Written Answers to WP's Oral Questions
Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat
Police Call-Outs To Attend To Public Nuisance And Average Time Taken To Resolve Such Disturbances
Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) how many locations received three or more police callouts for recurring public nuisance in the past year; (b) what is the average number of callouts to such locations before the nuisance is resolved; and (c) whether the current approach of responding to individual callouts is effective for locations with established patterns of recurring disturbances.
Mr K Shanmugam: The Police do not track the requested data. The Singapore Police Force is a lean force. We have explained before, including in this House, that Police focus on law and order concerns. There are many activities that may cause some form of nuisance or disamenities, but which do not pose law and order concerns. Such cases will be referred to the relevant agency for follow-up.
Depending on the nature of the disamenity, there may be an offence disclosed. When a non-arrestable offence takes place, the complainant may be asked to file a Magistrate’s Complaint or consider mediation at the Community Mediation Centre in cases of private nuisance. If mediation fails, and the case involves unreasonable interference with a neighbour’s enjoyment or use of his or her residence, the neighbour may consider filing a claim with the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals (CDRT). If the claim is made out, the CDRT can issue an order requiring the respondent to take steps to stop the unreasonable interference. The CDRT may also require the respondent to pay damages. Failure to comply with a CDRT order may result in the issuance of a Special Direction (SD) and non-compliance with an SD is a criminal offence that the Police will enforce.
Where there are recurring calls, the Police will work with stakeholders to assess and address the underlying causes.
Extent Of Quota Circumvention Through Phantom Worker Arrangements
Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked the Minister for Manpower (a) whether the Ministry has assessed the extent of quota circumvention through phantom worker arrangements; (b) whether the Ministry will consider abolishing nationality-based quotas in favour of a flat per-worker tax channelled towards local upskilling; and (c) what evidence demonstrates that the quota system has preserved local employment in sectors where locals do not take up positions.
Dr Tan See Leng: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) investigates “phantom worker” arrangements based on complaints and proactive on-site checks on firms. From 2024 to 2025, these have led to enforcement actions against around 100 employers who inflated their foreign worker quota via fraudulent Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions.
MOM uses both levies and quotas, or Dependency Ratio Ceilings (DRCs), to keep foreign workforce numbers manageable given our infrastructural and social capacity, and to encourage firms who hire foreign workers to be more productive. Levies collected are used to fund government initiatives including local upskilling and productivity measures.
Abolishing DRCs in favour of a purely price-based mechanism – such as a flat per-worker tax – is not viable for two reasons. First, it would not provide sufficient control over foreign workforce numbers. Reservation wages in neighbouring, labour supplying economies are substantially lower than resident non-PMET wages in Singapore. Without DRCs, we would need to raise levies significantly to manage reliance on foreign labour. This would have a major impact on business costs and Singapore’s overall cost-competitiveness.
Second, the DRC links a firm’s entitlement to hire foreign workers to the number of local workers it employs. This ensures that firms maintain a local core to access foreign manpower while deploying foreign workers in positions that few locals will take up. It also enhances workforce resilience during disruptions such as COVID-19.
Over the years, we have tightened DRCs to take into account the scope for automation and localisation across different sectors. This aims to nudge employers to reduce reliance on foreign manpower by increasing productivity and redesigning jobs to attract local workers. Overall, this approach has supported strong local employment outcomes. Over the past five years, median gross wages for resident full-time employed PMETs and non-PMETs have grown at 3.7% and 5.9% per annum. Resident unemployment has also remained below 3% post-COVID.
Commercial Landlords Imposing Utilities Surcharges On Tenants Beyond Base Rent And Gross Turnover Rent
Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry (a) whether the Ministry is aware of commercial landlords imposing surcharges on utilities passed through to tenants beyond base rent and Gross Turnover (GTO) rent; (b) what is the estimated prevalence of such surcharges in Food and Beverage (F&B); and (c) whether the Ministry will consider requiring landlords to pass through utilities at cost.
