Religion, race & rights

Elysa Chen asked about plans to review employer practices regarding mental health-related medical certificates and measures to prevent discrimination in employment. Tan See Leng stated that employers are required to accept valid medical certificates for both physical and mental health conditions as part of statutory sick leave. He emphasized the importance of patient confidentiality in medical certificates and noted that the upcoming Workplace Fairness Act will prohibit adverse employment decisions based on mental health conditions among other protections.

• Shawn Loh raised concerns about the accessibility of pedestrian overhead bridges for seniors, suggesting the installation of lifts to prevent isolation.
• The Acting Minister for Transport confirmed that lifts will be installed at four specific pedestrian overhead bridges connecting Whampoa to nearby towns.
• The installation of lifts is prioritized over bridges that already have ramps, with upgrades already completed on one bridge and site studies initiated for others.

• Ms. Denise Phua Lay Peng proposed that Singapore Sign Language (SgSL) be offered as a language elective in secondary schools.
• Minister Desmond Lee highlighted that SgSL is already used by the deaf and hard-of-hearing community and is supported in designated mainstream schools.
• Initiatives to promote SgSL include signing interpretation at school assemblies and opportunities for hearing students to learn SgSL at specific schools.
• Other students interested in learning SgSL can seek resources from organizations like the Singapore Association for the Deaf.

• Jackson Lam inquired about suicide and attempted suicide rates among seniors aged 60 and above, seeking data disaggregated by age, gender, race, and housing type, as well as information on psychosocial factors and existing prevention programs.
• Ong Ye Kung responded that while annual suicide data for seniors is publicly available, it does not include breakdowns by race and housing type, and noted a general decline in elderly suicide cases over the past five years, with male deaths being approximately double that of females.
• He highlighted that suicide is influenced by multiple factors, including relationship issues and mental health conditions, and mentioned the lack of comprehensive data on suicide attempts.
• Ong outlined available support services, including the national mindline and SOS Hotline for crisis support, and initiatives by the Silver Generation Office to connect vulnerable seniors with mental health resources and community programs.

• Mr. Cai Yinzhou inquired about the post-graduation employment rates of ITE graduates with special educational needs over the past five years, specifically within six months, one year, and two years after graduation.
• Minister Desmond Lee reported that employment rates for fresh ITE graduates with special educational needs have remained stable, with approximately 80% employed six months post-graduation, similar to their peers without special needs.
• About 70% of employed graduates, both with and without special educational needs, found jobs related to their course of study.
• The ITE has expanded its internship and employment support programs to assist students with special educational needs in gaining workplace skills and job placements.
• The Government will continue to monitor employment outcomes for ITE graduates and provide additional support as necessary.

• The debate focused on the introduction of caning for vaping-related trafficking offences and potential exemptions for certain demographic groups.
• Yip Hon Weng raised concerns about whether juveniles, women, and the elderly would be exempt from caning and the risk of criminal syndicates exploiting these groups.
• K Shanmugam clarified that caning applies to trafficking of controlled drugs, but not to e-vaporisers without controlled substances, and outlined existing exemptions under the Criminal Procedure Code.
• He noted that while certain groups are exempt from caning, courts can impose additional imprisonment terms to maintain deterrence.
• The discussion highlighted the challenges of preventing criminal exploitation of vulnerable groups in trafficking activities.

• The Workplace Fairness (Dispute Resolution) Bill aims to establish a structured process for addressing workplace discrimination, including ageism, and provides a framework for individuals to seek redress through internal grievance handling, mediation, and adjudication.
• Concerns were raised about ensuring accessibility and support for vulnerable groups, such as persons with disabilities, in navigating the dispute resolution process, including the need for disability awareness training for HR professionals and mediators.
• The Bill emphasizes the importance of internal resolution and mediation to maintain workplace harmony, with a focus on educating both employees and employers about their rights and responsibilities under the new framework.
• There is a call for the government to monitor the implementation of the Bill and provide resources to support small and medium enterprises in establishing fair grievance handling processes.
• The legislation reflects Singapore's commitment to fair employment practices and aims to balance the interests of workers and employers while promoting a culture of fairness and respect in the workplace.

