Religion, race & rights

Gabriel Lam requested information from the Minister for Social and Family Development regarding domestic violence cases involving male victims over the past five years, including those seeking protection orders and support services. Masagos Zulkifli mentioned that the Domestic Violence Trends Report 2025 contains the relevant sex-disaggregated data. From 2020 to 2024, around 2,000 Personal Protection Order applications were submitted annually, with about 25% coming from male victim-survivors of domestic violence.

Ng Shi Xuan asked about the participation rates of Singaporeans in events organized by the People's Association over the last five years, seeking details on demographics by age and race, and plans to increase participation. Edwin Tong reaffirmed the PA's mission to promote social cohesion and racial harmony through diverse programs and events. He stated that the PA organizes numerous events monthly that cater to all residents regardless of background, noting that participation rates are generally healthy and vary by constituency needs. The PA aims to continually enhance its programs to remain relevant to the community's evolving interests.

He Ting Ru asked the Minister for Education about providing clear guidance for schools on encouraging students to speak up about school-related issues through various appropriate channels. Desmond Lee affirmed that schools are safe spaces for respectful and constructive expression and that the Ministry of Education offers guidance to foster a positive culture for student voices. Schools have the autonomy to choose methods for facilitating discussions, and students will not be discouraged or penalised for expressing their views respectfully.

Charlene Chen questioned the Minister for Education about how primary schools prepare for Primary 1 students with special educational needs (SEN), including identification before admission and resource deployment. Desmond Lee responded that the Ministry of Education shares transition information about children with SEN with receiving schools, allowing for better planning of resources and support. Teachers conduct screenings at the start of Primary 1 to identify students needing extra assistance, and specialized SEN officers provide targeted interventions. Students who experience persistent difficulties may be referred to MOE Educational Psychologists for diagnostic assessments, which aim for early identification and intervention. Transition information is also shared with secondary schools to ensure continued support for students with SEN.

Eileen Chong Pei Shan asked for updates on waitlist numbers and average waiting times for Adult Disability Homes (ADHs) and Day Activity Centres (DACs), as well as the success rate of SG Enable's referral system. Masagos Zulkifli reported that as of December 2025, there are 100 individuals on the ADH waitlist with an average waiting time of nine months, while DACs have 370 individuals on the waitlist with an eight-month average. Many DAC waitlisted individuals are pending assessments or have declined placements while awaiting preferred options. The Ministry of Social and Family Development is increasing DAC capacity by 500 places by 2030 and piloting new community living options to enhance support for individuals with disabilities.

Eileen Chong Pei Shan asked about the inclusion of PWD holding point functionality verification and accessibility checks in Fire Certificate inspections. K Shanmugam explained that under the Fire Certificate Scheme, building owners must have annual inspections that verify the functionality of communication devices and alarms at PWD holding points. He mentioned that the SCDF conducts audits to ensure compliance with these inspections and checks that escape routes are unobstructed. There have been no complaints regarding non-functional PWD holding points in the past five years.

Eileen Chong Pei Shan asked about the compliance of buildings with Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) holding points as required by SCDF's Fire Code 2023. K Shanmugam explained that building owners must have a Registered Inspector certify fire safety compliance before occupancy, which includes PWD requirements. He noted that SCDF has found no non-compliance related to PWD holding points in enforcement checks over the past five years. Additionally, SCDF does not track retrofitting of buildings built before the PWD requirements were established.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked about plans to install police cameras around all places of worship to enhance security. K Shanmugam responded that over 200,000 police cameras will be deployed nationwide by the mid-2030s, focusing on public areas, including some vicinities of places of worship. The Government is implementing various security measures for places of worship, including security audits and training through collaborations with the Singapore Civil Defence Force and religious organizations. Additionally, the SGSecure movement promotes public vigilance and provides resources for recognizing and responding to suspicious activities and potential emergencies.

