Chua Sian Chin
Singapore
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to speak on this Bill as a person who had been in Government for many years and before that in legal practice for more than eight years and now back in legal practice. While I was in Government, I had cognizance of the shortcomings of the legal profession.”
“It is 62 members out of a total of 1,335 practising lawyers. This has brought about a situation which no responsible government can let it pass in the public interest. The Government has good reasons to deal with this situation firmly. In fact, the present amendments have only made a small inroad in self-regulation.”
“At the same time, a minority group of activists has also chosen to take on the Government by calling an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Law Society to pass fierce resolutions against the Government. This group comprised only 62 members.”
“Though he has only limited Constitutional powers and acts on the advice of the Cabinet, he is the symbol of the unity, loyalty and aspirations of the people of Singapore.”
“- to hold classes for children of his constituents. What right has he got? The PAP MPs equally have no such rights. It is the right of the Government, if they think so, to have such classes. In fact, through the People's Association, they have been holding kindergarten classes in the community centres.”
“It is the Government who says that, and the Government has the right to say it because they are responsible for the Government of Singapore. And it is not what I say or what you say. Let me turn to the Member for Potong Pasir. He also produced some exhibits which are equally bogus.”
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“Clause 3 stipulates that members of the Singapore Police Force and of the Singapore Armed Forces, officers or employees of the Government and officers or employees of any Auxiliary Police Force duly created under the provisions of the Police Force Act shall not require a licence under the Act for the exercise of their official functions. It also stipulates that certain other categories of persons who carry on work similar to that of a private investigator are exempted from the requirement of a private investigator's licence. Clause 4 provides that the Minister may appoint a public servant to be the licensing officer who shall be responsible generally for carrying out the provisions of the Act. There are provisions in the Bill which deal with the procedure for the application of a licence, the fees to be paid, and the revocation of a licence. The licensing officer shall refuse to grant a private investigator's licence or a security guard agency's licence for any one of the grounds listed in clause 7, namely, if: - `(a) satisfactory evidence has not been produced of the good name and character of the applicant or, if the applicant is a company, of its officers holding a managerial or an executive position; (b) satisfactory evidence has not been produced to show that the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold a licence; (c) the applicant has been convicted of any offence involving fraud or moral turpitude or, if the applicant is a company, any of its officers holding a managerial or an executive position has been convicted of any offence involving fraud or moral turpitude; or (d) he [that is, the licensing officer] considers it in the public interest to refuse a licence.' The Bill also provides for control over the persons who may be employed by a licensee.”
“He was subsequently convicted of causing grievous hurt and causing hurt to a public servant in the discharge of his duty, and was sentenced to nine months' and three months' imprisonment respectively, (4) On 5th November, 1972, two security guards (house detectives) and a supervisor employed at a leading hotel accosted three dance hostesses at the hotel, forced them to strip and used criminal force on them. The two security guards were recently convicted and sentenced to one year's imprisonment and $500 fine respectively. When a member of the public hires the services of a private investigation or security guard agency, his relationship with the agency is one of trust. He expects the agency and its employees to conscientiously and honestly render the services he requires. As the matter stands today, quite often it is the agency's employees who steal the property of the client whom they are supposed to guard. Hence, the need for control. This Bill seeks to regulate and control the activities of persons who carry on the business of a private investigator or of a security guard agency and to provide for the licensing thereof. Clause 5 stipulates that after the expiry of two months from the commencement of the Act, no person shall carry on the business of or act as a private investigator unless he is the holder of a private investigator's licence issued under the Act. Similarly, clause 6 provides that, after the expiration of two months from the commencement of the Act, no person shall carry on the business of a security guard agency unless he is the holder of a security guard agency's licence issued under the Act. The terms `private investigator' and `security guard' are defined in clause 2.”
