ENSURING SMOOTH INTEGRATION OF NEW SIGNALLING SYSTEM ON NORTH-SOUTH AND EAST-WEST MRT LINES
Dennis Tan asked for an update on the integration of new signaling equipment on the NS and EW lines, and the timeline for completion of the required tests and checks.
Khaw Boon Wan replied that implementation has been “smoother than … feared,” and delays have been minimized. The Government is currently focused on stabilising the NS line, and expects tests on the NS line to complete before December, and before testing the EW line.
Pritam Singh asked what arrangements are in place to ensure the smooth implementation of the communications-based train control signalling system, and what operational constraints, challenges and hazards have arisen from the concurrent usage of new and old signalling systems.
Khaw Boon Wan replied that SMRT, LTA and system supplier Thales have “taken a cautious and progressive approach to installing and testing the new signalling system.” He added that testing began first during non-service hours before conducting real-time tests, and that “software improvements and lessons learnt from the NS Line will be carried over to the EW Line.”
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WITHDRAWAL OF NATIONAL ARTS COUNCIL GRANT FOR ‘STATE OF EMERGENCY’ BOOK
Dennis Tan asked how contents in the book “State of Emergency” deviated from the original proposal, allegedly leading to the withdrawal of the National Arts Council grant.
Grace Fu said that the final manuscript “significantly deviated” from the proposal in terms of plotline, and did not comply with the terms and conditions of funding, leading to funding discontinuation.
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STRENGTHEN CURRENT E-LEARNING PORTAL FOR SCHOOLS
Dennis Tan asked what measures have been taken to strengthen online learning portals in school against disruptive outages.
Ng Chee Meng replied that MOE is upgrading existing network equipment, and will continue to work with vendors to ensure service requirements are met and that prior bandwidth testing is conducted.
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NUMBER OF MRT TRAIN INCIDENTS FROM JANUARY TO AUGUST 2017
Dennis Tan asked for the total number of MRT track incidents or faults, delays, and disruptions from January to August 2017; of which how many were due to signal integration work on the NS and EW lines.
Khaw Boon Wan said that from January to August 2017, there had been 149 MRT delays, of which 90 were due to the installing of the new signalling systems on the NS and Tuas Extension lines.
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DISALLOWING ATHLETES FROM PROMOTING NON-OFFICIAL EVENT SPONSORS DURING MAJOR SPORTING EVENTS
Dennis Tan asked what mitigating measures are there to ensure athletes do not suffer funding losses on their long-term or potential sponsorships due to the ban on promoting non-official event sponsors during major sporting events.
Grace Fu said that respective organisers set rules on sponsorships, and the Government does not interfere in organisers’ decisions. She added that Team Singapore athletes could receive support from the Singapore Sport Institute’s High Performance Sports system, and from private sponsors.
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CASES WHERE GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE WAS STOPPED DUE TO MONEY RAISED THROUGH ONLINE CROWDFUNDING
Daniel Goh asked how many social assistance or medical subsidies were stopped or rejected in the past three years because recipients crowdfunded online, the reasons for these crowdfundings, and whether crowdfunding may disrupt the charity sector.
Desmond Lee said there have been two applications for social or healthcare assistance turned down because of prior online crowdfunding. He said the charity sector would need to evolve and adapt to the increasing popularity of crowdfunding platforms.
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TIGHTENING IT SECURITY MANAGEMENT IN LIGHT OF LAPSES HIGHLIGHTED IN AUDITOR-GENERAL’S REPORT
Daniel Goh asked if the Cyber Security Agency will lead a whole-of-government review and tighten IT security monitoring in light of IT lapses reported in the Auditor-General’s report.
Lee Hsien Loong replied that the Government regularly updates and strengthens IT policies, and also conducts regular internal audits across the public service.
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USE OF PHYSICAL RESTRAINTS IN ELDERCARE CENTRES AND NURSING HOMES
Daniel Goh asked how widely used are physical restraints in eldercare centres and nursing homes, and if audits on physical restraints usage are conducted on such facilities.
Gan Kim Yong replied that Government audits have shown that physical restraints are not widely used in aged care facilities, and only used as a last resort measure.
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WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION RECOMMENDATION ON CONSUMPTION OF ADDED SUGARS
Daniel Goh asked if HPB followed WHO guidelines on recommendation of daily sugar consumption.
Gan Kim Yong said that HPB’s policy position is consistent with WHO’s recommendation on daily intake of sugar for adults and children.
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CHECKS AND AUDITS ON BUILDINGS WITH EXTERNAL CLADDING
Daniel Goh enquired if there were plans for BCA to audit all buildings with external cladding and to ensure compliance of construction materials with the Fire Code.
K Shanmugam said that the Government does testing of claddings by sampling testing, which is an international standard. He added that reminders, and an advisory have been sent to all Qualified and Registered inspectors to check the intended cladding’s Certificate of Conformity and test reports.
