Religion, race & rights — Topics

5 Oct 2020

Avenues for Legal Aid or Probono Legal Services for Singaporeans with Mobility Needs Encountering Significant Difficulty Leaving Home

Minister K Shanmugam outlined remote options for legal aid and pro bono services for those with mobility issues, including online applications to the Legal Aid Bureau and Law Society Pro Bono Services, with phone or email support.
Legal advice is available via video conferencing from Community Legal Clinics and other clinics, ensuring home-based access.
Online self-help tools like the iLAB chatbot and the Community Justice Centre’s automated document assembly assist with legal information and form filing without leaving home.

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5 Oct 2020

Enforcement of COVID-19 Measures on People with Special Needs

Member Saktiandi Supaat inquired about police training and empathy in enforcing COVID-19 measures, especially for children with special needs who struggle with regulations like mask wearing.
Minister K Shanmugam stated that while mask enforcement is for public health, police officers use flexibility and an advisory approach with vulnerable individuals.
Officers are trained to engage such persons and caregivers simply, and may suggest face shields as an alternative for those who cannot wear masks.
The Minister emphasized that police training includes skills for handling vulnerable persons as part of general policing.
The overall response aimed to balance compliance with empathy, ensuring rules are followed while accommodating special needs.

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5 Oct 2020

Extending Development Support and Learning Support Programme to Differently-abled Children in Pre-schools

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked if the Development Support and Learning Support Programme could be extended to nursery-level differently-abled children.
Masagos Zulkifli B M M explained that the DS-LS Programme currently supports children aged 5 and 6 with mild developmental delays and is being studied for its appropriateness for younger nursery children.
Nursery children with moderate to severe delays are already referred to hospitals or the Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children (EIPIC) for intensive support.
KidSTART is being scaled up to support low-income families from birth, providing developmental assistance regardless of delays.
These programmes together form a suite of support for preschool-age children and their families.

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5 Oct 2020

Display of Labels Depicting Islamic Phrases or Muslim-owned Businesses Status

The Minister clarified that while halal certification is voluntary in Singapore and regulated by MUIS, some Muslim-owned F&B operators choose not to apply for certification but may display labels or Islamic paraphernalia to indicate their status.
MUIS will continue to educate businesses against misleading promotions, emphasizing that the MUIS halal logo must not be used without certification and that wilful misrepresentations will be met with action.
Consumers are urged to stay vigilant, verify halal status through official marks or direct inquiry, and MUIS will persist in public education efforts via various platforms to guide informed dining choices.

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5 Oct 2020

Number of Women Amongst Those Retrenched in 2020

Ms He Ting Ru asked the Minister for Manpower for the number of retrenchments in 2020 and how many of those retrenched were women.
Mrs Josephine Teo responded with data showing that 6,460 residents were retrenched in the first half of 2020.
The response indicated that about half of those retrenched in the first half of 2020 were women.

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4 Sep 2020

Consideration to Allow Private Security Firms to Recruit and Employ Singporeans Aged Above 60 on a Temporary Basis as Private Security Officers

Patrick Tay asked if private security firms could temporarily hire Singaporeans over 60 as security officers while awaiting screening, training, and medical clearance.
K Shanmugam explained that licensing under the Private Security Industry Act requires pre-deployment security screening, training, and medical fitness for officers over 60 to ensure public safety and officer welfare.
The process can be completed in about two weeks, and the police can only allow security firms to deploy individuals who are fully cleared and qualified.

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4 Sep 2020

Broadband Service Subsidies for Seniors in Low-income Households

Saktiandi Supaat asked if seniors in low-income households can get subsidies for home broadband access and installation under the Digital Access Programme.
The government confirmed that eligible low-income households, including those with seniors, receive two years of subsidized broadband and one subsidized device, with installation fees waived under the Home Access programme.
75% of current beneficiaries are households with seniors aged 60 and above, with nearly 4,000 seniors benefiting this year.
Additional schemes like Mobile Access for Seniors provide subsidized smartphones and mobile plans, with 800 seniors benefiting since July.
Over 16,000 seniors have participated in digital skilling initiatives, supported by community partners and volunteers to ensure digital inclusion.

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4 Sep 2020

Debate on President's Address

The pandemic has ignited a spirit of mutual help in the community, with many Singaporeans stepping up to volunteer, donate, and support the vulnerable, including frontline workers and migrant workers.
The debate highlighted the need to strengthen the Singaporean core and ensure fair opportunities for locals, while also acknowledging the importance of staying open to foreign talent and investment to keep the economy competitive.
Members of Parliament emphasized the importance of building a fairer and more inclusive society post-COVID-19, with specific calls to improve support for people with disabilities, streamline means-testing, and enhance the welfare of lower-wage workers and migrant workers.

