residents. Allow me to cite two examples. In situations where an appeal by elderly Singaporeans for a rental flat is not successful, HDB would cite the support of his children whilst advising him to stay with his children as the basis for the rejection. In the event of soured relations in the family, HDB would refer the family to seek counseling to resolve their outstanding issues. Under circumstances where an owner has just sold his flat due to outstanding arrears or a broken marriage, the 30-months long debarment period would be cited as the basis for not granting a HDB rental flat. HDB would also remind the residents of the proceeds from the sale of his previous flat. Such responses itself are not wrong, but I urge the ministry to exercise more care, greater due diligence and demonstrate a greater level of compassion for each individual appeal.

Each appeal letter represents a hope and a bond of trust that the resident has placed in the judgment and abilities of the ministry and its officials to alleviate their most immediate problems. More care should be given and more time should be spent in assessing cases and the nature of the appeal. Each family is different and the situation of members in each family is unique and hence more time and flexibility need to be exercised when assessing the eligibility and merits of each appeal. Under such a circumstance, voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs) and family service centres (FSCs) on the ground, equipped with the relevant resources and human expertise can work with the ministry to better assess the needs of each resident. This can add a human face and a compassionate touch to the lives of our people when they deal with agencies and bureaucracies. I call upon the ministry to enhance their collaboration and engagement between the HDB, VWOs and FSC and seek their advice and professional assessment during the process of determining the validity of a particular appeal.

Read the full cut here: http://wp.sg/2013/03/cos-2013-debates-mnd-collaboration-between-hdb-and-vwos-11-march-2013/

Lifts in HDB Multi-storey Carparks
By MP for Aljunied GRC, Pritam Singh

Last year, the MND announced its plans to build lifts for all HDB multi-storey carparks (MSCP) with the project expected to be completed by 2017. The Minister also stated that priority will be accorded to MSCPs with high parking demand and that the HDB will dovetail the lift installations with upcoming improvement works in the precinct, so as to minimise inconvenience to the residents. Some of the blocks in my ward, specifically those at Jalan Damai between block 650 and 672 are less than 20 years old. As it stands, they are not likely to be eligible for major upgrading soon as there are other older blocks in the Town that are in more urgent need of upgrading. As the precinct I mention is only served by MSCPs, and not open carparks like in older HDB estates, it is inevitable that the parking demand is very high – a point that is repeatedly made to me by residents during housevisits. Can I ask the Minister if the HDB has planned for a schedule when the MSCPs in such precincts throughout Singapore will get their lifts?
Read the full cut here: http://wp.sg/2013/03/cos-2013-debates-mnd-lifts-in-hdb-multi-storey-carparks-mp-pritam-singh/
New-Generation HDB flats
By MP for Aljunied GRC, Pritam Singh

In view of the high cost an executive-flat sized apartment in new EC launches, can the HDB consider a pilot scheme to factor building a small number of larger apartments in new BTO launches, be it in mature or non-mature estates, so second or even first timers who want to purchase apartments larger than 5-room flats are not restricted from doing so by the price differential that comes with ECs of the same size? As most BTO flat applicants today are younger couples and smaller families, it may be argued that there is a risk of oversupply if larger flats are built again. But in light of modern construction techniques it would be helpful if new BTO flats could be designed in such way that two adjoining flats can be easily converted as it were, to form an executive apartment, and for allowance for this to be made for this prior to construction – giving added meaning for term BTO. For example, prior to construction, the HDB can set aside a percentage of any new launch for such flats, say 10% of the total. In the event the demand is not met, the flats can easily be reverted to ordinary 3-room flat without significant cost implications.

