Written Answers to WP's Oral Questions
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song
Impact Of 12.5% Tariff On Singapore's Economy And Measures Taken To Pursue Exemption
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry (Trade) regarding the United States’ 12.5% Section 301 forced labour tariff (a) how many direct engagements has the Minister had with the US Trade Representative since investigations were initiated in March 2026 and when were these engagements; (b) what evidence verifying local labour compliance has Singapore provided; and (c) what mechanisms are being pursued to secure an exemption from this tariff for Singapore.
Mr Gan Kim Yong: The USTR has concluded its Section 301 investigation into imports associated with forced labour. It has imposed tariffs ranging from 10% to 12.5% on all 60 economies covered by the investigation. The tariff level depends on whether an economy has introduced a prohibition on imports produced with forced labour, or has committed to doing so through an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) with the US.
The USTR has imposed a 12.5% tariff rate on imports from Singapore because we do not have a law prohibiting the importation of goods produced with forced labour, nor an ART committing us to introduce one. Importantly, none of the 60 economies, including those that already have such prohibitions in force, received a full exemption from the tariff.
About one-third of Singapore’s domestic exports to the US, worth about S$9.5 billion annually, are exposed to this 12.5% tariff. This is about 3% of our total domestic exports globally. In addition to optical instruments and chemical products, the other products in Singapore that are affected by the 12.5% tariff include offshore drilling and production platforms, and precious metals. Overall, the additional 2.5%, compared to the earlier 10% tariff imposed under Section 122, is equivalent to an estimated 0.7 percentage point increase in Singapore's overall effective tariff rate.
Throughout this investigation, Singapore has engaged the USTR actively at both the political and official levels, including during DPM/Minister (Trade)’s visit to Washington DC last month. We also submitted written comments to the USTR and participated in bilateral government consultations.
In these engagements, we made clear that there is no evidence that Singapore is involved in the trade of goods associated with forced labour, based on data from the US Department of Labour and Customs and Border Protection. We emphasised that our policies do not burden US commerce, as reflected in the longstanding and
substantial trade surplus the US continues to enjoy with Singapore. We also explained that Singapore does not condone forced labour and maintains a comprehensive enforcement framework against such practices.
Some Members asked what Singapore can do to negotiate a lower tariff with the US. We will continue engaging the USTR constructively. But we also have to consider carefully what steps, if any, Singapore should take in response.
Singapore is a major trading hub with goods and services trade amounting to around S$2.5 trillion each year, of which S$1.4 trillion is in goods. Any import prohibition would have significant implications. Businesses could face substantial compliance costs arising from supply-chain due diligence, documentation, and investigations, particularly where production takes place outside Singapore and beyond our jurisdiction. Such measures could also affect our broader trade relationship with other partners. As the Singapore Business Federation noted in its 24 July 2026 statement, any new regulatory requirements should be carefully studied in consultation with industry. We will continue these discussions through the Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce (SERT).
In addition, we have to consider carefully what would be involved in an ART with the US. Based on the agreements that the US has concluded with other economies, such arrangements may involve commitments beyond an import prohibition, including export controls or restrictions relating to third countries. These wider implications have to be assessed carefully before Singapore decides on any course of action.
Our immediate priority is to help businesses and workers adjust. We are closely monitoring a range of economic indicators, including sectoral economic performance and labour market metrics, as well as firms’ outlook and expectations. We are also actively engaging businesses and the labour movement so that we can detect early signs of difficulties faced by businesses and workers if they arise. So far, the impact of the US’ Section 301 tariff on our economy has been muted.
Nonetheless, the Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce has been working closely with our tripartite and industry partners to monitor the impact of the US tariffs and help businesses adapt. In October 2025, we launched the Business Adaptation Grant (BizAdapt) to support eligible enterprises in redesigning their business operations and strengthening supply chain resilience. At this year’s Budget, we also announced higher grant support levels for schemes such as the Market Readiness Assistance grant to help firms diversify and grow in overseas markets.
Improving Intervals Between Public Bus Arrivals During Weekday School Dismissal Hours
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Transport (a) whether the Land Transport Authority will review public bus service standards to include specific maximum scheduled intervals during weekday school dismissal hours; and (b) whether intervals for Bus Service 228 between 1.15 pm and 2.15 pm can be reduced from the current 12 to 13 minutes to match morning and evening peak hour levels.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: Bus service intervals, including during weekday school dismissal hours, are determined based on ridership, resources and commuter feedback. This allows us to serve commuters based on actual travel patterns. We will continue to monitor the ridership and capacity on Service 228 between 1.15pm and 2.15pm and adjust the frequency of the service if required.
Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong
Developing Corporate Due Diligence Framework To Align Singapore-Registered Firms With Eu’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive
Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry (Trade) whether the Government will consider introducing a mandatory Corporate Due Diligence framework to align Singapore-registered firms with the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive on fostering sustainable and responsible corporate behaviour to maintain our competitive edge as a transparent global trade hub.
Mr Gan Kim Yong: We have no plans to introduce a corporate due diligence framework like the EU’s CSDDD at the moment. We will continue to study other regimes and review our regulatory approach from time to time to ensure it remains robust and relevant while balancing the obligations on our companies.
We have already introduced in phases reporting requirements for sustainability which are aligned with the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) standards for listed and large non-listed companies. We also help companies build capabilities they need to adapt to evolving sustainability-related requirements in overseas markets through Enterprise Singapore's Enterprise Sustainability Programme (ESP) and Enterprise Development Grant (EDG).
Refund Failure Complaints From Beverage Container Return Scheme
Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment since the Beverage Container Return Scheme's launch (a) how many complaints have been received regarding refund failures; (b) what is the average resolution time for such complaints; and (c) whether automated refund crediting can be considered.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: The response to this question also addresses a related Parliamentary Question on failed deposit refund transactions filed by Mr Alex Yeo for the Sitting on or after 9 September.
In the first five months of the Return Right Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS), 95% of the 3.5 million transactions at the Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) were refunded on the spot.
For the remaining transactions, the scheme operator, BCRS Ltd., has committed to refunding the deposits within 30 days upon receiving the information required to process the claim. The time is needed to establish the validity of the claim and reconcile transaction records while guarding against fraudulent refund requests. As the scheme was launched only a few months ago, more time had been taken on a handful of cases, even as BCRS Ltd. actively improves their workflow.
