Written Answers to WP's Oral Questions
Multiple
Formulation, Implementation And Outcome Monitoring Of New Treatment Guidelines For Children And Adolescents With Gender Dysphoria
Ms He Ting Ru asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health in relation to the recent Ministry of Health circular on treatment guidelines for children and adolescents with gender dysphoria (a) what clinical evidence and external organisations were relied upon in formulating the guidelines; (b) how did the Ministry assess the credibility, independence, and consensus standing of these sources; and (c) whether the Ministry will publish the full list of references underlying the guidelines.
Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health given that the Ministry does not track the number of persons with gender dysphoria or the gender-related medical interventions provided locally (a) how does the Ministry intend to monitor and evaluate the clinical and mental health outcomes of new treatment guidelines for children and adolescents with gender dysphoria; and (b) whether the full guidelines are publicly accessible to affected patients and families.
Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) whether Treatment Review Panels under the new treatment guidelines for children and adolescents with gender dysphoria have been implemented; (b) if so, how many panels were operational on the date the guidelines took effect; (c) what is the median waiting time for a patient to be assessed by a panel; and (d) what interim arrangements are in place to ensure care continuity.
Mr Ong Ye Kung : I will address Questions 73 to 75 together. My response will address written question 20 raised by Mr Victor Lye1in today's Order Paper. Gender Dysphoria (GD) is a psychiatric condition that requires careful and holistic management, particularly for young people who are still undergoing major physiological and psychological changes. Someone diagnosed with GD will require empathy, acceptance and support from their family and the wider community. The person will also need appropriate and effective clinical care.
However, the management of GD in children and adolescents is an area of significant international debate, as the evidence base continues to evolve. Some advocate earlier access to gender-affirming interventions, including puberty blockers, citing the absence of hard evidence-based thresholds on when such treatments should be withheld, and arguing that children can be firm in their resolve to change gender at a young age. Others urge greater caution against such treatments, citing their permanent and potentially irreversible effects on children and adolescents who may not continue to have GD later in adulthood.
The risks are significant both ways. For individuals with GD, who remain undiagnosed or who are diagnosed but have treatment withheld, the consequences are severe. Appropriate treatment must therefore be accessible to them. On the other hand, for individuals without GD but given irreversible treatment, the consequences are also very severe. This requires some exercise of precaution.
The purpose of the Treatment Guidelines for Children and Adolescents with Gender Dysphoria (Treatment Guidelines) is to address and minimise these risks. As the new Treatment Guidelines come into force, we need to ensure that existing patients undergo a supportive and empathetic transition process.
In developing the Guidelines, the focus of our clinicians in the Ministry of Health (MOH) is to do what is clinically appropriate, given what we know about the condition and the evidence available. For a complex condition like GD, the diagnosis needs to be robust, and treatment decisions must be based on the best available clinical evidence and the patient’s best interests.
Hence, the Treatment Guidelines require a consistent standard of care. Given the clinical complexity of GD and the potentially severe consequences of inappropriate treatment, it should not be managed solely at the primary care level. Some less complex medical conditions, including complications associated with common chronic diseases, already require the primary care physician to refer the patient for specialist assessment and multidisciplinary care. The Treatment Guidelines therefore require GD to be assessed and managed by a multidisciplinary care team. They emphasise psychological support as the first line of treatment. They also provide for a Treatment Review Panel, which includes an independent medical specialist, to review individual cases where clinically appropriate and evidence-based medical intervention should be considered in the patient’s best interests.
MOH is working with the public healthcare institutions (PHIs) and private providers managing existing cases to develop treatment pathways in line with the Guidelines. We will need some time to set up Panels, and schedule existing patients for review. While this is being done, existing treatment should continue under the care of the managing clinician to avoid the potential harm of an abrupt interruption. When ready, the Panels will assess patients on an individual basis and a careful decision will be made on whether to continue or adjust their treatment plan.
In the longer term, this approach gives us greater assurance that each patient receives an appropriate diagnosis and treatment pathway. It enables us to better support young people with GD, while avoiding putting those without on a painful and irreversible path.
In developing the Treatment Guidelines, MOH established multidisciplinary workgroups to review available published evidence and international reviews on the management of GD in children and adolescents. The workgroups considered published studies, international evidence reviews and policy positions from overseas jurisdictions. They assessed the evidence on its merits, taking into account the quality of the available evidence and findings of independent reviews. The Treatment Guidelines were based on expert consensus, clinical considerations and the available evidence, and were subsequently endorsed by the Academy of Medicine, Singapore before they were issued.
The Treatment Guidelines are aligned with the clinical policy position published by the National Health Service England in March 2024 which drew on the evidence review conducted by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in 2020. The position has been further reinforced by a growing number of independent reviews – in New Zealand, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland.
Today, MOH could not have complete information on the total number of patients with GD, as some individuals may seek care in the private sector, and it is not a notifiable condition. Given our emphasis on continuity of care, MOH is not yet aware of patients who were unable to continue with their existing treatment.
As the Treatment Guidelines are clinical guidelines intended for registered medical practitioners involved in the care of children and adolescents with GD, they were, like other clinical guidelines, disseminated to all registered medical practitioners as professional guidance and were not intended for a wider audience. Nonetheless, MOH has publicly set out the key principles underpinning the Treatment Guidelines in its response to a Parliamentary Question in May 2026.
Note(s) to Question No(s) 73,74,75:
1 To ask the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health since the Treatment Guidelines for Children and Adolescents with Gender Dysphoria were introduced (a) how many patients had (i) existing treatment plans changed, deferred or discontinued and (ii) been unable to continue public healthcare treatment; and (b) what, if any, transitional and grandfathering arrangements were adopted to avoid or mitigate treatment disruptions.
