Arts, culture & sports — Topics

6 Feb 2023

Update on National Arts Council's Busking Scheme

Edwin Tong Chun Fai provided an update on the National Arts Council's busking scheme, stating that there were about 300 registered buskers in 2020, activities were suspended from March 2020 due to the pandemic, and numbers returned to pre-pandemic levels after resuming in March 2022.
The scheme now offers buskers access to over 70 designated islandwide locations, up from five fixed spots pre-resumption, with venues spread across the city centre, neighbourhood towns, and parks, including new additions at East Coast Park, Tras Link Park, and outside Ngee Ann City.
Support measures during the pandemic included online busking sessions, subsidized performance rights fees, and honorariums, while the new e-service portal launched in March 2022 facilitates live busking and access to more locations.
NAC collaborates with government agencies, town councils, business associations, and property owners to grow busking venues and promote greater community understanding and support for buskers.
The busking community demonstrated creativity and resilience by adopting digital channels during the suspension, and increased visibility is leading to more event organizers showcasing buskers.

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6 Feb 2023

Support for Chinese Clan Associations and Learning of Chinese Dialects

There are currently 242 Chinese clan associations with over 115,000 members registered under the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA), and the Government tracks their numbers and membership through SFCCA, with the Chinese Community Liaison Group (CCLG) established in 2000 to partner them in community and heritage initiatives.
Government agencies like the National Heritage Board (NHB) and National Arts Council (NAC) support clan associations through funding for heritage galleries, documentation projects, intangible cultural heritage activities, and maintenance of National Monuments, while the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) and annual River Hongbao celebrations receive government backing.
The Government recognizes dialects as part of Singapore Chinese culture and supports clan efforts to preserve them through arts and cultural activities like Nanyin and Teochew Opera, but maintains its existing language policy promoting Mandarin as one of the four official languages.

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6 Feb 2023

Government's Response to SPH Media Trust's Inflated Circulation Numbers

The Minister confirmed that SPH Media Trust's internal review found overstated circulation figures for 2020-2022, but no public funds have been disbursed yet and the inflation occurred before the government's funding relationship with SMT began.
The government's review concluded that the reasons for providing funding to SMT—supporting its digital transformation, preserving vernacular media, and ensuring trusted local journalism—remain valid, so the planned $180 million annual funding for five years will proceed unchanged.
Accountability measures include SMT's ongoing investigation by its Audit and Risk Committee, with future government funding contingent on KPIs related to readership and reach rather than circulation figures, and independent audits will be required.

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10 Jan 2023

Percentage of ActiveSG Credits Unused as of 31 December 2022

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked for the percentage of ActiveSG credits unused as of 31 December 2022 and whether the expiry date would be extended due to COVID-19 disruptions.
Minister Edwin Tong explained that ActiveSG credits were originally valid for more than a year, with unconditional extensions granted during COVID-19 until 31 December 2022, and further extensions to 31 December 2023 for those who used credits at least once in 2022.
As of 31 December 2022, about 639,000 members had remaining credits, but no further extensions will be granted as facilities and programmes have resumed to pre-COVID levels.

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10 Jan 2023

Policy on Use of Dialect Languages on Radio and Television Channels

The government limits dialect content on free-to-air radio and television to support the national language policy that promotes Mandarin as one of the four official languages.
Dialect programmes are still used to communicate important public information to elderly Singaporeans who are more comfortable with dialects, such as for healthcare and government support schemes.
Mediacorp currently provides some dialect content on Channel 8 and Capital 95.8FM, with additional allowances made during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
There are no current plans to increase dialect programming on free-to-air platforms, though such content remains widely available on pay television and online services.

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9 Jan 2023

Insurance Coverage for National Athletes

The Minister explained that under the spexCarding programme, national carded athletes receive medical insurance for sports-related injuries during training and competitions, with coverage lasting their entire carding period.
Additional insurance is provided by the SNOC and SNPC for athletes in Major Games, covering personal effects, injury, or death for the duration of the Games, while National Sports Associations are encouraged to insure their athletes during overseas activities.
Athletes’ personal insurance supplements these coverages, with most injury claims fully covered and financial assistance available from SSI if needed; all carded athletes also access medical and rehabilitation services at SSI in collaboration with Changi General Hospital.

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28 Nov 2022

Promotion of Sea Sports amongst Youths

The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth collaborates with various stakeholders to promote sea sports like sailing, canoeing, and dragon boating through programmes across multiple locations, especially targeting youths.
Existing facilities such as water sports centres, reservoirs, and coastal areas provide sufficient space for sea sports, with ongoing plans to develop more venues like the Punggol Waterway as an integrated hub.
Efforts include ActiveSG programmes, National Sports Associations’ initiatives, and outdoor education at Outward Bound Singapore to encourage youth participation and identify talent for high-performance development.
The People’s Association’s PAssion Wave outlets offer a variety of open water sports, ensuring accessibility for all ages and supporting broader adoption of sea sports nationwide.
The government remains committed to exploring suitable venues and supporting initiatives to drive higher adoption rates of sea sports among Singaporean youths.