BCRS Ltd. is required to ensure that refunds are made for all valid transactions. The National Environment Agency (NEA) is closely monitoring the rates of failed transactions at the RVMs and the refunds made by BCRS Ltd.. We will track BCRS Ltd.’s detailed performance metrics as the scheme’s operations stabilise.
Ms He Ting Ru
Schools’ Sexuality Education Curriculum's Approach To Gender-Based Violence
Ms He Ting Ru asked the Minister for Education (a) how the Ministry ensures the Sexuality Education curriculum's approach to gender-based violence remains relevant and effective; and (b) whether any review or update of the curriculum is planned.
Mr Desmond Lee: Through the Character and Citizenship Education curriculum and Sexuality Education lessons, students learn the importance of respect, privacy and safety, and that any form of abuse and harassment is unacceptable. They also learn to guard against and report abuse and violence, including gender-based ones.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) regularly reviews its curriculum and gathers feedback from stakeholders to ensure its relevance and effectiveness. The resources are also regularly updated to address emerging issues and risks. For example, students learn how to respond appropriately to new form of online harms, such as image-based sexual abuse and technology-facilitated gender-based violence.
Assessing And Mitigating Environmental, Heritage And Community Impacts Of Reclamation For New Western Island And Southern Islands Projects
Ms He Ting Ru asked the Minister for National Development regarding the reclamation plans for a new Western Island and further works at Pulau Tekong announced at the 2026 National Day Rally (a) what environmental impact assessments will be conducted before these projects proceed; (b) what is the Government's current assessment of the likely environmental and climatological impact; and (c) what mitigation measures are planned, in particular for corals.
Ms He Ting Ru asked the Minister for National Development regarding the planned Western Islands land reclamation (a) how Government agencies are engaging with former residents of the islands; and (b) how heritage and community considerations arising from the islands' history prior to resettlement in the 1980s will be factored into the land use and design plans for the reclaimed area.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: My reply will also cover the questions from Ms Lee Hui Ying, Mr Fadli Fawzi, Mr Jackson Lam, Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song, Dr Hamid Razak, Ms Cassandra Lee, Mr Cai Yinzhou, Mr Vikram Nair, and Miss Rachel Ong for subsequent sittings.
The Government is studying plans for a new western island to meet strategic national needs, including in security, energy and industry. A project of this scale is complex and technically challenging. Details such as the reclamation profile, land use plans, construction methods, and timeline for the new western island have not been determined.
The Government recognises that the existing islands and surrounding waters are an important part of our natural biodiversity, and hold historical and cultural significance for former island communities, including the Orang Pulau and Orang Laut. We have been and will continue to engage stakeholders early, including nature groups, domain experts and descendants of former island communities and community representatives.
As part of the planning process, the Government will also conduct technical studies to inform development plans, including the reclamation profile. These include feasibility studies, site investigations and surveys, as well as engineering and environmental studies, to better understand development possibilities and their preliminary impact on areas like geology, hydrology and biodiversity.
As part of environmental studies for the new western island, agencies will coordinate closely to comprehensively manage the cumulative environmental impact of projects in close proximity. When ready, the environmental study report will be made available for public feedback, and we will carefully consider inputs from stakeholders before finalising the plans.
As with any development decision, the Government will need to consider many factors, such as ecological and heritage impact, as well as the needs of current and future generations, before making a final decision.
Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan
Trends And Follow-Up Actions From Schools' Quarterly Student Well-Being Surveys
Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan asked the Minister for Education (a) what specific indicators comprise the suite of mental health indicators that the Ministry tracks across the school system; and (b) based on these indicators, whether the results of the quarterly student well-being surveys show that student well-being have improved, worsened or remained unchanged since the surveys began, at (i) primary (ii) secondary and (iii) pre-university levels respectively.
Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan asked the Minister for Education regarding students flagged as requiring support by the quarterly well-being surveys (a) what proportion of students were flagged in each of the past five years and at which school levels were these the highest; (b) whether schools are required to follow a standard follow-up protocol; and (c) who is accountable for these follow-ups.
Mr Desmond Lee: I will answer oral Question No. 2914 and 2967, and also written Question No. 2007 on today’s Order Paper.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) introduced online check-in sessions in 2020 to better support student well-being across primary, secondary and pre-university levels during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, MOE has provided schools with age appropriate resources comprising student check-in surveys and activities, conducted every school term. The survey responses enable teachers to better understand their students’ well-being, and to provide appropriate support. This could be in the form of a conversation with the Form Teacher or further intervention when more serious concerns are raised.
The survey questions are designed by MOE. A small number of questions are adapted from established instruments, but the survey is not a clinical diagnostic or screening tool. As the surveys cover a range of items, the proportion of students flagged through them should not be interpreted as overall well-being levels or prevalence of mental-health concerns. It is therefore also not a measure of whether student well-being has improved or worsened over time. School-level results are available to MOE and are considered alongside other indicators in informing MOE’s support for schools.
At the system level, MOE monitors youth well-being trends through a range of indicators, including local research studies, such as the Youth Epidemiology and Resilience (YEAR) Study and the Institute of Mental Health's National Mental Health and Well-being Survey.
Mr Fadli Fawzi
Employment Outcomes And Further Help For Fresh Graduates Who Have Completed GRIT Programmes
Mr Fadli Fawzi asked the Acting Minister for Manpower (a) why have more than half of the fresh graduates who completed the GRaduate Industry Traineeship (GRIT) programme not found employment; (b) why have only 20% of GRIT completers secured employment at their host companies; and (c) what actions are being taken to help unemployed trainees who have completed the GRIT programme secure employment.
Ms Jasmin Lau: The GRIT and GRIT@Gov programmes were designed to improve the employability of graduates who needed more help to find a permanent job, amidst uncertain hiring sentiments in 2025. As of July 2026, close to 600 trainees have been onboarded onto GRIT and GRIT@Gov.
As the labour market remains resilient, many applicants have found full-time employment or pursued other opportunities before taking up traineeship offers. As a result, the number of unique applications for GRIT and GRIT@Gov has fallen by 85 per cent from the initial surge at the October 2025 launch.
About half of the 280 trainees who had completed their traineeships by end-July 2026 have secured employment. Among them, about 4 in 10 were employed by their host companies. We do not have data on a further breakdown between permanent employment and other types of employment.
The employment figures cited are an early snapshot, as many trainees had completed their traineeships only recently, while others had yet to complete their traineeships. Job search takes time, and we expect employment outcomes to improve in the coming months.