“Police records show that quite a number of individuals who operate these agencies are of dubious character. They include ex-police personnel with CPIB records and persons with a criminal background. Employees of some of these agencies are unreliable and quite a number of them have criminal records. Further, a number of these agencies are no better than organisations of toughs using strong-arm tactics for debt collection. Over the last two years there have been 11 criminal cases involving employees of some of these agencies. The seriousness of the situation can be gauged from the following examples:- (1) On 31st March, 1971, 890 lbs of copper wire valued at $2,500 were stolen from an electrical firm at Jalan Besi. Police investigations revealed that two security guards employed to guard the firm were responsible for the theft. Subsequently one of them was charged in court and sentenced to nine months' imprisonment, (2) On 13th January, 1972 a Police ambush party apprehended three security guards in the act of stealing $225,128 worth of machinery from a firm in Jurong, at which they were employed. They were convicted of housebreaking and theft and sentenced to terms of imprisonment ranging from two to three years, (3) On 26th April, 1972 an off-duty Police Inspector and his male cousin were assaulted by a uniformed security guard at a shopping complex, following an argument over the question of collecting a car from the complex's car park which was closed. The guard used his truncheon and inflicted physical injury resulting in a fracture on one of the two complainants.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Sir, since 1969 there has been a sharp increase in the number of private investigation and security guard agencies. There are at present some 80 such agencies registered in the Registries of Business Names and Companies. Their activities cover a wide area and include, inter alia: - (a) the provision of guards for buildings, hotels, warehouses, factories, shopping complexes and ships; (b) the provision of body-guards for wealthy businessmen; (c) enquiries in connection with divorce and other matrimonial proceedings; (d) investigation of claims made under insurance policies; (e) investigation of trade-mark infringements; (f) assisting firms, banks and business houses in enquiries of a commercial nature, e.g, enquiries relating to credit status and character of clients; and (g) assisting finance companies, moneylenders and chit fund companies to trace debtors. Mr Speaker, Sir, the proliferation of these agencies in recent years reflects an increasing demand for their services. This has been brought about by the rapid expansion in the commercial and industrial sectors of our Republic. Existing legal controls over such agencies are minimal. Any person desirous of opening an agency has merely to register it with the Registrar of Business Names, paying a fee of $10, with no questions asked. Thereafter he is free to conduct his business in whatever way he thinks fit and he may employ (as an investigator or as a security guard) any person he wishes to employ. Whilst private investigation and security guard agencies can provide legitimate and valuable services to the public, the lack of proper control of such agencies has culminated in an undesirable state of affairs.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I have just received a letter from the Singapore Medical Association stating that they would like to make certain representations on the provisions of this Bill. In order to give them an opportunity to make representations, I suggest that the Second Reading of this Bill be postponed to the next available sitting of Parliament.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I cannot answer the Member for Anson because I have not got the figures. If the Member for Anson were to submit a question, I will give him accurate figures. But what I can say now is that the number has increased since the period ending 28th February, 1973.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, a total of 1,693 persons were detained for illegal entry into Singapore for the period 1st March. 1972 to 28th February, 1973. The Immigration Department on receipt of information, mounts surprise checks and raids. The Marine Police also keep a lookout for suspicious-looking vessels trying to sneak in with illegal immigrants. Members of the Police Force who are on beat duty carry out frequent checks on suspicious-looking persons who may have entered Singapore illegally. Further, Immigration and Police Officers conduct surprise checks at the various worksites. When arrested, illegal immigrants are detained, prosecuted and removed after serving their sentences. At present a person who enters Singapore illegally can be imprisoned for a term not exceeding one year or fined up to a sum not exceeding $4,000, or to both such imprisonment and fine. A trafficker can be imprisoned for two years and fined up to $4,000. These penalties are inadequate especially for traffickers who prey on these illegal immigrants. The Immigration Act will be amended to increase the penalties for illegal immigrants and especially for traffickers, who could be punished by caning as a deterrent against making money out of encouraging illegal immigration. A special unit has just been established in the Immigration Department to deal solely with the problem of illegal immigration.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, there has been a change. If the Member could recall, recently there was a statement by the Ministry of Labour to the effect that applicants who are skilled workmen and can add to our industrialisation effort, and if they could pass a trade test and possess the 10-year residential qualification, they would be granted citizenship straightaway. ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS (Particulars) 6. Mr Teong Eng Siong asked the Minister for Health and Home Affairs how many persons were detained for illegal entry into Singapore during the year ended 28th February. 1973; and what action the Government has taken or intends to take to stop further illegal entries.”
“Sir, I am here to answer questions, and not statements. So I cannot answer the Member for Sembawang.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I have already said that if a Member has any specific case in view, he can bring it to my attention and I will consider it on its merits. I do not think it is helpful to make a general statement that certain applications have been rejected.”
“Sir, if he has all the qualifications which I have outlined, of course, he will be granted citizenship.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, it is not a question of deprivation of citizenship. It is a question of a person applying for citizenship. If he has not got any citizenship, how can we deprive him of citizenship?”
“Sir, I do not know what is the motive behind that question; of course, we encourage only two children per family. However, when I say "family roots", I do not only mean wife and children, but also brothers and sisters, mother, father, uncles, and so on.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, this is a hypothetical question based on certain assumptions. I would rather prefer the Member for Bras Basah to quote a specific case, when I can deal with it on its own merits. But having got a general question, I will give a general answer. The point is this. If a person is residentially qualified, of course, he can apply. But whether he will be granted citizenship is another matter.”
