Parliamentary Q&A for 1 April 2019 Sitting

ROLE OF PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION COMMISSION IN INVESTIGATING BLOOD DONORS’ DATA LEAK

Sylvia Lim asked about the role of the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) in the investigation into the data leak of more than 800,000 blood donors’ personal information, and if a review was being done to ascertain whether HSA had acted reasonably in protecting the personal data.

S Iswaran said that the PDPC was investigating HSA’s IT services vendor Secur Solutions Group Pte Ltd, and appropriate enforcement actions would be taken (such as issuing directions and imposing financial penalties), in the event of breaches of the Personal Data Protection Act.

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IMPACT OF HYFLUX’S RECENT CHALLENGES ON SINGAPORE’S WATER SUPPLY

Pritam Singh asked if public safety was compromised as a result of the affected quality of water arising from Hyflux’s challenges, and if so whether compensation was paid to PUB, and how often had such situations developed at the Tuaspring plant.

Masagos Zulkifli replied that this development was only since 2017. While PUB ensured that the water supplied to consumers was safe to drink and use, he added that Hyflux’s situation related more to issues of operational sustainability.

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IMPACT OF PASIR GUDANG INCIDENT IN JOHOR ON SINGAPOREANS

Daniel Goh queried what specific sensors were in place in Punggol to measure volatile organic compounds (VOCs) levels in the air, and if there had been an increase in measured levels since the chemical waste dumping in Pasir Gudang.

Amy Khor stated that Singapore had a nationwide network of real-time ambient air monitoring sensors to continuously measure key air pollutants. She added that NEA had not detected any elevated levels of VOCs since the Pasir Gudang incident.

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REMEDIAL ACTIONS FOLLOWING BLOOD DONORS’ PERSONAL DATA LEAK

Part 1

Dennis Tan asked why blood donors’ personal data was placed on an Internet-accessible server on 4 January 2019, and how and why the unnamed cybersecurity consultant gained access to the data.

Edwin Tong replied that a foreign cybersecurity expert informed MOH that registration-related information of blood donors could be accessed due to a vulnerability in the server used and managed by Secur Solutions, HSA’s appointed independent vendor.

 

Part 2

Daniel Goh asked if HSA was aware of any unauthorized access to the blood donors’ personal data database during the nine-week period of exposure on the Internet, and if so, whether such incidents were being investigated.

Edwin Tong said that measures – based on the specific findings of the on-going investigations into the incident – would be taken to prevent similar occurrences. MOH and its agencies would also be reviewing the life-cycle management of data handled by existing IT vendors.

Part 3

Png Eng Huat asked whether compensation or payment had been made to the cybersecurity expert who discovered and downloaded the unsecured blood donors’ data database.

Edwin Tong replied that the cybersecurity expert was not employed or engaged by HAS or MOH. He added that the person had deleted his copy of the data, with no intention to disclose the contents, and had never made any request for compensation or payment.

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MORE HELP FOR PMETS RETRENCHED IN 2018

On PMET retrenchments, Daniel Goh asked whether the Government had looked into why PMETs made up 75.8% of retrenchments in 2018, which sectors were most affected, and how many such PMETs had received retrenchment benefits.

Josephine Teo said that nearly two-thirds of PMET retrenchments in 2018 were in sectors undergoing restructuring, namely, wholesale trade, financial & insurance services, information & communications and professional services sectors. She added that a 2017 survey on retrenchment benefits revealed that around 90% of retrenching establishments paid retrenchment benefits to their workers.

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AVERAGE CASH TOP-UP BY PATIENTS AFTER MEDISHIELD LIFE AND MEDISAVE DEDUCTIONS FOR SUBSIDISED HOSPITALISATIONS

Pritam Singh asked how many Singaporeans and PRs paid more than $100 in cash for hospitalization (after subsidies and related deductions), and what was the average amount paid, for the years from 2015 to 2018.

