Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698838770560.pdf (Singapore)
,~ ,, J THIRTEENTH PARLIAMENT OF SINGAPORE FIRST SESSION ORDER PAPER TUESDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER2016 No.

24 12 noon TRIBUTE TO FORMER PRESIDENT OF SINGAPORE, THELATEMRSRNATHAN QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER* *1.
Mr Zainal Sa pari: To ask the Minister for Communications and Information and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs (a) what is the number of Islamic religious teachers in Singapore who are registered under the Asatizah Recognition Scheme (ARS) since it started; (b) whether MUIS (Islamic· Religious Council of Singapore) or Pergas (Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association) has conducted an engagement with religious teachers who are not registered with ARS to understand the reasons or barriers to their registration; (c) whether the accreditation levels are benchmarked to an to internationally recognised body; (d) whether Pergas is the right entity spearhead the mandatory registration of asatizahs given that MUIS will have no control on their membership and leadership; (e) whether the mandatory registration of asatizahs require an amendment to the Administration of Muslim Law Act; and (f) what is development plan for ARS going forward .
.

*2.
Mr Alex Yam Ziming: To ask the Minister for Health (a) whether Ministry will consider setting up a National Zika Registry much like the Zika Active Pregnancy Surveillance System (ZAPSS) that was set up in the aftermath of the Puerto Rico Zika outbreak to track the effects of Zika on mothers and infants as well as otherivise healthy adults; (b) whether the Ministry will encourage screening of pregnant mothers; and (c) whether the Ministry will provide support to families with microcephalitic infants due to Zika.
*3.

Ms Tin Pei Ling: To ask the Minister for Health (a) whether free Zika screening can be offered to residents of affected areas; {b) what support will be given to pregnant women suspected of Zika infection; and (c) whether, there are useful insights learnt from managing and communicating the latest Zika incident and, if so, what are they.

No.

24 13 SEPTEMBER 2016 2 *4.


Mr Christopher de Souza: To ask the Minister for Health what steps have been taken to spread awareness among members of public of the effects of the Zika virus on pregnant women and what steps can be taken to reduce the risk of contracting the virus.

*5.
*5.

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong: To ask the Minister for Health given the need for better health management of.workers staying in construction sites and dormitories close to residential areas to control the spread of dengue and Zika (a) whether daily temperature-taking and submission of records should be implemented for these sites and dormitories; and (b) whether the primary care system for the workers should be reviewed and improved upon.

*6.
*6.

Mr Png Eng Huat: To ask the Minister for Health whether the Ministry will consider putting out more information to the public on the Zika virus via traditional media like free-to-air broadcasts during prime time hours and newspapers to educate the public and to separate the myths from the truth about the virus.

*7.
*7.

Dr Tan Wu Meng: To ask the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (a) whetherhe can provide an update on how many site checks have been conducted in the last 12 months by NEA for mosquito breeding in (i) homes and (ii) construction sites; and (b) what proportion of these checks have found evidence of mosquito breeding respectively.

*8.
*8.

Mr Christopher de Souza: To ask the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources what steps have been taken to contain the Zika virus, reduce its spread and destroy the breeding cycle of the mosquitoes.

*9.

Ms Foo Mee Har: To ask the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources whether the Ministry will consider more stringent regulatory~ measures for vector control at vulnerable mosquito breeding locations such as construction sites.

*10.
Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong: To ask the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (a) whether NEA will be stepping up checks for mosquito breeding in construction sites and workers' dormitories all over Singapore and not merely in areas where the first ca~es of Zika infection are detected; (b) what other steps will NEA be taking to improve vector control in these sites; and (c) whether the Ministry will be working with the Ministry of Health to prevent or minimise the spread of Zika virus through better management in construction sites or workers' dormitories and, if so, what are the actions that are being taken.
No.

24 13 SEPTEMBER 2016 3 *11.
Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong: To ask the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (a) in the past five years, how many construction site contractors have been prosecuted for mosquito breeding; (b) whether harsher penalties such as heavy fines should be implemented for contractors who are repeat offenders; (c) whether the monthly inspection regime should be applied to construction sites close to residential areas rather than just large sites; and (d) whether the Ministry will consider mandating rather than encouraging all construction site workers to apply insect repellent and sleep under mosquito nets.
*12.

Assoc Prof Randolph Tan: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) what strategies is the Ministry pursuing to limit the impact of the Zika outbreak on the tourism industry in particular and the economy in general.

*13.
*13.

Mr Thomas Chua Kee Seng: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (Trade) in the event that the Zika outbreak affects the economy, whether the Government will introduce relevant measures to help affected businesses, similar to the situation in 2003 when SARS took a heavy toll on the economy.

*14.
*14.

Mr Lim Biow Chuan: To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) to date, how many appeals have been received by the CPF Board for inclusion into the Silver Support Scheme; and (b) how many of such appeals have been acceded to.

