VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF SINGAPORE
Second Session
MONDAY, 13 JULY 2015
No. 38 1.30 pm 302
PRESENT:
Mdm SPEAKER (Mdm HALIMAH YACOB (Jurong)).
Mr ANG WEI NENG (Jurong).
Mr BAEY YAM KENG (Tampines).
Mr CHAN CHUN SING (Tanjong Pagar), Minister, Prime Minister's Office.
Mr CHEN SHOW MAO (Aljunied).
Dr CHIA SHI-LU (Tanjong Pagar).
Ms CHIA YONG YONG (Nominated Member).
Mrs LINA CHIAM (Non-Constituency Member).
Mr CHARLES CHONG (Joo Chiat), Deputy Speaker.
Mr THOMAS CHUA KEE SENG (Nominated Member).
Mr CHRISTOPHER DE SOUZA (Holland-Bukit Timah).
Assoc Prof FATIMAH LATEEF (Marine Parade).
Mr ARTHUR FONG (West Coast).
Mr CEDRIC FOO CHEE KENG (Pioneer).
Ms FOO MEE HAR (West Coast).
Ms GRACE FU HAI YIEN (Yuhua), Minister, Prime Minister's Office, Second Minister for the Environment and Water Resources and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Mr GAN KIM YONG (Chua Chu Kang), Minister for Health and Government Whip.
Mr GAN THIAM POH (Pasir Ris-Punggol).
Mr GERALD GIAM YEAN SONG (Non-Constituency Member). No. 38 13 JULY 2015 303
Mr GOH CHOK TONG (Marine Parade).
Mr HAWAZI DAIPI (Sembawang), Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education and Minister for Manpower.
Mr HENG CHEE HOW (Whampoa), Senior Minister of State, Prime Minister's Office and Deputy Leader of the House.
Mr HENG SWEE KEAT (Tampines), Minister for Education.
Mr HRI KUMAR NAIR (Bishan-Toa Payoh).
Mr INDERJIT SINGH (Ang Mo Kio).
Ms INDRANEE RAJAH (Tanjong Pagar), Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Law and Ministry of Education.
Dr INTAN AZURA MOKHTAR (Ang Mo Kio).
Mr S ISWARAN (West Coast), Minister, Prime Minister's Office, Second Minister for Home Affairs and Second Minister for Trade and Industry.
Dr JANIL PUTHUCHEARY (Pasir Ris-Punggol).
Mr K KARTHIKEYAN (Nominated Member).
Mr KHAW BOON WAN (Sembawang), Minister for National Development.
Ms KUIK SHIAO-YIN (Nominated Member).
Dr LAM PIN MIN (Sengkang West), Minister of State, Ministry of Health.
Er Dr LEE BEE WAH (Nee Soon).
Ms ELLEN LEE (Sembawang).
Mr LEE HSIEN LOONG (Ang Mo Kio), Prime Minister.
Mr DESMOND LEE (Jurong), Minister of State, Ministry of National Development.
Mr LEE YI SHYAN (East Coast), Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of National Development.
Mr LIANG ENG HWA (Holland-Bukit Timah).
Mr LIM BIOW CHUAN (Mountbatten).
Mr RAYMOND LIM SIANG KEAT (East Coast).
Mr LIM SWEE SAY (East Coast), Minister for Manpower.
Ms SYLVIA LIM (Aljunied).
Dr LIM WEE KIAK (Nee Soon).
Ms PENNY LOW (Pasir Ris-Punggol). No. 38 13 JULY 2015 304
Mr LOW THIA KHIANG (Aljunied).
Ms LOW YEN LING (Chua Chu Kang), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social and Family Development and Minister for Culture, Community and Youth.
Mr LUI TUCK YEW (Moulmein-Kallang), Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Defence.
Mr MAH BOW TAN (Tampines).
