Governance & integrity — Topics

9 Nov 2016

Conditions for Revoking Taxi Driver's Vocational Licence

The Senior Minister of State outlined that a Taxi Driver's Vocational Licence (TDVL) can be revoked for reasons including being disqualified from driving, conviction for serious crimes, accumulating over 20 demerit points, or being medically unfit, with drivers having 14 days to appeal.
Sylvia Lim questioned the due process and direct communication between the driver and LTA before revocation, expressing concern over protection against frivolous complaints and how LTA assesses credibility, citing a case where revocation was based on an outstanding dispute.
The Senior Minister of State responded that LTA considers passenger safety and transparent criteria like demerit points, noting that drivers are typically aware of accumulating points, but acknowledged that specific cases, including the one mentioned, could be reviewed further if appealed to the Minister.

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8 Nov 2016

Complaints of Misconduct against LTA Enforcement Officers

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked the Minister for Transport for statistics on complaints against LTA enforcement officers, details on the complaint procedure, the training provided, and whether candidate temperament is considered before appointment.
Khaw Boon Wan responded that LTA received 499 complaints this year, with 74 found valid—all against outsourced officers—and that appropriate actions ranging from counselling to dismissal are taken against those found guilty.
Complaints can be lodged via email, text message, or an online feedback form, with details available on LTA's website, and officers undergo training on conduct, rules of engagement, and public interaction.
LTA assesses the temperament of candidates as part of suitability checks before appointing them as enforcement officers.

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8 Nov 2016

Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (Amendment) Bill

Supporters of the bill argue it strengthens the Presidency by introducing a reserved election mechanism to ensure multiracial representation, which is seen as vital for national unity and symbolic of Singapore's social fabric.
The Workers' Party proposes an alternative system with an appointed President and an elected Senate to handle custodial powers, arguing this would keep the Presidency above politics and allow for collective wisdom, but critics say this creates an unelected body with significant power.
Debate centers on whether the current elected presidency system risks politicization, with opponents of the bill warning that tightening eligibility criteria narrows the candidate pool unnecessarily and may not address core concerns about the President's unifying role.

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8 Nov 2016

Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (Amendment) Bill

Minister Ong Ye Kung defends the constitutional amendments as necessary to strengthen the Elected Presidency, arguing that the new criteria ensure the President acts as a responsible "steward" of Singapore's reserves and that the system provides a check on government power without causing gridlock.
The Workers’ Party opposes the Bill, criticizing the Elected Presidency as inherently flawed due to conflicting roles and instead proposes replacing it with a ceremonial appointed President and an elected Senate to handle custodial duties, arguing this would better ensure checks and balances without politicizing the head of state.
Concerns are raised about the new stricter eligibility criteria potentially limiting candidate diversity and the reserved presidential elections, with some arguing that while minority representation is important, the criteria should also include qualities for national unity beyond financial and managerial experience.

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8 Nov 2016

Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (Amendment) Bill

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong strongly supports the Bill, arguing the Elected Presidency is a crucial stabiliser for Singapore's political system to safeguard national reserves and ensure multiracial representation, proposing a hiatus-triggered model to reserve elections for minority candidates if no one from that community has been President for five terms.
The Workers' Party opposes the Bill, advocating for an appointed ceremonial President and an elected Senate to handle custodial powers, while calling for a national referendum on the proposed changes, citing concerns that the current amendments could entrench political control and undermine parliamentary democracy.
Other MPs expressed mixed views, with some supporting the Bill’s intent to ensure racial representation and updated eligibility criteria, while others raised concerns about the politicisation of the presidency, the increased powers of the Council of Presidential Advisers, and the need for broader qualifications beyond corporate experience.

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7 Nov 2016

Special Audits by Auditor-General on Government-related Bodies

Leon Perera asked the Minister for Finance for details on the number and rationale of special audits conducted by the Auditor-General on Government-related bodies outside of regular annual audits over the past 20 years.
The Auditor-General’s Office (AGO) typically conducts annual audits of Government Financial Statements and selective audits of public agencies, and over the past 20 years, it has carried out two special audits.
The first special audit in 1996 was on Healthcare Subsidies to verify fees and subsidy levels following a Parliamentary resolution, with findings debated in Parliament and the Government’s figures confirmed as accurate.
The second special audit in 2014 was on the Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council (AHPETC) due to serious concerns raised by its auditors, and the AGO report was subsequently debated in Parliament.
These audits were initiated in response to specific parliamentary resolutions or concerns, and their findings were presented and debated in Parliament.

