Digital & technology — Topics

5 Oct 2020

Residential Addresses Falsely Declared as Housing Addresses for Foreign Workers in Past Five Years

Member of Parliament Leon Perera asked about the number of cases in the past five years where residential addresses were falsely declared as housing addresses for foreign workers and the measures to ensure accuracy.
The Ministry of Manpower holds employers responsible for reporting accurate addresses via an Online Foreign Worker Address Service, which checks occupancy limits and tenancy records to prevent misuse.
A Foreign Worker Tenant Enquiry System was introduced in 2018, allowing homeowners to verify and block registrations at their addresses, leading to a significant increase in detected false declarations in 2019.
Cases of false declaration result in investigations, with culpable employers barred from hiring foreign workers and workers facing work pass revocation if they knowingly provided false information.

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5 Oct 2020

Malay/Muslim Community's Response to Meet Religious Needs in Light of COVID-19 Restrictions by Age Group

The Malay/Muslim community, led by religious leaders and Muis, adapted religious practices by closing mosques early, allowing household prayer gatherings, and deferring the Haj pilgrimage to safeguard public health, while progressively resuming Friday prayers with safe management measures.
New digital platforms like SalamSG TV, online aLIVE and ADIL classes, and the MuslimSG app provided religious content for all age groups, with strong engagement and subsidies for those in need, helping the community maintain religious practices despite restrictions.
The community showed resilience by assisting less tech-savvy elderly with online access, supporting mosque operations through digital donations, and demonstrating compassion by delivering meals to migrant workers during Hari Raya Haji, reinforcing unity and care during the pandemic.

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5 Oct 2020

Take-up Rate of Registering Lasting Power of Attorney by Age Groups and Plans to Implement Online Registration for Lasting Power of Attorney

There are 93,398 registered Lasting Powers of Attorney as of 31 August 2020.
Over half of the applicants are aged 50 to 69, with detailed breakdowns available in Annex A.
The government plans to introduce online registration for Lasting Powers of Attorney as part of digital transformation, which will require amendments to the Mental Capacity Act.
More details on the implementation will be shared once ready.

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5 Oct 2020

Update on Digital Ambassador Outreach Effort since Implementation

The SG Digital Office has mobilized 1,000 Digital Ambassadors to drive e-payment adoption among hawkers and equip seniors with digital skills, resulting in over 7,200 stallholders signing up for the SGQR Unified e-Payment solution.
Digital Ambassadors have engaged more than 21,500 seniors at 34 community hubs, with plans to establish 21 additional hubs at libraries, and a survey shows 95% satisfaction among seniors who completed training.
Efforts with partners like Youth Corps Singapore and grassroots volunteers have amplified digital skilling, leading to a 65% increase in SGQR transactions since the launch of the Hawkers Go Digital programme.
SDO will sustain its outreach to support all Singaporeans in their digitalisation journey, encouraging seniors to visit community hubs for assistance from Digital Ambassadors and volunteers.

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5 Oct 2020

Further Measures by Public Healthcare Institutions to Promote and Increase Public Awareness of Option of Medication Delivery among Patients

Public healthcare institutions have promoted medication delivery services through various channels like videos, pamphlets, websites, and mobile apps, with uptake increasing tenfold during the pandemic.
Staff actively inform eligible patients about delivery options via clinics, pharmacies, call centers, and other touchpoints, and some patients are automatically enrolled if they meet criteria.
Additional collection options such as lockers or retail pharmacies are available at selected polyclinics and advertised on websites and notices.
Patients can contact pharmacy staff for more information or to arrange medication delivery or collection.

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5 Oct 2020

Trend and Reasons for Patients Seeking Telemedicine and Plans to Compile and Share Their Feedback with Public

The Ministry of Health has noted a rise in healthcare providers offering telemedicine services but does not track the number of patients seeking these services.
Patients primarily use telemedicine for convenience, such as easier access for those with mobility issues, time savings for stable chronic conditions, and combined medication delivery.
MOH has launched an e-Training program to guide healthcare professionals on safe telemedicine practices and plans additional consumer education efforts to improve public understanding.

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5 Oct 2020

Ensuring Effectiveness and Accessibility of Courses for Elderly During COVID-19

The government transitioned senior learning courses online using platforms like Zoom and Facebook while providing technical assistance to help seniors adapt.
Digital Ambassadors and community hubs offer one-on-one coaching to boost seniors' digital skills, with thousands reached so far.
Traditional media such as TV and radio are used to deliver content in multiple languages, reaching hundreds of thousands of seniors.
A hybrid model combining virtual and in-person classes is now adopted to improve accessibility and convenience for seniors.

