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Recap: Parliament discusses energy-efficiency standards for appliances, regulations for vet industry

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Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng wrapped up the 1½ hours of question time.

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Ng Wei Kai, Isabelle Liew, Fatimah Mujibah, Rhea Yasmine and Sarah Koh

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Published: April 7, 2026

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\r\n","liveBlogId","2242","isLiveBlog",true,"isMultidayLiveblog","multidayLiveBlogMapping",[40,44],{"_41":34,"_42":43},"value","key","April 8, 2026",{"_41":45,"_42":46},"2239","April 7, 2026","uniqueName","live-singapore-parliament-april-2026","infiniteScroll",{"_51":52},"additionalStories",[],"advertisements",[55,63,67],{"_5":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62},"lb1","page","liveblog","slot","/5908/st/lb1/liveblog","id","dfp-ad-lb1",{"_5":64,"_57":58,"_59":65,"_61":66},"catfish","/5908/st/catfish/liveblog","dfp-ad-catfish",{"_5":68,"_57":58,"_59":69,"_61":70},"prestitial","/5908/st/prestitial/liveblog","dfp-ad-prestitial","metaData",{"_20":73,"_74":73,"_75":73,"_76":48,"_23":77,"_78":77,"_79":80,"_81":82,"_83":84,"_85":86},"Recap: Parliament discusses energy-efficiency standards for appliances, regulations for vet industry","ogTitle","twitterTitle","slug","Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng has wrapped up the 1½ hours of question time. Follow ST's live coverage.","ogDescription","jsonLd","{\"@context\":\"https:\\/\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"LiveBlogPosting\",\"@id\":\"https:\\/\\/www.straitstimes.com\\/live-singapore-parliament-april-2026\",\"headline\":\"Live: Parliament (Apr 2026 - Day 2)\",\"description\":\"\",\"coverageStartTime\":\"2026-04-08T08:00:00+08:00\",\"coverageEndTime\":\"2026-04-08T23:30:00+08:00\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\/\\/www.straitstimes.com\\/assets\\/ST-logo-default-aoeSLh4S.png\",\"width\":\"1228\",\"height\":\"96\"}},\"liveBlogUpdate\":[{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Parliament has ended for the day\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T18:21:32+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T18:32:20+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"After two days, Parliament has wrapped up. Here are the highlights from today:Safeguards for GIRO users to be reviewed: The Monetary Authority of Singapore, together with the Association of Banks in Singapore and member banks, will review safeguards for GIRO customers, including allowing users to set the value and number of transactions, as well as enhancing transaction monitoring and due diligence on billing organisations. Government reviewing how it publishes health outcomes: The Ministry of Health is looking at how best to track and provide information on health indicators as Singapore\\u2019s population ages. As there is a cost to tracking and measuring such statistics, it wants to make sure that whatever it decides to measure is meaningful, said Minister of State for Health Rahayu Mahzam.On foreign groups that may threaten national security: There are no plans to make public a broader list of foreign organisations that may pose concerns to Singapore\\u2019s national security. Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Sim Ann said such a list may give rise to operational and security risks.We also saw two Bills get passed unanimously. The first Bill mandates that all regulated goods, including those imported by end users for their own use that are not currently covered under existing law, must meet the same energy efficiency standards.The second Bill puts in place regulations for the practice of veterinary medicine in Singapore, and will be done by establishing a new professional regulatory body, the Veterinary Council. Under this law, unauthorised people who act as vets will be punished.That\\u2019s all for this sitting! See you at the next one. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Goh Yan Han\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Not viable to deploy such aircraft in Singapore due to security, climate, responds Sun Xueling\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T18:20:34+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T18:31:11+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Senior Minister of State for Transport Sun Xueling, responding to Dr Neo\\u2019s suggestions, says it is not viable to deploy eVTOLs extensively in Singapore.These aircraft are similar to helicopters and are more viable in places with severe traffic congestion to cut down travel time. In Singapore, where airspace is congested and there is a well-connected ground transport network, they may have marginal utility, she adds.With multiple airports and air bases, and flights coming and going constantly, as well as high-rise residential areas and sensitive locations across the island, the use of Singapore\\u2019s low-altitude airspace also gives rise to issues of security, safety and privacy.In addition, Singapore\\u2019s unpredictable climate poses practical challenges for eVTOLs.