Digital & technology — Topics

24 Mar 2016

Productivity Growth of Government over 10 Years

The Ministry of Finance emphasized that measuring public sector productivity is challenging due to intangible outcomes but noted that public sector manpower grew at a lower average rate (1.8% per annum) than population and GDP growth over the past decade.
Technology adoption, such as e-services and digital platforms, has improved efficiency, exemplified by IRAS redeploying officers due to tax-filing automation and ACRA reducing business registration time to under 15 minutes.
Organisational restructuring and data analytics initiatives, like the Municipal Services Office and National Library Board’s borrowing data analysis, have enhanced interagency coordination and tailored service delivery.

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24 Mar 2016

Quality of Upcoming New Jobs in Tech and IT Sector

Patrick Tay asked about the 15,000 tech and IT vacancies, seeking details on job types, companies, hierarchy levels, and required skills.
The Minister clarified the vacancies come from a 2014 survey, include both tech and non-tech sectors like banking, and are mostly PMET roles in areas like development, cybersecurity, and data analytics.
Job requirements vary, with development needing programming skills, cybersecurity requiring certifications, and data analytics needing statistics and machine learning expertise.
Demand for technical specialists has grown 6.3% annually since 2011 and is expected to continue due to Singapore’s Smart Nation initiative.

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1 Mar 2016

Early Alerts for Road Diversions Using Digital Message Display Units

Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for Transport whether LTA will increase digital message display units on major roads and highways to provide early alerts for road diversions during accidents.
Khaw Boon Wan noted that LTA extended digital message display units under the Expressway Monitoring and Advisory System (EMAS) to major roads in 2014.
LTA will continue to regularly review the numbers and locations of these display units.

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29 Feb 2016

Utilisation Rates of SCDF's First-Responder Apps for Civilians

Ang Hin Kee inquired about the utilisation rates and user numbers of SCDF’s Save-a-Life initiative and myResponder app, and plans to expand reach to more spaces and CPR/AED-trained individuals.
K Shanmugam reported that since its 2015 launch, the myResponder app has been downloaded about 9,000 times and alerted community first responders to over 3,800 cardiac arrest cases.
The Save-a-Life initiative includes AED installations in HDB estates and DARE programme training, with about 300 residents trained in each of six pilot constituencies.
SCDF has partnered with various organizations to install AEDs in schools, community centres, sports facilities, and SMRT taxis, with plans to extend to all HDB estates by 2018.
The government aims to continue expanding the initiative to enhance community self-help and improve cardiac arrest survival rates.

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29 Feb 2016

Public Education and Resolution of Online Commercial Crime

The Minister reported a near doubling of online commercial crime cases from 2014 to 2015 and outlined enforcement actions including island-wide operations and international cooperation with foreign police.
The Police are reviewing and enhancing legal powers to better tackle online crime, acknowledging that the borderless nature of the Internet makes such cases difficult to solve.
Public education is being intensified through a dedicated anti-scam website, posters, and TV commercials, with the government stressing that individual vigilance is critical to prevent victimization.

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29 Feb 2016

Companies Breaching Personal Data Protection Act and Do-Not-Call Provisions

Since the Personal Data Protection Act took effect, the Personal Data Protection Commission received about 9,700 valid Do-Not-Call complaints against 1,500 companies, mostly from property, retail, and financial sectors.
Two organizations were prosecuted and two others had offenses compounded for DNC breaches, while about 3,000 companies received advisory notices and warnings due to misunderstanding of the rules.
Public education efforts, including briefings, workshops, and online resources, engaged over 23,000 participants from 7,500 organizations, helping reduce DNC complaints by more than 50% in 2015.

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27 Jan 2016

New Technologies in Home Team to Detect and Deter Crime

The Home Team is deploying police cameras in HDB blocks and carparks to deter crime and assist investigations, with completion of 10,000 blocks targeted this year and more cameras being studied for other public areas.
Technology initiatives include the Police@SG app for crowdsourcing evidence, the Vehicle on Watch Scheme for in-car cameras, and redesigned police posts with automated services to free up officers for frontline duties.
Next-generation vehicles and drones are being equipped with advanced analytics and surveillance technology to improve situational awareness and dynamic resource deployment.
The Ministry will study expanding camera angles to staircase entries and adjusting bin sizes in response to residents’ concerns about security and crime prevention.
Data analytics and video-trawling technologies will be integrated to aggregate and analyze real-time information, enhancing threat detection and investigative efficiency.