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5 Oct 2020

Avenues for Legal Aid or Probono Legal Services for Singaporeans with Mobility Needs Encountering Significant Difficulty Leaving Home

Minister K Shanmugam outlined remote options for legal aid and pro bono services for those with mobility issues, including online applications to the Legal Aid Bureau and Law Society Pro Bono Services, with phone or email support.
Legal advice is available via video conferencing from Community Legal Clinics and other clinics, ensuring home-based access.
Online self-help tools like the iLAB chatbot and the Community Justice Centre’s automated document assembly assist with legal information and form filing without leaving home.

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5 Oct 2020

Requiring Financial Institutions to Display Pop-up Reminders to Prevent Singaporeans from Being Scammed When Performing Overseas Remittance Online

Don Wee proposed requiring financial institutions to display pop-up reminders during overseas remittances to prevent scams.
K Shanmugam responded that MHA, MAS, and banks are already implementing measures like OTP warnings, fraud monitoring, and multi-factor authentication.
The government is exploring additional ways to detect suspicious transactions and improve information sharing to recover scammed funds.
An online scam quiz is being developed to enhance customer awareness before opening internet banking accounts.
The proposal for pop-up reminders will be studied as part of ongoing scam prevention efforts.

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5 Oct 2020

Measures to Minimise Recurrence of Recent Cases of Trade Financing Fraud

The government is collaborating with banks, regulators, and trade agencies to develop a code of best practices for commodity financing, with finalisation expected in Q4 2020, to strengthen transparency and governance.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore is leading efforts to digitalise trade financing by replacing paper-based systems with electronic documents and data flows to reduce fraud risks and improve authenticity checks.
Trading companies will face more rigorous credit assessments and tighter financing conditions, ensuring access to bank financing commensurate with their creditworthiness while enhancing Singapore’s resilience as a global trade hub.

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5 Oct 2020

Personal Internet-enabled Device for Each Primary School Student

Ms Hany Soh inquired whether all primary school students will receive a personal device and Wi-Fi access for home-based learning.
The Ministry of Education announced plans to equip secondary students with devices by end-2021 and is studying an extension to primary students, considering impacts on learning and concerns about screen time.
While the study is ongoing, schools currently loan devices to primary students who need them for home-based learning.

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5 Oct 2020

Enhancing Singapore's Regional Trade Hub Status

The Ministry plans to maintain Singapore’s reliability as a trusted trade node by keeping ports open, facilitating essential business travel, and working with partners to reduce trade barriers such as non-tariff measures on essential goods.
Singapore will strengthen both physical and digital connectivity through enhanced air and sea port links and initiatives like digitalPORT@SG, as well as Digital Economy Agreements to enable seamless cross-border digital trade.
The focus will be on innovation, digitalisation, productivity improvements, and workforce upskilling to build core capabilities that sustain Singapore’s competitiveness as a preferred business hub.

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5 Oct 2020

Usage Rate for TraceTogether Token and Protection of Users' Data Submitted via Token

As of 28 September, about 101,000 TraceTogether Tokens have been issued, and distribution will expand so anyone can collect one from their nearest Community Centre.
The overall participation rate for the TraceTogether Programme (App and Token) is around half the population, with most participants using the App as Token distribution has just begun.
Data collected by the TraceTogether Programme is encrypted, stored only for 25 days on the device, and automatically deleted after that period unless shared with MOH for contact tracing.
Data from SafeEntry is also encrypted and accessed only by authorities for COVID-19 prevention and control, with the Government acting as custodian under stringent safeguards.
Unauthorised disclosure, misuse, or re-identification of data by public officers is an offence punishable by fines up to $5,000, imprisonment up to two years, or both.

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5 Oct 2020

Adoption of Government-wide Digitalisation Initiatives

Digital adoption surged during the pandemic, with significant increases in PayNow registrations, e-invoicing network sign-ups, and SMEs using grants for technology adoption.
The government is investing in innovation, R&D, and workforce development in areas like data, AI, and 5G, while expanding online citizen services such as fully digital school registrations.
Initiatives like the SG Digital Office and various subsidy schemes are supporting vulnerable groups, including seniors, low-income families, and small businesses, to ensure inclusive digital participation.

