Written Answers to WP's Oral Questions

Mr Fadli Fawzi

Tracking And Publishing Number Of Seniors Who Die Alone In Their Homes

Mr Fadli Fawzi asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) whether the Government will start to track and publish the number of seniors who die alone in their homes, with their passing only detected days later; and (b) if not, why not. 

Mr Ong Ye Kung : Mr Speaker, my response will also address Written Question 29 raised by Dr Neo Kok Beng¹in today’s Order Paper. 

We do not track or publish data on seniors who pass away alone at home and are only detected later. 

Our focus is upstream – to reach out to as many seniors as we can and provide support to those who are vulnerable, such as referring them to Active Ageing Centres. The Silver Generation Office (SGO) under the Agency for Integrated Care conducts such outreach and identify seniors at-risk systematically. Neighbours, community groups and Grassroots organisations can also play a part, and keep a lookout for these seniors and provide support. 

The Government has also been leveraging technology to support seniors living alone. For example, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) has been progressively extending the wireless Alert Alarm System to seniors staying in public rental blocks, so that they can call for help during emergencies. The Ministry of Health (MOH) rolled out the enhanced Home Personal Care service islandwide since April 2026. Under this service, eligible seniors may opt to subscribe to a 24/7 monitoring and response system that detects falls and provide timely support. 

Note(s) to Question No(s) 36: 

¹ To ask the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health in view of the recent cases of senior singles dying in their homes undetected, whether the Ministry will consider partnering with social organisations to develop, pilot, or subsidise the use of small home robots to monitor the well-being of senior citizens staying alone. 

Strengthen Rules Governing Use Of Classified And Unclassified Government Data Given Rapid Development Of AI Technologies

Mr Fadli Fawzi asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information given the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, what updates, if any, have there been to strengthen the rules governing the use of (i) classified and (ii) unclassified government data, respectively, in AI chatbots and platforms in the Public Service. 

Mrs Josephine Teo: The Government’s risk-calibrated approach to data security in AI systems was explained in a written reply, given on 9 January 2024, to related questions asked by Dr Tan Wu Meng and Mr Gerald Giam. That overarching approach continues to apply today. We mandate technical and contractual safeguards commensurate with the classification and sensitivity of data involved; these are complemented by responsible use policies and governance processes practiced by officers. 

As AI technologies evolve, we continue to apply these same principles to new use cases, tools and capabilities. We regularly review our rules and safeguards to ensure agencies can harness AI to transform public service delivery while keeping Government data and systems secure. 

Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat

Singapore's Participation In Developing Passenger Dispersal And Transit Facilitation Channels At Johor's Elevated Autonomous Rapid Transit Network

Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked the Acting Minister for Transport (a) regarding Johor's elevated Autonomous Rapid Transit (e-ART) feeder network for passenger dispersal from Bukit Chagar Rapid Transit System (RTS) terminus, what is the Government’s strategy, including coordinating with Malaysian authorities, for dispersal of up to 10,000 RTS passengers per hour in each direction; and (b) whether Singapore will seek meaningful participation in transit-oriented development plans at e-ART stations, to promote usage of RTS and its wider transit networks. 

Mr Jeffrey Siow: The Singapore Government works with Malaysian authorities on passenger connectivity and dispersal from the RTS Link. However, specific transport modes like the Johor's elevated Autonomous Rapid Transit (e-ART) feeder network are under the purview of Malaysian authorities. In Singapore, commuters arriving at Woodlands North can transfer to our domestic transport network, including the MRT via Woodlands North station on the Thomson-East Coast Line.

Continued Frontier Ai Access For Singapore Given Us Order To Bar Foreign Access To Anthropic's Fable And Mythos Models

Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information following the US order barring foreign access to Anthropic's Fable and Mythos models (a) whether the Government assesses that Singapore needs continued frontier AI access; (b) if so, what is the Government’s strategy to secure such access against further US restrictions; and (c) if not, what alternatives will maintain sufficient capability, and what is the acceptable lag behind the frontier. 

Mrs Josephine Teo: Access to frontier models is helpful for specific use cases, such as advanced research and cybersecurity. However, these form a small proportion of AI demand. For most industry, government and research uses, capable models are already available. 

For the foreseeable future, access to frontier AI will continue to be shaped not just by commercial considerations, but also export controls and geopolitics. We should therefore be realistic and focus on making the most of the considerable capabilities that remain accessible. 

At the same time, for better resilience, we will diversify and maintain access to a range of AI models through partnerships with multiple providers. At international fora, we continue to advocate for an AI ecosystem that is open and collaborate with partners on different aspects of AI governance, including safety, security and the responsible use of AI. This will help preserve flexibility to choose amongst available options to meet Singapore’s AI needs. 

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong

Singapore's Engagements With US Trade Representative To Prevent Retaliatory Tariffs On Singapore-Produced Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry (a) what is the Ministry's assessment of the impact of the Clean Fuels Alliance America’s testimony to the US Trade Representative (USTR) on 8 May 2026 characterising Singapore's renewable fuel production as having structural excess capacity; and (b) what specific diplomatic and trade engagements is the Ministry undertaking with the USTR to prevent retaliatory tariffs on Singapore produced sustainable aviation fuel. 