\\u201cAgainst this backdrop, we have generally adopted a conservative approach in the past, but with drone technology becoming more mature, we can do more. We are studying the approaches in overseas jurisdictions and will adapt what is relevant to Singapore\\u2019s operating environment,\\u201d she says.She adds that eVTOLs could eventually become a viable option for cross-border travel to adjacent offshore islands, or even cross-border cargo transfer with neighbouring countries.She rounds up her response by saying that the ministry\\u2019s immediate focus is on driving the use of drones \\u2013 especially within the public sector \\u2013 and focusing on safety in Singapore\\u2019s unique operating environment.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"yuenc\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"NMP calls for S\\u2019pore to pursue \\u2018flying cars\\u2019 industry with more funds, academic programmes\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T18:17:58+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T18:29:26+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Singapore should pursue opportunities in the low-altitude economy, says Nominated MP Neo Kok Beng, suggesting that this be done via increased funding, setting up test sites for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, and creating academic programmes that train students with skills to work in this field.\\u201cThis is an emerging high-growth market,\\u201d says Dr Neo, who is the founder of NEO Aeronautics, which designs drones and eVTOLs.Sketching out his idea, Dr Neo says it is akin to lifting land vehicles, such as bicycles and cars, 15m to 100m off the ground. Asking the House to imagine the possibilities, he says eVTOL aircraft, which can take large payloads, can carry passengers and be used for air mobility, air tourism and even air logistics.For instance, tourists can be taken into the air to get a bird\\u2019s eye view of the Marina Bay or even Singapore\\u2019s ports, he suggests.To build this industry in Singapore, he proposes creating a diploma or degree programme that will help to feed a pipeline of talent into this field. He also calls for the setting up of a flight test centre for large eVTOLs.\\u201cI would recommend that the National Research Fund... really aggressively allocate some good money for the industry, universities and research institutions,\\u201d says Dr Neo, noting that the eVTOL industry is worth about US$3.1 billion (S$3.9 billion) today. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"yuenc\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Parliament adjourns\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T17:35:40+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T17:49:27+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Deputy Leader of the House Zaqy Mohamad moves for Parliament to adjourn \\u2013 to a date yet to be fixed. We expect this to be in early May as per the usual schedule.There is an adjournment motion today, a first for Nominated MP Neo Kok Beng, who will speak on building a low-altitude economy.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Goh Yan Han\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"MND will look at further measures to improve cost transparency for vet services: Alvin Tan\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T17:28:40+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T17:34:17+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Closing the debate on the Veterinary Practice Bill, Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan says his ministry will look at further measures to improve transparency of costs.Under the proposed legislation, the Code of Ethics for Veterinarians requires vets to clearly explain treatment options, risks and costs; obtain consent from pet owners for the treatment of their animal; and avoid unnecessary procedures. Vets should also provide pet owners with an estimate of fees.Beyond this, the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) will partner with the Veterinary Council to review the code and study suggestions from MPs for cost structures to be more transparent, such as to provide itemisation of bills and clearer fee disclosures.The ministry will also look at listing fees to promote greater transparency, he says, addressing MPs who have raised concerns on affordability.Mr Tan notes that there are pet insurance schemes in Singapore to help pet owners cover the cost of vet services.He says that while the ministry understands that many Singaporeans see pets as a member of their family and have concerns around vet costs, it should also be recognised that pet ownership is a personal choice and a long-term commitment that comes with responsibilities.\\u201cOwners are responsible for providing for their pets\\u2019 needs, including medical care,\\u201d says Mr Tan.\\u201cWe strongly encourage prospective pet owners to thoroughly consider the full cost of raising a pet before committing to becoming a pet owner.\\u201dOn questions about the pipeline of veterinary professionals, Mr Tan says AVS and the council will partner with stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Education and institutes of higher learning, to strengthen veterinary-related formal education programmes or training provided locally. Parliament passes the Bill.