Religion, race & rights — Topics

14 Sep 2021

Re-employment Offered to Public Service Officers above 60 Years Old in Past Five and 10 Years

Abdul Samad asked the Prime Minister how many public service officers above 60 were offered re-employment in the past five and ten years.
Chan Chun Sing, for the Prime Minister, stated that re-employment for officers aged 62 to 65 began on 1 July 2011, ahead of national legislation.
Over the past ten years from July 2011 to December 2020, more than 80% of officers retiring at 62 were re-employed.
Over the past five years from January 2016 to December 2020, the re-employment rate remained similar to the ten-year figure.

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14 Sep 2021

Sheltered and Barrier-free Access Points at Polyclinics

All existing and upcoming polyclinics in Singapore provide sheltered drop-off points and barrier-free access for patients and visitors, including those with mobility issues.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, some polyclinics temporarily use drop-off areas for pre-entry screening, but alternative barrier-free and sheltered access remains available.
At Woodlands Polyclinic, alternative barrier-free and sheltered access exists nearby, though less convenient than original points, with efforts ongoing to improve the situation.

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14 Sep 2021

Assistance for Handicapped and Frail Seniors to Return Food Trays

Henry Kwek proposed that NEA collaborate with cleaners and the public to help handicapped and frail seniors return trays instead of fining them.
Grace Fu responded that NEA enforces tray return rules but uses a pragmatic approach, exempting the elderly, children, and persons with disabilities who are unable to carry their trays.
Enforcement begins with advice, followed by warnings for first-time offenders and fines or court action only for repeat offenders.
NEA encourages family, companions, and the public to assist those who cannot return trays themselves.
The policy aims to support an ageing cleaning workforce and promote consideration for other diners.

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14 Sep 2021

Securing Singaporeans' Jobs and Livelihoods

The Minister emphasized that Singapore must remain open and connected to the global economy to create good jobs and sustain prosperity, while managing foreign manpower and upskilling Singaporeans.
He rejected the alternative Motion by the PSP as misleading and populist, warning that blaming foreigners and free trade agreements like CECA risks stirring racism and xenophobia.
The Government outlined its multi-pronged approach: adjusting work pass criteria, enshrining fair employment practices in law, and expanding support for displaced workers through SkillsFuture and industry transformation.
Data showed the policies have succeeded, with rising incomes, more local PMET jobs, and low unemployment, and the Minister challenged the PSP to offer concrete alternatives instead of anti-foreign rhetoric.
He appealed for a constructive debate that strengthens Singapore’s social cohesion and economic resilience, rather than exploiting anxieties for political gain.

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14 Sep 2021

Impact of Upcoming Fairer Workplace Legislation on Workplace Culture And Current Approaches to Deal With Workplace Discrimination

The Tripartite Committee on Workplace Fairness is considering legislation to enshrine the current Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices, with a goal to complete its work and submit recommendations in the first half of 2022.
The proposed law aims to provide direct remedies for workers, such as compensation or reinstatement, while ensuring a balanced approach that avoids fostering a litigious workplace culture by emphasizing mediation before tribunal hearings.
The Ministry of Manpower will conduct wider public and stakeholder consultations, involving unions and tripartite partners, to design a legal framework that protects employees without deterring business operations or harming employer-employee relationships.

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13 Sep 2021

Data and Statistics on Neighbourhoods where at Least One Ethnic Integration Policy Limit was Reached

Pritam Singh requested detailed statistics from 1990 to 2020 on HDB neighborhoods where Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP) limits were reached, including neighborhood names, total HDB units, and breakdown by ethnic ownership/rental.
Desmond Lee responded that the number of affected neighborhoods declined from 33 in 1990 to 24 in 2020, with an average of around 6,000 dwelling units per neighborhood in 2020.
Of the 24 neighborhoods affected in 2020, seven were also affected in 1990, with specific areas highlighted based on the EIP limits reached—e.g., Chinese limits in Alexandra North, Malay limits in Bedok North, and Indian/Others limits in Little India.

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13 Sep 2021

Inclusion of LBTQ Women in Upcoming Government White Paper and Steps to Ensure They Are Protected from Discrimination, Hate Speech and Incitement of Violence

Hazel Poa asked whether LBTQ women would be included in the upcoming Government White Paper on Women's Development and what steps would protect them from discrimination, hate speech, and incitement to violence beyond religiously motivated protections.
Masagos Zulkifli stated that public feedback on strengthening protection for all women, including LBTQ women, is being studied and will inform the White Paper.
The government affirmed it does not condone violence, discrimination, or hate speech against anyone, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, and remedies under the Penal Code or Protection from Harassment Act apply when the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act does not.