Mr Gan Kim Yong: On 8 May 2026, Clean Fuel Alliance America (CFAA), a US trade association, alleged that overcapacity in the biofuels industries of Finland, Singapore and the Netherlands threatened US producers. This allegation was made at a public hearing as part of the United States Trade Representative’s (USTR) investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 into the acts, policies, and practices of 16 economies, including Singapore, relating to structural excess capacity and production in manufacturing sectors. 

Singapore’s energy and chemicals industry, including biofuels, operates in a competitive global market. Singapore does not subsidise the cost of biofuel production. Singapore’s production capacity and exports of biofuels are demand driven and producers price their products based on global commodity prices, feedstock costs, and prevailing market conditions. As a small and open economy, our manufacturing output cannot depend solely on domestic demand and would also need to serve the needs of overseas markets. 

We should not speculate on the potential impact of the CFAA’s testimony on the USTR’s investigation, which is still ongoing. Singapore has constructively engaged the USTR throughout this process and highlighted that our economic policies are carefully designed not to distort market forces. We will continue to engage the USTR on this matter as necessary. 

Policy Measures To Prevent Entities From Leveraging Singapore’s Trade Hub Status To Bypass Global Due Diligence Standards

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry in light of MTI’s submission on 15 April 2026 to the US Trade Representative indicating jurisdictional and practical limitations in monitoring the use of forced labour in production within extra-territorial supply chains, what specific policy measures are being considered to prevent entities from leveraging Singapore’s trade hub status to bypass global due diligence standards. 

Mr Gan Kim Yong: Singapore does not condone the use of forced labour. We criminalise forced labour in Singapore under various laws. Relevant government ministries and agencies, such as MOM, MHA and SPF, play their part in investigating complaints of suspected breaches in domestic laws that relate to forced labour practices. 

Singapore has also consistently played a constructive role in advancing international labour standards to address the issue of forced labour. We ratified the International Labour Organization (ILO)’s Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (C29) in October 1965. 

Forced labour in complex and multi-tiered supply chains is a transnational issue that is most effectively addressed at source, and with international cooperation. We will continue to work with the international community to develop measures against forced labour globally, and will review our regulatory approach from time to time to ensure it remains relevant in addressing this issue. 

Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik

Impact Of Reduced Primary 1 Intake On Home-School Distance Balloting At Oversubscribed Schools

Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked the Minister for Education (a) what assessment has been made on how the reduction in Primary 1 intake will affect Home School Distance balloting at oversubscribed schools; (b) whether the Ministry tracks which estates, including new BTO estates, do not have a primary school within 1km; and (c) whether the number of Phase 2C reserved places will be reviewed, given the reduced intake. 

Mr Desmond Lee: My response will address Parliamentary Question 58 raised by Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik on the reduction of Primary 1 places set down for today, as well as a related question raised by Assoc Prof Jamus Lim for a subsequent Sitting. 

The Ministry of Education (MOE) regularly reviews the provision of Primary 1 places, taking into account factors including demographic trends and upcoming housing developments. While demand varies across schools depending on parents’ preferences, MOE ensures that there are sufficient Primary 1 places for our children at both the national and regional levels.

The adjustment to the Primary 1 intake for the upcoming Primary 1 Registration Exercise reflects the smaller cohort entering Primary 1 in 2027 and in the years ahead. This is also part of MOE’s broader effort to manage the impact of falling school enrolment, minimising the need for school mergers, while maintaining a geographical spread of schools across Singapore. The adjustments help to ensure that our schools have sufficient student enrolment to offer a meaningful range of learning opportunities and programmes for their students. 

For Sengkang in particular, four of the twelve schools in Sengkang saw balloting at Phase 2C in last year’s P1 Registration Exercise. However, the other eight schools in Sengkang had more than 650 places available during Phase 2C(Supplementary). This was more than double the number of applicants who did not get a place in the four schools that balloted at Phase 2C. So we expect there to be more than sufficient P1 places in Sengkang for the upcoming P1 Registration Exercise, even though some schools will continue to see balloting at Phase 2C. 

MOE has also progressively strengthened open access within the Primary 1 Registration Framework through Phase 2C, which is open to students regardless of whether they have prior connections to the school. MOE had increased the number of reserved Phase 2C places from 0 to 20 in 2014, and from 20 to 40 in 2022. As announced earlier this year, MOE is reviewing the Primary 1 Registration Framework to further strengthen open access and to support a good social mix in our schools. We will share more details when the review is completed. 

Incidence Of IRAS Invoking Its Anti-Avoidance Powers Under Income Tax Act

Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance in each of the last five years (a) how many cases has IRAS invoked its anti-avoidance powers under the Income Tax Act; (b) how much additional tax was assessed in such cases and how much has been recovered; and (c) how many cases involved taxpayers extracting business profits as tax-exempt dividends and interest free shareholder loans. 

Mr Jeffrey Siow: From 2021 to 2025, IRAS invoked its anti-avoidance powers on 124 occasions and assessed $49 million in additional tax. Thus far, $48 million has been recovered. All but one of the cases involved taxpayers extracting profits as tax exempt dividends or interest-free shareholder loans.

Retrenchment Of Resident PMETs Aged 45 To 59 And Their Six-Month Re-Employment Rate

Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked the Minister for Manpower (a) for each of the past three years, what is the number of retrenched resident Professionals, Managers, Executives, and Technicians (PMET) aged 45 to 59 and their six-month re employment rate; and (b) what proportion of this group qualifies for the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support Scheme given that many within the group were in above the $5,000 income ceiling before retrenchment. 

