ASSENTS TO BILLS PASSED

The following Bills were assented to by the President of the Republic of Singapore on the dates stated:

     Mr Lim Hng Kiang:  Mr Speaker, Sir, I still cannot figure out how she came to that conclusion.  If you remember, before the Asian financial crisis in 1997, the Singapore dollar was probably 1.42 or

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1.45 to the US dollar.  Then, with the Asian financial crisis, the Singapore dollar depreciated.  So the lowest we reached was probably 1.85 and now it has rebounded, strengthening to 1.66 and, in recent weeks, it has weakened to 1.72.  If you look at this fluctation, nowhere has the Singapore dollar strengthened by 25% to the US$.  Anyway, we have to move with the external economic situation.  As I explained earlier, the role of MAS is to make sure that the Singapore currency responds appropriately to the external conditions.

     Mr Low Thia Khiang (Hougang):  Sir, what are the currencies included in the basket, as mentioned by the Second Minister for Finance, and what is the weightage of these currencies in the basket?

     Mr Lim Hng Kiang:  As I have explained, the Singapore dollar is managed against a trade weighted basket.  So the weighting has some relation to the trade that we have with our partners, and the currencies we choose are those of the major trading partners and also our competitors.

     Dr Lily Neo:  Mr Speaker, Sir, maybe I will refer the Minister to my source, ie, www.oanda.com.  Sir, may I also ask the Minister how did our competitiveness fare vis-a-vis countries like China and India?  Will the increase in the Singapore dollar value make our export dearer and will the currency fluctuation that we have experienced recently affect our competitiveness and thereby lead to further erosion of jobs to these countries?

      Mr Lim Hng Kiang:  Mr Speaker, Sir, my comments on the competitiveness of the Singapore economy is already elaborated in my answer.  The Singapore economy does not just depend on the Singapore dollar for its competitiveness. 

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Ultimately, it depends on how we improve the competitiveness through productivity,  new products, innovation and looking for new markets.  As for Singapore exports, compared to China and India, as I explained, from 1997 till now, the Singapore dollar in fact depreciated quite sharply against the US$.  Since the Chinese renminbi is pegged to the US$, for that period 1997 to 2001/2002, in fact we had gained competitiveness on the basis of currency.  But then, we strengthened  recently from the bottom of 1.85 to about 1.66.  But the renminbi is still pegged to the US$.  So, during this period, of course, we lost some competitiveness because of the currency.  But, as I said, we cannot depend on the Singapore dollar for the crux of our competitiveness.  In the end, it boils down to the fundamentals, which are productivity, innovation, new products and markets.

     11.  Mr Steve Chia Kiah Hong asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance if he will adopt the recommendation of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank to change the management structure of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, in specific, that of its chairman from holding multiple roles that can give rise to potential conflicts of interest.

     Mr Lim Hng Kiang (for the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance):  Mr Speaker, Sir, ideally the Chairman of MAS should not hold multiple roles. But there are practical constraints in Singapore that make it difficult to avoid completely senior elected officials holding multiple responsibilities.

     There is no immediate need to change the status quo. First, the assessors from the IMF and the World Bank have

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acknowledged that there are legal and institutional safeguards against any potential conflicts of interest.  For example, while the MAS Board sets the broad policy directions, it is the Managing Director and his management team who execute the day-to-day operations according to these policies. In addition, MAS' long tradition of sound licensing and supervisory decisions and its increasing transparency will continue to ensure that the MAS carries out its responsibilities in an independent manner.

     Second, unlike in some countries where the central banks have been pressured to finance the fiscal deficit and so failed to maintain price stability, the Singapore Government maintains a prudent fiscal policy. There has never been any need for MAS to finance any Government deficit, nor is such a need likely to arise in future. MAS has full freedom to carry out its primary role of maintaining price stability.  It has established credibility with the market, through its track record of running a monetary policy that has yielded low inflation and sustained economic growth over a long period.

     Nevertheless, we will continue to review the MAS Act to further strengthen accountability and transparency.

     Mr Steve Chia Kiah Hong (Non-Constituency Member):   It means that the Minister actually agrees with the IMF on this matter.  Two supplementary questions, Sir.  First, is the Government so lacking in talent that it actually has to appoint the Deputy Prime Minister who is also the Finance Minister to be the central bank's Chairman?  The second question is: what will happen to this post when the Deputy Prime Minister becomes the Prime Minister?  Will he continue to be busy running the MAS as well?

     Mr Lim Hng Kiang:  The fact that the Minister for Finance is concurrently the

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Chairman of MAS is not a new arrangement.  It has been so for many, many years.  You may remember that when Dr Richard Hu was the Minister for Finance, he was also concurrently the Chairman.  As for the second question, although I am deputising for DPM, I cannot answer that question.

