預算辯論 · 2018-03-06 · 屆國會 13
新加坡數字經濟與公共服務轉型
議員質詢數字經濟發展及公共部門數字化轉型，政府回應介紹了數字化提升民眾生活便利和企業運營效率的具體案例，強調數字經濟和數字素養提升的重要性。辯論聚焦於如何通過技術創新促進經濟發展和社會包容，爭議較低，更多為政策宣示和成效展示。
關鍵要點
- • 數字化提升生活便利
- • 推動數字經濟發展
- • 加強數字素養培訓
積極推動數字經濟與全民數字素養
加快數字經濟與公共服務融合
“Digitalisation has created many exciting opportunities and improved Singaporeans’ lives.”
參與人員 (8)
- Dr Yaacob Ibrahim
- Chee Hong Tat
- Liang Eng Hwa
- Minister for Communications and Information
- Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information
- Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information and Education
- Yee Chia Hsing
- Zaqy Mohamad
完整譯文（中文）
Hansard 原始記錄 · 2026-05-02
Q部分（續）–
【（程式文本）恢復對問題的辯論【2018年3月5日】，（程式文本）】
【（程式文本）“將預算中Q部分的總撥款減少100元。”——【扎基·穆罕默德議員】（程式文本）】
【（程式文本）再次提出問題。（程式文本）】
主席：秩序。鑑於早前議會中所作的宣告及已用時間，我現將Q部分——通訊及資訊部的截止辯論時間修訂為上午11時40分。各位議員將獲通知後續撥款部分的修訂結束時間。Q部分——通訊及資訊部。部長雅各布發言。
通訊及資訊部長（副教授雅各布·易卜拉欣博士）：主席先生，首先，我感謝各位議員昨天的友善評論。
主席先生，若獲允許，我想播放一段簡短影片，總結本部過去一年的工作，並在回應中穿插一些幻燈片。
主席：好的。【向議員們播放了影片和幻燈片。】
副教授雅各布·易卜拉欣博士：主席先生，數字化創造了許多令人振奮的機會，改善了新加坡人的生活。許多新加坡人積極擁抱數字化，抓住機遇。
剛才影片中提到的一個例子是沙基拉·沙姆女士，她擁有一家融合餐廳Eatz 19。她決定安裝移動點餐和支付解決方案，讓顧客在到達餐廳前就能檢視選單並下單，避免排隊。這樣，顧客滿意，她也能通過產生的資料改善運營。更重要的是，這種便利讓沙基拉的輪椅員工蘇茜的工作更愉快，她現在可以在家線上管理點餐平臺。
另一個例子是桑蒂婭·森蒂爾·庫馬爾女士，一位熱衷自學者。她和兒子一起在圖書館參加程式設計課程，既增進親子關係，也學會新技能。她能用新技能指導兒子編寫自己的遊戲。
還有許多像沙基拉和桑蒂婭這樣的人。幫助他們成功是我們通訊及資訊部（MCI）全體同仁的動力。在本撥款委員會（COS）中，我們將與議員分享MCI的努力。我將談及發展數字經濟和提升新加坡人數字準備度的計劃。高階國務部長賈尼爾·普圖切裡將詳細說明工人、企業和公民如何從數字經濟和數字準備中受益。高階國務部長朱鴻達將解釋MCI轉型和發展媒體行業的努力。我將總結我們圖書館的精彩轉型，希望能激勵大家。
主席先生，先談數字經濟。數字轉型是當今企業面臨的最重要議題。新加坡工商聯合會（SBF）最近的研究顯示，大多數商人充分認識到數字化的重要性，因為回報巨大。微軟最近的研究估計，到2021年，數字經濟將為我國國內生產總值（GDP）貢獻額外100億美元。這是我們智慧國計劃的背景——為人民創造良好工作和機會。
扎基·穆罕默德議員問政府如何確保新加坡企業和勞動力在數字未來中茁壯成長。我的回答是“ABC”——加速現有行業數字化，培育我們的資訊通訊媒體（ICM）公司，創造未來數字技術行業。讓我解釋。
首先，“A”——加速現有行業數字化。數字化影響每個行業，但各行業響應速度不一。銀行金融和零售等行業表現較好。最近我訪問全國職工總會（NTUC）FairPrice在新郵中心的新“生活實驗室”超市，看到FairPrice如何利用創新零售技術改造傳統超市，革新購物體驗，滿足數字時代消費者期望和習慣，同時提升員工生產力。但其他行業則較難跟上。
議員們問政府如何幫助中小企業（SMEs）受益於數字化。先分享中小企業數字化面臨的共同挑戰。部分行業難以數字轉型的原因是知識不足。即使企業願意擁抱數字化，也不知道如何做或從何開始。中小企業尤其如此，因資源和規模有限，難以部署數字解決方案。因此，我們去年推出了“中小企業數字化計劃”，初步聚焦關鍵行業，通過行業數字計劃（IDPs）提供分步驟指導，簡化中小企業數字化。去年11月，我們推出了零售和物流行業數字計劃，今年將推出更多。
議員們問我們幫助中小企業數字化的成效。儘管計劃執行不足一年，已有鼓舞人心的成果。超過650家中小企業受益，更多企業排隊等待。
計劃中預先批准數字解決方案的受益者之一是海鮮之家（House of Seafood），一家餐廳連鎖及食品製造商，產品出口多國。各國進口要求不同，難以高效跟蹤。公司安裝了數字標籤解決方案，自動化合規檢查。海鮮之家出口更便捷，銷售增長20%，生產力提升25%。
上午10時15分
另一個例子是OKH物流。物流業務複雜，公司採用智慧車輛監控系統最佳化運營。通過分析資料，車輛事故減少50%。事故減少意味著資產利用率提升，日均配送量增加約10%。
主席先生，我們將繼續發展“中小企業數字化計劃”，目標惠及更多中小企業。我們完全同意張世樂議員的觀點，必須確保計劃在快速變化環境中保持相關性。我們將定期審查行業數字計劃和預先批准解決方案，確保符合最新行業趨勢和標準，滿足中小企業需求。
扎基·穆罕默德議員問還有什麼措施幫助中小企業抓住數字化機遇。孫雪玲議員問是否會與有影響力的合作伙伴合作，推動行業數字化。我們正在推行一項舉措，不僅關注單箇中小企業的解決方案，而是採取叢集方式，與有影響力的合作伙伴合作，幫助同一行業的一組中小企業。
例如，在物流行業，資訊通訊媒體發展局（IMDA）與主要物流公司如博洛爾物流（Bollore Logistics）、迪美科（Dimerco）和LCH洛克頓（LCH Lockton）合作，帶領其中小企業客戶通過基於雲的電子貨運整合平臺數字化。該平臺整合貨運需求，降低中小貨運代理的運費。該專案將於4月啟動，預計首批受益中小企業超過100家。未來一年我們將開展更多此類專案。
孫雪玲議員問我們有哪些行業層面的舉措推動更廣泛的數字化。去年，IMDA推出多項創新舉措支援物流和零售行業數字轉型。作為零售行業努力的一部分，我們與新加坡標準、生產力與創新局（SPRING Singapore）、新加坡馬來商會（SMCCI）及甘榜格南協會合作，將甘榜格南打造為新加坡首個數字化零售社群。這意味著什麼？
我們將幫助甘榜格南核心區域約200家商戶採用數字解決方案，提升業務運營。這包括採用整合銷售點系統，實現無現金支付、庫存跟蹤和財務核算。通過自動化後臺管理流程，商戶能有更多時間專注產品和客戶。我們正與星和合作為商戶提供這些業務解決方案。
我們還通過開發沉浸式步行路線等數字產品提升遊客體驗，並與淡馬錫理工學院商學院合作，提升商戶線上影響力。我們與Grab合作，提供額外無現金支付選項，提升區域可達性。畢竟，商店將受益於更多顧客在甘榜格南愉快消費。
主席先生，我們將在2018年第二季度啟動轉型第一階段。借鑑甘榜格南專案經驗，我們將探索如何開展其他專案，推動零售行業數字化。藉此機會，我感謝甘榜格南協會和新加坡馬來商會的領導支援。
我們加速行業數字化的另一方式是建立共用基礎設施，提高企業生產力。其中一專案是電子發票。發票對企業至關重要，沒有發票企業無法收款。但發票處理繁瑣且易出錯。電子發票能改變這一點，幫助企業降低成本，加快收款，開闢新融資渠道。我們正與企業研究此事，稍後將公佈更多細節。
主席先生，我接著談“B”——培育我們的資訊通訊媒體（ICM）公司。這很必要，因為沒有強大的ICM行業支援企業提供優質產品，我們的數字化之路難以走遠。在這方面，我們希望擁有本土ICM公司及其他支援該行業的企業。
扎基·穆罕默德議員問發展ICM行業的計劃。IMDA去年已推出ICM行業轉型圖（ITM）。根據ITM，我們目標創造13,000個專業人士、經理、執行人員和技術人員（PMET）職位，行業附加值預計年增長約6%。我們將通過培養人才和幫助企業國際化實現目標。最重要的是，隨著數字化模糊傳統行業界限，我們將幫助企業自我革新。
已有多家ICM公司實現轉型。一個例子是Y3 Technologies，一家專注供應鏈管理解決方案的軟體提供商。近年來，Y3轉型為創新分析服務提供商。憑藉自主軟體，24小時監控所有客戶訂單，處理更多訂單，減少錯誤配送。它還利用分析軟體拓展至電子商務等相關領域。我們將加大支援，幫助更多企業像Y3一樣轉型。
目前，IMDA運營“Accreditation@SG Digital”計劃，幫助創新的新加坡ICM公司擴大本地能力並拓展國際市場。目前已有24家公司獲認證。五年內我們將增加四倍，並提供更多支援，包括建立業績記錄、協助融資及海外擴充套件。以Sense Infosys為例，這家獲認證的資料分析初創企業，IMDA協助其融資和促成關鍵合作，推動海外擴張和顯著增長。
培育更強ICM公司的方式之一是幫助它們與終端使用者合作，共同開發可規模化和出口的新創新解決方案。數字化模糊行業界限，需解決跨行業和學科的問題，難度不小。因此，IMDA將試點“開放創新平臺”，這是一個眾包平臺，促進問題擁有者與解決方案提供者社群合作，共同開發解決實際業務問題的數字方案。
IMDA將優先在零售和物流等選定行業集中力量，建立解決方案提供者社群。IMDA將引入人工智慧（AI）和物聯網（IoT）等技術領域專家，探索技術在業務場景中的應用。
主席先生，建設數字經濟的最後一項重點是“C”——創造未來數字技術行業。去年，我宣佈將投資發展四個前沿技術領域的深厚能力，即資料分析與人工智慧、物聯網、網路安全和沉浸式媒體。我還宣佈了一系列人工智慧和資料分析舉措。
作為ICM行業轉型圖的一部分，IMDA去年11月啟動人工智慧商業合作計劃，促使有興趣的企業與人工智慧解決方案提供商合作。雖然仍處早期階段，IMDA已收到來自多個行業的有前景的問題陳述，正在評估潛在合作伙伴關係以共同資助。IMDA將在未來幾個月分享更多細節。IMDA還與AI Singapore合作推出人工智慧學徒計劃，通過培訓課程培養人工智慧專業人才。迄今該計劃獲得熱烈響應，首批20名學員將於5月開始培訓。
傅志誠議員問新加坡為數字經濟做了哪些準備，包括為企業提供機器學習應用的資料集。主席先生，IMDA下屬的資料創新計劃辦公室（DIPO）正努力促使企業認識共享資料的價值，並促成互利合作。例如，政府積極完善data.gov.sg這一政府資料集一站式公共門戶，增加更多有用資料集，支援企業和公民利用資料共創解決方案。我們也在審查《個人資料保護法》（PDPA），以跟上技術發展和監管趨勢，促進企業使用個人資料，同時維護消費者信任。
主席先生，除了人工智慧和物聯網，我們還看到網路安全的巨大潛力。網路安全是數字經濟的基石。隨著更多服務和交易線上進行，確保數字安全和可靠性尤為重要。網路安全是智慧國計劃中信任的基石。
孫雪玲議員問是否有計劃幫助企業（包括中小企業）和公眾預防及應對網路安全威脅。我們確實在做。例如，網路安全域性（CSA）與資訊安全專業人員協會（AISP）合作，提升中小企業網路安全知識，使其更好應對去年勒索軟體攻擊等威脅。CSA還與個人資料保護委員會（PDPC）合作，提高學生對網路安全和個人資料保護重要性的認識，並與IMDA及國家圖書館局（NLB）合作，為長者提供包括網路安全在內的資訊通訊培訓。
主席先生，我同意扎基·穆罕默德議員的看法，充滿活力的網路安全生態系統是國家網路安全穩健的重要因素。網路安全不僅支撐數字經濟，也是增長引擎。新加坡網路安全行業發展迅速，預計到2020年可創造9億新元收入，為新加坡人帶來許多激動人心的機會和就業崗位。
花旗新加坡是為我國網路安全生態系統做出貢獻的公司之一。許多議員可能不知道，該銀行在新加坡設有其兩個全球安全運營中心之一，另一個在紐約。我約兩週前訪問了新加坡中心，見到了我兩年前撥款委員會演講中提到的法德利·西德克先生。那時他克服了被理工學院拒絕的失望，正攻讀網路安全學位。現在，法德利是花旗的網路威脅情報分析師，表現出色。