Sir, it is quite common to hear of middle-aged Singaporeans talking about how small new 3, 4 or 5 room HDB flats are. This is an old issue but it still required the government to say not too long ago that the size of HDB flats have not shrunk since 1997. Nonetheless, the government’s commitment to plan for a 6.9 m population does bring this issue back to the fore. The government has previously said that smaller flats do not have to mean a lower quality of living because the living space per person has actually increased over time due to smaller families. But after the passing of the population white paper, there is an irony in this position. In light of our urgent need to raise our TFR and to encourage families to have more children and separately, the government’s stated intention for a larger population, wouldn’t there be an argument for the government consider building HDB flats which were of the size of those built prior to 1997, so as to plan for flat sizes that anticipate and even encourage a rise in TFR? Finally, I would be much obliged if the Minister could give an update on the government’s plan on the DBSS scheme in light of the suspension of DBSS land sales for the last six months.
Read the full cut here: http://wp.sg/2013/03/cos-2013-debates-mnd-new-generation-hdb-flats-mp-pritam-singh/

Greenprint Initiative By MP for Aljunied GRC, Low Thia Khiang
I would like to request the MND to consider rolling out the following initiatives as soon as possible to all eligible HDB Towns in view of the national push towards productivity and escalating costs of town maintenance. I think many precincts could benefit from the following Greenprint initiative:


  1. Pneumatic refuse collection system The old design of individual bin chute system in older HDB estate with daily manual collection is a low productivity design and is not cost effective. Residents also often have to live with foul smell during the collection. A modified centralized refuse collection system would increase productivity in town maintenance and reduce the cost of manpower in conservancy work.
  2. Energy and water saving solutions for common area. Water and electricity cost is one the big expenditure items in Town Council management. Initiative on water saving device and exploring new source of energy for common area not only can achieve the green effect, but also save cost.

I would like to ask MND for its future plans for the Greenprint initiative. Will there be more pilot projects to be conducted and if so, what are the criteria for the selection of precincts for such pilot projects? What is the timeframe to roll out the initiative?

Read the full cut here: http://wp.sg/2013/03/cos-2013-debates-mnd-greenprint-initiative-mp-low-thia-khiang/

Environmental Impact Assessment
By Non-Constituency MP Yee Jenn Jong

A comprehensive environmental impact assessment (or EIA) should precede major developments. Many countries already require EIA before starting on projects. By alerting us to the potential hazards that may arise, precautionary measures can be taken. An example is the urbanization of a grass knoll to house Ion Orchard. Preventive measures could have been taken if nearby complexes and authorities were alerted to potential problems arising from the development.

Another effect of urbanization is the increase in ground temperatures due to the loss of trees. EIAs can help us better understand this issue, and help planners plan the siting and even method of development to minimise this. The Nature Society of Singapore has noted that Singapore has a higher carbon footprint than other developed countries. Naturally wooded areas help absorb this carbon. If more naturally wooded areas like Bukit Brown and Pasir Ris wetlands go away, our carbon footprint may become larger. I hope EIA can be a pre-condition for all major developments and findings made available to the public.

Read the full cut here: http://wp.sg/2013/03/cos-2013-debates-mnd-environmental-impact-assessment-ncmp-yee-jenn-jong/

Building a Singaporean Town
By MP for Hougang SMC, Png Eng Huat
In the early years, HDB did well to ensure resettled residents would not need to adjust too much to living in a concrete jungle. So there were shops below most of the flats and a wet market and hawker centre nearby. To a certain extent, the planners tried their best to transplant our way of life from the kampongs to the HDB estates. Some semblances of kampong life continue in the local provision shop, the corner coffee shop, the wet market, the hawker centre and even the tiny convenience store at the void deck.

But such simple amenities are sorely missed in the new estates. A visit to Punggol East early this year gave me a feeling that future HDB estates will see less and less of such features.If you were to take a tour of the older estates today, you will see a world of difference. You will also feel the heartbeat of the community around those simple amenities built years ago for the benefit of the residents.

As we embark to remake Singapore, I urge the Ministry to incorporate the heartbeat of old Singapore into the designs of new towns. I also urge the Ministry do the same to existing estates lacking in such amenities in the next phase of estate renewal. Every precinct should house some neighbourhood shops, eateries, or even just a small convenience store at the void deck.

We must try to preserve what is important to keep our way of life, culture and community going. Such efforts should not be driven purely by commercial considerations. We must make haste to ensure such old world charms and trades will not become a relic of an era gone by.