Mr MASAGOS ZULKIFLI B M M (Tampines), Minister, Prime Minister's Office, Second Minister for Home Affairs and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Dr MOHAMAD MALIKI BIN OSMAN (East Coast), Minister of State, Ministry of Defence and Ministry of National Development.
Mr MOHD ISMAIL HUSSEIN (Nominated Member).
Mr MUHAMAD FAISAL ABDUL MANAP (Aljunied).
Assoc Prof Dr MUHAMMAD FAISHAL IBRAHIM (Nee Soon), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Minister for Transport.
Dr LILY NEO (Tanjong Pagar).
Ms IRENE NG PHEK HOONG (Tampines).
Mr DAVID ONG KIM HUAT (Jurong).
Mr ONG TENG KOON (Sembawang).
Ms DENISE PHUA LAY PENG (Moulmein-Kallang).
Mr PNG ENG HUAT (Hougang).
Mr PRITAM SINGH (Aljunied).
Mr SEAH KIAN PENG (Marine Parade), Deputy Speaker.
Mr SENG HAN THONG (Ang Mo Kio).
Mr K SHANMUGAM (Nee Soon), Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law.
Ms SIM ANN (Holland-Bukit Timah), Minister of State, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Communications and Information.
Mr SITOH YIH PIN (Potong Pasir).
Ms RITA SOH SIOW LAN (Nominated Member).
Dr BENEDICT TAN (Nominated Member).
Mr SAM TAN CHIN SIONG (Radin Mas), Minister of State, Prime Minister's Office and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth.
Mr TAN CHUAN-JIN (Marine Parade), Minister for Social and Family Development. No. 38 13 JULY 2015 305
Assoc Prof RANDOLPH TAN (Nominated Member).
Prof TAN TAI YONG (Nominated Member).
Mr PATRICK TAY TECK GUAN (Nee Soon).
Mr TEO CHEE HEAN (Pasir Ris-Punggol), Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs.
Dr TEO HO PIN (Bukit Panjang), Deputy Government Whip.
Mrs JOSEPHINE TEO (Bishan-Toa Payoh), Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Transport.
Mr TEO SER LUCK (Pasir Ris-Punggol), Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Mr THARMAN SHANMUGARATNAM (Jurong), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance.
Ms TIN PEI LING (Marine Parade).
Mr EDWIN TONG CHUN FAI (Moulmein-Kallang).
Mr VIKRAM NAIR (Sembawang).
Dr VIVIAN BALAKRISHNAN (Holland-Bukit Timah), Minister for the Environment and Water Resources.
Mr WONG KAN SENG (Bishan-Toa Payoh).
Mr LAWRENCE WONG (West Coast), Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister for Communications and Information.
Assoc Prof Dr YAACOB IBRAHIM (Moulmein-Kallang), Minister for Communications and Information and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs.
Mr ALEX YAM ZIMING (Chua Chu Kang).
Mr YEE JENN JONG (Non-Constituency Member).
Mr ALVIN YEO (Chua Chu Kang).
Mr YEO GUAT KWANG (Ang Mo Kio).
Mr ZAINAL SAPARI (Pasir Ris-Punggol).
Mr ZAINUDIN NORDIN (Bishan-Toa Payoh).
Mr ZAQY MOHAMAD (Chua Chu Kang).
No. 38 13 JULY 2015 306
ABSENT:
Mr ANG HIN KEE (Ang Mo Kio).
Dr AMY KHOR LEAN SUAN (Hong Kah North), Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Manpower and Deputy Government Whip.
Ms LEE LI LIAN (Punggol East).
Mr LIM HNG KIANG (West Coast), Minister for Trade and Industry.
Dr NG ENG HEN (Bishan-Toa Payoh), Minister for Defence and Leader of the House.
Ms JESSICA TAN SOON NEO (East Coast). No. 38 13 JULY 2015 307
1 Papers presented to Parliament and received by the Clerk of Parliament pursuant to Standing Order No. 31 (Presentation of Papers) and ordered to lie upon the Table:
1.1 Advice of the Council of Presidential Advisers on the Appointment of Judicial Commissioner of the Supreme Court – Presented on 18 May 2015 (S. 23 of 2015).
