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Budget debate begins in Parliament on Feb 24; death of ACS(I) student, Covid-19 vaccine overdose also on agenda

SINGAPORE — The annual Budget debate begins when Parliament sits on Wednesday (Feb 24).

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat arriving at Parliament to deliver the Budget on Feb 16, 2021.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat arriving at Parliament to deliver the Budget on Feb 16, 2021.

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SINGAPORE — The annual Budget debate begins when Parliament sits on Wednesday (Feb 24).

Besides debating the Government’s fiscal policies for the upcoming financial year and the various measures announced by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat to help Singapore emerge stronger from the Covid-19 crisis, Members of Parliament (MPs) have also filed questions over a Singapore National Eye Centre staff member who received an overdose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Three MPs have filed questions on that incident and asked how operating procedures have improved since the mistake to prevent a recurrence, why no staff were dedicated to "handling a critical operation" in administering the vaccine and how healthcare institutions manage their staff workload to ensure they are not overworked.

They are: Ms Ng Ling Ling, MP for Ang Mo Kio Group Representation Constituency (GRC), Mr Yip Hon Weng, MP for Yio Chu Kang Single Member Constituency and Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song, MP for Aljunied GRC.

Another headline-making incident that will be discussed is the death of Jethro Puah, a 15-year-old Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) student who lost his footing while participating in an activity at a height at Safra Yishun on Feb 3.

Mr Vikram Nair, MP for Sembawang GRC, has asked for updates on the investigation into his death and whether there are lessons to be learnt to reduce the risk of such accidents.

Jethro was suspended by a safety harness but lost consciousness after he was lowered to the ground, the police had said. 

Other issues up for discussion include whether Singapore’s national parks have been over-utilised throughout the pandemic.

Key differences between the Pfizer-BioNTech and Modern vaccines, how they affect the Government’s allocation decisions and whether vaccination certificates will be given to those who have been vaccinated will also be debated.

Going by previous years, the Budget debate will likely last for three days before Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat wraps up the debate.

Thereafter, each ministry will put up their own budget plans which will be scrutinised by MPs, who are also known as the Committee of Supply. This is expected to last for about a week.

Related topics

Parliament budget Covid-19 Jethro Puah

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