Religion, race & rights

• Ms. Elysa Chen inquired about the current and projected waiting times for enrolment into Day Activity Centres (DACs).
• As of August 2025, there are 32 MSF-funded DACs with a capacity of over 1,800 places and a 90% utilisation rate.
• The mean and median waiting time for enrolment into a DAC is approximately eight months.
• The Ministry of Social and Family Development plans to increase DAC capacity by 500 places by 2030.
• Interim engagement options are available for persons with disabilities through the Special Transition and Engagement Programme and the Enabling Services Hub pilot.

• Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat inquired about the eligibility of personal tracking devices for subsidies under the Assistive Technology Fund (ATF) and requested data on their usage by caregivers of children with autism.
• The Minister for Social and Family Development, Masagos Zulkifli, confirmed that personal tracking devices can be subsidized under the ATF, as they assist individuals with autism in living independently.
• There have been no applications for personal tracking devices from persons with disabilities to date, and the choice to use such devices is left to the caregivers.
• The Ministry will not provide tracking devices proactively through early intervention centres, emphasizing caregiver discretion in the decision-making process.

• Ms. Eileen Chong Pei Shan inquired about the percentage of in-service early childhood educators who have completed the Certificate in Inclusive Practice (CIP) course and the Ministry's plans to promote this course.
• The Minister for Social and Family Development, Masagos Zulkifli, stated that the CIP course has been offered since 2022, with around 80 educators enrolling each year.
• The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) is integrating inclusive practices into early childhood training and professional development courses to enhance educators' skills in supporting children with developmental needs.
• ECDA has initiated the Inclusive Support Programme (InSP) in six preschools to provide early intervention and support for children needing additional assistance, with training for educators involved.
• The ECDA is dedicated to collaborating with partners to foster inclusivity in preschools and ensure a strong foundation for all children.

• Assoc Prof Jamus Lim questioned the rationale behind the engine capacity, maximum power, and open market value thresholds for the Disabled Persons Scheme (DPS) in relation to COE premium and ARF waivers.
• The DPS provides exemptions for eligible persons with disabilities who cannot use public transport, allowing them to purchase cars for work without paying certain fees.
• Specific limits are set for engine capacity (1,600cc), maximum power output (97kW), and open market value ($20,000) to ensure affordability and fiscal responsibility.
• The Minister indicated that appeals regarding these criteria can be considered on a case-by-case basis.

• Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim inquired about HDB's tracking of tenure duration and ethnicity of tenants in open-market rentals and the measures in place to maintain ethnic diversity.
• Chee Hong Tat explained that the Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP) applies to the sale and allocation of HDB flats but not to open-market rentals, which primarily involve non-citizen tenants.
• To prevent foreigner enclaves, HDB implemented a non-Citizen quota in 2014, limiting the number of flats rented to non-Malaysian non-citizens and capping rental periods at two years.
• HDB requires flat owners to meet certain conditions before renting out their flats and will enforce actions against any detected irregularities.

• The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) aims to foster a caring, cohesive, and confident nation by promoting shared values and multiculturalism among Singaporeans.
• MCCY plans to enhance arts and heritage accessibility through initiatives like ArtsEverywhere@CDC and the Culture Pass, while also encouraging sports participation and inclusivity through the Sports Facilities Master Plan and adaptive sports programs.
• The ministry is focused on empowering youth through the SG Youth Plan, which aims to connect them with mentors and career opportunities, and promote volunteerism to build a "We First" society.
• MCCY will engage citizens in community solutions and partnerships to strengthen social cohesion and support lower-income families through various initiatives and collaborations.
• The ministry emphasizes the importance of citizen engagement and community involvement in shaping policies and fostering a participatory future for all Singaporeans.