Read the full cut here: http://wp.sg/2013/03/cos-2013-debates-mnd-building-a-singaporean-town-mp-png-eng-huat/
 
Re: WP Doing Nothing?

40190_149674681715790_2741543_t.jpg
[h=2]Parliament Highlights – The COS Debates 2013 (MTI, MOF)
[/h]
by The Workers' Party (Notes) on Sunday, March 24, 2013 at 9:29pm


Here are some highlights of cuts from Workers' Party MPs during the Committee of Supply (COS) Debates 2013 for the Ministry of Trade & Industry (MTI) and Ministry of Finance (MOF).

Ministry of Trade and Industry

Helping SMEs as they restructure
By Non-Constituency MP Gerald Giam

The government is one of the biggest buyers of goods and services from SMEs. It can better support companies as they strive to increase productivity, through the way tender requirement specifications are structured. For example, government tender requirements for the development and maintenance of enterprise IT systems sometimes specify that vendors’ personnel must work on-site, when some roles can be run from offsite using secure remote access, saving travelling time. Providing more flexibility in tender specifications for companies to innovate can result in not only improved productivity but can also reduce costs for the government.

The government should provide more incentives to help SMEs recruit local staff and talent. This is at the top of many SMEs' wish list for Budget 2013, according to an ASME (Association of Small and Medium Enterprises) survey. I had earlier proposed a New Hire Wage Credit that will pay for a quarter of the salaries of new Singaporean hires for half a year, provided they have been unemployed or out of the workforce for at least four months. I hope the government will seriously consider this proposal because I believe it can help SMEs attract more Singaporeans, and reduce reliance on foreign workers.

Read the full cut here: http://wp.sg/2013/03/cos-2013-debates-mti-helping-smes-as-they-restructure-ncmp-gerald-giam/


SME Bank
By Non-Constituency MP Yee Jenn Jong
"Service sector SMEs generally require working capital financing such as supplier invoice financing, working capital term loans and factoring. They are generally asset light with little collaterals. Financial institutions are cautious and tend to make unsecured lending only to bigger mid-sized SMEs. With the Basel III minimum adequacy requirement, banks are likely to tighten loans to smaller and riskier SMEs.

Government lending to SMEs has been implemented in countries such as USA, South Korea and Malaysia to address market failure in working capital financing loans to SMEs. A government-led SME bank will be useful for the following:

(1) SMEs with track record of less than 3 years.
(2) SMEs with small scale operations.
(3) SMEs with intangible assets.

To alleviate concern that the SME bank will crowd out private sector lenders, the SME bank can be a lender of last resort to the under-served small SMEs. Alternatively, the government can form tighter partnerships with existing financial institutions to serve this market.

Read the full cut here: http://wp.sg/2013/03/cos-2013-debates-mti-sme-bank-ncmp-yee-jenn-jong/

Silver Industries
By MP for Aljunied GRC, Chen Show Mao

Singapore should promote our silver industries, which produce goods and services for the elderly, as a key plank of our restructuring, evolving economy. For example, the Budget refers to funds set aside for Collaborative Industry Projects for productivity growth, where industry wide collaboration provides scale that individual firms lack. There is also the Partners for Capability Transformation (PACT) Scheme to foster SME collaboration with large enterprises so as to enable capability upgrading and sharing of best practices.

In addition to productivity growth and capability upgrading, which are the objects of these schemes, could we foster similar collaboration to address the economic opportunities presented by an ageing population, first within Singapore, as a test-bed to develop robust and innovative silver products and services, before then exporting them to regional markets. China in particular is an economy that is expected to age very rapidly – from 100 million seniors (aged 65 and above) in 2010, to 350 million in 2050. This will benefit both our businesses and our seniors.

Read the full cut here: http://wp.sg/2013/03/cos-2013-debates-mti-silver-industries-mp-chen-show-mao/

Electricity for Households
By MP for Aljunied GRC, Sylvia Lim

Since 2000, the government has liberalised the retail electricity market in phases and believes that competition among the retailers of electricity benefits consumers with greater efficiency and competitive prices. To date, the household market, which accounts for about 25% of the total electricity demand, is still not yet contestable. The EMA says that Full Retail Contestability is still under review.

