TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF SINGAPORE FIRST SESSION ORDER PAPER MONDAY, 20 JANUARY 2014 No. 62 1.30 pm QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER* 607 *1. Mr Christopher de Souza: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs what did the present investigations reveal as the cause of the 8 December 2013 riot and when will the Commission of Inquiry be likely to issue its findings and conclusions. *2. Ms Irene Ng Phek Hoong: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs beyond the specific factors that contributed to the 8 December 2013 riot (a) what are the key and larger lessons learnt from public reaction to the eruption of violence and the likely causes, in particular the responses of Singaporeans, including comments in cyberspace, reaction by non-government organisations, and coverage by both local and international media; and (b) what are the challenges the Ministry faced in putting out accurate, comprehensive and timely information on the riot to the public and the media, and correcting factual errors and distortions. *3. Ms Irene Ng Phek Hoong: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs when will the findings and recommendations of the Committee of Inquiry into the Little India riot be completed and made public, and in the interim, what measures will be taken to prevent a recurrence yet without over-reacting to the incident.
Transcript
TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF SINGAPORE
FIRST SESSION
ORDER PAPER
MONDAY, 20 JANUARY 2014
No. 62 1.30 pm
QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER*
607
*1. Mr Christopher de Souza: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister for Home Affairs what did the present investigations reveal as
the cause of the 8 December 2013 riot and when will the Commission of
Inquiry be likely to issue its findings and conclusions.
*2. Ms Irene Ng Phek Hoong: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister for Home Affairs beyond the specific factors that contributed to
the 8 December 2013 riot (a) what are the key and larger lessons learnt
from public reaction to the eruption of violence and the likely causes, in
particular the responses of Singaporeans, including comments in
cyberspace, reaction by non-government organisations, and coverage by
both local and international media; and (b) what are the challenges the
Ministry faced in putting out accurate, comprehensive and timely
information on the riot to the public and the media, and correcting factual
errors and distortions.
*3. Ms Irene Ng Phek Hoong: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister for Home Affairs when will the findings and recommendations of
the Committee of Inquiry into the Little India riot be completed and made
public, and in the interim, what measures will be taken to prevent a
recurrence yet without over-reacting to the incident.
No. 62 20 JANUARY 2014 608
*4. Ms Sylvia Lim: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home
Affairs regarding the Committee of Inquiry set up to inquire into the Little
India riot on 8 December 2013 (a) when will it commence its formal
hearings; (b) who will lead evidence in the inquiry; and (c) whether the
proceedings will be conducted wholly in public or otherwise.
*5. Mr Alex Yam Ziming: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
for Home Affairs (a) what are the current personal safety and security
measures provided for Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) rescuers
against violence; (b) whether these measures are adequate; and (c) whether
his Ministry will consider improving the security provisions for such
SCDF officers in light of the recent riot.
*6. Ms Foo Mee Har: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for
Home Affairs following the riot in Little India (a) whether law
enforcement agencies have reviewed and adjusted their procedures and
protocols to better deal with similar threats to public order in the future;
and (b) if so, what are these adjustments.
*7. Mr Seng Han Thong: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for
Home Affairs (a) what are the considerations that prompt the police to
activate troops from the Special Operations Command (SOC) in the Little
India riot; (b) what are the standard operating procedures to activate troops
from SOC; and (c) whether the current strength of the SOC is adequate to
cope with any emergency.
*8. Mr Christopher de Souza: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister for Home Affairs what evidence was relied upon to issue workers
involved in the 8 December 2013 riot with (i) police advisories and
(ii) repatriation orders.
*9. Mr Ang Wei Neng: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for
Home Affairs in the light of the fatal accident along Race Course Road
that triggered the riot on 8 December 2013, whether the Ministry is
considering additional measures to mitigate the risks posed by jay walkers,
especially along roads where jay walking is a common sight.