Dr Tan See Leng: In 2025, around 4,200 resident PMETs aged 45 to 59 were retrenched, higher than 3,200 in 2024 and 3,500 in 2023. Their six-month re-entry rate remained stable at 48.5% in 2025, compared with 48.9% in 2024 and 50.1% in 2023. 

The SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme helps ease the immediate financial pressures of involuntarily unemployed individuals to rush into a new, potentially ill fitting job. It is therefore targeted at lower- to middle-income individuals. Around 20% of retrenched resident PMETs aged 45 to 59 were eligible in 2023 and 2024. Data for the 2025 retrenched cohort is not yet available. 

Ms He Ting Ru

Environmental Impact Assessment For Relocation Of Farmland Around Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Ms He Ting Ru asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) whether an environmental impact assessment was conducted in relation to the relocation of farmland around Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve; and (b) if so, what the findings were and when the report will be made fully public. 

Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: The Government recently announced land-use changes in Lim Chu Kang to optimise our scarce land to meet our growing and evolving needs. We are at the initial planning stage and agencies are still working out the detailed development proposals. 

Agencies will assess the potential environmental impact of the proposed development when details, such as the proposed development footprint, intensity, and scope of works, are available. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will be conducted if there is potentially significant environmental impact. If an EIA is conducted, the findings will be carefully considered in consultation with nature groups and community stakeholders, and made publicly available so the public can provide feedback. 

Strengthening Recruitment And Retention Of Male Teachers, And Effect Of Teacher Gender Diversity On Student Development 

Ms He Ting Ru asked the Minister for Education (a) what measures, if any, have been taken to strengthen the recruitment and retention of male teachers in primary schools; (b) whether the Ministry has assessed the impact of teacher gender diversity on student development and school environment; and (c) if so, whether the Ministry’s findings can be shared. 

Mr Desmond Lee: The Ministry recruits and assesses applicants based on merit and suitability for the teaching profession, regardless of gender. We look for individuals with a passion for teaching, a belief in the potential of every child, and who possess the values and character to make a positive difference in students' lives. There are no specific measures targeted at recruiting or retaining male teachers in primary schools, nor have we assessed the impact of teacher gender diversity on student development or school environment. 

What matters most is the quality of teaching and care for students, and our teachers' ability to nurture every child holistically. 

Ratio Of Male To Female Preschool Teachers And Oversight Of Preschools' Rules For Conduct Of Male Teachers

Ms He Ting Ru asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) for each of the last five years, what is the ratio of male preschool teachers to female counterparts; (b) whether the Ministry has issued guidelines on the rules set by preschool centres specific to the conduct of male preschool teachers; and (c) if so, what are these guidelines. 

Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: Male pre-school educators comprised about 1% of the Early Childhood workforce in each of the last five years. 

The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) has not issued guidelines pertaining to the rules set by pre-school centres specific to the conduct of male pre school educators. All staff, regardless of gender, must abide by ECDA’s stipulated protocols to ensure appropriate child management practices when interacting with or 

caring for infants and children in a pre-school. 

Ms Sylvia Lim

Fire Safety Standards At Coffee Shops In HDB Blocks

Ms Sylvia Lim asked the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) whether the Government assesses that the occurrence of fires at coffee shops and eating houses within HDB blocks is an area of increasing concern; and (b) how does the Singapore Civil Defence Force monitor fire safety standards at such establishments. 

Mr K Shanmugam: Under the Fire Code, food and beverage establishments, including coffee shops, are subject to a comprehensive suite of requirements to minimise fire risk. These requirements include measures to reduce the risk of a fire from cooking-related activities as well as to ensure the safety of people in the coffeeshop in the event of a fire. 

To ensure Fire Code compliance, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) also conducts enforcement checks on food and beverage establishments. These include both scheduled visits and unannounced inspections based on public feedback. These inspections complement the annual fire safety checks conducted at coffee shops by the Housing & Development Board (HDB), as well as other regulations imposed as part of HDB's licensing conditions. 

These fire safety measures and enforcement checks remain adequate. The number of fires at coffeeshops in HDB blocks has remained largely constant between 2021 and 2025, ranging from 15 to 19 cases annually. This translates to under 1% of the total fire incidents per annum. Nonetheless, SCDF will continue to monitor fire trends involving HDB coffeeshops and work with related agencies such as the HDB and NEA to take the appropriate intervention measures if required. 

Nevertheless, it is important that we remain vigilant and mitigate fire risks as best we can. We urge all stall operators to uphold good fire safety practices and do their part to keep our community safe. 

Requiring Cooked Food Stallholders To Undergo Basic Fire Safety Training Before Licensing

Ms Sylvia Lim asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment whether stallholders selling cooked food should be required to undergo basic fire safety training before being licensed. 

Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: The National Environment Agency partners with the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and the National Fire and Emergency Preparedness Council to regularly engage and educate stall operators in hawker centres, including cooked food stallholders, on how to prevent and respond to fire emergencies. 