This issue was raised in earlier Committees of Supply under MTI. In 2007, the government indicated that there was a study on an Electricity Vending System (EVS) which will help to reduce administration and business costs. At last year’s COS, the response was that to have full retail contestability, there is a need for a system like the Intelligent Energy System (IES). I understand Phase 1 of the IES pilot has been completed and Phase 2 is on with some testing in households in Punggol. May I ask what has happened to the EVS? Could MTI also give a preliminary assessment of IES and whether full retail contestability is likely in the near future?

Read the full cut here: http://wp.sg/2013/03/cos-2013-debates-mti-electricity-for-households-mp-sylvia-lim/
Renewable Energy
By Non-Constituency MP Yee Jenn Jong

Madam, it has been some years since the government identified clean energy as a key economic growth area. Since 2007, the government has invested $350 million to fund the development, testing and export of clean energy solutions. By 2015, the government expects the clean energy industry to contribute $1.7 billion to Singapore’s GDP and employ around 7,000 people. It is now 2013. How far are we from this target? We have a dozen tidal, wind, and solar energy MNCs setting up largely R&D facilities here, but how many sizeable Singapore enterprises have sprung up to export clean energy solutions?

I propose the government look into three areas. One, Feed-In Tariffs for solar energy producers selling their electricity back to the grid on long-term guaranteed contract at a slightly marked-up price. Two, Rooftop Leasing to encourage building owners to lease out their rooftops to solar energy companies to produce electricity. Three, Solar Leasing to encourage building owners to rent panels from solar energy companies.

The government has said that it is not fair to subsidize electricity generation producers. However, the government provides funding and subsidies in many creative forms to develop promising industries. MTI should study the viability of these schemes and experiment with solar leasing, rooftop leasing and FITs.

Read the full cut here: http://wp.sg/2013/03/cos-2013-debates-mti-renewable-energy-ncmp-yee-jenn-jong/

Ministry of Finance

Measuring capital gains
By Non-Constituency MP Gerald Giam

It is common for high income earners to earn much more from capital gains and other investments than from their wages and salaries. In the United States, where income inequality is almost as high as Singapore’s, economist Joseph Stiglitz has pointed out that salaries and wages account for only about 9% of the income of the top 400 income earners; interest and dividends account for 16% and capital gains account for a sizeable 57% of their total income.

According to a reply from the Finance Minister to my parliamentary question on 14 November 2012, capital gains do not need to be reported in Singapore since they are not taxable. This being the case, is there any official data on the total income of individuals in Singapore, including salaries, wages, interest, dividends and capital gains from the sale of properties, shares and financial instruments? If not, how does the government determine the total income of individuals in Singapore for the purpose of measuring the true income and wealth distribution among the population? In the absence of mandatory reporting of capital gains, could the government explore ways to require simple but accurate ways to report and collect this data?

I think these are important metrics to measure. They could help policymakers plan more effective and progressive redistributive policies for future budgets. These can in turn help to improve the well-being of Singaporeans, while balancing the need for Singapore to remain an attractive destination to work and invest.

Read the full cut here: http://wp.sg/2013/03/cos-2013-debates-mof-measuring-capital-gains-ncmp-gerald-giam/
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Les grossman
Local school teacher and mother: Singapore's education system is a failure
2 3 4
Replies
73
Views
4K
True Believer
T
T
S'poreans flocking to Johor's schools
Replies
7
Views
785
Truthspeak
Truthspeak
Franjipani
Why should I study when I can be an influencer?
Replies
11
Views
472
nabeifuckpap
nabeifuckpap
duluxe
Muslim Scholar: Gaza War Can Be Used To Teach Children Important Lessons: 'This War Is Pure Jihad'; Children 'Should Be Raised On Love Of Jihad'
Replies
1
Views
329
bigozt
B
Aaron carter
MOE fucked up!!!! students downloaded app which wiped clean their devices!!!!!
Replies
19
Views
1K
Dr Christopher Cheok C S
Dr Christopher Cheok C S
Back
Top