Chor Yeok Eng
Singapore
“I told her that perhaps she could try to sell some other type, say, dry curry powder in bottles which would not turn bad for months unlike the wet type. In the end she accepted my suggestion. I understand that she is doing well now. This is a complex question. I am giving this example only to show what could have been done.”
“Sir, the Member for Anson says that we have to look for a site. Of course, we have been looking for a site all the time. He said that if he were to select a place at a corner of Maxwell Road, or at the cross-roads, an important and busy traffic junction, whether we will be prepared to build a hawker centre there.”
“Sir, I did not get a translation of the earlier part of the Member's speech in Tamil but I have the latter part of it. The Member for Anson was saying that we have a responsibility to look for a site for a hawker centre.”
“Sir, the Member for Jurong asked about the contents of the courses. I have already mentioned that they are given basic courses on administration, law enforcement and their handling of members of the public. In a big Ministry it may be possible that one or two officers may have so conducted themselves as to cause misunderstanding.”
“Sir, in the past there was perhaps one market in Maxwell Road in Anson. Now as the Anson constituency has been enlarged, he now has other markets which include the PSA markets.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I think it is because of our policy a few years ago to reduce the number of hawkers in Singapore that this age restriction was imposed. It does not necessarily mean that all hawkers must be above the age of 40. In fact, before 1973 a lot of hawkers were in the age group of 20 years and 30 years.”
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“Changes and improvements are made from time to time, and we find that the stall's dimensions are becoming bigger and bigger. For example, the original stall measured 6 feet by 4 feet. The improved type is 9 feet by 7 feet which is very much bigger. Sir, the Government subsidises hawker centres very heavily. The licence fee for a cooked food stall is only $50 and yet we hear a lot of complaints and grumbles. On the other hand hawkers who are not licensed have to pay through their nose for a very small lousy stall in a coffee shop. This stall measures only 3 feet by 4 feet and the rent ranges from $100 to $300! $400 per month. Not only that, such stallholders in coffee shops are subject to a lot of restrictions imposed by the coffee shop owners. Quite often they are asked to quit. But in the case of Government controlled hawker stalls, the hawkers have a lot of complaints to make. If they really have so many complaints and grumbles, the best advice I can give is that they should get their own private stalls which can meet their own ideal requirements. This is my own personal view. Sir, as regards leaky roofs and hawker stalls exposed to the sun and the elements, we have several times consulted the architects responsible for the design, and a lot of improvements and changes have since been made. In cooked food hawker centres, there is a lot of smoke when food is being cooked. In a tropical country like Singapore, if the roof is completely covered then ventilation can be very poor and the whole hawker centre will be so stuffy and hot, and it will be very uncomfortable. Then there will be more complaints again. There must be provision for suitable ventilation and therefore we have provided openings and holes at the sides of the roofs.”
“Mr Speaker. Sir, the Member for Jurong has raised a few questions in regard to hawker centres, in particular to Taman Jurong Market I. His criticism is that the design and the construction of the particular centre is far from ideal. I am sure he with agree with me that human beings are always making progress and are therefore always faced with problems, many of which have no solution. That is to say, human beings live in changing circumstances. So we may have taken a different view of a certain matter after a while. This particular market extension may be far from ideal because it was one of the first few to be constructed. In Jurong there are two markets, viz. Taman Jurong Market I and Market II. Between the two, there is a lot of difference both in design and in construction. The second one was built completely on the basis of a new design. The first one that the Member referred to was actually a conversion of the existing cooked food section. So in the process of conversion, some old materials might have been used. That is admitted. As regards roof leaks, we have already notified the contractors to take the necessary action for repairs to be effected or improvements to be made. Sir, I would also like to answer another point that the Member has raised. He says that the facilities in some hawker centres are not suitable. Most of the hawker centres are meant for cooked food and there is a great variety of food stalls, some selling drinks, some selling cooked food. Different types of food stalls require different facilities. But in the planning of such facilities, we can only provide facilities to meet the general requirements of hawkers, based on certain broad principles. As regards the Member's complaint that the stall is too small, I cannot see eye to eye with him.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to the reassessment of market stalls, we will reconsider the demand to readjust the need for the various stalls in many markets. The Member has said that the stalls in the market in his constituency should be reassessed. I would like to go there and find out for myself, and then liaise with him to find out what he actually needs. If there is a need for adjustment, then we will take measures to see that it is done.”
