Parliament to discuss Singtel landline outage, oil spills and telemedicine standards

SINGAPORE: Members of Parliament to discuss last month’s issues Singtel landline outage In the next session to be held on Monday, November 11, Recent oil spill incidents.

Following the investigation into the provider, questions were also raised about telemedicine services MaNaDr Clinicand new study to assess whether 38 Oxley Road is worth protecting.

In the order issued on Friday, MPs asked what could have caused the landline outage on October 8, how such an incident could be prevented in the future and whether any action should be taken against Singtel.

The hours-long landline outage, which the telco called an “isolated incident”, disrupted calls to emergency services, healthcare facilities, banks and businesses.

MP Tan Wu Meng (PAP-Jurong) asked the Ministry of Digital Development and Information what the root causes of the outage were and whether the current business continuity requirements were sufficient for situations where a telecommunications company supports essential helplines.

Dr Tan also briefed the Home Office on emergency back-up for essential landline helplines such as 995 and 999 in case of telecommunications failure.

NCMP Hazel Poa (PSP) asked about the estimated number of calls made to 995 and 999 affected by the outage and what penalties, if any, were imposed on Singtel.

MP Yip Hon Weng (PAP-Yio Chu Kang) asked whether an independent investigation should be conducted to identify lessons learned and vulnerabilities from the outage and prevent future incidents.

MP Lim Wee Kiak (PAP-Sembawang) asked the Ministry of Health how many patients experienced delays in accessing medical services due to the outage, whether there were any negative consequences for patients due to the delays and what kind of assistance they were given.

OIL SPILLS

Lawmakers also presented questions about last month’s oil spills. Incident off Changi during refueling operations and a Shell oil pipeline leak.

Ms Cheryl Chan (PAP-East Coast) asked the Ministry of Transport whether a review of oil monitoring and warning mechanisms was necessary, given Singapore’s status as a global bunkering hub and the cost incurred by relevant agencies to manage each incident. and asked what the workload would be like. was discussed.

MP Poh Li San (PAP-Sembawang) asked about the impact of spills on Singapore’s seawater quality and marine ecosystem and mitigation measures for future incidents.

NCMP Hazel Poa (PSP) wanted to know whether the government would check the structural integrity of all oil pipelines in Singapore waters and whether any penalties would be imposed on Shell.

TELETmedicine STANDARDS

Questions regarding the regulatory framework for telemedicine providers were also presented.

Member of Parliament Wan Rizal (PAP-Jalan Besar) asked the Ministry of Health (MOH) about the measures implemented and whether additional regulatory frameworks will be developed to ensure that telehealth providers consistently meet patient care standards.

MP Hany Soh (PAP-Marsiling-Yew Yee) asked how the public would be reassured that teleconsultation services met appropriate standards and whether MOH had received feedback on potentially faulty medical clinics.

OXLEY ROAD

MPs also asked about this issue National Heritage Board (NHB) study of the Oxley Road site To evaluate whether it is worth preserving as a national monument.

NCMP Leong Mun Wai (PSP) asked the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth why another study was needed, given the Ministerial Committee’s 2018 assessment of the property at 38 Oxley Road as having architectural, heritage and historical significance.

Louis Chua MP (WP-Sengkang) wanted to know the terms of reference for the NHB’s work and how the current work differed from the terms of reference of the Committee of Ministers at 38 Oxley Road.

Six bills will be introduced, including the Protection from Fraud Act.

Seven other bills are also scheduled for second reading; among these Community Dispute Resolution (Amendment) Bill.