Ensuring Fees Charged By Public Agencies Are Gazetted And Authorised
Mr Fadli Fawzi asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance what steps will be taken by the Government to ensure that subsidiary legislation is updated in a timely manner when changes to fees and charges by Ministries and Statutory Boards are made.
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (a) whether a systemic review has been conducted across all Government agencies following consecutive Auditor-General's Office reports on fees collected without legal authorisation; and (b) what measures are being implemented to ensure all public fees are properly gazetted and authorised prior to collection.
Ms Indranee Rajah: I will take Parliamentary Questions 105 and 106 together. The Member refers to AGO reports of “fees collected without legal authorisation”. In fact, the Government has previously explained that public agencies have a legal basis to collect fees for services that are rendered to the public. Nonetheless, for avoidance of doubt, some agencies may prescribe fees in legislation to provide greater clarity and certainty.
To be precise, the AGO’s observation was that certain fees were not prescribed in legislation, and that some fees were under collected. Where AGO has identified such issues, the relevant agencies will review the findings carefully, and take the appropriate steps to rectify any gaps and strengthen their processes. Beyond the agency-specific actions, the government is also taking the opportunity to review the broader framework for fees and charges. Given the wide range of public services provided, agencies collect many different fees and charges. It would not be practical for every fee, or every change to a fee to be prescribed in legislation. We are therefore considering how such fee information can be communicated clearly and transparently to the public, taking into account the nature of the services concerned.
Ms He Ting Ru
Assessment Of Existing Safeguards And Enforcement Against Money Laundering And Proliferation Financing Risks
Ms He Ting Ru asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance given Singapore is one of the world’s major virtual asset services provider hubs (a) what assessment the Government has made of the associated money laundering and proliferation financing risks; (b) whether existing safeguards, supervision and enforcement mechanisms are sufficient; and (c) what further measures the Government intends to take to prevent the financial system from being exploited by illicit actors.
Mr Gan Kim Yong (for the Prime Minister): There are significant numbers of Virtual Asset Service Providers in key financial and business hubs around the world, including in the US, EU, UK and Dubai. Virtual asset service providers (VASPs) are regulated as digital payment token service providers (DPTSPs) in Singapore.
Singapore was one of the first countries in the world to bring DPTSPs under financial sector regulation, recognising the inherently higher risks posed by their activities. Since the regulatory framework for DPTSPs came into force in 2020, persons seeking to conduct or continue regulated activities relating to digital payment tokens have been required to obtain a licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). MAS applies stringent licensing criteria, and admits only players who demonstrate ability to put in place systems and processes to mitigate the relevant risks, and comply with MAS’ regulations.
Post-licensing, MAS maintains close supervision over DPTSPs and have taken regulatory actions against those who fail to meet standards. Out of close to 300 applications for licences, there are currently 37 licensed DPTSPs. Most of the other applications have been rejected or were withdrawn when the applicants realised they could not meet our requirements.
In addition, MAS conducts surveillance of the sector to monitor for emerging money laundering, terrorism financing, and proliferation financing threats and engages DPTSPs proactively to raise their risk awareness. Given the fast-changing nature of the sector, MAS reviews our rules regularly to keep pace with the risk landscape and international standards.
We are also active participants in the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) work to drive consistent global implementation of FATF requirements in this sector. In its recent assessment of Singapore’s AML/CFT framework earlier this year, the FATF recognised the strength of Singapore’s system and MAS’ effectiveness in regulating the DPTSPs.
Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim
Random Audits Of Open Position Advertisements On Jobs Portals To Determine Consistency Of Age Distribution Of Interviewees And Offered Candidates With That Of Applicants
Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Acting Minister for Manpower whether the Ministry conducts random audits of companies advertising for open positions on jobs portals to determine if the age distribution of interviewees and offered candidates are consistent with that of applicants.
Ms Jasmin Lau: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) does not conduct random audits of companies advertising on jobs portals to compare the age distribution of applicants, interviewees and candidates who receive job offers.
Workers who feel they have been discriminated against during any stage of the hiring process can approach the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP). MOM and TAFEP will look into all complaints and engage employers involved to understand the circumstances. Egregious breaches with clear intent to discriminate will be considered for enforcement action.
Commencement Of Repayments For Higher Education Student Loan
Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Education whether repayments for the Ministry’s Higher Education Student Loan must commence within a year upon graduation, or if repayments can wait until after graduates secure employment.
Mr Desmond Lee: The Ministry of Education's (MOE’s) Higher Education Student Loan (HESL) is interest-free during the course of study, with interest commencing only upon the student’s graduation or leaving the institution.
Students who take up the HESL have up to one year after graduation to commence loan repayment after graduation. This allows time for graduates to find employment and make financial plans to commence their loan repayment. For those facing difficulty in repaying their loans after this one-year period, they can make a request to defer the loan repayment. MOE will assess the appeals on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the circumstances of each appeal, and continue to exercise flexibility for these borrowers.
Family Unit Formation For Single Parents With Children Who Wish To Apply For Hdb Flats
Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for National Development how is a single parent of children, who has never been married and hence is neither divorced nor widowed, able to form a family unit with them for the purpose of applying for an HDB flat.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: The Member may refer to the Ministry of Social and Family Development’s reply to the question asked by Mr Low Wu Yang Andre on 26 September 2025, for the Housing and Development Board's (HDB’s) approach to supporting single unwed parents.
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song
Review Of Changes In Commuters’ Journey Time And Fares Paid When A Public Bus Service Is Withdrawn, Shortened Or Rerouted
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Transport when a public bus service is withdrawn, shortened or rerouted (a) whether the Ministry conducts a post-implementation review of changes in commuters’ total journey time and fares paid, including for seniors and persons with disabilities; (b) within what timeframe such reviews are completed; and (c) what indicators or feedback thresholds trigger service reinstatements or adjustments to replacement arrangements.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: Bus services are adjusted to serve new needs, or in response to changes in commuter travel patterns and feedback. The availability of alternative services, as well as the impact on travel times and fares paid by affected commuters, are taken into consideration when routes are amended.
