PROGRESS OF REVIEW OF F1 CONTRACTS AND TENDER PROCESSES, AND LAPSES UNCOVERED
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Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry (a) whether the Ministry has completed the review of the Formula 1 contracts and tender processes as stated during the parliamentary session in February 2024; (b) if so, what specific irregularities or compliance lapses have been identified in the review; and (c) whether the Ministry will publicly release the full findings to ensure transparency and restore public confidence.
Mr Gan Kim Yong: Minister Grace Fu had indicated in Parliament that the Government was reviewing the terms of our Formula 1 (F1) contracts. The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) would also conduct an audit of the 2022 race.
The review of the F1 contracts between the Government and Singapore GP Pte Ltd is ongoing.
STB completed the audit covering the disbursement of grants and procurement matters relating to F1 from 2019 to 2022. The audit concluded that STB’s internal controls were satisfactory, with no significant findings.
INTRODUCING VIDEO RECORDING WHEN TAKING STATEMENTS FOR INVESTIGATIONS
Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs what is the progress on the introduction of video recording in taking statements for law enforcement investigations.
Mr K Shanmugam: Video recording of interviews, or VRI, was first introduced in 2018 for rape cases. Last year, we updated Parliament that VRI had been expanded to include other offences, such as serious sexual offences like aggravated outrage of modesty and sexual assault by penetration, as well as child abuse, maid abuse and non capital drug-related offences. We also updated that we have started expanding VRI to vulnerable suspects investigated for non-capital cases, specifically for young suspects where there is no Appropriate Adult in attendance, and offenders with mental disabilities.
Since then, we have expanded VRI further to cover trafficking in persons and more sexual offences, including the sexual penetration of minors, and procurement of sexual activity with person with mental disability or by deception. We have also completed the expansion of VRI to all non-capital cases involving the vulnerable suspects I mentioned earlier.
Moving forward, we are carefully studying how we can expand VRI to more cases, including capital cases and interviews with victims or witnesses.
One issue is that VRI is resource-intensive. With VRI, there is no written signed statement. Transcripts have to be prepared to facilitate investigation and court processes. They have to be checked against the video footage for accuracy. This means that officers have to review the whole duration of the video recorded, and each interview can be a few hours long.
There are also additional administrative procedures involved, such as setting up and ensuring functionality of the VRI facilities, replaying the VRI footages for the interviewee, sending the footages for transcribing, and so on. We have streamlined some of these processes, but the fact remains that conducting VRI takes up far more of the investigation officer’s time compared to a written statement.
The speed of transcription is another consideration, and even the fastest turnaround time takes days. This is not ideal for time-sensitive cases, such as capital cases, where officers need to review the transcripts quickly to conduct follow-up investigations. While technology such as speech-to-text transcription can help augment manual transcription, it is not yet at the accuracy that avoids the need for time-consuming verification against the interview footage. We are reviewing whether we should develop in-house transcription capability to better support the expansion of VRI.
We remain committed to expanding the use of VRI, at a pace that is supported by adequate infrastructure, resources and technology.
FACTORS IN PRICING OF ADULT MONTHLY TRAVEL PASS
Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis: To ask the Minister for Transport (a) what is the average monthly public transport fare expenditure for adult users who commute to work using public transport; (b) how is the pricing of the Adult Monthly Travel Pass (AMTP) determined; and (c) what is the average value utilised by AMTP holders based on equivalent adult fares for trips taken in a month.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: Public transport is heavily subsidised in Singapore so as to keep fares affordable. The average monthly expenditure for adult commuters, based on per card usage, is estimated to be about $45. Among Adult Monthly Travel Pass holders, their average expenditure without the pass would be about $140 per month.
The Adult Monthly Travel Pass is to help heavy users of public transport manage their costs. The pricing of the pass is regularly reviewed by the Public Transport Council as part of its annual Fare Review Exercises. It is currently set at $128, and will remain unchanged in the latest fare adjustments.
HDB ESTATES WITH PNEUMATIC WASTE CONVEYANCE SYSTEMS AND COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF THESE SYSTEMS
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) which HDB estates currently have a Pneumatic Waste Conveyance System (PWCS) installed; (b) what is the breakdown of each system’s monthly operational costs per dwelling unit, including maintenance and electricity; (c) how do the monetised cost savings compare quantitatively to traditional waste disposal methods; (d) who benefits directly from these savings; (e) who bears the operational costs of the system; and (f) whether there is an evaluation process in place for assessing PWCS’ cost savings and return on investment.
