Governance & integrity

Foo Cexiang asked if the Ministry of Trade and Industry would disclose carbon tax relief and emissions data for individual companies to enhance accountability and incentivize decarbonization. Gan Kim Yong responded that aggregated data on carbon tax allowances will be released in 2027, emphasizing the need for a balance between transparency and commercial confidentiality. He assured that carbon tax allowances are not a free pass for high-emission companies, who must submit credible net-zero plans that the government will review and monitor. Adjustments to allowances will be based on companies' decarbonization progress and advancements in technology.

• Mr. Foo Cexiang inquired about the findings from PUB's internal investigation regarding falsified documents highlighted in the Auditor-General's Report for FY2024/2025 and the preventive measures to be implemented.
• Minister Grace Fu Hai Yien indicated that the question was addressed in a previous parliamentary session, suggesting a comprehensive response was provided at that time.

• The Ministry for Sustainability and the Environment is conducting internal investigations into contract irregularities at the Public Utilities Board (PUB) as highlighted in the Auditor-General's Office (AGO) report, with some cases reported to the police for potential fraud.
• Disciplinary actions have been taken against individual officers involved in lapses, including reprimands and downgrading of performance grades, while measures are being implemented to strengthen governance and contract management processes.
• PUB is enhancing its internal audits, tightening standard operating procedures, and utilizing technology such as AI to improve checks and reduce human error in contract management.
• The Minister assured that the integrity of PUB's operations will not be compromised and emphasized the importance of maintaining innovation and efficiency in their mission to ensure water security.
• Ongoing investigations will determine if any contractors involved will face consequences, and PUB will continue to review its contractor panel to ensure compliance and capability.

• Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim raised concerns about the non-partisan nature of the Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) scheme and proposed a cooling-off period for NMPs before they can run for elected office.
• Chan Chun Sing, representing the Prime Minister, affirmed that the NMP scheme was designed to enhance parliamentary debate by including independent voices and that safeguards are in place to maintain its non-partisan nature.
• The selection process for NMPs involves a Special Select Committee with members from both ruling and opposition parties, and the Constitution mandates that NMPs vacate their seats if they run for political office.
• Chan Chun Sing expressed confidence in the contributions of NMPs to parliamentary discussions and stated that the government has no plans to review the NMP scheme.

Teo Chee Hean addressed concerns regarding the new Bizfile portal, established by the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA), which displayed full NRIC numbers, leading to public anxiety. The People Search function was disabled shortly after launch due to privacy issues. A panel was formed to review the incident, identifying communication failures and misunderstandings between ACRA and the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) as contributing factors. The Ministry is focused on discouraging NRIC use as authentication and improving data protection policies across government agencies. No large-scale compromise of NRIC numbers has been confirmed, and the Government emphasizes the importance of public trust and transparency in handling data.

The Leader of the House proposed to prioritize a Ministerial Statement on the review of public disclosure of full NRIC numbers on Bizfile People Search before resuming the Estimates of Expenditure for FY2025/2026. This decision was made as the Ministerial Statement addresses an important matter and allows members more time for clarifications from Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean. The motion was put to a vote and agreed upon.

• Sylvia Lim proposed a reduction of $100 in the budget for Parliament, emphasizing the need for improved accountability and transparency in the legislative process.
• She raised concerns about the management of Parliamentary Questions (PQs), particularly regarding the redirection of questions to different ministries without consulting the MPs, which can hinder effective scrutiny of the government.
• Lim criticized the recent use of a Certificate of Urgency for the Insurance (Amendment) Bill, arguing it undermined Parliament's reputation and deprived MPs of the opportunity to hear from affected parties through a Select Committee.
• She expressed unease about the composition of the Presidential Council for Minority Rights (PCMR), questioning the appropriateness of having permanent members who are or were Cabinet Ministers, suggesting it creates a conflict of interest.
• The Leader of the House, Indranee Rajah, defended the government's practices regarding PQs and the urgency of legislation, asserting that the redirection of questions is necessary for effective governance and that urgent bills are occasionally required to address pressing issues.

Yip Hon Weng asked about the reasons behind a six-percentage-point decrease in the anti-corruption disclosure score for Singapore-listed companies from 2022 to 2024 and measures to enhance corporate transparency. Gan Kim Yong responded that all Singapore-listed companies met anti-corruption disclosure criteria, but the overall score declined due to increased focus on other topics, such as sustainability. The Singapore Exchange Regulation will continue to engage with companies to monitor and improve their disclosure practices.

Liang Eng Hwa proposed a reduction in the budget allocation for the Ministry of Finance while highlighting Singapore's recent international accolades, including being named one of the world's Blue Zones and having the most powerful passport globally. Various members expressed concerns regarding housing prices, with Pritam Singh questioning the transparency of land pricing for HDB flats and suggesting public access to pricing methodologies. He Ting Ru raised issues about the sustainability of the Progressive Wage Credit Scheme, urging for clarity on its long-term impact. Louis Chua emphasized the need for increased transparency in sovereign wealth fund management and proposed adjustments to the CDC Voucher Scheme for more targeted assistance. Several members called for measures to improve government procurement processes to assist SMEs and startups, fostering better accessibility and efficiency.

• As of December 2024, approximately $2.79 billion in assets related to the $3 billion money laundering case have been surrendered to the state, with $1.54 billion in cash or financial assets and the remainder in non-cash assets.
• A total of 54 properties, 33 vehicles, and 11 country club memberships have been liquidated, with proceeds from these sales to be paid into the Consolidated Fund.
• About $1.8 million has already been paid into the Consolidated Fund, with an additional $390 million pending payment in the financial year 2024.
• The Police incurred over $600,000 in costs for the safekeeping of these assets in the financial year 2023.