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Goh Yan Han\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"MPs raise concerns about affordability of vet services with roll-out of new regulations\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T17:18:49+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T17:24:23+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"A total of 11 MPs speak during the debate, with all of them welcoming the setting up of the Veterinary Council.Many pet owners see their pets as family members and the Bill will ensure that veterinarians are held to high standards, they say.Some MPs ask about how the professionalisation of the industry might affect affordability.Mr Henry Kwek (Kebun Baru) calls for the implementation of the rules and guidelines to be watched closely, to make sure this does not unintentionally drive up the cost of care. \\u201cCaring for... any pet must not be the preserve of the wealthy,\\u201d he says.Meanwhile, Mr Cai Yinzhou (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC), noting that vet bills have risen by more than 30 per cent since 2022, asks if the Government will consider targeted vet subsidies for specific groups, such as rescue and shelter pets, as well as animals serving assistive functions, such as guide dogs for the visually impaired.Another issue MPs bring up is veterinary training and manpower. Many MPs cite how the pathway to becoming a vet requires education and training overseas, with no degree programme available in Singapore.Mr Melvin Yong (Radin Mas) says not all aspiring Singaporeans may have the means to pursue overseas education and asks if more can be done to strengthen local pathways, whether through expanded partnerships, local clinical training opportunities or, in the longer term, a local degree option.There is a strong regional case for introducing a veterinary degree in Singapore, says Mr Kenneth Tiong (Aljunied GRC). There is currently no such degree programme in any ASEAN member state, and any accredited or formally recognised course in Singapore would be an asset to the region.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"yuenc\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"New law aims to regulate the practice of veterinary medicine in Singapore\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T14:40:31+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T14:54:26+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Opening the debate on the Veterinary Practice Bill, Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan says the new legislation is meant to regulate the practice of veterinary medicine in Singapore.This will be done by establishing a new professional regulatory body, the Veterinary Council. Vets will have to be registered with the council, which will set standards for professional conduct and requirements for upskilling. It will also appoint necessary bodies for disciplinary proceedings against misconduct and negligence of vets.By requiring vets to register under three different classes \\u2013 full registration, restricted registration and specialist registration \\u2013 members of the public can be better informed of a vet\\u2019s professional standing and competency.Noting a growth of animal-related services offered by non-vets, which may pose a risk to animal health and welfare, Mr Tan says the Bill will penalise unauthorised persons who act as vets.Should the Bill be passed, the authorities will first start by establishing the new council this year, with the remaining moves, such as the registration regime and disciplinary framework for vets, to come in 2027.\\u201cThis Bill marks an important milestone in the maturation of our vet sector. It will strengthen professional accountability, support better animal health and welfare outcomes and uphold public confidence in the sector,\\u201d says Mr Tan. PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Goh Yan Han\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Energy security is about not just policy, but also behaviour and collective discipline: Yip Hon Weng\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T14:10:03+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T14:43:16+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"The Energy Conservation Bill is necessary, but insufficient, as the country\\u2019s energy security also relies on the behaviour and collective discipline of the public, says Mr Yip Hon Weng (Yio Chu Kang).\\u201cThe International Energy Agency has outlined practical measures to reduce demand quickly, including working from home, reducing unnecessary travel and encouraging public transport,\\u201d says Mr Yip, adding that the cheapest energy is the energy Singapore does not use.He asks if the authorities will pave the way by setting air-conditioning temperature standards across government buildings, incentivise commercial fleets to adopt eco-driving certificates, or introduce remote-work arrangements if supply disruptions worsen.