The eCitizen Helper People - Private - Public Sector (or 3P) Partnership will ensure that all Singaporeans enjoy the convenience of accessing government services online. Announcing this new initiative today at the launch of the Teck Ghee eClub was Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong...
Singapore, 16 March 2003| For Immediate Release
The eCitizen Helper People - Private - Public Sector (or 3P) Partnership will ensure that all Singaporeans enjoy the convenience of accessing government services online. Announcing this new initiative today at the launch of the Teck Ghee eClub was Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
The eCitizen Helper 3P Partnership is targeted at Singaporeans who do not have access to a computer or who need help using the Internet. Partner organizations and companies under the programme will deploy eCitizen Helpers to guide users in accessing government services online. Whether it is applying for a passport, encashing ERS shares, checking CPF statements, filing income tax or registering a new business, eCitizen Helpers will be on hand to guide the public in transacting with the government online. This will allow Singaporeans not comfortable with infocomm technologies to also enjoy the benefits of government e-services, which provide a convenience and speed not possible before.
Said DPM Lee, " There is a group of Singaporeans who cannot cope with the Internet. They are mostly our older citizens. Many have had no formal education. We must make sure they do not lose out from electronic access to government services. No citizen should be deprived of the benefits of e-Government. This is where the eCitizen Helpers come in."
People's Association's 22 eClubs around the island as well as 19 FujiFilm outlets and NTUC Fairprice's Office 1 have joined this initiative so far. Singaporeans can now have their passport photograph taken at FujiFilm shops and apply for their new passports online at the same photoshop. FujiFilm will assist Singaporeans with their online payment as well. This will provide greater convenience to Singaporeans who do not have to make a separate trip to apply for the passport. DPM Lee welcomed the collaboration between the people, private and public sectors to deliver Government services and help Singaporeans not familiar with the Internet.
Said DPM Lee, " This partnership between the people and private sectors and government agencies is an important new step in government reaching out to the people to serve them better. It is one more move in bridging the digital divide. I commend the People's Association, FujiFilm shops and NTUC Fairprice Office 1 for starting this People - Private - Public Sector Partnership, and make an open invitation to more from the private and people sectors to join in. "
A eCitizen Helper organisations will be paid a fee for each transaction that they help the member of the public to complete, as follows :
- $0.30 for each physical trip made by the user to the eCitizen Helper operating premise to obtain information with the help of the eCitizen Helper;
- $1 for every successful "Interact" transaction (ie the transaction can only be partially completed online) with the help of the eCitizen Helper; and
- $2 for every successful "transact" transaction (ie the transaction can be fully completed online) with the help of the eCitizen Helper.
eCitizen Helper Services@eClubs
eCitizen access is available at all of the People's Association's 22 eClubs. The eClub@Teck Ghee, a community partnership between PA and Hewlett Packard, will now offer free assistance to the public to access Government services online under eCitizen Helper 3P Partnership. The public can look forward to a convenient means of accessing online public services with the guidance of eCitizen Helpers.
IRAS E-Filing Made Easier
Also featured at the launch of the Teck Ghee e-Club was IRAS' E-Filing of income tax returns. A survey by Gallup reports that this is one of the more successful e-government services with over 900,000 taxpayers e-filing their tax returns last year. This year, besides enhancing the E-Filing system to make it even easier for taxpayers to e-file, IRAS will also bring the E-Filing service closer to the public.
From today until 13 April, e-Ambassadors for E-Filing will be on hand to help the public e-file at all eClubs. IRAS has trained about 400 volunteers from IDA's e-Ambassadors programme to help in the E-Filing service. They will help residents not familiar with the Internet to e-file at eClubs from 2 pm to 5 pm on weekends during this period.
About eCitizen
The eCitizen portal is the Singapore government's first stop on the web for a wide range of government services. All services and information on the eCitizen portal are conveniently categorised according to lifestyle needs. These include: Arts & Heritage, Business, Defence, Education, Elections, Employment, Family, Health, Housing, Law, Library, Recreation, Safety & Security, Sports, Transport and Travel. Users can experience a world of convenience and benefits by retrieving information and transacting online with government ministries and agencies. The eCitizen portal is owned by the Ministry of Finance (MOF) and managed by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA).
ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND
THE INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
Notes to Editor:
About eClubs by the People's Association
Twenty-two broadband-equipped eClubs (www.eClub.org.sg) run by the People's Association across Singapore provide subsidised basic infocomm training programmes, workshops and events to bring "IT Within Reach" of the masses.
About IRAS eFiling
The IRAS E-Filing of income tax returns service is available 24 hours daily during the income tax filing period at http://efile.iras.gov.sg or by dialing 1800-356 8322. Anyone who needs help with e-filing can also call the helpline on 1800-252 5011. This helpline is available from 8 am to 10 pm daily.
About e-Ambassadors
A marriage of infocomm technology and the spirit of volunteerism, the e-Ambassador programme embraces the theme of "Empowering People Through e-Volunteerism". e-Ambassadors act as catalysts to help empower other Singaporeans discover their potential through living an e-lifestyle. This is in line with the national goal of building an e-inclusive society where every Singaporean has the responsibility to help others adopt infocomm technology so that everyone, regardless of age, language, social background or ability, will be able to reap the benefits of an e-lifestyle.
For more information on the eCitizen Helper 3P Partnership, please contact:
Mr Harpreet Kaur/ Ms Emily Chia
PR Communications
Tel: (65) 6227 2135
Mr Kelvin Lee
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
Tel: (65) 6211 1726
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