The Land Transport Authority continually monitors ridership and passenger loading on all public bus services, including alternative services plying the same corridor after a route is amended. Where necessary, the frequency and capacity of amended routes and alternative services are improved to ensure that commuters affected by service adjustments continue to have good travel options.
Review Of Procurement Process Vulnerabilities Involving Irregular Quotations And Measures To Recover Overpayments
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Minister for Defence (a) what is the total number of procurement contracts issued by the Ministry found to have irregular or non-authentic quotations in each year over the past five years; (b) what specific vulnerabilities in the current procurement system allowed these irregularities to occur; and (c) what measures are being taken to recover any overpayments made.
Mr Chan Chun Sing: The Ministry of Defence's (MINDEF's) procurements are subject to a systematic process of independent audits. These audits are conducted both internally by MINDEF's Internal Audit Department and externally by the Auditor General's Office.
The audits conducted by MINDEF identified irregularities in 45 cases. To put this in perspective, there were more than 400,000 contracts over the past five years. These irregularities are similar to those found in the 20 identified in the Auditor-General's Report. Altogether, the audits by MINDEF and AGO identified 65 cases with these irregularities.
MINDEF regularly reviews and strengthens our procurement processes, including taking immediate measures to address any audit findings identified internally by MINDEF as well as by AGO. Specific to the irregularities found in the 65 procurement cases, MINDEF has taken efforts in three areas.
First, to better detect possible irregularities, we have expanded the pool of vendors used for quotation assessments, so that we can compare across a larger number of vendors and better discern irregularities. To aid in these efforts, we are also developing AI-enabled and digital tools to enhance and automate the detection of anomalies. Finally, as an additional safeguard, we have implemented additional checks on quotations for high-usage and high-value items.
Second, once a possible irregularity is detected, MINDEF will promptly conduct an independent validation of the quoted prices. This includes obtaining fresh quotations from other vendors or benchmarking the quoted prices against historical procurement data and prevailing market prices. This serves to verify if the prices quoted are reasonable and MINDEF has obtained fair market value.
Third, we will be enhancing training for our procurement practitioners, so that they are better equipped to identify possible irregularities and take appropriate follow up actions. For instance, we have implemented regular training sessions to build their competencies in this area. We will also strengthen knowledge-sharing across MINDEF, such as through procurement workshops and seminars, where past audit observations and lessons learnt are shared to reinforce best practices in procurement.
MINDEF takes these procurement irregularities seriously. When such irregularities are found, MINDEF will take all necessary follow-up actions, including recovering any overpayment and pursuing the appropriate contractual, disciplinary, or legal actions where warranted.
Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan
Funding Allocation For Student Mental Health And Well Being Programmes
Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan asked the Minister for Education (a) whether schools receive dedicated funding allocation, separate from per-capita operating grant, for student mental health and well-being programmes serving the general student population; (b) if so, what is the average quantum per student; and (c) if not, from which other budgets such programmes are funded.
Mr Desmond Lee: My response will address both PQs raised by Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan about funding for student mental health and well-being. I will answer oral Question No 35 and written Question No 39 on today’s Order Paper.
The Ministry of Education's (MOE's) approach to supporting student mental health and well-being is spread across a range of school activities and programmes. This includes manpower resourcing, curriculum support and professional training of educators and specialised personnel to create a school environment where students feel safe, connected, and supported. Efforts include regular check-ins on students’ well-being, early detection, peer support structures, and a curriculum that teaches social-emotional learning and mental health education. For example, quarterly surveys are conducted to assess how well students are coping and their support structures. We also invest in digital solutions to make the collection and analysis of such data more efficient and effective.
Beyond this, MOE resources schools with school counsellors, and facilitates access to counselling interventions, as well as targeted support in the community such as Response, Early Intervention, Assessment in Community Mental Health (REACH) and the Youth Integrated Teams. The latter two provide mental health assessment and intervention services funded by the Ministry of Health.
Overall, the ministry’s expenditure on student mental health and well-being is included in our manpower resourcing and the operating grants given to schools. As these provisions and efforts are woven into daily school life rather than delivered as standalone programmes, MOE does not track the expenditure on mental health separately. Doing so would not accurately reflect the holistic support for mental health and may create a misleading picture that underrepresents the actual level of resourcing. For this reason, MOE does not publish this as a recurring indicator.
Supporting student mental health is a whole-of-government effort. The full investment in student mental health extends beyond MOE’s budget and any assessment of the Government’s commitment should be understood in this larger context.
Mr Fadli Fawzi
Rules Governing Use Of Premium Cabin Flights For Political Office Holders And Permanent Secretaries While On Official Duty
Mr Fadli Fawzi asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (a) what are the rules governing the use of premium cabin flights for political office holders and Permanent Secretaries while on official duty; (b) when were these rules last reviewed; (c) how do these rules compare with those for senior private sector leaders; (d) whether there is a need to review these rules; and (e) if not, why not.
Mr Chan Chun Sing: Singapore relies primarily on commercial flights, rather than dedicated government aircraft, for official overseas travel. The guidelines governing the class of travel for Political Office Holders (POHs) and public officers are designed to ensure that travel arrangements are appropriate, while making responsible use of public resources. They take into account several factors including the seniority of the person travelling, the duration of the flight, as well as the purpose and requirements of the trip. The objective is to ensure that officials are able to perform their duties effectively upon arrival, and represent Singapore appropriately in their official engagements.
