Governance & integrity

Choo Pei Ling questioned the Minister for Manpower about the responsible use of the Dormitory Transition Scheme (DTS) grant and measures against misuse. Tan See Leng explained that the DTS grant aims to help dormitories cover retrofitting costs necessary to meet interim standards by 2030, specifically for three categories of works, with funding based on the required extent of retrofitting. The grant will only support eligible retrofitting projects, with disbursement contingent on completion and certification of works. The Ministry of Manpower will inspect dormitories to ensure compliance with DTS standards prior to granting the funds.

Eileen Chong Pei Shan asked the Prime Minister about the total annual compensation for political office holders from 2018 to 2024, including details on Performance Bonus, National Bonus, and Annual Variable Component, and requested a comparison with household incomes. Chan Chun Sing explained that the current salary structure for political office holders has remained unchanged since its implementation in 2011, with the entry-level Minister's salary set at $1.1 million, split between fixed and variable components. The National Bonus depends on key socioeconomic indicators, while the Annual Variable Component has varied between zero and 1.5 months from 2018 to 2024. Political salaries have not changed, but household incomes for the 20th percentile and median earners have increased significantly, prompting the appointment of an independent committee to review political salaries and propose refinements.

He Ting Ru questioned the Acting Minister for Transport about the criteria and processes for determining rail service delays included in the Mean Kilometres Between Failure (MKBF) metric. Jeffrey Siow responded that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) is responsible for determining if an incident qualifies based on delays exceeding five minutes. He stated that LTA conducts independent reviews of all train movement data, which is logged automatically by the train control systems and shared with LTA.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked if the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has independently tested claims that the electric public buses in Singapore cannot be remotely controlled. Jeffrey Siow responded that LTA has conducted technical reviews with manufacturers confirming the buses lack such capabilities and is performing additional independent assessments. The government does not publicly disclose details of cybersecurity findings due to security concerns.

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked if the Government plans to amend the Prevention of Corruption Act following a recent legal case, suggesting broader corporate liability measures. Chan Chun Sing responded that the Act is crucial in the fight against corruption and that the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) regularly reviews it to address any legislative gaps. CPIB is currently examining the implications of the case mentioned and will report back to Parliament if necessary.

The debate focused on the implications of a court judgment involving Pritam Singh, with multiple Members of Parliament discussing his suitability as Leader of the Opposition. Pritam Singh asserted that he accepts the court's authority but disagrees with its findings, maintaining his commitment to his duties. Indranee Rajah emphasized that his conviction raises questions about his integrity and appropriateness for leadership. Sylvia Lim pointed out inconsistencies in the treatment of different cases within the Workers' Party, while multiple MPs called for the importance of upholding honesty and integrity in Parliament, leading to a resolution affirming these principles and noting Singh's conduct as unbecoming of his position. The dissent of several WP MPs was recorded during the vote on the resolution.

Indranee Rajah initiated a motion expressing regret over Pritam Singh's conduct and questioning his suitability as Leader of the Opposition, following his conviction for lying to a parliamentary committee and guiding another MP to maintain falsehoods. Singh's actions and subsequent court rulings have raised concerns about dishonesty and integrity within the parliamentary system, prompting the need for accountability. MPs debated the implications for public trust in Parliament, emphasizing that honesty and integrity are non-negotiable standards required of all members, especially those in leadership positions. The motion aims to reaffirm these values and highlight the responsibilities of elected officials in maintaining public confidence in the political system.

The Speaker reminded Members to adhere to Standing Order No 50(1) by focusing only on the conduct of Mr Pritam Singh and his suitability as Leader of the Opposition during the debate. Members are prohibited from introducing unrelated topics or discussing the conduct of other Members without a separate Motion. The purpose of the Motion is not to re-litigate the case or question the Court's findings, and the Speaker emphasized the importance of abiding by the rules of conduct. Members are urged to exercise caution in their remarks and be prepared to support any factual claims made.

Sylvia Lim raised concerns about the investigation into an Indonesian trafficking ring involving baby transfers to Singapore, asking the Minister for clarity on the number of adoptions under review and how affected families can receive swift resolution and assistance. The Minister of State, Goh Pei Ming, confirmed that investigations are ongoing and that the Singapore Government is cooperating with Indonesian authorities, but could not provide a timeline for resolution. He acknowledged the anxiety of affected families, emphasized the separation between adoption and citizenship processes, and stated that MSF would assess financial assistance for families facing unexpected childcare expenses. Lim questioned the responsibility of adoption agencies in identifying suspicious circumstances before adoptions were finalized. Goh noted that agencies are required to conduct due diligence and would face consequences if they knowingly facilitated adoptions involving children of questionable origin.