我很高興看到法德利的成功，並希望幫助更多對網路安全感興趣的新加坡人追求熱情。CSA將與其他合作伙伴共同努力。首先，CSA和IMDA支援在71號樓建設創新網路安全生態系統（ICE）。該專案將與新加坡國立大學（NUS）和新電信創新中心（SingTel Innov8）合作，幫助有前景的網路安全初創企業擴大規模並國際化。其次，CSA將推出共創新發展概念驗證資助計劃，支援為國家安全、關鍵基礎設施和機密系統使用者開發網路安全解決方案，促進網路安全解決方案的商業化和採用，滿足新興需求。
除了網路安全之外，我們還將投資建設新加坡的沉浸式媒體（IM）能力，因為我們也認為這是另一個有前景的領域。先生，我們的目標是成為關鍵行業中基於IM應用開發和使用的卓越中心，包括工程、媒體、零售和教育。我們將重點關注三個方面。
首先，我們將通過促進業務配對和資訊共享來倡導IM的採用，提高對IM潛力的認識。其次，通過鼓勵試驗和概念驗證開發來建設創新能力。第三，培養IM行業的人才。資政謝鴻達部長將在他的演講中分享我們在建設IM能力方面的一些努力。我們將在未來幾個月公佈更多IM計劃的細節。目前，我們已準備了一個IM展覽，供議員們體驗IM如何改變我們在數字未來中的生活和工作方式。
先生，為了實現這些ABC，我們需要幾個推動因素。第一個也是最重要的是擁有相關專業知識和技能的強大勞動力。兩年前，我啟動了科技技能加速器（TeSA）。從那時起，我們取得了優異的進展。正如恆瑞傑部長在預算陳述中提到的，已有超過27,000個培訓名額被佔用或承諾。
其中一位受益者是穆罕默德·魯扎伊尼先生。魯扎伊尼在行業工作八年後，於2015年被裁員。由於他對網路安全感興趣，裁員後他嘗試加入該行業，但因缺乏正規培訓和資格未能成功。幸運的是，他堅持不懈，加入了國家計算機系統（NCS）下的網路安全助理和技術員（CSAT）專案，在那裡掌握了新的網路安全技能。他現在是NCS的網路安全專業人士。
先生，政府將在未來三年內再投資1.45億新元擴大TeSA規模。這將到2020年創造另外20,000個培訓名額，包括製造業和專業服務等新領域。這將使我們能夠進一步發展數字經濟的人才隊伍。
除了人才，我們還需要在快速變化的世界中審視我們的法規，確保它們保持親商且適用。王鼎群先生詢問IMDA如何應對融合資訊通訊媒體（ICM）環境中的監管挑戰。
IMDA一直非常仔細地研究如何協調電信和廣播行業在競爭、消費者保護和韌性等領域的監管方法。我們相信，融合的競爭和消費者保護守則將為行業提供明確指引，減少監管負擔，同時繼續保護公眾利益。
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融合ICM領域的一個突出問題是數字技術和社交媒體平臺如何共同加劇假新聞的風險。這是信息通信媒體部（MCI）在審查《廣播法》時研究的領域。然而，鑑於議會剛剛成立了針對蓄意網路虛假資訊的特別委員會來審查此問題，最好先研究該委員會的建議，再做進一步行動。因此，MCI將推遲《廣播法》的審查。
張浩斌博士詢問是否有計劃為人工智慧（AI）應用引入監管。目前，我們沒有此類計劃，因為該領域仍處於初期階段，我們希望避免扼殺創新。但我們確實認識到公眾對AI的擔憂。IMDA正與行業監管機構合作，研究相關問題並減輕部署AI可能帶來的風險。
除了人才和法規，繁榮的數字經濟的另一個推動因素是有利的、基於規則的國際環境。這就是為什麼我們倡導開放資料流，並在東南亞國家聯盟（ASEAN）推動網路規範討論。今年作為東盟主席國，我們將致力於提升東盟的數字素養，幫助我們的人民享受數字化帶來的好處。
在東盟之外，我們也積極參與國際機制以促進數字流動。去年，我宣佈我們有意加入亞太經濟合作組織（APEC）的跨境隱私規則和處理者隱私認可系統，這兩個多邊認證機制旨在促進跨境資料流動。
我很高興宣佈，我們的申請已於2018年2月20日獲批。當我們的認證計劃實施後，新加坡的認證機構將能更順暢地與參與APEC經濟體的認證機構交換個人資料，同時消費者可以放心，他們的個人資料跨境傳輸將受到高標準的資料保護。
先生，即使我們擴大數字經濟規模，也必須確保每個人都能分得一杯羹，沒有人被落下。這是我們數字準備工作的主要焦點。歸根結底，智慧國不僅僅是一系列技術專案，而是全社會的運動，旨在改善所有新加坡人在數字時代的生活。正如維文·巴拉克裡希南部長早前所說，我們的方法因此將是包容性的設計。
薩克提安迪·蘇帕特先生詢問數字準備工作組及其提出的提升新加坡人數字準備度的策略。我們已制定數字準備藍圖，確保每位新加坡人擁有數字訪問權，即數字交易的手段；數字素養，即數字公民的技能、態度和價值觀；以及數字參與，即利用技術改善日常生活的能力。資政詹尼爾·普圖切裡稍後將詳細說明。
先生，數字未來的可能性是無限的，關鍵在於我們是否抓住它們。每個人都將在更廣泛的數字轉型中發揮作用，我們信息通信媒體部將與所有人合作，確保我們共同從這段旅程中受益。
主席：資政詹尼爾·普圖切裡。
通訊與資訊及教育資政（詹尼爾·普圖切裡博士）：主席先生，數字時代新機遇的出現正是新加坡轉型為智慧國的原因。智慧國旨在讓我們的生活更便捷，建設一個強大的社會和經濟，提供機會給所有人，企業蓬勃發展。隨著世界日益數字化，確保無人被落下至關重要。
薩克提安迪·蘇帕特先生詢問政府如何與企業和社群合作，幫助公民完成這一轉型。這並非新加坡首次經歷技術驅動的轉型。自1980年代以來，我們已在學校引入資訊科技（IT），為所有家庭提供寬頻，並利用技術和網際網路改造了許多公共服務。
隨著技術變革加速，我們需要更全面和包容的方法，確保所有新加坡人都能參與並受益於數字時代的機遇。為此，我們需要幫助公民做好數字準備。我們的做法遵循三個重要原則。
首先，設計時以使用者為中心。我們的數字服務和應用的使用者介面必須易於使用，幾乎所有人都能在幾乎無指導的情況下開始使用。
其次，我們重新定義數字包容，不僅是訪問，還包括賦予人們技能。如今，我們有許多專案專注於為人們提供負擔得起的裝置和網際網路接入。但數字準備還包括擁有安全自信使用數字技術的技能。這包括基本的資訊和媒體素養技能、網路安全和個人資料保護意識，以及其他多項技能。
第三，協作。數字準備必須是全社會的努力。政府、企業和社群必須共同合作，為新加坡人帶來深遠影響。這就是為什麼我們去年成立了數字準備工作組，彙集來自公共、人民和私營部門的代表，提出應對未來機遇和挑戰的策略。我們從這些組織關於提升素養和讓人們參與數字世界的做法中學到了很多。今年晚些時候，我們將釋出數字準備藍圖。
數字準備意味著確保新加坡人首先擁有數字訪問權，即數字交易的手段；其次是數字素養，即數字公民的技能、態度和價值觀；最終實現數字參與。
以智慧手機為例，這是我們希望提供的許多數字服務的關鍵推動力。我們如何確保足夠多的新加坡人擁有適當的訪問權？目前，新加坡智慧手機的擁有率很高，約為人口的150%，但仍有新加坡人沒有智慧手機。
確保有足夠訪問後，我們需要培養數字素養基礎。首先，我們將明確一套基本數字技能，即每個人作為邁向數字社會參與的第一步應具備的技能。
這些技能的重點領域將是通過移動裝置進行溝通、交易和資訊搜尋的能力，適用於日常生活。這些技能將被制定為課程，提供給培訓機構，也可供家庭、朋友或社群夥伴使用，幫助每個人享受智慧國的好處。為確保人人受益，我們將在年底前提供四種語言的基礎技能培訓。
吳俊彬副教授詢問政府在應對網路欺凌方面的努力。我們同意吳副教授的觀點，重要的是為青少年、家長和教師提供可信賴的求助和支援渠道。
Help123由國家社會服務理事會及飛躍社群服務、觸覺社群服務等合作伙伴於去年發起，提供青少年網路健康問題的專門網路聊天、電子郵件服務和熱線。它還提供輔導員資源，支援需要進一步直接干預和幫助的人。
媒體素養理事會也在該領域工作，持續提供資源應對網路欺凌。例如，“更好網際網路”運動中的反網路欺凌教學影片、針對受害者的資訊包、為家長和家庭提供識別網路欺凌症狀及幫助兒童的指導產品。今年將推出一系列研討會，幫助家長培養數字韌性的孩子。
維克拉姆·奈爾先生詢問如何確保各年齡段的新加坡人不被落下。我們的做法一直是儘可能包容，同時認識到某些群體轉型困難，給予他們有針對性的幫助。我們將繼續通過擴大針對老年人的數字準備計劃來幫助他們。
今年年底前，我們將舉辦超過50場數字診所，惠及2,000名老年人，幫助他們自信使用數字移動技術。今年，我們還將與業界和社群團體合作，組織48次體驗式學習之旅，惠及2,000名老年人，學習對日常活動有用的數字技術，如電子支付。
餘家興先生詢問是否能做更多準備老年居民適應數字電視（TV）。目前約三成家庭仍使用模擬電視訊號。我們已設立數字電視援助計劃，幫助家庭切換到數字電視，並將繼續為老年人提供有針對性的幫助，包括舉辦英語及本地語言的簡報和演示會。
正如我們幫助公民做好數字準備，政府也將幫助工人和企業建立強大能力，抓住數字經濟的機遇。
薩克提安迪·蘇帕特先生詢問TeSA的進展及其未來發展。TeSA是一個關鍵的三方合作計劃，通過培訓幫助建立強大的數字能力。正如部長所述，成果令人鼓舞，自2016年啟動以來，已有超過27,000個培訓名額被佔用或承諾，大大增加了工人的機會。所有參加TeSA公司主導培訓計劃的個人，以及超過90%的技術沉浸和安置計劃求職學員均已成功就業。
我們將通過額外1.45億新元資金擴大TeSA計劃。這將提供更多培訓名額、更多專案，並覆蓋更多使用者行業。TeSA不僅對工人重要，對企業同樣關鍵。數字經濟發展的關鍵問題之一是勞動力的能力和技能供應。通過聚焦TeSA，我們幫助工人找到工作並轉型新崗位，同時幫助企業發展技能和能力，實現增長。這些舉措包括什麼？
首先，TeSA將在2020年前提供額外20,000個培訓名額。這將依託我們強大的多機構和三方合作模式。
其次，TeSA將與行業緊密合作，開發更多前沿技術領域的專案，如人工智慧、資料分析、網路安全、物聯網和沉浸式媒體。對這些前沿技術技能的需求將帶來更多就業機會。
迄今為止，TeSA主要關注現有技能缺口、現有崗位缺口、已知技術和成熟的商業問題。我們需要推動向這些前沿技術邁進，預見發展數字經濟的下一步需求。希望更多公司與TeSA合作，共同開發這些領域的培訓專案。
第三，我們將擴大覆蓋更多使用者行業。隨著經濟和產業快速數字化，資訊通訊技術（ICT）專業人才在多個經濟領域需求旺盛。目前，TeSA主要聚焦ICT、金融和醫療保健行業。未來，TeSA將擴充套件培訓至製造業和專業服務業。
根據我們發展人才的承諾，TeSA還將加強對最需要幫助者的支援，如在經濟和ICT就業格局變化中尋求新機會的中年ICT專業人士。
張德明先生詢問如何更好支援工人，尤其是中年工人，提升技能和再培訓。TeSA專案已惠及中年專業人士。自2016年以來，約有10,000個TeSA培訓名額被40歲以上人士佔用。但TeSA將做更多工作支援更多中年ICT專業人士。
首先，我們將幫助策劃跨行業ICT職位空缺。公共、非營利和私營部門以及不同行業均有ICT職位空缺，但許多中年ICT專業人士可能缺乏進入新行業所需的網路、聯絡或行業特定技能。他們可能已有適用於私營、公共或非營利部門的技能，或擁有特定行業的ICT技能。我們需要幫助他們實現跨領域、行業或部門的轉型。若不這樣做，將錯失許多潛在有意義的職位機會。
IMDA正與教育部等政府機構合作，識別ICT專業人士可安置的職位。我們也通過中小企業數字化計劃與行業夥伴合作，策劃更多合適的職位。
其次，我們將加強對中年專業人士的就業促進。藉助由新加坡計算機學會（SCS）、新加坡勞動力發展局（WSG）、就業與就業能力研究所（e2i）及職工總會（NTUC）等合作伙伴組成的綜合職業服務生態系統，個人將獲得更多職業指導、輔導和更好的職位匹配支援。該生態系統內的職業教練和導師將獲得更及時的職位空缺和技能需求資訊，以更好地協助工人。
通過TeSA的擴大和有針對性的支援，我們將打造勞動力的強大數字能力。
先生，信息通信媒體部及合作伙伴將幫助工人、企業和公民抓住數字新加坡的機遇。在未來幾個月，我們將分享更多關於數字經濟和數字準備工作的細節。
主席：資政謝鴻達。
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通訊及資訊高階國務部長(徐芳達先生)：主席先生，隨著我們踏上數字化轉型之路，我們清楚地認識到，科技是推動力，而非最終目標。我們的目標是通過利用科技，培養想象力、企業精神和創新精神，改善人民生活，為新加坡人創造優質就業機會。這也是我們發展新加坡媒體業時所採取的方針。我們對媒體業的努力聚焦於四個“C”：內容、能力、渠道和協作。
