Religion, race & rights

Desmond Choo moved to reduce the budget allocation for the Ministry of Manpower, highlighting MOM's significant reforms aimed at enhancing workforce quality and addressing the challenges of an ageing workforce and underemployment. MOM was urged to take decisive action to improve senior worker participation and women's workforce involvement through tailored support and initiatives. Various parliamentarians expressed concern over skill-related underemployment and the need for better tracking of resident jobs to address potential imbalances caused by immigration policies. Suggestions included implementing quotas for women in leadership roles, promoting returnship programs for women returning to work, and re-evaluating the Employment Act to better protect workers facing restructuring and dismissal issues. The need for an integrated approach to workforce transformation was emphasized, focusing on job redesign, skills upgrading, and the mental well-being of employees.

Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Transport about the possibility of expanding the Taxi Subsidy Scheme or introducing measures to cap surcharges for motorised wheelchair users who need affordable travel options beyond school or work. Chee Hong Tat responded that point-to-point and private transport operators have wheelchair-accessible vehicles for persons with disabilities, who can access financial assistance through existing schemes. The Land Transport Authority will collaborate with relevant ministries and operators to enhance the accessibility of point-to-point transport for passengers with diverse needs.

Ong Hua Han inquired about updates on the recognition of Singapore Sign Language (SgSL) as the official sign language and requested steps to enhance government communications accessibility through SgSL interpreters. Masagos Zulkifli highlighted the government's commitment to supporting deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals under Enabling Masterplan 2030, including the use of SgSL in education with trained interpreters. The government has mandated SgSL interpretation for significant TV broadcasts and is aiming to increase accessible programming. A study on SgSL's official recognition is ongoing, focusing on benefits for the deaf community and improvements in interpreter training and SgSL documentation.

• Miss Rachel Ong inquired about the assessment of the Circle of Friends (CoF) initiative's effectiveness in supporting students with special educational needs, including its implementation across secondary schools and differences in effectiveness among various types of disabilities.
• Chan Chun Sing responded that CoF is an evidence-based intervention where peers support students with special educational needs, and all schools have trained personnel for its implementation, though not all schools have adopted it based on individual student needs.
• An evaluation conducted by the Ministry of Education in 2023 indicated improvements in social and behavioral aspects for students with special educational needs involved in CoF, as well as enhanced empathy and responsibility among participating peers.
• The evaluation did not assess differences in effectiveness between neurodivergent students and those with visible physical or sensory disabilities.

• Approximately 90 out of 351 schools in Singapore currently offer Malay Dance as a co-curricular activity (CCA), but around 40 schools have discontinued it in the last five years due to changing student preferences and declining cohort numbers.
• The Ministry of Education (MOE) supports Malay dance as an important art form, engaging professional groups to provide workshops and incorporating it into the Singapore Youth Festival Arts Presentation.
• MOE promotes appreciation of Malay culture through various art forms in the curriculum, including exposure to Malay artists, community songs, and traditional music.
• Schools also implement immersive programs like the Mother Tongue Language Fortnight and collaborate with community partners to enhance students' understanding of Malay language and culture.

• Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim inquired about the long-term plans for Masjid Pusara Aman and Masjid Al-Firdaus, which are currently under a Temporary Occupation Licence (TOL), and whether the TOL would be extended due to their significance to the community.
• Masagos Zulkifli B M M responded that the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapore (MUIS) regularly assesses mosque capacity and collaborates with national agencies to ensure adequate prayer spaces for Muslims.
• Both mosques are on land with specific allocations, and MUIS aims to extend their operations, contingent on broader land use plans.

• 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.

• Louis Ng Kok Kwang inquired about the timeline for the pilot extension of the Development Support and Learning Support (DS-LS) Programme for differently-abled children at the nursery level and the criteria for making it permanent.
• The DS-LS Programme currently supports preschool children aged five and six with mild developmental delays and was piloted for children aged three to four in 2022.
• The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) is reviewing the pilot's outcomes in collaboration with a consultancy team from KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
• Factors for evaluating the pilot's success include the effectiveness of support provided, required resources, and how the programme integrates with existing early intervention services.

• Ms. Carrie Tan proposed the development of transformation and funding schemes for neighbourhood shops to create employment opportunities for persons with special needs and disabilities.
• The Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Mr. Eric Chua, highlighted existing government support for inclusive hiring through programs like the Open Door Programme and the Inclusive Business Programme, which offer job matching and financial incentives for businesses.
• Ms. Tan emphasized the potential of the 712 minimarts under HDB leases to provide local employment for persons with disabilities and requested a more systematic approach to facilitate this.
• Mr. Chua acknowledged the need for a coordinated plan to promote inclusive employment and expressed willingness to explore scaling up current initiatives with local businesses and community associations.

• The debate focused on the challenges faced by seniors and residents with mobility issues living in HDB flats without direct lift access, particularly those in segmented units.
• Members of Parliament raised concerns about the limited options available for these residents, especially regarding the Lift Access Housing Grant (LHG) and the difficulties in applying for new flats with direct lift access.
• The Minister for National Development highlighted existing support measures, including the LHG and the Senior Priority Scheme, while acknowledging the need for ongoing review and potential enhancements to assist affected residents.
• Suggestions were made for exploring innovative solutions and increasing subsidies for lift upgrades in blocks that currently lack direct access, as well as addressing the technical challenges involved.
• The Minister encouraged residents with pressing mobility needs to approach HDB for personalized assistance and to share any innovative ideas for improving access solutions.

