Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim (Sengkang): Thank you, Mdm Deputy Speaker. Just a quick clarification for the Minister. He mentioned earlier on in his speech that the specific announcements with regard to Ukraine, in terms of how Singapore with respond in terms of embargoes, were still being worked out. But I wonder if he could elaborateContinue reading “COS 2022: Clarification on Blocking Russian Airlines and Private Aircraft from Changi”
Category Archives: Committee of Supply 2022
COS 2022: Indo-Pacific Economic Framework
Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong (Hougang): Mr Chairman, Singapore and the United States (US) have been close partners in support of the rules-based economic and security order within our region since our Independence. A recent example of how we have assisted in the area of security is our offer of military planes to help withContinue reading “COS 2022: Indo-Pacific Economic Framework”
COS 2022: GST on Water Conservation Tax
Mr Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap (Aljunied): I am dismayed that the Government will be going ahead with the rise in the GST. My main concern is with the impact on the lower-income households. I note the Government’s explanation that assistance will be provided to this segment of society via various schemes. Nonetheless, I believe any additionalContinue reading “COS 2022: GST on Water Conservation Tax”
Clarifications on Higher Taxes on Tobacco and the GST Hike
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song: Sir, the Minister accused Workers’ Party of double standards by calling for higher taxes on tobacco, because that is regressive. But would he not agree that more taxes on tobacco and gambling are acceptable, if they can help discourage that behaviour? Because the effects of that behaviour have far higher healthContinue reading “Clarifications on Higher Taxes on Tobacco and the GST Hike”
COS 2022: Bank Accounts for Ex-offenders
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song (Aljunied): Sir, I have increasingly been approached by for assistance by residents who face problems opening personal bank accounts. Their applications were rejected by banks either because of that past criminal records, past investigations for financial related crimes, or are currently under criminal investigation resulting in their bank accounts beingContinue reading “COS 2022: Bank Accounts for Ex-offenders”
Clarifications on Workfare for those earning less than $500 a month
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song (Aljunied): Madam, I think I understand the policy intent of encouraging able-bodied people to work more, but has the Government done studies on what they think would be the best way, or what would be the best way to achieve this policy intent? How did it arrive at the conclusionContinue reading “Clarifications on Workfare for those earning less than $500 a month”
Debate on Annual Budget Statement 2022
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song (Aljunied): Mr Speaker, the COVID-19 pandemic serves as a reminder to all of us of the importance of national resilience. We are now moving towards life with COVID-19 as an endemic disease, a path which is bound to be fraught with unexpected challenges. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has beenContinue reading “Debate on Annual Budget Statement 2022”
COS 2022: Government Tele-services
Mr Pritam Singh (Aljunied): Chairman, in spite of the greater use of smartphones and the evolution towards digitalisation, many, especially seniors, still prefer speaking to a physical individual at the end of a phone line as compared to a bot or an AI-inspired solution. A 2020 study supported by the National Medical Research Council showedContinue reading “COS 2022: Government Tele-services”
Clarifications to the Minister of Finance on Reserves
Mr Leon Perera: Thank you, Mr Speaker, Sir. I thank the Finance Minister for his wrap-up speech. There are three clarifications. Before that just a very short sort of response or preamble. I think the Minister talked about how much the personal income tax would have to rise, would the property tax would have to riseContinue reading “Clarifications to the Minister of Finance on Reserves”
Debate on Annual Budget Statement 2022
Mr Leon Perera (Aljunied): Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to start by referencing a memoir written by Ms Liyana Dhamirah called “Homeless”. Ms Liyana’s memoir traces her journey as a young mother sleeping rough in “crazy rich” Singapore. She eventually got back on track with the tenacity to fight stigma, with support from social workers and a spotContinue reading “Debate on Annual Budget Statement 2022”
Office of the Leader of the Opposition 