Religion, race & rights — Topics

2 Aug 2022

SG Enable Partnering Organisations to Modify Work Environments to Support Employees with Special Needs

SG Enable runs the Open Door Programme, which provides job placement and support services, including job coaches who advise employers on creating accessible and calm work environments for employees with disabilities.
Employers can access the Job Redesign Grant to modify workplaces, such as adding calm rooms, to support employees with special needs.
SG Enable offers workshops to help employers create safe environments and manage challenging behaviours, promoting inclusive employment.
The government is collaborating with businesses and agencies to develop Enabling Business Hubs, which will provide shared facilities like calm rooms and on-site support, with the first pilot launching in 2023.

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2 Aug 2022

Training Programmes Under SG Enable to Employers Hiring Individuals with Special Needs

Christopher de Souza questioned whether SG Enable's training programmes for employers include guidance on assuring individuals with special needs about their job competence.
SG Enable's programmes, such as the HIRE Workshops and Open Door Programme, provide comprehensive training on managing and integrating employees with disabilities, including feedback and performance review skills.
The Enabling Academy offers additional resources and toolkits to support employers in disability-inclusive hiring, focusing on building confidence and competency for both employers and employees.

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2 Aug 2022

Investigation into Discriminatory Statements by Hwa Chong Institution School Counsellor

Ms Hazel Poa asked the Minister for Education about the duties retained by the Hwa Chong Institution staff involved in discriminatory content and the safeguards to prevent recurrence.
Mr Xie Yao Quan inquired about the timeline for concluding investigations into the counsellor's discriminatory statements and whether any affected students had sought help.
Chan Chun Sing stated the counsellor was suspended pending investigation, the school assured that the views did not represent it, and processes are being reviewed to align with MOE guidelines.

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2 Aug 2022

A More Inclusive Workplace for Breastfeeding Mothers

Mr. Louis Ng highlighted the struggles of breastfeeding mothers at work, such as being forced to use toilets or storerooms for pumping, and proposed mandating more lactation rooms in buildings and legislating paid lactation breaks.
Minister Indranee Rajah acknowledged the need for supportive workplaces, noting existing building requirements for lactation rooms and that the government will review these in 2025, while emphasizing the importance of inclusive work culture alongside infrastructure.
The debate underscored the rise in breastfeeding rates in Singapore and the need for better support, with both speakers agreeing on the necessity of addressing space, time, and mindset challenges for working mothers.

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1 Aug 2022

Enabling Less Visually Impaired Commuters Not Technologically Savvy to Travel More Independently

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) collaborates with public transport operators and social service agencies to enhance accessibility for visually impaired commuters, including through the NaviLens app trial at SMRT bus interchanges.
LTA has implemented audio announcements on new buses since 2018, installed tactile ground surface indicators at all new bus interchanges since 2014, and will progressively add them to existing interchanges, along with Braille signages at new facilities since 2019.
Future plans include progressively implementing tactile indicators and Braille signages at more bus interchanges and commuter facilities, while promoting an inclusive commuting culture through initiatives like the Caring SG Commuters Committee.

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1 Aug 2022

Gender and Age Breakdown of New Citizens at Point of Obtaining Citizenship Each Year Since 2000

Leong Mun Wai requested the Minister for Home Affairs to provide the gender and age breakdown of new citizens for each year since 2000, categorized into four age brackets: below 18, 18–30, 30–40, and above 40.
K Shanmugam responded with the average number of new citizenships granted annually from 2000 to 2021, including the breakdown by gender and age.
The reply included data on citizenship by registration and citizenship by descent for the specified period.

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1 Aug 2022

Release of Race-based and/or Community-based Data to Members of Parliament

Pritam Singh asked whether the Government would release race-based or community-based data shared with community leaders to MPs, even on a confidential basis, and if not, why.
Edwin Tong Chun Fai stated that public agencies publish a wide range of race- and community-based statistics to inform policy, but not all such data is publicly available due to previous explanations and case-by-case assessments of public interest.
He listed examples of publicly available ethnic breakdowns in education, housing, health, income and employment, and other social areas like religion, marital status, children, and language spoken at home.

