Solidarity, Security and Peace – The Israel-Hamas Conflict

Debate resumed.

Mr Speaker: Mr Xie Yao Quan.

6.19 pm

Mr Xie Yao Quan (Jurong): Mr Speaker, I rise in support of the Motion and its proposed amendments. This is a very difficult speech for me. Difficult, because I speak firstly as a human being, but also, equally so, as a Singaporean.

And so, while I express my grief and dismay at the lives lost and blood shed and homes destroyed on both sides, but especially in the Gaza Strip, where a humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding in this escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas, while I express my grief and dismay at the situation, I am also deeply cognisant about the need for me to keep my sight clearly on our national interests. Our national interests, in a humanitarian and political crisis embroiling our brothers and sisters in another part of the world. And equally so, the important need for all Singaporeans to have a consensus and common view on our national interests.

So, while I fully support the resolution passed by the 10th Emergency Special Session of the UN General Assembly on 27 October 2023 calling for, I quote, "an immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities", so as to allow the "full, immediate, safe, unhindered and sustained access to humanitarian aid to respond to the most basic needs of the Palestinian civilian population in the Gaza Strip", and while I am proud of Singapore's vote in favour of this resolution, let us also be very clear.

The right to self defence is cardinal, and sacrosanct, especially to a small state like Singapore, and Singapore's vote in favour of a cessation of hostilities, and in favour of a resolution that glaringly omits an affirmation of the right to self defence, in no way diminishes, or signals a softening of Singapore's position on our sacrosanct right to self defence.

I want to make this point, and I am glad that I have heard both the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Deputy Prime Minister make the point, but I thought it is important that I also make the point as a backbencher, because I sense that there are some questions amongst our communities about what our vote in the UN means in terms of where we stand on our right to self defence.

As our Ambassador to the UN Burhan Gafoor – he has been quoted many times today – put it in his intervention at the Special Session, "every country…has a right to defend itself from heinous terrorist attacks, to protect its people from senseless violence and to keep its territory secure."

This is close to my heart, not only as a Singaporean, but also as a National Serviceman who has been serving in various parts of the Singapore Armed Forces. In our training and exercises, my fellow commanders, planners and I constantly grapple with the fundamental intersection between military operations, international humanitarian law and strategic political objectives.

But we are clear, and there should be no doubt, also, I think, about where all Singaporeans should stand on this. If we are ever called upon one day to defend ourselves, our people and our territory against the attacks of an adversary, whether state or non-state, we will do what we need to do. And we will apply our military power to secure our existence, if that is what it takes.

On this note, let us also be clear on another point. What Hamas did in Southern Israel on 7 October 2023 are acts of terror. Enough has been said in this House, I am not going to belabour the point. I just want to say that I am glad to hear that we have strong consensus in this House. It is in our absolute national interest to have a clear consensus in this House on this point.

I would like to say too, that this consensus is a big deal. It matters, because in the UN General Assembly 10th Emergency Special Session, Canada did propose an amendment to resolution that was passed, to also "unequivocally reject and condemn the terrorist attacks by Hamas that took place in Israel starting on 7 October 2023 and the taking of hostages".

Unfortunately, this amendment did not pass, with 55 votes against and 23 abstentions. So, the international community is split in its views on not just the condemnation of Hamas' attacks on 7 October as acts of terror, but even the characterisation and recognition of such acts as acts of terror.

Our language and our words do matter, they matter on the international stage, they matter here at home. The international community could not agree on the language and the words to use, but Singapore cast a strong vote in the UN in favour of that amendment proposed by Canada, and again, I am glad in this House, we have strong consensus on this basic point. I hope, as a next stage, all Singaporeans outside of this House will be unified in our view on this point. Because if what Hamas did on 7 October 2023 were to happen to us, we would want these acts to be recognised and condemned unequivocally as terrorist attacks.

Finally, let us be clear on a third point. Israel's ongoing military operations in the Gaza Strip do violate the resolution passed by the UN Special Session. Israel has, so far, failed to take steps towards an immediate humanitarian truce, which is in contravention of the resolution. Israel continues to prevent the full, immediate, safe, unhindered and sustained access to humanitarian aid to ensure the survival of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip – again, in contravention of the resolution.

And Israel has not rescinded its order for Palestinian civilians and humanitarian workers to evacuate all areas in the Gaza Strip north of the Wadi Gaza and relocate to south Gaza – again, in contravention of the resolution.

Israel should comply fully with the UN resolution, as it should, too, with previous UN resolutions on occupied territories and settlements in the West Bank and Jerusalem. These are all UN resolutions that Singapore has consistently supported. It is in our interest that UN resolutions are respected and complied with, as it upholds, preserves and strengthens the multi-lateral rule-based system that is so critical to us. Mr Speaker, in Mandarin, please.

(In Mandarin): The United Nations Special Emergency Meeting on the Israel-Hamas war passed a resolution calling for an immediate and sustained humanitarian ceasefire by both sides, to facilitate the cessation of hostilities. Singapore supports this resolution at the United Nations.

I support Singapore's position for two reasons. Firstly, the situation unfolding in Gaza is, undoubtedly, a human tragedy and a humanitarian catastrophe. It is saddening. Both sides of the conflict and the international community have a duty to immediately ensure basic protection and humanitarian aid for civilians.

