David T E Lim
Singapore
“Our entrepreneurs need to feel that they are heroes and not left-behinds, and be motivated by this feeling to attempt great things. We need a civil and a civic society, where people believe that this is where their heart and home is. Such outcomes are helped by the right economic policies.”
“As the CRC process demonstrates, the views of the public are widely canvassed when developing censorship policies. Likewise, we have many advisory and review and appeal committees. The public inputs are obtained to guide the implementation of censorship rules.”
“With Members' support and working closely with partners from relevant Government agencies and the private sector, MITA will endeavour to develop the design and media industries, and we will endeavour to make the creative industries a cornerstone of our economy.”
“Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. ADJOURNMENT Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn to Monday, 25th November 2002." - [Mr Mah Bow Tan]. Adjourned accordingly at Six minutes past Seven o'clock pm to Monday, 25th November 2002.”
“He receives this amount whether or not he appeals to the Land Acquisition Appeals Board. Once he vacates the premises, he receives the remaining 80%. We have no knowledge of any land owner who has been made a bankrupt by the mortgagee bank because of the compensation amount awarded.”
“Sir, Dr Khor's question is whether we could consider sub-titling. We have said that we would explore this. But sub-titling means that it is no longer signing. It is put into a form that is in a regular language, so to speak.”
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“This helps to solidify a Singapore identity and it contributes to nation building. So I hope Mr Yeo will agree with me that spending a little bit more money on local dramas is perhaps well worthwhile. In any case, many of them do travel overseas and are quite comfortable. Mr Chew Heng Ching asked a specific question about the Programme Advisory Committee regarding Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Charm. I am neither a vampire slayer nor very charming, but the intent of the Programme Advisory Committee was more to caution about violence and supernatural content in these programmes and not to recommend their removal. We do recognise that again there are a variety of interests and some people do enjoy these programmes. Finally, may I address the question that Mdm Claire Chiang brought up about allocating air time or setting preferential rates in the local media for community services. She has given many good reasons why it is useful for us to publicise and raise social awareness about the services provided and also the purpose of these voluntary welfare organisations. But I think it is better that we keep separate commercial decisions and community service decisions. As Mdm Chiang herself has pointed out, air time is very expensive. So there is a real opportunity cost involved. But if we keep these decisions separate, I think it ensures that media companies will run their businesses competitively but without ignoring their role in the community. So we can leave it to SPH or MCS to decide on the rates that they want to charge for commercial services as well as to what amount of discounts or sponsorship they are willing or able to provide for community services.”
“Dr Ho Tat Kin also asked about CNA and whether we could not encourage it to go world-wide now that it has taken the first step to go to Asia. Yes, but again, we must not forget that CNA is barely one year old and going into the region already involves a great commitment of resources. Going beyond the region will require even more. So I think we should take it one step at a time. But in the meanwhile, if you really want to watch CNA and happen to be in New York, you can always tune on the Internet, especially if you have got broadband. 4.00 pm Mr Yeo Guat Kwang made a suggestion about buying more foreign Chinese drama rather than producing them locally. Local dramas are very popular. As Mdm Claire Chiang said, the series Stepping Out received a very good reception. She mentioned the figure of 900,000 viewers. I have a slightly more modest figure, but I think they are in the same order of magnitude. But the value of local dramas lies beyond just the popularity. Local dramas may deal with the same themes as foreign dramas, whether they be about love affairs or about entrepreneurs, but they are set in the familiar surroundings that Singaporeans can resonate with, the buildings, the costumes, the language, even the little vignettes, the stories within stories. These tend to bring out a warmer and more personal reception among Singaporeans. This is a good thing. In the Internet age, we run the risk that people will lose common experiences. We watch different movies, we subscribe to different magazines, we go to different places on holiday. So having dramas produced locally that everyone can relate to and talk about creates shared experiences. These are the basis on which we give meaning to shared values.”
“Sir, my Minister has dealt with the broad vision and the direction of the arts and media industry. Now let me deal with the field of more practical and easier questions. Mr Chew Heng Ching and Mr Seng Han Thong have asked if MCS has sufficient talents and financial resources to meet the challenges of competition. The short answer is yes, but the rate of change in the media industry is accelerating and MCS will have to move even more quickly. It is preparing to list on the Stock Exchange within the next one or two years. This will sharpen their commercial sense and I think it will also enable them to better retain talent because they will be able to pay more market oriented compensation packages. Sir, a number of Members have made various suggestions about changes to TV programming. They have suggested that we should have more coverage of Parliament, more coverage for Tamil programmes, more sports, more arts, more Chinese current affairs, more Chinese children's programmes and more educational programmes. I think the only thing they said less of was the news. I am not sure that reflects anything. At least, I think it reflects diversity in our society and how we are changing and how our interests are broadening out. I think MCS will be glad with all the Members' feedback, but the principle is this. Unless there is an audience, it is not commercially viable for MCS to put on the programme. You take Parliament, for example. We put on a live telecast debate some years back, and less than 1% of people viewed that programme. So it is not just a matter of putting on more programming but also ensuring that there is an audience for it, because what is the point if you screen something and nobody watches it. Then you might as well not screen it at all.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, by asking the question, Mdm Chiang has given us the opportunity to allay this rumour. NATIONAL LIBRARY (Retention) 2. Mr Simon S. C. Tay asked the Minister for National Development why the Urban Redevelopment Authority has not seen fit to reply to public suggestions on ways in which the existing National Library can be retained.”
