Religion, race & rights

• Ms. Joan Pereira inquired about the number of cases related to deliberately wounding racial feelings over the past two years, trends, and potential punitive measures against offenders.
• Mr. Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim questioned the adequacy of existing laws like the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act and the Ministry's collaboration with community partners to enhance inter-faith harmony.
• Minister K. Shanmugam highlighted that approximately 25 race- and religion-related offences are investigated annually, emphasizing the importance of a robust legal framework and community engagement in maintaining social harmony.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs is proactive in addressing threats to racial and religious harmony, including increased security measures and community initiatives following incidents like the Al-Istiqamah Mosque case.
• Community solidarity and interfaith support are crucial in reinforcing social cohesion, as demonstrated by various faith leaders condemning provocations and standing together in solidarity.

• Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim proposed the idea of a differentiated discount rate for travel during peak and off-peak periods for the Persons With Disabilities (PWD) concession scheme.
• Jeffrey Siow highlighted that persons with disabilities currently receive up to 55% off adult per-journey fares and can save an additional 50 cents on MRT fares if they travel before 7.45 am on weekdays.
• He also mentioned that PWDs can purchase monthly concession passes for $58, allowing unlimited travel on train and basic bus services.

• Mr. Foo Cexiang proposed expanding CareShield Life coverage to individuals under 30 or allowing exceptional coverage on appeal based on individual circumstances.
• Minister Ong Ye Kung explained that CareShield Life is designed for those aged 30 and above, as they are typically in the workforce and can afford premiums through MediSave.
• Extending coverage to those under 30 could lead to adverse selection, increasing premiums for all policyholders due to higher claim likelihood from younger enrollees.
• Young individuals with disabilities can access alternative government support schemes, such as the Home Caregiving Grant and MediFund, instead of CareShield Life.

• The debate centers on the amendment of the Workplace Fairness Act 2025 to include mediation for workplace fairness disputes and civil actions for discrimination.
• The proposed changes also involve amendments to the Employment Claims Act 2016, the Industrial Relations Act 1960, and the Retirement and Re-employment Act 1993.
• The bill was presented by the Minister of State, Mr. Dinesh Vasu Dash, on behalf of the Minister for Manpower.
• The bill was read for the first time and is scheduled to be read a second time in a future parliamentary sitting.

• The Minister for Home Affairs, Mr. K Shanmugam, emphasized Singapore's unique multiracial and multi-religious approach to governance, contrasting it with practices in other countries that favor dominant ethnic groups, and highlighted the importance of maintaining harmony among diverse communities.
• He addressed recent political incidents where race and religion were politicized, warning that identity politics could lead to societal division and conflict, as seen in other countries, and urged political parties to reject such tactics unequivocally.
• The Minister noted that while laws exist to protect racial and religious harmony, fostering understanding and respect among communities requires active government promotion of intermixing and dialogue, alongside a robust legal framework.
• He acknowledged that while Singapore has made progress in racial and religious harmony, challenges remain, particularly for minority communities, and stressed the need for ongoing commitment to multiracial ideals to prevent the rise of identity politics.
• The Minister concluded by reiterating the necessity for all political parties to uphold Singapore's foundational principles and to respond decisively against any attempts to exploit racial or religious sentiments for political gain.

Valerie Lee questioned the Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth about the existence of guidelines for organizations seeking to establish religious prayer rooms. David Neo responded that the Ministry does not currently provide such guidelines.

Jamus Lim asked the Acting Minister for Transport about the possibility of implementing more robust policies to guarantee priority seating for the elderly and disabled on public transport. Jeffrey Siow responded that legislating for every behavior is not ideal and highlighted the importance of fostering a caring commuter culture instead. The government is promoting gracious commuting through initiatives like the Caring SG Commuter Movement, emphasizing voluntary seat-giving. A 2024 survey indicated that over 70% of respondents with disabilities found it easier to get a seat on public transport compared to the previous year, indicating progress in commuter behavior.

Charlene Chen asked the Minister for Manpower about age discrimination complaints in the past two years, revealing an average of 61 complaints annually in 2023 and 2024, primarily from the administrative, wholesale, and accommodation sectors. The Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) also proactively identified 90 potentially discriminatory job advertisements in the same period. The Ministry expressed a commitment to educating employers about fair practices and confirmed plans to table the Workplace Fairness Bill by the end of the year, with implementation expected in 2026 or 2027. Trends show stable complaint numbers over the past five years, with a focus on providing support avenues for older workers facing discrimination issues.

Cai Yinzhou asked about the demographics and mental health issues of clients served by the Community Intervention Team (COMIT). Ong Ye Kung reported that in FY2024, COMIT supported over 16,000 clients, with men making up about 35% of them. The age breakdown for males included 2% under 20, 30% between 20 and 34, 41% between 35 and 60, and 27% over 60. Common issues among these males included symptoms of depressive and anxiety disorders. Strategies to improve help-seeking behavior include various access points for mental health services, public education campaigns to combat stigma, and resources like the national mindline and a digital self-help portal.

Cai Yinzhou asked the Minister for Social and Family Development about the retention rates of SG Enable's Place-and-Train (PnT) trainees after one and three years, as well as the number of individuals with multiple placements with varying numbers of employers. Masagos Zulkifli B M M responded that the PnT programme, introduced in 2021, has provided significant salary support and course fee subsidies, resulting in 80% of participants employed six months post-programme, with 77% remaining with their host employers. The programme has been extended by two years to assist an additional 200 persons with disabilities, and the Ministry will continue monitoring its effectiveness.

Elysa Chen asked if the Government would introduce regulations for employers to provide protected time for mothers to breastfeed during working hours to enhance workplace support for women. Tan See Leng acknowledged the importance of supporting nursing mothers but stated the Government prefers an enabling approach over regulations, collaborating with tripartite partners to foster an inclusive work culture. The Tripartite Standard on Work-Life Harmony encourages employers to implement practices that support employees, including lactation support and flexible breaks. Additionally, the Government has mandated the provision of lactation facilities through existing building regulations.

Patrick Tay Teck Guan raised concerns about the impact of AI on the gender employment gap, as women’s jobs may be disproportionately affected. Tan See Leng responded that the Government is implementing the National AI Strategy 2.0 to harness AI opportunities and support workforce transformation, including significant funding for upskilling and business support initiatives. While there is no current evidence that AI negatively impacts female employment in Singapore, female employment rates have improved, and the gender pay gap has narrowed. The Government promotes initiatives like the HerCareer program and flexible work arrangements to enhance women's job access and capabilities. Ongoing studies will assess AI's workforce impact and ensure inclusive growth opportunities.

Fadli Fawzi raised questions about the prosecution of offences under the Administration of Muslim Law Act 1966, inquiring whether the government prosecutes such offences, how investigations are initiated, and the role of MUIS in these processes. Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim explained that offences may be reported by the public or identified through community engagement, and not all cases warrant court prosecution due to their personal nature. MUIS may take alternative measures such as public education, religious counselling, and may file police reports when necessary. He mentioned there has been one recent prosecution under the Act for teaching false doctrine.