首先是內容，這是媒體業的核心。引人入勝的故事能夠吸引觀眾。我們的本地媒體公司在這方面表現出色，製作了優質的本地內容，受到全球觀眾的喜愛。例如，Netflix委託其首部中文系列劇《Bardo》，與本地製作公司IFA Media及臺灣導演郭三合作。我很高興一家總部設在新加坡的媒體公司參與了將其故事推向全球平臺的工作。
資訊通訊媒體發展局(IMDA)將繼續支援本地媒體公司和人才創作優質內容，作為發展新加坡媒體業計劃的一部分。我們將在今年晚些時候公佈更多細節。
一個重要領域是加強與國際領先媒體公司的合作。例如，與HBO亞洲的合作將為新加坡人提供在HBO即將製作的作品中擔任關鍵製作角色的機會。其中一部是由本地電影人許鞍華創作的恐怖選集《Folklore》，另一部是設定在19世紀爪哇的歷史劇《Grisse》。這兩部劇集將於2018年下半年首播。
對於公共服務廣播(PSB)，本地製作的PSB節目仍是講述新加坡故事、以新加坡視角呈現新聞和娛樂的重要渠道。Mediacorp將通過內容發展基金(CDF)嘗試新的內容概念和製作技術。徵集提案於去年十月啟動。入選提案之一是《Under Our Sky》，一部設定在新加坡的外星入侵驚悚劇，採用大量計算機生成影像和360度影片。試播集將於明年初在Toggle上線。
接下來談能力，達瑞爾·大衛先生詢問我們如何幫助媒體業建立持續增長的能力。這包括利用增強現實和虛擬現實(VR)等資訊通訊技術。根據IMDA與Discovery Networks Asia Pacific的合作，Discovery委託製作了一系列VR作品。前兩部作品將於今年晚些時候釋出。另有兩部作品正在製作中：《Living on the Edge》講述泰國兒童泰拳選手的故事，《Wild Treks》展示沙巴海上吉普賽人巴瑤族的生活。這些作品由本地媒體公司BeVRR和iMMERSiVELY製作，他們將與Discovery緊密合作，通過Discovery的VR應用將作品推向全球觀眾。
IMDA將與遊戲技術公司Unity合作，在PIXEL Studios聯合推出Unity孵化器服務。我們的公司將受益於旨在促進知識轉移和分享資訊通訊應用及遊戲開發最佳實踐的商業和技術研討會。
IMDA將推出更多加速器和培訓專案支援我們的公司。我向達瑞爾·大衛先生保證，小型公司也將從這些專案中受益。例如goGame，這是一家新加坡移動遊戲發行公司，隸屬於世嘉(SEGA)，已與IMDA合作推出新加坡首個遊戲加速器。該加速器將培訓早期遊戲開發者的商業策略、授權和市場營銷能力。
另一個重點是投資年輕人。在IMDA支援下，Mediacorp通過學徒計劃和與學校合作，致力於培養年輕創意人才。例如，幾天前在Toggle上線的中文網路劇《孤魚》，源自Mediacorp、義安理工學院和國大聯合舉辦的劇本寫作工作坊。義安理工學院的三名學生歐偉廷、陳麗佩和王文怡參與了工作坊，提出了該劇的創意。在Mediacorp編劇和製片人的指導下，他們經歷了完整的製作週期，學習劇本寫作、表演和製作的技巧。
Mediacorp還與淡馬錫理工學院、共和理工學院和義安理工學院合作開展青年創作者專案。該專案由經驗豐富的Mediacorp導師指導學生進行內容製作。Mediacorp已選定11個學生專案委託製作，這些作品將於今年晚些時候在Toggle上線。
我們強調培養年輕人才，凸顯了一個重要觀點。沒有專注於人才發展，就無法建立有效的能力。人文關懷依然是媒體業的核心，因為媒體工作以連線人與人為中心。
這同樣適用於我們的主流媒體。我同意Ganesh Rajaram先生的看法，人才發展是優質新聞報道的關鍵。這是支援主流媒體提供準確客觀新聞報道以及深刻評論和紀錄片的重要因素。
在新聞編輯室之外，我們也專注於發展本地人才庫。IMDA持續推行的人才援助計劃是一個有益舉措，為媒體人才提升技能提供資金支援。今年五月起，我們將擴大該計劃，支援媒體業以外的專業人士，如製造業和零售業從業者。去年全國演講大會上，我們宣佈了媒體人力計劃，旨在打造未來適應型媒體勞動力。IMDA在該計劃的實施上取得了良好進展。
我之前宣佈IMDA與新加坡技能未來局(SSG)聯合開發媒體技能框架，預計於2018年11月推出，涵蓋約140個媒體職位，涉及遊戲、廣播和電影等領域。目前已有40個本地及海外利益相關者，包括Beach House Productions、Fox Networks Group和Ubisoft，參與了框架的意見徵集。
鑑於媒體自由職業者在經濟中的重要作用，IMDA於去年11月推出了《媒體自由職業者服務採購三方標準》。自那時起，已有52個組織採納該標準。自2018年4月1日起，組織必須採納該三方標準，方可獲得IMDA的媒體補助及公共服務廣播內容資金。我期待未來有更多組織採納該標準。
現在談談發展有效渠道以觸及觀眾的必要性。我同意Vikram Nair先生的觀點，我們應擴大公共服務廣播節目覆蓋範圍，吸引更多新加坡人。除了傳統的免費頻道，IMDA積極與數字及網路媒體合作。
例如，IMDA與新加坡報業控股(SPH)合作，通過SPH的數字內容網路製作和分發短影片。去年試點期間釋出了118個短影片。基於成功經驗，SPH將製作第二批超過120個短影片。
IMDA還與新加坡短片線上影片平臺Viddsee合作，為年輕觀眾提供更具吸引力的公共服務廣播內容。Viddsee是利用資料分析推動觀眾量和變現的典範。Viddsee將與本地電影人合作製作五個原創系列。首部作品是由伍麗兒執導的短片《Run Chicken Run》，於上月釋出。該片以農曆新年為背景，故事溫馨，反響良好。
IMDA將繼續與Mediacorp合作，更好地吸引Toggle數字平臺的觀眾。自2015年4月重新上線以來，Toggle的觀看量穩步增長，目前每月影片觀看次數超過八百萬。我認為這項工作應持續推進。
我很高興Mediacorp的分析工具RIPPLE去年在全球大數據媒體大會上獲得三項BIGGIES獎。藉助RIPPLE，Mediacorp今年將推出34部新的Toggle原創作品，較去年的13部大幅增加。我相信這些新作品將為觀眾提供更多娛樂選擇。
第四個也是最後一個“C”是協作。正如Ganesh Rajaram先生指出的，協作對於我們的主流媒體公司SPH和Mediacorp同樣重要。
經過兩年成功合作，SPH與StarHub最近續簽了兩年合作協議。他們將繼續在跨媒體內容創作與釋出、資料分析和市場營銷等領域合作，SPH製作的內容將在StarHub付費電視服務中播出和推廣。此外，他們還將在醫療保健、零售和教育等非媒體業務領域展開合作。
Mediacorp和SPH也探索了可能的合作領域。他們聯合推出了數字廣告市場——新加坡媒體交易所(SMX)，整合資料資源，開拓新的廣告機會，為廣告主提供更精準的定位能力。兩家公司還與IMDA合作，共同推廣新加坡媒體業的機遇，以更好地培養人才庫。
這些都是通過合作伙伴關係，媒體公司如何為數字時代定位自己並創造更多價值的例子。
主席先生，感謝劉謙強先生給予機會，讓我們彙報自2014年成立以來國家翻譯委員會的工作。圍繞人才、技術和團隊合作三大重點，我們推出了多項舉措。因時間有限，我只簡要介紹幾個例子。
首先是人才發展。自2015年以來，我們已頒發六個資訊服務(翻譯)獎學金，培養對翻譯有濃厚興趣的年輕新加坡人。國家翻譯委員會今年早些時候啟動了翻譯人才發展計劃(TTDS)，為業內譯員和口譯員參加研討會和課程提供資金支援，以提升技能和專業水平。
接下來是技術。我們與公共部門機構合作，完善了託管於gov.sg的政府術語翻譯資料庫，涵蓋超過6200個政府相關術語的中文、馬來文和泰米爾文譯本。我同意劉謙強先生的看法，整理線上資源，使其便捷易用非常重要。我們將與國家翻譯委員會成員討論他的建議。
資訊通訊媒體發展局正與科學技術研究局(A*STAR)合作開發定製政府機器翻譯引擎。該引擎通過MCI及其他政府機構的翻譯資料“訓練”，能夠準確翻譯本地術語。
最後是團隊合作：國家翻譯委員會於2016年啟動了社群翻譯(CiT)計劃，旨在提高年輕人對翻譯的認識和興趣。該計劃與多家合作伙伴攜手，為學生舉辦三種母語的翻譯工作坊，並支援學校組織翻譯競賽。
主席先生，在我們多元種族社會中，提高翻譯水平是政府的重要工作重點。我感謝國家翻譯委員會及來自各語言社群和行業合作伙伴的資源小組成員的貢獻。
正如馬來諺語所說，“Bukit sama didaki, lurah sama dituruni”（同登山，共下谷），我們共同克服困難，共享成果。
還有一句泰米爾諺語，“ஒன்றுபட்டால் உண்டு வாழ்வு”，意為“團結就是力量”。正如我在2016年全國演講大會所言，我們致力於確保翻譯準確：“சரியான மொழிபெயர்ப்பே நமது கடப்பாடு”。
主席先生，請允許我用中文結束髮言。
（中文）：[請參閱本地語演講。]在像新加坡這樣多元文化、多種族的社會中，翻譯發揮著重要作用。它幫助政府更好地解釋政策，從而惠及人民，促進種族間的理解。
我們意識到隨著社會和技術的發展，我們面臨的挑戰。然而，國家翻譯委員會與志同道合的夥伴將堅持不懈，繼續這項有意義且重要的使命，這也是一項具有文化意義的工作。
主席：雅各布·易卜拉欣部長。
副教授雅各布·易卜拉欣：先生，許多議員分享了新加坡人和公司通過數字化成功轉型的積極例子。讓我再分享一個例子——我們的圖書館。
上午11時
先生，我們的圖書館是國家的寶藏。我們最早的圖書館設施簡樸，旨在促進新加坡人閱讀。但它們一直在探索促進圖書館使用的新方法，比如我們的流動圖書館。如今，它們通過利用科技，重新定義自己，倡導終身學習，建設更緊密的社群，改善新加坡人的生活。
三年前，我在本議院介紹了圖書館轉型的最新規劃——未來圖書館總體規劃。我們的願景是讓圖書館利用數字技術，成為社交紐帶、協作和共創的場所。
總體規劃已取得令人鼓舞的成果。五座圖書館已根據總體規劃翻新並重新開放——勿洛公共圖書館、武吉班讓公共圖書館、盛港公共圖書館、淡濱尼區域圖書館和義順公共圖書館。訪客數量平均翻倍，武吉班讓和盛港圖書館的借閱量較翻新前增長超過40%。去年訪問公共圖書館的人數較前年增加，尤其是長者和兒童。
我們翻新圖書館受歡迎的原因之一是其特色空間，尤其是具備數字功能的空間。例如，武吉班讓公共圖書館設有沉浸式故事講述室，通過資訊通訊技術讓故事栩栩如生。新義順公共圖書館設有專門的數字學習區，使用者可以盡情閱讀電子書和電子雜誌。這些特色空間為尋求不同體驗的訪客帶來福音，比如梁女士，她每週帶三個孩子四次光顧武吉班讓公共圖書館。孩子們在沉浸式故事講述活動中玩得開心，而她則參加圖書館舉辦的育兒講座。
張浩斌醫生提到圖書館訪客人數持平，並詢問通過數字技術促進閱讀的新舉措。雖然實體圖書館訪客人數保持穩定，但我們的數字覆蓋顯著增長。如今，國家圖書館局(NLB)網站提供豐富的數字資源，支援隨時隨地學習。
事實上，截至2017年，電子書借閱量增長了69%；NLB的數字覆蓋率增長了三倍多，達到34%；自2016年10月推出以來，NLB移動應用已被訪問三百萬次。因此，尚未下載NLB應用的議員們，我強烈建議你們今天就下載！
我們的圖書館還能做更多。達瑞爾·大衛先生和張浩斌醫生詢問圖書館如何幫助新加坡人為未來數字技能需求更高的經濟做好準備。答案是很多。
我們的圖書館已建立多項合作，包括與技能未來局(SSG)合作，提升三大能力：技能與就業能力、商業敏銳度與市場知識，以及創新。為促進技能與就業能力學習，NLB與SSG聯合設立了終身學習學院的LLiBrary，使用者可利用數字資源進行職業發展。為幫助提升商業敏銳度與市場知識，NLB最近開設了“亞洲視野”資源中心，通過線上資源、講座和導師計劃，幫助使用者更好了解區域市場。為激發創新，我們將在兀蘭區域圖書館建設另一個Pixel Lab，將更多創意轉化為現實。
這將幫助像Jeremy Tan先生這樣的創新者，他想創造一種廉價的軟冰淇淋機，替代市場上的昂貴裝置。通過裕廊區域圖書館的Pixel Lab，Jeremy能夠打印出設計的工作樣機，向潛在投資者展示，並說服國大企業孵化器資助他的創作。
NLB還將與科技公司合作，培養下一代具備數字準備的新加坡人。今年將是激動人心的一年。我們期待首屆NLB-微軟人工智慧駭客松，將學生聚集一堂，利用微軟的人工智慧產品和NLB資料共同創造創新解決方案。NLB還將與微軟合作，共同舉辦全國數字故事講述比賽，面向所有中學生，鼓勵他們利用武吉班讓公共圖書館的資訊通訊技術和微軟工具講述自己的故事。
