預算辯論 · 2020-03-03 · 屆國會 13

數字化與AI治理議題質詢

AI 治理與監管 AI 經濟與產業 AI 與就業 AI 與教育 爭議度 3 · 實質辯論

議員質詢數字化轉型中的資料共享、隱私保護、設計思維創新及AI倫理框架等問題，關注新加坡在資料量不足和中小企業數字化能力上的挑戰。政府回應涉及數字貿易協定、資料隱私原則及推動創新的措施，強調變定AI倫理框架。核心爭議點在於如何平衡資料共享與隱私保護，以及提升本地企業數字化能力。

關鍵要點

  • • 數字化推動經濟轉型
  • • 資料共享與隱私權衡
  • • AI倫理框架建設
政府立場

推動數字貿易協定，制定資料隱私及AI倫理原則

政策訊號

加強數字貿易與AI倫理監管

“Traditional factors like land, labour, capital, or ageing population are no longer hard constraints in the digital economy.”

參與人員 (22)

完整譯文（中文）

Hansard 原始記錄 · 2026-05-02

數字化合作夥伴關係

傅志堅先生（先鋒組）：主席先生，我請求提出動議，“將估算表Q項下的總撥款減少100元”。

數字化正在改變人們的生活、工作、娛樂和互動方式。企業必須擁抱數字化，才能保持相關性。我們的未來正以難以想象的方式和前所未有的速度被數字化塑造。

由於數字經濟，許多全球頂尖公司現在都處於科技領域。按市值計算，全球十大公司中有七家是科技公司。這七家公司合計價值約6萬億美元。

顯然，我們的政府、企業和員工必須依靠數字化來轉型經濟，創造機會並提升價值鏈。這樣，我們才能保持相關性，創造良好且持久的就業機會。如果做得好，我們可以將脆弱性轉化為機遇。傳統的生產要素如土地、勞動力、資本，甚至我們的人口老齡化，在數字經濟中已不再是硬性限制，如果我們策略得當，就能取得成功。

然而，數字化確實帶來了許多挑戰，尤其對於人口和消費基礎都較小的城市國家來說。

資料分析、機器學習和人工智慧需要大量資料。對於我們的政府和本地企業來說，獲取足夠大量的資料相比其他大國是一個挑戰。我們如何克服這一限制，將對數字化的成功產生重大影響。也許，像我們剛與紐西蘭和智利簽署的數字貿易協定會有所幫助。如果有更多此類協定，建立共享彙總匿名資料、相互認可或互操作性的框架，將有利於新加坡及所有參與經濟體。部長能否對此作詳細說明？

即使資料與本地企業共享，我們也需要考慮個人資料隱私等問題，因此政府是否同意私營企業的資料請求應基於哪些原則。這是一個需要明確的問題，部長能否告知這些原則是什麼？

僅有數字人才不足以推動創新。通常，設計思維和對特定行業的深刻洞察也對成功創新和商業化至關重要。信息通信媒體部（MCI）設有設計思維單位。該部將如何提升該單位在新加坡創新和商業化中的影響力？

正如我們在生物倫理領域設定界限一樣，我們也需要建立一個倫理框架，讓人工智慧在新加坡內合法運作。部長能否介紹這方面的工作進展？

數字化成功的關鍵因素之一是規模和能力。不幸的是，許多中小企業（SMEs）在這方面面臨挑戰。MCI將如何引導和激勵這些中小企業擁抱數字化，為自身創造更光明的未來？

隨著國家數字化程度加深，我們也迫切需要加強網路安全。我將在稍後另一個議題中討論此問題。

外國數字人才

主席先生，我的下一項削減是關於外國數字人才，作為臨時措施，以補充新加坡人在數字化程序中的需求。業界普遍反映，資料科學、網路安全、電腦科學等領域的數字人才嚴重短缺。隨著經濟轉型，這類人才需求極高。

GovTech積極招聘科技行業人才，將我們的智慧國願景變為現實。另一方面，由於人才稀缺，GovTech與私營部門爭奪同類人才。

我們如何在此取得平衡，創造私營與公共部門的共生關係，而非形成“零和”輸贏局面？

部長能否告知本地高等院校（IHLs）電腦科學和資料科學畢業生人數？未來五至十年此類畢業生的預測人數是多少？如果畢業生數量不足以滿足行業需求，政府是否會允許臨時發放就業準證和S準證？這樣，我們現在可以吸引更多投資，最終惠及未來相關領域的新加坡畢業生。否則，風險是投資流向他處。

[（程式文本）提案問題。 （程式文本）]

企業數字化機遇

拉哈尤·馬哈贊女士（裕廊）：新加坡幾乎所有公司都會同意，數字化轉型已非選擇，而是生存必經之路。多年來，政府一直敦促包括中小企業在內的公司轉型並採用適當技術，以保持相關性和競爭力。這個資訊似乎已深入人心，大家對數字化的必要性有了高度認識。

然而，認識不一定轉化為行動，尤其是許多小型企業轉型較慢。信息通信媒體部長易華仁去年在MCI工作計劃研討會上表示，中小企業的問題不再是缺乏意識或意願，而是資源有限、缺乏能力完成轉型。

新加坡企業聯合會（SBF）執行長何明傑去年也有類似觀察。他指出，業務轉型受制於新加坡科技行業人才短缺以及採用數字解決方案的成本或感知成本。在評論中，何先生提出多項建議，例如利用信息通信媒體發展局（IMDA）的“中小企業數字化計劃”。

今年早些時候，SBF釋出了2019/2020年度國家商業調查，發現中小企業知道必須採用數字解決方案來應對人力成本和尋找新收入方式的挑戰，但成本仍是最大障礙。SBF呼籲政府以有力措施推動、支援和加強企業的數字化及研發工作。

回顧多年來的發展，我們如何評估數字化舉措的成效？我們是否更好地理解中小企業面臨的具體挑戰並加以解決？我們打算如何繼續幫助企業抓住數字經濟機遇並實現規模化？

主席：翁廷坤先生，請同時處理兩項削減。

翁廷坤先生（馬西嶺-裕廊西）：兩項都處理，謝謝。主席先生，“中小企業數字化計劃”已幫助超過4000家公司實施數字解決方案。這令人鼓舞，我們應繼續優先加快數字轉型，創造本地及區域新機遇。我想請問部長，未來對該計劃有何規劃？我們如何繼續推動中小企業數字化採納？

中小企業數字化，人才至關重要。然而，自動化和機器學習等領域的人才競爭激烈。中小企業在招聘方面可能無法與跨國公司競爭。我想請問部長，我們如何確保中小企業能吸引所需人才？又如何幫助中小企業通過提升現有員工技能來培養人才？

中小企業數字化面臨的關鍵挑戰之一是讓所有員工準備好並具備應對變革的能力。鏈條的強度取決於最弱環節。我想請問部長，是否考慮為中小企業所有員工提供額外技能培訓補貼，以配合其數字化轉型？

幫助新加坡人獲得優質工作

我的下一項削減。資訊通訊媒體（ICM）行業是關鍵增長領域，尤其是網路安全、物聯網、沉浸式媒體、資料分析和人工智慧等技術領域。我想請問部長，該行業將為新加坡人創造多少就業機會？我們如何幫助被相鄰行業淘汰的成熟專業人士（PMETs）轉入ICM行業？部長是否考慮為接受再培訓的成熟PMETs提供津貼，以便他們在培訓期間仍能照顧家庭？

關於網路安全職位，依據人力發展局（WSG）網站上的專業轉換計劃廣告，居民反饋稱很難進入此類計劃。問題在於這些計劃採用“先就業後培訓”模式，即必須先找到工作才能接受培訓。居民陷入兩難：需要先獲得工作才能培訓，但又需要培訓才能獲得工作。我想請問部長，是否考慮超越副總理在預算宣告中宣佈的六個月20%薪資支援，進一步激勵企業邁出第一步？

新加坡ICM行業的就業創造取決於新加坡作為本地及全球企業吸引中心的吸引力。我想請問部長，有何計劃進一步發展本地生態系統？我們如何繼續定位新加坡為亞洲數字科技樞紐？如何確保研究、創新和創業繼續成為增長引擎？

主席：陳佩玲女士，請同時處理兩項削減。

上午11時45分

新加坡及為新加坡培養科技人才

陳佩玲女士（麥波申）：人才對建設新興成功產業至關重要。我們需要高素質技術工人和世界級人才的臨界質量，以吸引頂尖企業和未來獨角獸來新加坡創造優質就業，同時培養新加坡人勝任這些崗位。人才生人才，形成良性迴圈。

今年1月6日，部長告知議會，自2016年科技技能加速器（TeSA）計劃啟動以來，已有超過93,000個培訓名額被佔用或承諾。截至2019年10月，已有1,400名學員完成科技沉浸及安置計劃（TIPP）。這些數字令人印象深刻。

請問部委，我們是否在滿足資訊通訊技術（ICT）行業人力需求的軌道上？在93,000個TeSA名額中，有多少人完成課程、成功找到工作並留任？還有哪些措施幫助新加坡人轉行並在數字經濟中保持有意義的就業？技術不太熟悉但渴望轉型的企業如何更好地接觸和利用這批重新技能培訓和提升技能的勞動力？

隨著新加坡不斷努力提升本地核心人才技能，企業預計會在此期間通過引進海外人才來彌補人才和技能缺口。

全球技術人才競爭激烈。2020年2月麥肯錫文章報道，全球87%的受訪企業表示當前或未來幾年將面臨人力缺口。受訪者認為市場和技術趨勢將在這些變化中發揮重要作用。

更為嚴峻的是，世界經濟論壇稱全球正面臨“再技能緊急狀態”，到2030年全球需再培訓10億人。

企業和國家都急於縮小技能差距。新加坡需要更快——根據我接觸的本地外ICT行業知名企業領導者，機會視窗僅有一至兩年。未解決的美中緊張關係及全球保護主義上升導致人才流動受阻。在這些人才中，有一批不僅技能深厚，還因國際經歷具備全球視野。如果我們能搶先吸引這批“贏家”人才，新加坡轉型將被催化，更多頂尖企業和優質崗位將被吸引來新加坡。

因此，我想請問政府在吸引人才來新加坡、為新加坡服務方面扮演何種角色？最終，我們的新加坡核心人才必須從中受益，我們如何確保技能和知識的轉移？

部分人才是快速崛起初創企業或快速成長公司的創始人，天生具備全球流動性。但他們可以投資新加坡，並在培養本地青年和人才方面發揮作用。政府是否在探索如何利用他們的價值，幫助培養人才，而無需他們必須長期居留？

數字未來的資料基礎設施

新加坡正穩步實現智慧國願景，並有望成為人工智慧（AI）和區塊鏈領域的領導者。資料是關鍵。大數據驅動AI，AI將推動數字未來的眾多日常應用。因此，資料質量和完整性至關重要。資料能在系統間共享和互用也很重要。

隨著東盟一體化和轉型，以及新加坡推動建設和強化東盟智慧城市網路，我們如何確保產生的資料有意義、質量良好且區域間互操作？新加坡在影響和制定智慧東盟所需資料及數字基礎設施標準方面能發揮何種作用？

這一發展將帶來資料“爆炸”及高速處理需求。資料中心因此成為新加坡關鍵基礎設施，是未來經濟的支柱。我們預計將建造多少資料中心？建設速度如何，以實現智慧國和智慧東盟目標？

建設資料中心成本高昂，且耗能巨大。全球資料中心約消耗2%電力，碳足跡也很大，約佔全球碳排放的0.3%，且有上升趨勢。

政府如何推動提高效率、減少碳足跡，以應對更多資料中心建設？我們如何在實現2030年碳排放減半及2050年淨零排放目標的同時，協調能源消耗和碳足跡的增長？

資料使用的倫理問題

翁廷坤先生：主席先生，資料既可用於造福，也可能造成嚴重傷害。隨著技術發展，從面部識別到線上個性分析，個人資料越來越容易獲取。

我們有《個人資料保護法》保護個人隱私，但也存在資料可攜帶性問題。我們需要解決資料的二次獲取及合法獲取資料被不良公司使用的問題。例如，外國線上公司可能從本地公司獲取並轉移個人資料，這些外國線上博彩公司隨後針對弱勢群體誘導賭博。部長如何確保資料可攜帶性與資料保護能協調共存？

我還想請問部長，如何通過立法限制公司收集資料？使用者在網站或下載手機應用時，常遇到冗長的點選同意協議，內含大量資訊披露條款。使用者點選“接受”即同意這些條款，往往在不知情情況下允許資料共享。部長能否介紹可保護消費者及新加坡公眾的倫理保障措施？

個人資料保護法——準專業人員就業

鄭德源先生（西海岸）：根據2012年《個人資料保護法》，每個組織必須指定一名或多名資料保護官，負責確保組織遵守該法。

越來越多公司意識到，資料保護官的職責多為執行和管理性質，需制定和實施政策及流程。這應為尋求職業轉換或內部再部署的準專業人士（PMETs）創造更多職位。MCI能否分享這可能為新加坡人創造多少新崗位？

此外，為促進PMETs在資料保護領域的成功招聘、安置和再部署，需要採取更積極措施培訓、安置、匹配及再部署合適PMETs到潛在僱主，或其現有組織內的資料保護及合規崗位。我期待看到更多僱主與就業促進機構如e2i合作，幫助更多PMET中途轉行者，無論是進入該行業還是在組織內再部署，順利轉型為資料保護專業人士。

我讚賞個人資料保護委員會（PDPC）於2019年7月17日釋出的資料保護官（DPO）能力框架和培訓路線圖。該框架旨在指導資料保護專業人員提升其能力，同時為不同級別的資料保護官提供可行的職業發展路徑。我希望聽到信息通信媒體發展部（MCI）關於如何進一步推動這一專業領域，使其成為中期職業專業人士（PMETs）具有吸引力且可行的選擇的計劃。

監管面部識別技術

餘嘉興議員（蔡厝港）：主席，我們看到面部識別技術在新加坡的應用日益增多。甚至本議院也在考慮使用該技術來追蹤議員出席情況，我在招標檔案中看到了相關內容。雖然這項技術最初主要用於安全領域，但是否有關於面部識別技術使用的指導方針，以確保資料不會被用於商業目的，也不會危及個人資料安全？

先生，我認為需要對面部識別技術的部署進行更嚴格的監管。目前，諸如大華銀行廣場（UOB Plaza）和新加坡交易所中心（SGX Centre）等多棟建築已經使用了該技術。

使用面部識別進行建築物訪問時，訪客的姓名會與面部識別資料關聯。那麼，面部識別資料是否成為技術供應商的智慧財產權？供應商可以儲存這些資訊多長時間？供應商是否可以將相同資訊用於其他客戶？

另一個方面是供應商是否被允許將面部識別模式與更多資料關聯，例如消費者購買行為。如果沒有使用指導方針，這種技術可能被濫用的情況令人震驚。

主席，我建議所有由私人商業實體收集的面部識別資料不得儲存超過24小時。除姓名外，面部識別資料不應與任何其他資訊（如消費者購買模式）關聯。如需例外，必須獲得明確同意，並且即使如此，也應設定面部識別資料的最大儲存期限。

主席，我們生活在一個勇敢的新世界，我擔心如果沒有指導方針，面部識別技術和資料將被濫用。因此，我真誠希望信息通信媒體發展部能關注此問題。

主席：穆罕默德·伊爾沙德議員，請一次性發表您的兩個發言。

郵政與包裹的未來

穆罕默德·伊爾沙德議員（提名議員）：主席，全球郵政與包裹行業無疑正面臨顛覆。隨著核心郵件業務回報的不斷變化、電子商務的快速普及以及客戶期望的轉變，現今的郵政與包裹公司需要具備適應性、相關性和創新能力，以跟上不斷變化的需求。

先生，電子商務和線上購物的興起深刻改變了消費者行為。許多消費者對配送和郵政基礎設施的便利性和選擇性提出了更高的期望。如今，除了新加坡郵政（SingPost）外，只有少數物流服務提供商提供最後一公里配送服務。

在這方面，政府有何計劃改造我們的國內郵政基礎設施以滿足這些新需求，確保世界級的配送標準？更重要的是，消費者和企業未來可以期待什麼，這些變化將如何與新加坡現有的郵政基礎設施整合？

新加坡5G網路部署

主席，我轉向談論5G——5G是數字連線的基礎，將成為我們數字未來的骨幹。它將推動自動駕駛汽車、工業和消費領域物聯網等新興增長領域的發展。

2019年6月，通訊及資訊部長蘇伊士宣佈，政府已撥出4000萬新元發展5G研究與創新生態系統，特別支援5G技術試驗、開放測試平臺以及5G研發。新加坡在發展5G研究與創新生態系統方面取得了哪些進展？

此外，鑑於資訊通訊媒體發展局（IMDA）釋出的5G徵求建議書，我們的5G部署計劃如何？政府採取了哪些措施支援5G推廣，以確保新加坡在國際競爭中保持優勢？更重要的是，5G將如何惠及新加坡民眾，並確保5G對他們來說負擔得起？

5G技術進展

杜葛拉斯·傅議員（提名議員）：主席，隨著新加坡準備今年推出5G網路，一些公司對5G部署的安全措施表示擔憂。根據一家美國網路安全公司的調查（2019年10月釋出），55%的受訪者認為5G部署可能成為更有效且破壞性更強的網路犯罪手段，另有54%認為這可能為網路犯罪分子提供更多攻擊組織的機會。

部長能否更新新加坡在擁抱5G通訊網路方面的準備情況，以及有哪些計劃幫助企業充分理解和利用這項技術，同時管理其挑戰？信息通信媒體發展部是否計劃與行業協會和商會合作，瞭解企業對這項新技術的需求，並推動新技術裝置和應用的實施？

保障數字空間安全

維克拉姆·奈爾議員（森巴旺）：主席，我們常常沒有意識到數字化在我們生活中的廣泛性和重要性。我們所稱的關鍵資訊基礎設施是一些最重要的數字空間，國家網路安全域性（CSA）正是為保護這些設施而設立。

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關鍵資訊基礎設施目前涵蓋航空、醫療、陸路交通、海事、媒體、安全與應急、水務、銀行金融、政府和能源等行業的關鍵資料。

資料對於保持我們的發電廠、醫院、水務、銀行甚至政府的順暢運作至關重要。隨著數字化和自動化程度的提高，關鍵資訊基礎設施的重要性日益增加，風險也隨之加大。

去年4月，英國廣播公司（BBC）報道，龐納姆研究所（Ponemon Institute）對六國安全專業人士的調查顯示，90%的人至少遭受過一次成功攻擊。該調查涵蓋公用事業、能源、醫療和交通部門的員工。報告還指出，資源不足和對“持續不斷”的網路攻擊缺乏情報是行業關注的焦點。

該研究的關鍵點是，我們必須假設攻擊會發生，並做好應對準備。我們還需要防範人為失誤，包括員工誤開釣魚郵件從而導致網路被攻擊。此外，情報共享也非常必要。

我相信國家網路安全域性正專注於這些問題，我希望瞭解政府如何保障關鍵資訊基礎設施的網路安全和韌性。

網路安全域性

林秀玉議員（亞歷山大）：主席，2016年，政府釋出了《新加坡網路安全戰略》檔案。該戰略有四大支柱：一是加強關鍵資訊基礎設施的韌性；二是動員企業和社群確保網路空間安全；三是發展充滿活力的網路安全生態系統，包括技術先進的企業、技能熟練的勞動力和強大的研究合作；四是加強國際合作。

自2016年以來，許多事件使我們更加關注網路安全漏洞。政府目前如何評估新加坡網路安全戰略的實施情況？網路安全域性在落實這四大戰略支柱方面取得了哪些貢獻？

此外，網路安全域性有權指示關鍵資訊基礎設施所有者採取必要的網路安全措施，並在必要時提供專業諮詢和直接協助。網路安全域性如何確保其官員具備制定可信法規和指導方針的專業能力？這在供應商管理方面尤為重要，因為資料所有者通常將資料管理外包給第三方提供商。

我還想詢問網路安全域性在公共部門中的角色。根據《網路安全法》，關鍵資訊基礎設施所有者包括政府，因為政府運營多項關鍵服務。去年，政府召集了公共部門資料安全審查委員會，最近釋出了關於加強公共部門資料安全的報告。部長能否說明網路安全域性在此次審查中扮演了什麼角色？

網路安全

杜葛拉斯·傅議員：主席，根據美國網路安全公司Carbon Black於2019年10月1日釋出的報告，96%的新加坡受訪公司表示過去12個月內至少遭受過一次外部網路攻擊。

在遭受攻擊的公司中，48%遭受了財務損失，83%報告聲譽受損。此外，93%的組織報告過去一年網路攻擊有所增加。

報告還指出，98%的資訊長和首席資訊安全官擔心數字化轉型專案和5G網路推廣將進一步影響新加坡的網路安全。超過250名來自各行業的資訊長、技術長和首席資訊安全官參與了此次調查。

根據消費者資訊提供商Comparitech的研究，該機構基於2018年移動裝置和計算機感染惡意軟體的比例以及加密貨幣挖礦攻擊次數等指標，評估了60個國家的網路安全水平，新加坡排名全球第10位。這一成績值得肯定，但2019年12月國防部和武裝部隊人員個人資料洩露等事件仍令人擔憂。

以健康領域為例，我們從非典（SARS）中學到了建立可快速響應框架的重要性，如今新加坡的疾病預警與響應系統（DORSCON）在應對新冠肺炎（COVID-19）疫情中廣受讚譽。若發生大規模國家級網路攻擊，計算機和網路病毒迅速傳播，是否有類似的框架來降低和緩解此類事件的風險？

主席：傅志堅議員，請一次性發表您的兩個發言。

傅志堅議員：過去二三十年，數字計算技術迅速改變了世界，對企業和消費者產生深遠影響。尤其是過去十年，數字技術的採用速度加快。數字技術的普及造就了高度互聯的世界，賦能個人，改變了消費者、企業和政府的運作方式。

如今，許多智慧國應用允許隨時訪問，極大地方便了新加坡民眾。

在企業層面，運營技術（OT）允許直接監控和控制關鍵工廠、電力和電信網路。它帶來了顯著的控制和生產力提升，包括預防性維護、減少停機時間和質量控制等。預計OT將在政府和許多組織中扮演越來越重要的角色，實現業務流程、物理活動和支援技術的更緊密整合。