Mr Desmond Lee: The Pneumatic Waste Conveyance System (PWCS) is an automated waste collection system that uses high speed suction via an underground pipe network to collect household waste. About 40 Housing & Development Board (HDB) precincts in Ang Mo Kio, Bukit Batok, Chua Chu Kang, Jurong East, Punggol, Sengkang, Tampines, Tengah, Toa Payoh, Woodlands and Yishun have been installed with the PWCS.
Compared to conventional waste collection methods, the costs of building, operating and maintaining the PWCS is higher. The operating cost breakdown varies depending on system specifications and localised factors. The current higher costs with using PWCS is primarily borne by (a) the Government, for infrastructure and system deployment; and (b) the Town Councils (TCs) for operations and maintenance. Furthermore, each set of PWCS infrastructure and system is typically built to serve a few precincts. In areas that are still being progressively built up, the cost per dwelling unit incurred by HDB and the TCs will be higher at the start, but should gradually decline as more dwelling units are added to reap economies of scale. In recognition of the higher costs incurred by TCs with PWCS precincts, HDB currently provides them with a grant, at $2 per month per dwelling unit served by the PWCS.
The Member asked who benefits from the savings from the adoption of PWCS. First and foremost, residents benefit. PWCS enables a cleaner and more efficient waste collection process compared to conventional methods. As the waste is conveyed through sealed pipes from throw-points to a bin centre, the PWCS reduces disamenities to residents such as pest infestation, odours and exposed waste. Furthermore, space required under conventional methods, such as service roads and localised bin centres, are freed up for other amenities such as bigger playgrounds or fitness areas.
Second, the PWCS is also designed to be more manpower-efficient than conventional methods in the long run. Instead of collecting waste from each block and each chute under the conventional method, PWCS waste from a few precincts only needs to be collected from one single centralised location.
The Government regularly reviews the implementation of the PWCS and will continue to support the TCs where needed, especially those adopting PWCS for the first time in their towns.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES PUT IN PLACE FOLLOWING BREACH OF CONFIDENCE OVER EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS’ LETTERS
Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs in light of the Court of Appeal ruling that the Singapore Prison Service (SPS) and Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) acted unlawfully by disclosing and requesting prisoners’ letters, including confidential correspondence with their lawyers (a) how will prisoners’ correspondence be handled by SPS and AGC going forward; (b) how will attorneyclient privilege for prisoners be ensured; (c) what actions are being taken against the officers and decisionmakers responsible for the breaches; and (d) what remedies will be provided to affected prisoners or their families.
Mr K Shanmugam: The Court of Appeal ruling was delivered in a case brought by thirteen Prisoners Awaiting Capital Punishment (PACPs) at the time of application. In essence, they filed legal proceedings seeking various remedies, on the basis that the Singapore Prison Service (SPS) and the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) had breached their right to confidentiality under civil law, as SPS had extended copies of their correspondence to AGC.
It has been explained to the Court of Appeal why these documents were disclosed to AGC. Most of these documents were shared with AGC, in the context of scheduling the executions of PACPs. SPS’s practice was to keep AGC informed of developments involving these PACPs, and to seek legal advice on whether there were any relevant pending proceedings, or issues which could give rise to such proceedings, that would require the capital sentence to be held in abeyance. This approach was adopted out of an abundance of caution. The officers who disclosed the documents believed in good faith that they could be shared with AGC, for the purpose of seeking legal advice on scheduling, and ensuring that PACPs’ rights were not infringed in terms of further steps being taken with regard to their sentences.
The Court of Appeal ruled that the relevant prisoners’ consent, or an order of court, should have been obtained for the disclosure.
The Court of Appeal said that 3 out of the 13 prisoners were entitled to damages – but only nominal damages of $10 each, for a breach of copyright. The Court of Appeal was of the view that there was no basis for the prisoners’ claims for further damages.
The Court also noted that no breach of confidence arose from SPS officers opening or perusing any of the documents, because they were entitled to do so under the Prisons Regulations. In addition, the Court of Appeal also accepted in an earlier decision which also dealt with the disclosure of prisoners’ correspondence1, that although there was oversight by AGC when it received correspondence from SPS, there was not an attempt to seek any advantage in court proceedings.
Since May 2020, SPS and AGC have instituted a policy that a prisoner’s correspondence will not be sent by Ministry of Home Affairs or SPS to AGC, unless the prisoner’s consent, or an order of the court, has been obtained.