Yip Hon Weng questioned the Ministry of Education about the verification process for addresses declared under the Primary school registration proximity policy and how fraudulent declarations are detected. Desmond Lee stated that the Ministry takes such fraud seriously, as it undermines the integrity of the registration framework. The address used for registration must match the parent's official NRIC and is subject to verification through school checks and public reports. If fraud is discovered, the child may be transferred to another school, and cases may be referred to the Police for potential criminal charges.

Shawn Loh questioned the Prime Minister about the mandates and return targets for the newly restructured Temasek Holdings entities. He also inquired whether the Ministry would consider regularly publishing data on investment returns and costs. Jeffrey Siow responded that the question had already been addressed in an earlier oral reply to related parliamentary questions.

• The Public Sector (Governance) (Amendment) Bill aims to enhance data sharing between public agencies and trusted external partners to improve service delivery while maintaining strong safeguards for data protection.
• The Bill introduces a framework for sharing data with external partners, requiring Ministerial authorization and compliance with specific Terms of Use, ensuring that data is shared only for legitimate public purposes.
• Concerns were raised regarding the potential for misuse of data, the need for transparency in data sharing practices, and the importance of maintaining public trust, especially in light of past incidents like the TraceTogether data access controversy.
• Members emphasized the necessity for clear accountability mechanisms, including organizational liability for data misuse and the establishment of a public register for data sharing directions to enhance transparency.
• The debate highlighted the balance between efficient data sharing for public good and the need for robust governance frameworks to protect citizens' privacy and ensure responsible data use.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked the Prime Minister about measures to protect Singapore's reputation as a clean and well-regulated international financial centre. Gan Kim Yong stated that this topic was previously addressed in a Parliament sitting on 5 November 2025, referencing a report concerning corporate governance standards for SGX-listed entities.

Low Wu Yang Andre questioned the Minister for Home Affairs concerning failures by SPF officers to adhere to established processes in the investigation of Megan Khung's fatal child abuse incident. K Shanmugam acknowledged the tragedy and detailed that lapses occurred due to a failure to escalate the case for proper review and monitoring, leading to complications in the investigation. The Police conducted internal reviews and disciplined those involved, reinforcing procedures and training to prevent future occurrences. Enhancements include the introduction of specialized training for handling family violence cases and the formation of dedicated Family Violence Teams to provide focused support. The Minister emphasized the ongoing need for supervision, review processes, and the use of technology to improve officers' efficiency and adherence to protocols.

The Corporate and Accounting Laws (Amendment) Bill 2025 aims to strengthen regulations against misuse of companies, safeguard shareholders' interests, and enhance the regulatory framework for public accountants while reducing compliance burdens. Key amendments include the introduction of stricter criteria for company registration restoration, a two-tier approval process for share purchases, increased penalties for directors' misconduct, and modifications to access company records by allowing electronic retrieval with appropriate notice. Supporters highlighted the need for balance to ensure transparency and accountability without overwhelming SMEs, advocating for phased implementation and tailored compliance requirements to ease the transition.

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat raised concerns regarding individuals linked to criminal activities operating tax-exempt family offices in Singapore and questioned the due diligence measures taken by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). The Minister for National Development, Chee Hong Tat, outlined Singapore's high regulatory standards and ongoing investigations into a money laundering case linked to Chen Zhi, noting that two family offices were identified and had their tax incentives ceased. MAS conducts thorough screenings and ongoing monitoring of family offices, aiming to refine regulations while maintaining competitiveness, as they reported only a small percentage of applications had been rejected. Tiong requested further measures for existing family offices linked to criminality, while Chee emphasized the need for a risk-proportionate approach to maintain Singapore's financial integrity and attractiveness. The session included a brief confrontation over language used during the debate, resulting in Tiong issuing an apology to the Minister.

• Joan Pereira inquired about firearm handling violations at police and auxiliary police units over the past 24 months, including the number of incidents and enforcement measures in place.
• K Shanmugam reported one case of firearm misuse by a police officer and three by auxiliary police officers, with ongoing investigations and charges filed against the auxiliary officers.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs has implemented strict measures for firearm management, including security vetting, annual training, and secure storage in armouries.
• There are systems in place to verify officer identity and authorization for firearm use, along with periodic checks and audits to ensure compliance with standard operating procedures.

• Sylvia Lim raised concerns about the potential misuse of family offices in Singapore for money laundering and inquired about government measures to address this issue.
• The Prime Minister's representative, Gan Kim Yong, indicated that the question would be addressed in a future parliamentary sitting on 5 November 2025, along with related inquiries.