預算辯論 · 2019-03-04 · 屆國會 13

推動企業數字化轉型

AI 安全與倫理 AI 經濟與產業 AI 與就業 AI 基礎設施與研究 爭議度 2 · 溫和質詢

議員質詢新加坡企業，尤其是中小企業在數字化轉型中的挑戰，關注如何幫助企業克服資金、技術和人才適應等問題。政府強調數字經濟對提升生產力和應對人口老齡化的重要性，支援企業創新與能力建設。核心爭議點在於中小企業數字化的實際困難及政府支援的有效性。

關鍵要點

  • • 數字經濟促進生產力
  • • 中小企業數字化難題
  • • 人口老齡化帶來壓力
政府立場

支援企業數字化轉型，提供資金與技術援助

政策訊號

推動中小企業數字化升級

“Digitalisation is transforming companies, economies and our very way of life.”

參與人員 (22)

完整譯文（中文）

Hansard 原始記錄 · 2026-05-02

主席：通訊及資訊部Q項。傅志堅先生。

數字經濟——面向企業

傅志堅先生（先鋒選區）：主席先生，我提議將估算表中Q項的總撥款減少100元。

一個強大國家的基本基石之一是充滿活力的經濟。一個由具競爭力的企業、技術熟練且富有創造力的員工驅動，並以高效基礎設施為支撐的經濟。強勁的企業和生產力增長是提高工人工資的先決條件。因此，政府支援我們的企業——無論是大型企業還是中小企業（SMEs）——保持相關性、創新並建立深厚能力以持續增長至關重要。

數字化正在改變企業、經濟乃至我們的生活方式。數字經濟為企業帶來諸多好處。提高生產力、降低運營成本和提升資產利用率只是其中顯而易見的部分。此外，技術還能幫助我們應對諸如新加坡人口老齡化和人力資源限制等問題。如今，我們勞動力中有四分之一年齡在55歲及以上。隨著出生率下降、預期壽命延長以及更多老年人選擇繼續工作，這一比例將隨時間增加。勞動力老齡化迫使大型本地企業（LLEs）和中小企業擁抱數字化，抓住數字經濟的機遇，否則將面臨落後風險。

在許多行業中，新技術正在顛覆現有商業模式。藉助數字平臺，創新企業通過提升價值交付的質量、速度或價格，侵蝕甚至取代了傳統企業的市場份額。此類顛覆的例子不勝列舉，包括被網約車顛覆的公司、被全天候線上商店顛覆的實體零售店、被社交媒體平臺顛覆的傳統印刷媒體等。

新加坡表現良好，擁有快速且可靠的寬頻接入以及高滲透率的活躍移動使用者。然而，我們仍面臨一些挑戰。

儘管企業渴望採用技術，許多公司，尤其是中小企業，發現難以實現。他們確實需要幫助。首先，中小企業的股東和管理者常有以下疑問：“我如何開始數字化之旅？哪些數字化領域的投資回報率最高？誰能協助我資助這些投資？我的員工能適應這些變化嗎？這會導致短期虧損嗎？”這些只是中小企業在踏上數字化之路前面臨的眾多問題之一。

企業數字化的關鍵成功因素包括規模、大數據集、財務實力以贏得市場份額並創造網路效應。新加坡的中小企業規模本就小，本地市場也有限。因此，中小企業踏上數字化之路面臨巨大挑戰。

我們的領先企業（LLEs）也需要支援。它們規模更大，業務遍及更多市場，挑戰相對較小。為加快數字化步伐，政府可制定互操作性標準，促使本地數字基礎設施生態系統可靠、韌性強、可訪問且安全，從而紮根並繁榮。我們的LLEs可藉助此類共享基礎設施轉型業務，緊跟數字技術的快速發展。LLEs還能成為創新載體，成為我們的全球冠軍，引領中小企業和初創企業走向海外。

部長能否向本院闡述協助大大小小企業採用技術並在數字經濟中創新的計劃？

（程式文本）提案提出。（程式文本）

主席：傅志堅先生，您可以將接下來的兩項提案合併發言。

數字經濟——面向工人

傅志堅先生：謝謝主席。繼我之前關於企業採用數字技術的提案後，我的下一項提案關注我們的工人及確保我們擁有足夠人才支援數字經濟增長的措施。

支援企業可視為讓公民擁有良好工作和高薪資的手段，從而提升新加坡的生活水平。與此同時，為了企業繁榮發展，他們需要具備數字技能、知識和正確態度的足夠工人，以適應不斷變化的數字環境。這種共生關係是數字經濟成功的關鍵。

然而，包括新加坡在內的許多國家正面臨具備數字技能的工人短缺問題。為培養青年，必須在更早階段引入基礎數字技能和技術素養。他們還應被鼓勵挑戰現狀，而非接受傳統規範，持續審視工作方式，廣泛思考創新產品和解決方案。更重要的是，工人必須接受持續學習已成常態，職業生涯中需多次獲取新能力和技能，因為就業市場絕非靜態。

近年來，政府已推出多項支援工人的措施。技能未來（SkillsFuture）和適應與成長（Adapt and Grow）計劃便是良好範例。

企業也必須加強培訓和通過專業轉換計劃重新設計崗位。通常，受影響需技能再培訓的員工是多年來忠誠的員工。提升他們的技能可幫助企業保留組織價值觀和文化。這些員工往往還擁有深厚的客戶關係，值得保留。技術創新曆來會摧毀部分崗位，同時創造新崗位。對許多工人，尤其是年長者而言，“智慧國”、“數字化”、“機器學習”、“人工智慧”和“機器人”等流行詞彙可能令人不安和畏懼。我們必須做更多工作，鼓勵工人擁抱變革，享受技能提升帶來的切實利益。

我在想，或許可以為某些機器人（如清潔行業）開發“自然語言程式設計”，支援用“新加坡式英語”發出口頭指令。

投資數字人才對確保新加坡保持競爭力至關重要。投資於人民，社會將更美好。

我想請部長介紹未來幾年我們實施的計劃和舉措，以確保我們擁有足夠人才支援數字經濟。

下午2時15分

法規與基礎設施

主席，我的下一項提案關注法規與基礎設施。根據貝恩公司（Bain & Co）的研究，充分利用該地區數字經濟的集體潛力可加速區域內貿易，並預計到2025年，東盟GDP將提升1萬億美元。如果東盟國家能攜手發展成為單一一體化的區域數字經濟，東盟公民將享受顯著利益，提升生活水平。

例如，共用電子支付平臺將促進東盟數字經濟，確保跨州界的互操作性，並利用龐大的東盟電子商務市場。然而，開發共用電子支付系統需要跨境密切協調和資料流通。

但越來越多國家制定法律和設定障礙，使資料跨境傳輸變得更昂貴、耗時甚至非法。政府以隱私和網路安全為由，不願允許他國企業訪問本國公民資料。儘管如此，我們之前談及的經濟利益依然顯著。

為降低網路威脅風險，東盟需通過建立和強化線上安全框架，打造安全的網路空間。共享關鍵資訊、制定應對駭客攻擊的協議、協調東盟成員的網路機構及建立區域爭端解決機制，都是建設安全網路空間的途徑。

我想請部長分享如何促進更大跨境資料流動的看法。

主席：張世樂先生，您有兩項提案，請合併發言。

數字經濟中的本地企業

張世樂先生（巴西立-榜鵝）：許多公司尚未準備好在新世界和未來實現數字化。政府一直在做出巨大且專注的努力，推出多項方案和重大計劃幫助他們數字化。

但許多公司由於業務性質和經營時間較長，仍在摸索哪些環節可以數字化。因此，不僅是何時開始、從哪裡開始的問題，我認為有幾種情況使這些企業看不到變革的必要。他們在業務中根深蒂固，可能擁有成功的商業模式；他們積累了深厚的領域知識，未見變革必要。有些事情依賴人工操作，不是因為成本更低，而是可能帶來他們所需的效率和利潤。因此，他們不覺得需要變革，也缺乏數字化的動力。

業務性質及其生態系統多年形成的利潤空間使現狀有助於生存，而數字化則被視為風險。

第三，是公司內部缺乏技能和知識——老闆、創業者、創始人、員工、工人。雖然有意願和真實意圖變革，但他們不願意引進人才或變革者，因為這意味著放棄部分決策權。我們如何促使他們數字化？從某種意義上說，如果他們不數字化，我們是否準備允許部分企業整合甚至消失？

政府推出了許多方案和計劃幫助本地企業應對數字經濟新潮流。但這些方案效果如何？我們是否真的看到越來越多企業參與？新加坡約有20萬家中小企業，但有多少真正數字化了？

新加坡人在數字經濟中

過去幾個週末，我在基層和社群層面組織了多場小型聚會，地點各異，邀請居民參加。隨著時間推移，越來越多居民加入，我們發現用手工方式處理事務越來越困難，包括報名參加活動、確認出席與否以及進行居民調查。

我們認為應數字化流程，使其更線上化，便於居民訪問，同時更易收集資料。包括我的志願者和居民，並非所有人都接受數字化。當然，一些老人覺得很難，我們仍需保留手工流程。

但這是讓新加坡人準備迎接數字世界的重要過程，因為這不僅影響他們近期的日常生活和活動，也關係到尋找新工作、新機會及獲取新技能。

我認為，在幫助新加坡人適應數字世界的過程中，我們仍有很長路要走。那麼，新加坡人如何更好準備？政府能做些什麼幫助他們在日常生活、找工作、學習新技能方面適應數字時代？

培養數字未來人才

田佩玲女士（麥波申）：自動化、數字化和人工智慧正在顛覆我們的生活和工作方式。舊崗位被取代，新崗位產生，要求具備正確態度和新能力。若要抓住新經濟機遇並創造價值，我們必須“去學習”和“再學習”。

根據2018年10月麥肯錫關於瑞士未來工作的報告，預計對基礎認知或體力手工技能的需求將下降20%。相反，對社交情感技能和技術技能的需求將分別增長約20%和高達50%。技能轉變速度預計將超過勞動力和技能的正常流失率。

這些發現同樣適用於新加坡。因此，我們必須繼續投資人力資本，幫助人民轉型，並加快轉型速度。政府必須與企業合作，確保培訓內容相關且有實操機會，最終帶來真實就業機會。

我瞭解資訊傳媒發展局（IMDA）在人力資本專案上的努力。請問迄今取得了哪些成果？部門如何衡量專案的短期和長期成功？新崗位與培訓技能匹配度如何？

對於沒有資訊通訊技術（ICT）背景的個人，有無幫助他們轉行的專案？若有，成功率如何？

主席：傅志堅先生，您可以將接下來的兩項提案合併發言。

中小企業數字化

傅志堅先生（提名議員）：主席先生，自2017年預算推出“中小企業數字化”計劃以來，該計劃已開發多項舉措，旨在幫助本地中小企業採用數字技術、提升能力並參與數字經濟。

通過與行業能力中心（TACs）如新加坡製造聯合會（SMF）合作，計劃為中小企業提供諮詢服務，由專業數字專案經理協助實施預先批准的數字解決方案，助力企業轉型。

正如財政部長恆健在2019年預算中宣佈，該計劃已有約4000家中小企業採用了計劃下的預先批准數字解決方案。雖然這一數字令人鼓舞，但相較新加坡近20萬家中小企業而言仍是滄海一粟。

因此，能否請部門提供“中小企業數字化”計劃的最新進展，特別是計劃預期覆蓋的最低中小企業數量，以及部門如何推動中小企業加速採用數字解決方案？

人才發展

隨著製造業邁向工業4.0，行業對資訊傳媒（ICM）專業人才的需求日益增長，以利用前沿技術助力行業儘早達到工業4.0標準。資訊傳媒產業轉型圖（ITM）於2017年11月釋出，目標是到2020年僱傭超過21萬名ICM員工，創造逾1.3萬個專業、管理、執行及技術（PMET）崗位。

請問部門迄今在實現ITM就業目標方面的進展如何？此外，通訊及資訊部的長期計劃是什麼，以吸引人才成為ICM專業人士？

主席：翁丁坤先生，您可以將接下來的兩項提案合併發言。

數字基礎設施

翁丁坤先生（馬西嶺-裕廊西）：先生，作為基礎設施提供者的挑戰之一是容易被視為理所當然。人們認為服務隨時可用，未曾考慮提供服務所需的努力和規劃。

然而，一旦出現中斷，大家立刻反應強烈。例如，去年7月新電信（Singtel）寬頻服務中斷3.5小時，11月又發生類似中斷，消費者均感憤怒。

數字經濟——流媒體服務、電子商務、雲端計算——建立在不間斷網際網路接入的假設上。但無論服務商如何投資確保99.999%的正常執行時間，基礎設施層面的故障都可能導致連線中斷。連線喪失可能帶來災難性商業後果，企業無法訪問客戶或關鍵服務如銀行、支付等。

先生，我們有哪些計劃確保數字基礎設施能支援不斷增長的數字經濟？

前沿技術

先生，技術快速發展勢頭不減。幾年前看似科幻的概念，如今開始影響我們的日常生活。

自動駕駛汽車、智慧家居自動化、基於自然語言處理的機器人能進行近似人類對話——這些已成現實。它們對日常生活的影響尚未完全明瞭，但必將深遠，塑造我們的生活、工作和娛樂方式。

新加坡已投入數十億資金支援相關領域研究。當前的研究、創新與企業計劃（RIE 2020）已撥款190億新元，重點支援先進製造和城市解決方案等領域。

先生，展望未來十年，部門將如何進一步投資前沿技術，提升新加坡競爭優勢？

個人資料保護委員會

穆罕默德·伊爾沙德先生（提名議員）：主席先生，新加坡健康集團（SingHealth）遭受的網路攻擊是迄今為止新加坡最大規模的資料洩露事件。2019年1月15日，個人資料保護委員會（PDPC）對新加坡健康集團罰款25萬新元，對綜合健康資訊系統私人有限公司（IHiS）罰款75萬新元。

這些懲罰性罰款凸顯了此次洩露事件的規模之大以及患者資料的敏感和機密性質，同時也向其他組織發出訊號，要求它們採取必要措施保護個人資料。

然而，似乎沒有任何補救措施或賠償可供資料洩露的實際受害者使用。那些個人資料被盜的人沒有明顯的申訴途徑。

除了罰款之外，我們能否為資料洩露的受害者提供一種索賠個人資料損失的途徑？

2017年12月，優步（Uber）延遲報告其新加坡38萬用戶的個人資訊在前一年遭洩露。洩露發生後且優步承認該洩露之前，據報道，資料洩露的受害者被駭客利用被盜的個人資料進一步加害。尚不清楚有多少受害者因此遭受了進一步損失。

是否可能設立一個法庭，讓受害者就資料洩露可能遭受的任何損失尋求賠償？

個人資料保護制度

林秀雅女士（阿裕尼）：主席，個人資料保護委員會（PDPC）於2013年成立，作為《個人資料保護法》（PDP法案）的執行機構。根據PDPC網站，過去四年其收到的諮詢和投訴數量每年介於2200至3300之間。我有幾個問題。

首先，主要的投訴類別是與“拒絕來電登記冊”相關，還是關於組織未盡合理注意義務保護個人資料免遭未經授權披露的投訴？

其次，PDPC的資源和人員配備情況如何，以便處理其面臨的案件？部長最近指出，在新加坡健康集團的資料洩露事件中，PDPC利用了政府召開的調查委員會（COI）的調查結果。如果發生另一重大洩露且未成立調查委員會，PDPC是否有資源自行調查重大案件？

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接下來，我想問一下對投訴人的處理結果。PDPC已將其決定有益地公佈線上。若PDPC發現組織未履行保護個人資料的義務，通常會對其處以罰款，並指示組織如何改進資料安全措施。PDPC是否曾協助資料洩露受害者獲得賠償，例如調解與組織的財務和解？

最後，PDP法案的適用範圍仍包括被定義為公共機構的實體。當資料由受PDPA義務約束的實體收集後再傳輸給政府時，這種排除似乎不合理。雖然我接受政府機構有許多關於資料義務的法律法規，但排除公共機構適用PDPA是否有令人信服的理由？

人工智慧（AI）的倫理使用

維克拉姆·奈爾先生（森巴旺）：主席先生，上週供應委員會辯論智慧國議題時，維文·巴拉克裡希南部長提到新加坡將“加倍投入”人工智慧（AI）。他指出，AI，尤其是深度機器學習，已革新許多服務，包括提供語音助手、語言翻譯、GPS最佳化和幫助檢測欺詐。

這些是革命性的發展，我認為新加坡必須繼續走這條路。然而，人們擔心AI被不當使用。機器像人類一樣需要被教導和訓練，這需要訪問資料。我擔心人們可能未充分意識到其個人資料被收集和使用的程度。

其次，當然是資料被收集和技術被開發後，若落入錯誤之手，可能導致麻煩，包括落入外國行為者、駭客和詐騙者手中。政府是否考慮過社會對AI使用的擔憂？如果有，我們如何應對？

擬議的人工智慧治理模型框架

林順順教授（提名議員）：主席先生，隨著我們堅定邁向智慧國目標，我非常歡迎擬議的人工智慧治理模型框架的公佈。雖然大數據、深度學習和神經網路聽起來抽象，但它們日益廣泛的應用對社會有實際影響。AI驅動的自動決策越來越多地用於決定產品價格、保險費率和招聘等系統和流程。這些領域確實引發了演算法偏見的警示。資料正義、演算法公平和可解釋AI等問題必須密切監控，以確保我們在有效管理意外不利後果的同時，充分利用技術優勢。擬議的人工智慧治理模型框架因此尤為及時。它將確保我們的創新驅動不會忽視倫理性。

通過闡明統一的AI治理方法並提供一套關於負責任使用AI的統一定義和原則，我們為業界提供更大確定性。信息通信媒體發展局（MCI）能否分享其計劃，確保該框架有效傳播至所有相關行業？如何提高對負責任使用AI指南的認識並鼓勵其應用？是否也計劃將該框架納入高等院校AI相關課程的教學大綱？

關鍵基礎資訊設施

張浩斌博士（武吉班讓）：主席先生，閣下，我瞭解到關鍵基礎資訊設施（CII）部門的設立，旨在提升網路安全，確保新加坡關鍵服務的持續提供。

我讚賞政府保護數字領域的努力。這至關重要，因為我們正邁向智慧國。近期國內外事件，如新加坡健康集團的網路攻擊和澳大利亞議會計算機網路的駭客事件，凸顯了我們面臨的威脅，以及迅速果斷採取行動以減輕或消除這些威脅的必要性。

話雖如此，我想在三個方面尋求澄清：第一，CII下已確定的關鍵公共服務有哪些？第二，如何建立或調整這些部門的基礎設施以確保強健的網路安全？第三，政府在發生網路攻擊或關鍵服務中斷時將採取哪些應急措施？

企業網路安全

張世樂先生（巴西立-榜鵝）：最近，我在選區的工作空間與許多創業者交談，他們中的許多人利用網際網路或社交媒體平臺開展業務。我與一位使用者交談，他經營一家電子商務公司。他告訴我，有一天醒來發現系統內沒有銷售額，後來發現系統被駭客攻擊，客戶資料庫和整個網站均被入侵。結果他不得不關閉業務數天，幾乎面臨關閉整個公司的風險。

許多企業可能對網路安全掉以輕心。如果可能，我們應加強對更多企業，尤其是通過網際網路建立業務的小型企業和初創企業的網路安全教育。我想知道政府是否有計劃在不久的將來幫助提升網路安全知識及其重要性。

吳培祥副教授（非選區議員）：主席，2019年預算將數字防禦納入全面防禦戰略，聚焦網路安全。這在新加坡健康集團攻擊和艾滋病登記洩露事件後尤為適當。現在有一個關鍵漏洞需要解決。在新加坡，私營和公共部門廣泛互動，使企業網路安全成為關鍵漏洞。國防部也依賴私營企業推動技術創新和適應。

政府是否考慮實施針對性舉措，緊急加強企業，尤其是本地中小企業的網路安全能力？有人建議政府應為中小企業提供培訓員工和提升網路防禦的補助金，也建議設立政府熱線，供企業獲得建議和報告網路安全事件，且不受政府對立對待。

網路安全

維克拉姆·奈爾先生：主席先生，隨著越來越多系統上線，網路安全成為特別關注的問題。今年的兩起高調事件凸顯了我們的脆弱性。

第一起是外國國家行為者未經授權訪問新加坡健康集團記錄，顯示有資金充足的組織和國家可能故意試圖入侵我們的系統。

第二起是衛生部艾滋病患者登記冊的不當洩露，顯示一名被信任訪問系統的個人的失誤，加上另一人的惡意，可能導致災難性後果。

這些事件顯示政府系統的兩方面脆弱性，且可預見外部威脅和受信任人員的人為錯誤是幾乎無法根除的永恆問題。在此背景下，有無方法評估並改進政府系統的網路安全？

傅國強先生：主席先生，根據2017年全球網路安全指數，新加坡在防範網路攻擊方面排名第一，超過美國。儘管我們的網路安全策略強健，衛生部遭受的攻擊要求我們繼續保持警惕和堅定防禦。數字防禦像全面防禦的其他支柱一樣，涉及個人、企業和政府。因此，能否請部委說明如何鼓勵業界合作，利用本地網路安全專長，開發安全、高質量產品，為新加坡營造安全可信的網路空間？

拉哈尤·馬哈贊女士（裕廊）：科技帶來了新的生態系統和互動方式。網際網路改變了我們的社交、工作和商業方式。這些變化通過連線人們、提升效率和生產力帶來了巨大改進。然而，也有人試圖在這些新平臺上濫用並傷害他人。

去年，新加坡整體犯罪率上升1.4%，主要由網路相關詐騙激增推動。計算機濫用法下的犯罪案件也增加了40.3%。我們還見證了多起公共領域的網路攻擊事件，如最近影響150萬患者的新加坡健康集團高調網路攻擊。私營實體也是數字攻擊的主要目標。2017年，優步宣佈5700萬用戶和60萬司機的個人資訊被駭客洩露。2018年11月，萬豪國際宣佈約5億客戶資料被網路犯罪分子竊取。

隨著政府加強國家網路安全基礎設施和法律框架應對數字犯罪，社群必須具備足夠知識和技能保護自己免受網路傷害。個人使用者、企業和組織需要做好準備。

隨著數字防禦成為新加坡全面防禦的第六支柱，我們必須記住，在大多數情況下，人類或計算機使用者是網路安全的薄弱環節。即使是最強大的網路防禦，也可能因單個使用者的行為被攻破，無論是密碼鬆懈、無意洩露機密資料，還是被釣魚攻擊欺騙交出敏感資訊。

在這方面，我們如何提升公民和企業的網路安全意識，以便繼續利用技術帶來的機遇，同時最大限度減少網路威脅？

網路安全域性

劉亞仁先生（阿裕尼）：主席先生，調查新加坡健康集團網路攻擊的調查委員會建議大幅提升網路安全人員的能力。

人力規劃和人才發展戰略是加強國家網路安全戰略的關鍵。2012年，經濟發展局報告有1200名網路安全專家，而IT專業人員有14萬人。七年後，我們在網路安全專家數量和比例方面處於何種水平？還需要多少，目標是多少？

國家網路安全總體規劃2018的關鍵方向之一是培養新加坡的網路安全專長。信息通信發展局（IDA）與高等院校合作擴充套件網路安全課程。理工學院與業界合作建立網路安全中心。IDA還與FireEye合作提升網路安全專業人員技能。經濟發展局與NEC公司合作，通過海外實習發展戰略能力。ST工程成立DigiSAFE網路安全中心，幫助有意中途轉行者再培訓。

隨著家庭隊科學技術局和國防部網路防禦組織的成立，以及公共部門網路安全專業計劃和國防部網路國服職業，我們現在擁有多樣化的網路安全人力和人才發展格局。

這些不同努力是否由網路安全域性（CSA）和信息通信發展局（IDA）根據國家戰略協調？這些努力是相互競爭爭奪有限人才，還是互補以產生協同效應？

故意網路虛假資訊

達里爾·大衛先生（宏茂橋）：主席先生，網際網路的匿名性導致“去抑制效應”，人們在網路上表現出與現實生活不同的形象。研究人員廣泛研究了去抑制效應，以理解網路欺凌和其他不良網路行為，如網路噴子和釣魚。雖然這些行為令人反感，但其影響相對有限。