“Finally, this Bill also empowers the Armed Forces Council to make provisions for loans and other benefits out of both the SAVER Plan and the Premium Plan. This would include the provision of flexible benefits for servicemen and their families under the Premium Plan. MINDEF intends to implement the Premium Plan on 31st March 2000 for all newly-enlisted Specialists. Existing Warrant Officers and Specialists will be offered an option to convert to the Premium Plan, and transfer the accumulated benefits from their current schemes of service to the new Plan. Sir, quality manpower is a key pillar of the SAF's defence capabilities. The Premium Plan aims to attract the quality manpower that the SAF needs, by providing first class careers in the SAF that are both challenging and rewarding. 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 David T. E. Lim]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. RECLAMATION AT PULAU UBIN AND PULAU TEKONG”
“As part of the "New Partnership", in 1998, MINDEF implemented the SAVER Plan, which replaced the Pensionable, CPF Plus and Contract schemes, for uniformed Officers. But it is not enough to revamp the manpower management system of the Officer Corps alone. The SAF requires good people at every level to ensure that it can continue to perform its role effectively. The non-officer corps is just as important, as it forms the backbone of the SAF. A review was therefore commissioned in 1998 to revamp the career structures and remuneration mechanisms of military Warrant Officers and Specialists. As part of this review, MINDEF has developed a new scheme of service, to be called the Premium Plan, to support the career structures of military Warrant Officers and Specialists, in the same way the SAVER Plan supported the career structure for military Officers. The Premium Plan will meet the needs of Warrant Officers and Specialists at different stages of their careers. Under the Premium Plan, MINDEF will provide a gratuity for the serviceman after his 10th year of service, and thereafter contribute an amount, based on his monthly salary, into his Premium Plan accounts. Because the objectives and mechanisms of the SAVER and Premium Plans are broadly similar, funds in both Plans will be pooled and invested as a joint "SAVER-Premium Fund". Investment returns from this Fund will be credited into each serviceman's individual accounts. The Fund would adopt a similar structure of governance and the same Board of Trustees as the existing SAVER Fund. The accumulated balance in the Premium Plan accounts will be given to the servicemen when they retire after serving a full career with the SAF. Those who leave earlier will get a smaller sum, depending on their length of service.”
“Although there have been very few cases of officers of the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and above who have had to be summarily dealt with, the proposed amendments will provide Service Chiefs and the Chief of Defence Force an appropriate and responsive means of dealing with offences committed by their senior officers. Parliament is requested to approve the amendments. Premium Plan and SAVER-Premium Fund Sir, I now turn to the amendments concerning the Premium Plan and the SAVER-Premium Fund. The subsequent clauses of the Bill seek to establish the legislative framework for the implementation of the Premium Plan for military Warrant Officers and Specialists. Provisions are also made for consequential amendments to the Pension Fund Act. Sir, allow me to briefly explain the rationale for the introduction of the Premium Plan, and how it relates to the SAVER Plan for military Officers which the House had endorsed in March 1998. The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is the guarantor of our national security. The SAF is a credible deterrent because of the dedication and professionalism of its personnel. To maintain this edge, the SAF must be able to recruit, train and retain enough quality Officers, Warrant Officers and Specialists who are able to meet its high standards of commitment and professionalism. It is with this objective in mind that MINDEF formulated the "New Partnership" programme for our military Officers in 1997. The "New Partnership" programme is a total revamp of the manpower management system of the SAF, making fundamental changes to the career structure, remuneration package and career management and performance management of our personnel.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be read a Second time." The Bill before this House seeks, inter-alia, to amend the SAF Act to rationalise the disciplinary powers for dealing with officers of the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and above, and to establish a new scheme of service for SAF military Warrant Officers and Specialists. The new scheme of service, to be called the Premium Plan, is intended to replace the current Pensionable, Full CPF and Contract schemes of service. Summary Trial System for Senior Officers Sir, I would like to highlight the key aspects of the Bill. Clauses 1 to 10 propose refinements to the summary trial system for SAF senior officers by empowering the Service Chiefs to summarily try errant officers of the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. Correspondingly, the jurisdiction of the Chief of Defence Force and the Senior Disciplinary Committee should be realigned. [Mr Deputy Speaker in the Chair] 4.55 pm The SAF (Amendment) Act 1994 was passed by Parliament on 26th February 1994. One of the amendments empowers the Chief of Defence Force to summarily try officers of Lieutenant-Colonel rank and a Senior Disciplinary Committee to summarily deal with officers of Colonel rank and above. The SAF has, since then, further rationalised the summary trial system for its senior officers. It is now proposed that the Service Chiefs, ie, Chief of Army, Chief of Air Force and Chief of Navy, be vested with powers to summarily deal with officers of Lieutenant-Colonel rank, the Chief of Defence Force be empowered to deal summarily with officers of Colonel rank, and the Senior Disciplinary Committee be given the authority to summarily deal with officers of the rank of Brigadier General rank and above.”
“For re-training is often difficult for older workers, family members can provide encouragement and emotional support for other members who are struggling to learn new skills. But in the final analysis, it is the individual himself who must want to learn. We cannot force people to learn just as we cannot force parents to send their children to school. The Government can provide funds and facilities. But ultimately, it is up to Singaporeans whether they have the right attitude towards learning and towards competing. If we truly believe that our future lies in making Singapore a centre of opportunities for all, then we must have the courage and the resolve to act on this conviction and welcome foreign talents, with a Singapore 21 attitude - an open mind and a big heart. For after all, we ourselves are a nation of immigrants. Take away the foreigners and new citizens in Singapore today, and you will immediately stunt our growth. Take away Singaporeans of one generation ago, those of us who have one parent at least who was born overseas, and I would not be standing here speaking to you today. Take away two generations and a third of our civil service might well disappear. Take away three generations and the first Cabinet would have only comprised Senior Minister Lee and one other Minister. We would have had no Singapore. Singapore in the 20th century has earned itself the reputation of being a miracle economy. In the 21st century, our hope is that we, an immigrant people who have made Singapore our home, will earn the reputation of being a distinctive people, one who are united in our quest to make a nation out of a country. And it is towards that hope that I support this motion.”