1.2 Advice of the Council of Presidential Advisers on the Appointment of a Judge of the High Court – Presented on 18 May 2015 (S. 24 of 2015).
1.3 Report of the Presidential Council for Minority Rights on the Monetary Authority of Singapore (Amendment) Bill [Bill No. 11/2015] – Presented on 20 May 2015 (Pres. Co. 12 of 2015).
1.4 Report of the Presidential Council for Minority Rights on the Government Securities (Amendment) Bill [Bill No. 12/2015] – Presented on 20 May 2015 (Pres. Co. 13 of 2015).
1.5 Report of the Presidential Council for Minority Rights on the Unmanned Aircraft (Public Safety and Security) Bill [Bill No. 13/2015] – Presented on 20 May 2015 (Pres. Co. 14 of 2015).
1.6 Report of the Presidential Council for Minority Rights on the Third-Party Taxi Booking Service Providers Bill [Bill No. 14/2015] – Presented on 20 May 2015 (Pres. Co. 15 of 2015).
1.7 Legal Profession (International Services) (Amendment) Rules 2015 – Presented on 21 May 2015 (S. L. 97 of 2015).
1.8 Societies (Amendment) Regulations 2015 – Presented on 26 May 2015 (S. L. 98 of 2015).
1.9 Legal Profession (Professional Conduct) (Amendment) Rules 2015 – Presented on 28 May 2015 (S. L. 99 of 2015).
1.10 Legal Profession (Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism) Rules 2015 – Presented on 28 May 2015 (S. L. 100 of 2015).
1.11 Advice of the Council of Presidential Advisers on the Re-Appointment to the Board of the Monetary Authority of Singapore – Presented on 29 May 2015 (S. 25 of 2015).
1.12 State Lands (Fees) Rules 2015 – Presented on 29 May 2015 (S. L. 101 of 2015).
1.13 Land Revenue Collection (Fees) (Amendment) Rules 2015 – Presented on 29 May 2015 (S. L. 102 of 2015).
1.14 Goods and Services Tax Voucher Fund Audited Financial Statements for the Financial Period Ended 31 March 2015 – Presented on 2 June 2015 (S. 26 of 2015). No. 38 13 JULY 2015 308
1.15 Central Provident Fund Board Annual Report 2014 – Presented on 3 June 2015 (S. 27 of 2015).
1.16 Housing Developers (Amendment) Rules 2015 – Presented on 4 June 2015 (S. L. 103 of 2015).
1.17 Housing Developers (Show Unit) Rules 2015 – Presented on 4 June 2015 (S. L. 104 of 2015).
1.18 Housing Developers (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2015 – Presented on 4 June 2015 (S. L. 105 of 2015).
1.19 Building Control (Buildability and Productivity) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 – Presented on 8 June 2015 (S. L. 106 of 2015).
1.20 Amusement Rides Safety (Amendment) Regulations 2015 – Presented on 8 June 2015 (S. L. 107 of 2015).
1.21 Rules of Court (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2015 – Presented on 8 June 2015 (S. L. 108 of 2015).
1.22 Legal Profession (Foreign Representation in Singapore International Commercial Court) (Amendment) Rules 2015 – Presented on 8 June 2015 (S. L. 109 of 2015).
1.23 Protection from Harassment Act (Chapter 256A, Revised Edition 2015) – Presented on 10 June 2015 (S. 28 of 2015).
1.24 Singapore Institute of Technology Act (Chapter 299B, Revised Edition 2015) – Presented on 10 June 2015 (S. 29 of 2015).
1.25 Status of Children (Assisted Reproduction Technology) Act (Chapter 317A, Revised Edition 2015) – Presented on 10 June 2015 (S. 30 of 2015).
