Arts, culture & sports

Usha Chandradas asked if the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) would consider expedited processing for urgent arts entertainment licence applications. Josephine Teo clarified that AEL applicants must submit their applications 40 working days prior to their events to allow for thorough case-by-case reviews. In 2023, 95% of AELs were processed within the standard 20 working days from receipt of complete information. Delays may occur if applications are incomplete or contentious, so early submission is encouraged.

Usha Chandradas asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth about potential support for initiatives that utilize strata malls creatively, in light of the successful partnership between PlayPan and Peace Centre. Edwin Tong noted that the collaboration between PlayPan and Peace Centre was a private arrangement aimed at fostering creativity before the building's demolition. He emphasized the government's encouragement of private collaborations to enhance the vibrancy of urban spaces. Examples of successful creative projects in strata malls were provided, including installations during Singapore Design Week and Singapore Art Week. The government is also focused on expanding access to the arts beyond commercial spaces, engaging communities through various initiatives.

• Member Usha Chandradas inquired if the Ministry has considered appointing independent panels or juries, including arts and non-arts members, to assess programming for major government-supported arts events like Singapore Art Week and the Singapore International Festival of the Arts, and what factors were considered.
• Minister Edwin Tong clarified that such advisory panels already exist, such as the Singapore International Festival of the Arts Advisory Panel which includes arts and entertainment sector representatives, and the Singapore Writers Festival Advisory Panel which includes arts and education/media professionals.
• These panels provide advice on artistic direction and marketing to ensure quality arts offerings for different segments of Singaporeans, while for Singapore Art Week, the National Arts Council co-leads a workgroup with the Singapore Tourism Board including key institutions and partners to foster collaboration.

• The Sector Transformation Fund was introduced in 2022 to help arts companies build financial and operational resilience and pursue innovation, supporting projects that generate market demand, improve efficiency, or develop diverse revenue streams.
• The fund has supported nearly 40 companies for consultancy or transformation projects, enabling them to identify market gaps, invest in technology, and create new markets, such as Sri Warisan’s cloud-based digitization and TrendLit’s collaboration with artists for new merchandise.
• The National Arts Council complements the fund with other initiatives like the Arts x Tech Lab and the Acceleration Programme for the Arts to further support transformation and innovation in the arts sector.

• Usha Chandradas asked the Minister for National Development about the extent of artists' involvement in the Urban Redevelopment Authority's city planning work.
• The Urban Redevelopment Authority collaborates with agencies, local stakeholders, and the artistic community to implement public art projects and placemaking initiatives that create distinctive public spaces.
• An example provided is the transformation of facades at 45 and 47 Sultan Gate in Kampong Gelam, where artists engaged the community to create a mural inspired by local iconography, supported by URA's Lively Places Fund.

• Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim proposed that the Censorship Review Committee consider online streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+ to provide age-appropriate alternative versions of content and endorse such platforms.
• Mrs Josephine Teo responded that IMDA already co-regulates these platforms under a Content Code requiring age ratings, prominent display, and parental locks, with commercial content selection expected to meet these standards.
• She added that there are no plans to convene a Censorship Review Committee, as the government uses flexible advisory committees to adapt to media and societal changes.

• The Government uses a broad-based approach to encourage philanthropic giving to the arts, with initiatives like the Cultural Matching Fund that provides dollar-for-dollar matching grants for private donations to arts and heritage charities.
• Smaller arts groups are supported through the Sustain the Arts (stART) Fund, which is funded by private donations and may be matched via the Cultural Matching Fund to aid operational needs and community programmes.
• Specific minority arts groups, such as Indian dance group Apsaras Arts and Malay theatre group Teater Ekamatra, have benefited from these funding mechanisms.
• Additional government support for minority arts groups to develop their craft and reach wider audiences was detailed in a prior parliamentary reply on 9 September 2024.