“Some countries are shutting their doors to talents, thinking that this is a better way to protect the jobs of their citizens. They are wrong. We must not fall into this trap. We continue to attract MNCs to Singapore today because they can bring the needed talents to create new activities in Singapore. If we shut out their talents, their ability to hire the right people, they would go elsewhere and we would lose out a whole generation of growth. That is something that we might never survive. The truth for Singapore is that we must always compete to succeed and compete we can. We heard on May Day from Mr Lim Boon Heng that BERI and other rating agencies have rated us the best labour force in the world, the best for the last 19 years. Our economy is rated as the second most competitive. Our management talents are much sought after. Our kids outperform kids from developed countries. We have good people and a good foundation from which to move on. Only we must never tire of learning. Our Subject Committee made several recommendations on life-long learning which we hope will bear fruit. I am happy to note that MOM is working out a Manpower 21 plan which will bring life-long learning to life. I think we can trust MOM to look after us. But it takes more than just MOM and the Government to bring about life-long learning. After all, Singapore 21 is about everybody acting on what he believes. For example, employers play a part. They must focus on building strong companies, and not just on raising stock prices. One practical way to do this is by continually upgrading the skills of their staff. Families can play a part too.”
“Competition cannot be avoided. It is better that they are here to compete with us than somewhere else competing against us. It is better that they are here to help us build new capability. Sir, the basis of competition has changed. There is a powerful new trend which we must recognise. And to see this, we need to go back a chapter in our history. In the 60s, many newly independent countries had a sense of new found pride and nationalism. Thinking that they had come of age, they raised tariff barriers and locked out the foreign investors. They thought by doing so, they would protect the infant industries. The result was that they lost out on investments and their growth was slow. Singapore did the reverse. We removed all barriers and we even gave incentives for foreign investors to put their money here in Singapore. At that time, we were called names. I remember as a young student in Australia, and this was already into the early 70s, receiving pamphlets saying that the Singapore Government was exploiting its people, that we were selling out to the big businesses and that we were prostituting the people of Singapore. They called us stooges, lackeys, all kinds of names. But the result was growth and prosperity for Singaporeans and for Singapore companies. Our local companies today, local successes like Serial Systems, JIT Electronics, YCH, would not be around today without the MNCs, without IBM, without Motorola, without DuPont, without these large companies creating the baseload for their enterprise to flourish. But those countries which shut out MNCs lost out. Today, the same pattern is repeating itself. Only this time, the issue is not investments but talent.”
“When I did a radio phone-in session a couple of weeks ago, a lady called up. She said she was a hairdresser and she was being pushed out of the market by cheap imports from neighbouring countries. Sir, I have been to the same hairdresser for the last eight years. I have never quarrelled with her over the price she charges me and, in fact, I often tip her. She knows every bristle on my head. She knows exactly how I want it cut and she will stay late, if I am running late that particular day, just to cut my hair. She gives me service and she beats out all the foreign competition. This is the way we must move ahead. Sir, on the common misconception that PRs are not required to do national service, this is not so. Yes, for practical reasons, first generation PRs are often exempted from NS, mostly because of their age, and the impracticality of training them together with 18 year olds. It is a bit hard for a 40-year old, a bit heavy in the middle to keep up with the younger ones. But their male children, the second generation PRs are not exempt. A final protest against foreign talent is that immigrants make us work harder. They are the cause of our lost dream. The better life we thought we would enjoy at the turn of the century seems to have faded away. We cannot relax, we cannot enjoy life. Sir, these feelings may be real, but the logic is false. Immigrants are not the reason why we have to work hard. It is the global economy. We compete, or we fall away. But our dream is not dead. We can still find fulfilment and satisfaction in life, if we work hard, if we work smart, and we broaden the definition of success. In the end, blaming our problems on others would not solve it. If we lose out on a promotion, is it because the other chap is foreign, or because he is better?”
“If we go to the Silicon Valley or the Boston Belt, we will find that not every talent there is made in America, but they come from all four corners of the world. So to succeed, we must maintain a porous border which allows talent to flow freely in. Yes, they will come to tap the opportunities which we offer. But in that process, they will create even more opportunities for all Singaporeans. I am glad that from the newspaper reports, TV shows and radio phone-ins, most Singaporeans support this policy of attracting foreign talents. This House has also debated this issue in the past, and I am glad to see that we are all of one mind on this issue. But there are still many Singaporeans who still have doubts on how we should go about doing this. We must lay these doubts to rest so that we can get on with the task of building our society. Some doubt whether the people who come to Singapore are real talents. Others question whether there is fair play, if PRs do not have to do national service. Such doubts are not unexpected. Fairness is important. We opened up this subject perhaps at the worst possible time when we are in the midst of an economic crisis and rising unemployment. So we can well understand the emotions which welled up and the personal interest that participants took in the subject matter. But it would be wrong to let our emotions overplay such doubts. There are controls and safeguards in place through our employment permit system. And we must recognise that market forces will always check potential abuses. Private employers will not hire people who have no talent and who create no value. For them, the issue is not foreign or local, but who can do the job, and who can create more value for the price paid? The best man or woman gets the job.”
“At this juncture, what I would like to do is to take a pause and just thank all the members of my subject committee - it was a committee on attracting talents versus looking after the needs of Singaporeans - and all the people in Singapore that we met and talked with. It was a privilege for Mr Seng Han Thong and myself to have led the discussions and to have been educated in the process. Sir, in practical terms, being a centre of opportunity means making Singapore a place where every Singaporean can have a good job, and do and enjoy the things he treasures the most. It is the practical way to give meaning to our belief that everybody matters and everyone makes a contribution. But jobs and opportunities do not fall from the sky. We have to make them happen. Good jobs are created by talented people. But the best of our talents are mobile. If there are no opportunities here, they will seek opportunities elsewhere. And if they go, who will be left to create the opportunities in Singapore? So it is a circular cost and effect. If we get it wrong, it will be a downward spiral. But if we get it right, then we can create good jobs in Singapore. Our talented people will stay and they will create even better jobs. To get it right, we must be able to keep pace with the rest of the world as it races along. We cannot do this alone. As a small country, we will always have the problem of not having enough people to go around in every sector of the economy. From biochemists to bankers - we simply do not have the critical mass to be self-sustaining. Mr Chuang Shaw Peng pointed out earlier this afternoon that even in America, with 260 million people, they are self-sustaining in talent.”