Secondly, modern warfare is not like ancient warfare. In modern warfare, while fighting is ongoing, humanity and humanitarianism is also emphasised. The more powerful the killing power of modern weapons, the more countries have an obligation and responsibility to uphold basic humanity. This is the fundamental principle and spirit of today's international humanitarian law and laws of war.

International law is crucial for Singapore as it is a small country. Singapore's support for the UN resolution is support for international law. However, we must also emphasise that the UN resolution does not mention a country's right to self-defence under international law. The resolution also does not clearly condemn Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel on 7 October 2023.

These two points touch on Singapore's core national security interest. Therefore, we must be clear that supporting the UN resolution does not mean that Singapore's position on the right to self-defend has weakened, nor does it mean that Singapore's position on terrorism has wavered. Singapore must strongly condemn any terrorist acts against innocent civilians.

Finally, this is likely to be a long-drawn war. In our country, different groups may hold strong and differing views on the Israel-Palestine issue. But we must ensure that international events like these will not divide us. We must maintain our hard-earned multiracial and multi religious harmony that we have enjoyed over the years.

( In English ): Mr Speaker, ultimately, I think all of us Singaporeans want peace and stability and the cessation of human suffering in this tragic conflict – not only between Israel and Hamas, but in the larger, long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It requires strategic wisdom, on both sides, as Minister Vivian has said, both the Israeli political leadership, and the Palestinian Authority.

Strategic wisdom, to see that attacks and counter-attacks, retaliation and retribution, will only harden hearts and harden the path to a durable, just and comprehensive negotiated two-state solution. Restraint is the much more difficult, much less instinctive, but much more plausible path to peace. It requires strategic wisdom. And I urge for strategic wisdom too, to see that urgent action is needed. Urgent leadership and political organisation and action on both sides, is needed, in order for peace to have a chance, any chance.

For the sake of millions of children, Palestinian and Israeli, Arab and Jewish, born and yet unborn, I hope both sides will do the right things, urgently, for peace.

Mr Speaker: Dr Wan Rizal.

6.33 pm

Dr Wan Rizal (Jalan Besar): Mr Speaker, I rise in support of the amended Motion. Amid the calm of our peaceful nation, we hear the distant cries of despair from the Israel-Hamas conflict, touching our hearts with sorrow and empathy. The humanitarian crisis unfolds not as a tally of numbers but as stories of human lives, each with a face, a name and a story. As a father of four children, the anguish and despair engulfing the innocent children caught in this conflict resonates with me on a profound level. It is a painful reminder of the cost of conflict. We stand in solidarity with all the innocent civilians caught in this turmoil.

Sir, the dire situation in Gaza demands more than words; it calls for a global conscience. The lack of clean water, food, medical supplies and energy is a stark reality that demands immediate action. Singapore's support for UN humanitarian efforts, voiced assertively at the UN General Assembly, is underpinned by our commitment to international law and a multilateral rules-based order. In our consistent navigation of the Israel-Palestine issue, Singapore's principled stance, through the UN resolutions, as shared by Minister Vivian, has been unflinching. And I appreciate this. It mirrors our belief in dialogue over destruction, in peaceful negotiation over persistent conflict. Mr Speaker, in Malay, please.

(In Malay): Sir, our words and actions today reflect the humanitarian values that we hold firmly. The Israel-Hamas conflict is a test of our humanitarian conscience, reminding us of the loss, pain, and hope experienced by the people of Gaza.

Every moment without humanitarian aid is a moment that steals a brighter future from the people of Gaza.

In Singapore, the Malay/Muslim community feels this sadness more keenly. Our hearts break thinking about those affected, and we urge immediate humanitarian action and a peaceful solution to the ongoing situation.

Sir, we have had a consistent stand in UN resolutions since 1967. In 2017, we voted against Jerusalem being made the capital of Israel. In 2022, we were against the illegal settlements by Israel and asserted that it was against international law.

Recently, we have supported a resolution that calls for an immediate humanitarian assistance and provision of essential supplies to civilians in Gaza.

Two weeks ago, Minister Shanmugam held a dialogue session with more than 200 Malay/Muslim community leaders. This dialogue has explained the Government's position and addressed some of the misinformation floating around in cyberspace. Many appreciated the dialogue session as it gave a clearer picture of this issue.

My hope is that the Government will continue to reach out to the community, giving room to listen to their grievances, accept suggestions and feedback, and give appropriate explanations.

We should explain how Singapore, as a small country, plays a crucial role on the global stage to promote peace and humanity. This is our responsibility, to help our community better understand and prepare for future challenges.

( In English ): Sir, in English, please. Over the past few weeks, I have had the privilege of engaging a number of youths, as well as members from M 3 at Jalan Besar. Many asked how long will this conflict last? What does it take for this conflict to end? What constitutes a war crime? And what actions will the international community take now or once the dust literally settles?

I share their sentiments and concerns and I am heartened that this issue resonates deeply with them. Among our youths, regardless of race, the empathy and concern reflects the kind of humanity and spirit that bodes well for our future.

Sir, in today's digital age, the conflict has also seen a myriad of narratives being shared on social media platforms. While these platforms can bridge understanding and foster solidarity, they can also breed misinformation and discord. The rapid spread of both information and misinformation has a significant impact shaping perceptions and emotions.

This underscores the need for digital literacy and critical thinking in discerning the truth amidst the sea of conflicting narratives. Moreover, the phenomenon of doom-scrolling where individuals continuously scroll through distressing news on social media has risen. This not only reflects our global interconnectedness, but also brings to the four mental health challenges that such crisis and their digital portrayal can precipitate.