     Mr Steve Chia Kiah Hong:   Sir, since the question is addressed to the Minister, and he cannot answer it, could I pose another Question subsequently for him to answer that?

     Mr Lim Hng Kiang:  He can pose a Question, and if DPM is around, he can answer it.

     The following Question stood in the name of  Mdm Ho Geok Choo -

      12. To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry in view of the Singapore tourism landscape seeing challenges marked by safety and security threats as well as intense competition from and investment to regional destinations, what measures and programmes are being planned and administered to arrest the decline in tourism revenue in Singapore.

     Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan (Hong Kah):  Question No. 12, Sir.

     The Minister of State for Trade and Industry (Mr Raymond Lim Siang Keat) (for the Minister for Trade and Industry):  Mr Speaker, Sir, 2003 was a challenging year for the tourism sector. Despite the SARS  crisis  and  security  threats,  the  industry  weathered  the  crisis  well.  By  December  2003,  our  monthly  tourist  arrival  and  hotel  occupancy  rates  had  climbed  back  to  pre-SARS  levels.

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In  the  first  quarter of this  year,  Singapore  attracted  1.9  million visitors - 3%  more  compared  to  the  same  period  last  year  before  SARS struck.  The  outlook  for  the  tourism  sector  continues  to  be  positive  for the  rest  of  the  year.  STB  hopes  to  achieve  7.6  million  visitor  arrivals  for  2004,  back to 2002  levels.

     To  sustain  tourism  growth  amidst  rising  competition,  STB  will  adopt three  key  strategies.  Firstly,  it  will  intensify  its  market  promotion particularly  in  the  high  growth  markets  of  China,  India  and  ASEAN. STB  recently  appointed  popular  Singapore  singer  "Ah  Du"  as  the Celebrity  Ambassador  for  Singapore  in  China.  I  hear  he  is  already helping  Singapore  garner  many  new  fans.  To  market  Singapore  in  India, STB  has  harnessed  the  powerful  influence  of  Indian  cinema.  Singapore  will be  hosting  the  2004  International  Indian Film  Academy  Awards  this weekend.

     Secondly,  STB  will  continue  to  target  high  growth  visitor  segments  such  as  international  patients,  students  and  business  travellers.  This  month,  STB  will  be  launching  Singapore Business  Roadshows  in  Dubai,  Abu  Dhabi  and  Bahrain  to  raise  the  profile  of  our  healthcare  services  in  the  Middle-East.  We  will  also  anchor  more  signature  conventions  and  events  here  to  position  Singapore  as  the  ideal  place for international buyers  and  sellers to meet,  trade  and  exchange  ideas.

     Thirdly,  we  need  to  rejuvenate  our  existing  attractions  and  develop  new  ones  to  enhance  the  tourist  experience.  STB,  in  consultation  with  industry  players,  is  drawing  up  a  tourism  roadmap  for  the  next   10  years  that  will  serve  as  a  common  reference  for  this  effort.  To  attract  new  investments  into  the  tourism  sector,  we  are  prepared  to  review  and 

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relax  our  rules  when  there  are  good  reasons  to do  so.

      The following Question stood in the name of Mdm Ho Geok Choo -

      13. To ask the Acting Minister for Education (a) whether his Ministry will review and consider maintaining at least a pass in the mother tongue language in Syllabus B  for admission into the universities and not allowing the flexibility of 10% of the university intake to be exempted at the discretion of the universities; and (b) how will his Ministry allay the concerns of mother tongue language teachers who are not effectively bilingual, fearing the loss of their jobs or their ranking and promotions.

     Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan:  Question No. 13, Sir.

     The Minister of State for Education (Mr Chan Soo Sen) (for the Minister for Education): 

Mr Speaker, Sir, the Ministry, together with NUS and NTU, has accepted the University Admission Committee's recommendation that students admitted to NUS and NTU will need to obtain, amongst others, at least a D7 in mother tongue or a pass in mother tongue "B" syllabus. NUS and NTU will apply this requirement to all students admitted, and that includes the up to 10% of students admitted by the two universities under their own admission criteria.  NUS and NTU will not use this 10% provision to exempt students from this minimum mother tongue requirement, but to recognise students with special abilities and achievements which may not be captured in their 'A' level scores. 

     On the second half of the Question, Mdm Ho has also expressed job-related

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concerns of Mother Tongue Language (MTL) teachers.  There could be some reduction in Mother Tongue Language teaching requirements at 'A' levels if students choose not to retake their MTL examinations at JC2.