1.26 The Connect Fund Report and Financial Statements for the Financial Year Ended 31 March 2015 – Presented on 12 June 2015 (S. 31 of 2015).
1.27 Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Registration and Licensing) (Amendment) Rules 2015 – Presented on 15 June 2015 (S. L. 110 of 2015).
1.28 Road Traffic (Carbon Emissions Tax) (Amendment) Rules 2015 – Presented on 15 June 2015 (S. L. 111 of 2015).
1.29 Employment of Foreign Manpower (Work Passes) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 – Presented on 16 June 2015 (S. L. 112 of 2015).
1.30 Annual Report of Singapore Corporation of Rehabilitative Enterprises for 2014 – Presented on 18 June 2015 (S. 32 of 2015).
1.31 Elderly Care Endowment Scheme Annual Report for the Financial Year 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015 – Presented on 18 June 2015 (S. 33 of 2015). No. 38 13 JULY 2015 309
1.32 Annual Report of Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura, 2014 – Presented on 25 June 2015 (Cmd. 4 of 2015).
1.33 Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) (Vocational Licences and Conduct of Drivers, Conductors, Trishaw Riders and Passengers) (Amendment) Rules 2015 – Presented on 29 June 2015 (S. L. 113 of 2015).
1.34 Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Registration and Licensing) (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2015 – Presented on 29 June 2015 (S. L. 114 of 2015).
1.35 Advice of the Council of Presidential Advisers on the Re-Appointment and Appointment of Board Members to the Central Provident Fund Board (CPF Board) – Presented on 30 June 2015 (S. 34 of 2015).
1.36 Employment (Recommendations for Annual Wage Adjustment) Notifications 2015 – Presented on 1 July 2015 (Misc. 3 of 2015).
1.37 Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council's Audited Financial Statements, Auditors' Reports and Annual Report for FY2013/2014 – Presented on 1 July 2015 (S. 35 of 2015).
1.38 Central Provident Fund (New Minimum Sum Scheme) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2015 – Presented on 2 July 2015 (S. L. 115 of 2015).
1.39 Central Provident Fund (Home Protection Insurance Scheme) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 – Presented on 6 July 2015 (S. L. 116 of 2015).
1.40 Singapore Public Service Commission Annual Report 2014 – Presented on 8 July 2015 (S. 36 of 2015).
1.41 Police (Special Constabulary) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 – Presented on 8 July 2015 (S. L. 117 of 2015).
1.42 Road Traffic (New Drivers) (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2015 – Presented on 8 July 2015 (S. L. 118 of 2015).
1.43 Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Driving Licences) (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2015 – Presented on 8 July 2015 (S. L. 119 of 2015).
1.44 Singapore Labour Foundation Annual Report 2014 – Presented on 9 July 2015 (S. 37 of 2015).
1.45 Fees (Singapore Civil Defence Force) (Amendment) Order 2015 – Presented on 9 July 2015 (S. L. 120 of 2015).
1.46 Annual Report of Home Affairs Uniformed Services (INVEST Fund) for Financial Year 2014/2015 – Presented on 10 July 2015 (S. 38 of 2015).
1.47 Report of the Auditor-General for the Financial Year 2014/15 – Presented on 13 July 2015 (Cmd. 5 of 2015). No. 38 13 JULY 2015 310
1.48 Report on Registration of Births and Deaths 2014 – Presented on 13 July 2015 (Cmd. 6 of 2015).
1.49 Commissioner of Charities Annual Report 2014 – Presented on 13 July 2015 (S. 39 of 2015).
2 15 Questions for Oral Answer were answered during Question Time.
3 Ministerial Statement – Sabah Earthquake – (Minister for Education).
4 Organised Crime Bill – "to detect, investigate, prevent and disrupt organised crime activities, to deprive persons involved in such activities of the benefits of their crime, and to make consequential and related amendments to certain other Acts" – President’s recommendation signified and Bill presented by the Second Minister for Home Affairs (S Iswaran); read the first time; to be read a second time on the next available sitting day and to be printed. [Bill No. 21/2015].