No. 62 20 JANUARY 2014 609
*10. Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister for Home Affairs (a) what are the criteria used to choose the four
members of the Committee of Inquiry (COI) on the Little India riot; and
(b) whether any member of the COI is familiar with migrant worker issues
to be able to ask appropriate questions and assess the information
collected, particularly with regard to grievances of migrant workers in
Singapore.
*11. Ms Sylvia Lim: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home
Affairs with regard to the policing arrangements for Little India (a) what
was the division of work among state police, auxiliary police and private
security prior to the riot of 8 December 2013; and (b) pending the
Committee of Inquiry's findings and recommendations, whether any
interim changes have been or will be made to the arrangements.
*12. Ms Denise Phua Lay Peng: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister for Home Affairs whether he will consider developing and
implementing a full slew of measures beyond the proposed restrictions on
alcohol sale and consumption in areas with high potential risk of
disamenities and public disorder by the consumers.
*13. Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister for Home Affairs when exactly will the rules on no-alcohol zones
in public and residential areas be effected and how will enforcement and
surveillance be carried out.
*14. Ms Foo Mee Har: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for
Home Affairs (a) when will the finalisation and announcement of
Government policies on alcohol consumption in public places throughout
Singapore take place; and (b) what are the lessons drawn from the riot in
Little India that can be applied to the treatment of problems arising from
alcohol intoxication by any group and the maintenance of order in public
places.
No. 62 20 JANUARY 2014 610
*15. Assoc Prof Tan Kheng Boon Eugene: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister
and Minister for Home Affairs (a) what is the number and types of liquor
licence holders affected by the series of Public Order (Preservation) (Little
India) Proclamations; (b) what are the guidelines and considerations
regulating the types and numbers of liquor licences issued by the Liquors
Licensing Board; (c) whether the number of liquor licences in Little India
is inordinately high given the longstanding record of disamenities in the
area due to the excessive consumption of alcohol; and (d) what lessons can
be learnt and what sustainable remedial measures can be put in place with
regard to the issuance of liquor licences given their impact on public order.
*16. Mr Png Eng Huat: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for
Home Affairs in each of the years from 2009 to 2012, how many public
and beer house licences and 'takeaway' alcohol licences have been issued
in the recently proclaimed demarcated zone in Little India.
*17. Mr Laurence Lien: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for
Home Affairs whether the Ministry will tighten the liquors licensing
process to ensure the accountability and responsibility of each licensee to
prevent crime, disorder and public nuisance and to protect children from
harm.
*18. Mr R Dhinakaran: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for
Home Affairs (a) since the restrictions on alcohol sales and consumption
have been imposed in Little India, how many violations of these
regulations have been recorded; (b) what is the breakdown of these
violations in terms of whether they are businesses or consumers, types of
violations and actions that have been taken against them; and (c) whether
the violators are locals or foreign nationals.
*19. Mr Christopher de Souza: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister for Home Affairs whether Singapore's core value of
multiracialism continues to remain strong and that the 8 December 2013
riot has not dented this.
*20. Mr Laurence Lien: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for
Home Affairs whether the Ministry will consider putting in place a more
transparent and objective process in deeming immigrants undesirable and
cancelling their entry permit.
No. 62 20 JANUARY 2014 611
*21. Mr R Dhinakaran: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for
Home Affairs whether there are plans to curb alcohol sales in other areas
frequented by foreign workers.
*22. Ms Denise Phua Lay Peng: To ask the Acting Minister for Manpower in
light of the recent Little India riot, if he will ensure (i) the effective
deployment of a high-level inter-agency team to resolve the root causes of
public disorder and security risks in areas with higher concentration of
transient workers; and (ii) that the key interests and needs of both
Singaporeans and the workers are articulated and addressed.
