Religion, race & rights — Topics

5 Aug 2019

Guidelines for Wearing of Headgear Worn in Celebration of Racial Harmony Day in Schools

The Ministry of Education allows students to wear headgear that complements ethnic outfits during Racial Harmony Day celebrations in schools.
However, headgear may not be permitted for safety reasons during activities like Physical Education, laboratory work, or workshops, even on this day.
Some schools recently conveyed requirements in a way that led to misunderstandings, which have since been clarified with parents.

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5 Aug 2019

Review of Criteria for Building Lifts at Overhead Bridges Given Ageing Population

Joan Pereira questioned whether the criteria for installing lifts at overhead bridges should be reviewed to better support an ageing population with mobility challenges.
Khaw Boon Wan noted that 47 bridges have received lifts in the past five years, with plans to add 50 more by 2022.
He emphasized the high cost of lifts (up to $4 million per pair) and the need for prudent prioritization, focusing on locations like public transport hubs and healthcare institutions that most benefit seniors and those with mobility issues.

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5 Aug 2019

SkillsFuture Credits for Young Adults with Special Needs Aged 18 and Above

Intan Azura Mokhtar proposed extending SkillsFuture credits to young adults with special needs from age 18, citing limited post-secondary options for them.
Ong Ye Kung responded that the government already provides support through programs like the School-to-Work Transition and allows use of Post-Secondary Education Account until age 30.
He noted that SkillsFuture credits are available at age 25 for all citizens, and encouraged employer partnerships to create more training and job opportunities for those with special needs.

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5 Aug 2019

Review of Eligible Voting Age for Singaporeans

Lim Wee Kiak asked the Prime Minister to review the voting age, explain the rationale for keeping it at 21, and quantify how many more voters would be eligible if it were lowered to 18.
Chan Chun Sing, for the Prime Minister, stated that Singapore uses a graduated approach to legal ages, with voting requiring maturity given the serious responsibilities of electing the President and MPs.
He noted that lowering the voting age to 18 would add about 130,000 youths but the government has no plans to do so, instead providing other platforms for youth voice and contribution.
The response emphasized that rights and responsibilities increase with age, with full adult decision-making at the common law age of 21.
The government highlighted ongoing efforts like the SG Youth Action Plan to engage youths in national matters without changing the voting age.

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5 Aug 2019

Job-readiness Training at Day Activity Centres

Intan Azura Mokhtar asked about enhancing job-readiness training at Day Activity Centres (DACs) for adults with special needs, including collaboration with ITEs and securing full weekly placements from Monday to Friday.
The Minister of State outlined existing support, including DACs, Sheltered Workshops, MOM’s Adapt and Grow initiatives, and wage credits for employers, while committing to ongoing improvements through the Enabling Masterplan.
Parents have reported difficulties securing full-time placements at DACs, prompting a call for better coordination between DACs and Sheltered Workshops to cover all weekdays.
The Minister confirmed that DACs and Sheltered Workshops are open Monday to Friday for eligible participants and urged reporting specific cases to address any placement gaps.
An integrated approach across MSF, MOE, and MOM is being pursued under the Enabling Masterplan to align education and training from preschool to work-readiness, with workgroups focusing on early intervention and employment opportunities.

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8 Jul 2019

Proportion of Workforce Given One-year, Two-year and Three-year Re-employment Contracts at Point of Retirement

Over 90% of private-sector local employees eligible for re-employment at age 62 are offered continued work, with two-thirds on open-ended contracts and one-third on new contracts, of which about one-third are for more than one year.
Re-employment rates remain consistently high at over 90% for eligible workers aged 63 to 67.
Since 2013, over 1,800 companies have used the WorkPro Job Redesign Grant to support job redesign for about 20,000 senior workers.
More than 10,000 companies, covering 87% of local employees aged 50 and over, report implementing age-friendly practices, including job redesign.

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8 Jul 2019

Breakdown of Median Monthly Income of Employed Residents in Last Five Years

Assoc Prof Walter Theseira requested a breakdown of median monthly income for employed residents over the past five years by marital status, gender, age group, and by number of children, gender, and age group.
Mrs Josephine Teo provided tables showing that married males earned more than single males across all age groups, while single females aged 30 and above earned more than married females of the same age group, with women generally earning more than men among singles but men earning more among those married.
For women with children, those aged 30 and above with two children tended to earn more than those with one or three or more children, though data for males on children was not collected and comparisons to those with no children are complicated by marital status.
The Minister noted that data alone cannot establish causal impacts of marital status or children on income, as these factors are influenced by income, education, generational differences, and occupational or work-hour preferences.
The debate highlighted the complexity of interpreting income data due to unmeasured variables like occupation and caregiving responsibilities, emphasizing that trends do not imply direct causation.