\\u201cBeyond regulation, we must act decisively to reduce demand and strengthen efficiency,\\u201d says Mr Yip.Mr Foo Cexiang (Tanjong Pagar GRC) is also seeking clarification if it might be challenging for individual end users to provide free samples of products for the purpose of testing or analysis under the Bill, given that they might import only one of each product.PHOTO: ST FILE\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"yuenc\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Parliament passes Bill to close regulation gap in energy efficiency standards of imported appliances\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T14:27:46+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T14:37:25+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Returning to close the debate after 11 MPs spoke, Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Janil Puthucheary says the vast majority of regulated goods brought into Singapore and meant for local supply are already compliant.Only certain common appliances, such as air-conditioners and refrigerators, are covered under the Bill, and the volume of such goods imported for own use is small for now, he says.The concern is that this could increase over time, with online marketplaces making it easier for consumers to import such goods for their own use, and the new law will compel such platforms to remove listings of non-compliant goods.Dr Janil adds that the new regulations will apply only to new goods imported into Singapore and will not cover second-hand or used regulated goods, whether they are sold online or in physical shops.But second-hand regulated goods imported for resale as brand new would be subject to the compliance requirements, he adds.The new compliance requirements are not expected to be onerous, he says, addressing a concern raised by most of the MPs who spoke at the debate.For instance, while local suppliers are subject to a registration fee of about $70 per model to register their models for local supply, the registration and renewal fees will be waived for end users who import regulated goods for their own use.Instead, they will have to register the goods with the National Environment Agency (NEA), regardless of whether another importer or manufacturer has registered such goods, so that there is \\u201can assignment of responsibility for the act of importing this particular good\\u201d.For the registration, NEA can accept test reports provided by equipment manufacturers, and end users will not be required to get independent test reports, he adds.The energy labelling scheme portal will be upgraded so it is easier for people to register their appliances using Singpass.Parliament passes the Bill unanimously.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"yuenc\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Govt will not make public a broader list of foreign organisations that may pose concerns to national security: Sim Ann\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T13:41:41+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T13:55:50+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"There are no plans to make public a broader list of foreign organisations that may pose concerns to Singapore\\u2019s national security, as such a list may give rise to operational and security risks, says Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Sim Ann.It already publishes lists of individuals and entities for specific purposes related to national security, she says in response to a question from Ms Hazlina Abdul Halim (East Coast GRC).Ms Hazlina had asked for the list and how frequently it and the activities of such organisations will be monitored and reviewed. She also says that there is a lot of interest in reports of two Singaporean individuals who were found to be volunteering with an Israeli military-linked organisation.Two Singaporeans had in 2016 volunteered with Sar-El Volunteer Corps, an organisation linked to the Israeli military. No action was taken against them after the authorities concluded that they were not involved in military activity.Ms Sim, who is also Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, says regular programmes are conducted to raise public awareness of security threats, including those from foreign organisations of concern, such as foreign terrorist groups.\\u201cWe have also publicly stated that Singaporeans should not participate in foreign armed conflicts and should exercise particular care in dealing with organisations with links to foreign militaries or foreign security and intelligence agencies.\\u201d\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Goh Yan Han\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"PQ time ends\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T13:42:44+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T13:51:12+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng wraps up the 1\\u00bd hours of question time, and we resume the debate on the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, which looks to close the regulation gap in energy efficiency standards of imported appliances.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Goh Yan Han\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Rents at Goodman Arts Centre to be reviewed at end-2027, rate hike deferred until after 2026\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T13:40:45+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T13:47:27+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"The National Arts Council (NAC) and Arts House Group (AHG) will review rental rates at Goodman Arts Centre (GAC) at the end of 2027, says Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth Baey Yam Keng.He also says AHG will defer rate increases in 2026 to support arts tenants during the current period of heightened economic uncertainty due to the conflict in the Middle East, even as it has begun to engage them on a rate increase for more sustainability.He