Ahmad Mattar
Singapore
“Sir, I would like to urge the Minister, the newly appointed panel chaired by Mr Hsuan Owyang, and certainly the people in charge of Channel 12 Pte Ltd, to look into the quality of Malay programmes on Channel 12. There is not much point in increasing the number of hours of Malay programmes on Channel 12 if quality is not there.”
“Because if SBC conducts those surveys or SBC administers the people meter, what other conclusions can we get? Finally, Sir, I would like to urge the Minister, and certainly the General Manager of SBC, to re-look into SBC's programmes.”
“Mr Chairman, Sir, Encik Ibrahim Othman has asked a number of questions on Muslim divorces. On the actual number of Muslim divorces registered in 1992, the answer is 1,002.”
“45 pm Sir, on wakaf properties, the House may want to know that the first development project comprising four units of terrace houses at Duku Road has been completed. This year, two more projects at Lorong L and Lorong G, Telok Kurau, will be launched.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am aware of that circular. Unfortunately, my Public Health Officers have reported that despite the circular there has not been any improvement to the littering problem. Even till this morning, Sir, when we inspected Potong Pasir, littering was still evident.”
“Sir, the question has been answered and the photographs have also been labelled with the time they were taken. My point is that if the Member claims that his constituency does not have a littering problem, then there should not be any litter at any time of the day, 5.30 am regardless.”
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“Mr Speaker, Sir, with your permission, I do not intend to answer the question raised by the Member for Anson today because a similar question has been raised by the hon. Member for Punggol, and I will be answering it tomorrow. 2.45 p.m. BILL INTRODUCED HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Housing and Development Act (Chapter 271 of the Revised Edition)", presented by the Minister for National Development (Mr Teh Cheang Wan); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. REVISION OF BUDGET SITTINGS Business Motion”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, as the hon. Member for Khe Bong is aware, early last year I set up a committee known as the Public Assistance Review Committee (PARC). This Committee reviews all the cases and if a case merits an additional award, the recipient will get an additional award.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I fully agree with the hon. Member that these allowances are far from adequate. They are not meant to be adequate in the first place. But I would like to assure the Member for Punggol that, apart from the allowances, the recipients of public assistance also receive supplementary assistance either in cash or in kind from voluntary charitable and religious organizations. The Social Welfare Department itself administers a number of private charitable funds from which the needy can get additional income, and among these are the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Welfare Grant, the Lee Foundation Grant, the Charity Box Fund, the Silver Jubilee Fund, Robin Welfare Aid, the Singapore Red Cross Society, St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Singapore Buddhist Lodge and a host of other welfare schemes. Apart from getting additional allowances from these various welfare schemes, recipients of public assistance also get free medical treatment from Government hospitals and clinics, remission of school fees and free textbooks for their school-going children.”
“Sir, I am asking the Member to show that there had been a downward revision. As I have said, I cannot remember the figures for 1973. So if he thinks and if he knows that there had been a downward revision, I would like to hear from him the figures before the first revision was made.”
“Sir, can the Member for Anson give me specific instances to prove that there had been a downward revision?”
“It was in 1973 when we made the first revision. I cannot remember the figures because I do not claim to be able to keep all the figures in my head. But the prevailing rates, in case the Member for Anson does not know, are: $60 for a single-person household; $80 for a two-person household; $100 for a three-person household; and $120 for a four-person household.”
“Yes, PAP Backbenchers, of course - Backbenchers like the hon. Member for Punggol, the hon. Member for Khe Bong who is not here, the hon. Members for Jalan Kayu, Bukit Ho Swee and also the hon. Member for Changi who is now my Parliamentary Secretary - the Government has decided once again to increase the rates with effect from 1st April 1982. The new rates of Public Assistance per month are as follows: $80 for a single-person household; $110 for a two-person household; $140 for a three-person household; and $170 for a four-person household. These new rates represent, on the average, an increase of 37 1/2% over prevailing rates.”
“On accommodation, MUIS will be arranging with some "syehs" or pilgrim brokers in Makkah to accommodate future pilgrims travelling with MUIS in two lodging houses at the most, instead of in several as in the past. Each lodging house will have its medical team to look after the pilgrims. In addition to this, MUIS will also try to obtain a place for use as a medical centre for pilgrims during their short sojourn in Mina. For the 1982 pilgrimage, MUIS hopes to recruit two doctors and six nursing officers to look after pilgrims. Additionally, two MUIS officials will also accompany the pilgrims to render general assistance to them during the Haj season. Appendix III WRITTEN ANSWER TO QUESTION GOVERNMENT PENSIONERS 1. Encik Mansor Haji Sukaimi asked the Minister for Finance (i) the number of persons receiving government pension stating their frequency distribution by age group and the total amount of the pensions; and (ii) the projected number of additional pensioners and total amount of additional pensions as at 31st December, 1986.”