For trainees who have not yet secured employment following the end of their traineeships, SWDA will continue to reach out and provide personalised support, including career coaching and job matching.
Feedback from trainees on their GRIT experience has been positive. Over 95 per cent of trainees found their assigned tasks relevant to their role, and 98 per cent reported having sufficient supervision, reflecting the programme's emphasis on structured and meaningful work exposure. Trainees also rated their overall well-being favourably. Host companies have also responded positively, with over 8 in 10 indicating they were likely or very likely to participate in GRIT again.
GRIT is part of a broader suite of measures to support fresh graduates. We will continue to monitor traineeship quality and outcomes and look at how best we can support fresh graduates to find full-time employment. We will also continue to provide updates on programme outcomes at relevant junctures.
Expansion Of Jalan Besar Stadium Seating Capacity To Reduce Ticket Scalping
Mr Fadli Fawzi asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth whether the Government will consider expanding the seating capacity of Jalan Besar Stadium, including through the installation of a permanent stand along King George's Avenue, so as to reduce the ticket scarcity that enables scalping.
Mr David Neo: SportSG and Football Association of Singapore (FAS) are in the final stages of implementing plans to expand the seating capacity of Jalan Besar Stadium. We will share more details soon.
Mr Low Wu Yang Andre
Employment Outcomes And Further Help For Fresh Graduates Who Have Completed GRIT Programmes
Mr Low Wu Yang Andre asked the Acting Minister for Manpower for each of the GRIT and GRIT@Gov programmes, among trainees who completed their traineeships by 31 July 2026 and have since found employment (a) how many have entered full-time permanent employment; (b) what is their median time to employment; and (c) whether programme-specific outcomes will be published regularly.
Ms Jasmin Lau: The GRIT and GRIT@Gov programmes were designed to improve the employability of graduates who needed more help to find a permanent job, amidst uncertain hiring sentiments in 2025. As of July 2026, close to 600 trainees have been onboarded onto GRIT and GRIT@Gov.
As the labour market remains resilient, many applicants have found full-time employment or pursued other opportunities before taking up traineeship offers. As a result, the number of unique applications for GRIT and GRIT@Gov has fallen by 85 per cent from the initial surge at the October 2025 launch.
About half of the 280 trainees who had completed their traineeships by end-July 2026 have secured employment. Among them, about 4 in 10 were employed by their host companies. We do not have data on a further breakdown between permanent employment and other types of employment.
The employment figures cited are an early snapshot, as many trainees had completed their traineeships only recently, while others had yet to complete their traineeships. Job search takes time, and we expect employment outcomes to improve in the coming months.
For trainees who have not yet secured employment following the end of their traineeships, SWDA will continue to reach out and provide personalised support, including career coaching and job matching.
Feedback from trainees on their GRIT experience has been positive. Over 95 per cent of trainees found their assigned tasks relevant to their role, and 98 per cent reported having sufficient supervision, reflecting the programme's emphasis on structured and meaningful work exposure. Trainees also rated their overall well-being favourably. Host companies have also responded positively, with over 8 in 10 indicating they were likely or very likely to participate in GRIT again.
GRIT is part of a broader suite of measures to support fresh graduates. We will continue to monitor traineeship quality and outcomes and look at how best we can support fresh graduates to find full-time employment. We will also continue to provide updates on programme outcomes at relevant junctures.
Assessing And Mitigating Environmental, Heritage And Community Impacts Of Reclamation For New Western Island And Southern Islands Projects
Mr Low Wu Yang Andre asked the Minister for National Development regarding the proposed western island development (a) which islands and surrounding waters are being considered; (b) what ecological baseline and alternatives studies will inform site selection; and (c) whether the Government will publish these studies, consult the public, and identify habitats to be avoided or protected before reclamation decisions are made.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: My reply will also cover the questions from Ms Lee Hui Ying, Mr Fadli Fawzi, Mr Jackson Lam, Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song, Dr Hamid Razak, Ms Cassandra Lee, Mr Cai Yinzhou, Mr Vikram Nair, and Miss Rachel Ong for subsequent sittings.
The Government is studying plans for a new western island to meet strategic national needs, including in security, energy and industry. A project of this scale is complex and technically challenging. Details such as the reclamation profile, land use plans, construction methods, and timeline for the new western island have not been determined.
The Government recognises that the existing islands and surrounding waters are an important part of our natural biodiversity, and hold historical and cultural significance for former island communities, including the Orang Pulau and Orang Laut. We have been and will continue to engage stakeholders early, including nature groups, domain experts and descendants of former island communities and community representatives.
As part of the planning process, the Government will also conduct technical studies to inform development plans, including the reclamation profile. These include feasibility studies, site investigations and surveys, as well as engineering and environmental studies, to better understand development possibilities and their preliminary impact on areas like geology, hydrology and biodiversity.
As part of environmental studies for the new western island, agencies will coordinate closely to comprehensively manage the cumulative environmental impact of projects in close proximity. When ready, the environmental study report will be made available for public feedback, and we will carefully consider inputs from stakeholders before finalising the plans.
As with any development decision, the Government will need to consider many factors, such as ecological and heritage impact, as well as the needs of current and future generations, before making a final decision.
Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat
Progressive Wage Model Sectors Where Basic Wage Schedules Have Exceeded $2,600 Threshold
Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked the Acting Minister for Manpower (a) which Progressive Wage Model sectors have basic wage schedules that now exceed the threshold of $2,600 in Part 4 of the Employment Act; (b) how many employees have moved outside the coverage of Part 4 as a result; and (c) whether the threshold is reviewed when a wage schedule is set.
Ms Jasmin Lau: Part 4 of the Employment Act provides additional protections to non-workmen who earn a basic monthly salary of $2,600 or below, and to workmen who earn a basic monthly salary of $4,500 or below. These protections include overtime pay and limits on daily working hours.
Currently, the only Progressive Wage Model (PWM) sector where all job rungs are out of Part 4 coverage is the outsourced security sector. Since January 2024, outsourced PWM security officers covered under the PWM are no longer within the scope of Part 4. This was a deliberate decision by the Security Tripartite Cluster to set wages above the threshold, so that outsourced security officers can enjoy sustainable wage growth without needing to work overtime to earn more. The PWM wage schedules for all sectors can be found on MOM’s website.
For all other PWM sectors, whether a worker falls under Part 4 depends on both their actual job responsibilities and whether their salary is below the relevant threshold. Because of this, MOM does not have data on the precise number of workers who have moved out of Part 4 coverage as a result of PWM wage increases.