Yeo Wan Ling questioned the Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs about managing Haj arrangements with Saudi authorities, including quota allocation, queue systems, and health requirements for senior pilgrims. The Acting Minister (Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim) confirmed Singapore has a Haj quota of 900 and has requested additional places from Saudi Arabia. The Haj quota allocation is based on 0.1% of the Muslim population, and priority is given to seniors over 70 in the MyHajSG portal queue system. Starting in 2026, a valid medical health certificate will be required for pilgrims, with support provided by MUIS and local healthcare to meet this. The Minister assured continued efforts to advocate for an increased Haj quota through ongoing engagement with Saudi officials.

Fadli Fawzi asked about the population parameters for determining new mosque construction, specifically regarding the inclusion of the daytime working population and foreign workers. Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim responded that the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) adopts a sustainable approach in planning mosques based on projected population changes and land development. MUIS monitors worship patterns to ensure adequate prayer spaces for both residents and workers. They also facilitate additional prayer spaces as needed, such as dual worship sessions and spaces at dormitories, to support the community's religious needs.

Valerie Lee raised concerns about the impact of STOMP on public trust and the standards of state-supported platforms due to its tabloid-style content. Josephine Teo responded that the Government does not interfere with media editorial decisions but expects all outlets to maintain responsible journalism standards. STOMP is licensed under the Online News Licensing Scheme and must adhere to content standards to ensure compliance with laws regarding racial harmony, public order, and decency. Lee was advised to address specific concerns directly to STOMP.

Fadli Fawzi questioned the rationale for not keeping Masjid Al-Firdaus in Choa Chu Kang alongside the new mosque in Tengah, and about access for servicemen and foreign workers to the new site. Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik raised concerns about the decision to close Masjid Al-Firdaus after 63 years and whether alternatives to its demolition were considered. Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim explained that Masjid Al-Firdaus operates on a Temporary Occupation Licence and will remain until the new mosque is completed in the early 2030s, which will better serve the community with larger capacity and enhanced facilities. MUIS plans to document and preserve the heritage of Masjid Al-Firdaus while working with local agencies to address community prayer needs.

Diana Pang Li Yen questioned the Minister for Education about the assessment of how persons with special needs utilize SkillsFuture credits and the barriers they face. Desmond Lee reported that from 2022 to 2024, approximately 500 individuals with disabilities benefit annually from training support provided by SG Enable and SkillsFuture Singapore. These initiatives include significant course fee subsidies, training allowances, and assistance with SkillsFuture credits. Additionally, SG Enable’s Capability Development Grant helps training providers adapt their programs for diverse disability needs, and there are efforts to increase the accessibility of training programs for people with disabilities.

Cai Yinzhou raised concerns about limited space for wheelchairs, strollers, and personal mobility aids (PMAs) on buses and suggested increasing dedicated multi-functional standing space on high-demand routes serving polyclinics and senior centers. Jeffrey Siow from the Land Transport Authority acknowledged the importance of inclusive public transport but noted that expanding space for mobility devices would necessitate the removal of four seats per bus. He emphasized the need to study travel patterns and demand before determining the best approach to balance space for assistive devices with seating for other passengers.

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat questioned the Minister for Social and Family Development about the evaluation and reasoning behind the discontinuation of the Integrated Childcare Programme (ICCP) in 2024, as well as concerns regarding service gaps until the Inclusive Support Programme (InSP) expands in 2026. Masagos Zulkifli explained that the ICCP was providing tailored support but was not a substitute for more intensive Early Intervention (EI) services, which continued to be offered separately. Enhancements have been made to increase direct EI support in preschool settings, and the InSP, which offers integrated EI services, will start scaling up in the following year. Additionally, all preschools are now required to appoint an Inclusion Coordinator to help identify children needing EI support and ensure they access the necessary resources.

Nadia Ahmad Samdin sought updates on the job fit assessment and referral framework by the National Council of Social Service aimed at supporting jobseekers with mental health conditions. Dr. Koh Poh Koon responded that a referral framework will be established by 2026, in collaboration with employment support agencies, to provide customized employment assistance. He emphasized that the framework will address a wide spectrum of mental health conditions and will ensure support is tailored to individual needs, which may include vocational training. The duration of support will also be individualized, reflecting the varying conditions and needs of each person seeking employment.