These guidelines are reviewed periodically and updated when necessary to keep pace with changes in travel practices and operating needs. They are also broadly consistent with prevailing practices for senior leaders in the private sector.
The Member also asked for statistics on class of travel for flights taken by POHs in the current term of Government under the written PQ 1680. Agencies individually manage air travel for their POHs and public officers, and we do not collect aggregate data on this. All ministries and agencies are expected to adhere to the established guidelines.
Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis
Cybersecurity Criteria In Procurement Process For IHLs' Learning Management Systems
Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for Education (a) whether the Government is able to share the cybersecurity criteria adopted by IHLs during the procurement process for learning management systems (LMS) developed by third party vendors; and (b) whether the Government will encourage the IHLs to reassess these criteria in light of the data breach of Instructure’s Canvas LMS in April 2026.
Mr Desmond Lee: The Ministry of Education (MOE) issues guidelines on cybersecurity standards for IHL’s IT systems, including Learning Management Systems, which IHLs are required to abide by. These include engaging only LMS vendors that hold industry recognised certifications such as ISO27001 and ISO27018 for information security management and cloud service providers, and complying with data protection obligations under the Personal Data Protection Act 2012.
MOE will continue to review and update its cybersecurity guidance to IHLs regularly, in light of evolving cybersecurity threats and lessons learnt from incidents.
Requirement For Presentation Of Physical Identity Card When Checking Into Local Hotels
Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Senior Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) what is the reason for requiring Singaporeans to present a physical NRIC card when checking into local hotels; (b) whether the Government can consider removing the need for a physical ID; and (c) if not, why not.
Mr K Shanmugam: All hotel guests, regardless of their nationality, must present a valid identity document when checking in to hotels in Singapore. This ensures that every guest can be properly identified and registered for their stay at the hotel.
In the case of Singaporeans and Permanent Residents, the Government has been moving towards full acceptance of digital NRICs for everyday transactions, including hotel check-ins, and plans to make legislative amendments to effect this.
Review And Outcome For Raising Of CPF Annual Salary Ceiling
Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Acting Minister for Manpower (a) whether the Government is reviewing the CPF annual salary ceiling; (b) if so, what is the outcome of the review; (c) if not, what factors are being considered before the annual salary ceiling is raised and whether the annual salary ceiling will be raised in tandem with the already-raised monthly salary ceiling; and (d) what is the timeline for doing so.
Ms Jasmin Lau: The Government reviews the Central Provident Fund (CPF) wage ceilings periodically. Our reviews consider factors such as the retirement needs of CPF members, resident wage growth as well as the impact of higher CPF contributions on employees and employers. This is to ensure that the broad majority of members have sufficient CPF savings for their housing, healthcare and retirement needs. Any updates may also have to be phased, in order to give employers and employees time to adjust.
Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong
Extending Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty Remission Framework To Single Singaporeans Who Purchase Second Residential Property For Owner-Occupation And Sell Their First Property Within Six Months
Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (a) whether the Government will consider extending the Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty remission framework to single Singaporeans who purchase a second residential property for owner-occupation and sell their first property within six months to align their treatment with the concessions available to married couples and seniors aged 55 and above; and (b) if not, why not.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: Similar questions were answered in this House in October 2020 and July 2023. Since then, we introduced the Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) remission for single Singaporean seniors in 2024 to better support seniors who wish to right-size their homes in retirement. The Member may wish to refer to the past replies on the rationale for not extending ABSD remission to all single Singaporeans.
Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik
Funding Allocated To Cities Of Tomorrow R&D Programme And Number Of Commercialisations Achieved
Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked the Minister for National Development (a) what is the total funding allocated to the Cities of Tomorrow R&D programme since 2017; (b) what key outcomes have resulted; and (c) how many funded projects have produced solutions that are deployed or commercialised.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: The Cities of Tomorrow (CoT) R&D programme is MND’s flagship R&D programme under the Research, Innovation and Enterprise’s (RIE) Urban Solutions and Sustainability (USS) domain. It aims to develop innovative solutions that address Singapore's urban and infrastructural challenges, and establish Singapore as a hub for urban solutions.
Since 2017, the Government has allocated about $258 million to the programme across two RIE tranches - RIE2020 and RIE2025. The programme has supported R&D across a broad range of areas, such as advanced construction, infrastructural resilience and urban planning, as well as projects at different levels of technology readiness, with some requiring longer gestation periods than others.
Of the 43 projects funded under CoT RIE2020, about 40% or 16 projects have been successfully deployed or commercialised, with more projects on the way. An example is SoftGridInc, an NTU spin-off, which developed an innovative lift monitoring solution that improves fault detection and enables proactive maintenance, halving fault response times in field trials. The solution has been deployed in the Housing and Development Board (HDB) lifts, as well as private residential and commercial lifts.
Most of the CoT RIE2025 projects are still in the early stages of R&D as they were only awarded early this year.
To further strengthen translation into deployment and commercialisation, we have set up a new translation fund in February 2026 to help local companies turn research prototypes into market-ready solutions, and started a pilot Green Lane Procurement Programme to expedite the adoption of research and innovation products by government agencies.
The Ministry of National Development (MND) will continue to work with our partners and agencies to build research and industry capabilities through the CoT R&D Programme and facilitate the translation of promising research into solutions that can be deployed or commercialised.
Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat
Affordability Of Bulky Waste Disposal Options For Private Estate Households
Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) of the average of about 4,500 cases of feedback received per year by NEA for improper disposal of bulky waste, how many are in private estates; (b) whether the Ministry has reviewed the adequacy of affordable bulky-waste disposal options for private estate households; and (c) whether NEA will pilot (i) designated disposal points or (ii) periodic free collection for private estates.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: Improper disposal of bulky waste in private estates constitutes about 45 per cent, or about 2,000 of the 4,500 cases of feedback received by the National Environment Agency (NEA).