“I am sorry he is out of order. It is a pity that Mr J. B. Jeyaretnam is not here. Otherwise, he could make his clarification. Mr J. B. Jeyaretnam's main point is that we do not have an open society in Singapore. He complains that the opposition politicians cannot speak without a permit. But earlier this afternoon, during the Question time, I thought he distinctly said that we should make sure that we enforce the law so that people will not have disrespect for the law. It puzzles me as to what he is now advocating, whether he advocates that opposition politicians should be given special differentiation to disregard the law or whether he encourages them to wilfully disobey the law because that is the model of the opposition he advocates. Sir, Mr J. B. Jeyaretnam says that the Report is full of platitudes. Indeed, if we all adopted his attitude, it would only be just that. If we read this Report and do nothing about the ideas in them, then all these statements will be lifeless. They would just be slogans that all of us would know about but none of us would care much about. But if we act on these ideas, then they will come alive. The challenge for us is that every Singaporean must examine each goal, and ask ourselves whether we truly believe what is written in this Report. When we say that every Singaporean matters, if we believe it, will we change our behaviour towards others? If we say that we want strong families, will we set time aside, as Mr Seng Han Thong does every year, to go for holidays with his family? One aspect of our vision is about making Singapore a centre of opportunity. We have to act on this too to make it a reality.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, thank you for allowing me to join in the debate. Like many of the other Members in this House, I listened to the Prime Minister's speech this afternoon and was greatly encouraged. The Prime Minister had taken the trouble to read the S21 Report from cover to cover. Not only that, he had taken the time to reflect on its import and messages. He came to this House and he encouraged us but at the same time cautioned us that there are still forces within our society, from our heritage, from our history that can divide and break us up. But he ended with an encouraging word that if we concentrate on those overlapping circles and shared interests, we can build a nation out of a country. Sir, I contrast this with the remarks by Mr J. B. Jeyaretnam which sought to discourage us and to pour cold water on this debate. And the irony of it is that he admits that he has not yet read the Report but has only taken a glance at it. He reminds me of what a consultant once told me about why some meetings are not productive. And he says that when you go to such meetings, there are only two kinds of people, those who are talking and those who are waiting to talk. I presume that Mr J. B. Jeyaretnam has been waiting to talk and now that he has spoken, he has left. But he has failed to listen and read. Mr Simon Tay wanted to make some clarification. I do not know if he still wants to do it. But if he does, I will give the floor to him.”
“The discrepancies between these accounts were due to errors during the migration to a new financial system from the old one. MINDEF is taking action to clean up the data in the new financial system. I would emphasise that in this process, there has not been any loss of public funds. The new system has stabilised and we have since been able to reconcile these records monthly with the Accountant-General's Department. Finally, on the incorrect confirmation of balances in advance accounts, this came about as follows: 65 receipts collected by MINDEF were temporarily posted to miscellaneous receipt revenue account in the Accountant-General's Department's system as the nature of these receipts could not be determined at the time of posting. When the details of the collections became known, adjustments which should have been raised to adjust the accounts were made accordingly.”
“To further enhance compliance with procurement procedures, in the coming procurement seminar, we will be emphasising accountability and transparency in public procurement by highlighting the lapses that have occurred and the steps taken to tighten controls. In line with Ministry of Finance's requirement, agencies handling procurement will also be required to provide annual declarations that they have complied with all procurement policies and procedures. On the issue of breakdown on budgetary control, I would like to assure the House that there was no improper transfer of funds, nor was there any loss of public funds. MINDEF's previous practice was to update each of the transfers in the computer system after it was approved by the relevant approving authority. The various transfers were then consolidated and a transfer warrant raised for them. This practice, although more efficient, was not in conformance with the prescribed procedure. MINDEF has stopped this practice. A transfer warrant is now issued before a transfer fund is updated into the computer system. In the interest of time, I would also like to inform the House that the other cases of wrong payments and in-camp training pay have been investigated and over-payments have been recovered. Monies raised by MINDEF for charity, National Day celebrations and other projects have also been accounted for. I move to Mr Low's concern about the discrepancies in the confirmation of balances between Auditor-General's records and MINDEF's records. The Auditor-General's audit revealed that MINDEF records for two deposit accounts did not reconcile with the Accountant-General's balances, although MINDEF has submitted a confirmation certificate stating that their records were balanced.”
“With these measures, servicemen can concentrate on the primary mission of serving SAF with minimum distraction and the need to worry about financial security and their second careers. Sir, let me move on now to the questions about budgetary controls raised by Dr Ong as well as Mr Low Thia Khiang. I would like to firstly assure the House that MINDEF takes a serious view of the observations reported by the Auditor-General's Office and which were subsequently raised in the Public Accounts Committee's Report. MINDEF has taken steps to further strengthen the respective systems to minimise the kind of problems highlighted by the Auditor-General. I would like to emphasise that when these breaches were observed by the Auditor-General, there was no loss or misuse of public funds, and no fraud. On the issue of non-compliance with procurement procedures, this has been raised and debated in this House in detail in the parliamentary debate on the 1997/1998 Budget. What I would like to add today are the further measures that have been implemented to further enhance compliance with established procedures. The Ministry of Finance has revised the Instruction Manual to allow tender boxes to be opened not more than once in five days. On our part, MINDEF has further streamlined our tender process such that each tender box is opened not more than once in four weeks. This is more stringent than the new provision in the Instruction Manual. The revised IM also allows for retention of late tenders. I would like to stress that MINDEF considers such late offers as invalid offers. However, we will continue with the practice of using these offers as price comparisons to evaluate the reasonableness of other offers.”