令人擔憂的是故意網路虛假資訊的出現，這類虛假資訊的傳播範圍和潛在影響廣泛。網際網路為虛假資訊製造者提供了匿名面紗，去抑制效應使他們膽大妄為，編造明顯虛假的資訊，惡意混淆事實。網路虛假資訊的惡意可能導致社群和種族暴力、對體制的不信任，並影響公眾對重要社會議題的看法。

新加坡也未能倖免於故意網路虛假資訊的惡意。一些國家行為者和個人發起虛假資訊運動，詆譭我們的機構，抹黑政府和體制。這些有組織的運動需要迅速果斷處理，防止其壯大。

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然而，應對故意網路虛假資訊需要多機構合作，包括用事實反擊虛假資訊，教育新加坡人辨別真偽，以及媒體公司發揮作用，清除假帖和虛假宣傳。

政府採取了哪些具體措施，幫助新加坡人在日益複雜的數字和媒體環境中防範故意網路虛假資訊？

維克拉姆·奈爾先生：主席，本院成立了一個特別委員會，調查故意網路虛假資訊問題。我應宣告，我作為人民行動黨政策論壇成員，參與了特別委員會的公眾諮詢。

提出的關鍵問題包括：第一，假新聞通常看似合理且有趣，易於廣泛傳播；第二，真相往往不夠吸引人，糾正資訊難獲同等關注；第三，社交媒體和WhatsApp等通訊平臺使假新聞傳播更遠；第四，有證據顯示外國行為者利用假新聞干預選舉，如美國總統選舉和英國脫歐公投；第五，私人組織常從假新聞中獲利，包括故意製造假新聞的如淡馬錫評論，以及從傳播中獲益的平臺如Facebook，其廣告收入豐厚。

主席：維克拉姆先生，請總結髮言。

維克拉姆·奈爾先生：是的。選定委員會審議後，是否有計劃引入新的措施來應對選定委員會所建議的故意傳播網路虛假資訊的威脅？

數字準備藍圖

林順順教授：主席先生，我讚賞數字準備藍圖的建立，但想問它如何滿足不同網際網路使用者的技能需求。

雖然幸運的是，新加坡沒有數字接入鴻溝，但全球研究顯示，關於線上技能的“第二層數字鴻溝”會顯著影響人們從網路體驗中獲益的程度。此外，鑑於我們智慧手機的高普及率，我們需要特別關注通過手機使用網際網路的情況。

由於移動網際網路以應用程式為中心，完全依賴移動裝置的“移動專用使用者”與主要使用移動裝置但同時使用其他裝置的“移動優先使用者”有明顯區別。這些不同的使用模式會導致不同的線上體驗，反映出線上能力和內容接觸範圍的差異。這些差異又會影響個人的世界觀和對影響其個人生活的關鍵社會問題的理解。

那麼，我們如何將基礎數字技能課程涵蓋的技能與新加坡現有的網際網路使用趨勢相匹配？此外，有哪些計劃定期更新課程，以考慮（a）技術趨勢的變化和（b）學校及職場需求的變化？

數字準備

傅志堅先生：主席先生，我下一項發言是關於數字準備。數字鴻溝存在多種原因。主要原因是缺乏對電腦、智慧手機和網際網路的便捷訪問。值得稱讚的是，諸如為低收入家庭提供的家庭接入計劃和為殘疾人士提供的Enable IT計劃。這兩個計劃都很好地為所有新加坡人提供了負擔得起且包容的數字接入。

數字鴻溝的另一個原因是缺乏技能，正如林教授剛才指出的，無法安全且自信地使用數字技術。除了能夠操作裝置外，良好的網路衛生習慣也很重要，包括意識到技術的負面影響，如假新聞、網路欺凌和社會孤立。

數字鴻溝的另一個原因是部分公民缺乏參與數字經濟的意願。去年新加坡衛生集團的資料洩露等高調網路攻擊使部分公民對使用數字技術感到恐懼。還有一些人在聽聞有人遭遇網路詐騙後被嚇退。

鑑於數字包容存在諸多障礙，我想請部長分享其彌合數字鴻溝的策略和計劃，以便人人都能從數字經濟中受益。

負擔得起的數字連線

王鼎坤先生（馬西嶺-裕廸選區）：主席先生，數字服務已成為我們生活中越來越核心的一部分。我們每天多次使用手機應用程式。從遊戲到健康追蹤再到股市資訊，我們幾乎不再注意它們。它們已成為我們生活的基礎，聯合國甚至將保護網際網路接入視為保護個人權利的關鍵要素。

然而，人們對“數字鴻溝”的擔憂也在增加。低收入群體如果因負擔能力問題缺乏數字世界的接觸，將處於不利地位。除了缺乏更實惠的實體服務替代品外，他們可能還無法獲得在數字時代高效工作的必要技能。如果低收入家庭的孩子錯過數字體驗，我們可能會製造一個永久的底層階級。

已經採取了重要措施來解決這一問題，例如為符合條件的家庭提供兩年補貼光纖寬頻的家庭接入計劃。免費WiFi熱點也越來越普遍。

我們還能做些什麼，確保數字連線對社會中弱勢和不利群體負擔得起？

智慧長者，智慧國度

田佩玲女士（麥波申選區）：主席先生，隨著我們為數字經濟做準備，必須確保人民能夠從這場轉型中受益，而不是被落下。我們不能無意中製造新的不平等或加劇現有差距，即那些能夠接觸和利用新數字技術的人與不能的人之間的差距。

雖然未來幾代老年人將受教育程度更高且更懂技術，但我們不能忽視當前這一代長者。我們需要智慧長者來建設智慧國度。我們需要利用技術來補充老年護理人力短缺，幫助更多長者在自己家中和社群中獨立生活。我們需要利用技術幫助他們保持與新聞和資訊、支援網路、朋友和家人的聯絡。為此，確保他們具備數字準備非常重要。數字準備是長者充分利用技術益處的第一步和關鍵推動力。

在麥波申，我們去年對315名公共租賃居民進行了簡單調查，發現數字化的最大障礙是缺乏知識、智慧手機和資料計劃。因此，我和基層團隊積極尋找有資源的合作伙伴，幫助我們的長者和數字弱勢居民克服這些障礙。我要感謝信息通信媒體發展局和文化、社區及青年部的支援。

憑藉監督能力和更大資源網路的訪問，我想請問部委針對幫助長者和數字弱勢群體學習、接觸和使用數字技術以提升生活質量方面做了哪些工作？

圖書館的技能未來

張浩斌博士：主席先生，閣下，我們的圖書館是向人民灌輸知識的寶貴資源。我瞭解到國家圖書館局與新加坡技能未來局合作，通過在圖書館舉辦的“技能未來@圖書館”工作坊，提升新加坡人的技能。

我想了解圖書館如何能更積極地支援技能未來和終身學習。同時，我也想了解部委如何鼓勵成人學習者利用圖書館資源的最新情況。

閣下，隨著數字化的到來，我們可以探索利用技術支援終身學習。我建議通過兩個渠道實現：第一，國家圖書館局的移動應用程式；第二，國家圖書館局的學習艙。

國家圖書館局的移動應用程式可以改進，在使用者同意的情況下收集使用者偏好和資料。隨後，這些資訊可用於向用戶推薦圖書館資源，如書籍、電子書、有聲書和影片，幫助他們自我發展和學習。

事實上，我們可以更進一步，建立新加坡技能未來局與國家圖書館局之間的資料共享平臺。該平臺將彙總註冊技能未來的使用者的職業志向、工作領域或興趣等資訊。隨後，可以識別對相關使用者感興趣或有益的知識、資源和技能。相關資源將通過國家圖書館局移動應用推薦給使用者。這將幫助使用者識別最有助於自我提升和學習的材料，鼓勵自學。實質上，這種方法將允許為新加坡人的個別學習需求定製量身打造的學習計劃。

我瞭解到義順北點和海港城的圖書館各有七個學習艙。這些學習艙包含從編碼到商業等各種主題的影片教程。學習艙配備互動螢幕，具有極大潛力支援自學。我們應鼓勵這些學習艙在新加坡各圖書館的普及。

圖書館為終身學習提供了諸多機會。我敦促部委加快將圖書館發展成為新加坡人的自學中心。

主席：達里爾·大衛先生，您能否先發言一次？我們隨後休息。

圖書館

達里爾·大衛先生：謝謝主席先生。如今，圖書館面臨多方面的嚴峻挑戰：來自網際網路、現代咖啡館，甚至家中藏書。問題不在於印刷媒體和數字媒體能否共存於圖書館，而在於圖書館如何成為第三空間，讓不同社會群體包容性地交流思想。

圖書館可以是實體或虛擬的社交空間，配合社交媒體應用。我們如何將圖書館轉變為社群中心，讓人們互動、互聯、學習、創作、分享、非正式會面、討論或組織社交活動、特別展覽和展覽？

圖書館也可以是通過讀書會和論壇分享思想的“客廳”，是所有人的安全空間和會面場所。政府如何確保我們的圖書館繼續作為包容性社交空間，服務所有年齡段的新加坡人？

主席：秩序。我建議現在休息。

[（程式文本）於是議長離開委員會主席席，回到議會主席席。 （程式文本）]

議長：秩序。我宣佈休會，下午3時20分繼續主持會議。

會議休會

下午2時57分至3時20分。

會議恢復，下午3時20分。

[議長在主席席]

[（程式文本）撥款委員會辯論繼續。 （程式文本）]

[議長在主席席]

Q項（續）–

鼓勵觀點多元化

達里爾·大衛先生：謝謝主席先生，我想談談公民討論和觀點多樣性。全球城市通常以開放和包容不同觀點著稱。這類充滿活力社會的一個顯著特徵是人們能夠通過多種衝突觀點“對話”，而不陷入歇斯底里和傷害。心理學家認為社會生存依賴於一致性，但最新研究也表明分歧促進創造力。

斯坦福大學教授卡羅爾·德韋克對“成長型思維”概念做了大量研究。相信才能可以通過努力、良好策略和他人幫助而發展的個體擁有成長型思維。我相信尊重不同觀點可以在學校培養，幫助學生冷靜理性地交流，發展成長型思維。我希望政府考慮如何改善學校及更廣泛範圍內的公民討論，鼓勵新加坡人觀點多元化。

政府民意調查

李安·佩雷拉先生（非選區議員）：主席先生，閣下，開頭我宣告本人為一家從事調查的研究諮詢公司的執行長。

許多新加坡人如今都有被政府委託的民意調查機構採訪的經歷。針對我之前的國會質詢，時任部長雅庫布·易卜拉欣回應稱“政府不編制各機構進行的調查統計，也不統計哪些調查被公佈。”

如果公佈，民意調查結果對社會許多利益相關者都很有價值。

例如，慈善機構可以通過了解公眾對其關注的問題和受益人的輿論氛圍，設計更好的籌款專案。學者可以利用這些調查進行研究。民間團體可以用調查資料開發更好的專案，提高對其關注問題的意識。公民可以利用這些知識更好地塑造和調整其公民行為，例如寫信給媒體、在社交媒體表達觀點和向諮詢委員會提出意見。

我瞭解到部分調查結果已公佈，例如REACH。我呼籲制定規則，要求所有進行民意調查的部委和政府機構公佈調查報告，供社會廣泛使用，前提是不涉及國家安全或敏感事項。

我想問目前是否有機制讓所有政府機構或部委訪問其他機構或部委未公佈調查的資料？如果沒有，公佈此類調查甚至可通過減少調查重疊，提高政府效率和開支。

政府調查使用公共資金。這些調查結果應供所有人使用，而不僅限於政府和政府領導。

有效的政策溝通

田佩玲女士（麥波申選區）：良好意圖的政策如果溝通不到位，可能變得無效並激怒民眾。更糟的是，缺乏有效政策溝通時，別有用心者可能利用機會歪曲事實或傳播假新聞。如果為新加坡和新加坡人利益設計的政策被誤解，未能獲得公眾支援，將是悲劇。

相反，有效溝通的政策能獲得廣泛公眾支援，確保成功實施。母語和國民服役政策就是極好例子。我們至今仍能看到這些政策獲得強烈公眾支援，因為人們理解其理由，儘管可能需要個人犧牲。因此，有效的政策溝通加強了我們的國家團結。

鑑於有效政策溝通的重要性，我想請問部委如何改善政府政策在不同年齡群體和社群間的溝通，以最大化政策影響並惠及目標受眾？

主席：達里爾·大衛先生，請接下來的兩項發言。

公共服務廣播

達里爾·大衛先生：主席先生，我的第一項發言是關於公共服務廣播（PSB）。多年來，信息通信媒體發展局支援製作公共服務廣播節目，這些節目具有多項國家和社會目標。PSB節目推廣新加坡、新加坡身份認同和價值觀，如家庭、社群、社會包容和凝聚力。同時，它們也服務特殊興趣群體，例如老年人和青年。它們還幫助提高多元社會的文化意識，促進宗教和諧。

這些節目多年來也幫助觀眾接受教育，例如通過時事節目，使我們作為全球公民瞭解影響我們的國際動態。

如今，一場名為“割線”的革命正在全球蔓延，人們擺脫了對有線電視的依賴。Netflix、亞馬遜Prime甚至Viu等OTT服務為喜歡狂看韓劇的粉絲提供服務。政府能否分享公共服務廣播在這一不斷演變的媒體環境中的變化？下一項發言。

發展媒體產業

過去五年，發展媒體產業的努力迅速加快。盧卡斯影業、知名人才管理公司RGM控股、著名動畫工作室BKN媒體以及印度大型電影製作公司DLM數字工作室等大牌紛紛在新加坡設立機構，提升了媒體產業的國際形象。

在媒體教育方面，南洋理工大學藝術設計與媒體學院推出了培養創意媒體專業人才的課程。紐西蘭南海電影電視學院也在此設立校區。這將為教室成為媒體人才培養中心提供許多機會。

然而，觀察到本地製作的新加坡媒體內容市場較小，亟需創造有利的媒體環境。我們有哪些總體計劃在國內發展/壯大媒體產業？是否有計劃支援本地媒體公司開拓海外市場？

主席：易華仁部長。

通訊及資訊部長（易華仁先生）：謝謝主席先生。首先，請允許我在發言過程中展示一些幻燈片。

議長：可以，請展示。 [幻燈片向尊敬的議員展示。]

易華仁先生：閣下，這是我自去年五月加入文化、社區及青年部以來的第一次撥款委員會發言。感謝各位議員對文化、社區及青年部工作的支援，以及大家分享的多元觀點。

在我的回應中，我將概述文化、社區及青年部確保新加坡數字時代未來的計劃，作為部委更廣泛使命的一部分，即連線人民與機遇、社群及政府。高階國務部長賈尼爾·普圖查裡將講述網路安全和數字準備，高階國務部長沈穎將負責媒體行業和政府溝通部分。我將總結圖書館和檔案的計劃。

先生，我們的願景是讓新加坡擁有一個蓬勃發展的數字經濟：每個企業都具備數字化能力，每個員工都具備數字技能，每個公民都能數字互聯。無論企業規模大小或發展階段，都能利用科技創新和成長。無論員工所屬行業或教育水平，都能利用科技提高效率和生產力。無論公民年齡或背景，都能自信地使用科技，豐富生活。

這一願景已經在我們經濟和社會中一些意想不到的領域得以實現。傳統行業中的小企業正在利用技術實現增長。我最近見到了Selvam先生，他曾是特種部隊成員，現在在小印度擁有Anushia花店。這證明了我們武裝部隊官員的多樣能力。他利用電子商務接觸企業客戶和新客戶，收入增長了50%。

年輕人和老年人都在擁抱科技。今年一月在library@harbourfront開幕時，我看到長者們輕鬆閱讀電子報紙，熱情學習使用智慧手機上的各種應用。孩子們在沉浸式故事講述室玩得很開心，成年人則在使用國家圖書館局的移動應用。

下午3點30分

我們希望藉此勢頭，培育一個充滿活力的資訊通訊媒體產業，擁有深厚能力的企業、高技能員工和世界級數字基礎設施。

我們首先努力提升廣大企業，尤其是中小企業的數字能力。Cedric Foo先生和Douglas Foo先生詢問我們如何幫助企業受益於數字技術，Teo Ser Luck先生問及我們的努力成果。兩年前，我們啟動了“中小企業數字化”計劃，成效令人鼓舞。截至目前，約有4000家中小企業受益於該計劃，計劃提供逐步數字化指南，提供經過驗證的數字解決方案，並提供諮詢和專案管理服務。

我們一直在根據企業需求變化調整“中小企業數字化”計劃。例如，今年一月，我們與銀行和電信合作伙伴合作，推出了“啟動數字包”，使企業從成立之初即可採用數字解決方案。這樣，企業從一開始就能受益，並可在擴充套件時基於這些數字基礎繼續發展。

我們還在擴大“中小企業數字化”計劃，以滿足企業擴充套件時更復雜的需求。UNAG物流公司就是一個例子。Rhyce和Gary Chng兄弟擁有這家本地物流運輸公司。他們使用預先批准的基於雲的人工智慧解決方案最佳化配送路線，並根據可用車輛的容量和位置動態重新分配司機。這使他們的配送量增加了20%，收入增長了15%。他們現在也將該平臺推廣給其他中小企業。到2020年，我們將向所有行業推廣人工智慧和雲解決方案，讓更多企業受益。

除了企業層面，我們還啟動了系統級數字化舉措，以獲得更廣泛的效益。

全國電子發票網路是信息通信媒體發展局今年一月推出的舉措之一。發票是關鍵的商業功能，但手工流程繁瑣且易出錯。通過電子發票，企業可簡化流程，提高準確性，改善現金流。政府全力支援該舉措，並將在今年準備好接收電子發票。我鼓勵所有企業利用這一全國網路提升效率，降低成本。

另一個系統級舉措是TradeTrust，旨在簡化和數字化貿易流程。貿易和物流行業面臨的共同挑戰是跨境貿易流程效率低下。TradeTrust旨在制定一套標準，幫助企業安全交換數字貿易檔案。它將提升我們作為商業樞紐的吸引力，提高貿易和物流行業效率。信息通信媒體發展局和其他政府機構正與行業夥伴合作進行概念驗證試驗，稍後將提供更多細節。

企業數字化成功的前提是員工也能有效使用數字技術。多位議員——Cedric Foo先生、Teo Ser Luck先生、Tin Pei Ling女士和Douglas Foo先生——詢問我們如何為員工準備並培養數字經濟人才。我同意Teo Ser Luck先生的看法，這是一項挑戰，既是改變心態的挑戰，也是激發變革意願的挑戰。

2016年，我們啟動了科技技能加速器（TeSA）計劃，以滿足對數字技能專業人才日益增長的需求。迄今為止，已有超過61,000個培訓名額被接受或承諾，佔我們資訊通訊技術（ICT）勞動力總數的三分之一略多。這些課程為非ICT員工轉行科技職業提供機會，也為現有ICT員工承擔更深層次技術角色提供培訓。

謝兆彥先生是TeSA技術沉浸與安置計劃的畢業生之一，該計劃幫助非ICT員工進入該領域。通過該計劃，他掌握了軟體開發技能，成功從石油天然氣行業工程師轉型為Amaris AI的資料工程師，負責為客戶開發應用。

TeSA還有一個公司主導培訓（CLT）計劃，顧名思義，由企業主導培訓ICT員工。

我最近訪問了Tunity Technologies，這是一家本地射頻識別（RFID）解決方案提供商。該中小企業通過該計劃培訓並僱傭了六名員工，其中包括姚婉如女士。通過該計劃，婉如學習了物聯網（IoT）領域的技能，現在是一名物聯網工程師。

因此，我們從這些計劃中看到了良好成果，我想告訴Tin Pei Ling女士，90%的受益者繼續從事ICT相關工作，許多人也留在了被安置的公司。我們還定期進行評估，並與ICT專業人才的主要僱主密切合作，評估計劃成效。

像Tunity這樣的科技公司在培訓和培養ICT員工方面發揮著重要作用。通過本地合作伙伴Kaplan和Trent Global，我們還將引進美國METIS的資料科學知名培訓課程和愛爾蘭Code Institute的軟體開發課程，為員工提供更多提升技能的機會，幫助更多員工和企業抓住數字經濟帶來的機遇。

鑑於每位員工的數字培訓需求不同，我們還將推出數字學習指南，幫助僱主使用逐步指南規劃員工的數字培訓需求。我們將從零售和物流行業開始，逐步推廣至其他行業。

我們還希望利用許多在海外關鍵科技領域工作的熱心新加坡人才，他們渴望為新加坡的數字轉型貢獻力量。為促進此類科技人才流動，我高興地通知各位議員，已啟動“海外新加坡科技人才（OST）-LinkedIn社群”，這是業界與主要政府機構的合作專案。該社群將連線海外新加坡科技人才與本地科技社群，及時傳遞國內最新動態。自今年一月成立以來，該群已聯絡超過500名新加坡人。

研發投資也是幫助產業創新和保持競爭力的重要部分，尤其是在技術快速發展的背景下。

我們在研究、創新與企業2020計劃（RIE 2020）中服務與數字經濟（SDE）領域的研發投資，幫助我們在前沿技術領域建立能力，解決國家重點問題。例如，通過AI Singapore的重大挑戰專案，我們與學術界和產業界合作，解決醫療等關鍵行業面臨的重大問題。我們必須保持這一支撐數字經濟戰略的研究創新勢頭。因此，我高興地宣佈，將為SDE領域追加3億新元研發資金，幾乎是現有預算的兩倍。這是國家研究基金會RIE 2020計劃下一階段的一部分，相關細節將很快公佈。

我們還建立數字服務實驗室，釋放研發投資價值。該計劃將與技術供應商、研究和產業夥伴合作，共同開發前沿技術，解決商業挑戰。

有效的法規與世界級數字基礎設施是我們數字經濟願景的基石。

為此，我們正在審查《電子交易法》，以適應新商業模式、新技術和國家專案。我們也在審查《個人資料保護法》（PDPA），確保其繼續保護消費者利益，同時支援資料的創新使用。

針對Sylvia Lim女士的提問，2018年個人資料保護委員會處理了1669起資料保護投訴和1236起“請勿來電”投訴。PDPC具備調查各種資料保護違規的專業知識和資源，必要時與外部機構合作調查。由於PDPC隸屬於信息通信媒體發展局，機構能承擔IMDA更廣泛的基礎設施和管理開支，將資源集中於調查和核心工作領域。我們將繼續確保PDPC資源充足，適應職責需求。

我也曾於2月12日在議會解釋為何公共機構不受PDPA約束。我要告知Sylvia Lim女士，過去幾周這一理由未變。PDPA與《公共部門治理法》（PSGA）中的資料保護標準大致一致。公共機構遵守的標準與私營部門相同甚至更高。它們不僅受PSGA約束，還受其他特定法律和政府指引手冊約束，Sylvia Lim女士也已認可。必要時，PDPC協助個人與機構及其資料保護官溝通，解決具體資料保護問題。PDPC也可將雙方引導至調解。

Mohamed Irshad先生詢問資料洩露受害者的救濟途徑。受害者可尋求法律建議，包括直接向機構索賠或提起私人訴訟。個人也可通過新加坡消費者協會或新加坡調解中心進行調解解決資料保護糾紛。

我們也在為人工智慧（AI）等新技術做準備。Vikram Nair先生詢問AI倫理問題，鑑於AI技術的廣泛潛力，這是我們關注的重點。為此，我最近釋出了新加坡模型AI治理框架，指導私營機構安全、合倫理地部署AI解決方案。我們還成立了AI與資料倫理使用諮詢委員會，啟動了推進法律和倫理AI議題的研究計劃。Lim Sun Sun女士會高興地知道，我們正與諮詢委員會、行業監管機構、行業協會和商會合作，推動框架的採用。我們的AI治理與倫理工作也獲得了2019年世界資訊社會峰會獎項的國際認可。這是國際舞臺對我們工作的肯定，但我們將繼續努力，因為形勢在不斷發展。