“Since June 1973, the department has not issued any licence to any out-door hawkers or to street hawkers. At the present moment, we only issue licences to hawkers in markets or in hawker centres. At the present stage, we will only consider issuing market or hawker centre licences to the following categories of people. First, those licensed hawkers affected by any government redevelopment scheme. Secondly, those who are disabled due to industrial or other accidents, because by being disabled they have lost their capacity for hard manual or complicated work and, therefore, we decide to help them by issuing them with licence for hawking. Thirdly, those who are in receipt of social welfare assistance. We hope to make them self-supporting by issuing them with hawker licences to make a living. Fourthly, those who are above 40 years old. We believe that the younger generation have undergone industrial training or other basic education and they should make use of their talent and capabilities to compete in the field of international industrial technology. They should not commit themselves to the world of petty hawking to make a small profit as their time and talent would be wasted. Furthermore, by competing in the technical field, they will contribute not only towards bettering themselves but also to the national economy as a whole. Therefore, we should encourage our young people to embark on the right path. They should not be encouraged to take up hawking as a means of livelihood just for the sake of a small profit.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, however you look at a problem, much depends on your position. In every annual Budget, Members hope that something more can be provided for their constituencies, but the department concerned must go about it in a realistic way. With regard to the suggestion of the Member for Serangoon Gardens just now, I would say that the expansion of the Serangoon Gardens market, according to our survey, is not an urgent problem at this juncture. At present, there are 148 stalls in this market, out of which 30 are still vacant. This goes to show that the demand for market stalls is not high. Unless all these stalls are fully taken up, we will not expand this market because this is not realistic. As to the improvement of facilities, the department concerned has always paid attention to this and, if necessary, improvements will generally be made to the existing markets. 6.30 p.m. On the other hand, in 1972 the Government has set up a food hawker centre in that constituency. According to our understanding, many residents in the locality often go to Lim Tua Tow market to buy their daily necessities. Therefore, we are now planning to expand the market at Lim Tua Tow Road. After the completion of the expansion, it will also provide more facilities for the residents in Serangoon Garden Estate. For the general information of the Members, with regard to the policy on the licensing of hawkers, apart from the Member concerned, I think other Members may also wish to know the licensing policy of the Hawkers Department. I would like to clarify that after the 1968-69 nation-wide registration of hawkers, bona fide hawkers based on the 1968-69 census of hawkers were issued with licences.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I wish to clarify the question of hawkers and school crossing patrolmen. My colleague, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Labour, has already pointed out that the job of a school crossing patrolman is meant for old people. According to the hawker licensing requirements of the Ministry of the Environment, part-time hawkers do not qualify for licences. In fact, licences for hawkers are already quite popular and in demand. Sir, if we issue licences to part-time hawkers, this will increase the number of hawkers in Singapore. If a hawker is given this part-time job of a school crossing patrolman, we will withdraw his hawker's licence. A person can choose either to retain his hawker's licence or to take up a part-time job.”
“Just now I said that if there are no stalls selling food or drinks near the construction sites, we will allow hawkers to ply there. This is because these hawkers are only temporary there. When the work at the construction site is completed, they will be asked to go away. At present, there are many construction sites we have to take care of, but the number of such hawkers plying there is very few. Therefore, we do not intend to issue licences to them. BILLS INTRODUCED 2.35 p.m. STAMP (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Stamp Ordinance (Chapter 170 of the Revised Edition)", recommendation of President signified; presented by the Minister for Finance (Dr Goh Keng Swee); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. MINOR OFFENCES (AMENDMENT) BILL First Reading 2.37 p.m.”