• Dennis Tan Lip Fong inquired about the percentage of Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) projects audited post-disbursement, the total grants recovered from non-compliant companies, and specific enforcement actions taken.
• Gan Kim Yong responded that over 1,100 PSG projects, totaling $8.7 million, underwent post-disbursement audits in the last three years, with about 50% from the food and beverage and retail sectors.
• Approximately 3% of audited projects were found non-compliant, leading to grant clawbacks and enhanced scrutiny for future applications.
• Solutions deemed ineffective in improving productivity will be removed from the PSG list during regular reviews to maintain the program's effectiveness.

• Patrick Tay raised concerns about the need for anonymous reporting channels for staff, students, and teachers to report discrimination and sexual misconduct without fear of retaliation.
• Chan Chun Sing responded that the Ministry of Education has established processes for reporting wrongful practices but requires individuals to disclose their identity to ensure thorough investigations and accountability.
• The Ministry acknowledges the apprehension individuals may feel when reporting and emphasizes the confidentiality of reports, while also stating that retaliation against whistleblowers is prohibited and subject to disciplinary action.
• Anonymous reports may be considered, but their effectiveness is limited by the need for detailed information and follow-up questions.
• The Ministry is committed to fostering a safe environment for reporting concerns and aims to change the perception of reporting from disloyalty to a vital contribution to integrity.

• The Parliament referred the conduct of Mr. Pritam Singh and Mr. Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap to the Public Prosecutor following a report from the Committee of Privileges.
• The Public Prosecutor decided not to charge Mr. Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap but issued an advisory for him to understand the expected conduct of MPs.
• Mr. Pritam Singh was charged with making false answers during the Committee's examination, resulting in a conviction and a maximum fine of $7,000 for each charge.
• Mr. Pritam Singh retains his seat in Parliament as the fines imposed do not meet the disqualification criteria outlined in the Constitution.

Leong Mun Wai questioned the Minister for Home Affairs about the lack of immediate public disclosure regarding the detention of three men under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in November 2024, and the policy for future detentions. K Shanmugam explained that the Internal Security Department publicizes ISA cases when investigations are concluded and it is operationally safe to do so. He emphasized that premature disclosure could compromise ongoing investigations, especially those related to terrorism, as it may alert individuals involved and disrupt coordination with foreign intelligence.

Tan Wu Meng raised concerns about the potential impact of foreign social media platforms manipulating algorithms to influence the electoral process in Singapore, questioning whether this constitutes foreign interference under current laws. The Minister of State for Home Affairs, Sun Xueling, acknowledged the risk of algorithm manipulation and indicated that such actions would be considered foreign interference, with existing legislation like the Foreign Interference Countermeasures Act (FICA) able to address these issues. Sun highlighted that the government is open to engagement with academia and researchers to better understand these risks and improve information literacy among citizens. The Ministry plans to continue monitoring the online landscape and assess if additional regulations are needed to safeguard Singapore's democratic processes.

• Gerald Giam Yean Song inquired about the accessibility of judgments from the Small Claims Tribunals, Employment Claims Tribunal, and Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre, and proposed a searchable database for transparency.
• Minister K Shanmugam stated that the Courts decide which judgments to publish, and currently, judgments from the Small Claims and Employment Claims Tribunals are not published but can be accessed upon request.
• The Courts aim to balance public understanding of the law with the need for confidentiality and timely justice, and are exploring the publication of selected anonymized judgments.
• The Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre does not publish adjudication decisions due to confidentiality but provides case studies and annual reports for public learning.
• The Ministry of Manpower is reviewing the publication of Employment Claims Tribunal judgments, and feedback regarding FIDReC has been communicated to them.

• Sylvia Lim raised concerns about the impact of scams that changed NRIC-registered addresses on Singaporeans' voting rights.
• The Elections Department compiles the Registers of Electors using data from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, which reported unauthorized address changes.
• The ICA has contacted affected individuals to verify and correct their addresses, with updates to the Registers scheduled for 1 February 2025.
• A public inspection period will follow the updates, allowing voters to check and correct their information, with assistance available for those unable to do so electronically.
• Voters are encouraged to verify their voting status and details during the inspection period to ensure accuracy in the Registers.

• The debate focused on the Maintenance of Racial Harmony Bill, particularly the role of the Elected President (EP) as the final arbiter of Restraining Orders related to race, raising concerns about potential confrontations with the Government.
• Sylvia Lim questioned the wisdom of empowering the EP in this context, suggesting it could lead to polarization along racial lines and detract from the President's role.
• Minister K Shanmugam defended the Bill, arguing that the additional checks provided by the EP and the Presidential Council are necessary for accountability and to ensure careful exercise of governmental power.
• The discussion included clarifications on the decision-making process for Restraining Orders, emphasizing that the Minister's decisions would be based on careful assessment and legal advice, albeit without the same procedural rigor as court decisions.
• The Bill was ultimately passed after addressing various concerns, with the Minister highlighting the need for a balance between swift action and appropriate checks on governmental authority.

Leong Mun Wai raised concerns about recruitment ads for Chinese Communist Party branch secretaries at Ngee Ann Polytechnic on LinkedIn. K Shanmugam confirmed that the Ministry of Home Affairs is investigating the matter.