• The opening of Punggol Regional Sports Centre was rescheduled to 2026 due to construction delays caused by material and labour shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The project began in 2020 and was originally slated for 2023 but faced multiple industry-wide challenges.
• Punggol residents currently have access to alternative sports facilities under the Dual-Use Scheme, including indoor sports halls and a school field.
• Residents may also consider using the nearby Sengkang Sports Centre as an additional option.

• Tin Pei Ling questioned if local vernacular media will keep projecting Singapore’s voice globally and if funding for such efforts is adequate.
• The Minister confirmed that vernacular media are vital for showcasing Singapore’s values and information to international audiences.
• She stated that government funding is allocated to support vernacular capabilities at Public Service Media entities, with collaboration from Singapore Press Holdings and Mediacorp.
• The Minister emphasized that resources are managed efficiently in partnership with media organizations.
• The response highlighted the dual role of vernacular media in serving local communities while promoting Singapore internationally.

• The National Heritage Board (NHB) is conducting a study to determine if 38 Oxley Road has historical, heritage and architectural significance, with the goal of assessing its eligibility for preservation as a National Monument.
• The current NHB study follows the standard process where research is presented to the Preservation of Sites and Monuments Advisory Board for an independent assessment before a recommendation is made to the Minister.
• The 2016 Ministerial Committee’s assessment concluded the building had significance but did not proceed to formally nominate it as a National Monument, leaving all options open.
• The new NHB study differs from the 2016 process by actively seeking a formal preservation decision due to a recent application to demolish the building.
• The NHB study will result in a formal recommendation to the Minister on whether to issue a Preservation Order, whereas the 2016 Committee’s work did not lead to such a step.

• Leong Mun Wai questioned why another NHB study is needed for 38 Oxley Road when a 2018 ministerial committee had already found it architecturally, historically, and heritage significant.
• Edwin Tong explained that NHB conducts research on potential National Monuments, which is then independently assessed by the Preservation of Sites and Monuments Advisory Board (PSM AB) using objective criteria.
• The 2018 research was not presented to the PSM AB for assessment, as no decision was made then and all options were kept open.
• With the owner's recent demolition application, NHB has now initiated the standard process, including presenting research to PSM AB, to determine if 38 Oxley Road should be preserved as a National Monument.
• The process will follow established procedures, with NHB providing a recommendation to the Minister for a final decision on a Preservation Order.

The debate in the Singapore parliament focused on congratulating Team Singapore's Olympians and Paralympians for their achievements at the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. Edwin Tong moved the motion celebrating the accomplishments of medallists Jeralyn Tan, Max Maeder, and Yip Pin Xiu, highlighting their inspirational journeys and the importance of support systems for athletes. Many members expressed the need for enhanced support, recognition, and equal monetary rewards for both Olympians and Paralympians, advocating for continued investment in developing sports talent and infrastructure. The discussion underscored the significance of sports in fostering national pride, unity, and resilience. The government is committed to a long-term master plan to elevate Singapore's sports landscape, recognizing the contributions of athletes and their support systems in building a vibrant sporting culture.

Sharael Taha asked the Minister for National Development about preserving and integrating the cultural heritage of the Orang Kallang and Orang Laut communities in development plans for areas like Kallang Basin and Greater Southern Waterfront. The Minister, Desmond Lee, stated that Singapore will balance land use while incorporating heritage elements into urban designs and will engage local communities in development processes. Taha emphasized the importance of the Orang Laut's maritime traditions and advocated for heritage trails and public markers to celebrate their culture. Lee expressed willingness to consider Taha's suggestions and engage further with the Orang Laut community.

Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked about the percentage of movies and TV programs in Chinese dialects on free-to-air television and requested a breakdown by dialect and changes over the last five years. Mrs. Josephine Teo stated that dialect content is limited to support Mandarin as an official language and includes a two-hour segment of full dialect programs on Channel 8, accounting for over 90 hours or 1% of annual transmission. The percentage of dialect content has remained constant, but a detailed breakdown of dialects used is not tracked due to the mixture of dialects in programming.