“Sir, just now the Member for Delta has mentioned the point that during Budget time last year I myself had said that we were about to conduct a health campaign among members of the public, and that so far nothing has happened. I would like to add something to what the Minister has said just now. We are now consulting the Citizens' Consultative Committees in certain constituencies to organise this sort of campaign. Other than the constituencies which the Minister has mentioned, because of shortage of staff and personnel in the C.C.C.s of other constituencies, we have not been able to start. I hope that in the not too distant future we will see the Citizens' Consultative Committees in the constituencies seeking help in the promotion of this health campaign.”
“(2) Students who are attending universities, colleges, or secondary schools -- we can give them certain consideration to enable them to continue with their studies and defer their call-up until they have completed their studies. In other words, we may perhaps postpone their call-up. (3) I would also appeal to employers to co-operate with those youths who are called up and to accord them some facilities and convenience, otherwise such youths may meet with certain difficulties. I hope that employers are judicious and patriotic and may be able to accord these facilities and co-operation. I appeal to them earnestly to co-operate in this matter. Finally, I express my support for the National Service (Amendment) Bill. 6.00 p.m.”
“This unusual phenomenon - the absence of an Opposition - has been created by the irresponsible Opposition who have abandoned their duty to the people. Under these circumstances, we have an added burden and a moral responsibility to discharge. Unfortunately, certain sections of the public have levelled criticisms against us and not against those Opposition Members who have abandoned their duty. This amendment Bill, on the other hand, will take all manner of pretexts out of the hands of the Opposition who will try to make use of any opportunity to carry out their nefarious designs. I would like to add some supplementary views. We know that in the history of man there have been ideas, slogans or certain fancies which are rather rich in emotional content and which, if swallowed wholesale, may cause difficulties and troubles. We have seen certain events in the history of man which have been brought about by such factors. We also realise that all men must have worries of some sort. They must have some consideration for something they do. The time is appropriate for us to prepare ourselves for a rainy day. As a representative of our honest people, I have the duty to give a very frank and plain explanation to the people to enable them to prepare themselves for the sacred task of national defence. I would like to make some propositions for the consideration of this House: (1) During the call-up period of registration for national service, there may he some families with two or three members who are poor. In such a case, perhaps we may consider relaxing certain measures such as deferment of call-up. We should give more sympathetic consideration to such cases.”
“(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, living in an independent democratic country such as ours, we know that every conscientious citizen should love his country. It is especially true with a country which has achieved its independence at the sacrifice of much blood and sweat of its people. Therefore, the people should value the fruits of independence more. On the other hand, we should also discuss the prerequisites or the attributes of a State. The prerequisites or attributes of a State are firstly, the people, secondly, territory, and thirdly, sovereignty. With these three prerequisites a State can he founded; not otherwise. These are the three prerequisites of a State. If we hope to protect them, we as a people have to form our political parties from which a government will be formed which will set up various institutions dealing with administration, defence, foreign affairs, finance, etc., with a view to protecting the lives and property of the people, to maintain law and order, to preserve territorial integrity, and to protect its sovereignty against any invasion. In order to achieve this grand ideal in the present situation which exists in our country, the introduction of the National Service (Amendment) Bill in this House is most appropriate and timely. As a representative of the people in this society of parliamentary democracy, it is my duty, in addition to serving my Party, to serve the country and the people loyally. That is my duty. And it is also my duty to bring the voice of the masses into this House so that their desires and ambitions can be heard. This House will formulate laws to meet the needs of the various sections of the people, especially today when there is no Opposition in this House.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am very happy indeed to inform the Member for Mountbatten that the problem of resiting the unlicensed hawkers now operating in the car park near Kampong Arang Road has been fully considered by the Housing and Development Board and that a two-storey hawker centre will be built as soon as possible to accommodate them at Lots 202-4, Mukim 25, off Mountbatten Road, as the operating site for the hawkers. By then, all the hawkers will be sited in this area. FIRST AND SECOND CLASS BAR LICENCES (Figures) 15. Mr Ho See Beng asked the Minister for Finance how many first-class and second-class bar licences were issued during the period 1st January to 20th November, 1966, and how many first-class and second-class bars were there in Singapore on 20th November, 1966.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am not familiar with the figures and I will have to investigate before I can answer the question. If the Member concerned is still interested, he can give me a written question and I shall try to answer it at the next sitting.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, on this question, I have no statistics at the moment. If the Member for Joo Chiat is interested, he can give written notice and I shall endeavour to give him a reply.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, if it is a question of recruitment, then I believe that every Member here is quite clear about it. Each Ministry has to work within its vote for the purpose of recruiting staff. If we have no such vote, then we cannot do anything even if we can get help from the Ministry of Labour.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, before we can do anything, we must have the necessary staff. Without the workers, how can we do our work? This is fundamental. That is why my answer involves the question of industrial relations and some labour unions. Some unions within the Ministry of Health may want to take strike action. To put everything in a nutshell, in answer to the question of the Member for Anson as to whether we want to eradicate the mosquito menace, of course, the answer is, "Yes, we want to get rid of mosquitoes."”
