Arts, culture & sports — Topics

25 Mar 2020

Trend Observed in Audienceship for Annual Singapore International Festival of Arts

The Singapore International Festival of Arts has seen an average attendance of about 50,000 each year since shifting to a more compact model in 2018, with a 17% increase in returning visitors in 2019.
Nearly half of the audiences surveyed in 2019 were first-time patrons, with 70% being Singapore residents, and the festival aims to attract more Singaporeans through affordable tickets and engaging programmes.
SIFA plans to improve audienceship by presenting interesting programmes, keeping tickets affordable, bringing performances to unconventional public spaces, and using participative arts to engage people from all backgrounds.

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25 Mar 2020

Emphasis on Local Arts Scene in Singapore International Festival of Arts 2020

Terence Ho Wee San questioned whether the Singapore International Festival of Arts 2020 sufficiently highlighted the local arts scene and requested the percentage of overseas programmes.
Grace Fu Hai Yien stated that the National Arts Council views SIFA as a key platform for Singaporean artists, with half of recent productions involving local artists, and plans to maintain this focus.
She announced that SIFA 2020 was cancelled due to challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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25 Mar 2020

Hindu Endowments (Amendment) Bill

The Minister for Culture, Community and Youth introduced the Hindu Endowments (Amendment) Bill to update the Hindu Endowments Act, specifically section 20 governing temple management committees.
The Bill increases the committee size from eight to 12 members, raises the meeting quorum from four to six, and extends member terms from two to three years to improve effectiveness.
These changes aim to provide temple committees with greater expertise, sustained leadership, and better capacity to manage religious and charitable endowments.
The Bill was read a second time, committed to a Committee of the whole House, reported without amendment, and passed.

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25 Mar 2020

Impact of COVID-19 on Singapore International Festival of Arts 2020

The National Arts Council decided to cancel SIFA 2020 to prioritize safety amid COVID-19, planning instead for a 2021 festival and supporting local arts groups with digital initiatives like webcasts and behind-the-scenes content.
The government highlighted financial support for the arts community through the Stabilisation and Support Package and Capability Development Scheme for the Arts, encouraging digital presentations to engage audiences during the pandemic.
Suggestions for a #SGUnited Digital Arts Festival, increased local artist engagement in future SIFAs, and encouraging ticket refunds as donations via platforms like Giving.sg were acknowledged for further consideration.

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6 Mar 2020

Committee of Supply – Head X (Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth)

MCCY will introduce measures to enhance access to opportunities across life stages, including free gym and pool access for seniors aged 65 and above, and a grant to help low-income families afford preschool fees.
The Ministry is strengthening social cohesion by supporting the asatizah fraternity through professional development initiatives and promoting community engagement efforts like the CiptaSama dialogues to address issues facing the Malay/Muslim community.
To support the arts and culture sector amid COVID-19, MCCY will provide a 30% rental subsidy for national cultural institutions and an enhanced capability development grant for arts groups and freelancers.

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3 Mar 2020

Incorporate Water Points and Sunshades into Proposed Redesign for Future NS Square

Louis Ng asked whether the proposed redesign for future NS Square includes water points and sunshades for large audiences and if not, whether the Ministry will ensure their inclusion.
Lawrence Wong confirmed that water points are standard stadium amenities and will be incorporated into the final design.
He added that the design brief requires an enjoyable and comfortable spectator experience, which may include sunshades or other innovative solutions.

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3 Mar 2020

Committee of Supply – Head K (Ministry of Education)

Anthea Ong raised concerns about the low ratio of school counsellors to students, the qualifications and competency assessment of counsellors, and proposed annual mental health screenings for students to enable early detection and support.
Several members, including Zainal Sapari, Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap, and Ang Wei Neng, highlighted financial challenges for students, advocating for enhanced bursaries for ITE and polytechnic students, and the extension of Edusave Awards and financial assistance to full-time madrasah students and foreign passport holders with Singaporean parents.
Saktiandi Supaat and Cheng Li Hui focused on student development, with Supaat questioning if overseas internship programmes will include ITE students and Li Hui suggesting the introduction of inter-school CCAs to promote social inclusivity and mixing.
Terence Ho Wee San proposed integrating local arts, including works by Cultural Medallion recipients and traditional instruments, into the music curriculum and advocated for the establishment of a Singapore Arts University to nurture local artistic talent.