is responding to a question posed by Ms Gho Sze Kee (Mountbatten) on measures to help tenants at GAC cope with rising rental prices, as well as plans to ensure affordable and accessible workspaces to arts practitioners.The Straits Times had reported that AHG said 24 hirers would be affected by a 60 per cent rent hike that would be implemented in three phases from December 2026 to December 2027. Goodman Arts Centre, a subsidised arts housing enclave with rates priced below commercial rental levels, has 77 units.Rates for project studios at GAC were last reviewed in 2012, and AHG, the appointed operator for GAC, has absorbed rising operational costs since then, says Mr Baey. NAC is also studying the sector\\u2019s longer-term needs and has been engaging and consulting the arts sector on spatial needs and affordability of arts spaces, he adds.\\u201cIn planning for the future, NAC will take steps to ensure that arts spaces remain accessible and affordable for artists and arts groups,\\u201d says Mr Baey. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Goh Yan Han\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Hiring demand for PMETs remains higher than retrenchments: Shawn Huang\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T13:40:25+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T13:43:57+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"The hiring demand for professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) remains higher than the number of PMET retrenchments, and many of the PMET jobs in demand are in the finance and infocommunications sectors, says Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Manpower Shawn Huang.There were 4,100 vacancies for PMET jobs in the finance sector and 5,300 in the infocomm sector as at December 2025.In comparison, 960 PMETs were retrenched across both sectors in the last quarter of 2025.Mr Huang cites these numbers in his response to Mr Melvin Yong (Radin Mas), who asked if the Manpower Ministry plans to study the profile of PMETs who have been retrenched and the types of jobs the market is looking for, so as to improve job-matching efforts.Mr Huang says in the finance and infocomm sectors, PMET retrenchments have remained low relative to the size of the entire workforce.He adds that the Government will continue to provide support for workers to upskill and reskill so they can take on these roles.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"yuenc\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"MAS to work with banks to review safeguards for GIRO users, including enhancing transaction monitoring and due diligence requirements\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T13:09:25+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T13:41:31+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"The Monetary Authority of Singapore is working to strengthen safeguards for GIRO customers, together with the Association of Banks in Singapore and member banks.Minister of State for Trade and Industry Alvin Tan says a review will look at allowing users to set the value and number of transactions, as well as enhancing transaction monitoring and due diligence on billing organisations.He adds that it will also look at setting monthly limits for transaction amounts.He is responding to questions posed by Ms Gho Sze Kee (Mountbatten), Mr Shawn Loh (Jalan Besar GRC) and Mr Melvin Yong (Radin Mas) on issues faced by GIRO users.In February, several parents discovered that they had been double-charged by student care centres operated by Little Professors Learning Centre via GIRO deductions for their children\\u2019s student care fees.Mr Tan acknowledges that such cases have been \\u201cuncommon\\u201d. He adds that checks by banks may not always be able to prevent errors and potential misuse of GIRO, which is why safeguards need to be strengthened.He lists current safeguards available, including transaction limits on GIRO payments. Banks also apply due diligence checks on GIRO billing organisations, which include checking that they are properly registered businesses and are not linked to any sanctioned or criminal activities.ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Goh Yan Han\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"S\\u2019pore does not track if PSLE \\u2018amplifies the skew\\u2019 in relation to the performance gap between high- and low-SES students: Jasmin Lau\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T13:05:38+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T13:34:33+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Globally, students of higher socio-economic status (SES) tend to perform better academically than students from lower-income backgrounds, says Minister of State for Education Jasmin Lau.However, the Ministry of Education does not track, nor does it plan to track, whether secondary school placement based on PSLE results \\u201camplifies the skew\\u201d, as many factors influence academic performance, she says.She is responding to a question from Nominated MP Kenneth Goh, an academic, who asked whether the ministry has assessed if using the PSLE for school placement amplifies the performance gap between students of higher and lower SES.Ms Lau says the Government\\u2019s focus is instead to help all students achieve their full potential, regardless of background, and this includes providing more support to