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28 Nov 2022

Plans for Masters or Seniors Level Competition to Promote Sporting Excellence

The Ministry for Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) and Sport Singapore have implemented targeted initiatives like the ActiveSG Masters Club and GetActive! Singapore to support seniors in sports, aligning with national aging and health strategies.
These programs include fitness workouts, inclusive competitions such as walking football and seated volleyball, and partnerships with health and community organizations to cater to varying fitness levels.
Financial support through the Temasek Foundation Inspire Fund enables seniors to compete internationally, with no age or sport restrictions, leading to notable achievements like gold and silver medals in global events.
Participation in senior sports has increased significantly, from about 40% in 2011 to 70% in 2021, reflecting the success of current efforts.
The government plans to continue expanding opportunities for seniors to engage in sports and physical activities as the population ages.

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28 Nov 2022

Slots for Sporting Co-curricular Activities in Schools for All Applicants

Miss Rachel Ong questioned if schools have enough slots in sporting CCAs for all applicants beyond school teams and why if not.
Chan Chun Sing stated that schools provide a range of CCAs, including recreational sports teams and Sports Education Programmes, to cater to diverse interests.
He explained that most students get a CCA choice but popular ones may have limited slots due to facility, coach, or scheduling constraints.

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28 Nov 2022

Effectiveness of Nationwide Language Campaigns

The Ministry assesses the effectiveness of nationwide language campaigns through key performance indicators such as participant numbers, program counts, digital reach, and public response, with the Speak Good English Movement and mother tongue councils promoting bilingualism and cultural heritage.
Findings show strong public engagement, with over 350 programs annually before COVID-19 and more than 600 during the pandemic, including record participation in the Speak Mandarin Campaign and high viewership for the Tamil Language Festival.
Polls indicate high proficiency, with 78% of respondents speaking English well or very well and 80-95% of ethnic groups proficient in their mother tongues, supported by community partnerships and digital initiatives like TikTok challenges.

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28 Nov 2022

More Places in Direct School Admission Programme and Mainstream Avenues for Students to Pursue Interests

Dr Wan Rizal asked if more spaces will be provided in the Direct School Admission for Secondary Schools (DSA-Sec) programme given the increase in applications.
Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling asked if the Ministry is considering more mainstream avenues for students with sports and humanities abilities to pursue their interests.
The Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing responded that DSA-Sec has expanded since 2018, with schools able to admit up to 20% of their Secondary 1 intake, and in 2022 about 10% of the cohort received offers.
He stated that there are sufficient DSA places and MOE has no plans to expand the number of places further.
The Minister highlighted that MOE will continue to support diverse talents through Co-Curricular Activities, art, music and PE curriculum, and Applied Learning Programmes, ensuring avenues for all students regardless of DSA participation.

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8 Nov 2022

Oversight of Practice where Foreign Countries Purchase Advertising or Produce Content for Local Consumption in Mainstream and Alternative Media

Dennis Tan inquired about government oversight of foreign countries purchasing advertising or producing content for local consumption in mainstream and alternative media, including articles unrelated to tourism promotion.
Mrs Josephine Teo explained that foreign advertising and content are allowed for benign purposes like tourism or education, but not for political influence, with legislative safeguards such as the NPPA, IMDA codes, POFMA, and FICA to prevent foreign interference.
The government emphasizes that local media must uphold objectivity and resist foreign influence, with specific rules prohibiting foreign funding for newspapers, political ads on TV/radio, and requiring transparency for online political advertisements.

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7 Nov 2022

Rationale for Ceasing Jackpot Operations at Singapore Premier League Clubs

The Ministry for Culture, Community and Youth explained that Singapore Premier League clubs had to cease jackpot operations because they no longer met tightened regulatory criteria, as these clubs lacked other recreational facilities and were overly reliant on such income, prompting a gradual wind-down from 2018 to 2022.
To mitigate the financial impact on clubs, Sport Singapore will provide short-term support to eligible SPL clubs while collaborating with the Football Association of Singapore and clubs to develop a more sustainable operating model.
The Gambling Control Act now requires any gaming machine room operations to obtain a licence from the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Singapore, with stricter licensing criteria and enforcement from August 2022.

