Religion, race & rights — Topics

3 Mar 2023

Preventing Extremist Ideologies and Radicalisation from Propagating in Online Gaming Platforms

The Minister for Communications and Information outlined Singapore's zero-tolerance approach against extremist ideologies, noting the Online Safety Act empowers the Infocomm Media Development Authority to disable access to terror-related content, with plans to extend these levers to online gaming platforms like Roblox.
The Ministry of Home Affairs is introducing legislation to combat online criminal harms, which will cover content inciting terror activities across all online communication mediums, including games accessible via app stores.
A whole-of-society strategy involves community outreach through movements like SGSecure and organizations such as the Religious Rehabilitation Group to raise awareness and build resilience against radicalization, emphasizing that government regulations must be supported by community and family efforts.

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3 Mar 2023

Training for Service Staff at Telecommunications Companies to Spot Possible Scams Targeted at Customers from Vulnerable Groups

Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim raised a case where an intellectually disabled adult was scammed into signing multiple telco contracts, prompting a question on safeguards for vulnerable groups.
The Senior Minister of State outlined existing IMDA regulations requiring telco staff to verify identities and explain contracts, alongside public education programmes like Seniors Go Digital.
The Minister agreed to work with telcos to review and potentially enhance frontline staff training to identify red flags and prevent scams targeting vulnerable individuals.

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28 Feb 2023

Considerations for Converting Single-sex Schools to Co-ed Schools and for Relocating Schools

MOE evaluates school relocations and conversions based on population needs, with new schools typically being co-ed to serve both genders, while single-sex schools may transition only through customized discussions with stakeholders.
Advance notice will be given to parents once plans are finalized to help them plan for Primary One admissions, though consultation is challenging for future residents not yet in the area.
The relocation of ACS (Primary) to Tengah involved MOE and the school board balancing community diversity and local demand, resulting in the school becoming co-ed to better serve the new town's needs.

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27 Feb 2023

Publication of Findings of Investigation into Individual Allegedly Promulgating Deviant Teachings

The Minister for Social and Family Development and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs stated that authorities will publicly share the findings of the Police investigation into the individual accused of promulgating deviant teachings once the investigation is complete.
The Minister, on behalf of the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS), urged the community to seek religious guidance only from credible sources and asatizahs registered under the Asatizah Recognition Scheme.
MUIS committed to continuing to provide religious guidance and advice to the community on the dangers of deviant teachings.

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23 Feb 2023

Number of Stay-at-home Moms and Efforts to Help Them Seek Employment

There are approximately 39,100 women not looking for work due to childcare responsibilities, with 2,400 actively seeking employment after leaving jobs to care for children.
Workforce Singapore offers employment programmes and Career Conversion Programmes with high salary support, especially for those aged 40+ or unemployed over six months, to facilitate re-entry.
Career centres and advisory services are available to help stay-at-home mums improve job search strategies and reposition their skills for employers.
Employers are encouraged to adopt fair practices and provide re-entry support, with government agencies promoting non-discrimination in line with tripartite guidelines.

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22 Feb 2023

Data on CPF Members Who Are Unable to Set Aside CPF Full Retirement Sum in Retirement Account

About 33% of active CPF members who turned 55 in 2022, approximately 13,400 individuals, did not set aside the Full Retirement Sum, with 6,100 being male and 7,300 being female.
The lower savings among older female members are attributed to historically lower labor force participation and median income for females compared to males.
Improved employment outcomes for both genders are expected to reduce the proportion of members unable to set aside the FRS from about 33% to about 24% over the next five years.
The forecast indicates the number of such members will decrease from around 13,400 to about 11,500 in five years.

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14 Feb 2023

Extension of Inclusive Business Programme to Industrial Properties Operated by JTC

Mr Murali Pillai suggested extending the Inclusive Business Programme (IBP) from HDB to JTC-operated industrial properties, especially those near HDB estates, to help persons with disabilities (PwDs) find employment.
The Ministry for Social and Family Development (MSF) will work with the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) and JTC to explore this extension as part of efforts to raise PwD employment rates.
Mr Pillai further proposed considering rental rebates for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that employ PwDs, and the Senior Parliamentary Secretary confirmed this suggestion would be considered in the review.