Mr Pritam Singh

Response To Rise In Prevalence Of Preventive And Chronic Illness Cases Seen By Family Doctors And Small Clinics 

Mr Pritam Singh asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health what is the Ministry's assessment and response to the reported rise in the prevalence of preventive and chronic illness cases seen by family doctors and small clinics, and concerns about the ability of such practitioners to cope with this workload. 

Mr Ong Ye Kung : My response will also address a similar question raised by Mr Dennis Tan¹for a subsequent sitting. If the question has been satisfactorily answered, the Member may wish to withdraw the question after the sitting. 

As Singapore ages, the prevalence of chronic diseases rises. To manage this, we need to leverage our entire medical talent pool. Today, GPs attend to the great majority of acute outpatient cases, such as cough and cold, while Polyclinics shouldered close to half of the chronic disease cases. We should address this imbalance. GPs, given their strong presence in the community and relationships with patients, can contribute a lot more to population health, including preventive care and chronic disease management. 

This is one of the key objectives of Healthier SG. Having implemented the national programme for a few years, the Ministry of Health (MOH) recently included new Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP) conditions in the Healthier SG protocols, so that more chronic disease patients can benefit from the support of their GPs. As the nature of chronic disease management work is different from acute cases, GPs are remunerated through annual service fees disbursed by MOH. Last year, MOH disbursed a total of $350 million to the GP sector, for their services to population health and chronic disease management. 

GPs are not left to manage the increased workload on their own. All Healthier SG GP clinics are part of Primary Care Networks (PCN) which they can rely on support from care coordinators and implement shared services. Eligible Healthier SG GP clinics also receive IT enablement grants to defray the cost of clinic management systems. Healthier SG GP clinics may also refer their enrolled patients to Active Ageing Centres and Community Health Posts to fulfill their social prescriptions and for subsidised services such as medication management. 

MOH also encourages family doctors to complete either the Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine (GDFM) or the Master of Medicine (Family Medicine) (MMed (FM)) programmes to attain higher clinical competencies and greater confidence in managing more complex chronic conditions and coordinating care. In 2025, Family Medicine was recognised as a specialty, partly in recognition of the critical role family physicians can play in managing patients with complex chronic conditions in the community. 

Based on current trends in recruitment and attrition, we expect the healthcare workforce, including family doctors, nurses and care coordinators, to increase by 20% by 2030. MOH closely monitors the primary care caseload and regularly reviews our medium to long term manpower plans to ensure adequacy. 

Note(s) to Question No(s) 79: 

¹ To ask the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) whether there will be a projected increase in chronic disease caseloads for general practitioner (GP) CHAS clinics arising from the additional conditions covered under the Chronic Disease Management Programme; (b) if so, what increase in GPs, nurses and care coordinators headcount is projected for the next five years; and (c) how the Ministry intends to meet these manpower requirements. 

Amount Of Recovered And Reimbursed To Scam Victims Each Year Compared To Total Monies Lost

Mr Pritam Singh asked the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs what is the total amount of monies recovered and reimbursed to scam victims each year since the establishment of the Anti-Scam Command, compared to the total monies lost to scams of all variants for each year respectively. 

Mr K Shanmugam: The Member may refer to the Annual Scam and Cybercrime Brief 2025 for figures on the total amount of scam losses and the total amount recovered each year. 

The Government does not track the amount of scam proceeds returned to victims due to operational challenges. Seized proceeds could be co-mingled with other non scam-related activities, such as cases involving unlicensed moneylending proceeds, and may not be directly correlated to crime committed in that same year.

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song

SCDF's Procedures For Verifying Identity Of Patients Prior To Conveying Them To Hospitals

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) what are the standard operating procedures for Singapore Civil Defence Force emergency medical services personnel regarding identity verification of patients prior to hospital conveyance; (b) how the Ministry monitors and enforces compliance with the policy that patient care takes priority over administrative procedures; and (c) whether administrative documentation checks can be completely deferred during attendance to life-threatening medical emergencies. 

Mr K Shanmugam: Patient identification enables access to crucial information such as medical history and drug allergies, which can facilitate prompt and effective medical interventions, including in life-threatening medical emergencies. That said, in all emergencies, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) paramedics are trained to prioritise patient care and hospital conveyance, and to exercise flexibility with regard to procedural requirements. 

SCDF reinforces this through the formal certification and refresher training of its emergency medical personnel. To ensure accountability and adherence to operational standards, SCDF conducts regular audits, reviews body-worn camera footage, and investigates all feedback received. While this training is standard across all SCDF paramedics, there was a recent case in which a paramedic had informed a patient’s family member that formal identification was required before the patient could be conveyed to hospital. Following this incident, SCDF has reiterated to all paramedics that patient care and timely hospital conveyance must always take precedence over administrative procedures. 

Frequency Of Kidney Panel Screenings For Patients Who Show Rapid Decline In Renal Function

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) whether polyclinics have procedures in place to expeditiously refer diabetic patients to a nephrologist after their estimated glomerular filtration rate first falls below 60 ml/min/1.73m²; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider increasing the frequency of kidney panel screenings for patients who show a rapid decline in renal function within Stage 3. 

Mr Ong Ye Kung: A decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients with diabetes can be due to multiple reasons. Doctors will first investigate the underlying cause before determining whether the patient should be referred to a specialist. Some causes are reversible and cause transient reduction in renal function. They do not need a referral for specialist review once these causes are corrected. Where clinically indicated, clinical practice guidelines and protocols guide doctors to make urgent referrals to a specialist. 