Residents staying in private estates may contact the appointed Public Waste Collector (PWC) or a licensed General Waste Collector (GWC) for the removal of their bulky items at a fee. Bulky waste removal services are separate from public waste collection contracts as demand is sporadic and it is more equitable to charge based on usage. This is consistent with the practice in the Housing and Development Board (HDB) estates, where Town Councils separately contract appointed PWCs or GWCs to offer bulky item collection services to their residents.
NEA will continue to monitor feedback on improper bulky waste disposal and explore further measures as needed.
Land Boundary, Incentives And Distinct Value Of The JS-SEZ For Singapore Companies
Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry (Trade) (a) what is the precise land boundary of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ); (b) in view of Malaysia’s revised New Incentive Framework effective 1 March 2026, what incentives do Singapore companies investing in the JS-SEZ receive over and above this federal framework; and (c) whether the JS-SEZ retains distinct value for Singapore firms.
Mr Gan Kim Yong: The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) spans an area of 3,588 square kilometres, which includes the Iskandar Development Region and Pengerang. 1Information on the JS-SEZ's boundaries is publicly available.
Beyond Malaysia’s New Incentive Framework, Malaysia had earlier announced initiatives to support companies investing in the JS-SEZ. These include (a) the establishment of the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre Johor (IMFC-J) as a one-stop centre to facilitate investments and provide end-to-end support for companies; and (b) a suite of incentives that provides a special corporate tax rate to firms investing in qualifying manufacturing and services activities.
The Singapore Government supports Singapore companies’ internationalisation, including to the JS-SEZ, via the Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant and Enterprise Financing Scheme (EFS). We have also set up the JS-SEZ Project Office, a joint outfit of MTI, EnterpriseSG and EDB, to support Singapore companies interested in exploring opportunities in the JS-SEZ.
The JS-SEZ enables firms to adopt a twinning model that taps on the combined offerings of Singapore and Johor. For example, Agrocorp, a Singapore agri commodities and food ingredient company, expanded its downstream capabilities in plant protein extraction by establishing a new plant in Johor with its Japanese partner. The plant will use a protein extraction technology developed by Agrocorp and the Singapore Institute of Technology. Investments like these in Johor have helped our firms grow and generate value for the Singapore economy.
Note(s) to Question No(s) 111:
1 Source: Malaysian Investment Development Authority.
Written Questions
Mr Fadli Fawzi
Breakdown On First Class Flights Taken By Political Office Holders On Official Duty At Public Expense By Quantity, Duration And Cost
Mr Fadli Fawzi asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance in the current term of Government (a) what is the total number of flights in First Class taken by political office holders while on official duty and at the taxpayer’s expense; and (b) for each flight, what was the average (i) duration and (ii) cost.
Mr Chan Chun Sing: Agencies individually manage air travel for their political office holders and public officers, and we do not collect aggregate data on this. All ministries and agencies are expected to adhere to the established guidelines.
Block-Booking Of Public Tennis Courts By Singapore Tennis Association, Monitoring Of Actual Court Usage And Release Of Unutilised Bookings To Public
Mr Fadli Fawzi asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) whether the Singapore Tennis Association is allowed to block-book public tennis courts; (b) whether Sport Singapore monitors if public tennis court bookings are actually used; (c) if so, whether unutilised bookings can be released to the public for same-day booking; and (d) if not, why not.
Mr David Neo: National Sports Associations (NSAs) are given some priority for the booking of sports facilities to support development programmes, competitions, and national team training. This includes the Singapore Tennis Association’s use of tennis courts at The Kallang and ActiveSG facilities.
The Kallang Group and SportSG monitor the utilisation of these facilities. We have recently reviewed the STA’s use of public tennis facilities and have asked the Association to optimise its court bookings so that more courts can be made available to the public.
As a first step, STA is consolidating all national squad training at the Kallang Tennis Hub. It is also streamlining its training schedules to maximise court availability for public use. These measures have already enabled more courts to be released for public booking.
We will continue to monitor utilisation of sports facilities and optimise their use where possible. Our objective is to ensure that these facilities are well utilised while balancing the needs of high-performance sport, community programmes and recreational users.
Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik
Data On Special Resignation Scheme Departures, Adequacy Of Compensation Formula And Future Public Service Employment Eligibility Over Past Five Years
Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance in each of the past five years (a) how many public officers left under the Special Resignation Scheme, with a breakdown by Ministry family and statutory board; (b) whether the 2011 compensation formula has been reviewed and whether ex gratia top-ups are standard; and (c) whether recipients remain eligible for future public service employment.
Mr Chan Chun Sing (for the Prime Minister): Over the last five years, a total of 130 public officers have left the Public Service through the Special Resignation Scheme (SRS).
The Public Sevice Division regularly reviews the financial support under the SRS to align with Tripartite guidelines. Ex-gratia payments are only considered in exceptional circumstances that warrant the Service extending greater support to affected officers on a goodwill basis.
Officers who have left the Service via SRS remain eligible for future employment within the Public Service. They may be required to (partially) refund the SRS if the gap between their original departure and their re-entry to the Public Service is within a defined period.
Developing Tender Specifications For Abused Child Reunification Monitoring Technology Through Expert Consultation And International Benchmarking
Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked the Minister for Social and Family Development how the specifications for the recent tender on technology to monitor abused children reunified with their families are derived, including (i) which are the experts and stakeholders consulted and (ii) whether references are made to comparable systems deployed or trialled in other jurisdictions.
Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: As part of strengthening child safety and achieving better protection outcomes, the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) will explore if technology can be used to improve operational effectiveness. MSF published a tender via the Infocomm Media Development Authority’s Open Innovation Platform, to see if the market can provide novel solutions to the defined operational challenge. Considerations of the child’s safety and the family’s privacy are factors that the solution is expected to address.