“Sir, the answer is no, because he must first have residential qualifications before he can apply for citizenship.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, it means what it says. To explain further, if the Member for Sembawang has not understood it, it means that the applicant is the only person here, and, that he has not got a wife, children, brothers and sisters who are Singapore citizens.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." As a result of the recent reorganisation of the junior ranks of the Police Force giving effect to the recommendations of the Lee Soo Ann Report, police officers of the rank of Sergeant and the newly created rank of Station Inspector will now take over some of the investigatory functions formerly performed by Inspectors. To enable them to discharge their new responsibilities, it is necessary to confer on Sergeants and Station Inspectors, Police powers hitherto exercisable only by officers of the rank of Inspector and above. This Bill seeks to amend the various Statutes of our Republic to achieve this objective. Under the reorganised set-up, recruitment to the junior ranks of the Police Force is from persons holding at the minimum, the School Certificate or its equivalent. The Police Academy is also conducting various courses to improve the skills, upgrade the professional expertise, and generally raise the standards of Police Officers. As a result, the junior ranks of the Force are being staffed by better calibre officers, and those who have been promoted to the grades of Sergeant and Station Inspector can safely be entrusted with these additional powers. Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill.-[Mr Chua Sian Chin]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. ENTERTAINMENTS DUTY (AMENDMENT) BILL Order for Second Reading read. 3.10 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." This Bill seeks to amend the Road Vehicles (Special Powers) Act (Chapter 120 of the Revised Edition) to enable the Court to order forfeiture of vehicles used in the commission of offences such as assisting in carrying on a public lottery, and writing, printing or publishing any lottery ticket. Prior to the passing of the Common Gaming Houses (Amendment) Act, 1971 (No. 25 of 1971), these offences were embodied in paragraphs (c) and (f) of subsection (1) of section 4 of the Common Gaming Houses Act (Chapter 96 of the Revised Edition). By the passing of the Common Gaming Houses (Amendment) Act, 1971, these provivisions are now embodied in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 4A and in paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section 4 of that Act. The Schedule to the Road Vehicles (Special Powers) Act (Chapter 120 of the Revised Edition) sets out the offences where the Court has power to order forfeiture of vehicles used in their commission. This Bill seeks to make the necessary consequential amendments to that Schedule by substituting the references to the repealed provisions of the Common Gaming Houses Act with references to the existing provisions of that Act. Mr Speaker, Sir I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill.-[Mr Chua Sian Chin]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. STATUTES OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL Order for Second Reading read. 3.04 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, as far as food is concerned, there has been no complaints at all. Perhaps we will organise the tour and invite the Member for Sembawang to taste the food. With regard to allowances we are now devising a scheme whereby if they work hard in the Prison Industries, they will be given a bonus. In fact, the Prisons Reorganisation Committee is looking into the possibility of devising a bonus and savings scheme whereby prisoners who work hard would be given a certain payment as bonus. This money will be kept for them by welfare officers, so that they can help their families outside. In my "Meet the People" sessions, I find that quite a number of the families of prisoners do come up with stories of hardship and of not being able to make ends meet. The proposal to expand the Prison Industries, together with the bonus and savings scheme, should to a certain extent alleviate such hardship.”
“Besides providing a service to other Government departments, the finished products of the Prison Industries are exhibited for sale to the public at the following showrooms: (a) Prison Industries, Changi; (b) the Council of Social Services, Penang Lane. I hope the Member for Sembawang will pay a visit to these two centres. One of the terms of reference of the recently appointed Prisons Reorganisation Committee is to look into the possibility of expanding Prison Industries as an important rehabilitative process for prisoners. The problem of expansion is the shortage of space in our existing prisons. If the Member for Sembawang is interested, and if other Members of Parliament are interested too, I can organise a tour of the workshops in Changi Prison, followed by lunch pre-assembly and pared and cooked by our prisoners.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in answer to the queries from the Member for Sembawang, I would say that industries within the prison have been established with the following objects in mind: (a) helping the prisoners to rehabilitate whilst under detention; (b) training the prisoners to make good use of their individual talent by learning a particular industrial trade which they will be able to pursue after their release from prison, so as to become useful citizens of the Republic; (c) making valuable contribution to the national output. The Prison Industries commenced with only six workshops. Today, there are 19 workshops in the various penal institutions catering for the following trades: (1) laundry; (2) woodwork machine shop; (3) cane workshop; (4) tailor workshop; (5) printing and book-binding workshop; (6) timber seasoning kiln; (7) footwear, leather, and upholstery workshop; (8) metal workshop; (9) concrete and cement workshop; (10) miscellaneous light industries, which includes components of transistors, and so on. 5.45 p.m. The facilities acquired over the years have enabled us to provide every convicted prisoner, who is required to labour, with employment. In spite of the unavoidable limitations pertaining to operating within the prison complex, the revenue derived and savings accrued to Government have been consistently increasing year after year. In 1959, the revenue from the Prison Industries was $335,065.52. In 1972, the revenue was $1,104,527.31. The figures I have quoted do not include revenue derived from the sale of bread to the Ministry of Defence and the social welfare homes, which is approximately $30,000 per month.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, it is not correct to say that Prison officers are resigning because they are not provided with fire-arms. In fact, every prison is equipped with sufficient modem weapons to cope with any situation. The armaments are backed by arrangements to rush reinforcements to any part of the prison within two minutes. However, in furtherance of our modern concept of rehabilitation through inculcation of good social values and attitudes in the prisoners and thus stimulate within them the desire to reform, officers performing duties within the prison are not provided with fire-arms. To do otherwise is not conducive to good officer/prisoner relationship, which is the foundation of rehabilitation. However, officers on custodial duties, such as guards posted on watch-towers or escorting prisoners to hospitals or the courts are fully armed. The majority of Prison officers of warder rank resigned perhaps because of working conditions, especially in maximum security prison. The unfavourable conditions are aggravated by a consistently high rate of turnover and a serious shortage of manpower over the last five years. Against our present background of enormous economic expansion and industrial activities, and consequently abundant employment opportunities, the salaries offered to the Prison officers are perhaps not sufficient enough to attract an adequate inflow of recruits. In this regard, the service conditions and salary structures will be examined by the recently appointed Prisons Reorganisation Committee, headed by the Permanent Secretary (Home Affairs), as part of the terms of reference of the Committee.”