“Mr Speaker, this question of the mosquito menace is getting more and more interesting. But it is a question which requires a long time to solve. I can assure Members that at the present moment it is not just the question of staff that is bothering us. As one can read from the local newspapers, the labour problem is coming to the forefront because of the Federation of Unions having a desire to negotiate with the Ministry of Health. The question is not just one of staff but is also one of industrial relations. Furthermore, there is the technical aspect of the problem. Some people simply do not care much about the situation. They just dump their empty tins around. So the first step now is for the Members concerned to start their own campaigns within their own constituencies - the campaigns to clean up their own constituencies and to get rid of the mosquitoes. In serious cases, I think, if notice is given, I believe the Ministry of Health will take steps to have some kind of regional control of the problem. Mr Govindaswamy (Anson)(In Tamil): Mr Speaker, what we want to know is whether the Parliamentary Secretary is going to take steps to destroy the mosquitoes. But what kind of answers is he giving? We want to know what steps he is taking, but he is talking about labour problems and other things. All that we want to know is whether he is taking steps, and how long it will take him to control this problem.”
“I would like to ask the Minister whether he is prepared to consider employing temporary staff to eradicate the mosquito menace, because if it gets out of hand, then there will be epidemics all over Singapore.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the question of an Anti-Mosquito Unit was first raised by the Ministry of Health and this Unit has been established. But because of the shortage of staff, the work of this Unit cannot be launched on a large scale. As I have already said, the Public Health Division of the Ministry of Health is now preparing various schemes and is in liaison with the various sections. So when all this preparatory work is done, a proper scheme will be launched. Another question about the Anti-Mosquito Unit is that, at the present moment, this Unit has already carried out work in various areas in Singapore on a regional basis. It is not possible to do the work on an extensive basis because of the reasons I have given. So I would like to appeal to Members in this House, as they are very concerned with the mosquito menace, that the best thing for them to do at the present moment is to start a cleansing campaign in their own constituencies, or an anti-mosquito campaign in their own constituencies. That is more effective at the present moment. Madam Chan Choy Siong(In Mandarin): Another supplementary question, Mr Speaker. From the answer given by the Parliamentary Secretary, I would like to ask him a further question on this point. If his scheme cannot be implemented within a year, then do not tell me that the people of Singapore have to be tolerant about mosquito bites for some more time. I appeal to him, as he has already indicated that this problem is actually dependent on the question of staff. Because of the shortage of staff, he says he cannot carry out his work as scheduled.”
“Mr Speaker, the supplementary question raised requires me to implement the scheme as early as possible. That, of course, will depend on our resources. We certainly wish to implement our scheme as early as possible. As I have already indicated earlier, for certain reasons and because of restrictions, we must do some preparatory work in advance before we can do anything else. The mosquito menace is a big problem arising out of various causes and we must have an overall scheme before we can start. A lot of preparation has to be made, and the moment this is done, we shall launch a campaign to implement the scheme. Whether this can be implemented as early as possible will, of course, depend on the question of staff and other resources.”