We did not prescribe a particular technological solution to allow industry to surface alternative approaches. To the best of our knowledge, no other jurisdiction has developed any comparable solution.
Ms He Ting Ru
Factors And Relative Weightings In Recommending Candidates For Appointment As Chief Justice
Ms He Ting Ru asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance what factors are typically weighed in recommending a candidate for appointment as Chief Justice, including the relative weight given to litigation experience, judicial experience, and other forms of legal and public service.
Mr Edwin Tong Chun Fai (for the Prime Minister): The Constitution requires the Prime Minister to advise the President on the appointment of a Chief Justice, and the President, after consulting the Council of Presidential Advisers, makes an independent assessment before the appointment is made.
In assessing a candidate, a range of factors is considered. These include litigation experience, judicial experience where applicable, leadership and management capabilities, contributions to the development of the law, and other forms of legal and public service. The relative weight given to each factor depends on the individual's overall experience and suitability for the office. No single criterion is determinative.
Ultimately, the person appointed must have impeccable integrity, deep legal expertise, judicial temperament and sound judgment. The individual must also have sufficient stature to command the respect of the Bench and Bar, and the leadership ability to oversee the Judiciary, uphold public confidence in the administration of justice, and engage the legal profession and international counterparts.
This approach has served Singapore well. Successive Chief Justices have strengthened our Judiciary and maintained its reputation for independence, professionalism and excellence. The quality of our Judiciary today reflects the calibre of those who have been prepared to serve, and the care taken in making these appointments.
Establishing Frameworks For Under-18 Social Media Access And Design Feature Safeguards
Ms He Ting Ru asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information on under-18 access to social media (a) what must platforms do to retain access for children; (b) who will assess this; (c) what is the timeline before any access restrictions take effect; and (d) whether this framework will address platform design features such as autoplay, direct messaging, and infinite scroll, in addition to content based harms.
Mrs Josephine Teo: Singapore is studying a tiered access approach to social media for children, where under-13 users are restricted from accessing Designated Social Media Services (DSMSs). For users aged between 13 and 18, the DSMSs will be required to provide an age-appropriate experience, which could include appropriate content, interactions and platform features. Platforms that cannot comply with our requirements may be restricted from providing their services to users aged between 13 and 18.
Consultations with the public and DSMSs are ongoing. We will provide more details in due course.
Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim
Alternative Language And Oral Assessment Arrangements For Singaporeans Seeking Security Officer Licences
Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Senior Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs whether the Police Licensing and Regulatory Department has considered alternative arrangements for assessments for Singaporeans seeking a security officer licence, such as accepting assessments conducted in official languages other than English including via oral examinations.
Mr K Shanmugam: While on duty, security officers need to be able to communicate effectively with their interlocutors. Otherwise, there could be serious repercussions. For example, security officers will give urgent instructions if an emergency occurs. The interlocutors must be able to understand them. English is the working language in Singapore and is likely to be understood by the most number of interlocutors. If security officers communicate in any other language, the risk is that there will be more of the interlocutors who may not understand them. Training and assessments for security officers are therefore conducted in English.
Assessments for security officers are facilitative and account for varying levels of English proficiency. They are conducted using a mix of oral and written modes. The assessments have been refined over the years, including using simpler English and the addition of pictorial aids. Over the past five years, there have been very few security officers who appealed for assessments to be conducted in languages other than English. On average, the Ministry of Home Affairs receives about three such appeals out of more than 20,000 assessments conducted annually.
Security officers who need assistance in improving their English proficiency may enrol in workplace literacy courses supported by the Skills and Workforce Development Agency.
Long-Term Visit Pass Priority Processing For Post-Birth Childcare Support In Mixed-Citizen Marriages
Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Senior Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs for Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) applications for spouses in mixed-citizen marriages who are about to give birth, as well as for their own parents (a) whether priority is accorded to such applications beyond ICA's usual considerations to assess LTVP applications, to assist with providing immediate post-birth childcare; and (b) if so, whether such priority is weighed against any other considerations.
Mr K Shanmugam: The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) assesses each Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) application on its merits.
Singapore citizens with a foreign partner are strongly encouraged to use the Pre Marriage LTVP Assessment (PMLA) before they get married. That will let them know the likelihood of the foreign partner obtaining long-term stay facilities. This will give them greater transparency on whether their partner can stay in Singapore – even before marriage. Applicants who have completed the PMLA can also benefit from faster processing of six weeks or less for their LTVP application. Foreign spouses who are applying for or renewing their LTVP will also be granted LTVP+ if they qualify, which will make them eligible for healthcare subsidies and longer duration of stay.
Parents of foreign spouses can stay on a Short-Term Visit Pass and apply to extend it if they wish to stay longer to support caregiving for the child. If applicants declare specific caregiving needs or special circumstances which may warrant longer stay, ICA will take this into consideration.
There are a large number of applications for various passes, to stay in Singapore. The different needs for the stay need to be assessed.
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song
Systematic Assessment Of NSFTechnical Qualifications, Vocation Matching Rates And Extending Enhanced Expertise Deployment Scheme To NSFs
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Minister for Defence (a) whether MINDEF systematically assesses the technical qualifications or expertise of pre-enlistment Full-time National Servicemen (NSFs); (b) what percentage of NSFs are assigned to vocations leveraging their qualifications or expertise; and (c) whether the Enhanced Expertise Deployment Scheme can be extended to NSFs.