Thus, it is imperative that we take steps to address the mental health impact by accelerating digital literacy, encouraging balance media consumption and providing mental health support through safe spaces for this course.

In this vein, I am heartened to witness our Mufti being the first to provide support to the Jewish community, as well as the asatizahs, our local religious leaders such as Ustaz Mizi Wahid taking proactive steps to provide much needed holistic guidance and support for the Malay/Muslim community. Their efforts are crucial in navigating the emotional and informational landscape ensuring our community remains well informed, resilient and united during this trying times.

Mr Speaker, the vibrancy of all communities' response to this crisis is a testament of the Singaporean spirit. The recent dialogue session with the Malay/Muslim leaders is a prime example. It was a constructive discourse that reflected our unique way of addressing global issues – the Singaporean way. I am reminded of darker days when the spectre of terrorism loom large with the Jemaah Islamiyah threat.

It was a time when the fabric of our social harmony was put to the test. Yet, Singaporeans from all walks of life, regardless of race or religion rallied together. Religious organisations across the spectrum step forward to support the Malay/Muslim community. This is the hallmark of our society, a reflection of mutual respect and solidarity that binds us together.

Sir, in conclusion my hope is simple. The international law be abided with and followed through. As we stand in unison with the innocent civilian lives caught in the crossfire of the Israel-Hamas conflict, let us also stand united in our resolve to uphold values of peace, justice and humanitarianism. Let the narrative of solidarity security and peace resonate across our lands, reminding us of our shared responsibility towards fostering a harmonious community.

Mr Speaker: Minister of State Faishal Ibrahim.

6.42 pm

The Minister of State for Home Affairs (Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim): Mr Speaker, I rise in support of the amended Motion.

The loss of innocent lives in Israel and Gaza has shaken all of us. I am sure I speak on behalf of all Singaporeans, when I say that we feel the grief and pain of those who have lost their loved ones. As the conflict in Gaza intensifies, we also watch with great concern the tremendous suffering of innocent civilians – babies, young children, the sick and the elderly.

With food, water and medical aid not reaching the people, this humanitarian crisis will worsen. We are already reading reports of emergency surgeries being conducted without anesthesia. This is the tragic price of conflict – the loss and suffering of innocent lives. It is heart-wrenching and our thoughts and prayers are with all of them.

The long-standing Israel-Palestine conflict is an emotive issue. This latest outbreak of hostilities has led to a global rise in hate speech, crimes and attacks. Mr Alex Yam asked if there have been increased reports of anti-Semitic rhetoric or inter-religious disagreements in Singapore.

As mentioned by Deputy Prime Minister Wong earlier, in the month of October 2023 alone, the Singapore Police Force received eight reports of offensive remarks or actions targeted at either members of the Jewish or Muslim communities in Singapore. This is equal to the total number of anti-Semitic or anti-Muslim police reports received between January and September this year.

We take firm action against acts that threaten our racial and religious harmony. We have provisions to do so in the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act and Penal Code. We also have powers under the Broadcasting Act to disable access to egregious content, including those likely to cause racial or religious disharmony in Singapore, or which advocate violence or terrorism.

The laws are only one part of our holistic approach to maintaining racial and religious harmony in our society. We work closely with the community. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) regularly engage our religious and community leaders through platforms such as the National Steering Committee on Racial and Religious Harmony.

MCCY has refreshed the 93 Racial and Religious Harmony Circles, one in each constituency, to build trust and interactions across our ethnic and religious communities. MCCY also uses the Harmony Fund to support community initiatives that bring different communities together, deepen their mutual understanding and foster meaningful conversations about their commonalities and differences.

Individuals who engage in offensive conduct are a minority in our society. Even where views on the conflict have differed, most Singaporeans have been measured and mature in our response. We may feel deep sympathy for the civilians caught in the crossfire between Israel and Hamas. However, we should be mindful that just as there are those among us who feel more deeply for the Israelis killed or abducted by Hamas, there are also many Singaporeans who are profoundly saddened by the sufferings of the Palestinian people in Gaza.

We should therefore show our support and concern, in a way which does not lead to conflict and tensions among us and is not framed as a clash between religions. Whether it is an Israeli or Palestinian life, it is still a life, and we should be concerned and should be willing to give help.

We understand that Singaporeans desire to come together to show their concern and support. Some have applied to hold assemblies at the Speakers' Corner. Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi asked about applications to use the Speakers' Corner for such events. Over the last three years, NParks has received more than 400 applications to use the Speakers' Corner for events. Of these, seven applications were rejected. Five of the rejected applications were to hold events related to the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023. The two remaining applications were for unrelated events in December 2022 and August 2023.

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) has said that public assemblies on matters related to the Israel-Hamas conflict will be prohibited. There are real public safety and security concerns. There have been numerous incidents of violence related to the conflict in other countries. Tensions are high and public demonstrations may inevitably advocate or show more sympathy for one side of the conflict or the other. They can spark off incidents on the ground. They also have the potential to divide us as Singaporeans. Once we allow one event, we will have to allow others.

Our position is consistent with previous requests for events held outside the Speakers' Corner, where the SPF had assessed there to be a safety and security risk, such as those related to the Russia-Ukraine war. We would have adopted the same approach if the event was held at Speakers' Corner. NParks will continue to reject applications to use the Speakers’ Corner for such events, as long as there is a public safety and security risk.