在這個高度互聯的世界中，網路攻擊導致個人資料丟失，尤其是對關鍵OT系統的攻擊，可能造成災難性後果。國家行為者的網路攻擊也已成為“首選武器”，這在許多國家均有體現。

我想請問部長，我們如何確保政府和企業能更好地防範這一新威脅？網路安全域性在這方面做出了哪些貢獻？

關於新冠肺炎相關謠言

我的下一個發言涉及新冠肺炎疫情相關謠言。烏克蘭一城鎮數十名抗議者襲擊了運送72名從中國武漢撤離人員前往隔離設施的巴士。這些示威者點燃篝火，向警察和國民警衛隊投擲石塊，甚至動用了裝甲人員運輸車。

抗議起因是一封偽造的電子郵件，冒充烏克蘭衛生部，謊稱部分撤離人員感染了病毒。許多觀察者指出，新冠肺炎的挑戰不僅在於控制“生物病毒”，還在於控制“心理恐懼和非理性”，這往往源於假新聞和謠言。

新加坡也出現了關於新冠肺炎的假新聞。例如，“2019年1月28日，兀蘭地鐵站關閉，實際上當時完全正常運營”；“政府向每位‘中國大陸工人’在14天留崗期間每天發放100元補貼，實際上是發給符合條件的僱主”。這些及其他許多假新聞在流傳，威脅著我們應對新冠肺炎的國家努力和公眾信任。

幸運的是，新加坡有一部名為《防止網路假資訊法》（POFMA）的新法律，回顧來看，這部法律確實及時。我想請部長更新政府如何應對新冠肺炎相關謠言，以及POFMA是否已被有效運用。

主席，議院內也曾討論過，是否應由法官而非部長髮布POFMA下的更正通知。我們最近實施POFMA應對新冠肺炎疫情的經驗，是否強化了政府的立場，即釋出更正通知最好由行政部門負責？

提供可信資訊

王鼎群議員：主席，隨著新冠肺炎疫情持續，我們看到破壞穩定的謠言傷害了國家。這些謠言包括兀蘭地鐵站關閉的假訊息；七國禁止前往新加坡的旅行；以及一則關於新加坡有人死於新冠肺炎的網路謠言，實際上並無此事。

POFMA在處理虛假資訊方面維護了穩定，但確保公民獲得可信資訊同樣重要。

我想請部長說明，他能做些什麼幫助公民輕鬆獲取來自不同渠道的可信資訊？我也想請部長考慮在緊急時期取消《海峽時報》的付費牆。

數字化世界中的溝通

林順順教授（提名議員）：主席，儘管新冠肺炎是一個可怕的威脅，但它也讓我們認識到有效溝通和強大資訊基礎設施的重要性。

正如醫療自非典以來有顯著進步，資訊與通訊技術也經歷了巨大變革。我們的資訊環境看似更加碎片化，卻又更加互聯。它碎片化且分裂，是因為資訊和通訊渠道眾多。除了積極數字化的傳統主流媒體，我們現在還能訪問大量線上內容，涵蓋WhatsApp、Telegram、微信、Facebook和抖音等多種平臺。

因此，很難用簡潔的方式描述當今受眾所消費和受影響的多元資訊世界。儘管看似碎片化，我們的資訊環境因個人媒體裝置（如智慧手機）擁有量增加而更加互聯。全球個人消費者線上相互連線，跨平臺、跨地域甚至跨語言分享內容，語言障礙正被翻譯軟體迅速消除。

在全球化高度互聯的世界中，我們對本地情況的理解因遠超身邊環境的視角而豐富且複雜。作為媒體消費者，我們不僅要應對國內資訊流，還要管理國際新聞的衝擊，更要辨別真假新聞與謠言。

在如此複雜的媒體環境中，謠言和虛假資訊可能成為具有傳染性的社會病毒，引發暴民心態和羊群效應，如我們經歷的搶購潮，以及北美目前的類似現象。

因此，管理官方溝通的公共機構不能閉門造車，只關注本地圍繞全球性危機的討論。

去年5月本議院通過POFMA時，像新冠肺炎這樣神秘且高度傳染的疾病尚屬“黑天鵝”事件，需避免發生。但當前危機為我們提供了寶貴機會，檢驗資訊基礎設施的韌性，包括官方溝通渠道、公眾教育努力和POFMA等監管措施。

因此，在COVID-19疫情之後，我想請問政府如何提升了在資訊邊界日益開放的數字化世界中，快速有效地向所有人口群體傳達資訊的能力。

重要的是，能否請相關部委分享我們應對網路虛假資訊的能力如何被考驗，以及我們將採取哪些措施來加強這些能力？

特別是關於《防止網路虛假資訊和操縱法案》（POFMA）及其應用，我們能否對針對性和普遍性更正措施的效果進行更系統的評估？具體來說，能否從網際網路中介機構獲取已釋出更正資訊的覆蓋範圍和訪問資料，以便我們確認更正策略的有效性並據此進行調整？

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此外，我們必須抓住機會調查消費者，瞭解他們在COVID-19疫情期間如何應對接收到的大量虛假資訊。他們採取了哪些個人措施來核實所獲得的疾病相關資訊？他們是否使用瞭如gov.sg WhatsApp聊天和Factually等服務？他們對這些服務的看法如何？當他們遇到尚未被POFMA命令處理的疑似虛假資訊時，他們的反應如何？他們是否隨後認為這些虛假資訊是真實的，從而形成了不健康的認知捷徑？這些都是我們必須回答的重要問題，以加強官方溝通策略和公眾教育工作。

最後，雖然我認可通過人們熟悉的平臺如WhatsApp進行溝通的價值，但使用這些第三方通訊渠道的安全性和財政可持續性如何？從長遠來看，是否更合理使用現有應用程式如SGSecure，在危機期間釋出官方政府警報？雖然我理解SGSecure由內政部推出和管理，但我們的全政府方法是否應促使我們更有策略地整合現有的多種溝通渠道？我歡迎對我提出的關切給予澄清。

危機時期的政府溝通

穆罕默德·伊爾沙德先生：主席先生，COVID-19危機表明，在危機時期，政府與民眾之間需要準確、及時且可信的公共溝通。政府向社會不同群體提供準確及時的資訊以緩解公眾焦慮非常重要。不幸的是，在資訊真空的情況下，扭曲、謠言、不實資訊、誤導和抹黑會破壞公眾信心並造成分裂。

先生，關於這點，請允許我聚焦於政府在危機時期與新加坡同胞溝通的能力。為使我的問題有背景，我擔心新加坡提升至DORSCON橙色的訊息在官方宣佈前被洩露。因此，我的問題如下。

首先，我們如何加強資訊流通管理以避免未來洩露？

第二，政府採取了哪些公共溝通措施向新加坡人更新COVID-19情況？政府是否嘗試了新的或不同的方式？我們是否期待在危機應對處理中有任何改進？

第三，與我們應對H1N1和SARS相比，政府在此次COVID-19危機中向新加坡人溝通的努力有多有效和不同？政府是否會審查這些努力的有效性，特別是在虛假資訊領域？

最後，政府是否會繼續使用如Gov.sg的WhatsApp渠道？對我來說，這似乎是確保我們能及時向民眾提供核實資訊的簡單方式。

數字化準備

維克拉姆·奈爾先生：數字化無處不在，使我們的生活更簡單、更便捷。作為智慧政府，許多政府服務現已線上和智慧手機應用上提供。從繳稅到停車費支付，都可以通過手機輕點幾下完成。其他服務如銀行業務、信用卡賬單支付甚至送餐服務也能在家中輕鬆完成。

然而，資訊的陰暗面是，虛假資訊也通過社交媒體和如WhatsApp等通訊工具自由傳播。對此已有許多例子，最近的就是COVID-19疫情，我的同事翁騰坤先生、傅志堅先生和穆罕默德·伊爾沙德先生已詳細闡述。

另一個關注點是詐騙，特別針對更脆弱的居民。我本人接到過一個來自澳大利亞電話號碼的電話，自稱是新電信（Singtel）技術人員。當時我正坐在電腦前，參加過所有基層反詐騙講座，迅速谷歌搜尋了新電信詐騙，發現這實際上是一個廣為人知的詐騙，便結束通話了電話。事實上，我個人變得非常懷疑，如果有人打電話自稱代表我的銀行，我通常會說我自己回撥銀行，而不是透露任何個人資訊。

然而，許多人可能更信任他人，正是這些信任者被詐騙利用。雖然有如POFMA的立法幫助政府對抗網路假新聞，但其在以下方面存在侷限：一是通過通訊服務而非網路傳播的假新聞；二是利用人們信任本性的詐騙。

當然，更多立法是一種解決方案，但我想知道政府是否採取措施幫助個人自身變得安全、知情和更有辨別力。

主席：達里爾·大衛先生，請兩段發言。實際上是三段。

POFMA與網路虛假資訊

達里爾·大衛先生（宏茂橋）：主席先生，正如我之前的議員同事所述，COVID-19疫情再次凸顯了假新聞的危害及其對社會凝聚力和信任的負面影響。全球各國政府都在應對每日湧現的COVID-19假新聞，新加坡也未能倖免。諸如地鐵站和某些購物中心關閉、學校停課及謠傳死亡等假新聞引發了社會恐慌，有時甚至導致針對特定社群和餐館的仇外反應。

大量假新聞削弱了全球政府管理COVID-19疫情的能力。事實上，世界衛生組織（WHO）甚至將假冠狀病毒資訊稱為“資訊流行病”，威脅疫情管理。為應對“資訊流行病”，世衛組織代表最近在矽谷會見科技公司，呼籲他們通過道德勸說加大打擊假新聞和故意虛假資訊傳播的力度。

雖然一些國家對故意傳播COVID-19虛假資訊採取了強硬立場，甚至逮捕肇事者，但新加坡政府則通過POFMA釋出更正令採取了不同立場。儘管我們在此事上採取了比其他國家溫和的方式，事實是，網路虛假資訊和不實言論總體上仍將是我們社群的禍害。

因此，我想問政府如何繼續幫助新加坡人防範日益複雜的數字和媒體環境中故意傳播的網路虛假資訊？

公共服務廣播

下一段，請。OTT媒體服務日益流行，導致免費電視（FTA）頻道的收視率全球下降。儘管2018年底釋出的尼爾森新加坡媒體指數報告顯示約有340萬人每週仍收看免費電影片道，但報告也指出，點播OTT媒體服務的使用者呈上升趨勢。

這一趨勢跨越所有人口群體，意味著隨著時間推移，越來越少人會接觸到免費電影片道的公共服務廣播資訊，政府需要探索其他渠道、平臺和媒介向新加坡人傳遞這些資訊。面對來自網路和海外平臺日益激烈的競爭，公共服務廣播如何保持相關性？

發展媒體產業

我的第三段發言，主席先生。媒體消費已從傳統的無線廣播服務轉向我前述的OTT服務。這些OTT服務通過網際網路流媒體直接向消費者提供媒體內容，繞過了傳統的有線、廣播甚至衛星電視平臺。

此外，OTT服務的普及意味著消費者如今有更多媒體內容選擇，並接觸到來自海外的更廣泛媒體選項。這種媒體消費模式的轉變給本地媒體帶來了衝擊，本地媒體提供者需迅速適應，在非傳統平臺上提供更多原創內容。

因此，我想問政府在這一不斷變化的媒體環境中，有何計劃發展和支援本地媒體產業？

多語種政府溝通

陳佩玲女士：及時準確的資訊獲取和基於此的資訊決策對任何民主社會都至關重要。新加坡人應能以易於理解的形式獲得準確資訊。

長期以來，許多未受英語教育的年長新加坡人難以獲取政府資訊，因為相關資料通常為英文。嘗試翻譯有時導致誤解。只有部分材料如公積金信件提供多語種版本。

值得肯定的是，情況已有顯著改善。此次COVID-19疫情期間新推出的多語種WhatsApp服務非常有用。我們應擴大這一多語種能力，使所有新加坡人都能及時獲取所有公共資訊。

因此，政府採取了哪些措施確保所有新加坡人都能及時且包容地獲取所有政府相關資訊？技術進步如何助力這一努力？

翻譯技術

張世樂先生（巴西立-榜鵝）：主席先生，先生，早期我在海外設立辦事處時——無論是在中國、吉隆坡還是雅加達——我都使用翻譯人員處理當地合同和會議。最近，我更多使用線上平臺，尤其是在中國和馬來西亞。當地開發的線上平臺讓我能快速完成翻譯。

我有個想法——鑑於我們多元文化和多語種社會，若有本地翻譯專案，並將其上線或結合技術提升，那將非常棒。因為這不僅提升個人在不同文化和語言間翻譯詞義的能力，也能幫助企業用多種語言開展業務。

所以，我想問部委是否有計劃建立此類線上平臺或將技術與語言結合？

數字接入

張浩斌博士（武吉班讓）：主席先生，先生，要成為智慧國，首先要建設智慧基礎設施。隨後，重要的是讓所有新加坡人都能訪問這些設施。

新加坡有470萬智慧移動裝置使用者，但並非所有使用者都有資料計劃，無法充分自由使用智慧裝置和移動應用服務。

資料計劃訂閱費用是建設智慧國的障礙之一。我們教育智慧裝置使用者的速度也是阻礙，減緩了我們成為數字社會的程序。

我建議所有社群俱樂部和居民委員會中心提供免費數字服務接入，如線上新聞、電子政務和電子學習服務。這將鼓勵新加坡人終身學習和積極的數字生活方式。

我希望部長更新議會關於低收入家庭數字接入計劃的情況，並考慮為長者提供智慧裝置和數字服務補貼。

圖書館未來角色

傅志堅先生：主席，我的發言關於公共圖書館的未來角色。傳統紙質書籍逐漸被電子書取代。根據皮尤研究中心資料，過去12個月內使用或閱讀紙質書的美國成年人比例從2011年的71%降至去年的65%；而閱讀電子書的比例則從2011年的17%升至2019年的25%。

這一趨勢不僅限於美國，在多數發達國家普遍存在。年輕讀者尤為明顯，且越來越多年輕讀者表示偏好使用電子裝置閱讀。通過Overdrive等應用借閱電子圖書館資源也日益普遍。許多成年人，包括新加坡成年人，不再像過去那樣親自到圖書館借閱紙質書。

鑑於此，有必要重新審視未來圖書館的戰略定位，可能作為促進社群交流的節點，或作為市民社交的公共空間，亦或作為推廣終身學習的場所。我認為這些可能性令人興奮，期待部長分享對圖書館未來角色的看法。

主席：易華仁部長。

通訊及資訊部長（易華仁先生）：主席先生，能否允許我展示幾張幻燈片？

主席：可以。[向尊敬的議員展示幻燈片。]

易華仁先生：對資訊通訊部來說，這是充滿事件的一年，尤其是因為生物和數字病毒。我感謝所有發言的議員，以及向我部提出問題、疑問和建議的議員們。

中午12點30分

多位議員談及數字化的前所未有和廣泛影響，以及它為我們的經濟、工人和人民帶來的激動人心的新機遇。

數字技術不僅提升企業生產力，還創造了通往新市場的新途徑。僅東南亞數字經濟到2025年將增長至3000億美元的三倍。數字營銷、資料分析和人工智慧（AI）等領域湧現出令人興奮的職業。通過預算中的80億新元“轉型與成長”計劃，我們正大力投資企業創新能力和人才技能，使他們能充分實現這些利益。因此，我們有充分理由對數字未來持樂觀態度。

然而，數字化的承諾也伴隨著變革的不確定性和對企業、就業甚至生活被顛覆的恐懼。企業，尤其是中小企業，擔心無法跟上數字化步伐，面臨邊緣化風險。一些人，包括中年職業人士，擔憂人工智慧等新技術的長期影響。技術不熟練的公民擔心自己處於日益擴大的數字鴻溝一側。此外，持續存在的網路虛假資訊和謠言威脅著對我們機構的信任，最終影響我們的民主。

這些是真實的關切，必須有效應對，以確保每個企業、每位工人和每個公民都有信心和堅定信念，能夠在數字未來中茁壯成長。這也是我部的使命——與所有新加坡人攜手建設一個數字未來，讓人人都有機會，無人被落下，且對我們機構的信任得以維護。

在本次供應委員會辯論中，資深國務部長安女士、資深國務部長賈尼爾和我將回應議員提問，詳細說明資訊通訊部如何圍繞三大重點工作，共同打造數字未來：抓住數字機遇，確保數字未來惠及所有人，保障我們的數字空間安全。

讓我先從抓住數字機遇、國際數字貿易和規範塑造談起。

傅志堅先生詢問我們簽訂數字貿易協定和促進數字交易的計劃。主席先生，數字是貿易的新前沿，跨境流量呈指數增長。正如我們對貨物和服務國際貿易所做的，新加坡現積極參與制定國際數字貿易規則和規範。我們的目標和利益是與志同道合的夥伴合作，確保開放的數字貿易架構，防範新型保護主義。

這就是為什麼新加坡積極推進與澳大利亞、智利和紐西蘭等國的數字經濟協定（DEA）。這些協定將通過保障資料安全流通和無縫跨境數字支付惠及企業。例如，當DEA建立跨境互操作的電子發票系統時，企業因發票處理和支付更快，可以以更低成本與國際商業夥伴交易。

我也想向傅先生保證，在進行這些數字經濟協議（DEAs）談判時，我們的政府機構會定期諮詢我們的商業利益、商業機構和組織，以確定他們的利益，並確保這些利益在這些數字經濟協議中得到充分體現。

我們還需要通過建立關於新興技術和系統威脅的倫理和治理原則的國際共識，來培養對數字系統的信任。在此時此刻，主席先生，我想趕緊補充一點，信息通信媒體發展局（MCI）並不是在議會中使用面部識別技術這一想法的發起者。主席先生，我認為您對此更為了解。

主席：對此，我負有責任。

伊斯瓦蘭先生：新加坡一直積極參與國際平臺，塑造網路安全和人工智慧治理的全球規範。

在網路安全方面，新加坡積極參與聯合國開放式工作組和由25個成員組成的政府專家組，致力於建立基於規則的網路空間，並實施負責任國家行為的規範。

今年早些時候，我還在達沃斯世界經濟論壇會議上釋出了我們《人工智慧治理模型框架》的第二版。該框架將廣泛的治理原則轉化為企業實施人工智慧解決方案的實用指南。

值得注意的是，從舊金山的Omada Health，到我們的星展銀行（DBS Bank）和人力資源解決方案提供商Pymetrics等多樣化組織，都採用了該模型框架中的最佳實踐。換句話說，它正在獲得認可、接受和推動力。

抓住數字機遇還需要世界級的基礎設施，我想強調兩個重要舉措。

第一是5G，它將成為我們數字經濟的支柱。我們致力於在新加坡建設世界級、安全且有韌性的5G網路。這就是為什麼網路設計、韌性和安全成為信息通信媒體發展局去年十月啟動的5G徵求建議書（CFP）的關鍵要求。

政府還與業界合作伙伴合作，正如傅道葛拉斯先生和莫哈末·伊爾沙德先生所提到的，發展我們的5G生態系統，從早期試驗中學習以用於未來開發應用，並將新加坡定位於全球5G應用和服務創新的前沿。

伊爾沙德先生詢問了新加坡5G部署的進展情況。我們取得了良好進展。在2月17日徵求建議書截止時，信息通信媒體發展局收到了三份來自現有電信運營商的提交——分別來自新電信（Singtel）和TPG，以及星和（StarHub）與M1的聯合提交。信息通信媒體發展局正在評估這些提案，目標是在2020年中期宣佈5G頻譜的授予。我們計劃今年開始5G部署，在未來兩年內實現大範圍覆蓋，並在2025年前實現全國獨立覆蓋。

傅道葛拉斯先生和伊爾沙德先生也詢問了5G的收益和成本。初期部署預計將在某些行業領域和消費者應用中進行，這些領域對探索創新的5G用例有濃厚興趣。例如，新加坡港務集團（PSA）在使用5G技術控制其自動導引車和自動起重機方面取得了良好效果，這是實現其成為智慧港口願景的又一步。在成本方面，類似於3G和4G服務，隨著技術成熟，服務計劃和手機的成本預計將趨於合理。

伊爾沙德先生還詢問了我們如何現代化物流網路。這是一個重要問題，因為受電子商務增長驅動，全球包裹遞送量迅速增長。在新加坡，每天約有20萬個包裹被遞送，預計未來五年電子商務年增長率為12%至20%。

因此，將所有不斷增長的包裹直接送到門口既不高效也不可持續。我們確實需要替代方案。我們必須提升新加坡的最後一公里遞送基礎設施。這就是為什麼我們決定部署全國性的包裹櫃網路。該網路將由信息通信媒體發展局擁有，所有物流參與者均可使用。它將為消費者提供更多選擇，同時提高城市物流行業的生產力。資深國務部長沈穎女士將進一步闡述國家包裹櫃網路計劃。

我們的數字經濟協議和世界級基礎設施投資的目標是惠及所有企業。因此，我們通過信息通信媒體發展局廣為人知的“中小企業數字化”計劃，幫助我們的公司，特別是中小企業，採用數字解決方案。新加坡工商聯合會（SBF）最近的一項調查發現，94%的企業認識到數字技術在轉型業務中的重要性。因此，意識很高，我認為這是我們可以從中出發的起點。

但我們可以做得更多，特別是幫助企業通過數字渠道擴大規模和進入全球市場，正如拉哈尤·馬哈贊女士和王登坤先生強調的那樣。因此，信息通信媒體發展局正在推出一項新的計劃，作為“中小企業數字化”計劃的總體框架下，名為“數字成長”，幫助中小企業無需在海外設立實體即可獲取海外機會。通過連線B2B和B2C電子商務平臺，我們的中小企業將受益於與潛在海外客戶的智慧匹配、通過平臺快速獲得融資優惠以及與物流公司的整合以實現最後一公里遞送。

“數字成長”還將幫助中小企業充分利用新加坡的自由貿易協定（FTA）網路和數字經濟協議，拓展業務聯絡，擴大客戶基礎。

更廣泛地說，信息通信媒體發展局將繼續與政府機構和其他利益相關者合作，制定各行業的產業數字化計劃（IDPs），如海運、餐飲服務和會計等。這些產業數字化計劃指導中小企業在其數字化旅程和成長的各個階段，瞭解可用的數字解決方案和培訓。

信息通信媒體發展局和企業新加坡（ESG）於2018年11月推出了餐飲服務產業數字化計劃。ESG委託尼爾森進行的一項研究發現，採用數字解決方案的餐飲服務中小企業認為這些方案易於實施，這一點非常重要，且70%的企業觀察到客戶等待時間縮短和滿意度提升。因此，成效顯著。

