SINGAPORE: Amid the sharp drop in passenger flights, low-cost carrier Scoot has modified one of its A320 aircraft by removing all passenger seats to carry cargo in the cabin. 

This has doubled its cargo capacity to nearly 20 tonnes, said the airline on Monday (Aug 24).

According to Scoot, it is one of the first airlines in Southeast Asia to operate cargo charters with such modified aircraft, with the first of these flights taking off from Fuzhou to Singapore last Saturday. 

“The aircraft transported a total of 13 tonnes of cargo in both the bellyhold and cabin, comprising mainly goods for daily use, and has four more flights scheduled for the rest of August,” said Scoot, adding that another aircraft will be modified this week. 

READ: COVID-19 grounded thousands of planes. Here’s what happens to them

The A320 aircraft was modified to better serve cities with smaller airports, said the airline. 

It took four days to modify the aircraft, which included removing passenger seats, installing placards to mark areas where cargo can be placed and adding additional fire extinguishers. 

For such flights, there will be a minimum of two pilots and two cabin crew on board, said Scoot, which is part of the Singapore Airlines Group.

READ: SIA Group passenger carriage drops 98.6% in July as air travel demand remains ‘severely curtailed’ amid COVID-19

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Scoot’s passenger carriage in July declined 99.6 per cent year-on-year against a contraction in capacity of 97.1 per cent.

It started operating cargo charters using its A320 aircraft in May, after receiving the necessary approvals to do so. It had loaded cargo in the cabin, secured on passenger seats.

This was its was of getting an “alternative revenue stream”, said Scoot CEO Campbell Wilson.

“Since then, we have been growing our cargo capacity and capabilities to remain competitive while providing more value for our customers,” he added.

To date, Scoot has operated more than 200 cargo charters to and from 10 cities, including Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Perth and Taipei. 

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SINGAPORE: Singapore must be able to adjust its COVID-19 strategies as the situation continues to unfold, and be more resilient and nimble than others in responding to change, said President Halimah Yacob on Monday (Aug 24) at the opening of the 14th Parliament.  

The new term of Government is starting “under the shadow of COVID-19”, she said, noting that while Singapore has brought new infections under control, coronavirus cases have risen again in other parts of the world.

“The situations globally and domestically have changed and there is no going back to the status quo ante,” Madam Halimah said, as she laid out the challenges ahead.

Singapore is facing its worst recession since independence. While the Government is injecting about S$100 billion into economy, the situation will “remain grave for some time”, she said.

READ: Speaker, MPs sworn in as Parliament reopens; Tan Chuan-Jin warns against ‘polarisation and division’

The country is also at an inflection point of its history, the President added.

“New generations of Singaporeans are coming of age. We have new aspirations and expectations, including a desire for more diverse voices to be heard, and stronger checks and balances,” she added.

“At the same time, new leaders are emerging to take Singapore the next steps forward.”

SINGAPORE MUST BE “NIMBLE AND RESILIENT”

In a speech that came after 93 newly elected Members of Parliament and two Non-constituency MPs took their oaths of allegiance, Mdm Halimah said the Government will continue to evolve Singapore’s economic and social models, as well as its policies to suit the circumstances.

“We will encourage citizen initiatives and participation. We will listen to and examine novel ideas objectively, recognising that no solutions are right for all time,” she said.

“Sometimes, staying the course will remain the best way forward and we must convince Singaporeans to persevere. Other problems will require fresh approaches and the courage to take a different direction. In all cases, we will seek to do what is best for Singapore and Singaporeans.”

READ: Singapore will push for sustainable growth, further strengthen social safety nets: President Halimah

Singapore is a “little red dot in an uncertain world”, she noted, adding that the country must stand out compared to other countries in order to survive and thrive.

“We need to be more resilient and nimble than others in responding to change. We must do things that others cannot do, and do the things that others can do, even better,” the President said.

“This requires us to reach a broad consensus on the economic and social changes necessary, the Singaporean identity we aspire to forge, and the kind of politics we want to have.”  

JOBS AND SOCIAL SAFETY NET

In her 25-minute speech, Mdm Halimah set out key priorities for the Government – securing jobs, boosting social safety nets, strengthening the Singaporean identity and evolving its politics.

Jobs will remain the Government’s priority for the next few years, said Mdm Halimah, adding that COVID-19 has “amplified the pressures” caused by a slowing global economy, especially on lower-wage workers, mature workers and mid-career Singaporeans.

“We recognise the fears and anxieties about jobs that Singaporeans have today,” she said.

