The latest batch of nine Nominated MPs (NMPs) were sworn in at yesterday's Parliament sitting before question time. Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat, who was appointed in October last year, then delivered his first Budget speech.
Career setback for two SAF officers
The delay in promotion for two Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) officers involved in the training incident that led to Private Dominique Sarron Lee's death caused a monetary loss amounting to about half of their total annual salaries.
"Both officers have suffered a setback in their careers," said Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen.
Both officers were also fined, but Dr Ng did not disclose the amount.
Government Proceedings Act
Security forces need to be able to carry out their duties without worrying about being sued and second-guessing themselves, Dr Ng said.
To this end, the Government Proceedings Act is needed to give them the confidence to do their jobs, he added. But those who act recklessly or negligently are not protected and can be prosecuted in civil criminal courts.
Infocomm industry vacancies for PMETs
More than two-thirds of the 15,000 job openings in the information and communications technology sector are for professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs).
These jobs are in areas such as network infrastructure development, cyber security and data analytics, Communications and Information Minister Yaacob Ibrahim said. The vacancies make up about 9 per cent of the jobs in the sector.
Specific funds for lift replacement
Town councils may soon have to set aside a stipulated portion of their sinking funds to replace old lifts in housing estates. The move is being considered as part of a review to help town councils plan for their long-term financial sufficiency, National Development Minister Lawrence Wong said.
Money that goes towards replacing lifts makes up a big portion of sinking fund expenditure.
NMPs sworn in
The latest group of nine NMPs were sworn in yesterday for a 2 1/2-year term. Five of them are new faces: company managing director Azmoon Ahmad, 54; media executive Ganesh Rajaram, 49; artistic director Kok Heng Leun, 50; law academic Mahdev Mohan, 37; and veteran union leader K. Thanaletchimi, 50.
The other four were first appointed in August 2014 but had their term cut short when Parliament was dissolved last August for the elections. They are lawyer Chia Yong Yong, 54; Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Thomas Chua, 62; social entrepreneur Kuik Shiao-Yin, 39; and labour economist Randolph Tan, 52.