基於這一勢頭，政府將制定產業數字化計劃並預先批准更多數字解決方案，覆蓋所有23個資訊通訊技術製造（ITM）行業，較目前的10個有所增加。通過這些產業數字化計劃，建築、食品製造以及成人和早期兒童教育等行業的中小企業將受益於專門的數字化路線圖，幫助轉型業務並提升員工技能。

最終，我所概述的這一系列幫助企業實現數字化轉型的舉措，必須為我們的人民帶來利益和機會。我們知道，數字化顛覆可能會給成熟工人帶來深刻的焦慮，尤其是那些職業生涯較為成熟且沒有技術背景的工人。事實上，他們是副總理王瑞傑在預算案中宣佈的“技能未來下一階段”關注的重點。我們希望特別關注這些40多歲和50多歲的中年工人，他們最深切感受到技術顛覆帶來的不確定性，但如果有機會並具備相應技能，他們也能從新創造的工作中受益。

李凱文先生是通過技能未來（TeSA）下的企業主導培訓（CLT）專案的一個例子。李先生曾是多家領先科技跨國公司的銷售和市場高階主管，因此他在科技公司從事非技術業務。經過人工智慧新加坡（AI Singapore）九個月的“深度技能”培訓後，他現在是一名人工智慧顧問，幫助組織確定如何最好地利用人工智慧和機器學習技術。

中午12點45分

這已經是我們針對成熟工人所做工作的重要部分，但陳佩玲女士和王登坤先生詢問我們還能做些什麼，特別是針對成熟工人和那些沒有技術背景的人。

技能未來（TeSA）計劃是政府機構、產業界和全國職工總會（NTUC）三方合作的專案，旨在為工人提供數字技能，並將他們安置在資訊通訊技術（ICT）行業的優質崗位。信息通信媒體發展局與行業協會如SG Tech合作，提高對技能未來的認識。中小企業也有資格獲得更高水平的資金支援，尤其是針對某些型別的短期培訓專案。

自2016年4月啟動以來，已承諾約10萬個培訓名額，較我今年早些時候提供的資料有所進展。對於企業主導培訓（CLT）和技術沉浸及安置計劃（TIPP）這類長期課程——即持續時間較長、內容更深入的課程——90%的受訓者在完成培訓一年後成功留任崗位。因此，市場反應良好。僱主認可，員工獲得了穩定的工作。

作為技能未來下一階段的一部分，信息通信媒體發展局正在試點一項新計劃——技能未來中年進階計劃，面向40歲及以上的專業人士。我們的目標是減少阻礙成熟工人受益於科技行業或快速增長的科技領域機會的摩擦。預計未來兩到三年，資訊通訊技術（ICT）和資訊通訊製造（ICM）行業將創造超過2萬個崗位。

我們一方面希望降低僱主聘用這些工人的初期成本，另一方面幫助工人通過適當培訓順利過渡到這些崗位。

在技能未來中年進階計劃下，政府將支援企業僱傭和培訓中年專業人士從事科技相關工作，無論他們是否具備資訊通訊技術背景。參與企業將受益於更大規模的本地人才庫以及政府補貼，以部分抵消培訓和培訓期間的薪資成本。中年人才將受益於在增長行業的就業機會，同時獲得長達24個月的培訓、指導和輔導。

我們已為該計劃預留了7000萬新元。已有十家公司加入，承諾提供約500個職位，涵蓋多種崗位，包括技術崗位和技術輕度崗位——從資料分析師、網路安全工程師、雲端計算工程師，到業務分析師、專案經理和銷售專家。未來兩到三年，我們計劃通過該計劃為更多2000名新加坡人提供崗位。

傅志誠先生和陳佩玲女士也詢問我們如何滿足在特定新興領域補充本地人才的需求。政府認識到，新加坡的科技公司及我們希望吸引的其他企業需要某些領域的海外專家。因此，我們有“Tech@SG”等專案，為快速成長的科技公司提供商業網路和人才支援，幫助他們在新加坡組建團隊。

此外，我們的經濟機構如經濟發展局（EDB）、信息通信媒體發展局（IMDA）和數字產業新加坡（DISG）主要與科技公司合作，密切協作，幫助他們獲得所需人才，以補充本地人才庫，支援其競爭策略的執行。

此外，正如陳佩玲女士所提，信息通信媒體發展局和新加坡勞動力發展局（Workforce Singapore）幫助企業利用來自海外的專業知識，通過能力轉移計劃（Capability Transfer Programme）培養新加坡人的新技能——換言之，實現能力轉移。這是我們引進海外人才以補充本地人才庫的有意識舉措。

在轉向人才話題之前，傅志誠先生提到了我們大學的情況。我認為教育部撥款委員會將提供更詳細和完整的回應，但我可以說，電腦科學等相關課程的招生數量和質量都在提升。我們認為這將成為一個豐富的人才儲備，進入行業滿足需求。

除了就業和企業，隨著更多公民擁抱技術豐富生活或獲取公共服務，我們必須確保沒有人因變革而感到落後或被遺忘。資深國務部長沈穎女士將說明我們如何加強對低收入家庭、老年人和兒童的支援，確保我們的數字未來是包容性的。

在這一使命中，我們的圖書館也發揮著非常重要的作用。我們的圖書館體現了“新加坡共同行動”（SG Together）運動的精神，將人民、志願者和合作夥伴聚集在支援性的學習環境中。重新裝修的VivoCity的harbourfront圖書館就是一個典範。自去年一月開館以來，僅一年內已舉辦超過360個活動，其中超過三分之一由社群成員——即志願者——主辦。

這些獨特的合作模式構成了圖書館與檔案計劃（LAP25）的模型，正如傅志誠先生所提。這是一個為期五年的圖書館和檔案戰略計劃。在接下來的幾個月裡，國家圖書館局（NLB）將與各社群、合作伙伴和利益相關者就未來戰略、藏書和服務進行交流，確保其持續滿足新加坡人在不斷變化的學習和知識環境中的需求和期望。

但要充分發揮數字化的優勢，我們必須防範數字領域的威脅。這就是為什麼我們將數字防禦設為全面防衛的第六支柱——強調確保我們日益互動、交易和依賴的資訊空間安全、可靠和值得信賴的重要性。

傅志誠先生詢問我們如何確保在這一環境中得到充分保護。林秀玉女士也提出了關於網路安全域性（CSA）及其與關鍵基礎資訊設施（CII）合作工作的相關問題。網路安全至關重要，尤其是保護我們的關鍵基礎資訊設施免受網路威脅。網路安全域性定期與11個關鍵基礎資訊設施部門及其組成機構進行審查和演練。但正如議員們所理解的，這是一個反覆且持續的過程，因為威脅不斷演變，我們應對的能力也必須同步提升。

今年晚些時候，我們還將推出更安全網路空間總體規劃，主動監測和防範網路威脅與網路犯罪，實施基礎安全標準，並提高企業和公民對這些安全措施的採納率。

資料保護在此背景下也尤為重要。這就是為什麼我們正在審查《個人資料保護法》（PDPA）——一方面支援企業利用資料開發創新產品和服務的合法需求，另一方面保護消費者利益並提高組織的責任感。資深國務部長賈尼爾·普圖切裡將詳細介紹信息通信媒體發展局加強網路安全和資料安全的新措施。

但我們必須超越網路安全和資料保護，因為我們的最終目標是維護社會價值、機構力量和共同空間。

如今，網路空間是我們來之不易的社會凝聚力可能出現裂痕和分裂的地方。在數字時代，我們的共同空間不再僅僅是物理空間。這就是為什麼我們針對網路虛假資訊的法律非常重要，正如達里爾·大衛先生所問。

《防止網路虛假資訊和操縱法案》（POFMA）已被用來在嚴重虛假資訊旁邊放置事實糾正，這些虛假資訊扭曲或捏造了事實。這些虛假資訊涉及新冠疫情、警方程式和公共資金管理等方面。如果新加坡人被誤導相信這些虛假資訊，可能引發恐懼、恐慌並侵蝕對我們機構的信任。因此，我們利用POFMA的權力，在源頭並置真相與虛假資訊，讓公民能夠看到兩者並自行判斷。

在這場對抗網路虛假資訊的鬥爭中，令人欣慰的是，新加坡人積極參與貢獻力量。在新冠疫情相關的眾多網路謠言中，南洋理工大學（NTU）的一群學生髮起了名為“Sure Anot”的事實核查專案——帶有一點新加坡英語特色——針對老年新加坡人。他們基於國家圖書館局的數字素養框架（“來源、理解、研究、評估”）開發了老年人評估資訊的指南。他們還與獨立事實核查機構合作，在Facebook和WhatsApp群組中分享已闢謠的報告。

同樣，我也很高興與議員們分享，學術界有許多專案研究網路資訊生態系統的挑戰。特別是，新加坡國立大學（NUS）正在設立可信網際網路與社群中心，推動研究並加強公眾對網際網路影響和網路危害的討論。資深國務部長賈尼爾·普圖切裡將分享詳情。

所有這些通過資訊通訊維繫信任和凝聚力的工作，在新冠病毒爆發時經受了考驗。王登坤先生、莫哈末·伊爾沙德先生和林順順教授都詢問了從這次經歷中學到的教訓。傅志誠先生特別詢問了POFMA在應對病毒相關虛假資訊中的作用。

新冠肺炎（COVID-19）不僅是醫療和公共衛生的挑戰，更是一場對抗恐懼和不確定性的心理戰。正如李顯龍總理所言，“恐懼實際上可能比病毒本身造成更大的傷害”。因此，政府努力通過透明地公佈疫情狀況、採取的措施及其原因，並定期提供疫情最新資訊，來緩解市民的恐懼，保持他們的信任。

有些人通過散佈虛假資訊引發公眾焦慮。政府利用《防止網路虛假資訊和操縱法令》（POFMA）釋出更正令，迅速揭露虛假資訊並同時公佈真相。當某個頑固的臉書頁面反覆釋出虛假資訊且拒絕更正時，政府採取了更嚴厲的措施。顯而易見，如果沒有這套專門針對網路空間虛假資訊的POFMA措施，要遏制虛假資訊傳播、維護社會穩定將更加困難。

但如果只關注POFMA在COVID-19中的應用，就會忽略整體情況。信息通信媒體發展部（MCI）還通過印刷和廣播主流媒體、政府網站及社交媒體開展了大規模的公共傳播和教育活動。具體內容已顯示在螢幕上。遺憾的是，解除《海峽時報》的付費牆超出我的能力範圍，但我希望相關人員能聽取王鼎群議員的懇切呼籲，採取必要措施。

我們與新傳媒（Mediacorp）及本地名人在四種官方語言以及福建話、潮州話、粵語、客家話和海南話等方言中合作開展傳播活動。如果沒有國家級平臺及其內容和覆蓋能力，這項傳播活動將更加艱難，難以有效接觸和聯絡新加坡人。

下午1時整

達瑞爾·大衛議員詢問公共服務廣播（PSB）如何在不斷變化的媒體環境中保持相關性。公共服務廣播長期以來是可信資訊和共同體驗的重要來源。但隨著媒體環境的變化，我們知道新加坡人可以接觸多種媒體平臺，但他們也必須繼續接觸反映並強化我們國家聲音和特質的本地內容。因此，政府將加大對公共服務廣播的投資，確保這一重要媒介對新加坡人的質量和相關性。

林教授問是否可以採取更具戰略性的做法，將多種傳播渠道整合到現有政府移動應用程式如SG Secure中。在當今碎片化的媒體環境中，我們必須通過人們依賴的不同平臺向他們傳遞資訊。這是現實。渠道多樣化是必然結果。但我想向林教授保證，作為MCI持續努力的一部分，我們正與智慧國數字辦公室（SNDGO）及其他機構合作，探索如何進一步整合和協調這些不同渠道。但我們不應讓這一總體目標阻礙我們對新出現需求的響應，就像近期COVID-19期間所做的那樣。

在COVID-19疫情期間，我們的努力通過新的數字平臺得以體現。組屋區的數字顯示屏和Gov.sg WhatsApp頻道幾乎即時向新加坡人提供更新。我們看到訂閱人數激增——僅五週內，gov.sg的WhatsApp服務訂閱者超過65萬人，該服務以四種官方語言定期傳送資訊。

這項廣泛的政府傳播努力得到了市民及許多其他人的認可和讚賞。2月中旬至下旬，REACH進行了一項線上民意調查，瞭解公眾情緒，超過80%的受訪新加坡人或新加坡居民表示政府已提供了足夠的COVID-19資訊。因此，我們的資訊傳達有效，但我們總能做得更好。

主席先生，我想回到開頭的話題作結。顯然，數字未來為新加坡帶來巨大機遇，但技術對企業和就業的影響也令人擔憂。無論是投資世界級基礎設施以抓住數字機遇；幫助中年轉職專業人士在快速發展的資訊通訊技術（ICT）行業找到工作，確保數字機會普惠所有人；還是通過教育和執法加強我們公共空間的數字防禦——我們的目標是打造一個數字未來，使企業具備蓬勃發展的能力和實力，工人擁有良好工作和必要技能，公民通過擁抱新興數字技術過上充實生活。信息通信媒體發展部堅定致力於與全體新加坡人攜手共建這一數字願景。

通訊及資訊高階國務部長（賈尼爾·普圖查裡博士）：主席先生，數字化能為所有人帶來更大便利、高效、參與度和更優質服務。安全的數字基礎設施對於讓公民安全生活、高效工作和享受網路生活至關重要。

傅志偉議員、維克拉姆·奈爾議員和林秀慧議員詢問政府在網路安全方面的努力。網路安全域性（CSA）一直致力於保護我們的關鍵資訊基礎設施（CII）。這是新加坡網路安全戰略的首要支柱。這些系統對提供能源和水等基本服務至關重要。

自新加坡健康局調查委員會（COI）一年前結束以來，CSA與關鍵資訊基礎設施行業負責人合作，加強防禦並落實委員會建議。截至目前，能源、資訊通訊、安全和應急部門已全面落實所有建議或補償控制措施。其他部門也取得良好進展，已對70%至90%的關鍵資訊基礎設施實施措施。我們將繼續跟蹤進展，推動進一步落實。

加強對運營技術（OT）系統的防禦也至關重要。OT系統控制物理和工業流程及製造裝置。許多關鍵資訊基礎設施依賴這些系統，攻擊OT系統可能導致物理中斷。為此，CSA於去年10月啟動了運營技術主計劃，提高OT網路安全意識和能力。

杜葛拉斯·傅議員問新加坡是否有類似於處理COVID-19的疾病預警響應系統（DORSCON）的網路響應框架。我們的應對方式有廣泛相似之處。CSA有一套框架，用於調整應對潛在威脅的策略。如發生關注事件，該框架還幫助協調適當的國家響應以保障網路空間安全——這需要多方利益相關者、機構及私營部門共同參與。類似於遏制COVID-19，網路安全領域需要預警機制和多方協作以減輕大規模網路攻擊的影響。

我們通過確保多渠道及時共享資訊來實現這一點。根據《網路安全法》，關鍵資訊基礎設施所有者須監控系統並向CSA報告事件。CSA隨後與業界及國際夥伴緊密合作，分享網路情報。

然而，我們必須基於無法阻止所有網路事件的前提進行規劃。堅定的攻擊者總會找到新方法突破系統。因此，我們必須保持警惕，準備好應對並迅速從攻擊中恢復。為此，CSA定期舉行演習，如“網路之星演習”，為全國應對大規模網路攻擊做準備。

作為新加坡網路安全戰略的一部分，政府還與企業和公眾合作提升網路安全。例如，SingCERT定期釋出已識別漏洞的通告。除關鍵資訊基礎設施外，CSA將通過新的“更安全網路空間主計劃”擴大保護網路空間的廣泛努力。該計劃旨在使新加坡成為全球最安全的網路國家之一，惠及所有人。

該計劃包括：第一，保障新加坡數字核心安全；第二，保護網路空間活動；第三，賦能網路安全意識強的民眾。有關“更安全網路空間主計劃”的詳細內容將於今年晚些時候公佈。

物聯網（IoT）是一個日益關注的領域。它指的是諸如家庭路由器、智慧家居中樞等裝置，許多人在家中和辦公室都有。隨著這些裝置變得越來越有用，數量預計將大幅增長。這帶來挑戰，因為這些裝置通常安全性較弱，可能被攻擊者利用，例如發動分散式拒絕服務攻擊，淹沒系統並擾亂運營。

信息通信媒體發展局（IMDA）和網路安全域性（CSA）密切合作，解決這些挑戰，並教育使用者瞭解風險及採取的安全措施。未來，CSA將推出家庭路由器和智慧家居中樞的網路安全標籤計劃（CLS）。該計劃旨在提高消費者對更安全產品的認識，鼓勵製造商採用額外的網路安全保障措施。

IMDA將為家庭路由器設定最低安全要求，提升此類裝置的基線標準，並作為獲得網路安全標籤的前提條件。IMDA和CSA將聯合開展公眾諮詢，徵求意見。此外，IMDA還將釋出物聯網網路安全指南，為企業使用者及其供應商提供更好的物聯網技術部署指導。

自2016年國家網路安全戰略啟動以來，CSA取得了良好進展。但僅靠政府無法保障我們的網路空間安全。CSA將繼續與個人和企業合作，提升新加坡的網路安全水平。

林秀慧議員詢問CSA在公共部門資料安全審查委員會中的角色。CSA與其他政府機構緊密合作，提升公共部門資料安全。然而，資料安全與網路安全雖相關，但有所不同。資料安全關注資料保護——無論資料是否線上收集；網路安全則關注系統保護，包括例如列車訊號系統，範圍超出資料保護。兩者均必不可少且相輔相成。

針對林議員關於供應商管理的觀點，組織最終對其義務負責。這些義務在決定外包某些職能時仍然存在。若外包，應進行盡職調查，選擇有良好記錄的第三方供應商，並對外包職能保持充分監督。

我同意田佩玲議員的看法，資料在數字時代至關重要。資料需安全且具互操作性，以釋放潛力，支援創新，惠及消費者。2019年6月推出的可信資料共享框架為資料互操作性奠定基礎，提供通用語言和合同模板，幫助新加坡組織以可信方式共享資料。

在國際上，新加坡參與制定共同資料保護原則，如東盟數字資料治理框架及亞太經合組織（APEC）跨境隱私規則及其處理器系統隱私認可。新加坡的合作伙伴網路及數字經濟協議也將促進跨境互操作性和協作。

我們將在《個人資料保護法》（PDPA）中引入新的資料可攜帶義務，使個人能夠以通用格式在組織間傳輸資料。這也將提升資料互操作性。

關於田佩玲議員關於資料中心的問題，根據2019年高緯環球（Cushman and Wakefield）報告，新加坡資料中心市場預計年增長約5%，直至2024年。我們關注這些資料中心的環境影響。作為全國應對氣候變化努力的一部分，IMDA正與經濟發展局（EDB）合作提升資料中心效率。

王鼎群議員和餘家興議員詢問新加坡的資料保護制度。隨著我們線上生成和儲存更多資料，法規必須既支援資料的創新和合法使用，又保障消費者利益。個人資料的收集、使用和披露受PDPA等法律監管，包括組織間共享的個人資料及通過面部識別技術收集的資料。個人資料必須受到保護，並用於合理目的，如餘議員提及的安全。相反，王議員舉例的未經同意將個人資料出售給其他組織，違反PDPA。組織須在資料不再用於收集目的時刪除資料。公共機構在《公共部門（治理）法》下承擔類似標準。

為促進面部識別技術的負責任使用，個人資料保護委員會（PDPC）和政府資料辦公室今年將釋出生物識別技術負責任使用指南。指南將涵蓋最佳實踐及通過該技術收集資料的端到端管理政策。

對於線上同意協議，PDPA繼續適用。組織必須確保線上同意協議清晰，明確說明徵求個人同意的合理目的。PDPC去年更新了通知指南，向組織提供如何利用即時通知和動態同意的示例，使個人能在相關時刻做出知情決定，而非一次性簽署冗長協議。

為持續支援資料驅動創新，加強組織問責和消費者信任，政府正在審查PDPA。此次審查擬議的主要修訂包括：（a）要求組織通知受影響個人及PDPC重大數據洩露；（b）加強PDPC執法權力；（c）推行風險評估等問責實踐。我們計劃今年晚些時候修訂PDPA。

我於2020年2月28日宣佈，政府將與企業和研究人員共享更多資料以促進創新。在此過程中，政府對自身施加的高標準資料保護必須延伸至第三方，遵循三項指導原則。第一，資料僅在有明確且惠及公眾的目的時與非政府實體（NGE）共享。第二，原則上僅共享去標識化資料。第三，合同中應明確訪問控制和保障措施。

保護公民網路安全還包括防範詐騙電話。IMDA與電信運營商合作，阻止國際詐騙者冒充常見偽裝號碼，如999和995。我們將進一步採取措施，要求所有國際電話字首必須加“+”符號，以阻止國際詐騙者冒充本地號碼，幫助消費者更好識別並拒絕國際偽裝電話。

政府將繼續制定更多措施打擊詐騙，保護公民安全。MCI將與內政部新成立的反詐騙跨部委委員會密切合作，加強集體應對。

下午1時15分

達瑞爾·大衛議員和維克拉姆·奈爾議員詢問防範蓄意網路虛假資訊的措施。這些虛假資訊可能威脅我們的多元文化和社會和諧。我們必須保護現實世界和網路空間的社會凝聚力，維護新加坡的共同價值觀。蓄意網路虛假資訊特別委員會建議政府支援事實核查專案，加強公眾教育，培養知情且有辨別力的公民。我們將與多方合作實現這一目標。

一個及時的發展是新加坡國立大學（NUS）決定成立可信網際網路與社群中心。該中心將研究社會如何識別網路危害及如何構建負責任的公共話語。MCI歡迎此舉。這將成為現有促進健康、知情和包容性網路活動努力的重要學術補充。

最後，主席先生，隨著經濟數字化，我們必須支援所有工人。技術變革改變了工作方式，創造了新崗位和人力需求。政府將繼續支援所有新加坡人抓住機遇，滿足產業需求。

王先生和田女士詢問了新加坡的科技人才問題。我們必須與利益相關者合作，擴大人才庫，強化新興崗位的職業發展路徑。為了壯大我們的勞動力，我們與私營部門開展合作。我們非常高興看到業界，例如蘋果和阿里巴巴，與我們合作。信息通信媒體發展局（IMDA）一直與他們合作，為中學生開發專案，幫助他們在發展技術技能的同時，積累市場營銷和推介商業創意的經驗，將部分技能應用於他們感興趣的問題，例如廢物識別和可回收材料。這些由業界主導的專案讓新加坡的年輕人能夠發展技術技能，為他們認為有意義的事業做出貢獻，併為未來做好準備。