The frequency of kidney panel screenings is dependent on an individual patient's medical profile and rate of decline in renal function. Patients at higher risk of deterioration or complications are monitored more closely. 

Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan

Proportion Of Students From Lowest Household Income Tier Progressing To University

Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan asked the Minister for Education (a) for each cohort over the past decade, what proportion of students from the lowest household income tier progressed to university studies compared to the overall cohort; and (b) whether the progression rate differs by ethnicity within the same income tier. 

Mr Desmond Lee: Among those who entered primary school in 2008, 23% of students from the lowest 20% by socio-economic status (SES) – which takes into account parents’ education level and housing type – had progressed to publicly-funded full-time degree programmes by the age of 24 (in 2025). This is compared to the progression rate of 15% from a decade ago for the same SES tier. 

Similarly, progression for the overall cohort had increased to 42%, compared to 28% from a decade ago. 

The improvement in progression to publicly-funded full-time degree programmes by the age of 24 is seen across all ethnicities for all SES. 

The figures do not include students who pursue non-publicly funded university programmes, part-time degree programmes and those who worked for some time, and progressed to publicly-funded programmes after the age of 24. Besides attending university, there are also other upgrading pathways. 

The Ministry of Education (MOE) will continue to help students from different backgrounds access opportunities. This includes providing financial support for students from lower income households so that financial barriers do not impede their educational aspirations and progression, and working with other agencies to expand mentoring opportunities to support students to navigate transitions through education and work more confidently. 

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis

Timeline For Installation Of Bus Stops And Lifts At Overhead Bridges, And Launch Of Feeder Bus Services At Punggol East, Rivervale Estate And Sengkang East Drive

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Acting Minister for Transport (a) what is the timeline for the construction of the additional pair of bus stops at the Punggol East flyover and the installation of lifts at the overhead bridge; and (b) whether additional feeder bus services can be deployed in the Rivervale estate and from Sengkang East Drive to enhance connectivity to the new bus stops along the TPE. 

Mr Jeffrey Siow: As earlier announced, the new bus stops, overhead bridges and lifts along Tampines Expressway (TPE) will be completed between 2030 and 2032. Once works are completed, more residents in the northern parts of Rivervale estate will be within a 10-minute walk from a bus stop along the TPE. Residents can also take Service 86 to Jalan Kayu Flyover, to make a same- stop transfer to bus services plying the TPE. There are no plans at the moment for additional feeder bus services to the new bus stops, but we will continue to review the situation over time.

Written Questions

Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik

Duration Of Assignment Posting For Unplaced Public Officers And Interim Arrangements Post-Secondment In 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 were not placed in a confirmed substantive posting upon returning from secondment; (b) for these officers, what was the average time taken to confirm a substantive posting; and (c) whether they continued to receive full pay and benefits during the interim period. 

Mr Chan Chun Sing: Secondments help to build up the range of competencies and work experiences of public officers to strengthen their longer-term employment relevance and resilience. The Public Service Division’s (PSD’s) guideline to agencies is to support public officers even while they are on secondment. This includes scheduling regular check-ins with the officer and jointly planning for their return to the parent agency or further secondment opportunities to another agency. This is to facilitate a smooth transition into their next jobs after secondment. In some instances, some officers may adjust their secondment period or choose to have a break until their preferred job opportunity is available – these options are available to the officer. The officer receives full pay and benefits if he or she is working. Pay and benefits will be suspended if the officer is on a break between jobs. The Public Service does not centrally track the specific data that is being requested. 

Rationale For Route Change Of Bus Service 965 To Ply Compassvale Drive, Sengkang East Road And Sengkang East Way, And Maintaining Connectivity For Sengkang Compassvale Walk Residents

Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked the Acting Minister for Transport in respect of the route amendment of Bus Service 965 from 24 May 2026 (a) what is the rationale for retaining the detour via Compassvale Drive, Sengkang East Road and Sengkang East Way instead of routing directly along Compassvale Road; and (b) how will connectivity for Sengkang–Compassvale Walk residents be maintained. 

Mr Jeffrey Siow: The amended route for Service 965 was designed to bring residents closer to amenities near Sengkang town centre, including schools, Sengkang General Hospital, and the Sengkang Community Hub, compared to the alternative of routing through Compassvale Road.

Compassvale Walk residents can use Service 27, which serves Compassvale Road, to travel to Buangkok or to make a same-stop transfer to Service 965 to travel to Woodlands. Alternatively, residents can also walk to the bus stop along Sengkang East Way to reach Service 965, which is less than five minutes away from the bus stop near Block 240 Compassvale Walk which the service used to call at. 

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong

Projected Domestic And Regional Demand For Renewable Diesel And Sustainable Aviation Fuel Produced In Singapore Against Projected Regional Refining Capacity

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry (a) what is the projected domestic and regional demand for renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel produced in Singapore; and (b) how does this demand match up against the projected regional refining capacity of 6.8 million tons by 2027 cited 

during the recent US Trade Representative Section 301 hearings on practices of certain economies on structural excess capacity. 

Mr Gan Kim Yong: The Government does not make projections of domestic or regional demand for renewable diesel or sustainable aviation fuel. Demand depends on commercial considerations, evolving market conditions, and regulatory developments across different jurisdictions. Similarly, investments in production capacity are determined by the private sector based on commercial decisions.