“They each paid $1,930 for their return air fare. The gross total payment which each pilgrim incurred was:- $3,988 in 1979 $4,300 in 1980 In 1981, the gross payment for those pilgrims who went on the chartered flight was $4,650; and $4,330 for those who went on the scheduled flight. (iii) The number of deaths for each year There were 4 deaths in 1979; 14 in 1980 and 23 in 1981 among the pilgrims. (iv) The number of registered and unregistered pilgrim travel agents in Singapore During the period 1979 and 1981, the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board licensed two travel agents specifically to deal with pilgrims going on the Haj. These two travel agents were sponsored by the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS). However, there were travel agents licensed by the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board who also sold airline tickets and made other arrangements for the pilgrims going on the Haj. These travel agents were not sponsored by MUIS and I regret that I am unable to say how many such travel agents there were. (v) Main problems encountered by the pilgrims The problems encountered by pilgrims in any Haj season are many and varied in nature. Some of these problems are unavoidable in view of the millions of pilgrims gathered in the holy cities in Saudi Arabia during Haj. However, wherever possible, MUIS will try its best to find solutions to problems affecting Singapore pilgrims which are within its capacity and capabilities to resolve. Problems like:- (a) poor services rendered by some of the local "syehs" or pilgrim brokers there; (b) overcrowding in some of the lodging houses; (c) location of lodging houses vis-a-vis the Haram Mosque in Makkah and Nabawi Mosque in Medina; and (d) shortage of medical and nursing personnel, will be looked into by MUIS. B.”
“A.(i) The number of pilgrims who performed the Haj between 1979 and 1980 by sex and age group The figures which I will be providing the Honourable Member for Kampong Kembangan are in respect of Muslims whose pilgrimage was organised by the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS). The number of pilgrims who went on the Haj was 787 in 1979, 930 in 1980 and 968 in 1981. In 1979, 349 or 44.3% of the total number of pilgrims were males and 438 or 55.7% were females. 60 of the males were below 50 years of age and 289 were above 50 years. There were 177 females below 50 years and 261 above that age. In 1980, 421 or 45.3% of the group were made up of males and 509 or 54.7% were females. The number of males below 50 years was 78 and the number above 50 years was 343. 213 females were below 50 years of age and 296 were above 50 years. In 1981, 438 males or 45.2% and 530 females or 54.8% went on the Haj. There were 102 males below 50 years and 336 above 50 years of age. Females below 50 years numbered 208 and the number above 50 years was 322. (ii) The cost of return air fare and the gross total payment The cost of the return air fare on MUIS-arranged flights was $1,750 in 1979 and $1,930 in 1980. The pilgrims went on scheduled flights which involved two stop-overs in Bangkok and Amman in Jordan during the journey. In 1981, in response to the pilgrims' suggestions for direct flights without stop-overs, MUIS negotiated with ALIA - The Royal Jordanian Airline - to fly the pilgrims direct to Jeddah and back. The majority of the pilgrims registered with MUIS went in two chartered flights. They each paid $2,250 for their return air fare. The remaining 191 pilgrims were insufficient to make up a third chartered flight and they went on the scheduled flight.”
“Because of the higher costs of labour and materials, prices of new HDB flats have increased by an average of about 38% from 1st June 1981. An analysis of the applicants on HDB's waiting list to buy flats shows that the number of applicants who have sufficient CPF savings to pay for Model A flats at the new prices using 32% CPF savings was 71.5% for three-room flats, 65.5% for fourroom flats and 63.0% for five-room flats. By increasing usable CPF savings from 32% to 381/2%, the percentages increased from 71.5% to 81.5% for three-room flats, from 65.5% to 75.00/o for four-room flats and from 63.0% to 73.0% for five-room flats. An average increase of about 10% of applicants for three, four and five rooms can now buy using only their CPF. The Government's policy is to enable as many Singaporeans as possible to own their homes. The Government is looking into other ways of achieving this, like spreading out the instalments to enable more Singaporeans to buy their homes using their CPF. There is a difficult period ahead. The costs of materials and labour for HDB flats are likely to go up because they depend on the cost of oil and the tight labour market. There will unfortunately be a small percentage of Singaporeans whose income levels may not be enough to enable them to acquire their own homes, particularly if their wives have never worked, or if their wives stop work before having accumulated enough savings in their CPF. They will have to rent HDB flats.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I cannot answer that question. I would suggest that the hon. Member wait till the Hon. Minister for Communications and Minister for Labour comes back. CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND (Increase in employees' contributions) 9. Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for Communications and Minister for Labour why, despite Government's assurances in the past, contributions to the Central Provident Fund have once again been increased thereby eroding the benefits accruing from the recent increases in wages recommended by the National Wages Council and thus reducing the take-home pay of wage-earners. The Acting Minister for Labour (Dr Wong Kwei Cheong) (for the Minister for Communications and Minister for Labour): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, this year, the NWC recommended a wage increase guideline of $32 + 6% to 10% range and an additional 2% of the group monthly wage bill of June 1981 to be distributed among meritorious performers. Based on an average monthly wage of $535 calculated from CPF records of active contributors earning between $201 and $1250 per month in November 1980, the recommended total wage increase represents an increase ranging from 14% to 18%. Deducting the increase of 4% in the rate of CPF contributions will still result in a nett average monthly wage increase ranging from 10% to 14%. The additional 4% CPF contributions belong to the wage earners and hence there can be no question of eroding the benefit of the wage increase. The major consideration behind the Government's decision to increase employees' rate of CPF contributions by 4% is to enable contributors to use 381/2% instead of the previous 32% of CPF savings for the purchase of public housing.”