There are other practical and impactful avenues through which Singaporeans can show support. They may, for example, contribute to authorised fundraising activities and donation drives in support of humanitarian relief efforts, such as the fund-raising appeal by the Singapore Red Cross.

Mr Alex Yam asked whether there has been an increase in rhetoric or activities by extremist groups in the Southeast Asian region. Hamas has issued statements calling on all Muslims to fight. Supporters of terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda and ISIS, as well as those in Southeast Asia, have celebrated Hamas' attacks. They have called on followers to join in a wider jihad.

Singaporeans are not immune to such sentiments. Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong mentioned the individuals we had detained in the past. Our stance is clear – we condemn all acts of terrorism. Terrorism is not justifiable under any circumstances. Neither will we tolerate people calling for violence. We will take firm action.

Our security agencies are watching the situation very closely and have stepped up their alert. Additional measures have been taken, such as enhanced security patrols at certain events and places. Singaporeans, on their part, must stay vigilant. They should report to the authorities any suspicious behaviour or individuals whom they suspect could have been radicalised. Mr Speaker, our strongest defence is our collective vigilance.

Mr Speaker, again, in line with Singapore's condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and our support of international law as well as the two-state solution, I support the Motion raised by Members of Parliament Mr Vikram Nair, Mr Alex Yam and Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim. [ Applause. ]

6.51 pm

Mr Speaker: Before I call hon Members to ask their supplementary questions and clarifications, I wish to make an observation and give a reminder to this House.

I note that in the past, Members have taken this opportunity for raising points of clarification to make mini-speeches before asking their clarifications. In fact, there has been an occasion where the mini-speech exceeded five minutes. So, I want to remind Members that under Standing Order 48(3), no Member other than the mover is allowed to speak more than once on a Motion. Making a point of clarification or asking supplementary questions are not further occasions for a second speech. I will allow some leeway for Members to explain their point of clarification or make their question intelligible, but I ask Members for your cooperation and understanding to observe the Standing Orders and to keep your points of clarifications and questions concise and to the point.

With that, are there any clarifications or supplementary questions? None? In that case, I will now call on Mr Vikram Nair.

6.53 pm

Mr Vikram Nair: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank all my colleagues who took part in this debate including our Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs, and the Minister of State for Home Affairs who set out the Government's perspective.

It was also good to have perspectives from the backbench, from our Nominated Members and from both Opposition parties. I am heartened by the significant agreement on important matters by all parties concerned. So, the good news is I will not be using anywhere close to my full 40 minutes.

WP has in this House clarified that their position is similar to the Government's on all the key points, including that they condemn the terrorist attacks on 7 October and recognise Israel's right of self defence. This is important because it was not clear from their public statement, but I am grateful that the opposition has clarified that the public statement may also be modified. I also thank Mr Leong Mun Wai and the PSP for its unequivocal support of our Motion and the Government's position on this matter.

There is so much common ground among the speakers here that I think what I will do in this speech, in line with this Motion, is show the solidarity amongst us.

On the first component, I think everyone who spoke understands and empathises both with the suffering of the Israeli people who are victims of the attack as well as with the plight of the Palestinian people. I think many speakers also express sympathy for the Palestinian cause, which may have been compromised, unfortunately, by this attack.

The second and third components of this debate are where we give substance to the humanitarian crisis. There was a UN resolution passed for immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce and a call for cessation, leading to the cessation of hostilities. This was, I quote, by all Members in this House and all parties, and I think this is important. Even Israel's close ally, like the US, is calling for a truce so that humanitarian supplies can reach the people.

And this builds onto the third component and some people, including Minister of State Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Mr Alex Yam, Dr Syed Harun and Mr Sharael Taha, share moving stories about the humanitarian plight and of the suffering of the civilian population. We think it is important for the people to get access to humanitarian assistance being provided by the UN, the International Red Cross and other humanitarian organisations.

The fourth component – condemning those responsible for the terrorist attacks and violation of international law. This is an important point for Singapore. And the Deputy Prime Minister, Ministers, Second Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Mr Zhulkarnain, Mr Sharael Taha, have all pointed out that we have to unequivocally call out these terrorist attacks and label it as such because such attacks cannot be condoned. And I think Mr Xie Yao Quan also highlighted that the right of self defence that correlates and arises from this is also important to recognise.

The second component – the violations of international law. This also has to be condemned, regardless of which party is responsible, and the relevant principles of international law include the principles applicable to arm conflict including the principle of distinction, which means civilians and civilian objects cannot be made targets of military attack; proportionality, which means any response has to be proportionate to the threat; as well as positive obligations to protect civilians and civilian objects from the effects of war. These are all important obligations. I also agree with Mr Zhulkarnain's call for both parties to facilitate investigations after the war, if necessary. It is important for both parties who wish to maintain the moral high ground to show that they intend to and respect international law.

The next limb, which calls for all parties to comply with positive obligation under humanitarian law, including to ensure the safety and security of civilians, release all hostages and minimise the effects of combat on the civilian population. There is some overlap between this and the earlier limbs, but I think the call for release of hostages is also universal. There is no excuse for keeping hostages and they have to be released immediately. The steps taken to protect the civilian population from the effects of war, I would respectfully say, include compliance with the UN resolution and facilitating humanitarian access to the agencies involved.