“Second, MINDEF provides second career preparation for all our servicemen, officers and non-officers. The Personnel Development and Services Office (PDSO) was set up, among other things, to better prepare our servicemen for transition to a second career. This preparation starts from the beginning of the serviceman's career. We develop the servicemen by providing them with adequate training for their jobs during the early stages of their career and, wherever possible, appropriate accreditation is obtained for their training so that the skills can be relevant in their second careers. Depending on individual merits, servicemen can also obtain assistance for academic upgrading. Towards the end of the servicemen's career, specific programmes are available to help them build up necessary skills to facilitate a smooth transition. Such preparation activities include briefing and counselling, psychological preparation to help servicemen and their families prepare for the changes, career talks and career facilitation to link our servicemen with potential employers. Finally, we have assistance schemes to help servicemen adapt to the employment environment outside the SAF. In particular, we offer the Pre-Release Employment Programme (PREP) and the Pre-Release Training Programme (PRTP). PREP grants half pay leave for six months to allow servicemen to work in a civilian firm prior to their ORD. PRTP allows the servicemen to go on half pay leave, also for six months, to attend a full-time course. 4.00 pm The feedback from our officers and servicemen is that these career facilitation programmes have been useful. The SAVERS Plan and our career facilitation programmes are part of a package of benefits which SAF provides to our committed servicemen.”
“While the male servicemen will continue to form the mainstay of a fighting capability, we will continue to recruit women to meet our manpower needs. Sir, I turn now to the issue raised by Dr Ong Chit Chung regarding second careers for SAF personnel. As this House knows, the SAF adopts a policy to keep the SAF young. For officers, a full career with the SAF spans about 23 to 25 years and most officers will leave the SAF in their mid or early 40s. Most of our Warrant Officers and Specialists who stay beyond the first contract will also leave around this age. This is an optimal length to ensure that officers and servicemen can make meaningful contributions to the SAF and, at the same time, there is a healthy turnover of leadership at every level. Therefore, most officers and servicemen will have a second career after they leave the SAF. The responsibility to prepare and equip oneself with relevant skills for a second career must, however, continue to remain with the officer or serviceman himself. But we recognise that it can be very daunting for somebody to start a new career in his mid-40s, especially when he may have housing commitments and the education of his children to worry about. We can never remove all the concerns associated with the transition to a second career but we can make it less daunting. We do it in two ways. First, we introduce the Savings and Employee Retirement (SAVER) Plan scheme for the SAF officer corps in place of the civil service pension scheme. The SAVER plan is designed to give officers a lump sum of money when they transit into second career and through this, we hope that we can reduce their concerns on financial security so that they can concentrate on their professional duties while in the SAF.”
“Sir, Mr Gerard Ee has made a very spirited speech about providing Singapore women with the same opportunity to serve National Service as the men, and he suggested that we train them to be nurses and deploy them both in war-time and for peace-time purposes. Sir, his comments are noted. However, the purpose of National Service is to ensure that we have an operational capability to defend Singapore. As far as the military duties and defence needs are concerned, MINDEF has no immediate need to enlist women for National Service. Through measures such as use of technology and commercialisation of non-essential support functions, MINDEF has been able to maintain operational readiness effectively although the number of males enlisted for National Service has declined because of falling birth rates. The Member's point about the benefits of National Service for women is well taken. However, it is a decision that should not be taken lightly. National Service is costly both to the nation and to those who are called to serve. Based on the operational needs, there is no requirement for enlisting women in the SAF at this time. Nevertheless, MINDEF will continue to evaluate the suggestion from time to time. Sir, I turn now to the question raised by Mr Sin Boon Ann who has also spoken out for women and suggested that they should be allowed to perform combat duties in the SAF. Sir, we are already taking an increasing number of women into the SAF and indeed there are at present some 4,000 women serving in MINDEF and the SAF. Most of them are in service, combat support or instructional jobs. A small number have applied to be in combat jobs. Those who have been found suitable and have been able to meet the requirements have been deployed in combat roles.”
“There were some incidents in December and January, but there have been no reported incidents since mid-January after the ISCP stepped up surveillance and patrols. 3.30 pm I wish to assure Members that the Republic of Singapore Navy and the Police Coast Guard are ready to step up the efforts to deal with the problem of piracy, should there be any need to do so. Sir, may I also now respond to the question by Dr Wang Kai Yuen on smart bombs. Dr Wang asked if the SAF would consider the use of these weapons. The SAF is always on the lookout for better technology to improve its capabilities and effectiveness. Advances in electronics, optics, ordnance have thrown up a wide array of new weapon systems. Smart weapon is one of these areas, and the SAF is pursuing it. Being a small country with limited resources, smart weapons can enhance the SAF's capabilities and enable it to better utilise its resources. But, as Dr Wang has pointed out, these are costly investments. We must also evaluate new weapon systems, not only as standalone capabilities but as components of a larger fighting system. MINDEF will continue to invest in technology to ensure that we maintain our technological edge.”