Part 4 and PWM serve complementary but distinct purposes. Part 4 protects lower-income workers who may have less bargaining power, by ensuring they have overtime pay and caps on working hours per day. The PWM, on the other hand, sets a minimum floor for wages in specific sectors, ensuring workers receive a guaranteed level of pay regardless of overtime hours. Where PWM workers’ wages remain below the Part 4 thresholds, they continue to benefit from both sets of protection.
Both the Part 4 thresholds and PWM wage schedules are reviewed regularly by MOM and tripartite partners. The Tripartite Workgroup on the Employment Act Review is currently reviewing Part 4 to ensure that these protections remain relevant and continue to support workers who need them the most. We will announce the outcome in due course.
Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik
Recourse For Cat Owners Who Missed Deadline To Apply For Cat Licences Due To Pet Animal Licensing System Downtime
Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked the Minister for National Development (a) given the recent Pet Animal Licensing System maintenance downtime, whether cat owners who are affected by the system downtime and unable to apply for a cat licence will face enforcement action after the 31 August 2026 deadline; (b) whether the free licensing period will be extended; and (c) how many pet cats have been licensed under the cat licensing scheme to date.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: Under the Cat Management Framework, cat owners were given a two-year transition period, from 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2026, to license their cats free of charge. During this period, the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) supported cat owners through islandwide free microchipping drives, and through the Pet Cat Sterilisation Support (PCSS) programme, which provides free sterilisation and microchipping for lower-income households. By the end of the transition period, more than 129,000 cats had been licensed.
The Pet Animal Licensing System underwent a 30-minute scheduled maintenance on 19 August 2026 for the deployment of a waiting room function, in anticipation of higher licence applications towards the end of the transition period. On 25 August 2026, the system experienced downtime for one hour and 45 minutes due to a Microsoft service power outage that affected systems across Southeast Asia. As these downtimes were limited and did not materially affect the overall licensing process, it is not necessary to extend the transition period and the free licensing arrangement further.
From 1 September 2026, keeping an unlicensed cat is an offence under the Animals and Birds Act, punishable by a fine of up to $5,000. Cat owners who have not yet licensed their cats should do so promptly. Those who require financial assistance with sterilisation and microchipping may apply to AVS for support under the PCSS programme.
Immediate And Long-Term Support For Child Victims Of Sexual Abuse
Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked the Minister for Social and Family Development in cases where children have suffered prolonged sexual abuse (a) what immediate and long-term support, including mental health care, is provided to child victims; (b) what assistance is given to affected families and caregivers, especially where parents are absent; and (c) how the Ministry ensures continuity of care as these children grow older.
Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: For cases occurring within the domestic setting, the Ministry of Social and Family Development works with the Police, healthcare professionals and Child Protection Case Management agencies to ensure the child's immediate safety. We assess the child’s and family’s needs and, where necessary, put in place and monitor appropriate interventions, including trauma-informed support for the child and assistance for caregivers. Where parents are absent or unable to care for the child, we will also assess the caregiving arrangements and support needed.
For cases outside the domestic setting, the Police may, with the victim’s consent, activate its Victim Care Officers to provide psychological first aid and direct the child and family to appropriate professional or community services. While the Police can encourage them to take up such support, the Police cannot require them to do so.
In both situations, the nature and duration of therapeutic support depend on the child’s evolving needs. Longer-term support may be provided where difficulties persist. The child and family can also return to appropriate services if concerns arise later.
Ms Sylvia Lim
Revisions To Environmental Study On Long Island Development In Light Of Feedback From Scientists And Nature Groups
Ms Sylvia Lim asked the Minister for National Development (a) what aspects, if any, of the Draft Final Report entitled “Environmental Study for Proposed Long Island Development” released on 30 June 2026 will be revised in the light of feedback from scientists and nature groups; and (b) whether the Government will provide consultation periods of longer than four weeks for future projects.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: We value the feedback from nature groups, researchers, stakeholders and members of the public to the Draft Final Report of the Environmental Study for Preparatory Works for ‘Long Island’. The views and suggestions will be taken into consideration in the Final Report.
The Final Report of the Environmental Study for Preparatory Works for ‘Long Island’ is the first stage of the environmental studies for ‘Long Island’, and the second stage of the environmental studies is ongoing. We will continue to engage stakeholders and the wider public in developing the plans for ‘Long Island’.
Written Questions
Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat
Review Of Tax Incentive Framework On Investments In Precious Metals And Growing Singapore's Physical Metal Vaulting Industry
Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (a) whether the removal of the 5% cap on physical investment precious metals under tax incentive schemes for funds applies to metal vaulted outside Singapore; (b) whether palladium qualifies as investment precious metals and, if not, why not; (c) what criteria determine whether an investment precious metals fund is bona fide; and (d) what role increasing Singapore-based metal vaulting plays in these policies.
Mr Gan Kim Yong (for the Prime Minister): The removal of the 5% cap on physical Investment Precious Metals (IPMs) from fund tax incentive schemes provides Singapore-based fund managers and investors with greater flexibility to invest and diversify into IPMs. This will help bring more gold trading activity to Singapore and contribute to the growth of Singapore's gold trading and vaulting ecosystem, even though the 5% cap removal applies regardless of where the IPMs are vaulted.
Fund managers or distributors that offer funds (which may include IPM investments) to retail investors must be regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. They are expected to have sound investment, risk management and distribution processes when managing or marketing these funds.
The fund schemes use the existing Goods and Services Tax definition of IPM, which covers investment-grade precious metals that are akin to financial assets. Palladium is not included as its market is primarily driven by industrial demand.
Rationale And Cost Evaluation For Bundling Soft Services Into Integrated Facilities Management Contracts And Nominated Subcontractor Model
Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked the Minister for National Development (a) what the policy basis is for incorporating soft facilities management services into Integrated Facilities Management contracts, and whether any cost or service-quality evaluation supports it; (b) whether there is information on (i) what proportion of such services is now bundled (ii) how many suppliers have moved from prime to subcontractor as a result; and (c) whether a nominated subcontractor model can be applied.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) promotes Integrated Facilities Management (IFM) to enhance productivity and uplift the FM industry. Building owners are not required to incorporate soft FM services into IFM contracts. Depending on their operational needs, they may choose to bundle these services within IFM contracts, nominate subcontractors, or contract directly with specialist service providers. Since 2020, around 90% of public sector IFM tenders include soft FM services.
Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis
New Hedge Fund Investment Programme Framework, Eligibility Criteria, Tax Exemption Interaction And Selection Safeguards
Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (a) what (i) are the gaps in the local investment ecosystem the new Hedge Fund Investment Programme is designed to fill and (ii) is the proposed eligibility criteria, including whether participating firms must hire a minimum number of local investment professionals; (b) how eligibility criteria for the Programme and the new tax-exemption interact; and (c) what safeguards will govern MAS's selection criteria.
Mr Gan Kim Yong (for the Prime Minister): The Hedge Fund Investment Programme (HFIP) aims to attract hedge fund managers to establish or deepen their presence in Singapore. The hedge fund sector is a growing segment of Singapore’s asset management industry, which has grown at a compound annual growth rate of 7.5% over the past five years to almost S$7 trillion in assets under management.
Hedge funds add to the depth and diversity of our financial sector, and contribute to investment and trading activities through their transactions with other financial intermediaries. Hedge funds create demand for a range of ancillary services such as prime brokerage, risk management, legal, compliance, technology, and operations, and along with that, good jobs in these areas.
In selecting managers under the HFIP, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) will consider developmental commitment factors such as the nature and scale of their activities to be conducted from Singapore, and their plans to build future investment capabilities in Singapore, including their talent development efforts. MAS will also assess their investment strategies and performance track record. MAS will monitor the progress of appointed managers in fulfilling their developmental commitments and review the investment performance of their funds, to ensure that the programme continues to meet both its developmental and investment objectives.
MAS is currently engaging industry stakeholders on the HFIP, and will announce further details when ready.
Impact Of China's Offshore Trust Taxation On Singapore's Trust Industry And Common Reporting Standard Exchanges With China
Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (a) what is the MAS's assessment of the impact of China's new tax rules for offshore trusts on Singapore's financial industry and trust industry; and (b) whether Common Reporting Standard (CRS) exchanges with China are confined to financial account information or also capture underlying real estate and immovable property holdings.
Mr Gan Kim Yong (for the Prime Minister): My response will cover the question raised by Mr Saktiandi Supaat and Mr Louis Chua in today’s Order Paper, as well as the question filed by Mr Yip Hon Weng for 10 September’s Sitting.
Key banks in the wealth management industry have told the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) that they have not observed significant impact from China’s tax rules thus far, and clients are assessing the implications of China’s new measures and the steps needed to meet their tax obligations.
Wealth owners choose Singapore for many key reasons, including our high standards of regulation, strong rule of law, and comprehensive ecosystem of wealth managers and professional service providers. These wealth owners also come from a
diverse range of jurisdictions. Singapore’s wealth and broader asset management sector continues to see strong growth, with assets under management rising by 10.1% year on year to S$6.7 trillion in 2025.
We make continual efforts to strengthen the value proposition and competitiveness of our financial sector. To better support the family office ecosystem, MAS has recently enhanced the fund tax schemes to provide greater flexibility, reduce compliance costs, and expand the types of investments eligible under these schemes.
Earlier in the year, we also shared that MAS and the industry were working to make account opening more efficient, and the industry aims to bring the median time needed for account opening down to within one month.
To the question about the Common Reporting Standard (CRS), it has been implemented by over 100 jurisdictions worldwide, including major financial centres. The CRS applies to financial account information, and not real estate and immovable property holdings.
Comparative Assessment Of Singapore's Proposed Tax Regime Against Hong Kong's Tax Break Bill
Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (a) whether MAS has assessed Singapore's proposed profit-related returns exemption against Hong Kong's Bill gazetted in June 2026 to expand tax breaks; (b) if so (i) how does the scope and tax treatment differ (ii) whether Singapore's regime will be broader or narrower and (iii) what is the projected impact of the Bill on fund manager relocation and assets under management in Singapore.
Mr Gan Kim Yong (for the Prime Minister): The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) closely monitors developments across major financial centres, assesses their implications and implements the necessary measures to enhance Singapore’s competitiveness. The key principle and feature of Singapore’s proposed tax exemption have been communicated in MAS’ announcement on 19 August 2026, and the full details will be announced at Budget 2027. MAS is currently engaging widely with the asset management industry to provide clarifications and hear further feedback.
Asset managers’ decisions on where to locate and grow their activities are shaped by a range of considerations, including tax treatment, access to talent, market opportunities, regulatory regime, and the operating environment. In recent years, the asset management sector has grown strongly as more fund managers have expanded and set up in Singapore.
This tax exemption, along with the other measures MAS announced on 19 August 2026, will further strengthen the competitiveness of Singapore’s asset management industry, so that it can continue to grow well and provide good jobs for Singaporeans.
CaseTrust Accreditation Coverage Across Sectors And Prepayment Safeguards For Wedding, Bridal And Photography Sector
Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) (a) to the Government’s knowledge (i) how many businesses are currently CaseTrust-accredited (ii) what proportion this represents of businesses in each covered sector and (iii) whether any wedding, bridal and photography business has ever been eligible for CaseTrust accreditation; and (b) what prepayment protections currently apply to the wedding, bridal and photography sector.
Dr Tan See Leng: As of 31 July 2026, there are 909 accredited entities across the various CaseTrust accreditation schemes. The Government does not have the data on the proportion of businesses with CaseTrust accreditation for each covered sector.
CaseTrust is a voluntary accreditation scheme to recognise businesses that commit to fair trading standards, including transparent pricing, pre-payment protection, proper documentation of contracts and robust dispute resolution processes. Businesses that are willing to commit to these fair-trading standards, are welcome to apply to CASE for eligibility of CaseTrust.
There are currently no CaseTrust accredited wedding, bridal and photography businesses. The Consumers Association of Singapore will continue to engage industry to encourage adoption of the accreditation scheme and to raise consumer awareness of the benefits of choosing accredited businesses, particularly for transactions involving significant prepayments.
Assessment Of Rental Rates For Co-Living Accommodation Pilot Under Sg Youth Plan And Data On Income Distribution Of Age-Eligible Singaporean Beneficiaries
Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) whether the Ministry had assessed the reasonableness of the monthly rental rates for the discounted co-living accommodation pilot launched under the SG Youth Plan; and (b) what is the (i) 25th percentile (ii) median and (iii) 75th percentile of incomes earned by Singaporeans within the age eligibility criteria for the co-living units.