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3 Mar 2020

Government's Role in Senior Management Appointments at Local Mainstream Media Organisations

Leon Perera asked whether the Government influences senior management appointments at Mediacorp and Singapore Press Holdings.
The Senior Minister of State responded that media organisations are commercial entities where appointments are decided by their boards and management.
Legislative safeguards under the Broadcasting Act and Newspaper and Printing Presses Act require IMDA approval for certain key appointments and mandate Singapore citizenship for CEOs and directors to prevent foreign influence.

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26 Feb 2020

Plan to Commemorate 30th Anniversary of Singapore-China Relations

Singapore and China are commemorating the 30th anniversary of their diplomatic relations established on 3 October 1990, with a multifaceted partnership spanning government, business, and people-to-people ties, including major joint projects like the Suzhou Industrial Park and Tianjin Eco-City.
The two countries have robust economic relations, with China being Singapore’s largest trading partner and Singapore being China’s largest foreign investor since 2013, and they continue to expand cooperation in areas like the Belt and Road Initiative and smart city development.
Despite the COVID-19 outbreak, Singapore has shown solidarity with China through donations and medical support, and both nations plan high-level exchanges, including a State Visit by President Halimah Yacob and the 16th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation.
Cultural and historical ties will be highlighted through exhibitions, such as the Asian Civilisations Museum’s Tang Shipwreck Collection at the Shanghai Museum and an exhibition on China’s Ming Dynasty in Singapore, to promote mutual understanding and people-to-people connections.

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4 Feb 2020

Government Expenditure on Singapore Bicentennial Activities and Outcomes Achieved

The Government spent approximately $35.5 million on The Bicentennial Experience at Fort Canning, with an additional $1.5 million for conferences and publications, while leveraging existing annual events to feature bicentennial themes.
Over 250 events were held in 2019, attracting more than 9 million visitors, with strong participation from community partners, volunteers, students, and NSFs, and over 96% of visitors rated The Bicentennial Experience positively.
The commemoration achieved social and cultural outcomes by increasing public knowledge of Singapore’s history, providing a platform for community engagement, and creating accessible content to enrich archives for future generations.

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4 Feb 2020

Demolition of Kallang Squash Centre and Impact on Availability of Venue for Hosting International Squash Tournaments and Training for Elite Players

The Ministry affirmed that Singapore currently has 24 public squash courts across five locations, with stable peak-period utilisation, and identified Burghley and Yio Chu Kang as interim national training sites following the Kallang Centre's demolition.
It confirmed ongoing discussions with the Singapore Squash Rackets Association since 2018 on replacement facilities and longer-term infrastructure plans, while noting the sport’s recent international success, including medals at the Southeast Asian Games.
The Ministry highlighted the need for continued collaboration between Sport Singapore, the squash fraternity, and the community to support the sport’s development and ensure availability for elite training and tournaments.

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6 Jan 2020

Annual Funding Provided to MediaCorp for Past Five Years

The government allocated approximately $310 million annually to MediaCorp over the past five years for Public Service Broadcasting, supporting around 3,000 hours of TV programmes yearly across multiple languages and specific radio stations.
This funding aims to develop capabilities and digital platforms to complement PSB programming, with regular reviews to ensure value for money amid changing media consumption habits and increased competition.
MediaCorp is innovating its business model and content offerings to better serve audiences, as the government acknowledges the challenges faced by public service broadcasters globally due to evolving market dynamics.

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6 Jan 2020

Reasons for Massive Traffic Jams at 2019 Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon and Preventive Measures

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah and Mr Liang Eng Hwa questioned the approval of road closures, lack of consideration for concurrent downtown events, and the need for better regulatory reviews and communication for future marathons.
Mr Desmond Choo raised concerns about balancing major sporting events with public inconvenience, potential liability for commercial organizers, and barring organizers who fail to address congestion.
Minister Grace Fu explained that the 2019 evening marathon aimed to enhance participant experience and showcase Singapore as a World Marathon Major, with extensive planning and stakeholder engagement.
Despite preparations, the event saw significant traffic jams; the Ministry will study public feedback, de-conflict future events, and improve communications while aiming to elevate the marathon’s status.
The debate highlighted the challenge of managing large-scale events in a city, emphasizing the need for proactive planning, stakeholder coordination, and continuous improvement to minimize public disruption.