The figure referred to by the Member was cited by an external stakeholder during the public hearing for the United States Trade Representative’s Section 301 investigation into structural excess capacity and production in manufacturing sectors. It is not a Government estimate or projection. 

Number Of Care Coordinators Employed Per Primary Care Network To Meet Singapore’s Ageing Population Needs And Future Recruitment Plans

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health in respect of the Primary Care Network scheme (PCN) (a) how many care coordinators are currently employed nationally; (b) what is the current ratio of care coordinators per PCN; (c) how does this compare to the stabilised ratio needed for our ageing population; and (d) whether the Ministry is recruiting more care coordinators for the PCN. 

Mr Ong Ye Kung: The Ministry of Health (MOH) provides funding support for Primary Care Network schemes (PCNs) referencing manpower ratios in public healthcare settings. As private entities, PCNs in turn calibrate their own resourcing based on service demand and each network's needs. On average, PCNs have employed care coordinators based on a ratio of one care coordinator to approximately 3,400 Healthier SG enrolled residents with chronic conditions, comparable to polyclinics. 

Ms Sylvia Lim

Follow-Up Actions On Online Scams Soliciting Payment For Fictitious Items At Unconnected Addresses And Protecting Address Holders From Suspicion And Liability

Ms Sylvia Lim asked the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) what follow-up actions are taken by the Police in response to reports of online scams soliciting payment for fictitious items to be collected at addresses of unconnected parties; and (b) what safeguards exist to ensure that persons whose addresses are misused as collection points are not exposed to suspicion or liability. 

Mr K Shanmugam: When a Police report has been made, the Police will investigate to determine if a criminal offence has been committed. If there is reasonable suspicion that a case is scam-related, the Police can direct online service providers to restrict Singapore users’ access to the relevant online activity under the Online Criminal Harms Act. 

The use of an address in such cases does not mean that the owner or occupier is presumed to be involved. The Police will assess the facts and circumstances of each case to determine if an offence was committed and conduct the required investigation to ascertain whether an individual is culpable for the offence. 

Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat

Extending SAF Driver Training And Civilian Licensing To National Servicemen, Annual Civilian Licence Uptake And Converting SAF Driving Qualifications To Civilian Licences

Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked the Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Minister for Defence (a) whether the Ministry will extend driver training and civilian licensing to national servicemen in vocations with periods of low operational activity; (b) how many national servicemen obtain civilian driving licences through NS annually; and (c) whether those who pass the SAF driving test may convert their qualification on the same probationary terms as new civilian drivers, in place of the mileage requirement. 

Mr Chan Chun Sing: The priority of our National Servicemen must be their military duties and operational training, to meet the Singapore Armed Forces’s (SAF’s) operational requirements. 

SAF Transport Operators undergo extensive and rigorous driving training to ensure proficiency in handling a wide range of military vehicles across varied terrains and operating conditions. Given the different requirements and operating environments compared to general motoring on public roads, a set of conversion criteria for civilian driving licence is necessary. This includes fulfilling the requisite driving mileage and safety standards, and possessing good disciplinary records. 

Over the past three years, approximately 85% of Full-Time National Serviceman Transport Operators have attained their civilian driving licences. 

Applicability Of HSA Expedited And Abridged Registration Routes To NMPA-Approved Medicines Not Approved By Reference Agencies And Recognising NMPA As Reference Agency

Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) whether the Health Sciences Authority's (HSA) expedited and abridged registration routes apply to medicines approved by China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) and not by any of HSA's six drug regulatory reference agencies; (b) given that those agencies were justified as receiving first-wave filings, how will HSA ensure timely access to innovative therapies approved in China; and (c) whether NMPA will be assessed for recognition as a reference agency.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) welcomes drug producers to choose Singapore as part of their first wave filings. As long as a pharmaceutical product is approved by at least one regulatory agency, such as China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), it would also qualify for the abridged route. Life saving innovative therapies that address critical public health needs in Singapore, such as cancer or infectious diseases, will also qualify for priority review by HSA. Regardless of where the drug is developed, we would apply the same rigor in our evaluation. 

Specifically on NMPA, HSA has been deepening our engagement, including signing a renewed Memorandum of Understanding in May 2026, to explore facilitative regulatory pathways and pilot innovative initiatives to bring safe and effective products to patients more quickly. 

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song

Annual Patient Enrolment In HALT-CKD Programme And Success Rate For Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate Levels

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) since the inception of the Holistic Approach in Lowering and Tracking Chronic Kidney Disease (HALT-CKD) programme, what has been the annual number of patients who have been enrolled; and (b) of these patients, what percentage have successfully maintained or improved their estimated glomerular filtration rate levels after two years of enrolment compared to their baseline at entry. 

Mr Ong Ye Kung: The Holistic Approach to Lowering and Tracking Chronic Kidney Disease (HALT-CKD) programme enrolled over 165,000 patients since its launch in 2017. The care model has been integrated into routine care for eligible patients since April 2026. 

More than half of the patients enrolled from 2017 to 2019 maintained or improved their estimated glomerular filtration rates over a five-year period. 