我們必須繼續確保所有新加坡人——包括那些在學校沒有學習技術技能的人——在承擔這些基於技術的崗位時得到支援。我們將通過導師指導、海外實習和結構化培訓積極培養創新人才，定位新加坡為數字樞紐。

在技能未來計劃（SkillsFuture）下，科技技能加速器（TechSkills Accelerator，簡稱TeSA）倡議支援專業人士提升數字經濟所需的技能。這些專案包括企業主導培訓（Company-Led Training，CLT）和網路安全助理及技術員（Cyber Security Associates and Technologists，CSAT）專案。這些專案支援資訊通訊技術（ICT）專業人士和非ICT專業人士向基於技術的崗位轉型。因此，它們為從事技術職業的人提供了轉變技能和職業方向的機會，也為沒有特定ICT培訓的人提供了發展ICT技能並進入技術崗位的機會。

不僅是企業，政府，連我們的行業協會也積極參與這些努力。

在職業指南（Career Compass）計劃下，新加坡計算機學會的資深ICT導師與新加坡勞動力局（Workforce Singapore）合作，為有志於技術職業的人士提供職業指導。SGTech還與Salesforce等平臺公司合作管理專業轉換計劃，培訓並安置員工進入新崗位。這些新崗位包括資料保護官（DPO）和網路安全專業人員等。許多新工作和激動人心的機會正在創造，我們必須加大力度支援這些新崗位的專業發展。

我同意鄭先生關於提升這些資料保護官技能的看法。正如他所指出的，個人資料保護委員會（PDPC）的資料保護官能力路線圖和培訓框架旨在支援這一點。PDPC將與合作伙伴如全國職工總會（NTUC）合作，推出額外課程，目標是在第一年培訓500名資料保護官。我鼓勵更多員工利用此類培訓，深化資料保護技能，抓住這一不斷增長領域的機會。

除了資料保護，正如我們所討論的，網路安全是數字化的關鍵推動力，我們需要更多網路安全專業人員來保護我們的網路空間。網路安全域性（CSA）正在啟動新加坡網路人才計劃（SG Cyber Talent），計劃在三年內通過現有和新專案接觸超過2萬人。這將建立網路安全專業人才庫，支援新加坡成為網路安全樞紐的目標。

在新加坡網路人才計劃下，CSA今年將推出兩個新專案。

首先，CSA將與網路安全社群和教育者合作，培養對網路安全有天賦的新加坡年輕人。該專案將為參與者提供網路對抗、導師指導、定製培訓以及部分支援參加海外競賽的機會。其次，CSA將建立實踐社群，提供網路安全培訓，並將網路安全領導者與全球最佳實踐和技術連線起來。這將使這些領導者更有效地保障其組織安全。

新加坡的網路安全人才不僅對發展具有競爭力的數字經濟至關重要，也關係到國家安全。針對林女士關於CSA如何確保其使命所需專業知識和知識的提問，CSA設有網路安全專業人員計劃和網路安全能力框架。這些共同指導我們官員的專業發展，並使CSA能夠吸引和留住具備合適技能的人才。自2018年以來，CSA學院一直與全球合作伙伴合作，為CSA及關鍵基礎資訊設施（CII）部門提供中高階培訓。截至目前，學院已培訓約200名專業人士。

主席先生，我已談及信息通信媒體部（MCI）為保障我們的數字基礎設施、維護社會凝聚力及支援所有員工所做的努力。通過這種方法，我們可以抓住數字機遇，共同自信地擁抱數字化。

通訊及資訊高階國務部長（沈穎女士）：主席先生，像世界其他地方一樣，新加坡正邁向數字未來。MCI的使命是確保這一數字未來對所有新加坡人來說更加光明。

在我的發言中，我將闡述實現這一目標的三大戰略。第一，通過改善最後一公里交付基礎設施，幫助市民更好地利用數字經濟。第二，通過提供可信資訊，強化社會凝聚力。第三，幫助所有市民實現數字連線。

穆罕默德·伊爾沙德先生談到了郵政及包裹的顛覆和未來前景。議員們可能還記得，新加坡郵政（SingPost）在2018年和2019年初出現了多次服務失誤。今年情況已有所不同。自2019年以來，SingPost一直在改善服務交付，以重建公眾信任。他們延長了高峰期的投遞時間，改善了員工薪酬，並增加了郵遞員人數。

2019年12月的消費者投訴比2018年下降了約40%。消費者滿意度也有所提升。SingPost的更好表現反映了他們所付出的努力。MCI和IMDA將繼續與SingPost緊密合作，提升其服務交付水平。

伊爾沙德先生還詢問了郵政行業的未來前景。在新加坡，電子商務的普及導致包裹投遞量穩步增長。但鑑於新加坡的城市環境和消費者忙碌的生活方式，門到門投遞常常導致投遞失敗。我們的郵政基礎設施必須發展，提供實用的門到門投遞替代方案，使所有物流服務提供商，而不僅僅是SingPost，能夠克服這一高成本挑戰。

基於儲物櫃聯盟試點的成功，IMDA將於2022年底前在組屋區、地鐵站和社群中心推出1000個儲物櫃站點。這將補充現有的商業儲物櫃站和門到門投遞。目標是在每個組屋樓棟附近五分鐘步行範圍內設立儲物櫃站。使用者可以在上班或回家途中，任何時間取件。商家和物流服務提供商也將享受更高的投遞效率，這可能帶來更具競爭力的投遞價格。IMDA已獲得Qoo10、Shopee等主要電商平臺及Qxpress等物流服務商的大力支援。IMDA還將與SingPost合作，利用其豐富的郵政服務經驗。

在加強基礎設施的同時，我們也必須維護社會凝聚力。我們相信所有市民都應獲得可信資訊。我們通過兩種方式實現這一點。首先，我們的媒體行業為觀眾創造引人入勝的內容。MCI支援媒體行業的發展，使其保持領先。其次，我們的政府傳播始終以市民為中心。MCI採用多種溝通方式，包括面對面和多語種交流，連線所有新加坡人。讓我逐一說明。

媒體行業在保持市民資訊通暢方面發揮著重要作用。達里爾·大衛先生詢問公共服務廣播（PSB）如何保持相關性。PSB隨著市民消費偏好的變化而發展，提供跨多平臺的定製內容。

例如，Mediacorp的本地語節目採取多平臺策略。為擴大觀眾參與，Vasantham將2019年屠妖節倒計時節目直接帶到小印度的觀眾面前。觀眾可以在小印度現場慶祝，並通過meWatch和Vasantham的社交媒體平臺觀看轉播。技術嫻熟的年輕觀眾也能享受更多為他們量身定製的線上內容。IMDA正與The Smart Local和Viddsee等流行數字平臺合作，製作多樣的戲劇節目和紀錄片，今年將上線。

達里爾·大衛先生還詢問在OTT媒體服務（如Netflix）競爭下，發展媒體行業的計劃。媒體技能框架（Skills Framework for Media）規劃了職業路徑和新興趨勢技能，如沉浸式媒體，幫助媒體專業人士保持競爭力。導師計劃如WritersLab、ProducersLab和Story Lab學徒計劃也幫助媒體專業人士提升專業技能。這些專案將在未來兩年惠及200多名媒體專業人士。

IMDA還幫助本地媒體內容走向全球。我很高興看到近年來“新加坡製造”內容的崛起。一個例子是本土公司Bert Pictures與亞洲知名導演合作製作的電視劇《食物傳說》。該劇在國際舞臺上大放異彩，讓我們感到自豪。通過能力夥伴計劃，IMDA將繼續與Facebook和香港CJ ENM等全球企業合作，強化本地媒體公司的專業能力。

田佩玲女士詢問政府如何確保新加坡人及時獲取資訊。這引出我的第二點——市民。我們正在加強最後一公里的面對面接觸。強大的社群夥伴關係放大了這些努力。例如，3000名銀髮一代大使積極與長者溝通有關獨立建國一代計劃（Merdeka Generation Package，MGP）。其中一位銀髮大使是孔世強先生，現年70歲，自2015年以來每週志願服務三天，是武吉知馬區長者中的熟悉面孔。

MGP路演活動也在社群如火如荼地進行。藉助社群的深度參與，政府已在200多個路演和活動中接觸了近20萬名MGP長者及其家屬。

優質翻譯對於重要資訊傳達至新加坡社會各個群體至關重要。MCI的翻譯部（TD）承擔政府最重要的翻譯工作，並在所有公共機構的翻譯工作中，無論是內部還是外包，倡導高標準。

多年來，MCI採取多項措施提升翻譯能力，產出越來越多高質量且快速的翻譯材料。MCI現準備整合這些舉措。我們將提升目標，將MCI翻譯部重新定位為全政府翻譯卓越中心。

卓越中心將推動三大工作領域：人才、技術和合作夥伴關係。

下午1時30分

首先，我們將培養翻譯人才並提升行業從業者技能。通過MCI資訊服務（翻譯）獎學金和翻譯人才發展計劃等專案實現。

其次，我們利用技術提升政府翻譯工作的速度和質量。在全國抗擊新冠疫情中，我們的機器翻譯引擎SG Translate支援了多語種公共傳播材料的翻譯。由於SG Translate生成符合本地語境的翻譯，準確度優於其他機器翻譯工具。張世樂先生詢問我們如何吸引更多合作伙伴提升翻譯技術。我們完全同意合作伙伴關係對於知識和專業技能共享的重要性。因此，MCI啟動了新試點專案“SG Translate Together”，號召新加坡人共同改進SG Translate。自2021年起，MCI將邀請包括企業和學校在內的選定團體通過網路門戶提交優質翻譯。優質輸入越多，訓練引擎的資料越豐富，技術底層的人工智慧能力越強。我們將逐步向更多使用者開放該門戶。這將惠及更多從業者，同時提升引擎能力。

第三，MCI也在加強合作伙伴關係，彌補翻譯缺口。例如，我們與擁有專業譯員的機構合作，應對公共部門翻譯需求的週期性激增。我們還設有保留協議以增強稽核能力。在此，我要衷心感謝我們的翻譯合作伙伴。我們還有更多可以共同完成的工作。讓我們繼續合作，確保政府傳播對市民的強大支援。

如果說翻譯是連線我們多元種族社群的橋樑，那麼儲存的檔案則為新加坡的共同遺產打開了一扇窗。為了加強凝聚力，我們必須銘記將我們聯絡在一起的共同歷史。國家圖書館和新加坡國家檔案館（NAS）正在擴大公眾對國家和社會記憶的訪問。在碧德福公共圖書館正在進行的法定存檔展覽中，新加坡人可以查閱大量昔日出版物。其中一本是《集會歌曲》，是過去學校歌曲的寶貴彙編。

法定存檔收藏總計有超過137萬件由出版商提供的專案。隨著國家圖書館局（NLB）法案的更新，賦予NLB存檔數字材料的權力，NLB還將4萬個新加坡網站納入數字收藏，供後代欣賞。國家檔案館將啟動眾包計劃，收集新加坡珍貴的景象和聲音。市民可以通過“社群之聲”和“節慶活動”等類別參與貢獻。

以我們的過去為根基，我們可以自信地面對未來。為了推動新加坡前進，易華仁部長表示，所有市民都應自信抓住數字機遇。主席先生，請允許我用中文發言。

（中文）：[請參閱方言發言。]數字化顛覆了產業，改變了工作崗位並創造了新崗位。新加坡企業創新更多，高技能崗位需求將持續增長。這將為勞動力創造新機會，如產品經理、資料科學家和軟體工程師等崗位。

我們必須支援所有員工技能轉型。政府重點關注的一個群體是中年職業人士。數字化既帶來顛覆也帶來機遇，這群專業人士在職業轉型中可能面臨挑戰，但他們豐富的經驗對經濟極具價值。

科技技能加速器（TeSA）專案支援員工掌握新的ICT技能。

50歲的陳偉忠先生在IT領域工作了25年。他一直有學習新技能的興趣。通過PSA提供的TeSA企業主導培訓專案的結構化培訓，他承擔了高階技術崗位。現在他是PSA的應用開發員。

為了支援更多像陳先生這樣的中年職業人士，IMDA推出了針對40歲及以上新加坡人的TeSA中年職業提升計劃。

該計劃包括長達24個月的培訓和導師指導，幫助中年職業人士掌握熱門技術崗位所需的能力。初期已有約10家公司加入，承諾提供約500個培訓名額。IMDA目標在未來兩到三年內惠及額外2000名中年職業人士。

我們將與業界攜手，支援這些專業人士自信地發展職業生涯。

（英文）：主席先生，回到英文。技術可以賦能我們的人民。然而，部分群體，如長者和低收入家庭，可能在數字社會中感到迷茫，難以跟上步伐。我理解他們的焦慮。

因此，新加坡必須關注數字包容。我們必須克服年齡、收入和識字差距，讓每個人都能享受數字經濟的紅利。

維克拉姆·奈爾先生詢問提升數字準備度的措施，張浩斌博士詢問如何改善低收入家庭和長者的數字接入。

國家圖書館局（NLB）和IMDA正在動員社群和產業，提升數字素養和技能。這與新加坡共同行動（Singapore Together）運動相呼應，政府與新加坡人合作共建更美好未來。

為支援低收入新加坡人，家庭接入計劃（Home Access Programme）已為超過14,000戶家庭補貼寬頻費用。受益者之一是拉什帕爾·辛格·西杜先生。通過補貼寬頻，西杜先生線上尋找兼職工作成功，還利用網際網路與海外親屬保持聯絡。

然而，儘管新加坡的家庭寬頻接入率多年來有所提高，但仍有一些低收入家庭未能接入。為了讓更多低收入家庭受益，信息通信媒體發展局（IMDA）將從四月起加強“家庭接入計劃”。IMDA將與M1、MyRepublic Limited和NetLink Trust合作，分擔低收入家庭的寬頻費用，同時提供更快的寬頻速度。IMDA還將提供更廣泛的裝置選擇，給予家庭補貼智慧手機或平板電腦的選擇。我們計劃在三年內讓另外一萬戶低收入家庭受益。

我們也在幫助長者學習數字技能。IMDA與國家圖書館局（NLB）等合作伙伴一起，在圖書館和社群空間舉辦了200多場免費的數字診所，幫助長者使用智慧手機裝置。約有3,000名志願者走訪了全島超過15,000名長者。其中一位長者是64歲的薩菲亞·莫哈末·薩利女士。通過數字診所，她發現了許多有用的應用程式，可以預約多科診所和醫院，以及查詢公交車到達時間。她計劃再次訪問數字診所，學習更多內容。

還有一些自發的努力幫助兒童安全地使用網路環境。這一點很重要，因為他們從小就越來越多地接觸科技。媒體素養理事會正與谷歌合作，今年將在小學舉辦一場關於網路安全的移動互動展覽。學生們可以學習網路安全、網路欺凌以及遇到網路問題時應採取的行動。我們的新加坡數字準備基金也支援社群努力應對網路風險。例如，一群南洋理工大學學生組織了一場展覽，提高公眾對網路誘騙兒童的認識。參觀者可以通過互動裝置體驗受害者的感受。我上週參觀了該展覽，展覽做得非常好，資訊傳達得很到位。我讚賞社群為促進網路安全所做的積極貢獻。

我們邁向數字未來的步伐必須伴隨著堅定的社群意識。在快速變化的數字世界中，通過共同的空間和專案連線人們比以往任何時候都更重要。

我們的圖書館在這方面發揮著關鍵作用。多年來，它們已轉變為值得信賴和珍視的空間，人們可以在這裡聯絡感情、社交和學習。

傅志強先生問我們如何改造圖書館，以確保它們在數字世界中保持相關性。我們已在“未來圖書館”計劃下改造了六個圖書館。這些圖書館的顯著特點是強烈的社群參與，鼓勵終身學習。例如，去年開放的海灣坊圖書館（library@harbourfront），年輕人和長者都可以在“科技展示區”學習新興技術。關於教育機器人等主題的互動展示提供了引人入勝的學習體驗。家庭還可以參與兒童創客空間的動手活動。改造後的圖書館在運營的第一年內，訪客總數增加了73%，借閱總量增加了49%。我們的圖書館是全球圖書館使用率下降趨勢中的一個例外。

我們將繼續推進圖書館的轉型。國家圖書館局將從現在起至2026年改造另外八個圖書館，包括蔡厝港公共圖書館、中央公共圖書館、女皇鎮公共圖書館和海洋坊公共圖書館。此外，還在籌建一個全新的榜鵝區域圖書館。

這些未來的圖書館將在連線新加坡人方面發揮更強作用。它們將建設包容性的學習社群。例如，榜鵝區域圖書館將為所有年齡段和需求提供空間和藏書。殘障人士和有特殊需要的兒童可以享受定製服務。圖書館還將收藏特別策劃的世界兒童文學藏書，讓年輕的新加坡人從小就能欣賞文化多樣性。

主席先生，數字未來充滿無限可能。信息通信媒體發展部（MCI）將堅持努力，確保每個企業、每位員工和公民都能抓住數字機遇。我們將繼續培育持久的合作伙伴關係，實現這一願景，確保無人被落下。讓我們作為一個國家攜手共進，打造強大的數字未來。

主席：請澄清。伊爾沙德先生。

穆罕默德·伊爾沙德先生：主席先生，我歡迎在新加坡部署一千個儲物櫃，尤其是確保它們距離組屋樓不到五分鐘路程。只是想向高階國務部長澄清一點。她提到儲物櫃網路的推廣將由IMDA監督和管理。請問部委是否可以研究在信息通信媒體發展部（MCI）或交通部（MOT）下設立一個新單位或實體，類似於內政部（MHA）下的家庭隊伍科技局（Home Team Science and Technology Agency）或科技局（HTX）。該實體將擁有明確的使命，專注於數字化以及推動新加坡郵政、包裹和物流行業的創新和轉型，通過制定相關標準、試點並推動採用新興創新技術，例如無人機配送和區塊鏈追蹤？

沈穎女士：感謝伊爾沙德先生的問題。實際上，IMDA內部已有一個行業轉型小組，負責支援不同行業的數字化和轉型。城市物流是其中之一，我們提到的全國包裹儲物櫃網路就是該行業下的一個舉措。

主席：傅志強先生。

傅志強先生：主席，我想問高階國務部長沈穎女士，我們是否可以有信心地說，如果新加坡學校的孩子家庭負擔不起電腦和寬頻接入，那麼沒有孩子會因此缺乏電腦和寬頻？

沈穎女士：回答傅志強先生的問題，我認為這是一個非常重要的目標，確保新加坡的每個孩子都能良好學習，充分利用數字學習的好處。這是信息通信媒體發展部（MCI）和教育部（MOE）共同的目標。我們將確保低收入家庭能夠獲得家庭寬頻接入，同時我們也與教育部合作，確保在學校層面，每個需要數字裝置或電腦的孩子都能得到支援。

下午1時45分

主席：伊爾沙德先生。

穆罕默德·伊爾沙德先生：還有一個澄清。我歡迎設立gov.sg WhatsApp群組，即通過WhatsApp渠道與公眾溝通。請問信息通信媒體發展部如何決定使用哪個渠道進行溝通？例如，還有Telegram。選擇哪個第三方平臺與公眾溝通時考慮了哪些因素？

許文遠部長：主席，感謝議員的問題。正如我之前所說，我們必須根據目標群體以及我們應對情況的能力來選擇渠道。在這次新冠疫情爆發時，我們意識到公眾對可靠資訊的即時需求。於是我們重新利用了一個已有的WhatsApp渠道，該渠道之前用於傳播“獨立世代”計劃及相關資訊。我們決定將其改造為向公眾傳遞相關資訊的即時機制。

我認為效果很好，從訂閱者的反應可以看出。但我們不排除使用其他渠道的可能性。這是利用現有工具，在最短時間內響應緊急需求的做法。

傅志強先生：主席，幾個月前，我與普里坦·辛格先生就POFMA（防止網路虛假資訊和操縱法案）進行了健康的討論，討論司法機關是否是處理糾正通知的最佳機構，還是行政部門更適合。我認為最近的新冠疫情是使用POFMA的一個很好的例子。根據最近使用POFMA的經驗，部長是否更堅信這項工作最好由行政部門負責？

許文遠部長：主席，感謝這位政府議會委員會主席的評論。正如我強調的，新冠疫情特別凸顯了迅速行動的必要性，以防止虛假資訊傳播誤導公眾。在疫情這種情況下，確保公眾保持冷靜，從可靠渠道獲取建議和資訊，並採取適當措施至關重要。

在這方面，我們發現POFMA及其執行工具，以及賦予行政部門行使這些工具的權力，非常有效。它證明了我們在立法辯論中提出的理由，即將該權力置於行政部門的一個關鍵原因，是為了確保能夠果斷、迅速地應對網路上廣泛傳播的虛假資訊。我們的新冠疫情經驗進一步強化了這一信念，我們沒有理由質疑當初的決定。

主席：普里坦·辛格先生。

普里坦·辛格先生：主席，謝謝。我無意重新開啟關於POFMA的辯論，但工人黨立場依然如故。確實，在疫情甚至大流行期間存在假新聞，必須迅速刪除。但迅速行動可以有不同方式。工人黨認為，除了行政命令外，還有其他選項可以實現這一目標。

維克拉姆·奈爾先生：主席。我提到過，POFMA在處理網路虛假資訊方面非常有用。但在新冠疫情期間，我們發現很多虛假資訊通過WhatsApp等通訊應用傳播，而POFMA的糾正令對這些平臺效果有限。那麼，我們還能做些什麼？未來立法？或者我建議加強公眾教育。

許文遠部長：主席，不想延長關於POFMA的討論，但這也是我們積極推動gov.sg WhatsApp服務的原因之一。首先，如果該服務能覆蓋大量公眾，意味著他們可以通過熟悉的渠道獲得可靠的新冠疫情資訊。其次，公眾如果在其他聊天群組遇到不同資訊，可以轉發官方資訊，提供對比觀點。我們認為這是良好的開端。

至於如何處理WhatsApp這類端到端加密的平臺，因其特殊性，POFMA的監管面臨不同挑戰。正如我們在POFMA辯論中所說，我們採取了考慮不同平臺差異的策略，包括與WhatsApp和Facebook持續對話。

主席：傅志強先生，您是否願意撤回您的修正案？

傅志強先生：主席，數字技術確實是新加坡美好未來的重要推動力。聽了高階國務部長沈穎女士、高階國務部長詹尼爾博士和許部長的發言，我相信同事們和我一樣，感到我們掌握在可靠手中。因為他們不僅談論技術和數字，更關注的是人。主席，我請求撤回我的修正案。

[(程式文本) 修正案，經許可，撤回。 (程式文本)]

[(程式文本) 頭Q項下的1,004,918,400元被批准列入主要預算。 (程式文本)]

[(程式文本) 頭Q項下的37,103,300元被批准列入發展預算。 (程式文本)]

英文原文

SPRS Hansard · Fetched: 2026-05-02

Partnering for Digitalisation

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

Digitalisation is transforming how people live, work, play and interact. Business enterprises must embrace it to remain relevant. Our future is being shaped by digitalisation in ways unimaginable and at a pace unprecedented.