“However, Sir, for the benefit of the Member for Kampong Ubi and the Members of this House too, I am pleased to announce that the MUIS secretariat in Empress Place will be renovated by October this year at a cost of $300,000. When completed, the Secretariat will be more in keeping with a modern office.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Administration of Muslim Law Act provides for the appointment of not less than seven members to the Majlis from a list of nominees proposed by Muslim associations. As there are only the prescribed minimum of seven such members on the Majlis now, the number of members can be increased, if necessary. From the point of view of the workload and responsibilities of MUIS, Sir, what is important is not so much the number of members of the Majlis but the ability of the members to devote more of their time to the work of MUIS. As I have stressed in my reply to the hon. Member for Kampong Kembangan earlier on, what MUIS needs more urgently are more persons who are willing to serve on mosque management committees and a host of other committees under the MUIS umbrella. I would therefore look forward to receiving nominations from the hon. Member for Kampong Ubi as well as other Members of this House. But the Member's suggestion that the number of members on the Majlis be increased will certainly be looked into. The hon. Member's proposal that MUIS should function from its own premises is a good one. However, there are two major obstacles. The first is to find a suitable site for the MUIS office and the second is to accumulate sufficient funds for the new building. Sir, the utilization of MUIS' funds is governed strictly by Islamic laws. Consideration will therefore have to be given to the setting up of a special fund for the building project. This matter will have to be studied very carefully in view of the high cost of land and the rising costs of construction.”
“Sir, action must come first before the money can come out. One of the reasons why the PARC was formed was because a lot of complaints have been aired in this Chamber and a lot of complaints have been sent to me by Members.”
“Sir, my answer to all these queries will be a very simple one. We have certainly taken note of the views, expressions and unhappiness of the Member for Changi, suggestions by the Member for Punggol, and comments by the Member for Boon Lay. As I have mentioned earlier on, the PARC has just been formed a week ago. We only met yesterday for the first time. This is a new committee. I think we should give it a chance to get down to its task first before we pass judgment on its performance.”
“Sir, I would assure the hon. Member for Radin Mas that the Ministry of Social Affairs will look into this matter. Mr M.K.A. Jabbar( In Tamil): Sir, I thank the Minister and beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment by leave, withdrawn.”
“If they have any difficulties, I hope they will excuse me and welcome my comments and ideas. The views of the Back- benchers, as we are described by SBC, should also be heard. The PAP candidates have been elected by the people. We are not scared of the opposition parties. No one should feel that way because we have been working hard to assist every section of the community. The PAP leaders come from the workers. The PAP members have gone through the colonial period as well as the Lim Yew Hock Government. I would like to point out that we have gone through many hard times. People have given credit to us for our hard work. We, therefore, occupy all the 75 seats in this House. Before I withdraw my amendment, I would like to thank Mr Speaker as well as the Members. I hope the Minister will come out with a workable solution to this problem.”
“Sir, the site at Market Street referred to by the hon. Member for Radin Mas on which Masjid Moulana Md. Ali stands, belongs to the Singapore Muslim League. The United Overseas Bank is contemplating buying it over from the Muslim League. Negotiations between the parties concerned are still going on. Amongst other things, the Mosque Management Committee have been having discussions with the bank on the replacement site for the mosque. MUIS officials are involved in these discussions. As pointed out by the Member for Radin Mas, the bank has offered the Mosque Management Committee the basement of the complex to be built as a replacement for the mosque. However, I have been told that this offer has been turned down by the Mosque Management Committee. It is a little premature for me to disclose at this point of time what has actually transpired in subsequent discussions. Suffice for me to say that, in deference to the wishes of the Mosque Management Committee, the bank is actively looking for an alternative site. No firm agreement has yet been reached among the parties, and the discussions are still continuing. Mr M.K.A. Jabbar( In Tamil): Sir, I wish to thank the Minister for his reply. The PAP Government in Singapore is a secular Government. All over the world, people praise the PAP Government. The whole world commends the leadership of our Prime Minister. People like me can speak in Tamil. Others can speak in Mandarin. There is freedom of speech and writing under the Government of our Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew. I have faith in this Government. The people too have faith in this Government. In the last elections, all the PAP candidates were returned to power. Mr Speaker has heard my Tamil speech. Members have heard it and the Ministers have also heard it patiently.”
“For the information of the House, Sir, this mosque is sandwiched between the TAS building and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry building in Hill Street. Again, Sir, the Ministry of Social Affairs has been told that this mosque may not be affected by urban redevelopment. The land on which it stands is just too narrow for any urban redevelopment project. Unfortunately, Sir, at this point of time I cannot predict the future of Masjid Haji Mohd Salleh in Palmer Road with the same degree of certainty as I have in the case of the other mosques I have discussed. If we go slightly outside the ALS area, Sir, in particular to the Jalan Sultan/North Bridge Road area, we find three other mosques, namely, Masjid Sultan in North Bridge Road, Masjid Hajjah Fatimah in Java Road and Masjid Malabar Muslim Jamaath in Victoria Street. Both Masjid Sultan and Masjid Hajjah Fatimah have been declared monuments by the Preservation of Monuments Board. But, like Masjid Mohd Salleh in Palmer Road, I cannot at this juncture say very much on Masjid Malabar Muslim Jamaath in Victoria Street. 4.15 p.m. Since the number of mosques in the Central Business District that may be affected by urban redevelopment is small, there is, therefore, no pressing need to have long-range plans for their replacement, unlike the construction of new mosques in HDB new towns for which MUIS has a definite mosque building programme for this decade. I had, on many occasions in the recent past, announced that MUIS would be building eight new mosques in this decade under Phase II of its mosque building programme. The question of replacement of any mosque in the Central Business District affected by urban redevelopment will, therefore, be tackled piecemeal.”
