Mr. Speaker Sir,
I thank all members who spoke today for supporting both motions, and the seventeen member who spoke on the motion of Ageing with Purpose. Your passion and thoughtful remarks are much appreciated.
At this point, I would also like to state my full support for motion for caregivers, as well as the government response to it, because many caregivers are stretched, because, as Ms. Tin Pei Ling said, “even heroes need a break”.
Now let me sum up the collective belief of our members with regards to our Motion on Ageing.
Today, we spoke about boldly reframing our narrative to a positive agenda, because while ageing brings a set of challenges, it also brings many exciting posssibilities. In fact, Mr. Mohmad Irshad mention that, “70 is the new 60”. Also, given the diverse and evolving generations of future seniors, we call for the government to continue engagement and dialogues, especially through the spirit of Our Singapore Conversation.
Members are in agreement that most seniors find purpose through work, and bring much to the table. According to Mr. Patrick Tay: seniors are treasure troves of experience and expertise.
At the same time, work keeps them physically and mentally fit, and connected with society.
With regards to employment for seniors, members note we are generally in a good position.
Ms. Rahayu Mahzam and I attribute it to effective policy, but there’s always room to do better.
We both suggested adopting a sector-based, tripartite approach to create more full and part time jobs, and to help seniors better access freelance opportunities.
Mr. Patrick Tay shared the important work that the Tripartite Workgroup on Older Workers does. He further suggested extending the Career Support Program, especially since PMET unemployment and underemployment is a concern. He also suggested a top-up of the SkillsFuture Credit.
Mr. Zainal Sapari recommended employers adopt proper rest areas at worksites and elderly-friendly equipment and technology, so that work become safer and easier for the elderly.
Beyond work, volunteerism is important. Our seniors, especially Merdeka Generation seniors, possess a wealth of knowledge and energy. Members including Ms. Joan Pereira, and Dr. Lee Bee Wah shared that many seniors want to contribute, and not solely be beneficiaries.
Ms. Joan Pereira called for hospitals, museums, schools and VWOs to recruit more senior volunteers.
Members asked both public and private organisations to help our seniors stay integrated with society.
Mr. Terence Ho made compelling points about ageing well through the arts, and what NTU studies have told us about improving mental wellbeing, building social bonds, and creativity and dignity for seniors. He calls for more support from the government, public, and private for getting seniors to do Art.
Mayor Teo Ho Pin called for HPB to provide a dedicated endowment for CDCs to fund active ageing, so that this national movement has more legs.
Mr. Ang Wei Neng suggested PA to take a hard look to explore more “work-based” activities that naturally attract more men, given that grassroots activities attract largely women.
Mr. Mohd Irshad called for more inter-generational bonding, so that we can harnessing the collective wisdoms of our seniors. There is a saying, “We shape the building, thereafter the building shapes us”.
Members spoke at length about housing, and affordable assisted living services.
Mr. Darryl David commended the government’s recent programs, including the award winning Kampung Admiralty development.
Ms. Lily Neo spoke about the importance of affordable assisted living services within our public estates, as shown by her experience building up such a service in Tanjong Pagar.
Ms. Joan Pereira spoke about: more group homes with affordable living services in public estates, and Senior Activity Centers that serve seniors beyond rental flat residents.
Ms. Cheryl Chan spoke about more flexibility for seniors to tap on CPF retirement account for housing, so that they do not become cash poor after selling their lease to HDB, more flexibility in rental flat eligibility to help more seniors facing diverse needs, and putting key aspects of the Lasting Power of Attorney and Will into our HDB processes.
Ms. Rahayu Mahzam spoke about having more group homes with assistedliving facilities for both private and public housing, including reviewing URA’s developmental guidelines for private group homes, something that I also previously called for. She also asked for more flexibility and compassion in assessing eligibility, especially in our rental housing programs.
In today’s debate, members noted that Singapore has undergone one of the most aggressive healthcare and healthcare financing system expansions and transformations in any developed country in recent memory. And we can continue to build on that:
Therefore, Ms. Rahayu Mahzam asked MOH to exercise more discretion regarding CHAS eligibility, to factor in changing income and family circumstances, so as to provide the low income and sandwhich class a peace of mind.
Therefore, Mr. Melvin Yong asked for a review on funding model for nursing home and cautioned against a race to the bottom through the current tender process.
Members also spoke about making our transportation senior friendly.
Mr. Faisal Manap asked for an update on the implementation of Silver Zones, so that seniors commute with peace of mind.
Ms. Cheryl Chan asked for innovative transportation modes in private estates for seniors, a point that I also agree on.
Members spoke about the importance of individual responsibility. But as family nucleus continues to shrink, we note that extended family members may want to help.
Therefore, Ms. Joan Pereira for a holistic policy review, remove obstacles for extended families to provide support for seniors, should they choose to.
Members also discussed how to help seniors be digitally ready. Ms. Tin Pei Ling stressed the importance of design to include, and ensure government apps and infrastructure is senior friendly.