As a result of the digital economy, many of our top companies in the world are now in the technology space. By market capitalisation, seven out of top 10 companies worldwide are technology companies. Combined, these seven companies are worth about US$6 trillion.

It is clear that our Government, businesses and workers must look to digitalisation to transform our economy, create opportunities and move up the value chain. That way, we stay relevant and create good and enduring jobs. If done well, we can turn our vulnerabilities into opportunities. Traditional factors of production like land, labour, capital, or even our ageing population are no longer hard constraints in the digital economy and if we play our cards right, we can be successful.

However, digitalisation does bring about many challenges, especially for a city-state with a small population and a consumer base.

Data analytics, machine learning and AI require massive amounts of data. For our Government and local enterprises alike, it would be challenging to acquire a large enough volume of data compared to other larger countries. How we overcome this constraint would make a big difference in our digitalisation success. Perhaps, digital trade agreements, like the ones we just concluded with New Zealand and Chile, could be helpful. If there are more such agreements, with a framework for sharing aggregate anonymised data, for mutual recognition or for inter-operability, it would be beneficial to Singapore as well as all participating economies. Could the Minister elaborate on this?

Even as data are shared with our local business enterprises, we would need to consider issues like personal data privacy and therefore the principles upon which data requests by private enterprises can be agreed to or not by the Government. This is an issue that needs clarity and could the Minister also inform us of what these principles are?

Digital talent alone is not sufficient for innovation. Often, design thinking and deep insights into specific industry are also needed for successful innovations and commercialisation. MCI has a Design Thinking Unit. How would the Ministry increase this Unit's impact for innovation and commercialisation in Singapore?

Just as we set boundaries in the area of Bio-ethics, we would similarly need to set up an ethical framework, within which, AI can operate here in Singapore. Can the Minister advise us on the work around this area as well?

One of the key success factors for digitalisation is scale and capacity. Unfortunately, this is a challenge for many of our SMEs. How would MCI induct and incentivise such SMEs to take on digitalisation for a brighter future for themselves?

There is also a pressing need as we become more digital as a nation to enhance our cybersecurity. I will address this issue under a different cut later.

Foreign Digital Talent

Chairman, my next cut is on foreign digital talent, as an interim measure, to augment Singaporeans as Singapore embarks on digitalisation. We hear a clarion call from the industry that there is a dearth of digital talent in data science and cybersecurity, in computer science and so forth. And as we transform our economy, such talents would be in very high demand.

GovTech actively recruits talents in the Technology Industry to turn our Smart Nation vision into a reality. On the other hand, due to scarcity of such talent, GovTech would be competing with the private sector for similar talents.

How would we strike the right balance here, such that we create a symbiotic relationship between the private and public sector instead of creating a "win-lose" situation amounting to a "zero sum" game?

Can the Minister advise the number of Computer Science and Data Science graduates in our local Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs)? What are the projections for such graduates in the next five to 10 years? If the number of graduates are insufficient to meet industry demand, could the Government allow for employment and S Passes to be issued as an interim measure? That way, we can attract more investments into Singapore now which will eventually benefit future Singapore graduates in such fields. The alternative is to risk such investments going elsewhere.

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

Digital Opportunities for Businesses

Ms Rahayu Mahzam (Jurong) : Most, if not all, companies in Singapore would agree that digital transformation is no longer an option, but a necessary step if they are to survive. Over the years, the Government has been urging companies, including small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to transform and adopt appropriate technology to stay relevant and competitive. This message appears to have sunk in and there is keen awareness of the need to go digital.

However, awareness may not necessarily translate to action as a number of companies, especially the smaller businesses, have been slow to make the transition. Minister Iswaran at MCI's workplan seminar last year said that it is not about a lack of awareness or will on SMEs’ parts anymore but more about them being resource-constrained and lacking capacity to get the transformation done.

Similar observations were also made by the Chief Executive Officer of Singapore Business Federation (SBF), Mr Ho Meng Kit in a commentary last year. He mentioned that business transformation is hindered by talent deficit in Singapore's tech sector and cost or perceived cost of adopting digital solutions. In the commentary, Mr Ho, gave several suggestions to businesses to tackle the tech gap, for example by leveraging on IMDA’s SMEs Go Digital Programme.

Earlier this year, SBF also released its National Business Survey 2019/2020, which found that SMEs know that they need to adopt digital solutions to tackle their top challenges of manpower costs and finding new and better ways to generate revenue, but costs remain the biggest roadblock. SBF called on the Government to build on the momentum with robust measures that encourage, support and strengthen the digitalisation and research and development efforts of companies.

In reviewing the developments over the years, what is the assessment on the effectiveness of our initiatives in digitalising companies? Are we better able to appreciate the specific challenges faced by SMEs and address them? How do we intend to continue helping companies access opportunities and scale in the Digital Economy?

The Chairman : Mr Ong Teng Koon, take both cuts.

Mr Ong Teng Koon (Marsiling-Yew Tee) : Both cuts, thank you. Mr Chairman, the SME Go Digital Programme has helped over 4,000 companies to implement digital solutions. This is encouraging to hear and it should remain our priority to accelerate digital transformation in order to create new opportunities, both locally and in the region. I would like to ask the Minister what are our future plans for the Go Digital Programme and how we intend to continue to drive digital adoption in SMEs?

For a SME to go digital, talent is paramount. However, the competition for talents in fields such as automation and machine learning is fierce. Our SMEs may be no match for MNCs when it comes to recruitment. I would like to ask the Minster how we can ensure that our SMEs are able to attract the talent they need and how can we help SMEs to develop such skills in-house by upskilling their existing employees.

One of the key challenges to any digitalisation faced by SMEs is getting all their employees ready and equipped for these changes. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. I would like to ask the Minister if he would consider additional skill training subsidies for all the employees of SMEs to complement their ongoing digital transformation.

Helping Singaporeans Get Good Jobs

My next cut. The Infocomm Media (ICM) sector is a key growth sector, particularly in technology such as cybersecurity, Internet of Things, immersive media, data analytics and artificial intelligence. I would like to ask the Minister how many jobs would be created for Singaporeans in such sector and how we can help mature PMETs who are displaced from adjacent industries to get employed into the ICM sector. And would the Minster consider a stipend for mature PMETs who undergo retraining so that they are able to still take care of their families while they are doing so?

In relation to cybersecurity jobs, as advertised by the Professional Conversion Programme on WSG's website, residents have given me feedback that it is difficult to get a place into such professional conversion programmes. This issue is these programmes on a place-and-train basis. Place-and-train means that they need to get a job first before they can get training. These residents are stuck in a catch-22 situation. They need to get the job first before they can get training but they need the training to get the job. So, I would like to ask the Minister whether he can consider to go beyond what Deputy Prime Minister announced in his Budget Statement of the 20% salary support for six months, to further incentivise companies to take the first step.

The creation of jobs for Singapore in the ICM sector is contingent on Singapore being an attractive hub to local and global businesses. I would like to ask the Minster what are plans to further develop our local eco-system and how do we continue to position Singapore as the digital technological hub for Asia. And how do we ensure that research, innovation and entrepreneurship continue to be our engines of growth?

Mr Chairman : Ms Tin Pei Ling, both cuts, please.

11.45 am

Tech Talents In and For Singapore

Ms Tin Pei Ling (MacPherson) : Talents are critical in building new and successful industries. We need a high concentration of skilled workers with a critical mass of world class talents to attract top enterprises and future unicorns to Singapore to create good jobs, and we need to develop Singaporeans to excel in these jobs. As talents beget talents, there is a virtuous cycle to this.

On 6 January this year, the Minister informed the House that more than 93,000 training places have been taken up or committed since the TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA) programme started in 2016. And as of October 2019, 1,400 trainees completed the Tech Immersion and Placement Programme (TIPP). These are impressive numbers.

May I ask the Ministry if we are on track in meeting the ICT industry manpower demand? Of the 93,000 TeSA places, how many have completed the programme, successfully found placement and stayed in the new jobs? What other efforts are in place to help Singaporeans switch careers and stay meaningfully employed in the digital economy? How can enterprises that are less tech-savvy but keen to transform, better access and tap into this pool of re-skilled and up-skilled workers?

As Singapore continues on our relentless pursuit to re-skill and up-skill our Singaporean core, it can be expected that enterprises will look to topping up their teams with overseas talents to plug the talent and skills gap in the meantime.

Global competition for skilled workers is stiff. In a February 2020 McKinsey's article, it was reported that 87% of companies surveyed around the world say they are either experiencing manpower gaps now or expect to experience it within a few years. Respondents expect market and technology trends to play a big part in these shifts.

More dramatically, the World Economic Forum describes the world as facing a "re-skilling emergency". One billion people globally need to be re-skilled by 2030.

Companies and countries are motivated to close the skills gap fast. Singapore needs to be even faster – one to two years' window of opportunity, according to some prominent business leaders in the ICT industry I encountered from within and outside of Singapore. Unresolved US-China tensions and rising protectionism around the world resulted in talent displacement. Amongst these talents, there is a group who not only have deep skills, but also an international perspective given their exposures. If we are able to tap on this group of talents and pick the "winners" for Singapore before others do, Singapore's transformation could be catalysed and more top enterprises with good jobs for our people will be attracted to Singapore.

Therefore, I would like to ask what role is the Government playing in attracting talents to Singapore, for Singapore, as we strive towards our future economy? Ultimately, our Singaporean Core must benefit from this exercise and so, how could we ensure skills and knowledge transfer?

Some of these talents are founders of fast-rising start-ups or fast-growing firms. They are therefore globally mobile by nature. Still, they can invest in Singapore and have a role to play in helping to develop our workforce. Might the Government be exploring ways to harness the value they can offer to Singapore, and help groom our youth and talents, without requiring them to physically anchor here?

Data Infrastructure for Digital Future

Singapore is on track to fulfill our smart nation aspiration and is positioned to become a leader in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain. Data is critical in enabling this. Big data fuels AI and AI will drive many daily applications in our digital future. Therefore, the quality and integrity of data is important. Having data that can readily be shared or used from one system to another is also important.

As ASEAN integrates and transforms, and as Singapore champions the effort to build and strengthen the ASEAN Smart Cities Network, how do we ensure that the data generated are meaningful, of good quality and inter-operable across the region? What role can Singapore play in influencing and setting standards for the data and the digital infrastructure necessary for a smart ASEAN?

This development will see an "explosion" of data and the need for high speed processing. Data centres are therefore a critical infrastructure for Singapore. It is the backbone of our future economy. How many data centres do we expect to be built and at what pace in order to achieve our smart nation and smart ASEAN aims?

Building data centres comes at a cost. It consumes a lot of energy. Data centers today consume about 2% of electricity worldwide. It also has massive carbon footprint. Data centres worldwide generate 0.3% of carbon footprint today and is set to increase.

So, what is the Government doing to promote greater efficiencies and mitigate the carbon footprints as we build more data centres? How do we reconcile this expected increase in energy consumption and carbon footprints while achieving our target of halving carbon emissions by 2030 and zero by 2050?

Ethical Issues on the Use of Data

Mr Ong Teng Koon : Mr Chairman, data can be used for great good or it can be used to inflict terrible harm. With developments in technology ranging from facial recognition to online personality analysis, individual data is increasingly easy to obtain.

We have the Personal Data Protection Act to protect individual privacy but there are also data portability concerns. We need to address the issue of secondary acquisition of data and the use of legally acquired data by undesirable companies. For example, a foreign online company might acquire and transfer the personal data from a local company. These foreign online betting companies then target the vulnerable and entice them to gamble. How can the Minister ensure that data portability and data protection can work together without conflict?

I would also like to ask the Minister how we can use legislation to restrict the data that companies collect. What users often encounter on websites or when downloading apps on their smartphones are these lengthy click-through agreements with a lot of information disclosure provisions embedded in those agreements. The result is that when the users click "accept", they are allowing these information disclosure terms which expose them to the sharing of data and often without their knowledge. So, I would like to ask the Minister what ethical safeguards can be put in place to protect the consumer and Singaporeans at large.

PDPA – Jobs for Para-professionals

Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan (West Coast) : Under the Personal Data Protection Act 2012, it is mandatory for every organisation to designate one or more individuals as data protection officers. These individuals are tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that the organisation complies with the Act.

Increasingly, companies and organisations have also realised that the job responsibilities of a data protection officer are often executive and managerial in nature, requiring the development and implementation of policies and processes. All this should translate to more job openings for data protection officers which would be suitable for PMETs looking into making this mid-career switch or to be re-deployed in their existing organisations. Can MCI share how many new roles and job openings this will possibly create for Singaporeans?

Notwithstanding, to facilitate the successful hiring, placement and re-deployment of PMETs in the data protection field, there is a need to take more active steps to train, place, match and re-deploy suitable PMETs to potential employers, or even data protection and compliance roles within their existing organisations. I look forward to seeing more employers collaborate with placement agencies such as e2i to help more PMET mid-career switchers, whether entering into the industry or being retained to be re-deployed within the organisation, transition into their new role as data protection professionals.

I applaud the Data Protection Officers (DPO) Competency Framework and Training Roadmap which was published by the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) on 17 July 2019. It was developed to guide data protection professionals in enhancing their competencies. It also provides guidance on the viable career pathways for different levels of DPOs. I hope to hear MCI's plans on what and how we can do more to make this area of expertise an attractive and viable option for mid-career PMETs.

Regulating Facial Recognition Technology

Mr Yee Chia Hsing (Chua Chu Kang) : Chairman, we have seen an increase in the application of facial recognition technologies being employed in Singapore. Even this House is contemplating the use of this technology to track Members' attendance. I saw that in the tender. While this technology started out mainly to tackle security, are there any guidelines for the use of facial recognition technology to ensure data is not misused for commercial purposes and that its use does not compromise personal data security?

Sir, I believe there is a need for greater regulation of the deployment of facial recognition technology. Currently, several buildings such as UOB Plaza and SGX Centre already use such technology.

The use of facial recognition for building access would link the name of the visitor to the facial recognition data. Does facial recognition data then become part of the intellectual property of the technology vendor? How long can the vendor keep such information? Can the vendor use the same information for its other customers?

The other aspect is whether the vendor is allowed to link facial recognition pattern to even more data such as consumer buying behaviour. The possible abuse of such technology is mind-boggling if we do not have guidelines on its use.

Chairman, may I propose that all facial recognition data collected by private commercial entities should not be stored for more than 24 hours. Other than name, facial recognition data should not be linked to any other information such as consumer buying pattern. Where exceptions are needed, express consent should be obtained and even then, there should always be a maximum time limit for which facial recognition data can be stored.

Chairman, it is a brave new world that we live in and I am worried that without guidelines, there will be misuse of facial recognition technology and data. So, I really hope that MCI can look into this issue.

The Chairman : Mr Mohamed Irshad, take both your cuts, please.

The Future of Post and Parcel

Mr Mohamed Irshad (Nominated Member) : Chairman, globally, the post and parcel industry is undoubtedly being disrupted. With ever-changing returns in core mail business, the rapid take up of e-commerce and shifting customer expectations, post and parcel companies of today need to be adaptable, they need to be relevant and to be innovative to keep pace with changing demands.

Sir, the rise in e-commerce and online shopping has indelibly altered consumer behaviour. Many consumers have also increased expectations about the convenience and options offered by deliveries and postal infrastructure. Today, there are only several logistics service providers that offer last-mile delivery services besides SingPost.

In this regard, what are the Government's plans to transform our domestic postal infrastructure to meet these new demands, ensuring world class delivery standards? Importantly, what can consumers and businesses look forward to in the future and how will these changes be integrated with the current postal infrastructure in Singapore?

5G Roll-out in Singapore

Mr Chairman, I turn to speak about 5G – 5G is the basis for digital connectivity and will be the backbone for our digital future. It will enable possible new areas of growth in autonomous vehicles, and the Internet of Things in industry and in consumer segments.

In June 2019, the Minister for Communications and Information, Mr S Iswaran, announced that the Government has set aside $40 million to develop the 5G research and innovation eco-system, specifically to support 5G technology trials, open test beds and enable research and development in 5G. What is the progress on Singapore's efforts to develop the 5G research and innovation eco-system?

Also, given IMDA's 5G Call For Proposal, what are our plans for 5G deployment? What is the Government doing to support the rollout of 5G to ensure that Singapore remains competitive on the international front? Importantly, how will 5G benefit Singaporeans and ensure that 5G remains affordable for Singaporeans?

5G Technological Advancements

Mr Douglas Foo (Nominated Member) : Mr Chairman, as Singapore prepares to roll out 5G network this year, there are companies that are concerned about the security measures of 5G deployment. According to a survey by a United States-based cybersecurity firm, which was released in October 2019, 55% of those surveyed believe that 5G deployment may be avenues for more effective and destructive methods of cyber crime and another 54% thought it may give more opportunities for cyber criminals to attack the organisation.

Can the Minister provide by way of an update how ready is Singapore to embrace 5G communication networks and what plans are in place to help enterprises understand and exploit this technology to its fullest while managing its challenges? Does the Ministry have any plans to engage Trade Associations and Chambers to help understand from businesses what they would most need from such a new technology and to implement the new technological equipment and applications?

Securing Digital Spaces

Mr Vikram Nair (Sembawang) : Chairman, we often do not realise how widespread and important digitisation is in our lives. Some of the most important digital spaces are what we refer to as the critical information infrastructure which our national Cyber Security Agency (CSA) has been set up to safeguard.

12.00 pm

Critical Information Infrastructure currently includes the critical data used for sectors such as aviation, healthcare, land transport, maritime, media, security and emergency, water, banking and finance, government and energy.

Data is necessary to keep our power plants, hospitals, water, banks and even Government functioning smoothly. The more we digitise and automate, the more important our critical information infrastructure becomes and the greater the risk we face of something goes wrong here.

In April last year, the BBC carried a story that stated a survey of security professionals across six countries by the Ponemon Institute found that 90% had been hit by at least one successful attack. This survey covered staff in utilities, energy, health and transport sectors. This report also concluded that a lack of resources and intelligence about the “relentless and continuous” cyber-attacks are the industry’s concern.

The key points from this study were that we have to assume attacks will be made and be prepared to deal with them. We also need to be able to guard against human failings, and this may include employees accidentally opening phishing emails and thereby opening the network to attack. There is also a need to share intelligence.

I believe the national Cyber Security Agency is focusing on these matters and I would be interested in an update on how the Government is safeguarding the cybersecurity and resilience of our critical information infrastructure.

Cyber Security Agency

Ms Sylvia Lim (Aljunied) : Chairman, in 2016, the Government published a document called "Singapore's Cybersecurity Strategy". The strategy has four pillars. One, to strengthen the resilience of our critical information infrastructure; two, to mobilise businesses and the community to make cyberspace safe; three, to develop a vibrant cybersecurity eco-system comprising a skilled workforce, technologically advanced companies and strong research collaborations; and four, to step up efforts to forge strong international partnerships.

Since 2016, much has happened to focus us on our cybersecurity vulnerabilities. What is the Government's current assessment of the implementation of Singapore's cybersecurity strategy and how far has the Cyber Security Agency (CSA) contributed towards grounding the four pillars of the four strategies?

Next, CSA's mandate enables it to direct owners of critical information infrastructures on the essential cybersecurity measures to be adopted and to provide professional consultancy and direct assistance to them, where necessary. How does CSA ensure that its officers have the necessary expertise to devise credible regulations and guidelines? This is particularly needed in vendor management as it is common for data owners to outsource data management to third party providers.

I know move on to a query on the role of CSA viz a viz the public sector. Under the Cybersecurity Act regime, owners of critical information infrastructure include the Government, as it is running various essential services. Last year, the Government convened a public sector data security review committee which recently issued its report on enhancing public sector data security. Could the Minister clarify what CSA played in this review?

Cybersecurity

Mr Douglas Foo : Mr Chairman, according to a report released on 1 October 2019 by a United States-based cybersecurity firm, Carbon Black, 96% of surveyed companies in Singapore said they have experienced at least one cybersecurity breach in the past 12 months due to external cyber attacks.

Of those that had experienced a cyber attack, 48% suffered negative financial impact while 83% reported damage to their reputation. Furthermore, 93% of these organisations reported an increase in cyber attacks in the past year.

The report added that 98% of chief information officers and chief information security officers surveyed were concerned how digital transformation projects and the roll-out of the 5G network will further affect cybersecurity in Singapore. More than 250 chief information officers, chief technology officers and chief information security officers from across a range of sectors participated in this survey .

According to a study by consumer information provider, Comparitech, which studied 60 countries based on criteria such as percentage of mobiles and computers infected with malware and the number of attacks by cryptominers in 2018, Singapore ranked 10th place in global cybersecurity. This is commendable but reports on probable attacks such as the personal data leak of MINDEF and SAF staff in December 2019 is still a cause for concern.

Taking an analogy from the health perspective, our previous experience with SARS taught us the importance of having a readily adoptable response framework, such that today, Singapore’s DORSCON framework has been widely praised in the handling of the COVID-19 outbreak. In the event of a large scale national cyber attack where computer and network viruses can spread speedily, Is there a similar framework in place to reduce and mitigate the dangers of such an outbreak?

The Chairman : Mr Cedric Foo, both the cuts, please.

Mr Cedric Foo Chee Keng : Over the past two to three decades, digital computing technologies have rapidly changed the world, with far ranging implications on businesses and consumers. Particularly, the pace of adoption of digital technologies have accelerated over the last decade. Adoption of digital technologies have resulted in a very connected world, empowering individuals and transforming how consumers, businesses and governments operate.