Our agencies do their best to carry out their responsibilities in accordance with the law. Occasionally, there may be lapses. Here the lapses were such that the Court ordered $10 in damages each, to three of the applicants. SPS has put in place measures to prevent a reoccurrence.
In this case, the officers were acting in good faith. AGC and SPS have reminded their officers of their obligations following the court’s decision. No further action will be taken against them as there is no basis to do so.
The member has also asked how attorney-client privilege for prisoners will be ensured. Under the Prisons Regulations, letters to or from a prisoner’s legal adviser cannot be copied or withheld. However, this privilege cannot be at the expense of ensuring security and good order of prisons, which is SPS’s foremost responsibility. This matter will be considered carefully.
NEW PRE-FEASIBILITY STUDY ON NUCLEAR ENERGY USING SMALL MODULAR REACTORS
Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry whether the Government is planning to conduct another pre-feasibility study on nuclear energy, specifically on the use of small modular reactors in Singapore, given technological advances since the last study in 2012.
Mr Gan Kim Yong: The Government has not made any decision on the deployment of nuclear energy in Singapore or to conduct another pre-feasibility study on nuclear energy. While newer technologies such as small modular reactors could potentially be suitable for Singapore, they remain at a nascent stage and have not been deployed on a commercial scale yet. We are focusing on building capabilities to better assess the suitability of these technologies for Singapore.
INCLUSION OF PRESENCE OF POLLUTANTS FROM OIL AND CHEMICAL SPILLS IN WATER QUALITY ADVISORIES ON NEA WEBSITE
Ms He Ting Ru: To ask the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment whether the Ministry will consider (i) reflecting information on the presence of pollutants from oil and chemical spills in its water quality advisories for popular recreational beaches that are published on the NEA website and (ii) placing regularly updated physical signages with water quality advisories at popular recreational beaches.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: The National Environment Agency (NEA) regularly publishes information on the water quality at popular recreational beaches on NEA’s website and the myENV mobile application. These include advisories indicating whether a beach is suitable for primary contact activities (i.e. swimming) during pollution incidents which might impact the water quality at our beaches. Such advisories take into account the possible presence of pollutants related to the pollution incident. In addition, when necessary, NEA places physical signages advising the public against swimming at affected beaches.
We encourage the public to check the NEA website or the myENV mobile application for the most updated information on the water quality of recreational beaches.
TAKE-UP RATE OF ENABLING MARK SINCE 2020 AND INCENTIVES TO ENCOURAGE ADOPTION
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) what has been the take-up rate of the Enabling Mark since its introduction in 2020 and whether it shows an upward trend; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider introducing financial incentives to encourage more employers to adopt it as a form of recognition for progressive employment practices.
Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: Since the Enabling Mark accreditation was introduced in October 2020, the cumulative number of organisations that have received Enabling Mark accreditation has increased from 89 organisations in 2021 to 246 organisations in 2024.
The Enabling Mark is a national-level accreditation framework for organisations to benchmark and recognise their best practices and outcomes in disability-inclusive employment. It also serves as a roadmap for organisations to systematically chart their progress and strengthen their inclusive practices over time. Organisations that have applied for Enabling Mark accreditation appreciate that the framework supports them in their journey to improve inclusive employment practices, and also enables them to build a positive corporate image by demonstrating their efforts in inclusive hiring.
We have put in measures over the years to support employers to strengthen inclusive employment practices. Under the Open-Door Programme, employers can tap on customised employment support from trained job coaches, as well as grants to support job redesign and workshops to prepare them and their employees without disabilities to interact, hire, integrate and retain employees with disabilities in their organisation. In addition, employers receive wage offsets through the Enabling Employment Credit, for employees with disabilities earning below $4,000 per month. We will also introduce a new Employer Development Grant from 1 January 2025 onwards to empower employers to build up their inclusive hiring capabilities. This will enable them to scale up efforts to hire persons with disabilities and support their long-term retention.
PRIVATE AMBULANCE PROVIDERS’ RESPONSE TIME AND TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED COMPARED TO SCDF PERSONNEL
Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim: To ask the Minister for Health (a) what is the average response time for private ambulance providers to reach a patient’s location; (b) whether private ambulance providers are required to obtain the same standard of training qualifications and expertise as compared to SCDF ambulance personnel; and (c) under what circumstances in a medical emergency will private ambulance providers advise a patient or their family to call for an SCDF ambulance.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: While the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) ambulances are activated for life-threatening medical emergencies by calling 995, private ambulances are activated for less urgent cases. Hence, Ministry of Health does not track response times for private ambulance providers arriving at patients’ locations.