“The courts are asked to pass heavy sentences on them, and to order the confiscation of their boats and equipment. Illegal immigrants manage to enter Singapore by landing at unauthorised landing spots. It is recognised that, in spite of the efforts so far, many illegal immigrants do manage to enter Singapore easily and remain undetected until much later. As an effort to stop or greatly reduce the inflow of illegal persons by sea, a special intelligence unit is being set up in the Immigration Department. The function of this unit is to penetrate into the organised syndicates, ambush traffickers or craft at the landing spots, and expose the local harbourers. It is hoped therefore that the efforts of this special intelligence unit will result in better control of illegal immigration. Regarding the point made by the Member for Anson about Malaysians overstaying, we are considering some measure of exit control, but that will take some time to implement. With regard to charging fees for extension of visas, that is a matter which I suppose my colleague, the Minister for Finance, will consider when he wants to increase the revenue.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, this problem of illegal immigration is largely presented by illegal immigrants entering Singapore by sea. Illegal immigrants enter Singapore in small craft, such as motorised boats, sampans, or sailing boats. It is believed that the majority of them are brought in by organised syndicates which handle the illegal trafficking of people between Singapore and the neighbouring countries. Interrogation of arrested illegal immigrants and their traffickers has revealed the various purposes of illegal entry, chief of which is that the majority of them have come to Singapore to seek employment. As the distance involved is short and the Singapore coastline is accessible to small craft, control of illegal entry is a difficult task. Within the resources available, concerted action has been, and is being, taken by the Police and Immigration Department against illegal entry and stay. The Marine Police patrolling the territorial waters of Singapore are on the lookout for small vessels which sneak in illegally. Members of the Police Force, on beat or other duty, carry out frequent checks to detect those who manage to enter illegally. Surprise checks and raids are carried out by the Immigration Department on information received. In addition, Divisional Police mount occasional surprise checks on the various worksites all over the Republic. Such concerted action throughout each year has resulted in arrests of over 1,500 illegal immigrants last year. It is, however, Snot possible to say exactly how many illegal immigrants enter Singapore every year, or how many remain here illegally. When illegal immigrants are arrested, they are detained, prosecuted, and, wherever possible, removed out of Singapore. Traffickers of illegal immigrants are severely dealt with.”
“But then the Member for Sembawang - it was quite clever of him to put it this way -said that the priority will not change because it is based on first come first served. He has forgotten one crucial point, because sometime ago I did announce in a Ministerial Statement in this Chamber that the allocation for housing as from the 1st August, 1973, will no longer be on a first come first served basis, but it will be on a priority basis based on the concept of a two-child family. In other words, those applicants with two children will have a higher priority after the 1st August, 1973. That nullifies the point made by the Member for Sembawang. I hope the Chairman of the Housing Allocations Committee will also bear that in mind. The point is that Members may not be aware of the fact that when this happens, then some of their voters who are citizens may have a lower priority. So I would like them to think very carefully before they advance these propositions because they might get themselves in hot water when they go back to their constituencies. About the point brought up by the Member for Anson that some non-citizens cannot get work, I do not think that is true, because they can always get a work permit now. As regards his point that a blue identity card holder, who is a permanent resident, should be considered for a certificate of identity so as to enable him to travel across the causeway, may I tell him this: if that person produces evidence that he is a stateless person and also that he is in urgent need to travel across the causeway, he will be granted a certificate of identity.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, when both the Members for Sembawang and Anson talk of persons who are now permanent residents but unable to get citizenship, may I say that most of them are responsible for their own plight. They could have acquired Singapore citizenship years ago without any difficulty, because in those days conditions for the granting of citizenship were much easier. But they would rather keep their options open then, and as such have elected to take their chances. If things in Singapore are not as good as they are today, I am sure there will be less demand for Singapore citizenship. As far as the citizenship policy of the Government is concerned, it is always kept under constant review. As a matter of policy, many of the applicants are kept under consideration so that, when conditions change or when circumstances make it possible for the Government to allow more people to become citizens, they may be favourably considered. Therefore, delay in finalising the applications means a source of hope. However, the Member is assured that there is no delay. Once a decision, on an application is made, action is taken to notify the applicant of the result immediately it is known. The Members for Sembawang and Anson said that circumstances have changed. Maybe circumstances with regard to employment and so on have changed, but one big problem at the moment is housing. That has not changed. The Member for Sembawang said that there is a waiting list of 60,000. The Member for Anson will know much more because he is the Chairman of the Allocations Committee. If we were to grant citizenship to more people, what will happen? The present waiting list of 60,000 will come up to 80,000 or even more.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not agree with the Member for Anson that we should second prison officers to the Central Narcotics Bureau. I think their job is quite different. The job is for the Customs or Police officers. Sir, information on drug trafficking is a different matter, and we do not need secondment of prison officers to the Bureau just to get information.”