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15 Jan 2016

Prime Minister's Office (Smart Nation Programme Office)

The Smart Nation Programme Office (SNPO) under the Prime Minister's Office coordinates a nationwide effort to integrate technology across infrastructure, policies, and ecosystems to improve daily life, foster community bonds, and support Singaporeans' aspirations.
Key initiatives include using sensors and data to enhance public transport and commuting experiences, piloting smart technologies in housing estates like Yuhua to support ageing and resource savings, and establishing test-beds for innovations such as autonomous driving and smart homes.
Singapore aims to be a global living laboratory for digital solutions, attracting startups and entrepreneurs by providing a platform to prototype and scale innovations, thereby strengthening the startup ecosystem and creating new economic opportunities.
The government is promoting open, shareable, and machine-readable data to enable citizens and communities to co-create solutions, while ensuring personal data protection and national security, to foster greater social cohesion through technology.

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15 Jan 2016

Prime Minister's Office (National Security Coordination Secretariat)

Singapore faces an increasingly complex threat landscape, including terrorism, viruses, cyber threats, and social fissures, which the NSCS addresses by anticipating risks and coordinating preparedness across agencies and stakeholders.
The NSCS collaborates with schools, businesses, and the public through the "Let's Stand Together" campaign to raise awareness and gather feedback for enhancing civic responsibility and social resilience.
NSCS studies interdependencies among critical infrastructures like energy, water, and transport to identify vulnerabilities and minimize systemic impacts during crises, emphasizing the need for societal bounce-back and unity.
Social resilience is central, with NSCS working to understand factors like social trust and the dual role of social media in managing crises, while promoting collective readiness in a Smart Nation context.
The NSCS engages in cross-agency research and solutions for cybersecurity and ICT challenges to protect Singaporeans in an increasingly connected digital environment.

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15 Jan 2016

Ministry of Finance

The Ministry of Finance aims to sustain Singapore's growth through prudent public finance, targeting subsidies to those in need, and shifting the economy toward innovation and value creation by supporting businesses in restructuring and internationalizing.
Over the long term, the government will build revenues to meet higher spending needs from an ageing population while maintaining a progressive tax system and promoting economic vibrancy through SkillsFuture and partnerships with unions and employers.
Initiatives include enhancing care support for families, improving retirement adequacy through CPF reforms, and investing in community infrastructure to foster social cohesion and inclusivity.
The public sector will transform using digital technologies to deliver integrated services, improve operations with data analytics, and encourage innovative procurement to support productivity and innovation.

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15 Jan 2016

Ministry of Communications and Information

The Ministry will restructure infocomm and media authorities into the Government Technology Organisation and IMDA to reflect industry convergence and update related legislation for a unified approach.
Initiatives include transitioning to digital broadcasting, launching Design 2025, expanding skills training in computational thinking and coding, and supporting start-ups and entrepreneurship in these sectors.
The Smart Nation Platform will be rolled out with sensors and data sharing, while a national cybersecurity strategy will be developed with increased funding and new legislation to protect critical infrastructure.
Efforts to enhance public access to history and archives, transform libraries for lifelong learning, and promote a National Reading Movement will be undertaken.
Public service broadcast content will be improved with more local programming and inclusivity measures, and government engagement with Singaporeans on policies will be strengthened through digital platforms.

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17 Aug 2015

Use of New Technology to Augment and Modernise SAF's Existing Fighting Force

The Ministry of Defence and Singapore Armed Forces are incorporating new technologies like unmanned systems and robotics to multiply combat effectiveness and address population constraints, with UAVs providing persistent situational awareness and USVs and UGVs being trialed for maritime and land security.
The SAF is enhancing its cyber defence capabilities through new units and advanced infocomm technology, AI, and big data analytics to protect military networks against evolving threats like cyberattacks.
The Army is doubling the number of mobile, wheeled or tracked units over the next 10 to 15 years, including deploying more Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicles and Peacekeeper Protected Response Vehicles to improve mobility, firepower, and area influence.

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14 Jul 2015

Benefits of Smart Nation Project for Persons with Disabilities

The Smart Nation project aims to benefit persons with disabilities through technology initiatives like enhanced subsidies for assistive devices, funding for special education schools, and grants for innovative projects to improve daily living and independence.
Government and partners are building capabilities within the social service sector, including training for professionals and setting up centers to provide assessments, loans, and IT training to bridge the digital divide for persons with disabilities.
There is a call for a more integrated, whole-of-government approach with a clear roadmap and timeline to ensure persons with disabilities are included in Smart Nation planning, with upstream involvement in design and feedback mechanisms to address accessibility issues.

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13 Jul 2015

Contingency Plans in Event of Sensitive Information Leakage

The Minister explained that while specific contingency plans cannot be predefined for every leakage incident, key principles include prioritising citizen protection, such as suspending breached accounts and enabling password resets.
A thorough investigation will be conducted to determine the cause and timing of the breach, with agencies collaborating with the Cyber Security Agency and Police, and assessments may be revised as new facts emerge.
The Government emphasises prevention through a "security-by-design" approach and real-time monitoring of IT systems, investing in capabilities to minimise the risk of hacking or internal breaches.