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7 Nov 2016

Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (Amendment) Bill

The Bill updates the eligibility criteria for Presidential candidates, requiring a higher threshold for private sector candidates based on shareholders' equity and introducing a 20-year "look-back" period to ensure relevant recent experience, while expanding the Presidential Elections Committee to include more expertise.
It establishes a "five-term hiatus" model to ensure multiracial representation in the Presidency, reserving elections for a specific racial community if that community has not held the office for the last five consecutive terms, while maintaining the same stringent eligibility criteria for all candidates.
The framework for the President's custodial powers is enhanced, including a uniform duty to consult the Council of Presidential Advisers (CPA), time limits for exercising vetoes, a revised process for disclosing reasons, and strengthening the CPA with additional members and staggered terms.
The entrenchment framework is revised to create a two-tier system for constitutional amendments related to the Presidency, replacing the referendum requirement with a simpler majority vote for certain tiers and giving legal weight to the CPA's advice in the process.
The maximum number of Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMPs) is increased from nine to twelve, and they are granted full voting rights equal to elected MPs.

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7 Nov 2016

Message from the President

The President emphasized the need for the Elected Presidency to remain relevant, balancing its symbolic role in upholding multiracialism with its custodial function over national reserves and public appointments, supporting a proposed mechanism to reserve elections for a minority group if needed.
The President endorsed the Commission’s recommendations to enhance eligibility criteria for candidates, citing the growing complexity of the role, while cautioning that the President should not act as a second centre of power but work harmoniously with the Government.
The President highlighted the importance of maintaining the Council of Presidential Advisers’ non-political role and the use of parliamentary override to prevent arbitrary decisions, noting that past cooperation between the President and the Council has been effective.
Reflecting on the constitutional review process, the President urged Parliament to consider changes with a long-term vision for Singapore, using a sporting analogy to stress the need for a capable President who supports, rather than obstructs, national governance.

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7 Nov 2016

Cash-for-credit Scams Related to SkillsFuture

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh asked the Minister for Education about the number of training organisations investigated and prosecuted for SkillsFuture scams, the amount of credits lost, and whether these have been recovered and returned to affected Singaporeans.
The Parliamentary Secretary confirmed that SkillsFuture Singapore is auditing and investigating nine suspected cases of misuse, has suspended the organisations involved, and is withholding their claims while committing to recover funds and reinstate credits if fraud is established.
The Parliamentary Secretary assured that SSG enforces strict measures, including criminal penalties, delisting of fraudulent organisations, and public advisories, while also strengthening criteria and enforcement based on ongoing investigations.
Assoc Prof Daniel Goh inquired about the audit checks during the approval process for courses and online applications, particularly for senior citizens, to prevent scams.
The Parliamentary Secretary reiterated that SSG has a rigorous monitoring system, takes immediate action against suspicious organisations, and is enhancing its processes to protect the public, especially vulnerable groups like the elderly.

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10 Oct 2016

Statement of Accounts and Financial Statements for 2015 SEA Games

Chen Show Mao asked if the statement of accounts and financial statements for the 2015 SEA Games would be made public, when, and if not, why not, as well as whether there were any net gains or deficits.
Grace Fu Hai Yien stated that the income and expenditure for the Games were included in the Annual Financial Statements of Sport Singapore over Financial Years 2013, 2014, and 2015, which were independently audited and made public.
She confirmed that the net cost was $60.4 million below the budgeted $324.5 million announced in January 2015.
The Minister’s response addressed all parts of the question, indicating transparency in financial reporting and a lower-than-budgeted net cost.

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10 Oct 2016

Publication of Full Report of 22 March Fatal Train Incident

The Member asked the Minister for Transport whether the full accident report would be published and if the train driver was found at fault.
The Minister explained that the report's release is SMRT's prerogative since SMRT convened the panel.
The Minister stated that LTA and MOM findings will be made public only after all investigations, including any coroner's inquiry, are completed to avoid prejudice.

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10 Oct 2016

Rationale for Staff Disciplinary Actions before Conclusion of Coroner's Inquiry for 22 March Fatal Train Incident

Yee Chia Hsing questioned the timing of SMRT's disciplinary actions against staff before the conclusion of investigations and the coroner's inquiry into the 22 March 2016 fatal train incident.
Khaw Boon Wan acknowledged SMRT's prerogative to act per its procedures but suggested waiting for ongoing investigations by LTA, MOM, and Police to conclude could have been preferable.
Khaw noted that NTWU had appealed on behalf of the staff and SMRT had convened an Appeal Panel to review the case fairly, considering all relevant factors.

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10 Oct 2016

Publication of SMRT's Financial Statements after Take-over by Temasek Holdings

Leon Perera asked whether SMRT will continue to publish detailed financial and operating information after being fully acquired by Temasek Holdings.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that under the Companies Act, SMRT must file its annual audited financial statements with ACRA, and this information will be publicly accessible.
The Minister's response indicates that while detailed reporting will be mandatory, public access may be through ACRA rather than direct publication by SMRT.
The debate highlights the balance between regulatory compliance and transparency expectations for a publicly listed company even after privatization.
No direct commitment was made on proactive disclosure beyond the statutory requirements.

