Arts, culture & sports

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat questioned whether leasing a high-traffic site at Yio Chu Kang Stadium to a fast-food business aligns with SportSG's mission for promoting healthy living. David Neo clarified that all food tenants at ActiveSG Sport Centres must adhere to the Whole-of-Government healthier food and beverage policy, ensuring offerings meet health criteria such as Nutri-Grade A or B. Tenants are also required to use healthier cooking practices or be certified by the Health Promotion Board's Healthier Dining Programme. SportSG aims to provide convenient dining options that comply with health standards to encourage active and healthy lifestyles for Singaporeans.

Jackson Lam asked about the number of complaints regarding pickleball-related noise in residential estates for 2024 to 2025, measures taken by Town Councils to balance recreation with residents' rest, and the possibility of introducing nationwide guidelines or infrastructure changes for quieter play. Chee Hong Tat suggested referring to a previous response from the Ministry of National Development regarding noise from pickleball, which included guidelines for managing its rising popularity and associated noise issues.

David Hoe asked if SportSG would consider allowing ActiveSG credits for school facility bookings, standardizing inclusive payment options, and introducing concessions for lower-income households. David Neo confirmed the government's commitment to making sports facilities accessible and affordable, noting that ActiveSG credits enable Singaporeans to book facilities and programs, with recent top-ups for members. SportSG provides support for lower-income families through free programs and has introduced inclusive payment options like PayNow and debit cards. SportSG is also working on using ActiveSG credits for school bookings and aims to further enhance the affordability and accessibility of sports facilities.

Diana Pang Li Yen asked about the expansion of shaded public playgrounds and outdoor play areas in light of rising temperatures and their alignment with efforts to reduce children's screen time. Chee Hong Tat explained that agencies consider thermal comfort when designing playgrounds, using tools for sun-shade analysis and heat mapping. Agencies aim to place playgrounds in shaded areas and use climate-appropriate materials. Additionally, NParks has created 40 nature playgardens to encourage outdoor play and connection with nature.

Jamus Lim inquired about potential guidelines for pickleball play in HDB public courts due to its growing popularity and associated noise issues. Chee Hong Tat addressed noise complaints, noting that 701 complaints regarding pickleball noise were received between January 2024 and August 2025. Existing community noise guidelines encourage residents to respect quiet hours from 10:30 PM to 7:00 AM, applicable to common spaces. Town Councils are implementing measures to mitigate noise, such as advisories and restricted court usage hours. Proposals to convert sports facilities into multi-purpose areas with sound dampening may be submitted to HDB for approval, subject to safety and disamenity considerations.

Foo Cexiang questioned the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth about concerns regarding the closure of local arts spaces like The Projector and potential additional support for grassroots initiatives to enhance the arts scene. David Neo responded that the Ministry supports arts and culture groups through grants, funding schemes, and various initiatives aimed at maintaining financial stability and vibrancy in the arts sector. Key cultural events like Singapore Art Week and partnerships with organizations are designed to provide presentation opportunities and affordable spaces for artists. The Government is committed to helping local arts organizations navigate challenges while encouraging community and private support for the arts.

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat questioned the framework for assessing the intangible civic and heritage values of libraries versus their land's economic value, particularly regarding the relocation of Ang Mo Kio and Geylang East public libraries. Josephine Teo emphasized the crucial role of libraries as knowledge custodians and community institutions, part of the National Library Board's 15-year "Libraries of the Future" Masterplan aimed at enhancing accessibility by relocating libraries to transportation hubs. The decision to relocate libraries involves consultations with government agencies and considers factors like land use, accessibility, and potential patron service. Teo noted that mall libraries attract significantly more visitors than standalone libraries, and plans will be made to celebrate the heritage of relocated libraries through various interpretive means.

Darryl David asked about the number of National School Games (NSG) events held at the Singapore Sports Hub over the past five years and future plans for such events. Desmond Lee reported that after resuming in 2022, four sports competitions were held, with 14 sports events taking place this year. The Ministry of Education plans to collaborate with the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and SportSG to host a variety of NSG events at the Sports Hub in the coming years. This initiative aims to inspire students by providing them the opportunity to compete at a top-tier sporting facility.

Fadli Fawzi questioned the Minister for Digital Development and Information about the Ministry's awareness of a proposed collaboration between SPH Media Trust and Chinese state-owned news organizations, as well as whether an assessment of potential foreign interference had been conducted. Josephine Teo responded that the specific collaboration mentioned was unclear, but noted that SPH Media often collaborates with various international partners, including Chinese news organizations, for content sharing. She assured that regulations are in place to prevent foreign interference in local media, specifically citing the Newspaper and Printing Presses Act and the Broadcasting Act, which prohibit foreign funding for non-commercial purposes in these contexts. The government is prepared to act if any foreign interference is detected.