The ongoing Hamas-Israel conflict means tragedy for innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.
This serious issue will rightly dominate the upcoming Parliament session, with fifteen of our PAP MPs raising questions about it.
There is also a Motion from MPs Vikram Nair (Sembawang GRC), Alex Yam (Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC) and Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim (Chua Chu Kang GRC). It is focused on finding solidarity, security and peace with regards to this untenable situation.
Source: Vikram Nair, Alex Yam, Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim / Facebook
Their humanitarian Motion calls for ensuring civilian safety, the release of all hostages and condemns terrorists as well as all those who violate international law.
In particular, MPs Vikram, Yam and Zhulkarnain also call for every Singaporean to safeguard and uphold our nation’s multi-racial, multi-religious peace and harmony.
As diverse Singaporeans, we live side-by-side with each other in friendship; this is such an everyday fact that we simply do not think a lot about it.
But this everyday situation is in fact no easy feat and extremely precious during difficult times. The upcoming Motion seeks to preserve this security and stability.
Interfaith dialogue and humanitarian aid
In this vein, our MPs Mohd Fahmi bin Aliman (Marine Parade GRC), Nadia Ahmad Samdin (Ang Mo Kio GRC) and Xie Yao Quan (Jurong GRC) are asking the Government how it plans to promote peace and harmony in Singapore against the backdrop of this global crisis.
Source: Fahmi Aliman, Nadia Samdin, Xie Yao Quan / Facebook
MP Fahmi is also asking how Singaporeans can demonstrate their support for peace efforts during this war and how the Government will promote interfaith dialogue — these will safeguard our society from rifts which bad actors will inevitably seek to exploit.
Humanitarian aid for the people displaced during this conflict will also be discussed.
MP Wan Rizal (Jalan Besar GRC) is asking how the Government is contributing humanitarian aid to the region, while MP Sharael Taha (Pasir Ris–Punggol GRC) is asking how the Government will continue engaging the Palestinian Authority and ensure that donations to charities like the Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation will get to their intended beneficiaries.
MP Sharael is additionally asking how Singapore can play a bigger international role in highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Source: Wan Rizal, Sharael Taha, Don Wee / Facebook
Here, MP Don Wee’s (Chua Chu Kang GRC) question is equal parts empathic and practical — “To ask the Minister for Defence what are the lessons that Singapore can draw from the ongoing violence in Israel”.
Bank service outages and cost of living issues
Returning to Singapore’s shores, our MPs are asking questions about how the authorities are responding after the widespread bank service disruptions on October 14.
MP Tan Wu Meng (Jurong GRC) wants the facts: Why the disruption occurred, how many people were affected and for how long?
He also wants to know how these financial institutions will remain resilient and reliable in this digital age — as do East Coast GRC MPs Jessica Tan and Cheryl Chan.
Source: Tan Wu Meng, Jessica Tan, Cheryl Chan / Facebook
These disruptions do seem less confronting than the ongoing Middle East conflict and the potential damage it could inflict on Singapore’s social fabric.
Our MPs are addressing these topics in detail, though, as well as how local cost of living pressures can be lowered in areas like power bills and COE prices. They are also seeking clarity on real wage growth for Singaporeans.
This thorough advocacy, ultimately, is because our Party commits to keeping daily life in Singapore running smoothly and securely — regardless of the issue.