針對Ong Teng Koon先生關於基礎設施的提問，我們致力於確保擁有面向未來、具全球競爭力的數字基礎設施，這是數字經濟的基石。

因此，我們計劃於2020年開始部署第五代行動網路，即5G，以保持新加坡在連線性方面的競爭優勢。5G將使企業和公民體驗到比4G快100倍的峰值資料速率，延遲降低至1/25，並支援每平方公里多達1000倍的裝置連線。5G有潛力從根本上改變企業及其運營方式，因其能同時支援多種高需求應用，如自動駕駛車輛連線、工業自動化、物聯網和全國感測器網路部署。信息通信媒體發展局將很快啟動公眾諮詢，幫助制定5G的合適監管框架和政策，包括頻譜分配。

針對Cedric Foo先生的觀點，我們堅決支援開放的跨境資料流動，這是充分利用AI等技術潛力的關鍵。

下午3點45分

在區域層面，我們通過參與制定東盟數字資料治理框架，幫助設定區域資料保護基準原則。我們還參與多邊認證機制，如亞太經合組織跨境隱私規則和處理者隱私認可系統。我們在自由貿易協定中納入促進資料流動的承諾，如《全面與進步跨太平洋夥伴關係協定》。這些舉措將使企業能夠無縫、安全地跨境傳輸資料，抓住新的數字機遇。

但這些機遇只有在安全可靠的網路空間內才能真正實現。我同意Teo Ser Luck先生和Daniel Goh副教授的看法，除了幫助中小企業受益於數字化，我們還必須幫助他們防範網路威脅。因此，網路安全域性和信息通信媒體發展局將於今年晚些時候擴大預先批准解決方案範圍，納入網路安全解決方案。這將為中小企業提供採用何種解決方案的指導，強化其網路安全措施。

Teo Ho Pin博士詢問我們如何保護關鍵資訊基礎設施（CII）。去年，我們通過了《網路安全法》，授權網路安全域性有效應對網路攻擊和調查網路事件。所有關鍵資訊基礎設施已於2018年底完成指定。我們的11個關鍵資訊基礎設施行業提供交通、能源和供水等基本服務，所有CII所有者必須遵守《網路安全行為準則》。我們還定期進行滲透測試，發現並修復漏洞。此外，我們制定了增強韌性的措施，包括應急和事件響應計劃，以應對網路攻擊導致基本服務中斷的情況。

我們上月將數字防禦作為全面防衛的第六支柱推出。這體現了每位公民、企業和組織在幫助我們構建強大網路空間防禦中的角色。套用一句老話，我們的網路安全強度取決於最薄弱的環節。資深國務部長Janil將分享更多網路安全工作細節。

最後，我們相信每位新加坡人都能成為數字互聯和積極參與的公民。建設數字準備度是政府、企業、社群和個人共同的國家任務。這就是為什麼我們推出數字參與承諾，允許組織承諾一項或多項具體行動，幫助新加坡人掌握技能並採用技術。迄今已有270多個組織承諾貢獻力量，我們希望更多組織加入，共同建設更具數字準備度的新加坡。

我為眾多志願者和企業夥伴自願參與我們的數字診所，幫助公民使用移動裝置感到欣慰。渣打銀行是企業夥伴，超過200名員工參與志願服務。志願者Audrey Poh女士告訴我，她被參與者學習熱情所激勵，在教他們使用不同應用時感到很有成就感。自2017年以來，我們的數字診所已服務超過4000人次。這一切都離不開20家企業夥伴和1000名像Poh女士這樣的志願者的支援。

為了支援更多像Poh女士一樣熱心助人的新加坡人，我們將啟動“我們的新加坡基金”，支援促進數字準備度的社群努力。這是與文化、社區及青年部合作的專案，資深國務部長Janil將詳細介紹這些舉措。

主席先生，我已詳細闡述了我們幫助企業和人民抓住數字經濟機遇的廣泛努力。這不是一項容易的任務，也不是政府的單獨責任。事實上，最終每個企業、每個員工和每個公民都必須挺身而出，克服挑戰，主動承擔學習和數字轉型的責任。主席先生，能否允許我播放一段影片，恰好反映我們面臨的挑戰？

主席：可以，請播放。

施艾斯瓦蘭先生：謝謝。[一段影片向尊敬的議員們播放。]

這就是我在部裡年輕同事們所說的“大膽”或“前衛”影片。主席先生，如果我可以總結一下。建設新加坡充滿活力的數字經濟是大家共同的努力。剛才我們看到的影片強調了無論是個人、員工還是小型企業，都面臨著挑戰——以不同的方式，我們都在應對這些挑戰。它也展示了我們如何合作並取得成功。因此，讓我們作為數字賦能的企業、數字技能的員工和數字互聯的公民，共同努力實現這一願景。

主席：通訊及資訊高階國務部長賈尼爾·普圖切裡博士。

通訊及資訊高階國務部長（賈尼爾·普圖切裡博士）：主席先生，隨著科技成為我們生活的一部分，我們需要加強數字準備和網路安全。我們必須確保所有新加坡人都能獲得利用科技的工具和知識，並確保員工和企業能在網路安全的環境中蓬勃發展。

多位議員表達了對社會某些群體可能較慢或較難從新加坡正在經歷的數字轉型旅程中受益的擔憂。

我們必須確保數字化的利益惠及所有人。數字準備是全社會的努力，需要政府、企業和社群的共同協作。

去年，我們推出了數字準備藍圖，併成立了數字準備理事會。該理事會將提供戰略方向，指導數字準備舉措的實施，並審視社群在數字包容、素養和參與方面的需求。重要且令人鼓舞的是，正如部長所指出的，我們已獲得更廣泛社群和企業的積極支援，參與理事會及其工作委員會。

我們的努力可分為三個領域：數字參與、數字包容和數字素養。

在數字參與方面，我們將推出兩項新舉措，動員來自私營、民間和公共部門的組織推動數字準備工作，吸引更多公民加入數字準備運動。

部長宣佈的數字參與承諾是一項自願的線上承諾，鼓勵組織促進數字參與和包容。主要針對企業。目前已有270個來自各行各業的組織——不僅僅是科技行業，也不僅是線上行業，而是任何能利用數字技術的行業——已作出承諾，致力於擴大數字準備工作。我們的目標是在2021年前吸引3,000個組織加入該承諾。

在另一個領域——同樣是數字參與，但聚焦社群——我們與文化、社區及青年部合作，設立了“我們的新加坡數字準備基金”。該基金鼓勵社群推動數字準備，擴大數字準備相關的非營利社會公共領域。專案可獲得最高20,000新元的資助，支援最多80%的專案成本。

關於數字包容，回應傅志豪議員、陳佩玲議員和拉哈尤·馬哈贊議員關於如何幫助所有人受益於科技的提問。數字包容不僅需要獲得技術，還需要具備安全自信使用技術的技能和知識。

自2017年以來，我們已舉辦超過90場數字診所。這些數字診所多為預約制，或不定期、臨時舉辦，且通常與其他活動聯合舉辦。為向居民提供常設服務，我們於去年11月在八個社群中心啟動了“科技連線”服務。該服務為居民提供個性化協助，使用他們熟悉的語言，指導如何使用數字裝置和應用程式，如Facebook和WhatsApp，使他們能與親友聯絡，建立更強的社交網路，並在日常生活中使用科技。他們還可獲得實用問題的幫助，如如何重置密碼。該服務將逐步推廣至所有社群中心，成為常設服務。

通過我們的銀髮資訊通訊計劃，許多長者已掌握基本數字技能，這令我們感到鼓舞。銀髮資訊通訊計劃累計惠及超過27萬名長者。

回應王鼎群議員關於如何確保數字連線保持負擔得起的提問，“家庭上網計劃”和“NEU PC Plus計劃”為低收入家庭提供補貼的資訊通訊裝置和網際網路接入。迄今已有超過7萬個家庭受益。這類努力並非新鮮事物，自1999年起——超過20年——公共部門就有類似計劃，旨在確保弱勢低收入家庭能獲得連線及使用連線所需的裝置。我們根據家庭中是否有在校兒童，設有不同計劃。

此外，通訊及資訊部正與資訊通訊媒體發展局及人民協會合作，在麥波申和拉丁馬斯選區開展試點計劃。計劃為200名無移動裝置或網際網路連線的長者提供配備資料的智慧手機。基層志願者將提供指導，幫助居民建立使用技術的技能和信心。這是一次研究——實驗、試點——旨在探索如何鼓勵和支援數字準備較低者採用數字技術。

林順順教授詢問如何幫助個人獲得必要技能，並確定在數字經濟中有效運作所需的能力。她的問題涉及數字準備的第三個組成部分，即數字素養。資訊通訊媒體發展局已制定基礎數字技能課程，確保公民能以結構化方式學習這些技能。

課程中確定的技能對應日常活動，重點關注當前技術趨勢，如電子支付和移動應用的使用。課程為期一天。希望按自己節奏學習基礎數字技能者，也可通過IM銀髮門戶線上學習。我們將定期更新課程內容，策劃適合長者的相關內容，考慮新興趨勢和利益相關者反饋。

從長遠看，我們還在制定資訊與媒體素養框架，整合新加坡人使用社交媒體和數字技術時所需的資訊、媒體及網路素養技能。該框架將明確期望成果，幷包含供專案負責人參考的內容指南。我們計劃今年晚些時候推出，並定期更新。

維克拉姆·奈爾議員、達里爾·大衛議員和拉哈尤·馬哈贊議員詢問新加坡人如何在日益複雜的網路空間中導航，面對故意網路虛假資訊（DOFs）、網路犯罪和網路攻擊的威脅。科技為我們帶來更大便利和連線，但在複雜的網站、應用和服務網路中導航可能令人壓力倍增。網路威脅加劇焦慮，降低信任，削弱公眾對機構的信心，威脅國家安全。我們已見證其他國家發生此類情況，新加坡也不例外。

下午4時

一個資訊充分且有辨識力的公眾是新加坡抵禦網路威脅的第一道、也是最重要的防線。政府正在加強公眾教育，應對嚴重且普遍的故意網路虛假資訊問題。例如，國家圖書館局的“來源·理解·研究·評估”（S.U.R.E）計劃，提高公眾對危險的認識及辨別假新聞的方法。教育部的新媒體素養工具包支援教師幫助學生導航數字環境，包括學習如何識別社交媒體上的虛假資訊，以及如何負責任地線上互動。過去兩年，媒體素養理事會等組織也支援自發專案，通過“更好網際網路 x 青年徵集計劃”幫助公眾成為更明智的消費者。

為教育公民和企業良好網路衛生習慣，網路安全域性於2018年5月啟動“網路小貼士4你”網路安全宣傳活動。通過講座、會議及名為“GoSafeOnline”的線上門戶等多渠道向企業推廣良好網路安全實踐。網路安全域性和資訊通訊媒體發展局也與學校合作，幫助學生掌握基本網路安全知識，從小學習有效保護自己。

我們已將數字防禦納入全面防衛的第六支柱。正如我們對抗恐怖主義一樣，需要每個人發揮作用，即在網路上保持安全、警覺和負責任。

我們每個人，包括本院議員，都可以做五件事，將防範故意網路虛假資訊和良好網路衛生作為個人責任。我藉此機會提醒大家：第一，釋出或轉發可疑資訊前請核實；第二，使用強密碼和雙因素認證；第三，安裝、使用並更新防毒軟體；第四，儘快更新所有軟體；第五，警惕網路釣魚跡象。

這五項做法大大幫助我們防範假新聞，保障網路安全。

維克拉姆·奈爾議員詢問我們如何評估政府系統的網路安全。安全可信的網路空間對智慧國至關重要。這包括加強政府與產業的合作，實現更高水平的集體網路安全。我們需要利益相關者——產業、學術界和社群——的共同努力。

我們通過政府漏洞賞金計劃實現這一目標。去年12月至今年1月，400名“白帽”駭客——即擁有駭客技能並用於正當目的的人，與“黑帽”駭客（犯罪目的）相對——參與了由GovTech和網路安全域性組織的政府漏洞賞金計劃。他們對五個面向網際網路的政府系統進行了“壓力測試”，發現26個漏洞，均已修復。

此過程提升了我們的網路安全標準。我們獲得了潛在攻擊路徑的洞察，更好地保護了網路應用，並改進了漏洞修補機制，確保有效且全面。前十名賞金獲得者中有七名來自新加坡。我很高興看到本地網路安全社群為提升系統安全作出貢獻。未來我們將舉辦更多此類計劃。希望部分參與者能申請加入網路安全域性。

張世樂議員詢問我們如何有針對性地抓住數字經濟新機遇。網路安全是經濟機會領域，補充了新加坡現有優勢——強大的連線性、數字化熟練的勞動力以及信任與透明的聲譽。強大的網路安全生態系統將提供專業知識和解決方案，助力更具韌性的數字基礎設施。

我們幫助網路安全初創企業成長，並通過Block71的創新網路安全生態系統（ICE71）建立信譽，匯聚創業者、投資者和企業合作伙伴。自去年啟動以來，該社群表現良好，通過各種活動接觸超過5萬人。我們開始看到本地網路安全初創企業的增長。

其中一家是The Cyber Assembly，一家本土初創企業，通過活躍的學習網路安全演練場、訓練營專案，甚至名為“What the Hack”的手機遊戲，將人們與網路安全技能連線起來。ICE71的規模計劃為該公司創始人黃斌勇先生提供了與合適受眾聯絡和業務發展的機會。

2018年9月，網路安全域性發起創新產業徵集，推動創新網路安全解決方案的開發和採用。網路安全域性收到70多個針對10個網路安全挑戰宣告的提案。2019年，政府將把創新徵集擴大為網路安全創新與增長計劃，支援本地網路安全公司開發創新且相關的解決方案，滿足行業不斷變化的需求。

劉添強議員詢問我們如何滿足新加坡網路安全人才需求。建設強大的網路安全人才隊伍非常重要，不僅對網路安全產業發展，對國家安全同樣關鍵。

隨著世界日益互聯和新網路威脅出現，網路安全人才需求激增。公共和私營部門網路安全職位總數從2012年到2017年增長三倍，達到5,300個。同時，實際就業的網路安全專業人員人數增長四倍，達到4,900人，約佔資訊通訊技術勞動力的3%。我們預計對網路安全專業人才的強勁需求將持續。

我們的機構密切合作，與網路安全生態系統協作，加強網路安全人才培養；深化技能和技術專長；改善職業發展和認可。

為滿足行業需求，資訊通訊媒體發展局和網路安全域性在科技技能加速器（TeSA）計劃下推動有針對性的努力。這包括網路安全助理及技術員計劃，通過在職培訓培養和提升新入職及中途轉職專業人員的網路安全技能。已有八家公司承諾到2021年培養超過900名專業人才。此外，超過3,000人受益於TeSA關鍵資訊科技資源計劃支援的50門網路安全課程。

為吸引、培養和留住公共部門網路安全從業者，網路安全域性與GovTech及其他機構緊密合作，建立網路安全專家核心團隊，部署至各機構支援政府網路安全需求。

杜葛拉斯·傅議員詢問我們如何開發有助於新加坡安全可信網路空間的產品。作為通訊及資訊部確保標準和法規支援數字經濟發展的工作一部分，我們在建立強大的網路安全標準體系方面取得進展。

我高興宣佈，截至2019年1月，新加坡已獲得共同準則證書授權國地位。共同準則是全球網路安全產品認證的事實標準。目前包括新加坡在內的30個國家參與共同準則認可安排（CCRA），實現認證的相互認可。但並非所有國家都是授權國，即可在本國生產產品。我們已成為授權國，可在新加坡生產產品並推廣至全球。這將使本地企業能在新加坡開發全球認可的產品，節省成本和時間——無需將產品送往海外評估，也無需將測試人員帶到新加坡。我們可在本地完成所有工作。這是邁向成為區域產品評估和認證中心的重要一步。我們正吸引全球評估實驗室在新加坡設立基地。這些發展將加速新加坡出口世界級網路安全產品，併為新加坡人創造優質就業。

為鼓勵中小企業打造更安全的產品並採用共同準則認證，我們在“Accreditation@SG Digital”計劃下設立了新的SecureTech軌道。該計劃幫助本地中小企業改善業務實踐，參與本地社群，並被政府機構考慮採購其產品。新的SecureTech軌道將同樣支援網路安全中小企業及其產品的成長、規模擴大及政府採購考慮。

主席先生，數字轉型不僅關乎硬體或軟體，更關乎我們的公民、員工和企業，他們創新、利用並從這些技術中受益。

我們的努力涵蓋數字準備和網路安全，將幫助這些重要利益相關者，共同擁抱數字未來的潛力。

主席：通訊及資訊高階國務部長沈穎。

通訊及資訊高階國務部長（沈穎女士）：主席先生，易華仁部長和高階國務部長賈尼爾·普圖切裡博士已分享了數字未來的激動人心機遇，以及我們如何幫助每位新加坡人分享數字紅利。

數字轉型也是我們圖書館、媒體和政府通訊提升的核心主題，我們重點支援新加坡人在閱讀和學習方面，以及保持資訊靈通。

讓我先從我們的圖書館說起。正如各位議員所知，我們圖書館的轉型是公共部門機構中最徹底、最戲劇性的之一，旨在更好地服務新加坡人。

我們將繼續致力於這場轉型之旅。除了更豐富的館藏、更舒適的環境和更高效的客戶服務外，我們還持續選址、設計和更新圖書館，以跟上新加坡人的都市生活方式。我們的目標是領先於不斷變化的偏好，持續讓圖書館使用者感到愉悅。我們選址於人流密集的地方，並在空間和專案設計上投入額外努力。讓我以今年一月開幕的harbourfront圖書館為例說明。

在我訪問時，看到學生、兒童、上班族和祖父母們在同一屋簷下閱讀和學習的場景讓我感到欣慰。家長們正帶領孩子們在兒童創客空間參與基於STEAM（科學、技術、工程、藝術和數學）概念的動手活動。幾步之遙的專案區則熱鬧非凡，老人們一邊聊天一邊享受彼此的陪伴，同時學習網路安全技巧。像這樣的活動，加上圖書館創新的設計和對聖淘沙及我們港口的全景視野，為每位使用者帶來愉快的訪問和全方位體驗。

我們的未來圖書館深受新加坡人歡迎。與未改造的圖書館相比，它們的借閱量提高了50%，訪客量增加了約65%。儘管許多其他國家的圖書館訪客量和借閱量呈下降趨勢，我們依然取得了顯著增長。

多年來，我們也轉變了圖書館的館藏——不僅僅提供純粹的“書籍”，而是涵蓋了豐富的學習資源。在這方面的一個重要推動是數字化，這重新定義了所有圖書館使用者的便利性和閱讀體驗。

公眾曾寫信表達對2016年推出的國家圖書館局（NLB）移動應用的讚賞。Jeffery Sung先生髮現，下載該應用幾分鐘內，他就能閱讀全球報紙並瀏覽本地暢銷書。實際上，該應用將圖書館裝進了我們的口袋。自2017年以來，我們的電子書借閱量已翻倍。為滿足電子書日益增長的需求，NLB已將電子書借閱配額從8本提高到16本。尚未嘗試電子書和有聲書的新加坡人，可以在圖書館外的eReads自助借閱機體驗。NLB今年將在全島推出8至10臺此類自助機。

多年來，NLB在學校假期期間將實體借閱配額翻倍。每次活動都獲得使用者的高度評價，他們藉此機會多讀多借。我很高興宣佈，從4月1日起，使用者無需再等到學校假期，實體借閱配額將永久從8本翻倍至16本。實際上，圖書館使用者一次可借閱32件實體和電子資源。

圖書館館藏演進的另一個方面是擴大本地內容。閱讀是加深我們對母語和族群文化熱愛的絕佳方式。NLB將增加中文、馬來語和泰米爾語的本地化兒童書籍館藏。目前正在篩選適合12歲及以下新加坡兒童閱讀和產生共鳴的書籍，準備翻譯成方言。

正如各位議員所知，我們面臨一個快速變化的未來。在這種多變環境中，圖書館可以成為每位新加坡人的個人學習避風港，助你重新裝備，提升個人和職業生活。

我最近遇見了熱心學習和志願服務者Noorjahan bte Kamaruddin女士，她以多種方式激勵了我。為了實現出版食譜書的終身夢想，Noorjahan女士參加了由NLB和信息通信媒體發展局（IMDA）舉辦的“銀髮數字創作者”工作坊，學習電子出版、版權、隱私和網路安全知識。課程結束後，她繼續推進專案，現在已是電子書《Noor’s Just Right Recipes》的驕傲作者。但她並未止步於此，憑藉所學知識，她開始培訓他人。Noor的故事展示了協作學習如何豐富她和他人的生活，也展示了新加坡人如何利用科技成就偉業。

下午4時15分

張浩斌博士詢問圖書館如何更積極支援SkillsFuture和終身學習。答案是，NLB以多種方式倡導持續、自主學習。我們讓成年人輕鬆利用圖書館的學習資源。例如，NLB的數字商業圖書館提供4000多本電子書，濃縮成10分鐘的精讀內容，方便忙碌的成年人閱讀。我也感謝張博士提出NLB應與SkillsFuture Singapore更緊密合作的建議。

NLB積極與產業界、SkillsFuture Singapore、Workforce Singapore和第三年齡理事會合作，為新加坡人提供全面的就業和技能相關專案。例如，“SkillsFuture Advice”幫助新加坡人理解職業規劃和技能提升的重要性。如今的學習不僅限於資訊獲取，還包括在導師指導下的實踐。渴望借鑑行業領軍人物（如Carousell和ShopBack創始人）智慧的新加坡人，可通過“突破：與企業家和創新者對話”系列實現。NLB將做得更多，未來五年目標舉辦1500場工作坊，惠及超過5萬人。

Darryl David先生詢問圖書館如何繼續作為包容性社交空間，服務各年齡層新加坡人。我很高興地說，儘管圖書館經歷了諸多轉型，某些原則始終不變。圖書館匯聚不同背景的人群。29歲的Karimah Samsudin說：“圖書館讓你接觸不同想法，不會只待在自己的盒子或繭裡，還能認識不同的人。”另一位常客Leo Yih Nah女士分享，讀書會是很好的社交活動，長期有助於降低她這類老年人患痴呆症的風險。

NLB更進一步，致力於打造包容性社交空間，尤其關注需要額外支援的學習者。我們的全國性標誌性專案之一是KidsREAD，推廣弱勢兒童的早期閱讀，今年迎來15週年。為讓圖書館更貼近他們，2018年推出了WondeRead。類似訂閱盒服務，WondeRead每季度向無法自行到訪圖書館的兒童送去二手圖書。該專案與合作伙伴共同完成，合作方或贊助盒內物品，或由員工親自挑選幷包裝書籍。許多受益兒童都期待下一次盒子送達。

為促進特殊需要人士就業，NLB將在2019年延續與自閉症資源中心（ARC）的就業合作。ARC客戶於2018年底接受館藏整理培訓，自2019年1月起受聘於NLB，支援李光前參考圖書館的運營。

主席先生，請允許我用中文發言。

（中文）：[請參閱方言發言。]我們的圖書館是新加坡人喜愛的去處。他們喜歡在圖書館閱讀書籍和報紙，在涼爽安靜的環境中滋養心靈。這是快節奏都市生活的美好補充。進入數字時代，國家圖書館局將努力為讀者提供更優質的服務，讀者們一直非常支援我們的圖書館。

數字時代，書籍的定義發生了變化，從實體紙質書擴充套件到電子書。人們可以在小巧的手機或平板電腦上閱讀無數書籍。

2018年，NLB將電子書借閱配額從8本提升至16本，公眾反響良好。今年4月起，NLB也將實體書借閱配額提升至16本。因此，熱愛閱讀的人無需擔心無法借到足夠多的書。問題是他們是否能讀完這些書。

其次，NLB將與負責推廣繼續教育培訓（CET）和資訊科技素養的政府部門合作，打造圖書館作為新加坡人學習新技能的入門課堂。其中一些課程適合長者，並將以母語授課。例如，勿洛圖書館、大巴窯圖書館和新開的Vivo City Harbourfront圖書館將提供這些課程。希望公眾踴躍嘗試。