“Sir, I am responding to Dr Ong Chit Chung and Mr Sin Boon Ann on the concerns of the security of sea lanes and piracy in the waters near Singapore. Dr Ong pointed out the importance of the security of our sea lanes for food and trade. That is one reason why we have put strenuous efforts into developing the capabilities of the Republic of Singapore Navy over these years. The security of the sea lanes in our region is also of concern, not only to Singapore, but of the many other countries in the region, which depend on the sea for their trade. More than half of the world's merchant shipping fleet use the sea lanes passing through Southeast Asia. In this context, Singapore shares the view of many other countries that freedom of navigation in the sea lanes in our region must be ensured. As Members know, we are not a party in any of the territorial disputes in the South China Sea and we have always advocated that they be settled by peaceful means and not by force. Closer home, I am happy to note that the incidence of piracy and sea robberies in the Singapore Straits has gone down substantially since 1992. This is in large part because of the effectiveness of a long standing arrangement we have with Indonesia. Called the Indonesia-Singapore Coordinated Patrols (ISCP), this arrangement involves our navy and our Police Coast Guards and the Indonesian Navy and police. Through this arrangement, the two countries have established effective channels of communication. The arrangements also allow us to exchange information on sea robbery activities and to facilitate cross-border pursuits. The ISCP has worked very well in that there were no incidents of sea robbery in its area of operations from the time the arrangement was implemented in September 1992 until December last year.”
“It can promote greater understanding of how children learn at an early age and do research into how effective learning can be achieved in the early years and sustain as the child grows up. Secondly, the centre should set up or work with a number of prototype schools to gain first-hand experience and to see in practice what works and what does not in our cultural context. Some private schools and kindergartens who have already made a pioneering start in new learning methods could be brought under this prototype programme. MOE could provide them with funding assistance for them to take an active role in research and development into early childhood learning and also to reach out to a more representative mix of children. The funding and staffing for these two efforts will not be large compared to the overall school programme. But it would be well worthwhile if this would lead to a better educational foundation for our very young. Sir, not every child is a genius though many mothers may think so. But there is a genius in every child. By recognising the importance of early childhood development and the effectiveness of early childhood learning, we can set this genius free.”
“By helping children to build a foundation for learning, early childhood educators prepare them to become more self-actuating and hence more successful when they enter the formal school years. For these reasons and reasons given by other Members of the House who have spoken on the subject, I hope that the Ministry of Education would take a closer look at this important matter. Sir, at the early ages, from two to six, child care and child development are hard to separate. Learning is integrative and whole life. It cannot be separated into discrete subjects or periods. The Ministry can rightly argue that child care is not the State's responsibility and should rightly be left to parents and market forces. But it should play an active part in a young child's education. If we can more fully realise the potential of our young and produce youths with a greater sense of social responsibility or reduce juvenile delinquency, then our efforts would have been worthwhile. Our money would have been well spent. I realise that the education of the very young is still a relatively new area. There is much we need to learn and understand about which methods are effective and how we should go about providing better early childhood education. I would therefore like to make two proposals on how we can make progress in this area. Firstly, I would like to propose that the Ministry of Education set up a research and teaching centre to look into early childhood development and education. The centre should gather from other countries those programmes in early childhood learning which have worked and also study those programmes which have failed.”
“These benefits may not necessarily show up just in academic scores, but also in the form of social benefits such as lower drop-out rates from schools or a lesser degree of trouble with the law. The results show that learning effectiveness at an early age is linked to the way we teach the young child. But whether or not these results can be sustained may depend on whether we are able to provide the same supportive environment as the child grows up. (3) Across all cultures, social norms or customs or practices and values are inculcated from a very early age. It is true that formal learning, like mastering Mathematics, Science or Economics, can only take place when the brain has sufficiently matured and is capable of certain abstract constructions. But we also cannot deny our instinctive belief that habits and values and attitudes are formed not so much by formal instruction alone, but shaped by early childhood experiences. Indeed, two of the three pillars which the Minister spoke about, character development and motivation, are formed by the time the child enters the formal school system. Sir, the approach which early childhood educators take today is based on the notion that the mind is not a vessel to be filled up but a fire to be kindled. By creating a safe, caring but challenging environment, these educators stimulate young children to reach out for new knowledge and not to wait for knowledge to be dished out to them. In the process of learning, the children also build self-confidence. And in discovering knowledge, they also discover the sameness and differences with other children, learning both acceptance and leadership; both teamwork and challenge.”
“Sir, after that very stirring speech by the Minister on what the Ministry has done, is doing and will be doing for our students, I feel somewhat like Oliver Twist coming back and asking for more. But it is nonetheless an important subject and if the Minister will bear with me, I would like to talk about pre-school education. The key issue is whether the way we teach our very young and what subjects we teach them makes any difference to the development of a child both academically or socially. There are at least three reasons why I believe that a higher quality of early childhood education is beneficial and why we should pay attention to this area. (1) Over the last 20 years, our knowledge of how the mind works and how it develops has increased. We now know that the stimulation of the mind at a very early age facilitates learning, especially of language. It is also well accepted that there are different forms of intelligence and that different children learn in different ways. What this research tells us is that a child who is seen to be slow may simply be a child that is forced into a mode of learning that does not fit him or her. Conversely, in a right environment, a child's development might well be enhanced and accelerated. (2) Over the last one or two decades, many educators have pioneered teaching methods to take into account a better understanding of how the mind works. Admittedly, some early research showed that improvements to IQ scores tested at Primary 1 washed out after two or three years in primary school. But later studies have also shown that benefits can be sustained depending on the approach used.”
“This cost is not just in time to redo the tests, but also the trauma of the patient and the time lost in treating the illness. Sir, we welcome foreign talents to work in Singapore because they create even more opportunities for Singaporeans. Each job they hold means that several other Singaporeans will also have jobs. And indeed we cannot have excellent hospitals, world-class hospitals, without nurses, and without the nurses our best doctors would not be performing surgery here but they will perform surgery in London or in Houston. It is therefore not whether we should have foreign talents or not, but rather how we ensure that standards are not eroded. I would be grateful if the Minister would update this House on the number of foreign nurses in Singapore, and the measures which the Ministry is taking to ensure that standards are maintained, not only at the point in time where they bring them into Singapore but whether there is an ongoing system to monitor their performance and to ensure that they are effective and up to the mark. Finally, I would like to ask the Minister whether the hospitals keep statistics of lost records, how serious this problem is, and whether steps are being taken to invest in better record-keeping systems.”
