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Recap: Parliament debates Oxley Rd site, passes Bill giving Customs more power to probe trade offences

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Earlier, it discussed the viability of nuclear energy and if food stockpiles can be tapped to mitigate rising costs.

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Ng Wei Kai, Rhea Yasmine, Sherlyn Sim

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Published: Nov 4, 2025

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Follow ST's live coverage.","ogDescription":"Earlier, MPs addressed questions on food stockpiles, nuclear energy and SkillsFuture among other topics. Follow ST's live coverage.","jsonLd":"{\"@context\":\"https:\\/\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"LiveBlogPosting\",\"@id\":\"https:\\/\\/www.straitstimes.com\\/live-singapore-parliament-nov-2025\",\"headline\":\"Live: Nov 4 Parliament\",\"description\":\"Read more at straitstimes.com.\",\"coverageStartTime\":\"2025-11-04T10:00:00+08:00\",\"coverageEndTime\":\"2025-11-04T22:00:00+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\":\"Dr Charlene Chen proposes School Mental Well-being Charter to address youth mental health\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T20:35:34+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T21:06:08+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"With youth facing mental health challenges, Dr Charlene Chen (Tampines GRC) proposes establishing a framework to make well-being a defining feature of education in schools and institutes of higher learning \\u2013 instead of treating it as an add-on.\\u201cMental well-being, like literacy or numeracy, is too important to depend on individual school initiatives alone. We need a systematic and sustained approach,\\u201d says Dr Chen in her first adjournment motion. She is among the new MPs elected at the May polls.Her suggestion of a School Mental Well-being Charter draws inspiration from the UK\\u2019s University Mental Health Charter, which brings together universities committed to making mental health a campus-wide priority.The proposed charter would be jointly led by the Education Ministry, Health Promotion Board and Institute of Mental Health, says Dr Chen, who teaches marketing at the Nanyang Technological University.In practice, MOE would provide national direction, resources, and guardrails, while schools have the flexibility to adapt approaches to their contexts and students\\u2019 needs.Dr Chen says schools can tap on community partners, volunteers and youth networks. \\u201cThrough the charter, such practices can be shared, refined, and scaled, so that no student\\u2019s exposure to resilience-building depends purely on which school they attend,\\u201d she said.Under the charter, student mental well-being would be rigorously measured through the establishment of a national evidence framework. \\u201cWhat gets measured, gets improved,\\u201d says Dr Chen.MOE could coordinate research using validated measures of subjective well-being, belonging, and resilience, while educators can use the data to refine their programmes, track progress and share best practices. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Goh Yan Han\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Parliament has ended for the day!\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T21:04:31+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T21:04:31+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Day 1 down, likely two more to go. Here are some highlights from today:We had quite a mix of questions answered at the start of the session, covering MOE\\u2019s plans to help with teacher workload and measures to ease the peak-hour crowds on the north-east section of the North East Line.There was a surprise exchange between Leader of the House Indranee Rajah and Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh. She asked him to clarify some of his statements from the October sitting after the ministerial statement on race and religion. Mr Singh, who had also given notice the day before that he intended to make a personal explanation, clarified his inaccurate claim that Mr Noor Deros \\\"gatecrashed\\\" an April meeting that WP had with some Malay\\/Muslim leaders during the election period.We got through debates on two significant Bills, one that puts into law caning punishments for scammers and scam mules, and another that provides a framework to resolve workplace fairness disputes.See you tomorrow! \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Goh Yan Han\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Efforts ongoing to raise educators\\u2019 ability to provide mental health support to students: MOE\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T21:00:38+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T21:00:38+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"There are ongoing efforts to empower educators to provide first-line support to students, including raising their awareness, confidence and sensitivity to the growing and evolving mental health needs, says Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education Syed Harun Alhabsyi in response to Dr Chen.He says the Ministry of Education will study her proposal carefully and explore its feasibility.He adds that the ministry will continue to strengthen the mental health literacy of educators through resources and professional development, including basic counselling skills and the ability to identify students in distress.Other efforts include student well-being check-in surveys conducted termly. These surveys enable teachers to detect students who might be struggling and provide timely support. They also inform proactive interventions that the school can take, he says.Educators do not work alone and are part of a larger support system.Students who require more support are referred to community mental health resources or school counsellors. Institutes of higher learning also collaborate with social service agencies to expand their range of outreach programmes and promote holistic well-being, he says. \",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Goh Yan Han\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Tan See Leng wraps up debate, Bill passes without amendment\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T20:30:01+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T20:36:13+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Wrapping up the discussion, Manpower Minister Tan See Leng thanks MPs for their support and suggestions.He says his ministry is working towards a timeline of end-2027 for the law to take effect, because it recognises the significant scale of groundwork needed to prepare both employers and workers.This includes developing a pool of skilled and qualified mediators and providing resources to the agencies that will implement the law.Ensuring the readiness of all agencies is \\u201cour topmost priority\\u201d, he says.He adds that small firms with fewer than 25 employees will be exempted for start while they level up, and this will be reviewed five years after the law is implemented. Such firms will continue to be subject to the tripartite guidelines on fair employment practices and workers can seek help from the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices if they experience discrimination, he says.He also responds to MPs' questions.On time bars, which will limit how much time workers have to bring a claim, he says they represent what tripartite partners agree are reasonable for both employers and employees in different scenarios.He adds that where there are extenuating circumstances and reasonable grounds, for instance, when the worker is incapacitated or seriously ill, the MOM has the discretion to accept late mediation requests.He also addresses other issues MPs brought up, such as when workers can seek the help of unions and how far the requirement for private hearings goes.He clarifies that unions can represent union members from unionised companies in mediations and the ECT, while those who are not members or not in unionised companies are free to seek advice from NTUC.Meanwhile, while hearings on discrimination cases will be private, this does not mean judgments will be kept private, he says. \\u201cWe agree making WFA judgments publicly accessible will help employers and workers better understand how the law is applied. We are working with the courts on making ECT judgments publicly accessible, and this will include WFA judgments,\\u201d he says.The Bill passes without amendment.