Latest news with #Indranee
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Career setbacks cited in S'pore survey of people seeking fertility help
SINGAPORE – Some 41 per cent of respondents who struggled to conceive said in a poll that fertility treatment affected their work, with 13 per cent saying they quit their jobs to undergo such treatment. Top workplace challenges cited were seeking approval for time off (34 per cent), career progression setbacks (31 per cent) and getting their colleagues' understanding (15 per cent). These findings come from a sensing poll in June by non-profit initiative Fertility Support Singapore, which surveyed 504 of its members – 80 per cent women and 20 per cent men – who have faced fertility struggles. The poll aims to shed light on the workplace experiences of those facing infertility, defined as an inability to conceive after 12 months of trying. Results were released on July 25 at an event hosted by Fertility Support Singapore to mark World IVF Day. The demand for in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment in Singapore has grown, with more couples delaying marriage and childbirth, and seeking medical help to have a baby. Giving a speech at the event, Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, called for more companies to provide fertility benefits such as paid time off and training for managers, so that employees can pursue both personal and work commitments. 'You have the power to create workplaces where employees feel seen, heard and supported, and where talent feel cherished and stand ready to give their all in return to support your business needs. That is a win-win outcome,' she said. Ms Indranee, who assists in overseeing the National Population and Talent Division, including the marriage and parenthood portfolio, said the Government has provided 75 per cent co-funding for eligible couples to receive assisted reproduction technology treatments for up to three fresh and three frozen cycles at public healthcare institutions. Fertility Support Singapore was started in 2020 by a group of women facing infertility, to advocate for better support for individuals navigating challenges here. On July 25, the group launched a Workplace Fertility Support Guide to help companies better support employees. The guide provides practical tools such as an e-mail template for those going through fertility treatments to raise the matter to bosses, the typical IVF timeline and medical leave required, and tips on how to talk to colleagues undergoing treatment. The guide can be found at To understand the barriers to fertility support in the workplace, Fertility Support Singapore partnered with market research firm Milieu Insight to conduct a study in March with 400 Singaporeans aged 25 to 55. The survey found public awareness to be lacking, with 62 per cent not knowing what fertility support is. Some 77 per cent of respondents perceive a trade-off between work and pursuing such treatments. Nearly 60 per cent of people would be interested in joining a new employer that offers fertility benefits, results showed. Only 27 per cent said their companies provided some form of fertility benefits, such as flexible work hours to attend appointments, and paid or unpaid leave for treatment. Ms Rosalyn Wee and her husband sought help from a fertility specialist after a year of trying to conceive. The educational therapist and project lead, who underwent IVF, did not tell her boss as she felt fertility treatments were personal. 'It doesn't really occur to you how painful emotionally and physically discomfiting it is, until you actually go through it,' she said. Her first embryo transfer ended in failure. The news came while she was in an important meeting. 'That really broke me,' she said. She decided to open up to her bosses, who offered both paid and unpaid leave for treatment. After taking 10 weeks of no-pay leave for another IVF cycle, Ms Wee successfully conceived in August 2023. Another mum, Mrs Rafidah Jalil, 39, had just been promoted and was managing a team at a bank when she decided to start a family at 31. Her first IVF cycle was successful. At 34, she tried IVF again but felt more stress due to greater work responsibilities and a lower egg count. But her bosses were supportive, and she could work flexibly, which helped her through the process. She is now a proud mum of a seven-year-old son and four-year-old boy-girl twins. Global healthcare company Merck, which sponsored the Fertility Support Singapore study, offers a lifetime cap of €100,000 (S$150,234) for fertility treatments, including IVF, elective egg freezing and male infertility treatments. Employees can get 90 per cent of their eligible fertility expenses reimbursed by the company. Ms Pixie Yee, general manager of Merck Healthcare Malaysia and Singapore, said the company has seen 79 claims amounting to $160,000 since the benefit was introduced in March 2024. Merck has 429 employees in Singapore. Ms Yee said she hopes to create a safe space where employees feel comfortable to tell their bosses about their fertility journey, to avoid any misunderstandings. 'Most people, when they have a very supportive manager, they will share,' she added. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
Straits Times
07-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Four golf courses to close by 2035, leaving Singapore with 12 courses
