• Mindef, MinLaw, MHA, MFA and the National Security Coordination Secretariat set out their priorities for the new parliamentary term
• Mindef will continue to assist with frontline Covid-19 operations 
• MinLaw will help companies and individuals affected by Covid-19
• MHA and MFA will help Singaporeans coping with international travel restrictions and put in place measures for the safe resumption of travel

SINGAPORE — Four more ministries and one government agency were among those which on Thursday (Aug 27) responded to President Halimah Yacob’s opening speech for the new term of Parliament, laying out their plans to manage the impact of Covid-19, as well as to uphold Singapore’s peace and sovereignty through a strong defence force.

The Ministry of Defence (Mindef), the Ministry of Law (MinLaw), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the National Security Coordination Secretariat (NSCS) issued their addenda to the President’s Address, joining a slew of other ministries that have done so following Mdm Halimah’s speech on Monday.

The NSCS is a secretariat under the Prime Minister’s Office.

The addenda set out how the agencies intend to fulfil the priorities for the new parliamentary term, which Mdm Halimah listed down at the opening of the 14th Parliament.

On Aug 31, Parliament will sit to debate the President's Address in a Motion of Thanks.

Here is a look at the top priorities at Mindef, MinLaw, MHA, MFA and NSCS as listed in their respective addenda:

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

Mindef and Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) are prepared to continue fighting the coronavirus outbreak on the frontlines, such as in the areas of contact tracing, managing community care recovery facilities, and contributing technology and testing solutions to support frontline operations.

The SAF will continue to strengthen its force by transforming its fighting concepts, restructuring its units and strengthening its operations technology integration. It plans to create an integrated cyber force to defend Singapore’s digital borders.

Mindef also has plans to improve the National Service system. The National Service Review Committee, formed in 2020, will look into how to better match skills and experience to vocations and deployment. 

Said Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen: “A strong defence safeguards Singapore’s peace, security and sovereignty, and lays the foundation for our pursuit of economic and social progress.”

MINISTRY OF LAW

To help companies that may soon face the risk of insolvency, MinLaw will put in place measures to assist smaller firms that need to restructure or wind down their businesses through simpler, faster and lower-cost proceedings.

For vulnerable populations who may be bogged down with legal problems due to the pandemic, the ministry will also expand its partnerships with social service agencies and family service centres to address both their legal and social needs.

To help law practices accelerate the adoption of technology, MinLaw will expand its Tech-celerate for Law programme so that law practices can improve their productivity and deliver legal services in new and innovative ways.

The ministry is also starting a new specialist Protection from Harassment Court for harassment victims to receive “holistic and effective relief” with simplified procedures and expedited timelines.

Said Law Minister K Shanmugam: “MinLaw will work with stakeholders, partners and the public to advance access to justice, develop our legal services to support our economy and society, and strengthen the rule of law in Singapore.”

MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

In order to gradually reopen Singapore’s borders, MHA has set up a Safe Travel Office under the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority to streamline processes for safe international travel amid Covid-19.

MHA also has plans to strengthen Singapore’s legislation and regulatory regimes. It plans to:

• Amend gambling-related legislation and form a new Gambling Regulation Authority

• Review Singapore’s drug laws

• Enhance the existing fire safety regulatory regime and strengthen the Singapore Civil Defence Force’s investigative and enforcement powers against fire safety violations

It is also considering the need for new legislation to guard against foreign interference in local politics to combat hostile information campaigns by foreign actors.

Said Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam: “There remain significant threats to our safety and security. Externally, the terrorism threat remains high… Domestically, it remains imperative to ensure racial and religious harmony for the sake of our country’s peace and sovereignty, given the make-up of our society.”

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

MFA continues to work with the international community on the travel restrictions that have been imposed worldwide because of the coronavirus outbreak while safeguarding Singapore’s interests and the welfare of Singaporeans.

It will also maintain and strengthen Singapore’s relationships with its neighbours to maintain supply chains for essential trade.

MFA will continue to play a constructive role on the international stage, in organisations like the United Nations, the World Health Organization and the World Trade Organization.

On these platforms, the ministry will continue to advocate for:

• A free and open rule-based international system

• Preserving supply chain connectivity

• Facilitating the flow of essential goods

• Promoting vaccine multilateralism 

Said Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan: “Even as we deal with the massive health, economic and social impact of the pandemic, we need to maintain our engagement on the global stage… The fight against Covid-19 is a global one and we cannot win it alone.”

NATIONAL SECURITY COORDINATION SECRETARIAT

The NSCS will work with other government agencies to draw lessons from Covid-19 and strengthen Singapore’s long-term capabilities to deal with future pandemics.

It will:

• Study and prepare for potential disruptions in the flow of essential economic resources, such as goods, manpower and investments

• Analyse how agencies can work together to tackle issues that cut across different sectors

• Conduct research on how Singapore can strengthen its social resilience, and step up education and awareness campaigns on such issues

Said Mr Teo Chee Hean, the minister-in-charge of the NSCS: “We can never be certain when the next security threat will emerge and what form it will take. As a small country, while we try to influence and shape our external environment, we are also often subject to forces beyond our control.”