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"ssherlyn\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Consider how vulnerable groups like people with disabilities can access protections, say MPs\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T19:57:44+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T20:14:38+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"MPs raise concerns about the legislation\\u2019s accessibility to various vulnerable groups as it is implemented. Ms Elysa Chen (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC) raises concerns about the Bill\\u2019s ability to \\u201ctruly deliver fairness\\u201d for people with disabilities. She says that while the policy\\u2019s design is sound, it must also be accompanied by frameworks to ensure those who need access to it can enter, raising the example of how one of her residents who has autism had difficulty dealing with the human resources process in his workplace. Ms Joan Pereira (Tanjong Pagar GRC) says that employees may not be aware of their rights or may not feel empowered to raise concerns for fear of retaliation. She asks if the government plans to raise awareness and educate them on the steps they need to take \\u2013 such as keeping records and evidence of discriminatory practices.Access to mediation is key and workers without HR support or legal literacy must feel safe in coming forward, says Mr Edward Chia (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC). \\u201cHow will we ensure that mediation is not just available, but also accessible and impartial, especially for our lower-wage workers. As Tafep transitions from advisory to enforcement, clear communication is critical,\\u201d he says. Some MPs also raise operational concerns and opportunities. Mr Saktiandi Supaat (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC) asks if Tafep\\u2019s funding will be scaled up given its significant role in the law\\u2019s execution. NTUC deputy secretary-general Desmond Tan (Pasir Ris-Changi GRC) suggests reviewing the employment claims tribunal (ECT) limit for other workplace claims beyond the Workplace Fairness Act, such as salary disputes and unfair dismissal.Mr Sharael Taha (Pasir Ris-Changi GRC) echoes a point earlier made by Ms Gho Sze Kee (Mountbatten). He asks how employees in firms with fewer than 25 people will be protected, given that they are currently exempted from the law.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Goh Yan Han\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Help smaller firms comply with new law, don\\u2019t exempt them, say MPs\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T18:49:35+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T18:50:54+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Smaller firms with fewer than 25 employees should also have to comply with the new law, says Ms Gho Sze Kee (Mountbatten), who speaks next.Leaving them out for now makes their employees more vulnerable to workplace discrimination, she adds. The authorities should not assume that these firms will struggle with compliance.In his speech, Mr Shawn Loh (Jalan Besar GRC) suggests that the ministry could publish standardised free templates that small companies can use, to mitigate a potential increase in compliance costs.Under the new law, the employers may need to establish mandatory written grievance procedures with specific commitments to investigate complaints, protect against retaliation, and communicate outcomes. Templates can help with this.Mr Loh also says it is unclear how the Employment Claims Tribunal will impose costs on those who pursue frivolous claims. He suggests that MOM eventually publish the results of such cases to deter such claims.On having workplace discrimination cases being heard in private, he questions how the ministry will prevent workers publicising their cases on social media before the process is concluded.Dr Wan Rizal Wan Zakariah builds on his constituency colleague\\u2019s suggestion \\u2013 he proposes that the ministry publish the tribunal\\u2019s judgments with anonymised details.The labour MP adds that, despite having judges play an active role in the tribunal\\u2019s proceedings, it can be very daunting and challenging for workers who have less education to understand what is happening.Ms Denise Phua \\u2013 the third Jalan Besar GRC MP in a row to speak \\u2013 says a fair system should stop discrimination before it happens and not just fix it after people are hurt.She proposes that the Government ask all medium-sized and large employers to carry out regular Workplace Fairness Audits.These audits should look at how employees are hired, promoted, and retained across groups such as age, gender, and disability and publish anonymised findings.ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"ssherlyn\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Balance confidentiality with deterrence and provide more help for lower wage workers and SMEs: MPs\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T18:12:19+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T18:15:17+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"While confidentiality for employees and employers must be respected because of the sensitivity of claims, this has to be balanced with deterrence and public learning, several MPs say.Mr Cai Yinzhou (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC) asks whether the High Court has the discretion to make public information on private proceedings and their outcomes, so that employers who have committed discriminatory acts can be held accountable.Mr Dennis Tan (Hougang) suggests keeping case details confidential, but \\u201cat the very least require the publication of anonymised, aggregated outcomes and quarterly data\\u201d, such as the number of cases by sector, the types of discrimination alleged and their outcomes.This would help identify trends and systemic issues, allowing the ministry to target training or policy interventions more effectively, he says.MPs also call for more help for lower wage and less educated workers, as well as for smaller companies.Mr Tan says many lower income or less educated workers may be intimidated by the process of filing a claim.He calls for more to be done to help them understand what to expect, what documents to bring and how to respond during mediation.Regarding employers, Ms Mariam Jaafar (Sembawang GRC) suggests measures to help small and medium-sized enterprises comply with the law. She notes that many such companies do not even have human resources departments.She suggests issuing sector-specific starter kits on grievance procedures and introducing a short certification course for SME supervisors on workplace fairness, grievance handling and mediation.Meanwhile, Ms He Ting Ru (Sengkang GRC) says there is often an imbalance between employees and employers, who have access to more resources.She points out that while employers and employees cannot have external legal representatives before the ECT, some employers may have legally trained in-house legal teams. She asks for a specialised office to be set up to provide advice to workers who need help filing their claims. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"ryasmine\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"SME owners concerned new law could open them up to frivolous complaints: Yeo Wan Ling\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T17:50:02+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T17:50:02+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"After Dr Tan sits, MPs raise questions on the Bill. First up is NTUC secretary-general Ng Chee Meng (Jalan Kayu). While he supports the Bill, he asks the Government to consider allowing more flexibility in the length of time that workers have to file complaints in exceptional cases, for example, if a worker did not know that they had been discriminated against. WP\\u2019s Louis Chua (Sengkang GRC) raises concerns about mandatory mediation \\u2013 saying that mediation works best when both parties participate in good faith, but claimants may be unwilling or unable to further engage, especially after experiencing psychological distress or toxic environments. NTUC assistant secretary-general Yeo Wan Ling (Punggol GRC) speaks next, saying that small and medium-sized enterprise owners have told her that the Bill could open them up to frivolous or vexatious complaints, although they remain deeply committed to fairness.