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox SINGAPORE – Four golf courses will close permanently by 2035, leaving Singapore with 12 courses in the coming years. The Ministry of Law (MinLaw), which oversees land policy and administration, on July 7 said the leases or tenancies of Mandai Executive Golf Course, Warren Golf & Country Club, Orchid Country Club and Tanah Merah Country Club's Garden course will not be renewed as their land is needed for future plans. This continues recent moves to reclaim golf course land for other uses. For instance, the Marina Bay Golf Course was closed in June 2024 and will be partially occupied by the upcoming Bay East Garden, which is currently being developed. The leases of another two courses – Singapore Island Country Club's (SICC) 18-hole Bukit course and Keppel Club's 18-hole Sime course – will also expire on Dec 31, 2030. Thereafter, the land occupied by these two courses will be split between an operator that will run an 18-hole public course and the National Trades Union Congress – which currently operates Orchid Country Club through NTUC Club – said MinLaw in a statement. How the land will be parcelled and allocated is being studied, the ministry added. It did not say how long the lease for these courses would be. The first of the four courses to close is the public 9-hole Mandai Executive Golf Course, which is on a tenancy that runs until Dec 31, 2026. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Construction starts on Cross Island Line Phase 2; 6 MRT stations in S'pore's west ready by 2032 Singapore New SkillsFuture requirements from April 2026 to mandate regular training for adult educators Singapore MPs should not ask questions to 'clock numbers'; focus should be improving S'poreans' lives: Seah Kian Peng Singapore Sequencing and standards: Indranee on role of Leader of the House Asia Australian woman found guilty of all counts in mushroom murders case Singapore askST Jobs: Facing intrusive demands from your employer? Here's what you can do Singapore Life After... blazing biomedical research trail in S'pore: Renowned scientist breaks new ground at 59 Its land will be used by the Ministry of Education (MOE) to develop an Outdoor Adventure Learning Centre . MOE has previously said that the campsite will be one of three new campsites to be built by 2032. Another two courses will close in 2030, and their sites have been zoned for residential use, according to the Urban Redevelopment Authority's (URA) Draft Master Plan 2025 . They are the 18-hole Warren Golf & Country Club in Choa Chu Kang, which has a lease that expires on Oct 31, 2030, as well as the 27-hole Orchid Country Club in Yishun, which has a lease that expires on Dec 31, 2030. Finally, Tanah Merah Country's Club's Garden course will close after its lease expires on Dec 31, 2035. 'Given its proximity to Changi Airport, the land is being studied for uses that have synergies with the airport to support economic growth,' said MinLaw, adding that more details on the site's future use will be announced closer to 2035. Following the closures, Singapore is set to have 12 remaining golf courses after 2035, including the existing Bukit and Sime courses. Of these, two have leases that are expiring in 2030 and will be offered renewals until Dec 31, 2040 – the 18-hole course in Kranji under the National Service Resort & Country Club and Sentosa Golf Club's 18-hole Serapong course. Another seven are on leases that expire in December 2040. They are: SICC's 18-hole Island course and 27-hole New course, Changi Golf Club's 9-hole course, Laguna National Golf Resort Club's two 18-hole courses, Seletar Country Club's 18-hole course, the 18-hole course at National Service Resort & Country Club (Changi), Sentosa Golf Club's 18-hole Tanjong course and Tanah Merah Country Club's 18-hole Tampines course. The Government will review whether to renew these leases beyond 2040 in future. The last course at Sembawang Country Club has 18 holes and is operated by the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) under a license agreement. The course sits on state land allocated to Mindef. MinLaw said in deciding on whether to renew the leases of golf courses, it considered competing land demands such as housing, economic activities, transport infrastructure and essential services. 'The demand for land for national uses will become more acute in Singapore, and this will impact the amount of land available for golfing over time,' said the ministry. 'The Government will balance the access to golfing facilities by private golf club members and the general public so that there can be golf courses catering to different segments of the golfing community.' The ministry noted that leases of golf courses are for a fixed term, with a publicly-known end date, to allow course operators and golf club members to make informed decisions. 'This also ensures that land occupied by golf courses can be returned to the state and redeveloped for more pressing national needs in a timely manner,' said MinLaw. The ministry said the Singapore Golf Association and the National Service Resort & Country Club will set up a second Centre of Excellence to provide more training opportunities for Singapore's national team and promote golf among youth. It added that the centre will provide dedicated weekly slots for the golf association to facilitate national and youth team training, and expose athletes to different types of golf courses. This complements existing weekly trainings conducted by the golf association in other clubs, said MinLaw. The new centre adds to an existing Centre of Excellence at Keppel Club's Sime course which develops youth golfers, the ministry said.