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4 Sep 2020

Developments on Fair Consideration Framework and Measures on Discriminatory Hiring Practices

The Ministry of Manpower explained that companies on the Fair Consideration Framework watchlist are not publicly named because they have not broken rules and are proactively engaged to improve hiring practices, with most exiting the watchlist within a year.
The Ministry has suspended work pass privileges for 90 employers this year for discriminatory hiring and continues to use surveillance and tripartite partnerships to address unfair practices without mandating retrenchment reporting for small firms.
While legislation for discriminatory hiring is considered, the Ministry prefers balanced measures like the Fair Consideration Framework and Tripartite Guidelines, noting existing laws address age discrimination and proposing further discussions on expanding legal redress.

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3 Sep 2020

Debate on President's Address

The Minister for Culture, Community and Youth emphasized engaging youths to address economic anxieties and foster a caring, inclusive society, highlighting programs for skills development and community involvement, while using the "Singapore Tapestry" metaphor to illustrate the importance of multiracial harmony and policy-driven social cohesion.
MP Sylvia Lim raised concerns about the economic hardships caused by the Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP), urging an open conversation on adjusting the policy and suggesting a review of race-based self-help groups, proposing a potential national body to address social issues in a race-blind manner.
Minister Maliki Osman defended the current self-help group system as effective and culturally nuanced, arguing that it supports community-specific needs while collaborating across groups, and resisted amalgamation, though he acknowledged the need for ongoing dialogue with younger generations.

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1 Sep 2020

Debate on President's Address

Tan Wu Meng emphasized the need for improved healthcare accessibility and support for the elderly, low-wage workers, and healthcare staff, highlighting gaps in current policies and calling for counter-cyclical investments during the recession.
Rahayu Mahzam discussed the importance of constructive discourse in Singapore’s multiracial society, warning against divisive “cancel culture” and urging a balanced approach to social movements without polarizing communities.
Both speakers stressed the necessity of evolving policies and societal norms to address current challenges, with a focus on inclusivity, compassion, and preserving Singapore’s social fabric.

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1 Sep 2020

Debate on President's Address

Sylvia Lim called for a national review of policies like the CMIO ethnic classification, the Ethnic Integration Policy, and ethnic requirements in elections to move Singapore towards a more race-blind society.
Multiple members addressed concerns over job security for young graduates and self-employed persons, proposing measures like extending traineeships, strengthening support for freelancers, and improving re-employment frameworks.
Leong Mun Wai highlighted anxieties over immigration and jobs, proposing a review of foreign workforce policies, including caps on foreigner-to-citizen ratios and stricter localisation requirements for companies.
Several members, including Liang Eng Hwa and Josephine Teo, debated the reliance on foreign labour and adjustments to work pass policies, with Teo defending the current approach of using salary requirements over quotas to ensure quality and protect local PMETs.
Koh Poh Koon advocated for expanding the Progressive Wage Model to more sectors and strengthening Workfare to uplift low-wage workers, while Josephine Teo explained the government's phased approach to wage uplifts.

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24 Aug 2020

Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth

MCCY will build social capital and community resilience by expanding volunteer networks, supporting ground-up movements, and helping Singaporeans stay connected through initiatives like SG Cares and digital platforms for religious and cultural activities.
The ministry is safeguarding and growing the arts, heritage, and sports sectors through funding, digitalisation, training, and new opportunities like the #SGCultureAnywhere campaign and support for athletes, including the Inspire Fund.
MCCY is focusing on youth development by creating digital corps roles, providing life skills and Asia-ready exposure, and strengthening mental well-being resources and peer support networks.
The ministry will facilitate national conversations like Emerging Stronger Conversations and SG Together Action Networks to co-create solutions and strengthen social cohesion post-COVID-19.
MCCY aims to preserve and showcase Singapore’s culture and heritage, including the nomination of Hawker Culture for UNESCO recognition, while promoting respectful dialogue on race and religion.

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24 Aug 2020

President's Address

The President outlined Singapore’s response to COVID-19 and the severe economic recession, emphasising the need to adjust strategies, support jobs, and inject significant financial aid while preparing for a possible resurgence of cases.
He highlighted major shifts in the global and domestic landscape, including intensified US-China rivalry, protectionism, and the need for Singapore to remain resilient, nimble, and competitive in a changed world.
The President stressed the importance of evolving social policies, strengthening safety nets, and reforming meritocracy to enhance social mobility and ensure fairness, especially for lower-wage, mature, and mid-career workers.
He called for a stronger shared Singaporean identity through multiracialism and social cohesion, while addressing anxieties over jobs and work pass holders, and urging constructive political discourse and partnership between the Government and Opposition.
The President invited all Singaporeans to partner with the Government in the “Singapore Together” spirit to navigate challenges, save lives, protect livelihoods, and secure a brighter future for the nation.