We then come to another point in which there was universal agreement and that is Singapore's long-standing commitment to a two-state solution. This commitment goes back a long way. I think in my speech, I highlighted that it traces back to 1967, and I think Minister Vivian Balakrishnan also highlighted Singapore's record of votes at the UN to show how we have always been consistent with this. We have voted to indicate also that Israel's policies of starting settlements in the Occupied Territories are illegal and we maintain this position. We acknowledge that this policy of settlement is an obstacle to the peace process and the eventual creation of a Palestinian state.

To Israel's credit though, they did take action to move out of the Gaza, including moving settlers out in 2005. So, in my view, this is not an insurmountable obstacle, but I think it is one that should be acknowledged.

I think Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong set out that if we are to get a peaceful resolution, Palestinians must be given a peaceful alternative to achieve statehood. Otherwise, they may continue to support groups like Hamas that promote violence. So, for the two-state solution to become a reality, I think we have to hope that both parties and the peaceful leaders on both sides will be able to have a stronger position.

Singapore is not a big player in this situation and Singapore probably cannot individually move the needle on this, but I think many speakers have pointed out that Singapore has a good relationship with both Israel and Palestine. And we have taken a consistent position with both. With the Palestinians, several speakers including Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Dr Maliki and Mr Sharael Taha have highlighted the efforts that we have taken to engage in capacity building with the Palestinian Authority, and to continue to help them build up their skills.

It was also interesting to note that Dr Vivian Balakrishnan was in contact with his Egyptian counterpart, and this is to facilitate the movement of aid to the Gaza. Dr Maliki is going to Cairo himself. These are big commitments on the part of a small country to have such high-level people involved in doing what little we can to facilitate the peace process. Singapore has no power over either of the parties. All we can hope to do is lend our voice.

Let me come to the last component of this and that is to urge all Singaporeans to safeguard and uphold our multiracial and multi-religious peace and harmony.

Both Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Senior Parliamentary Secretary Faisal Ibrahim highlighted the complaints about hate crimes have been on the rise in Singapore, although the numbers are still small while Mr Raj Joshua Thomas highlighted a rise in hate crimes across the world and indicated that Singapore may also be vulnerable. This means there is a real threat to Singapore's harmony that could arise from this, if we are not careful. Minister of State Fasial also highlighted that there are calls by Hamas for regional recruitment.

Several speakers, including Mr Alex Yam, Mr Saktiandi Supaat, Mr Gerald Giam have highlighted that online misinformation targeting Singaporeans has been on the rise and Dr Wan Rizal has introduced me to a new term, "doom-scrolling", the continued consumption of negative news.

So, I think, against this backdrop, it is important that all parties in this House acknowledged the need for Singapore to stay united. Each of us, as leaders, must do our part to fight this misinformation. While some Singaporeans have strong sentiment on the matter, we should not get these feelings divide us.

I am grateful for Dr Maliki sharing of the Government's effort to fight misinformation, including with programmes in schools and I think one of the most heartening examples highlighted in this House by Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Mr Keith Chua, Mr Murali Pillai and Ms Nadia Samdin, amongst others, was position taken by two important leaders, the Chief Rabbi and the Mufti.

After the attack, the Mufti Ustaz Dr Nazirudin Mohd Nasir in his letter, "There is no place and no justification for any form of violence and brutality on civilians by anyone, including by Hamas, or in any retaliatory response."

He also offered his sincerest condolences, prayers and solidarity to those whose lives are unjustly taken. He also expressed his wish for peaceful co-existence of both communities. In response, the Chief Rabbi Mordechai Abergel said he was encouraged by the Mufti's letter and said he was grateful for Singapore's zero tolerance laws on hate speech and added that the utmost priority is for our communities to come together.

This crucial exchange sends a strong message and I hope members of both faiths and all other faiths in Singapore will take this message of solidarity and unity. But these actions are not just from the leaders, they seem to go quite a way down.

I think many of our Malay/Muslim Members of Parliament shared the efforts of the Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation raising funds in Singapore, the grassroot levels but they were joined by other faiths as well as Mr Keith Chua highlighted contributions from Humanity Matters – churches, Buddhist temples, Sikh temples, Hindu temples, all coming together in support.

This, I think, is a good example of the Singapore way. The different faiths stand in solidarity together even when there are differences amongst people in other countries that could otherwise divide us.

I am grateful to this House and all its Members for standing in solidarity for peace and security in the Middle East. I beg to move, Sir.

7.04 pm

Mr Speaker: Any Members have any clarifications for Mr Nair? If not, we have now come to the conclusion of the debate and I shall put the questions to the House for a decision.

We have five amendments proposed by Mr Alex Yam. We will deal with the amendments first.

Amendment No 1 is, "After line 4, to insert a new part with the words 'Supports UN Resolution ES-10/21, which calls for an immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities'".

Question, "That Amendment No 1 be made", put and agreed to.

As the House has agreed to the new part to be inserted, the consequential amendment to rename the parts will be made.

Amendment No 2 is, "In line 5, the words 'and unhindered access to United Nations humanitarian agencies, the International Red Cross and other humanitarian organisations' be added at the end".

Question, "That Amendment No 2 be made", put and agreed to.

Amendment No 3 is, "In line 7, after the word 'Calls', to delete the word 'for' and insert 'on'".

Question, "That Amendment No 3 be made", put and agree to.

Amendment No 4 is, "In line 7, after the words 'all parties to', to insert the following: 'comply fully with international humanitarian law, including to'".

Question, "That Amendment No 4 be made", put and agreed to.

Amendment No 5 is, "In line 7, to delete 'including the release of all hostages' and insert 'release all hostages and minimise the effects of combat on the civilian population'".