“Sir, the other point brought up by the Member for Anson is that there are insufficient facilities to treat drug addicts. I am afraid I cannot agree with him on this. If I may be permitted, Sir, I would like to say something about the various facilities that are available for the treatment of drug addiction. Drug abusers who need medical attention will be treated within the existing framework of our medical services but at different levels. They are as follows: (1) The outpatient and school clinics will accept persons who may be brought in directly by the Police or other persons. (2) The drug-dependence clinic at Outram Road General Hospital is a referral centre and will deal with cases which need more specialised attention. (3) Alexandra Hospital is in the process of establishing a ward for addicts who require hospital care. (4) The Opium Treatment Centre at St. John's Island caters for addicts of all types of drugs. This is an isolation centre which provides diversional activities such as carpentry, rattan work, tailoring, horticulture, fish-rearing, and so on. Plans are afoot to reorganise and enlarge the Opium Treatment Centre. With regard to the suggestion by the Member for Changi that when we arrest a drug trafficker, we should make him take the drug; in other words, to give a dose of his own medicine, we will not do such a thing because to do so would mean adding another drug addict to our pool of drug addicts at the moment. This will, in fact, enlarge the problem. What we have done was to pass the Misuse of Drugs Act in this House recently, which provides very heavy mandatory penalties, including the rotan. I think that would be sufficient "medicine" for the drug traffickers. An hon. Member: They should be shot!”
“Sir, the Member for Anson has suggested expanding the Central Narcotics Bureau by getting the secondment of prison officers. I do not think we need prison officers, although we may need more police officers.”
“I doubt whether I am in a position to give transport allowance because if members of the Vigilante Corps get transport allowance, I am sure members of the Special Constabulary will also claim transport allowance. There will be no end to the matter. With regard to encouraging more volunteers to join the Vigilante Corps, of course, we will always encourage that. Mr Teong Eng Siong(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I did not get my figures wrong. I was referring to the Volunteer Vigilante Corps. There are only a few thousand volunteers in the Vigilante Corps. I am not referring to the National Service members. I quite agree that there are about 23,000 members in the Vigilante Corps who are national servicemen. But I was talking about members of the Vigilante Corps who are volunteers, and they number only a few thousand. I think the Minister did not hear me right, and said that my information was wrong. I therefore want to clarify the position. Anyway, Sir, the Minister has given a satisfactory reply, and I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“There are altogether 23,678 Vigilante Corps members. The other query he asked was: what duties do Vigilante Corps members normally perform? They do not perform duties, Mr Speaker, Sir, but they attend training once a week. However, members of the Corps are often called to augment the regular Police Force in crowd control, e.g. National Day Parade, Chingay procession, and so on. With regard to the training of National Service Vigilante Corps members, may I say that after having completed the first year of service, Vigilante Corps members will proceed to the next phase of training. They will be deployed for three years' service, but at the same time they will continue to attend training once a week for three hours. At the training centre, the men spend half the time in civil defence services, such as fire-fighting, first-aid, rescue and fire drill. The other half of the time is utilised in the promotion of one of three skills, i.e, sports, marine or cultural. Deployment units are also required to conduct an annual hike and overnight camp. A one-week unit in-camp is conducted during the first year of deployment training, and another week for a civil defence residential course in the third year. 4.15 p.m. With regard to uniforms, may I say that if we have the finance we would, of course, be very glad to issue new uniforms. But I do not think that if a Corps member puts on an old uniform, he is discouraged. In fact, one of the qualities which we want to promote among our Vigilante Corps members is thrift. Therefore, a good example of thrift is to put on a uniform which is not new. With regard to transport allowance, I have looked into the matter.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, may I correct one statement by the Member for Sembawang which I think is incorrect? He has stated that at the moment only a few thousand Vigilante Corps members remain. That is not correct. Mr Teong Eng Siong rose -”
“I entirely agree with the Member for Sembawang. In fact, this is what we have done. Where Police work can be done by females, we see to it that they are done by women police constables. For example, we have gone round to the various departments of the Police, and whenever we find that the work can be done by a woman police constable, such as clerical work, the male police constable is released to do other jobs.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, my explanation is quite simple. The Member for Anson himself has stated the reason why we do so - he did mention the point about security. May I add that the traffic problem has to be considered too. That is why we have advised them that if they wanted to have a vehicular procession, perhaps they could think of motorising the chariot. As the Member for Changi has just remarked, we have to keep up with the times. Conditions have changed, and our roads and traffic have also changed.”
