Parliament to discuss SimplyGo, Iswaran corruption case

SINGAPORE: The hotly debated topic of SimplyGo will be in focus at the next parliament sitting on Monday (Feb 5), with more than 20 Members of Parliament filing questions on the matter.

Also in the spotlight will be the corruption case involving former Transport Minister S Iswaran, as well as retrenchment practices in Singapore.

On Jan 9, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced its push for full adoption of the SimplyGo payment platform for public transport, discontinuing NETS FlashPay card and non-SimplyGo EZ-Link adult cards from June.

But the decision sparked a public outcry, and one of the biggest complaints was that under the SimplyGo system, the card balance is not displayed at the fare gate.

Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat on Jan 22 announced that commuters would no longer be made to switch to the SimplyGo payment platform for public transport. An additional S$40 million (US$30 million) budget for hardware replacements and systems maintenance would also be allocated to support the continued use of the older ticketing system.

Questions filed on the SimplyGo issue range from the system's security features to the additional budget needed to continue the use of EZ-Link cards and NETS FlashPay cards.  

MP Saktiandi Supaat (PAP-Bishan–Toa Payoh) asked what enhancements have been made to SimplyGo since its launch in 2019, and whether LTA is aware that the platform does not display fare deductions and card balances since its inception.

MP Lim Wee Kiak (PAP-Sembawang) wanted to know how many reports of overcharged trips have been received from SimplyGo users in the past three years and if enhancements can be made for card balances to be displayed on public transport fare readers. 

He also asked if the mandatory upgrade to SimplyGo could be postponed until "it is made compatible with in-vehicle units of motorcars so that it can also be used for motoring-related payments".

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".

LAZADA RETRENCHMENT

In early January, some employees at e-commerce giant Lazada in Singapore were suddenly laid off, with its workers' union not notified or consulted.

Lazada employees told CNA they estimated about 100 employees were retrenched.

MP Tan Wu Meng (PAP-Jurong) asked Minister for Manpower (MOM) Tan See Leng if the ministry was notified of Lazada's retrenchment exercise in line with mandatory requirements for employers with Singapore-registered businesses with at least 10 employees.

MP Louis Chua (WP-Sengkang) asked if there are any penalties for companies who carry out retrenchment exercises without notifying or consulting relevant trade unions, and what measures the ministry is taking to ensure companies adhere to fair labour practices.

NMP Neil Parekh Nimil Rajnikant wanted to know MOM's overall view of the job market in the next few months following the layoffs carried out by several companies.

Three Bills are scheduled for a second reading, including the Criminal Procedure (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill and the Administration of Muslim Law (Amendment) Bill.