Mr Gan Kim Yong: Lease agreements are private contractual arrangements between landlords and tenants. The Government does not have data on the prevalence of commercial landlords imposing surcharges on utilities passed on to tenants.
The Code of Conduct for Leasing of Retail Premises in Singapore, administered by the Fair Tenancy Industry Committee (FTIC), requires commercial landlords to pass through electricity costs without mark-up or price discrimination. The FTIC has not received any feedback of landlords imposing surcharges on other utilities such as water and gas.
If the Member has encountered such cases, he may wish to share the details with us for our follow up with the FTIC. Businesses may also provide their feedback directly to the FTIC online at https://www.ftic.org.sg/enquiry-form/
Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim
Early Skillsfuture Support Top-Up For Retrenched Individuals Under Age 40
Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Education whether the Government will consider allowing retrenched individuals under the age of 40 to receive an early top-up of their mid-career SkillsFuture support.
Mr Desmond Lee: The $4,000 SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career) top-up is given to Singaporeans aged 40 and above, who may require a substantive skills reboot having completed their work-ready qualifications many years ago.
Singaporeans who become involuntarily unemployed and are looking to pivot into job roles with longer-term growth prospects can consider taking up career transition programmes, such as WSG’s Career Conversion Programmes and IMDA’s TechSkills Accelerator programme. These programmes are available to eligible Singaporeans under the age of 40, and receive substantial funding support from the Government. Through these programmes, individuals are placed into jobs and receive a salary while undergoing company-led training. Individuals can also consider SSG’s SkillsFuture Career Transition Programmes (SCTPs) that provide training for up to 12 months as well as employment facilitation.
We will continue to monitor the training needs of Singaporeans and calibrate our support as appropriate.
Feedback From Public And MPs Sought By Committee Tasked To Review Political Office Holders’ Salaries
Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (a) whether the 2026 committee reviewing political office holders’ salaries will solicit feedback from the public and Members of Parliament similar to the 2011 committee; and (b) whether its remit will include reviewing the allowances of legislative assistants and secretarial assistants hired by MPs which were last updated in 2007.
Mr Chan Chun Sing: The 2012 Committee undertook a fundamental review of the political office holders’ salary framework, which included an extensive public feedback exercise at the time. This framework was further reaffirmed in 2017 by a subsequent committee. The 2026 Committee’s terms of reference are to recommend the appropriate salary levels based on the existing salary framework, and where necessary, to propose refinements so that the implementation of the framework will remain relevant and able to meet its intended purpose. The Committee will consider information from a variety of sources to inform their deliberations. The work of the Committee is still ongoing, and it will submit its report to the Government when ready, after which the Government will consider its findings and provide an update to Parliament.
The 2026 Committee will not be reviewing the allowances of legislative and secretarial assistants of MPs as it falls outside the scope of the framework.
Engaging Camp Vendors Or Other Service Providers To Take Care Of Children In Affected Little Professors Learning Student Care Centres
Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Education in respect of the closure of Little Professors Learning student care centres (a) whether affected schools have relied on existing staff and teachers to support student care services; and (b) if so, whether the Ministry will consider engaging camp vendors or other experienced providers instead, to avoid overburdening teachers.
Mr Desmond Lee: This question has been addressed by the Ministry of Education's (MOE’s) answer to oral Parliamentary Question Nos 3-6 on 2 March 2026.
Mr Fadli Fawzi
Percentage Of HDB BTO Homeowners Reporting Defects That Required Rectification After Key Collection
Mr Fadli Fawzi asked the Minister for National Development (a) in each of the last five years, what percentage of HDB BTO homeowners have reported defects that require rectification after collecting their keys; and (b) what steps is HDB taking to reduce the rate of defects or to ensure that more defects are rectified during the quality control process before the handing over of keys.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: The Housing and Development Board (HDB) is committed to a high quality of construction for all its flats, and has consistently achieved an average score of 95 out of 100 over the past five years on the Construction Quality Assessment System. This quality score is either comparable to or exceeds the scores achieved by many private residential developments over the same period.