“Here, I would like to define the Central Business District as that area which comes under the Area Licensing Scheme (ALS). If we accept that definition, Sir, then there are altogether six mosques in this area. They are (1) Masjid Moulana Md. Ali in Market Street (which, according to the hon. Member for Kampong Kembangan would be raised by the hon. Member for Radin Mas later), (2) the Masjid Abrar in Telok Ayer Street, (3) Masjid Jamae in South Bridge Road, (4) Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka in Omar Road, (5) Masjid Dawoodi Bohra in Hill Street, and (6) Masjid Haji Mohd Salleh in Palmer Road, next to the Habib Noh shrine. I will give my comments on Masjid Moulana Md. Ali together with the points which the Member for Radin Mas may want to raise later on. Of the five remaining mosques, Masjid Abrar in Telok Ayer Street and Masjid Jamae in South Bridge Road have been declared monuments by the Preservation of Monuments Board. Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka in Omar Road, though not a monument in the eyes of the Preservation of Monuments Board, will not be affected by urban redevelopment of the areas surrounding it. I have been assured of this. In fact, in a written reply to a query by the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of National Development has assured my Ministry that "as redevelopment plans in the area do not affect the mosque, it will therefore remain." On account of this assurance, the mosque is currently undergoing major renovations at an estimated cost of $3/4 million. However, I would like to assure the Member for Kampong Kembangan that MUIS is still appealing to the Preservation of Monuments Board to have the mosque preserved. The other mosque in the Central Business District is the Masjid Dawoodi Bohra in Hill Street.”
“Member for Telok Blangah that if there is evidence that the number of new disputes is growing so rapidly that the quality of the service rendered by the two Muslim social case workers is likely to decline, we will consider appointing more Muslim social case workers. Let me now turn to some of the points raised by the Member for Kampong Kembangan. I have taken note of his suggestions that only proper persons are to be appointed by MUIS to serve on mosque management committees; that MUIS should also oversee and upgrade the kind of activities conducted by mosques; and MUIS ensures that the management committees of mosques have the required level of competency in the management of financial accounts. I will certainly ask MUIS officials to look into them. On the management of mosques' financial accounts, I think the Member for Kampong Kembangan is aware that MUIS has so far conducted two courses on accounting procedures for the benefit of mosque officials. These courses were organized with a view to raising the level of competency of mosque officials in the management of mosques' funds. Sir, I fully agree with the hon. Member for Kampong Kembangan that young Muslim professionals should be asked to serve on mosque management committees. I would even go one step further: that they also be asked to serve on the numerous other committees under the MUIS umbrella. As a start, MUIS will be glad to consider any recommendation that the Member for Kampong Kembangan as well as the other Members of this House may have of young and dedicated Muslim professionals who wish to serve on these committees. Next, the Member has enquired on the long-term plans for the redevelopment of mosques in the Central Business District.”
“Couples often manifest such emotional distress by resorting to assaults, child neglect, financial irresponsibility and a host of other irresponsible actions and behaviour. It is therefore the duty of the Muslim social case workers to understand and help couples gain insight into the causal factors of their problems and establish rapport so as to assist them in settling their differences and find workable solutions. This takes time - a long time, if I may add. Here I would like to stress, Sir, that the sole purpose of counselling is to save marriages, wherever possible, and not to expedite divorce proceedings. If efforts towards reconciliation fail, then the couples are referred to a Kathi for registration of the divorce. However, all claims such as maintenance and custody have to be mutually agreed upon before a divorce is registered. If no agreement can be reached, the case is then referred to the Syariah Court for hearing and decision will be made by the President of the Court. These are the various steps and procedures which have to be carried out before a case comes up for hearing by the President of the Syariah Court. I have also sought the opinion of the President of the Syariah Court on whether or not the two Muslim social case workers are heavily loaded with work as alleged by the Member for Telok Blangah. The President is satisfied that the two Muslim social case workers can cope with their present case load. My Ministry is monitoring the incidence of new disputes and their disposal. I would like to assure the hon.”
“As to the Member's second question on whether or not the two Muslim social case workers in the Syariah Court are heavily loaded with work, my answer to him is 'No'. They are not heavily loaded with work, and I will give the reasons why. There are, first of all, two posts of Muslim social case workers in the Syariah Court and both these posts are filled. The workload of the two Muslim social case workers depends on the incidence of marital disputes and the time and effort needed to resolve these disputes. During the three-year period 1978-80, the number of new marital disputes registered in the Syariah Court increased at the rate of 7% a year. The average number of new disputes registered during this period was 1,151. During the same period, the number of cases disposed of rose by 17 1/2% a year and the average number of cases disposed of in the same period was 1,052. The Member for Telok Blangah will see that the number of cases disposed of during the period in question was only marginally less than the number of new cases registered. Let me add, Sir, that the workload of the Muslim social case workers cannot be measured by numbers alone. The man-hours spent on a case vary over a wide range depending on the complexity of the case. Likewise, the interval between registration of a new case and its disposal also varies considerably. The Member asked whether the delay in concluding a divorce proceeding was due to the shortage of manpower. The answer, again, is "No". Divorce proceedings are time-consuming, to say the least. Sir, I have not experienced any marital conflict. God forbid, No! But I think Members will agree that marital conflicts are complicated and fraught with emotions.”
