Denise Phua on Maintenance of Parents (Amendment) Bill
The Maintenance of Parents Act (MPA) is “not a silver bullet” but the principles it enshrines - of family being one’s first stop for support, reciprocity and filial piety - are still worth retaining, said MP Denise Phua. She said the Act, which was passed in 1995, remains relevant in Singapore today. It serves as a safety net for elderly parents in need even as societal norms shift, with growing expectations that each generation should plan for its own well-being and that there are other ways to express filial piety beyond financial support. Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday (Jul 4), Ms Phua noted that the MPA will not address the issue of retirement adequacy for elderly parents. Many children who regularly provide for their parents can only afford a monthly allowance of S$500 or less. She called for more proactive education so that every Singaporean has a clearer idea of how they need to prepare for retirement. Ms Phua also posed the question of whether matters of familial relations can be addressed through legal provisions. She said the complexity of family dynamics means individualised approaches are needed, not cookie-cutter solutions. She said provisions in the Bill that grant flexibility and space to the work of the Commissioner and Tribunal for the Maintenance of Parents are essential.
The Maintenance of Parents Act (MPA) is “not a silver bullet” but the principles it enshrines - of family being one’s first stop for support, reciprocity and filial piety - are still worth retaining, said MP Denise Phua. She said the Act, which was passed in 1995, remains relevant in Singapore today. It serves as a safety net for elderly parents in need even as societal norms shift, with growing expectations that each generation should plan for its own well-being and that there are other ways to express filial piety beyond financial support. Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday (Jul 4), Ms Phua noted that the MPA will not address the issue of retirement adequacy for elderly parents. Many children who regularly provide for their parents can only afford a monthly allowance of S$500 or less. She called for more proactive education so that every Singaporean has a clearer idea of how they need to prepare for retirement. Ms Phua also posed the question of whether matters of familial relations can be addressed through legal provisions. She said the complexity of family dynamics means individualised approaches are needed, not cookie-cutter solutions. She said provisions in the Bill that grant flexibility and space to the work of the Commissioner and Tribunal for the Maintenance of Parents are essential.
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