HDB also provides new HDB flat owners with a 1-year Defects Liability Period (DLP) as part of the standard handover process for all new flats, so that outstanding issues can be rectified by the BTO contractor. Over the last five years, an average of 65% of homeowners have provided feedback during the DLP. More than 95% of the reported cases involve minor defects such as scratches, alignment or paintwork. Nearly all of these are rectified within 14 working days, often done at the same time as homeowners’ own renovation works, before they move into their flat.
HDB will continue to work closely with construction partners to keep high standards of workmanship and quality, and to explore ways to further improve the move-in experience for flat buyers.
Data On Appeals Related To Ethnic Integration Policy, Appeals Approved And Appeals That Led To Units Being Acquired By HDB
Mr Fadli Fawzi asked the Minister for National Development for each ethnic group in the year 2025 (a) what is the number of appeals related to the Ethnic Integration Policy received by HDB; (b) how many appeals have been acceded to; and (c) of the appeals acceded to, how many have been assisted through the buyback assistance measure.
Mr Fadli Fawzi asked the Minister for National Development as of 31 December 2025, how many HDB flat units that have been compulsorily acquired by HDB or bought back via the Ethnic Integration Policy buyback assistance measure remain under HDB's ownership.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: These questions have been addressed in the Ministry of National Development's reply to a similar question asked by Ms Valerie Lee on 25 February 2026.
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song
Effort And Resources Expended For 2016 Separation Of Workforce Development Agency Into Two Agencies, And Current Re-Merger Plan
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Manpower (a) what specific structural barriers between the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Manpower necessitated the 2016 separation of the Workforce Development Agency (WDA) into two agencies, SkillsFuture Singapore and Workforce Singapore; (b) why the Ministry assesses that these barriers can now be managed; and (c) what new efficiencies will be achieved that were not possible under the original unified structure under WDA.
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Manpower (a) what was the total financial expenditure incurred during the 2016 restructuring of the Workforce Development Agency into two separate statutory boards; (b) what is the projected cost of the current re-merger, including IT systems migration and rebranding; and (c) what specific annual savings are expected to justify this reversal.
Dr Tan See Leng: The 2016 restructuring of Workforce Development Agency (WDA) into SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) and Workforce Singapore (WSG) allowed each agency to have a sharper focus in building up the continuing education and training (CET) and employment facilitation landscape respectively. The formation of SSG was driven by the need to enhance our national capacity to support lifelong learning and CET to help workers stay ahead of the curve in the age of digitalisation, at a time when the Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) were still highly focused on pre-employment training (PET). This was best served by forming a statutory board under the Ministry of Education (MOE) to work with the IHLs to substantially expand their role in CET, while driving closer integration with PET. WSG, under the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), focused on developing and scaling new employment facilitation programmes in collaboration with the labour movement and private sector partners, and developing Jobs Transformation Maps to support companies in workforce transformation in line with industry developments.
Since then, significant progress has been made in ramping up CET provision by IHLs and private training providers, as well as in strengthening employment facilitation services and support for job redesign. The objectives of the 2016 restructuring have been met. However, our operating context has changed significantly since then. With a much faster-changing global economic landscape, accelerating technological advancements and a rapidly ageing workforce, we need to step up support for workers to stay relevant, navigate multiple career transitions and extend their career trajectories.