Gan Kim Yong stated that between 2015 to 2017, about 8 in 10 subsidised hospitalisations were paid with $100 or less in cash. In addition, he said that bill sizes vary depending significantly on the complexity of the treatment and length of stay. As such, a median rather than an average was a more meaningful reflection of the cash payments for the remaining bills, and provided the below illustration:

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SINGAPORE MEDICAL COUNCIL (SMC)’S APPEAL AGAINST ITS DISCIPLINARY TRIBUNAL’S SENTENCE ON DR SOO SHUENN CHIANG

Daniel Goh asked in relation to SMC’s case with Dr Soo Shuenn Chiang, how a memo – containing confidential health information that was falsely obtained – came to be accepted by the court for the purposes of obtaining a personal protection order.

K Shanmugam replied that at present, the reasons for the Court’s decision would be known if the Court provides for them in judgment. He added that there was also no conclusion or finding made by SMC’s Disciplinary Tribunal (DT) as to whether the memorandum was admitted into evidence or relied on by the Court in granting the Personal Protection Order. The DT had observed that there was “no clear evidence” that the PPO had been granted because of the disclosure of the memorandum.

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NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION COMMISSION AND REFERRED FOR ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Sylvia Lim asked how many complaints since 2014 had the Data Protection Commission (PDPC) referred to alternative dispute resolution, and how many of those referrals had resulted in settlement payments or redress for complainants.

In reply, S Iswaran said that since 2014, PDPC had successfully facilitated a resolution between the complainant and the relevant organisation in 866 instances. In addition, one case was sent to mediation with the mutual consent of both parties. He added that settlement terms were confidential.

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TOTAL AREA IN SINGAPORE USED FOR HOUSING, INDUSTRIES, PARKS, NATURE RESERVES AND WATER CATCHMENT

Png Eng Huat asked what was the total area used respectively for public housing; private housing; industrial land; and parks/nature reserves/water catchments, out of Singapore’s total land area.

Lawrence Wong stated that of Singapore’s total land area, approximately 8% was used for public housing; 7% for private housing, largely in areas zoned for low-rise and low-density land use; 13% for industry; and 14% for parks, nature reserves, nature areas and waterbodies.

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MEDICAL TOURISM RECEIPTS FOR 2015 TO 2018

Daniel Goh asked for the amount of medical tourism receipts for each year from 2015 to 2018.

Chan Chun Sing said that the Government did not have comprehensive data on the amount of medical expenditure incurred by overseas visitors in Singapore, adding that medical tourism was not part of Singapore’s tourism strategy.

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CONCERNS OVER TENDER AND EVENTUAL AWARD OF PATROL BOAT CONTRACT TO ST MARINE

Leon Perera asked why the Government did not extend the disbarment of companies from tendering for government contracts to cases where the companies or their senior executives had been convicted of corruption in private sector contracts, in the case of ST Marine’s tender award for the construction of 12 aluminium-hulled patrol boats.

Indranee Rajah said that In the above case, CPIB investigations did not reveal any connection with a Government agency or contract. Hence, the circumstances in which debarment could be recommended under the policy parameters did not arise.

She added that the charges and convictions were against individuals involved, namely ST Marine’s former group financial controller and six other former senior executives. They ceased to be employed by ST Marine since between 2004 and 2014.

ST Marine, the company, was itself a separate legal entity, and did not have any charges or convictions against it. ST Marine appointed a new Board of Directors as of 15 August 2018, while the Police Coast Guard tender was awarded in November 2018.

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UNAUTHORISED MODIFICATIONS IN INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS

Leon Perera asked about measures being undertaken to ensure industrial buildings were not subjected to unauthorized modifications beyond the initial inspections.

Zaqy Mohamad replied that in addition to initial inspections, BCA conducts Periodic Structural Inspections. During such inspections, checks for any additions and alterations (A&A) are also done. He added that action would be taken against those involved in carrying out unauthorised A&A and other works.

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INTEREST EARNED UNDER CPF LIFE CANNOT BE BEQUEATHED

Png Eng Huat asked how many CPF members had forgone their earned interest upon their demise, what was the total amount of forgone interest deposited in the Lifelong Income Fund, and whether CPF members were aware CPF LIFE interest cannot be bequeathed.

Josephine Teo said that a CPF member and his loved ones would always get back the member’s CPF LIFE premium in full, in the form of monthly payouts and/or bequest, no matter what age the member lives to. Any unused premium will be distributed to the deceased member’s nominees on the member’s death. She added that this had been clearly communicated to members in the CPF LIFE application form and the yearly CPF LIFE payout statement.