*23. Mr Alex Yam Ziming: To ask the Acting Minister for Manpower
(a) where are the main areas where migrant workers congregate on their
rest days; (b) whether the conditions and facilities in worker dormitories
are sufficient for their social activities so that the need to congregate is
reduced; (c) what plans does the Ministry have to engage migrant workers
on issues related to their congregation; and (d) whether the Ministry will
review future plans to congregate large number of workers in fixed
locations.
*24. Ms Mary Liew: To ask the Acting Minister for Manpower (a) what are
the current measures to manage areas where foreign workers congregate;
(b) when and how are foreign workers formally informed of the criminal
laws and penalties that they have to abide by during their employment in
Singapore; and (c) whether the Ministry will consider intensifying support
and efforts in partnership with Migrant Workers Centre to assimilate and
educate foreign workers on basic employment, criminal regulations,
culture and way of life in Singapore.
*25. Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef: To ask the Acting Minister for Manpower
how is the Ministry strengthening existing measures to ensure proper and
acceptable housing of foreign workers, especially those who live in
factories and commercial properties, near residential areas or even rent
units in residential areas and live in overcrowded situations.
*26. Mr Alex Yam Ziming: To ask the Acting Minister for Manpower
(a) whether the Ministry regulates security management at worker
dormitories and, if so, what are the current requirements and whether they
are sufficient; and (b) what further measures have been taken with regard
to security management at worker dormitories and at areas with a high
volume of migrant workers since the riot in Little India.
No. 62 20 JANUARY 2014 612
*27. Ms Tan Su Shan: To ask the Acting Minister for Manpower whether he
will consider setting industry standards for the management of foreign
workers such as in the provision of amenities in foreign worker
dormitories, management of facilities and conduct of awareness
programmes, for firms which hire a significant number of low skilled
foreign workers.
*28. Mr Teo Siong Seng: To ask the Acting Minister for Manpower whether
the Government can look into providing social and recreational facilities at
the dormitories of migrant workers for their use after working hours and
on rest days in addition to those provided by companies.
*29. Assoc Prof Tan Kheng Boon Eugene: To ask the Acting Minister for
Manpower (a) what are the measures taken to ensure that foreign workers
have adequate access to public amenities and public spaces to socialise and
gather; (b) whether the plan for dormitories to organise weekend activities
for foreign workers so that they do not leave the dormitories is sustainable
and effective; and (c) whether the focus on foreign workers in approved
dormitories is disproportionate and misplaced since the majority of foreign
workers in Singapore do not reside in approved dormitories.
*30. Ms Irene Ng Phek Hoong: To ask the Acting Minister for Manpower
given the significant increase in the number of foreign construction
workers from 180,000 in December 2007 to more than 300,000 in 2013
(a) whether the rate of growth is sustainable; (b) whether their numbers
should be capped at an optimum number: and (c) whether the Ministry
should conduct a comprehensive review of their recruitment and
employment terms, living conditions and leisure issues, so that potential
problems arising from a large number of foreign construction workers can
be better anticipated.
*31. Ms Janice Koh: To ask the Acting Minister for Manpower (a) what is the
duty of care owed to foreign workers who contribute to the economic
development of Singapore; and (b) how may the approach and treatment
of foreign workers be reframed such that it promotes greater respect,
understanding and acceptance of their presence amongst Singapore
residents.
*32. Ms Tin Pei Ling: To ask the Acting Minister for Manpower if he will
consider requiring and coordinating companies to have off-days on
different days of the week for foreign workers so as to reduce the
concentration of foreign workers on specific day(s) in certain areas.
No. 62 20 JANUARY 2014 613
*33. Ms Tan Su Shan: To ask the Acting Minister for Manpower (a) if the
Ministry will consider a review of employment practices with regard to
foreign workers; and (b) whether more effort can be made to improve their
working and living conditions and to better understand their needs and
mindset in order to integrate them better.
*34. Mr Teo Siong Seng: To ask the Acting Minister for Manpower whether
the Ministry can consider specifying flexi-arrangements for migrant
workers' rest days by allowing lighter work on weekends in order to ease
congestion in Little India, Chinatown, Golden Mile and Orchard Road on
weekends.