“Our request for the post of a full-time Accountant for the MUIS secretariat, sad to say, has been turned down. Finance Ministry feels that the number of accounts kept by MUIS and the amount of funds available for investment do not justify the appointment of a full-time Accountant. In Finance Ministry's opinion, Sir, the complexity of accounting work rather than the sheer volume of accounting entries is a more relevant factor in considering whether there is need for an Accountant. However, in place of an Accountant, the Ministry of Finance has approved the post of a Financial Officer in the Executive Personnel Group. Finance has not agreed to the post of Assistant Director (Public Relations and Information) as recommended by the MSD; instead it has approved the post of Public Relations Officer on a grade equivalent to that of an EO in the Civil Service. But most important, Sir, what I would like to say here is that the Minister for Finance has agreed to the request made by the Ministry of Social Affairs that the post of President of MUIS be upgraded from one of part-time appointment to that of a full-time Superscale 'H' post. I would like to thank the Minister for Finance for that! Back to the question of the Accountant, Sir: as a result of Finance Ministry's decision, the Ministry of Social Affairs has been exploring the possibility of seconding a professionally qualified officer to head the Finance Section of the MUIS secretariat. Unfortunately, the search has not been successful so far, as serving officers with the necessary experience and qualifications could not be released from their duties in the departments in which they are serving. In view of this, MUIS will be advertising the vacancy of a Financial Officer in the press soon.”
“Sir, I thank both the hon. Members for Telok Blangah and Kampong Kembangan for their praises of the Muslim Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS). Let me first answer the two questions raised by the Member for Telok Blangah. First, he touched on the reorganization of the MUIS secretariat. Sir, if you recall, sometime last year I did mention in this House that the Management Services Department (MSD) of the Ministry of Finance had been invited by the Ministry of Social Affairs to make a study of the MUIS secretariat and to come up with recommendations on how to improve its administrative set-up. The Department has come up with certain recommendations. I will only highlight the more important of these recommendations. One of the recommendations is that the MUIS should have a full-time Accountant to look after its financial matters. The MSD has also proposed the post of Assistant Director (Public Relations and Information) to deal with the publicity aspects of MUIS' work. Another recommendation is the provision for a full-time Director to head the Secretariat. This latter recommendation is made on the assumption that the post of the President of MUIS is only a part-time appointment. As a variation to this recommendation, the MSD has also proposed the appointment of a full-time President of MUIS who could then double-up as the Director of the MUIS secretariat as well. Of the two alternatives, my Ministry has opted- for the latter. Those are some of the major recommendations, Sir, made by the Management Services Department of the Ministry of Finance. I will now inform the House of the outcome of my Ministry's request to Finance Ministry for the posts recommended by the MSD.”
“Sir, the Member's request will be looked into. BILLS INTRODUCED STAMP DUTIES (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Stamp Duties Act (Chapter 147 of the Revised Edition)", recommendation of President signified; presented by the Minister for Finance (Mr Hon Sui Sen); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore", recommendation of President signified; presented by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Culture (Mr S. Dhanabalan); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. REVISION OF BUDGET SITTINGS (Business Motion) With the consent of Mr Speaker and the general assent of Members present, Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, "That, notwithstanding the Standing Orders, an additional day, namely, tomorrow, the 17th of March, 1981, be allotted for the debate on the motion for the approval of the financial policy of the Government for the financial year 1981/82 and the days allotted for the discussion of the Main and Development Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1981/82 be the 18th, 19th, 20th, 23rd, 24th, 25th and 26th March, 1981." - [Mr Chua Sian Chin]. ANNUAL BUDGET STATEMENT Order read for Resumption of Debate on Question [6th March, 1981], "That Parliament approves the financial policy of the Government for the financial year 1st April, 1981 to, 31st March, 1982.". - (Mr Goh Chok Tong Minister for Trade and Industry and Minister for Health). Question again proposed. 3.20 p.m.”
“In particular, those Members of Parliament who refer their cases to me personally, I make sure that I reply to them personally too. On the first question about the breakdown which the hon. Member for Jalan Kayu has asked for, the reasons for withdrawing the allowances are as follows.”
“As to the second question, Sir, it is my policy, which I have directed to the officials of the Ministry, to keep Members of Parliament informed of the outcome of their appeals referred to the Ministry. Some hon. Members: No!”
“Sir, first of all, I would request the hon. Member for Bukit Ho Swee to give me the particular case he is talking about. If the sons or daughters, as he has said, had pledged or made written statements to say that they agreed to give money to their parents, then I will make sure that such pledges are honoured.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, first of all, I would like to request the hon. Member for Bukit Ho Swee to submit to me this particular case or similar cases he has in mind. What I would like to say is that I would assure the House that the PARC will try to be as fair as possible in its deliberations. Mr Seah Mui Kok: Mr Speaker, Sir, "submit another Question" - this is the style of the Minister. But no. What I want to know is this, can the Minister give us an assurance that the son or daughter who has given a written assurance of giving the money to the parents actually hands over the money to the Social Welfare Department, so that there can be no bluff at all?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, as you know, I have on many occasions in this House enunciated the principles which govern the administration of the Public Assistance Scheme. The application of these principles on individual cases calls for the exercise of judgment, and it is to be expected that there will always be room for disagreement as to whether or not a particular case is a deserving one. Sir, with a view to ensuring some measure of uniformity of standards in the administration of Public Assistance Scheme, I have recently set up a Committee called the Public Assistance Review Committee, or PARC. I chair this Committee myself, and members of this Committee include my Senior Parliamentary Secretary, my Permanent Secretary, the Director of Social Services of my Ministry, and also three hon. Members of this House. They are the Member for Khe Bong, the Member for Tiong Bahru and the Member for Kampong Ubi. The setting up of this Committee, Sir, will hopefully allay the fear of the hon. Member for Changi and the fears of other Members of this House that the Social Welfare Department or the Director of Social Welfare has been unduly strict in the administration of the Public Assistance Scheme.”