*15.
Dr Tan Wu Meng: To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) among Singaporeans turning 65 years old in (i) 2016 and (ii) 2017, what proportion would not have had more than $70,000 in total CPF contribution at age 55; and (b) whether the Ministry when formulating the Silver Support Scheme's CPF contribution ceiling has taken into consideration (i) the adjustments made to the CPF contribution rates over the past 20 years; and (ii) the age when the first CPF contribution was made in view of the different CPF contribution rate for different age groups introduced in 1988.
*16.

Ms Tin Pei Ling: To ask the Minister for Manpower what is the success rate of appeal for the Silver Support Scheme as at 31 August 2016 and what are the main reasons for the rejection of such appeals.

*17.
*17.

Dr Lim Wee Kiak: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) what is the Ministry doirig to address teen suicides; {b) whether the Ministry has done any studies on reducing the suicide rate; and (c) what is the Ministry doing to strengthen the current multi-Ministry approach on this issue;.

No.

24 13 SEPTEMBER 2016 4 *18.


Mr Saktiandi Supaat: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) whether the Ministry will consider launching a suicide prevention campaign to raise awareness on how to look out for tell-tale signs to prevent suicides; (b) whether there is a need to set up a special hotline for teens which is manned by teenagers trained in counselling; and (c) whether counselors are trained to alert the parents/guardians if they counsel a potentially suicidal teen.

· *19.
· *19.

Dr Lim Wee Kiak: To ask the Acting Minister for Education (Schools) (a) how do schools create awareness among the students to offer their help to those who need emotional counselling and support; (b) what happens when a student needs emotional help outside of school hours; and (c) how do schools go about strengthening the mental well-being and resilience of students to face challenges.

*20.
*20.

Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan: To ask the Minister for Manpower what can the Government do to assist non-unionised workers if their retrenchments are carried out irresponsibly such as when retrenchment benefits are not paid or short/no notice of retrenchment is given to the affected workers.

*21.
*21.

Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan: To ask the Minister for Manpower in view of the fact that nine out of ten companies pay their retrenched staff some form of retrenchment benefits (a) what industries and sectors are these companies from; (b) what proportion of them are non-SMEs, local SMEs and micro-SMEs respectively; (c) what proportion of them are unionised and non-unionised companies respectively; and (d) what is the average amount of retrenchment benefit paid.

*22.
*22.

Mr Louis N g Kok K wang: To ask the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources in addition to a letter written by the CEO ofNEA to his counterpart in Indonesia, what other steps will the Ministry take to address the haze issue- in anticipation of worsening haze conditions.

*23.
*23.

Mr Saktiandi Supaat: To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) whether there are plans for WDA programmes and initiatives to be extended to university graduates, in particular those who are unemployed; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider more grants and financial aid for older graduates looking to upskill themselves under the full sponsorship of professional conversion programmes.

*24.
*24.

Mr Saktiandi Supaat: To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) how has the income gap been trending over the past five years; (b) what are longer-term strategic plans to narrow the income gap in a sustainable manner; and (c) how many people are in the bottom 20th percentile of household income over the past five years.

No.

24 13 SEPTEMBER 2016 5 *25.


Ms Sylvia Lim: To ask the Prime Minister given SGX's challenges in recent years relating to the quantity and quality of listings, turnover, technical disruptions, risk management, including a half-day disruption on 14 July 2016 (a) whether the Government is optimistic that SGX's performance and reputation can be revived; (b) what role it sees for SGX in broader economic development; and (c) what steps it is taking to work with the SGX management to catalyse the desired outcomes.
*26.

Mr Pritam Singh: To ask the Prime Minister (a) how many financial institutions have been investigated from 2013 to 2016 for bypassing loan restrictions on motor vehicles; and (b) whether there are any plans to tighten the regulations to effectively authenticate the purchase price of .

motor vehicles stated in the loan agreements.

*27.
*27.

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah: To ask the Minister for Law (a) how many countries have signed bilateral extradition treaties with Singapore; (b) why there is no extradition treaty with Thailand; and (c) what are the considerations before Singapore seeks an extradition treaty with another country.

*28.
*28.

Mr Desmond Choo: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) whether the Government can help existing office building owners which have used up the permissible gross floor area to look into unused common spaces to install public family rooms; and (b) how it can further encourage the provision of lactation facilities in new office buildings.

*29.
*29.

Mr Leon Perera: To ask the Minister for National Development whether the Ministry will consider making it mandatory for commercial and residential buildings to install and operate solar panels on their roofs, with exceptions granted only on a case-by-case basis.

*30.

Mr Desmond Choo: To ask the Minister for Transport (a) how has the average income of taxi drivers been affected by the greater number of private hire vehicles; and (b) how should the taxi availability framework be fine-tuned.

*31.
*31.

Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye: To ask the Minister for Transport (a) what are the options to reconstruct the two Novena pedestrian underpasses as part of the North-South Corridor project given that the existing underpasses are set to be demolished; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider improving the reconstructed underpasses or linkways to make it more user-friendly to the elderly, disabled and parents with strollers.

*32.
*32.

Mr Christopher de Souza: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs how SGSecure will help foster the unity needed to overcome threats to Singapore.

No.

24 13 SEPTEMBER 2016 6 *33.


Ms Sylvia Lim: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs (a) what is the status of the pilot programme for the police to video record statements from suspects; (b) what is the rate of submission of video recorded statements as evidence in trials; and (c) what are the plans to extend video recording of statements from suspects to all cases handled by the police and local law enforcement agencies .. *34.
Mr Darryl David: To ask the Minister for National Development what action can be taken towards recalcitrant HDB residents who create persistent problems for their neighbours such as noise pollution, hoarding, cluttering public areas, poor environmental hygiene and disrupting the peace.

*35.
*35.

Mr Alex Yam Ziming: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) what has been the overall take-up rate for pre-fabricated construction in the building industry for (i) the public sector and (ii) the private sector; (b) what have been the key benefits of the Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction (PPVC) method; and (c) how will the Ministry be helping the industry to transit into pre-fabrication over the next few years.

*36.
*36.

Mr Png Eng Huat: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) how does HDB ensure the safety and elderly-friendly features of HDB's studio apartments in new housing developments are built according to specifications before allowing elderly residents to move in; and (b) who is responsible for fixing such inherent defects if they are detected after the defect liability period.

*37.
*37.

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang: To ask the Minister for National Development whether BCA will consider setting the criteria of thermal comfort as a pre requisite requirement for air-conditioned spaces in all new and existing non residential buildings institutional industrial and buildings as part of its Green Mark Award certification schemes.

including commercial, *38.


Ms K Thanaletchimi: To ask the Minister for Health whether the Ministry will consider accreditation and licensing ofthe psychologist profession and the setting up of professional standards so that the interest of Singaporeans seeking such services is safeguarded.

*39.
*39.

Ms K Thanaletchimi: To ask the Minister for Health whether the Ministry will consider accreditation and licensing of the psychotherapist profession and the setting up of professional standards so that the interest of Singaporeans seeking such services is safeguarded.

No.

24 13 SEPTEMBER 2016 7 *40.
Mr Murali Pillai: To ask the Minister for Communications and Information with regard to the Home Access plan which makes Internet connectivity more affordable to the low-income group (a) what is the number ofbeneficiaries who have been pre-qualified for this plan by reason of them participating in go:vemment financial assistance schemes; (b) what percentage of such beneficiaries have signed up for the plan to date; (c) how many households have benefitted from the Home Access plan since its commencement in September 2014; and (d) what further plans does the Ministry have to improve digital inclusion amongst low-income households.
*41.

Mr Leon Perera: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs what are the guidelines applicable to (i) permissible public speeches and writings including accredited ambassadors and undertaken by senior officials ambassadors-at-large of Singapore (ii) distinguishing between speeches and writings done in a private capacity and in an official capacity by such individuals and (iii) addressing situations where speeches and writings by such individuals may negatively affect Singapore's national interest.

*42.
*42.

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether the Ministry will consider increasing Singapore's financial contribution to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in order to provide more support to Syrian refugees in light of the escalating humanitarian crisis unfolding in Syria.

*43.
*43.

Mr Png Eng Huat: To ask the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth what are the past and current benefits given to grassroots leaders and advisers in terms of housing priority, primary school admission, allowance, and other benefits in kind.

*44.

Mr Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap: To ask the Acting Minister for Education (Schools) what will be the new benchmark set for the six madrasahs under the new PSLE scoring system.

*45.
*45.

Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye: To ask the Acting Minister for Education (Schools) (a) what are the security measures in place in primary and secondary schools in light of the growing threat of terrorism; (b) whether students and employees of schools are equipped with knowledge on how to react in the event of an unexpected attack; and (c) what are the Ministry's plans to continue enhancing security in schools especially during after-school hours.

No.24 13 SEPTEMBER 2016 8 *46.


Mr Desmond Choo: To ask the Minister for Health (a) whether the Singapore Medical Council is aware that some managed care companies require doctors to pay administrative fees for the 'referral' of patients and, if so, what is their response; and (b) whether this practice will result in patients having to pay more.

*47.
*47.

Ms Joan Pereira: To ask the Minister for Health whether the Ministry will consider providing subsidised or free health screening packages for the insured under MediShield Life.

*48.
*48.

Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye: To ask the Minister for Manpower in view of Indonesia's plans to supply new foreign domestic workers (FDWs) on the condition that they do not have to live together with the employers (a) how will this position affect the supply of Indonesian FDWs to Singapore; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider abolishing the $5,000 security bond for such live-out FDWs.

*49.
*49.