Today, there are many Smart Nation applications, which allow accessibility at any time and thus, bring significant conveniences to Singaporeans.

At the enterprise level, operational technology or OT allows the direct monitoring and control of critical plants, power and telco grids. It yields significant control and productivity benefits including preventive maintenance, reducing downtime and quality control just to name a few. OT is expected to assume an expanding role in government and many organisations, enabling greater integration among business processes, physical activities and supporting technology.

In this highly connected world, cyber attacks resulting in loss of personal data and even more so attacks on our critical OT systems could be disastrous. Cyber attacks by state actors have also become a "weapon of choice" as can be seen in many countries.

I would like to ask the Minister how we ensure that the Government and enterprises here can be better protected against this new threat? And how has CSA been contributing to this effort?

Falsehoods Pertaining to COVID-19

My next cut is on falsehoods pertaining to COVID-19 outbreak. Dozens of protestors in a Ukrainian town attacked buses carrying 72 evacuees from Wuhan, China enroute to a quarantine facility in Ukraine. These demonstrators lighted bonfires and hurled stones in clashes with police officers and national guards. Even armoured personnel carriers were deployed to this small town.

The protest was started because of a hoax – a fake email claiming to be from the Ukrainian Health Ministry, falsely claiming that some evacuees had contracted the virus. Indeed, many observers have commented that the challenges of COVID-19 is not just in containing the "biological virus" but also in containing the "psychological fear and irrationality", and this often arise from fake news and rumours.

Fake news on COVID-19 have also surfaced here in Singapore. "Woodlands MRT station was closed on 28 January when it was actually fully operational" or "the Government giving $100 per day to every 'PRC worker' for the 14 day period under the Leave of Absence, when it is be given to eligible employers instead". These and many other examples of fake news have been circulating around, threatening to undermine our national effort and public trust in addressing the COVID- 19 situation.

Fortunately for Singapore, we have a new law called POFMA and in retrospect, this new legislation is indeed timely. I would like to ask the Minister to provide an update on how the Government has dealt with falsehoods pertaining to the COVID-19 outbreak and whether POFMA has been effectively invoked.

Chairman, there were also discussions in this House that judges should be the body issuing Correction Notices under POFMA, as opposed to Ministers. Do our recent experiences of implementing POFMA to deal with the outbreak like the current COVID-19 situation, reinforces the Government's position that the issuance of Correction Notices is indeed a job best left to the Executive branch?

Providing Trusted Information

Mr Ong Teng Koon : Mr Chairman, with the on-going COVID-19 outbreak, we have seen destabilising falsehoods that have hurt our nation. These range from the false closure of Woodlands MRT station; seven countries banning travel to Singapore; to an online falsehood regarding the death of a man in Singapore from COVID-19, when no such death had occurred.

POFMA has served to preserve the stability by dealing with false information. But it is also important to ensure that our citizens have access to trusted information.

I would like to ask t he Minister what he can do to help citizens easily access trusted information from different sources. I also ask the Minister whether he would consider to drop the paywall on The Straits Times during times of emergency.

Communication in a Digitalised World

Prof Lim Sun Sun (Nominated Member) : Mr Chairman, in as much as COVID-19 has been an abominable threat, it has also been an illuminating lesson on the importance of effective communication and the importance of a robust information infrastructure.

Just as medical care has improved significantly since SARS, information and communication technologies have also seen considerable transformations. Our information landscape is paradoxically more fragmented, yet more connected at the same time. It is fragmented and balkanised because there is a plethora of information and communication channels out there. Apart from traditional mainstream media that actively seeking to digitalise, we now have access to vastly more online content, across a range of different platforms including WhatsApp, Telegram, WeChat, Facebook and TikTok.

It is therefore very difficult to capture in any parsimonious way, the chequered universe of information that audiences today consume and are influenced by. Despite this seeming fragmentation, our information landscape is concurrently more connected because of growing ownership of personal media devices such as smartphones. Individual consumers across the world are thus linked to one another online, creating content and sharing it across platforms, geographical boundaries and even linguistic barriers now being rapidly eroded by translation software.

In a globalised hyper-connected world, our understanding of local situations is thus enriched but also complicated by perspectives extending far beyond our immediate environments. As media consumers, we must contend not only with domestic information flows but manage the onslaught of international news, quite apart from having to discern between legitimate news and false rumours.

In such a fraught media landscape, rumours and falsehoods can become virulent social contagions that trigger mob mentality and herd behaviour like the panic buying we experienced and are now witnessing in North America.

Hence, our public agencies managing our official communications cannot afford to be insular and track only local discourse around crises of a global nature.

When this house passed POFMA in May last year, a mysterious yet highly contagious disease like COVID-19 was but a black swan to be avoided. But the crisis now presents us with a valuable opportunity to test the mettle of our information infrastructures, including official communication channels, public education efforts and regulatory measures such as POFMA.

In the wake of COVID-19 therefore, I would like to ask how the Government has sharpened its ability to communicate quickly and effectively to all demographic groups in a digitalised world with porous information boundaries.

Importantly, can the ministry share how our capacities to cope with online falsehoods have been stretched and what measures will we take to reinforce them?

With specific regard to POFMA and its application, can we conduct more systematic assessment of the effects of the targeted and general corrections approach? Specifically, can we obtain data from the internet intermediaries on the reach and access of the corrections that have been issued so that we may ascertain the effectiveness of the corrections strategy and finetune it accordingly?

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Additionally, we must seize the opportunity to survey consumers to comprehend how they have managed the onslaught of falsehoods that they have received in light of COVID-19. What personal measures have they taken to verify the information they have received about the disease? Did they use services such as the gov.sg WhatsApp chat and Factually, and how did they perceive them? How did they react when they encountered suspected falsehoods that had not been issued with POFMA orders? Did they subsequently assume that these falsehoods were true, thereby developing unhealthy cognitive shortcuts? These are all crucial questions that we must answer to strengthen both our official communication strategies and our public education efforts.

Finally, while I recognise the value of reaching out to people via platforms they are familiar with such as WhatsApp, how secure and financially sustainable is it for us to use such third-party communication channels? Might it not make better sense in the long run to use existing apps such as SGSecure for official Government alerts during periods of crisis? While I understand that SGSecure was launched and is managed by MHA, should our Whole-of-Government approach not predispose us to more strategically integrate our multiple communication channels that we have? I welcome clarifications on the concerns I have raised.

Government Communications in Times of Crisis

Mr Mohamed Irshad : Chairman, the COVID-19 crisis has shown that there is a need for accurate, timely and trusted public communications between the Government and the people in times of crisis. It is important that the Government provides accurate and timely information to different segments of society to allay public anxieties. Unfortunately, in a situation of information vacuum, distortions, rumours, untruths, misinformation and smears can undermine public confidence and be divisive.

Sir, in this regard, allow me to focus on our Government's ability to communicate with our fellow Singaporeans in times of a crisis. To contextualise my questions, I am concerned that Singapore's movement to DORSCON Orange was leaked ahead of its official announcement. So, my questions are as follows.

First, how can we tighten the information flow to avoid any future leaks?

Second, what are the public communications efforts undertaken by the Government to update Singaporeans on COVID-19? Has the Government tried anything new or different? Are we expecting any improvements along the way to improve our crisis-response handling?

Third, how effective and different were the Government's efforts in communicating to Singaporeans during this COVID-19 crisis, in comparison to our response to H1N1 and SARS? And will the Government review the effectiveness of these efforts, especially in the realm of misinformation?

Lastly, will the Government continue to make use of the WhatsApp channel such as Gov.sg? To me it seems like a simple way to ensure that we can provide timely and verified information to our people.

Digital Readiness

Mr Vikram Nair : Digitisation is all around us, making our life simpler and more convenient. As a Smart Government, numerous Government services are now available online and on smartphone apps. And everything from taxes to parking payments can be done with a few clicks on one's phone. Other services like banking, credit card bill payments and even food delivery can be done in the comfort of one's armchair.

However, the darker side of information is that misinformation is also freely sent and communicated, through social media and messaging tools such as WhatsApp. There have been numerous examples of this, the most recent being COVID-19 outbreak which my colleagues, Mr Ong Teng Koon, Mr Cedric Foo and Mr Mohamed Irshad have elaborated on.

Another area of concern is scams, which really target more vulnerable residents. I, myself, have been subject to a phone call from an Australian phone number claiming to be from Singtel's technical staff. I happened to be at my computer and having attended all the grassroots sessions on scams, quickly googled Singtel scams and discovered that this was actually a well-documented scam and stopped that call. In fact, I have personally become so skeptical that if someone calls me telling me they represent my bank, I will usually say I will call the bank myself, rather than reveal any personal data.

However, many others may be more trusting and it is the trusting who get exploited by these scams. There is legislation such as POFMA, that can help the Government take action against online fake news. But, this has its limitations, particularly in the context of: one, fake news that spreads through messaging services rather than online and two, scams which can take advantage of people's trusting nature.

Of course, more legislation is one solution but I would be interested to know if the Government is taking any steps help individuals themselves become safe, informed and more discerning online.

The Chairman : Mr Darryl David, both cuts please. Three cuts, actually.

POFMA and Online Falsehoods

Mr Darryl David (Ang Mo Kio) : Mr Chairman, as we have heard from my Parliamentary colleagues speaking before me, the outbreak of COVID-19 has once again shone the spotlight on the dangers of fake news and their negative impact on social cohesion and trust. Governments around the world are combating the daily deluge of fake news on COVID-19 and Singapore was also not spared. Fake news such as the shutting down of MRT stations and certain shopping malls, closure of schools and rumoured deaths sparked social panic and in some cases, xenophobic reactions against certain communities and restaurants.

The deluge of fake news has undermined the ability of governments worldwide to manage the COVID-19 epidemic. Indeed, the World Health Organization (WHO) went as far as to label fake coronavirus claims as an "infodemic" that threatens the management of the outbreak. To manage the "infodemic", a WHO representative met tech firms in Silicon Valley recently to urge them through moral suasion to do more to combat the spread of fake news and deliberate false information.

While some countries have taken strong positions on the deliberate spread of falsehood regarding COVID-19 by even arresting the perpetrators, the Singapore Government has taken on a different position by issuing correction orders under POFMA. Even though we have taken on a less harsh approach than other countries in this instance, the truth is, that online falsehoods and untruths in general will continue to be a scourge, a scourge to our community.

I would thus like to ask how the Government can continue to help Singaporeans guard against deliberate online falsehoods in an increasingly complex digital and media environment?

Public Service Broadcasting

Next cut, please. The growing popularity of over-the-top (OTT) media services has led to a worldwide decline in viewership rating amongst free-to-air (FTA) TV channels. Although the Nielsen Singapore Media Index Report released in late 2018 found that approximately 3.4 million people in Singapore continued to tune in to FTA TV channels on a weekly basis, the same report also highlighted that there is an upward trend of people consuming on-demand OTT media services.

This cuts across all demographics and implies that, over time, fewer people will be exposed to Public Service Broadcasting messages from FTA TV channels and that the Government will need to explore other channels, other platforms and other medium to share these messages with Singaporeans. How is Public Service Broadcasting remaining relevant given the increasing competition for eyeballs from online and foreign platforms?

Developing the Media Industry

My third cut, Mr Chairman. The consumption of media has shifted from over-the-air broadcasting services to over-the-top (OTT) services that I mentioned in my previous cut. These OTT services offer media content directly to consumers via internet streaming; bypassing cable, broadcast and even satellite television platforms that were traditional distributors of media content.

Furthermore, the availability of OTT services also mean that consumers today have a greater variety of media content to choose from and are exposed to a wider range of media options from beyond our shores. This shift in media consumption pattern has brought about disruptions to the local media scene as our local media providers need to adapt quickly to offer a greater variety of original content over non-traditional platforms.

I would thus like to ask what plans the Government has to develop and support the local media industry in this evolving media environment?

Multilingual Government Communications

Ms Tin Pei Ling : Access to and decisions based on timely and accurate information are important to any democracy. Singaporeans should have access to accurate information in forms that they can easily understand.

For a long time, it was highly challenging for older Singaporeans, many of whom were not English educated, to consume Government information as collaterals were typically in the English language. Attempted interpretations sometimes led to misinterpretations. Only selected material such as CPF letters come in different languages.

To the Government's credit, the situation has improved significantly. The multilingual WhatsApp service recently introduced during this COVID-19 outbreak has been most useful. We should scale up this multilingual capability to enable all Singaporeans to access all public information in a timely manner.

Therefore, what is the Government doing to ensure timely and inclusive access to all Government related information by all Singaporeans? How might the advancement of technology complement this effort?

Translation Technology

Mr Teo Ser Luck (Pasir Ris-Punggol) : Mr Chairman, Sir, in the initial days when I set up offices overseas – whether it is China, Kuala Lumpur or Jakarta – I used a translator for the local contracts as well as for meetings. Lately, I have been using online platforms, especially in China and also in Malaysia. The online platforms that they produce locally enables me to do translation in double-quick time.

Somehow, I have a thought – what if we have a local project, given our multicultural and multilingual society, a local translation project and then, put it online or using technology to enhance it, it would be wonderful. Because it not only enhances individuals in terms of translating the languages and also the meaning of certain words across different cultures and across different languages, it will also enhance or enable businesses to be able to conduct its business in different languages as well.

So, I wanted to ask the Ministry whether it has such plans to be able to put up that online platform or to merge technology with languages.

Digital Access

Dr Teo Ho Pin (Bukit Panjang) : Mr Chairman, Sir, to be a Smart Nation, it is important to first build a smart infrastructure. Subsequently, it is important that such we made accessible to all Singaporeans.

Sir, in Singapore, we have 4.7 million smart mobile device users. However, not all users have data plans to which, enable them to fully and freely use their smart mobile devices and mobile apps services.

Sir, the costs of subscription of these mobile data plans is an impediment to creating a Smart Nation. The speed at which we educate our smart mobile device users is another barrier, slowing our progress to becoming a digital society.

Sir, I would like to propose that all Community Clubs and Residents' Committee Centres be equipped with free access for Digital Services such as online news, e-Government services and e-learning services. This will encourage lifelong learning and active digital lifestyles among Singaporeans.

Sir, I wish to ask the Minister to update the House on the digital access scheme for low-income households and to consider providing subsidies for smart mobile devices and digital services for seniors.

Future Role of Library

Mr Cedric Foo Chee Keng : Chairman, my cut is on the future role of our public libraries. Traditional paper books are gradually being replaced by electronic books. According to Pew Research Centre, the percentage of US adults that have used or read a print book in the past 12 months has fallen from 71% in 2011 to 65% last year. Conversely, the percentage of US adults that have read an e-book in the past 12 months have increased from 17% in 2011 to 25% in 2019.

This trend is not unique to US and is rather common amongst most developed countries. It is particularly pronounced amongst younger readers and increasingly so, younger readers have voiced their preference for reading from electronic devices. Borrowing from e-libraries using various applications such as Overdrive is also increasingly common. Many adults, including Singaporean adults are no longer visiting the library to pick up paper books, as they did in the past.

Bearing this in mind, there is a need to review the strategic positioning of future libraries, possibly as nodes to foster community or as common spaces for citizens to socialise or as venues to promote life-long learning. I think the possibilities are exciting and we are eager to hear from the Minister on his views about the future role of our libraries.

The Chairman : Minister Iswaran.

The Minister for Communications and Information (Mr S Iswaran) : Mr Chairman, may I have your permission to display a few slides.

The Chairman : Yes, please. [ Slides were shown to hon Members. ]

Mr S Iswaran : It has been an eventful year for MCI. Not least because of viruses, both biological and digital. I want to thank all Members who have spoken and post their questions, queries and suggestions for my Ministry.

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Several Members have spoken on the unprecedented and pervasive impact of digitalisation, as well as the exciting new opportunities it brings – for our economy, for our workers and our people.

Digital technology not only enhances enterprise productivity but also creates novel pathways to access new markets. In Southeast Asia alone, the digital economy will treble to US$300 billion by 2025. Exciting careers are emerging in both ICT and non-ICT sectors – in digital marketing, data analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI). With the $8 billion Transform and Grow package in the Budget, we are investing significantly in the innovation capacity of our businesses and the skills of our people, so that they can fully realise these benefits. We therefore have good reasons to be optimistic about our digital future.

However, the promise of digitalisation is tempered by the uncertainty of change and the fear of disruption to businesses, jobs and even our lives. Enterprises, particularly SMEs, worry that they would not be able to keep pace with digitalisation and risked being marginalised. Some, including mid-career professionals, feel the long-term implications of new technologies like AI. The less tech savvy amongst our citizens are concerned that they are on the wrong side of a digital divide that is ever widening. Moreover, a persistent strain of online misinformation and falsehoods threatens to erode trust in our institutions and, ultimately, our democracy.

These are real concerns and they must be effectively addressed so that every business, every worker and every citizen has the assurance and the deep conviction that they too can thrive in a digital future. And that is the mission of my Ministry – to work with all Singaporeans to build a digital future where are opportunities for all, where no one is left behind, and where trust in our institutions is preserved.

In this Committee of Supply (COS) debate, Senior Minister of State Ann. Senior Minister of State Janil and I, in responding to Members' queries, will elaborate on how MCI is working on three broad thrusts to forge our digital future together by seizing digital opportunities, ensuring a digital future for all and securing our digital spaces.

Let me start with seizing digital opportunities, engaging internationally in digital trade and norm shaping.

Mr Cedric Foo has asked about our plans to enter into digital trade agreements and facilitate digital transactions. Mr Chairman, digital is the new frontier for trade, with cross border flows growing exponentially. And just as we did for international trade in goods and service, Singapore is now actively involved in shaping the international rules and norms that will govern digital trade. Our goal and our interest is to work with like-minded partners to ensure an open digital trade architecture and to guard against a new kind of protectionism.

That is why Singapore is actively pursuing Digital Economy Agreements (DEAs) with countries like Australia, Chile and New Zealand. These agreements will benefit businesses by providing for secure data flows and seamless cross-border digital payments. For example, when DEAs establish e-invoicing systems that are interoperable across borders, enterprises can transact at a lower cost with their international business partners because of faster invoice processing and payment.

I also want to assure Mr Foo that in undertaking these negotiations on DEAs, our Government agencies regularly consult our business interest, business agencies and organisations, in order to establish their interest and ensure that they are adequately captured and reflected in these DEAs.

We also need to foster trust in digital systems by building an international consensus on ethical and governance principles for nascent technologies and system threats. At this juncture, Mr Chairman, I want to hasten to add that MCI is not the progenitor of the idea of using facial recognition in Parliament. Mr Chairman, I think you are better placed on that.

The Chairman : For that, I am responsible.

Mr S Iswaran : Singapore has been an active participant in international platforms to shape global norms in cybersecurity and AI governance.

In cybersecurity, Singapore actively participates in the UN Open-Ended Working Group and the 25-member Group of Government Experts, to develop a rules-based cyber space and to implement norms for responsible state behaviour.

Earlier this year, I also launched the second edition of our Model AI Governance Framework at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos. The framework translates broad governance principles into practical guidelines for businesses who are implementing AI solutions.

Notably, diverse organisations, from Omada Health in San Francisco, to our DBS Bank and Pymetrics, a HR solutions provider, have adopted the best practices in the Model Framework. So, in other words, it is gaining recognition, acceptance and traction.

Seizing digital opportunities also requires world-class infrastructure and I want to like to highlight two important initiatives in this regard.

The first is 5G, which will be the backbone of our digital economy. We are committed to building a world-class, secure and resilient 5G network in Singapore. And that is why network design, resilience and security have been key requirements in IMDA's 5G Call for Proposal (CFP), which was launched last October.

The Government is also collaborating with industry partners, a point that both Mr Douglas Foo and Mr Mohamad Irshad have raised, to develop our 5G eco-system, learn from early trials for future development application and position Singapore at the forefront of global innovation in 5G applications and services.

Mr Irshad asked about the status of 5G rollout in Singapore. We have made good progress. At the close of the Call for Proposal (CFP) on 17 February, IMDA had received three submissions from the incumbent telcos – one each from Singtel and TPG, as well as a joint submission from StarHub and M1. IMDA is evaluating the proposals and aims to announce the award of the 5G spectrum by mid-2020. We are on track to commence 5G deployment this year, achieve substantial coverage in the next two years, and nationwide standalone coverage by 2025.

Mr Douglas and Mr Irshad have also asked about the benefit and cost of 5G. The initial deployment is expected to be in certain industry sectors and consumer applications where there is keen interest to explore innovative 5G use-cases. For example, PSA has had promising results in using 5G technology to control its Automated Guided Vehicles and automated cranes, in another step towards realising its vision of being a Smart Port. In terms of cost, similar to 3G and 4G services, the cost of service plans and handsets are expected to moderate as the technology matures.

Mr Irshad has also asked how we are modernising our logistics networks. This is an important point because driven by e-commerce growth, parcel deliveries have grown rapidly worldwide. In Singapore, around 200,000 parcels are delivered daily, with e-commerce projected to grow at 12% to 20% annually over the next five years.

So, it is neither productive nor sustainable for this growing volume of packages to all be delivered to the doorstep. We do need alternative solutions. We must enhance Singapore's last-mile delivery infrastructure. And that is why we have decided to deploy a nationwide parcel locker network. The network will be owned by IMDA and accessible to all logistics players. It will offer greater choice to consumers, while raising the productivity of the urban logistics sector. Senior Minister of State Sim Ann will further elaborate on the national parcel locker network initiative.

The goal of our DEAs and investment in world-class infrastructure is to benefit all our businesses. So, we are helping our companies, especially our SMEs, adopt digital solutions through IMDA's now well-known SMEs Go Digital initiative. A recent Singapore Business Federation (SBF) survey found that 94% of enterprises recognise the importance of digital technology in transforming businesses. So, the awareness is high and I think that is a starting point from which we can work.

But we can do more, especially to help our enterprises scale and access global markets through digital channels, as emphasised by Ms Rahayu Mahzam and Mr Ong Teng Koon. So, IMDA is launching a new initiative, under the overarching's SMEs Go Digital, and it is called Grow Digital, which will help SMEs access overseas opportunities without the need to establish a in-market physical presence. By connecting to B2B and B2C e-commerce platforms, our SMEs will benefit from smart matching with potential overseas clients, prompt access to financing offers through the platforms and integration with logistics companies for last-mile delivery.