“Sir, the point which I wanted to raise concerns the standards of nursing care, a question that my colleague, Mr Choo Wee Khiang, has already touched on. However, I would like to elaborate. Before I do so, I would just say that the standard of healthcare overall in Singapore has risen over the years and that this is due in no small measure to the dedication of the doctors, the nurses, the administrators; indeed, all the people who work in this industry. But it is a manpower intensive industry. And because of this, we do need people to get the job done. The Ministry of Health has over the last few years brought in foreign nurses to meet the current shortage that we have in nursing staff. And this has given rise to a number of concerns: (1) Some foreign nurses speak little or poor English. Although they may be able to read, their grasp of conversational English is poor. This makes patient-nurse communication difficult, at best, and suspect from time to time. The concern raised is that miscommunication over critical issues, such as medication, may result in harm to the patients. (2) Some nurses may not be exposed to the same level of technology in their home countries. Here the concern is that they may not be using medical equipment properly, and may make mistakes in setting up the equipment or devices. This may lead to erroneous test results, or to wrong treatment. (3) Another concern, which may or may not be due only to the employment of foreign nurses, relates to lost records. I have heard some complaints of medical records being misplaced or lost. For example, patients have been told that their test records are missing, and they have to redo the tests all over again.”
“May I add on a word or two first. I thank Dr Tan for speaking on my behalf. I am not a doctor, so I do not know this matter as well as he does. Actually, I take it from a more practical point of view. I must declare my interest. New Changi Hospital is in my ward. I have spoken to my constituents and they had been looking forward to this. It is so much more convenient for them. Although Singapore is small and it takes 20 minutes to get from Simei, where the New Changi Hospital is, down to KK Hospital by car, it takes much longer by public transport. It is much more difficult for young parents who may have other toddlers to tag along to make that trip. So it is just to serve the community better and not for the hospital administrators, not so that the hospital can have one more feather in its cap, but more for the benefit of the people who live out in the east.”
“Sir, may I ask a follow-up question on the specialisation of hospitals? The New Changi Hospital when it was built, I think it had provision for paediatric facilities. As I understand it, these are not going to be used for the time being, but they would be concentrated at the new Kandang Kerbau Hospital. In the case of paediatrics, I can understand if a child has a hole in the heart that having a specialised team might provide better care. But if a child falls down and breaks a bone and needs to be hospitalised, having a hospital nearer to the community may be more convenient to the parents. I would like to ask the Minister whether he would consider allowing some paediatric facilities still at New Changi Hospital, because it will serve the catchment out in the eastern part of Singapore.”
“The new tenants or the existing tenants will also not have to pay more rent than before. But they would still be able to save cost by streamlining their operations. The total space utilised would be more efficient. This is a "win-win" situation for all. I hope therefore that the Minister would ask the HDB and JTC to consider this suggestion.”
“I think they will find sufficient evidence that there is a case to not just freeze rentals but to adjust posted prices downwards and to slow down or indeed to freeze the increase in rental rates for those who are already paying below posted rents. If the Ministry would do this, perhaps for a year or two or three, until such time as the economy rebounds, it would help a lot of small companies to ride through this rough patch. Sir, apart from the lower rentals, business costs can also be reduced by streamlining operations. However, some of the current rules by HDB and JTC make it difficult for businesses to do so. For example, an HDB tenant who spoke to me said that he rents three separate units of flatted factory space from the HDB. To streamline his operations, he has, on his own, negotiated and agreed with other tenants to swap factory units so that he can have a single contiguous space. However, he is unable to make this exchange with other tenants for the reason that their rentals would go up if they make the swap with him. This happens because the tenants he wants to exchange the unit with are paying less than posted rental rates. HDB treats the exchange of units as two separate transactions, firstly, a return of each unit to HDB and, secondly, a new allocation of each unit to the tenant. I hope that both the HDB and JTC would reconsider this rule. The tenant should pay the same total rent as he had paid before the exchange with his fellow tenants. Some adjustments can be made for technical factors, such as the location of the unit or the quality of the finish. But the rents themselves should not be adjusted to current posted price. In this way, HDB or JTC would not collect less rent than before.”
“The net effect of these reasons is that businesses will hold on to rented premises at higher prices for some time before they finally give up the space. High occupancy levels, therefore, do not necessarily mean that posted rents still reflect the rates that tenants are able to pay. They may simply have no choice in the short term. Many HDB and JTC tenants are already paying less than the posted prices, but this only proves that not all businesses can afford to pay posted prices. In a rising market, it would be correct for the Government to continue to adjust these below market rentals gradually to the level of the posted prices. But in a falling market, it is inadequate for the Government to simply freeze posted prices. The real level of affordability has already fallen even though the statistics do not necessarily show it, because of the lag factors which I have enumerated above. The Minister for Finance has said that the Government should not wait for all the statistics to be available before taking action. He has said that we should also allow for anecdotal evidence to guide us in interpreting the emerging market trends. I hope therefore that MTI would accept the feedback from the many Members of this House who have spoken that rental levels are too high for many of our small businesses. I am glad to hear that MTI consults regularly with the business community. Perhaps it would be useful also if the Ministry makes some field trips to speak to small businesses directly, those who rent just a few hundred square metres of space in HDB and JTC factories. Then they can see and hear for themselves the real impact on these small businesses.”