5 Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Bill – "to implement the International Agreement for the establishment and operation of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, to enable Singapore to become a member of the Bank and for connected purposes" – President’s recommendation signified and presented by the Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Finance; read the first time; to be read a second time on the next available sitting day and to be printed. [Bill No. 22/2015].
6 Employment (Amendment) Bill – "to amend the Employment Act (Chapter 91 of the 2009 Revised Edition) and to make consequential and related amendments to certain other written laws" – presented by the Minister for Manpower; read the first time; to be read a second time on the next available sitting day and to be printed. [Bill No. 23/2015].
7 Silver Support Scheme Bill – "to provide for a social security scheme called the Silver Support Scheme and for related matters" – presented by the Minister for Manpower; read the first time; to be read a second time on the next available sitting day and to be printed. [Bill No. 24/2015].
8 Human Biomedical Research Bill – "to regulate the conduct of human biomedical research, to further regulate certain restricted human biomedical research, to prohibit certain types of human biomedical research, to regulate tissue banks and tissue banking activities, to prohibit commercial trading of human tissue, to provide for matters connected therewith and to make related amendments to certain other Acts" – presented by the Minister for Health; read the first time; to be read a second time on the next available sitting day and to be printed. [Bill No. 25/2015].
9 Bus Services Industry Bill – "to regulate the provision of bus services, the operation of bus depots and bus interchanges in Singapore, and to make consequential amendments to certain other Acts" – presented by the Minister for Transport; read the first time; to be read a second time on the next available sitting day and to be printed. [Bill No. 26/2015].
No. 38 13 JULY 2015 311
10 Public Transport Council (Amendment) Bill – "to amend the Public Transport Council Act (Chapter 259B of the 2012 Revised Edition) and to make related amendments to the Land Transport Authority of Singapore Act (Chapter 158A of the 1996 Revised Edition), the Rapid Transit Systems Act (Chapter 263A of the 2004 Revised Edition) and the Road Traffic Act (Chapter 276 of the 2004 Revised Edition)" – presented by the Minister for Transport; read the first time; to be read a second time on the next available sitting day and to be printed. [Bill No. 27/2015].
11 Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (Amendment) Bill – "to amend the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore Act (Chapter 41 of the 2014 Revised Edition)" – presented by the Minister for Transport; read the first time; to be read a second time on the next available sitting day and to be printed. [Bill No. 28/2015].
12 Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (Amendment) Bill Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time." (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance).
On Question put, a division was taken: Ayes 73, No 0, Absention 0.
Ayes
Ang Wei Neng Baey Yam Keng Chen Show Mao Chia Shi-Lu Chong, Charles Christopher de Souza Fatimah Lateef Foo Chee Keng, Cedric Foo Mee Har Fu Hai Yien, Grace Gan Kim Yong Gan Thiam Poh Goh Chok Tong Halimah Yacob Hawazi Daipi Heng Chee How Heng Swee Keat Hri Kumar Nair Indranee Rajah Intan Azura Mokhtar Iswaran, S. Janil Puthucheary Khaw Boon Wan Lam Pin Min Lee Bee Wah Lee, Desmond Lee, Ellen Lee Hsien Loong Lee Yi Shyan
No. 38 13 JULY 2015 312
Ayes - continued
Liang Eng Hwa Lim Biow Chuan Lim Swee Say Lim, Sylvia Lim Wee Kiak Low, Penny Low Thia Khiang Low Yen Ling Lui Tuck Yew Mah Bow Tan Masagos Zulkifli B M M Mohamad Maliki Osman Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim Ng Phek Hoong, Irene Ong Kim Huat, David Ong Teng Koon Phua Lay Peng, Denise Pritam Singh Seah Kian Peng Seng Han Thong Shanmugam, K. Sim Ann Sitoh Yih Pin Tan Chuan-Jin Tan, Sam Tay Teck Guan, Patrick Teo Chee Hean Teo Ho Pin Teo, Josephine Teo Ser Luck Tharman Shanmugaratnam Tin Pei Ling Tong Chun Fai, Edwin Vikram Nair Vivian Balakrishnan Wong Kan Seng Wong, Lawrence Yaacob Ibrahim Yam Ziming, Alex Yeo Guat Kwang Zainal Sapari Zainudin Nordin Zaqy Mohamad
Bill accordingly read a second time in accordance with Article 5(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore and committed to a Committee of the whole House.
