MENDAKI EDUCATIONAL LOANS FOR POST-GRADUATE PROGRAMMES
Faisal Manap asked for the reason why MENDAKI is not providing educational loans for post-graduate programmes.
Yaacob Ibrahim replied that the initiative was discontinued from 2015 to focus MENDAKI’s resources and support for Muslim students pursuing first-time degrees and diplomas.
Read the full exchange here.
COLLECTION AND DISBURSEMENT OF ZAKAT BY MUIS
Faisal Manap asked whether there is any undisbursed amount of zakat collect by MUIS and the reason for not disbursing the monies.
Yaacob Ibrahim replied that there may be a slight surplus or deficit in any particular year. MUIS maintains a reserve to buffer against shortfalls which may affect collection and needs.
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SINGAPORE’S RESPONSE TO REFUGEE SITUATION IN RAKHINE STATE IN MYANMAR
Faisal Manap asked whether Singapore has expressed concerns to the Myanmar Government on the humanitarian crisis plaguing the people of Rohingya ethicity in the Rakhine State.
Vivian Balakrishnan said Daw Aung San Suu Kyi had briefed all ASEAN Foreign Ministers on 19 December 2016 about the situation in the Rakhine State. They discussed how ASEAN can help find a viable solution to the problems in Rakhine state.
Read the full exchange here.
SINGAPORE’S RESPONSE TO REFUGEE SITUATION IN RAKHINE STATE IN MYANMAR
Pritam Singh asked for an assessment of the security situation in the Rakhine state and its impact on Singapore and Southeast Asia, particularly with regard to extremism.
Vivian Balakrishnan said that Singapore remains concern on any area in Southeast Asia where there is an unresolved, festering conflict. However, he is not in a position to advise whether there are “any specific threats” that are posed to us.
Read the full exchange here.
UPDATE ON SEIZURE OF SINGAPORE’S TERREX INFANTRY CARRIER VEHICLES IN HONG KONG
Pritam Singh asked whether any confidential or secret equipment and information was compromised or potentially disclosed to foreign powers.
Ng Eng Hen said that the detained Terrexes and other equipment were being used for training and “do not contain any sensitive equipment.”
Read the full exchange here.
UPDATE ON SEIZURE OF SINGAPORE’S TERREX INFANTRY CARRIER VEHICLES IN HONG KONG
Pritam Singh asked what new steps are in place to prevent a repeat incident of SAF material being inadvertently exposed or withheld overseas.
Ng Eng Hen said that the SAF has reviewed it shipping procedures comprehensively. Where the risk of detention of SAF assets is higher, the SAF will “impose extra precautions” at higher freight charges. The SAF may also consider housing equipment at overseas training sites to avoid shipping them.
Read the full exchange here.
UPDATE ON SEIZURE OF SINGAPORE’S TERREX INFANTRY CARRIER VEHICLES IN HONG KONG
Pritam Singh asked for an update on the discussions with the Hong Kong authorities to return the vehicles and associated equipment.
Ng Eng Hen said that the Singapore Government has informed the Hong Kong Government that the detained Terrexes and other equipment belong the Government of Singapore and are “immune from any measures of constraint.” The Hong Kong authorities have responded that the investigation is on-going and that they will handle the matter “in accordance with their laws.”
Read the full exchange here.
UPDATE ON SEIZURE OF SINGAPORE’S TERREX INFANTRY CARRIER VEHICLES IN HONG KONG
Dennis Tan asked whether any of our controlled military equipment had previously been shipped onboard container vessels on commercial routes which passed through ports in China.
Ng Eng Hen said that the SAF’s contracts leave it to the shipping companies to designate routes and ports. He did not specifically state whether any military equipment was previously shipped via ports in China.
Read the full exchange here.
UPDATE ON SEIZURE OF SINGAPORE’S TERREX INFANTRY CARRIER VEHICLES IN HONG KONG
Low Thia Khiang asked whether MINDEF anticipated that such a hostage situation could have happened.
Ng Eng Hen said that it is prevailing policy to have a category of equipment where special conditions are imposed on commercial shippers, but the Terrexes do not fall in that category. MINDEF leaves it to the carriers to designate the ports.
Read the full exchange here.
UPDATE ON SEIZURE OF SINGAPORE’S TERREX INFANTRY CARRIER VEHICLES IN HONG KONG
Low Thia Khiang asked what would be the loss of potential future earnings for Singapore in the Terrexes which the US is interested in.
Ng Eng Hen replied that the Terrexes are “listed in the shipping manifest at S$30 million.”
Read the full exchange here.
UPDATE ON SG50’S ’50 SCHOOLS, 50 SMES’ INITIATIVE
Leon Perera asked for an update on the “50 schools, 50 SMEs” initiative and if the Ministry had evaluated whether outcomes were met.
S Iswaran replied that the initiative “exceeded its targets” and noted positive feedback from students and companies.
Read the full exchange here.
