By CHUANG PECK MING

ON the second day of the debate on the President's Address that mapped out the government's priorities for the remaining legislative term, Members of Parliament raised issues that touch on the here and now - as well as Singapore's future.

A call by Lim Wee Kiak to stop discrimination against the elderly at work drew a robust response from Lim Boon Heng, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office.

Mr Lim, who oversees problems associated with the ageing population, took particular issue with the Sembawang GRC MP's attack on the cut in Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions for older workers.

The CPF cut was a pre-emptive move to protect the jobs of these workers because the lingering seniority-based wage system makes it expensive for employers to keep them, the minister said.

Dr Lim had expressed concern that discrimination could discourage older people from staying active and working longer - and stand in the way of 'strengthening the social compact' in Singapore.

Mr Lim said the government's priority is to help people age in the place they live, which means ensuring their surroundings are safe and the services they need are within reach.

The government is 'making good progress' in making public housing estates barrier-free to facilitate the mobility of elderly people, he said.

Another big concern is the long-term care of the aged. Mr Lim said the government is working on a financially sustainable system for the elderly.

On the perceived need for opposition parties, Indranee Rajah (Tanjong Pagar) took Low Thia Khiang to task for suggesting that only elected opposition MPs can provide effective checks and balances - and keep the government corruption-free.

'In a nutshell, he is saying that opposition in parliament equals or ensures clean and non-corrupt government,' she said. 'That assumption is not only simplistic, it is simply incorrect.'

If it were true, why is it that corruption is deep-seated and endemic in some countries with two-party or multi-party systems, Ms Indranee said.

The logical outcome of Mr Low's argument is that every country with an opposition should be squeaky clean and that Singapore, in which a single party has a large parliamentary majority, should be the most corrupt in the world, she said. 'That, as we know, is not the case.'

Hri Kumar Nair (Bishan-Toa Payoh) suggested that to better tap Singapore's small talent pool, the prime minister should be given power to appoint non-elected MPs ministers.

This has worked in Germany and Spain, and would not be undemocratic, he said. The prime minister and his cabinet would still be answerable to the people in elections.

There were also suggestions yesterday on how Singapore should build on its success for the future.

Be creative, innovative, enterprising and build teamwork, according to Fatimah Lateef (Marine Parade).

Masagos Zulkifli (Tampines) said Singapore should not lose sight of the fundamentals, such as having a good education system.

Building up the fundamentals is a long and tedious process that yields only incremental benefits, he said. But for long-term success, Singapore must stick to its fundamentals.

Josephine Teo (Bishan-Toa Payoh) said Singapore must retain its ability to reinvent itself, to excel, to inspire the younger Singaporeans and to stay clean and honest.

The debate continues today.

This article was first published in The Business Times.