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CAUSES OF DEATH OF TWO SAF PERSONNEL FOUND DEAD IN SAF CAMPS IN JULY AND SEPTEMBER 2018

Dennis Tan asked if the deaths of two SAF personnel in SAF camps in July and September 2018 were related to their course of service, and if commanders or colleagues were aware of problems or difficulties that may have bearings on their deaths.

Ng Eng Hen shared that the two deaths were due to unnatural causes not related to service. In addition to police investigations, the State Coroner found that there was no evidence of foul play, and that the deaths were deliberate acts of suicide. The State Coroner and did not identify any contributory factors related to their commanders or colleagues, NS or work that could have led to the incidents.

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EXTENSION OF HPV VACCINATION PROGRAMME AND ONE-OFF CATCH-UP PROGRAMME TO MALE STUDENTS

Leon Perera asked whether male students could be included in the HPV vaccination programme and the one-off catch-up programme.

Gan Kim Yong replied that the recommendation of the HPV vaccination was made in consultation with the Expert Committee on Immunisation, and was a cost-effective strategy in cervical cancer prevention. While the HPV vaccination could provide protection against genital warts and anal cancer in men, men were not at risk for cervical cancer, and genital warts were a much less serious problem compared to cervical cancer. He added that the incidence of anal cancer was also much lower than cervical cancer in Singapore.

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UPDATE ON CURRENT BUS STOP BENCH REPLACEMENT EXERCISE

Dennis Tan asked when the previous bus stop bench replacement exercise was done, and how much was spent. He also asked when the current exercise was expected to end, and the longevity of the new benches.

Khaw Boon Wan replied that the current bus shelter benches replacement exercise was ongoing. He added that over the past five years, around 500 benches were replaced at a cost of around $500 to $1,500 per bench, excluding installation costs. The benches at about 2,300 bus shelters, which were at least 15 years old, were progressively being replaced by 2020. The new benches, with wider seats and arm rests, are expected to last at least 20 years.

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REGULATIONS IN PLACE GOVERNING RELEASE AND PUBLICATION OF PREJUDICIAL INFORMATION ON ONGOING CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS AND PROCEEDINGS

Sylvia Lim asked what regulations or guidelines were in place to ensure law enforcement agencies and media do not release prejudicial information on suspects in ongoing criminal investigations.

K Shanmugam replied that Police decisions on what information to disclose were guided by existing legal requirements. He added that when the Police assessed the necessity to release information earlier, they would do so while ensuring not to prejudice any investigations or legal proceedings that may follow.

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REGULATIONS IN PLACE GOVERNING RELEASE AND PUBLICATION OF PREJUDICIAL INFORMATION ON ONGOING CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS AND PROCEEDINGS

Sylvia Lim asked if the police or other agency had divulged to the media the prior criminal history and out-of-court records of the suspect who allegedly uploaded videos of the Prime Minister’s son in March 2019.

K Shanmugam said that it was in the public interest for the Police to give a fuller explanation and background on the investigation. As such, the Government had directed the Police, when replying to media queries, to state the suspect’s antecedents without disclosing the suspect’s name.

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PRODUCTIVITY EXTRACTION FACTOR FOR FARE REVISION FRAMEWORK TO CONSIDER OPERATING PROFITS FROM RETAIL OPERATIONS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS

Dennis Tan asked whether the current Productivity Extraction Factor (PEF) for the Fare Revision Framework took into consideration operating profits from retail operations of the public transport operators.

Khaw Boon Wan replied that the PEF in the fare formula was designed to allow the productivity gains of the public transport operators (PTOs) to be shared with commuters through lower fare adjustments. These productivity gains were measured in terms of the change in value-add per employee, and took into consideration the PTOs’ operating profits, including the profits from their retail operations.

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PROGRESS ON INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING POINTS ACROSS SINGAPORE

Leon Perera asked for an update on the progress and timeline on the installations of the 2,000 electric vehicles charging points across Singapore.

Khaw Boon Wan said that the joint LTA-EDB supported BlueSG electric car-sharing programme had committed to roll out a total of 500 charging stations equipped with 2,000 charging points nationwide by end-2020. To date, 178 charging stations, and 703 charging points have been installed.

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