The priority going forward is to tighten the integration between skills and jobs, through a single agency that can provide more holistic support and pivot nimbly to deal with challenges relating to the future of work. The new agency will be jointly overseen by both MOM and MOE. It will benefit from MOM’s labour market intelligence and industry networks as well as MOE’s oversight of our education system and relationship with IHLs. Instead of being what the Member characterised as a ‘reversal’ of the 2016 restructuring, the new agency will have new capabilities that SSG, WSG and WDA did not have, including more integrated jobs and skills intelligence. I hope that the Member will appreciate that we need to be agile and adopt different strategies at different times to address the new circumstances we face today. The 2016 restructuring of WDA into two separate statutory boards did not require additional funding from the Ministry of Finance. Likewise, the upcoming merger is not expected to require additional funding. Over time, we expect greater synergies as common functions are rationalised. Cost-saving is not the driver for this merger. The merger is intended to ensure that our agencies remain fit for purpose in serving the needs and interests of Singaporeans as the labour market evolves more rapidly. Additional resourcing for new initiatives by the agency, such as efforts to uplift the training, career and employment services ecosystem, would be assessed on their individual merits.
Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik
Mandating That Businesses Must Continue To Accept Cash As Payment Option
Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance given the rise in cashless-only stores (a) whether the Ministry will consider mandating that businesses continue to accept cash as a payment option; (b) how does the Ministry ensure that seniors who are not digitally savvy and youths without bank accounts are not left behind due to digital payment requirements; and (c) how does the Ministry ensure universal access to basic payment instruments.
Mr Gan Kim Yong (for the Prime Minister): This question has been answered in Minister Chee Hong Tat’s reply to Mr Louis Chua’s COS cut on 26 February 2026.
Segregated Account Requirements For Businesses That Collect Client Monies Through Prepayment Packages
Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry in view of the recent rise in complaints against the beauty industry, whether the Ministry will consider mandating businesses that collect client monies through prepayment packages to place such monies in segregated accounts separate from their operating funds.
Mr Gan Kim Yong: The Government works closely with the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) to promote fair trading practices and help consumers make informed purchasing decisions, including those that involve prepayment. Under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act 2003, it is an unfair practice for a supplier to exert undue pressure on a consumer to enter into a transaction, or to accept payment for goods or services when the supplier knows it is unable to provide the goods or services. The Government has also worked with CASE to develop industry-specific CaseTrust accreditation schemes. In the beauty industry, consumers of CaseTrust-accredited businesses can claim a refund of the unused portion of their prepayments if the accredited business closes, under the scheme’s mandatory prepayment protection insurance. In March 2025, the Government took the further step of convening an independent Consumer Protection Review Panel to review key consumer concerns, including the adequacy of existing protections for high-value package purchases. The Panel is expected to share its findings and recommendations later this year.
Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong
Placing Road Works Signs At Sufficient Distances To Allow Drivers Time To Safely Change Lanes
Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Acting Minister for Transport whether LTA can require all contractors carrying out different works on roads provide early warning notices of at least 200 metres before work sites to allow motorists sufficient time and distance to safely change lanes ahead of lane closures for works, improving traffic efficiency and road safety.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: Contractors are required to provide advance warning signs at road worksites as prescribed in the Land Transport Authority’s (LTA’s) Code of Practice for Traffic Control at Work Zone. For example, for a road with a speed limit of 50km/h, the earliest advance warning sign should be placed around 280 metres before the worksite. For roads with higher speed limits, the Code requires advance warning signs to be placed further away from the worksite. Action is taken against contractors for non-compliance.
Differences In Mandate And Work Scope Between SME Pro Enterprise Office And Pro-Enterprise Panel
Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry (a) how does the SME Pro-Enterprise Office (PEO) differ in mandate, staffing, and accountability from the existing Pro-Enterprise Panel (PEP); (b) what specific outcomes has PEO delivered since its establishment; and (c) whether the creation of a new office alongside an existing panel risks adding bureaucratic layers rather than reducing regulatory friction for businesses.