*35. Mr R Dhinakaran: To ask the Acting Minister for Manpower whether the
Little India riot will have any material impact on the Government's foreign
manpower policies.
*36. Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef: To ask the Acting Minister for Manpower
(a) what course of action will be executed to enhance the safety and
security in areas throughout Singapore where foreign workers congregate;
and (b) if the Ministry will be working with the relevant agencies on
further guidelines and code of conduct that are acceptable for such public
congregation.
*37. Mr Pritam Singh: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs (a) whether
Singapore's interests are affected by China's declaration of an Air Defence
Identification Zone (ADIZ) over the South China Sea in November 2013;
and (b) what is the Ministry's assessment of the prospects of China
establishing a similar ADIZ over the disputed Spratly Islands.
*38. Dr Lim Wee Kiak: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs (a) what kind
of assistance has the Government rendered to help the victims of Super
Typhoon Haiyan in its aftermath; and (b) what is the collective response of
ASEAN to this natural disaster in our region.
*39. Mr Ang Wei Neng: To ask the Minister for Transport (a) if the Ministry
will provide an update on the peak hour traffic condition along the Marina
Coastal Expressway (MCE) and the road network adjoining the MCE; and
(b) what are the key lessons learned from the major traffic congestion
arising from the opening of the MCE during its first few days of
operations.
No. 62 20 JANUARY 2014 614
*40. Mr Ang Wei Neng: To ask the Minister for Communications and
Information what is the rationale for exempting businesses from having to
check the Do Not Call Registry when sending SMS and fax messages to
existing customers.
*41. Er Dr Lee Bee Wah: To ask the Minister for Communications and
Information with regard to the exemption on the Do Not Call Registry
which allows businesses to send SMS and fax messages to existing
customers (a) what is the Ministry's definition of an ‘on going
relationship’; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider changing the
exemption to an "opt in" rather than an "opt out" approach for an existing
customer who does not want to receive any marketing messages.
*42. Assoc Prof Tan Kheng Boon Eugene: To ask the Minister for
Communications and Information (a) what are the reasons why a
registration on the Do Not Call Registry is not a sufficient affirmation of
no consent to receiving exempted telemarketing messages; (b) how the
exemption adequately protects and balances the privacy rights of the
consumers under the Personal Data Protection Act against business and
commercial interests; and (c) whether greater clarity can be provided to the
meaning and extent of the purpose of an exempt message to the subject of
an ongoing relationship between the sender and the recipient.
*43. Ms Tan Su Shan: To ask the Minister for Communications and
Information (a) what has been the initial response of business entities to
the issuance of the Advisory Guidelines for the Do Not Call Provisions by
the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC); (b) whether businesses
have been able to understand the guidelines sufficiently in order to ensure
compliance or have they found some of the new processes or systems
required impractical or too costly to implement; and (c) whether the PDPC
will take a more balanced approach in its enforcement procedures.
*44. Mr Chen Show Mao: To ask the Minister for Communications and
Information what are the reasons for the reversal by the Personal Data
Protection Commission to now allow businesses to send marketing
messages to persons with whom they have an 'ongoing relationship'
without having to obtain their consent and notwithstanding their having
registered their names in the Do Not Call Registry.
No. 62 20 JANUARY 2014 615
*45. Mr Chen Show Mao: To ask the Minister for Communications and
Information what will the Ministry do to educate consumers and
individuals of steps that they may take to stop receiving marketing
messages from businesses including those with whom they may have an
‘ongoing relationship’.
*46. Mr Vikram Nair: To ask the Minister for Communications and
Information (a) what are the factors which the Media Development
Authority takes into account in deciding which websites are required to
register under the Broadcasting (Class Licence) Notification; and
(b) which websites have been asked to do so thus far.