我們的圖書館將在實現數字準備願景中發揮更大作用，正如通訊及資訊高階國務部長賈尼爾·普圖查裡所述。首先，NLB每年將推出超過1000個面向各年齡層的數字準備專案。
張浩斌醫生詢問圖書館在支援和準備新加坡人積極老齡化方面所做的努力。我很高興分享，國家圖書館局（NLB）將與信息通信媒體發展局（IMDA）合作，開發並提供一系列數字準備服務，並在五年內將數字準備培訓的覆蓋面擴大到超過30萬新加坡人，其中85%預計為成年人和老年人。今年，老年人可以期待TechShare，這是一個為老年人展示當前和即將推出技術的科技展示平臺，在“科技遊樂場”環境中探索機器人和智慧家居技術等小工具。
先生，這些投資的結果是客戶滿意度的提升。最近的一項調查顯示，越來越多的新加坡人正在訪問圖書館，閱讀書籍，並且樂在其中。
兒童和年輕的新加坡人從圖書館的轉型中受益匪淺。國家圖書館局長期支援推廣早期閱讀的努力，特別是針對較弱勢兒童，因為這有助於提升終身學習能力。因此，我們有像KidsREAD和Early READ這樣的專案。
這些努力取得了令人鼓舞的成果。根據我們對KidsREAD的調查，五分之四的兒童更喜歡閱讀。他們還通過參加KidsREAD課程，培養了積極的自尊和對閱讀的積極態度。通過Early READ，99%的教育者和92%的家長觀察到他們的孩子對閱讀產生了興趣。
我們的圖書館向我們展示了擁抱數字化並自我革新以在未來蓬勃發展的可能性。但技術並非成功的唯一決定因素。我們還必須擁有深厚的身份認同感，以在不確定且快速變化的未來中紮根。這正是我們的圖書館表現出色的地方，得益於它們在保護國家遺產方面的卓越工作。
孫雪玲女士詢問國家圖書館和檔案館為保護我們的遺產所做的努力，以及是否所有圖書館都能訪問檔案資源。我很高興分享，他們在利用數字技術加強數字化工作方面處於領先地位，這對保護我們的記憶至關重要。數字化內容可通過各種數字門戶訪問，如Archives Online和NewspaperSG。事實上，許多Mediacorp的廣播檔案也可通過多媒體站在公共圖書館免費觀看。
上週我訪問國家圖書館時，有機會瀏覽了NLB的空間發現網站。該網站允許使用者查詢並與NLB和新加坡國家檔案館（NAS）收藏的地圖及相關資訊互動。
每張地圖都是豐富的資訊檔案，正如議員們從1982年樟宜地區地圖疊加當前樟宜機場衛星影像中所見。如今，許多人依賴谷歌地圖指引路線。然而，這些歷史地圖講述了不同的故事：它們展示了我們從一片荒地發展到擁有四個機場航站樓的歷程，以及未來可能的發展方向。好訊息是，先生，任何人都可以隨時通過聯網裝置訪問這批知識寶庫，而不僅限於圖書館。
我們將繼續努力。今年晚些時候，我們將修訂國家圖書館局法案，要求出版商儲存無技術保護措施的電子出版物，以便NLB能夠提供訪問並儲存這些文件。
在保護國家遺產方面，NLB與社群緊密合作，保護體現在我們人民身上的豐富遺產和文化。我們特別感謝我們的公民檔案員在過去一年中幫助我們轉錄、描述並理解約27,000張圖片或頁面。我們將繼續為新加坡人及其朋友提供更多途徑，貢獻他們對新加坡風貌和重要時刻的記錄。
同樣，先生，檔案館召集了社群口述歷史委員會（COHCs），以確保口述歷史收藏的全面性、代表性和多樣性。
COHCs收集了來自各行各業新加坡人的精彩故事，如1950年代埃莉諾女士救助朋友免遭暴徒毆打，涉及穆斯林伊斯蘭法庭的律師努爾·穆罕默德·馬裡坎先生，以及著名泰米爾語作家拉瑪·卡納比蘭先生。
國家檔案館將繼續儲存並提供訪問我們國家面臨風險的收藏和珍品，包括微縮膠片和視聽記錄。今年是國家檔案館金禧年。因此，我們正在翻新位於坎寧嶺的檔案館大樓，以提升檔案設施並創造更多公共空間，讓新加坡人享受我們豐富的珍藏。
您很快就可以在新的檔案閱覽室舒適地瀏覽歷史文獻，或在升級後的奧爾德姆劇院觀看修復電影。但除了硬體設施，國家檔案館今年晚些時候還將推出公眾專案，讓大家享受其龐大收藏。
先生，過去幾年，通過新加坡21、我們的新加坡對話（OSC）、SG50以及最近的SGfuture等多次對話和外展活動，我們聽到了來自各行各業新加坡人的希望和願景，以及我們如何共同塑造集體未來。在OSC對4,000名受訪者的調查中發現，新加坡人普遍樂觀，認為未來五年會比今天更好，且今天比五年前更好，儘管面臨挑戰。
正是懷著同樣的樂觀和熱情，我的部委設想了真正數字化新加坡的意義。我們看到新加坡人在數字經濟中找到自己的定位，無論是學習3D列印等新技能的人、中小企業使用應用程式為客戶帶來便利，還是社群合作開發前瞻性數字解決方案以改善新加坡人的生活。
先生，我們將為富有創造力的企業家提供機會，將他們的想法變為現實，為內容創作者從故事板走向大銀幕提供支援；為成熟和新興公司成為世界級巨頭提供助力。我們期待未來，無論身處何地，都能瀏覽更多數字資源，社群共同學習成長。
今天，先生，未來正從議會大廈接待廳向我們招手。我邀請議會成員參觀在那裡舉辦的信息通信媒體發展局（IMDA）展覽，您可以在其中視覺化並數字體驗大型3D建築模型的建設過程，以及其他增強現實（AR）和虛擬現實（VR）活動。
正如所見，我的部委及其機構離實現我們的願景又近了一步。我們將繼續與所有公民和企業不懈合作，共同走向真正數字化的新加坡和智慧國，通過發展經濟、支援各行業中小企業、創造優質就業和提升所有新加坡人的生活質量。正如我在演講開頭展示的影片中的人們，我們的終極目標是部署技術，持續改善新加坡人的生活，並賦能他們為家庭、社群和國家做更多善事。
主席：扎基·穆罕默德先生。
扎基·穆罕默德先生：主席，我有幾個問題想問資深國務部長謝鴻達先生，關於他剛才分享的內容。剛宣佈的與Mediacorp和新加坡報業控股（SPH）等其他參與者的資金和合作，預期的成功指標是什麼？在部委看來，它們的表現如何，與真正影響讀者和觀眾的渠道相比，比如Toggle與YouTube、Netflix；主流新聞應用與其他替代品；或電視內容提供商與有線運營商相比？
部委是否也擔心像SPH去年不得不縮減規模和裁員？這會影響它們在公共傳播中的角色嗎？
最後，鑑於本地語言媒體，尤其是泰米爾語和馬來語新聞提供者在新加坡，特別是年輕一代中，讀者和觀眾數量下降，這將如何影響它們？
謝鴻達先生：主席，感謝扎基·穆罕默德先生的澄清。首先，我們需要明白主流媒體——Mediacorp、SPH——的觀眾和讀者數量並未減少。SPH的情況是，讀者從紙質報紙轉向通過移動裝置和iPad線上獲取新聞。
Mediacorp也是如此，我們看到人們不一定在電視機前觀看節目，而是通過Toggle線上收看。昨天，維克拉姆·奈爾先生也說這就是他的觀看習慣，他會在Toggle上觀看。
Toggle的優勢在於可以回看。如果您在節目播出時無法觀看，可以在方便的時間回看。
主流媒體公司目前面臨的挑戰是，儘管總體讀者和觀眾數量存在，但需要找到更有效的方式在線上實現變現。傳統平臺如報紙和電視的廣告收入與當前線上廣告收入相比仍有差距。我認為這是主流媒體面臨的主要挑戰。
上午11時15分
昨天，甘尼什·拉賈拉姆先生談到了《紐約時報》，他舉了一個很好的例子，說明他們如何增加線上訂閱，不僅針對本地讀者，而是全球讀者群。我們也必須思考如何有效變現我們的線上覆蓋。SPH和Mediacorp都在利用資料分析和更有針對性的傳播與營銷，這仍在進行中。
扎基·穆罕默德先生提到的其他問題都是現代媒體環境中我們面臨的挑戰。消費者有更多選擇，內容為王。為了競爭，我們必須確保擁有優質內容，無論是新聞報道、評論文章、紀錄片還是娛樂節目。優質的本地內容難以被海外競爭者複製，能與新加坡人產生情感共鳴和聯絡。
主席：梁榮華先生。
梁榮華先生：KidsREAD俱樂部是一個極好的專案。它幫助了許多社群兒童，從小培養他們的閱讀習慣和閱讀興趣。部長剛才只簡要提及KidsREAD，我想問是否有計劃更新該專案，或增加資源擴大覆蓋面，因為它確實幫助了低收入兒童和家庭。如果NLB能提供更多資源支援，如何策劃專案等，我認為會非常有幫助。
雅各布·易副教授：先生，我贊同梁榮華先生的看法，我們希望將KidsREAD推廣到新加坡的每個選區和角落。事實上，我的KidsREAD團隊正在與所有選區接洽，看看是否能在每個居民委員會（RC）開設，以惠及低收入家庭。資源是有的。我們還整理了其他KidsREAD俱樂部的一些最佳實踐，並與其他俱樂部分享。志願者與NLB團隊定期聚會，分享專業知識和成功故事。我們的團隊很小，但志向很大，目前依靠現有資源。到目前為止，我很滿意，但我當然希望看到更多KidsREAD俱樂部的推廣。
在資源方面，我們會探索更多可能。目前，所有孩子都會得到一個小包和一件T恤。對我來說，更重要的是培訓更多志願者與孩子互動。這不僅僅是閱讀，更是志願者與孩子之間的互動。我們一直在招募大量志願者。我在哥蘭亞（Kolam Ayer）的經驗是，我們很幸運有許多年輕志願者主動參與。NLB為他們提供培訓，然後他們開展外展和閱讀專案。我們會繼續加強，如果有選區有興趣開設KidsREAD俱樂部，我們樂意協助。
主席：餘家興先生。
餘家興先生：主席，我的問題針對資深國務部長謝鴻達先生。如果我沒聽錯，30%的家庭仍使用模擬電視訊號。這個數字聽起來很大，意味著明年將有數十萬家庭無法接收電視訊號。我很樂意動員基層志願者進行宣傳，但我自己也難以翻譯一些術語，比如“模擬電視訊號”，我用谷歌翻譯，出現的中文詞我甚至不知如何讀。希望信息通信媒體發展部（MCI）能幫忙推出一些簡單易懂的材料，方便我們與基層分享，進而幫助老年居民。
謝鴻達先生：主席，我先澄清一下，議員是問翻譯問題，還是問幫助居民的方案？
餘家興先生：因為30%的家庭比例很大，我很擔心明年他們收不到訊號。請幫忙做宣傳和翻譯。目前“模擬電視”、“數字機頂盒”等詞彙難以翻譯，也難以向居民解釋。
謝鴻達先生：主席，感謝議員澄清。簡短回答是，MCI和IMDA將與廣播公司Mediacorp緊密合作，也會與基層組織和社群組織合作，確保推出清晰、易懂的宣傳材料，幫助居民瞭解如何完成轉換。請放心，我們會與所有合作伙伴緊密配合，確保工作順利完成。
主席：我想議員提到這些術語時，可以戴上耳機聽翻譯，就能知道對應的翻譯。還有其他澄清嗎？如果沒有，議員是否願意撤回修正案？
扎基·穆罕默德先生：主席，我感謝雅各布·易部長、資深國務部長簡尼爾·普圖切裡和資深國務部長謝鴻達，以及所有議會同事，使本次信息通信媒體部預算辯論富有成效，推動新加坡資訊通訊、媒體和創意產業發展。我也感謝MCI及所有法定機構在幕後付出的努力。祝願部委未來工作順利。正如部長所說，我們只需學會ABC。主席，我請求撤回修正案。
[(程式文本) 經許可，修正案撤回。 (程式文本)]
[(程式文本) 998,162,500元撥款列入主預算Q項下。 (程式文本)]
[(程式文本) 49,158,500元撥款列入發展預算Q項下。 (程式文本)]
英文原文
SPRS Hansard · Fetched: 2026-05-02
Head Q (cont) –
[(proc text) Resumption of Debate on Question [5 March 2018], (proc text)]
[(proc text) "That the total sum to be allocated for Head Q of the Estimates to be reduced by $100." – [Mr Zaqy Mohamad.] (proc text)]
[(proc text) Question again proposed. (proc text)]
The Chairman : Order. In view of the Statement made in Parliament earlier on and the amount of time used, I will now revise the guillotine time for Head Q – Ministry of Communications and Information to 11.40 am. Hon Members will be notified of the revised conclusion times for the subsequent Heads of Expenditure. Head Q – Ministry of Communications and Information. Minister Yaacob.