Mr Gan Kim Yong: The Pro-Enterprise Panel (PEP) is a public-private panel chaired by the Head of Civil Service, comprising both senior public officers and business leaders representing different sectors and profiles of firms. Formed in 2000, the PEP provides a platform for the Government and industry to discuss and review how rules and regulations can be improved to be more pro-enterprise. The membership of the panel is also updated regularly, so that Government agencies can leverage the private sector members’ perspectives on wider Government regulatory reviews and seek their advice.
On the other hand, the SME Pro-Enterprise Office (SME PEO) was set up in March 2025 as a central coordination unit within the Government to strengthen regulatory responsiveness for SMEs and to complement the strategic work of the Pro Enterprise Panel (PEP). It helps SMEs resolve specific regulatory issues, particularly those that cut across multiple public agencies or arise from new and emerging sectors. The SME PEO manages case feedback, implements service standards and monitors resolution outcomes of regulatory feedback and reviews across agencies.
Since its launch, the SME PEO has engaged over 170 business leaders across 15 sectors to gather and act on feedback on regulatory pain points. It has reviewed more than 300 pieces of feedback and successfully addressed over 65% of the issues raised. For example, following the SME PEO’s facilitation, URA and SLA streamlined their processes and halved the time required for developers to obtain approvals for private residential show-flat sites.
The establishment of the SME PEO as an office under Enterprise Singapore provides dedicated resources and efforts to engage the industries more extensively and better assist SMEs in resolving regulatory feedback. In addition, it works closely with the respective agencies and follows through with them on the reviews of their regulatory policies and processes to reduce compliance burden. This complements the work of the PEP, in advancing the regulatory agenda of the Government in a concerted manner.
Written Questions
Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik
Measures To Address Existing Skill Gaps Of Singaporean Workers In Government Agencies And Statutory Boards
Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance in relation to the roles currently filled by S Pass and Employment Pass holders across Statutory Boards and Government agencies (a) whether the Ministry has identified the most common skill gaps that exist among Singaporeans; (b) if so, what are these skills; and (c) what steps has the Ministry taken to address the skills gap among Singaporeans.
Mr Chan Chun Sing: The Government continually reviews the emerging skills that our public officers need in order to meet the changing needs of Singapore. This includes skills in areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum technology, and sustainability, among others. Officers deepen their skills through formal training
courses, attachments and secondments outside of the public service, and other forms of learning on the job. We will continue to invest in building up and updating the capabilities of public officers so that the public service stays relevant and future ready.
Tamil Language Elective Programme Teaching Internship Participation For Past Five Years And Teacher Training Enrolment At NIE
Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked the Minister for Education (a) how many GCE A-level students in the Tamil Language Elective Programme have participated in the Teaching Internship Programme in the past five years; and (b) what proportion of these students subsequently enrol for training at the National Institute of Education to become qualified Tamil Language teachers.
Mr Desmond Lee: Between 2021 and 2025, six Tamil Language Elective Programme (TLEP) junior college students participated in the Teaching Internship Programme (TIP) with three proceeding to the National Institute of Education's BABSc programme. Another five TLEP junior college students entered the programme directly. Currently, all eight are completing their degree studies and will become qualified TL teachers between 2026 and 2029.
Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat
Breakthroughs And Successes Attributed To A*Star And Considerations To Reform Operational Model And Policies
Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry (a) after decades of investment in A*STAR, what globally recognised deep-tech successes or scientific breakthroughs can be directly attributed to its efforts beyond general GDP contributions; and (b) what reforms to A*STAR's operational model, IP policies, and mandate will ensure R&D spending translates into world-leading innovation rather than high expenditure with limited high-value IPOs.
Mr Gan Kim Yong: A*STAR is currently ranked 21st amongst global Government institutions in the Nature Index, with 28% of its publications being among the world’s top 10% cited papers. It has achieved globally recognised scientific breakthroughs in multiple fields. For example, in semiconductors, A*STAR has developed one of the world's fastest modulators and photodetectors. This enables electrical and optical signals to be converted interchangeably at a high speed of 400 billion times a second per channel, paving the pathway towards multiple-fold improvements in energy efficiency for data transmission.
