Explore the latest parliamentary debates, where Members of Parliament discuss key issues and proposed legislation in detail. Stay informed about the topics shaping Singapore's laws and policies, and access the official records in the Hansard.
The Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Ms. Grace Fu Hai Yien, described "Transiently Floodable Areas (Coastal)" during the Second Reading of the Coastal Protection and Other Amendments Bill, which are defined by an Absolute Protection Boundary landward and a Protection Boundary seaward. A correction was issued indicating that these areas need protection against permanent flooding but not against transient coastal flooding.
He Ting Ru asked about community feedback concerning the naming of various festivals and greetings used in Singapore. David Neo acknowledged that such feedback is received occasionally and emphasized that the names of public holidays are well-established. He noted that some community members prefer different terms based on context and audience. The Ministry encourages respectful and inclusive use of greetings.
Valerie Lee asked about plans to support residents affected by renovations at ActiveSG facilities and provisions for continued access to sports activities. David Neo explained that Sport Singapore regularly renovates facilities to maintain quality and align with community needs. Residents will be notified in advance of facility closures and provided with information on alternative locations. Efforts will be made to minimize user impact by coordinating with groups and class instructors and avoiding simultaneous renovations at multiple nearby facilities.
Charlene Chen raised questions about the sale of Vehicle Parking Certificates (VPCs) by parking management companies without designated lots over the last three years, inquiring about enforcement actions against such practices and potential alternative parking proof mechanisms. Jeffrey Siow responded that the VPC scheme is under review, and the Land Transport Authority plans to investigate and enhance enforcement against non-compliant heavy vehicle parking operators.
Yip Hon Weng asked the Acting Minister for Transport about feedback and compensation claims from property owners in Yio Chu Kang related to damages from North-South Corridor construction. Jeffrey Siow reported that the Land Transport Authority received 19 claims in the last 24 months, with 18 deemed not caused by the construction and one still under assessment. The resolution time for each case varies based on its complexity, as it involves detailed site inspections.
Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat questioned the Acting Minister for Transport about unauthorized works on LTA-managed state land in front of private properties, seeking statistics on reports received, enforcement actions taken, and LTA's policy on modifications by property owners. Jeffrey Siow reported that there were about 25 reports in the past three years, with four cases rectified by owners; the remaining cases are pending resolution. For unauthorized works that impact safety and connectivity, property owners are mandated to restore the affected areas at their own expense.
He Ting Ru asked if rules regarding the visibility of flyers distributed to HDB homes by estate agencies could be mandated for all registered agents instead of being voluntary. Chee Hong Tat referred to a previous response by the Ministry of National Development regarding the voluntary nature of these guidelines, indicating that there was no current plan to make them mandatory.
Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked if HDB has established vacancy thresholds or benchmarks for reviewing rental prices in its commercial properties and what those benchmarks are. Chee Hong Tat explained that HDB prioritizes sustained occupancy and a suitable tenant mix rather than maximizing rental income, using a Price-Quality Method for certain shops that emphasizes affordability and community initiatives. HDB does not set specific vacancy thresholds but tender vacancies promptly to minimize inconvenience, and the overall vacancy rate for rental shops was low at 1.6% in 2025.
Chua Kheng Wee Louis questioned the Minister for Manpower about the types of information collected by the i-SMART facial recognition system at the NESST Tukang migrant worker dormitory and its usage by various stakeholders. Tan See Leng responded that the system collects residents' facial recognition data, timestamps for entry and exit, and body temperature readings for access management and health monitoring. The collected personal information is restricted to NESST Singapore Limited and not shared with other stakeholders, except in cases of disease outbreaks where it may be shared with relevant authorities as per legal requirements.
Fadli Fawzi asked about the number of ASEAN Scholarship holders who have gained permanent residency or citizenship since the scholarship began in 1998, and the percentage this represents of all holders. Desmond Lee explained that the ASEAN Scholarship promotes mutual understanding among ASEAN countries, with graduates having the option to remain in Singapore and contribute to society. Many scholarship recipients continue their studies in Singapore, with about 70% of recent cohorts acquiring Permanent Residency or citizenship within five years after graduation. Remaining participants may still contribute to Singapore's economy or maintain connections as part of an overseas network.
He Ting Ru asked about measures to enhance enforcement of the Do Not Call (DNC) Registry amid technological advancements like AI-driven calls. Josephine Teo responded that the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) actively monitors compliance and investigates complaints related to DNC violations. The number of DNC complaints has decreased since the 2021 updates, with approximately 1,700 complaints in 2024 and 1,380 in 2025; 122 and 176 of these were investigated, respectively, but none resulted in fines.
Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik questioned the Minister for Foreign Affairs about Singapore's plans to ratify the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), the timing of such ratification, the government's assessment of arms trade, and the use of Singapore-origin arms in serious international crimes. Vivian Balakrishnan stated that while Singapore has signed the ATT, it has not yet ratified it, emphasizing the need for proper legal and policy frameworks first. He highlighted Singapore's participation in international initiatives to combat illicit arms trade, strict compliance with international obligations, and commitment to action against violations of export controls. The Philippines is currently the only ASEAN country that has ratified the ATT.
Fadli Fawzi asked about the compliance rates of the National Childhood and Adolescent Immunisation Schedule for Singaporeans, foreign students, and Permanent Residents, as well as actions taken against non-compliance over the past decade. Ong Ye Kung reported that vaccination rates for measles and diphtheria among children under 12 in Singapore are high, with 2024 coverage rates of 93% and 97% for measles, and 89% and 95% for diphtheria at ages two and eleven, respectively. Foreign students must provide proof of vaccination or immunity documentation to the National Immunisation Registry for long-term immigration passes, which has helped maintain herd immunity against these diseases. There was no mention of actions taken against non-compliant parents.
Gerald Giam Yean Song asked about the number of National Servicemen applying for redeployment under the Enhanced Expertise Deployment Scheme and the success rate of these applications. Chan Chun Sing explained that the scheme, introduced in 2022, allows operationally ready NSmen with specialized civilian expertise to be redeployed to roles needed by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). Approximately 1,000 NSmen show interest annually, with a 20% success rate for redeployment. The Work-Learn Scheme is distinct from redeployment, involving full-time NS followed by Regular service.
Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked about the number of defence contracts above $10 million and $100 million awarded through closed tenders in the past decade, the criteria for closed tenders, and the possibility of publishing major platform replacement requirements on GeBIZ. Chan Chun Sing responded that the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) follows procurement principles of transparency and competition, with closed tenders used only when justified for reasons like operational security or intellectual property. Local companies can participate in closed tenders if they meet specific criteria, and MINDEF's procurement processes are subject to audits, though details on contracts remain undisclosed for security reasons.
He Ting Ru asked about the protocols for real-time information sharing regarding suspected child trafficking syndicates linked to adoptions in Singapore, the number of joint operations or information requests in the past five years, and whether upstream efforts would be enhanced. K Shanmugam stated that the Singapore Police Force maintains strong ties with foreign authorities for information exchange on transnational crime, including a request from Indonesian authorities regarding alleged trafficking cases. He noted that there have been no other joint operations or information requests related to child trafficking syndicates in the past five years. He referred to a previous parliamentary reply regarding the review of adoption processes for more information.
He Ting Ru asked about the percentage of Singapore Citizens with an additional Hanyu Pinyin name and the yearly statistics for the last decade regarding such registrations. K Shanmugam responded that approximately 13% of Singapore Citizens have registered an additional Hanyu Pinyin name as of February 2026. Additionally, an annual average of about 3,500 Singapore Citizens have included an additional Hanyu Pinyin name during birth registration between 2016 and 2025.
Yip Hon Weng raised concerns about fire safety for elderly residents in mature estates, particularly around unattended cooking and electrical faults. K Shanmugam emphasized the importance of early fire detection and mentioned the mandatory installation of Home Fire Alarm Devices (HFADs) in new and renovated residential premises since 2018. The Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) program has been expanded to subsidize HFAD installation for seniors, offering up to 95% off. The Housing and Development Board conducts checks and replacements of faulty electrical systems in older flats through the Home Improvement Programme. The SCDF will continue to assess and implement fire safety solutions for the elderly and engage the community to raise awareness about fire safety practices.
Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik questioned whether the WSQ modules under the Progressive Wage Model for security officers include training for recognizing and responding to persons with special needs. K Shanmugam responded that WSQ modules focus on skills like threat detection and incident management, essential for security duties. Currently, there is no training for special needs recognition included in the modules. The Government plans to review training requirements in consultation with the industry to enhance the effectiveness of security officers.
Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked about the digital support provided under the SG Heritage Business Scheme for heritage businesses to modernize and grow. David Neo responded that the scheme offers branding visibility, marketing tools, and grants for transformation projects, including digital innovations like Augmented Reality applications and online games. Heritage businesses can also access additional grants for adopting digital solutions and expanding their market presence. The National Heritage Board plans to develop promotional campaigns, create an online register of designated businesses, and seek industry partnerships for further support.