Both Dr Lim and MP Joan Pereira (PAP-Tanjong Pagar) asked about the measures implemented to ensure the reliability and security of SimplyGo.
MP Lim Biow Chuan (PAP-Mountbatten) asked if LTA had considered the impact of the SimplyGo switch on seniors who are less IT-savvy.
Some questions were also raised about the S$40 million allocated to support the continued use of EZ-Link and NETS FlashPay cards.
MP Don Wee (PAP-Chua Chu Kang) wanted to know the reason behind the budget and the estimated shelf life of the proposed upgraded solution.
NCMP Hazel Poa (PSP) asked if the S$40 million budget is a one-off or recurring expenditure, and how much has been spent or committed in the development of SimplyGo and the conversion attempt.
ISWARAN CORRUPTION CASE
MPs will also discuss the corruption case of former Transport Minister Iswaran, who was charged in court on Jan 18 with 27 offences.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges, relating to his interactions with property tycoon Ong Beng Seng, who owns the rights to the Singapore Grand Prix and is chairman of race promoter Singapore GP.
Iswaran, who resigned from his positions in government on Jan 16, is accused of corruptly receiving more than S$166,000 worth of flights, hotel stays and tickets to events in exchange for advancing the billionaire’s business interests.
He is separately accused of obtaining about S$218,000 worth of valuable items in his capacity as a minister who also dealt with Mr Ong and his company in his role as chairman of the F1 Steering Committee.
MP Yip Hon Weng (PAP-Yio Chu Kang) asked Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong if the government “considers it necessary to appoint a Committee of Inquiry to investigate former Minister S Iswaran’s case at an appropriate juncture, with the paramount objective of affirming the Government’s stance of keeping the system free of corruption”.
He also asked Minister for Trade and Industry (MTI) Gan Kim Yong how the ongoing corruption allegations against Iswaran will affect the conduct of Singapore’s economic and investment-oriented agencies in attracting business and investors.
MP Edward Chia (PAP-Holland-Bukit Timah) asked if Mr Gan has directed the Singapore Tourism Board to conduct a full assessment of the relationship between Iswaran and Mr Ong regarding the F1 Singapore Grand Prix, and whether there have been possible lapses in due diligence and reporting processes.
MP Gan Thiam Poh (PAP-Ang Mo Kio) wanted to know how MTI assessed that the F1 contracts “were not structured to the disadvantage of the government”.