“SUPPLEMENTARY SUPPLY BILL "for making Supplementary Provision for the public services for the financial year 1st April, 1980, to 31st March, 1981", recommendation of President signified; presented by Mr Goh Chok Tong; read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. NEWSPAPER AND PRINTING PRESSES (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Newspaper and Printing Presses Act, 1974 (No. 12 of 1974)". presented by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Culture (Mr S. Dhanabalan); read the First time: to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. SECOND SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1ST APRIL, 1980 TO 31ST MARCH, 1981 (Paper Cmd 8 of 1981) Order read for consideration in Committee of Supply [Allotted Day]. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] 3.28 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am sorry to have to disappoint the hon. Member for Delta with another "No" in my reply to his question. My Ministry has no intention of taking over private marriage bureaus. Nor do we intend providing a service in competition with them. I am aware that recently there were allegations of malpractice on the part of some of these bureaus. However, no complaints were received either by my Ministry or by the Police. The Government does not intend introducing legislation to regulate the operation of marriage bureaus. Complaints of cheating or other similar offences can be dealt with under existing laws. BILLS INTRODUCED 3.25 p.m. JUDGES' REMUNERATION (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Judges' Remuneration Act (Chapter 7 of the Revised Edition)", recommendation of President signified; presented by the Minister for Finance (Mr Hon Sui Sen); read the First time: to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. CRIMINAL LAW (TEMPORARY PROVISIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act (Chapter 112 of the Revised Edition)". presented by the Minister for Home Affairs (Mr Chua Sian Chin); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. SUPPLY BILL "to provide for the issue from the Consolidated Fund of the sums necessary to meet the estimated expenditure for the public services of Singapore for the financial year 1st April, 1981, to 31st March, 1982", recommendation of President signified; presented by the Minister for Trade and Industry and Minister for Health (Mr Goh Chok Tong); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.”
“Sir, on behalf of the Government I give the hon. Member for Anson and also Members of the House the assurance. PRIVATE MARRIAGE BUREAUS (Controlling legislation) 20. Mr Yeo Choo Kok asked the Acting Minister for Social Affairs if his Ministry has any plan to take over, or provide services hitherto rendered by, private marriage bureaus, and, if not, whether he will introduce legislation to control those bureaus to ensure that members of the public are not exploited.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, if I got the Member correctly just now, he said that if I disagreed, he would send the case to me. Well, I disagree with him. The Member can, therefore, send the case to me and I will look into it. 4.55 p.m.”
“I would like to assure the Member that I will indeed give detailed information on these programmes to this House when the opportunity arises.”
“Member enquired whether the Muslim Religious Council or MUIS, in addition to providing bursaries to Muslim youths to enable them to pursue higher education, would consider introducing an educational loan scheme to assist needy students. As the Member will be aware, the assistance that MUIS gives to students is financed out of fitrah or tithe collections. The MUIS has been advised that, in accordance with Muslim law, the proceeds of fitrah collections cannot be utilized for the purpose of granting loans. Such funds can only be used as outright gifts for any one of the eight prescribed purposes or asnafs. The Member for River Valley proposed that the Government should consider a grant-in-aid scheme for voluntary welfare organizations. My Ministry has, in fact, been discussing this question with the Singapore Council of Social Service. My Ministry's view is that it is much better for the Government to give all possible assistance to voluntary welfare organizations to raise funds from the public than to give them grants-in-aid. Not only would the organizations raise more money this way but it would also give the general public a greater sense of participation in welfare work. The organizations themselves accept that fund-raising is an integral part of voluntary welfare work. I am glad to inform the House that the Singapore Council of Social Service is now actively looking into a scheme to bring about greater public participation in raising funds for voluntary welfare work. The Member has also asked whether in future sessions of this House he could expect to hear more details of my Ministry's programmes to strengthen the family unit and to rehabilitate prisoners.”
“As has happened in some other countries, not all of which it is yet unfashionable to name, we will never have people who turn down job offers because they can live comfortably enough on Public Assistance. Having said that, I should add that we are not unmindful of those who are physically incapable of working. My Ministry will, in deserving cases, arrange supplementary assistance for them. As a rule, we do so for all those who have no relatives or friends who can or will help them. I should like to inform the Member for Khe Bong, and also the other Members of this House, that the recipient will not lose his Public Assistance simply because he receives supplementary financial assistance from relatives or friends. We do not, however, give Public Assistance to those who have close relatives, that is to say, brothers, sisters, sons or daughters who are in a position to support them. I am happy to inform you, Sir, that we do have cases of Public Assistance recipients who voluntarily give up their claim because their close relatives, as a result of improved financial circumstances, assume full responsibility for their maintenance. These are shining examples of family responsibility being willingly and gladly accepted. The Member for Khe Bong knows that he is free to bring to my attention any case where he feels that Public Assistance has been either denied or withdrawn without good reason. I will, as I have always done, personally look into any such case that is brought to my attention by a Member of Parliament. Next, I turn to the suggestion raised by the Member for Geylang Serai. The hon.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, first, I would like to respond to the points raised by the Member for Khe Bong on my Ministry's Public Assistance Scheme. The Member is unhappy because he suspects that the amount the Government spends on Public Assistance is not growing as fast as the amount it spends on keeping Singapore a garden city. There is a good reason why this is so. It is a measure of the success of the Government's economic policies that today anyone who needs a job can find a job. Again, it is a measure of the success of the Government's social policies that our citizenry will not waste its sympathy on those who can work but will not work. The Government's Public Assistance Scheme, Sir, is meant for the truly destitute, that is to say, those who are physically incapable of working, have no savings and have no close relatives who can look after them. Their number is declining. That is why the amount we spend on public assistance is not growing. Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to answer the specific questions posed by the Member for Khe Bong. He says, and I agree, that Public Assistance at $60 a month for a single person and $80 a month for a couple is not enough to live on. He went on to say, and here I disagree with him, that if relatives chip in to help the unfortunate recipient, his Public Assistance would be withdrawn on the ground that he has relatives, and that for this reason relatives who can and wish to help do not do so, thus depriving the recipient of the supplementary assistance which the Government itself acknowledges he needs. Let me explain, as I have done before in this House, why Public Assistance is set below what may be considered subsistence level. It is because it is no part of our policy to rob anyone of the incentive to work.”