• The Workplace Fairness (Dispute Resolution) Bill aims to provide a structured process for employees to seek recourse against workplace discrimination, emphasizing internal grievance handling, mediation, and adjudication as a last resort.
• The Bill expands the Employment Claims Tribunals' jurisdiction to handle workplace discrimination claims up to $250,000, making the process more accessible and affordable for workers, particularly professionals, managers, and executives (PMEs).
• Concerns were raised about the potential for frivolous claims, the need for adequate support for non-unionized workers, and the importance of ensuring that the dispute resolution process is accessible and empathetic, especially for vulnerable groups.
• The Bill includes safeguards against retaliation for workers who raise complaints and aims to maintain workplace harmony while encouraging fair treatment based on merit rather than personal characteristics.
• Implementation of the Bill is targeted for the end of 2027, with a focus on educating employers and workers about their rights and responsibilities under the new framework.

• The Leader of the House, Ms Indranee Rajah, raised concerns about contradictions in statements made by the Leader of the Opposition, Pritam Singh, regarding Mr Noor Deros's attendance at a meeting, specifically whether he "gate-crashed" it or was invited.
• Pritam Singh clarified that he initially stated Mr Deros had "gate-crashed" the meeting based on his understanding at the time, but later acknowledged that Mr Deros was invited by an ustaz, which contradicted his earlier claim.
• Singh confirmed that while Mr Faisal Manap may have known of Mr Deros, other Workers' Party candidates did not, leading to Singh's characterization of Deros as a "nobody."
• The debate highlighted the importance of accurate representations in Parliament, particularly concerning sensitive topics like race and religion, and the implications of using terms like "gate-crashed."
• Both parties agreed on the need for clarity and accuracy in statements made in Parliament to avoid misleading the public and to maintain the integrity of parliamentary discourse.

Valerie Lee asked about plans for new mosques in Pasir Ris-Changi GRC, in addition to a mosque being built in Tampines North. Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim responded that there are currently no plans for new mosques in the area. The existing mosques, including Al-Istighfar, Darul Ghufran, and Al-Taqua, serve the community, and the new mosque in Tampines North will provide additional capacity. These mosques have implemented multiple prayer sessions to accommodate demand during peak times. MUIS is dedicated to meeting the religious needs of the community.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik raised concerns regarding measures to combat online hate speech and xenophobic abuse directed at new citizens. Mrs. Josephine Teo stated that such hate speech is addressed similarly to that targeting citizens born in Singapore, under existing laws like the Broadcasting Act, which permits the Infocomm Media Development Authority to take down harmful content. The Penal Code and Online Criminal Harms Act also provide frameworks to penalize and restrict access to online hate speech that undermines racial harmony. Additionally, the government plans to introduce the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Bill to establish a new Online Safety Commission by 2026, aimed at supporting victims of online harms.

Yip Hon Weng requested information from the Prime Minister about the monitoring of the ratio of manned bank counters available to senior residents in Singapore and whether a minimum ratio could be mandated for banks. Gan Kim Yong responded that while the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) does not track the number of manned counters, it does monitor bank branches and emphasizes the need for them to support seniors adequately. Banks consider local demographics when planning their operations and provide priority assistance for seniors, along with community partnerships for digital literacy programs. Additionally, banks deploy Digital Ambassadors at branches to assist seniors with banking needs.

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked about measures to detect and deter racial or religious disharmony and whether more resources will be allocated for early detection and community resilience. K Shanmugam responded by highlighting the government's serious approach to incidents threatening harmony, citing a recent court case involving the Al-Istiqamah Mosque incident. The Ministry of Home Affairs employs a robust legal framework and works with the Police to address threats and enhance security around places of worship. Community initiatives, like the Racial and Religious Harmony Circles, foster intercultural understanding, while recent incidents have seen faith leaders uniting in solidarity against divisive actions. The ongoing collaboration between communities and authorities is essential for maintaining social harmony.

