On Maintenance of Parents Act (MPA)

Should children (who are able) provide for the basics of parents who are vulnerable and elderly?

I spent an interesting evening hearing the views of younger people on their views of the Maintenance of Parents Act (MPA).

This is one of 10 focus groups organised for folks of different ages (an MSF survey will be separately conducted soon).

The MPA was first legislated in 1994 by former NMP Walter Woon. And provided a legal recourse for a small group of neglected elderly to pursue financial maintenance from their children - "if filial piety fails".

The Act was then amended 11 years ago. MP Seah Kian Peng chaired the workgroup and I was part of that workgroup. One of the changes made was the intro of 'conciliation-first', amongst others.

When ordered to provide for an elderly parent, the court will always look at the parent's inability to maintain himself (basics); the child's ability to provide; and whether there was abuse or abandonment that renders the application unjust.

Kian Peng has just formed a new workgroup, comprising 10 MPs, many of us from the MSF GPC. He and I are the 2 (we quipped, 'last 2 standing') from the past workgroup.

The new workgroup is tasked to help review the Act to see if it continues to meet the needs of vulnerable elderly parents and is still relevant for now and future.

Do further things need to be done to ensure that able children who intentionally leave their parents in facilities for others to look after and pay for them?

Is family still seen as the first line of support; or the rest of society through the State? What if the children were badly abused or abandoned before? What about others e.g. grandparents who took over the parental role when one's parents were not around? How should the Act be updated to ensure its relevance?

Much food for thought. I am glad that in the busyness of daily life, I have this chance to both reflect upon this matter myself; and to hear the views of other Singaporeans; and Shaping Our Singapore .