“The Select Committee had taken a great deal of time to consider the written representations so as to provide a law which, whilst making divorce easier for those couples whose marriages have irretrievably broken down, will help save those marriages which can be saved. The amendments to the Act also give wider powers to the Courts to grant maintenance for the wife and children so that there will be less hardship on the dependants of recalcitrant husbands. Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Third time and passed. ADVANCE ACCOUNTS 3.29 p.m.”
“This was at odds with the principles laid down in section 83(3)(d) which provides for one party to petition for a divorce when the couple have lived apart for three years immediately preceding the presentation of the petition and the respondent consents to the divorce. For this reason, section 82 has now been deleted. Furthermore, the Select Committee felt that our divorce law should not make it easy for a couple to terminate their marriage without first making an effort to overcome their difficulties. Suggestions were also made that the Court should be given more powers in enforcing maintenance orders and the power to order maintenance to be paid in one lump sum. These suggestions have been accepted and amendments have been made to sections 102 and 103(1) to that effect. The Select Committee has also raised the age limit from 18 years to 21 years for a child's entitlement to maintenance from his parents. This will take into account the fact that many male students have to serve national service first before they can go for their tertiary education. I would like to mention here that the amendments have not affected the interests of Muslims in any way. Section 3(3) of the Women's Charter provides that where both parties to a marriage are Muslims, the marriage cannot be solemnized or registered under the Charter. In other words, the marriage cannot be solemnized or registered in the Civil Registry. It does not matter if either of the parties is a convert. The marriage can only be solemnized or registered at the Registry of Muslim Marriages or by a kadi or naib kadi appointed by the President of Singapore under the Administration of Muslim Law Act (Cap. 42). Mr Speaker, Sir, all the changes recommended by the Select Committee are necessary and desirable.”
“Representations were made that sections 80 and 127 of the Women's Charter should be amended along the lines of the UK Domicile and Matrimonial Proceedings Act, 1973. In Singapore, we do have cases of Singapore women marrying foreigners. Under the existing law, a woman acquires the domicile of her husband on marriage even though both parties may live here after their marriage. A woman will be unable to seek a divorce under the new Part IX of the Act even if her husband leaves her for good and returns to his country of domicile. The UK Domicile and Matrimonial Proceedings Act, 1973, abolished the wife's dependent domicile and at the same time gave the court jurisdiction to entertain proceedings for divorce, judicial separation or nullity of marriage if either of the parties to the marriage was domiciled in England on the date when the proceedings were begun or was habitually resident in England throughout the period of one year ending with that date. In 1961 when the Women's Charter was enacted, married women were given equal rights. We should now consider giving a married woman the capacity to acquire her own domicile. This recommendation has been accepted and clause 28 of the Bill amends section 80 to give a married woman the capacity to acquire her own domicile just like any person of full capacity and to give our Courts the jurisdiction to entertain matrimonial proceedings if either of the parties to the marriage is domiciled in Singapore or is habitually resident in Singapore for a period of three years immediately preceding the commencement of the proceedings. Section 82, which appeared in the Bill, permitted a couple to dissolve their marriage by mutual consent without any pre-conditions being fulfilled.”
“Conciliation Officers at present do not have such power. This new provision will enable Conciliation Officers to play a more effective role in settling differences between husband and wife. The proposed amendments to section 60 of the Act were criticised by a number of persons who submitted representations. Section 60 empowers the court to make orders for the maintenance of a wife and her children. Two new defences were introduced by the Bill to enable a husband to defeat an application by his wife for maintenance, namely, that the wife had committed adultery or that she had deserted him. It was pointed out that section 60 as amended by the Bill would be anomalous since the Bill sought to abolish the "fault" principle which is the basis of our existing divorce law. It was suggested that a wife should be entitled to apply for maintenance from her husband if her husband neglects or refuses to provide her with a reasonable maintenance. The Select Committee accepted this view and consequently amended the provision of the Bill to enact a new section 60 to provide that a court may grant maintenance to the wife if the husband had neglected or refused to maintain her. This principle is similar to that laid down in sections 101 and 102 in the new Part IX of the Act regarding the grant of maintenance to a former wife or for a wife when divorce proceedings are pending. New provisions which are similar to those of the UK Domestic Proceedings and Magistrate's Courts Act, 1978, which gives very wide powers to the Courts for the protection of wives and children from molestation and violence, have also been included in the Bill.”