第三，為鼓勵兒童學習母語並增加母語閱讀材料，NLB將挑選優質英文兒童書籍，內容本地化，並翻譯成中文、馬來語和泰米爾語。

（英文）：我們的媒體在幫助新加坡人保持資訊通暢方面發揮重要作用；通過共享話語，促進歸屬感和身份認同。大多數新加坡人都能回憶起童年時喜歡的本地電視劇，或收看新聞和時事節目，關注國家大事的進展。

Darryl David先生詢問公共服務廣播（PSB）如何應對來自網路和外國平臺日益激烈的觀眾爭奪。確實，PSB必須跟上消費習慣的變化，成為觀眾生活的不可或缺部分。我們的國家廣播機構通過多平臺與新加坡人互動，讓觀眾輕鬆發現並享受本地內容。以8頻道“SPOP Sing!”為例——這是一場全國性的歌唱比賽，發掘並慶祝年輕歌唱人才。Mediacorp不再僅限於傳統電視播出，而是在多個平臺釋出內容，取得了成效。除170萬免費電視觀眾外，超過85萬人在Toggle觀看。表演曲目在Spotify等主流數字音樂平臺上被播放超過15萬次，社交媒體和線下推廣活動進一步擴大了參與度。

我們的另一重要優先事項是加強本地方言內容的覆蓋。

（中文）：[請參閱方言發言。]為了幫助公眾獲取更多中文資訊，擴大數字時代的受眾群，Mediacorp整合電視和廣播資源，打造一個包含新聞、娛樂和生活資訊的新入口網站，預計年中上線。

（英文）：Suria將繼續與社群組織合作舉辦大型活動，如Wisma Geylang Serai開幕。同樣，Vasantham與泰米爾語言理事會及泰米爾語言學習與推廣委員會合作舉辦社群活動，如年度泰米爾語言節。通過線下活動和互動，Suria和Vasantham能夠與社群建立聯絡，慶祝文化和價值觀，同時提升社交媒體影響力及內容和藝人曝光度。

從傾聽市民意見和關切，到解釋政府政策和計劃，部委建立了清晰的溝通渠道，促進了一個知情且積極參與的國家。

田佩玲女士詢問如何改善跨年齡層和社群的政府政策溝通。我們不採用一刀切的方法，而是針對不同新加坡群體定製內容、平臺和語言。針對千禧一代，我們製作了網路劇《Ah Boys – Hidden Warfare》，涵蓋他們關心的就業、經濟、婚姻和育兒等話題。針對年長觀眾，有歌臺挑戰賽，我們將熟悉的本地傳統小品和音樂表演改編，用以向長者傳遞住房、社會支援措施和糖尿病意識等實用資訊。

我們不僅關注年齡多樣性，也針對不同社群定製溝通。例如，我們藉助屠妖節和農曆新年節日氣氛，向印度和華人社群分享及時且有用的內容，主題包括理財規劃和健康飲食。同樣，我們定製了《Abang Teksi》等節目，介紹政府援助形式，幫助新加坡人應對變革，包括“適應與成長”計劃。後續調查顯示，約八成受訪者在觀看節目後更願意報名參與“適應與成長”計劃，顯示其成效。

Leon Perera先生詢問政府進行的民意調查。政府機構採用多種方式更好地瞭解基層問題和關切，包括REACH開展的外展活動、家訪和調查，幫助機構評估公眾對政府政策和計劃的認知及反應。

例如，2014年推出先驅一代計劃後，我們進行了調查，瞭解目標群體——先驅一代對該計劃的理解程度。基於調查結果，我們決定用中文方言向不熟悉英語或普通話的先驅一代溝通該計劃。我們將在策劃獨立一代計劃的溝通時採取類似流程。大多數由文化、社區及青年部（MCI）及其他機構進行的調查僅供內部參考，如我所述。

政府不彙總各機構進行的調查統計，也不統計哪些調查被公開發布。MCI的REACH會定期釋出涉及多項議題的調查資料。近年來，REACH釋出了關於年度預算、國慶演講、中央公積金變更、公共交通及公眾對財政援助計劃認知等的民意調查。這些調查結果也可在REACH網站查閱。

政府不會僅憑調查結果做出政策決策或溝通策略，但調查有助確保服務交付和政策執行令人滿意。政府會發布公眾可能感興趣的調查。例如，REACH釋出了關於年度預算和國慶演講、假新聞及公共交通的公眾認知調查。另一個例子是文化、社區及青年部委託的社會資本研究。其他釋出的調查還包括青年研究、國家安全意識及節水態度等。

關於協調，機構需要操作靈活性，針對其職責範圍內的關切問題自行開展調查。有些問題因跨領域性質，可能在不同調查中重複。我們的機構會在操作可行時協調此類工作。

Darryl David先生詢問如何改善學校及社會的公民討論，鼓勵新加坡人多元觀點。通過公眾諮詢，新加坡人有機會參與公共政策制定。2017至2018年間，超過3.6萬新加坡人在250多個REACH傾聽點和對話中，就生活成本、就業、交通和假新聞等議題提供反饋。REACH也定期在高等院校設立傾聽點和對話，吸引學生參與國家議題。其中一位大學生Alif Mohammad Hafidz向今年預算提出建議，並表示該活動激勵他深入瞭解預算流程。我們將繼續就國家未來重要議題諮詢公眾，邀請新加坡人參與持續對話。

主席先生，我已闡述本部如何通過閱讀、學習和資訊暢通，幫助新加坡人保持聯絡和參與，以及數字轉型在這些計劃中的關鍵作用。

主席：易華仁部長。

易華仁先生：謝謝主席先生。許多議員在本次財政預算辯論中談及推動新加坡人更加團結的重要性，我們完全贊同。

現在讓我與各位議員分享文化、社區及青年部（MCI）如何實現我們“參與和連線的新加坡”願景。通過媒體行業，我們將以共同的家園和國家故事與新加坡人互動。通過國家圖書館和檔案館，我們將培養對過去的共同認知，使我們能夠自信且堅定地邁向未來。

讓我先談談媒體。數字時代為我們的媒體行業帶來巨大機遇。全球娛樂和媒體產業預計在2017至2022年間增長4.4%。在東南亞，媒體行業預計增長超過7%。有明顯趨勢向亞洲及亞洲內容傾斜。

我們處於有利位置，可以抓住這些機遇。我們位於東西方的交匯處，擁有才華橫溢的講故事人才和世界級的數字基礎設施。我們必須利用這些優勢，培養有前途的年輕人才，深化媒體從業人員的技能，並使我們的行業做好準備，乘著全球媒體生態系統增長的浪潮前進。

下午4時30分

達瑞爾·大衛先生詢問了我們發展本地媒體產業的計劃。我們通過人才發展計劃來實現這一目標，比如我們的媒體技能框架，該框架規劃了職業路徑和技能，幫助媒體專業人士保持競爭優勢。我們將加強該框架，以滿足行業對寫作和講故事技能的需求，以及對具備資料分析和社交媒體管理等數字技能專業人士的需求。

首先，我們將把iPrep計劃擴充套件到高等院校的媒體學生，使他們在畢業時能更好地應對媒體行業的嚴峻挑戰。iPrep將為每位學生提供最高8,500新元，用於支付參加行業課程、海外實習或沉浸式專案的費用。

接下來，我們將加強在職培訓，使新入行的媒體專業人士熟悉最新的行業趨勢和工具。信息通信媒體發展局（IMDA）今年將推出故事實驗室學徒計劃，幫助年輕媒體專業人士在關鍵媒體公司獲得定製培訓和經驗。我很高興像Mediacorp、mm2娛樂、HBO亞洲和Turner亞太等公司已經表達了加入的興趣。IMDA將在今年第三季度公佈更多細節。

我們還將幫助媒體專業人士掌握數字技能，以便在當今環境中競爭和發展。我們的繼續教育與培訓（CET）課程對媒體專業人士非常有用，比如37歲的努賽巴·阿卜杜勒·拉希姆女士，她是一家媒體制作公司的創意總監。去年12月，努賽巴參加了由新加坡媒體學院組織的資料驅動內容開發工作坊，學習如何通過觀眾洞察分析資料，推動創意決策。IMDA將策劃更多此類繼續教育課程。

達瑞爾·大衛先生詢問了我們幫助本地媒體公司走向全球的計劃。我想舉兩個例子。首先，IMDA的公共服務媒體數字合作基金將幫助本地媒體公司與國際合作夥伴合作，共同製作面向數字優先的公共服務內容，面向我們的觀眾。換句話說，內容是數字優先的。IMDA的資金申請將於本月底截止，我強烈鼓勵本地公司利用這一資源。

其次，新加坡媒體節將繼續作為我們向世界展示最有潛力的人才和公司的主要平臺。去年12月，媒體節吸引了超過23,000名媒體專業人士和行業思想領袖，促成了超過3.13億美元的交易。我們將擴大新加坡媒體節，抓住科技與媒體產業日益融合帶來的機遇，強化新加坡在該地區的思想領導力。IMDA將在今年第二季度分享更多細節。

我們發展媒體產業的努力將幫助我們更好地講述我們的故事——向新加坡同胞，也向世界其他地方講述。可以說，沒有比新加坡的故事更好的故事。今年的兩百週年紀念活動將幫助我們瞭解早期歷史，瞭解萊佛士1819年登陸如何引領我們走到今天，並反思未來成功所需的品質。

國家圖書館和檔案館將在此次兩百週年紀念活動中發揮重要而有意義的作用。

國家圖書館局（NLB）將推出一系列活動，以增強與新加坡人的互動。例如，NLB的圖書館員將主持並展示國家圖書館珍貴資料收藏，配以25段特別製作的影片。這些珍貴的早期新加坡歷史寶藏亮點包括《Munajathu Thiratuu》，這是國家圖書館收藏的最古老的泰米爾語伊斯蘭宗教詩歌書籍，或《Hikayat Abdullah》，這是19世紀初新加坡、馬六甲及南馬來王國社會政治景觀的重要記錄之一。

這些影片將從4月起每兩週在NLB的社交媒體頻道釋出。我們還將國家圖書館的檔案特別預展帶到了議會。我邀請所有議員前往議會大廈接待廳，參觀展示我們多元文化根源和早期新加坡生活的展品。

NLB還與社群團體合作，數字化珍貴的歷史內容。上個月，施敏安部長啟動了新加坡華人人物傳記資料庫，以紀念為新加坡早期發展做出重大貢獻的先驅。NLB和泰米爾數字遺產小組正努力收集有關新加坡印度舞蹈的歷史資料，建立新的新加坡泰米爾舞蹈數字檔案。來自馬來社群的戲劇從業者將與NLB合作，建立新加坡馬來戲劇數字檔案。這些新資料庫將成為我們藝術和文化遺產的豐富資源，並將於今年12月向公眾開放。

我們的國家檔案館也有許多寶貴資源。新加坡國家檔案館（NAS）去年慶祝了金禧紀念日，他們的生日願望是鼓勵每位新加坡人參與保護我們的集體記憶。代表新加坡馬來、華人、印度和歐亞社群的社群口述歷史委員會已有100多名志願者記錄了超過160小時的採訪，納入我們的國家口述歷史收藏。其中一位志願採訪員是31歲的蘇什瑪·索馬塞卡蘭女士，她是一名審計師和印度古典音樂歌手，最近採訪了她的第一位音樂老師——著名的卡納提克歌手巴格亞·穆爾蒂博士。多虧了蘇什瑪女士的採訪，我們獲得了關於1980年代印度古典音樂場景的寶貴見解，以及它如何以獨特的新加坡風格演變——因為當時，穆爾蒂博士顯然還學會了用馬來語和普通話唱歌，以迎合多元種族的觀眾。

當位於坎寧路的翻新國家檔案館建築下個月開放時，我希望蘇什瑪女士和許多潛在檔案員能充分利用其新設施，比如建築內的三個新的口述歷史錄音室。NAS建築內的奧爾德姆劇院將向公眾開放，定期放映亞洲電影檔案館策劃的影片。NAS還將推出一個線上系統，允許公眾請求新加坡早期的數字影像。

我希望這些紀念活動能激發新加坡人對探索我們過去和自我的興趣與熱情。

主席先生，NLB和NAS作為新加坡遺產和記憶的守護者，做了大量卓越工作。若獲允許，我想播放一段影片，展示他們的優秀工作。

主席：好的，請播放。[一段影片向尊敬的議員們播放。]

施毅華部長：我希望議員們觀看這些畫面時感受到一絲懷舊之情。主席先生，我的部將繼續為所有新加坡人在數字經濟中創造機會，幫助各年齡層的新加坡人擁抱科技。我們將努力保持網路空間的安全，提升政府溝通，促進新加坡人的參與。通過國家圖書館和檔案館的努力，我們將加深對我們從過去到現在共同旅程的理解，並立志在未來200年及更長遠的時間裡建設一個更美好的新加坡，我們的家園。我們期待與所有新加坡人緊密合作，推動信息通信媒體部實現其連線新加坡人與彼此及更美好未來的使命。

主席：請問有無需要澄清的問題？田佩玲女士。

田佩玲女士：（用普通話）[請參閱方言發言。]：感謝部長的回覆。我有兩個問題。

首先，新加坡決心實現智慧國的願景。然而，在新加坡人中，仍有一代老年人需要我們的幫助來掌握數字技術。我想問政府是否可以實施有針對性的策略，根據目標群體面臨的挑戰和困難，定製提供幫助，幫助他們擁抱數字時代。這是我的第一個問題。

第二個問題是，政策溝通是一門藝術，部長早前分享了通過多媒體和電視節目向民眾傳達政策。對於老年人來說，電視節目可能只是一次性的活動，他們可能會錯過一些重要的解釋和資訊。我建議我們重複這些重要資訊，傳播到社群的各個角落，讓我們的公民，特別是老年人，瞭解政策制定過程和背後的考慮。這樣，新加坡人將更好地理解政府決策背後的思考過程，可能會更支援我們的政策。希望部長能詳細說明。

沈穎安女士：（用普通話）[請參閱方言發言。]：感謝議員的澄清。她問到如何幫助老年人擁抱數字技術。確實，我們希望所有新加坡老年人都能乘上數字時代的浪潮，熟練掌握數字技術。關於課程和培訓，有兩點對老年人尤為重要。首先，我們注意到許多老年人仍更習慣用母語學習，因此我們的許多課程以普通話、馬來語或泰米爾語授課。另一點是課程必須為初學者量身定製，節奏不能太快。我們注意到這兩點。

在此，我想介紹幾個具體的培訓課程和專案，比如IMDA的銀髮資訊通訊樞紐。

這些樞紐已在30多個地點設立，許多位於社群中心，一些在圖書館。它們為老年人提供在輕鬆舒適環境中學習數字和資訊通訊技術的機會。

同時，IMDA還與合作伙伴提供基礎數字技能課程。我們還設立了移動數字診所，在不同地點和時間為老年人提供一對一指導。這考慮到許多老年人更喜歡一對一教學。

此外，八個社群俱樂部設有技術接觸點，人民協會櫃檯工作人員為居民提供一對一幫助，教他們使用電子裝置和服務。圖書館還推出了新的“老年人科技與閱讀”專案，教老年人借閱電子書和上網。我們希望老年人也能享受電子書的便利。

我們一直努力做好政策溝通和公眾參與。藉此機會，我們鼓勵議會同事充分利用財政部提供的所有預算相關資訊。如今，越來越多的資訊以四種官方語言提供，內容更豐富。我們希望除了文字資訊外，財政部提供的帶語音解說的幻燈片也能幫助公眾更好理解各項政策。這是持續溝通努力如何補充一次性電視或廣播節目的一個例子，強化新加坡人對重要政策的印象。

下午4時45分

主席：達瑞爾·大衛先生。

達瑞爾·大衛先生：主席先生，我有兩點澄清。第一點，我認為應由資政施敏安女士回答，因為涉及圖書館和電子書。我想請資政更新一下電子書或數字圖書借閱的趨勢。她是否認為電子書或數字圖書借閱在長期內可能超過傳統紙質書籍？

第二點澄清，我認為是給部長的。我參觀了國家檔案展覽，必須稱讚國家檔案團隊的出色工作。我想知道國家檔案館是否可以與其他政府機構合作，比如教育部，確保所有優秀工作也能與小學和中學學生分享。過去，這可能涉及到國家檔案館的實地考察，我相信部分資料仍是如此。但我看到很多資料已數字化，可以通過螢幕帶入學校。部長是否考慮過讓更多年輕新加坡人接觸這些豐富歷史？

沈穎安女士：感謝達瑞爾·大衛先生關於電子書的問題。確實，我們看到電子書使用量在圖書館使用者中迅速增長。從2017年到2018年，數字借閱量幾乎翻了四倍——從150萬次增至580萬次。然而，與2018年約3,300萬次的實體借閱相比，這仍是很小的一部分。所以，電子書和數字借閱增長迅速，但實體書仍佔主導地位。至於哪者會超過另一方，尚待觀察。但可以肯定的是，國家圖書館應緊跟電子書趨勢，既照顧喜歡實體書的讀者，也不斷豐富電子書、報紙和雜誌的收藏。

主席：部長。

施毅華部長：謝謝主席。我認為資政施敏安女士的回覆提供了非常有用的見解。數字平臺確實有效觸及特定人群，電子書借閱的增長主要由年輕人推動。但總體而言，正如資政所說，實體書借閱依然穩健。因此，我們處於良好狀態，希望通過各種渠道鼓勵閱讀習慣，擴大覆蓋面。

關於議員第二個問題，國家檔案館，我們完全贊同。檔案館擁有豐富的資訊寶藏。今年我們正致力於數字化內容，並尋找方式向更廣泛人群傳播。比如NLB通過其平臺釋出的影片將是重要渠道。事實上，許多檔案材料已數字化。我們肯定會探索更有針對性的方式，比如面向學校。同時，我也呼籲各位議員傳播這一資訊。我相信大家都下載並積極使用NLB應用程式，希望你們繼續與選民及其他人分享使用體驗。

主席：萊昂·佩雷拉先生。

萊昂·佩雷拉先生：謝謝您，主席。請允許我向資政施敏安女士澄清一點，感謝她對我關於釋出民意調查的發言的詳細回應。資政提到了一些已釋出的民意調查例子。我想了解，政府是否有一些內部參考的民意調查未對外發布？我的澄清點是，是否可以將釋出所有此類調查結果作為一般規則，除非有強烈理由不釋出，比如國家安全或敏感問題，將這些資訊公開供利益相關者使用？

沈穎安女士：感謝萊昂·佩雷拉先生的問題。正如我剛才在發言中提到，政府會發布可能引起公眾興趣的調查結果。至於他提到的原因，確實存在一些顧慮，比如某些調查涉及安全問題，或可能影響特定行業的市場情緒。因此，這些是部分調查結果未公開的原因。

主席：拉哈尤·馬哈贊女士。

拉哈尤·馬哈贊女士：謝謝您，主席。我有一個問題想問高階國務部長賈尼爾。他之前詳細介紹了新加坡網路安全的現狀，我想了解更多關於我們如何評估或衡量民眾在網路空間中的熟練程度，因為了解一些薄弱環節會很有幫助。您之前提到過使用簡單密碼、網路釣魚等問題。顯然，我們在某些方面還有提升空間，我也很感謝媒體素養理事會以及國家圖書館局通過SURE計劃所做的努力。但是否還有其他方面我們可以關注，我們如何衡量、評估並針對性地開展工作，以提升新加坡的網路安全？

賈尼爾·普圖切裡博士：主席先生，感謝拉哈尤·馬哈贊女士的問題。她問我們如何評估網路安全方面的熟練程度。這是非常難以衡量的，因為技術發展非常迅速，正在開發的產品和服務今天可能還未被設想。人們在構想新的商業模式，你無法預知什麼會流行起來。

在某種程度上，我們通過觀察問題發生時的情況來嘗試評估，比如詐騙、網路入侵或資訊盜竊等。因此我們可以衡量問題發生的情況，但這並不一定能很好地反映我們有多熟練，這也是議員使用的詞彙。

在國際上，人們嘗試圍繞知識開發這些衡量標準。例如，通過調查，無論是中學生、年輕成人還是整個群體，瞭解人們對網路安全的認知。然後，你也可以觀察企業使用的產品和服務，或者企業社群內的知識水平，或各社群中保護性技術的使用情況。人們嘗試提出這類衡量方法。根據這些指標，我們表現不錯，但這並不意味著我們可以自滿，認為不會有問題。實際上，我們必須不斷提醒自己。

關鍵問題實際上是人的行為和社會因素。從某種角度看，技術是較容易衡量的，我們可以進行滲透測試，審計技術使用情況，審計流程，比如對隨身碟的管理、系統鎖定、網際網路訪問隔離等。但更難衡量、評估和改變的是人的行為——不要分享密碼，不要下載可疑材料，這也是我藉此機會提醒議員們應做的幾件事。這類似於犯罪預防、現實世界安全、道路安全，有時需要不斷提醒和重複，利用學習機會強化良好行為。我認為我們必須持續沿著這條路走下去。

主席：西爾維婭·林女士。

西爾維婭·林女士：謝謝主席，我有一個關於個人資料保護問題想向部長澄清。我提出的一個點是關於個人資料保護委員會（PDPC）在幫助投訴人實現結果方面的工作。我相信部長在回應中提到案件可以被轉介至調解。我們知道這在法案中有規定，PDPC也可以以其認為合適的方式指示解決投訴。因此，我想請部長確認，是否有案件通過這些替代爭議解決方式，實際上達成了賠償或支付和解金額給投訴人；他是否知道有此類案件。

伊斯瓦蘭先生：主席先生，我不清楚有此類案件。

主席：張浩斌博士。

張浩斌博士：先生，我很高興從高階國務部長沈燕瞭解到，圖書館計劃建設8至10個學習艙。我想知道是否有計劃在武吉班讓圖書館建設學習艙？

沈燕女士：感謝張浩斌博士對學習艙的強力支援。我們會考慮在武吉班讓圖書館設立一個學習艙。

主席：傅志堅先生，您是否願意撤回修正案？

傅志堅先生：主席先生，雖然正如本院討論的，隨著新加坡邁向數字化轉型，面臨許多挑戰，但潛在收益巨大，正如部長指出的，我們希望所有利益相關者——政府機構、企業、工人和公民——都能加入這段激動人心的旅程。基於此，主席先生，我請求撤回修正案。

[(程式文本) 修正案，經許可，撤回。 (程式文本)]

[(程式文本) 頭Q項下9億8754萬新元列入主要預算。 (程式文本)]

[(程式文本) 頭Q項下5408萬新元列入發展預算。 (程式文本)]

英文原文

SPRS Hansard · Fetched: 2026-05-02

The Chairman : Head Q, Ministry of Communications and Information. Mr Cedric Foo.

Digital Economy – For Businesses

Mr Cedric Foo Chee Keng (Pioneer) : Mr Chairman, Sir, I beg to move, "That the total sum to be allocated for Head Q of the Estimates be reduced by $100".

One of the basic building blocks of a strong nation is a vibrant economy. An economy that is driven by competitive companies with skilled and creative employees, and underpinned by an efficient infrastructure. Strong business and productivity growth are pre-conditions for higher wages for our workers. Hence, it is critically important that our businesses, both Large Enterprises as well as Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) receive the Government’s support to stay relevant, to innovate and to build deep capabilities to sustain growth right into the future.

Digitalisation is transforming companies, economies and our very way of life. A digital economy has many benefits for businesses. Increased productivity, reduced operating costs and higher asset utilisation are but some of these apparent benefits. In addition, technology can help us tackle issues, like an ageing population and manpower constraints in Singapore. Today, one in four of our workforce is aged 55 and above. With declining birth rates, higher life expectancy and more senior citizens opting to remain in the workforce, this ratio is poised to increase over time. Our ageing workforce compels our Large Local Enterprises (LLEs) and SMEs to embrace digitalisation to reap opportunities of the digital economy or risk falling behind.