Mr David Neo: The pilot is an initiative from private sector providers, and meant precisely to glean lessons on youths’ needs, preferences, cost, and other design considerations for flexible accommodation options.
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song
Review Of Statutory Penalties And Additional Deterrence Measures For Major Sexual Offences Against Children And Young Persons
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Senior Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) whether statutory penalties for major sexual offences against children and young persons, such as rape, penetrative sexual assault and outrage of modesty, will be reviewed in view of recent increases in reported cases; and (b) whether the Ministry has evaluated pharmacological anti-androgen treatments and a sex offender register as additional measures to increase deterrence and reduce recidivism.
Mr K Shanmugam: The Government takes a serious view of sexual crimes and imposes stiff penalties, in particular when the victims are minors. Rape, or penetrative sexual assault, involving a minor under the age of 14 without consent is punishable with a mandatory imprisonment term of not less than eight years and up to 20 years, with minimum 12 strokes of the cane. Outrage of modesty against a minor under the age of 14 is punishable with up to five years’ imprisonment, fine and caning. If the minor was hurt or restrained during the commission of the offence, there will be a mandatory minimum imprisonment term of three years, which may extend up to 10 years, and mandatory caning. These are heavy penalties, which send a strong signal to deter such offences.
Over the years, we have introduced several legislative amendments. These include introducing a new offence of exploitative sexual penetration of minors between 16 and below 18 in 2019, increasing the maximum imprisonment term for outrage of modesty in 2021, and more recently, commencing the Sentence for Enhanced Public Protection (SEPP) on 31 July 2026.
The SEPP deals with offenders who have committed serious violent or sexual offences, including rape and sexual penetration of minors, and who pose a substantial risk of reoffending. Under the SEPP regime, an offender will be detained for a minimum term of between five and 20 years, as determined by the court. An updated risk assessment will be conducted by a psychiatrist, and the offender will only be released if the Minister for Home Affairs assesses him or her to no longer pose a threat to the public.
We remain open to considering measures including pharmacological anti androgen treatments, also known as chemical castrations, if it is clear that such measures are effective in bringing down crime rates. So far, the evidence is not conclusive on that.
The Member also asked about introducing a sex offender register. Today, the Police maintains a non-public record of persons convicted of serious offences, including sexual offences. The Police share these records with selected agencies, including the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and the Ministry of Education (MOE), when screening individuals applying to roles involving sustained contact with children and young persons. This approach balances the need to safeguard our children and the rehabilitation and reintegration efforts of ex-offenders.
To further strengthen safeguards for children, the Government has been considering the possible expansion of the scope of screening to cover more types of roles involving contact with children and young persons, including whether to introduce voluntary screening for unregulated sectors. We will share more details when ready.
Release Of Investigation Reports Into Cybersecurity Incidents Affecting Aspire 2A And A*Star Exanet Network And Data Recovery Measures Taken
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) (a) whether full investigation reports on the recent cybersecurity incidents affecting National Supercomputing Centre Singapore's ASPIRE 2A and A*STAR's Exanet network will be publicly released; (b) what specific recovery, validation and hardening measures were taken; and (c) whether any data was exfiltrated and, if so, what data was compromised.
Dr Tan See Leng: Following the cybersecurity incidents affecting the National Supercomputing Centre Singapore (NSCC)'s ASPIRE 2A system on 22 May 2026 and A*STAR's Exanet network on 24 July 2026, the affected systems were promptly isolated, and investigations were immediately conducted to establish the nature, extent and impact of the incidents.
External forensic specialists were also engaged to investigate and establish the root cause in each case. Detailed investigations found no evidence of data compromise or exfiltration in either incident. The detailed investigation reports will not be publicly
released, as doing so could provide information useful to malicious actors. The affected ASPIRE 2A system and computing devices in the Exanet network were rebuilt, scanned for any residual elements of the attack, inspected and cleared for use before being returned to service. Additional security measures, including tighter enforcement of access controls and enhancement of endpoint protection, were immediately implemented to strengthen safeguards against unauthorised access. NSCC and A*STAR conduct regular reviews of their cybersecurity protocols to ensure these remain robust and current, and have accelerated their cybersecurity initiatives which had commenced prior to the incidents, such as enhancing cybersecurity threat simulation through more sophisticated red-teaming. Lessons learnt from these incidents have also been applied across our research infrastructure.
Ms He Ting Ru
Non-Public Criminal Record System For Serious Offences And Utilisation Of System In Screening Persons For Positions Of Trust Involving Children
Ms He Ting Ru asked the Senior Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) when SPF began maintaining a non-public record of persons convicted of serious offences under the Registration of Criminals Act; (b) how many active records relate to sex offenders; (c) how many individuals have been screened out of positions of trust involving children annually since the record's inception; and (d) how many times MOE has approached MHA to screen individuals with this record.
Mr K Shanmugam: The statutory basis for maintaining a record of persons convicted of registrable offences can be traced to the commencement of the Registration of Criminals Ordinance 1931. The Ordinance has been reviewed over the years, and is known today as the Registration of Criminals Act 1949.
Police share relevant criminal records with Government agencies, including the Ministry of Education, if they need to conduct pre-employment screening for positions of trust that involve access to children. The final employment decision is made by the respective Government agency.
Police do not actively track the number of records that relate to sexual offences, nor the number of times that they have been approached for such screening requests.
Data On Cambodian Sand Import In Past Five Years, And Framework For Responsible Sourcing And Sand Extraction In Source Countries
Ms He Ting Ru asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether sand obtained from Cambodia is being used in any current or upcoming land reclamation projects; and (b) whether commercial entities procuring sand for such projects are required to adhere to a responsible sourcing framework that evaluates social and environmental impact at the point of extraction.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: Sand used for current and upcoming land reclamation projects is sourced on a commercial basis and from countries where it is legally permissible to do so. We expect sand exporters to comply with the laws and regulations of the source countries. Singapore imports sand from a diverse range of countries to ensure resilience in our sand supply.
Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong
New Measures To Discourage Smoking While Walking On Public Walkways To Minimise Second-Hand Smoke In Shared Public Transit Routes
Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment whether NEA will consider new measures to discourage smoking while walking along public walkways, such as designated smoking points or public education campaigns focused on second-hand smoke on the move, to minimise the impact on non-smoking pedestrians and enhance the air quality of shared public transit routes.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: Smoking is currently prohibited in more than 49,000 public places in order to reduce the public’s exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke. These places include covered or underground pedestrian walkways and common areas of residential buildings. Enforcement will be taken against offenders caught smoking while in these areas. The National Environment Agency will also continue to undertake public education on smoking restrictions and encourage community-led designated smoking points where appropriate.