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7 Nov 2022

Number and Frequency of Athletes Tested by Anti-Doping Singapore

Mark Chay asked about the number and frequency of athletes tested by Anti-Doping Singapore (ADS), broken down by sport, age group, and level of participation.
ADS uses a Test Distribution Plan (TDP) to determine testing, considering risk factors like competition cycles and athlete statuses, and reviews it regularly.
In FY2021, ADS conducted 86 tests across 17 sports, including in- and out-of-competition urine and blood tests, with details available on its website.
The testing regime aims to prevent doping through unpredictable and unannounced tests to deter potential dopers.
ADS also engages in fee-for-service contracts, though most tests are under its own testing programme.

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7 Nov 2022

Processes to Ensure Protection of Widely-recognised Heritage Sites

Mr Leon Perera asked about processes to protect heritage sites like Haw Par Villa that are not under the National Heritage Board (NHB) or existing heritage laws, and whether the Ministry would consider regulations or collaboration with other statutory boards to safeguard such sites.
Minister Edwin Tong explained that NHB collaborates with public sector agencies like the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to integrate heritage considerations into land planning through research, documentation, expert panels, and community engagement.
The Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) framework was introduced in 2022 to evaluate potential impacts on heritage sites during development, with public projects assessed for the need for in-depth studies to mitigate impacts and engage stakeholders.
For Haw Par Villa specifically, NHB partnered with STB to study and document its heritage features, guiding conservation and upgrading works in 2020–2021, including repairs and upkeep recommendations for built structures and statuary.
The Ministry aims to balance heritage preservation with future development needs by enhancing processes and continuing inter-agency collaboration to retain Singapore’s heritage and collective identity.

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7 Nov 2022

Scope of Strategic Partnership Co-Curricular Activity Programme

The Minister of State for Education provided an update on the Strategic Partnership Co-Curricular Activity (SP-CCA) programme, noting it began in 2019 for secondary school students and expanded to include water polo, with plans to monitor and consider extending it to other levels and activities.
The Minister emphasized that SP-CCA aims to offer students additional options for sports and arts not available at their schools, with student preference and passion being key considerations, rather than forcing participation based on strategic national representation.
It was confirmed that MOE collaborates with Sport Singapore and the National Arts Council to align SP-CCA programmes with MOE's curriculum outcomes, and there is ongoing discussion with National Sports Associations for potential future involvement.

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20 Oct 2022

Audit of Sustainability Efforts and Performance for Singapore Formula One Grand Prix

Ms He Ting Ru asked for an update on sustainability efforts and audits for the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix, including the auditor and timeline for completion.
The Minister for Trade and Industry, Gan Kim Yong, outlined green initiatives such as energy-efficient lighting, biodiesel use, and biodigesters for food waste, with solar panels planned for the F1 Pit Building by July 2023.
SGP has hired Faithful+Gould to assess the event's carbon footprint, with the audit expected to be completed by mid-2023 to guide future sustainability improvements.

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20 Oct 2022

Total Economic Value Created by Formula One Singapore Grand Prix 2022

The 2022 Formula One Singapore Grand Prix recorded a record attendance of 302,000 spectators, with at least 40% from overseas, generating around $130 million in incremental tourist spending.
The event directly supported local businesses in engineering, construction, and hospitality, with about 30,000 staff and contractors accredited, and hotel room rates exceeding $440 per night.
The race boosted the local economy through 90,000 delegates attending approximately 25 Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions events held around the race period.

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4 Oct 2022

Safeguarding Singapore's National and Elite Athletes from Misuse of Drugs

The Government established Anti-Doping Singapore (ADS) in 2010 to oversee a national framework that includes education and testing to prevent the misuse of both recreational and performance-enhancing drugs among elite athletes.
Education is delivered through National Sports Associations, ADS-led programmes, mandatory e-learning modules, and a database for checking prohibited substances, while detection involves a robust testing regime with in-competition and out-of-competition tests.
Sanctions for violations range from temporary to lifetime bans, and additional support suspensions or rehabilitative counselling may be imposed to deter future offenses.
A parliamentary question highlighted the need to extend drug education further upstream to younger athletes, with the Senior Parliamentary Secretary acknowledging the importance of values-based coaching and potential collaboration with schools.

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3 Oct 2022

Supporting Athletes Competing in Sports Not Represented by National Sports Associations

Edwin Tong Chun Fai outlined that athletes can receive support even if their sport lacks a National Sports Association, including high-performance grants from Sport Singapore or direct funding via the Sport Excellence Scholarship, which has been extended to sports not featured in the Major Games.
Additional support includes access to training facilities and funding through the Temasek Foundation Inspire Fund for international competition costs, with nearly 50 applications approved since January 2021 for sports like Jiu-Jitsu and Ultimate Frisbee.
The Minister emphasized that such assistance covers expenses like airfare, accommodation, and registration fees, ensuring athletes across various sports can represent Singapore.

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