At the following meeting on Monday ( Nov 11 ), members of Parliament will discuss the recent oil spill incidents as well as the last month’s
In the midst of a probe into the company MaNaDr Clinic and the new study to determine whether 38 Oxley Road , is worthy of preservation, concerns were also raised regarding healthcare providers.
Members were questioned about what might have caused the Oct 8 phone disturbance, how such an incident could have been avoided in the future, and whether any legal action will be taken against Singtel in the order report released on Friday.
The hours-long phone interruption, which the company called an “isolated incident”, disrupted calling to emergency services, medical institutions, banks and businesses.
MP Tan Wu Meng ( PAP-Jurong ) questioned the Ministry of Digital Development and Information about the root causes of the disruption and whether current business continuity standards are sufficient in situations where a telco provides essential hotlines support.
In the event of a company loss, Dr. Tan even inquired with the Ministry of Home Affairs about the back plans for crucial phone alerts like 995 and 999.
NCMP Hazel Poa ( PSP) asked for the estimated number of calls to 995 and 999 that were impacted by the failure, and what punishments, if any, have been imposed on Singtel.
Concerning the lessons learned from the disruption, MP Yip Hon Weng ( PAP-Yio Chu Kang ) inquired whether an independent investigation will be conducted to identify vulnerabilities and stop future incidents.
According to MP Lim Wee Kiak ( PAP-Sembawang ), the Ministry of Health was asked how many patients experienced delays in getting medical care because of the outage, how many patients experienced negative outcomes as a result, and what assistance has been given to them.
OIL Pours
Members also filed concerns about past week’s oil spills, which included an affair off Changi during bunkering operations , and a Shell petrol pipeline hole.
Given Singapore’s status as a global bunkering hub, Ms. Cheryl Chan ( PAP-East Coast ) questioned the Ministry of Transport about the need for a review of oil sighting and alert mechanisms and how the costs and workload incurred by the agencies involved would be handled.
MP Poh Li San ( PAP-Sembawang ) asked about the impact of the spills on Singapore’s seawater quality and marine ecosystem, and the mitigation measures for future incidents.
The state will be checking the structural integrity of all oil pipelines in Singapore’s lakes, according to NCMP Hazel Poa ( PSP), and Shell may face penalties.
TELEMEDICINE STANDARDS
Additionally, inquiries were made regarding the legal framework for healthcare providers.
MP Wan Rizal ( PAP-Jalan Besar ) questioned the Ministry of Health ( MOH) about the measures in place to ensure telehealth providers consistently adhere to patient care standards, as well as whether additional regulatory frameworks will be developed.
MP Hany Soh ( PAP-Marsiling-Yew Yee )  , asked how the public would be assured that teleconsultation services meet the appropriate standards, and whether MOH has received feedback on potentially errant medical clinics.
OXLEY Highway
The Oxley Road site has been studied by the National Heritage Board ( NHB) to determine whether it merits to be preserved as a national monument.
NCMP , Leong Mun Wai ( PSP) asked the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth why another study was needed considering that the Ministerial Committee on 38 Oxley Road had assessed in 2018 that the property had architectural, heritage and historical significance.
MP Louis Chua ( WP-Sengkang ) requested information on the terms of reference for the NHB study and how the current study is different from the Ministerial Committee’s 38 Oxley Road terms of reference.
Six Payments are set to become introduced, including the Protection from Scams Bill.
Seven other Bills are also scheduled for second reading, among them the Community Disputes Resolution ( Amendment ) Bill.