The debate in 2 minutes

ON THE AGENDA

THE Government responded to the Committee of Inquiry's report on last December's Little India riot, and ministers fielded questions on a new bus contracting model and a recent breach of accounts used for government transactions.

New security measures

THE Government has accepted all the recommendations of the Committee of Inquiry set up to look into last year's riot in Little India.

About 300 more officers will be added to double Singapore's anti-riot force. The number of police cameras in public areas and HDB blocks in Little India have also more than doubled to 250, said Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean.

Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin also highlighted the report's conclusion that the riot's root cause was not foreign workers' systemic dissatisfaction with employment and living conditions here.

Nine MPs rose to question both ministers and their concerns ranged from cultural sensitivity training for frontline officers to extending alcohol measures.

SingPass system not vulnerable

SYSTEM vulnerability was not to blame for the breach of 1,560 SingPass accounts discovered last month, but weak passwords or malicious software might have been, said Minister for Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim.

Experts had found that hackers did not break into government servers to steal data.

Footing new bus model bill

REGULAR fare increases will be needed to ensure the new bus contracting model remains sustainable, said Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew.

He added that the authorities will have to be judicious when deciding to add new routes, as more of these will mean either higher fares or more government subsidies.

Taking aim at digital content pirates

A COPYRIGHT law which gives content owners more teeth to combat piracy websites was tabled yesterday and will likely be passed today.

It will make it easier and quicker for content owners to seek High Court orders to compel Internet service providers to block piracy websites.

Too few MPs

PARLIAMENTARY proceedings were interrupted twice yesterday because too few Members were present in the House to pass two Bills. That caused the passage of the Bills to be delayed.

New life for old flats?

MORE older flats may be eligible for upgrading as the Ministry of National Development will review the criteria to select flats for the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme and consider raising the cap on upgrading costs, said Minister Khaw Boon Wan.

New Bills tabled

THE Transboundary Haze Pollution Bill, tabled yesterday, proposes fining errant firms up to $2 million in an effort to beef up Singapore's powers in the fight against haze.

Two other Bills seek to let the Attorney-General represent statutory boards in judicial reviews, and to make the land acquisition process more efficient.

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