Ms Foo Mee Har: To ask the Minister for Manpower whether the Ministry will consider reviewing the CPF Investment Scheme (CPFIS) urgently given that 38% of investors have suffered losses through CPFIS and only 16% of investors in the scheme managed to achieve better than the 2.5% interest rate they would have otherwise earned by leaving their money in the CPF Ordinary Account.

*50.
Mr Kok Heng Leun: To ask the Minister for National Development in respect of the demolition and rebuilding of three units of Ellison Building (a) whether LTA and URA have considered realigning the North-South Expressway without affecting Ellison Building when the alignment plan was announced in 2011; (b) whether studies were made before arriving at this option and, if so,~ whether they were disclosed; (c) whether L T A and URA have consulted with stakeholders such as the long-term tenants of the building, residents living in the area and heritage organisations and, if not, what are the reasons; (d) what is the loss in heritage value created by this option; (e) what are the mitigation measures considered before deciding on this option; and (f) why is this decision the best option.
*51.

Mr Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap: To ask the Minister for National Development what are the considerations and deliberations behind the decision to convert coupon parking to electronic parking systems within residential neighbourhoods.

No.

24 13 SEPTEMBER 2016 9 *52.


Ms Denise Phua Lay Peng: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Development whether the Ministry can further assist persons with special needs who require replacement for aids such as (i) motorised wheelchairs and (ii) cochlear implants and other hearing aids throughout their lives.

*53.
*53.

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) what are the courses of action when a potential teacher or staff tests positive for tuberculosis (TB) during pre-employment screening; (b) what are the precautionary measures that affected and non-affected schools or child care centres should take; and (c) what is the potential for TB spreading in schools or child care centres given exposure to an infected person.

*54.
*54.

Ms Foo Mee Har: To ask the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (a) what additional measures will the Ministry implement to mitigate the nuisance posed by chironomids from the Pandan Reservoir; and (b) how can residents living in the vicinity be updated on these actions and measures taken by PUB.

*55.
*55.

Miss Cheng Li Hui: To ask the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources whether the Government will consider prohibiting shops, supermarkets and sales outlets from providing free plastic bags in order to minimise their usage and reduce the harmful impact they have on our environment.

*56.
*56.

Mr Thomas Chua Kee Seng: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) whether rese·arch scientists and engineers from public research institutes can be trained and coached to improve their presentation and communication skills so that they can relate better to the business needs and thinking of SMEs.

*57.
*57.

Mr Pritam Singh: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (Trade) (a) when did the Competition Commission of Singapore first receive a complaint alleging that EM Services Pte Ltd was refusing to supply lift parts for the maintenance of lifts in HDB estates; and (b) which other companies were investigated by t_he Commission.

*58.
*58.

Mr Murali Pillai: To ask the Minister for Transport whether the Ministry will consider requiring lorries with crane booms to be installed with safety interlock systems and height warning devices which alert the lorry drivers ofun-retracted crane booms or which prevent such lorries from being driven on roads until the crane booms are fully retracted.

No.

24 13 SEPTEMBER 2016 10 *59.


Er Dr Lee Bee Wah: To ask the Minister for Transport (a) why is there a need for the Ministry to explore alternative ownership models for Changi Airport Terminal 5; (b) what are the lessons learnt from the private public partnership model of the Sports Hub; and (c) whether there is a planned solution should the selected ownership model not work well.

*60.
*60.

Mr Zainal Sapari: To ask the Prime Minister what are the safeguards that financial advisors must observe when selling financial products to vulnerable groups of people especially the elderly and less educated people.

*61.
*61.

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong: To ask the Prime Minister (a) whether the Cabinet offered the family of the late former President Ong Teng Cheong the choice to hold a state funeral; (b) if so, what was the decision of Mr Ong's family when offered; (c) if not, what were the considerations by the Cabinet in deciding not to offer a State Funeral to Mr Ong's family; and (d) whether the Government will consider honouring all past presidents with a State Funeral when they pass on.

*62.
*62.

Miss Cheng Li Hui: To ask the Minister for Health in view of the increasing number of women getting married later in life or delay in starting a family, whether the Ministry will consider allowing all healthy women to freeze their eggs so that they will have more opportunities to have healthier children later.

*63.
*63.

Mr Lim Biow Chuan: To ask the Minister for Manpower if will explain the criteria for the declaration of a public holiday and whether the Government will consider declaring a special one-off public holiday to celebrate the first time win of an Olympic gold medal in Singapore's history.

*64.

Dr Tan Wu Meng: To ask the Minister for Manpower what measures are put in place to protect employees diagnosed with tuberculosis from unjust~ termination of employment.

*65.
Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) what are the reasons and projected cost breakdown for the sharp worsening of the fiscal position from a $19 million surplus to a $80 million deficit this year and a $100 million deficit next year in the operation of HDB car parks; (b) what is the estimated cost savings in outsourcing the operation of Electronic Parking System residential car parks to commercial operators; (c) what is the current percentage utilisation ofHDB car park spaces; and (d) whether further cost savings can be achieved through a recalibration of the number of car park spaces to match utilisation rates.
No.