Straits Times
07-07-2025
- Straits Times
Four days in Adelaide: Where to go, what to do and eat
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Adelaide is often described as the "20-minute city", as many major attractions as easily accessible by foot or road from the city. ADELAIDE, Australia – Ask a local what Adelaide is best known for and, chances are, he or she will mention its '20-minute city' reputation. Thanks to the city's tidy grid layout and light traffic, most attractions are a short drive away. The airport, beach and picturesque Adelaide Hills wine region are all accessible in about 20 minutes by road. Within the city, many major attractions – the Adelaide Botanic Garden, Adelaide Central Market and Adelaide Zoo – are close enough to reach on foot. In recent years, Adelaide has sought to make the city more appealing to international travellers. It has held major global events, such as the LIV Golf tournament, for which it is Australia's exclusive host until 2031. In 2026, it will host the Australian Tourism Exchange – an international travel trade event expected to draw visitors from around the world. With growing awareness of what the city has to offer, more Singaporeans are now visiting Adelaide, using it as a base to explore South Australia's small towns, wine valleys and wildlife attractions. Based on the International Market Update 2024 by the South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC), Singapore is South Australia's most mature travel market – comprising seasoned travellers who make travel plans independently and often – in Asia and its eighth-largest inbound market globally. A spokesperson for SATC says: 'The Singaporean market has become much more adventurous over the years. It was a market that used to keep to Adelaide city hotels as a base, with day trips into our regions. Now, we are seeing many more Singaporean travellers hire cars and have extended holidays into regional South Australia.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Construction starts on Cross Island Line Phase 2; 6 MRT stations in S'pore's west ready by 2032 Singapore New SkillsFuture requirements from April 2026 to mandate regular training for adult educators Singapore MPs should not ask questions to 'clock numbers'; focus should be improving S'poreans' lives: Seah Kian Peng Singapore Sequencing and standards: Indranee on role of Leader of the House Asia Australian woman found guilty of all counts in mushroom murders case Singapore askST Jobs: Facing intrusive demands from your employer? Here's what you can do Singapore NUS College draws 10,000 applications for 400 places, showing strong liberal arts interest Singapore Life After... blazing biomedical research trail in S'pore: Renowned scientist breaks new ground at 59 In June, I make my third visit to Adelaide in the past decade, finding that the city – more quaint and relaxed than bustling Melbourne and Sydney – has grown more vibrant over the years. Restaurants and bars open till late, and the city hosts myriad festivals such as food fiesta Tasting Australia and arts event Adelaide Festival that celebrate South Australian culture and heritage. Here is a four-day itinerary to explore the city's highlights. Day 1: Check into the newly opened Monarto Safari Resort Monarto Safari Resort has 78 rooms and suites, with some overlooking a watering hole where animals from Monarto Safari Park stop to graze. PHOTO: JOURNEY BEYOND Check into Monarto Safari Resort ( ), which opened in May and is located within Monarto Safari Park. The park, which measures around 1,500ha, is the largest open-range wildlife park outside Africa, with more than 500 animals from Australia and around the world. The property is managed and operated by Journey Beyond, an Australian experiential tourism group based in Adelaide, and has 78 rooms and suites ranging in size from 32 to 80 sq m. Nightly rates for its entry-level Savannah King room – which has a king-size bed and a balcony – start at A$285 (S$240). Rooms at Monarto Safari Resort range in size from 32 to 80 sq m. PHOTO: JOURNEY BEYOND The drive from the airport to Monarto Safari Resort is around an hour. While you can try requesting an earlier check-in time, the resort's standard timing is 3pm. Once you have settled in, visit the nearby Murray Bridge town – around a 10-minute drive from the resort. Murray Bridge Marketplace mall typically opens till around 5.30pm and makes for a convenient place to shop and have a meal. The resort has one restaurant – Kutjera Restaurant and Bar, which highlights native ingredients in its dishes. All its local produce is grown north of Adelaide, and its cheeses are crafted by artisan cheesemakers in Adelaide and Adelaide Hills. The pan-fried barramundi comes with a tasty, grey leaf ash sauce. ST PHOTO: SARAH STANLEY Try the 100 day dry-aged prime sirloin and pan-fried barramundi – which sits in a deliciously savoury grey leaf ash sauce that belies its unappetising hue. Schedule a treatment at the resort's Marula Day Spa – rates start at A$165 for