Across many industries, new technologies are disrupting existing business models. Leveraging on digital platforms, innovative companies have been eroding the market share or even replacing established companies by improving the quality, speed or price at which value is delivered. There are numerous examples of such disruptions, ranging from companies disrupted by ride sharing, brick and mortar retail stores disrupted by online 24/7 stores, traditional print media disrupted by social media platforms and so on.

Singapore has done well as we have fast and reliable broadband access and also a high penetration rate for active mobile users. However, we do have some challenges.

Even as our businesses aspire to adopt technologies, many companies, especially our SMEs find it difficult to do so. They do need help. To begin with, SME shareholders and managers often have such questions: "How do I start the digital journey? Which areas of digitalisation will produce the best returns on investment? Who can assist me to help fund these investments? Can my employees adapt to these changes? Will it result in near-term losses?" These are but some of the many questions that our SMEs have prior to embarking on the digitalisation journey.

Some key success factors for Business Digitalisation is scale, large data-sets, financial stamina to win market share and to create network effects. By definition, SMEs in Singapore are small and our local market is also small. Therefore, the challenges for SMEs to embark on the Digitalisation Journey are formidable.

Our lead enterprises (LLEs) also need assistance. Being larger and operating in more markets, their challenges are less daunting. To accelerate the pace of digitalisation, the Government can set inter-operability standards so that a local ecosystem of digital infrastructure that is reliable, resilient, accessible and secure can take root and thrive. Our LLEs can then leverage on such shared infrastructure to transform their businesses and stay on top of rapid advances in digital technologies. Our LLEs can then be the receptacle to innovate and be our global champions, leading the way for our SMEs and start-ups to venture overseas.

Could the Minister lay out for this House his plans to assist our businesses, both large and small, to adopt technology and to innovate in this digital economy?

[(proc text) Question proposed. (proc text)]

The Chairman : Mr Cedric Foo, you can take your next two cuts together.

Digital Economy – For Workers

Mr Cedric Foo Chee Keng : Thank you, Mr Chairman. Following on my earlier cut on the need for businesses to adopt digital technologies, my next cut is on our workers and measures taken to ensure that we have sufficient talent to support a growing digital economy.

Support for our business can be seen as a means to enable our citizens to have good jobs and good wages, thereby improving living standards in Singapore. At the same time, in order for businesses to thrive, they need sufficient workers with digital skills, knowledge and the right attitudes to embrace the constantly evolving digital environment. This symbiotic relationship is key for a successful digital economy.

However, many countries including Singapore are facing a shortage of workers who are equipped with digital skills necessary for the digital workplace. To prepare our youth, basic digital skills and technology literacy have to be introduced at an earlier age. They must also be encouraged to challenge the status quo rather than accepting conventional norms, always re-looking at how everything is done, thinking expansively on innovative products and solutions. More importantly, our workers have to accept that continuous learning is now a norm and new capabilities and skillsets will have to be acquired many, many times throughout their career life, as the job market would be anything but static.

Over the last few years, the Government has put in place a range of support measures for our workers. The SkillsFuture and Adapt and Grow programmes are some good examples.

Businesses, too, must step up on the training and job redesign through professional conversion programmes for employees. Typically, the affected employees, requiring skills retooling, have been loyal employees for years. Upskilling and reskilling these employees will allow the company to retain the organisational values and culture. Such workers would also have, often times, deep customer relationships that is worth retaining. It has always been the case that technological innovation destroys some jobs and replaces them with new ones. For many of our workers, especially the older ones, buzz words like "Smart Nation", "digitalisation", "machine learning", "AI" and "Robotics" can be very dis-concerting and intimidating. We have to do more to encourage our workers to embrace such change and reap the tangible benefits of upskilling.

I am thinking that maybe "Natural Language Programming" for oral commands for certain robots, like in the cleaning industry, could be programmed in "Singlish".

Investments in digital talent will be critical to ensuring Singapore remains competitive. Society will be better off as we invest in our People.

I would like to ask the Minister to provide an update on the programmes and initiatives that we are implementing over the next few years so as to ensure that we have sufficient talent to support a digital economy?

2.15 pm

Regulations and Infrastructure

Mr Chairman, my next cut is on regulations and infrastructure. According to research by Bain & Co, harnessing the collective power potential of the region's digital economies could accelerate intra-regional trade and result in a GDP uplift of US$1 trillion across ASEAN by 2025. If ASEAN countries can come together and grow as a single integrated regional digital economy, ASEAN citizens could enjoy significant benefits and improve living standards.

For example, a common e-payment platform would facilitate the ASEAN digital economy, to ensure inter-operability across state boundaries and leverage on the large ASEAN market for e-commerce. However, developing a common e-payment system require close coordination and data flows across boundaries.

But there is a growing number of countries that are enacting laws and barriers that make it more expensive, time consuming or even illegal to transfer data overseas. Governments are citing privacy and cybersecurity concerns as they are reluctant to allow a company in another country to have access to their citizens' data. This is despite the significant economic benefits that we talked about.

To minimise the risks of cyber threats, ASEAN needs to develop a secure cyberspace through building and reinforcing the framework for online security. Sharing critical information, establishing protocols to deal with hacking, coordinating cyber agencies for ASEAN members and creating a regional dispute settlement resolution are some ways to developing a secure cyberspace.

I would like to ask the Minister to share his views on how we may facilitate greater cross-border data flows.

The Chairman: Mr Teo Ser Luck, you have two cuts. Please take them together.

Local Enterprises in the Digital Economy

Mr Teo Ser Luck (Pasir Ris-Punggol) : Many companies are still unprepared to go digital in the new world and in the future. And the Government has been making tremendous effort and focused effort to help them go digital, coming out with several schemes and major schemes.

But, for many companies, due to their business nature and the length of time they have been in business, they are still trying to figure out which part of the process can be digitised. So, it is not just knowing when to start and where to start, there are a couple of scenarios, in my sense, that these businesses cannot see the need to change. They have been entrenched in the business for too long and they possibly have a winning formula in their business; and they have built such depth in their domain knowledge that they did not see the need to change. Some things are best relied on manual labour, not because it is more cost-effective but because it could possibly give them the efficiency and the margins that they are looking for. So, they do not find the need to change and no motivation to go digital at all.

The business nature and the eco-system around the business itself creates certain margins that they had for many years. So, status quo helps them to survive and going digital is a form of risk.

Thirdly, it is the lack of the skill and knowledge within the company – the bosses, entrepreneurs, the founders, the staff, the workers. There is a lot of unwillingness and real intent to change. But at the same time, they are reluctant to hire talents or change-makers into a company because that means giving up some of the ownership for those decisions that they have to make. So, how do we get them to digitise? In a sense, are we prepared to allow some of them to consolidate or even fade away if they do not go digital?

There are many schemes and programmes rolled out for these local enterprises to help them in this new wave of the digital economy. But how effective have they been? And are we really seeing more and more companies coming forward? There are almost 200,000 SMEs around in Singapore but how many have taken up and gone digital?

Singaporeans in the Digital Economy

Over several weekends, at the grassroots and the community levels, I organised several small gatherings in different locations for residents. And over time, more and more residents would join such gatherings and we find that it is getting harder and harder to do things in a manual approach, including signing up for some activities or even knowing whether they are going to come or not, as well as conducting surveys with these residents.

We figured that we should digitise the process and then make it a little bit more online that will be more accessible for them and, at the same time, easier to collect the data. Inclusive of my volunteers and the residents, not everyone is receptive to it. Of course, there are some elderly persons who find it very hard and so we will have to keep the manual process going.

But it is an important process to prepare Singaporeans in this digital world because it is not just affecting their daily lives and everything that they do in the near future, but also in finding new jobs or new opportunities in their careers as well as acquire new skills.

My sense in this process of change is that in preparing Singaporeans to be able to adapt to this new digital world, we certainly still have a distance to go. So, how can Singaporeans be more prepared and what can the Government do to help prepare Singaporeans for this digital age in their daily lives, in finding new jobs, acquiring new skills, so that they could better adapt to this new world?

Developing our People for Digital Future

Ms Tin Pei Ling (MacPherson) : Automation, digitalisation and artificial intelligence are disrupting how we live and how work is organised. As old jobs get displaced, new jobs are created that require the right attitude and new competencies. We need to unlearn and relearn if our people are to exploit the new opportunities and capture value in the new economy.

According to an October 2018 McKinsey report on the future of work in Switzerland, it is estimated that the demand for tasks requiring basic cognitive or physical and manual skills could decline by 20%. Conversely, the need for social and emotional and technological skills is to rise by about 20% and up to 50%, respectively. The skill shift is also expected to exceed the regular rate at which labour and skills drop out of the market.

These findings can well apply to Singapore. Hence, it is imperative that we continue to invest in our human capital and help our people transition. We will also need to accelerate the speed at which we do so. Government must work with businesses to ensure relevant training content and hands-on practice, culminating in real job opportunities.

I am aware of IMDA's effort in running human capital programmes. I would like to know what outcomes have we achieved so far and how does the Ministry measure the immediate and long-term success of the programmes? Do the new jobs and skills trained match well?

For individuals with no Infocomm technology (ICT) background, are there programmes in place to help them make the career switch? If there are, what is the success rate so far?

The Chairman : Mr Douglas Foo, you can take your two next cuts together.

SMEs Go Digital

Mr Douglas Foo (Nominated Member) : Mr Chairman, Sir, on SMEs Go Digital, since the launch of the SMEs Go Digital programme during Budget 2017, the programme has helped and has developed many initiatives with the aim of helping local SMEs use digital technologies, build capabilities and participate in the digital economy.

Through partnerships with TACs, such as the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF), the programme provides SMEs with consultancy advice, from specialist digital project managers, to help them implement pre-approved digital solutions to transform their businesses.

As announced by Finance Minister Heng in Budget 2019, the programme has seen some 4,000 SMEs adopt pre-approved digital solutions offered under the programme. While this number is indeed encouraging, it is a drop in an ocean of nearly 200,000 SMEs in Singapore.

Therefore, can the Ministry provide a progress update on the SMEs Go Digital programme, particularly with respect to the minimum number of SMEs the programme is intended to reach and how the Ministry intends to get SMEs to accelerate the adoption of digital solutions?

Talent Development

As the manufacturing sector advances towards Industry 4.0, the sector will increasingly require the skills set of Infocomm Media (ICM) professionals to harness frontier technologies to help the sector reach Industry 4.0's standards sooner. The Info-communications Media Industry Transformation Map was launched in November 2017 with the goal of employing more than 210,000 ICM workers and create more than 13,000 PMET jobs by 2020.

Can the Ministry provide an update on ITM's employment goals so far? Also, what are MCI's long-term plans to attract talents to become ICM professionals?

The Chairman : Mr Ong Teng Koon, you can take your next two cuts together.

Digital Infrastructure

Mr Ong Teng Koon (Marsiling-Yew Tee) : Sir, one of the challenges of being an infrastructure provider is that you tend to be taken for granted. People assume that your services will always be available whenever they want it. They give no thought to the effort and planning that goes into providing such services.

However, the moment there is any disruption, everybody is instantly up in arms. For example, consumers were outraged by a 3.5 hours' outage in Singtel's broadband services in July last year, or another similar disruption in November.

The digital economy – streaming services, e-commerce, cloud computing – is built on the assumption of uninterrupted access to the Internet. But no matter how much service providers invest to ensure 99.999% uptime, it can be undone by failure at the infrastructure level. Loss of connectivity can have potentially catastrophic business consequences as businesses are unable to access customers or essential services such as banking, payments, and so on.

Sir, what are our plans to ensure that our digital infrastructure is able to support our growing digital economy?

Frontier Technology

Sir, the rapid pace of technology advancement shows no signs of slowing. Concepts that seemed like science fiction just a few years ago, are starting to impact our daily lives.

Autonomous vehicles, intelligent home automation, bots powered by natural language processing that can hold an almost human-like conversation – these things are already here. The impact that they will have on our daily lives is still not fully understood, but will surely be profound. It will shape how we live, work and play.

Singapore has invested billions of dollars to support research into such areas. The current Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE 2020) plan has allocated $19 billion to key areas, such as advanced manufacturing and urban solutions.

Sir, looking forward to the next decade, what is the Ministry doing to further invest in frontier technology and sharpen Singapore's competitive edge?

Personal Data Protection Commission

Mr Mohamed Irshad (Nominated Member) : Mr Chairman, the SingHealth's cyber attack was the largest breach in Singapore to date. On 15 January 2019, the Personal Data Protection Commission fined SingHealth S$250,000 and fined the Integrated Health Information Systems Pte Ltd (IHiS) S$750,000.

These punitive fines underscore the large scale of the breach and the sensitive and confidential nature of the patients' data that was lost and it is a signal to other organisations to take the necessary steps to safeguard personal data.

However, there does not appear to be any remedy or compensation available to the actual victims of the data breach. There is no obvious recourse for the ones who had their personal data stolen.

In addition to fines, can we provide a way for victims of data breach to claim compensation for the loss of personal data?

In December 2017, Uber delayed in reporting that personal information of 380,000 users in Singapore had been compromised in a breach the year before. After the breach had occurred and before Uber's admission of the said breach, it was reported that victims of the data breach were preyed upon by the hackers who used the stolen personal data to cause even more harm to the victims. It is unclear how many of those victims suffered further losses as a result of the actions of the hackers.

Is it possible to have a tribunal to allow the victims to seek compensation for any losses they might have suffered as a result of the data breach?

Personal Data Protection Regime

Ms Sylvia Lim (Aljunied) : Chairman, the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) was set up in 2013 as the implementing agency for the Personal Data Protection (PDP) Act. According to the PDPC's website, the number of enquiries and complaints received by it in the last four years ranged from between 2,200 and 3,300 annually. I have a few enquiries about this.

First, were the major classes of complaints related to the "Do Not Call" Registry or were they complaints about organisations not exercising reasonable care to protect personal data from unauthorised disclosure?

Secondly, what the resource and staffing level of the PDPC to enable it to look into the kinds of cases it is facing? The Minister recently pointed out that in the SingHealth's data breach, the PDPC had leveraged on the findings of a Committee of Inquiry (COI) called by the Government. If another major breach were to occur and a COI is not formed, does PDPC have the resources to investigate a major case on its own?

2.30 pm

Next, I would like to ask about outcomes achieved for complainants. The PDPC has usefully published its decisions online. Where the PDPC found that organisations were in breach of their obligations to safeguard personal data, it was usual that the PDPC will impose financial penalties and also give directions on how the organisations should improve its data security arrangements. Has the PDPC ever assisted a victim of a data breach to obtain redress, for example, mediating a financial settlement with the organisation?

Finally, the coverage of the PDP Act still includes what is defined as public agencies. This exclusion seems artificial when data is collected by entities under PDPA obligations and then transmitted to the Government. While I accept that Government agencies have many laws and regulations concerning data obligations, is there a convincing reason to exclude public agencies from the PDPA?

Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Mr Vikram Nair (Sembawang) : Mr Chairman, during the Committee of Supply debate last week on the Smart Nation topic, Minister Vivian Balakrishnan mentioned that Singapore was going to "double down" on artificial intelligence (AI). He pointed out that AI, and in particular, deep machine learning has revolutionised many services, including providing voice assistants, language translations, GPS optimisation and helping to detect fraud.

These are revolutionary developments and I think Singapore must continue down this path. However, there are concerns about AI being used improperly. Machines, like humans, need to be taught and trained, and this requires access to data. I have some concerns that people may not aware of the full extent to which their personal data is being gathered and used.

The second, of course, is after this data is gathered and technology is developed, the same information in the wrong hands can lead to trouble, including in the hands of foreign actors, hackers and scammers. Has the Government considered societal concerns surrounding the use of AI, and if so, how are we addressing them?

Proposed Model AI Governance Framework

Prof Lim Sun Sun (Nominated Member) : Mr Chairman, as we make definitive strides in realising our Smart Nation ambitions, I greatly welcome the announcement of the Proposed Model Artificial Intelligence Governance Framework. While big data, deep learning and neural networks may sound abstract, their growing deployment has real consequences for society. AI-driven automated decision making is increasingly being used for systems and processes that determine product prices, insurance premiums and job recruitment, just to name a few. These are areas where alarms about algorithmic bias have indeed been raised. Issues relating to data justice, algorithmic fairness, and explainable AI must thus be closely monitored to ensure that we reap the best of technology while effectively managing unintended adverse consequences. The Proposed Model AI Governance Framework is therefore especially timely. It will help to warrant that our drive for innovation does not leave ethicality in the dust.

By enunciating a common AI governance approach and offering a set of consistent definitions and principles relating to the responsible use of AI, we provide greater certainty to industry players. Can MCI therefore share its plans for ensuring that this framework is effectively disseminated across all relevant industries? How will it raise awareness of the guidelines governing the responsible use of AI and encourage their application? Are there also plans to have this framework introduced into the curriculum of students taking AI-related courses in our institutes of higher learning?

Critical Information Infrastructure

Dr Teo Ho Pin (Bukit Panjang) : Mr Chairman, Sir, I understand that the Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) sectors have been established with the express aim of improving the cybersecurity so as to ensure the continuous delivery of essential services in Singapore.

I applaud the Government’s efforts at safeguarding our digital sphere. This is of paramount importance as we make the transition into a Smart Nation. Recent events both domestically and internationally, such as the cyber attacks on SingHealth, and the recent hack into the Australian parliament’s computer network underscore the threats that we face, and the necessity for swift, decisive action to mitigate or neutralise these threats.

Having said this, I would like to seek some clarification in three areas: first, what are the essential public services that have been identified under the CII? Second, how will the infrastructure pertaining to these sectors be set up, or otherwise modified, to ensure robust cybersecurity? Third, what are the contingencies that the Government will employ in the event of a cyber attack, or disruption of essential services?

Cybersecurity for Businesses

Mr Teo Ser Luck (Pasir Ris-Punggol) : Recently, I had a chat at the work space in my constituency. The work space is occupied by many entrepreneurs and many of them build their business using the Internet or social media as a platform. So, I had a chat with this user. He runs a e-commerce company and he told me that one day, he woke up and he realised that there was no sale within his system. He was wondering why and actually his system was hacked. His customer database was hacked and as well as the entire website was hacked. What happened was he had to close the business for a few days and he almost had to close the entire business.

Many businesses probably take cybersecurity for granted. If we could we should educate more and more businesses, especially the smaller businesses and the start-ups who are building their businesses over the Internet, about cybersecurity. I would like to know whether the Government has any plans to help instill greater knowledge on cybersecurity and the importance of it in the near future.

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong (Non-Constituency Member) : Chairman, Budget 2019 has focused our attention on cybersecurity by adding the digital defence pillar to our total defence strategy. This is appropriate coming after the SingHealth attack and the HIV Registry leak. There is one critical vulnerability that now needs addressing. In Singapore, the extensive interface between the private and public sectors means cybersecurity for businesses is a critical vulnerability. MINDEF has also been relying on private companies to drive technological innovation and adaptations.

Will the Government thus consider implementing targeted initiatives to bolster the cybersecurity capabilities of businesses, especially our local SMEs urgently? It has been suggested that the Government should provide grants for SMEs to train employees and improve cyber defences. Yes, it has also been suggested that a Government hotline be established for businesses to obtain advice and report cybersecurity breaches without adversarial treatment from Government.

Cybersecurity

Mr Vikram Nair : Mr Chairman, as more and more of our systems go online, cybersecurity becomes a particular concern. The two high profile incidents this year highlight our vulnerability.

The first was the unauthorised access of SingHealth records by a foreign state actor. This highlighted that there are well funded organisations and countries out there that may deliberately try and break into our systems.

The second involved the improper leak of MOH’s registry of AIDS patients. This highlighted that a human lapse by one of the individuals entrusted with access to the system coupled with malicious intent by another can lead to disastrous consequences.

These incidents show two aspects of the vulnerability of our Government systems, and it is foreseeable that both of these, external threats as well as human error by trusted individuals, are timeless issues that are almost impossible to eradicate. Against this backdrop, are there ways to assess the cybersecurity of our Government systems and better improve it?

Mr Douglas Foo : Mr Chairman, Sir, according to the Global Cybersecurity Index 2017, Singapore topped the list as the country that was prepared against cyber attacks, surpassing the US. However, despite the robustness of our cybersecurity strategy, attacks such as the one on MOH demands such that we continue to be vigilant and steadfast in our defence against cyber attacks. Just like the other pillars of total defence, digital defence involves everyone, from individuals to businesses to the Government. Therefore, can the Ministry explain how it tends to encourage collaboration amongst industry partners to harness local cybersecurity expertise to develop secure, high quality products that contribute towards a safe and trusted cyber space for Singapore.

Ms Rahayu Mahzam (Jurong) : The advent of technology has brought with it new eco-systems and new methods of engagement. Technology and in particular, the Internet has changed the way we socialise, work and do business. These changes have brought about massive improvements by connecting people as well as increasing efficiency and productivity. However, there are people who have sought to misuse and cause harm to others on these new platforms.

Last year, Singapore’s overall crime rate went up by 1.4%, propped up mainly by a surge in online-related scams. There was also a 40.3% increase in the number of crimes under the Computer Misuse Act. We have also seen several instances of cyber attacks in public domains, like the recent high-profile SingHealth cyber attack which affected 1.5 million patients. Private entities are also prime targets for digital attacks. In 2017, Uber announced that the personal information of over 57 million Uber users and 600,000 drivers were exposed by hackers. In November 2018, Marriot International also announced that cyber criminals stole data of approximately 500 million customers.

As the Government boosts the nation’s cybersecurity infrastructure and strengthens the legal framework to deal with digital crime, it is important for the community to be equipped with sufficient knowledge and skills to protect themselves from online harm. Individual users, businesses and organisations need to be prepared.

As we introduce digital defence as the sixth pillar of Total Defence in Singapore, we must remember that in most cases, humans or computer users are the weakest link in cybersecurity. The most robust cyber defences are susceptible to breaches even by the act of that one single user, whether it is because of lax passwords, unknowingly leaking confidential data or falling prey to phishing attacks that trick users into giving up sensitive data.

In this regard, how can we improve cybersecurity awareness among citizens and businesses so that we can continue to leverage the opportunities that technology brings, while minimising the threats online?

Cyber Security Agency

Mr Low Thia Khiang (Aljunied) : Mr Chairman, Sir, the Committee of Inquiry investigating the SingHealth cyber attack recommended to significantly improve the competency of cyber security personnel.

Manpower planning and talent development strategy is critical in the national strategy to strengthen cyber security. In 2012, EDB reported that there were 1,200 cyber security specialists although there are 140,000 IT professionals. After seven years, where do we stand today in terms of number and percentage of cyber security specialists among IT professionals? How many more is needed and being targeted?

One of the key thrusts of the National Cyber Security Masterplan 2018 is to grow Singapore’s expertise in cyber security. IDA has been working with Institutes of Higher Learning to expand cyber security programmes. Polytechnics and industry have collaborated to establish cyber security centres. IDA is also collaborating with FireEye to upskill cyber security professionals. EDB and NEC corporation are collaborating to develop capabilities in strategic areas through overseas attachment. ST Engineering established the DigiSAFE Cyber Security Centre to reskill those interested in a mid-career switch.

With the establishment of the Home Team Science and Technology Agency and MINDEF’s Defence Cyber Organisation, and also the public sector Cybersecurity Professional Programme and MINDEF’s Cyber NSF Vocation, we now have a varied landscape for manpower and talent development in cybersecurity.

Are these different efforts being coordinated by the CSA and IDA in accordance with the national strategy? Are these efforts competing with each other for a small pool of talents or complementing each other for synergies?

Deliberate Online Falsehoods

Mr Darryl David (Ang Mo Kio) : Mr Chairman, the anonymous nature of the Internet has led to a “disinhibition effect” where people take on an online persona that is different from their persona in real life. The disinhibition effect has been studied extensively by researchers to understand cyberbullying behaviour and other forms of undesirable online behaviour such as trolling and fishing. While such online behaviour is objectionable, its effect is relatively contained.