• The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) aims to nurture resilient individuals and strong families through family-centered and proactive approaches, ensuring support at every life stage.
• MSF plans to enhance access to affordable early childhood services, expand family counseling, and support caregivers while reviewing the Mental Capacity Act for better protection of vulnerable adults.
• The ministry will focus on improving employment support for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and promoting gender equality in family and workplace settings.
• MSF is committed to supporting lower-income families through initiatives like ComLink+ and Progress Packages, while also enhancing the delivery of social services and addressing domestic violence.
• Collaboration with communities, businesses, and individuals is emphasized to build a caring society, alongside investments in technology and partnerships for social innovation.

• The President highlighted Singapore's 60-year journey of independence, emphasizing the importance of unity and resilience in navigating current global challenges.
• He addressed the shifting global order, particularly the rivalry between the U.S. and China, and the need for Singapore to secure its place in a more complex international landscape.
• The speech outlined priorities for national security, economic innovation, and social mobility, stressing the importance of preparing citizens for a rapidly changing job market.
• The President called for a "We First" society, encouraging community engagement, mutual respect, and the nurturing of Singapore's multicultural identity to strengthen social cohesion.
• He emphasized the need for trust in governance and the importance of continuous dialogue between the government and citizens to address long-term challenges effectively.

• Ms. See Jinli Jean proposed lifting the age cap of the Matched MediSave Scheme for individuals aged 71 and above who continue to contribute to their MediSave accounts.
• Minister Ong Ye Kung explained that the scheme currently targets individuals aged 55 to 70, as they have less access to healthcare benefits compared to those aged 71 and above.
• The Ministry of Health plans to review the scheme's parameters at the end of its five-year pilot phase to consider potential adjustments.

• A total of 36 Asatizah have had their Asatizah Recognition Scheme (ARS) certifications cancelled since the scheme's implementation in January 2017.
• Cancellations were primarily due to violations of the ARS Code of Ethics, including ethical misconduct and doctrinal issues.
• The majority of Asatizah in Singapore are Sunni Muslims, with some serving the Shia community.

• Mr. Saktiandi Supaat inquired about the proportion of university graduates among Malays compared to Chinese and Indian communities, specifically for age groups 25 and over, and 25 to 34 years.
• The Minister for Education, Chan Chun Sing, reported that 11% of Malays aged 25 and over have a university degree, compared to 35% of Chinese and 41% of Indians; for ages 25 to 34, the figures are 20% for Malays, 66% for Chinese, and 50% for Indians.
• The Ministry does not track university graduation rates by ethnicity but focuses on providing support to all students to help them succeed academically.
• The approach emphasizes merit-based admissions and various support initiatives to assist students in completing their courses.

• The debate focused on the importance of immigration for Singapore's economic growth and national security, addressing concerns about integration and national identity.
• A significant majority of Singaporeans recognize the benefits of immigration, with over 75% supporting its positive impact on the economy and 62% acknowledging cultural contributions.
• The government aims to manage immigration carefully, ensuring that new immigrants are well-suited to contribute to society and are supported in their integration efforts.
• Various programs and initiatives are in place to help immigrants adapt to local norms, including mandatory citizenship journeys and community integration efforts led by the National Integration Council.
• Education plays a key role in fostering understanding of immigration, with schools teaching students about the value of diversity and the historical contributions of immigrants to Singapore.

• The debate focused on intimate partner violence (IPV) in Singapore, highlighting its prevalence and the need for comprehensive research and data collection on the issue.
• Assoc Prof Razwana Begum emphasized the severe impacts of IPV on women, children, and families, advocating for immediate legislative and systemic changes to better support survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.
• The Minister of State for Social and Family Development, Ms Sun Xueling, outlined existing legislative frameworks and community efforts to combat domestic violence, stressing the importance of a whole-of-society approach to address the issue effectively.
• Recommendations included enhancing support services for survivors, improving legal protections, and integrating technology to assist in prevention and response efforts.
• Both speakers acknowledged the need for ongoing public education and community engagement to foster awareness and intervention in cases of domestic violence.