That said, we regulate private ambulance services, which must at all times maintain valid certification, undergo periodic re-certification every two years as well as ensure that their personnel are properly qualified and attend regular skills refresher training.
Importantly, licensed ambulance providers are required to properly triage a patient before conveyance. Where the provider assesses that it cannot safely convey the patient, the provider must make appropriate alternative arrangements, such as calling for an SCDF ambulance, for the safe and timely conveyance of the patient. In the event of a life-threatening medical emergency, the public should call for an SCDF ambulance in the first instance.
RESEARCH CONDUCTED ON CARING FOR SENIORS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND INFORMAL CARERS’ NEEDS AND WELL-BEING
Ms He Ting Ru: To ask the Minister for Health whether the Ministry is conducting or has plans to conduct further research into (i) the estimates of informal care time and monetary costs associated with those caring for seniors aged 75 and above and (ii) time-use studies for informal carers to better understand the needs and well-being of informal carers.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: There have been various Ministry-funded research done on ageing and caregiving, such as those conducted by the DUKE-NUS Centre for Ageing Research and Education (CARE); Retirement and Health Study by the Central Provident Fund Board; the National Council of Social Service’s Quality of Life of Caregivers study; and the Agency for Integrated Care’s regular engagements with caregivers. Caregiving involves significant sacrifice and commitment, and there have been many initiatives to support them.
CURRENT AND PROJECTED AI-SPECIFIC COMPUTING POWER AVAILABLE AND PLANS FOR NATIONAL CLOUD
Ms He Ting Ru: To ask the Minister for Digital Development and Information (a) what is the estimated total of AI-specific computing power currently available in Singapore’s data centres; (b) whether there are plans to establish a national cloud for AI research and education; (c) if so, what percentage of this computing power does it aim to secure; (d) what legal frameworks are being considered to mandate contributions from private AI data centres to such a national cloud; and (e) how do these potential frameworks compare to those in other leading AI nations.
Mrs Josephine Teo: Singapore is a regional data centre hub with a total capacity exceeding 1.4 gigawatts. We have one of the highest concentrations of data centres in the region, and our operational data centre capacity per capita exceeds that of regional markets such as Beijing, Hong Kong, Seoul, Sydney and Tokyo. To support continued growth and innovation in Singapore, we aim to provide at least 300 megawatts of additional capacity in the near term and more through working with industry to explore green energy deployments. The amount of AI-specific compute resources available in these data centres depends on the workloads that the private and public sectors expect to process and how these workloads are distributed. It changes dynamically in response to needs and available alternatives.
Our computed needs for AI research are being met through a combination of on premise and commercial cloud capacities. This approach is more responsive to demand than mandating contributions from private data centres.
The National Supercomputing Centre (NSCC) is a significant contributor to the compute resources available for our research ecosystem, including for AI research. The launch of the ASPIRE 2A and 2A+ research supercomputers in October 2024, which have 30 PFLOPS of aggregated compute power, will help to address the growing demand for high performance computing resources, complement existing infrastructure, and enable new research opportunities. NSCC is also developing the next supercomputer that will enhance Singapore’s high performance computing capabilities to support national research initiatives.
Developing Singapore’s compute infrastructure is vital to support our National AI Strategy 2.0 ambitions. We are actively working with industry partners to avail access to the compute resources needed to maintain our global competitiveness
ALLOWING ONLINE REGISTRATION FOR CHILD CONCESSION CARD VIA LIFESG APP
Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis: To ask the Minister for Transport whether the Government will consider allowing parents of children who are eligible for a Child Concession Card to apply for it online via the LifeSG app and have the card delivered to their registered home address after verification via Singpass.
Mr Chee Hong Tat: All concession cards require an identity verification check before they are activated. This is done in-person to ensure that the card has been received by the correct person before it can be used.
Currently, children below age of seven enjoy free travel on public transport. Child concession cards serve as proof of concession status, and are not necessary for children below 0.9 metres in height, who are assumed to be eligible. Parents of children who are below the age of seven but are taller than 0.9 metres can obtain child concession cards to allow their children to travel for free.
Parents can apply for the card and verify the identity of their child in person at any SimplyGo Ticket Office or Ticketing Service Counter, and the card will be issued and activated on the spot. As switching to online applications will not remove the need for in person verification, it does not make the process more convenient for parents who require child concession cards.