Mr Chan Chun Sing: The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) deploys servicemen primarily according to its operational requirements. Full-time National Service (FTNS) trains Full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) for the roles they will perform during full-time service and subsequently during Operationally Ready National Service (ORNS). When assigning NSFs to their initial vocations, the SAF considers relevant qualifications, aptitude and suitability, alongside its manpower needs. For example, in 2025, about half of pre-enlistees with nursing qualifications were posted as NSF Medics, while the remainder were assigned to other roles based on operational requirements and their assessed suitability.
The Enhanced Expertise Deployment Scheme (EEDS) serves a different purpose. It allows suitable Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) to be considered for redeployment when they acquire specialised civilian expertise after FTNS that meets a specific SAF need. As the scheme is intended to recognise expertise acquired after FTNS, it is not extended to NSFs.
Data On Quantity And Usage Of Active Adult Monthly Travel Pass And Senior Citizen Monthly Concession Pass And Targeted Promotion To Eligible Commuters
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Transport (a) how many active Adult Monthly Travel Passes and Senior Citizen Monthly Concession Passes are there currently; (b) how many adults and senior citizens spent more than $122 and $55 a month respectively on public transport in April 2026; and (c) whether the Ministry will systematically promote such monthly travel passes to eligible commuters to help them manage transport costs.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: In April 2026, about 23,500 Adult Monthly Travel Passes and 41,800 Senior Citizen Monthly Concession Passes were sold. In the same month, about 56,000 adults and 58,000 seniors who did not have monthly passes each spent more on public transport than what the pass would have cost them.
In 2025, the Public Transport Council (PTC) reduced the prices of monthly passes by about 5% to encourage take up. PTC and SimplyGo also reaches out to commuters across various channels, including social media and online platforms, to raise awareness of the monthly passes.
Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis
Public Healthcare Pathways For Special Educational Needs Assessment For Children, And Wait Times From Referral To Therapy And Between Therapy Sessions
Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) what is the pathway for Special Educational Needs assessment under the public healthcare system for children aged seven and above; and (b) what is the 25th percentile, median and 75th percentile wait time (i) from initial referral to formal diagnosis (ii) from formal diagnosis to the commencement of subsidised therapy sessions and (iii) between subsequent therapy sessions respectively.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: Where necessary, schools refer children to Response, Early Intervention, Assessment in Community Mental Health (REACH) teams and/or Specialist Outpatient Clinics (SOCs) at the Public Healthcare Institutions. Parents who are concerned may also seek help at SOCs.
Wait times generally range from one to four months from referral to assessment by a healthcare professional, and from two weeks to three months from assessment to therapy. Wait times between therapy sessions vary based on interventions and are not tracked.
Data On Application Rates And Outcomes For Enrolment Into Preschools Under Inclusive Support Programme
Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) for each of the past five years, what is the number of applications submitted for enrolment into preschools under the Inclusive Support Programme (InSP); and (b) what proportion of such applications was successful.
Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: The Inclusive Support Programme (InSP) pilot supports children with development needs referred by paediatricians at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital and National University Hospital. From 2021-2025, about 340 referrals were made to the Inclusive Support Programme (InSP) pilot. Two-thirds, or about 220 of these children, were enrolled.
Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong
Tracking Littering Trends In Singapore And Strengthening Enforcement Measures And Public Education On Littering
Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) whether Government data indicates that littering in Singapore has increased in recent years; (b) whether existing data is sufficient to assess trends in littering levels; and (c) what further measures are being considered to strengthen enforcement, public education, community stewardship and data collection on littering.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: The number of enforcement actions taken by the National Environment Agency (NEA) against ground littering offences has decreased in recent years, from about 18,700 in 2023 to 13,300 in 2025. NEA also uses other data points such as ground observations and public feedback to understand trends in public cleanliness and address persistent cleanliness hotspots.
NEA works with partners, such as residents, community leaders, Town Councils and schools to foster collective action and social responsibility for keeping our public spaces clean. This includes outreach by volunteers at mass events and community clean-ups led by NEA’s Clean & Green Singapore Ambassadors. The Public Hygiene Council (PHC) complements these efforts through driving the Keep Singapore Clean movement, campaign and programmes to rally the community and stakeholders to raise public hygiene and cleanliness standards.
Assessing Long-Term Environmental Awareness And Behaviour Changes From Participation In Go Green Sg 2026
Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) what metrics are used to assess whether participation in Go Green SG 2026 results in sustained changes in environmental awareness or behaviour for corporations and individuals; and (b) what findings have emerged from these assessments to date.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: Go Green SG was initiated in 2023 as an annual whole of-nation sustainability movement to rally citizens, businesses and the community to take collective action towards a more environmentally sustainable and climate resilient Singapore. The movement is led by the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment alongside partners from the Public, Private and People (3P) sectors.
We assess Go Green SG’s impact through campaign reach, number of partners and activities, as well as individual support for going green.
The fourth edition of Go Green SG this year was held in support of the Year of Climate Adaptation. Some 500 partners organised more than 1,000 activities in support of climate action. This was more than three times the number of activities and partners from the inaugural edition in 2023.
Through Go Green SG campaign surveys, more than 90% of participants also shared that they were willing to lead more sustainable lifestyles and advocate for sustainability after participating in Go Green SG. These reflect a sustained mindshare among individuals, communities and businesses towards environmental sustainability and climate resilience.
Mr Low Wu Yang Andre
Data On Recycling And Incineration Rates Of National Recycling Programme Blue Bins And Recycling Chutes From 2019 To 2025
Mr Low Wu Yang Andre asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) for each year from 2019 to 2025, what quantities by weight collected through National Recycling Programme blue bins and recycling chutes were (i) sent onward for recycling and (ii) sent for incineration after sorting; and (b) how those quantities were measured.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: Recyclables collected in blue recycling bins and chutes under the National Recycling Programme (NRP) are sent to Materials Recovery Facilities, where they are sorted. By weight, around 40% are non-recyclable items that have been incorrectly deposited, or recyclables that have been contaminated by food and liquid residues. These unsuitable materials are disposed of at our waste-to-energy plants, while the remaining items are sent onward for recycling.