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10 Oct 2016

Transparency in Criteria for Obtaining Permanent Residency and Citizenship

The Minister explained that PR and citizenship applications are assessed holistically on factors like economic contributions, education, family ties, and length of stay, but detailed criteria are kept confidential to avoid sensitivities in applicants’ countries of origin.
He noted that children under 21 may qualify for citizenship if born to a Singapore citizen parent, even if the foreign parent does not meet the criteria, to avoid denying the child’s entitlement.
For foreign parents who do not qualify, the government may issue Long-Term Visit Passes (LTVP or LTVP+) to allow them to remain in Singapore with their families, especially if they are single caregivers.
The Minister stated there are no current plans to make the criteria more transparent, as the government’s approach prioritizes national interests and the assessment of each applicant’s commitment to Singapore.
The debate highlighted concerns about fairness for foreign-born single parents, with the government emphasizing a case-by-case approach to balance family unity and immigration policies.

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10 Oct 2016

Pension Payments in People's Association's Annual Reports

Png Eng Huat questioned the rationale behind pension contributions of $366,000 and $802,000 reported in the People's Association's Annual Report for 2015/16, given the pension scheme no longer exists, why these were previously classified as "termination benefits," and who the beneficiaries are.
Chan Chun Sing explained that these payments were made to staff already on pension schemes, either transferred from the Ministry of Community Development in 1993 or seconded from parent organizations, and that the PA no longer has a pension scheme.
He stated the contributions are once-off retention bonuses for junior grade officers upon fulfilling contract terms, aligning with common industry practice, and noted the term was renamed from "termination benefits" to "pension contributions" to better reflect their nature.

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10 Oct 2016

Security Lapse in Case where NSman took Individual Physical Proficiency Test on Behalf of Another

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah questioned how an NSman gained entry to take the IPPT for another and whether a security review was conducted after the incident.
MINDEF stated that cheating violates SAF values and leads to punishment, noting that the impersonator used the other NSman’s identity card, with facial checks at entry points being subject to human error.
The SAF acknowledged the lapse and has increased verification measures at camp gates and IPPT stations.
To reduce human error, biometric fingerprinting is being rolled out and will be mandatory for all personnel entering SAF camps by 2018.
The incident underscores both the need for individual integrity and collective responsibility in maintaining fitness and security standards.

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13 Sep 2016

Practice by Managed Care Companies for Doctors to Pay Administrative Fees for Referral of Patients

The Ministry of Health and Singapore Medical Council have received feedback about managed care companies requiring doctors to pay administrative fees for patient referrals, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest and higher patient costs.
The Singapore Medical Council is revising its Ethical Code and Ethical Guidelines to explicitly prohibit financial arrangements that compromise patient care, including fee-sharing with third-party administrators.
The Ministry of Health is working with medical bodies to raise doctors' awareness of appropriate managed care arrangements and will collaborate with insurers to ensure transparency and avoid conflicts of interest.

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16 Aug 2016

Board Members' Awareness of Defects on 26 MRT Trains

Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap questioned if board members of SMRT, LTA, the Public Transport Council, and Temasek Holdings management were aware of defects in MRT trains supplied in 2013 and the subsequent recall.
The Minister for Transport confirmed the issues were discussed among the Ministry of Transport, LTA, and SMRT, with the Public Transport Council not involved.
The SMRT Board was aware of the faults, but communication between SMRT and its shareholders, including Temasek, was not disclosed.

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16 Aug 2016

Release of Information and Follow-on Actions after Defects were Found on 26 MRT Trains

LTA did not publicize the hairline cracks found on 26 MRT trains in July 2013 because they posed no safety risk, the manufacturer took full responsibility and covered all rectification costs, and a schedule was agreed to avoid affecting train service capacity.
The manufacturer, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, is responsible for the defects and is replacing the affected bolsters and car bodies in Japan, restarting the warranty period for these parts, while the rectification process is planned to extend beyond 2020 without impacting planned capacity expansion.
Minister Khaw Boon Wan acknowledged that more timely public information should have been provided, learning from past crises, and praised the manufacturer’s professional response in addressing the defects and other issues like a battery explosion and glass shattering during testing.

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16 Aug 2016

Follow-up Actions on Lapses at Public Agencies Reported in Auditor-General's Report

The Minister of State emphasized that while the Auditor-General's report identified lapses in public agencies, these were isolated incidents due to individual non-compliance rather than systemic flaws, and no financial malfeasance was found.
The government has taken corrective actions, including counseling or warning 28 officers and implementing measures like the Building and Infrastructure Centre of Excellence to strengthen contract management and procurement.
In response to a comparison with the Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council (AHTC), the Minister of State highlighted key differences: AHTC's accounts were unreliable, issues were systemic and involved personal gains, unlike the government's reliable accounts and individual lapses.
The government agencies have promptly rectified lapses and are transparent, whereas AHTC had been slow to address problems, leading to a court application and ongoing remedial efforts.
The debate underscored Singapore's commitment to accountability, with the government responding to audit findings openly and taking steps to prevent recurrence.

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