Parliament
Tender requirements for ERP 2.0 include IEC-60068 and IEC-60529 qualifications: Chee Hong Tat
In response to WP MP Jamus Lim, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat confirmed that the ERP 2.0 On-Board Unit must meet stringent IEC-60068 standards, yet cited overheating concerns when placed on dashboards, sparking questions about the real-life application of these requirements.
In response to a parliamentary question filed by Workers’ Party MP for Sengkang GRC, Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim, Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat provided clarification regarding the technical specifications and standards outlined in the tender documentation for the ERP 2.0 On-Board Unit (OBU).
Assoc Prof Lim had specifically inquired whether the tender required the OBU to meet automotive-grade temperature ranges and adhere to international standards, particularly the International Electrotechnical Commission’s IEC-60068 and IEC-60529 certifications.
In a written reply on Tuesday (10 Sep), Mr Chee confirmed that the ERP 2.0 tender required the contractor to ensure compliance with all necessary test certifications and standards, including the IEC-60068 and IEC-60529 qualifications.
These standards assess the OBU’s resilience to environmental factors such as temperature variations and ingress protection. Additionally, the OBU must be suitable for use in Singapore’s automotive environment, reflecting local climatic conditions.
This exchange follows concerns raised earlier regarding the three-piece design of the OBU, an issue that has sparked discontent among motorists due to the device’s multiple components and placement within the vehicle.
The question comes in the wake of a previous explanation provided by Mr Chee in Parliament on 8 May, where he addressed why a one-piece OBU could not be used for both motorcycles and cars.
During that session, Mr Chee elaborated on the heat-related challenges associated with placing the OBU on a car’s dashboard. He explained that in an enclosed vehicle environment, such as a car, temperatures on the dashboard could soar as high as 50 to 52 degrees Celsius on a sunny day, significantly higher than in a motorcycle, which is exposed to ambient temperatures. By contrast, temperatures in the car’s footwell were recorded at 38 to 39 degrees Celsius.
Mr Chee warned that a single-piece OBU, housing the antenna, display, and processing unit on the dashboard, could overheat and potentially malfunction in such conditions.
To address the risk of overheating, the OBU would require a bulky cooling fan, which Mr Chee indicated would not be a practical or desirable solution for motorists.
Despite these concerns, Assoc Prof Lim’s question highlights the apparent discrepancy between the stringent temperature qualifications set by the IEC-60068 standard, which includes environmental stress testing across a range suitable for automotive use (-40°C to +125°C), and the limitations cited for dashboard placement, which should at least fall under Commercial Grade (0°C to +70°C).
Many other consumer electronics, such as dashboard cameras, are routinely installed in similar locations without such issues.
Parliament
Minister Shanmugam rejects request for detailed information on visa-free visitor offences: Cites bilateral considerations
Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam rejected Workers’ Party MP He Ting Ru’s request for detailed statistics on visa-free visitors involved in crimes, citing bilateral concerns. He affirmed current screening measures are sufficient, with no plans for an electronic travel authorisation system.
On 10 September 2024, Minister for Home Affairs and Law, Mr K Shanmugam, refused to provide detailed information requested by Workers’ Party Member of Parliament (MP) for Sengkang GRC, Ms He Ting Ru, regarding visa-free visitors involved in criminal offences in Singapore.
Ms He had asked for statistics on how many visa-free visitors had been arrested or identified as persons of interest for criminal activities from 2021 to June 2024, along with a breakdown of offences by type, number, and country of origin.
She also queried the consideration of enhanced screening measures and the possibility of introducing an electronic travel authorisation system similar to those in other jurisdictions.
In his written response, Mr Shanmugam stated that with over 150 countries on the visa-free entry list, it would not be practical or meaningful to publish crime statistics specific to visitors from these nations.
He added that doing so could carry bilateral implications and potentially send the wrong message to bona fide visitors from these countries.
Mr Shanmugam affirmed that Singapore’s Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) employs a risk-based, multi-layered approach to balance border security with traveller facilitation and assured that the current measures are sufficient. He reiterated that there were no immediate plans to implement an electronic travel authorisation regime, as it would increase inconvenience for visitors.