Data On Intestate Deaths Among Singapore Citizens And Permanent Residents Over Past Five Years And AI Tools Integration To Improve Will-Writing Services Accessibility

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Law (a) whether the Ministry has data on the number of Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents who have died intestate in each of the last five years and if so, what is the number; and (b) whether the Ministry plans to integrate artificial intelligence tools to enhance the accessibility of will writing services. 

Mr Edwin Tong Chun Fai: The Ministry does not track the number of Singapore citizens and permanent residents who pass away intestate. 

We encourage members of the public to make a will. Doing so provides greater assurance that their affairs will be taken care of in accordance with their wishes after their passing. A person who is at least 21 years old and of sound mind may write his or her own will, or engage a third party, to assist with its preparation. 

There are artificial intelligence (AI) tools today that might be used to assist in preparing a will. However, the public must exercise care in making their wills, whether using AI or not, and should seek professional legal advice.

The Government has taken steps to make information on wills and probate more accessible. For example, we recently launched a Will Learning Tool on MyLegacy@LifeSG to help members of the public better understand the considerations in making a will before seeking legal advice. The tool generates a Will Preparation Template that can be used as a reference for legacy planning, which we hope will encourage more to go on to make wills. To be clear, this should be used as an education tool, and it is not a substitute for legal advice. 

We will continue to improve legacy planning resources, including information on the responsible use of AI in will-making, to ensure that they remain relevant and useful, and encourage the making of wills. 

Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan

Breakdown Of Student Care Centres (SCCS) Operating In Singapore By Operator Type And Registered As Student Care Fee Assistance Administrators

Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) how many Student Care Centres (SCCs) currently operate in Singapore, broken down by school-based and community-based SCCs; (b) what proportion of SCCs are registered as Student Care Fee Assistance administrators; and (c) within each category, what is the breakdown of SCCs by type of operator. 

Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: My response to this Parliamentary Question (PQ) will cover related questions raised by Member Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan regarding Student Care Centres (SCCs), which are scheduled for today and subsequent sittings. 

As of June 2026, there were 330 SCCs registered with the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) as administrators of the Student Care Fee Assistance (SCFA) scheme. 55% were school-based and the remaining 45% were community-based. All school-based SCCs are registered with MSF. Community-based centres are only required to register with MSF if they wish to administer the SCFA. MSF does not track the total number of community-based SCCs that are not registered as SCFA administrators.

In the past five years, the median monthly fee of SCCs that administer the SCFA remained stable at $290. The majority charged between $220 and $450. Around 15% of students enrolled in MSF-registered SCCs received SCFA. We will increase the monthly household income threshold for SCFA from $4,500 to $6,500 on 1 Jan 2027, which will benefit more students. 

MSF sets minimum requirements for SCFA administrators to ensure the safety and well-being of children. The audits for SCFA administrators ensure compliance with stipulated standards to ensure the safety and well-being of children as well as the proper administration of SCFA. It is not meant to be an accreditation of the SCC’s service quality. 

The Ministry of Education (MOE) regularly engages school-based SCCs on their programmes. School-based SCCs are required to provide weekly outdoor programmes and enrichment activities to develop values, social-emotional competencies and 21st century competencies in students. Beyond the requirement of a structured daily programme, community-based SCFA administrators have the flexibility to offer programmes and additional enrichment activities that meet the needs of their students. 

MSF does not track staff salaries and turnover of SCCs in general, nor those that administer SCFA. As part of the ongoing review of the student care sector announced at Budget 2026, the Government will study if further measures are needed to better meet the caregiving needs of families with primary school-aged children. 

Breakdown Of Workplace Discrimination Trends By Race, Sector And Occupation Type Over Past Decade In Light Of Rima Report And 2023 Fair Employment Practices Survey Findings

Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan asked the Minister for Manpower in view of the findings of return deficit in a recent Centre for Research on Islamic and Malay Affairs (RIMA) report and a finding in the 2023 Fair Employment Practices survey that race was the second most common basis of workplace discrimination, what is the breakdown, over the past decade, of race-based workplace discrimination by (i) race and (ii) sector and occupation type, including PMET and non-PMET roles. 

Dr Tan See Leng: Between 2016 to 2025, the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) received 163 race-based workplace discrimination complaints. This made up about 5% of all workplace discrimination complaints that were lodged with TAFEP within the same period. 

The top three sectors with race-based complaints were Administrative and Support Service Activities, Wholesale and Retail Trade, and Education. 

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis

Median And Average Numbers Of Students With SEN And SEN Officers In Primary And Secondary Schools

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for Education for each of the past five years, what are the respective median and average numbers of students with special educational needs (SEN), and of SEN officers, in (i) primary and (ii) secondary schools. 

Mr Desmond Lee: As shared in Parliament in March 2026, the proportion of students with special educational needs (SEN) in mainstream schools has remained stable, at around 7% of the overall student population. This stability is observed across both primary and secondary schools. 

However, beyond numbers, we also consider the complexity of cases and the range of needs of students with SEN. To better support schools and students with SEN, the number of SEN Officers in mainstream schools has increased significantly, from around 450 in 2017 to around 820 as at December 2025. 

Beyond SEN Officers, all teachers in mainstream schools are trained in basic support strategies. All schools also have Teachers Trained in Special Needs to share best practices and strengthen teacher capability. 