Kwek Hian Chuan Henry asked if the Government could install seating in long underground MRT tunnel walkways to assist seniors and those with mobility challenges. Dr. Amy Khor, representing the Ministry of Transport, affirmed the suggestion and noted that seating has already been installed in some longer walkways based on commuter feedback. The plan includes extending this feature to more stations and incorporating seats in upcoming lines like the Jurong Region line and Cross Island line to enhance commuter comfort and convenience.

Leong Mun Wai questioned the Minister for Home Affairs about the timeline and nature of a review for the Chinese-Malay-Indian-Others (CMIO) race model, suggesting a desire for potential changes. The Minister clarified that the CMIO framework supports multi-racialism and social cohesion, facilitating administration of policies that promote understanding among different races. Despite acknowledging criticisms of the framework, the Minister defended its effectiveness in fostering harmony, noting that any review is considered periodically. Leong reiterated the Progress Singapore Party's support for the Ethnic Integration Policy but raised concerns about its economic impacts on minorities, emphasizing that they are not opposed to the policy itself.

• Miss Rachel Ong inquired about the possibility of allowing passengers with disabilities to use their personal wheelchairs at the aerobridge instead of airport-provided wheelchairs.
• Chee Hong Tat responded that Changi Airport provides various wheelchair services, and the option to use personal wheelchairs depends on the airline's arrangements with ground handling partners.
• If airlines do not allow the use of personal wheelchairs, passengers can still request wheelchairs from the airline, ground handling partner, or airport operator.

• Ms. See Jinli Jean proposed that the Ministry for Social and Family Development (MSF) adopt an integrated marketing approach to engage employers in inclusive hiring practices for persons with disabilities.
• The MSF, in collaboration with SG Enable, is committed to promoting inclusive hiring and providing support to employers through various programs and initiatives.
• Key initiatives include the Enabling Mark accreditation, the Open Door Programme for job matching and support, and wage offsets for employers hiring persons with disabilities.
• SG Enable plans to focus on six target sectors with potential for inclusive hiring and will identify champions to share best practices among employers.
• The overall goal is to establish inclusive hiring as a norm in Singapore and enhance employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

• The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) announced plans to broaden the use of assistance dogs to include persons with physical disabilities and those who are deaf and hard-of-hearing.
• This extension will allow these assistance dogs access to public housing, public transport, and licensed food establishments in a phased manner.
• The Housing and Development Board (HDB) has updated its policies to permit assistance dogs in HDB flats.
• MSF is collaborating with various agencies to implement the necessary changes for the inclusion of these assistance dogs in public spaces.

• Dr. Wan Rizal raised concerns about the decline in quality of life for caregivers of persons with disabilities (PwDs) and their difficulties in accessing financial assistance.
• Minister Masagos Zulkifli highlighted the stress caregivers face and outlined various support measures, including respite care, caregiver training, and financial assistance.
• The Take-A-Break programme offers short-term home-based respite services, and additional Enabling Services Hubs will be established to enhance community support for caregivers and PwDs.
• Caregivers can access resources like the Enabling Guide and Caregiver Learning Roadmap on SG Enable's website for information and support.
• The government is committed to continuously reviewing and improving caregiver support as part of the Enabling Masterplan 2030.

• The debate focused on increasing participation rates of persons with disabilities (PwDs) in training programs, addressing health and commuting challenges they face.
• SG Enable is actively working to improve access to lifelong learning for PwDs through initiatives like the Open Door Programme Training Grant, which subsidizes course fees for employers.
• The Enabling Academy collaborates with training providers to expand course offerings tailored for PwDs and provides grants for assistive technology and course modifications.
• New Enabling Services Hubs are being established to offer disability support and education closer to PwDs' homes, with courses designed to enhance life skills and independence.
• Transportation support is available for PwDs through public transport concessions and taxi subsidies to facilitate their attendance at training and work.

• The debate focused on improving employment and further education rates for special education school graduates in Singapore.
• The Ministry of Education (MOE) supports students with special educational needs (SEN) through tailored transition plans and guidance from counselors and teachers.
• Approximately 7,000 students with SEN are currently enrolled in Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs), with initiatives like the SG Enable IHL Internship Programme facilitating their transition to the workforce.
• MOE collaborates with SG Enable to enhance vocational education and provide employment support, including job redesign incentives for employers.
• There is a call for employers to adopt an inclusive mindset to better integrate young Singaporeans with SEN into the workforce.

• Mr. Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim inquired about updates on providing direct lift access to certain blocks in the Keat Hong division that currently lack it.
• Minister Desmond Lee referred to a previous written reply from September 2024 regarding similar inquiries and stated there are no new updates.
• The Minister assured that the Housing and Development Board (HDB) will continue to seek solutions for residents with mobility challenges.
• Residents with accessibility needs are encouraged to approach HDB for suitable options.