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5 Oct 2020

Gap in Digital Talent Supply and Demand

Minister S Iswaran highlighted strong and growing demand for digital tech talent across Singapore’s economy, accelerated by COVID-19 digitalisation, with about 10,000 new tech jobs created annually over the past three years.
The government is addressing immediate gaps by partnering industry to create 6,800 tech jobs, traineeships, and skills opportunities through initiatives like IMDA’s TeSA and WSG’s SGUnited Jobs and Skills.
Over the next three years, local Pre-Employment Training is projected to supply around 20,000 tech graduates, supplemented by at least 6,250 from Continuing Education and Training programmes, including placing 2,500 mid-career professionals aged 40 and above.
Despite current global economic challenges, net job creation in tech roles remains positive, with nearly 10,000 tech job postings reported in mid-September 2020 on WSG’s MyCareersFuture portal.
The government remains committed to building a sustainable digital talent pipeline and urges Singaporeans to actively upskill to participate in the digital economy.

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5 Oct 2020

Households that Have Benefited from Home Access 3.0 Programme for Minimum Broadband Speeds

Member Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap inquired about the number of low-income households that have benefited from the Home Access 3.0 programme and whether higher minimum broadband speeds could be considered to meet growing online access needs.
Minister S Iswaran responded that the programme, launched in April 2020, has supported close to 1,500 beneficiaries to date.
The minimum broadband speed under Home Access was recently raised from 300Mbps to 500Mbps without increasing monthly co-payments, and over 80% of beneficiaries have chosen this speed.
A 1Gbps option is also available for households seeking higher speeds, and the government will continue to review the scheme to ensure it meets citizens' needs.

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5 Oct 2020

Wireless@SG Hotspots for HDB Rental Blocks to Ensure Minimum Level of Internet Connectivity

Leon Perera asked if Wireless@SG hotspots can be rolled out in HDB rental blocks to provide a minimum internet connectivity level for residents who cannot afford subsidized plans under the Home Access 3.0 programme.
S Iswaran responded that the government prefers the Home Access scheme, which offers heavily subsidized broadband at $9 per month for HDB rental households, as a more targeted and practical solution than deploying Wireless@SG at these blocks.
The Home Access scheme provides further discounts for ComCare recipients at $6 per month and free broadband for households with school-going children or persons with disabilities under the NEU PC Plus programme, with applications handled through IMDA and Social Service Offices.

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5 Oct 2020

Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill

The Minister for Communications and Information introduced the Bill to amend the Personal Data Protection Act 2012 and related legislation.
The Bill was read for the first time and scheduled for a second reading at the next parliamentary sitting.
The debate summary focuses on the procedural introduction of the Bill rather than substantive discussions on its amendments.

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5 Oct 2020

Training for Public Service Staff in Procurement and Measures to Tackle Recurrent IT Lapses Highlighted in Auditor-General's Reports

The government is automating IT systems to address recurrent lapses in privileged user reviews and account access controls, with phased implementation targeting high-priority systems by end-2023 and all systems by end-2024, while also enhancing officer training on cyber security and data protection.
To strengthen procurement and contract management, the government is increasing specialized training, providing updated guidance, and requiring compulsory e-learning for officers involved in tenders, with new frameworks and resources being developed by BCA and GovTech for construction and IT procurement.
The Finance and Procurement Academy has been established to offer formal and informal learning, support continual skills development, and promote best practices in procurement and contract management across the public service.
Public service leadership is held accountable for governance and compliance, with performance evaluations and disciplinary actions as needed, while agencies conduct further investigations into lapses highlighted in the Auditor-General's reports to prevent recurrence.

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5 Oct 2020

Update on Next-generation ERP System

The next-generation ERP system will use dedicated on-board units (OBUs) instead of smartphones for core charging due to security, reliability, and operational concerns, with the OBU for motorcycles being slightly larger than current units and other vehicles having a separate processing unit and display screen to minimize distraction and improve integration.
LTA is consulting workshops and motor vehicle agents on OBU installation to address public feedback on design, size, and safety, and is studying options like a dimmable display or future smartphone integration for displaying information, but significant design changes are limited by contractual obligations from the 2016 tender.
The first OBU will be free for existing vehicles, while pricing for new vehicles will be part of the overall cost, with LTA ensuring sufficient installation slots and ample notice for bookings, and emphasizing data security by restricting core charging to the OBU to prevent leaks and hacking.

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