24 I3 SEPTEMBER 20 I 6 I I *66.

Mr Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap: To ask the Minister for National Development how is the new public parking rate with effect from I December 2016 tabulated and derived.

*67.
Ms Kuik Shiao-Yin: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) how does the state protect the welfare of Singaporean/PR children in a situation of family breakdown where a citizen father rejects responsibility for them and the foreign mother must either abandon them or take them out of Singapore because her residency and working rights all depended on her spouse; and (b) what assistance is provided for Singaporean/PR dependants in such families who have to do National Service but are unable to support themselves.
*68.

Ms Denise Phua Lay Peng: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Development how can the Ministry urgently implement and communicate a nationwide action plan to help families in need to apply for the appointment of Deputies for family members who have lost their mental capacity due to accidents, dementia or other disabilities.

*69.
*69.

Miss Cheng Li Hui: To ask the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources whether the Ministry will consider the provision of recycling bins separating paper, plastics, glass and metals in the common areas and canteens of schools so as to cultivate the sense of environmental responsibility in our students.

*70.
*70.

Mr Gan Thiam Poh: To ask the Minister for Transport (a) whether the Public Transport Council (PTC) will consider a reduction of public transport fares in the next annual fare review; and (b) whether there will be a review of the fare formula in view of the recent changes to the operating models of public transport.

*71.
*71.

Mr Kok Heng Leun: To ask the Minister for Manpower for each year from 20 I4 to 2015 (a) what is the number of foreign domestic helpers who have been (i) abused during employment and (ii) abusing the people they are caring for respectively; and (b) of these, what is the number of helpers who have no day off monthly or only one/two-days offmonthly.

*72.
*72.

Ms Joan Pereira: To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) what measures are in place to ensure that potential property buyers are informed of the limitations on the use of CPF savings when taking a housing loan for flats with a remaining lease ofless than 60 years; and (b) what recourse do buyers have if they commit to buying such flats and subsequently find that they are unable to pay for the flats in cash.

No.

24 13 SEPTEMBER 2016 12 *73.


Mr Zainal Sa pari: To ask the Minister for National Development what is the rationale for allowing eligible HDB flat owners to purchase a private property without having to sell their current HDB flat but not allowing private home owners to buy a HDB flat from the open market without them selling their private property within six months.

*74.
*74.

Dr Lim Wee Kiak: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) for the past three years, how many complaints has HDB received from residents on foul odours emitted during rubbish chute collections; (b) how have these complaints been resolved; and (c) what plans are there to introduce the Pneumatic Waste Conveyance System to Sembawang GRC.

*75.
Ms Kuik Shiao-Yin: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) what are the past and present reasons underpinning the policy of not recognising children of unwed mothers as legitimate children; (b) what are the best avenues of assistance for single unwed mothers who wish to adopt their own child to make them legitimate but struggle to afford the legal fees to do so; and (c) how does the Ministry protect the welfare of minors whose single unwed mother died without a will and their status of illegitimacy denies them a share of their mother's assets.
*76.

Mr Kok Heng Leun: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) which are the areas in law, policy and decision-making by Government agencies and schools, that make a distinction between 'legitimate' and 'illegitimate' children; and (b) what are the differences in outcomes for 'legitimate' and 'illegitimate' children and their parents in each of these areas.

*77.
*77.

Ms Joan Pereira: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Development whether the Ministry will consider publicising the list of registered medical practitioners who are certificate issuers of a Lasting Power of Attorney in each~ neighbourhood for the convenience of residents particularly senior citizens.

*78.
Ms K Thanaletchimi: To ask the Minister for Manpower with regard to female employees of childbearing age, including pregnant or breastfeeding mothers (a) whether specjal emphasis can be made in the Workplace Safety and Health Act to ensure that companies consider the safety of these employees at the workplace when conducting risk assessment; (b) whether the Approved Code of Practice on Workplace Safety and Health Risk Management can be further strengthened to safeguard them from risks that may arise from working conditions or physical, biological, psychological or chemical agents; and (c) whether the law can provide for suitable alternative jobs for them where their workplace safety and health cannot be satisfactorily managed.
No.

24 13 SEPTEMBER 2016 13 *79.

Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan: To ask the Minister for Manpower whether the Ministry can consider implementing guidelines or legislation to formally recognise medical certificates issued by registered Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners especially for certain ailments such as sprains, back pain, and tom muscles.

*80.
*80.

Ms Sylvia Lim: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) what is the Government's estimated budget for the Estate Upgrading Programme (EUP) for private estates for the next three years; and (b) what is the schedule for calling for EUP nominations each year.

*81.
*81.

