Excerpts from e-Townhall webchat on May Day Rally, 7 May 2009

27 participants comprising students, professionals, overseas Singaporeans and businessmen took part in the e-Townhall webchat with Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong and Dr Amy Khor, Chairman, REACH on the May Day Rally. The participants engaged the chairpersons in a discussion on topics such as employment for seniors, assistance for the unemployed, engagement of overseas Singaporeans, union relations, retraining, attractiveness of Singapore, as well as the three potential divides raised in PM’s May Day Rally speech.

Employment for seniors

It was pointed out that seniors faced great difficulty in finding jobs and often ended up as lowly-paid workers such as cleaners, security guards or chambermaids and were often subject to unfair working terms. It was hoped that the Government would take the lead in employing more seniors, and provide incentives for firms to employ senior workers and that the dissemination of information on schemes available to the   seniors could be improved so that they would know where to seek help.

Assistance for the unemployed

The netters felt that the Government should provide the retrenched with more assistance than fresh graduates and PMETs. It was hoped that unemployment insurance would be introduced to help the retrenched seek new opportunities and re-skill themselves. It was also suggested that Workfare be extended to the unemployed and that the Government consider allowing the unemployed to borrow from their own CPF savings to tide them through, in the short term. 

Skills upgrading

A couple of participants felt that skills upgrading alone was not enough to help workers and would not be of much help to those who are now unemployed. A participant also raised that basic retraining was only a short-term measure and wondered about the long-term measures that would help to make Singaporean workers competitive.

Labour relations

Several contributors wondered if the peaceful labour relations   in Singapore were too contrived due to the ban on strikes. Nevertheless, they recognised the importance of peaceful labour relations to the economy. An overseas Singaporean suggested that the employers, employees and Government work together to create the conditions that bring about peaceful relations. It was also hoped that the unions would reach out to the non-unionised workers as well.

Engagement of Overseas Singaporeans

Some participants observed Overseas Singaporeans felt disengaged and were reluctant to return to Singapore. An overseas Singaporean felt that the Government could allow Overseas Singaporeans to play a bigger role in shaping the nation, by allowing them to vote, for instance.  

Attractiveness of Singapore

The participants also discussed the factors that made Singapore attractive to investors such as stability, tax system, and landscaping. It was felt that the ERP could be reviewed to reduce business costs to boost our competitiveness.

Foreign Workers

Generally the participants felt that Singapore could do with less foreign workers. It was also suggested that tougher penalties be imposed on employers who abuse the foreign worker policy. 

Potential divides

The participants noted the widening income gap between the rich and the poor, despite efforts to help them. It was suggested that a community-based approach be adopted to help those lagging behind so that the needy do not have to turn to the Government for assistance all the time.  It was also hoped that more information would be made available to the needy on where they could seek help.

Speech at Pierce Secondary School's Speech Day

1.           I am pleased to be here at Peirce Secondary School’s 15th Speech and Prize Giving Day. It is indeed heartening to see so many parents and students here this afternoon as we celebrate this important and happy occasion.

2.           Peirce Secondary School has come a long way since it first started in 1994. The upgrading exercise of your premises to include an Indoor Sports Hall and other facilities has since been completed and you have now returned home.  It is really heartening to hear that the school has shared the bigger space and modern facilities with many organizations such as the Singapore Scouts Association, your Parent Support Group, the Peircean Alumni; even the nearby private residents have used Peirce’s facilities to conduct their programmes and activities.  I have also noted that it is not uncommon that former students come back to help out in the CCAs almost every week. I am glad to see that the school continues to hold a special place in the hearts of Peirce students past and present.

3.           This goes to show that it is not the building that makes the school. It is the relationships forged within the school, and the memories you hold dear that have a special meaning for you many years down the road. While up-to-date facilities provide a conducive environment for our students’ learning, what matters most are the people who make up the school community. I am happy to see that Peirce has provided opportunities for members to deepen links with one another through various programmes committed to the holistic education of our students.