Data On Requests For And Approval Rates Of Examination And Non-Examination Access Arrangements In Classrooms Made By SEN Students In Mainstream Schools In Past Five Years 

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for Education (a) for each of the past five years, what is the number of requests for examination and non-examination access arrangements in classrooms made by students with special educational needs in mainstream schools; (b) of these, what proportion of such requests is successful; and (c) whether a standardised framework exists for assessing such access arrangement requests. 

Mr Desmond Lee: For national examinations, the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board approves Access Arrangements (AA) to help students with physical or learning disabilities demonstrate their knowledge and skills without compromising assessment objectives. 

In the last five years, a total of about 6,000 to 7,000 AA applications were submitted for the PSLE, GCE ‘N’, ‘O’ and ‘A’ level examinations each year, of which 99% were approved. 

All AA applications for national examinations are submitted through the schools and require supporting documents, such as medical documents from qualified professionals. When evaluating these applications, the primary considerations are the student’s diagnosed conditions, and the school's understanding of how the student typically learns and functions in the classroom. 

The Ministry of Education (MOE) does not track the number of AA applications for school-based assessments. Schools decide on these applications based on their understanding of students’ educational needs and the nature of the assessment. 

For accommodations in non-assessment context, such as the use of assistive devices in learning or the modification of activities during Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs), they are determined at the school level and are not referred to as AA. MOE does not track these accommodations. 

Ms He Ting Ru

Educator Attrition And Vacancy Replacement Rates In Mainstream Schools Over Past Five Years

Ms He Ting Ru asked the Minister for Education for each of the last five years (a) how many educators in mainstream schools left their positions; and (b) how many of the resulting vacancies were filled by replacement educators. 

Mr Desmond Lee: Over the past five years, an average of 750 teachers resigned from the Education Service annually, representing a resignation rate of around 2%. At the school level, all the resulting vacancies were filled with newly posted or recruited teachers, as well as teachers who left the service but continued to serve in an adjunct capacity as they prefer a more flexible working arrangement. 

The Ministry of Education (MOE) closely monitors resignation and retirement trends and has increased teacher recruitment since 2025 to prepare for more retirements as the teaching workforce ages, in line with national workforce trends. 

Mr Fadli Fawzi

Strengthening Support For Korban Operators To Prevent Disruptions To Korban Rituals

Mr Fadli Fawzi asked the Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs (a) how will MUIS strengthen efforts to support korban operators in obtaining the necessary export permits in future years to prevent disruptions to the korban ritual; and (b) what lessons were learnt from the disruptions to this year’s korban ritual. 

Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim: The Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) has reviewed the recent incident of disruption to korban caused by The Meat Brothers’ inability to fulfil its commitments with industry partners and the Singapore Food Agency (SFA). It will implement three measures to strengthen the current operating model and better support local korban operators. 

First, MUIS will strengthen the oversight of local korban operators’ operational readiness, particularly for new operators. MUIS will also work more closely with korban operators to ensure necessary regulatory approvals are attained in a timely manner, and to monitor crucial milestones for korban operations. 

Second, MUIS will introduce stronger contractual and operational requirements for korban operators, such as clearer service standards, contingency plans, and obligations, to rectify any shortfalls should they become unable to fulfil the korban operations. This will strengthen overall accountability and operational resilience, as well as ensure that korban participants are better informed and protected. 

Third, MUIS will start preparations for local korban earlier. Currently, mosques and vendors providing korban services are engaged two to three months before Hari Raya Haji. MUIS will increase the lead time to six to eight months, to provide additional runway for regulatory approvals and operational planning.

MUIS will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the above measures and make further adjustments as necessary. The Government is fully committed to working closely with all stakeholders, to ensure that local korban arrangements continue to meet the needs of the Muslim community. 

Reliance On Malay/Muslim Community Institutions For Social Mobility Of Younger Malays From Lower Socioeconomic Backgrounds

Mr Fadli Fawzi asked the Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs (a) to what extent does the Government rely primarily on Malay/Muslim community institutions to develop social capital and social networks to facilitate greater social mobility for younger Malays from lower socio-economic backgrounds; and (b) whether the Government will commission a study about the effectiveness of relying primarily on Malay/Muslim community institutions for this purpose. 

Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim: The Government does not rely only on Malay or Muslim community institutions to facilitate greater social mobility for younger Malays from lower socio-economic backgrounds. National programmes form the foundation of our support, with community and corporate partners playing an important complementary role. 

The Government has put in place initiatives to support children and youth from lower-income families. For example, under ComLink+, the Government recruits volunteer befrienders from different walks of life, who may mentor the youth. ComLink+ family coaches also link children to programmes run by community partners where they interact with staff and volunteers from diverse backgrounds. These interactions help ComLink+ families build social capital.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) provides financial assistance for students who need help to cope with education-related costs. The Government has also enhanced the Tertiary Tuition Fee Subsidy scheme by revising the income eligibility criteria to help more Malay students, particularly those from lower-income households, pursue tertiary education. 

To prepare our youths for the transition to work, the National Youth Council is also working with the respective Self-Help Groups to help youths develop skills and networks, including through job tasters, mentoring, and youth leadership programmes. NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute also collaborates with M3+ partners, such as community leaders and unions, to route Malay/Muslim jobseekers to its career coaching and job matching services. 

The Government will continue to work with our partners to strengthen the social capital of our youths, including our Malay/Muslim youths, to enable them to tap these social networks to maximise their chances of success. 

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