“Sorry, Mr Speaker, Sir, to have left that out. With regard to the anti-vandalism campaign, may I say that it is part of the crime prevention campaign which has been organised by the Police Force throughout the year. We have been doing this in a number of ways. One is the Police Week open house and exhibitions and crime prevention for festive seasons. The Police Week for 1972 was held at the Singapore Conference Hall concourse and at various community centres. This year, the Police Week will be held at the Victoria Memorial Hall in June. Open houses and exhibitions were introduced in September 1972. These open houses and exhibitions are held over a period of three days at different times at the Headquarters station of the eight land divisions. To-date, five open houses and exhibitions have been held. The next one will be held at the Beach Road Police Station from 30th March to 1st April, 1973. The crime prevention campaign for festive seasons for 1972-73 was conducted from 1st November, 1972 to 28th February, 1973. The purpose of this campaign is to plan, co-ordinate, and implement counter-measures to combat crime, including vandalism, theft of motor-cars and motor-car parts, in a more concerted and aggressive manner. These various campaigns, public warnings and crime preventive measures to be taken by the public are widely publicised through the mass media. In addition, pictorial and graphic exhibits labelled with a distinct crime prevention message in each case are also displayed.”
“Ariff(In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, what I meant was the anti-vandalism campaign as a lot of public telephones have been damaged.”
“There have been applications for religious processions which involve pulling a chariot with bullocks. This was in connection with processions on Lord Krishna's Birthday. As these animals were banned from the streets of Singapore - Members may remember the Cattle Act that we had passed some years ago - organisers should consider the use of a motorised chariot. I believe the Member for Sembawang spoke about the recruitment of non-citizens into our Police Force. May I say this to him? It has always been the aim to fill all vacancies in the Police Force with Singapore citizens. Unfortunately, in our recent recruitment drives, the response from Singapore citizens has been poor. There are various contributory factors, one of which is the raising of the minimum qualifications for entry. At the moment the qualifications are the Singapore Cambridge GCE Examination with a minimum of three Ordinary levels, whereas previously a Secondary II certificate would suffice. Moreover, many others who have the necessary qualifications are enlisted into full-time national service on leaving school. Those who have completed full-time national service prefer to take up jobs in the private sector. Therefore, this recruitment of foreigners is an interim measure which will cease immediately when the response from local citizens is sufficiently good to cope with the needs of the Police Force. Lastly, something about what the Member for Kampung Kembangan has said - WOGs and anti-WOGs campaign. Although we can organise a "Keep Singapore Roads Accident-Free Campaign" or "Keep Singapore Clean Campaign", I do not think we can organise an "Anti-Nylon Stockings Campaign". I do not think it is possible. 4.00 p.m. Tuan Haji Mohd.”
“The mass media is also co-operating not only by giving less publicity to long-haired characters and their activities but also giving due prominence to speeches by Members of Parliament, like some of our Members here, and other responsible persons critical of long hair. The National Sports Promotion Board has also issued a circular to sports bodies drawing their attention to the anti-long hair rule and requesting their co-operation in implementing it. The Action Committee, which I have just mentioned, is also discussing as to what further effective action can be taken to discourage males from drifting towards the hedonistic way of life represented by long hair and hippism. May I come to the Member for Anson and his religious procession? As a rule, religious foot processions in the streets are not allowed. An exception to this rule is Thaipusam kavadis, which are not similar to other foot processions in that they comprise individuals who proceed from one temple to another in fulfilment of individual vows. In issuing permit for kavadis, the following conditions are imposed: that kavadi carriers must proceed singly or in small groups, and by the shortest route to the designated temple. Permits may be granted for religious foot processions to be held within the grounds of churches, temples, mosques and suraus. In the case of Kiew Ong Yah and other religious processions involving deities, permits are granted for processions but these are subject to the following: (a) Only vehicular processions are allowed. (b) Distances travelled must be the shortest possible route from point to point. (c) No music, gongs, drums or cymbals shall be played en route. (d) The procession will be restricted to small groups in vehicles, and (e) There shall be no stoppage en route.”
“Quite recently, my Ministry has also set up an Action Committee, chaired by a very senior officer of my Ministry, comprising representatives of other Ministries and statutory bodies to co-ordinate action to implement the anti-long hair policy. The Ministry of Finance which is represented on this Committee, in consultation with the Public Service Commission, is looking into the question of suitable penalties for civil servants who contravene the instruction on clothing and hair style. The Ministry of Education, I understand, has also directed all schools to ensure that male pupils keep their hair short and neat. Assurances of co-operation also have been received from the institutions of higher learning anti from representatives of the Chambers of Commerce. The Ministry of Labour is also paying due attention to the longhaired males who apply for work permits. So is the Immigration Department, in the case of applications for immigration clearance. Foreigners with long hair, wishing to enter Singapore on a visit, are required to cut their hair short before they are allowed in at the various check points. Returning Singapore students with long unkempt hair are required to surrender their passport to the Immigration officers on arrival. Their passports will be returned to them after they have cut their hair short. Persons with long unkempt hair also stand the risk of being checked by the Police, as they invariably look suspicious. The question of how to deal with long-haired performers in night clubs and places of entertainment is under discussion with the Tourist Promotion Board and the Ministry of Culture.”