PEOPLE • PASSION • PURPOSE

4.         I note that the theme for this year’s Speech Day is “PEOPLE • PASSION • PURPOSE”. The theme aptly sums up Peirce’s commitment to provide opportunities to make a purposeful difference not just in the lives of its students, but also in the lives of others outside of the school community with passion and commitment. As such, Peirce has constantly embarked on initiatives and programmes that go beyond academic achievements. These programmes encourage students to care for the environment and reach out to the community.

5.         Community Involvement exposes students to the needs of the less advantaged in society, both at home and abroad. We want our students to develop empathy, and also a sense of responsibility towards the less fortunate, and those at the fringes of society. I am heartened to see that Peirce has been providing students with opportunities to effect positive changes in the larger community, and see beyond their own immediate needs.  One such example is the Overseas Service Learning Expedition by your scouts troop to Subic Bay, Philippines from 30 May to 5 Jun 08. The 26 scouts, 2 teachers and 3 parent-volunteers who formed the expedition party, donated two sets of data-loggers and a refurbished computer to benefit the children there.  The Scouts had made a positive impact by making learning of interactive sciences engaging, exciting and empowering for 30 pupils of the school when they conducted lessons for them. Their actions certainly made a huge difference to the lives of the occupants there, not only in terms of material comfort but also in bringing happiness and joy.  I am sure that for the students who went on the overseas CIP trip to Philippines, their experience has broadened their perspectives and made them more aware of the needs of others.

6.          Another aspect that is integral to holistic education is participation in sports and games. To further support a broad-based education, MOE has provided all schools with an indoor sports hall. Inclement weather will no longer be an issue and the school will thus be able to provide more opportunities for its students to participate in sports, games and the performing arts like the Combined Concert Performance - 'Above All Things' on 24^th of May 2009 and the annual Sports & UG Leadership Camp like the one that Peirceans embarked to Thailand during the June holidays.

7.           I would like to congratulate the school at this point for your many achievements in 2008.

7.1        Best performance in the past four years for the GCE ‘N’ Level examination in 2008

7.2        Attaining the Development Award for National Education in 2008

7.3        Showcasing Best Teaching Practices at the National Level such as the 3G Technology in the Humanities Classroom at the MOE ExCEL Fest 2008

Conclusion

8.           The achievements and progress of the school today can only be possible with dedication and efforts of the school’s staff and pupils together with your stakeholders, such as the School Advisory Committee, the Parent Support Group and various community partners. I urge Peirce Secondary to continue to forge ahead, charting its own path towards excellence but holding true to its core values and principles.

9.           I would also like to congratulate all prize winners and award recipients for your excellent academic achievements and contributions. You have done your school and parents proud.

Speech at the RHB Singapore Cup Draw - 15 April 2009

Dearest Friends,

Today, as we stand here in the heart of Singapore’s Central Business District, we are all privileged witnesses to one of the special draws in the history of the RHB Singapore Cup competition.  True to their innovative ways, RHB Bank have elected to hold the Draw in public for the first time.  This will allow more RHB Bank customers and the business people and professionals of Raffles Place to experience the excitement of the RHB Singapore Cup.

RHB Bank has been the title sponsor of the Singapore Cup since 2005 and it has been an honour for the Cup to be associated with the bank that has been noted for not just their support of local football, but also their pioneering approach to business service which has seen them become the first full bank to be conferred the prestigious S-Class (Service Class) award by SPRING Singapore as well as numerous other awards for service excellence. Today, they again bring us an innovative way to increase the level of public excitement with the Singapore Cup.

There has always been much romance associated to knockout competitions and so the Draw is integral to a Cup competition which can see any team stake a claim to the Cup. Sometimes, they do it through the hard work of making ‘giant-killings’ and upsets, while sometimes it is purely just thanks to ‘the luck of the Draw’ and that is the beauty of this knockout Cup competition.

Some of you here today will have the honour of drawing the teams for the RHB Singapore Cup and to some extent, determining the fate of some of these teams who will be watching the Draw closely.