Grow Digital will also help SMEs fully utilise Singapore's network of free trade agreements (FTAs) and our DEAs to extend their business linkages and grow their customer base.

More broadly, IMDA will continue to work with Government agencies and other stakeholders on the Industry Digital Plans (IDPs) for various sectors, such as sea transport, food services and accountancy. These IDPs guide SMEs on the digital solutions and training available at each stage of their digital journey and growth.

IMDA and Enterprise Singapore (ESG) launched the Food Services IDP in November 2018. A Nielsen study commissioned by ESG last year found that Food Services SMEs who had adopted digital solutions found them easy to implement, which is important, and 70% of these companies have seen shorter waiting times and greater satisfaction for customers. So, there is a tangible benefit.

Building on this momentum, the Government will develop IDPs and pre-approve more digital solutions to cover all 23 ITM sectors, up from the current 10. Through these IDPs, SMEs in sectors, such as construction, food manufacturing and adult and early childhood education, will benefit from dedicated digital roadmaps to help transform their business and upskill their workers.

Ultimately, this array of initiatives I have outlined to help our businesses make the digital transformation, must yield benefits and opportunities for our people. We know that digital disruption can cause profound anxiety for mature workers, especially those who may be more advanced in their careers and not have a technology background. They are, in fact, the focus of the Next Bound of SkillsFuture that Deputy Prime Minister Heng announced in the Budget. We want to pay special attention to these mid-career workers, many of whom are in their 40s and 50s, and most keenly feel the uncertainty caused by technological disruption, but they also stand to gain from the new jobs that are being created if the opportunity is presented and they have the requisite skills.

Mr Kevin Lee who went through Company-Led Training (CLT) under TeSA is an example. Mr Lee used to be a senior executive in sales and marketing at several leading technology MNCs. So, he was doing non-tech business in tech companies. After nine months of "deep-skilling" with AI Singapore, he is now an AI consultant, helping organisations figure out how best to use AI and machine learning technologies.

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So, this is an important part of what we are doing with our mature workers already, but Ms Tin Pei Ling and Mr Ong Teng Koon have asked what more we can do, especially for mature workers and those who do not have a tech background.

The TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA) programme is a tripartite effort between Government agencies, industry and NTUC to equip workers with digital skills and place them in good jobs in the Info-Communications and Technology (ICT) sector. IMDA works with trade associations like SG Tech to raise awareness of TeSA. SMEs also qualify for higher levels of funding support, especially for certain types of short-form training programmes.

Since its launch in April 2016, about 100,000 training places have been committed, so a progress from the number I gave earlier this year. For the Company-Led Training (CLT) programme and Tech Immersion and Placement Programme (TIPP), which are long-form courses – in other words, they are courses over a long duration and therefore go deeper – 90% of trainees successfully stayed in the job a year after the completion of training. So, there is traction in the market. The employers value and the employees get a job that they are able to secure and work from.

As part of the next bound for TeSA, IMDA is piloting a new programme, TeSA Mid-Career Advance, for professionals aged 40 and above. Our aim is to lessen the friction that gets in the way of mature workers being able to benefit from opportunities being created in tech sectors or the fast-growing tech areas. We expect to create in the ICT, ICM sectors over 20,000 jobs in the next two to three years.

We want to, on the one hand, make it easier for employers to bring these workers into their team, lessening some of the initial costs that might get in the way, and, at the same time, enable workers to bridge into these roles with the appropriate training.

Under TeSA Mid-Career Advance, the Government will support companies to hire and train mid-career professionals for tech-related jobs, regardless of whether they have an ICT background. Participating companies will benefit from access to a bigger pool of local talent as well as Government subsidies to partially offset the cost of the training and the salaries for the duration of the training. The mid-career individual will benefit from employment in a growth sector while gaining exposure, training and mentorship for up to 24 months.

For a start, we have set aside $70 million for this programme. Ten companies have already come on board and they have committed to about 500 positions covering many roles, both tech and tech-lite – from data analysts, cybersecurity engineers and cloud computing engineers, to business analysts, project managers and sales specialists. Over the next two to three years, we aim to place a further 2,000 Singaporeans in companies through this programme.

Mr Cedric Foo and Ms Tin Pei Ling have also asked how we will address the need to augment our local talent pipeline with the requisite talent from abroad in selected, emerging fields. The Government recognises that tech companies in Singapore and others whom we want to attract need specialists from overseas in certain fields. That is why we have programmes like Tech@SG, which provides fast-growth tech companies with access to business networks and talent, so as to build their teams in Singapore.

In addition, our economic agencies like EDB, IMDA and DISG, which is Digital Industry Singapore and working with the tech companies largely, work closely with them and see how they can be helped to secure the talent that is needed to complement the local pool and enable them to execute their strategies competitively.

In addition, and I think this goes to the point that Ms Tin Pei Ling raised, IMDA and Workforce Singapore help our companies to leverage this specialised expertise from abroad to develop new skill sets amongst Singaporeans – in other words, a transfer of capability – through the Capability Transfer Programme. That is a conscious part of this effort, even as we bring in talent from abroad to complement our local talent base.

Before I move away from the topic of talent, Mr Cedric Foo raised the point about what is happening in our Universities. I think the details and the more complete response will be given in the MOE Committee of Supply, but I think it would suffice for me to say that both in terms of quantity and quality, the intakes for the courses pertaining to computer science and so on have been rising. We see this as being a very rich pipeline that will then enter the industry and meet its needs.

Beyond jobs and businesses, as more citizens embrace technology to enrich their lives or access public services, we must make sure that no one feels out-paced by the change or left behind. Senior Minister of State Sim Ann will explain how we are increasing support for low-income households, seniors and children to ensure our digital future is an inclusive one.

In this mission, our libraries also have a very important role. Our libraries epitomise the spirit of the SG Together movement, bringing our people, volunteers and partners together in a supportive learning environment. The revamped library@harbourfront at VivoCity exemplifies this. In just one year since its opening in January last year, it has held over 360 programmes, more than a third of them run by members of the community. In other words, volunteers.

These unique partnerships form the model for the Libraries and Archives Plan (LAP25), and this goes to the point that Mr Cedric Foo raised. This is a five-year strategic plan for our libraries and archives. Over the next several months, NLB will be engaging with various communities, partners and stakeholders on its future strategies, collections and services to ensure that it continues to meet the needs and aspirations of Singaporeans in an evolving learning and knowledge landscape.

But to fully derive the benefits of digitalisation, we must protect ourselves from the threats in the digital domain. That is why we have instituted Digital Defence as the sixth pillar of Total Defence – to underscore the importance of ensuring that digital spaces where we increasingly interact, transact and rely on for information, are safe, secure and trustworthy.

Mr Cedric Foo has asked how we ensure that we are adequately protected in this environment. Ms Sylvia Lim also raised some questions pertaining to CSA and the work we do with the Critical Information Infrastructure (CII). Cybersecurity is key, in particular to safeguard our Critical Information Infrastructure from cyber threats. CSA has been conducting regular reviews as well as exercises with the 11 CII sectors and the component agencies. But as Members can well appreciate, this is an iterative and on-going process, because the threats keep evolving and therefore, our capacity to deal with them must also keep evolving in tandem.

Later this year, we will also launch a Safer Cyberspace Masterplan to proactively monitor and prevent cyber threats and cyber crime, implement baseline security standards and increase the adoption of these safeguards by enterprises and citizens.

Data protection also takes on added importance in this context. That is why we are reviewing the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) – to support, on the one hand, the legitimate needs of businesses to harness data for innovative products and services, while protecting consumers' interests and increasing the accountability of organisations. Senior Minister of State Janil Puthucheary will elaborate on MCI's new measures to enhance cybersecurity and data security.

But we do have to go beyond cybersecurity and data protection, because ultimately, our aim is to uphold the values of our society, the strength of our institutions, and preserve our common spaces.

Today, the online space is where our hard-won cohesion could fray and splinter. In the digital age, our common spaces are no longer just physical. That is where our laws against online falsehoods become very important, a point that Mr Darryl David has asked.

POFMA has been used to place factual corrections next to the grievous falsehoods which distorted or fabricated facts. These falsehoods have pertained to the COVID-19 situation, police procedures and the management of public funds, among other things. If Singaporeans are duped into believing such falsehoods, it can sow fear, cause panic and erode trust in our institutions. That is why in response, we have used the powers under POFMA to juxtapose the truth with the falsehoods at the source, so that our citizens can see both and draw their own conclusions.

In this fight against online falsehoods, it is heartening to see Singaporeans stepping up to do their part. Amid many online rumours that have been circulating in the context of COVID-19, a group of students from NTU started a fact-checking initiative called "Sure Anot" – a bit of Singlish there – aimed at older Singaporeans. They developed a guide for seniors to assess information they receive, based on NLB's digital literacy framework – "Source, Understand, Research, Evaluate". They also collaborated with an independent fact-checking outfit to share reports of debunked rumours in Facebook and WhatsApp groups.

In a similar vein, I am also glad to share with Members that there are many initiatives from academia to study the challenges of the online information eco-system. In particular, NUS is setting up a Centre for Trusted Internet and Community that will drive research and strengthen public discourse on the impact of the internet and online harms. Senior Minister of State Janil Puthucheary will share the details.

All these strands of work to sustain trust and cohesion through information and communications were put to the test when the COVID-19 virus broke out. Mr Ong Teng Koon, Mr Mohamad Irshad and Prof Lim Sun Sun have all asked about the lessons learned from the experience. Mr Cedric Foo has asked specifically about the role that POFMA played in dealing with falsehoods about the virus.

COVID-19 is not a medical and public health challenge, it is also a psychological battle against fear and uncertainty. As Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong put it, "Fear can actually do more harm than the virus itself". The Government has therefore sought to allay the fears of our citizens and keep their trust by being transparent about the situation, the measures we are taking and the reasons for doing so, and giving regular information on the evolving situation.

Some have caused anxiety in our population by putting out falsehoods. POFMA correction orders were used to swiftly expose them by placing the truth alongside. Firmer levers were used when a recalcitrant Facebook page repeatedly posted falsehoods and refused to carry any corrections. It is abundantly clear that it would have been much harder to quell the spread of misinformation and keep the calm of our society without this set of POFMA measures, which are designed specifically to address falsehoods in the online space.

But to focus only on the use of POFMA for COVID-19 would be to miss the wood for the trees. MCI has also conducted a major public communication and education campaign through the print and broadcast mainstream media, Government websites and social media. The details are on the screen. Alas, removing The Straits Times' paywall is beyond my ken, but I do hope that the relevant people will heed Mr Ong Teng Koon's plaintive call and do the necessary.

We have collaborated with Mediacorp and local celebrities in all four official languages and also in dialects such as Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese, Hakka and Hainanese. This communication campaign would have been much more challenging if we did not have the national platforms with the content and reach to engage and connect with Singaporeans.

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Mr Darryl David asked how PSB will remain relevant amid the changing landscape. PSB has long been a key source of trusted information and common experiences. But with these changes in media landscape, we know that Singaporeans enjoy access to multiple media platforms but it is imperative that they also continue to access local content that reflects and strengthens our national voice and character. The Government will, therefore, invest more in PSB to ensure the quality and relevance to Singaporeans of this important medium.

Prof Lim has asked whether we can take a more strategic approach and integrate the multiple comms channels onto existing Government mobile apps like SG Secure. In today’s fragmented media landscape, we have to bring the information to our people through the different platforms that they rely on. That is the sheer reality of it. The diversity of channels is, therefore, an inevitable consequence. But I want to assure Prof Lim that, as part of MCI's on-going effort, we are working with Smart Nation Digital Office (SNDGO) and other agencies to see how we can further integrate and coordinate these different channels. But we should not let that overarching objective get in the way of responding to needs as they emerge, as they did in recent times with COVID-19.

Already, amid the COVID-19 situation, our efforts have out through new digital platforms. Digital display panels in HDB estates and Gov.sg WhatsApp channel have given almost real-time updates to Singaporeans. We have seen a huge surge in subscribers – over 650,000 in just five weeks – to gov.sg's WhatsApp service which issues regular messages in the four official languages.

This broad-based Government communication effort has been recognised and appreciated by our citizens and many others. From mid-to-late February, REACH conducted an online poll to understand public sentiments and more than 80% of Singaporeans or Singapore residents who were polled indicated that the Government had provided sufficient information about the COVID-19 situation. So, we are getting through, communicating, but we can always do better.

Mr Chairman, I would like to conclude by going back to where I began. It is clear that the digital future holds much promise for Singapore but there are real concerns over the impact of technology on our enterprises and jobs. Be it investment in world-class infrastructure to seize digital opportunities; ensuring digital opportunities for all by helping our mid-career professionals secure jobs in the growing ICT sector; or education and enforcement to strengthen the digital defence of our common spaces – our goal is to forge a digital future where our businesses have the abilities and capabilities to thrive, our workers have good jobs with the requisite skills, and our citizens lead fulfilling lives by embracing emerging digital technologies. And the Ministry of Communications and Information is resolutely committed to working together with all Singaporeans to forge this digital vision for our nation.

The Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information (Dr Janil Puthucheary) : Mr Chairman, digitalisation can bring greater convenience, efficiency, participation and better services for all. A secure digital infrastructure will be important to allow our citizens to live safely, work productively and enjoy themselves online.

Mr Cedric Foo, Mr Vikram Nair and Ms Sylvia Lim asked about the Government's efforts on cybersecurity. The Cyber Security Agency (CSA) has been working to protect our Critical Information Infrastructures (CIIs). This is the first pillar of Singapore’s cybersecurity strategy. These systems are critical for providing essential services, like energy and water.

Since the SingHealth Committee of Inquiry (COI) concluded a year ago, CSA has worked with CII sector leads to strengthen their defences and to implement the Committee’s recommendations. To date, the Energy, Infocomm, Security and Emergency sectors have fully implemented all the recommendations or compensating controls. Other sectors have made good progress and implemented measures for between 70% and 90% of their CIIs. We will continue to track their progress and enable the further implementation of these measures.

It is crucial to strengthen our defences on operational technology (OT) systems as well. These are systems that control physical and industrial processes and manufacturing equipment. As many of the CIIs rely on these, attacks on OT systems can cause physical disruption. To address this, CSA has launched the Operational Technology (OT) Masterplan in October last year to raise awareness and competencies in OT cybersecurity.

Mr Douglas Foo asked if Singapore has a cyber-response framework similar to the DORSCON Framework used to handle COVID-19. There are broad similarities in how we respond. CSA has a framework to calibrate the approach to mitigate potential threats. Should there be an incident of concern, this framework also helps us to coordinate an appropriate national response to secure our cyberspace – a response that will involve multiple stakeholders and agencies as well as private sector entities. Similar to containing COVID-19, in cybersecurity, we need processes to give us an early warning and a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigate any impact of a large-scale cyberattack.

We do this by ensuring timely information sharing from multiple sources. Under the Cybersecurity Act, CII owners are required to monitor systems and report incidents to CSA. CSA then works closely with industry and international partners to share cyber intelligence.

However, we must plan on the basis that we cannot prevent all cyber incidents. Determined attackers will always find new ways to breach our systems. So, we must be vigilant and be prepared to respond to and recover quickly from any attack. To these ends, CSA conducts regular exercises, such as Exercise Cyber Star, to prepare the nation in the event of a widespread cyberattack.

As part of Singapore’s Cybersecurity Strategy, the Government also works with businesses and the general public to improve their cybersecurity. For example, SingCERT provides regular advisories about identified vulnerabilities. Beyond the CIIs, CSA will continue to expand broad efforts to protect cyberspace through the new Safer Cyberspace Masterplan. This aims to make Singapore one of the most cyber-secure countries in the world, benefiting all.

The plan involves, firstly, securing Singapore’s digital core; secondly, safeguarding activities in cyberspace; and thirdly, empowering a cyber-savvy population. Details on this Safer Cyberspace Masterplan will be announced later in the year.

A growing area of concern is the Internet of Things (IoT). This refers to devices, like home routers, smart home hubs, which many of us may have in our homes and offices. We expect that the number of these devices will grow significantly as they become more and more useful. This poses a challenge because these devices typically have weak security and can be exploited by attackers, for example, in a distributed denial-of-service attack to flood systems and disrupt operations.

IMDA and CSA have been working closely to address these challenges and to educate users about these risks and the precautions that they can take to secure their devices. Going forward, CSA will be launching the Cybersecurity Labelling Scheme (CLS) for home routers and smart home hubs. The scheme will raise consumer awareness on more secure products and aims to encourage manufacturers to adopt additional cybersecurity safeguards.

IMDA will be setting minimum security requirements for home routers. This will improve baseline standards for such devices and will be a prerequisite to attaining the cybersecurity label. Together, IMDA and CSA will be launching a joint Public Consultation to seek feedback on this. In addition, IMDA will also be publishing an IoT Cyber Security Guide to offer enterprise users and their vendors better guidance on the deployment of IoT technology.

CSA has made good progress since the launch of the national Cybersecurity Strategy in 2016. But the Government alone cannot secure our cyberspace. CSA will continue to work with individuals and businesses to enhance Singapore's cybersecurity.

Ms Lim asked about CSA's role in the Public Sector Data Security Review Committee. CSA works closely with other Government agencies to enhance public sector data security. However, while related, data security and cybersecurity are different. Data security is concerned about the protection of data – whether this data is collected online or not. On the other hand, cybersecurity is concerned with the protection of systems, including, for example, train signalling. It extends beyond data protection. Both are essential and complementary.

To Ms Lim's point on vendor management, organisations are ultimately responsible for their obligations. These obligations continue when they decide to outsource certain functions. If they do so, they should perform due diligence to select the right third party providers with proven track records and maintain sufficient oversight over this outsourcing of functions.

I agree with Ms Tin Pei Ling that data is critical in this digital age. Data needs to be secure and interoperable to unlock its potential, to support innovation and to benefit consumers. The Trusted Data Sharing Framework introduced in June 2019 laid the groundwork for data interoperability and provided a common language as well as contractual templates to help organisations in Singapore share data in a trusted manner.

Internationally, Singapore is contributing to common data protection principles, for example, the ASEAN Framework on Digital Data Governance as well as the APEC Cross-Border Privacy Rules and their Privacy Recognition for Processors Systems. This network of partnerships that Singapore has and our Digital Economy Agreements will also facilitate cross-border interoperability and collaboration.

We will introduce a new Data Portability Obligation in the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) so that individuals can have their data transmitted between organisations in a commonly used format. This will also improve data interoperability.

On Ms Tin's questions on data centres, Singapore’s data centre market is expected to grow about 5% annually until 2024, according to a 2019 report by Cushman and Wakefield. We are mindful about the environmental impact of these data centres. As part of our nation-wide efforts to combat climate change, IMDA is working with EDB to improve the efficiency of these data centres.

Mr Ong Teng Koon and Mr Yee Chia Hsing asked about Singapore's data protection regime. As we generate and store more data online, it is essential that our regulations enable the innovative, legitimate use of data and simultaneously safeguard consumer interest. The collection, use and disclosure of personal data are regulated by laws like the PDPA. This includes personal data shared between organisations and data collected through facial recognition technology. Personal data must be protected and used for reasonable purposes, like security, as mentioned by Mr Yee. Conversely, the example cited by Mr Ong of the sale of personal data to other organisations without consent would be in breach of the PDPA. Organisations are responsible for expunging the personal data when it no longer serves the purposes for which it was collected. Public agencies are held to similar standards under the Public Sector (Governance) Act.

In order to promote the responsible use of facial recognition technologies, the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) and the Government Data Office will publish guides on the responsible use of biometric technology this year. The guides will include best practices and policies on the end-to-end management of data collected via such technology.

For online consent agreements, the PDPA continues to apply. Organisations must ensure that online consent agreements are clear and spell out the reasonable purposes for which the individuals’ consent is being sought. The PDPC also updated the Guide to Notification last year, providing organisations examples of how to utilise just-in-time notifications and obtain dynamic consent. This allows individuals to make informed decisions as and when relevant, instead of one-off lengthy consent agreements.

As part of the effort to continually support data-driven innovation and to strengthen the accountability of these organisations and consumer trust, the Government is reviewing the PDPA. The key proposed amendments under this review include: (a) obligating organisations to notify affected individuals and the PDPC of significant data breaches; (b) strengthening PDPC's enforcement powers; and (c) instilling accountability practices like risk assessments for organisations. We plan to amend the PDPA later this year.

I announced on 28 February 2020 that the Government will be sharing more data with businesses and researchers to spur innovation. As we do so, the high standards of data protection that the Government imposes on itself must be extended to third parties using three guiding principles. First, the data is shared with these non-Government entities (NGEs) only when there is a specified purpose that will benefit the public. Second, as a general rule, only de-identified data is shared. Third, access controls and safeguards should be spelt out in contracts with these NGEs.

Protecting our citizens online includes shielding consumers from scam calls. IMDA has worked with the telcos to block international scammers from making their phone call look like they are coming from commonly spoofed numbers, such as 999 and 995. We will move on to introduce measures to stop international scammers from trying to spoof numbers that look like they are a local number, targeting our citizens by introducing a requirement to have the "+" symbol as a prefix for all overseas calls. We hope this will help consumers better identify international spoof calls and reject them.

The Government will continue to develop additional measures to combat scams so that our citizens can be better protected. MCI will work closely with other agencies in the newly formed Inter-Ministry Committee on Scams announced by MHA to strengthen our collective efforts to tackle this problem.

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Mr Darryl David and Mr Vikram Nair asked about measures to guard against deliberate online falsehoods. These can threaten our multiculturalism and the harmony of our society. We must protect our social cohesion in the real world and online to uphold the shared values of Singapore. The Select Committee on Deliberate Online Falsehoods recommended for the Government to support fact-checking initiatives and strengthen public education to build an informed and discerning citizenry. We will do so together with a range of partners.

One timely development is the National University of Singapore (NUS)'s decision to establish a Centre for Trusted Internet and Community. The Centre will research how societies discern online harms and how to build responsible public discourse. MCI welcomes this effort. This will be an important academic complement to existing efforts that nurture healthy, well-informed and inclusive online activity.

Finally, Chairman, we must support all workers as our economy digitalises. Technological disruptions have changed how we work, creating new roles and new manpower demands. The Government will continue to support all Singaporeans to capitalise on these opportunities and to meet industry needs.