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1 Aug 2022

Ensuring Objective, Evidence-based and Non-discriminatory Sexuality Education in Schools

MOE regularly reviews its Sexuality Education curriculum using research, expert input, and stakeholder feedback to address public concerns and ensure it is evidence-based.
Sexuality Education teachers are specially selected, trained, and expected to exercise professionalism by not imposing personal or religious views or advancing any advocacy or political interests.
The programme is secular, aligned with Singapore’s mainstream values, and focuses on age-appropriate knowledge and skills that promote respect, empathy, and the evaluation of multiple perspectives without discrimination or stigmatisation.
Schools are committed to fostering a caring, respectful, and enabling environment that supports positive relationships and reduces harm.

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5 Jul 2022

Median Income and Employment Rate for Persons with Disabilities over Last 10 Years

The employment rate for persons with disabilities aged 15 to 64 rose from 28.2% (2018-2019) to 30.1% (2020-2021), while median gross monthly income increased by 4% nominally (2.7% inflation-adjusted) from $2,630 to $2,735.
The Open Door Programme placed over 3,500 persons with disabilities in employment between 2014 and 2021, with additional support from grants, training, and new pandemic-era programmes creating close to 300 job and training opportunities.
The government provides wage offsets, accreditation schemes, and incentives to employers, such as the Enabling Employment Credit supporting over 9,700 persons with disabilities in 2021 and the Jobs Growth Incentive aiding more than 3,400 between 2020 and 2021.
The Ministry for Social and Family Development aims to continue expanding training and employment accessibility for persons with disabilities through collaborative efforts with public agencies and community partners.

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5 Jul 2022

Preserving Sanctity of Sacred Religious Texts or Symbols from Being Misused

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked whether there are safeguards to prevent the misuse of sacred religious texts or symbols for commercial purposes or on items like attire and decor.
K Shanmugam responded that it is an offence under the Penal Code and Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act to denigrate any religion or cause disharmony.
Legal provisions can be used against actions that cause enmity, hatred, or ill-will among religious or racial groups.

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5 Jul 2022

Waiting Time for Placement in Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children

As of end-2021, around 2,400 special needs children were on the waitlist for government-funded early intervention (EI) centres under the EIPIC programme.
The average waiting time from referral to enrolment in 2021 was about seven months, with older children aged five to six prioritised.
To reduce waiting times, the government is streamlining processes, expanding the number of private EI centres under the PPIP programme, and opening two new EI centres by mid-2023.

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4 Jul 2022

Provision of Training and Assistance to Polyclinics and GPs to See Patients with Intellectual Disability for Basic Healthcare Treatment

Christopher de Souza inquired about the training and assistance available for polyclinics and general practitioners to treat patients with intellectual disabilities for basic healthcare needs such as flu, fever, and coughs.
The Ministry of Health ensures that medical students receive training to care for persons with intellectual disabilities as part of local undergraduate education.
MOH collaborates with the College of Family Physicians Singapore to offer a Family Practice Skills Course to enhance medical practitioners' ability to manage the physical health and behavioral concerns of these patients in primary care settings.

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4 Jul 2022

Enhancing Availability and Affordability of Seamless Wheelchair-accessible Travel Options and Expanding List of Eligible Destinations Beyond Hospitals

Yip Hon Weng asked the Ministry of Health to collaborate with private-hire platforms to improve the availability and affordability of wheelchair-accessible transport and to extend eligible destinations beyond hospitals.
The Government supports seniors and wheelchair users through subsidized services like the Medical Escort and Transport scheme and VWO transport subsidies for programs.
Private operators offer point-to-point services, but their availability and pricing depend on business decisions, and MOH will monitor options to ensure accessibility.