Mr. Darryl David spoke about partnering with Institutes of Higher Learning to promote digital literacy, and creating affordable senior-centric smart phones.
Mr. Melvin Yong shared about how apps can help us care for senior need.
Members also spoke about seniors in need of financial support. Of course, in any society, there will be those who fall through the cracks.
Mr. Faisal Manap touched on the issue of elderly suicide, and asked for a closer look on this issue.
He also questions whether we can do more for frail seniors who feel compelled to work, doing tasks like cardboard collecting.
One of the ways to help seniors in need is to strengthen the retirement adequacy of seniors.
Mr. Ang Wei Neng, and myself spoke about gradually raising CPF for older workers to levels similar to that of younger workers, when the economic conditions allow for it.
We note employers’ concerns on raising cost, and the government play a part by not withdrawing their support for older workers and senior retirees.
I also spoke about better incentives so that seniors choose to defer their CPF Life withdrawals, and the importance of strengthening financial literacy.
Collectively, Mr. Ang Wei Neng, Mr. Patrick Tay and myself asked for an extension of the Special Employment Credit, the Silver Support Scheme and Workfare Income Scheme.
Dr. Walter Theseira spoke about finetuning the CPF to provide a basic retirement payout, incentives to improve contribution rates and better returns on investment.
Beyond supporting our seniors in need though financial assistance, local programs help multiply and deepen the impact of government policies.
Members today spoke at length on the various ways, as leaders of this nation in various capacities, actively coordinate local efforts for seniors in need. For me, this is the most inspiring part of our debate. Because deeds express what words cannot:
Mr. Murali Pillai shared how his volunteers assist caregivers to senior with mental issues such as dementia. He also built up a team of health peers for residents.
A team from Kembangan-Chai Chee, where Speaker Tan Chuan Jin serves, partners with AIC and IMC to also help families with mental illnesses. Speaker Tan also partners with VWOs to serve food to the
needy 24/7 365 days a year.
In Henderson-Dawson, where Ms. Joan Pereira serves, residents work with Willing Hearts to provide daily meals to neighbours in need, including many seniors.
Ms Lily Neo shared on how her grassroots rolled up their sleeves, to create a social enterprise to provide affordable assisted living services to more than 500 of her residents.
Mayor Teo shared on the very comprehensive program that Northwest District has implemented to keep our seniors active and healthy.
Er. Dr. Lee Bee Wah shared that in Nee Soon South, there are two cafes where seniors gather, and this makes it easy for VWOs to engage them.
Nee Soon South also has a free volunteer run aromatherapy and massage center for caregivers, and is building a dementia-friendly community.
Mr. Ang Wei Neng and Mayor Teo Ho Pin both shared that as chairpersons of their Town Councils respectively, they took extra effort to take on older workers.
I shared on Kebun Baru’s comprehensive program to take care of frail and socially isolated seniors, through befriending, medical attention, free-meal deliveries, healthy communal meals, and stepped up police patrols. I also shared on our senior activity center and church gathering points serving all seniors, our cancer peer support network, and efforts to build a dementia friendly Kebun Baru. Now that I have summarized our discussion, let me thank SMS Amy Khor, SMS Sim Am, SMS Edwin Tong, MOS Sam Tan, SPS Low Yen Ling, and SPS Sun Xueling, for providing a comprehensive response on behalf of the government.
In my conversations with SMS Amy Khor, she frequently mentioned that our whole-of-the-government plan for successful ageing is a “Living Document”, one with ample room for new good ideas.
Indeed, her comment reflects the open-mindedness in our government.
Today in this chamber, we have collectively raised many suggestions. I am confident that our government will review them closely, and take in many of these ideas in good time.
At this juncture, I would also like to thank retired MPs Madam Yu Fu Yee Soon, Associate Professor Koo Tsai Kee, and Dr. Chiang Hai Ding, who in the best tradition of PAP.SG, passed down invaluable knowledge on senior policies from earlier generations of PAP MPs to Ms. Joan Pereira and myself.
Let me now wrap up the motion. Indeed, the rollout of the Merdeka Generation Package is a good opportunity for us to review our country’s senior-related policies. Our Merdeka generation laid the foundations of the independent and modern Singapore with their can-do spirit and resilience. Now is a good time for Singapore to empower our Merdeka generation and all our seniors to pursue an independent and active life in their golden years, filled with purpose and dignity.
Getting Singapore prepared for successful ageing requires long-term planning. This is our strength and we must leverage on it. This requires us to develop the necessary policies and mindset beyond today and tomorrow.
PAP.SG believes that the government can enact appropriate policies to address long-term ageing issues. But PAP.SG also believes that all of us wearing different hats – employers, employees, unionists, social workers, and seniors – must together play our parts. No single group can succeed without the others moving together.
Ultimately, we must endeavour to be the best place in the world to age in place. Our seniors deserve nothing less. And one day we ourselves will also age.We too deserve nothing less.
Thank you.