Over the past five years, A*STAR technologies have catalysed the creation of more than 70 new companies, hiring more than 900 employees. Several have achieved good traction with international customers and investors, including Curiox, Mirxes and MetaOptics, which have completed successful public listings. Mirxes, for example, launched the world’s first molecular blood test for early gastric cancer detection, and co-developed with A*STAR the Fortitude test kit which was supplied to over 40 countries worldwide. Today, Mirxes operates in over eight countries, with Singapore as its largest operation, serving as an integrated hub for R&D, industry 4.0 manufacturing, clinical testing laboratories and data/AI capabilities. 60% of its global staff are here in Singapore and are largely Singaporean or Singapore PRs.
Besides creating value through spinoffs, A*STAR has entered into collaborations with both local and multinational companies to enable them to move up the value chain of industries and activities. For instance, A*STAR’s collaboration with Rolls Royce and Singapore Aero Engine Services Pte Ltd (SAESL) has yielded 18 breakthrough technologies that improve fan blade manufacturing and repair, with eight local SMEs added to Rolls-Royce and SAESL's approved vendor list. A*STAR’s joint lab with local enterprise Mencast Marine has also helped the company to shift from labour-intensive sand casting to advanced wire arc additive manufacturing and hybrid technologies, enabling up to 30% increase in productivity in propeller manufacturing.
Overall, A*STAR has undertaken more than 2,400 projects with 925 local enterprises over the past five years. SMEs continue to be supported through initiatives, such as the Technology for Enterprise Capability Upgrading (T-Up) Programme, equipping them with technical expertise that facilitates talent development and enterprise transformation. Our evaluation studies show that these enterprises saw 44% higher revenue and 22% higher total employment than non-participating firms on average within three years of starting the T-Up project.
In RIE2030, A*STAR will sharpen its focus on sectors where it has strong capabilities and clear industry demand. This seeks to strengthen industry pull-through and increase the likelihood of research investments translating into tangible economic outcomes.
Use Of Foreign Worker Levy To Improve Transport Safety For Migrant Workers Over Past Three Years
Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked the Acting Minister for Transport (a) of the Government expenditure on migrant worker safety funded from consolidated revenue including Foreign Worker Levies, what amount was directed to safer transport for workers travelling to and from worksites in each of the past three years; and (b) if none, whether the Ministry will consider doing so given known risks of current practices.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: Tax revenues, including Foreign Worker Levies, are not ringfenced for specific spending. The Government will continue to work with industry and NGOs to improve the safety of worker transport.
Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong
Tripartite Healthcare Abuse Framework Reporting Statistics By Severity And Sector Via Police And Internal Reporting Forms
Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health in respect of the Tripartite Framework for the Prevention of Abuse and Harassment in Healthcare (a) how many cases have been reported via (i) police and (ii) internal reporting forms, broken down by severity level and sector; and (b) what trends in reporting rates have been observed since its implementation.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: With heightened awareness since the launch of the Tripartite Framework for the Prevention of Abuse and Harassment in Healthcare in 2023, 3,000 and 4,200 abuse and harassment incidents were reported by the Public Healthcare Institutions (PHIs) in 2024 and 2025 respectively. Of these cases, about 7% were considered high severity involving a high level of harm or distress. 15% of all cases were reported to the Police.
Data On Mediation, Warning And Police Escalation For Internally Reported Cases Of Harassment Of Healthcare Workers Under Tripartite Framework
Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health in respect of the Tripartite Framework for the Prevention of Abuse and Harassment in Healthcare (a) what is the median response time for (i) police investigation route and (ii) internally reported cases; and (b) of the cases reported internally, how many resulted in (i) mediation, (ii) warnings or access restrictions, (iii) escalation to police or (iv) no further action.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: Under the Tripartite Framework for the Prevention of Abuse and Harassment in Healthcare, healthcare workers are encouraged to report all incidents of abuse and harassment as soon as possible. Public healthcare institutions have put in place the necessary protocols, including activating supervisors or security personnel to de-escalate the situation and warning perpetrators against such behaviour and making clear our zero-tolerance stance against abuse and harassment. These are typically done on the spot or within the same day.