     Nevertheless, we will continue to need Mother Tongue Language teachers at both the JC and secondary levels.  Mother Tongue Language teachers will play an important role in providing greater opportunities for mother tongue learning in the informal curriculum, such as enrichment exposure for students to the Chinese Language as well as activities and programmes that can enhance and facilitate their understanding of China.  The Ministry is also considering introducing China Studies as a subject in the revised JC curriculum and obviously you need mother tongue teachers, specifically Chinese Language teachers, to teach such subjects.

     More students are also offering Higher Mother Tongue Language (HMTL) arising from the recent liberalisation of the eligibility criteria in the secondary schools.  We will therefore need more senior Mother Tongue Language teachers who can teach Higher Mother Tongue at the secondary level.  A few JC Mother Tongue Language teachers may be re-deployed to senior teaching positions at the secondary level.  Such re-deployment takes place on a regular basis. 

     I am therefore confident that our Junior College Mother Tongue Language teachers will find their roles in developing and conducting new programmes in the informal curriculum and teaching the new China Studies subject or Higher Mother Tongue Language at secondary level no less satisfying and rewarding than helping students to improve their Mother Tongue Language grades at JC2. 

     I would therefore like to assure the Mother Tongue Language teachers that,

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as long as they are flexible and continue to perform, there will be a strong need for them in the education system.

     The following Question stood in the name of  Dr Warren Lee -

      14.  To ask the Acting Minister for Education (a) whether financial hardship has been a significant factor in recent cases of persistent absence from school; and (b) whether existing aid schemes have adequate coverage for needy pupils.

     Mr Ahmad Khalis Bin Abdul Ghani (Hong Kah):  Question No. 14, Sir.

     The Acting Minister for Education (Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam): Mr Speaker, Sir, Dr Warren Lee has asked whether financial hardship is a significant factor in cases of persistent absence from school.  The reasons why students are persistently absent from school vary. These include personal and family problems, and the lack of motivation on the part of the student, and often the family to take his studies seriously.  Financial hardship has not been a significant factor. 

     There is a wide range of schemes providing financial assistance to needy students.   They can apply for the Ministry of Education Financial Assistance Scheme, which grants waiver of school fees, and part of the miscellaneous fees, and provides free textbooks to students.  In year 2003, a total of 11,417 students received help from the MOE Financial Assistance Scheme, compared to 7,387 students in year 2002.  The numbers have gone up further this year.   As at May this year, schools have processed and approved over 13,000 applications for the MOE Financial Assistance Scheme.  This number effectively covers 10% of students who stay in HDB 1-3 room flats

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and 2% of those staying in HDB 4-5 room flats.  The total amount disbursed for financial assistance is estimated at about $1.5 million this year.

    In addition,

schools help to source for support for needy students from other sources, such as financial assistance schemes administered by the School Advisory Committee or the School Management Committee and community organisations like the CDCs and voluntary welfare organisations.   Under these schemes, assistance can take the form of subsidies for enrichment programmes, pocket money, transport vouchers, free meals, stationery and uniforms.  In 2003, School Advisory Committees provided $3 million worth of financial assistance and bursaries to needy students in Government schools.

     Taken together, these financial assistance schemes from the Ministry of Education and the wider community ensure that no child is denied an education on account of financial difficulties.

15.  Dr Warren Lee asked the Acting Minister for Education (a) if there is an increasing trend in  discipline and truancy problems in schools; and (b) whether these cases involve more boys than girls or vice versa.

16.  Ms Braema Mathiaparanam asked the Acting Minister for Education in the last two years, 2002 and 2003, (a) what is the number of complaints  of teachers being abused by (i) parents and (ii) students; (b) how many of these cases were successfully resolved in favour of the teachers;  (c) what is the number of complaints  against teachers for abusing their students;  (d) how many of these

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complaints  eventually led to these teachers resigning or being dismissed; and (e) what is the support the Ministry gives to teachers who have been wrongfully complained against.

     Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam:  Mr Speaker, Sir, may I have your permission to take Question Nos. 15 and 16 together, please?

     Mr Speaker:   Yes.

     Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam:  Dr Warren Lee had asked about trends in discipline and truancy in our schools.  The state of discipline in schools has been stable over the last four years.  From the records maintained by schools, disciplinary offences have shown  a downward trend in primary schools and remained stable in secondary schools.

     The most common problems reported in primary schools have been students coming late to school or not doing assignments, which together account for over half of all the primary school offences.  In secondary schools, latecoming, truancy and improper attire or grooming account for over two-thirds of the offences.  The number of serious offences in schools has remained small and relatively stable over the last four years.