a 60-minute massage – or spend the evening by the outdoor pools, where you might spot an antelope galloping by or hear a lion roar in the distance. The outdoor pools at Monarto Safari Resort allow guests to lounge and look out for safari animals that wander across the plains. PHOTO: JOURNEY BEYOND Day 2: Get up close to wildlife Just across the fence line that runs along the back of Monarto Safari Resort, antelope, zebra and other animals graze near a watering hole. PHOTO: JOURNEY BEYOND Catch the sunrise and spot animals such as giraffes and zebras grazing at the watering hole near the resort before breakfast. As in a safari, animal sightings are not guaranteed. On my first morning at around 8am, I spot a tower of giraffes crossing the plains and some antelope bounding towards the watering hole. On my second morning at around the same time, I catch only two emus strutting about in the distance. Spend the rest of your morning at Monarto Safari Park ( ), where animals like the southern white rhino and scimitar-horned oryx roam open plains. Visitors can explore the park via its walking trails – which range from 500m to 2km and are fenced to create a safe boundary between visitors and animals – or take the hop-on-hop-off bus. The park is located around a five-minute drive from the resort and free shuttle buses are available. Check with the front desk for timings. Resort guests pay discounted rates for general park admission. Adult admission for those aged 15 and above costs A$40, while child admission for those aged four to 14 costs A$21. Those aged below four enter free. Non-staying guests pay A$49 an adult and A$27 a child aged four to 14 for general admission. Tickets are available for pre-booking up to three months in advance, and the park recommends doing so as daily visitor numbers are capped. Monarto Safari Park and Adelaide Zoo are part of the non-profit organisation Zoos South Australia (Zoos SA). One of the organisation's aims is to achieve positive and impactful outcomes in animal conservation. To do so, the park undertakes various conservation strategies – including breeding programmes and translocations, where an animal species is intentionally moved and released to support its recovery in the wild – and has made great progress since its opening in 1983. The red-tailed phascogales, an Australian marsupial, was once locally extinct. PHOTO: MONARTO SAFARI PARK Among its recent success stories are the release of 92 red-tailed phascogales, an Australian marsupial, and 40 greater stick-nest rats to restart their populations in New South Wales after both species had gone extinct locally. The captive-bred animals were reintroduced into protected predator-free areas with the aim of establishing self-sustaining populations in the regions they were previously absent from. The park has also succeeded in captive breeding of the Mallee emu-wren – a tiny brown bird once extinct in South Australia due to bushfires – having bred 25 of the birds to date. 'We try to choose conservation programmes where we have a skill set we know we can apply, complement other partners and value-add to the work that they are doing,' says the park's conservation manager Mark Smith. According to Mr Smith, Zoos SA contributes annually about A$100,000 each to domestic and international conservation initiatives. Funding for these efforts – as well as the general operations of the park – largely comes from park entry ticket sales, membership-based support, donor contributions and sponsorships. An average of 6 per cent from the cost of each guest booking at the resort goes to Zoos SA's conservation fund, which supports various conservation activities, including research and education. Zebras graze alongside the safari truck on a sunset drive through the park's open plains. ST PHOTO: SARAH STANLEY Head back to the resort by early afternoon and enjoy a different view of the animals on a sunset safari ride – an experience available only to resort guests. The 2½-hour Sunset Wildlife Safari guided tour grants after-hours access to the park aboard its safari truck. Tickets cost A$165 an adult and A$105 each for those aged between four and 14. Kids under four years old go for free. Canapes and drinks – both alcoholic and non-alcoholic – are included. During my game drive, we see animals such as zebras and antelopes graze less than 5m away. We manage to get close to a giraffe sitting gracefully among tall grass and watch as cheetahs prowl through the grassland, with their sights set on some nyalas just beyond the electric fence separating the two species. A giraffe sits quietly among the tall grass during a sunset tour of Monarto Safari Park. ST PHOTO: SARAH STANLEY Our guide shares more conservation wins, including how the scimitar-horned oryx – a desert antelope originally from Africa – was once listed as extinct in the wild in 2000 by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to several anthropogenic threats, including poaching and habitat loss. Once extinct in the wild, the scimitar-horned oryx now