Question, "That Amendment No 5 be made", put and agreed to.

The amendments have been agreed to. The Original Motion as amended is now before the House.

Original Motion, as amended, put and agreed to.

Resolved, "That this House, having regard to the terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel and the deepening humanitarian crisis arising from Israel's military operations in the Gaza strip"

(a) Expresses its deepest condolences to all innocent victims and civilian casualties;

(b) Supports UN Resolution ES-10/21 which calls for an immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities;

(c) Advocates the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to the civilian population in Gaza and unhindered access to United Nations' humanitarian agencies, the International Red Cross and other humanitarian organisations;

(d) Condemns those responsible for the terrorist acts and violations of international law;

(e) Calls on all parties to comply fully with international humanitarian law including to ensure the safety and security of civilians, release of hostages and minimise the effects of combat on the civilian population;

(f) Reiterates Singapore's long-standing commitment to a negotiated two-state solution consistent with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions; and

(g) Urges all Singaporeans to safeguard and uphold our multiracial and multi-religious peace and harmony.

ADJOURNMENT MOTION The Deputy Leader of the House (Mr Zaqy Mohamad): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That Parliament do now adjourn."

Question proposed.

CHILD SAFETY AND WELL-BEING: A COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY: ###### 7.10 pm

Assoc Prof Razwana Begum Abdul Rahim (Nominated Member): Mr Speaker, let me begin by commending Singapore's long-standing commitment to the safety and well-being of our children.

In 2019, Singapore ranked first in the Global Childhood Report, surpassing Western European nations. We also excel in keeping children safe online, ranking 4th out of 30 countries in the Child Online Safety Index in 2020.

Singapore is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the best interests principle guides all of our policies and services for children. We have made substantial progress in child protection and children's rights, as illustrated in our 2019 report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child. Amendments to the Children and Young Persons Act, robust screening and reporting tools, the establishment of the Family Justice Courts and investments in Early Childhood Education are just some of our other achievements.

We continue to receive international attention and praise for our success as a nation and public safety and security is at the heart of everything we do. Singapore is forward looking, and we do this well. We are experts at monitoring our landscape, anticipating changes, and planning for the future.

Mr Speaker, in October of this year, the Forward Singapore report was released. The report describes Singapore's road map for the next decade and beyond, and highlights the need to reimagine the Singapore Dream, refresh our social compact, and redefine success as seen from the lens of our younger generation. We are advancing towards creating a better future for Singapore and we are doing this in consultation with the people of Singapore.

I am excited with this progress as this is home not just for me, but also for my children and their children.

As we evolve, we want to ensure the progression of everyone, and especially our children. As a nation, we need to continue to promote and protect the safety and wellbeing of children, and to work together to nurture and support all children to reach their potential.

On that note, let me take you on an adventure, through the lens of Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland" that resonates with my Adjournment Motion, "Child Safety and Well-being: A Collective Responsibility".

Mr Speaker, as many in this House may recall, in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, magic pervades the story; but, in reality, the magic is Alice's power to dream. And I believe there is no limitation when it comes to dreams.

Mr Speaker, I stand here, not just as an educator or a social worker, but also as a believer in dreams; and one inspired by the many stories of success that I have heard over the years from under-privileged children.

Many of these children succeeded despite great hardship and their success reminds me of the need to set goals and work diligently towards a dreamt future.

As social workers, we operate with a clear vision in mind, and the safety and wellbeing of our clients is our paramount consideration. We also believe in establishing clear goals, for our clients, and it is timely for me to share my favourite quote from Alice in Wonderland: "If you don't know where you are going, any road can take you there."

Since 1999, when I was working as a social worker in a children's home and subsequently as a probation officer, I have observed many changes that illustrate Singapore's strong commitment to protecting children. We have come a long way, and I would like to commend the efforts taken by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), in driving these changes, and for constantly reviewing our social compact. Most importantly, I would like to acknowledge the good work done by those who work with children. In protecting and nurturing them.

At this juncture, I would like to share another quote from Alice in Wonderland, where the Queen says to Alice: "Now, here, you see, it takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place. If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that!"

While Singapore has undoubtedly done well, today's Adjournment Motion is about moving forward. And, as the Queen encourages Alice, we need to run at least twice as fast. I would, however, like to stress that this is not merely about running quickly and arriving breathless. This Motion is about defining a goal, setting a steady pace, and arriving at our destination composed and confident.

This Motion is also about considering the principles that augment Singapore's efforts in safeguarding children, adopting a collective responsibility and articulating a united direction and methodology to ensure a better future for our children and our nation.

Mr Speaker, despite all best efforts, children do get hurt. They may fall off a swing in a playground, they may be bullied at school, or they may get abused or harmed by someone close to them.

It is unrealistic to expect a world entirely free from such complexities. Risk is multifaceted, and there is no single solution that can entirely reduce the presence of risk, or harm from happening. However, each of us has a role to play – and it begins with family. Mr Speaker, in Malay, please.

(In Malay): Assoc Prof Razwana Begum: As we know, and we continue to strengthen this part of our social compact – family is our first line of defence. The family plays a significant role in nurturing and protecting a child. The traditional concept of family, however, is changing – from nuclear families, into reconstituted families or single-parent families or even the no-parent families – and this is a challenge, especially when it comes to differences in parenting and disciplinary style.