• Louis Ng Kok Kwang inquired about the increase in demand for dedicated transport services for children with disabilities over the past five years and whether this demand has been met by registered school bus operators.
• Masagos Zulkifli B M M responded that public transport has generally catered well to persons with disabilities, and not all require dedicated transport services.
• He noted that SPED schools and disability service providers arrange suitable transport for those in need and that the government supports these services through the Enabling Transport Subsidy.
• The use of the Enabling Transport Subsidy for dedicated transport services has risen by an average of 6% annually, reflecting increased enrollment in SPED schools and disability services.

• Louis Ng Kok Kwang raised concerns about the underreporting of sexual crimes and inquired if the Ministry for Home Affairs has data on unreported cases.
• He requested information on the average number of unreported sexual crime cases over the past five years and suggested collaboration with non-profit and civil society groups to investigate the issue.
• K Shanmugam responded that the Ministry cannot track unreported cases but engages with various stakeholders to understand and support the needs of sexual crime victims.

• MCCY emphasized community and nation-building for SG60, with a focus on the Malay/Muslim community's "Community of Success" through M3 initiatives in health, youth development, and family support, including the expansion of Project Dian.
• The Ministry announced new initiatives to boost arts and sports participation, including a $100 SG Culture Pass for citizens and a $100 ActiveSG credit top-up, while also planning a Singapore Design Museum and enhancing high-performance sports pathways through institutional integration.
• In heritage and philanthropy, the government launched the SG Heritage Business Scheme to support long-standing local businesses and introduced measures to encourage giving, including tax incentives and a new Enabling Sports Fund for disability sports.

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked about the average waiting time for children to secure a spot in Special Student Care Centres (SSCCs) and updates on plans for more centres. Masagos Zulkifli B M M responded that there are currently eight SSCCs, with an average waiting time of about eight months for enrollment. Priority admission is granted to urgent cases, and SG Enable assists families with alternative options and resources. The Ministry of Social and Family Development is working with stakeholders to identify demand areas and plans to establish more SSCCs alongside the construction of additional Special Education schools.

Carrie Tan emphasized the need for a more inclusive society for persons with disabilities (PWDs), advocating for public awareness campaigns to recognize their contributions and challenge misconceptions. She recommended creating a national framework for disability representation in media to promote positive visibility. Tan also urged the expansion of workplace integration programs to include smaller retailers and increase support for micro-enterprises to employ PWDs. Ng Ling Ling discussed the upcoming Matched Retirement Savings Scheme for PWDs and raised concerns about its implementation timeline and inclusivity. Baey Yam Keng highlighted the challenges PWDs face after turning 18, particularly in employment and caregiving, and called for updates on the Enabling Masterplan 2030's progress.

Melvin Yong proposed a reduction in the budget for the Ministry of Social and Family Development, emphasizing the need to strengthen Singapore's social compact to support low-income families and address inequality. There were calls for better support for vulnerable populations, including updates on social service agency salaries and funding, as well as initiatives to engage volunteers and promote active citizenship. Concerns about early childhood education standards and teacher shortages were raised, alongside the proposal of a tiered caregiver payment model to recognize family caregiving as essential work. The debate also focused on the need for targeted services for persons with disabilities and neurodivergent individuals, highlighting the importance of inclusive employment and education systems.

Louis Ng expressed relief that discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals is covered under current employment guidelines but urged for clearer communication on the TAFEP website regarding this coverage. He also advocated for the introduction of parent care leave, emphasizing the importance of supporting those caring for elderly parents, similar to childcare leave provisions. Rachel Ong highlighted the challenges faced by single caregivers due to return-to-office mandates and called for more firm policies around flexible work arrangements. Yeo Wan Ling discussed the need to normalize these arrangements and provide resources for small businesses. Dr. Koh Poh Koon detailed various government efforts to support workers at different career stages, including the introduction of the Jobseeker Support Scheme to assist those involuntarily unemployed.