*47. Dr Lam Pin Min: To ask the Minister for Health (a) if he can provide an
update on the bed crunch situation in both the public and private sector
hospitals; (b) what are the interim measures to alleviate the situation; and
(c) what is the Ministry's assessment of the severity of the shortfall over
the next few years.
*48. Mr Zainal Sapari: To ask the Minister for Health (a) over the last two
years, what is the number of Singaporeans above 65 years old who
downgraded from an integrated MediShield Plan to Basic MediShield;
(b) whether the Ministry can review the Medisave withdrawal cap to allow
for the premiums of the integrated MediShield plans to be fully paid by
Medisave; and (c) whether a cap on the premium that can be charged for
the lowest integrated plan can be introduced.
*49. Dr Lam Pin Min: To ask the Minister for Education (a) how is the
capacity of student care facilities in single-session primary schools
determined; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider freeing up more
spaces for student care services in primary schools with a high demand for
such services.
*50. Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar: To ask the Minister for National Development
whether the Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) scheme can be
reviewed where Singaporean citizen households with at least one member
aged 60 years old and above can automatically be eligible for the scheme.
*51. Mr Ang Hin Kee: To ask the Minister for Education (a) whether there are
adequate pre-school educators available to promote bilingualism in pre-
schools; and (b) what are the challenges the Ministry faces in uplifting the
competency level of these mother tongue pre-school educators to support
the national bilingualism strategy.
No. 62 20 JANUARY 2014 616
*52. Dr Lam Pin Min: To ask the Minister for Education if he can provide an
update on the Integrated Programme (IP) since its implementation in 2004
and whether the programme has achieved its original objective and desired
outcomes.
*53. Ms Foo Mee Har: To ask the Minister for Law (a) whether the rapid
growth of legal moneylenders especially in the heartlands increases the
risk of Singaporeans taking on more personal debt than they can
reasonably service; (b) how may vulnerable borrowers be better protected
from the temptation of easy credit from moneylenders; and (c) whether
steps may be taken to reduce the aggressive marketing that the
moneylenders undertake in the heartlands.
*54. Ms Lee Li Lian: To ask the Minister for Law (a) how are the effective
interest rate caps of 13% and 20% for secured and unsecured loans for
lower income earners determined; (b) whether the caps can be extended to
loans for higher income earners; and (c) for each year in the last 5 years,
what is the average interest rate charged by licensed moneylenders for
secured and unsecured loans respectively to borrowers with annual income
of less than $30,000 and to those with annual income of $30,000 or more.
*55. Ms Lee Li Lian: To ask the Minister for Law (a) what is the number of
places of business operated by licensed moneylenders as at 31 December
of each year in the last 5 years; (b) whether a limit is set to the number of
places of such businesses in each HDB town; and (c) what is the value of
such moneylending loans as at 31 December of each year in the last 5
years.
*56. Mr David Ong Kim Huat: To ask the Minister for Law whether there is a
legal chargeable rate or cap for late payment charges when borrowing
from legalised moneylenders and, if not, whether the Ministry will
consider legislating such a rate or cap.
*57. Mr Liang Eng Hwa: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) what
is the current state of internationalisation by local SMEs; (b) what has
been the number of companies that has sought assistances from IE's
Global Company Partnership schemes; and (c) whether there is an
increasing trend of SMEs off-shoring their operations to lower-cost
locations overseas.
No. 62 20 JANUARY 2014 617
*58. Mr Nicholas Fang: To ask the Acting Minister for Culture, Community
and Youth whether the results of the 2013 Southeast Asian Games will
lead to (i) any adjustments to the $40 million Sports Excellence
Scholarship scheme to include more athletes from lesser known sports;
and (ii) a decision to focus on a smaller number of sports to ensure the best
chances of achieving results at major games such as the Olympics.
*59. Mr Lim Biow Chuan: To ask the Acting Minister for Culture,
Community and Youth whether the Government will consider regulating
the organisation of concerts and other events to ensure that ticket charges
paid by consumers will be secured in the event of a cancellation of the
concert or event.