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MEASURES TO REDUCE RISK OF FIRES IN COOKED FOOD CENTRES
Chen Show Mao asked what measures are in place to reduce risks of fires at hawker stalls at cooked food centres.
K Shanmugam said that hose reels, fire extinguishers, and adequate, unimpeded access to facilitate escape in the event of a fire, are mandatory for hawker centres. SCDF and NEA also run fire emergency preparedness and response public education events.
Read the full exchanges here.
UPDATE ON REVIEW OF COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC COOPERATION AGREEMENT WITH INDIA
Chen Show Mao asked for an update on the review of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) with India.
Lim Hng Kiang replied the review is ongoing and taking some time as both countries have respective interests to work through, such as in labour mobility.
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TAKE-UP RATE FOR SAFE RIDING PROGRAMME
Png Eng Huat asked what has been the take-up rate for the Safe Riding Programme since its launch.
Khaw Boon Wan replied that the programme, which was originally scheduled for launch in July, has been delayed till the end of this year.
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CORRELATION BETWEEN SUICIDE AND STUDENTS’ ANXIETY LEVELS
Low Thia Khiang asked how do levels of suicides and incidences of psychiatric conditions related to anxiety among Singapore students compare with other developed countries.
Ng Chee Meng replied that MOE does not have data to compare psychiatric conditions. He added that in general Singapore’s youth suicide rate is lower than other developed countries.
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SINGAPORE CITIZENSHIP OF LATE MR TAN LARK SYE
Low Thia Khiang asked whether the Singapore citizenship of the late Mr Tan Lark Sye was reinstated after it was revoked.
K Shanmugan replied that the late Mr Tan Lark Sye was deprived of his Singapore citizenship in 1964 and there has been no change in his status since then.
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IMPLEMENTATION OF SMART NATION AND CASHLESS PAYMENT FOR PUBLIC SERVICES
Low Thia Khiang asked what steps are being taken to mitigate the risks that arise from an increased in electronic payment options.
Janil Puthucheary replied MAS has standards for financial institutions on the management of technology risks. He added that the individual also has to exercise responsibility to protect himself.
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Low Thia Khiang asked what measures are being taken to face the challenge of security risks for e-payments.
Janil Puthucheary replied MAS has a number of systems and processes in place to detect and deter fraud and threats.
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COMPLAINTS ON LAPSES IN REAL-TIME UPDATES FOR MRT BREAKDOWNS
Low Thia Khiang asked whether the problems of the re-signaling system was anticipated.
Khaw Boon Wan replied that the problems were anticipated. He added that he shared the problems in Parliament when he explained the problems faced by the London Underground.
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COST OF ON-BOARDING SOCIAL SERVICE OFFICES AND MINISTRY-SUPPORTED VWOS TO SOCIAL SERVICE NET
Leon Perera asked what is the cost of on-boarding SSOs and Ministry-supported VWOs to Social Service Net (SSNet).
Desmond Lee replied that the rollout costs about $29 million.
Leon Perera asked what is the initial impact of SSNet on SSOs and VWOs in terms of efficiency and effectiveness.
Desmond Lee replied that some FSCs have found the change process more challenging than others, but there is broad agreement that there are clear benefits to having an integrated case management system and standards.
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ECONOMIC PROMOTION AGENCIES’ ROLES AS TO INDUSTRY SECTOR AND SIZE OF COMPANY SUPPORTED
Leon Perera asked how does the various economic promotion agencies like EDS, IES, SPRING, STB demarcate their roles by industry sector and size of companies being supported.
S Iswaran replied that the Government takes a holistic approach to economic planning and development.
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ENSURING SMOOTH INTEGRATION OF NEW SIGNALLING SYSTEM ON NORTH-SOUTH AND EAST-WEST MRT LINES
Dennis Tan asked what lessons were learnt from the train disruptions that occurred during the re-signalling project that may help to improve service recovery for similar future breakdowns. He further asked what is the specific timeline for the completion of tests and checks.
Khaw Boon Wan replied that the software improvements and lessons learnt from the North-South Line will be carried over to the East-West Line. He said that testing is expected to be completed for the North-South Line before December. Testing of the East-West Line is scheduled for completion next year.
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UNIVERSITY AND HOSPITAL MOBILE RESEARCH TEAMS APPROACHING RESIDENTS FOR BLOOD SAMPLES FOR RESEARCH INTO VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES
Sylvia Lim asked whether the Ministry approves of mobile research teams from universities or hospitals approaching residents to request blood samples for research into vector-borne diseases like dengue and Zika.
Gan Kim Yong replied that prior to embarking on the research, the research proposal must be approved by an Institutional Review Board. MOH conducts regular audits of the Research Institutions to ensure that its systems and governance are in compliance with the law.
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