“On the specific point referred to by the Member for Toa Payoh concerning traffic accidents in the Toa Payoh constituency, may I say that the Accident Prevention Committee, which I referred to just now, had already studied and analysed the traffic situation in Toa Payoh, and it has taken the following remedial actions: (1) Nine of the 27 openings in-between road dividers have been closed. (2) Traffic lights have been installed at road junctions in Toa Payoh East and Lorong 6, Lorong 1 and Lorong 2, and Lorong 2 and Toa Payoh Central. An all-red period has been incorporated into the above traffic light system. (3) Pedestrian crossing lights will be installed along Lorong 3. (4) Installation of pedestrian crossing lights at Lorong 6, near Poi Ching School and Pei Chun Public School, is under consideration. There is a list of all these remedies, but I do not want to waste the time of the House by enumerating them. If the Member for Toa Payoh is interested, and if he were to write to me, I will give him all the details. So much for the traffic problem. The next point I would like to touch on is about long hair, brought up by the Members for Sembawang and Kampung Kembangan. May I say that there is a standing instruction, contained in I.M. No. 2, saying that Government officers must at all times wear clothing and hair style that give an appearance of neatness and decorum, and that outlandish or flashy clothings and unduly long and unkempt hair styles should be avoided. My Ministry has, by circular, reminded all its staff of this standing instruction and requested heads of departments to enforce the rules strictly.”
“Of course, the Member for Katong has experience in this sort of campaign while he was a member of the Safety First Council.”
“In a recent case, a driver was jailed for six months and disqualified from driving for five years for causing death along Mountbatten Road in October, 1972. Perhaps that road is within the Katong constituency. This conviction and disqualification was widely publicised by the press and the RTS. The traffic police recognise that traffic education is an integral part of Police traffic supervision and make every effort, including enlisting the assistance of the mass media, to educate the public on road safety. In this connection, we are thinking of launching a nation-wide "Keep our Singapore Roads Accident-Free Campaign" in 1974, along the lines of the "Keep Singapore Clean Campaign". However, in order to ensure the success of such a campaign, we have to put our own house in order first. We are therefore reorganising the Traffic Police Department and are also looking into, as suggested by the Member for Katong, the traffic legislation with a view to up-dating them so that at the end of the Campaign we will be in a position to strictly enforce the law. It will not be possible to achieve success unless this nation-wide campaign succeeds in getting everybody to participate in it, not only the motorists but also the pedestrians as well, just as everybody was involved in the Keep Singapore Clean Campaign. I hope we might be able to get the Member for Katong, who is very interested in this subject, to help us in organising this nation-wide campaign. Mr Conceicao: Yes, I will help.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, first of all I would like to take the point about traffic, which has been brought up by the Members for Katong, Toa Payoh and Anson. I entirely agree with them that the traffic situation in Singapore is becoming a serious problem, especially with the increasing number of road accidents. However, may 1 point out the prevention of traffic accidents is not the sole responsibility of the traffic police, it also concerns departments in the other Ministries. Therefore, the traffic police maintain close liaison with the PWD and the ROV to improve traffic facilities, such as devising schemes to facilitate vehicular and pedestrian movements on the road, and introducing necessary legislation to enhance road safety. In fact, they have recently formed art Accident Prevention Committee consisting of representatives of these departments. A selective enforcement squad within the traffic police was formed in October, 1972, to carry out more effectively the selective enforce ment policy in respect of specific offences. Besides, the traffic police initiate as well as participate actively in road safety campaigns, which are always extensively publicised through the mass media. Towards the end of last year the traffic police launched a road safety campaign to educate motorcyclists, scooterists and trishaw-riders. In February this year, as Members are aware, the traffic police also participated in the Road Safety Campaign organised by the National Safety First Council and the Automobile Association. With regard to convictions, may I say that in all convictions in respect of prevalent offences, the traffic police urge for deterrent sentences.”
“Sir, these quarters, which the Member for Tiong Bahru referred to, were built by the former Singapore Improvement Trust for the Outram Road General Hospital. I agree that they provide relatively poor accommodation by present-day standards; for example, the toilets are communal, as mentioned by the Member. Consideration will therefore be given to the construction of new quarters in the re-development of the Outram Road General Hospital. Regarding expediting the applications of these Medical and Health servants for Housing Board flats, may I say that these applications go through the Medical Superintendent's Office. They are then forwarded to the Housing Board with recommendations for assistance for suitable flats. The rest is up to the Housing Board. As the Member knows at the moment there is heavy pressure on the Housing and Development Board for allocation of flats.”
“This half-way home is to rehabilitate them and to readjust them back to normal life with their families, so that they will not be a problem to their families when they eventually return home. The Member for Anson mentioned the case of a patient who went to Thomson Road General Hospital but could not get himself treated for a compound fracture. May I correct the misapprehension of the Member for Anson? He thinks that all hospitals can deal with complicated cases. In fact, if you have a compound fracture, it is an orthopaedic case. It is a case for the specialist. As far as Thomson Road General Hospital is concerned, it is not as big a hospital as Outram Road General Hospital. It has less than 400 beds, and it is therefore not possible to provide every speciality in that particular hospital. Orthopaedic surgery is one speciality which cannot be provided in the Thomson Road General Hospital. Therefore, if there is a case of complicated fracture, it has to be referred to the Orthopaedic Unit of the Outram Road General Hospital. The case in question, which the Member for Anson brought up, is this: when the patient came up to the Thomson Road General Hospital, the surgeon there wanted to deal with the case on an emergency basis. At the same time the surgeon did explain to the patient that it would be better if he were treated in the Orthopaedic Unit of the Outram Road General Hospital. The father of the patient concerned was quite happy to go to the Outram Road General Hospital, instead of being treated first on a preliminary basis in the Thomson Road General Hospital. Of course, in that event he had to wait because the orthopaedic surgeon had to be contacted. In fact, the orthopaedic surgeon was eventually contacted, and the patient was sent to the Outram.”
