Haze, new MDA online rules set to dominate Parliament

SINGAPORE — The haze and the new regulations by the Media Development Authority (MDA) for online news websites are set to dominate Parliament when it next sits on Monday (July 8).

A total of 30 questions related to haze will be fielded by Members of Parliament (MPs). The questions seek clarification on various issues, including the roles of legislation and ASEAN in tackling the annual environmental problem in the region.

MPs also want to know the impact of the haze on health and will ask about contingency plans and public communications during the haze.

They will ask what steps can be taken to combat profiteering on essential goods during the haze.

MPs are also concerned about the impact of the haze on business operations and on the safety of workers who work outdoors.

They also have questions regarding MDA’s new licensing regulations for online news websites.

Their concerns relate to the rationale and the impact of the new regulations.

MP Dr Lam Pin Min wants to know if there is an emergency response plan to handle the possible emergence of a Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak in Singapore and its impact on the stockpile of N95 masks. He will ask the Ministry of Ministry whether it has precautionary measures for Singaporeans performing the haj in Mecca.

MP Foo Mee Har wants to know the impact on local interest rates and foreign exchange benchmarks resulting from the activities of the 133 traders who had attempted to influence Singapore’s financial benchmarks.

Nominated MP Assoc Professor Eugene Tan would like to know if Singapore’s criminal and banking laws are comprehensive enough to prosecute the 133 traders.

MP Dr Lim Wee Kiak wants to know the impact of the recent Malaysian General Election results on Singapore investments in the Iskandar region. Dr Lim also wants to know whether the high-speed rail links between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore will proceed as announced in February this year.

On local transportation, opposition MP Sylvia Lim will ask about the government’s role in helping public transport operators to put in place effective incident management plan, in light of the North East Line disruption last month.

MP Desmond Lee Ti-Seng has asked for an update on the implementation of recommendations by the Working Group on Youth Gangs, following the recent gang-related attack outside Cathay Cineleisure Orchard.

MP Baey Yam Keng will ask about greater government support for local film producers, in light of Anthony Chen’s film ‘Ilo Ilo’ that won the Camera d’Or award for best feature at the recent Cannes Film Festival.

MP Irene Ng and Non-Constituency MP Lina Chiam are seeking clarification about development plans for Pulau Ubin and how the plans will affect residents living on the island.

Mrs Lina Chiam has also tabled an Adjournment Motion on MDA’s Licensing Framework for News Websites in Singapore. CHANNEL NEWSASIA