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]