Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698080419266.pdf (Singapore)
THIRTEENTH PARLIAMENT OF SINGAPORE SECOND SESSION ORDER PAPER FRIDAY, 5 JUNE 2020 No.

135 10.00 am 1 QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER *1.

Mr Leon Perera: To ask the Minister for Defence (a) what is the projected total cost of producing, packing and distributing the NDP funpacks to each citizen and PR household for NDP 2020; and (b) whether the Government will consider creating an option for those who would like to donate the expense required for their funpack back to the state or to charities.

*2.
*2.

Miss Cheng Li Hui: To ask the Minister for Defence (a) whether essential and care items can be included in the NDP funpacks to enhance the relevance and usefulness of the funpacks during this challenging period; (b) what items in the NDP funpacks have already been produced for distribution; and (c) what happens to excess items not distributed or when households opt out of the funpacks.

*3.
*3.

Ms Denise Phua Lay Peng: To ask the Prime Minister how will Singapore's National Day commemoration and celebrations differ at the national and local levels in view of the COVID-19 measures.

*4.
*4.

Mr Gan Thiam Poh: To ask the Prime Minister (a) what is the total number of people who have downloaded the TraceTogether app; (b) what is the percentage of each gender for those who have downloaded the app; (c) what are the age groups; and (d) whether the Government will consider further incentives and measures to encourage more subscriptions including from those who are not technically savvy or inclined.

*5.
*5.

Mr Vikram Nair: To ask the Prime Minister whether the download and activation of the TraceTogether App should be made mandatory for everyone in Singapore who possesses a mobile phone.

No.

135 5 JUNE 2020 2 *6.
Miss Cheng Li Hui: To ask the Minister for Education (a) whether there are coordinated efforts between the career centres of Institutes of Higher Learnings and agencies such as Enterprise Singapore to connect graduates with enterprises to provide employment opportunities; (b) how can graduates be further supported in their endeavour to secure employment and also further their academic pursuits and retraining to better equip them for the post- COVID economy; and (c) how can internship opportunities play a role for graduates during this challenging period.
*7.
Assoc Prof Walter Theseira: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (a) what has been the framework for Government's procurement of goods and services to address the COVID-19 pandemic; (b) what proportion of such contracts, by dollar value, have been issued through the standard Government procurement system on GeBIZ; (c) what are the considerations when issuing contracts otherwise; and (d) what steps are taken to ensure that all enterprises can participate in such procurement opportunities so as to ensure provision at competitive prices and quality.
*8.
Mr Leon Perera: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (a) whether the Government is involved in, or prescribes any rules for, loans being given by Temasek Holdings, GIC or their subsidiary companies to large corporations or other kinds of entities; (b) if so, how much of these loans are made to companies which Temasek Holdings or GIC has existing investments in compared to other entities which they do not have existing investments in; and (c) whether the President's concurrence is required for the extension of loans by GIC or Temasek Holdings that are above a certain proportion of their total assets.
*9.
Mr Pritam Singh: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) whether a tender was waived for the construction of all Government Quarantine Facilities (GQF), Community Recovery Facilities (CRF) and Community Care Facilities (CCF); (b) if so, whether this was due to time constraint or other reasons; (c) whether all such construction works were planned to be cost recovery or below cost engagements; (d) what price reasonableness test was applied; (e) whether attempts were made to explore whether other event and exhibition construction firms were able and keen to undertake the engagement; and (f) whether further requisitions of GQFs, CRFs and CCFs are necessary and whether the engagements will be done on a cost recovery or below cost basis.
*10.

Assoc Prof Walter Theseira: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) whether there have been any benefits to the environment and wildlife from reducing the frequency of green verge maintenance along public roads and paths during the COVID-19 circuit breaker period; and (b) whether reduced maintenance frequencies can be permanently implemented to save public expenditure, reduce foreign manpower needs, and to improve biodiversity.

No.

135 5 JUNE 2020 3 *11.


Mr Saktiandi Supaat: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) what is the total number of business closures and formations since the start of the circuit breaker period; (b) what is the sectoral breakdown of those most affected to the least affected; (c) what is the Ministry's outlook on the business cessation trend and sectoral implications for the remainder of 2020 even as the global and domestic economies gradually open up.

*12.
*12.

Mr Seah Kian Peng: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry what is the assessment of industries in the post-COVID-19 era, specifically which are those that the business community and workforce should pivot to and position themselves going forward.

*13.
*13.