What is worrying is the emergence of deliberate online falsehoods, where the reach and potential impact of such falsehoods are widespread. The internet has provided the perpetrators of falsehoods with a veil of anonymity and the disinhibition effect has emboldened the perpetrators to craft messages that are patently false, with the malicious intentions to obfuscate the truth. The malice of online falsehood can lead to communal and racial violence, distrust in the establishment and sway public opinions on important social issues.

Singapore is not immune to the malice of deliberate online falsehoods. Some state actors and individuals have mounted falsehood campaigns to discredit our institutions, to cast aspersions on our Government and systems. These orchestrated campaigns need to be dealt with swiftly and decisively before they gain momentum.

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Yet, dealing with deliberate online falsehoods require a multi-agency approach that includes combating falsehoods with facts, educating Singaporeans to discern between truth and untruth, and for media companies to play their part to weed out fake posts and misinformation campaigns.

What are some concrete steps that Government is taking to help Singaporeans guard against deliberate online falsehoods in an increasingly complex digital and media environment?

Mr Vikram Nair : Chairman, this House set up a Select Committee to look into the matter of Deliberate Online Falsehoods. I should declare that I participated in the public consultation by the Select Committee as part of the PAP Policy Forum.

Some of the key issues raised included that: first, fake news is often plausible and interesting, which makes it likely to circulate very far; second, the truth is rarely as interesting so corrections and rectifications do not get the same attention; third, social media and messaging platforms such as WhatsApp have allowed fake news to go very far; fourth, there is evidence that foreign actors have used fake news to interfere in elections such as the US Presidential election and even the UK's vote on Brexit; fifth, private organisations often profit from fake news, and these include not only those who deliberately create it such as Temasek Review, but many of those who benefit from its dissemination including platform like Facebook which get monies from advertising revenues.

The Chairman : Mr Vikram, kindly wrap up.

Mr Vikram Nair : Yes. After the Select Committee's deliberation, are there any plans to introduce new measures to counter the threat of deliberate online falsehoods as recommended by the Select Committee?

Digital Readiness Blueprint

Prof Lim Sun Sun : Mr Chairman, I commend the establishment of the Digital Readiness blueprint but would like to ask how it caters to varying skills sets of Internet users.

While we fortunately do not have a digital access divide in Singapore, research around the world has shown that the "second level digital divide" pertaining to online skills can significantly influence how much people can benefit from their online experience. Furthermore, with our high smartphone penetration rates, we need to pay particular attention to Internet use via mobile phones.

Because the mobile Internet is centred around apps, mobile-only users who rely exclusively on mobile devices are quite distinct from mobile-first users who use mobile devices predominantly but in combination with other devices. These differing usage patterns can translate into different online experiences that reflect variances in online competencies and breadth of exposure to content. These can in turn shape individual worldviews and understanding of key societal issues that impact their personal lives.

How do we then map the skills covered by the Basic Digital Skills Curriculum against prevailing internet usage trends in Singapore? Also, what plans are in place to have the curriculum be regularly refreshed to take into account (a) shifting technological trends and (b) changing needs in schools and workplaces?

Digital Readiness

Mr Cedric Foo Chee Keng : Mr Chairman, my next cut is on digital readiness. There are several reasons for the digital divide.The primary one is a lack of ready access to computers, smart phones and the Internet. To be applauded are initiatives, such as Home Access programmes for low-income families and Enable IT for persons with disabilities. Both these programmes have done well to provide affordable and inclusive digital access for all Singaporeans.

Another reason for the digital divide is the lack of skills, as Prof Lim pointed out just now, to use digital technologies safely and confidently. Besides being able to operate a device, it is also important for good cyber hygiene habits including awareness of the negative impact of technology, such as fake news, cyberbullying and social isolation.

Yet another reason for the digital divide is the lack of willingness of some of our citizens to participate in a digital economy. High-profile cyber attacks, including the SingHealth's data breach last year have some of our citizens fearing the use of digital technologies. Yet others have been deterred when they hear of people falling victim to online scams.

Given the numerous impediments to digital inclusion, I would like to ask the Minister to share his strategies and plans to bridge the digital divide. So that everyone can benefit from the digital economy.

Affordable Digital Connectivity

Mr Ong Teng Koon (Marsiling-Yew Tee) : Chairman, digital services have become an increasingly central part of our lives. We all use mobile apps multiple times each day. From games to health tracking to stock market information, we hardly even notice them anymore. They have become so fundamental to our lives that the UN has even spoken of protecting Internet access as a key element of protecting an individual’s rights.

However, there is also increasing concern about a “digital divide”. Lower income groups are going to be disadvantaged if they lack exposure to the digital world due to affordability concerns. Apart from lack of access to more affordable substitutes for physical services, they may also fail to acquire essential skills needed to work productively in the digital age. If children from lower income households miss out on digital experiences, we risk creating a permanent underclass.

Significant steps have already been made to address this issue such as the Home Access Programme which provides eligible households with two years of subsidised fibre broadband. Free WiFi hotspots are also becoming increasingly common.

What more can we do to ensure that digital connectivity is affordable for the vulnerable and disadvantaged segments of our society?

Smart Seniors for Smart Nation

Ms Tin Pei Ling (MacPherson) : Chairman, as we gear up for a digital economy, we must make sure that our people are able to benefit from this transformation and not be left behind. We must not inadvertently create a new inequality or widen an existing gap, between those who can access and exploit the new digital technologies, and those who cannot.

Whilst future generations of elderly will be better educated and tech-savvy, we must not neglect our current generation of seniors. We need Smart Seniors for a Smart Nation. We need to harness technology to supplement our shortage of eldercare manpower and help more seniors live independently in the comfort of their own homes and community. We need to harness technology to help them stay connected to news and information, to support networks, to friends and families. To do all these, it is important to ensure that they are digitally ready. Digital readiness is the very first step and a critical enabler for our elderly to fully exploit the benefits of technology.

In MacPherson, we conducted a simple survey of 315 public rental residents last year and identified that the largest barriers with going digital are know-how, possession of smart phones and data plans. Hence, my grassroots team and I actively seek out partners with the resources to help our seniors and digitally vulnerable residents to overcome these barriers. I would like to thank IMDA and MCI for the support.

With the ability of oversight and access to a much larger network of resources, I would like to ask the Ministry what has been done to target efforts at helping seniors and the digitally vulnerable to learn, access and use digital technologies to enhance their quality of life?

SkillsFuture @ Libraries

Dr Teo Ho Pin : Mr Chairman, Sir, our libraries are a wonderful resource to instill knowledge in our people. I understand that there have been collaborative efforts between the NLB and SkillsFuture Singapore to upgrade the skills of Singaporeans. This is done mainly through SkillsFuture @ Libraries workshops held in our libraries.

I would like to seek some clarifications on how our libraries can play a more proactive role in supporting SkillsFuture and lifelong learning. Also, I would like to seek an update as to how the Ministry has encouraged adult learners to use library resources.

Sir, with the advent of digitisation, we can explore the use of technology to support lifelong learning. I would like to suggest that this be facilitated through two channels. First, the NLB mobile app. Second, NLB’s Learning Pods.

Sir, the NLB mobile app can be improved to collect user preferences and user data with the consent of users. This information can be subsequently used in the recommendation of library resources such as books, e-books, audio-books, and videos to users, to aid in their self-development and learning.

In fact, we can go one step further and create a data-sharing platform between SkillsFuture Singapore and NLB. This data-sharing platform will collate information such as the career aspirations, sector of work, or interests, of users who have registered with SkillsFuture. Subsequently, knowledge, resources, and skills which are of interest, or are beneficial, to the respective users can be identified. The relevant resources can then be recommended to users through the NLB mobile app. This will allow users to identify the materials which will best aid in their self-improvement, and learning, and encourage self-learning. In essence, this approach will allow for the customisation of tailor-made learning programmes suited to the individual learning needs of Singaporeans.

Sir, I understand that the libraries at Yishun North Point and Harbourfront have seven learning pods each. These learning pods contain video tutorials on various subjects ranging from coding to business. Sir, the learning pods with their interactive screens present tremendous potential to support self-learning. We should encourage the proliferation of these learning pods throughout libraries across Singapore.

Sir, the opportunities for lifelong learning which our libraries can provide, are many. I urge the Ministry to expedite the development of our libraries into self-learning hubs for Singaporeans.

The Chairman : Mr Darryl David, can you take one cut? We are going for tea break after this.

Libraries

Mr Darryl David : Thank you, Mr Chairman. Libraries today face critical challenges from many counts: from the Internet, modern cafes and even homes with book repositories. The question is not whether print and digital media can exist side by side in libraries. It is how the library can be a third space, for diverse social groups to exchange ideas, inclusively.

Libraries can be physical or virtual social spaces with social media applications. How we can transform our libraries into community hubs for people to interact, interconnect, learn, produce, share, meet informally, hold discussions or organise social events, special shows and exhibitions?

Libraries can also be “living rooms” for sharing of ideas via book clubs and forums, a safe space and meeting place for all. How does the Government ensure that our libraries continue to serve as an inclusive social space for Singaporeans of all ages?

The Chairman : Order. I propose to take a break now.

[(proc text) Thereupon Mr Speaker left the Chair of the Committee and took the Chair of the House. (proc text)]

Mr Speaker : Order. I suspend the Sitting and will take the Chair at 3.20 pm.

Sitting accordingly suspended

at 2.57 pm until 3.20 pm.

Sitting resumed at 3.20 pm.

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

[(proc text) Debate in Committee of Supply resumed. (proc text)]

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Head Q (cont) –

Encouraging Plurality of Views

Mr Darryl David : Thank you, Mr Chairman, I would like to speak on civic discussion and diversity of views. Global cities across the world are often characterised by openness and tolerance of divergent views. One significant trait of such vibrant societies is the people's ability to "talk" through multiple, conflicting perspectives without hysteria and harm. While psychologists argue that it is social survival depends on conformity, recent research also suggests that divergence fosters creativity.

Stanford Professor Carol Dweck has done extensive work on the concept of "Growth Mindset." Individuals who believe their talents can be developed through hard work, good strategies and input from others have this growth mind set. I believe that respect for divergent views can be fostered in our schools to help students engage calmly in rational exchange to develop a growth mindset. I would like the Government to consider how we can we improve civic discussion in our schools and beyond to encourage the plurality of views among Singaporeans.

Government Public Opinion Surveys

Mr Leon Perera (Non-Constituency Member) : Mr Chairman, Sir, before I begin, I declare my interest as the CEO of a research consultancy that undertakes surveys.

Sir, many Singaporeans nowadays have the experience of being interviewed by opinion polling agencies conducting surveys on behalf of the Government. In a reply to my previous Parliamentary Question (PQ), then Minister Yacoob Ibrahim responded that "The Government does not compile statistics on the surveys conducted by various agencies, or which among them are published."

The results of opinion surveys, if published, would be valuable to many stake-holders in society.

For example, charities could design better fund-raising programs to help their beneficiaries by understanding the climate of public opinion around the issues and beneficiaries they are addressing. Academics could mine such surveys for research purposes. Civil society groups could use survey data to develop better programs to raise awareness around their focused issues. Citizens could use that knowledge to better shape and calibrate their actions as citizens, for example in writing letters to the media, expressing views on social media and making representations to consultative committees.

Sir, I understand that the results of some surveys are published, for example by REACH. I would like to call for the adoption of a rule that all Ministries and government agencies conducting opinion surveys publish the reports arising from those surveys for the use and benefit of society at large, where they do not impinge on national security or sensitive matters.

I would like to ask if there are currently mechanisms to enable all government agencies or Ministries to access data from non-published surveys conducted by other agencies or Ministries. If not, the publication of such surveys could even improve governmental efficiency and spending by reducing survey overlaps.

Government surveys are conducted using public funds. The results of those surveys should be available for all to use, not only the Government and Government leaders.

Effective Policy Communications

Ms Tin Pei Ling (MacPherson) : Well-meaning policies can become ineffective and rile people, if communications are not done well. Worse, in the absence of effective policy communications, those who wish us ill could exploit the opportunity to distort facts or spread fake news. It would be tragic if policies designed with Singapore's and Singaporeans' best interest in mind are misunderstood and fail to receive public support.

Conversely, policies that are effectively communicated can receive widespread public support, thereby ensuring their successful implementation. Mother tongue and National Service policies are excellent examples. We can observe the robust public support these policies receive till this day because people understood the rationale, despite the personal sacrifices they may have to make. Effective policy communications therefore strengthen our national solidarity.

Given the imperative of effective policy communications, I would like to ask the Ministry how it intends to improve the communication of government policies across different age groups and communities to maximise policy impact and benefit the intended audience?

The Chairman : Mr Darryl David, please take the next two cuts.

Public Service Broadcasting

Mr Darryl David : Mr Chairman, my first cut is on public service broadcasting of PSB. Over the years, the IMDA has supported the production of Public Service Broadcast (PSB) programmes, which have several national and social objectives. PSB programmes promote Singapore, the Singapore identity and values such as family, community, social inclusiveness and cohesiveness. At the same time, they cater to special interest groups, for example, the elderly and youth. They are also help to increase cultural awareness in a plural society and foster religious harmony.

Over the years such programmes have also helped to educate viewers, for example, through current affairs exposure so that we can be plugged into the world as global citizens to understand the cross currents that affect us.

Today, a revolution called cord cutting is spreading throughout the world, freeing people from the ties to cable even. With over-the-top (OTT) services offered by Netflix, Amazon Prime and even Viu for fans who want to binge-watch Korean content. Can the Government share h ow Public Service Broadcasting is changing in this ever-evolving media landscape? Next cut.

Developing the Media Industry

In the last five years, efforts to grow the media industry has rapidly accelerated. Big players like Lucasfilm; RGM Holdings, a well-known talent management company; BKN Media, an acclaimed animation studio; and DLM Digital Studios, a major Indian film production company have set up shop in Singapore, increasing the international profile of the media industry.

In the area of media education, NTU's School of Arts Design and Media have launched programmes to nurture creative media professionals. South Seas Film & Television School from New Zealand is also setting up a campus here. This will provide many opportunities for classrooms to become media hubs for media talent in the making.

However, it has been observed that the local market for made-in-Singapore media content is small, making it imperative to create an enabling media environment. What are our general plans to develop/grow the media industry domestically and are there plans to support local media firms overseas?

The Chairman : Minister Iswaran.

The Minister for Communications and Information (Mr S Iswaran) : Thank you, Mr Chairman. May I first seek your permission to display some slides in the course of my speech?

Mr Speaker : Yes, please. [ Slides were shown to hon Members. ]

Mr S Iswaran : Sir, this is my first Committee of Supply since joining MCI last May. I would like to thank all Members for their support of the work of the Ministry of Communications and Information and also for the diverse plurality of use that Members have shared with us on the work of the Ministry.

In my response, I would outline MCI's plans to secure Singapore's future in a digital age, as part of the Ministry's broader mission to connect to our people to opportunities, communities and the Government. Senior Minister of State Janil Puthucheary will address cybersecurity and digital readiness, while Senior Minister of State Sim Ann will do so for the media sector and Government communications. And I will conclude with our plans for the libraries and archives.

Sir, our vision is for Singapore to have a thriving Digital Economy where: every business is digitally-empowered, every worker is digitally-skilled, and every citizen is digitally-connected. Every enterprise, regardless of size or stage of development, can use technology to innovate and grow. Every worker, regardless of industry or education level, can use technology to be more effective and productive. And every citizen, regardless of age or background, can use technology confidently and enrich their lives.

This vision is already being realised, sometimes in quite unlikely quarters of our economy and society. Small enterprises in traditional sectors are harnessing technologies to grow. I recently met Mr Selvam, he was a former commando, who now owns Anushia Flower Shop in Little India. A testament to the diverse capabilities of our SAF officers. He has used e-commerce to reach corporate clients and new customers, to increase his revenue by 50%.

Young and old are embracing technology. At the opening of library@harbourfront in January, I saw seniors effortlessly reading e-newspapers, and learning enthusiastically to use the different apps on their smart phones. Children were enjoying themselves in the Immersive Storytelling Room and adults were using the NLB Mobile App.

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We want to build on this momentum by nurturing a vibrant infocomm media industry, comprising businesses with deep capabilities, workers who are highly skilled and a world-class digital infrastructure.

We start with efforts to raise the digital capabilities of our broad base of enterprises, especially our SMEs. Mr Cedric Foo and Mr Douglas Foo have asked how we are helping businesses benefit from digital technologies, and Mr Teo Ser Luck asked about the outcomes of our efforts. Two years ago, we launched the SMEs Go Digital programme and the results have been encouraging. To date, about 4,000 SMEs have benefited from this programme, which provides access to step-by-step guides to go digital. Proven digital solutions are provided and consultancy and project management services are also available.

We have been adapting the SMEs Go Digital programme to the changing needs of business. For instance, working with banks and telco partners, we launched the Start Digital Pack in January this year, so that digital solutions can be adopted by companies from the moment they are established. This way, businesses benefit from the very beginning, and they can also build on these digital foundations as they scale.

We are also expanding the SMEs Go Digital to meet the more complex needs of businesses as they scale. UNAG Logistics is an example. Rhyce and Gary Chng are brothers who own this local logistics and transportation company. They use a pre-approved cloud-based, AI solution to optimise delivery routes and dynamically re-assign drivers to new routes based on the capacity and locations of available vehicles. This has enabled them to increase their deliveries by 20% and revenue by 15%. And, they are now extending the platform to fellow SMEs as well. By 2020, we will roll out AI and cloud-based solutions to every sector so that more businesses can benefit.

Beyond the enterprise, we have also embarked on digital initiatives at the system-level so that we can derive broader benefits.

The nationwide e-invoicing network is one such initiative which IMDA launched in January this year. Invoicing is a key business function but manual processes can be tedious and error-prone. With e-invoicing, businesses can streamline processes, increase accuracy and improve cash flow. The Government, on its part, is fully committed to this initiative and will prepare our system to receive e-invoices by this year. And I want to encourage all our businesses to use this nationwide network to improve their efficiency and to reduce their costs.

Another example is a system-level initiative is TradeTrust which aims to streamline and digitalise our trade processes. A common challenge in the trade and logistics sectors is the inefficiency of manual cross-border trade processes. TradeTrust is an initiative to develop a set of standards to help businesses securely exchange digital trade documents. It will enhance our attractiveness as a business hub and improve the efficiency of our trading and logistics sectors. IMDA and other Government agencies are now working with industry partners to conduct proof-of-concept trials and we will provide more details later.

The digitalisation of our businesses can succeed only if our workers too are equipped to effectively use digital technology. Many Members – Mr Cedric Foo, Mr Teo Ser Luck , Ms Tin Pei Ling and Mr Douglas Foo – have asked how we are preparing workers and growing our talent for the digital economy. And I agree with Mr Teo Ser Luck it is a challenge, it is a challenge, both of changing mindsets and developing the will to make the change happen.

In 2016, we launched the TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA) programme to meet the growing demand for digitally-skilled professionals. Since then, over 61,000 training places have been taken up or committed, which accounts for about a third, slightly more, of our total ICT workforce. These courses provide opportunities for non-ICT workers to switch into a tech career, as well as for current ICT workers to take on deeper tech roles.

Mr Xie Zhaoyan is one of our graduates from TeSA's Tech Immersion and Placement Programme, which helps non-ICT workers move into the field. Through the programme, he acquired software development skills which helped him make the transition from being an engineer in the oil and gas industry, to a data engineer at Amaris AI where he develops applications for clients.

TeSA also has a Company Led Training (CLT) programme where, as the name suggests, companies take the lead to train ICT workers.

I recently visited Tunity Technologies, a local radio frequency ID (RFID) solutions provider. The SME has helped train and hire six workers through the programme including Ms Yeo Wan Ru. Through the programme, Wan Ru learnt skills in the Internet-of Things (or IoT) domain and is now an IoT Engineer.

So, we have seen good results from these programmes and I would like to inform Ms Tin Pei Ling that 90% of the beneficiaries continue to be in ICT roles. Many of them also stay with the same company they were placed in. We also conduct periodic reviews and work closely with key hirers of ICT professionals to assess the outcomes of our programmes.

Tech companies, like Tunity, play an important role in the training and growth of our ICT workers. Through our local partners, Kaplan and Trent Global, we will also create more upskilling opportunities for our workers by bringing in renowned training curriculum by METIS for data science from the USA, and Code Institute for software development from Ireland. These will help more workers and companies seize opportunities arising from the digital economy.

And as every worker has different digital training needs, we will also roll out the Digital Learning Guide. It will enable employers to plan for their workers' digital training needs using a step-by-step guide. We will start with the retail and logistics sectors, and progressively extend it to others.

We also want to harness the talent of the many Singaporeans who are working overseas in key tech areas and who are eager to contribute to Singapore's digital transformation. To encourage such tech talent flows, I am pleased to inform Members of the launch of the Overseas Singaporeans in Tech (OST)-LinkedIn community, which is a partnership between the industry and key Government agencies. It will connect overseas Singaporean tech talent with our local tech community, and keep them informed of the latest developments back home. Since the group was formed in January this year, it has managed to get in touch with over 500 Singaporeans.

Investment in research and development is also an essential part of our efforts to help industries innovate and stay competitive, even as the technology landscape is rapidly evolving.

Our R&D investments in the Services and Digital Economy (SDE) domain of the Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2020 Plan (RIE 2020) have helped us build capabilities in frontier tech areas and address our national priorities. For example, through AI Singapore's Grand Challenges, we are working with academia and industry to solve major problems faced in the key sectors such as healthcare. We must sustain this research and innovation momentum that underpins our Digital Economy strategies. I am therefore pleased to announce and share with Members that we will allocate a further $300 million for research in the SDE domain, almost doubling it from the current budget. This increase is part of the next phase of the National Research Foundation's RIE 2020 plan, which will be announced soon.

We are also establishing Digital Services Labs to unlock value from our R&D investments. This programme will work with technology providers, research and industry partners to co-develop cutting-edge technology to address business challenges.

Effective regulations that keep abreast of change and innovation, and world-class digital infrastructure, underpins our Digital Economy vision.

In that regard, we are reviewing our Electronic Transactions Act to cater for new business models, new technologies and national projects. We are also reviewing our Personal Data Protection Act (or PDPA) so that it continues to safeguard consumer interests while enabling the innovative use of data.

To Ms Sylvia Lim's query, in 2018, the Personal Data Protection Commission processed 1,669 complaints on data protection issues and 1,236 on Do Not Call issues. The PDPC has the expertise and resources to investigate different types of data protection breaches, and where necessary, works with external parties on investigations. Because it is cited within IMDA, the agency is also able to write on IMDA's broader infrastructure and overheads, and focus its resources on investigations and some of the core areas of work. We will continue to ensure that PDPC is adequately resourced and fit-for-purpose.

I had also explained in Parliament on 12 February why public agencies are not covered by the PDPA. I want to inform Ms Sylvia Lim that the reasons have not changed in the next past weeks. The data protection standards in the PDPA and the Public Sector Governance Act (PSGA) are broadly aligned. Public agencies are subject to the same, if not higher standards than the private sector. They are covered not only by PSGA but also other specific legislation and the Government Instruction Manual, which Ms Lim has also acknowledged. When necessary, PDPC helps to link individuals with the organisation and its data protection officers to address specific data protection concerns that have been raised. PDPC can also refer parties to mediation.

Mr Mohamed Irshad asked about recourse available for individuals affected by data breaches. Individuals who suffer loss can seek legal advice on available recourse including seeking compensation directly from the organisation or by taking private action against the organisation. Individuals may also resolve data protection disputes through mediation by the Consumer Association of Singapore or the Singapore Mediation Centre.

We are also preparing for new technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI). Mr Vikram Nair asked about AI ethics, which is an area we are focused on, given the pervasive potential of AI technology. And to this end, I recently launched Singapore's Model AI Governance Framework, to guide private organisations in particular to deploy AI solutions safely and ethically. We have also established an Advisory Council on the Ethical Use of AI and Data, and launched a Research Programme to advance discourse on legal and ethical AI issues. Ms Lim Sun Sun will be happy to note that we are engaging partners like the Advisory Council, sector regulators, Trade Associations and Chambers to promote the adoption of the Framework. Our efforts in AI governance and ethics have also received international recognition as a World Summit on the Information Society Prizes 2019 Champion. So, this is an acknowledgment at an international fora of the work that we are doing, but we are pressing ahead because the landscape is evolving.