     A further indication of this is in the number of students arrested by the Police for various serious offences.  The number has ranged between 0.3% and 0.5% of the student population aged under 19, including not just students in schools but also those in the ITEs, polytechnics and the private schools, over the last seven years.  Most of these arrests were for theft, ie, either simple theft or shop theft. 

      There have been more boys than girls involved in disciplinary cases.  Girls account for 19% of offences in primary schools and 34% of offences in

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secondary schools.  The proportion of girls is much lower for serious offences, at about 11% in both primary and secondary schools.  The lower proportion of girls  is also evident in arrests by the Police.  Girls have comprised a declining proportion of students arrested over the last few years.  In 2003, they comprised 27% of students arrested.  About three quarters of these girls were arrested for shop theft.

     Ms Braema Mathi asked about abusive students.  The Ministry of Education and schools view any abuse of teachers very seriously.  Respect for teachers is central to the education that we provide.

      In the last two years, ie, 2002 and 2003, there were a total of 14 reported cases of teachers being physically abused by students.  Schools have in all these instances taken disciplinary actions against the pupils, including corporal punishment and suspension.

     Ms Braema Mathi has also asked about cases of teachers being abused by parents.  Such cases are very rare. 

     Cases of teachers abusing their students, which she has asked about, have also been infrequent.  In the last two years, ie, 2002 and 2003, we have handled a total of 29 cases where teachers were found to have inflicted corporal punishment on their students, outside of what MOE and the school's own guidelines permit.  In all these 29 cases, the teachers were issued written warnings, usually by the school itself.  None of the teachers were dismissed from the teaching service.

     The Ministry is committed to high standards of discipline in our schools.  We will support measures taken by schools within our guidelines to uphold these standards, and are confident of their ability to do so.

     Ms Braema Mathiaparanam (Nominated Member):  Going back to the cases of disciplinary problems, could I ask the Minister what kind of abuses did the students heap on the teachers?  For the teachers who were not dismissed, were there any resignations among them?

     Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam:  For cases of teachers being abused by students, I do not have a full list of the details of the abuses here.  But what matters is that we take action in each and every case.  We take very serious action on the students, because this is something which we have zero tolerance for, ie, any abuse of the teacher.  That is what matters.  Of course, we also take care to ensure that the teacher himself or herself is counselled, is able to remain in good spirits and remain motivated in the profession.  We have not had serious difficulties so far in this.

     On the question of teachers abusing students, the Member referred to -

     Ms Braema Mathiaparanam:  The teachers, instead of being dismissed, may have resigned.  What are the numbers?

     Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam:  We have not dismissed any of them.  They are given written warnings, usually by the school.  I am not aware of those who had been given written warnings resigning.

     Ms Braema Mathiaparanam:  There is another question about support given to teachers.  Teachers have been abused by students.

     Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam:  Very few.

     Ms Braema Mathiaparanam:  No, what I mean is the support given to the teachers.  What kind of support does the Ministry give to the teachers?  I think the kind of abuse that teachers face is important to understanding what are some of the

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problems that are going on in our schools.  So, perhaps the Minister could elaborate.

     Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam:  We have a centre which we call "iCARE Lodge".  It is a counselling centre specifically for teachers located at Grange Road.  Schools refer teachers who are under stress for a variety of reasons to the counselling centre.  It has a full-time counsellor and it is working quite well.  We go out of our way to help teachers who have been abused.  The numbers may be small, but each and every case is serious as far as we are concerned, and we go out of our way to help them.

17.  Dr Lily Neo asked the Acting Minister for Health (a) why is there a shortage of liver transplant surgeons in our hospitals; and (b) whether this will jeopardise the 24 cases of patients presently waiting for liver transplants.

     The Acting Minister for Health (Mr Khaw Boon Wan):  Actually, there is no shortage of liver transplant surgeons in Singapore.  But there is a shortage of donated liver.  As a result, the number of liver transplantation done on Singaporean patients is small, about 15 a year.

     Recently, this House amended the Human Organ Transplant Act.  With the amendments, we can expect some increase in organ transplantation, including liver.  Currently, there are 24 Singaporean patients on the liver transplant waiting list.  Hopefully, some or all of them will soon benefit from the amended Transplant Act.

     Liver transplant is a highly specialised procedure and, given the small number of surgeries, we have so far concentrated

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our public sector resources in the National University Hospital (NUH).  The NUH liver transplant team, with four liver transplant surgeons, has been doing liver transplantation for 14 years now.  It specialises in cadaveric and living donor adult-to-child liver transplantation.  These operations make up the bulk of liver transplant operations.