Ms Tin Pei Ling: To ask the Minister for Communications and Information (a) how have national data usage volume and pattern changed since the onset of COVID-19; (b) whether our digital infrastructure is currently adequate; (c) whether there are new plans to enhance our digital infrastructure post-COVID-19; and (d) how will the potential resultant increase in carbon emissions be mitigated.

*14.
*14.

Ms Joan Pereira: To ask the Minister for Health (a) whether the Ministry will consider doing a one-time COVID-19 swab test for VWO staff looking after our elderly; and (b) if so, whether it will be done in phases so as not to overstretch medical resources.

*15.
*15.

Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling: To ask the Minister for Health after the lifting of the circuit breaker on 1 June (a) what measures will remain for visitation of residents living in nursing homes; (b) whether swab tests will be conducted for seniors and staff in day care centres; and (c) which phase will senior activity centres be classified under for resumption of their operations.

*16.
*16.

Mr Leon Perera: To ask the Minister for Manpower to date, how many applications from self-employed adults below the age of 37 under the Self- Employed Person Income Relief Scheme have been received and how many of these applications have been successful.

*17.
*17.

Ms Sylvia Lim: To ask the Prime Minister whether the Government will advise healthcare insurers to provide a one-off extension of hospitalisation policies to cover elective surgeries that have been postponed due to the COVID-19 circuit breaker restrictions.

*18.

Assoc Prof Walter Theseira: To ask the Prime Minister whether MAS will review if convertible bonds should be issued, marketed, sold or traded to retail investors in light of the complexity and risks associated with these hybrid securities.
No.

135 5 JUNE 2020 4 *19.

Dr Chia Shi-Lu: To ask the Minister for Health whether the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic will affect the implementation dates of (i) CareShield Life and (ii) MediSave Care.

*20.
*20.

Mr Chong Kee Hiong: To ask the Minister for Health (a) what measures will be implemented to boost immunity amongst the general population; and (b) whether there are age-group specific practices which can be included in public education information materials and broadcasts to increase awareness about strengthening personal immunity.

*21.
*21.

Ms Anthea Ong: To ask the Minister for Health (a) whether there is a medical consensus on the blood clotting abnormalities seen with COVID-19 patients; (b) whether the Ministry is looking at overseas data to guide Singapore; (c) what measures are being taken in the dormitories to detect blood clots early; (d) what support is given to conduct research on this growing concern; and (e) whether the Ministry will give priority to fast-track such research.

*22.
Ms Anthea Ong: To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) what mental healthcare is provided for work permit holders residing in (i) dormitories (ii) factory-converted dormitories (iii) onsite temporary quarters and (iv) other residences; (b) how are these measures communicated to (i) work permit holders and (ii) their employers; (c) how does the Ministry work with NGOs in expanding support to work permit holders for their mental health needs; (d) whether the Ministry will establish for work permit holders (i) a dedicated mental wellness hotline that funnels to the respective NGOs and (ii) ground consultation teams staffed with mental healthcare professionals.
*23.

Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling: To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) apart from periodic checks by the enforcement team, what more will be done to ensure that dormitory operators and landlords that provide lodging for foreign workers comply with rules for communal living; and (b) whether there will be tougher penalties for failure to comply such as the suspension of their operating licence and repossession of the rental flats or houses.

*24.
Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang: To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) currently, what number and percentage of employers with foreign workers residing in dormitories (i) declared that they will pay salaries electronically (ii) paid salaries electronically and (iii) paid salaries in cash; (b) what specific steps, other than relying on worker complaints, does the Ministry take to monitor employers who are paying salaries in cash are correctly paying their foreign workers residing in dormitories; and (c) what are the exceptional circumstances under which employers are permitted to pay workers residing in dormitories in cash.
No.

135 5 JUNE 2020 5 *25.
Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang: To ask the Minister for National Development with regard to people seeking to euthanise their healthy dog or cat (a) whether the Ministry will make it compulsory for them to produce documented proof that they have (i) attempted to rehome the animal and (ii) received certification from an Animal and Veterinary Service-accredited trainer that the animal, if aggressive, is untrainable; and (b) whether it will be made compulsory for veterinarians to wait for a pre-determined length of time before euthanising the animal, during which the animal's details are published on websites of NParks and animal welfare groups to facilitate rehoming.
*26.

Ms Joan Pereira: To ask the Minister for National Development for each of the past three years, how many reports of spalling concrete has HDB received for (i) owned and (ii) rental HDB flats respectively.