\\u201cI believe that most SMEs want to do right. They simply need the tools to do so. We can support them through HR advisory clinics, templates for Fair Employment Practices and accessible training on inclusive leadership,\\u201d she says.\\u201cCompliance should not feel like a burden, and it must not add to a really increasing business cost.\\u201dWP\\u2019s Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik (Sengkang GRC) also raises concerns about support for SMEs to build human resources practices.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Goh Yan Han\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Caning for scams, not for vandalism among proposed changes to criminal law\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T14:52:06+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T17:28:04+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Sim Ann reads the Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill for a second time. It was first introduced in October.The wide-ranging Bill covers scams and misuse of technology, and enhances protections for minors and vulnerable victims as well as public servants and public workers.It also ensures adequate penalties for older youth offenders, and recalibrates requirements on workers and dealers of precious metals to address stolen goods.Ms Sim says the amendments are part of the Ministry of Home Affairs\\u2019 efforts to make Singapore\\u2019s criminal laws clearer, fairer and more responsive to the prevailing operating environment.One of the proposals is to introduce mandatory caning for scammers, scam syndicate members and recruiters, as well as discretionary caning for those who facilitate scams by sharing their Singpass credentials, SIM cards or bank accounts.Scams are by far the most prevalent crime type in Singapore today, and make up 60 per cent of all crimes reported. From 2020 to June this year, there were 190,000 cases reported, causing losses of $3.7 billion.These are staggering numbers, Ms Sim says, noting that the losses are more than three and a half times the cost of building Woodlands Health Campus.Even as the Bill introduces caning for scams, it also proposes recalibrating the use of caning in other offences, so that \\u201ccaning is applied only where there is a need\\u201d, says Ms Sim.For instance, it proposes removing mandatory caning for offences like vandalism. But she adds that the amendments do not signal any softening in the stance against crime, noting that the large majority of offences, including serious sexual and violence offences, will continue to attract the punishment.Currently, there are 96 offences that attract discretionary caning, and 65 that attract mandatory caning.ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"ryasmine\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"All workplace discrimination cases will be heard in private\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T17:09:35+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T17:16:45+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Given the sensitive nature of workplace discrimination cases, all of them will be heard in private, whether in the ECT or the High Court, so parties can have a safe environment to share their views, says Dr Tan.This means the media and members of the public will not be allowed to attend the hearings.He also addresses the issue of abuse, such as frivolous and vexatious claims, which he notes many employers and human resources professionals have brought up.Employers will be able to apply to the judge for frivolous claims to be struck out, and judges will also be empowered to strike out claims on their own and award costs against those who pursue unmeritorious claims, he says.In addition, individuals filing such claims can be investigated by the police for abusing the court\\u2019s processes.The law also sets out specified time bars, from one to 12 months, within which individuals must submit the mediation request to initiate their claims.This will encourage individuals to come forward earlier before the evidence degrades over time, and also provide employers with some certainty that incidents from the past will not be dredged up years later, says Dr Tan.When the first part of the workplace fairness laws were passed earlier this year, Dr Tan had said that it was expected to come into force in 2026 or 2027.He says that having heard feedback from various stakeholders, his ministry currently targets to implement the Act in end-2027, but will continue to monitor the readiness of all parties and adjust this timeline as necessary.READ MORE HEREST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"yuenc\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Mediation is main way to resolve workplace discrimination disputes: Tan See Leng \",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T17:06:26+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T17:16:41+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"The Workplace Fairness (Dispute Resolution) Bill will put in place the rest of Singapore\\u2019s workplace fairness laws, part of which have already been passed under an earlier Workplace Fairness Bill.This second Bill deals with how workers can make claims and sets out how to resolve disputes, bringing Singapore one step closer to rolling out the regime come 2027.Dr Tan says: \\u201cFundamentally, we aim to provide an amicable, accessible and expeditious dispute resolution process for parties in workplace discrimination claims, while preserving our workplace and social harmony.\\u201dCompanies are already required to set up an internal grievance-handling process. Dr Tan says that when these internal processes do not successfully resolve the problem, workers must attempt mediation, before seeking adjudication as a last resort.He says the Manpower Ministry has started training mediators who can handle such cases sensitively, fairly and professionally, given that workplace discrimination cases could involve complicated situations.Higher-value claims above $30,000, meanwhile, will be handled by mediation service providers such as the Singapore Mediation Centre. Mediators handling such cases will also be subject to more stringent requirements, such as having legal qualifications or relevant experience.Only when mediation does not work can workers commence a workplace discrimination claim at the Employment Claims Tribunals (ECT) of the High Court, says Dr Tan.To ensure the majority of workers can access this, the ECT\\u2019s jurisdiction will be expanded so it can hear workplace discrimination claims up to and including $250,000, he adds.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"yuenc\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Indranee also seeks clarifications on statements about whether Noor Deros was known to WP\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T13:20:06+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T17:14:39+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Ms Indranee also sets out another set of clarifications from the exchange after the ministerial statement.She says Mr Singh had said that Mr Noor was a nobody whom no one really knows, giving the impression that he was not known to the WP, Mr Faisal or any of the other WP candidates who attended the meeting. However, it was publicly stated that Mr Noor founded the Wear White movement in 2014 (which was in opposition to Pink Dot) and Mr Faisal had then publicly backed the movement, she adds. It is also a matter of public record that Mr Faisal attended an event where Wear White members gathered for evening prayers during the holy month of Ramadan in June 2014. She asks: \\u201cIn the light of this, does it remain Mr Singh\\u2019s position that Mr Deros was not known to Mr Faisal or any of the other Workers\\u2019 Party candidates before this meeting on April 20, 2025?