693 debates and bills about governance & integrity
Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked about the number of defence contracts above $10 million and $100 million awarded through closed tenders in the past decade, the criteria for closed tenders, and the possibility of publishing major platform replacement requirements on GeBIZ. Chan Chun Sing responded that the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) follows procurement principles of transparency and competition, with closed tenders used only when justified for reasons like operational security or intellectual property. Local companies can participate in closed tenders if they meet specific criteria, and MINDEF's procurement processes are subject to audits, though details on contracts remain undisclosed for security reasons.
Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked if the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment would disclose the criteria and weightages used by the National Environment Agency (NEA) for evaluating tender bids for Socially-conscious Enterprise Hawker Centre (SEHC) operators. Grace Fu Hai Yien responded that the NEA publishes these evaluation criteria and weightages in the tender documents available on the Government Electronic Business portal.
Fadli Fawzi asked whether the National Environment Agency would reconsider allowing supermarkets discretion in using funds collected from plastic bag charges. Grace Fu Hai Yien responded that supermarkets must annually publish details on the number of bags supplied, proceeds collected, and their allocation, ensuring transparency and accountability. Most funds collected have been directed towards environmental or social causes, and public scrutiny is seen as beneficial in encouraging responsible use of these proceeds. The government will continue to monitor and promote the appropriate use of the funds by supermarket operators.
Dennis Tan Lip Fong requested the establishment of an independent centralised helpline for reporting abuse and harassment in public healthcare institutions to improve accountability and follow-up. Dr. Koh Poh Koon responded that public healthcare institutions already have internal mechanisms to manage such cases, emphasizing the need for hospitals to handle incidents due to confidentiality and the involvement of patients as potential perpetrators. Koh reiterated the Ministry of Health's zero-tolerance policy toward abuse of healthcare workers and noted that concerns can be escalated to the Ministry for independent reviews if necessary. Tan highlighted a resident's concern over potential conflicts of interest in hospital-managed processes, advocating for more independent oversight.
Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat questioned whether EDB incentives need approval from both regional and global headquarters, and how commitments are maintained during executive rotations. He also suggested that requiring a global headquarters representative for incentive approvals could prevent orphaned projects. Gan Kim Yong responded that incentives are awarded to the Singapore entity responsible for the project and come with legal commitments and clawback provisions. He noted that personnel changes do not impact the company's legal obligations under the incentive award.
Dennis Tan Lip Fong raised questions regarding the lack of rental transaction data for privately-owned HDB shops and licensing data for outdoor refreshment areas, seeking justification and potential publication of such data for better assessment of rental pressures on local businesses. Chee Hong Tat explained that different government agencies, like the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS), collect aggregated rental data, ensuring transparency while protecting commercial sensitivities. He also highlighted that HDB plans to collect and eventually publish stall rent data for HDB-owned coffeeshops and is considering making Temporary Occupation Licence data for outdoor refreshment areas available to enhance transparency.
Dr. Choo Pei Ling raised concerns about the risks posed by advancements in generative AI, specifically regarding potential deepfake campaigns targeting Singapore. Mrs. Josephine Teo acknowledged the risk of generative AI being misused for spreading falsehoods and manipulating public opinion. The government has implemented safeguards like the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act and the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act to address these issues. Singapore is enhancing its detection capabilities for malicious AI-generated content and is promoting public education initiatives to foster citizen vigilance. These measures are ongoing as the nation prepares for the upcoming 2025 General Elections.
He Ting Ru moved to reduce the budget allocation for Head F to emphasize the need for political diversity and stronger parliamentary oversight, indicating that political stability should not rely solely on single-party dominance. She advocated for cooling-off periods for those transitioning between partisan and non-partisan roles to prevent conflicts of interest, drawing on examples from other countries. Indranee Rajah responded that there are no obstacles to an individual switching roles as long as they declare their change, highlighting the importance of integrity and appropriate conduct in parliamentary duties. The debate touched on the roles of grassroots advisers and the necessity for clarity in delineating partisan and non-partisan functions, with Rajah asserting that the issues raised were outside the scope of the budget discussion. He Ting Ru ultimately withdrew her amendment after acknowledging the work of parliamentary staff.
Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat requested the Ministry of Health to consider publishing revenue and expenditure details of public healthcare clusters in their annual reports, as these have not been disclosed since the early 2010s. Ong Ye Kung affirmed that public healthcare clusters operate on a not-for-profit basis and incur deficits to provide subsidized healthcare, which are covered by government grants. He mentioned that although detailed financial accounts are not published, the public can access financial reports of these clusters through the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority's website.
Hamid Razak questioned the governance and oversight of wakaf assets management, seeking assurance that these assets are managed as per donors' wishes while remaining financially sustainable. The Acting Minister highlighted that MUIS oversees the management of wakaf assets through stringent governance and audit practices, with a focus on accountability and transparency. He acknowledged management challenges in a land-scarce context and emphasized efforts to maintain affordability while exploring improvements through the Wakaf Revitalisation Scheme. Community engagement is prioritized, with returns from wakaf assets disbursed to benefit various community sectors, and the minister affirmed ongoing dialogue with community leaders to incorporate their views in asset management.
Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked about the AI Singapore's AI Apprenticeship Programme's graduate placement rates, specifically regarding hires by AI Singapore, the presence of alumni in permanent staff, and measures to ensure the statistics are not inflated by internal re-hiring. Josephine Teo explained that the AIAP develops skilled AI talent through practical training with companies, and referred to a previous written reply for more detailed progress on the programme.
Yip Hon Weng queried the Coordinating Minister for National Security about the audit process for speed enforcement cameras, contractor penalties for errors, public dispute avenues for speeding summons, and camera setting verification after disputes. K Shanmugam responded that Traffic Police conduct monthly audits to ensure accurate speed settings. Contractors face financial penalties or contract termination for lapses. Motorists can appeal speeding offences through the Singapore Police Force's e-services, and if anomalies are found during reviews, the camera settings are verified and corrected as needed.
He Ting Ru asked whether the SAF would consider annually publishing its carbon emissions to enhance transparency regarding its climate transition plans, with some data redacted for security. Chan Chun Sing responded that the Ministry of Defence's carbon emissions are already included in the annual GreenGov.SG report, published by the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment since 2023, which is available on their website.
Saktiandi Supaat posed questions regarding the number of complaints or appeals related to the selection processes for junior athletes in National Sports Associations (NSAs) over the past five years, how many were investigated, and the safeguards in place for fair selection. David Neo emphasized the importance of fair and transparent selection processes to support TeamSG's success and noted that the Government does not monitor complaints about selection. NSAs are required to have merit-based criteria for selection, which do not consider socio-economic background, and they must submit their policies for review. Athletes can appeal selection decisions under certain conditions, and there is an established appeals process, including independent committees, with an option to escalate disputes through an Alternative Dispute Resolution framework. Concerns can be addressed by NSAs, SportSG, and SNOC.
Diana Pang Li Yen raised questions regarding the monitoring of donees and deputies under the Mental Capacity Act by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), specifically about compliance with fiduciary duties and actions taken against non-performing deputies. Masagos Zulkifli B M M confirmed that deputies must submit annual reports to account for their decisions and management of affairs for the mentally incapacitated. The OPG investigates suspected ill-treatment or abuse and assigns a Board of Visitor for further assessments when necessary. Deputies failing to adhere to good practices are placed under closer supervision, and in cases of fraud or financial mismanagement, the OPG can suspend their appointment and pursue criminal action if warranted.
Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik raised concerns about preschool safety transparency, asking if ECDA would implement measures for better disclosure of safety violations and enforcement actions, as well as information access for parents regarding safety records. Goh Pei Ming assured that ECDA takes child safety seriously, enforces strict measures against violators, and requires preschools to notify parents of serious incidents, though specific names are not disclosed to protect children involved. The Minister emphasized that licensing information displayed publicly helps parents make informed choices, and noted that responses to incidents depend on court rulings, with gag orders affecting information disclosure.
Dennis Tan Lip Fong questioned the governance frameworks ensuring the independence of carbon credit assessment firms BeZero Carbon, Calyx Global, and Sylvera, as well as mechanisms to address potential conflicts of interest due to their commercial relationships with credit developers. Grace Fu Hai Yien explained that these firms were selected through a competitive tender process by the National Environment Agency (NEA) based on criteria like independence and expertise. NEA imposes oversight through disclosure requirements and monitors relationships to prevent conflicts of interest, ensuring that no provider dominates assessment outcomes. The providers supplement NEA's assessments, with the final approval of carbon credit projects resting with the Government, adhering to Singapore's Eligibility Criteria.
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