To sustain job creation, the economy will undergo significant structural changes, she said, noting that some sectors will not return to what they were before.

READ: Job competition from work pass holders could become a ‘divisive issue’, will be addressed, says President Halimah

There is “great urgency” to transform Singapore’s economy and find new ways to make a living, she added. At the same time, the benefits of progress need to be shared widely with all Singaporeans, said Mdm Halimah.

“We are entering an era of volatility, uncertainty and disruption in people’s lives. Individuals will need greater social support than before,” she said. “We will have to consider carefully how to strengthen our safety nets, to give Singaporeans more assurance coping with life’s uncertainties.”

This has be done carefully so that it is financially sustainable for future generations, she added.

Mdm Halimah also said that Singapore’s model of meritocracy needs to evolve, recognising that “unfettered meritocracy” can lead to excessive competition.

“We want to keep our society open and socially mobile, and not allow it to stratify and ossify over time,” she said. “That is why we have made a concerted effort to value a wide range of talents.”

STRENGTHENING SINGAPOREAN IDENTITY

In the longer term, the key to Singapore’s success lies in a shared sense of identity, said Mdm Halimah.

“Singapore can endure and secure her place in history, only if Singaporeans feel passionately about our country, and put our hearts and souls into making this a better home,” she said.

Larger forces will test Singaporeans’ solidarity, including contending voices and views from social media, economic distress from COVID-19 and social inequality, said the President.

Singapore’s model of multiracialism is also a “work in progress”, she added, as some in each generation want to discuss sensitive issues afresh.

Another potentially divisive issue that will be addressed is that of the sense of competition from work pass holders, Mdm Halimah said.

“This has become a major source of anxiety, especially among mid-career Singaporeans. We understand these concerns. They not only touch on matters of livelihood, but also on our sense of identity and belonging. They will be addressed,” she added.

At the same time, Singapore must remain open to the world, she said: “Our Singaporean identity has been formed and strengthened not by excluding those who arrive later, but by successive arrivals adding to the richness of our society.”

Mdm Halimah called on Singaporeans to work hard to listen to and to understand one another as “emotive” issues such as these are debated.

“We must break out of the echo chambers that form so easily online, and make genuine attempts to bridge the gap with those who think differently from us,” she said.

“We must strive to obtain greater insight, build shared understanding and use our diverse perspectives and ideas to achieve better outcomes for all.”

EVOLVING POLITICS

With a larger number of opposition MPs in Parliament and an official Leader of the Opposition, the Government and the opposition both have roles to play to build trust in Singapore’s public institutions and achieve good outcomes for Singapore, Mdm Halimah said.

“Given the magnitude of the challenges and uncertainties, we must expect to encounter more differences in views and interests among Singaporeans. We must learn to handle these differences constructively,” she added. 

While the Government will be open to constructive criticism and rational debate, and to new ways of doing things, it cannot shy away from taking tough decisions in the national interest, said the President.

“The key question is how to forge a common cause together, regardless of our own political inclinations. We need to base our rhetoric on a responsible sense of the realities, and come to a shared understanding about our goals and constraints,” said Mdm Halimah.

“Our public debates should be honest and open about the trade-offs of different options, and what they will cost society. Only in this way will our system continue to encourage able and committed individuals to step forward to serve.”

A diversity of views and ideas can be a source of strength for Singapore, but there needs to be a sense of common purpose, she said.

“Singaporeans must come together, in partnership, to pursue the greater good, united by a belief in Singapore and a desire to turn our vision into reality. This is the spirit of Singapore Together,” said Mdm Halimah.

“We invite all Singaporeans to partner each other and the Government in this journey.”

SINGAPORE: Singapore’s 14th Parliament opened on Monday (Aug 24) with the election of its Speaker and the swearing in of all 93 Members of Parliament (MP) and two Non-Constituency MPs (NCMPs).

This comes about two months after the 13th Parliament was dissolved on Jun 23 ahead of this year’s General Election.

Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin, who was re-elected to his post on Monday, noted that this Parliament has the largest number of opposition members in recent history, as well as a formally designated Leader of the Opposition.

“These developments reflect a greater desire by Singaporeans to have more choices and voices in Parliament,” he said.

“We can and will expect more contestation. This is a natural step forward. It is good for our country and our people, if and only if contestation leads to better outcomes for our people and our nation, for the present and future.”

Bur Mr Tan warned that the “wide and easy path towards polarisation and division is easy to embark on, the pathway to short-termism and populism”.

“We are all now in a situation where there are no 10-year series answers to fall back on,” he said.