SENIOR ACTIVITY AND CARE CENTRES IN HDB TOWNS
Leon Perera asked how the Government plans for activity and care centres for seniors in HDB towns.
Tan Chuan-Jin cited a “reasonable number” of seniors in rental blocks as a factor when constructing senior activity centres, and demographic and incidence of disability factors when constructing senior care centres.
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STATE OF SINGAPORE’S RELATIONS WITH CHINA IN VIEW OF SEIZURE OF TERREX VEHICLES
Low Thia Kiang asked if China had disregarded international law in seizing the Terrex vehicles.
Vivian Balakrishnan replied that he did not want to “speculate or prejudge the issue”.
Read the full exchange here.
NUMBER OF WORKERS WHO SECURE JOBS AT GOVERNMENT-SUPPORTED JOB FAIRS
Leon Perera asked how many workers annually secured jobs at Government-supported job fairs over the past decade.
Lim Swee Say said that the Ministry does not track how many jobseekers have found jobs through job fairs because “the jobseekers were not served directly” by them.
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SINGAPORE-MALAYSIA HIGH-SPEED RAIL PROJECT
Pritam Singh asked if past reserves would be used to finance the Singapore-KL High Speed Rail project.
Lawrence Wong said that the project would be funded via “normal budgetary processes in due course”.
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COMPLAINT AGAINST EM SERVICES FOR REFUSAL TO SUPPLY LIFT COMPONENTS
Pritam Singh asked when were complaints about EM Services Pte Ltd’s alleged anti-competitive conduct first received and which other companies were investigated.
Lim Hng Kiang said that the Government received the first complaint in April 2014. He also said that investigations into “the other companies are still ongoing” and the “information is confidential.”
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DENTAL SUBSIDIES RECEIVED BY CHAS CARDHOLDERS
Daniel Goh asked if a review has been conducted to determine that the dental subsidies are adequate for seniors aged 60 years and above.
Gan Kim Yong replied that MOH will continue to “review CHAS from time to time” but did not elaborate further.
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APPROVED TRAINING ORGANISATIONS (ATOS), PUBLIC AND INHOUSE ATOS AND INHOUSE ATOS
Daniel Goh asked for a breakdown on the statistics of ATOS, public and inhouse, and inhouse respectively and how will the SkillsFuture movement expand to employer-led and employer-owned training.
Ong Ye Kung said that historically, the emphasis of training employees was on the employers and they will continue to play an important role. He also acknowledged that the scheme promotes individual-initiated training.
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PUBLIC OPINION POLLS
Chen Show Mao asked how many public opinion polls were commissioned last year by MCI, the cost and findings of the polls, and if the ministry will publish the results of the polls.
Yaacob Ibrahim said that the ministry commissioned “a number of surveys” and the costs are “in line with market rates”, and that “findings that may be of interest to the public” are released periodically. He did not provide any figures for the costs nor the number of polls commissioned.
Read the full exchange here.
MAINTAINING A SINGAPOREAN CORE IN COMMERCIAL AVIATION PILOT SECTOR
Low Thia Khiang asked for the measures being taken to maintain and develop a Singaporean core in the commercial aviation pilot sector.
Khaw Boon Wan replied that there are four approved pilot training academies to supplement the airlines’ in-house training programmes.
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PERSONAL DATA COLLECTION AT REACH’S PUBLIC EVENTS
Low Thia Khiang asked for the rationale for collecting every participants’ personal information at REACH’s public forums, how they are used, and if MCI will consider discontinuing this process to promote participation.
Yaacob Ibrahim said that the information is used to verify the attendee’s identity and maintain communications with participants. He did not reply whether the Ministry would consider discontinuing this process.
Read the full exchange here.
CONVICTIONS FROM TOTAL NUMBER OF CRIME CASES REPORTED
Low Thia Khiang asked for the data on crime cases reported, number and type of convictions between 2010 and 2015.
K Shanmugam answered that the conviction rate is 97% and that the Police do not track the number of cases reported versus the number of convictions as it is “not a meaningful comparison.”
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MEASURES TO ENSURE SAFE EVACUATION OF PERSONS USING MOBILITY AIDS DURING TRAIN BREAKDOWNS
Leon Perera asked what are the measures in place to ensure the safety of persons dependent on mobility aids the event of a train breakdown and evacuation.
Khaw Boon Wan said that train operator’s staff and SCDF will be deployed to assist commuters with the evacuation and stretchers will be used to aid persons with special mobility needs.
Read the full exchange here.
EVIDENCE THAT SECTION 309 OF PENAL CODE DETERS ATTEMPTED SUICIDES
Leon Perera asked K Shanmugam what evidence suggests that Section 309 of the Penal Code deters attempted suicides and what efforts are taken to ensure this law does not deter people from seeking help.
K Shanmugam said that this law makes it a criminal offence to attempt suicide as “people should not take their own lives.” He also said that the Police are trained to respond to such cases with sensitivity and compassion. Also, government agencies and social organisations work together to prevent suicides.
Read the full exchange here.