The RHB Singapore Cup is the region’s premier club tournament with more than 40% of teams from foreign soil.  Brunei DPMM FC - who are now part of our S.League tournament and performing very well - joined the competition back in 2004 as the Cup’s first invited foreign side.  Over the years, the Thai sides have stood out, with Chonburi and Bangkok University making the final four in two of the last three years.

The four foreign teams in this year’s RHB Singapore Cup are: Thailand’s Bangkok Glass FC and TTM Samut Sakhon FC, Cambodia’s Phnom Penh Crown FC and Indonesia’s Pelita Jaya FC coached by our very own Fandi Ahmad.  I am sure the S.League teams are relishing the opportunity to play against new competition in the RHB Singapore Cup 2009 and fans can expect some pulsating football action.

Singapore football has been on the rise and the S.League, comprising the League as well as the Singapore Cup, is recognized as the Top 10 League in Asia.  This year has seen an increase in attendance, viewership, website traffic and media coverage for S.League and I am confident that with such quality foreign and local teams in this year’s Draw, the 2009 RHB Singapore Cup will be even better and more exciting.

On this note, I wish all the clubs an exciting RHB Singapore Cup campaign!

Singapore Day 2009 in London : \"I LOVE Sg\"

Excerpts from 7th Leadership Dialogue - Riding out the Recession speech.

May I extend a warm welcome to all to the 7^th Leadership Dialogue – Riding out the Recession.  It is timely for us to be gathered here today to discuss how we, as part of the Grassroots network, can play our part to help our residents ride out the recession.

 

I believe the reason why we are all here today is because we care about the community we live in and are concerned about how we can find out more, learn from each other and do more to help our community.  I thank you for coming and doing your part to serve the community.

 

Impact on the Community:

All of us are aware of the news about the deepening global economic crisis.  In Singapore, you would probably know of family members or friends who are affected by the current economic downturn. 

 

To show you the impact of the economic downturn on the community, I would share with you the numbers who have approached the CDCs for financial and job assistance.  The number of residents who approached the CDCs to apply for financial assistance increased by about 61% for the period of October to December 2008 as compared to the same quarter in 2007.  The number of applications received for the fourth quarter of 2008 was an average of 1,000 cases per month per CDC and it grew to about 1,200 cases per CDC in February.

 

On the employment front, for 2008, about 14,000 workers were retrenched.  The number of residents who approached the CDCs for job assistance consequently increased by about 44% for the period of October to December 2008 as compared to the same quarter in 2007.  The number of applications received for the fourth quarter of 2008 was on average 480 job seekers per month for each CDC.  For January 2009, the number increased to 626 cases per CDC.

 

Government’s Response:

To cushion the impact of the downturn on our residents, the Government has earlier announced a $20.5 billion budget for FY 2009.  The budget was announced in January 2009 instead of February 2009 as we recognised the need for swift efforts to prepare the nation for the impact of the downturn and to emerge stronger as we ride out the recession.  The Government would be dipping into its reserves for the first time.

 

At this dialogue, you will hear more from the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) on the recent enhancements and changes to the Comcare schemes as well as the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) on its Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (SPUR).  As GRLs, I hope you are aware of these schemes and will help to refer your residents who are in need of help to these schemes.

 

The Many Helping Hands Approach:

The Many Helping Hands approach is a long-standing policy of the Singapore Government.  It is supported by a tripod- the Government comprising the various ministries and agencies (e.g. the MCYS, WDA, PA and CDCs), our community partners (e.g. the FSCs and VWOs) and the grassroots network.   The ComCare Local Network (CLN), which has been set up by the CDCs, is a community network to bring the CDCs, grassroots organisations (GROs), VWOs and other community organisations in a neighbourhood together.  Each stakeholder in this network brings with them an area of specialty which can help address the diverse needs of our residents.  The network encourages collaboration between these community organisations and gets them to cooperate to help residents with multiple needs.  It will be especially useful in reaching out to needy Singaporeans who do not know how to get help when they fall into difficulties.