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11 May 2015

Prime Minister's Founders Forum Smart Nation Singapore Reception Speech and Cyber Security Incidents

Mr Zaqy Mohamad inquired whether there had been cybersecurity incidents involving government IT systems, referencing a speech by the Prime Minister.
Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim acknowledged that governments worldwide, including Singapore, face regular cyber threats and cited past incidents such as breaches in the US and malicious attacks during APEC 2009.
The Minister confirmed a recent security breach in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ IT system, which was contained and addressed with strengthened measures.
The government emphasises proactive monitoring and continuous adaptation of cybersecurity practices, with agencies like the Cyber Security Agency and Infocomm Development Authority leading efforts to protect networks.
The response highlighted that no organisation is immune to breaches, but vigilance and readiness to respond are critical to mitigating threats.

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11 May 2015

Third-Party Taxi Booking Service Providers Bill

The Bill grants the Land Transport Authority (LTA) powers to regulate third-party taxi booking services, requiring those with more than 20 participating taxis to register and imposing penalties for unregistered operations.
It aims to balance consumer protection with innovation by allowing LTA to set conditions on fees, data provision, and service standards, while prohibiting practices like bidding and pre-trip tipping for taxis.
MPs raised concerns about distinguishing taxi services from chauffeured vehicle bookings, ensuring fair treatment of drivers, and preventing market dominance, with the Minister emphasizing ongoing monitoring and enforcement to address these issues.

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11 May 2015

Maintaining Telecommunications Service Standards when New Company Enters Market

Baey Yam Keng raised concerns about ensuring high telecom standards if the new entrant, a partnership between SMRT and OMGTel, lacks a proven track record, questioning how the Ministry will maintain service quality.
The Minister responded that the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) will require new entrants to participate in a spectrum auction with strict qualifying criteria, including strong technical capabilities and financial positions, and to comply with regulatory frameworks like Quality of Service standards.
The Minister clarified that past liberalization experiences, such as with M1 and StarHub, inform current processes, and future auctions will likely include prequalification phases evaluating financial and technical proposals to ensure capable participation.
The discussion emphasized that the tender process will consider multiple criteria beyond price, including innovation, to spur competition and enhance consumer benefits, with a long-term strategy to elevate user experience in Singapore's telecom market.

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13 Apr 2015

Net Neutrality Regulations to Prevent Discriminatory Network Management Practices

Gerald Giam asked if ISPs can throttle legitimate content or impose extra charges on OTT services, and whether net neutrality regulations are planned.
Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim stated that IDA’s 2011 policy allows ISPs to manage bandwidth during peak hours but not block legitimate content, and requires transparency and fair competition.
ISPs can offer differentiated services like specialized broadband plans, provided they meet QoS standards and disclose policies, and cannot impose extra charges on OTT services that harm competition or users.
IDA has monitored the market and found no evidence of ISPs breaching the current net neutrality policy.

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10 Mar 2015

Committee of Supply – Head Q (Ministry of Communications and Information)

The Personal Data Protection Act and the Do Not Call Registry have reduced nuisance calls, but businesses face compliance costs and some workarounds, while unions seek exemptions for industrial relations purposes.
The government is advancing the Smart Nation vision through infrastructure projects like the Smart Nation Platform, while investing in start-ups, talent development, and digital inclusion for vulnerable groups.
Public Service Broadcasting will receive increased funding to enhance local content, expand digital platforms like Toggle, and improve outreach, especially to younger audiences.
The National Translation Committee is raising translation standards through a procurement framework, scholarships, and an expanded online glossary to improve communication across languages.

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9 Mar 2015

Committee of Supply – Head Q (Ministry of Communications and Information)

Members raised concerns about the progress and impact of the Infocomm Media Masterplan, the need to nurture local ICT talent—including women and older professionals—and strategies to grow startups and create high-value jobs for Singaporeans.
Questions were posed on the government’s new dedicated telecoms network for public sector use, including its cost, security rationale, and potential future sale, as well as the rollout and quality of 4G services and indoor coverage standards.
The new Cybersecurity Agency (CSA) was welcomed, with MPs seeking updates on its transition, coordination with other security bodies, and plans to protect critical sectors and educate businesses and citizens on cyber threats.
Suggestions were made to strengthen the media and creative industries through right-sized support for micro-entrepreneurs, local content quotas, and design innovation, alongside concerns about protecting vulnerable consumers from unscrupulous premium-rate services.
Members emphasized the need for better government digital services usability and asked how MCI plans to help public agencies develop citizen-centric e-services that meet user expectations.

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