Arts, culture & sports

Wan Rizal sought information on support measures for national athletes to address financial stress, performance pressure, and transitions after sports careers. David Neo confirmed the government’s commitment to holistic support for athletes, highlighting the creation of the High Performance Sport Institute (HPSI) for comprehensive mental health and life management assistance. HPSI offers psychoeducation, monitoring for psychological distress, and resilience training to help athletes cope with pressures. Financial enhancements include monthly Central Provident Fund top-ups and a new spexEducation Scholarship for academic support. Collaboration with corporates is encouraged for employment opportunities and a cultural shift to appreciate athletes' journeys beyond victories.

Dr. Wan Rizal raised concerns about the availability of affordable public sports facilities for residents in Kolam Ayer and Jalan Besar following the closures of Kallang Basin Swimming Complex and St Wilfred Sport Centre. David Neo affirmed Sport Singapore's commitment to providing affordable access to sports facilities, while noting that these closures are part of a strategy to address housing demand. New sports facilities, including Sport-in-Precinct facilities in Kolam Ayer and Whampoa, are expected to open by the end of the year. Residents can also utilize nearby existing facilities, such as various ActiveSG complexes and sports courts, to maintain an active lifestyle.

Wan Rizal requested visitor statistics and demographic profiles for the Kallang Basin Swimming Complex and St Wilfred Sport Centre over the past decade. David Neo reported that Kallang Basin Swimming Complex averaged about 52,000 non-unique visitors annually, with around half aged between 20 and 59 years old. The St Wilfred Sport Centre saw an average of 124,000 non-unique visitors per year, with over 80% in the 20 to 59 age range.

Gho Sze Kee asked about the National Arts Council's support for artists in achieving commercially sustainable careers while maintaining artistic integrity. David Neo outlined that the NAC provides grants for local and international showcases, with over 190 artists benefiting from the Marketing and Audience Development Grant from 2022 to 2024. The NAC also enhances artists' professional skills through the Arts Resource Hub and collaborates with SkillsFuture Singapore on a Skills Framework for the Arts. Local platforms like Singapore Art Week and various initiatives help improve the visibility of artists, while international opportunities at events like the Frankfurt Book Fair expand their market reach. The government encourages societal support of the arts through programs like the SG Culture Pass.

Hany Soh requested the Minister for Education to consider encouraging more schools to offer games like "Glory and Grit 7s" that allow non-school team players to participate in tournaments. Desmond Lee affirmed the Ministry's commitment to provide all students, including those not on official teams, with meaningful sports participation opportunities. In 2023, over 27,000 students engaged in external sporting competitions, with nearly half not being on official teams. The Ministry supports school-initiated programmes and encourages schools to collaborate with sports organizations to expand competition opportunities for passionate students.

• The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) aims to foster a caring, cohesive, and confident nation by promoting shared values and multiculturalism among Singaporeans.
• MCCY plans to enhance arts and heritage accessibility through initiatives like ArtsEverywhere@CDC and the Culture Pass, while also encouraging sports participation and inclusivity through the Sports Facilities Master Plan and adaptive sports programs.
• The ministry is focused on empowering youth through the SG Youth Plan, which aims to connect them with mentors and career opportunities, and promote volunteerism to build a "We First" society.
• MCCY will engage citizens in community solutions and partnerships to strengthen social cohesion and support lower-income families through various initiatives and collaborations.
• The ministry emphasizes the importance of citizen engagement and community involvement in shaping policies and fostering a participatory future for all Singaporeans.

• Ms. Hazel Poa inquired about the decision-making process for assigning community clubs to constituencies that lack them.
• The Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Edwin Tong, explained that the People's Association (PA) aims to promote social cohesion through community clubs.
• PA typically plans for each community club to serve around 15,000 households and will assess alternative arrangements for constituencies without a club.
• Decisions on these arrangements involve consultations with Grassroots Advisers, Grassroots Leaders, and other government agencies, considering various factors.

• The debate focused on the efforts of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to rejuvenate the entertainment and nightlife sectors and attract high-profile concerts to Singapore.
• STB collaborates with industry stakeholders to create vibrant programs, such as a bar hopping passport and free public events like iLight Singapore, to enhance nightlife experiences.
• The board aims to leverage Singapore's strong infrastructure and reputation to attract international shows and diverse cultural performances that cater to the local and tourist communities.
• Upcoming events will feature a variety of cultural performances, including those from different ethnic backgrounds, showcasing Singapore's multicultural heritage.

• Ms. Ng Ling Ling inquired about the government's plans to promote Singapore as a culinary capital and seek UNESCO City of Gastronomy recognition, citing that Singapore meets many of the criteria.
• Minister Edwin Tong responded that Singapore is currently designated as a Creative City of Design under UNESCO's guidelines, which restricts recognition to one creative field at a time.
• The government has no plans to pursue UNESCO City of Gastronomy recognition but continues to promote Singapore's food and beverage offerings through various initiatives.