\\u201d\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Goh Yan Han\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Pritam says he only found out after Oct sitting that Faisal Manap knew Noor Deros would be at meeting with WP\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T13:36:41+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T17:13:00+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Mr Singh clarifies that he did not know that Mr Noor would be at a meeting between religious leaders and WP MPs, but WP vice-chair Faisal Manap was aware. He says that about a week after Mr Shanmugam\\u2019s ministerial statement, Mr Faisal showed him a message that said Mr Noor would be present at the meeting on April 20, sent by an ustaz about an hour before it began. He later adds that this was on Oct 21. Mr Shanmugam's statement was on Oct 14.Mr Singh says he was not aware of this detail in April this year \\u2013 when he first addressed the meeting \\u2013 and was also not aware during the ministerial statement and his responses to Mr Shanmugam.During the clarifications after Mr Shanmugam\\u2019s ministerial statement, Mr Saktiandi Supaat (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC) had said he found it hard to believe that Mr Singh did not know Mr Noor Deros and the implications of his endorsement.He noted that the self-styled preacher has made his positions very clear and also has significant reach online, and said that Malay\\/Muslim MPs from both PAP and WP would have surely known of him.In his response then, Mr Singh recounted the sequence of events around Mr Noor\\u2019s association with the WP.He said WP\\u2019s Malay members, including Mr Faisal, had agreed to meet a religious teacher and were not aware that Mr Noor was going to be at the meeting. He also reiterated, referencing a doorstop he had with the media, there was no indication that Mr Noor would be joining the meeting.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Goh Yan Han\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Pritam says his statement that Noor Deros \\u2018gatecrashed\\u2019 meeting may have created incorrect impression\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T13:55:16+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T17:12:40+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Mr Singh says that in using the word \\u201cgatecrashed\\u201d, he may have created the impression that Mr Noor was not invited to the meeting on April 20.This impression is incorrect, he says, as Mr Noor\\u2019s presence was at the invitation of an ustaz delegated by Mr Faisal. These clarifications are what he sent to the Speaker, but there is an additional question from Ms Indranee about his statement that Mr Noor is a \\u201cnobody\\u201d.Mr Singh repeats the statement that WP Malay\\/Muslim candidates confirmed that there were no promises or undertakings made, and that they did not know who Mr Noor was. Addressing Ms Indranee\\u2019s statement that Mr Faisal would have known Mr Noor from their shared history with the Wear White movement, Mr Singh says: \\u201cSo Faisal Manap would have known of who Mr Noor Deros was.\\u201dHe says he hopes this clarifies the query from Ms Indranee. The pair continue to go back and forth.Ms Indranee continues to press Mr Singh on whether Mr Noor was known to WP.\\u201cIn other words, is it correct to say that Mr Faisal Manap knew who Mr Deros was, or knew Mr Deros before that meeting in April. So he did right \\u2013 which, in other words, the statement that Mr Deros is somebody who nobody, really, nobody knows, is not accurate.\\u201dMr Singh says in response that Mr Faisal may have known of him, but he and the other Malay\\/Muslim candidates did not know him, and that is what he meant when he said Mr Noor was a \\u201cnobody\\u201d.Ms Indranee says it is clear that Mr Singh and the other Malay\\/Muslim candidates did not know Mr Noor, but there is a distinction between saying Mr Faisal would have known of him and saying Mr Faisal would have known him.Mr Singh says in response that he wants to be careful to not \\u201cimport\\u201d Mr Faisal\\u2019s knowledge and make a representation which may not be correct. Ms Indranee also asks about Mr Singh\\u2019s previous statement that Mr Noor had \\u201cgatecrashed\\u201d the April meeting. \\u201cWould it be fair to say that it is wrong to say that Mr Deros gatecrashed that meeting?\\u201dMr Singh says in response that the word would have created a wrong impression that Mr Noor was not invited, and it would not be right to leave that impression on the record \\u2013 hence his move to make a personal explanation of his own volition today. Ms Indranee responds that if it was known in April during the elections to voters that Mr Faisal was aware Mr Noor had been invited, it \\u201cmight have put a different colour on, depending on the circumstances.\\u201d\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Goh Yan Han\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Schools have flexibility on pace of policy implementation to manage teachers\\u2019 workload: Desmond Lee\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T12:15:48+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T16:57:17+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Workload for teachers is increased for a season when new policies and initiatives are introduced, as schools and teachers need to be briefed and trained on the changes, says Education Minister Desmond Lee.As a result, schools are given flexibility to manage the pace of such implementation so as not to overload their staff, he adds.This is one of the ways that the Ministry of Education is helping schools to manage teachers\\u2019 workload, which has come under the spotlight after the global Teaching and Learning International Survey (Talis), released on Oct 7, found that Singapore\\u2019s teachers reported working longer hours than the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development average.Mr Lee also goes through other measures, ranging from using artificial intelligence tools to help teachers plan lessons to increasing the number of allied educators and administrative staff, as well as protecting their vacation time.There is a slew of questions on this, including from labour MP Wan Rizal (Jalan Besar GRC), who had been an adviser to the Singapore Teacher\\u2019s Union.He asks what additional measures are being considered to address teachers\\u2019 high stress levels, while Mr Shawn Loh (Jalan Besar GRC) asks about the low proportion of young teachers and how they will be supported.The Talis survey found that teachers in Singapore are clocking more hours at work due to non-teaching tasks, such as lesson planning, student counselling, co-curricular activities and communicating with parents.Mr Lee says that educators in Singapore \\u201coften go far beyond their formal duties because they see their students\\u2019 growth and well-being as their responsibility\\u201d.\\u201cWhile we appreciate and applaud their passion, we also want to ensure that such commitment does not result in unsustainable workload for teachers,\\u201d he adds.READ MORE HEREST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"ryasmine\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Gap in CPF contributions for platform workers, says Yeo Wan Ling\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T14:05:55+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T16:47:12+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"During question time earlier, Ms Yeo Wan Ling (Punggol GRC) asked the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) if the Government has received any information from platform workers about delayed or missing Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions when they join a new platform operator.Since the Platform Workers Act came into force this year, platform companies have been required to put in their share of CPF contributions for their platform workers, such as private-hire drivers and freelance delivery workers.But some workers have given feedback that they do not get CPF contributions for up to two months when they first join a new platform operator, she says. Ms Yeo is assistant secretary-general at the National Trades Union Congress and regularly speaks on issues related to platform workers.Given that most platforms provide special sign-on incentives in the first month, this means they are \\u201cdoubly penalised\\u201d, added Ms Yeo, who also chairs the Government Parliamentary Committee for Manpower.As at April 2025, about 22,400 platform workers have opted in for higher CPF contributions under the Act, which took full effect from Jan 1, 2025.Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Manpower Shawn Huang, answering the parliamentary question, says that when a platform worker chooses to join or switch to another platform operator, the company would not know during onboarding if the worker has opted in for CPF.Given the different joining dates and opt-in status, platform operators will need time to update their database and update the contribution rates in their system accordingly.He adds that MOM has started engaging platform operators to assess whether the existing arrangement could be made more efficient while balancing the operational requirements.PHOTO: ST FILE\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"ssherlyn\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Parliament passes the Bill and takes a break\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T15:56:34+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T16:40:51+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Ms Sim wraps up the debate, addressing MPs\\u2019 clarifications in turn.On who is defined as a vulnerable person, Ms Sim says seniors and persons with disabilities who meet the current legal definition will be protected by the enhanced penalties.She also addresses questions on whether the new offence, which covers harassment of public servants, will be extended to politicians, and says the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is separately reviewing this.Ms Sim elaborates on other government efforts to stop scams, including outreach programmes to prevent youth from getting involved.On ticket scalping, Ms Sim says that over the past year, MHA and the police have worked with secondary resale platforms like Carousell and Facebook to disallow the listing of resale tickets, and that MHA is working with other agencies to explore other measures, including establishing authorised ticket resale platforms.She also addresses questions on the adequacy of the proposed penalties. She says MHA recognises the need to be calibrated in its approach.\\u201cIn reality, scam mules have a range of culpability. Therefore, we have proposed for caning to be discretionary to allow the courts to decide if the facts of the case warrant the application of caning. MHA will monitor the situation and adjust the penalties further if necessary.\\u201dAfter Ms Sim concludes, Ms Sylvia Lim (Aljunied GRC) raises a final clarification about cross-border collaboration about scams and whether Cambodia is party to an intelligence-sharing agreement.Ms Sim says in response that there are still bilateral ways to work with Cambodia on this.The Bill is then passed without amendments.The sitting will resume at 4.10pm.READ MORE HERE\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Goh Yan Han\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Parliament resumes, second Bill up for debate\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T16:11:41+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T16:31:11+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"The MPs return to the Chamber and we move on to the Workplace Fairness (Dispute Resolution) Bill, which aims to ensure that workers facing discrimination have a clear process to seek redress.Manpower Minister Tan See Leng begins his opening speech.PHOTO: MDDI\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Goh Yan Han\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"MPs call for more cross-border enforcement on scams and greater protection for the vulnerable\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T15:44:36+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T16:14:44+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Mr David Hoe (Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC) urges stronger and faster cross-border enforcement against scams, noting that many scams that hit Singapore are not run from the Republic.\\u201cThe threat of caning here may not deter someone who sits overseas or never plans to set foot in Singapore,\\u201d he says.He also calls for more practical scam education within schools and the community, and greater efforts to fight stigma associated with scam victims.Several MPs raise concerns over punishing vulnerable people who are roped into scam operations. Mr Melvin Yong (Radin Mas) asks if vulnerable offenders, such as youth and those with mild intellectual disabilities, be given greater leniency.Concerned that a 14-year-old could be punished as an adult, Mr Henry Kwek (Kebun Baru) suggests that the Government adopt a graduated, age-sensitive charging approach for those aged 14 to 17, to avoid a cliff effect.Mr Yong also suggests anti-ticketing scam laws, such as those in Japan and in Taiwan, to address ticketing scams, which could derail Singapore\\u2019s efforts to anchor itself as the region\\u2019s entertainment hub.On the greater protection of public service officers, Mr Wan Rizal (Jalan Besar GRC) asks whether outsourced essential workers \\u2013 such as cleaners, healthcare assistants or transport enforcement officers \\u2013 who are not statutory officers will be covered under the Bill.He also asks the ministry to clarify when agencies will invoke the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act to correct misinformation related to incidents involving public service officers.ST PHOTO: GIN TAY\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Goh Yan Han\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"MPs ask for tougher punishments and to raise the age cap of caning to 60\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T15:55:12+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T15:59:39+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Three more MPs rise to comment on the Bill. Mr Foo Cexiang (Tanjong Pagar GRC) raises several clarifications, including asking why mandatory caning is not being considered for scam mules \\u2013 particularly those who know they are enabling scams.He suggests increasing the severity of punishment for those who participate in scams where scammers impersonate government officials, adding that these are the \\u201cmost deplorable\\u201d of the various kinds of scams as they may also undermine public confidence in Government. He draws a parallel to how Singapore in the past dealt with the issue of vandalism. \\u201cI will argue that we need both effective enforcement and deterrence in the form of caning to deal with the scourge of scams. \\u201cI will go further to say that we are able to remove mandatory caning for vandalism today and discussing it in this Bill, because we have successfully deterred the act of vandalism from taking root in society in Singapore, where there was a very real threat several decades ago.\\u201dMr Cai Yinzhou (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC) speaks next, saying he supports the Bill but asks for clarifications on how penalties will apply to those above 50, who are exempt from caning. He also asks if the new penalties will immediately apply to the 27 Singaporeans who are alleged to have been part of a Cambodian scam syndicate. Ms Lee Hui Ying (Nee Soon GRC) also asks about the age cap of 50. She says if it is intended to be a proxy of physical suitability, the Government should consider if it is appropriate to increase the maximum age to 60 in view of lengthening \\u201chealth spans\\u201d. The average number of years that Singaporeans spend in good health is rising, she notes.\\u201cRevising the caning age limit upwards would align with the trend towards an ageing society, whereby, assuming status quo in crime rates, the average age of offenders is expected to increase year on year.