Mr Leon Perera: To ask the Minister for National Development in respect of HOB's Mechanised Parking System (MPS) at the three MPS sites in Changi Village, Bangkit Road and Yishun Ave 4 respectively (a) what are the utilisation rates of these carparks; (b) how long does a driver have to wait to retrieve the car during peak and non-peak periods; and (c) what are the breakdown rates of each MPS and maintenance costs involved.

*82.
Er Dr Lee Bee Wah: To ask the Minister for National Development in light of Singapore being Co-Chair of the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia (a) whether he can provide an update on the Iskandar Malaysia project in Johor; (b) whether the lower ringgit has made more Singaporeans invest in properties there especially in the Forest City project; and (c) whether a property bubble is forming in Iskandar Malaysia and what are the safeguards to protect Singaporeans from being caught.
*83.

Mr Pritam Singh: To ask the Minister for National Development whether HOB will include the option to reconstruct apron drains and rescreed void decks under block-related works for Town Councils in its Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP) manual.

* Members may postpone their Questions to a later sitting day iftheir Questions are not reached by the end of Question Time.

The postponement forms are available at the Chamber entrances.
To ensure timely notice of such postponements, Members should submit their notices to the Clerk by 2.30 pm.

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

No.

24 13 SEPTEMBER 20 16 14 MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS 1.

Minister for Health: 2.

Minister for the Environment and Water Resources: Working Together to Address the Zika Outbreak in Singapore.

AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF PUBLIC BUSINESS Introduction of Government Bill 1.
Minister for Manpower: Central Provident Fund (Amendment No.

2) Bill.

ORDER OF THE DAY 1.

Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) (Amendment) Bill [Bill No.

25/2016] (Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry))- Second Reading.

MEMORANDUM Matter proposed to be raised on the Motion for the Adjournment (Standing Order No.

2(8)(b)): Er Dr Lee Bee Wah (Nee Soon) Getting Singapore to be a Sporting Nation.

QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN ANSWER 1.


Mr Chen Show Mao: To ask the Prime Minister in each year from 2010 to 2015, what is the total debt-service ratio as a percentage of income for the median, 20th percentile and 90th percentile Singapore resident household.

No.

24 13 SEPTEMBER 2016 15 2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.


Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong: To ask the Prime Minister from 2012 to 2016 (a) how many meetings of the Presidential Council for Minority Rights have been held each year; (b) what is the duration of each meeting; and (c) how many of the Council members attended each meeting.
Mr Ang Hin Kee: To ask the Minister for Transport (a) what are the restrictions or locations (for example expressways, tunnels and major roads) whereby cycling is prohibited; (b) what is the number of cases where cyclists are found to have violated such rules in the past one year; and (c) whether there are efforts planned to advise and educate cyclists on safe cycling habits and to highlight the restrictions.
Ms Foo Mee Har: To ask the Minister for Transport (a) how can pedestrians be assured of personal safety when sharing footpaths with cyclists; and (b) how can the Government ensure that cyclists comply with the code of conduct so that everyone benefits from a shared use of the roads and footpaths.
Mr Leon Perera: To ask the Minister for Transport (a) what is the criteria used to determine the location, nature and length ofMRT noise barriers; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider extending the noise barriers in areas that are close to residential units where current sound barriers do not extend to the whole residential area.
Er Dr Lee Bee Wah: To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) since the last revision of the Employment Assistance Payment (EAP), how many employees have benefitted from this policy; and (b) what is the Ministry doing to solve the problem of employers dismissing or refusing to employ workers nearing age 62 in order to avoid paying EAP.
Mr Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap: To ask for Communications and Information and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs (a) whether MUIS and the Association of Muslim Travel Agents (AMTAS) receive a portion of the monies paid by pilgrims to their respective general sales agents for the pilgrimage package; and (b) if so, whether pilgrims are informed ofthis and what is the total amount collected and its proportion in relation to the total sum received in the last three years.
the Minister Mr Zainal Sa pari: To ask the Minister for Defence whether the Ministry will include the payment of interest that could have been earned on the CPF amount owed to members under the Full Savings Vesting (FSV) Bonus scheme that has been highlighted in the Auditor-General's Report for FY2015/16.

No.

24 13 SEPTEMBER 2016 16 9.

10.


Mr Low Thia Khiang: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether the Ministry has done a risk assessment and planned for mitigation measures in relation to China's planned floating nuclear power plant which may be deployed in the South China Sea.
Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs whether there can be a case by case review for driving instructors, who upon reaching the age of 70 years, remain fit, well and are able to continue to be Instructors.

11.

Mr Kok Heng Leun: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs in each year since 2009, how many citizen children have been born to (i) PR mothers and (ii) foreign mothers without PR respectively.

12.
12.

Mr Desmond Choo: To ask the Minister for·Home Affairs (a) what is the percentage of Police Operationally-Ready NSmen called up for active operational deployment over the last three years; and (b) what are the efforts to re-design these NSmen's roles to enhance the police's capabilities.