Support For Flat Owners With Rain-Damaged Main Doors And Grille Gates In Common Corridors With Inadequate Rain Protection
Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for National Development where owners have already installed HDB-approved rain screens or where applications to install rain screens have not been approved by HDB, whether HDB will consider assisting flat owners with the cost of replacing main doors and grille gates that undergo premature deterioration due to rainwater exposure along insufficiently protected common corridors.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: When the Housing and Development Board (HDB) receives feedback from residents that the rainwater splashing is severe, HDB will offer to provide a rain screen near their front door if fire requirements can be met. The installation is fully funded by HDB.
The replacement of doors and grille gates will be paid for by homeowners, if they choose to replace these items.
Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik
Comparison Of Monthly Operating Costs For Stallholders In NEA-Managed And Socially-Conscious Enterprise Hawker Centres
Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment what is the average monthly cost incurred by a cooked food stallholder in (i) an NEA-managed hawker centre and (ii) a Socially-conscious Enterprise Hawker Centre, including stall rental and mandatory ancillary charges such as Service and Conservancy Charges, table-cleaning, centralised dishwashing, electronic point-of-sale and other service fees.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: In 2025, the median monthly cooked food stall rent at Socially-conscious Enterprise Hawker Centres (SEHCs) was $1,700, compared with $1,450, for non-subsidised stalls at comparable non-SEHCs.
The median monthly Service and Conservancy Charges (S&CC) for cooked food stalls was about $400 at SEHCs, compared with $200 at comparable non-SEHCs. The median monthly table-cleaning fees was about $650 at SEHCs, compared with about $520 at comparable non-SEHCs.
These figures should be considered in the context of the different operating models, stall sizes, services and amenities provided at different hawker centres. For example, SEHCs generally have larger stall sizes and may provide additional amenities and services for stallholders. These factors can affect both rental and operating charges and mean that individual cost components are not directly comparable across hawker centres.
Data On Retail Space Occupancy Trends And Vacancy Rates In Past 10 Years
Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked the Minister for National Development for each of the past 10 years and by URA Planning Area, what is the number and proportion of retail units that have remained vacant for (i) more than six months and (ii) more than 12 months, respectively.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: It is more meaningful to measure retail vacancies by floor area rather than by number of units, as retail units can vary considerably in size. Retail vacancies are also measured on an aggregated basis rather than on a unit-basis, as the size and configuration of retail units can change over time.
The vacancy rates of retail properties in the Central Region and Outside Central Region over the past 10 years, as a proportion of floor area, are shown in the table below:
Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim
Expanding Reverse Vending Machine Accessibility Near Coffeeshops And Supermarkets For Convenient Container Returns
Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment whether there are plans under the Beverage Container Recycling Scheme to locate a Reverse Vending Machine in the vicinity of every coffeeshop or supermarket to simplify the return of containers at these high-usage locations.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: The response to this question also addresses a related Parliamentary Question on the location of reverse vending machines (RVMs) filed by Ms Valerie Lee for the Sitting on 10 September 2026.
Under the Return Right Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS), RVMs have been deployed in publicly accessible locations with high footfall such as large supermarkets and hawker centres, as well as in the Housing and Development Board (HDB) estates. This allows over 90% of HDB residents to be within a five-minute walk of a machine.
The objective is to make access to RVMs convenient across the community while managing costs and logistical needs. Although there are currently no plans to place RVMs at every location where beverages are consumed, including coffeeshops and school canteens, we will continue to monitor the volume and pattern of return activities.
Cash Withdrawal Restrictions On Lease Buyback Scheme Proceeds Despite Meeting Basic Retirement Sum
Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for National Development why an individual who undertakes the Lease Buyback Scheme before age 65 and has already met the Basic Retirement Sum may be required to use additional proceeds for CPF retirement payouts rather than being permitted to withdraw the amount in cash.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: The eligibility age for the Lease Buyback Scheme (LBS) is 65. The Housing and Development Board may make exceptions for those with extenuating circumstances to take up the LBS at a younger age.
Proceeds from the LBS are first used to top up owners' Central Provident Fund (CPF) Retirement Account, before balance proceeds can be withdrawn in cash. The required CPF top-up may vary depending on individual circumstances, to balance between enhancing retirement adequacy and allowing proceeds to be kept as cash.
Aligning Classification Of Research Scholarship Payments For Phd Programmes For Purposes Of Housing Grant Assessment And Income Tax Framework
Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for National Development in calculating income for the purposes of HDB CPF Housing Grants, why are research scholarship payments for PhD programmes in the autonomous universities treated as income even though IRAS does not regard such payments as taxable income.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: The Housing and Development Board (HDB) assesses a household’s eligibility for housing subsidy and loans based on the household’s income from trade- or employment-related activities. HDB considers stipends for PhD programmes as income when assessing eligibility for HDB housing grants and loans, as they typically involve work done or services rendered during the programme. The stipend is also provided continuously over several years, similar to employment income.
Provision Of Prorated Paid Sick Leave For Employees Serving Probation Period
Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Acting Minister for Manpower whether the Ministry has considered providing for prorated paid sick leave for employees who are still serving their probation period.
Ms Jasmin Lau: Under the Employment Act, an employee’s sick leave entitlement depends on their length of service, rather than their probation period. Employees are entitled to paid outpatient sick leave and hospitalisation leave once they have served their employer for at least 3 months. From 3 months onwards, the employee’s entitlement scales with their duration of service. After 6 months of service, the employee will get their full paid annual sick leave entitlement.
This approach reflects our tripartite consensus that entitlements should be commensurate with the employment relationship as it develops, and is consistent with how other employment benefits such as annual leave are structured.
Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan
Evaluating Third Language Grades In Edusave Awards, School Promotion And Post-Secondary Admissions Aggregates, And Tracking Its Aggregate Impact On Students
Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan asked the Minister for Education (a) whether third language grades count towards Edusave academic award eligibility, school promotion decisions, and post-secondary admission aggregates; (b) whether the Ministry tracks how often third language grades lower rather than improve a student's aggregate; and (c) whether making a pass or fail grading option available to students has been considered.