\\u201d\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"yuenc\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Mind sports and e-sports to be part of new Bill introduced \",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T13:57:49+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T15:34:01+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"\\u201cMind sports\\u201d such as chess and bridge, as well as e-sports, will be officially recognised as sports under changes proposed in the Singapore Sports Council (Amendments) Bill.The Bill, tabled by Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo, will also allow Sport Singapore (SportSG) to establish and maintain codes of practice for coaching, sports and physical fitness equipment and facilities, among other things.It seeks to amend the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) Act to update the roles and functions of the SSC, more commonly known as SportSG, the government agency responsible for developing a national sports culture in Singapore.This allows SportSG to better support Singaporeans\\u2019 diverse sporting aspirations and enables Team Singapore athletes to maximise their potential and perform at their highest level, says the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth in a statement on the Bill.PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: UNSPLASH\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"ssherlyn\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"More or less? Mixed responses from MPs on proposed caning penalties\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T15:22:22+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T15:27:18+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Mr Xie Yao Quan (Jurong Central) calls for stiffer penalties like caning for criminals who share obscene content and are administrators of such groups.The criminal force inflicted through electronic means by online administrators on their victims is no less severe than criminal force inflicted in person physically, he says. Many times, it is even worse due to the scale and speed made possible by online means.He also suggests stronger penalties for scammers, calling for these to be in line with those for drug-related offences.\\u201cIn my mind, scammers are therefore no less harmful to our society than manufacturers of controlled Class A drugs,\\u201d he says, though he adds that he will stop short of calling for capital punishment for the most egregious scammers.On the other hand, WP\\u2019s Ms Sylvia Lim (Aljunied GRC) questions the effectiveness of caning as a deterrent for scam activity. This is even as she has \\u201clittle sympathy for those who perpetrate these cruel acts\\u201d, due to the material loss and psychological harm the scam victims experience.She welcomes the reduction in the use of caning for other offences, such as vandalism.Her constituency colleague Fadli Fawzi suggests that the leaders of scam networks can be better deterred by increasing the likelihood of them being caught rather than the prospect of more severe punishment.He also suggests offering leniency to lower-level operatives, who may be unwilling participants tricked into the system, who assist the authorities in dismantling these crime networks.Speaking on other amendments proposed in the Bill, Ms Joan Pereira (Tanjong Pagar GRC) asks that the Government pay closer attention to bullying cases, such as situations where intimate images of minors are distributed. These could be weaponised as a form of sexualised bullying.She calls for clear guidelines and robust victim support systems to protect the vulnerable young victims.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Goh Yan Han\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"About 15 per cent of PSLE questions are classified as \\u2018challenging\\u2019\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T12:58:48+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T14:47:19+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"About 15 per cent of PSLE questions continue to be classified as \\u201cchallenging\\u201d each year. These are questions that require students to apply concepts learnt in novel or authentic contexts.Senior Minister of State for Education Janil Puthucheary shares the figure in response to a question from WP MP Gerald Giam (Aljunied GRC).This proportion is the same as what was reported in 2022, after a PSLE maths paper the year before was so challenging that it reportedly left pupils in tears.Mr Giam also asked whether such questions required application of knowledge beyond the school syllabus and the measures that the Education Ministry has to ensure that students who cannot afford private tuition are not disadvantaged by such examination questions.\\u201cTo ensure accessibility, all questions use age-appropriate language and contexts. In addition, challenging questions are often structured with scaffolding to help students attempt them progressively,\\u201d Dr Puthucheary says.Mr Giam follows up with a question about the larger purpose of such questions in national exams. If students are not taught in school to answer them, they could inadvertently become a sorting mechanism to identify students with the most resources, he says.Dr Puthucheary says these questions are included partly because there are students who can deal with them and need their cognitive and academic abilities to be assessed adequately.There is not an expectation that the only way to deal with challenging questions is through private tuition, he adds. The formal education system teaches students how to take a concept and apply it to a question that they have not previously encountered.PHOTO: ST FILE\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Goh Yan Han\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Faisal Manap clarified to Pritam that meetings with ustaz were common practice ahead of GEs\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T13:53:13+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T14:05:36+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Mr Singh says that after Mr Faisal showed him the message, he asked him for the context for the meeting in view of the ministerial statement and the parliamentary consensus that race and religion should not be used for political gain.He recaps what he said in Parliament in October \\u2013 that the meeting in question on April 20 was arranged by an ustaz known to Mr Faisal.He says he can reconfirm that \\u201cno promises or undertakings were made by Mr Faisal or the WP Malay\\/Muslim candidates present in exchange for political support from Mr Noor Deros during the elections\\u201d.He adds that this had been reconfirmed to him by Mr Faisal and the WP Malay\\/Muslim candidates who were present at the meeting during the parliamentary exchange last month.Mr Faisal shared with him the following:After GE 2011, he approached an ustaz involved in interfaith discourse to seek guidance on how he could perform his role as a minority Malay\\/Muslim MP. He found the guidance helpful and meaningful. Mr Faisal was first elected to Parliament in 2011 as part of the WP's Aljunied GRC team.Hence, prior to GE 2015, he arranged for a similar session with an ustaz for himself and the WP Malay candidates to seek guidance and advice.The motives behind the meeting prior to GE 2025 \\u2013 which was attended by Mr Noor \\u2013 were the same.On April 12, ahead of the issuance of the Writ, the ustaz who invited Mr Noor reached out to Mr Faisal to inform him that he was planning to engage a group of his asatizah friends to meet Mr Faisal, says Mr Singh.Mr Faisal then met the group with other WP Malay candidates.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Goh Yan Han\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Indranee takes issue with Pritam\\u2019s framing of Noor Deros\\u2019 interactions with WP\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T13:18:30+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T13:50:57+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Ms Indranee says a later statement by self-styled preacher Noor Deros contradicts how Mr Singh framed his meeting with the WP. The self-styled religious teacher based in Malaysia had said in the run-up to the May general election that he had spoken with WP candidates contesting the polls and urged the opposition party to prioritise the rights and concerns of the Malay\\/Muslim community in Singapore.His declaration was made in a series of Facebook posts on April 26, prompting several ministers to caution against the mixing of race and religion in politics.Mr Noor released a video on Oct 18 where he says he did not \\u201cgatecrash\\u201d the meeting, unlike what Mr Singh said during his response to Mr Shanmugam, Ms Indranee notes. The interactions between the WP and Mr Noor in the lead-up to the election were covered extensively in Mr Shanmugam\\u2019s ministerial statement in October.Ms Indranee adds that Mr Noor had been publicly asked whether he had really been invited, and, if so, whether he had been invited by Mr Faisal Manap \\u2013 WP\\u2019s vice-chair and Tampines GRC candidate \\u2013 or someone else.She says: \\u201cThus Mr Deros has suggested that Mr Faisal, at least, would have known that Mr Deros would be attending the meeting. \\u201cOn the face of things, it would appear that either one \\u2013 Mr Faisal has told an untruth which has been repeated by Mr Singh during the general election and now in Parliament. Or two, Mr Deros is lying. Sir, this is serious, and so may I seek some clarifications from Mr Singh?