The Minister for Communications and Information (Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim) : Mr Chairman, first of all, I would like to thank Members for their kind comments yesterday.
Mr Chairman, with your permission, I would like to show a short video summarising the work of my Ministry over the past year, and some slides throughout our responses.
The Chairman : Alright. [ A video and some slides were shown to hon Members. ]
Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim : Sir, digitalisation has created many exciting opportunities and improved Singaporeans’ lives. There are many examples of fellow Singaporeans embracing digital and harnessing opportunities.
One was in the video we just watched. Ms Shakila Sham owns Eatz 19, a fusion restaurant. She decided to install a mobile ordering and payment solution, which allowed her customers to review the menu and order even before arriving at the restaurant, so they can avoid the queue. This way, the customer is happy, and she was able to improve her operations with the data generated. Most importantly, the added convenience made work more enjoyable for Shakila's wheelchair-bound employee, Suzy, who can now manage the ordering platform online, from home.
Another example is Mdm Santhiya Senthil Kumar, an avid self-learner. She attends coding classes with her son in the library. This way, she can bond with her family and pick up a new skill in the process. She was able to apply her new skill to guide her son in coding his own games.
There are many more Shakilas and Santhiyas out there. Helping them do well is what drives all of us at the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI). In this Committee of Supply (COS), we will share with Members MCI's efforts to do so. I will talk about our plans to develop our digital economy and enhance the digital readiness of Singaporeans. Senior Minister of State Janil Puthucheary will elaborate on how workers, businesses and citizens can benefit from our digital economy and digital readiness efforts. Senior Minister of State Chee Hong Tat will explain MCI's efforts to transform and grow the media sector. I will round up by sharing the wonderful transformation of our libraries, which should inspire us all.
Sir, let me begin with the digital economy. Digital transformation is the most important issue facing businesses today. The Singapore Business Federation’s (SBF's) recent study showed that the majority of our businessmen fully appreciate the importance of digitalisation because the payoffs are enormous. Microsoft's recent study estimated that the digital economy would contribute another US$10 billion to our gross domestic product (GDP) by 2021. This is the context for our Smart Nation initiative – good jobs and opportunities for our people.
Mr Zaqy Mohamad asked what the Government is doing to ensure that Singapore businesses and workforce can thrive in the digital future. My answer is "ABC" – Accelerate the digitalisation of existing sectors, Build up our infocomm media or infocomm media (ICM) companies, and Create future digital technology sectors. Let me explain.
Firstly, "A" – Accelerate the digitalisation of existing sectors. Digitalisation affects every sector. But not all of the sectors have responded equally quickly. Some sectors, like banking and finance, and retail, have done relatively well. During my recent visit to the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) FairPrice’s new "living lab" supermarket at SingPost Centre, I saw how FairPrice had transformed its traditional supermarket using innovative retail technologies to revolutionise the shopping experience to meet changing consumer expectations and habits in the digital age, while boosting workers’ productivity. But there are other sectors that are finding it more difficult to keep up.
Members asked how the Government can help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) benefit from digitalisation. Allow me to first share the common challenge that SMEs face in going digital. One reason why some sectors are unable to transform digitally is knowledge. Even if companies are keen to embrace digitalisation, they do not know how to, or where to start. This is particularly true for SMEs which sometimes lack the resources and scale to deploy digital solutions. That is why we launched the SMEs Go Digital Programme last year, which, for a start, focuses on key sectors where digital technologies can improve productivity significantly. This includes providing step-by-step guidance under the Industry Digital Plans (IDPs) to make digitalisation simpler for SMEs. We have since launched the Retail and Logistics IDPs last November and we aim to do more this year.
Members asked about the outcomes of our initiatives to help SMEs digitalise. Even though the programme has been operational for only less than a year, we are seeing encouraging results. More than 650 SMEs have benefited from the programme, with many more waiting in line.
A beneficiary of the pre-approved digital solution under the programme is House of Seafood, a restaurant chain and food manufacturer. It exports its products to many countries. However, each country has its own import requirements, and it was difficult to track them all efficiently. So, the company installed a digital tagging solution to automate the compliance checks for its many products. House of Seafood is now able to export its products more easily, and has grown its sales by 20% and productivity by 25%.
10.15 am
Another example, Sir, is OKH Logistics. The complexity of the logistics business cannot be underestimated. So, the company adopted an intelligent vehicle monitoring system to operate its vehicles better. By analysing the data collected, it was able to significantly reduce the number of vehicle accidents by 50%. Fewer vehicle accidents mean better utilisation of assets. This led to about 10% increase in the number of deliveries handled a day.
Sir, we will continue to grow the SMEs Go Digital Programme and we aim to benefit many more SMEs. To do so, we fully agree with Mr Teo Ser Luck that we must ensure that our programmes remain relevant in a fast-changing environment. We will regularly review the IDPs and pre-approved solutions in the SMEs Go Digital Programme to ensure that they are in line with the latest industry trends and standards while meeting SMEs’ needs.
Mr Zaqy Mohamad asked what more can be done to help our SMEs seize the opportunities in digital. Ms Sun Xueling asked if we would engage influential partners to help drive digitalisation within sectors. One initiative we are pursuing is to focus not just on individual solutions for individual SMEs, but to take a cluster approach by working with influential partners to help a group of SMEs from similar sectors.
For example, in the logistics sector, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), is working with major logistics companies, such as Bollore Logistics, Dimerco and LCH Lockton, to lead their SME clients through the digitalisation process using a cloud-based e-Cargo Consolidation Platform. This aggregates freight demands, thereby lowering freight costs for SME freight forwarders. This initiative will be launched in April and, for a start, over 100 SMEs are expected to benefit from this project. We will do more of such projects in the coming year.
Ms Sun Xueling asked what sector-level initiatives do we have to drive digitalisation on a broader scale. Last year, IMDA launched various innovative initiatives to support the digital transformation of both the logistics and retail sectors. As part of our efforts in the retail sector, we are collaborating with the Standards, Productivity and Innovation Board (SPRING) Singapore, the Singapore Malay Chambers of Commerce and Industry (SMCCI), and One Kampong Glam Association to develop Kampong Glam into Singapore’s first digitally enabled retail neighbourhood. What does this mean?
We will help interested merchants in the core area of Kampong Glam, comprising about 200 merchants, adopt digital solutions to improve their business operations. This would include adopting integrated point-of-sale systems which enable cashless payments, inventory tracking and financial accounting. By automating these backend administrative processes, the merchants will have more time for their products and customers. We are working with StarHub on these business solutions for the merchants.
We are also enhancing the visitor experience by developing digital products, such as immersive walking trails, and working with Temasek Polytechnic School of Business to increase the merchants' online presence. We are partnering Grab to offer an additional cashless option and increase accessibility to the area. After all, the shops will benefit from more customers enjoying themselves in Kampong Glam.
Sir, we will launch Phase 1 of the transformation in the second quarter of 2018. Learning from the Kampong Glam project, we will explore how we could develop other projects to digitalise the retail sector. Let me also take this opportunity to thank the leadership of One Kampong Glam Association and SMCCI for their support.
Another way we are accelerating the sector's digitalisation is to put in place common infrastructure that will raise business productivity. One such project is e-invoicing. Invoices are critical functions for businesses. Without an invoice, businesses do not get paid. But invoicing can be very tedious and manual, with many inherent errors. E-invoicing can change that. It can help businesses cut costs, ensure companies are paid faster and open up new financing options. We are currently studying this with companies and will announce more details later.
Sir, I shall move on to "B" – Build up our ICM companies. This is necessary, because without a strong ICM sector to support businesses with good products, we will not go very far in our digitalisation journey. In this respect, we want to have homegrown ICM companies, along with other companies supporting this sector.
Mr Zaqy Mohamad asked about the plans to grow the ICM sector. IMDA has already launched the ICM Industry Transformation Map (ITM) last year. Under our ITM, we aim to create 13,000 new professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMET) jobs, and the industry’s value-added is expected to grow at around 6% annually. We will do this by building up our workforce and helping our companies internationalise. Most importantly, as digitalisation blurs traditional industry boundaries, we will help our companies reinvent themselves.
Several ICM companies have already done so. One example is Y3 Technologies, a software solutions provider specialising in supply chain management solutions. In recent years, Y3 has transformed itself by moving away from just supply chain management to an innovative analytics service provider. Thanks to its proprietary software, it now has 24/7 visibility of all customer orders, can handle a larger volume of orders and reduce the incidence of wrong delivery. It has also used its analytics software products to diversify into complementary areas, such as e-commerce. So, we will do more to help our companies transform themselves like Y3.
Today, IMDA runs the Accreditation@SG Digital, which helps to scale innovative Singapore-based ICM companies to build deep capabilities locally and grow internationally. Currently, Sir, we have 24 accredited companies. We will quadruple this in five years and avail more support to help them grow, including building their track record, assisting them to grow new growth capital and helping them to expand overseas. In the case of Sense Infosys, an accredited local data analytics startup, IMDA's support in securing funding and facilitating key partnerships had contributed to the company’s overseas expansion and impressive growth.
One way to build stronger ICM companies is to help them collaborate with end-users to build new and innovative solutions with potential to be scaled and exported. This might not be that easy with digitalisation blurring the lines among sectors, which creates the need to solve problems that cut across many sectors and disciplines. So, IMDA will pilot the Open Innovation Platform, which is a crowdsourcing platform to facilitate collaboration between problem owners and a community of solution providers, to co-develop digital solutions that address actual business problems.
IMDA will focus their efforts in selected sectors first, including retail and logistics, to build up a community of solution providers. IMDA will bring in expertise in technology areas, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), to see how they can apply their technologies to business use cases.
Sir, the final thrust to build the digital economy is "C" – Create future digital technology sectors. Last year, I announced that we will invest in developing deeper capabilities in four frontier technology areas, namely, data analytics and AI, IoT, cybersecurity and immersive media. I also announced a series of AI and data analytics initiatives.
As part of our ICM ITM, IMDA launched the AI Business Partnership Programme last November to bring companies interested in AI and AI solution providers together. Although it is early days, IMDA has received promising problem statements from businesses across various sectors and is currently reviewing potential partnerships for co-funding. IMDA will share more details in the coming months. IMDA also launched the AI Apprenticeship Programme with AI Singapore to develop AI professionals through training courses. To date, the Programme has received overwhelming support and the first batch of 20 trainees will start training in May.
Mr Cedric Foo asked what Singapore is doing to prepare itself for the digital economy, including giving enterprises access to datasets for machine learning applications. Sir, the Data Innovation Programme Office (DIPO) under IMDA is trying to bring companies together to realise the value of sharing data and brokering partnerships for mutual gain. For instance, the Government has been actively improving data.gov.sg, its one-stop public portal for Government datasets, to include more useful datasets to enable businesses and citizens to co-create solutions using them. We are also reviewing the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) to keep pace with technological developments and regulatory trends to facilitate businesses’ use of personal data while safeguarding consumers' trust.
Sir, besides AI and IoT, we see great promise in cybersecurity. Cybersecurity is integral to the digital economy. As more services and transactions take place online, it becomes even more important that they are digitally secure and reliable. Cybersecurity is thus a cornerstone of trust in our Smart Nation initiative.
Ms Sun Xueling asked if there are plans to assist businesses, including SMEs, and educate the public on how to prevent and respond to cybersecurity threats. We are, indeed, doing so. For instance, the Cyber Security Agency (CSA) is partnering the Association for Information Security Professionals (AISP) to equip our SMEs with cybersecurity knowledge so that they can better respond to cybersecurity threats like the ransomware attacks last year. CSA also works with partners, such as the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC), to raise awareness of the importance of cybersecurity and personal data protection among our students, and with IMDA and the National Library Board (NLB) to provide our seniors with infocomm training, which includes cybersecurity.
Sir, I agree with Mr Zaqy Mohamad that a vibrant cybersecurity ecosystem is an important factor contributing to robust national cybersecurity. Besides undergirding the digital economy, cybersecurity is also a growth engine. Cybersecurity in Singapore is a fast-growing sector, with the potential to generate $900 million in revenue by 2020. This will create many exciting opportunities and jobs for Singaporeans.
Citi Singapore is one such company contributing to the cybersecurity ecosystem in our country. Not many Members may know this, but the bank has established one of its two global security operations centre in Singapore, the other being in New York. I visited the Singapore centre about two weeks ago. And there I met Mr Fadli Sidek, whom I had mentioned in my COS speech two years back. Back then, he had overcome the disappointment of being rejected by a polytechnic and was working towards a cybersecurity degree. Fadli is now a cyber threat intelligence analyst in Citi and he is doing well.
