SINGAPORE -- Singaporeans who refuse to help support their aged and poor parents may be fined or jailed under a proposal to enforce filial piety under study in Parliament on Tuesday.


Indigent oldsters would be able to apply to the courts to force their children to give them a monthly allowance or a lump sum payment if the measure becomes law as expected. A judge would decide whether parents had a valid case, and those failing to obey an order to provide support could face a fine of $1,000 (US$622) and a year in jail. Walter Woon, the sponsor of the legislation, is targeting "the recalcitrant, small minority that cannot be counted on to do what is right."