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14 Feb 2023

Enhancing Employability of Caregivers who Experienced Career Interruption

Dr Tan Wu Meng proposed a study to raise employer awareness of the positive character traits demonstrated by caregivers who interrupt their careers to care for elderly or ailing parents, but the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) currently has no plans for such a study and prefers individual fair assessment of each candidate.
MOM and tripartite partners support caregivers' return to work by promoting flexible work arrangements, providing implementation resources, and introducing tripartite guidelines by 2024, alongside employment facilitation programmes like Career Conversion Programmes with training and salary support.
Dr Tan Wu Meng highlighted that caregivers face discrimination due to career gaps on their CVs and asked what is being done to work with HR practitioners to promote inclusive practices, to which MOM stated it collaborates with HR bodies and employers to emphasize fair employment and is advancing workplace fairness legislation to protect caregivers from discrimination.

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14 Feb 2023

Cases where Older Workers in PWM Sectors Suffer Demotion and Salary Cuts for Failing to Pass Required Tests due to Language Literacy Gaps

The Ministry of Manpower noted that the Progressive Wage Model provides career and wage progression based on skills, with employers required to pay wages corresponding to the job performed, not just training completion.
To address language or literacy barriers, training can be supplemented with visual aids or assessment-only pathways, and tripartite partners aim to prevent disadvantaging workers through training requirements.
No feedback has been received by the Ministry or sector agencies about demotions or salary cuts due to failing training tests, and workers facing issues can seek assistance from unions, MOM, or SkillsFuture Singapore.

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7 Feb 2023

Measures to Maintain Racial Harmony and Security in Migrant Workers Dormitories

The Ministry of Manpower implements the Settling-in Programme for new work permit holders, introducing Singapore laws and social norms in their native languages to promote harmonious living among diverse races and religions.
MOM collaborates with NGOs, dormitory operators, employers, and community partners to organize regular multicultural social activities and celebrations, fostering appreciation and interaction among migrant workers of different backgrounds.
The Friends of ACE (FACE) Network, comprising migrant worker volunteers, helps bridge communication between peers and MOM to identify and address ground concerns early for proactive intervention.
Dormitory operators are required to respect religious and cultural sensitivities, implement measures to minimize conflicts, and respond swiftly to incidents, with MOM taking strict action such as revoking work passes for violent disturbances.

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7 Feb 2023

Enforcement Actions against Abuse of Car Park Label Scheme Meant for Disabled Persons or Their Caregivers

Melvin Yong asked the Ministry for Social and Family Development about annual enforcement actions taken against abuse of the Car Park Label Scheme for disabled persons or caregivers and whether public education to deter such abuses would be increased.
The Ministry reported summonses issued for misuse of accessible parking lots: 1,628 in 2018, 1,544 in 2019, 2,108 in 2020, 2,418 in 2021, and 1,821 in 2022.
The Ministry emphasized that only vehicles with valid labels may use accessible lots and will continue public information efforts, including signage and the SG Enable hotline, to deter misuse and support eligible drivers.

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7 Feb 2023

Assaults at Dormitories involving Migrant Workers from Different Nationalities

From 2020 to 2022, about 990 assault cases involving migrant workers at dormitories were reported to the Singapore Police Force, including affray and rioting.
A minority of these cases involved persons of different races, but none were reported to be racially motivated.
Police collaborate with dormitory operators on safety measures, including security arrangements, CCTV systems, and engagement on crime prevention as part of licensing conditions with the Ministry of Manpower.

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6 Feb 2023

Training for Public Transport Staff and Drivers on Accommodating Passengers with Disabilities

The Minister confirmed that all public transport operators have training programmes developed with social service agencies to assist passengers with disabilities, including those with invisible conditions, and use initiatives like the "May I Have A Seat Please" identifier to aid staff in identifying and helping commuters in need.
Since 2016, bus captains have undergone mandatory inclusive commuter training under the Enhanced Vocational Licence Training Programme, with over 6,450 graduates, and training materials are regularly updated based on feedback from the public and social service agencies.
Public transport operators ensure their customer service hotlines are fully staffed during operating hours, with manpower planned for peak periods and contingencies such as cross-training employees and offering alternative feedback channels.