Mr Ong and Ms Tin asked about tech talent in Singapore. We must work with stakeholders to expand our talent pool and strengthen career developmental pathways for emerging roles. To grow our workforce, we have collaborations with the private sector. We are very glad that industry, for example, Apple and Alibaba collaborate with us. IMDA has been collaborating with them to develop programmes for Secondary school students to help them develop some experience in marketing and pitching business ideas as the develop the technological skills, applying some of these skills to problems that interest them; for example, waste identification and recyclable materials. These industry-led programmes allow young minds in Singapore to develop technological skills, contribute to the causes that they find meaningful and prepare themselves for their future.

We will have to continue to make sure all Singaporeans – including those who did not learn tech skills in schools – are supported as they take on these technology-based roles. We will actively groom the innovation talent through mentorships, overseas attachments and structured training to position Singapore as a digital hub.

Under SkillsFuture, the TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA) initiative supports professionals to upgrade their skills for the Digital Economy. These programmes include the Company-Led Training (CLT) and the Cyber Security Associates and Technologists (CSAT) programme. These support the transition of both ICT professionals as well as non-ICT professionals into technology-based jobs. So, they provide an opportunity for people who are in a technology-based profession to shift their skillset, shift their career focus as well as people who have not had specific ICT training to develop ICT skills and move into a technology-based job.

Not just the companies, not just the Government, but also our trade associations are also actively contributing to these efforts.

Under the Career Compass initiative, experienced ICT mentors from the Singapore Computer Society partnered Workforce Singapore to provide career guidance to aspiring technology professionals. SGTech also manages Professional Conversion Programmes with platform companies such as Salesforce to train and place workers into new roles. These new roles include examples such as data protection officers (DPOs) and cybersecurity professionals. There are many new jobs and exciting opportunities that are being created, and we have to increase our effort to support the professional development in these new roles.

I agree with Mr Patrick Tay on the need to upskill these DPOs. As he noted, the PDPCs DPO Competency Roadmap and Training Framework aims to support this. PDPC will collaborate with partners such as NTUC, to roll out additional courses and targets to train 500 DPOs in the first year. I encourage more workers to tap on such training to deepen their skills in data protection and seize the opportunities in this growing field.

Other than data protection, cybersecurity, as we have discussed, is a critical enabler for digitalisation and we will need more cybersecurity professionals to protect our cyber space. CSA is launching the SG Cyber Talent initiative to reach out to more than 20,000 individuals over three years, through existing and new programmes. This will build a pipeline of cybersecurity professionals to support Singapore's ambition to be a cybersecurity hub.

Under the SG Cyber Talent programme, CSA will introduce two new programmes this year.

First, CSA will work with the cybersecurity community and educators to nurture young Singaporeans with an aptitude in cybersecurity. This will provide participants with an arena for cyber sparring for mentorship for customised training and some support to participate in overseas competitions. Secondly, CSA will build communities of practice, offering training in cybersecurity and connecting cybersecurity leadership to global best practises and technologies. This will equip these leaders to secure their organisations more effectively.

Singapore's cybersecurity workforce is important not just for the development of a competitive digital economy, but also for our national security. To Ms Lim's query on how CSA ensures that it has the expertise and knowledge for its mission, CSA has a Cybersecurity Professional Scheme and a Cybersecurity Competency Framework. Together, these guide the professional development of our offices and allow CSA to attract and retain people with the right skill sets. CSA Academy has also been working with global partners to provide intermediate and advanced training for CSA, as well as for the critical information infrastructure (CII) sectors since 2018. To date, the Academy has trained about 200 professionals.

Mr Chairman, I have spoken about MCI's efforts to secure our digital infrastructure to protect our cohesive society and to support all workers. With this approach, we can seize the digital opportunities and embrace digitalisation with confidence together.

The Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information (Ms Sim Ann) : Sir, like the rest of the world, Singapore is headed towards a digital future. It is MCI's mission to ensure this digital future is also a brighter one for all Singaporeans.

In my speech, I will address three key strategies to realise this goal. First, help citizens get more out of the digital economy by improving last-mile delivery infrastructure. Second, strengthen social cohesion by making trusted information widely available. And third, help all citizens to be digitally connected.

Mr Mohamed Irshad talked about disruption and future prospects for post as well as parcels. Members would recall SingPost had a number of service lapses in 2018 and early 2019. We are in a different place this year. SingPost has been improving service delivery since 2019 to rebuild public trust. They have extended delivery hours for peak periods, improved staff remuneration and also hired more postmen.

Consumer complaints fell by about 40% in December 2019 compared to 2018. Consumer satisfaction has also grown. SingPost's stronger performance reflects the efforts they have put in. MCI and IMDA will continue to work closely with SingPost to enhance its service delivery.

Mr Irshad also asked about the future prospects of postal industry. In Singapore, the popularity of e-commerce has led to a steady increase in parcel deliveries. But given Singapore's urban context and consumers' busy lifestyles, doorstep deliveries often mean missed deliveries. Our postal infrastructure must evolve to offer practical alternatives to doorstep deliveries so that all logistics service providers, and not just SingPost can overcome this costly challenge.

Building on the success of the Locker Alliance pilot, IMDA will launch a nationwide deployment of 1,000 locker stations in HDB estates, MRT stations and Community Centres by the end of 2022. This will complement existing commercial locker stations and doorstep deliveries. The goal is to place a locker station around five minutes' walk from every HDB block. Users can collect their parcels on their way to work, or on their way home, any time of the day. Merchants and logistics service providers will also enjoy greater delivery efficiency. This may result in more competitive delivery prices for consumers. IMDA has received strong support from major e-commerce marketplaces like Qoo10 and Shopee, and logistics service providers like Qxpress. IMDA will also partner with SingPost to leverage its extensive postal service experience.

As we strengthen infrastructure, we must also safeguard our social cohesion. We believe all citizens should have access to trusted information. We do this in two ways. First, our media industry creates compelling content for its audiences. MCI supports the growth of the media sector so it stays ahead of the curve. Second, our Government communications are always centred on citizens. MCI varies the modes of engagement, using face-to-face and multilingual communications to connect with all Singaporeans. Let me cover them in turn.

The media industry plays a significant role in keeping citizens well informed. Mr Darryl David asked how the Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) can continue to be relevant. PSB has evolved alongside citizens' consumption preferences by providing customised content across multiple platforms.

For example, Mediacorp's vernacular programmes are taking a multi-platform approach. To widen audience engagement, Vasantham brought the Deepavali Countdown Show 2019 directly to audiences in Little India. Viewers were able to celebrate in Little India with the "live" show, and catch the telecast on meWatch and Vasantham's social media platforms. Tech-savvy younger audiences can also enjoy more online content tailored for them. IMDA is partnering popular digital platforms such as The Smart Local and Viddsee to produce a wide range of drama programmes and documentaries, which will be available this year.

Mr Darryl David also asked about plans to develop the media industry amid competition from over-the-top (OTT) media services, such as Netflix. The Skills Framework for Media, maps out career pathways and skills in emerging trends such as immersive media, to help media professionals stay relevant. Mentorship programmes like WritersLab, ProducersLab and the Story Lab Apprenticeship also help media professionals sharpen their tools of the trade. These programmes will benefit over 200 media professionals over the next two years.

IMDA is also helping local media content go global. I am glad to see the rise of "made with Singapore" content in recent years. One example is the drama series "Food Lore" by home-grown company, Bert Pictures and prominent directors in Asia. The drama has sparkled on the international stage and done us proud. Through initiatives like the Capability Partnership Programme, IMDA will continue to collaborate with global players such as Facebook and CJ ENM Hong Kong, and strengthen the expertise of local media companies.

Ms Tin Pei Ling asked how the Government ensures timely access to information for Singaporeans. This brings me to my second point on citizens. We are strengthening last-mile engagement to connect with citizens face-to-face. Strong community partnership amplifies these efforts. For example, 3,000 Silver Generation (SG) Ambassadors actively engage seniors with regard to the Merdeka Generation Package or the MGP. One of the SG Ambassadors is Mr Kong Seet Kiang. Already 70 years old, he has been volunteering three days a week since 2015 and a familiar face among Bukit Timah seniors.

MGP roadshows are also in full swing in the heartlands. With the deep involvement of the community, the Government has engaged nearly 200,000 MG seniors and their families at over 200 roadshows and events.

Good translation is essential for important messages to reach all segments of Singapore society. MCI's Translation Department (TD) undertakes the most important pieces of translation work for the Government. It also champions high standards when it comes to translated work produced by all public agencies, whether done in-house or outsourced.

Over the years, MCI initiated various moves to boost our translation capabilities, producing increasing quantities of translated materials, at good quality and at speed. MCI is now ready to consolidate these moves. We will signal a higher level of aspiration, by repositioning MCI's translation department (TD) as the whole-of-Government Centre of Excellence for Translation.

The Centre of Excellence will drive three key workstreams: talent, technology and partnerships.

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First, we will groom translation talents and upskill industry practitioners. This is done through programmes like the MCI Information Service (Translation) Scholarship and the Translation Talent Development Scheme.

Second, we use technology to improve the speed and quality of Government translation work. In the national fight against COVID-19, our machine translation engine, known as SG Translate, has been supporting the translation of public communications materials in vernacular languages. As SG Translate produces translations that suit the local context, it is more accurate than other machine translation tools. Mr Teo Ser Luck asked how we are involving more partners to enhance translation technology. We fully agree partnerships are important to share knowledge and expertise. That is why MCI is launching a new pilot project, SG Translate Together, to rally Singaporeans to improve SG Translate. From 2021, MCI will invite selected groups, including businesses and schools, to submit quality translations through a web portal. The more quality inputs we receive, the more data for training the engine, and the stronger the technology’s underlying AI will become. We will open up the web portal progressively to more users. This will benefit more practitioners while also growing the engine’s capability.

Third, MCI is also strengthening partnerships to close translation gaps. For example, we are working with organisations with skilled translators to meet periodic surges in translation demand within the public sector. We also have retainer arrangements to boost vetting capabilities. Here I want to say a very big thank our translation partners. There is so much more we can do together. Let us continue our partnership to ensure strong Government communications for our citizens.

If translation is the bridge to connect our multiracial communities, then preserved records open a window to Singapore's shared heritage. To strengthen cohesiveness, we must remember the shared history that binds us. The National Library and the National Archives of Singapore (NAS) are widening public access to national and social memories. At the on-going Legal Deposit display at Bedok Public Library, Singaporeans can access a vast array of publications from yesteryear. One of them is the book "Assembly Songs", a valuable compilation of school songs of the past.

In total, the Legal Deposit collection has more than 1.37 million items contributed by publishers. With the updated National Library Board (NLB) Act empowering NLB to archive digital materials, NLB has also added 40,000 Singapore websites to its digital collection, preserved for generations to enjoy. The NAS will be launching a crowdsourcing initiative to capture treasured sights and sounds of Singapore. Citizens can play a part by contributing under categories such as "Sounds of the Heartlands" and "Festivals and Celebrations".

Anchored by our past, we can face the future with confidence. To bring Singapore forward, Minister Iswaran said all citizens should feel confident about seizing digital opportunities. Mr Chairman, in Mandarin, please.

( In Mandarin ) : [ Please refer to Vernacular Speech .] Digitalisation has disrupted industries, transforming jobs and creating new ones. Companies in Singapore are innovating more. The demand for high-skilled roles is set to grow. This will create new opportunities for the workforce in roles such as product managers, data scientists and software engineers.

We must support all workers in skills transition. One segment the Government is focusing on is mid-career professionals. With digitalisation creating disruption alongside opportunities, this group of professionals may face challenges in career transitions. However, their rich experience makes them invaluable to the economy.

The TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA) programme supports workers to acquire new ICT skills.

50-year-old Mr Tan Wai Chong worked in the IT field for 25 years. He has always been interested to learn new skills. With structured training from PSA through TeSA’s Company-Led Training programme, he took on an advanced tech role. He is now an Application Developer with PSA.

To support more mid-career professionals like Mr Tan, IMDA is launching the TeSA Mid-Career Advance programme for Singaporeans aged 40 and above.

The programme will comprise training and mentorship of up to 24 months to equip mid-career professionals with competencies for in-demand tech roles. For a start, about 10 companies have come on board, and committed to about 500 training placements. IMDA aims to benefit an additional 2,000 mid-career professionals over the next two to three years.

Together with the industry, we will support these professionals to further their careers with confidence.

( In English ): Chairman, back to English. Technology can empower our people. However, some segments of the population, such as seniors and low-income households, may feel lost in the digital society. They may struggle to catch up. I understand their anxiety.

Singapore must therefore focus on digital inclusion. We must overcome age, income and literacy gaps, so everyone can reap the benefits of the digital economy.

Mr Vikram Nair asked about measures to boost digital readiness, while Dr Teo Ho Pin asked how we are improving digital access for low-income households and seniors.

NLB and IMDA are galvanising the community and industry to build digital literacy and skills. This is in sync with the Singapore Together movement, where the Government partners with Singaporeans to build a better future.

To support low-income Singaporeans, the Home Access Programme has subsidised broadband for over 14,000 households. One of the beneficiaries is Mr D Rashpal Singh Sidhu. With subsidised broadband, Mr Sidhu found a part-time job after searching online. He also uses the Internet to stay in touch with overseas relatives.

However, while household broadband access in Singapore has increased over the years, some low-income households are still unconnected. To benefit more low-income households, IMDA will enhance the Home Access Programme from April. IMDA will partner with M1, MyRepublic Limited and NetLink Trust to defray the cost of broadband for low-income households, while offering faster broadband speeds. IMDA will also offer a wider range of devices, giving households the choice of either a subsidised smartphone or tablet. We aim to benefit 10,000 more low-income households over three years.

We are also helping seniors to learn digital skills. IMDA, together with partners such as NLB, organised over 200 free Digital Clinics in libraries and community spaces to help seniors with their smartphone devices. Some 3,000 volunteers have reached out to over 15,000 seniors island-wide. One of these seniors is 64-year-old Madam Safia Bte Mohd Salleh. Through Digital Clinics, she discovered useful apps to make polyclinic and hospital appointments, and check the arrival times of buses. She plans to visit Digital Clinics again to learn more.

There are also ground-up efforts to help children navigate the online environment safely. This is important as they are increasingly exposed to technology from an early age. The Media Literacy Council is partnering Google to bring a mobile interactive exhibition on online safety to primary schools this year. Students can learn about online safety, cyber-bullying and the actions to take when encountering problems online. Our Singapore Fund for Digital Readiness also supports community efforts to combat online risks. For example, a group of NTU students organised an exhibition to raise awareness of online child grooming. Visitors could step into the shoes of victims through interactive installations. I visited the exhibition last week. It was very well done, and the messages hit home. I applaud the strong contributions of the community to promote online safety.

Our march towards the digital future must also be matched by an unwavering sense of community. In the fast-moving digital world, it is more important than ever to connect people through common spaces and programmes.

Our libraries play a key role in this. They have transformed over the years to become trusted and treasured spaces where people can bond, socialise and learn.

Mr Cedric Foo asked how we are revamping libraries to ensure they stay relevant in a digital world. We have revamped six libraries under the Libraries of the Future initiative. Strong community engagement to encourage lifelong learning is the hallmark of these libraries. For example, at library@harbourfront, which opened last year, citizens young and old can learn about emerging technology at The Tech Showcase. Interactive displays on topics like educational robotics offer an engaging learning experience. Families can also participate in hands-on activities at the children's makerspace. The revamped libraries have seen an increase of 73% in total visitors and 49% in total loans in the first year of operation. Our libraries are an exception to the global trend of falling library usage.

We are continuing our libraries' transformation. NLB will revamp eight more libraries from now to 2026. They include Choa Chu Kang Public Library, Central Public Library, Queenstown Public Library and Marine Parade Public Library. In addition to these, a brand new Punggol Regional Library is in the works.

These future libraries will play a stronger role in connecting Singaporeans. They will build inclusive learning communities. For example, Punggol Regional Library will offer spaces and collections for all age groups and needs. Users with disabilities and children with special needs can enjoy customised services. The library will also house a specially curated world children’s literature collection so younger Singaporeans can appreciate cultural diversity from an early age.

Mr Chairman, the digital future presents endless possibilities. MCI will persevere in our efforts to ensure every business, worker and citizen can seize digital opportunities. We will continue to nurture enduring partnerships to realise this vision, and leave no one behind. Let us work together, as one nation, to forge a strong digital future.

The Chairman : Clarifications. Mr Irshad.

Mr Mohamed Irshad : Mr Chairman, I welcome the deployment of the thousand lockers across Singapore, particularly to have it located within five minutes of the HDB block. Just one clarification for the Senior Minister of State. She mentioned the roll-out of the locker network will be overseen and managed by IMDA. Can the Ministry study the possibility of setting up a new unit or an entity under either MCI or MOT, similar to Home Team Science and Technology Agency or HTX under MHA. This entity will then have a clear mandate focusing on digitising and driving innovation and transformation in the post, parcel and logistic industry in Singapore by setting relevant standards trialing and driving adoption of new innovative technology such as, say, drone delivery and blockchain traceablility?

Ms Sim Ann : I thank Mr Ishad for his question. Within IMDA, in fact, there is already a sector transformation group whose work is to support the digitalisation as well as transformation of different industry sectors. Urban Logistics is one of them and the Nationwide Parcel Locker Network that we talked about is one of the initiatives under this particular sector.

The Chairman : Mr Cedric Foo.

Mr Cedric Foo Chee Keng : Chairman, I would like to ask the Senior Minister of State, Ms Sim Ann, whether or not we can confidently say that no child in a Singapore school will be without a computer and broadband access if their family cannot afford one.

Ms Sim Ann : To answer Mr Cedric Foo's question, this is, I think, a very important goal to ensure that every child in Singapore is able to learn well and is able to make the full use of the benefits of digital learning. This is a goal shared by MCI as well as MOE. We will do our part in terms of ensuring that low-income households are able to have home access and also at the same time we do partner MOE to also ensure that at the school level, every child who needs digital devices or computers is also being served.

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The Chairman : Mr Irshad.

Mr Mohamed Irshad : Just one other clarification. I welcome the move to set up gov.sg WhatsApp group, a WhatsApp channel to communicate with the public. At which point does MCI determine which channel to communicate with, for example, there is also Telegram. So, what were the considerations behind choosing which platform as a third party platform to communicate with the public?

Mr S Iswaran : Chairman, I thank the Member for his question. As I said earlier, we have to choose the channel according to both the target segment that we want to reach out to but also in terms of our ability to respond situationally. In this case, the COVID-19 outbreak occurred very quickly, we sensed that there is going to be an immediate need for a reliable source of information for our population. What we then did was to repurpose an existing channel, which was a WhatsApp channel that was already available – that was used for communication for certain types of information, particularly the Merdeka Generation package and related information – and we decided that we would repurpose it and make that an immediate mechanism by which we convey the requisite – the relevant information to our population.

I think it has worked well, as evidenced by the response that we have seen from the subscribers, but we do not preclude the possibility of using other channels. But this was responding to an immediate need with the tool that was available to us with the shortest possible notice.

Mr Cedric Foo Chee Keng : Chairman, some months ago, we had a healthy discussion between Mr Pritam Singh and myself about POFMA; whether the Judiciary is best party to act, or whether the Executive branch is better placed to act on the issuance of Correction Notices. I think the recent COVID-19 outbreak is a good example of when to use POFMA. From the recent experience using POFMA for this purpose, does the Minister feel even stronger now, that this is a job best left for the Executive branch?

Mr S Iswaran : Chairman, I thank the Member, who is the Chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee, for his comment. As I emphasised, I think what COVID-19 has in particular brought to the fore, is the need for swift action, when you are trying to ensure a falsehood does not gain traction and mislead the population. In a situation like an epidemic, it is essential that our population stays calm, gets advice and information from reliable sources, and is able to then take appropriate measures.

In that context, we have found POFMA, the tools and also the ability to exercise those tools, the authority that is vested in the Executive to exercise those tools, to have been very effective. It has, I think, demonstrated the case that we made in the course of the debate, in introducing the legislation, that one of the reasons, not the only, but a key reason for wanting to site that authority with the Executive arm, was to ensure the ability to respond decisively, swiftly given the virulence and virality of falsehoods that are pervade online. I think our COVID-19 experience has reinforced, if anything, that conviction; and certainly, we have no reason to question the reasons for doing so.

The Chairman : Mr Pritam Singh.

Mr Pritam Singh : Mr Chairman, thank you. I do not mean to open the debate that we had on POFMA again but the position as far as the Workers' Party is concerned, is still the same. Indeed, you have instances of fake news in the case of epidemics, even pandemics; certainly, they have to be taken down swiftly. But there are different modalities that swift action can manifest itself in. And the Workers' Party position is that there are still other options, apart from Executive orders, that can eventuate in that outcome.

Mr Vikram Nair : Chairman. One of the points I mentioned was I think POFMA is very useful in handling online falsehoods. But, I think in the COVID-19 situation, one of the things we realised, a lot of the falsehoods spread through messaging apps such as WhatsApp for which the Correction Orders in POFMA would not work effectively. So, is there anything else we can do about that? Either future legislation or what I had suggested was, better education of the population.

Mr S Iswaran : Mr Chairman, without wanting to prolong that discussion on POFMA, let me just say that, I think, essentially this is one of the reasons why we were very keen to move on the gov.sg WhatsApp service. Because, firstly, if it succeeded in terms of its reach to a large base of the population, it meant that they had a reliable source of information on COVID-19 through a channel that they are already quite accustomed to using. Secondly, if you were to receive such information reliably through WhatsApp, in this case, then there is also the ability for individuals who might encounter other sorts of information through other chat groups that they belong to, individuals can then forward this to basically provide the countervailing point of view. So, we think that that is a good start.

In terms of the actual mechanisms for dealing with platforms like WhatsApp because they have end-to-end encryption and so they pose a different kind of challenge in terms of the POFMA regulation compared to some of the other platforms.

As we said during the POFMA debate, we are taking an approach which takes into account the variations across different platforms and that includes WhatsApp and Facebook whom we are engaging in an on-going discussion.

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

Mr Cedric Foo Chee Keng : Chairman, indeed digital technology will be a key enabler for a brighter future for Singapore. Listening to Senior Minister of State, Ms Sim Ann, Senior Minister of State, Dr Janil and Minister Iswaran, I am sure my colleagues share my view that we are in good hands. That is because they do not only talk about technology and digits, they were talking about people. Chairman, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.

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

[(proc text) The sum of $1,004,918,400 for Head Q ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. (proc text)]

[(proc text) The sum of $37,103,300 for Head Q ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. (proc text)]

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