Thereafter, the public healthcare institutions may adopt further follow-up actions as appropriate. This could include written warnings to perpetrators, and barring abusive next-of-kin and visitors from the premises. Serious cases, such as those resulting in physical harm to the healthcare worker, will be reported to the Police, where the length of the investigation depends on the nature and complexity of the case.
Language Distribution Of NLB Children's Book Collection And Proportion Of Malay Children's Books Published In Bahasa Indonesia
Mr Fadli Fawzi asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information (a) what is the number and percentage of children's books in English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil in the National Library Board's borrowing collection; and (b) of the children's books in the Malay collection, what is the number and percentage of books published in Bahasa Indonesia.
Mrs Josephine Teo: The National Library Board (NLB) offers a collection of 3.72 million books, including physical books, e-books and audiobooks, in English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil for children aged zero to 12 years old. Of this, (a) 74% are English language books (approx. 2,749,400 books); (b) 18% are Chinese language books (approx. 680,300 books); (c) 5% are Malay language books (approx. 167,100 books), including around 22,500 books (13% of Malay language books) in Bahasa Indonesia; and (d) 3% are Tamil language books (approx. 118,900 books).
Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim
Primary School Students And MOE Kindergarten Care Services Vendor Vetting Process Review And Financial Safeguard Enhancements
Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Education whether the Ministry plans to review the vetting process for vendors providing student and kindergarten care services in primary schools and MOE Kindergartens, including financial safeguards and monitoring mechanisms, to ensure that systematic weaknesses that enabled sudden operational disruptions by such vendors do not recur.
Mr Desmond Lee: This question has been addressed by the Ministry of Education’s answer to oral Parliamentary Question Nos 3-6 on 2 March 2026.
Data On Submission And Approval Rates Of Maintenance Schedule Waiver Requests Submitted By Operators
Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Acting Minister for Transport (a) since LTA began requiring operators to submit maintenance schedule waiver requests for review, how many have been submitted; (b) how many were approved or rejected; and (c) what criteria guide LTA’s assessment of such requests.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: Since 30 May 2025, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has received and approved one request for an adjustment of scheduled maintenance from the rail operators. This was a one-month deferment of air-conditioning filter replacement for four Thomson-East Coast Line trains deployed for testing works.
When assessing such requests, LTA takes into consideration the potential impact on safety and service reliability, the adequacy of mitigating measures put in place by the operator, and longer-term effects on asset performance.
Ms He Ting Ru
Addressing 31% Non-Retention Rate Of Passports Among Work Permit Holders And Ministry's Efforts To Ensure No Offences Committed Under Passports Act
Ms He Ting Ru asked the Minister for Manpower given the finding in the Ministry's Migrant Worker Experience and Employer Survey 2024 that over 31% of Work Permit holders do not keep their own passport, (a) how is the Ministry working to ensure that offences under Passports Act are not committed; and (b) whether an update can be provided on the Ministry's efforts to support enforcement and compliance.
Dr Tan See Leng: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) takes a serious view of employers who retain their migrant workers’ passports. Migrant workers (MWs) must have unrestricted access to their own passports at all times.
MOM leverages various touchpoints to raise awareness among MWs on their employment rights and encourage them to report issues. For example, new migrant workers who attend the Settling-In Programme are informed that employers are not allowed to retain their passports and to report such violations to MOM. In addition, MOM also issues reminders to MWs, employers and employment agencies via platforms such as FWMOMCare app, social media posts and email circulars that passport retention is disallowed.