*60. Ms Lee Li Lian: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Development
(a) what is the status of the review of staff-child ratios in childcare and
infant care centres; and (b) what are the plans to reduce the current one
staff-five children (1:5) ratio in these centres in light of the recent
announcement to create 20,000 more childcare places by 2017.
*61. Mr Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap: To ask the Minister for Social and
Family Development (a) how many families have been identified by the
Ministry as homeless and camping by the beach annually between 2010
and 2012; and (b) whether there are any measures in place to assist these
families especially those with young children.
*62. Dr Janil Puthucheary: To ask the Minister for Health (a) over the last
year, what is the number of (i) underage youth caught for buying cigarettes
and (ii) people who have joined quit-smoking initiatives such as the 'I Quit
28-Day Countdown' challenge; and (b) what is the effectiveness of these
initiatives.
*63. Mr Baey Yam Keng: To ask the Minister for Health how do polyclinics
and Government hospitals raise the awareness of Medifund among
patients.
*64. Mr Zainal Sapari: To ask the Minister for National Development
(a) since 2012, what is the number of lift upgrading projects that have not
been completed on time; (b) what are the reasons for the delay in
completion; and (c) what punitive actions have been taken against
contractors who have been late in completing the works.
No. 62 20 JANUARY 2014 618
*65. Ms Tin Pei Ling: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for
Home Affairs (a) what is the Ministry's assessment of the threat made by
the international hacker group Anonymous to attack the Singapore
Government; (b) what precautions has the Ministry taken to safeguard
Singapore's key infrastructure against such hostile actions; and (c) what
will the Ministry do to send a strong signal that actions undermining our
key infrastructure and Singaporeans' interests cannot be condoned.
*66. Mr Pritam Singh: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for
Home Affairs what internal disciplinary action has been taken against the
superintendent, supervisors and other officers involved in the death of
prison inmate Dinesh Raman s/o Chinnaiah.
*67. Mr Laurence Lien: To ask the Minister for Education whether the
Ministry supports adopting and enforcing a zero tolerance policy towards
bullying in schools.
*68. Mr Seng Han Thong: To ask the Minister for Transport (a) if he can
provide an update on the Fuel Equalisation Fund; (b) what is the size of
the Fund built up since 1992; (c) what has been the utilisation of the Fund
since 1992; and (d) how will this Fund fit into the fare review mechanism
recommendations.
*69. Mr Nicholas Fang: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for
Finance what criteria will be used to define the Pioneer Generation who
will be recognised through various measures and packages as announced
in December 2013.
*70. Mr Png Eng Huat: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) in
the past two years, what is the number of Singaporeans with non-citizen
spouses who applied to keep their sole overseas property after they
purchased their flat from HDB or the resale market; (b) what is the number
of applicants who are granted exemption to keep their overseas properties;
(c) what are the main reasons for granting such exemptions; and (d) what
is the breakdown by nationality of those given such exemptions.
*71. Mr Lim Biow Chuan: To ask the Minister for National Development
whether HDB will consider building more 1-room rental flats so as to
allow singles without family support to rent a flat by themselves.
No. 62 20 JANUARY 2014 619
*72. Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song: To ask the Minister for Transport (a) what
is the quantum of MRT and bus fare increases sought by each public
transport operator in their latest submission; (b) whether the new fare
subsidy schemes recommended by the Fare Review Mechanism
Committee will be rolled out before any fare increases take place and all
eligible commuters given ample time to apply for the subsidy schemes;
and (c) how the Ministry will reach out to all commuters to ensure that
they benefit from the subsidies they are eligible for.