     However, they have yet to develop the capabilities to do adult-to-adult liver transplants, as these require more demanding expertise.  The NUH team expects to be able to do adult-to-adult liver transplants by next year.  Fortunately, we do have such capabilities in Singapore's private sector.  Arising out of the recent case of a liver failure patient, my Ministry has made an arrangement with the private hospital's transplant team, whereby such a surgery, if and when needed by a subsidised patient, can be outsourced to them, with the subsidised patients paying the same rate as if the surgery is carried out in NUH.

     This is an excellent example of public-private sector cooperation, with patients' benefits in mind.

     Dr Lily Neo:  May I ask the Minister whether there has been a reduction in medical postgraduate training, such as HMDP?  Has there been a recent review on postgraduate training?  Should there be more emphasis and creation of opportunities for disciplines in shortage?

     Mr Khaw Boon Wan:  Does the Member mean whether there has been a reduction in postgraduate training in liver transplantation?

     Dr Lily Neo:  Where necessary?

     Mr Khaw Boon Wan:  Of course, the HMDP programme is reviewed regularly.  I do not have the data off the top of my head but, as far as we could, we always

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try to match supply with demand.  As far as liver transplantation is concerned, as I said earlier, we do not have a shortage.  But capability shortage there is, and we will try to fill the gap, as we do in this particular case.

18.  Dr Lily Neo asked the Acting Minister for Health (a) how many of our laboratories are still handling the SARS Corona Virus;  (b) whether these laboratories are adopting strict standards of biological safety; and (c) are they audited regularly for compliance with biological safety standards.

     Mr Khaw Boon Wan:  Laboratories which intend to store or handle SARS Corona virus must get prior approval from the Ministry of Health.  There is therefore a list of approved laboratories for the handling of SARS virus.

     The work carried out in these laboratories can be classified into three categories.

     First, research involving live SARS Corona virus.  Live SARS viral stocks are highly infectious.  Currently, only two designated Biosafety Level (BSL)-3 laboratories are allowed to store, handle or work on live SARS virus.  At the moment, both laboratories are not conducting any research work on live SARS virus, although they do store these viral stocks.

     Second, diagnostic testing on clinical specimens.  Specimens, such as respiratory aspirates and stools from patients suspected of having SARS, are potentially infectious.  Such specimens can be processed and tested in BSL-2 diagnostic laboratories, although they have to be carried out using BSL-3 laboratory protocols.  Currently only the diagnostic laboratories of three public

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hospitals are allowed to carry out such testing.

     Third, research using inactivated SARS materials.  Having been inactivated, these materials are no longer infectious.  A total of 14 laboratories in seven institutions have been approved under this category, but only 11 laboratories in five institutions are currently doing such research.

     There are international biosafety guidelines governing laboratory protocols, issued by the World Health Organisation and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  The approved laboratories are required to comply with these standards

strictly.

     To ensure compliance, the laboratories are audited regularly.  In fact, one round of audit has just been carried out by the Ministry, jointly with a panel of appointed laboratory experts.   All of the approved laboratories were found to be in compliance with the required biosafety standards.  The next audit will be done in six months' time.

      What I have outlined is the current system implemented after the laboratory acquired SARS-infection incident last year.  To give legal backing to the system, my Ministry is in the midst of finalising the legal framework and drafting the legislative changes.  They will be introduced in this House in a few months' time, after public consultations.  The intent is to go beyond SARS virus to include any other infectious agent of public health concern.

      Dr Lily Neo:  May I ask the Minister whether we should have a list of high-risk organisms that should be only handled by designated laboratories?

      Mr Khaw Boon Wan:   Yes, indeed, we should.  My Ministry, after last year's incident, has set up a national biosafety committee, chaired by the Director of

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Medical Services, Ministry of Health, including the relevant representations from the various agencies.  They have formed three technical working committees.  And one of the technical working committees is charged with the responsibility of drawing up a shortlist of those biological agents which have public health concern. 

     Just for interest, of the other two working committees, one is looking at what ought to be our national biosafety standards and guidelines , taking into account international benchmark.  And the third committee looks into training requirements, how to ensure that laboratory workers, especially our post-doc students who come in and out of the laboratories, are properly trained so as to avoid any future accident.

     The three working committees will soon submit their recommendations to my Ministry and together with this current work of drafting the legal framework, as well as the legislative changes, we will put them together and put up for public consultations.  That will be done in a few weeks' time.  We can then have a proper debate again in this House.

     Dr Lily Neo:  May I ask the Minister whether we have a national laboratory safety committee to monitor the biological safety standards of our laboratories?  How does the Minister ensure that all laboratory staff receive adequate training in biological safety and that they adopt a culture of safety?