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13 Sep 2021

Implementation of Amendments to Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act Passed in 2019

Hazel Poa asked the Minister for Home Affairs when the 2019 amendments to the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act will come into operation.
Minister K Shanmugam stated that the Ministry has been developing systems and processes for disclosures and reporting by religious groups since the amendments passed in 2019.
He mentioned that user testing on the new systems is ongoing and the amendments are targeted to be operational by early 2022.

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13 Sep 2021

Enhancing Employment Opportunities and Training for Individuals with Autism and Intellectual Disability

The government supports employers through the Enabling Employment Credit (EEC) to provide wage offsets for hiring persons with disabilities, and the Open Door Programme (ODP) offers job placement, support services, and training grants with 95% course subsidies and allowances.
New programs like Place and Train, Attach and Train, and Skills Development Programmes launched amid COVID-19 provide 90% course fee subsidies and salary support to enhance training and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
The Jobs Growth Incentive (JGI) offers higher support of up to $54,000 per hire for employers hiring persons with disabilities, and initiatives like the President’s Challenge and Enabling Mark accreditation promote inclusive hiring and recognize best practices.
The government is implementing recommendations from the Third Enabling Masterplan to better prepare special education students for employment, create new job opportunities, and support skills upgrading for persons with disabilities.
Efforts will continue to monitor existing measures and explore enhancements for lifelong learning and employment through the Enabling Masterplan 2030.

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13 Sep 2021

Fine Amount in Section 139 of Administration of Muslim Law Act

Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap asked when Section 139 of the Administration of Muslim Law Act was enacted and whether there are plans to increase its fine, currently capped at $2,000.
Masagos Zulkifli B M M stated that Section 139 was enacted in 1966 and amended in 1999, imposing criminal sanctions for promulgating false doctrines.
He noted that offences under the Act are reviewed periodically to align with broader legal policies and ensure deterrence, with careful consideration given to applying legislation to religious matters.
Masagos highlighted that MUIS adopts a multi-pronged approach, including counselling and public inoculation, to address deviant teachings at the root.

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13 Sep 2021

Training and Post-Education Employment Trends for Persons with Disabilities

Schools and Institutes of Higher Learning equip students with disabilities with life skills, work exposure, and values through Education and Career Guidance counsellors, Allied Educators, and dedicated SEN Support Officers for internships and pre-employment workshops.
Special Education schools provide vocational training from age 13, focusing on soft skills and industry-specific competencies, with some offering certifications and internships that lead to job placements.
The School-to-Work Transition Programme offers customised training and job support for work-capable SPED graduates, with about half progressing to further education or employment in sectors like F&B and hospitality.
According to the Ministry of Manpower’s Labour Force Survey, 29% of residents with disabilities aged 15–64 are employed, though this excludes those with milder needs who may not identify as disabled.
The Ministry encourages employers to partner educational institutions to provide internships, training, and employment opportunities for students with disabilities.

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13 Sep 2021

Stakeholders Consultation Process for Upcoming Maintenance of Racial Harmony Act

The Ministry of Home Affairs and MCCY will consult community leaders and groups from all racial groups in drafting the Maintenance of Racial Harmony Act, with engagement plans in development.
The Act will include both criminal provisions for acts promoting racial enmity and non-punitive measures to focus on mediation and restoring relations, aiming to guide societal norms without encouraging litigation.
The Attorney-General’s Chambers will assess evidence and public interest to decide on prosecutions, while Parliament will define the threshold for criminal actions through the new law.

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13 Sep 2021

Sedition (Repeal) Bill

The Sedition (Repeal) Bill was introduced to repeal the Sedition Act and make consequential amendments to other Acts.
The bill was presented by the Minister of State for Home Affairs on behalf of the Minister for Home Affairs and read for the first time.
The bill is scheduled for a second reading at the next available parliamentary sitting and will be printed.

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3 Aug 2021

Non-imposition of Death Penalty on Individuals under Age of 16

Mr Yip Hon Weng asked whether there is any intention to review the law on minors following the River Valley High School incident and if the current position of not imposing the death penalty on individuals under 16 will be retained.
Minister K Shanmugam advised against drawing premature conclusions from the incident and stressed that any decision to lower the age limit for the death penalty would require careful consideration.
The government currently sees no reason to lower the current age limit and does not anticipate any change to the existing policy.