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8 Jul 2019

Factors for Improvement in Gender Pay Gap in Past Decade

The employment rate of women in prime-working ages has increased, with better education leading to higher wages compared to older women.
Women have exited lower-skilled industries more rapidly than men, contributing to improved pay equality.
Greater availability of flexible work arrangements has allowed more women to remain employed and advance their careers.

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8 Jul 2019

Review of Smart Nation Initiatives to Improve Reach and Access to Persons with Disabilities

Mr Leon Perera asked if there will be regular reviews of Smart Nation initiatives to improve reach and access for persons with disabilities.
Minister S Iswaran affirmed that inclusivity is a priority, with existing support including IMDA’s NEU PC Plus and Enable IT programmes and the Assistive Technology Fund for subsidised devices and technology.
The government regularly refines initiatives, such as expanding IT/AT loan libraries and enhancing Digital Service Standards to ensure digital services are accessible, with ongoing reviews and collaboration across sectors.
A cross-sectoral workgroup has been launched to promote independent living through technology and design for persons with disabilities, reflecting continued commitment to inclusive digital transformation.

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8 Jul 2019

Definition of "Disability" for Social Policies

The Ministry for Social and Family Development uses the Enabling Masterplans’ definition of disability, which focuses on substantially reduced prospects in education, employment, and recreation due to physical, intellectual, sensory impairments, or developmental needs like Autism Spectrum Disorder, and this definition was endorsed in 2004.
This definition aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in its focus on impairments interacting with barriers, but Singapore’s definition is more specific and does not explicitly include all mental disorders as part of its disability schemes, which are instead addressed separately through mental health support initiatives.
The government explains that mental health conditions are excluded from the disability definition for social and employment schemes because support is delivered through separate frameworks like the National Mental Health Blueprint, and it will continue to review and strengthen support for all persons with disabilities through the Enabling Masterplan.

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8 Jul 2019

Discussion on Rohingya Issue at ASEAN Summit

At the ASEAN Summit, Singapore’s Foreign Minister provided an update on the Preliminary Needs Assessment for Rakhine State, focusing on the readiness of reception centres and the need for ASEAN to support Myanmar’s repatriation efforts in a safe, voluntary, and dignified manner.
The security situation in Rakhine State has deteriorated due to clashes between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army, and ASEAN urged all parties to avoid further violence to allow humanitarian assistance to reach those in need.
Regarding the Rohingya children in Bangladesh, the Minister noted that while temporary education and welfare support exists, their future remains uncertain without a permanent political solution, and ASEAN stresses the need for Myanmar to address the root causes of the conflict.

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8 Jul 2019

Efforts at Encouraging Companies to be More Inclusive to Individuals with Autism

The Government provides up to 16% wage subsidy through the Special Employment Credit for employers hiring persons with disabilities, including those with autism, with an additional 6% for those above age 67.
The Open Door Programme offers job placement and support services for persons with disabilities and their employers, while the Career Trial allows for job fit assessments with training allowances during the trial period.
A tripartite Workgroup led by the Ministry of Social and Family Development, the Autism Resource Centre, and other partners is exploring ways to better support persons with disabilities in gaining employment amid economic changes.

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8 Jul 2019

Raising Awareness About Children and Young Adults with Autism

The government partners with social service agencies and runs the "See the True Me" campaign to raise public awareness of autism and promote the inclusion of persons with autism.
Early intervention services are supported through polyclinics, GPs, and subsidised programmes, with recent enhancements lowering costs by 30–70% and introducing more customised options for children with autism.
During schooling years, students with autism receive support in mainstream schools or special education schools, and transition programmes help prepare them for employment with job training and placement services.
Ongoing initiatives, including cross-sector workgroups, aim to improve preschool inclusivity, employment opportunities, and independent living for persons with autism, with a whole-of-society approach to their lifelong development.

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8 May 2019

Gender Breakdown of under-18 Party in Successful Applications for Special Marriage Licence in Last Five Years

Ms Anthea Ong asked for the gender breakdown of the under-18 party, average age gap, and number and percentage of civil marriages among successful Special Marriage Licence applications over the last five years.
Desmond Lee explained that a Special Marriage Licence is required for civil marriages where one party is under 18, involving assessments, parental consent, and marriage preparation for those under 21.
For Muslim marriages with a girl under 18, no Special Marriage Licence is needed, but a Kadi must assess the marriage's suitability before solemnisation.
The minister provided data on gender breakdown and average age gap for successful Special Marriage Licence applications from 2013 to 2017, but the exact figures were cut off in the provided transcript.
The response included the number of civil and Muslim marriages involving at least one party below 18, though specific percentages and full details were not fully presented in the excerpt.

