Beyond the macro issues (i.e. money laundering), Parliament is also a time for parliamentarians to speak up and champion causes they are passionate about. Following the whirlwind of bills and debates, here are some other concerns raised by our MPs that you might have missed.
Yip Hon Weng: Combating loneliness and isolation among our seniors
Is loneliness among older adults recognised as a public health challenge in Singapore and considered in policymaking, asked MP Mr Yip Hon Weng (Yio Chu Kang SMC)? Being a country with an aged population, MP Yip raised an important question. After all, loneliness is not just a feeling but also a health issue, with seniors who are socially isolated more at risk of suffering from various physical and mental conditions.
Louis Ng: Building a fairer and more inclusive community for our migrant workers
MP Mr Louis Ng (Nee Soon GRC) has long been an advocate for the underserved, including low-wage migrant workers. This time, he has continued championing their rights for a mattress to sleep on after a hard day at work and raised questions on safety precautions for ferrying workers in lorries. After all, as MP Ng shared, migrant workers are members of our society and builders of our nation and deserve to be treated with fairness and dignity like anyone else.
Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim: Improving the authentication of MUIS Halal Certificates
With the recent news of forged Halal certificates, MP Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim (Chua Chu Kang GRC) has pushed for the setting up of a system like the Authentic Court Order portal. Especially when Singapore’s Halal regulatory framework is highly robust, allowing everyone to verify a Halal certification immediately can help put many minds at ease.
Ang Wei Neng: Increasing financial assistance to low-income families
According to the Minimum Income Standard Report 2023, a couple with two children will need at least $6,693 a month to afford a basic standard of living. And even though the debate continues over what constitutes basic needs beyond housing and food, MP Mr Ang Wei Neng (West Coast GRC) has pushed for the Government to conduct a study to determine a living wage and adjust the financial assistance rendered to low-income families.
Melvin Yong: Providing mental health support for retiring athletes
Retirement from elite sports can be daunting due to a loss of identity and purpose. To help ease the transition, MP Mr Melvin Yong (Radin Mas SMC) has called for more mental health support for Team Singapore and eSports athletes (who have dedicated their careers to flying the Singapore flag high on the world stage) when they retire from competitive sports.
Photo Source: Yip Hon Weng/Louis Ng/ Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim/Ang Wei Neng/ Melvin Yong via Facebook