“Now, Sir. Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Third time." The Select Committee on this Bill received 18 written representations. I wish to express my appreciation to those persons who had given their views to the Select Committee. The Committee decided to make a number of amendments to the Bill after studying the re-presentations. Clause 2 of the Bill amends section 3 of the Act to make the Act apply to all persons in Singapore and also to all persons domiciled in Singapore irrespective of whether they are in or outside Singapore. The amendment has been introduced so that couples who do not have the capacity to contract a valid marriage in Singapore cannot circumvent the law by visiting another country for the sole purpose of getting married, Such a marriage will in future be void if one of the parties to the marriage does not have the capacity to marry according to the Singapore law. Clause 10(c) seeks to amend the first proviso of paragraph (b)(i) of section 16 of the Act to give persons under 21 years of age who have been married and are divorced or have had their marriages declared null and void, the capacity to re-marry. Under the existing law, a person who is under 21 years of age can re- marry if he or she is a widower or widow but is not permitted to re- marry if he or she is divorced or has had his or her marriage declared null and void. The amendment is to remove this inconsistency. Clause 19 seeks to add a new subsection (3) to section 46 of the Act to give a Conciliation Officer the power to require a party to a marriage to attend before him to settle the differences between the parties to the marriage and such person shall be legally bound to attend and answer questions truthfully.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the clause be read a Second time." The amendments to be made to section 21 of the Act will render void a marriage contracted in Singapore unless: (a) the parties have obtained a marriage licence issued by the Registrar or a special marriage licence issued by the Minister; and (b) the marriage is solemnized by the Registrar or a person who has been granted a licence under the Act to solemnize marriages. This section is so wide that it will render void those marriages which are contracted in a foreign Embassy, High Commission or Consulate in Singapore. The new section 167A seeks to make it clear that such marriages may continue to be contracted and it makes provision for the recognition of such marriages where all the following requirements are satisfied: (a) the marriage was contracted in the form required or permitted by the law of the country whose Embassy, High Commission, or Consulate it is, or in the form permitted under the Act; (b) each of the parties had at the time of the marriage the capacity to marry under the law of the country of his or her domicile or under the law of the intended domicile of the parties after marriage: and (c) in the case where either of the parties is a citizen of or is domiciled in Singapore, both parties had the capa- city to marry under the Act. In the past, marriages had been contracted in foreign Embassies in Singapore and we do not wish to forbid such marriages. Our law will make it clear to all concerned that such marriages will be recognised as valid in Singapore when the aforesaid requirements are satisfied. Sir, I beg to move. Question put and agreed to. Clause read a Second time and added to the Bill.”
“Sir, I beg to move, In page 28, lines 1 and 2, to leave out "and subject to section 107 of this Act.". Sir, this is purely an amendment consequential to the amendments made to the Bill in the Select Committee. Amendment agreed to. Clause 28, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill. New Clause - "New The Women's Charter is amended by section inserting, immediately after section 167 167A. thereof, the following section:- "Recogni- 167A.-(1) Nothing in tion of this Act shall prevent the marriages solemnization in Singapore contracted of a marriage in any foreign in Embassy, High Commis- Embassies sion or Consulate in Singa- etc., in pore. Singapore. (2) A marriage con- tracted in any foreign Em- bassy, High Commission or Consulate in Singapore shall be recognised as valid for all purposes of the law of Singapore if all the follow- ing requirements are satis- fied:- (a) it was contracted in a form required or per- mitted by the law of the country whose Embassy, High Commission or Con- sulate it is, or in a form permitted under this Act; (b) each of the parties had, at the time of the marriage, capa- city to marry under the law of the coun- try of his or her do- micile or under the law of the intended domicile of the parties after marri- age; and (c) in the case where either of the parties is a citizen of or is do- miciled in Singa- pore, both parties had capacity to marry under this Act.".". - [Dr Ahmad Mattar]. Brought up, and read the First time. 3.15 p.m.”
“Sir, I beg to move, In page 15, line 22, marginal note: after "be", to insert "sole". Sir, this amendment is necessary because the Select Committee has deleted the provision in the Bill which permits parties to a marriage to present a joint petition to the court to dissolve their marriage by mutual consent. Sir, I beg to move. Amendment agreed to.”
“Sir, I beg to move, In page 6, line 39, to leave out "applicant" and insert "wife or child". Sir, the amendment to subsection (4) of section 60 of the Act appearing in clause 21 of the Bill seeks to make it clear that the court shall have regard to the circumstances of the wife or child when making an order under the section for the maintenance of the wife or child. The word "applicant" which now appears in subsection (4) of section 60 may be construed to refer to the guardian or person having custody of the child who is entitled to make an application under that section for an order for the maintenance of the child. Sir, I beg to move. Amendment agreed to. Further amendments made.- In page 6. line 42, to leave out "applicant" and insert "wife or child". - [Dr Ahmad Mattar]. In page 7, line 2, to leave out "applicant" and insert "wife or child" - [Dr Ahmad Mattar]. In page 7, lines 6 and 7, to leave out "applicant" and insert "wife or child". - [Dr Ahmad Mattar]. Clause 21, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clause 28 -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the clause be read a Second time." Sir, a new section 15 is to be inserted in the bill to repeal and re-enact section 22 of the Act which deals with the solemnization of a marriage. The new subsection (2) of section 22 provides that a marriage may be solemnized by the Registrar or any person licensed to solemnize marriages according to such form and ceremony as the Registrar or that person sees fit to adopt, and in some part of the ceremony each of the parties will merely have to declare to all those present that he or she is taking the other party as his or her lawful wedded wife or husband as the case may be. This new subsection will give the Registrar or the person solemnizing a marriage some flexibility as regards the form and ceremony for the solemnization of a marriage. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Clause read a Second time and added to the Bill. Clause 21 -”