I was happy to see Fadli doing well and want to help more Singaporeans interested in cybersecurity to pursue their passions. CSA will work with other partners to do so. First, CSA and IMDA are supporting the development of the Innovation Cybersecurity Ecosystem (ICE) at Block 71. This initiative will be done with the National University of Singapore (NUS) and SingTel Innov8 and will help promising cybersecurity startups scale and internationalise. Second, CSA will introduce a Co-Innovation and Development Proof of Concept Funding Scheme to support the development of cybersecurity solutions for national security, critical infrastructure and classified system users. This will catalyse the commercialisation and adoption of cybersecurity solutions to address emerging needs.
In addition to cybersecurity, we will also invest to build up immersive media (IM) capability in Singapore, as we also see this as another promising area. Sir, we aim to be the Centre of Excellence in the development and use of IM-based applications in key industries, including engineering, media, retail and education. We will focus on three areas.
First, we will advocate for IM adoption by facilitating business matching and information sharing to raise awareness on IM’s potential. Second, to build innovation capacity by encouraging experimentation and development of proof of concepts. And third, to develop talent for the IM industry. Senior Minister of State Chee Hong Tat will share some of our efforts to build IM capabilities in his speech. We will announce more details of our plans for IM in the upcoming months. For now, we have put together an IM exhibit for Members to experience how IM can transform the way we live and work in the digital future.
Sir, to achieve these ABCs, we need several enablers. The first and most important is a strong workforce with the relevant expertise and skills. Two years ago, I launched the TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA). Since then, we have had excellent progress. As Minister Heng Swee Keat mentioned in his Budget Statement, over 27,000 training places have been taken up or committed.
One such beneficiary is Mr Muhammad Ruzaini. Ruzaini was retrenched in 2015 after eight years in the industry. As he was interested in cybersecurity, he tried to join the industry after his retrenchment. However, he did not succeed as he lacked the formal training and qualifications. Fortunately, he persisted and joined the Cybersecurity Associates and Technologists (CSAT) programme under the National Computer Systems (NCS), where he picked up new cybersecurity skills. He is now a cybersecurity professional working for NCS.
Sir, the Government will invest another $145 million to scale up TeSA over the next three years. This will create another 20,000 training places by 2020, including in new sectors like manufacturing and professional services. This will allow us to further develop our workforce for the digital economy.
Besides people, we also need to review our regulations in a fast-changing world to ensure they remain pro-business and fit for purpose. Mr Ong Teng Koon asked how IMDA will address the regulatory challenges in the converged ICM environment.
IMDA has been studying very carefully how to harmonise the approaches for the telecommunications and broadcast sectors in areas, such as competition, consumer protection and resilience. We believe that a converged competition and consumer protection code will provide clarity to industry, minimise regulatory overheads, while continuing to protect the public interest.
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One salient issue in the converged ICM space is how digital technologies and social media platforms have come together to worsen the risk of fake news. This was an area that MCI was studying in our review of the Broadcasting Act. However, as Parliament has just appointed the Select Committee on Deliberate Online Falsehoods to examine the issue, it would be better to study the Select Committee’s recommendations first before making further moves. MCI will thus be deferring the review of the Broadcasting Act.
Dr Teo Ho Pin asked if there are plans to introduce regulations for AI applications. Currently, we have no such plans as the field is still nascent and we want to avoid stifling innovation. But we do acknowledge public anxiety about AI. IMDA is working with sector regulators to study issues and mitigate potential risks from deploying AI.
Besides talent and regulations, another enabler for a thriving digital economy is a conducive, rules-based international environment. That is why we have advocated open data flows and facilitated cyber norms discussions in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). As ASEAN Chairman this year, we will commit to improving digital literacy in ASEAN to help our people reap the benefits of digitalisation.
Beyond ASEAN, we are also participating fully in international mechanisms to provide digital flows. Last year, I announced our intention to join the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Cross Border Privacy Rules and Privacy Recognition for Processors systems, two multilateral certification mechanisms to promote cross-border data flows.
I am pleased to announce that our application was approved on 20 February 2018. When our certification scheme is in place, certified organisations in Singapore will be able to exchange personal data with certified organisations in participating APEC economies much more seamlessly, while consumers can be assured that the cross-border transfer of their personal data will be subject to high standards of data protection.
Sir, even as we grow the digital economy pie, we must ensure that everyone gets a slice of it, and that no one is left behind. And that is the main focus of our digital readiness efforts. Ultimately, Smart Nation is not just a series of technology projects. It is a whole-of-nation movement to improve the lives of all Singaporeans in the digital age. As Minister Vivian Balakrishnan had said earlier, our approach will, therefore, be inclusive by design.
Mr Saktiandi Supaat asked about the Digital Readiness Workgroup and its proposed strategies to improve digital readiness among Singaporeans. We have set out a digital readiness blueprint to give every Singaporean digital access, which is the means to transact digitally; digital literacy – the skills, attitudes and values of a digital citizen; and digital participation – the ability to make use of technology to improve daily life. Senior Minister of State Janil Puthucheary will elaborate later on this.
Sir, the possibilities of the digital future are endless. It is up to us to seize them. Everyone will have a role to play in our broader digital transformation, and we, at MCI, will work with everyone to ensure that we all gain from this shared journey.
The Chairman : Senior Minister of State Janil Puthucheary.
The Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information and Education (Dr Janil Puthucheary) : Mr Chairman, the emergence of new opportunities in the digital age is why Singapore is transforming itself into a Smart Nation. Smart Nation is about making all our lives easier. It is about building a strong society and economy with opportunities for all, and where businesses thrive. It is important that no one gets left behind as the world becomes increasingly digital.
Mr Saktiandi Supaat asked about how the Government will work with businesses and the community to help citizens with this transition. This is not the first time that Singapore is experiencing a technology-driven transformation. Since the 1980s, we have introduced information technology (IT) in schools, made broadband available to all homes, and transformed many public services using technology and the Internet.
As the pace of technological change accelerates, we will need a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to ensure that all Singaporeans can participate in and benefit from the opportunities of a digital age. To do so, we need to help citizens be digitally ready. There are three important principles that guide our approach.
Firstly, we need to design with the user in mind. The user interface of our digital services and applications must be so easy to use that almost everybody can start using it with little or no instruction.
Secondly, we have redefined digital inclusion as more than just access but also equipping people with skills. Today, we have many programmes that focus on giving people access to affordable devices and the Internet. But being digitally ready is also about having the skills to use digital technology safely and confidently. These include basic information and media literacy skills, awareness of cybersecurity and personal data protection, and several other skills as well.
Thirdly, collaboration. Digital Readiness must be a whole-of-society effort. Government, businesses and the community must work together to have a deep and wide impact for Singaporeans. This is why we established the Digital Readiness Workgroup last year, bringing together representatives from the public, people and private sectors to propose strategies to address future opportunities and challenges. We have learnt a lot from hearing about these organisations’ approaches to building literacy and giving people a chance to participate in the digital world. We will publish a Digital Readiness Blueprint later this year.
Being digitally ready means ensuring that Singaporeans have, firstly, digital access, which is the means to transact digitally; secondly, digital literacy, which is the skills, attitudes and values of a digital citizen; all of which will, ultimately, lead to digital participation.
As an example of the sort of issues we are concerned about for digital access is smartphones. A smartphone becomes a key enabler for many of the digital services that we want to provide. How can we ensure that enough Singaporeans have adequate access? Today, the total ownership of smartphones in Singapore is high, at about 150% of the population, and yet, there are Singaporeans who have no access to a smartphone.
Once we ensure there is adequate access, we need to develop a base of digital literacy. To begin with, we will articulate a set of basic digital skills, that is, skills that every one of us should have as a first step towards being able to participate in a digital society.
The focus areas of these skills will be the ability to communicate, transact and search for information through a mobile device for day-to-day living. These skills will be articulated as a curriculum that will be made available to training providers and can also be used by family and friends or community partners who are interested in helping everyone enjoy the benefits of our Smart Nation. To ensure that everyone can benefit from this, we will provide training for these basic skills in all four languages by the end of the year.
Assoc Prof Daniel Goh asked about the Government’s efforts in tackling cyberbullying. We agree with Assoc Prof Goh that it is important that we have avenues where the youths, their parents and their teachers can seek help and support from credible sources.
Help123 was initiated last year by the National Council of Social Service and various partners like Fei Yue Community Services and TOUCH Community Services. It provides services for youth cyber-wellness issues a dedicated webchat, email service and a hotline. It also provides resources of counsellors who are able to support people who need further direct intervention and help.
The Media Literacy Council also does work in this space. It makes available and will continue to produce resources to tackle cyberbullying. Examples include an anti-cyberbullying instructional video as part of the "Better Internet" campaign, informational packages with information specific for victims to counter cyberbullying, products, such as those providing guidance for parents and families to detect the symptoms of cyberbullying, and also to provide help to children. A series of workshops is being rolled out this year to help parents raise digitally resilient children.
Mr Vikram Nair asked how we can ensure that Singaporeans of all ages do not get left behind. Our approach has always been to be as inclusive as possible but recognising that some groups would find the transition difficult and providing them with targeted help. We will continue to help the elderly by expanding digital readiness initiatives for seniors.
By the end of this year, we would have organised more than 50 digital clinics for 2,000 seniors, to help them become confident in using digital mobile technology. This year, we will also work with industry and community groups to organise 48 experiential learning journeys to benefit 2,000 seniors to learn about digital technologies useful for their daily activities, such as e-payments.
Mr Yee Chia Hsing asked whether more can be done to prepare elderly residents for digital television (TV). Today, about three in 10 households are still using analogue TV signals. We have put in place the Digital TV Assistance Scheme to help households switch to Digital TV and will continue to provide targeted assistance to the elderly, including organising briefings and demonstration sessions using both English and the vernacular languages.
Just as we will help citizens become digitally ready, the Government will also help workers and businesses build strong capabilities to benefit from the opportunities in a digital economy.
Mr Saktiandi Supaat asked about the progress of TeSA and its upcoming evolution. TeSA is a key tripartite initiative to help build strong digital capabilities through training. You have heard from the Minister that outcomes have been encouraging and, since its launch in 2016, more than 27,000 training places have been taken up or committed, greatly increasing the opportunities for workers. Every individual who has gone through TeSA’s Company Led Training programmes, as well as more than 90% of job seeking trainees from the Tech Immersion and Placement Programme have been successfully placed.
We will scale up the TeSA initiatives with an additional $145 million of funding. This will provide more training places, more programmes and will address more user sectors. TeSA is a key initiative not just for the workers, but also for the businesses. One of the key issues about the development of the digital economy is going to be the provision of capabilities and skills in the workforce. So, by our focus on TeSA, we are helping workers find jobs and transition into new jobs, and we are helping businesses develop the skills and capabilities to help them grow. What are these initiatives?
First, TeSA will provide an additional 20,000 training places by 2020. This will require and build upon the strong multi-agency and tripartite approach that we have taken.
Secondly, TeSA will work closely with industry to develop more programmes in frontier technology areas, such as AI, data analytics, cybersecurity, IoT and IM. There will be more job opportunities that demand such frontier technology skills.
Up to now, a significant part of what TeSA has been doing is concentrating on the existing skills gaps, existing jobs gaps, known technologies, well-developed and mature business issues, and we need to push towards these frontier technologies to try and anticipate what would be the next steps required to grow our digital economy. I hope many more companies will work with TeSA to co-develop training programmes in these areas.
Thirdly, we will widen our approach towards more user sectors. Information and communication technology (ICT) professionals are in demand across many economic sectors, as the economy and industries rapidly digitalise. Currently, TeSA is quite focused on the ICT sector, as well as on the Finance and Healthcare sectors. Moving forward, TeSA will expand its training offering into Manufacturing and Professional Services.
In line with our commitment to develop our people, TeSA will also strengthen our support for those who might need it most, such as mid-career ICT PMETs in search of new job opportunities as the economy and the ICT job landscape evolve.
Mr Desmond Choo asked about how we can better support workers, especially mature ones, to reskill and upskill. TeSA programmes have been benefiting mid-career professionals. Since 2016, approximately 10,000 TeSA training places have been taken up by those above the age of 40. But TeSA will do more to support more mid-career ICT PMETs.
First, we will help to curate cross-sector ICT job openings. While there are ICT job openings in the public, non-profit and private sectors, as well as across different industry sectors, many mid-career ICT PMETs are unlikely to possess the networks, contacts or the sector-specific skills needed to make the transition into new sectors. They may already have skills which are relevant to either the private, public or the non-profit sector, or they may have ICT skills that are domain-specific to a given industry within the economy. What we need to help them do is make a transition across either the domain, the industry or the sector. And if we do not, this will be a missed opportunity, because there are many job opportunities that could potentially be meaningful as a next step for mid-career professionals.
IMDA is working with other Government bodies, such as the Ministry of Education (MOE) to identify jobs that ICT professionals can be placed into. We are also working with industry partners via the SMEs Go Digital programme to curate more suitable job roles.
Secondly, we will also strengthen employment facilitation for mid-career professionals. Leveraging on our integrated career services, a career support ecosystem by partners like the Singapore Computer Society (SCS), Workforce Singapore (WSG), Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) and NTUC, individuals will get more career guidance, more mentoring and better support for better job matching. The career coaches and mentors within this ecosystem will also be provided with better and more timely insights on job openings and skill needs, going forward, so that they can better assist workers.
