Maintenance of Parents Act commences

On 23 May 1994, then Nominated Member of Parliament Walter Woon introduced the Maintenance of Parents Bill in parliament, with the objective of giving abandoned parents the right to claim maintenance from their children.^[1] The bill was debated in parliament over three days from 25 to 27 July 1994.^[2] During the debate, 11 members of parliament opposed it, while 50 voted to commit it to a select committee.^[3] The 11-member select committee held four meetings,^[4] and recommendations by the committee were incorporated into the amended bill. The bill was passed without debate at its third reading on 2 November.^[5]

Key recommendations by the select committee include the setting up of a “tribunal for  the maintenance of parents” that will exclude lawyers, but any third party can represent the parent or the child from whom he/she is seeking maintenance. The committee also recommended that conciliation officers be appointed to attend to cases first, and when mediation fails, the tribunal will hear the cases in chambers, unless there are requests for public hearings. In addition, the committee agreed that the amount of maintenance awarded should be enough to cover basic needs like shelter, food and clothing.^[6]

The Maintenance of Parents Act came into effect on 1 June 1996, along with the establishment of the Tribunal for the Maintenance of Parents.^[7] According to the law, Singapore citizens and permanent residents aged 60 years and above who are unable to support themselves financially, can claim maintenance from their children. The parent may apply to the tribunal for an order that one or more of his children support him, either through a monthly allowance, periodical payment or a lump sum payment, for his basic amenities and physical needs including but not limited toaccommodation, food, medical expenses and clothing.^[8] The tribunal would perform all the powers, duties and functions conferred by the act, including investigating claims made by parents, and facilitating counselling sessions and mediation between parent and child.^[9]

References
1. Fernandez, W. (1994, May 24). Woon’s parents bill: Easiest part is over. The Straits Times, p. 23. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; Singapore. Parliament. Parliamentary Debates: Official Report. (1994, May 23). Introduction and First Reading of the Maintenance of Parents Bill (Vol. 63, col. 37). Singapore: Govt. Printer. Call no.: RSING 328.5957 SIN.
2. Law can be used as bargaining chip to threaten the recalcitrant. (1994, July 28). The Straits Times, p. 25. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
3. Parents Maintenance Bill passed. (1995, November 3). The Straits Times, p. 1. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
4. Singapore. Parliament. Select Committee on the Maintenance of Parents Bill. (1995). Report of the Select Committee on the Maintenance of Parents Bill (B 13/94). Singapore: SNP Corporation. Call no.: RSING 346.5957017 SIN
5. The Straits Times, 3 Nov 1995, p. 1; Singapore. Parliament. Parliamentary Debates: Official Report. (1995, November 2). Third Reading of the Maintenance of Parents Bill (Vol. 65, cols. 210–213). Singapore: Govt. Printer, Call no.: RSING 328.5957 SIN.
6. The report. (1995, October 26). The Straits Times, p. 35. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
7. State of Singapore. Government Gazette. Subsidiary Legislation Supplement. (1996, June 1). The Maintenance of Parents Act (Commencement) Notification 1996 (S 248/1996). Singapore: [s.n.]. Call no.: RSING 348.5957 SGGSLS; Kee, J. (1996, June 2). Tribunal for Maintenance of Parents: 11 files claims on registry’s first day. The Straits Times, p. 1. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
8. Singapore. The Statutes of the Republic of Singapore. (1996 Rev. ed.). Maintenance of Parents Act (Cap. 167B). Singapore: [s.n.]. Retrieved December 2, 2014, from Attorney-General Chamber’s website: http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/
9. The Straits Times, 2 Jun 1996, p. 1; Chua, M. H. (1995, October 25). Panel recommends tribunal be set up to investigate claims. The Straits Times, p. 1. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.