Mr Desmond Lee: Third Language grades are taken into account with other examinable subjects when determining students’ in-school progression and eligibility for Edusave academic awards. For post-secondary admissions, the Third Language grade is only counted in the computation of a student’s aggregate score if it is among the student’s best-performing subjects. It will therefore not worsen a student’s admission aggregate. The Ministry of Education (MOE) does not track how often Third Language grades are used in aggregate computation.
MOE offers non-examinable language programmes for interest and enrichment, such as Conversational Chinese and Malay, and the Modular Foreign Languages Programme (French and German).
Breakdown Of Withdrawal Rates Of Third Language Students For Past Five Years By Year Of Study And Language, And Commonly Cited Reasons
Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan asked the Minister for Education for Third Language students, in the past five years (a) what is the withdrawal rate by (i) year of study and (ii) language; and (b) what are the top five most commonly cited reasons for withdrawal.
Mr Desmond Lee: The total number of students studying a third language at secondary and pre-university level has grown over the years, rising from around 6,300 in 2023 to around 7,000 students in 2026. For each secondary 1 cohort, about 30% of Third Language students would complete the course and sit for the GCE O-Level examination.
Common reasons cited by students for withdrawing from Third Languages include difficulty coping with the additional subject alongside other subjects and Co Curricular Activities in school, scheduling conflicts with other commitments, and loss of interest.
Data On Scope, Design And Reporting Framework Of Quarterly Student Well-Being Surveys Across Different School Levels
Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan asked the Minister for Education regarding quarterly student well-being surveys (a) in which year were they introduced; (b) whether they are administered in all primary and secondary schools and pre-university institutions; (c) which published or validated instruments are the questions based on; (d) whether teachers or students complete them; and (e) whether school-level results are shared with the Ministry.
Mr Desmond Lee: I will answer oral Question No. 2914 and 2967, and also written Question No. 2007 on today’s Order Paper.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) introduced online check-in sessions in 2020 to better support student well-being across primary, secondary and pre-university levels during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, MOE has provided schools with age appropriate resources comprising student check-in surveys and activities, conducted every school term. The survey responses enable teachers to better understand their students’ well-being, and to provide appropriate support. This could be in the form of a conversation with the Form Teacher or further intervention when more serious concerns are raised.
The survey questions are designed by MOE. A small number of questions are adapted from established instruments, but the survey is not a clinical diagnostic or screening tool. As the surveys cover a range of items, the proportion of students flagged through them should not be interpreted as overall well-being levels or prevalence of mental-health concerns. It is therefore also not a measure of whether student well-being has improved or worsened over time. School-level results are available to MOE and are considered alongside other indicators in informing MOE’s support for schools.
At the system level, MOE monitors youth well-being trends through a range of indicators, including local research studies, such as the Youth Epidemiology and Resilience (YEAR) Study and the Institute of Mental Health's National Mental Health and Well-being Survey.
Mr Fadli Fawzi
Data On Cambodian Sand Import In Past Five Years, And Framework For Responsible Sourcing And Sand Extraction In Source Countries
Mr Fadli Fawzi asked the Minister for National Development (a) for each of the last five years, whether the Government has data on the (i) total dollar value and (ii) total weight of sand, respectively, imported for land reclamation and (iii) proportion which came from Cambodia; and (b) how does the Government ensure that sand imported for land reclamation does not cause ecosystem and environmental damage in the country of origin.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: Sand used for current and upcoming land reclamation projects is sourced on a commercial basis and from countries where it is legally permissible to do so. We expect sand exporters to comply with the laws and regulations of the source countries. Singapore imports sand from a diverse range of countries to ensure resilience in our sand supply.
Review Of Private Property Occupancy Cap For Units Under 90 Square Metres And Restricting Rental Of Non Residential Spaces
Mr Fadli Fawzi asked the Minister for National Development whether the Government has any plans to review the occupancy cap of six unrelated people for private property units smaller than 90 square metres or to restrict the rentals of rooms not designed for human occupancy such as utility rooms, storerooms, and bomb shelters, and if not, why not.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: The occupancy cap of six unrelated persons for private residential properties of less than 90 square metres provides flexibility for property owners to rent out their homes and cater to rental demand, while balancing against disamenities to neighbours. Within this occupancy cap, the rental of spaces within a residential property are private contractual matters between the landlord and tenant.
Ms Sylvia Lim
Feasibility Study Outcome And Implementation Timeline For Hougang Avenue 1 Bus Stops Near Blocks 174A To 174D
Ms Sylvia Lim asked the Minister for Transport (a) whether the feasibility studies by the LTA to erect a pair of bus stops along Hougang Avenue 1 in the vicinity of Blocks 174A to 174D have concluded; and (b) if so, whether the bus stops will be erected and by when.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: Construction of the bus stops will begin in 2027. We thank the Member for her patience.
Mr Low Wu Yang Andre
Review Of Vehicle Safety Requirements For Accessibility Of Emergency Mechanical Door Releases And Recall Or Inspection Actions For Electrical And Door System Failures
Mr Low Wu Yang Andre asked the Minister for Transport in light of recent overseas recalls of vehicles concerning inaccessible emergency mechanical door releases (a) whether LTA will review whether Singapore’s vehicle-safety requirements adequately ensure occupants can exit a vehicle after electrical or door system failure; and (b) what recall, inspection or other safety action it will take where equivalent risks are identified in locally registered vehicles.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: The Land Transport Authority (LTA) regularly reviews vehicle safety requirements to keep pace with industry and technological developments, including electronic door systems. We monitor closely international safety standards, including the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Regulations on door latches and hinges which all vehicles in Singapore must comply with.
We note that China has issued a recall for all vehicles with electronic door systems where the mechanical emergency releases may be difficult to locate or operate in times of emergency, and we are reaching out to the Chinese authorities to better understand the basis for the recall.
In the meantime, all drivers and vehicle users should familiarise themselves with the vehicles which they are using, including the location and operation of mechanical emergency door releases. Owners who have queries about their specific vehicles should contact their motor dealers.
Tracking Of Standard Fitment Of Active-Safety Systems By Vehicle Variant In Newly Registered Passenger Cars
Mr Low Wu Yang Andre asked the Minister for Transport (a) whether LTA tracks, by exact vehicle variant, the standard fitment of active-safety systems, including autonomous emergency braking and lane support, in newly registered passenger cars; and (b) if so, what are the data tracked.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: The Land Transport Authority keeps records of vehicle models available in Singapore that are fitted with active-safety features, such as emergency brake-assist, blind spot assist, lane departure warning, anti-lock braking system and traction control system.