Alex Yam asked about the effects of training more religious leaders overseas on Singapore's social fabric, collaboration with religious organizations to uphold multicultural values, and measures to enhance social cohesion while respecting religious freedom. David Neo emphasized the importance of religious leaders in promoting care, compassion, and navigating issues within Singapore's multicultural context. He stated that commitment to social harmony is essential for both locally and overseas-trained religious leaders, highlighting local training initiatives like those at Trinity Theological College and MUIS. Programs promoting social mixing and mutual understanding among communities, such as Racial and Religious Harmony Circles, were also mentioned as vital for fostering trust and cohesion.

Alex Yam questioned the government on the assessment of racial and religious relations in Singapore, the impact of recent overseas incidents on local sensitivities, and measures to prevent external influences from causing societal divides. K Shanmugam acknowledged that while racial and religious relations are generally healthy, differing opinions on external conflicts, particularly the Israel-Hamas situation, can affect cohesion. He emphasized cautious management of public discussions to avoid polarization and highlighted concerns over normalizing foreign political violence in local discourse. The government employs various legislative measures and initiatives to strengthen social harmony and foster understanding across different communities.

Jamus Lim questioned whether HDB rental coffee shop bidding criteria for halal stalls differentiate between Malay and Indian Muslim food providers and if the Price-Quality Method could prioritize Malay/Muslim providers more. Chee Hong Tat clarified that since 2005, all new HDB coffee shops must include at least one halal stall, ensuring access to halal food for all ethnicities without specific cuisine distinctions. In Sengkang, there are 19 HDB rental coffee shops with varying halal options, including fully halal and mixed stalls. HDB is actively ensuring replacement halal stalls to maintain service continuity. Residents also have access to halal food in nearby hawker centres and food courts.

Denise Phua Lay Peng asked about the accessibility features for autonomous shuttle services to cater to users with various needs, such as wheelchair users, non-English speakers, families with strollers, and individuals with disabilities. Sun Xueling responded that during the pilot phase, a safety operator and ground ambassadors will assist passengers, and larger vehicles will accommodate folded wheelchairs and strollers, with plans for more inclusive vehicles in the future. Phua emphasized the importance of adopting a universal design approach from the outset to better serve all users, rather than making accommodations as an afterthought. Sun Xueling agreed to consider this principle moving forward and pledged to share the feedback with AV shuttle manufacturers to incorporate accessible design features from the beginning. Additionally, she noted that universal design will be prioritized in ground infrastructure as the AV shuttle program scales up.

• David Hoe raised concerns about emergency evacuation protocols for seniors and residents with mobility impairments during high-rise fires, suggesting community fire drills and pilot programs for refuge points and evacuation chairs.
• K Shanmugam explained that the SCDF prioritizes evacuating occupants from the fire-affected floor and the two floors above, while residents on other floors should remain in their units unless otherwise directed.
• Super high-rise buildings are equipped with refuge floors to provide safe holding areas, and residents unable to evacuate should stay in a safe room and await assistance.
• The SCDF has initiated community support programs, such as "Fire Safety Kakis," to assist vulnerable residents during fire emergencies.
• Further details on community fire drills and evacuation strategies were referenced in previous parliamentary discussions.

• The debate focused on the challenges faced by young adults with special needs in securing and retaining employment, highlighting the need for better collaboration between the government and employers.
• Key barriers include employers' lack of awareness about the benefits of inclusive hiring and the need for accessible workplaces and reasonable job accommodations.
• The government has implemented various support measures, such as the Open Door Programme and Enabling Employment Credit, to assist employers in adopting inclusive hiring practices and providing necessary training and job coaching.
• SG Enable has launched initiatives like the Enabling Business Hub to offer customized skills training and job support, targeting key sectors with potential job opportunities for persons with disabilities.
• There is a call for a cultural shift in workplaces to recognize the advantages of inclusive hiring, which can lead to a more innovative and purpose-driven workforce.