“There will be difficult and sometimes unpopular decisions to be made, because there are very real and genuine trade-offs that need to be undertaken. Will we focus on solutioning or will we focus on politicking?”

MPs will determine the possible outcomes, said Mr Tan, as he urged them to work towards a common purpose regardless of their political colours or stand on issues.

“We have been successful as a people and as a nation on many fronts because we have been exceptional and different,” he added.

“So my challenge to all of you and to all of us here is that in this House, can we be exceptional, because we are able to transcend our political affiliations, interests and differences?

“So that even as we contest passionately and sometimes vigorously, even as we robustly debate and scrutinise laws, policies and budgets, can we show Singaporeans and the world that we need not be factious and fractious?

“Can we earn their trust and confidence as they look upon us as we carry out our business in this Chamber? It is not beyond us, and I look to all of you, and especially to the Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition, to help us realise this.”

In his first speech as Leader of the Opposition, Mr Pritam Singh congratulated Mr Tan on his re-election, saying that he hoped the Speaker could continue to explore ways to “demystify the work of Parliament and to better enable Singaporeans to appreciate lawmaking and debate on policy imperatives and trade-offs”.

“Parliament’s direct and indirect impact on each and every Singaporean and our businesses is massive,” he said. “It is only appropriate that we amplify the choices and the reasons behind the decisions made or not made in Parliament more widely.

“In doing so, I hope Singaporeans are in turn driven to understand the issues we debate deeply, but always in the context of a small and multiracial society which has to balance and accommodate many different viewpoints and shifting norms.”

Newly appointed Leader of the House Indranee Rajah also congratulated Mr Singh, saying that she looked forward to working with him.

“We welcome sincere and rigorous debate from members on both sides of the House, be it new ideas and policy proposals or the difficult decisions that have to be taken and trade-offs that have to be made,” she said.

Ms Indranee said Parliament is not only a place where laws are made, but a place where the “aspirations of a nation (are) articulated and made real”.

“This must be a House with a heart that cares, a voice of reason and a place of courage to do what is right,” she added.

For the first time, the opening of Parliament was held across two locations – Parliament House and The Arts House – to comply with COVID-19 safe distancing measures. Guests are traditionally invited to observe the proceedings.

The Arts House was chosen due to its proximity to Parliament House and sufficient seating capacity for proceedings with safe distancing measures.

The Parliament bell rang for three minutes before proceedings started at about 5.30pm with the election of Mr Tan, who remains in his role from the previous Parliament. The House applauded his re-election.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had announced his intention to nominate Mr Tan for the role again on Thursday. Mr Tan was first elected to the post on Sep 11, 2017, making him the 10th Speaker since the First Legislative Assembly of 1955.

READ: Tan Chuan-Jin to be nominated again as Speaker of Parliament; Indranee Rajah named Leader of the House

In his speech, Mr Tan said MPs take their Oath of Allegiance to allow them to participate in Parliamentary proceedings, as he noted the importance of holding these formalities despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“And we will do so in full accordance to the process, because we need to uphold our role in keeping the Government of the day accountable to citizens,” he said.

“But accountability also begins with every member, where we represent the interests of our residents to the best of our abilities. Therefore, we must always keep our ears and eyes close to the ground to understand their concerns.

“I think all of us need to boldly state our positions, put forth your proposals and seek clarity on issues that matter to your residents.”

As Speaker of Parliament, Mr Tan will preside over the sittings of the House and enforce the rules prescribed in the Standing Order of Parliament for the conduct of parliamentary business.

In carrying out the duties in the House, the Speaker must remain impartial and fair to all MPs. He also regulates and enforces the rules of debate, decides who has the right to speak and puts questions to the House to debate and vote on.

After Mr Tan was elected, the MPs took their oaths.

The Prime Minister was first up, vowing to preserve, protect and defend Singapore’s constitution. He was followed by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat and Senior Ministers Teo Chee Hean and Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

Ministers, political officeholders and backbenchers came next in batches of up to five people. Some took their oaths in the vernacular languages.

The People’s Action Party had 24 MPs taking their oaths for the first time, while the Workers’ Party – the only opposition party to win constituency seats at the election – had four first-time MPs. Two NCMPs from the Progress Singapore Party also took their oaths for the first time.

Mr Tan reiterated that Parliament was opening in “extraordinary times” that call for extraordinary people and leaders.

“Let our politics drive us forward together and not drive us apart. We are in a raging storm,” he said.

“The countries that are agile, adaptive, determined and above all united will be the ones that will ride the waves of recovery.”