\\u201dMs Indranee asks for three clarifications:Can Mr Singh reconfirm his position that Mr Noor gatecrashed the meeting?Can he confirm it is also Mr Faisal\\u2019s position that Mr Noor gatecrashed the meeting?Has Mr Singh confirmed with Mr Faisal whether the names of the asatizahs attending the meeting were sent in advance to Mr Faisal? If they were not sent in advance, was Mr Faisal nevertheless aware that Mr Noor would attend the meeting?PHOTO: MDDI\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Goh Yan Han\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Question time is over; surprise ministerial statement\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T13:05:27+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T13:34:35+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Minister in the Prime Minister\\u2019s Office Indranee Rajah is making a ministerial statement, which she says is about statements Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh made in the previous October sitting of Parliament. The statement was not included in the order paper released yesterday.Mr Singh had responded to a ministerial statement from Coordinating Minister for National Security K. Shanmugam on race and religion in politics.Mr Shanmugam spoke extensively about the May general election and the Workers\\u2019 Party\\u2019s dealings with foreign actors and Singaporean self-styled preacher Noor Deros.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Goh Yan Han\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Pritam rises to answer, says he already intended to clarify his statements today\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T13:22:00+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T13:31:18+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Mr Singh says he told Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng last night, before Ms Indranee\\u2019s ministerial statement, that he wished to clarify \\u201ccertain representations\\u201d he had made in the House that were incorrect and had to be clarified for the record. He adds that he was required to send these in advance to the Speaker and adds that all the questions Ms Indranee has asked will be dealt with in this personal explanation.Mr Seah confirms this. PHOTO: MDDI\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Goh Yan Han\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"MOE is introducing AI in schools not just for productivity but also to teach AI skills\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T12:34:21+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T13:14:09+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Introducing artificial intelligence (AI) tools can create hidden work but there are benefits to be reaped down the line, says Education Minister Desmond Lee. He is responding to a question from WP\\u2019s Mr Kenneth Tiong (Aljunied GRC) on whether the Ministry of Education (MOE) has set goals \\u2013 fewer hours or better allocation of time from admin to teaching \\u2013 to measure whether AI adoption is having the desired outcomes in schools. Mr Lee says there is a learning curve, an \\u201cimplementation curve\\u201d and an \\u201coperationalisation curve\\u201d before benefits come, and it is still early days. He adds that his ministry is infusing AI into teaching not just for productivity, but also to be able as an education service to teach AI skills to children. Mr Tiong also asks if MOE believes that the current teaching workload at 53 hours a week is sustainable in the long term, and, if not, what the target number is. In response, Mr Lee says those are long hours, and there is collective work needed to address it.\\u201cWe keep at it and continue to roll out reviews and changes that will help to moderate our teachers overall working hours, and their work-life balance.\\u201d\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Goh Yan Han\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"9% of NS pre-enlistees found to have mental health issues\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T12:43:36+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T13:11:37+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Nine per cent of pre-enlistees were found to have mental health issues and 11 per cent of full-time national servicemen (NSFs) sought help for some form of mental health-related problem in 2024. Minister of State for Defence Desmond Choo reveals these numbers in response to a question from Ms Gho Sze Kee (Mountbatten), adding that while figures vary from year to year, there has been a general upward trend over time. This is similar to national trends among young people, and the Singapore Armed Forces will continue to work closely with families and relevant agencies to support the mental health of servicemen, Mr Choo says. A 2024 reply from Mindef said that the proportion of pre-enlistees detected to have mental health issues jumped from 6 per cent in 2019 to 11 per cent in 2023, although the majority have mild to moderate conditions.Ms Gho asks about a recent suicide attempt by an NSF from the police force, and if there are plans to introduce psychological screening as part of pre-enlistment procedures. A 23-year-old full-time police NSF was found with a gunshot wound to his neck at 328 Pasir Panjang Road on Oct 15.Mr Choo says the medical examination of pre-enlistees already includes such screening, and they will be deferred from national service if there is a sense that they pose harm to themselves or others.\\u201cWe recognise that mental health issues can surface later after the pre-enlistment stage. The SAF has a mental health support system in place to detect and support service personnel with mental health issues,\\u201d he says, adding that the Home Team has similar systems in place.Mental well-being helplinesInstitute of Mental Health\\u2019s Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours)Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24 hours) \\/ 9151-1767 (24 hours CareText via WhatsApp)Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500\\/1Women\\u2019s Helpline (Aware): 1800-777-5555 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm)PHOTO: ST FILE\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Goh Yan Han\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Pritam Singh is in Parliament after appearing in court in the morning\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T12:47:14+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T12:58:40+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh has taken his seat in the House. He was earlier this morning in the Supreme Court, where he is appealing his February conviction and $14,000 fine for lying to the Committee of Privileges.Court adjourned at around 12.30pm and Mr Singh was seen walking towards Parliament. It will resume at 2.15pm. We are also covering his appeal live \\u2013 check out that blog here.