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6 Feb 2023

Encouraging Use of Surveillance Technologies by Religious Organisations

Joan Pereira inquired about plans for the government to collaborate with religious organisations to increase the use of surveillance technologies for monitoring their premises.
The Minister for Home Affairs stated that the police engage with religious organisations on crime prevention and security, including through Safety and Security Watch Groups.
The police provide advice on security measures, which can include technologies like CCTV cameras to enhance security and assist police investigations.
The Ministries of Home Affairs and Culture, Community and Youth will continue to work with stakeholders on crime prevention and security awareness.

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6 Feb 2023

Prevalence of Ageist Language in Job Advertisements

Mariam Jaafar inquired about the prevalence and impact of ageist language in job advertisements and its discouraging effect on older workers, while Tan See Leng responded that the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) does not specifically review this but tracks complaints, averaging 49 age-related discriminatory job ad complaints annually from 2018-2022.
MOM stated that such discriminatory advertisements are unacceptable, employers must follow Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices, and words implying age preference should not be used without justification, with enforcement actions taken against violators.
MOM advised jobseekers to approach the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) for advice and assistance if they encounter discriminatory job advertisements.

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6 Feb 2023

Cooperation between Government and Religious Organisations to Identify and Help Those at Risk of Self-radicalisation

The Ministry of Home Affairs collaborates with religious organisations, agencies like MCCY, and community groups to provide training, seminars, and resources to identify and counter self-radicalisation, both online and offline.
Government measures include restricting foreign preachers with intolerant teachings, blocking radical websites, and passing laws to tackle harmful online content, while promoting public awareness through initiatives like SGSecure and community outreach.
Ongoing cooperation with religious leaders is emphasised through programmes like the Crisis Preparedness for Religious Organisations and collective commitments to safeguard religious harmony, ensuring regular reviews of partnerships to address evolving threats.

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6 Feb 2023

Ensuring Smooth and Fair Police Investigation Process for Alleged Offenders with Disabilities and Mental Challenges

Police Officers are trained to identify signs of mental disability and work with the Agency for Integrated Care to improve their awareness and interaction skills, and they can activate Appropriate Adults to provide emotional support and facilitate communication during investigations.
To be an Appropriate Adult, individuals must be 21 or older, patient, level-headed, and capable of sound reasoning, and they must complete a one-day training by MINDS where their suitability is assessed, with ongoing competency feedback provided by Police Officers.
Police refer alleged offenders with mental disabilities to social workers for assessment and onward referral to relevant agencies, and they notify parents, guardians, and schools if the individual is studying to ensure support during investigations.

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10 Jan 2023

Applications to Inclusive Business Programme In Support of Employment of Persons with Disabilities

Two businesses successfully applied for and were approved under the Inclusive Business Programme since its launch in 2019, receiving HDB shop spaces and a 20% rental discount for the first three years.
The government provides employment support through the Open Door Programme, which includes job placement, job support services, grants, and wage support via the Enabling Employment Credit.
Enabling Business Hubs are being developed to offer employment training, employer engagement, and on/offsite employment opportunities closer to where persons with disabilities live.

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10 Jan 2023

Offenders who Committed Serious Crimes But Spared from Caning on Account of Age

Over the past 10 years, specific data on offenders spared caning for serious crimes due to age is not available, but figures from 2020-2022 show 70 male offenders over 50 convicted in State Courts and 37 in High Court for serious sexual and hurt offences punishable by caning.
The court can impose up to an additional 12 months' imprisonment for offenders not caned because they exceed the statutory age limit, to compensate for the deterrent and retributive effect of caning.
The Ministry for Home Affairs stated that the question of considering other factors, such as health, instead of age for caning eligibility was addressed in a previous query.

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10 Jan 2023

Imposition of Caning for Crimes Committed by Offenders Above Age 50 against Children

The Minister for Home Affairs, K Shanmugam, stated that Singapore’s Criminal Procedure Code prohibits caning for offenders above 50 years old at the time of caning, noting this limit was reaffirmed during a 2021 parliamentary debate on similar proposals.
He explained that the government previously rejected removing the age limit for caning serious sexual offenders due to the low number of such offenders over 50 at arrest and the availability of alternative penalties like up to 12 months’ additional imprisonment.
Shanmugam added that data does not indicate a significant trend of offenders committing canable offences just before turning 50, reducing the need for a policy change.

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