HDB’S HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME
Png Eng Huat enquired delays in implementing HIP since the programme started and about which precincts have experienced the longest delays.
Desmond Lee replied that the average time taken between the award of an HIP contract to polling is about nine months. After polling, residents are given six weeks to select and opt for the HIP works. Contractors will then prepare the materials before they start the HIP works, usually around four months after polling. In practice, the time taken for the HIP process differs from one HIP project to another, and may not always fall within these general time frames.
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PUBLIC SECTOR CORRUPTION CASES IN 2016
Png Eng Huat asked about the total amount of money involved and top 3 ministries from which public sector corruption cases registered for investigation by CPIB in 2016.
Chan Chung Sing replied that the total bribe amount, or personal gains involving public servants prosecuted last year was $24,800.
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MOTORCYCLE COE PRICES
Png Eng Huat asked about the findings of the meeting between LTA and dealers over the motorcycle COE price spikes, and about measures to ensure motorcycle ownership remains affordable for the working class.
Lam Pin Min replied that the feedback was that the market is still in a state of flux and will take some time to stabilise following the recent Additional Registration Fee (ARF) changes, and that the Government had stopped the contribution of COEs from Category D to the Open Category since May, which will result in a larger supply of motorcycle COEs.
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SMES’ FEEDBACK FOR TRADE AGREEMENTS
Leon Perera asked about processes used to consult local SMEs and obtain their feedback prior to negotiating bilateral and multilateral trade agreements.
Sim Ann replied that MTI works with IE Singapore and Trade Associations to engage businesses on their potential interest areas in our various trade negotiations via roundtable sessions and one-to-one sessions. Market surveys, workshops and seminars have also been used.
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RADICALISATION IN OUR COMMUNITY
Pritam Singh queried how the Government is responding to the on-going crisis in Marawi, Philippines, which has taken many in Southeast Asia by surprise.
Desmond Lee replied that MHA, together with other agencies, is actively looking at developments there and will make sure that the necessary security measures are in place.
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ONLINE RETAIL TRANSACTIONS
Leon Perera queried whether MTI will consider tracking and publishing retail sales and e-commerce sales data regularly as is being done in the US and China.
Sim Ann replied that she believes that quite a number of such studies and figures are available, being done by different organisations. These are figures that MTI tracks.
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38 OXLEY ROAD
Png Eng Huat asked what rules are in place to prevent abuse of positions by Ministers and political appointees by allowing or condoning family members to access, influence and direct civil servants on matters beyond their professional course of work.
Teo Chee Hean highlighted Code of Conduct for political appointees, Rules of Prudence for PAP MPs and the Public Service Code of Conduct. He assured that “any political appointment holder, public officer, or his or her family members” who abuse power will be held to account
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WEBSITE ACCESSIBILITY BY PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Leon Perera asked about steps taken to ensure government websites are accessible to persons with disabilities.
Chan Chun Sing replied that Minister of State Janil Puthucheary was not around and that they would get him to provide the answer.
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