Most of us who are parents would agree that parenting is an adventure that comes with many surprises. Parenting demands interpersonal skills and emotional maturity. And yet, there is no one standard rule book for this. Parents tend to replicate the practices of their own parents, which can perpetuate both positive and negative parenting methods, leading to differences in viewpoints within marriages.

We know from studies that inadequate preparation for parental roles contributes to problems like child abuse, neglect and strained parent-child relationships.

In Singapore, most parents need to work to support the family and many of us rely on extended families, helpers and childcare facilities. And yet, the involvement from both parents is crucial in ensuring safety and wellbeing of our children. There is also a greater need for fathers to play a role in child upbringing and this also requires support given to working mothers to balance their role within the home as a wife, mother and excel in their career aspiration.

I am proud that we have various initiatives to strengthen parenting, and create a Singapore made for families. On that note, as we develop our measures, we should consider ways to incorporate our gotong-royong spirit, and preserve our traditional family values of love, care and concern, filial responsibility and mutual respect.

( In English ): Mr Speaker, I would now like to suggest three initiatives to assist Singapore to take the next step in promoting and protecting the safety and wellbeing of our children.

First, Mr Speaker, a national framework for protecting children is a document that clearly articulates how the Government, the social services and the private sector can work together to ensure that children and young people in Singapore reach their full potential by growing up safe and supported and free from harm and neglect.

National frameworks are not just idealistic policy statements, they set clear targets, measurable outcomes and realistic timelines. A national framework will ensure that the best interests of children are at the centre of decision-making and will reaffirm Singapore's commitment to making our nation the best place in the world for children to live and thrive.

Importantly, national frameworks are not designed to address one-off incidents or issues but reflect a systematic, long-term approach to improving the safety and well-being of our children. In Singapore, most children do okay, most of the time. A national framework will help all children do okay, all the time.

Mr Speaker, national frameworks or their equivalent already exist in many other countries and have been shown to have a positive impact on the lives of children and their families, including, in particular, disadvantaged children.

Second, introduce child impact assessments. Originating in Europe in the late 1980s, child impact assessments are a systematic and structured process to evaluate the impact of any proposed law, policy or programme on children. They ensure that decision-makers consider the specific needs and vulnerabilities of children when making decisions, they promote child-centered decision-making, they help governments create laws, policies and programmes that are responsive to the specific needs of children.

Child impact assessments have been endorsed by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child and have been successfully implemented in several countries.

Third, establish a dedicated office for children. Mr Speaker, many countries around the world have an office dedicated to the safety and well-being of children. In some countries, these take the form of a Children's Commissioner, a Children's Guardian or a Children's Ombudsman, or they may have a more targeted role such as a E-Safety Commissioner or a National Office for Child Safety.

The first Children's Commissioner was established in Norway in 1981. Since then, a dedicated office for children has been established in more than 50 countries worldwide. Regardless of their title, what these offices have in common is that they are stand-alone agencies with a focus on promoting and protecting the safety and well-being of children, providing impartial advice to the government and advocating for the rights of children.

Finally, I would like to suggest that we speak and listen to our children. Mr Speaker, I note that we have just concluded the Forward Singapore initiative. Forward Singapore was an opportunity for Singaporeans to come together and examine the nation's values and aspirations, build consensus and to refresh the social compact.

As observed by former President Madam Halimah Yaacob when commenting on the initiative at the opening of the Second Session of the 14th Parliament on 10 April 2023, I quote, "We want every person to be treated equally with dignity and respect. We want a Singapore where everyone belongs, and every citizen has the chance to achieve his or her fullest potential. We want a society that values and supports families; where we care for and help one another, and pitch in to make a difference to our community."

As Singapore moves forward, we must speak and listen to our children. We need to bring together different groups of children, tap on their experiences and seek their views and opinions on how we can do things differently and do things better.

In doing so, it is important that we engage with all children, not simply those who are already vocal or active within their community. We need to talk with children like those I met when I was a social worker and who told me repeatedly that they wanted to have a greater say in their future and the future of Singapore.

Referring to the wisdom of the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland, "Let your need guide your behavior."

Sir, the safety and wellbeing of children is not merely a duty, it is a reflection of our commitment to a better tomorrow, where every child is treated with respect and dignity and where their potential knows no bounds. Our children are not merely extensions of ourselves but unique individuals with their own dreams and destinies. We, as a society, are entrusted with the responsibility of protecting and nurturing them, not to mould them into our image, but to help them flourish as the remarkable individuals they are.

We must invest in their safety and well-being, not only because they deserve such care but because they hold the future of our nation in their hands. They are the architects of tomorrow, the visionaries who will shape our society and the stewards of our collective destiny.

As we focus on their safety, health and growth, we must ensure that they have the strength and resilience to face the challenges of an ever-changing world. Let us remember that by protecting and nurturing our children, we are not just securing their future but also the future of our country, built upon the promise of their unique potential.

Mr Speaker: Senior Parliamentary Secretary Eric Chua.

7.23 pm

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social and Family Development (Mr Eric Chua): Mr Speaker, I thank Assoc Prof Razwana Begum for her speech.

Indeed, we are united in our goal to advance our children's safety and well-being. In fact, it is this approach that enabled Singapore to make strides in online safety, education, security and child protection.

In Singapore, our children are thriving. The National Council of Social Service surveys the quality of life of children and youths, using a common global standard. In its study published in 2022, our children and youths report a high quality of life, comparable to their peers in developed countries. In 2021, the UK charity Save the Children ranked Singapore as the top country where childhood is most protected.