In most instances, employers had returned the passports to the workers promptly after MOM’s intervention. Enforcement actions will be taken against employers who fail to comply, including possible debarment from hiring new foreign employees.
Risk Assessments Of Bus Arrival Timing System Prior To January 2026 System Glitch
Ms He Ting Ru asked the Acting Minister for Transport prior to the detection of inaccuracies of bus arrival timings in January 2026 (a) whether there were any risk assessments carried out on the system; (b) whether there were any vulnerabilities identified and if so, what were they; and (c) how often were independent system audits and stress tests on the system conducted.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: The Expected Time of Arrival (ETA) system is required to undergo a risk assessment every two years. The last assessment on the ETA system was conducted by the Land Transport Authority in July 2024, and identified minor issues which were addressed prior to the recent disruption. Unfortunately, it did not pick up the issues that led to the disruption. We will review how we can improve the risk assessment for future iterations.
Criteria For Implementation Timeline Of Distance-Based Charging Under ERP 2.0
Ms He Ting Ru asked the Acting Minister for Transport (a) what are the parameters used by the Ministry to determine the implementation timeline of distance based charging under ERP 2.0; and (b) whether the Ministry will give periodic public updates on how close these parameters are to being met.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: The Ministry of Transport does not intend to implement distance-based charging in the immediate term. Our priority is to ensure motorists have time to get used to the new ERP 2.0 system.
Usage-based charging is in principle a fair approach. We will need to study the impact on groups such as those who drive as part of their work and would likely pay higher usage-based charges as they drive longer distances. Should we decide to pursue distance-based charging in future, we will provide adequate notice.
Impact Of ERP Gantry Removal On Motorist Behaviours And Reducing Congestion
Ms He Ting Ru asked the Acting Minister for Transport (a) notwithstanding roadside signages and on-board unit alerts, whether any research has assessed how removing physical ERP gantries may reduce motorists' responsiveness to charges and willingness to divert from priced roads; (b) whether this may necessitate higher rates for equivalent congestion-reduction outcomes; and (c) whether comparative data between both systems will be published.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is conducting a study on user behaviour for the driving experience with ERP 2.0. The study would examine the effectiveness of new visual cues and alerts in place of the physical gantry. Outcomes of the study will inform the design and implementation of ERP 2.0’s road guidance features, including road signs, road markings, and digital notifications. More details will be provided in due course.
Completion Timeline Of Bus Fleet Management System Upgrade And Penalties Enforced For Agreement Breaches
Ms He Ting Ru asked the Acting Minister for Transport in view of the prolonged inaccuracies in bus arrival timings (a) what were the factors preventing announcing a firm date for full restoration; (b) whether there were any service-level agreements breaches and penalties imposed; and (c) whether the Ministry can provided an update on when the Bus Fleet Management System upgrade first started in 2024 will be completed.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: To fully restore the Expected Time of Arrival (ETA) system, physical works had to be carried out for a significant proportion of the bus fleet, and the accuracy of the system had to be verified against actual bus arrival records. During this period, performance of the system fluctuated as the proportion of rectified buses deployed for service each day varied. The Land Transport Authority had provided regular progress updates until all buses were rectified and the system was fully restored on 12 February 2026.
Financial penalties will be imposed on the third-party vendor in accordance with the terms of the service level agreement.
The upgrade to the Bus Fleet Management System is projected to be progressively completed by 2027.
Mr Fadli Fawzi
Proportion Of HDB Solar Panel Installation Under Solarnova Programme And Future Expansion Plans
Mr Fadli Fawzi asked the Minister for National Development (a) to date, what proportion of HDB blocks in Singapore have solar panels installed under the SolarNova programme; and (b) whether this proportion will be increased in future.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: As of December 2025, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) has installed solar panels on around 5,300 blocks, or about half of all HDB blocks, under the SolarNova programme and other prior efforts. HDB will continue to install solar panels for other HDB blocks subject to site suitability.