has healthier population numbers, though more work has to be done to help the species thrive. ST PHOTO: SARAH STANLEY Monarto Safari Park was part of a global initiative to boost the animal's population with research and breeding programmes. As at December 2023, the antelope is at less of a risk, with its conservation status lowered from IUCN's extinction list to Red List of Threatened Species – a significant conservation milestone as a result of collective efforts. The combination of insightful commentary and observing animal behaviour – set in the cold winter air, against the pink-blue hues of the darkening sky – stir in me a deeper appreciation for the richness of wildlife. Day 3: Explore Adelaide Hills Head to Adelaide Hills for views of rolling hills and open pastures, and stop for lunch at one of more than 50 cellar doors in the wine region. The Lane Vineyard is among more than 50 cellar doors in the Adelaide Hills wine region. PHOTO: THE LANE VINEYARD Adelaide Hills is known for its cool-climate wines, such as sauvignon blanc, pinot noir and chardonnay. As one of the highest wine regions in South Australia – with elevation ranging from 400m to more than 700m above sea level – grapes grown here ripen more slowly, allowing their natural acidity to be preserved while developing other complex flavours. The Lane Vineyard offers experiences like trout fishing and all-terrain vehicle tours of the property. PHOTO: SOUTH AUSTRALIA TOURISM COMMISSION White wines from here are sparkling and crisp. Sauvignon blancs are my favourite, for how bright and fruity they land on the palate. And South Australian red wines, such as the popular pinot noir, are lighter than bold, full-bodied varietals like shiraz and cabernet sauvignon from warmer regions. The Lane Vineyard ( ) has a restaurant and tasting room, and offers activities like an all-terrain vehicle tour of its 40ha site, as well as trout fishing. A four-course menu costs A$105 a person, or order from the seasonal menu with mains starting at around A$40. Tasting flights at wineries typically start at A$15 and include between three and six glasses of wine. Some wineries waive the tasting fee if you buy a bottle of wine. Go behind the scenes on a tour of Jurlique Farm to learn about operations there. PHOTO: SOUTH AUSTRALIA TOURISM COMMISSION Visit Jurlique Farm ( ), where global skincare brand Jurlique plants and harvests botanicals like roses and manuka myrtle for use in its products. The farm has tour experiences from A$40 a person that includes a behind-the-scenes look at its operations, such as how seedlings and plants are propagated, and how to harvest flowers. A retail store stocks some of the brand's best-selling products, including creams, facial mists and oils. If you have time for one more winery, head to Penfolds Magill Estate Cellar Door ( ), located 20 minutes by road from Adelaide's central business district. Penfolds Magill Estate Cellar Door is a 181-year-old property. PHOTO: SOUTH AUSTRALIA TOURISM COMMISSION The 181-year-old property was where Penfolds wine company was started, which today produces some of Australia's most well-known wines. Have a bite at the recently renovated Magill Estate Kitchen bistro, which serves modern Australian dishes in a casual setting. Heritage tours and wine tastings are available and can be booked via its website. Prices start at A$35 for a tour that lasts 1½ to two hours. Back in the city, enjoy a leisurely stroll around city park Victoria Square. Food and drink festival Tasting Australia is held annually in Adelaide over about 10 days, with more than 150 smaller events held throughout the event. PHOTO: SOUTH AUSTRALIA TOURISM COMMISSION While retail shops generally shutter at around 6pm, some restaurants and bars in the city stay open till around midnight. Food and drinks are affordable, with options ranging between A$10 and A$40 for a main. Areas such as Peel Street and Leigh Street have a good selection of restaurants and bars serving various cuisines, and popular joints are buzzing. For instance, Fugazzi Bar & Dining Room ( ), a New York-inspired restaurant in Leigh Street, is nearly full on a Wednesday night at 8.30pm. It features an Italian-American menu with imaginative small plates, pastas and wood-fired meats. Mains start at A$34. Try the gnocco fritto at Fugazzi, which is similar to a fried doughnut served with whipped ricotta, honey, black pepper, extra virgin olive oil and sea salt. ST PHOTO: SARAH STANLEY Alternatively, check out Vietnamese restaurant Sit Lo ( ) or Indian eatery Bollywood ( ) for meals under A$20 a person in the CBD. Day 4: Explore the city Head to Adelaide Central Market for brunch. The market is open from Tuesdays to Saturdays, and has more than 70 traders selling fresh produce, baked goods and souvenirs such as books, magnets and soaps. Adelaide Central Market has more than 70 traders selling fresh produce, baked goods and souvenirs. ST PHOTO: SARAH STANLEY Tour guide Stephanie Taylor, 71, a fifth-generation Adelaide resident, frequents the market and says produce can sometimes be two to three times cheaper than in supermarkets. 