The Government has been and will continue to commit to ensure the safety and well-being of our children. We offer good, affordable and accessible healthcare to keep our children healthy. We also provide accessible, affordable and quality education that starts from preschool. We have developed national mental health and well-being strategies to address risks and promote mental health and well-being for youths with such concerns. We also have robust protocols and processes for our child protection ecosystem.

From this strong foundation, we must indeed move forward for Singapore's children. In doing so, we must not forget that strong families are the bedrock of our efforts. Strong and resilient families nurture children to become strong individuals and active and compassionate members of our society.

As families navigate various milestones in their life journey, we want to ensure parents are equipped with skills to build safe havens for their children.

Families can receive support from the Strengthening Families Programme @ Family Service Centres. These provide marriage support programmes for young couples and family counselling to help families navigate marital and parent-child relationship issues.

We give additional support to lower income parents through KidSTART. KidSTART equips parents with the knowledge and skills to nurture their children's development and helps them build stronger bonds with their children. KidSTART, which now comes under the larger umbrella of ComLink+, helps to better ensure that the needs of the children from lower-income households are met, in partnership with preschools and other community partners.

Through ComLink+, we assign the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) family coaches to journey with these families and partner them in navigating life's challenges and seize opportunities to build a better future. Our ultimate goal is to enable ComLink+ families to achieve stability, self-reliance and, eventually, social mobility.

To ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable children, MSF has strengthened information-sharing and coordination protocols with various touchpoints in the community.

Frontline professionals in preschools, schools, healthcare institutions and social service agencies are trained to identify and report child abuse. The Break the Silence campaign educates and encourages the public to report suspected violence or neglect.

To strengthen protection for family violence survivors, including children, the Family Violence (Amendment) Bill was passed in this House in July this year. The amendments strengthen powers for the Government to rehabilitate perpetrators, which is crucial to helping families reconcile once protection and safety for victim-survivors, including children, have been achieved.

When parents continue to fail or are unable to keep their child safe, MSF's Child Protective Service (CPS) will intervene to remove the child as a last resort. CPS, together with relevant professionals and community partners, works to stabilise and rebuild family relationships so that the children can be safely reunited, wherever possible.

We note the Member's suggestion to set up a dedicated Office for Child Safety. Our efforts over the years have helped to keep the incidence rates of child abuse low, at fewer than three for every 1,000 children. This is much lower compared to other countries, including those that have opted for a standalone Child Safety agency. For example, the incidence rate of children who experienced some form of maltreatment in 2021 was 21 per 1,000 children in Australia and 8.1 per 1,000 children in the United States.

Today, we already have a specialised agency for child protection in the form of the Child Protective Service (CPS). At the same time, we recognise that child safety takes place in the context of a family situation. That is why the CPS is part of a larger Rehabilitation and Protection Group in MSF, which also includes the Adult Protective Service as well as the Probation and Community Rehabilitation Service, to help youths who are in the justice system.

MSF will continue to work closely with agencies and community partners to detect, identify and provide care and support for child survivors of different forms of abuse.

Our policies are also well coordinated in Singapore through an Inter-Ministry Committee that oversees the implementation of national policies relating to children and their progress. MSF, as the lead agency, works with other agencies to ensure that Singapore's policies and practices consider the child's best interests.

We have explained this to the United Nations Committee on the Convention on the Rights of the Child in our reports to and constructive dialogues with the Committee, with the assurance that safeguarding the best interests of our children is a shared objective that we will continue to uphold vigorously.

To the Member's suggestion to develop a national framework for protecting children, the Government already adopts the principles of the child's best interest and welfare in our laws and policies. These are enshrined in our legislation such as the Children and Young Persons Act and the Adoption of Children Act.

Outside of legislation, the various Ministries set targets and approaches on children-related policies and practices in their respective domains of expertise. For instance, the inter-agency taskforce for Child and Maternal Health and Well-being Strategy and Action Plan reviews and develops approaches to achieve better health outcomes for children. For children with disabilities, the Enabling Masterplan 2030 outlines the Government's priorities to scale up learning support and capacity for preschoolers and students in mainstream schools.

As for the Member's suggestion to introduce child impact assessments, we engage stakeholders who work closely with children to account for the child's perspective and lived experience and we adopt an outcomes-based approach when developing our policies for children to ensure that they are made in the child's best interest. Over the years, we have found this approach to be effective and sufficient.

As a parent of a young three-year-old myself, I appreciate and echo the Member's call for the nation to continue to listen to the voices of our young ones on how Singapore can move forward and do things better.

As the Member noted, the Forward Singapore roadmap recently launched by Deputy Prime Minister Wong is one such example, with numerous consultations held with over 200,000 members of the public over the last 16 months, including youngsters, who voiced their views on issues of concern to them. This is an important part of building a stronger society, and Singapore will continue to engage our children and youth to hear their voices and consider their best interests as we move forward.

In conclusion, I thank the Member for her commitment to improving children safety and well-being in Singapore. All of us have, indeed, a role to play to create a safer and better environment for our children, and support them to fulfil their hopes and dreams. Singapore has done well. And as a society, we will continue to press on to create a better future for our children and for our nation.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn."

Mr Speaker: Pursuant to Standing Order 2(3)(a), I wish to inform hon Members that the Sitting tomorrow will commence at 10.30 am. Order, order.

Adjourned accordingly at 7.32 pm.