No. 38 13 JULY 2015 313
The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance).
(In the Committee)
Clauses 1 to 3 inclusive agreed to.
Bill to be reported.
Bill reported, without amendment.
Motion made and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a third time.". (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance).
On Question put, a division was taken: Ayes 73, No 0, Absention 0.
Ayes
Ang Wei Neng Baey Yam Keng Chen Show Mao Chia Shi-Lu Chong, Charles Christopher de Souza Fatimah Lateef Foo Chee Keng, Cedric Foo Mee Har Fu Hai Yien, Grace Gan Kim Yong Gan Thiam Poh Goh Chok Tong Halimah Yacob Hawazi Daipi Heng Chee How Heng Swee Keat Hri Kumar Nair Indranee Rajah Intan Azura Mokhtar Iswaran, S. Janil Puthucheary Khaw Boon Wan Lam Pin Min Lee Bee Wah Lee, Desmond Lee, Ellen Lee Hsien Loong Lee Yi Shyan Liang Eng Hwa Lim Biow Chuan Lim Swee Say Lim, Sylvia
No. 38 13 JULY 2015 314
Ayes - continued
Lim Wee Kiak Low, Penny Low Thia Khiang Low Yen Ling Lui Tuck Yew Mah Bow Tan Masagos Zulkifli B M M Mohamad Maliki Osman Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim Ng Phek Hoong, Irene Ong Kim Huat, David Ong Teng Koon Phua Lay Peng, Denise Pritam Singh Seah Kian Peng Seng Han Thong Shanmugam, K. Sim Ann Sitoh Yih Pin Tan Chuan-Jin Tan, Sam Tay Teck Guan, Patrick Teo Chee Hean Teo Ho Pin Teo, Josephine Teo Ser Luck Tharman Shanmugaratnam Tin Pei Ling Tong Chun Fai, Edwin Vikram Nair Vivian Balakrishnan Wong Kan Seng Wong, Lawrence Yaacob Ibrahim Yam Ziming, Alex Yeo Guat Kwang Zainal Sapari Zainudin Nordin Zaqy Mohamad
Bill accordingly read a third time in accordance with Article 5(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore.
No. 38 13 JULY 2015 315
13 Financial Advisers (Amendment) Bill read a second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House.
The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill (Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, on behalf of the Prime Minister).
(In the Committee)
Clauses 1 to 15 inclusive agreed to.
Bill to be reported.
Bill reported, without amendment; read a third time.
14 Insurance (Amendment) Bill read a second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House.
The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill (Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, on behalf of the Prime Minister).
(In the Committee)
Clauses 1 to 4 inclusive agreed to.
Bill to be reported.
Bill reported, without amendment; read a third time.
15 Bankruptcy (Amendment) Bill (Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Law) – Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time"; Debate arising.
16 Adjournment of Debate (Government Whip) Motion made, and Question put Resolved, "That the debate be now adjourned.".
Debate to be resumed Tomorrow.
17 Adjournment (Government Whip) Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn.".
Adjourned at 6.42 pm
HALIMAH YACOB, Speaker
MEMORANDUM
Mdm Speaker will take the Chair again at 1.30 pm on Tuesday, 14 July 2015.