To Mr Ong Teng Koon's query on infrastructure, we aim to ensure that we have future-ready and globally competitive digital infrastructure, which is the bedrock of our digital economy.

So, we plan to commence the roll out of fifth generation mobile networks, or what is more commonly known as 5G, by 2020 to maintain Singapore's competitive edge in connectivity. With 5G, businesses and citizens can experience peak data rates of up to 100 times faster than 4G, with up to 25 times lower latency, and the ability to support up to 1,000 times more devices per square kilometre. 5G has a potentially to fundamentally transform our businesses and the way they operate, given its capacity to handle many high-demand applications simultaneously, such as the connectivity of autonomous vehicles, industrial automation, the deployment of IoT and nationwide sensor networks. IMDA will launch a public consultation shortly, to help us develop the right regulatory framework and policies for 5G including the allocation of spectrum.

On Mr Cedric Foo's point, we are strong advocates for open cross-border data flows, which is essential if we are to fully harness the potential of technologies like AI.

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At the regional level, we have helped set baseline data protection principles in the region by contributing to the ASEAN Framework on Digital Data Governance. We also participate in multilateral certification mechanisms like the APEC Cross-Border Privacy Rules and Privacy Recognition for Processors systems. We have included commitments to promote data flows in Free Trade Agreements, such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Treatment for Trans-Pacific Partnership. And, collectively, these initiatives will enable businesses to transfer data across borders seamlessly and securely, and seize new digital opportunities.

But these opportunities can only be meaningfully realised within a safe and secure cyberspace. I agree with Mr Teo Ser Luck and Assoc Prof Daniel Goh that besides helping SMEs benefit from digitalisation, we must help them protect their businesses from cyber threats. So CSA and IMDA will expand the range of pre-approved solutions to include cybersecurity solutions later this year. This will give SMEs some guidance into the kind of solutions they can adopt and strengthen their cybersecurity measures.

Dr Teo Ho Pin asked how we are protecting our Critical Information Infrastructure (CII). Last year, we passed the Cybersecurity Act. It empowers CSA to effectively combat cyber-attacks and investigate cyber incidents. All CIIs have been designated by the end of 2018. Our 11 CII sectors provide essential services, such as transport, energy and water supply, and all CII owners must adhere to the Cybersecurity Code of Practice. Regular penetration tests are also conducted to identify and rectify vulnerabilities. In addition, we have in place measures to enhance resilience, including contingency and incident response plans in the event that a cyber-attack causes the disruption of essential services.

We launched Digital Defence as the sixth pillar of Total Defence last month. It was in recognition of the fact that each and every citizen, business and organisation, has a role to play in helping us develop robust defences against threats from cyberspace. To paraphrase the old saying, we are only as strong as the weakest cyber-link. Senior Minister of Stage Janil will be sharing more details on our cybersecurity efforts.

Finally, we believe that every Singaporean can be a digitally connected and engaged citizen. Building digital readiness is a national effort, involving the Government, businesses, communities and individuals. This is why we are launching the Digital Participation Pledge which allows organisations to commit to one or more actionable items that help Singaporeans acquire skills and adopt technology. So far, more than 270 organisations have pledged to do their part and we hope to see more organisations sign up, so that together we can build a more digitally ready Singapore.

I am heartened by the many volunteers and corporate partners who have come forward to volunteer at our Digital Clinics to assist citizens in using mobile devices. Standard Chartered Bank is a corporate partner with more than 200 of their staff members volunteering. One of the volunteers, Ms Audrey Poh, shared with me that she was inspired by the participants' enthusiasm to learn as she taught them to use different apps. Our Digital Clinics have reached more than 4,000 individuals since 2017. And this was only possible with the support of 20 corporate partners and 1,000 volunteers like Ms Poh.

To support many more Singaporeans like Ms Poh who are passionate about helping others, We will launch Our Singapore Fund, which will support community efforts that promote digital readiness. This is in collaboration with MCCY and Senior Minister of State Janil will be elaborating on these initiatives.

Mr Chairman, I have spoken at length on our broad range of efforts to help our enterprises and people benefit from the opportunities presented by the digital economy. This is not an easy task nor is it the sole responsibility of Government. Indeed, ultimately, every business, every worker and every citizen has to step up, overcome the challenges, and take ownership of their learning and digital transformation. Chairman, if I may have your permission to show this video which aptly captures the challenge that we are dealing with?

The Chairman : Yes, please.

Mr S Iswaran : Thank you. [ A video was shown to hon Members. ]

This is what my younger colleagues in the Ministry called a "bold" or "edgy" video. Mr Chairman, if I may conclude. The building of a vibrant digital economy in Singapore is a shared endeavour. And the video we have just seen highlights that there are challenges, whether we are individuals, workers or smaller enterprises – in different ways, we are dealing with these challenges. And it also shows how we can collaborate and succeed. So, let us work together, as digitally-empowered businesses, digitally-skilled workers and digitally-connected citizens to realise that vision.

The Chairman : Senior Ministe of State Dr Janil Puthucheary.

The Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information (Dr Janil Puthucheary) : Mr Chairman, as technology becomes part of our lives, we need to strengthen our digital readiness and our cybersecurity. We must ensure that all Singaporeans have access to the tools and knowledge to benefit from technology, and that workers and businesses will thrive in a cyber-secure environment.

Several Members have expressed concerns about segments of our society that may be slower or less likely to benefit from the digital transformation journey that Singapore is undergoing.

We must ensure that the benefits of digitalisation are enjoyed by all. Digital readiness is a whole-of-nation effort. It requires the combined effort of Government, businesses and the community.

Last year, we launched the Digital Readiness Blueprint and set up a Digital Readiness Council. This Council will provide strategic direction, guide the implementation of our digital readiness initiatives, and examine the needs of the community in terms of digital inclusion, literacy and participation. Importantly, and very hearteningly, as Minister noted, we have received significant support from the wider community and businesses to serve on the Council and its working committees.

Our efforts can be categorised into these three areas: digital participation, digital inclusion and digital literacy.

For Digital Participation, we will launch two new initiatives, to mobilise organisations from the private, people and public sectors to drive our digital readiness efforts, and bring more citizens on board the digital readiness movement.

The Digital Participation Pledge, which the Minister announced, is a voluntary, online pledge, to encourage organisations to promote digital participation and inclusion. The primary focus is businesses. And already, 270 organisations from a wide range of industries – not just the tech industry, not just the online industry, but any industry that can make use of these digital technologies – have done so and pledged their commitment to expand their digital readiness efforts. Our target is to have 3,000 organisations on board this Pledge by 2021.

In another realm – also for digital participation, but focusing on the community – we have partnered with MCCY to create Our Singapore Fund for Digital Readiness. This encourages community efforts to promote digital readiness, and enlarge the social commons – the non-profit sector around digital readiness. Projects can receive up to $20,000 of funding, to support up to 80% of project costs.

Moving on to Digital Inclusion, and to answer Mr Cedric Foo, Ms Tin Pei Ling and Ms Rahayu Mahzam about how we are helping everyone benefit from technology. Digital inclusion requires access to technology, as well as the skills and knowledge to use it safely and confidently.

We have organised over 90 Digital Clinics since 2017. Those Digital Clinics were by appointment, or irregular, ad-hoc and often organised together with events. To provide this as a permanent service to residents, we launched the Tech Connect service, starting at eight community centres last November. This service provides residents with personal assistance, in a language they are comfortable with, on how to use digital devices and applications like Facebook and WhatsApp, so that they can connect with friends and family, build stronger social networks, and use technology in everyday aspects of their lives. They can also seek help for very practical issues, like how to reset a password. This service will be rolled out to all community centres progressively, as a permanent service.

We are encouraged by the large number of seniors who have picked up basic digital skills through our Silver Infocomm Initiatives. Collectively, our Silver Infocomm Initiatives have reached over 270,000 seniors.

To Mr Ong Teng Koon's query on how we are ensuring that that digital connectivity remains affordable, the Home Access Programme and the NEU PC Plus programme provide subsidised infocomm devices and Internet access to low-income households. To date, more than 70,000 households have benefitted from these programmes. This type of effort is not new. These sort of programmes have existed as public sector programmes since 1999 – more than 20 years – trying to find ways to make sure that vulnerable, lower-income households that will benefit from that type of connectivity, will have access to connectivity, as well as the devices to make use of that connectivity. We have different programmes depending on whether there are school-going children in the household.

In addition, MCI is working with IMDA and PA to run a pilot programme for elderly residents in MacPherson and Radin Mas constituencies. We plan to provide 200 residents who do not have mobile devices or Internet connectivity with data-equipped smartphones. Grassroots volunteers will provide guidance, to help residents build skills and confidence in using this technology. This is part of a study – an experiment, a pilot – to find out how we can encourage and support the adoption of digital technology, among the digitally less ready.

Prof Lim Sun Sun has asked how we can help individuals acquire the necessary skills, and ascertain what competencies are needed to function effectively in the digital economy. Her questions address the third component of digital readiness, after Participation and Inclusion, which is Digital Literacy. IMDA has developed a Basic Digital Skills Curriculum to ensure that citizens can pick up these skills in a structured manner.

The skills identified in the curriculum correspond to everyday activities, with an emphasis on prevailing technology trends, such as the use of e-payments and mobile applications. The curriculum is being offered as a one-day course. Those who are keen to pick up Basic Digital Skills at their own pace can also do so online at the IM Silver portal. We will periodically refresh the curriculum and curate relevant content for seniors, taking into account emerging trends, and feedback from stakeholders.

In the longer term, we are also developing an information and media literacy framework that pulls together relevant information, media and cyber literacy skills that Singaporeans need to use social media and digital technology responsibly and safely. This framework will spell out a set of desired outcomes, and include content guidelines for programme owners to reference. We aim to roll it out later this year, and to refresh it regularly.

Mr Vikram Nair, Mr Darryl David and Ms Rahayu Mahzam asked how Singaporeans can navigate an increasingly complex cyberspace, and given the threat of deliberate online falsehoods (DOFs), cybercrime, and cyber-attacks. Technology offers us greater convenience and greater connectivity. But it can be stressful to navigate the complex web of websites, applications and services. Online threats worsen anxiety, reduce trust and undermine public confidence in institutions. This threatens national security. We have seen this happen in other countries, and Singapore is not immune.

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A well-informed and discerning public is Singapore’s first, and most important line of defence against online threats. The Government is improving public education to tackle the serious and pervasive problem of deliberate online falsehoods. For example, the National Library Board’s "Source. Understand. Research. Evaluate" (or S.U.R.E) programme, raises awareness of the dangers, and how to discern fake news. MOE’s New Media Literacies toolkit supports teachers’ efforts to help students navigate the digital environment. This includes learning how to detect falsehoods on social media, and how to interact responsibly with others online. Over the past two years, organisations like the Media Literacy Council has also supported ground-up projects to help the public become better informed consumers through its Better Internet x Youth Call-for-Proposals.

To educate citizens and businesses on good cyber hygiene, CSA launched a cybersecurity awareness campaign in May 2018, called “Cyber Tips 4 You”. It reaches out to businesses on good cybersecurity practices through a variety of channels, such as talks, conferences, and an online portal called “GoSafeOnline”. CSA and IMDA are also working with schools, to help students pick up essential cybersecurity knowledge, and learn to effectively protect themselves from an early age.

We have launched Digital Defence as the sixth pillar of Total Defence. Like our battle against terrorism, we need everyone to play their part. This means being secure, alert and responsible online.

There are five things we can all do, including Members of this House, to make vigilance against DOFs and good cyber hygiene a matter of personal responsibility. I would like to take this opportunity to remind all: Please don’t post or forward dubious information, without checking; secondly, use a strong password and two-factor authentication; third, install, use and update your antivirus software; fourth, update all your software as soon as possible; and fifth, watch out for signs of phishing.

These five practices go a long way to help all of us guard against fake news, and stay safe online.

Mr Vikram Nair asked how we assess the cybersecurity of our Government systems. A safe and trusted cyberspace is essential for Smart Nation. This includes strengthening partnerships between the Government and industry, to achieve a higher level of collective cybersecurity. We will need the combined efforts of our stakeholders – industry, academia, and the community – to achieve this.

One of the many ways that we do this is through the Government Bug Bounty Programme. From December last year to January, 400 "white hat" hackers – "white hat" hackers are people who have hacking skills and use them for good, as compared to "black hat" hackers who do so for criminal reasons – took part in the Government Bug Bounty Programme, organised by GovTech and CSA. They have “stress-tested” the defences of five Internet-facing Government systems, and identified 26 vulnerabilities – all of which have been remediated.

This process raised our cybersecurity standards. We gained insights into potential attack vectors, better secured our web applications, and improved our mechanisms for patching vulnerabilities effectively and comprehensively. Seven out of the top ten awarded bounty participants were from Singapore. I am happy to see our local cybersecurity community contribute to improving the security of our systems. We will conduct more of such programmes in the future. I hope some of the participants apply for jobs at CSA.

Mr Teo Ser Luck asked about our targeted efforts to seize new opportunities in the digital economy. Cybersecurity is an area of economic opportunity that complements Singapore’s existing strengths – strong connectivity, a digitally savvy workforce, and a reputation for trust and transparency. A strong cybersecurity ecosystem will provide expertise and solutions that contribute to a more resilient digital infrastructure.

We are helping cybersecurity start-ups scale, and establish their credentials through the Innovation Cybersecurity Ecosystem at Block71 (ICE71), which brings together a community of entrepreneurs, investors and corporate partners. The community has done well since its launch last year, reaching out to more than 50,000 people through various events. We are starting to see a growth of local cybersecurity start-ups.

One such company is The Cyber Assembly, a home-grown start-up that connects people to cyber skills through an active learning cyber range, bootcamp programmes, and even a mobile game called “What the Hack”. ICE71’s Scale programme provided opportunities for Mr Ng Pan Yong, the company’s founder, to connect with the right audience and grow his business.

In September 2018, CSA launched an Industry Call for Innovation to catalyse the development and adoption of innovative cybersecurity solutions. CSA received more than 70 proposals to develop solutions for 10 cybersecurity challenge statements. In 2019, the Government will expand the Call for Innovation into the Cyber Security Innovation and Growth Programme to support local cybersecurity companies to create innovative and relevant cybersecurity solutions and to meet the changing needs of industry.

Mr Low Thia Kiang asked how we are meeting Singapore’s cybersecurity manpower needs. Building a strong cybersecurity workforce is important – not only for the development of our cybersecurity industry, but also for our national security.

As our world becomes more connected and new cyber threats emerge, demand for cybersecurity talent has grown exponentially. Across the public and private sectors, the total number of jobs for cybersecurity professionals tripled from 2012 to 2017, to 5,300 . At the same time, the actual number of cybersecurity professionals in employment quadrupled, to 4,900, which is about 3% of the ICT workforce. We expect the strong demand for cybersecurity professionals to continue.

Our agencies are working closely with each other, and the cybersecurity ecosystem, to strengthen the pipeline of cybersecurity professionals; deepen their skills and technical expertise; and improve the career progression and recognition for the profession.

To meet industry needs, IMDA and CSA drive targeted efforts under the TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA) initiative. This includes the Cyber Security Associates and Technologists Programme, which develops and upskills fresh and mid-career professionals for cybersecurity jobs through on-the-job training. Eight companies have committed to develop more than 900 professionals by 2021. In addition, over 3,000 individuals have benefitted from 50 cybersecurity courses supported under TeSA’s Critical Information Technology Resource Programme.

To attract, develop and retain cybersecurity practitioners in the public sector, CSA works closely with GovTech and other agencies to build a core of cybersecurity specialists who will be deployed across agencies to support the Government’s cybersecurity needs.

Mr Douglas Foo asked how we are developing products that contribute toward a safe and trusted cyberspace for Singapore. As part of MCI’s work to ensure our standards and regulations support the growth of the digital economy, we have made progress in building a strong cybersecurity standards regime in Singapore.

I am pleased to announce that this has resulted in Singapore attaining the status of a Common Criteria Certificate Authorising Nation as of January 2019. This Common Criteria is the de facto standard for cybersecurity product certification around the world. Today, 30 nations, including Singapore, are part of the Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement (CCRA) for the mutual recognition of certifications. But not all the countries are Authorising Nations where you can produce the product. There is an ecosystem of 30 countries that recognise this, but we have now attained the status of an Authorising Nation, to produce the products and extend it globally. This will allow local companies to develop globally recognised products within Singapore, with estimated cost and time savings – because you do not have to send your product overseas for evaluation, nor bring the testers and evaluators here to Singapore. we can do it all within our economy. It is a step towards becoming a regional hub for product evaluation and certification. We are attracting global evaluation laboratories to anchor their operations in Singapore. These developments will accelerate Singapore’s exports of world-class cybersecurity products, and create good jobs for Singaporeans.

To encourage SMEs to build more secure products and adopt this Common Criteria certification, we have a new SecureTech track under the Accreditation@SG Digital programme. The Accreditation@SG Digital programme helps local SMEs to improve their business practices, engage with the local community, and be considered by Government agencies for the procurement of their products. So, this new SecureTech Track will apply the same thinking towards cybersecurity SMEs and cybersecurity products for their growth, for their scale, and for their consideration by Government agencies for the procurement of cybersecurity products.

Mr Chairman, digital transformation is not only about hardware or software. It is about our citizens, workers and businesses who innovate, utilise, and benefit from these technologies.

Our efforts span digital readiness and cybersecurity and will help these important stakeholders, so that we can embrace the potential of a common digital future together.

The Chairman : Senior Minister of State Sim Ann.

The Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information (Ms Sim Ann) : Mr Chairman, Minister Iswaran and Senior Minister of State Janil Puthucheary have shared the exciting opportunities in a digital future and what we are doing to help every Singaporean reap the digital dividend.

Digital transformation is also the key theme of enhancements to our libraries, media and Government communications, where our focus is in supporting Singaporeans in reading and learning, and in being well-informed.

Let me start with our libraries. As Members would know, the transformation of our libraries is among the most thorough and dramatic ever experienced by our public sector agencies, in their drive to serve Singaporeans better.

We remain committed to this transformation journey. Beyond better collections, more comfortable surroundings and more efficient customer service, we continue to site, design and refresh libraries in a manner that keeps pace with Singaporeans’ urban lifestyles. Our goal is to stay ahead of changing preferences, and to continually delight library users. We site where footfall is high, and we put extra effort into space and programme design. Let me illustrate this with library@harbourfront, which opened in January this year.

During my visit, I was heartened by the scene of students, children, working adults and grandparents reading and learning under the same roof. Parents were guiding their children through hands-on activities based on STEAM or Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics concepts at the childrens’ makerspace. Just a few steps away, the programme zone was bustling with seniors chatting and enjoying each other’s company while picking up tips on cybersecurity. Offerings like these, combined with the library’s innovative design and panoramic view of Sentosa and our port, make for a delightful visit and all-round experience for every user.

Our libraries of the future have been well-received by Singaporeans. They have generated 50% higher loans and an increase of around 65% in visitorship compared with their non-revamped counterparts. This is in spite of the downward trend in visitorship and loans observed in the libraries of many other countries.

Over the years, we have also transformed our library collections – going beyond providing purely "books" to a vast array of learning resources. A major push on this front has been going digital, which has redefined convenience and the reading experience for all library users.

Members of the public have written in to express their appreciation of the NLB Mobile App, launched in 2016. Mr Jeffery Sung discovered that within minutes of downloading the app, he was able to read newspapers from around the world and browse the bestselling books in town. Essentially, the App has placed the library within our pockets. Our eBook loans have more than doubled since 2017. To meet the rising demand for eBooks, NLB had raised the eBook loan quota from eight to 16. Singaporeans who have yet to try eBooks and audiobooks can sample them outside the library at our eReads kiosks. NLB will roll out eight to 10 more of these kiosks across the island this year.

For many years, NLB has doubled the loan quota of physical items to coincide with the school holidays. Each time we run this, we consistently get great feedback from our users, who take advantage of the promotion to read and borrow more. I am pleased to announce that users need no longer wait for the school holidays; from 1 April, we will be doubling the physical loan quota from eight to 16 items permanently. In effect, library users will be able to borrow 32 physical and electronic items at any one time.

Another branch in the evolution of the libraries’ collections has been expanding our local content. Reading is a great way to deepen our love for our mother tongues and ethnic cultures. NLB will grow its collection of localised children’s books in Chinese, Malay and Tamil. It is currently shortlisting titles that Singaporean children up to the age of 12 years can enjoy and relate to, for translation into vernacular languages.

As Members are aware, we face a fast-changing future. In this fluctuating environment, our libraries can serve as every Singaporean’s personal learning retreat, where you can re-tool and enhance your personal and work life.

I recently met Ms Noorjahan bte Kamaruddin, an avid learner and volunteer who inspired me in more ways than one. To achieve her lifelong dream of publishing a recipe book, Ms Noorjahan set out to acquire skills on electronic publishing, copyright, privacy and cybersecurity matters at the "Silver Digital Creators" Workshop organised by NLB and IMDA. She continued working on the project after the course, and is now the proud author of the eBook “Noor’s Just Right Recipes”. But Ms Noorjahan did not stop there. With the knowledge she gained, she has begun training others. Noor's story demonstrates how collaborative learning has enriched her life and the lives of others. It also shows how technology can be harnessed by Singaporeans to achieve great things.

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Dr Teo Ho Pin asked how our libraries can play a more proactive role in supporting SkillsFuture and lifelong learning. The answer is that NLB champions continuous, self-directed learning in many ways. We are making it easy for adults to take advantage of the library’s learning resources. For example, NLB’s Digital Business Library offers more than 4,000 e-book titles condensed into 10-minute, bite-sized reads for busy adults. I would also like to thank Dr Teo for his suggestion on how NLB could work more closely with SkillsFuture Singapore.

NLB is actively partnering industries, SkillsFuture Singapore, Workforce Singapore and the Council for Third Age to deliver a comprehensive slate of job and skills-related programmes for Singaporeans. For instance, “SkillsFuture Advice” helps Singaporeans understand the importance of career planning and skills upgrading. Learning today is no longer confined to information gathering, but also actively practising in a guided environment, under the tutelage of mentors. Singaporeans who are keen to tap the brains and insights of industry game-changers, such as the founders of Carousell and ShopBack, can do so through the “Breakthrough: Conversations with Entrepreneurs and Innovators” series. NLB will do even more. Over the next five years, we target to run 1,500 workshops benefiting more than 50,000 participants.

Mr Darryl David asked how libraries can continue to serve as inclusive social spaces for Singaporeans of all ages. I am pleased to say that for all the transformation our libraries have undergone, certain principles remain constant. Libraries bring people of diverse backgrounds together. In the words of 29-year-old Karimah Samsudin, "The library allows you to expose yourself to different ideas, so you do not just stay in your own box or cocoon, and get to know different kinds of people". Another regular patron, Ms Leo Yih Nah, shared that book clubs were good social events that would help to lower the risk of dementia for seniors like her in the long run.

NLB goes one step further in its aim to cultivate inclusive social spaces. It is committed to extending the multitude of opportunities I have elaborated on to all, especially learners amongst us who could use an added boost. One of our hallmark nationwide programmes is KidsREAD, which promotes early reading for less privileged children, and which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. To bring the library even closer to them, WondeRead was launched in 2018. Similar to a subscription box delivery service, WondeRead delivers pre-loved library books quarterly to children who are not able to visit libraries on their own. WondeRead is accomplished with partner organisations, who either sponsored items in the box, or whose staff personally selected and packed books for each child. Many of the WondeRead beneficiaries look forward eagerly to their next box delivery.

To enable job creation for persons with special needs, NLB will be extending its employment partnership with the Autism Resource Centre (ARC) in 2019. ARC clients were trained on collection arrangement work in late 2018 and since January 2019, they have been employed by NLB to support the operations of the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library.

Mr Chairman, in Mandarin, please.