     Mr Khaw Boon Wan:   Sir, as I have indicated earlier, all this is coordinated by the Ministry of Health.  But because laboratories span over various Ministries - there are the Ministry of Education with its academic institutions, the Ministry of the Environment, etc, - the national biosafety committee will have 

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representation from all.  The national committee, since last year's incident, has administratively taken CDC's standards and/or WHO's standards as our standards.  But I think we need to put legal backing to that, and that is what the current exercise is all about. 

      To assure the Member, the system is in place but I want to do the last missing link, ie, to provide legal backing to it.

     The following Question stood in the name of Mdm Ho Geok Choo -

     19.   To ask the Minister for Community Development and Sports (a) how will community service be affected by the morale of  community leaders who are above 40, who have lost their jobs and who have not been able to find employment easily; and (b) what programmes can the People's Association put in place to (i) facilitate the employability of these community leaders; and (ii) help retain their spirit of volunteerism and commitment.

     Mr Charles Chong (Pasir Ris-Punggol):  Question No. 19, Sir.

      The Minister of State for Community Development and Sports (Mr Chan Soo Sen) (for the Minister for Community Development and Sports):  Sir, we have not detected any trend of grassroots leaders giving up their grassroots work or community work because they have lost their jobs.  In fact, on the contrary, the People's Association is heartened to know of grassroots leaders who, despite having been retrenched, have continued to play an active role in grassroots work.  We would like to commend these individuals for their selflessness and dedication towards community service.  Therefore, in answer to the first part of the Question, 

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community service is not affected by the morale of community leaders who are above 40 and have been retrenched.

       Having said that, the People's Association would be understanding if any retrenched grassroots leader wants to spend more time looking for a new job.  He or she could have the choice of either continuing to serve, but assume a less demanding role, or if he so desires, he can be given temporary leave of absence.  

        Just like any other Singaporean, any retrenched grassroots leader who has difficulty finding a job can approach the Community Development Councils for skills training and job search assistance.   

       Although the People's Association (PA) has no specific programme to maintain the employability of grassroots leaders on their jobs, any training the grassroots leaders may have received from the People Association's training arm, that is, the National Community Leadership Institute, as well as the experience and skills they have acquired through their grassroots work, would be useful to them in looking for a new job.  Where appropriate, the respective grassroots advisers may also give testimonials to their grassroots leaders who have served well, based on their personal knowledge in their grassroots leaders.

      20.  Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman asked the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) what are the reasons for the Government's decision to revoke the Singapore Quality Class for Private Education Organisations (SQC-PEO) status given to the Nanyang Institute of Management; and (b) what is the current status of the foreign students who lodged complaints against the Institute.

      Mr Raymond Lim Siang Keat (for the Minister for Trade and Industry):  Mr Speaker, Sir, the Government is committed to develop Singapore into a thriving education hub.  In response to industry feedback, SPRING Singapore introduced the Singapore Quality Class for Private Education Organisations (SQC-PEO) scheme as a trust mark to identify quality education providers. The trust mark would help students distinguish the good schools and make more informed choices.  Participation in the scheme by the PEOs is voluntary.  For this trust mark to be credible, we need to enforce strict standards and allow only institutions which fully satisfy the requirements to carry the mark. 

     The Nanyang Institute of Management (NIM) was awarded the SQC-PEO certification in July 2003. However, since then, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has received 22 complaints from 30 foreign students against NIM.  NIM is alleged to have forged students' signatures on student pass applications, made students sign on blank forms, and enter false information to enable students to come here for courses not approved by the relevant authorities.  NIM was also alleged to have charged students for items like school uniforms which are not needed, and guardianship fee when no guardian was made available to the student.

     In view of these complaints, SPRING conducted two audits on NIM.  The first audit, conducted in October 2003, recommended that NIM address several shortfalls.  NIM was also informed that a second audit would be conducted in three months' time to check on their implementation.  During these three months, more complaints were received from students.

     The second audit was conducted in February 2004.  NIM was found to have

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breached the mandatory pre-qualification requirements which all PEOs applying for SQC-PEO certification must meet on an on-going basis.  NIM, as with all organisations applying for the SQC-PEO certification, had made a declaration in its application that it had met all such requirements.  In view of this, SPRING decided to withdraw NIM's SQC-PEO status with effect from 15th April 2004.  Contrary to what Mr Alan Lau, CEO of NIM said to the media, SPRING had communicated the reasons for the revocation in writing to NIM through the second audit report on 31st March 2004.  

      Sir, I am unable to go into the details of the breaches because SPRING is bound by a confidentiality obligation with SQC-PEO organisations with regard to their application for SQC-PEO certification. However, if NIM agrees to release SPRING from this obligation, we would make public the breaches that led to the revocation.