*73. Mr Baey Yam Keng: To ask the Minister for Education regarding the
normalisation of grading standards at the School of Art, Design and Media
at Nanyang Technological University (a) what were the reasons for having
different grading standards from the rest of the university previously and
for the change to normalised distribution now; (b) whether other
Government-funded universities have courses with different grading
standards and, if so, whether they will be normalised; and (c) how this
move supports the Ministry's policy of encouraging different measures and
peaks of excellence.
*74. Mr Vikram Nair: To ask the Minister for Communications and
Information whether the Government is taking any steps to raise
awareness of the importance of cyber security and what are the steps that
individuals and businesses can take to protect themselves from cyber
threats.
*75. Mr David Ong Kim Huat: To ask the Minister for Communications and
Information (a) what steps is the Government taking to harden its IT
systems against cyber threats; and (b) how will the National Cyber
Security Masterplan 2018 help to improve the current situation.
*76. Ms Janice Koh: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home
Affairs (a) how are Public Entertainment (PE) Category One licences for
music and entertainment establishments assessed, granted and renewed;
(b) whether there is a quota for such licences in each precinct or
neighbourhood; and (c) if so, how does the Ministry assess the relative
merits of renewing the licences of incumbent businesses against awarding
licences to new players.
No. 62 20 JANUARY 2014 620
*77. Ms Janice Koh: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home
Affairs (a) why the 'live' music venue, Broadcast HQ, is denied a Public
Entertainment (PE) Category One licence while other entertainment
outlets like KTV lounges are allowed to operate under such a licence on
the same street; and (b) when assessing licence applications and renewals,
whether consideration can be given to an establishment's potential to
promote the local music industry and enhance the vibrancy and
attractiveness of a precinct or neighbourhood.
*78. Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister for Home Affairs what are procedures that the police have in
place when investigating suspected sexual assault cases, including rape, to
ensure that victims do not feel humiliated or faulted for what happened to
them.
*79. Mr Baey Yam Keng: To ask the Acting Minister for Manpower with
regard to Malaysians who commute to Singapore to work (a) how many
and what percentage are engaged in the informal sector of menial and
other blue collar jobs (e.g. plumbers, air-conditioner servicemen,
electricians); and (b) whether there is a concern that they are contributing
to a wage depression of Singapore workers in similar trades and, if so,
how is the Ministry addressing this.
*80. Mr Vikram Nair: To ask the Acting Minister for Manpower how many
people have approached WDA's CaliberLink for job assistance so far and
how many of these people has CaliberLink successfully found
employment for.
*81. Mr Nicholas Fang: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs what has
Myanmar's hosting of the 2013 Southeast Asian Games shown about the
country's ability to be an active and contributing member of ASEAN.
*82. Mr Pritam Singh: To ask the Prime Minister if he will consider studying
the feasibility of accommodating the wearing of the hijab by Muslim staff
with the heads of the uniformed services in their organisations subject to
considerations such as operational exigencies.
*83. Ms Tin Pei Ling: To ask the Minister for Transport with regard to the
two-year trial of the new Bus Service Reliability Framework (BSRF)
(a) how is the Excess Wait Time (EWT) of six seconds determined; and
(b) whether the new penalty and incentive framework will drive unsafe
driving behaviour among bus drivers.
No. 62 20 JANUARY 2014 621
*84. Mrs Lina Chiam: To ask the Minister for National Development for the
blocks of flats built up to 1986 at Lorong 8 Toa Payoh (a) what are the
plans for these flats in the next five years; and (b) whether the Ministry
will consider replacing the rusting water pipe system in these blocks.
*85. Er Dr Lee Bee Wah: To ask the Minister for Social and Family
Development (a) whether the Ministry has done any study to find out the
causes of low female representation on the boards of public-listed
companies in Singapore; and (b) whether the Ministry has looked into how
to encourage companies to invite more women to serve on the board of
directors.
*86. Mrs Lina Chiam: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for
Home Affairs (a) from 1997 to 2012, what is the breakdown of accidents
involving foreigner and permanent resident drivers versus Singapore
citizen drivers; and (b) whether the framework for a stricter standard for
drivers who ferry workers in the course of their work has been reviewed
and, if so, what are the changes made.