Through TeSA's scale-up and its targeted assistance, we will build strong digital capabilities in our workforce.
Sir, MCI and our partners will help workers, businesses and citizens benefit from the opportunities of a digital Singapore. In the next few months, we will share further details on our digital economy and digital readiness efforts.
The Chairman : Senior Minister of State Chee Hong Tat.
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The Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information (Mr Chee Hong Tat) : Mr Chairman, as we embark on our digital transformation journey, we are clear that technology is an enabler, not the end in mind. Our objective is to improve the lives of our people and create good jobs for Singaporeans by harnessing technology and cultivating a spirit of imagination, enterprise and innovation. This is the approach we adopt when we develop Singapore's media sector. Our efforts for the media sector focus on four Cs: Content, Capabilities, Channels and Collaboration.
First, on content, which is the heart of the media sector. Compelling stories are what attract audiences. Our local media companies have done well in this regard, creating quality local content appreciated by viewers around the world. For example, Netflix commissioned its first Chinese-language series, Bardo, by teaming up with IFA Media, a local production company, and Taiwan-based director Sam Quah. I am glad that a Singapore-based media company is involved in bringing its stories to a global platform.
IMDA will continue to support our local media companies and talent to create quality content as part of its plans to develop Singapore's media sector. We will announce more details later in the year.
One important area is to strengthen our partnerships with leading international media companies. For example, the collaboration with Home Box Office (HBO) Asia will open opportunities for Singaporeans to take on key production roles in HBO's upcoming productions. One of these is Folklore, a horror anthology created by local filmmaker Eric Khoo. Another is Grisse, a period drama set in 19th century Java. Both series will premiere in the second half of 2018.
For Public Service Broadcasting (PSB), locally produced PSB programmes remain an important avenue to tell our Singaporean stories and present news and entertainment from a Singaporean perspective. Mediacorp will experiment with new content concepts and production techniques through the Content Development Fund (CDF). The call-for-proposal was launched last October. One of the selected proposals is Under Our Sky, an alien-invasion thriller set in Singapore, featuring extensive computer-generated imagery and 360-degree video. The pilot will be released on Toggle early next year.
Next, on capabilities, Mr Darryl David asked how we are helping the media sector build capabilities for continued growth. This includes harnessing IM technologies like augmented reality and virtual reality (VR). Under IMDA's partnership with Discovery Networks Asia Pacific, Discovery had commissioned a series of VR titles. The first two titles will be launched later this year. Another two titles are in the works: Living on the Edge, which tells the story of child Muay Thai fighters in Thailand, and Wild Treks, which shows the life of the Bajau Laut, or Sea Gypsies, in Sabah. These titles are produced by local media companies BeVRR and iMMERSiVELY. They will work closely with Discovery to bring their productions to a global audience through Discovery's VR app.
IMDA will be working with game technology company Unity to jointly launch Unity Incubator Services at PIXEL Studios. Our companies will benefit from the business and technical workshops designed for facilitating knowledge transfer and sharing best practices in the development of IM applications and games.
IMDA will introduce more accelerator and training programmes to support our companies. I assure Mr Darryl David that smaller companies will also benefit from these programmes. An example is goGame, a Singaporean mobile game publishing company and a subsidiary of SEGA. It has partnered IMDA to launch Singapore's first game accelerator. The accelerator will train early-stage game developers in business strategy, licensing and marketing.
Another key focus is to invest in our young. With the support of IMDA, Mediacorp has invested in efforts to build a pipeline of young creative talent through apprenticeship programmes and collaborations with schools. For example, the Chinese-language web drama series, A Lonely Fish, which was released a few days ago on Toggle, was born out of a scriptwriting workshop co-organised by Mediacorp, Ngee Ann Polytechnic and NUS. Three Ngee Ann Polytechnic students, Oh Wei Ting, Tan Lipei and Ong Wenyi, participated in the workshop and came up with the idea for the series. Under the guidance of Mediacorp's scriptwriters and producers, they went through a full production cycle, learning the ropes of scriptwriting, acting and production.
Mediacorp also partnered Temasek Polytechnic, Republic Polytechnic and Ngee Ann Polytechnic on a Young Creators Project. Under this initiative, experienced mentors from Mediacorp will guide participating students in content production. Mediacorp has selected 11 student projects to commission, which will launch on Toggle later this year.
Our emphasis on nurturing our young underscores an important point. We cannot build effective capabilities without focusing on talent development. The human touch remains essential to the media sector, whose work centres on connecting with people.
This applies to our mainstream media, too. I agree with Mr Ganesh Rajaram that talent development is key to quality journalism. It is an important element in supporting the mainstream media's role to provide accurate and objective news reports as well as insightful opinion pieces and documentary programmes.
Beyond the newsroom, we are also focused on developing our local talent pool for the industry. IMDA's ongoing Talent Assistance Scheme has been a useful initiative, providing funding support for our media talent to upgrade their skills. From May this year, we will expand the scheme to support media professionals outside the media sector, such as those who are employed in the manufacturing and retail sectors. At last year's COS, we announced the Media Manpower Plan to develop a future-ready media workforce. IMDA has made good progress on the implementation of this plan.
I earlier announced that IMDA and SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) are jointly developing the Skills Framework for Media. This is expected to be launched in November 2018 and will cover about 140 media job roles in areas, such as games, broadcast and film. To date, 40 local and overseas stakeholders, including Beach House Productions, Fox Networks Group and Ubisoft, have provided inputs to the framework.
Recognising that media freelancers play an important role across the economy, IMDA launched the Tripartite Standard on Procurement of Services from Media Freelancers in November last year. Since then, 52 organisations have adopted the Standard. Starting from 1 April 2018, organisations must adopt the Tripartite Standard in order to qualify for IMDA's media grants and funding for PSB content. I look forward to more organisations coming forward to adopt the Standard over time.
Let me now touch on the need to develop effective channels to reach our viewers. I agree with Mr Vikram Nair that we should extend the reach of PSB programming to engage more Singaporeans. Besides traditional free-to-air channels, IMDA has been actively building partnerships with media players in the digital and online space.
An example is IMDA's partnership with Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) to produce and distribute short-form videos through SPH's digital content network. The pilot run last year saw the release of 118 short-form videos. Building on its success, SPH will be producing a second slate of videos comprising more than 120 short-form videos.
IMDA also partnered Viddsee, a Singapore-based online video platform specialising in short films, to deliver more engaging PSB content for the younger audiences on its platforms. This is a good example of a company which is using data analytics to drive viewership and monetisation. Viddsee will produce five new original series in collaboration with local filmmakers. The first, the short film Run Chicken Run by Ellie Ngim, was launched last month. Its heart-warming story set during the Chinese New Year period was well-received.
IMDA will also continue working with Mediacorp to better engage viewers on its digital platform, Toggle. Since its relaunch in April 2015, Toggle has seen a steady increase in viewership to more than eight million monthly video views today. This is an effort that I think we should continue.
I am glad that Mediacorp's analytics tool, RIPPLE, won three BIGGIES Awards at the global Big Data for Media Conference last year. Using RIPPLE, Mediacorp will launch 34 new Toggle Originals this year, up from 13 released last year. I believe these new titles will offer more entertainment options for our viewers.
The fourth and final "C" is collaboration. The need for collaboration applies to our mainstream media companies SPH and Mediacorp, too, as Mr Ganesh Rajaram pointed out.
After a successful two-year collaboration, SPH and StarHub recently renewed their partnership for another two years. They will continue their tie-ups in areas, such as cross-media content creation and publishing, data analytics and marketing, where SPH-produced content has been broadcast and promoted across StarHub's pay TV service. Additionally, they will collaborate in their non-media business, to encompass new areas, such as healthcare, retail and education.
Mediacorp and SPH have also explored possible areas of collaboration. They launched a joint digital advertising marketplace, Singapore Media Exchange (SMX), consolidating their data resources to unlock new advertising opportunities and provide advertisers richer targeting capabilities. Both companies are also working with IMDA on joint efforts to market the opportunities in Singapore's media sector to better develop our talent pool.
These are some examples of how, through partnerships, our media companies can position themselves for a digital age and create more value.
Mr Chairman, I thank Mr Low Thia Khiang for giving us an opportunity to update on the National Translation Committee's work since its formation in 2014. Under the three broad thrusts of Talent, Technology and Teamwork, or 3Ts, we have rolled out several initiatives. Due to time constraints, I will just highlight a few examples.
First, on talent development. We have awarded six Information Service (Translation) Scholarships since 2015 to groom young Singaporeans who have a strong interest in translation. The National Translation Committee (NTC) also launched the Translation Talent Development Scheme (TTDS) earlier this year to provide funding support for translators and interpreters in the industry to attend seminars and courses to enhance their skills and expertise.
Next, on technology. In partnership with public sector agencies, we have enhanced the Government Terms Translated Database, hosted on gov.sg, to cover more than 6,200 Government-related terms translated into Chinese, Malay and Tamil. I agree with Mr Low Thia Khiang that it is important to organise our online resources to be accessible, convenient and user-friendly. We will discuss his suggestions with the NTC members.
MCI is working with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) to develop a Customised Government Machine Translation Engine. The engine is "trained" using translations from MCI and other Government agencies, enabling it to correctly translate local terms.
Finally, on teamwork: NTC launched the Community-in-Translation (CiT) initiative in 2016 to raise awareness and interest in translation among our young. Under this initiative, NTC worked with several partners to conduct translation workshops for students in all three Mother Tongue languages and supported schools in organising translation competitions.
Mr Chairman, in our multiracial community, raising translation standards is an important focus for the Government. I am grateful for the contributions from our NTC and resource panel members from the various language communities and our industry partners.
As the Malay proverb goes, "Bukit sama didaki, lurah sama dituruni" – we overcome obstacles together and enjoy the fruits of our hard work together.
There is also a Tamil proverb, "ஒன்றுபட்டால் உண்டு வாழ்வு ", which means "unity is strength". And as I said in my COS speech in 2016, we are committed to getting our translations correct: "சரியான மொழிபெயர்ப்பே நமது கடப்பாடு ".
Mr Chairman, please allow me to conclude my speech in Mandarin.
( In Mandarin ) : [ Please refer to Vernacular Speech .] In a multicultural and multiracial society like Singapore, translation plays an important role. It helps the Government better explain our policies, thereby benefiting our people and promoting understanding amongst the races.
We are aware of the challenges we face as society and technology evolve. However, NTC, together with like-minded partners, will persevere in carrying on this meaningful and important mission, which is also of cultural significance.
The Chairman: Minister Yaacob Ibrahim.
Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim : Sir, many Members have shared positive examples of Singaporeans and companies successfully transforming themselves through digitalisation. Let me share one more example – our libraries.
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Sir, our libraries are national treasures. Our earliest libraries were modest facilities, to promote reading among Singaporeans. But they have always explored new ways to promote library usage, such as our mobile libraries. Today, they have reinvented themselves by using technology to champion lifelong learning, build stronger communities and improve Singaporeans' lives.
Three years ago, in this House, I introduced the latest iteration of the libraries’ transformation – our Libraries of the Future Masterplan. Our vision was for the libraries to harness digital technology and become social touchpoints for bonding, collaboration and co-creation.
The Masterplan has delivered encouraging results. Five libraries have been revamped and reopened under the Masterplan – Bedok Public Library, Bukit Panjang Public Library, Sengkang Public Library, Tampines Regional Library and Yishun Public Library. Visitorship has doubled on average, and loans rose by over 40% at the Bukit Panjang and Sengkang libraries, compared to before the revamp. More people visited our public libraries last year compared to the year before, especially our seniors and children.
One reason why our revamped libraries are so popular is because of their specialised spaces, especially those with digital capabilities. For example, the Bukit Panjang Public Library has an Immersive Storytelling Room which brings stories to life through IM. The new Yishun Public Library has a dedicated Digital Learning Zone where users can read e-books and e-magazines to their hearts’ content. These specialised spaces are a boon to visitors seeking something different, such as Ms Audrey Leong, who visits the Bukit Panjang Public Library four times a week with her three children. Her children have fun in immersive storytelling sessions while she attends parenting workshops at the library.
Dr Teo Ho Pin mentioned that library visitorship remained the same and asked about the new initiatives that promote reading through digital technology. While the physical libraries' visitorship has held steady, our libraries' digital reach has increased significantly. Today, there are myriad digital resources on NLB's website which provides for learning anytime, anywhere.
In fact, as of 2017, e-book loans have increased by 69%; NLB's digital reach has grown more than threefold, to 34%; and the NLB mobile app has been accessed three million times since its launch in October 2016. So, for those Members who have not yet downloaded the NLB app, I strongly encourage you to do so today!
Our libraries can do much more. Mr Darryl David and Dr Teo Ho Pin asked what more our libraries can do to prepare Singaporeans for the future economy where digital skills will be in higher demand. The answer is plenty.
Our libraries have forged several partnerships, including with SSG, to build our abilities in three areas: Skills and Employability; Business Acumen and Market Knowledge; and Innovation. To promote learning for skills and employability, NLB and SSG jointly set up the LLiBrary in the Lifelong Learning Institute, which lets users use digital resources for their professional development. To help develop business acumen and market knowledge, NLB recently opened the Eye on Asia Resource Centre to give users a better understanding of regional markets through online resources, workshops and mentorship programmes. To inspire innovation, we will build another Pixel Lab at Woodlands Regional Library, so that we can translate more ideas into reality.