 

Role of GRLs:

In this many helping hands approach, grassroots leaders (GRLs) play the important role of bonding the community by building the bridges between those who can contribute back to the community and those who require genuine help.  As you are closest to the ground, inevitably you are also the ‘eyes and ears of the community’.  You would be able to know the plight of your neighbours and families who faced difficulties during this current crisis.  Based on what you know, you can work together with the relevant agencies or local partners to create awareness of the various avenues and schemes for the residents seeking help, give direct assistance or develop local initiatives together with relevant partners to help residents cope with the current crisis.

 

Leading Community Initiatives:

I know that many of you have been leading and organising initiatives to assist our residents.  I would like to highlight Tanglin-Cairnhill which has been helping low-income families creatively together with the CDC and community partners.  I heard that the GRLs have organised themselves to form the Women Awareness Committee which has spearheaded initiatives to train low-income women in making crafts, soap as well as bags out of banners.  A Super Mummies Club has since been formed as a support group for the low-income women to be trained to produce craft work such as banner bags for sales at grassroots and CDC events.  This initiative has allowed these mothers to stay at home to take care of their children and earn an income to further support their families.  The benefits of this initiative are many.  Banners which are usually thrown away after grassroots events are now recycled.  The sales of the banner bags provide an additional income for the low-income families.  More importantly, the low-income families are brought together for mutual support and encouragement and are learning to be self-reliant.

 

Explaining and Making Referrals to Government Schemes:

Besides creating opportunities for residents to generate income, our GRLs have also been going house-to-house to explain Government initiatives such as the Workfare Income Supplement.  GRLs are often friends with residents and are able to explain Government initiatives in simple layman terms to our residents.  Marsiling GRLs had been going house-to-house for the past month to visit 350 households to explain the Workfare Income Supplement scheme.  I understand that 60% of these  households signed up for the Workfare Income Supplement scheme. 

 

The benefits of these house-to-house visits by our GRLs are indeed many.  Firstly, it helps the Government to effectively implement the schemes and reach out to those who would benefit from the schemes.  Secondly, our GRLs get to know our residents better and vice versa and when residents are in need, they know who they can turn to.  Thirdly, the nation is able to progress together as we have formed meaningful relationships- the Government, the GRLs and the residents.

 

Importance of Partnerships:

To help the community to ride out the recession, it would not be easy for any organisation or the Government to undertake the challenges alone.  The CDCs have learnt that by collaborating with our community partners, we can achieve more. Through the years, we engage our partners in community development for greater synergy.  For the year 2008, 890 joint projects were organised with at least one partner by the CDCs.  This is about 77% of the total number of projects organised by the CDCs.  For instance, one way forward in partnering each other is for the CDCs to work more closely with the GROs to organise job fairs at the various constituencies.  This will bring job opportunities closer to the residents.  It would be useful for CDCs to continue to strengthen the relationships with community partners, including the GROs.

 

Matching Resource Rich Partners to GROs:

A few CDCs also match resource-rich partners to GROs.  Examples include a reading programme with Credit Suisse for low-income children, installing energy-saving light-bulbs for low-income families by Philips Electronics Singapore Pte Ltd.  CDCs would continue to identify suitable corporate companies or sponsors to come forward and work with the GROs to help our residents.

 

Comcare Local Network Networking Sessions:

Through the ComCare Local Network initiative, I also hope that our GRLs would continue to come for the regular sharing and networking meetings that the CDCs organise.  These meetings are organised for GRLs, local community groups to get to know one another and share how we can leverage on each other’s strength and resources to better serve the community.  

 

Conclusion:

The length of the recession is uncertain.  The Government itself would not be able to meet all the needs of the community.  As GRLs, you are closest to the ground amongst many community partners.  It will be important for you to continue to be a friend and a leader in the community to address the needs of our residents who are affected in one way or another by the downturn.  It will not be easy, but as demonstrated by many GRLs, we can be creative in deriving community solutions and seek the support of the CDCs as well as community partners in implementing them.

 

I am confident that if we work together and stay united, we will be able to help our fellow Singaporeans ride out the recession just like how we have dealt with our past crisis.  I wish you a fruitful time at today’s dialogue session in sharing, learning and bringing back to your constituency what you have learnt today in making a difference.

 

Thank you.