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5 Jun 2020

Gender-disaggregated Data on Job and Income Losses during COVID-19 Outbreak Period

Yip Pin Xiu asked the Minister for Manpower to release gender-disaggregated data on job and income losses during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Ministry of Manpower stated that it already releases gender-disaggregated labour market data, such as unemployment and retrenchment indicators, quarterly through Labour Market Reports, with the Q1 2020 report due in mid-June.
It added that gender-disaggregated gross monthly income data is published annually in the Labour Force in Singapore report.

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5 May 2020

Complaints about Psychiatrists, Psychologists and Counsellors from LGBTQ Clients, Complaint Mechanisms Available and Sanctions and Punishments Meted Out

Anthea Ong inquired about complaints from LGBTQ clients against mental health professionals, the available complaint mechanisms, and sanctions for errant practitioners.
MOH stated it has received no complaints from self-declared LGBTQ patients in the past three years and outlined existing feedback systems, including routes to the Singapore Mediation Centre or the Singapore Medical Council.
Psychiatrists are regulated under the Medical Registration Act, with disciplinary processes handled by Complaints Committees and Disciplinary Tribunals that can issue warnings, fines, or suspend or remove licenses.

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5 May 2020

Support for Students with Special Needs during Circuit Breaker Period

The Ministry of Education and Special Education (SPED) schools provided customized home-based learning materials, including online and offline packages, and loaned devices to ensure students with special educational needs could continue their education during the circuit breaker.
Allied health professionals, such as therapists, integrated interventions into lesson plans or offered teleconsultations, while some students with high support needs were invited back to school under safe-distancing measures.
The government acknowledged the challenges faced by parents and caregivers, offering support through schools, helplines, and flexible outdoor enforcement for children needing fresh air, while considering further improvements to physical interaction and teleconferencing services.

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4 May 2020

Government's Stance on Changing One’s Sexual Orientation through "Conversion Therapy"

Member Anthea Ong proposed four actions: stating an official position against conversion therapy, disseminating guidelines to mental healthcare professionals, establishing complaint mechanisms, and pursuing disciplinary action against practitioners.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong stated that sexual orientation is not a clinical disorder according to WHO and APA standards, and healthcare professionals must practice evidence-based, ethical care while respecting patient preferences.
Existing complaint mechanisms are available through public healthcare institutions and the Singapore Medical Council, which investigates and disciplines doctors for misconduct.
The Ministry expects empathy and sensitivity from healthcare professionals when supporting individuals seeking care, including those who desire to change their sexual orientation.

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6 Apr 2020

Gender Composition on Corporate Boards and Update on Council of Board Diversity’s Latest Findings and Plans to Achieve Its 20-20 Vision

The Minister highlighted that while having more women on boards enhances diversity and decision-making, Singapore opts for a voluntary approach rather than mandatory quotas to foster organic growth and avoid tokenism, addressing complex root causes like culture and tradition.
The Council for Board Diversity aims for 20% female representation on boards by 2020 and has set new interim targets of 25% by 2025 and 30% by 2030, with efforts to engage companies, build a pipeline of board-ready women, and encourage board renewal.
The Ministry supports women’s multiple roles in society, noting progress in female representation in leadership across sectors, and plans to enhance Flexible Work Arrangements to eliminate workplace barriers through a whole-of-society approach.
Information on board members holding multiple seats is available, but the Minister cautions against restrictive policies to allow for merit-based appointments and organic growth in women’s board participation.

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6 Apr 2020

Breakdown of Number of People Who Have Stayed in Crisis Shelters in Last Three Years and Their Profiles

Ms. Yip Pin Xiu requested a breakdown by gender, age, marital status, citizenship, and length of stay for people in crisis shelters over the last three years.
The Minister for Social and Family Development, Desmond Lee, explained that crisis shelters house about 180 family violence cases annually, mainly for women and children facing violence.
The demographic profile provided was based on main female clients from 2017 to 2019, with a median age of 36, about 70% married, and 75% Singapore residents.
Over 90% of clients stayed less than one year, and more than one-third stayed less than one month.
The data excludes male and female children of the adult clients, focusing only on the main female client per case.

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