( In Mandarin ) : [ Please refer to Vernacular Speech .] : Our libraries are favourite go-to places for Singaporeans. They love to read books and newspapers in the library and nourish their mind in a cool and quiet environment. This is a delightful activity to complement our fast-paced urban lifestyles. Moving into the digital era, the NLB will strive to provide better services for our readers, who have been very supportive of our libraries.

In the digital era, the definition of books has changed and has expanded from physical and paper books to include e-books. People can read countless books on a small mobile phone or tablet PC.

In 2018, NLB increased the loan quota for e-books from 8 to 16, and this was well-received by the public. From April this year, NLB will increase the loan quota for physical books to 16 as well. So, avid readers need not fret about not being able to borrow as many books as they want. The question is whether they can finish reading them all.

Secondly, NLB and Government departments in charge of promoting CET and IT literacy will collaborate to develop libraries as entry level classrooms for Singaporeans to learn new skills. Some of these courses are suitable for seniors and will be conducted in their mother tongue. For example, the Bedok Library, Toa Payoh Library and the new Harbourfront Library at Vivo City will provide these classes. I hope members of the public will give them a try.

Thirdly, to encourage children to learn their mother tongue and increase their MTL reading materials, NLB will select good quality children’s books in English featuring local content, and translate them into Chinese, Malay and Tamil.

( In English ): Our media have an important role in helping Singaporeans stay well-informed; and, through shared discourse, fostering a sense of togetherness and identity. Most Singaporeans would be able to recall growing up with their favourite local drama series, or tuning into news and current affairs programmes to follow the unfolding of national events.

Mr Darryl David asked how Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) is evolving in response to increasing competition for eyeballs from online and foreign platforms. Indeed, PSB must keep pace with changing consumption habits so that it is integral to the lives of viewers. Our national broadcaster is engaging Singaporeans across a wide range of platforms so viewers can easily discover and enjoy local content. Let me illustrate with the example of Channel 8’s “SPOP Sing!” – a nationwide competition which discovers and celebrates young singing talents. Instead of the traditional approach of airing the show exclusively on TV, Mediacorp released content on an array of platforms. Its efforts had borne fruit. On top of the 1.7 million viewers who tuned in on Free-to-Air TV, more than 850,000 watched it on Toggle. Performance tracks were streamed more than 150,000 times on major digital music platforms such as Spotify, and social media and on-ground outreach events extended engagement further still.

Another important priority of ours is to strengthen the reach of local vernacular content.

( In Mandarin ) : [ Please refer to Vernacular Speech .] : In order to help the public access more information in Chinese and expand their audience base in the digital era, MediaCorp has pooled resources in TV and radio to create a new portal that includes news, entertainment and lifestyle information, and this is set to be launched in the middle of the year.

( In English ): Suria will continue to partner with community organisations in large-scale events, such as the opening of Wisma Geylang Serai. In the same vein, Vasantham is partnering the Tamil Language Council and Tamil Language Learning & Promotion Committee for community events like the annual Tamil Language Festival. Through ground events and engagement, Suria and Vasantham are able to connect with their communities and celebrate culture and values, while increasing social media outreach and the visibility of their content and artistes.

From listening to citizens’ views and concerns, to explaining Government policies and schemes, the Ministry builds clear channels for communication that foster a well-informed and engaged nation.

Ms Tin Pei Ling asked how we can improve communications of Government policies across age groups and communities. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, we customise the content, platforms and languages for different groups of Singaporeans. For our millennials, we produced a web series Ah Boys – Hidden Warfare, that covered topics of concern to them, like jobs and economy, and marriage and parenthood. For older audiences, there was the Getai Challenge, where we adapted the skits and music performances of a familiar local tradition to share useful information with our seniors, such as housing, social support measures and diabetes awareness.

Age is not the only diversity we cater for; our communications are also tailored for various communities. For example, we rode on the festive cheer of the Deepavali and Chinese New Year seasons to share timely and informative content with our Indian and Chinese communities. Topics included financial planning and healthy eating. Similarly, we customised programmes such as Abang Teksi, which highlighted different forms of Government assistance to help Singaporeans tide through disruptions, including Adapt & Grow initiatives. Our post-campaign research showed about eight in 10 respondents were more keen to sign up for Adapt and Grow initiatives after watching the programme, suggesting its effectiveness.

Mr Leon Perera asked about public opinion surveys conducted by the Government. Government agencies use a variety of means to better understand ground issues and concerns. These include outreach activities conducted by REACH, house visits and surveys which help our agencies assess public sentiment on issues, and public awareness of, and response to, Government policies and programmes.

For example, after the Pioneer Generation Package was introduced in 2014, we conducted surveys to ascertain how well understood the package was by the target audience – the pioneers themselves. As a result of these studies, we decided to use Chinese dialects to communicate the package to our pioneers who are less comfortable with English or Mandarin. We will undertake a similar process in planning our communications on the Merdeka Generation Package. Most surveys that MCI and other agencies conduct are for internal reference, like the ones I have described.

The Government does not compile statistics on the surveys conducted by various agencies, or which among them are published. In MCI, REACH periodically releases survey data on a range of issues. In recent years, REACH has released surveys of public perceptions on the annual Budget and the National Day Rally Speech, CPF changes, public transport, and the public's awareness of financial assistance schemes, among other subjects. These survey findings may also be found on REACH’s website.

The Government does not make policy decisions or decide communication strategies solely on the basis of surveys. But they help ensure that service delivery and policy implementation are satisfactory. The Government releases surveys that may be of interest to the public. For example, REACH has released surveys of public perception on the Annual Budget and the National Day Rally speech, fake news and public transport. Another example would be the study of social capital commissioned by MCCY. Other surveys released include studies of youth, national security awareness as well as attitudes towards water conservation.

As for coordination, agencies need the operational flexibility to conduct their own surveys on issues of concern within their purview. Some questions may be common across different surveys because they are cross-cutting in nature. Our agencies coordinate such efforts when it is operationally feasible to do so.

Mr Darryl David asked how we can improve civic discussion in schools and beyond to encourage the plurality of views among Singaporeans. Through public consultations, Singaporeans have a say in shaping public policies. More than 36,000 Singaporeans have provided feedback on issues like cost of living, jobs, transport and fake news, at more than 250 REACH Listening Points and dialogues between 2017 and 2018. REACH regularly engages students on national issues at dedicated Listening Points and dialogues held at Institutes of Higher Learning as well. Among them was University student, Mr Alif Mohammad Hafidz, who gave his suggestions to this year’s Budget and shared that the session motivated him to find out more about the Budget process. We will continue to consult the public on issues of importance to our nation’s future, and invite Singaporeans to lend their voices to the on-going dialogue.

Mr Chairman, I have described how my Ministry plans to help Singaporeans stay connected and engaged, through reading, learning and being well-informed and how digital transformation will play a key role in these plans.

The Chairman : Minister Iswaran.

Mr S Iswaran : Thank you, Mr Chairman. Sir, many Members have spoken in this COS debate about the need to bring Singaporeans closer together as we take Singapore forward. We agree wholeheartedly with them.

Let me now share with Members how MCI is fulfilling our vision of an engaged and connected Singapore. Through the media sector, we will engage Singaporeans with shared stories of our home and nation. Through our National Library and Archives, we will cultivate a shared appreciation of our past, so that we can move into the future with confidence and a strong sense of our identity.

Let me begin with the media. The digital age offers great promise for our media sector to grow. The global entertainment and media industry is expected to grow by 4.4% from 2017 to 2022. Within Southeast Asia, the media sector is likely to grow by more than 7%. There is a discernible shift towards Asia, and towards Asian content.

We are well positioned to seize these opportunities. We are at the confluence of the East and the West. We have talented storytellers and world-class digital infrastructure. We must leverage these strengths to develop promising young talent, deepen the skills of our media workforce and prime our industry to ride the wave of growth in the global media eco-system.

4.30 pm

Mr Darryl David has asked about our plans to develop the local media industry. We are doing so through manpower development plans like our Skills Framework for Media, which maps out career pathways and skills to help media professionals stay ahead of the competition. We will enhance this Framework to meet the industry’s needs for writing and storytelling skills, as well as the demand for professionals with digital skills like data analytics and social media management.

First, we will extend the iPrep scheme to media students in tertiary schools so that they can be better prepared for the rigours of the media industry when they graduate. iPrep will provide up to $8,500 per student to cover the costs of attending industry courses, overseas internships or immersion programmes.

Next, we will strengthen on-the-job training to familiarise fresh media professionals with the latest trends and tools of the trade. IMDA will launch a Story Lab Apprenticeship this year to help young media professionals gain customised training and experience in key media companies. I am glad that companies like Mediacorp, mm2 Entertainment, HBO Asia and Turner Asia Pacific have already expressed interest to come on board. IMDA will announce more details by the third quarter of this year.

We will also help media professionals master digital skills to compete and thrive in today’s landscape. Our Continuing Education and Training (CET) courses have been very useful to media professionals like 37-year-old Ms Nusaibah Abdul Rahim, who is creative director of a media production company. Last December, Ms Nusaibah attended a data-driven content development workshop organised by the Singapore Media Academy, and learned how to analyse data from audience insights to drive creative decision making. IMDA will curate more of such CET courses.

Mr Darryl David asked about our plans to help local media companies go global. I will like give two examples. Firstly, IMDA’s Public Service Media Digital Partnership Fund will help local media companies partner international players to co-produce digital-first public service content for our audiences. In other words, content but it is digital first. IMDA’s funding call for proposals will close by the end of this month, and I strongly encourage local companies to make use of this resource.

Secondly, the Singapore Media Festival will continue to be our main platform to showcase our most promising talent and companies to the world. Last December, the Festival attracted over 23,000 media professionals and industry thought-leaders, and facilitated more than US$313 million worth of deals. We will expand the Singapore Media Festival to seize the opportunities created by the growing convergence of the tech and media industries, and strengthen Singapore's thought leadership in the region. IMDA will share more details in the second quarter of this year.

Our efforts to develop the media industry will help us tell our stories better – to our fellow Singaporeans, and to the rest of the world. And there is indeed no better story one could argue than the story of Singapore. This year’s Bicentennial commemoration will help us to understand our early history, how Raffles’ landing in 1819 set us on a path to where we are today, and reflect on the attributes we will need to succeed in the future.

The National Library and Archives will play an important and meaningful role in this Bicentennial commemoration.

The National Library Board (NLB) will roll out a series of activities to increase engagement with Singaporeans. For example, NLB’s librarians will play host and present the National Library’s rare materials collection with 25 specially produced videos. Some highlights of this valuable treasure trove of Singapore’s early history include Munajathu Thiratuu, the oldest Tamil book on Islamic religious poetry held by the National Library, or Hikayat Abdullah, one of the most important records of the socio-political landscape in Singapore, Malacca and the southern Malay kingdoms at the turn of the 19th century.

These videos will be released every fortnight from April, on NLB’s social media channels. We have also brought a special preview of the NLB’s archives to Parliament. I invite all Members to visit the Reception Hall of Parliament House to view exhibits that showcase our multicultural roots and life in early Singapore.

NLB has also worked with community groups to digitise valuable historical content. Last month, SMS Sim Ann launched the Singapore Biographical Database of Chinese Personalities to remember pioneers who contributed significantly to Singapore in its early days. The NLB and the Tamil Digital Heritage Group are already hard at work collecting historical materials on Indian dance in Singapore for a new Digital Archive of Singapore's Tamil Dance. Theatre practitioners from the Malay community will partner the NLB to create a Digital Archive of Singapore Malay Theatre. These new databases will be a rich resource of our arts and cultural heritage, and they will be publicly available from December this year.

Our National Archives also have much to offer. The National Archives Singapore (NAS) celebrated their Golden Jubilee last year, and their birthday wish is to encourage every Singaporean to play a part in preserving our collective memories. Our Community Oral History Committees, representing the Malay, Chinese, Indian and Eurasian communities in Singapore, have had more than 100 volunteers document over 160 hours of interviews for our national oral history collection. One such volunteer interviewer is 31-year-old Ms Sushma Somasekharan, an auditor and classical Indian vocalist who recently interviewed her first music teacher – the accomplished Carnatic singer Dr Bhagya Murthy. Thanks to Ms Sushma’s interview, we gained valuable insight into the Indian classical music scene in the 1980s, and how it evolved with a uniquely Singaporean twist – because in those days, Dr Murthy apparently to learn to sing in Malay and Mandarin to cater to a multi-racial audience as well.

When the revamped National Archives building at Canning Rise opens next month, I hope Ms Sushma and many other potential archivists will make good use of its new facilities, such as the three new oral history recording studios in the building. The Oldham Theatre in the NAS building will become accessible to members of the public, featuring regular screenings of curated films by the Asian Films Archive. NAS will also launch an online system that allows members of the public to request digital images of Singapore in its early days.

I hope these commemorative events will ignite the interest and passion among Singaporeans to discover more about our past, and ourselves.

Mr Chairman, the NLB and NAS have done tremendous work as custodian of Singapore’s heritage and memories. With your permission, I would like to play a video to showcase their good work.

The Chairman : Yes, please. [A video was shown to hon Members.]

Mr S Iswaran : I hope that Members felt more than a tinge of nostalgia watching those images. Mr Chairman, My Ministry will continue to create opportunities for all Singaporeans in a digital economy, and help Singaporeans of all ages embrace technology. We will endeavour to keep our cyberspace safe and secure, and enhance Government communications to foster an engaged Singapore. Through the efforts of the National Library and Archives, we will foster a deep understanding of our shared journey from the past to the present and aspire to build a better Singapore, our home, in the next 200 years and beyond. We look forward to working closely with all Singaporeans as MCI perseveres in its mission to connect Singaporeans to each other and to a better and brighter future.

The Chairman : Clarifications please. Ms Tin Pei Ling.

Ms Tin Pei Ling : ( In Mandarin ) : [ Please refer to Vernacular Speech .] : I would like to thank the Minister for the reply. I would like to ask two questions.

First, Singapore is determined to realise the vision of a Smart Nation. However, amongst Singaporeans, there is still a generation of senior citizens who need our help to pick up digital technology. I would like to ask the Government if a targeted strategy can be implemented, whereby assistance rendered is customised according to the challenges and difficulties faced by the target community, so as to help them embrace the digital era. This is my first question.

My second question is that communicating policies is an art, and the Minister had earlier shared with us that policies are being communicated to our people through multimedia and television programmes. For senior citizens, television programmes may just be a one-off event, and they may miss out on some of the important explanations and information. I suggest that we repeat these important messages and spread them to all corners of the community so that our citizens, particularly our senior citizens, will understand the policy-making process and considerations behind these policies. In this way, Singaporeans will have a better understanding of the thought process behind the Government’s decisions and may give stronger support to our policies. I hope the Minister can elaborate on that.

Ms Sim Ann: ( In Mandarin ) : [ Please refer to Vernacular Speech .] : I thank the Member for her clarification. She asked about how we can help senior citizens embrace digital technology. Indeed, it is our hope that all senior citizens in Singapore will be able to ride the wave of the digital era and become savvy in digital technology. In terms of courses and training, there are two important points to note for seniors. Firstly, we noticed that many of them are still more comfortable learning in their mother tongue, so many of our courses are conducted in Mandarin, Malay or Tamil. Another point is that the programmes must be tailored for beginners and the pace must not be too fast. We take note of these two important points.

Here, I would like to take the opportunity to introduce a few specific training courses and programmes, such as IMDA's Silver Info-comm Junction.

These have been set up at more than 30 locations, many of them are in our community centres and some are in the libraries. They offer opportunities for our senior citizens to learn digital and info-comm technology in a relaxing and comfortable environment.

At the same time, IMDA also provides a Basic Digital Skills Curriculum working with partners. We have also set up mobile digital clinics to provide one-on-one instruction for senior citizens at different locations and time slots. This takes into account the fact that many of our senior citizens prefer to learn from instructors on a one-to-one basis.

In addition, there are technology touchpoints available at eight community clubs, where our PA counter staff provide one-to-one assistance to residents and help them learn to use electronic devices and services. The libraries have also introduced a new Seniors Tech and Read programme to teach senior citizens to borrow electronic books and access the Internet. So, we hope that our senior citizens will also be able to enjoy the convenience of e-books.

We have been working hard on the communication of our policies and engagement of the public. We would like to take this opportunity to encourage parliamentary colleagues to make good use of all the budget-related information provided by MOF. Nowadays, there are more and more information available in the four official languages, with richer content. We hope that beyond textual information, powerpoint slide shows with voice-over explanations made available by MOF will help people better understand various policies. This is an example of how ongoing communication efforts can complement one-off television or radio programmes to reinforce Singaporeans’ impression of important policies.

4.45 pm

The Chairman : Mr Darryl David.

Mr Darryl David : Mr Chairman, I have two points of clarification. First point, I believe, should be for Senior Minister of State Sim Ann because it pertains to the library and digital books. I just wanted to ask the Senior Minister of State if she could update on some trends on e-books or digital book borrowing. And does she see a trend in e-book or digital book perhaps even outstripping conventional publications of books in the long run?

Second point of clarification is for, I believe, could be for the Minister. I did attend the National Archive Exhibition. And I really have to commend the National Archives team on the wonderful job that was done. I was wondering if the National Archives could perhaps engage other Government agencies, say, MOE, for example, to ensure that all the excellent work that has been work could also be shared with our students in Primary school and Secondary school. In the past, I believe this this would involve an excursion to the National Archives building and I believe that might be the case for some materials. But I believe much of what I saw as digitalised and can be brought onto screens and brought into the schools. So, is that something that perhaps the Minister could consider, in terms of exposing more of our younger Singaporeans to all of these rich history?

Ms Sim Ann : I thank Mr Darryl David, for his questions on e-books. Indeed, we have seen very rapid growth in the use of e-books amongst our library users. From 2017 to 2018, the digital loans have almost quadrupled – from 1.5 million such loans to 5.8 million loans in 2018. However, this remains a fraction when compared to the physical loans, which in 2018, stood at about 33 million. So, I think it is a situation in which e-books and e-loans are growing rapidly. But I would say that physical books are still very dominant. Now, as to whether one will outstrip the other, I think that remains to be seen. But I think what is clear is that NLB very much should be with the e-books trend to ensure that while they take care of readers who prefer physical books, at the same time, we have to ensure that our collections of e-books and newspapers and magazines continue to be enriched.

The Chairman : Minister.

Mr S Iswaran : Thank you, Mr Chairman. I think it is a very useful insight from Senior Minister of State Sim Ann's earlier reply. In fact, the digital platforms are very effective in reaching certain demographics. And the growth in e-books and the borrowings is largely being driven by a younger demographic. But I think, in general, as Senior Minister of State Sim Ann says, borrowings in physical books, also continues to hold its own. So, I think we are in a good situation and we want to encourage the reading habit through whichever channels in order to broaden the reach.

And in that vein, the Member's second question about National Archives, we agree with him fully. In fact, the Archives have a very rich treasure trove of information. And one of the things that we are doing in the course of this year, as I highlighted, is digitalising the content and then finding ways to propagate it with the larger population. So, videos, which will put out by NLB through its platforms, is going to be one important channel. In fact, much of the Archives material is already available digitally. I think we will certainly pursue the option of seeing how we can go in a more targeted way, for example, to schools. But at the same time, I would just urge all Members to also propagate the message. I am sure all of you have download the NLB app and are using it actively. And I hope then that you will also continue share that experience with all your constituents and others such as you are attracting with.

The Chairman : Mr Leon Perera.

Mr Leon Perera : Thank you, Sir. Just one point of clarification for the Senior Minister of State Ms Sim Ann, and I thank the Senior Minister of State for her detailed response to my speech on publishing opinion polls. From the Senior Minister of State's reply, she cited some examples of opinion polls that had been released. I assume that some of these Government opinion pools are for internal reference and are not released. So, my point of clarification would be what would be the concern or impediment or issue with making it a more general rule to release the results of all such surveys, unless there are strong reasons not to, such as national security, such as sensitive issues of sorts, to release that information to the public domain for stakeholders to use?

Ms Sim Ann : I thank Mr Leon Perera for his question. As I have mentioned just now the speech, the Government releases results of surveys that may be of interest to the public. As for the kind of reasons that he has shared earlier, indeed these are some concerns because some of the surveys may touch on issues with regard to security or it may affect market sentiments on specific sectors. So, these would be some of the reasons, for instance, why not all survey results would be released to the public.

The Chairman : Ms Rahayu Mahzam.

Ms Rahayu Mahzam : Thank you, Chairman. I have a question for Senior Minister of State Janil. He had earlier given a very descriptive plan of the cybersecurity state of affairs in Singapore and I wanted to just understand a little bit more about how we are assessing or measuring the savviness of our people in dealings in cyber space because it would be useful to actually understand where are some of the weak points. You have mentioned earlier about issues with regard to using lax passwords, phishing and all that. Clearly, there are some areas where we could improve on and I appreciate the efforts by the Media Literacy Council as well as with NLB with SURE. But are there some areas that we could look at and how we can measure and assess and target some of the efforts so that we can improve cybersecurity in Singapore?

Dr Janil Puthucheary : Mr Chairman, I thank Ms Rahayu Mahzam for the question. She asked about how we assess the savviness with respect to cybersecurity. It is very difficult thing to measure because the technology is moving quite rapidly and the kind of products and services that are being developed are also not thought of today. People are imaging new business models. You do not really know what would catch fire.

In a way, we try to by looking to see when things go wrong, such as scams, cyber breaches or theft of information, so on and so forth. So we can measure when things go wrong. But that is not necessarily a good example of how savvy we are, which is the word that the Member used.

Internationally, people have tried to develop these measures around knowledge. So how if you take a poll, for example, whether it is Secondary school students or early adults or across the population segment, what do people know about it. Then, you can perhaps also look and see, for example, what are the products and services that businesses would use, either knowledge within the business community or the use of protective technologies within the various community. And people have tried to come up with these types of measures. And on these types of measures, we come up very well but that is not something to pat ourselves on the back and assume that there will be no problem. Actually, we do have to keep reminding ourselves.

The key issue is really human behaviour and the social factors. In a way, technology is the easier thing to measure so we can do, for example, penetration testing, we can do audits of the use of technology, audits about processes with respect to, for example, thumb drives and locking down systems and Internet surfing separation. But the much harder thing to measure is assess and change is human behaviour – do not share your passwords, do not download suspicious materials, which is why I took the opportunity to remind Members of these few things that we should do. It is something where, like crime, like real world safety, like road safety, it is sometimes useful to remind and repeat, and remind and repeat, and use learning opportunities to reinforce good behaviour. And I think we have to just keep going down that path.

The Chairman : Ms Sylvia Lim.

Ms Sylvia Lim : Thank you, Chairman, I have one clarification for Minister on the issue of personal data protection. One of the points which I raised was about the work of the PDPC in helping to achieve outcomes for complainants. And I believe that in his response, the Minister did say that cases could be referred to mediation. We know that is provided under the Act. It is also provided that the PDPC could direct resolution of a complaint in a way that it considers fit. So, I would like to ask the Minister if he can confirm, if there have been any cases where these alternate dispute resolution methods have actually resulted in compensation or in a payment of some settlement sum to the complainants; whether he is aware if there have been such cases.

Mr S Iswaran : Mr Chairman. I am not aware of such cases.

The Chairman : Dr Teo Ho Pin.

Dr Teo Ho Pin : Sir, I am pleased to learn from Senior Minister of State Sim Ann that the library is planning to building eight to 10 learning pods. I am just wondering whether is there plan to build a learning pod in Bukit Panjang library?

Ms Sim Ann : I thank Dr Teo Ho Pin for being such a strong supporter of learning ports. We will consider putting one in the Bukit Panjang Library.

The Chairman : Mr Cedric Foo, would you like to withdraw the amendment?

Mr Cedric Foo Chee Keng : Chairman, Sir, whilst there are many challenges as this House discussed, as Singapore embarks on our digital transformation, the potential benefits are massive and all of us, as the Minister pointed out, would like every stakeholder, Government agencies, businesses, workers and our citizens to join this very exciting journey. With that, Chairman, Sir, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment.

[(proc text) Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. (proc text)]

[(proc text) The sum of $987,540,000 for Head Q ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. (proc text)]

[(proc text) The sum of $54,080,000 for Head Q ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. (proc text)]

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