• Ms Usha Chandradas asked the Ministry for Culture, Community and Youth whether it tracks the number of Chinese audience members attending performances by ethnic minority arts groups showcasing their cultures or in languages other than English or Mandarin, and for recent statistics if available.
• She also asked if the Ministry tracks the number of non-Chinese audience members attending performances by Chinese arts groups showcasing Chinese culture or in languages other than English, and for recent statistics if available.
• The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth stated that it does not collect data on the ethnicity of audience members at each performance.

• The Ministry reported that there were 111 fitness injuries across all 28 ActiveSG gyms in the past year, a figure that remains comparable to previous years despite increased visitorship, representing about one injury per 40,000 gym visits.
• The age distribution of injuries shows that 18% involved users aged 12 to 17, 63% were aged 18 to 54, and 19% were 55 and above, which aligns with the general age profile of gym visitors.
• ActiveSG has implemented safety measures including on-duty fitness instructors who guide users, displays of proper equipment use notices, and orientations for new users to familiarize them with rules and equipment.
• Users with pre-existing medical conditions are advised to complete a questionnaire and seek medical advice before high-intensity activities, with these advisories included in gym rules and regulations.
• The Ministry will continue to monitor injuries and ensure safe use of fitness equipment at ActiveSG facilities.

• The Minister confirmed that reframing the SYF Central Judging as the SYF Arts Presentation has largely achieved its aims of deepening holistic development and strengthening students' joy of learning, with over 90% of students surveyed agreeing their arts CCA focused on enjoyment and learning.
• The change from a five-band to a three-band certification structure with a more achievable highest band has reduced excessive competition and allowed schools to focus more on using adjudicator feedback for student improvement and inclusivity.
• Schools have become more inclusive by involving younger or newer members, and SYF Celebrations have broadened performance opportunities through less formal events that connect students with audiences.
• Feedback from schools and surveys indicates the reforms have met their intended purposes, with students continuing to give their best and adjudicators commending the quality of performances.
• The government will continue reviewing the SYF to ensure its relevance and meaningfulness to students, building on its history since 1966 in nation-building and celebrating youth vitality through the arts.

• From 2012 to 2022, the creative industries' annual receipts more than doubled from $16.6 billion to $39.8 billion, and exports grew from $4.3 billion to $16.2 billion.
• Nominal value-added doubled from $5.7 billion to $11.4 billion over the same period, with employment remaining stable at around 63,000 workers.
• The value-added per worker increased from $90,400 to $184,100, doubling due to stable employment and rising value-added.
• The projected outlook for 2024 and 2025 is positive, with growth expected through technology adoption and international partnerships.
• The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted opportunities for the creative industries to expand both locally and globally in the coming years.

• Usha Chandradas inquired about refining the Skills Framework for Arts Education to more precisely define skillsets for professionals in Education and Research Tracks across specific art forms like dance, literary arts, music, theatre, and visual arts.
• Edwin Tong responded that the Framework is designed as a broad, common skills language for the arts education sector, with general competencies tailored to various settings and art forms, such as artform pedagogy for educators and project management for researchers.
• The Ministry emphasized that users should customize the Framework to their specific contexts, supported by real-world examples from the National Arts Council and SkillsFuture Singapore, which are based on studies by the National Institute of Education.
• The National Arts Council and SkillsFuture Singapore will periodically review the Framework to ensure its continued relevance and applicability to the arts industry and practitioners.

Saktiandi Supaat asked about efforts to make Mother Tongue Language (MTL) learning more engaging and relevant, the focus on functional language use in the curriculum, and potential lessons from private language centers. Chan Chun Sing responded that the MTL curriculum aims to enhance values, cultural understanding, and communication skills, using engaging methods like role-playing and gamification. The curriculum includes selected idioms and phrases to enrich vocabulary and promote cultural awareness. The Ministry of Education regularly updates the MTL curriculum, incorporating best practices and technological advancements to remain effective.