13.

Mr Christopher de Souza: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs from 2009 to 2015, what is the number of drug traffickers arrested in Singapore each year.

14.
14.

Mr Christopher de Souza: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs to date, what is the number of drug traffickers arrested in Singapore as a result of investigative leads yielded through the certificate of co-operation framework that was brought into force by amendments to the Misuse ofDrugs Act in 2012.

15.
15.

Mr Kok Heng Leun: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs in each year since 2009 (a) what is the number of foreigners married to Singapore citizens who have been (i) successful and (ii) unsuccessful in their PR applications respectively in that year; and (b) what is the breakdown of these numbers by household income, gender, and number of citizen children.

16.
Ms Kuik Shiao-Yin: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs (a) how many Singaporeans who are under 21 years of age reside in Singapore currently with a foreign parent who has not been given PR status; and (b) over the last five years, how ·many of these non-PR foreign parents are (i) women (ii) sole supporters of their Singaporean child, having been separated, divorced or widowed from their citizen spouse and (iii) persons who have left Singapore with their Singaporean child to reside elsewhere following the expiry of their Long-Term Visit Pass or other visit passes.
No.

24 13 SEPTEMBER 2016 17 17.

Mr Chen Show Mao: To ask the Minister for Health (a) from 2010 to 2015, how many cases of patients defaulting on medical bills in local hospitals have there been each year; (b) ofthese defaulters, how many are Singapore citizens or permanent residents and how many are others; and (c) what is the current total amount of debt owed by such category of defaulters respectively.

18.
18.

Mr Low Thia Khiang: To ask the Minister for Finance whether the Ministry will consider removing the GST on water conservation tax.

19.

Mr Desmond Choo: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) whether the number of student care places are sufficient currently; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider subsidising working families up to the 50th percentile household income level.

20.
20.

Mr Zainal Sa pari: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) what is the estimated average number of times in 2016 which a first-time couple applying for a HDB BTO flat will get a favourable queue number; and (b) which are the new BTO developments that will give a higher chance for first time applicants to secure a BTO unit.

21.
21.

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) whether covered linkways can be incorporated as a compulsory feature in all new HDB developments to link the nearest block of flats to its nearest bus stop; and (b) what are the new features that flat dwellers can look forward to with regard to enhancing connectivity in HDB estates.

22.
22.

Mr Ang Hin Kee: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) what are the best practices in terms of mitigation measures to manage dis-amenities arising from disruptive technology such as Airbnb which enable homeowners to list their private residential properties for short-term rental; and (b) what · steps will the Ministry be embarking on next with respect to its decision on disruptive technology and homeowners offering accommodation for short term rental via apps.

23.
23.

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang: To ask the Minister for National Development with regard to the breeding of dogs, cats and rabbits in Singapore for the purpose of sale as pets (a) whether AVA keeps track ofthe proportion ofthese animals sold versus the numbers bred; and (b) what happens to the animals that are not able to be sold.

No.

24 13 SEPTEMBER 2016 18 24.
Mr Leon Perera: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) how many HDB void decks are raised platforms vis-a-vis the pavement surrounding the void deck thereby presenting accessibility issues for users of wheelchair and personal mobility devices; (b) how many of such void decks have been modified to improve accessibility; (c) whether the Ministry plans to modify all such void decks to improve accessibility for the disabled and elderly; and (d) whether the Ministry has conducted any safety risk assessments and implemented measures to mitigate such risks.
25.

Ms Joan Pereira: To ask the Minister for National Development whether the Ministry will consider subsidising the installation of mosquito screens for lower-income households as a form of protection against dengue and Zika.

26.

27.
Assoc Prof Daniel Gob Pei Siong: To ask the Minister for National Development with regard to the anti-slip treatment for bathroom tiles subsidised under HDB's Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) programme (a) how many households have benefitted from the treatment to date; (b) what is the total cost to the Government for subsidising the treatment; (c) what is the average life span of the treatment before a new treatment is required; and (d) how has HDB responded to complaints about the treatment, if any.
Assoc Prof Daniel Gob Pei Siong: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) why does HDB charge an administrative fee for the temporary extension of stay for sellers of resale flats when this is a private agreement; (b) what recourse do sellers have when buyers suddenly terminate the extension and leave them temporarily homeless; and (c) why the private agreement cannot be made a regulated agreement as part of the resale contract.

28.

Miss.
28.

Miss.

Cheng Li Hui: To ask the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (a) whether he can provide an update on the delayed construction of Singapore's first co-digestion plant at PUB's Ulu Pandan Water Reclamation ~ Plant; (b) whether fraud is involved in the delayed construction; and (c) what assistance will be provided to the affected SMEs involved in this project.

29.