      Of the 30 students who have lodged complaints with STB, 14 have transferred to other institutions in Singapore. Twelve are still continuing their studies with NIM.  The remaining four have either returned home or have left to pursue their studies elsewhere in the world.

      Many of the students and guardians who have approached STB have been counselled and given advice regarding the options available to them to seek redress.  Depending on the nature of the complaint, the STB has also sought the help of other Government agencies, or negotiated with NIM for a suitable solution.  The more serious complaints of forgery of signatures are being investigated by the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) and appropriate action would be taken based on the outcome.

      21.  Mr Tan Soo Khoon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if there are plans for Singapore to rejoin the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and, if none, under what conditions will it  do so.

      The Minister for Foreign Affairs (Prof. S Jayakumar):  Mr Speaker, Sir, when Singapore terminated its membership of UNESCO on 31st December 1985, we did so for several reasons, which included the manner in which the rates of assessment for our contributions were calculated.

      The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in consultation with our other agencies, has periodically reviewed the merits of re-joining UNESCO.  Our last review was done in early 2000, and at that time, we concluded that there were no compelling reasons for us to rejoin UNESCO yet. 

      However, let me assure the Member that we continue to keep an open mind, and do not rule out rejoining UNESCO.  We are now in the midst of conducting another review on the issue.  The Member asked about the conditions under which we will rejoin.  The main consideration, of course, is whether it will advance our national interests.

      Mr Tan Soo Khoon (East Coast):  Mr Speaker, Sir, if I recall, when we left UNESCO in 1985, we followed the decision of the United States and the United Kingdom.  And at that time, it was an issue over the management staff of the organisation and the direction in which the organisation was heading towards.  Are these still issues today?

      Secondly, does it not appear very odd that being a responsible member of the

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world community and given the fact that UNESCO has 190 member countries, and that the United States and the United Kingdom have rejoined UNESCO, Singapore appears to be the last country holding out? 

      Prof. Jayakumar:   Mr Speaker, Sir, in response to the Member, let me first say that although the United Kingdom and United States withdrew at that time, Singapore's decision to withdraw from UNESCO was based on our own assessment of the situation which, as I have said in my main answer, included several reasons. 

     One of these reasons did relate to our assessment about reports on the management and the organisation at that time under the then Director. We would have to consider all these as we review, because there is now a new Director.  The Director's name, a Japanese, is Koichiro Matsuura who, as far as I know, has taken significant steps in the reform of the organisation and its structure.  But the main point I want to make is, if the United States and the United Kingdom have rejoined, it does not mean that we blindly follow their example. We have to do our own review and make a decision whether to rejoin UNESCO and decide also on the timing of rejoining, if that is the decision of our review.

      22.  Ms Indranee Rajah asked the Minister for Home Affairs what steps are being taken (a) to clear up vice dens in the jungle areas, such as the one near Woodlands Industrial Park E2, and specifically (b) to prevent young students from visiting such dens.

      The Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs (Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee) (for the Minister for Home Affairs):  Mr Speaker, Sir, Police is aware of illicit vice

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activities conducted in the forested areas of Singapore, and has mounted operations to arrest the perpetrators and shut down such vice dens whenever they appear.  For example, between September 2003 and April this year, three such operations were conducted against vice dens in the forested area near Woodlands Aveneue 4.  A total of 113 arrests were made.

     After a vice den has been raided by the Police, frequent patrols will be deployed to ensure that the vice activities do not return.  Police also works with the relevant Government agencies and the local community to prevent the recurrence of such activities, for example, by erecting physical barriers to prevent further access to the area.

     Police investigations into all these cases did not find that any student or youth had gone into these forested areas for vice activities. 

Thus, Police's assessment is that there is no problem of young students visiting such vice dens.  Nevertheless, Police will continue to monitor the situation closely.

23.  Ms Braema Mathiaparanam asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) how do the police handle adults who have been rescued from their attempted suicide efforts and now face criminal charges; (b) how do the police handle youths aged 18 years and below who have tried to (i) kill themselves and (ii) mutilate themselves; (c) what is the training police officers receive to handle such cases; and (d) in cases where children or youths have attempted suicide, when do the police bring in their parents, the school or the healthcare workers into the scene.

     Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir, while attempting suicide is an offence

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under section 309 of the Penal Code, Police rarely prosecutes a person for the offence.  As a person who attempts suicide is often emotionally vulnerable, Police treats all cases of attempted suicide sensitively and compassionately.  Police officers are trained to handle persons who have attempted suicide with the primary objective of assisting, rather than prosecuting them. 