From 2019 to 2025, the average tonnage of recyclables collected and sent for recycling under the NRP was approximately 37,000 tonnes per year.
Extending Workplace Protections To Students On Course Required Internships Not Covered By Employment Act And Work Injury Compensation Act
Mr Low Wu Yang Andre asked the Minister for Education in respect of students undertaking course-required internships without a contract of service and falling outside the Employment Act and Work Injury Compensation Act, whether the Government will establish minimum protections concerning working hours, rest, harassment, grievance procedures and financial protection for workplace injury.
Mr Desmond Lee: My response will address the matters raised by members in oral Question Nos 112 and 113, as well as written Question No 40 in today’s Order Paper.
Internship arrangements can be considered a contract of service or contract for service, depending on the nature of the internship. The Employment Act and Work Injury Compensation Act provide employment protections for all employees, including interns, engaged under a contract of service.
The Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) work closely with companies offering mandatory internships to provide a safe learning environment for their students. For example, IHLs set clear expectations for participating companies, including workplace safety, recommended allowance ranges, and maximum working hours. Students are also informed of appropriate channels in their IHLs to seek assistance on any concerns faced during the internship. In response to student feedback, IHLs may visit the student on-site and conduct regular check-ins to ensure his or her safety and wellbeing.
IHLs also provide insurance coverage for all students on mandatory internships. IHLs have barred companies from taking on subsequent student interns for reasons such as excessive working hours, workplace abuse, and unsafe work environments. Some IHLs already share such information with their counterparts. The Ministry of Education will continue to work closely with IHLs to safeguard the wellbeing of student interns.
Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan
Scope And Timeline Of Review On Staff Wages, Qualifications And Quality Accreditation Framework In Student Care Sector
Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan asked the Minister for Social and Family Development regarding the student care sector review announced at Budget 2026 (a) what is its scope and expected timeline; (b) whether it will examine staff wages, qualifications and turnover; and (c) whether it will consider a quality accreditation framework distinct from the existing compliance audit.
Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: The review of the student care sector by the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Social and Family Development is ongoing and more details will be shared when ready.
Data On School Programme Expenditure For Student Mental Health And Well-Being In Past Five Years
Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan asked the Minister for Education (a) what proportion of schools' programme expenditure was directed to student mental health and well-being in each of the past five years; and (b) whether the Ministry will publish this data as a recurring indicator.
Mr Desmond Lee: My response will address both PQs raised by Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan about funding for student mental health and well-being. The Ministry of Education’s (MOE's) approach to supporting student mental health and well-being is spread across a range of school activities and programmes. This includes manpower resourcing, curriculum support and professional training of educators and specialised personnel to create a school environment where students feel safe, connected, and supported. Efforts include regular check-ins on students’ well-being, early detection, peer support structures, and a curriculum that teaches social-emotional learning and mental health education. For example, quarterly surveys are conducted to assess how well students are coping and their support structures. We also invest in digital solutions to make the collection and analysis of such data more efficient and effective.
Beyond this, MOE resources schools with school counsellors, and facilitates access to counselling interventions, as well as targeted support in the community such as Response, Early Intervention, Assessment in Community Mental Health (REACH) and the Youth Integrated Teams. The latter two provide mental health assessment and intervention services funded by the Ministry of Health.
Overall, the ministry’s expenditure on student mental health and well-being is included in our manpower resourcing and the operating grants given to schools. As these provisions and efforts are woven into daily school life rather than delivered as standalone programmes, MOE does not track the expenditure on mental health separately. Doing so would not accurately reflect the holistic support for mental health and may create a misleading picture that underrepresents the actual level of resourcing. For this reason, MOE does not publish this as a recurring indicator.
Supporting student mental health is a whole-of-Government effort. The full investment in student mental health extends beyond MOE’s budget and any assessment of the Government’s commitment should be understood in this larger context.
Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat
Enrolment Rates Of Secondary Students In Southeast Asian Third Languages And Expanding Access To Mainstream Schools
Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked the Minister for Education (a) how many secondary students currently take a Southeast Asian language as a third language; (b) what share of total third-language enrolment they form; (c) whether such languages can be offered within mainstream schools rather than only at the central language centre; and (d) whether access to Southeast Asian languages such as Vietnamese, Bahasa Indonesia, and Thai will be expanded and made more accessible.
Mr Desmond Lee: Currently, Southeast Asian languages that are offered as Third Language include Bahasa Indonesia (BI) and Malay (Special Programme) [MSP].
A total of about 2,300 secondary students currently offer BI or MSP, making up 36% of third language enrolment.
Third languages are mostly offered in the Ministry of Education Language Centres, as the enrolment would be too small to form a class at the school level. On top of the third languages offered, primary and secondary schools conduct Conversational Chinese and Malay (CCM) programmes as enrichment for students. CCM and Vietnamese online learning packages are also available on the Singapore Student Learning Space for any interested student to learn at their own pace.
Redevelopment Prospects For Serangoon North Village Near Cross Island Line Station, And Role Of MRT Connectivity In Site Prioritisation
Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether HDB has assessed the four-storey mixed-use Serangoon North Village, comprising Blocks 151 to 154 on Serangoon North Avenue 1, for redevelopment given its adjacency to the future Cross Island Line station; (b) what weight new MRT connectivity and surrounding new development carry in prioritising sites for redevelopment; and (c) whether en bloc redevelopment will be considered.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: The redevelopment potential for public housing sites depends on multiple factors, including the potential for land optimisation. There are currently no plans to redevelop the blocks at Serangoon North Avenue 1, but we keep an open mind in assessing the suitability of this site and other locations.
