PERSONS APPOINTED AS NON-RESIDENT AMBASSADORS FROM 2011 TO 2016
Sylvia Lim asked if a list of the persons appointed by the Government as Non-Resident Ambassadors from 2011 to 2016 can be provided.
Vivan Balakrishnan replied that 45 Non-Resident Ambassadors were appointed from 2011 and 2016. He referred Ms Lim to the MFA website for the names of those Ambassadors.
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HEALTHCARE SUBSIDIES FOR LONG-TERM VISIT PASS HOLDERS MARRIED TO SINGAPORE CITIZENS
Dennis Tan asked what are the criteria for justifying a healthcare subsidy for LTVP-Plus holders married to Singapore citizens but not to LTVP holders.
Chee Hong Tat replied that it is a policy decision to have the healthcare subsidy as a differentiating factor between LTVP-Plus and LTVP holders. He did not provide the criteria that motivates that decision.
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FUNDS DISBURSED UNDER YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS SCHEME FOR SCHOOLS PROGRAMME
Leon Perera asked regarding the Young Entrepreneurs Scheme for Schools, how does the Government follow up on its implementation in each school to ensure that the learning outcomes are met.
Low Yen Ling replied that key outcome indicators are monitored in all participating schools, including the overall number of participants, the number of working prototypes and the number of students participating in external competitions.
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PROPOSAL TO USE OLD PARKING COUPONS AT PRO-RATED RATES
Leon Perera asked whether motorists can be allowed to use old parking coupons at pro-rated rates.
Desmond Lee replied that the options was studied and concluded that there is no need to do so. He shared that there is adequate supply of parking coupons for exchange, and enforcement officers are issuing advisory notices, and not parking offence notices, during the transition period.
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PROPOSAL TO USE OLD PARKING COUPONS AT PRO-RATED RATES
Leon Perera asked what are the reasons for concluding that allowing motorists to use old coupons at pro-rated rates was not a more efficient solution.
Desmond Lee did not detail the reasons for that conclusion.
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PRICE CHANGES FOR NATURAL GAS SUPPLIED TO SINGAPORE
Leon Perera asked how does the percentage change in the price of natural gas compare to that in electricity prices for consumers and SMEs.
S Iwaran replied that the price of natural gas fell by 37% while the electricity tariff declined by 16%. He did not detail the changes in price for consumers and SMEs.
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PRICING MECHANISM FOR BUILD-TO-ORDER FLATS SOLD BEFORE AND AFTER SALE OF BALANCE FLATS EXERCISE
Low Thia Khiang asked what is the pricing mechanism for BTO flats compared to SBF flats that results in the BTO price for the same flat exceeding the SBF price in some cases and not in others.
Lawrence Wong replied that BTO and SBF flats are priced using the same methodology. The SBF price may be higher as the units are closer to completion and if there is a change in prevailing market conditions.
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GOVERNMENT TENDERS FOR PUBLIC OPINION POLLS
Low Thia Khiang asked how many public option polls have been put up for tender on GeBIZ between 2014 and 2016, and what is the total amount spent.
Yaacob Ibrahim replied that 14 opinion polls were commissioned. He did not state the total amount spent.
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NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS OF DEFECTS AND DESIGN FLAWS FOR NEW EXECUTIVE CONDOMINIUMS
Png Eng Huat asked how many complaints were received from residents of newly-built ECs on defects and design flaws, and what is the role of HDB in helping to resolve such matters since a lot of public housing rules apply to ECs, such as MOP and resale levy.
Desmond Lee replied that MND does not track feedback received on ECs. Residents of ECs who face issues can raise their concerns to HDB, and HDB will convey them to the EC developers to take appropriate action.
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FAIR PROCESS FOR TERMINATION DUE TO POOR PERFORMANCE AND RECOURSE FOR EMPLOYEES
Daniel Goh asked what constitutes due and fair process in terminating employees due to poor performance?
Lim Swee Say replied that employers have to substantiate their claim of poor performance by applying relevant and objective performance criteria which should be made known to all employees. A decision ot terminate the service of an employee should be based on documented poor performance. If it involves a unionised employee, the union should be consulted.
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FAIR PROCESS FOR TERMINATION DUE TO POOR PERFORMANCE AND RECOURSE FOR EMPLOYEES
Daniel Goh asked what recourse do employees have to access crucial evidence on performance held by employers to prove unfair dismissal.
Lim Swee Say replied that if an employee files an appeal of unfair dismissal to MOM, mediation will be applied first. If mediation fails, an inquiry will be conducted and the employer must show cause and produce evidence to justify the termination. If evidence cannot be produced, the employer may be ordered to reinstate the employee or provide compensation. If the employer does not comply, he can be prosecuted.
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FAIR PROCESS FOR TERMINATION DUE TO POOR PERFORMANCE AND RECOURSE FOR EMPLOYEES
Daniel Goh asked in the case of Surbana, whether documented evidence was given to employees of their poor performance.
Lim Swee Say replied that there is no need for employees to have access to documented proof. He can come to MOM as long as he feels that he has been dismissed unfairly and MOM will require the employer to produce documented proof.
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IMPACT OF MERGED CAREER TRACKS FOR GRADUATE AND NON-GRADUATE CIVIL SERVANTS ON STARTING SALARY, CAREER PROGRESSION AND EXPOSURE
Dennis Tan asked whether civil servants who are recipients of Government or statutory board scholarships have compensation, starting pay, training, career progression and exposure that are different from other civil servants.
Teo Chee Hean replied that once scholarship recipients return from their studies, they are assessed and placed on the same schemes of service and their salaries are determined in the same way as non-scholarship recipients.
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