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3 Aug 2021

Empowering Women

Speakers emphasized the need for concrete action plans and policies, particularly in the upcoming White Paper, to advance women's development, including shared parental leave, tax reliefs for caregivers, and support for women returning to the workforce.
The debate highlighted the critical role of men and families in promoting gender equality, with calls to address patriarchal mindsets, involve fathers in caregiving, and shift societal attitudes through education and community initiatives.
Discussions included support for specific issues such as fertility treatments, workplace discrimination, online harms against women, and cultural concerns like the hijab, polygamy, and female genital cutting, stressing the need for dialogue and policy responses.
The motion was amended to affirm a whole-of-society effort to remove barriers to women's empowerment and looks forward to action plans from the government's Women's Development conversations.
Multiple speakers shared personal experiences and stressed that gender equality is a collective societal responsibility, not just a women's issue, requiring legislative changes, mindset shifts, and community partnership.

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3 Aug 2021

Empowering Women

The debate highlighted longstanding bipartisan support for empowering Singapore women, with multiple MPs citing past recommendations that have led to policy improvements in childcare, flexible work arrangements, and skills training.
Speakers emphasized the need for a whole-of-society approach to remove barriers, including promoting shared caregiving responsibilities, increasing female representation in political and corporate leadership, and addressing gender pay gaps.
Economic arguments were presented showing that gender equality boosts growth, with recommendations for more flexible work policies, better childcare support, and corporate transparency on wage gaps to enhance women's workforce participation.

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3 Aug 2021

Empowering Women

The debate highlighted ongoing structural and cultural barriers to gender equality in Singapore, including workplace discrimination, unequal care responsibilities, and the need for greater recognition of women's contributions across all sectors of society.
Speakers emphasized the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women, particularly in caregiving roles, and called for targeted policies to support women's re-entry into the workforce and address financial inequalities in retirement and insurance.
Proposals included anti-discrimination legislation, shared parental leave, flexible work arrangements, and enhanced support for single parents and vulnerable women, with a focus on a whole-of-society approach to empower women and remove barriers to their full participation.

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3 Aug 2021

Measures to Prevent Patients on Kidney Dialysis from Being Discriminated against at Workplace

Tripartite partners promote flexible work arrangements and protect dialysis patients from discrimination under the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices, with 93% of firms offering such arrangements in 2020.
The government is tackling kidney disease upstream through initiatives like the War on Diabetes, focusing on lifestyle changes and community engagement to prevent kidney failure.
There are calls to collaborate with companies to create specific flexible roles, like work-from-home call center jobs, for dialysis patients, though legislative mandates are seen as challenging.

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27 Jul 2021

Reasons for Large Numbers of Malays Moving to 3-room or Smaller HDB Flats

The proportion of Malay households living in 1- and 2-room HDB flats rose from 8.7% in 2010 to 16% in 2020, driven by an increase in public rental supply and more Malay buyers purchasing smaller flats.
Factors include more young families, seniors, and those facing financial or family changes entering public rental, as well as singles and seniors buying 2-room flats due to policy changes and right-sizing.
The government has enhanced housing grants, support schemes, and community initiatives like ComLink and M3 to help families transition from rental to home ownership, with many Malay households already benefiting.
The Malay community has seen progress in education, employment, and income, which supports better housing outcomes, and ongoing efforts aim to further uplift lower-income and vulnerable families.

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27 Jul 2021

Raising of Re-employment Age at Organisations that Receive Significant Direct or Indirect Government Funding

The Minister for Manpower outlined that the government plans to raise the retirement age to 63 and re-employment age to 68 by July next year, with a long-term goal of 65 and 70 by 2030, and encourages employers to exceed these ages through incentives like the Senior Worker Early Adopter Grant and Senior Employment Credit.
Mr. Henry Kwek urged the government to strongly encourage all organisations that receive significant direct or indirect government funding—including ministries and statutory boards outside the public service—to immediately raise their re-employment age to 68, arguing this would send a consistent signal and inspire the private sector.
The Minister responded that while they will continue to encourage all companies, including government-related ones, to support senior workers, they must also consider the constraints faced by various agencies and will take Kwek’s suggestion into account.

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