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6 Jan 2020

Building a Sustainable and Vibrant Community Arts Eco-system

Terence Ho proposed creating centralized performing arts hubs with shared facilities and a common warehouse to reduce waste and enhance efficiency.
He suggested reinstating an arts radio and TV channel to broaden audience reach and promote local arts content.
Ho emphasized fostering collaborations between community clubs, schools, and alumni arts groups to strengthen the arts ecosystem.
Baey Yam Keng acknowledged the importance of shared spaces and digital initiatives but noted challenges like rising costs and declining traditional media viewership.
He highlighted ongoing efforts to co-locate arts groups and expand digital platforms to complement traditional media for broader engagement.

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5 Nov 2019

Stance on Participation of LGBTQ+ Speakers, Artists and Performers in Events at Institutes of Higher Learning

The Ministry of Education stated that Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) have autonomy to manage campus activities, including inviting LGBTQ+ speakers, artists, and performers, but must respect Singapore’s social norms and laws and exercise sensitivity on divisive issues.
Assoc Prof Walter Theseira asked if institutions should base decisions on established policy and national interest rather than personal views, citing cases where LGBTQ+ performers were asked to censor content.
The Second Minister for Education replied that decisions should not rely on personal views, emphasizing that IHLs must ensure safe, neutral spaces for diverse audiences and exercise discretion based on the context and comfort of attendees.

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5 Nov 2019

Progress on Disability Sports Master Plan

Ms Yip Pin Xiu asked for a review of progress on the Disability Sports Master Plan (DSMP), identification of any implementation gaps, and consideration of a dedicated committee beyond ActiveSG.
Senior Minister of State Sim Ann reported that since 2016, Sport Singapore has set up Centres of Expertise, inclusive gyms, and programmes like the Inclusive Sports Festival, engaging over 11,000 persons with disabilities and 90,000 others, with participation rising from 28% to 51%.
She highlighted efforts in talent development, including support for para athletes, coach training, and partnerships, and noted a DSMP review published in the Vision 2030 mid-term report, which plans to broaden partnerships for greater impact.

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5 Nov 2019

Performance of Singapore Sports School

The Minister outlined that the Singapore Sports School tracks 14 sporting, academic, and well-being targets, having missed three in 2016, one in 2017, but achieved all in 2018.
For the 2019 SEA Games, 101 Sports School athletes were selected across 21 sports, though the Minister noted that government agencies do not track all athletes’ originating schools.
The Sports School consistently outperforms national and global averages in GCE "O" level and International Baccalaureate results, supporting its dual academic and athletic development mission.

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4 Nov 2019

Plans for Population of Pulau Ubin

The Ministry of National Development plans to keep Pulau Ubin a natural getaway, with about 130 people currently residing or working there.
NParks collaborates with the Friends of Ubin Network and a dedicated Community Liaison Team to address residents' needs through facility improvements and welfare programs.
The Community Liaison Team conducts safety inspections, repairs, drainage improvements, water distribution, and coordinates with agencies to preserve Ubin’s cultural heritage and way of life.

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4 Nov 2019

Demolition of Sentosa Merlion

The Minister confirmed that the Sentosa Development Corporation explored all alternatives before deciding to demolish the Sentosa Merlion, citing its massive size and location as constraints to area development and accessibility.
He explained that relocating the 37-metre-tall statue was not feasible due to its scale and internal structural installations, making the demolition decision difficult but necessary.
In response to public sentiment, the Minister stated there are no plans to build a replacement Merlion, as there are already five other replicas located across Singapore.

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4 Nov 2019

Para Sports in Schools during Physical Education or Character and Citizenship Education Classes

Member Yip Pin Xiu proposed including para sports as a basic experience in Physical Education or Character and Citizenship Education classes in all schools.
The Minister of Education highlighted existing initiatives like para events at the National School Games, the Play Inclusive program, and trained teachers for inclusive PE to support students with diverse abilities.
The Minister emphasized that while MOE supports such activities, it will carefully consider making them compulsory, preferring to integrate them organically into existing lessons.

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