Arts, culture & sports

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik raised questions about the availability and criteria for SingLit books that can be purchased using SG Culture Pass credits. David Neo confirmed that the SG Culture Pass, launched on September 1, 2025, aims to enhance access to local arts and heritage. The Government is working to include SingLit books in the program, focusing on works written by local authors to support the literary arts community. Further details on the eligibility criteria for SingLit works will be provided soon.

The Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth announced the government's intention to preserve 38 Oxley Road under the Preservation of Monuments Act, following the formal assessment that deemed the site historically significant. The site is important as it was where key discussions for Singapore's independence took place, involving historical figures and pivotal events from the 1950s. The government plans to consider public access and potential development of the site as a heritage park while respecting the privacy wishes of Mr. Lee Kuan Yew's family by removing traces of their private living spaces. The acquisition process will adhere to established laws, with an independent valuation for fair compensation. The minister assured that consultations with stakeholders would guide future use, emphasizing the need for transparency and sensitivity in the decision-making process.

Fadli Fawzi asked about the peak capacity determination, crowded ActiveSG gyms, and the potential for increasing gym facilities in high-demand areas. Ms. Goh Hanyan explained that gym capacities are set to maximize access while ensuring safety and user space, with higher visitorship seen in larger gyms like Senja-Cashew and Clementi. There are plans for at least one gym in each residential town, with potential expansions during renovations. Fadli also inquired about considerations for new gym locations and the possibility of gyms in shopping malls, to which Goh indicated that planning is guided by population parameters and will continue to be reviewed in the Sports Facilities Master Plan.

• Mr. Ng Shi Xuan inquired about the current number of public playgrounds in Singapore and their features compared to a decade ago.
• The Minister for National Development, Chee Hong Tat, reported that there are approximately 2,800 public playgrounds managed by the HDB and National Parks Board.
• The number of public playgrounds has seen an increase over the past 10 years.

• Gerald Giam raised concerns about the regulation of media coverage on large lottery wins, questioning its potential to promote gambling and the government's analysis of its social impact.
• Josephine Teo responded that news organizations have editorial discretion but must adhere to content codes that prevent the normalization of gambling.
• The Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) oversees the publication of lottery results and regulates gambling advertisements to mitigate social harms.
• Additional safeguards against problem gambling include prohibiting credit betting and conducting public education campaigns by the National Council on Problem Gambling.
• The GRA and Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) will continue to monitor and review measures related to lottery gambling.

• Edward Chia Bing Hui raised concerns about illegal freelance work in Singapore's creative sector and questioned the enforcement of the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990.
• The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is actively monitoring illegal freelancing and will investigate complaints, particularly those involving foreign freelancers advertising on social media.
• MOM collaborates with stakeholders like the Visual, Audio, Creative Content Professionals Association (VICPA) to educate on work pass requirements and promote the hiring of local professionals.
• The Ministry also partners with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority to share information on suspected illegal foreign freelancers and prevent their entry into Singapore.

• Ms. Poh Li San inquired about the utilization rate of the SG60 $100 credit top-up for ActiveSG users and SportSG's plans to promote ActiveSG facilities.
• The SG60 ActiveSG Credit Top-Up aims to enhance sport participation among all Singaporeans and PRs, with credits valid until the end of 2026 if used at least once.
• As of September 30, 2025, over 1.1 million members have claimed the SG60 credits, with approximately 41% having made at least one transaction.
• Sport Singapore plans to introduce more programs, including activities like pickleball and street dance, to encourage active lifestyles among Singaporeans.

• The Singapore Sports Council (Amendment) Bill aims to amend the Singapore Sports Council Act of 1973.
• The bill was presented by the Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Mr. David Neo.
• The bill was read for the first time and is scheduled to be read a second time at the next available parliamentary sitting.

Edward Chia Bing Hui asked for an update on the review of the Formula 1 contracts and the expected timeline for its completion. Gan Kim Yong confirmed that an independent Review Committee was convened, which has completed its report, finding that the contract terms are fair and safeguard the Government's interests, while highlighting significant economic benefits from hosting the Grand Prix. The Review Committee noted the continued relevance of the Singapore Grand Prix for international branding and observed no irregularities in the project's management. Recommendations for improving processes between the Singapore Tourism Board and Singapore GP were made, but the report will not be publicly released due to business confidentiality.

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat raised concerns about the public health risks associated with non-prescribed performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) like anabolic steroids among youths. Ong Ye Kung emphasized that these substances are prescription-only and should not be used for enhancing performance due to serious health risks. He advised the public to report illegal drug supply or use to the Health Sciences Authority. The Anti-Doping Singapore is collaborating with Institutes of Higher Learning to provide anti-doping education to student-athletes, with plans to assess the effectiveness of these outreach programs.