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"ngweikai\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Free morning off-peak rail rides scheme to be assessed after a year: Jeffrey Siow\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T11:33:59+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T12:15:03+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"The free morning off-peak rail rides pilot scheme on the North East Line (NEL) will be assessed for extension after a year, says Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow.He was responding to a question from WP\\u2019s Mr Louis Chua (Sengkang GRC) on whether the authorities would make the scheme permanent.From Dec 27, the free rides will apply to passengers who enter the NEL stations of Punggol Coast, Punggol, Sengkang, Buangkok, Hougang or Kovan, or any Sengkang-Punggol LRT station, before 7.30am or between 9am and 9.45am on weekdays, excluding public holidays.Mr Siow says that the Transport Ministry is piloting the scheme on the NEL and Sengkang-Punggol LRT \\u2013 currently the most well-used section of the MRT network.He adds that about 7 per cent of commuters shifted out of the morning peak when a similar free travel programme was introduced in 2013.He says: \\u201cIf we are able to achieve a similar and sustained result, we will not need to have additional resources to support higher commuter traffic before 7.30am.\\u201cThe free morning off-peak travel programme will be fully funded by the Government. The level of government funding required will depend on the eventual take-up rate, and therefore the effectiveness of the scheme.\\u201dST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"ssherlyn\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"No plans to add more carriages to NEL trains as line is underground: Jeffrey Siow\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T11:59:43+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T12:14:33+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"In a follow-up question, Mr Chua asks Mr Siow if the Transport Ministry can add more train carriages. The sections under the free ride scheme run through his constituency.Mr Siow says the Transport Ministry has not taken this step because the North East Line is underground.If trains are longer than the station length, the ministry may have to shut down the line to expand the station, or there might be fire safety considerations.\\u201cWhat we have done is, of course, for future lines going forward, to see if we can budget for stations; they are longer in advance and then perhaps in future to only have smaller capacity trains and extend the capacity of those trains when we need to,\\u201d he says.Ms Elysa Chen (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC) asks how the ministry decided on the stations under the scheme, adding that Bishan MRT station \\u2013 which is in her ward \\u2013 gets quite crowded as well.Mr Siow says the section chosen is the most well-used part of the whole MRT network currently, and does not have an alternative route until the Cross Island Line is ready. Should there be a disruption, the impact would be quite significant, so it is in the ministry\\u2019s interest to try to reduce peak-hour crowding, he adds.Bishan is relatively less crowded and more connected, he says.Ms Chen also asks about whether the scheme disproportionately benefits able-bodied commuters who can flexibly adjust their travel timing.Mr Siow responds that the scheme is meant to move a small proportion of those who are able and willing to travel during the off-peak hours. It will then benefit commuters who have no choice but to travel during the more crowded periods.Mr Ng Chee Meng (Jalan Kayu) asks if the Seletar Line will be accelerated to help with the growing population density in the north-east.Mr Siow says the planning of the MRT line is in tandem with housing developments and travel demands.The Seletar Line is being studied, and he hopes to have an update on it in 2026, possibly during the debate on the ministries\\u2019 budgets. This is typically during the end-February to early-March period.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Goh Yan Han\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Parliament begins\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T11:32:24+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T11:36:29+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"We start today\\u2019s question time with Workers\\u2019 Party (WP) MP Louis Chua (Sengkang GRC), who asks whether a pilot scheme to provide free MRT rides in the north-east will become permanent.\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Goh Yan Han\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"What to watch for today\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T11:12:21+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T11:21:15+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Good morning! MPs filed more than 100 questions for today\\u2019s sitting for the Government to answer.Here are some key issues we will be looking out for and blogging on here:Teacher workload: A recent survey found that Singapore\\u2019s teachers work longer hours than their counterparts in other countries. Four MPs asked about the findings and how teachers are being supported, including Ms Valerie Lee (Pasir-Ris Changi GRC), who asked about specific steps to further reduce non-instructional duties for teachers like marking and administrative work.Challenging PSLE questions: Workers\\u2019 Party MP Gerald Giam (Aljunied GRC) asked about the percentage of questions in the 2025 PSLE papers classified as challenging, and whether such questions need pupils to apply knowledge beyond the school syllabus. He also asked if there are measures to ensure students who cannot afford private tuition are not disadvantaged by such questions.Free MRT rides: A pilot scheme to start in end-Dec will see passengers in Singapore\\u2019s north-east ride for free on their first rail ride in the north-east during morning off-peak hours. Workers\\u2019 Party MP Louis Chua (Sengkang GRC) asked if the authorities are committed to making the scheme permanent to drive sustained shifts in travel patterns.There\\u2019s one new Bill being introduced: the Singapore Sports Council (Amendment) Bill. We don\\u2019t know much about that yet, but will keep you updated as it gets tabled later.In the afternoon, we\\u2019ll get into the debates on the Bills that were introduced in the last sitting in October. There are seven Bills lined up for this sitting, and three of them look pretty substantial \\u2013 we expect a sizeable number of MPs wanting to speak on them.Today, we\\u2019ll probably hear only on the one proposing caning for scammers and another on workplace fairness.The Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill proposes to cane scammers and scam mules, following the loss of billions of dollars to scams in Singapore in recent years. Scammers, and members and recruiters of scam syndicates, are set to face mandatory caning of at least six strokes if the changes are passed. This can go up to 24 strokes, depending on the severity of the offence.The Workplace Fairness (Dispute Resolution) Bill aims to ensure that workers facing discrimination have a clear process to seek redress.There\\u2019s also an adjournment motion put up today by the PAP\\u2019s Dr Charlene Chen (Tampines GRC). She\\u2019ll be speaking on strengthening mental resilience among the young.Stay tuned!ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Goh Yan Han\"}},{\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"headline\":\"Welcome to our Parliament live blog \",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-04T10:50:38+08:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T11:12:07+08:00\",\"articleBody\":\"Hi, everyone. It\\u2019s the first day of this Parliament sitting \\u2013 possibly the last for the year if Parliament is to take its customary break in December. Welcome to our live blog and stay tuned for updates!\",\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"The Straits Times\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Goh Yan Han\"}}]}","keywords":"Singapore Parliament, Parliament, Singapore politicians, Members of Parliament, Singapore Politics, MPs, ST Live Blog","robots":"index, follow, max-image-preview:large, max-snippet:-1, max-video-preview:-1","image":"https://static1.straitstimes.com.sg/s3fs-public/articles/2025/11/06/afparl0611.jpg?VersionId=gTzIRwOjXxvActe74wWUNvBnjCOiv23r"},"gaData":{"level2":"23","chapter1":"","chapter2":"","title":"Live:_Nov_4_Parliament","title_ga":"Live: Nov 4 Parliament","pagination":"1","contenttype":"live blog"}},"dependentPaths":[]}}},"actionData":null,"errors":null}