students from more disadvantaged backgrounds. It is also to provide \\u201cporosity\\u201d in education pathways to strengthen educational outcomes, she says.MPs David Hoe (Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC) and WP\\u2019s Jamus Lim (Sengkang GRC) also rise to ask additional questions on improving social mixing and support for students who are struggling.Associate Professor Goh has more questions as well about how the Government interprets data, citing statistics from the Programme for International Student Assessment showing that Singapore has a stronger association between SES and school performance than the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development average.Ms Lau says in response that the Government will continue to watch this trend and indicator closely as part of a suite of overall indicators it uses when assessing educational outcomes. \\u201cMy assurance is that we want to make sure that all Singaporean students have as much access to opportunities as possible, regardless of socio-economic statuses.\\u201d\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"ryasmine\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Some 33% of rape and outrage of modesty cases happened in residential premises\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T12:45:24+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T13:04:42+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Based on statistics from 2025, approximately 33 per cent of rape and outrage of modesty cases took place in residential premises, says Minister of State for Home Affairs Goh Pei Ming.Meanwhile, 18 per cent of cases took place in commercial premises, while 3 per cent took place in educational institutions.He was responding to a question from Ms Gho Sze Kee (Mountbatten), who wanted to know whether the increase in such crimes in 2025 was driven primarily by offenders known to victims, and whether more can be done in domestic, workplace or educational settings to prevent such crimes.Mr Goh says the majority of the rape cases and more than half of the outrage of modesty cases involved offenders known to the victims, adding that the proportion of such offenders has remained stable over the last five years.Outrage of modesty cases increased from 1,427 in 2024 to 1,531 in 2025, while rape cases went up from 401 to 479 in the same period.ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"yuenc\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"6% of foster parents deregistered each year since 2023; MSF working to give foster parents access to health info\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T12:35:25+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T12:55:25+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"About 6 per cent of foster parents were deregistered each year on average over the last three years, says Minister of State for Social and Family Development Goh Pei Ming.Responding to questions by Nominated MP Neo Kok Beng on the attrition rate of foster parents, Mr Goh says reasons for deregistration include new family commitments, health- or age-related factors and relocation.There were 633 foster families in 2024, up from 614 in 2023.Mr Goh also says the Ministry of Social and Family Development is currently working to provide foster parents access to their foster child\\u2019s education and healthcare information. This includes allowing foster parents to access appointment booking systems through HealthHub on behalf of their foster children.Dr Neo had asked a follow-up question on how foster parents can better access information related to their foster children\\u2019s education and health. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Goh Yan Han\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Pilgrims who defer haj in 2026 will be given priority in following years: Faishal\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T12:27:26+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T12:53:27+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Pilgrims who were scheduled to travel for the 2026 haj pilgrimage will be given priority in the following years in the event that they choose to defer, or if haj is cancelled or disrupted.However, priority will be subject to the annual quota allocated by Saudi Arabia\\u2019s government, says Minister-in-charge for Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim, who is responding to a question from Dr Wan Rizal (Jalan Besar GRC) about concerns from Singaporean pilgrims about the conflict in the Middle East.Associate Professor Faishal adds that preparations for the 2026 haj pilgrimage are proceeding as planned, and contingency plans are being developed in case of potential travel disruptions and unforeseen incidents.The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) is in close contact with Saudi Arabia\\u2019s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on the arrangements, and will continue to monitor the latest developments in the Middle East, he says.The contingency plans are being developed between MUIS, the Association of Muslim Travel Agents Singapore (AMTAS), travel agents and service providers to support pilgrims who will be heading for the 2026 pilgrimage.Prof Faishal adds that current plans include using direct flights to and from Saudi Arabia, choosing ground transport options less susceptible to disruption, and