MAINTENANCE OF PARENTS (AMENDMENT) BILL

MAINTENANCE OF PARENTS (AMENDMENT) BILL:

(Introduction by Private Member):

Mr Seah Kian Peng (Marine Parade): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That leave be given to introduce a Bill to amend the Maintenance of Parents Act (Chapter 167B of the 1996 Revised Edition).

Mr Speaker, Sir, at this year's Committee of Supply Debate on the Budget for the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, I accepted Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan's suggestion to move a private Member's Bill to amend the Act. The 10-member work group that I had assembled has completed its review and recommendations.

Sir, the key objective of our review is to enhance the effectiveness of the Act for its beneficiaries whilst retaining its original intention of deterring unfilial adult children from neglecting their duty to care for their parents. To reiterate, the review is not an attempt to legislate filial piety; rather, it emphasises the principles which our social safety net is based on – that of personal responsibility, family responsibility and the many "helping-hands" approach. Filial piety continues to be a value that the vast majority of our society holds dear. Nonetheless, the Act is applicable and necessary for a minority group of vulnerable parents. The proposed amendments are a response to changing social landscape and an ageing society that will place increasing stresses on families, and a greater need to build more resilient families in the face of such pressures.

Sir, the Act embraces key principles that bear emphasis.

The first is the principle of reciprocity of care. In application, this means that the Tribunal or the Commissioner for the

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Maintenance of Parents will consider all circumstances of the parties involved, including parents' treatment of their children and their past spending habits. These considerations determine the merits of the case and the final verdict or agreement that is reached. The Act is neither a means for parents to demand money to meet their frivolous needs nor is it an avenue parents may abuse to demand for support from children whom they had not contributed to their upbringing.

A second key principle is the emphasis on reconciliation. We recognise that to most parents the notion of taking one's children to Court is a drastic, almost unthinkable option. And in a bid to maintain family ties, we advocate that differences be resolved amicably, not through legal means as a first resort. The importance of this non-adversarial approach has been further strengthened in our review by giving more attention and creating the space for conciliation.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That leave be given to introduce a Bill to amend the Maintenance of Parents Act (Chapter 167B of the 1996 Revised Edition).

Mr Speaker: Who is prepared to introduce the Bill, Mr Seah?

Mr Seah Kian Peng: I am, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Please proceed.

Mr Seah Kian Peng: Sir, I beg to introduce a Bill intituled "An Act to amend the Maintenance of Parents Act (Chapter 167B of the 1996 Revised Edition)".

Bill read the First time.

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Mr Speaker: Second Reading, what day?

Mr Seah Kian Peng: On the next available sitting, Sir.

Mr Speaker: So be it.