“The' other point about ordinary doctors is a matter which, I think, the Minister for Finance did indicate that as far as the lower echelon of the civil service is concerned, a revision of their salaries will take place. That is a matter which squarely rests with the Minister for Finance. The point raised by the Member for Toa Payoh concerns mental cases which have been discharged from Woodbridge Hospital. I fully sympathise with the plight of some of the families who have to take back their relatives who have been discharged from the Woodbridge Hospital. May I say this: the modern trend in psychiatric care is to admit mentally-ill patients into a psychiatric hospital only if they require active psychiatric treatment. As far as possible, patients should be treated as outpatients so that they will not lose their connection with their families and the community. This method of treatment is not only economical but it also prevents the patient from deteriorating as a result of prolonged stay in an institution. Outpatient management does in certain instances result in a social problem to families and neighbours, especially if they stay in a Housing Board flat, as stated by the Member for Toa Payoh. The solution is to develop psychiatric day-centres, and it is intended to include this in the future development of the Outram Road General Hospital. Such day-centres sometimes referred to as day hospitals are, in fact, identical to the creche that we see in our community. In the meantime, a half-way home i being set up in Sembawang - perhaps the Member for Sembawang will take note of this - for mental patients who are about to be discharged from Woodbridge Hospital.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, if I may first answer the last speaker, i.e, the Member for Kim Seng. I have very little to quarrel with what he has just said. With regard to shortage of doctors, if he had, in fact, followed some of my speeches made as far back as 18 months ago, he would have heard me say that because of our expanding programme of development for the medical specialities and so on, we would be short of doctors. As regards recruitment of - doctors, since we are short of doctors, we cannot he very discriminating as to whether they are citizens or non-citizens. If we have our own citizens among them, they will be given first choice. If we have not got applications from our citizens, we recruit non-citizens. The other point is about the intake of students in the medical school. We have done our very best to encourage students to go into the medical school and, after graduation, to come into our service. One of the steps which the Ministry of Health has done was to have a traineeship scheme whereby ordinary doctors can at the shortest possible time qualify themselves to become specialists. That, in itself, has been quite a great attraction to many medical officers. On the point of conditions of service and pay of ordinary doctors and nurses, may I say that, as far as nurses are concerned, a decision was recently handed down by the Industrial Arbitration Court. In fact, the Court made awards to raise the salaries of nurses quite substantially and it even elevated the divisional status of nurses. Therefore, I would say that the terms and conditions of service and pay of the nurses are now on par with the other services which have got salary revisions.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, for the information of the Member for Anson, when a voter changes his address, he must report directly to the Commissioner of National Registration or to those community centres designated for this purpose. At the moment, there are 82 centres in 63 constituencies to which they can make a report of a change of address. All these reported changes of address are notified to the Elections Department, which will then compile a list known as List B. A separate List B will be compiled for each of the 65 electoral divisions and will be exhibited for public inspection for a period of 14 days upon an annual revision of the Registers of Electors. This annual revision of Registers is always announced on TV, over radio and the press. I therefore advise every voter to inspect the electoral registers at any of these 82 centres, whenever it is announced that these registers are open for public inspection. Every elector who has reported a change of address should also inspect the Registers of Electors during such an annual revision. In addition, members of the public can always go to the Elections Department at City Hall to seek advice on this and other election matters. Further, whenever an election takes place, polling cards are sent to all electors at their last known official addresses. Those who fail to receive polling cards can go to the Elections Department for such cards.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in answer to the question raised by the Member for Kampung Kembangan, I would say that hon. Members will receive a bound copy, with an index, of the current volume 32 of the Official Report of Parliamentary debates, i.e, the Hansard, in addition to the loose copies or the single issues which they are now receiving. However, commencing with the next volume, that is, Volume 33, it is proposed to supply Members only with the loose copies or the single issues of the Official Report. Nevertheless Members may have their loose copies bound with an index, free of charge, through the Clerk of Parliament. When the volume for this series is closed, the Clerk will notify hon. Members so that those Members who wish to have their loose copies bound can send them to him for binding. Tuan Haji Mohd. Ariff(In Malay): Sir, in view of the reply, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The following amendment stood in the name of Tuan Haji Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi - (2) That the sum to be allocated for Head 0105 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2011.”
“- [Mr Chua Sian Chin]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. SECURITIES INDUSTRY BILL Order for Second Reading read. 3.48 p.m.”