Chew Heng Ching
Singapore
“Sir, in terms of sports facilities, we, as a nation, are certainly very well-endowed. We have many stadiums, swimming complexes, sports halls, multi-purpose fields, tennis courts, school fields and many, many more.”
“These jobs need not necessarily be limited to menial jobs like cleaners, sweepers and lift attendants, but could be extended to include the services of older professionals such as engineers, accountants, managers, and clerical officers.”
“For this reason, Sir, I am a bit disappointed with the Budget in that we could have done more for our SMEs, many of which have also made sacrifices in the past and are still struggling and not able to reap the benefits of economic recovery.”
“In so doing, we may have addressed the form of the issue at high cost to our charities, deterred some good people from coming forward to serve and to volunteer, but may miss out on the substance, which is the bigger picture, ie, what is the best means with reasonable level of disclosure and accountability to help meet the needs of the nee…”
“May I, therefore, suggest that the Government look into the plight of these wet market stall owners. Many wanted to give up their stalls but, with outstanding loans from the banks, they could not. Some wanted to sell their stalls but there were no buyers. And their children are not willing to take over the stalls.”
“May I therefore propose that the Ministry, in the light of this massive LUP project announced by the PM, review the adequacy and the use of town council sinking funds.”
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“The philosophy underlying our success remains unchanged all these years: we must excel in business. Whether in trade or in industry, we have found that a free enterprise system gives us that degree of flexibility Which has ensured our success and our prosperity through our ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances. This free enterprise system must continue if we are to realise our goal of a developed city. Mr Speaker, Sir, allow me to touch on the role of Government in business and economic development. We all know that in the 1960s, Government's participation in the economy was confined mainly to the provision and improvement of infrastructure, such as roads, industrial estates, telecommunications, port facilities and public utilities. Gradually in the late '60s and '70s, Government began to participate directly in industrial, commercial and financial activities. Through equity participation, the Government is now involved in numerous economic activities, such as banking, insurance, transportation, telecommunications, manufacturing, trading, shipbuilding and repairing, printing and others. The main reason for the State taking on an entrepreneurial role was because entrepreneurs were slow to respond to Government's stimuli to participate in new ventures where the risks were high and a large capital was required. Government's omnipresence in business, however, has its drawbacks. It pre-empts the private sector from taking a more active role in our economic development. It deprives them of valuable opportunities to develop or expand a whole range of supportive services. It creates an impression in the private sector mind that the Government is a potential competitor to his business. This is unhealthy and could negate the efforts of the EDB.”
“It is through the practice of prudent economic policies and measures that we could continue to have low inflation, productivity improvements and a balance of payment surplus. It is through real economic growth that we could bring about tangible and intangible improvements in the software aspects of life. It is indeed laudable if we could achieve the target of a 5-7% per annum GDP growth and a productivity improvement of 3-5% in the next five years given the turbulence and complexity of the world economy today. With less and less manpower entering the workforce, our growth will have to come increasingly from productivity contribution. To achieve our growth targets, we have no choice but to continue to adopt the following measures: - (a) Diversify our economic base; (b) Restructure our industries to produce higher value-added goods and services; (c) Encourage automation and computerization; (d) Implement various productivity measures; (e) Step up training and retraining of workers: (f) Promote work discipline and team-work; and (g) Encourage more female Singaporeans to join the workforce. Ours is a small island-state with no natural resources. We were vulnerable before. We are still vulnerable today. We have no choice but to continue with economic restructuring if we are to remain competitive in the world market. We must not be complacent. Economic growth is an effort which involves everyone. Coupled with the need for growth and economic diversification and restructuring is our philosophy of a free market mechanism. For well over 150 years, we learn to adapt ourselves to changing circumstances, firstly, as a trading port and subsequently as a major manufacturing, communications and services centre.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to support the motion moved by the Member for Ayer Rajah thanking the President for the speech which he delivered on behalf of the Government at the opening of the First Session of this Parliament. The Government's plan in the next five years marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of our development. It reflects a nation that has come of age. With the passage of time, the level of social, economic and political perceptions of Singaporeans have changed and have matured and gained sophistication. The majority of Singaporeans have achieved their basic needs. They are now ready to achieve higher goals. They want a greater say in the events and policies that affect and reshape their lives, This level of maturity necessitates a change in the style of the Government. The Government's move to be more open and to seek greater consultation with the people is indeed most timely. Mr Speaker, Sir, the path towards achieving our vision of a City of Excellence by 1999 requires both hardware and software growth, if I may borrow a computer jargon. We all know that there can be no software without hardware. The two must grow together. By hardware, I mean real economic growth, the creation of wealth. The hon. Members in the House have touched at length on the software aspects of growth. Allow me, Sir, to swing the pendulum the other way. I shall touch on the hardware aspects of growth. The underlying assumption of an improvement in our quality of life is sustained real economic growth, albeit at a gradually reducing rate as our economic cake expands. It is only through real economic growth that we could be assured of a continuing unemployment situation and a job for everyone.”