• Ms. Usha Chandradas inquired about the tracking of K-pop training academies in Singapore and the well-being of their trainees.
• Minister Edwin Tong stated that the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and the National Arts Council do not track the number of K-pop academies and do not fund them.
• The Ministry acknowledges the growing interest in K-pop and encourages training academies to follow best practices that prioritize the well-being of trainees.
• The dance scene in Singapore is diverse, encompassing various genres beyond K-pop, including ballet and contemporary dance.

• Pritam Singh inquired about the extension of the Sport-in-Precinct scheme to HDB estates managed by opposition Town Councils and the typical budget for such projects.
• Edwin Tong emphasized the government's commitment to providing accessible and affordable public sports facilities across Singapore, including various community centers and sport spaces.
• Currently, there are 10 completed Sport-in-Precinct facilities, with plans for more to be developed, though specific details will be announced later.
• The planning for public sport facilities considers factors like existing facilities, site proximity, population size, and sports popularity.
• The cost of constructing an SIP facility varies based on market conditions and the specific type and size of the facility.

• MCCY emphasized community and nation-building for SG60, with a focus on the Malay/Muslim community's "Community of Success" through M3 initiatives in health, youth development, and family support, including the expansion of Project Dian.
• The Ministry announced new initiatives to boost arts and sports participation, including a $100 SG Culture Pass for citizens and a $100 ActiveSG credit top-up, while also planning a Singapore Design Museum and enhancing high-performance sports pathways through institutional integration.
• In heritage and philanthropy, the government launched the SG Heritage Business Scheme to support long-standing local businesses and introduced measures to encourage giving, including tax incentives and a new Enabling Sports Fund for disability sports.

Usha Chandradas asked about the investment amounts in arts-related businesses in Singapore due to the Global Investor Programme (GIP) incentives and their proportion of total GIP investments. Gan Kim Yong responded that the GIP grants Permanent Resident status to eligible investors but does not provide financial incentives. He noted that there have been no recent GIP investors in arts-related businesses, and voluntary investments in the arts sector are not tracked.

Usha Chandradas asked for the total value of donations to arts, cultural, and heritage Institutions of a Public Character (IPCs) qualifying for a 250% tax deduction under the Income Tax Act over the past five years. Chee Hong Tat stated that the requested information for 2019 to 2023 is available in the Commissioner of Charities Annual Reports and can be accessed publicly.

Gerald Giam Yean Song raised questions regarding the financial arrangements for hosting the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, specifically about government financial support if sponsorships fall short, any set sponsorship targets, and accountability for organizers in securing sponsorships. Edwin Tong Chun Fai indicated that the queries were addressed by Senior Parliamentary Secretary Eric Chua in a previous session and suggested that Giam refer to that response for details.

Usha Chandradas expressed strong support for the budget and discussed the Culture Pass and visual arts sector, raising questions about its administration and the benefits to artists. Carrie Tan highlighted the need for a paradigm shift in education to focus on personal fulfillment and proposed changes to reduce academic pressure, also addressing declining fertility rates and the need for a narrative shift towards the joys of parenthood. Mariam Jaafar emphasized the importance of resilience in a changing geopolitical landscape and urged investment in supply chain and climate resilience, while calling for diverse and well-rounded education to empower citizens. The Prime Minister responded to various queries about fiscal policies, the rationale behind financial strategies, and the importance of balancing fiscal responsibility with the immediate needs of Singaporeans.

Yeo Wan Ling asked about programs to support young golfing talent in Singapore due to limited access to public golf facilities. Eric Chua responded that Sport Singapore collaborates with the Singapore Golf Association (SGA) to nurture junior golfers through initiatives like the SGA Future Squad and regular training sessions at various clubs. SGA also organizes junior tournaments to allow young golfers to compete and showcase their skills. Despite space constraints for golf courses, the government is exploring options to maintain affordable public access to golfing facilities and has made arrangements with clubs to provide slots for public use.

Hazel Poa asked about the total funding provided by the Government to SPH Media Trust for FY2024. Josephine Teo stated that the Ministry of Digital Development and Information has allocated $260.6 million to SPH Media Trust for that fiscal year. Additionally, $28.9 million has been budgeted for Performance Linked Incentives, which will be awarded based on the trust meeting its key performance indicators.

Gerald Giam Yean Song asked about the costs for constructing and dismantling the temporary competition venue for the 2025 World Aquatics Championships, as well as its potential future use after the event. Eric Chua provided insights on the expected attendance of about 40,000 international visitors and projected tourism revenue of approximately $60 million. He emphasized that the temporary venue would be explored for extended use beyond the Championships and noted that cost management is crucial, with efforts underway to secure sponsorships to support expenses. Giam expressed concerns about maximizing public resources and ensuring that temporary infrastructures contribute lasting benefits to Singapore's sporting landscape.

• Ms. Hazel Poa inquired about the possibility of new leases for golf clubs with leases expiring before 2030 and whether the land could be repurposed for other uses, such as housing.
• Minister K. Shanmugam stated that agencies review long-term plans for leases before they expire, including those for golf clubs, considering various land needs.
• Decisions regarding lease renewals for golf clubs will be communicated to the clubs after the review process is completed.