“We are satisfied with the current measures, and for now, do not see a need for an additional electronic travel authorisation regime. Also, such a regime will make visiting Singapore more inconvenient,” said Mr Shanmugam.
This response followed an oral reply delivered earlier that day by Minister of State (MOS) for Home Affairs, Ms Sun Xueling, who addressed a related question posed by Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) Mr Leong Mun Wai from the Progress Singapore Party (PSP).
Mr Leong had expressed concerns about the potential rise in crime following the introduction of a 30-day visa exemption arrangement for Chinese nationals in February 2024. He specifically questioned whether the recent burglaries involving foreign syndicates had any link to this exemption and whether automated lanes at Changi Airport increased the risk of non-bona fide travellers entering the country.
Ms Sun refuted Mr Leong’s concerns, clarifying that there had been no increase in arrests among short-term visitors from China since the visa exemption came into effect.
She noted that the arrest rate of Chinese visitors had, in fact, decreased compared to the previous year. While acknowledging the involvement of some foreign nationals in criminal activity, she highlighted that the visa regime alone cannot eliminate all risks. Instead, ICA employs enhanced technology, such as biometrics and advanced data analytics, to screen travellers.
Ms Sun also emphasised the importance of the tourism sector to Singapore’s economy, generating S$27.2 billion in receipts in 2023 and employing over 71,000 workers. She argued that closing borders to prevent crimes would not be a viable solution, especially given Singapore’s competition with neighbouring countries like Malaysia and Thailand, which are also working to attract Chinese visitors.
Despite further calls from Mr Leong for additional security measures and tougher penalties for cross-border crimes, Ms Sun reassured that the government continually reviews its laws, including the Criminal Procedure Code and Penal Code, to address transnational crimes such as human trafficking, drug trafficking, and online scams.
She affirmed that Singapore remains vigilant in adapting its laws and measures to combat evolving criminal trends.
Parliament
Leong Mun Wai questions why NTUC leaders often come from the ruling party
During the Platform Workers Bill debate on 10 Sept, Mr Leong Mun Wai, NCMP from the Progress Singapore Party, backed WP MP Gerald Giam’s call for an independent NTUC. He expressed concerns about NTUC’s ties to the ruling party, questioning its independence given that its leaders are often from the PAP.
SINGAPORE: Mr Leong Mun Wai, Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) from the Progress Singapore Party, voiced support for the Workers’ Party and its MP Gerald Giam’s call for an independent and non-partisan NTUC, separate from the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP).
During a parliamentary debate on the Platform Workers Bill on Tuesday (10 Sept), Mr Leong acknowledged that tripartism is a fundamental aspect of governance that all parties, including opposition ones, seek to foster.
He noted that unions naturally seek political power to effect change but expressed concerns about the extent of NTUC’s relationship with the ruling party.
However he questioned the level of NTUC’s independence from the government.
He pointed out that the NTUC’s secretary-general is often a minister or former minister and that many NTUC leaders come from the ruling party.
“Can you find another trade union in the world where the trade union chief is a minister? Are there any countries? Please let me know if there are,” Mr Leong asked, further noting that few opposition politicians are given appointments in NTUC.
“I think we are entitled to think that the independence of NTUC ought to be better than this.”
Earlier, PAP MP Christopher De Souza criticized MP Gerald Giam for using the term “tether” to describe the NTUC-PAP relationship, emphasizing that the NTUC operates through partnership, alliance, and solidarity rather than subordination.
In response, Mr Giam clarified that when he used the terms “tether” or “untether,” he meant that the NTUC and the PAP should be separate and independent organizations.
He sought to ensure that NTUC does not appear to be biased towards the ruling party.
Mr Giam also raised concerns about NTUC’s structure, particularly questioning why the Platform Associations need a Council of Advisors with the power to dismiss the Executive Council and why these advisors are predominantly PAP members or MPs.
He suggested that this structure indicates a lack of independence for NTUC.
The current NTUC secretary-general is Ng Chee Meng, a former PAP minister who assumed the position in 2018 and continues to hold it despite losing to WP’s new team in GE2020.
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