This will help innovators like Mr Jeremy Tan, who wanted to create an inexpensive soft-serve ice-cream machine to replace the expensive ones on the market. Through the Pixel Lab at Jurong Regional Library, Jeremy could print a working sample of his design to show potential investors and convince NUS Enterprise to fund his creation.
NLB will also collaborate with tech companies to nurture the next generation of digitally-ready Singaporeans. This will be an exciting year. We can look forward to the first NLB-Microsoft AI Hackathon that will bring students together to co-create innovative solutions using Microsoft’s AI products and data from NLB. In partnership with Microsoft, NLB will also be co-organising a National Digital Storytelling Competition this year. Open to all secondary school students, this competition will let students tell their own stories using the IM technologies at the Bukit Panjang Public Library and Microsoft tools.
Our libraries will also play an expanded role in realising our vision of digital readiness, as explained by Senior Minister of State Janil Puthucheary. To start, NLB will bring in more than 1,000 digital-readiness programmes for all ages every year.
Dr Teo Ho Pin asked about the libraries' efforts in supporting and preparing Singaporeans for active ageing. I am pleased to share that NLB will partner IMDA to develop and deliver a suite of digital readiness services and extend the reach of digital readiness training to more than 300,000 Singaporeans over five years, 85% of whom are expected to be adults and seniors. This year, seniors can look forward to TechShare, a tech showcase platform for seniors to try current and upcoming technology in a "tech playground" setting, exploring gadgets, such as robots and smart home technologies.
Sir, the upshot of these investments has been an increase in customer satisfaction. A recent survey showed that many more Singaporeans are visiting the libraries, reading books and having a good time doing so.
Children and young Singaporeans have benefited from the libraries' transformation. NLB has long supported efforts to promote early reading, especially for less privileged children, because this improves one’s ability to learn throughout life. Hence, we have programmes like KidsREAD and Early READ.
These efforts have produced encouraging results. Based on our survey of KidsREAD, four out of five children enjoy reading more. They also developed a positive self-esteem and positive attitude towards reading through attending kidsREAD sessions. Through Early READ, 99% of educators and 92% of parents observed that their children have gained an interest in reading.
Our libraries show us that it is possible to embrace digitalisation and reinvent ourselves to thrive in the future. But technology is not the only determinant of success. We must also have a deep sense of identity to root us as we navigate an uncertain and fast-changing future. This is where our libraries have also done well, thanks to their excellent work in preserving our national patrimony.
Ms Sun Xueling asked about the efforts undertaken by the National Library and Archives to preserve our heritage, and if access to archive resources is available at all our libraries. I am pleased to share that they are forerunners in using digital technology to strengthen digitisation efforts that are critical to the preservation of our memories. The digitised content is accessible through the various digital portals, such as Archives Online and NewspaperSG. In fact, many of Mediacorp’s Broadcast Archives are also viewable at the public libraries free of charge via the multimedia stations.
I had the opportunity to explore NLB’s Spatial Discovery website on my visit to the National Library last week. This website allows users to find and interact with maps and maps-related information across NLB and the National Archives of Singapore (NAS) collections.
Each map is a rich archive of information, as Members can see from the 1982 map of the Changi area overlying Changi Airport’s present-day satellite image. Today, many of us rely on Google Maps to tell us how to get somewhere. These historical maps, however, tell a different story: they show us how far we have come, from a barren site of land to four airport terminals, and possibly where we will go. The good news, Sir, is anyone can access this trove of knowledge on their Internet-enabled devices at any time, and not just at the libraries.
We will continue to do more. Later this year, we will amend the NLB Act to require publishers to deposit electronic publications free of technological protection measures so that NLB can provide access to and preserve the documents.
In preserving our national patrimony, NLB works closely with the community to preserve the rich heritage and culture that are embodied in our people. We particularly would like to thank our Citizen Archivists for helping us transcribe, describe and make sense of some 27,000 images or pages in the past year. We will continue to provide Singaporeans and friends more avenues to contribute their own captures of Singapore’s landscape and significant moments in time.
Similarly, Sir, the Archives has convened the Community Oral History Committees (COHCs) to ensure a comprehensive, representative and multifaceted oral history collection.
The COHCs have collated wonderful stories from fellow Singaporeans from all walks of life, such as Mrs Eleanor who saved her friend from being beaten up by rioters in the 1950s, Mr Noor Mohamed Marican, a lawyer involved in the Muslim Syariah Courts, and Mr Rama Kannabiran, a celebrated Tamil-language writer.
NAS will continue to preserve and make accessible our nation's at-risk collections and treasures, including microfilms and audio visual (AV) records. This year marks the NAS' Golden Jubilee. We are, therefore, revamping the NAS building at Canning Rise to enhance its archival facilities and create more public spaces so that Singaporeans can enjoy our rich repository of treasures.
You can soon browse historical documents in the comfort of a new Archives Reading Room or watch restored movies at the upgraded Oldham Theatre. But beyond hardware, the NAS will launch programmes for the public to enjoy its vast collection later this year.
Sir, over the last few years, through numerous dialogues and outreach and engagement efforts, such as Singapore 21, Our Singapore Conversation (OSC), SG50 and, most recently, SGfuture, we have heard from Singaporeans from all walks of life on their hopes and visions, and how we can shape our collective future together. In the OSC survey of 4,000 respondents, it was found that Singaporeans are generally optimistic that the next five years would be better than today, and that today was better than five years ago, despite the challenges ahead.
It is with the same spirit of optimism and zeal that my Ministry has envisioned what it means to be a truly digital Singapore. We see Singaporeans finding their niche in the digital economy, be it someone learning a new skill like 3D printing, an SME using an app to bring convenience to its clients, or communities collaborating to develop future-forward digital solutions to better the lives of fellow Singaporeans.
Sir, we will provide opportunities for inventive entrepreneurs to translate their ideas into reality, for content creators to move from storyboards to bigger screens; for established and emerging companies to become the Googles of the world. We see a future where we can browse more digital resources from wherever we are, where communities come together to learn and grow together.
Today, Sir, the future beckons to us from the Reception Hall at Parliament House. I would like to invite the House to IMDA’s IM Exhibit hosted there, where you can visualise and digitally experience large 3D building models in the construction of new urban sites, amongst other AR and VR activities.
As we can see, my Ministry and its agencies are one step closer to realising our vision. We will continue working tirelessly with all our citizens and businesses, so that we can reap the benefits on our path to a truly digital Singapore and a Smart Nation, by growing our economy, supporting our SMEs in different sectors, and creating good jobs and a better quality of life for all Singaporeans. Like the people in the video I showed at the beginning of today's speech, our ultimate goal is to deploy technology that will continue to improve the lives of Singaporeans and empower them to do more good for their families, communities and our nation.
The Chairman : Mr Zaqy Mohd.
Mr Zaqy Mohamad : Chairman, I have questions on what Senior Minister of State Chee Hong Tat shared earlier. What are the expected success indicators of the funding and collaboration that were announced just now with other players like Mediacorp and SPH? In the Ministry's view, how are they performing, compared to authentic influencers for readers and viewers, such as Toggle versus YouTube, Netflix; mainstream news apps versus other alternatives; or TV content providers versus cable operators?
Is the Ministry also concerned that some companies like SPH last year had to scale back and retrench? Will that impact their role in public communications?
Lastly, how does it affect our vernacular media, especially the Tamil and Malay news providers, given that they have seen declining readership and viewership in Singapore, in particular, the younger generation?
Mr Chee Hong Tat : Chairman, I thank Mr Zaqy Mohamad for his clarifications. First, we need to understand that viewership and readership of mainstream media – Mediacorp, SPH – have not been reduced. What happened is that in the case of SPH, instead of reading the hardcopy newspapers, more of their readers are now shifting online and getting their news through mobile devices, through their iPads.
This is the same for Mediacorp where we see that people are not necessarily watching television programmes in front of a TV set, but they are watching it online through Toggle. Yesterday, Mr Vikram Nair said that that is his viewing behaviour as well; he will view it on Toggle.
Toggle has an advantage in the sense that you can do catch-up. If you are not available during the time when the programme is showing, you can do a catch-up later at your own time and convenience.
The challenge that our mainstream media companies are faced with right now is that even though the overall readership, viewership numbers are there, we need to find a more effective way of monetising these online. The advertising revenues on traditional platforms through your newspapers, TV, when you compare to the advertising revenue currently online, there is still a difference. I think that is the main challenge that the mainstream media companies are facing.
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Yesterday, Mr Ganesh Rajaram spoke about New York Times and he gave a very good example of how they managed to increase their online subscriptions and they do this not just by targeting local readers, it is a global readership base. Similarly, for us, we have to think how do we find effective ways of monetising our online reach. Both SPH and Mediacorp are looking at this using data analytics, using more targeted communications and marketing, and this is still a work-in-progress.
The other points that Mr Zaqy Mohamad mentioned are all part and parcel of the challenge that we face in the modern media environment. Consumers have more options, and content is going to be king. So, to compete, we need to make sure that we have good quality content, whether it is good quality news reports, opinion pieces, documentaries, good quality entertainment. So, good quality local content which is difficult for overseas players to replicate and where we can then have an emotional resonance and connection with Singaporeans.
The Chairman: Mr Liang Eng Hwa.
Mr Liang Eng Hwa : The kidsREAD Club is an excellent programme. It has helped many kids in the neighbourhood, inculcating in them the reading habit and the love to read at the early age. So, the Minister only made a brief mention of kidsREAD. I just want to ask whether there are plans to refresh this programme, maybe scale up with some more resources and enlarge the outreach because it, indeed, helps especially the lower-income children and families. The resource support, if you can give more from NLB, how to curate the programme and so on, I think that would be very helpful.
Assoc Prof Dr Yaacob Ibrahim : Sir, I share Mr Liang Eng Hwa's sentiment that we would like to roll out kidsREAD to every constituency, every corner of Singapore. In fact, my kidsREAD team is now engaging all the constituencies to see whether we can open up in every Residents Committee (RC) so that it will benefit the low-income families. The resources are there. We also curate some of the best practices in other kidsREAD clubs and share it with the other kidsREAD clubs. There is always a gathering of the volunteers with the NLB team to share expertise and success stories. Our team is very small, our ambitions are very large. We are relying on whatever we have at the moment. Thus far, I am quite happy. But I certainly would like to see more kidsREAD clubs rolled out.
In terms of resources, we would explore more on what we can do. At the moment, all of the kids will get a small bag, a T-shirt. The more important thing for me is training more volunteers who can then engage the children. It is not just about reading; it is about the interaction between the volunteer and the child. So, we have been recruiting a lot of volunteers. My own experience in Kolam Ayer − we are blessed with lots of young volunteers coming forward. NLB runs a training programme for them and then, they do the outreach and do the reading programme. So, we will continue to step it up and if there are any constituencies which might be interested in opening up a kidsREAD club, we are happy to assist.
The Chairman: Mr Yee Chia Hsing.
Mr Yee Chia Hsing : Chairman, my question is directed at Senior Minister of State Chee Hong Tat. If I heard him correctly, 30% of households are still on the analogue TV signal. It sounds like a very big number. So, it translates to a few hundred thousand households which, come next year, will not receive the TV signal. I am quite happy to mobilise our grassroots volunteers to reach out. But I, myself, struggle to translate some of the terms because "analogue TV signal", I google translate it and the Chinese word that pops up, I do not even know how to read. So, I hope MCI can help us to push out something which is very easy for us to use to share with our grassroots to then reach out to the elderly residents.
Mr Chee Hong Tat : Mr Chairman, can I first clarify with the Member whether he is asking about translation or is he asking about the package to roll out to help our residents?
Mr Yee Chia Hsing : Because 30% of households seems like a really big number and I am very worried that, next year, they cannot receive the signal. So, please help us to reach out and help us with translation of terms. Currently, terms like "analogue TV", "digital set-top box", these are very difficult words to translate and for us to explain to residents what this thing is about.
Mr Chee Hong Tat : Chairman, I thank the Member for his clarifications. Yes, I think the short answer is MCI, IMDA will work closely with the broadcaster Mediacorp. We will also work closely with the grassroots organisations, the community organisations to make sure that we have clear, simple to understand communications that we can then roll out to help all our residents to understand how they can go through this conversion. So, do not worry, we will work closely with all our partners to make sure that this is done properly.
The Chairman : I think when the Member mentions those terms, he may wish to put on his headset and listen to the translation, and he would be able to find out what the translation is. Any other clarifications? If not, would the Member wish to withdraw the amendment?
Mr Zaqy Mohamad : Chairman, I would like to thank Minister Yaacob Ibrahim, Senior Minister of State Janil Puthucheary and Senior Minister of State Chee Hong Tat as well as all Parliamentary colleagues for making this MCI COS a fruitful one, and one that will take Singapore forward in the infocomm, media and creative sectors. I also want to thank MCI and all the Statutory Boards for all their hard work behind the scenes. So, I wish the Ministry all the best in their efforts and the journey ahead and, as the Minister shared, you just need to learn the ABCs. Mr Chairman, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment.
[(proc text) Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. (proc text)]
[(proc text) The sum of $998,162,500 for Head Q ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. (proc text)]
[(proc text) The sum of $49,158,500 for Head Q ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. (proc text)]