Mr Chen Show Mao: To ask the Acting Minister for Education (Schools) in each year frorp.
2010 to 2015 (a) how many teachers chose not to renew their teaching contracts with the Ministry; (b) how many teachers were on no-pay leave; and (c) of those on no-pay leave, what was the average duration that they were away from the teaching service.

No.

24 13 SEPTEMBER 2016 19 30.


Mr Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap: To ask the Acting Minister for Education (Schools) what are the top three reasons given by teachers who (i) quit the teaching service (ii) choose not to renew their teaching contracts and (iii) take no-pay leave respectively.

31.
31.

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang: To ask the Acting Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) in light of the need to cultivate a safe and harassment free environment in tertiary institutions, whether the Ministry will consider (i) providing anti-harassment training to staff in tertiary institutions similar to the recommendation of the Tripartite Advisory on Managing Workplace Harassment and (ii) adapting the Advisory to formulate guidelines for tertiary institutions on student-student interactions.
32.

Mr Chen Show Mao: To ask the Acting Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) (a) what are the restrictions on political activity and discussion at Yale-NUS College; and (b) how do these compare with the six publicly-funded universities in Singapore.
PAPERS PRESENTED 2016 s. L. 164 Singapore Armed Forces (Urine Specimens and Urine Tests) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 s. L. 165 Income Tax {Prescribed Months) Rules 2016 s. S. 106 107 National Research Fund Report and Financial Statements Year ended 31 March2016 Competition Sin~apore Annual Report 2015/2016 Commission of S.L.

166 Police (Special (Amendment) Regulations 2016 Constabulary) Pres.
Co. 13 Report of the Presidential Council for Minority Rights on the Administration of Justice (Protection) Bill [Bill No 23/2016] Date Presented 16 August2016 16 August 2016 22 August2016 24 August 2016 24 August 2016 24 August 2016 No.

24 13 SEPTEMBER 2016 20 PAPERS PRESENTED - continued 2016 Pres.

Co. 14 Pres.
Co. 14 Pres.

Co. 15 Report of the Presidential Council for Minority Rights on the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (Amendment) Bill [Bill No 19/2016] Report of the Presidential Council for Minority Rights on the SkillsFuture Singapore Agency Bill [Bill No 24/2016] Pres.

Co. 16 Report of the Presidential Council for Minority Rights on the Employment Claims Bill [Bill No 20/2016] Pres.

Co. 17 Pres.Co.
18 Report of the Presidential Council for Minority Rights Info communications Media Development Authority Bill [Bill No 21/2016] the on Report of the Presidential Council for Minority Rights on the Government Technology Agency Bill [Bill No 22/2016] Date Presented 24 August 2016 24 August 2016 24 August 2016 24 August 2016 24 August 2016 s. s. 108 Advice of the Council of Presidential Advisers on the Appointment to the Board of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS Board) 29 August 2016 ~ 109 Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore Annual Report 2015/2016 29 August 2016 Cmd.
6 Annual Report of the Presidential Council for Minority Rights for the period I August 2015 to 31 July 2016 s. 110 Council Annual Report 2015/2016 for Private Education 29 August 2016 I September 2016 No.
24 13 SEPTEMBER 2016 21 PAPERS PRESENTED - continued 2016 S. s. s. s. s. s. L. Ill 112 113 114 115 167 S. L. 168 s. s. s. s. s. 116 ·117 118 119 120 ISEAS-Yusoflshak Institute Annual Report 2015/2016 Science Centre Singapore Annual Report 2015/2016 Temasek Polytechnic Annual Report 2015/2016 Ngee Ann Polytechnic Annual Report 2015/2016 Nanyang Polytechnic Annual Report 2015/2016 Building Control (Buildability and Productivity) (Amendment No.
2) Regulations 2016 Goods and Services Tax Act (Amendment of Fourth Schedule) Order 2016 Republic Polytechnic Annual Report 2015/2016 Singapore Report 20 15/20 16 Polytechnic Annual Economic Development Board Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements 2015/2016 Energy Market Authority Annual Report 2015/2016 The Education Endowment and Savings Schemes Annual Report for Financial Year 2015/2016 Date Presented 1 September 2016 1 September 2016 I September 2016 I September 2016 · I September 2016 2 September 2016 5 September 2016 5 September 2016 5 September 2016 6 September 2016 6 September 2016 7 September 2016 No.
24 13 SEPTEMBER 2016 22 PAPERS PRESENTED - continued 2016 Date Presented s. S. s. s. S. 121 122 123 124 125 Productivity Standards, and Innovation Board Annual Report 2015/2016 its Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority and subsidiary: Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2016 Building and Construction Authority and its subsidiaries: Annual Financial Statements the financial year ended 31 March 20 16 for Audited Financial Statements of Council for Estate Agencies for the financial year ended 31 March 20 16 National Parks Board and its subsidiary: Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2016 7 September 2016 r 8 September 2016 8 September 2016 8 September 2016 8 September 2016