*87. Ms Mary Liew: To ask the Acting Minister for Manpower (a) in the last
five years, how many workers have suffered from cardiac arrests at their
workplace; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider making it
mandatory for workplaces to install Automated External Defibrillators
(AEDs) and to provide training to designated personnel to operate AEDs,
as measures to deal with workplace emergencies under the Workplace
Safety and Health Act.
*88. Er Dr Lee Bee Wah: To ask the Minister for Law if he can provide an
update of the multi-Ministry review to tighten the laws and civil measures
to curb cyberbullying.
*89. Mr Lim Biow Chuan: To ask the Minister for Transport if he can provide
an update on the progress of the planning for the Eastern Region MRT
Line and when the details of the MRT stations will be announced.
*90. Ms Mary Liew: To ask the Minister for Transport whether the Ministry
will review (i) the role of taxis in our overall transport system; (ii) the
contracts between operators and taxi drivers to determine a fair taxi hire
rate; and (iii) the feasibility of implementing a mandatory rent-free day
each week so that taxi drivers are entitled to a rest day.
No. 62 20 JANUARY 2014 622
*91. Mr Png Eng Huat: To ask the Minister for Education in each of the years
from 2010 to date (a) what is the number and percentage of international
students who receive tuition grants in the 13 approved institutions,
grouped by polytechnics, universities, and others; (b) what is the total
tuition grant given to international students; and (c) what is the number of
international students who default on their agreement to work for
Singapore-based companies for three years upon their graduation.
*92. Ms Sylvia Lim: To ask the Minister for Education whether the Ministry
will review and reduce the school and tertiary institution fees payable by
international students who have at least one parent who is a Singapore
citizen.
*93. Mrs Lina Chiam: To ask the Minister for Transport whether the
Government will reduce car parks and increase parking fees in the central
business district so as to control the private vehicle population.
* Members may postpone their Questions to a later sitting day if their Questions are not
reached by the end of Question Time. The postponement forms are available at the Chamber
entrances and Members’ Room. To ensure timely notice of such postponements, Members
should submit their notices to the Clerk by 4.00 pm. Questions will be given a written answer
if no such notices are received by the Clerk.
MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS
1. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs:
Little India riot.
2. Acting Minister for Manpower:
Foreign Worker Management.
No. 62 20 JANUARY 2014 623
AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF PUBLIC BUSINESS
Introduction of Government Bills
1. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs:
Public Order (Additional Temporary Measures) Bill.
2. Minister for Trade and Industry:
Singapore Tourism Board (Amendment) Bill.
3. Minister for the Environment and Water Resources:
Environmental Public Health (Amendment) Bill.
4. Minister for Law:
Land Titles (Amendment) Bill.
5. Minister for Transport:
Rapid Transit Systems (Amendment) Bill.
6. Minister for Transport:
Air Navigation (Amendment) Bill.
7. Minister for Education:
Singapore Institute of Technology Bill.
No. 62 20 JANUARY 2014 624
ORDERS OF THE DAY AND NOTICE OF MOTION
(Those marked • are Orders of the Day)
• 1. Prisons (Amendment) Bill [Bill No. 22/2013] – (Deputy Prime Minister
and Minister for Home Affairs) – Second Reading.
[For notes and amendments on the Bill, see Supplement No. 11 dated 20 January
2014.]
• 2. Government Procurement (Amendment) Bill [Bill No. 23/2013] – (Deputy
Prime Minister and Minister for Finance) – Second Reading.
[For note on the Bill, see Supplement No. 11 dated 20 January 2014.]
• 3. Regulation of Imports and Exports (Amendment) Bill [Bill No. 24/2013]
– (Minister for Trade and Industry) – Second Reading.
[For note on the Bill, see Supplement No. 11 dated 20 January 2014.]
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