'On Saturdays at around 2pm, you can find vendors selling things at a discounted price. If you don't shop here, you're silly.' Have a sit-down meal at Lucia's Pizza & Spaghetti Bar ( ; pasta dishes start at A$20), with ravioli that is raved about online, or pick up bites at stalls around the market. A public dining area with chairs and tables is available. Stroll down Australia's first pedestrian street mall Rundle Mall, which has 700 retailers, including local chocolate company Haigh's Chocolates and Australian fashion brands like Review and Noni B. End the night with dinner at one of the restaurants in Pirie Street. Establishments like Part Time Lover ( ) and Osteria Oggi ( ) come recommended by locals. Travel tips Singapore Airlines is currently the only carrier with non-stop flights between Singapore and Adelaide. The journey takes about 6½ hours, with two daily departure options from Singapore: a morning flight at around 8am, and a late-night flight past 11pm. The latter is ideal for maximising your time in Adelaide, as it arrives at about 7.30am local time. Return economy class fares for travel in July start at around $1,200, based on checks by The Straits Times. A new hotel in the city is Adelaide Marriott ( ), which opened in August 2024 in the former Adelaide General Post Office building. A night in its superior guest room in July starts at A$278. Airbnb apartment rentals for two typically cost about $200 a night in the city. While public transport such as trams, buses and trains are available, the best way to get around – especially when exploring the outskirts of the city – is by renting a car. Based on checks by ST, for a mid-sized sport utility vehicle such as a BYD Atto 3, prices start at around A$70 a day for a four-day rental period in July from car rental company Sixt, which is located at the airport. Ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Didi work here.
Straits Times
07-07-2025
- Straits Times
Residential block blaze in Vietnam kills 8, including children
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox A blaze that tore through an apartment block in Vietnam's southern business hub of Ho Chi Minh City killed eight people, including two children, local authorities said on July 7. The fire was sparked late on July 6 on the ground floor of a five-storey apartment block, with all eight fatalities due to smoke inhalation, Ho Chi Minh City authorities said in a statement. Residents battled the flames with fire extinguishers as blasts were heard from inside the property, before emergency service crews arrived, according to media reports. 'There were shouts for help from the apartment. Several residents on higher floors had to jump down to escape. It was terrible,' a neighbour told the state-run Thanh Nien newspaper. Authorities said the cause of the fire was still under investigation. Deadly blazes have recently resulted in a string of high-profile arrests and prosecutions in Vietnam. Eight people were jailed i n 2025 over a 2023 Hanoi apartment fire that killed 56 people, in the country's deadliest blaze in two decades. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Construction starts on Cross Island Line Phase 2; 6 MRT stations in S'pore's west ready by 2032 Singapore New SkillsFuture requirements by April 2026 to mandate regular training for adult educators Singapore askST Jobs: Facing intrusive demands from your employer? Here's what you can do Singapore MPs should not ask questions to 'clock numbers'; focus should be improving S'poreans' lives: Seah Kian Peng Singapore Sequencing and standards: Indranee on role of Leader of the House Tech Hackathons produce scam simulation tool for education, platform identifying birds based on calls Singapore NUS College draws 10,000 applications for 400 places, showing strong liberal arts interest Singapore Life After... blazing biomedical research trail in S'pore: Renowned scientist breaks new ground at 59 In December 2024, police arrested a suspected arsonist over a karaoke bar fire in Hanoi that killed 11 people. AFP
Straits Times
06-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Sequencing and standards: Indranee on role of Leader of the House
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Outlining her priorities for her second term as Leader of the House, Ms Indranee Rajah said it continues to be about upholding the quality of debate in the House. SINGAPORE – The role of the Leader of the House in maintaining order and upholding parliamentary privilege might have come to the fore in the previous term of Parliament, but to Ms Indranee Rajah a good part of the job can be distilled into one word: sequencing. This is as proper sequencing – whether of parliamentary questions (PQs), Bills, or motions – is crucial to the work of Parliament, which in a nutshell is about public accountability, she said in an interview with The Straits Times on July 4. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced on June 20 that he had designated Ms Indranee as Leader of the House . This means Ms Indranee will be in her second term as Leader when the 15th Parliament convenes for its first sitting on Sept 5 . Ms Indranee noted that events may occur which spark public concern and require an urgent explanation from the authorities the next time Parliament is in session. Parliament typically sits once a month, for two or three days. Given that the first 90 minutes of each sitting are reserved for answering PQs and there may be close to 100 such questions filed by MPs, more pressing questions have to be prioritised, so that ministers can answer them and MPs can seek further clarifications, said Ms Indranee, who is Minister in the Prime Minister's Office. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore First BTO project in Sembawang North to be offered in July HDB launch World Tariffs will kick in on Aug 1 barring trade deals: US Treasury Secretary Singapore Woman on SMRT's 190 bus injured after bottle thrown at vehicle leaves hole in window Business Great Eastern says Takeover Code not breached when it shared IFA valuation with OCBC Asia 'Don't be seen in India again': Indian nationals pushed into Bangladesh at gunpoint Asia Thousands evacuated as Typhoon Danas lashes Taiwan Asia Two women fatally stabbed at bar in Japan by man Life Star Awards 2025: Christopher Lee wins big, including Special Achievement Award and Best Actor The same is true for Parliament's legislative function of deciding policies and making law, where the Leader's role is to determine which Bills should be debated and passed ahead of others, she added. 'Prioritising is a key thing (as Leader) because it enables the public to understand issues that may be on the public's mind,' she said. 'If it's a Bill, prioritising makes sure that a policy gets done by a certain deadline so that the policy can take effect.' On how her role differs from that of the PAP party whip, Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment and Education Janil Puthucheary, Ms Indranee noted that the whip deals with party matters such as discipline and which MPs are intending to speak on each day. Meanwhile, the Leader coordinates between government ministries and the House on the scheduling of parliamentary business. While she proposes the first cut of Parliament's agenda, Ms Indranee noted that the Speaker makes the final call, and has discretion to change the sequencing. The aim is to make sure Parliament's work is well-fitted and can be completed in the allotted number of days, said Ms Indranee, who is also Second Minister for Finance and for National Development. 'You don't want to end super early one day, and then make everybody stay back past midnight the next day,' she said, while noting that her role is to extend the sitting time as needed. 'It doesn't always work out that way, but we try our best.' During the 14th Parliament, Ms Indranee's role as Leader attracted public attention, as it fell to her to file a formal complaint against former Workers' Party MP Raeesah Khan for lying to the House . On multiple occasions, she also rebuked Progress Singapore Party's Mr Leong Mun Wai, including for failing to substantiate certain allegations and for his comments outside the Chamber on parliamentary proceedings. Ms Indranee noted that while the Speaker makes the final decision on whether or not an MP's behaviour has contravened the rules, somebody has to raise the issue in order for him to do so. Where there is a need, it is important for the Leader to intervene, she added. 'When there is no need, and everything is going along swimmingly as it should, then there's no reason for me to insert myself into the process,' she added. Sometimes, mistakes are made unintentionally but must still be dealt with in the public eye, so that the rules are observed and Parliament continues to run smoothly, she said. Being an MP is a privilege, and the law confers certain immunities on MPs so they can speak freely in Parliament without being prosecuted or sued for their statements. But such privilege has to be exercised responsibly, Ms Indranee stressed. 'It is very important not to mislead, not to lie in Parliament, that what you say can be substantiated,' she said. 'And if that is not followed, then it is necessary to call that into question and have that dealt with.' Outlining her priorities for her second term as Leader, Ms Indranee said it continues to be about upholding the quality of debate in the House, such that Parliament's work is efficient, substantive and impactful, and conducted with decorum and propriety. This requires MPs to identify issues clearly and crystallise what is at stake and the implications of the outcome of a Bill or a motion, she added. 'Good, substantive debate does not always make good theatre, and I think we have to be mindful of that,' she said. 'We have to keep our eyes firmly on the substance, and make sure that we are addressing the things that are of importance to Singaporeans, and how we can take Singapore forward.'