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8 May 2019

Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Bill

Supporters argued that the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Bill (POFMA) is necessary to combat harmful online falsehoods that threaten public interest, social harmony, and national security, with safeguards such as judicial oversight and corrective directions instead of outright censorship.
Opponents expressed concern that the Bill grants excessive power to ministers, potentially chilling free speech and enabling the government to suppress criticism, especially during elections, by acting as both judge and jury.
The government clarified that the Bill’s powers are narrower than existing laws, provide rapid response mechanisms with appeal avenues to the courts, and are intended to target falsehoods—not opinions—with accountability to Parliament and the public.

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8 May 2019

Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Bill

Proponents of the bill, including government members and some MPs, argued it is necessary to combat the serious and fast-spreading threat of online falsehoods to Singapore’s social harmony, national security, and public institutions, with corrections being the primary response and a robust appeals process to the courts available.
Opponents, notably the Workers’ Party and some Nominated MPs, contended that giving ministers the power to be the first arbiter of truth poses a risk of abuse, could chill free speech and public debate, and proposed that the judiciary should be the initial decision-maker.
The debate also highlighted broader concerns about the bill's potential impact on academic freedom, journalism, and public discourse, with calls for clearer definitions of "falsehood" and "public interest," and suggestions for an independent council to provide oversight.

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8 May 2019

Rationale for Barring Women Above 45 Years Old from Receiving IVF Treatments

The Ministry of Health bars women over 45 from IVF and limits fresh cycles for women over 40 due to declining success rates and increased medical risks, with appeals considered case-by-case.
The Senior Minister of State emphasized that these policies protect patient interests and are based on empirical evidence of low conception chances and higher complications at older ages.
Louis Ng Kok Kwang argued that such decisions should be left to parents, not the government, and highlighted that restrictions push Singaporeans to seek IVF abroad in places like Johor.
The Ministry stated that while technology has improved safety, success rates remain low for older women, and they regularly review policies but will announce changes if made.
About 50 appeals for IVF are received yearly, evaluated based on the patient’s medical condition, age, and prior cycles.

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7 May 2019

Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Bill

Christopher de Souza argues the bill is necessary to protect freedom of speech from corrosive falsehoods, emphasizing the need for swift executive action to counter rapidly spreading misinformation, with judicial review as a check on power.
Pritam Singh and Low Thia Khiang oppose the bill, criticizing the broad powers granted to ministers to decide what constitutes falsehoods and the potential for abuse, arguing that courts should be the first to adjudicate such matters.
Seah Kian Peng supports the bill as a calibrated tool to address online falsehoods while highlighting the importance of societal responsibility and developing online norms to combat misinformation beyond legal measures.

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7 May 2019

Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Bill

The Minister for Law defended the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Bill (POFMA), arguing it narrows existing executive powers by focusing only on false statements of fact and provides greater judicial oversight through a fast, inexpensive appeal process to the High Court.
He outlined the global threat of online falsehoods weaponized by state actors, commercial interests, and political groups to erode public trust and destabilize societies, citing examples from the UK, US, and other nations as a rationale for the legislation.
The Workers' Party opposed the Bill, contending that the executive should not be the initial arbiter of falsehoods and expressing concern that broad definitions and subjective Ministerial discretion could chill free speech and be subject to abuse.
Nominated Member Irene Quay supported the legislative intent but proposed amendments to clarify key definitions, expedite the appeals process in primary legislation, and establish an independent oversight council for greater accountability.
The government maintained that the current approach balances the need for swift action against falsehoods with safeguards, rejecting the proposed independent council in favor of accountability through Parliament and the Courts.

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7 May 2019

Inclusion of Persons with Mental Health Conditions in Special Employment Credit and Open Door Programmes

Member of Parliament Anthea Ong questioned the Ministry of Manpower about extending the Special Employment Credit and Open Door Programme to persons with mental health conditions and considering legislative interventions for workplace mental health risks.
The Ministry responded that these programmes currently cover individuals with permanent disabilities under the Enabling Masterplan, distinguishing them from mental health conditions which may be manageable, and highlighted existing support like the Job Club at IMH and stress management initiatives.
Follow-up exchanges clarified that while employer support for hiring persons with mental health conditions is limited under current schemes, alternative assistance is available through the Adapt and Grow Initiative and partnerships with mental health institutions.

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