*27.
Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang: To ask the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources with regard to the import of wild-caught soft-shelled turtle for consumption (a) what diseases are the animals tested for; (b) for each disease, how many tests have been carried out in each year for the past five years; (c) for each disease, what are the number and percentage of test results that have been positive in each year for the past five years; and (d) whether the Ministry will start collecting this data if it is not already doing so.
*28.

Mr Saktiandi Supaat: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) whether recent commodity trade blow-ups in Singapore will impact our reputation as a commodity trading hub; (b) whether there is a need to strengthen regulatory frameworks; and (c) how are financial irregularities kept at the minimum and adequately penalised to ensure Singapore remains a fair and safe hub to conduct trading.
* Members may postpone their Questions to a later sitting day if their Questions are not reached by the end of Question Time (QT).

For such Questions, Members may email to parl_cop@parl.gov.sg in advance a postponement notice that will be effected after QT.

Members must submit their notices to the Clerk within one hour after the end of QT (SO 22(3)).

Questions will be given a written answer if no such notices are received by the Clerk within the stipulated time.

No.
No.

135 5 JUNE 2020 6 AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF PUBLIC BUSINESS Introduction of Government Bill 1.

Minister for Law: COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Amendment) Bill.

[The Member in charge proposes, on a Certificate of Urgency under S.O.

86, to proceed with this Bill throughout all its stages until the Bill has been read the third time.]

ORDERS OF THE DAY 1.

2.

3.

Second Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 (Paper Cmd.
28 of 2020) – Committee of Supply (Allotted Day).

[For amendments to be moved in the Committee of Supply, see Supplement No.

25 dated 5 June 2020.]

Second Supplementary Supply (FY 2020) Bill [Bill No.

26/2020] (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance) – Second Reading.
GOVERNMENT’S PLANS IN OUR CONTINUING FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19 PANDEMIC: Resumption of Debate on Question (26 May 2020), “That the Ministerial Statement made by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance on the Government’s Plans in Our Continuing Fight Against COVID-19 Pandemic be considered by Parliament.” – (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance).

No.

135 5 JUNE 2020 7 QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN ANSWER 1.
Ms Anthea Ong: To ask the Minister for Defence (a) how much state and sponsorship funds and NSF time will be used in packing and distributing the increased number of NDP funpacks this year; (b) whether the Ministry has considered specific items that the funds can be used in a way that brings forth the community spirit of Singaporeans and demonstrate our solidarity and gratitude with the workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis; and (c) whether there will be a process to ensure citizens can opt-out of receiving the funpacks; and (d) so, whether the savings from these opt-outs can be redirected to more urgent needs in this time of financial prudence, for example food programmes for those in need.
2.

Mr Leon Perera: To ask the Minister for Health to what extent information from the SafeEntry system has been used to do contact tracing and alerts in relation to the incidents on 20-21 May 2020 whereby COVID-19 patients visited Jurong Point as well as other similar incidents.

3.
3.

Ms Yip Pin Xiu: To ask the Minister for Health (a) what is being done to ensure public safety when the public seek mental healthcare; (b) how can the general public check that mental health practitioners are competent and fit to practice; and (c) what is being done to uphold standards of practice within the mental healthcare profession.

4.
4.

Mr Leon Perera: To ask the Minister for Communications and Information what are the organisations, whether Governmental, media or otherwise and what kinds of personnel within those organisations have access to the Parliament livestream offered by the Ministry.

5.
5.

Ms Joan Pereira: To ask the Minister for National Development whether the Ministry will consider installing metal window grilles for (i) owned and (ii) rental HDB flats to enhance safety for young children or the elderly who may move into these flats.

6.
6.

Miss Cheng Li Hui: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) whether the Ministry has studied the safety measures taken by other countries as they reopen their parks and nature areas; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider reopening parks with safe distancing measures in place to allow Singaporeans and families to spend more time with nature.

7.
7.

Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan: To ask the Minister for Manpower whether she can provide a statistical breakdown of complaints received by the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM) from 1 April 2019 to 31 May 2020 in the areas of (i) wrongful dismissal (ii) retrenchment and (iii) contractual termination.

No.

135 5 JUNE 2020 8 8.


Ms Anthea Ong: To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) what percentage of employers have not made a declaration by 15 April 2020 that they will pay salaries electronically by the next salary payment due date; (b) what are the reasons cited for not doing so; (c) what are the consequences for this non- declaration given that electronic salary payment is now a legal requirement; and (d) how will the Ministry enforce this new law.

9.
9.

Ms Yip Pin Xiu: To ask the Minister for Manpower whether the Ministry will release gender-disaggregated data on job and income losses during the COVID- 19 outbreak period.

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