Diana Pang Li Yen asked the Minister for Education about incentives and guidelines for schools to open facilities for community use, as well as support mechanisms for principals. Desmond Lee stated that the Ministry of Education partners with Sport Singapore and the People's Association to promote community access to school facilities outside school hours, with approximately 180 school fields and 220 indoor sports halls currently available. He noted that 90% of government schools participate in the Dual-Use Scheme (DUS), which simplifies the booking process and minimizes administrative burdens for schools. The Ministry will continue to support community access to school facilities while encouraging proper care of these facilities by users.

Joan Pereira asked about plans for the temporary facilities following the World Aquatics Championships 2025. David Neo announced that the WCH Arena will be used until 2030, based on positive feedback from attendees. The arena will be available for public use and national team training, allowing Singaporeans to swim where international athletes competed. It may also host future aquatics events, including the Southeast Asian Games and ASEAN Para Games in 2029. The public can expect access to the WCH Arena by the end of October, with more details to come.

Foo Cexiang questioned the Minister for Digital Development and Information about government funding for public service broadcasting (PSB) over the past five years, specifically regarding the amounts allocated and the programs receiving support, as well as the need for revisiting funding levels to enhance local content popularity. The Minister reported that approximately $380 million has been allocated annually to support Mediacorp in reaching domestic audiences, which is lower than similar funding in other countries. Viewership metrics have shifted from traditional television to online platforms, showing a decline in TV reach but an increase in unique online viewers, while overall public satisfaction remains stable. Foo highlighted recent successes of local productions on streaming platforms and asked if the government would support more collaborations with international platforms to increase the international reach of local content. The Minister affirmed the importance of local productions and mentioned the International Co-Production Fund aimed at encouraging partnerships with international creators to enhance visibility and storytelling.

• Ms. Yeo Wan Ling raised concerns about noise from the increasing popularity of pickleball in HDB estates and requested guidelines on community noise allowance standards for high-impact sports.
• She also proposed a study to enhance HDB communal sports facilities, suggesting the addition of safety features and sound dampeners to convert them into multi-purpose spaces.
• Minister Chee Hong Tat referenced a previous response regarding guidelines for pickleball play in HDB public courts, indicating that the issue has been addressed in earlier discussions.

• The Strategic Partnership Co-Curricular Activity (SP-CCA) allows secondary students from different schools to engage in sports beyond their school's offerings.
• In 2025, there are 232 students from 86 schools participating in SP-CCAs, with an increase from 139 students from 64 schools in 2024.
• The current training venues for SP-CCAs are deemed adequate, but the Ministry of Education (MOE) is open to exploring additional locations if necessary.
• The MOE supports the initiation of cluster-based CCAs by schools to provide a broader range of activities and foster student connections.

• The Ministry of Trade and Industry engages with business owners to assess the impact of the F1 Singapore Grand Prix and has implemented support measures for those affected.
• Government agencies, including the Singapore Tourism Board and the Land Transport Authority, actively seek feedback from businesses in the Marina Bay area to mitigate disruptions caused by the event.
• Measures to reduce disruptions include improved access and wayfinding, as well as a reduction in road closure periods from 12 days in 2008 to 7 days currently.
• The F1 Singapore Grand Prix has attracted over 720,000 international visitors and generated more than $2.2 billion in tourism receipts since its inception in 2008.
• The Grand Prix Season Singapore initiative encourages businesses to leverage the increased footfall and spending during the event through race-themed festivities.

• Joan Pereira raised concerns about climate change impacting weather patterns and the increasing demand for sports facilities in Singapore, suggesting the conversion of dead spaces under infrastructure into sporting facilities.
• David Neo from Sport Singapore highlighted ongoing efforts to develop various sports facilities, including the transformation of underutilized spaces like the CTE viaduct into sports courts and fitness areas.
• SportSG is actively repurposing spaces, including rooftops of car parks, for recreational use and plans to collaborate with other agencies to identify more opportunities for utilizing these areas.

• Edward Chia Bing Hui raised a question about expanding the SG Culture Pass to include movie screenings due to declining cinema attendance.
• The SG Culture Pass, launched on September 1, 2025, aims to enhance access to local arts and heritage, featuring over 400 programs.
• The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth is considering including local films in the Culture Pass, in collaboration with the Singapore International Film Festival.
• Discussions are ongoing with cinema operators regarding the feasibility of incorporating local film screenings into the SG Culture Pass.
• The government appreciates community support for the local arts and culture sector.

• The debate focused on the challenges faced by youth athletes in balancing their sporting commitments with academic responsibilities.
• Ms. Hazlina Abdul Halim inquired about the Ministry's plans to enhance support for these athletes and how they can collaborate with other agencies to assist those preparing for national examinations.
• Mr. David Neo highlighted the existing support systems, including the High Performance Sport Institute and the Singapore Sports School, which provide psychological support, academic flexibility, and specialized training for student-athletes.
• The government is committed to improving athlete-friendly practices in education and has introduced scholarships to support athletes' academic pursuits during and after their sports careers.
• Ongoing partnerships between various ministries and national sports associations aim to ensure that student-athletes receive the necessary support to excel in both sports and academics.