     As the Minister for Community Development and Sports has said in this House, prevention of suicide requires the vigilance and cooperation of everyone - family, friends, colleagues, teachers and the others.  Similarly, as one of the frontline agencies dealing with attempted suicide, police officers are taught by the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) as part of their basic training, to look out for signs of suicidal tendencies as well as the dos and don'ts in dealing with persons with such tendencies.

     To develop Police's expertise in suicide intervention, specialised training is provided for officers-in-charge of frontline patrol teams.  These officers are trained in basic negotiation skills so that they can dissuade a person threatening suicide from carrying it out.  SCDF or other police units may also be called in to take precautionary measures, such as setting up airbags in cases where a person threatens to jump off a building.  If the situation cannot be resolved, Police will call in their officers from the Crisis Negotiation Unit who are trained by experienced overseas negotiators to handle all kinds of situations requiring negotiation including attempting suicide cases. 

     After a person is rescued from the suicide attempt, Police investigating officers, who are also trained to be

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sensitive and patient when dealing with such subjects, will follow-up with their investigation of the case.  Where juveniles are involved, Police will keep their parents or guardians informed.  In general, Police will not notify the schools and will leave to the parents to decide if they would like the school to be notified.  On completion of investigation, recommendations will be made to the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC).  Depending on the circumstances of each case, the person may be prosecuted or given a warning.  Of the 692 attempted suicide cases reported in 2003, only 13 cases, or less than 2%, were prosecuted. 

     All persons who have attempted suicide are referred to the SOS for counselling and assistance.  In cases where the persons are hospitalised, they will also be counselled by psychologists. 

     Mutilating and causing hurt to oneself without intending to commit suicide is not an offence.  Reported cases will be referred to the Ministry of Community Development and Sports (MCDS) so that the subject can be appropriately counselled and causes, such as depression or stress, addressed.

     Ms Braema Mathiaparanam: Sir, I thank the Senior Minister of State for a comprehensive answer.  I have just one follow-up question, please.  At what point does the Police inform the family about the suicide attempt in the case of juveniles?

     Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, this is done as soon as possible.  Of course, whether doing so may hinder police investigations has to be taken into consideration, eg, whether any suicide note or medication may be destroyed or tampered with.   Certainly, for juveniles,  Police is mindful that the parents should be informed as soon as possible.

24.  Mr Steve Chia Kiah Hong asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider offering cash refunds as an option for motorists who have deregistered and scrapped their vehicles.

     Mr Yeo Cheow Tong:   Sir, as Members are aware, we introduced the Certificate of Entitlement (COE) as part of the Vehicle Quota System in 1990 to manage the growth of the vehicle population.  The COE is a non-refundable upfront payment, which entitles a vehicle to be used for a specific period.  If the COE is not fully used up for whatever reason, it will lapse. However, as a concession, when vehicle owners scrap or export their vehicles before the expiry of the COE period, the Government has allowed them to recover the residual value of the COE validity through a rebate.

     The Preferential Additional Registration Fee (PARF) scheme was introduced in 1975 to encourage timely replacement of old cars, so that the car population will remain relatively young and roadworthy.  In essence, it allows car owners to replace their old cars with new ones at a discount by using a PARF rebate.   

     As the COE and PARF rebates are not meant to be refundable deposits placed with the Government, they are therefore not payable in cash. However, they can be used to offset the taxes and fees related to the purchase of a new vehicle.   Since 1998, we have also made the process for utilising the rebates more flexible.  Now, rebate certificates can be divided up or combined to offset the payment of COE, ARF, or the Registration Fee for new vehicles.  They can also be transferred to a third party.

     Mr Steve Chia Kiah Hong: Sir, would the Minister consider changing the law to allow for cash rebate?

     Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Sir, as I have said in my reply, the system is not meant to be a deposit which is refundable.  It is actually a payment and the concession is the rebate that we are giving.

     Mr Steve Chia Kiah Hong: Sir, can the concession be allowed in the form of a cash rebate?  Will the Minister consider that option?

     Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: The answer is no, and it is because we have considered it many times.  Let me explain to him why.

     Sir, it is also a difficult process to estimate the amount of ARF and PARF rebates.  Let me tell him that the amounts that we have rebated vary from about $600 million to last year's $3 billion.  As such, it is very difficult to set aside the funds.  Because, to do so, it would then deprive other Ministries of the funds that are being set aside.

     Mr Steve Chia Kiah Hong: Sir, where the amount of rebate is small, say, below $1,000, would the Minister consider that option so that it would not inconvenience the motorist to have to look for a buyer to take over that rebate?

     Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Sir, if we do it for any particular amount, I think it would be fair that we do it for everybody.  Therefore, it is not possible for us to change it into a cash rebate system.

2.38 pm

     Mr Speaker:  Ministerial Statement. Mr Wong.