closer coordination of pilgrim movements.Should the haj be cancelled this year, MUIS will work closely with AMTAS to allow affected pilgrims to postpone their trip to future haj seasons.All 900 haj slots for Muslim pilgrims in Singapore for 2026 have been filled, with more people aged 70 and older among the group set to travel compared with in 2025. The haj is a major Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca and represents the fifth pillar of Islam. Muslims must undertake the journey at least once if they are physically and financially able to.PHOTO: AFP\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Goh Yan Han\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Govt reviewing how it publishes health outcomes, must lead to better behaviour: Rahayu Mahzam\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T12:16:18+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T12:34:18+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"The Ministry of Health (MOH) is looking at how best to track and provide information on health indicators as Singapore\\u2019s population ages, says Minister of State for Health Rahayu Mahzam.She is responding to questions from WP chief Pritam Singh (Aljunied GRC), who asked whether the Government is looking at publishing more statistics given Singapore\\u2019s transition to a super-aged society.Mr Singh adds that his question is about how MOH will look at improving reporting of public health outcomes in the context of a super-aged society. This is defined as a society where more than 21 per cent of the population is aged 65 and over, and Singapore is on track to hit this mark this year.There is a cost to tracking and measuring these statistics, Ms Rahayu says, so the Government wants to make sure that whatever it decides to measure must be meaningful.The data must then lead to better behaviours and the correct approaches in response to it, she adds.PHOTO: ST FILE\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"ngweikai\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Parliament begins\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T12:02:01+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T12:06:12+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"The MPs are in the House. We begin with a question from Workers\\u2019 Party chief Pritam Singh, who has asked for healthcare system statistics, such as bed occupancy rates, to be published more regularly.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Goh Yan Han\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"What to look out for today\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T11:39:37+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T11:58:19+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"MPs have filed 96 questions for the Government to answer today. Here are a few highlights:More health stats: WP chief Pritam Singh (Aljunied GRC) has asked for more health statistics beyond what the Health Ministry already publishes in the light of Singapore\\u2019s transition to a super-aged society, where more than 21 per cent of the population is aged 65 and over. Haj arrangements amid conflict: Dr Wan Rizal (Jalan Besar GRC) has asked what the current status of this year\\u2019s haj arrangements for Singapore pilgrims is, and what contingency plans are in place to safeguard pilgrims and support them should the situation deteriorate further, in the light of the volatile security situation and travel disruptions in the Middle East. Fostering: Nominated MP Neo Kok Beng has asked a series of questions on fostering, including whether the Ministry of Social and Family Development has planned guidelines for co-parenting arrangements between foster and biological parents, and the attrition rate among foster parents. Dr Neo is a foster parent himself and has asked several questions on the issue since entering Parliament this term.The House will also wrap up the debate on new laws governing consumers importing energy-certified equipment, and start a debate on another set of laws that will mandate the setting up of a council regulating the veterinary industry. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Goh Yan Han\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Welcome to day 2\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-08T10:46:31+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T10:46:31+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Hi everyone, welcome to our Parliament live blog. Stay tuned.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Goh Yan Han\"}}]}","keywords","Singapore Parliament, Singapore, Live blog, Singapore politicians, Members of Parliament, Singapore Politics, Iran war, Middle East conflict, Israel, United States, MPs","robots","index, follow, max-image-preview:large, max-snippet:-1, max-video-preview:-1","image","https://static1.straitstimes.com.sg/s3fs-public/articles/2026/03/06/afparliament0605_0.jpg?VersionId=D_Ag0kWfJdwlHhUhI3J8lwXuxEOKGbnH","gaData",{"_89":90,"_91":21,"_92":21,"_20":93,"_94":95,"_96":97,"_98":99},"level2","23","chapter1","chapter2","Live:_Parliament_discusses_energy-efficiency_standards_for_appliances,_regulations_for_vet","title_ga","Live: Parliament discusses energy-efficiency standards for appliances, regulations for vet","pagination","1","contenttype","live blog","additionalVariants","dependentPaths",[],"actionData","errors"]