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4 Jul 2022

Transport Subsidy Applications to SGEnable and Success Rate between 2018 and 2021

Between 2018 and 2021, SG Enable received an average of 20 applications per year for the Taxi Subsidy Scheme, with over 13 successful and more than six rejected annually due to factors like ability to use public transport, misuse of subsidies, failing means tests, or receiving other transport support.
The Voluntary Welfare Organisation Transport Subsidy Scheme (renamed Enabling Transport Subsidy) benefits about 5,000 persons with disabilities annually, though the number of applications submitted to Social Service Agencies is not tracked.
Subsidies under the renamed Enabling Transport Subsidy were increased from 1 July 2022 to support over 3,000 additional persons with disabilities.

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4 Jul 2022

Investigation into Individual who Allegedly Promulgated Deviant Teachings

MP Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap asked for an update on the investigation into an individual allegedly promoting deviant teachings, for which MUIS had filed a police report.
Minister K Shanmugam confirmed that the Straits Times reported the case in November 2020 and that MUIS lodged a police report after internal investigations.
The Minister stated that police investigations are ongoing and it is inappropriate to comment on the case at this time.

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4 Jul 2022

Update on MUIS' Investigation into Australian Abattoir's Products for Compliance with Halal Certification Requirements

MUIS uses a recognition scheme to ensure foreign halal certifiers meet Singapore's standards and has been coordinating with local and foreign authorities on the investigation into Thomas Foods International Lobethal (TFIL).
Investigations confirmed TFIL complied with Australian food safety regulations, but the halal certifier acknowledged lapses in halal slaughtering protocols as reported in the media.
Following the confirmation of compromised halal integrity, MUIS instructed all certified establishments to immediately cease using TFIL meat products from 30 May 2022 and continues to monitor imports.

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4 Jul 2022

Update on Haj Places and Concessions for Singaporean Pilgrims

Singapore has been allocated a total of 900 Haj places for 2022, similar to pre-pandemic levels, after receiving additional quota from Saudi Arabia.
Pilgrims must be below 65 years old with no concessions for those turning 65, and must meet vaccination and PCR testing requirements set by Saudi authorities.
MUIS will allocate places to those deferred from 2020 based on a first-come-first-served registration date, with no appeals accepted for the 2022 Haj.
Pilgrims in the Advance Haj Registration System who are not selected will be automatically moved up in the queue for subsequent years.
Future Haj eligibility remains subject to conditions and requirements set by Saudi authorities.

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4 Jul 2022

Reasons for Not Disclosing Racial Composition of Prison Inmate Population and Criminal Offender Figures

The Minister for Home Affairs explained that the government does not publicly disclose racial breakdowns of prison inmates and criminal offenders because it could deepen racial stereotypes and undermine social harmony, despite minorities being disproportionately represented.
The government selectively releases race-based statistics in other areas like population census and drug abuse to mobilize communities for positive interventions, but judges that releasing prison and crime data would do more harm than good.
Community leaders were consulted and unanimously agreed that publishing such data would not benefit society and would encourage stereotypes, preferring to share the information in closed-door settings to address issues collectively.
The prisons and MHA work with volunteers and community groups, including religious organizations, to rehabilitate inmates and reduce recidivism through tailored programs and post-release support.
The approach balances public interest with community feedback, aiming to foster racial harmony while still addressing crime and rehabilitation through targeted, non-public data sharing.

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9 May 2022

Better Support for Families with Special Needs Children

Miss Cheryl Chan asked whether the Government plans to introduce additional tax reliefs or exemptions beyond the Handicapped Child Relief (HCR) and to raise the HCR amount to better reflect care costs.
Lawrence Wong stated that tax reliefs like HCR recognize parental support but are not intended to cover all costs, with direct subsidies for services such as early intervention and special education schools.
The Government highlighted employment support schemes for work-capable persons with disabilities and subsidized programs for those unable to work, including Day Activity Centres.
Commitment to regular policy reviews and the upcoming Enabling Masterplan 2030 was reaffirmed to build a more inclusive society.

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9 May 2022

Review on Number of Public Holidays in Singapore

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Manpower about the last review of public holidays and whether a new review would be considered.
The Minister for Manpower, Tan See Leng, stated the current public holiday configuration has been in place since 1968 and reflects Singapore's multi-religious and multicultural society.
The Minister affirmed this approach has served Singapore well and there are currently no plans to review the number of public holidays.

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