“Sir, rentals are not usually a large component of total business costs, but nonetheless they are a significant component. I would therefore like to address this issue. I will confine my remarks to rentals about factory spaces although the same principle would also apply to other industrial and commercial properties. In a stable and open market, rentals are set by negotiations between willing sellers and willing buyers. A price that is produced by this interaction reflects the level at which tenants are able to profitably and productively make use of rented space. These market transactions are therefore a good benchmark for the HDB and JTC to set their posted prices, but under stable market conditions. In a falling market, however, these benchmarks represent only the ability of new tenants to pay this price and are no longer representative of the prices at which existing tenants are able to profitably make use of this space. By right, existing tenants who cannot afford the rentals should now give up their space. And if no new tenants can be found, market prices will then fall. But if tenants at the posted prices can be found, then market prices will be maintained. But the existing tenants may find it difficult to give up their space immediately, even though they may be better off doing so, and there are several reasons for this. For example, tenants may be locked into long leases. They may not be able to break their leases without having to pay stiff penalties. Secondly, they may not be able to give up just a portion of the rented premises and keep the rest because of the specific configuration of the factory space. Thirdly, they may still need the space even though it is no longer profitable nor productive just to store slow moving inventory.”
“I would like to suggest three measures for the Ministry to consider to help in this particular time. Firstly, I hope the Ministry of Law would be alert to such problems and unusual situations as the years wear on. The Ministry should be proactive and prod further when early and unusual signs of distress are seen. We should take the lead to coordinate a thorough response to deal with the situation, especially when the rules and regulations cut across a number of Ministries. Secondly, where appropriate, the Ministry could perhaps issue guidelines for small businesses on how to deal with the unusual situations such as the one I have described earlier. This would save businessmen a lot of time and costs figuring out what to do. Finally, I also hope that in situations when businessmen are caught through no fault of their own by the technical requirements of the law, the Ministry would adopt a more sympathetic interpretation of the rules or initiate modifications to the relevant laws to help the businessmen cope.”
“Sir, many small businesses are heavily dependent on trade with regional countries. In today's economic climate, many are stuck with inventories they cannot sell and debts they cannot collect. I am told that the number of bankruptcies in 1997 has risen some 30% compared with the year before. No doubt this number is likely to increase. These business failures bring with them some unexpected problems. Recently, for example, I was approached by a businessman who had left the running of a company to his business partner. His business partner disappeared together with all the books and business records. As the only remaining director, he is now responsible for the company but is unable to file any reports or conduct any business. He does not know who his debtors or creditors are, who has paid, or who has been paid. He is afraid that the Registry of Companies and Businesses (RCB) would impose a fine on him for failing to submit his annual accounts. But at the same time, he does not want to wind up the company for fear that he may be disqualified from being a director of another company he owns. And if he does nothing, he may still become disqualified on the grounds that he has repeatedly been fined by the RCB. I am told by fellow MPs that they have encountered other similar cases. The laws which govern business failures and the obligations of directors are not confined to just one Statute or one Ministry. To the small businessmen, they can be very complex and complicated. Not knowing exactly what they are required to do by law in such circumstances adds considerable anxiety to the anxiety of businesses which are already in trouble. And hurrying lawyers to figure out a particular situation is costly at a time when they are trying to conserve cash.”
“Sir, that is not my understanding of what transpired. [Interruption.] But the Member, who was present, is not here in the House now.”
“So the question is: why such a question was posed, why such a statement was made? Why did the Chairman of EDB ask a Member of Parliament to resign? I do not know if Dr Tan knows the reason. But if he does, perhaps he will share it with this House.”
“Sir, I am Special Adviser to Chairman, EDB. I have spoken with him. I have heard his side of the story.”
“Sir, I was not present at the breakfast meeting. What we heard in the House was the reaction of the Chairman of EDB to statements that were made at the breakfast meeting, but we do not have the benefit of those statements.”
“Sir, I think this is an important point, and I hope the Member involved will clarify the matter.”
“I share the sentiments of my many colleagues who have highlighted the need to pay closer attention to small businesses which are failing and workers in danger of losing their jobs. The help which is needed goes beyond tax reliefs and rate cuts. It is important at this time that every Government agency also pays particular attention to the myriad problems which will arise. Some companies may take advantage of the situation to curry extra favours from the Government. But many will face genuine problems from rules and regulations which were merely inconvenient when times were good but which may now make a difference between break-even and bankruptcy. At this time, more than ever, the public service needs to be alert to the need to reinvent itself to ensure that its policies and procedures are sensitive to the problems faced by the business community. Sir, whatever surprises the future may hold for us, we have a strong economic foundation to meet these challenges. But whether or not we succeed does not depend on just our financial strength but also on the integrity and loyalty of all our people. As individuals and as a society, let us pull together and act with purpose, not out of fear nor merely for monetary gain, but because we are committed to do right and worthwhile things. Sir, I support the motion.”
“EDB's scholars owe a debt of gratitude to a selfless and tireless Chairman who canvassed far and wide to convince corporate sponsors of the value of investing in Singapore's young. They would do well to repay it by not breaking their bonds. Anyone who says that the Chairman of EDB has become too big for his shoes does not know the man nor his heart. I have worked for him for 20 years. He is demanding, and in his own words, a slave driver. But he has a heart that cares, especially for his staff and his scholars. We have heard strong accusations about his improper conduct, within the protection of this House. But we did not hear why he said, what he said. Those who presented the story half-told would do justly to tell the other half. Koh Buck Song of The Straits Times was right in saying that bond-breaking is really about bigger issues, by attracting talent and heartware. It is these things and more. It is about our values. Sir, if we look for reasons to break a promise, we will always find one. Integrity costs. But unless we are willing to pay the price, not in dollars, but in self-sacrifice, then we should not be so quick to make the promise. `A' level results are out, and scholarship season is now open. My advice to would-be scholars is to choose carefully and wisely. Do not take a scholarship just for the perks. Choose a scholarship based on what your interests are and which organisations you are willing to commit to. Remember, that in three, four or five years' time, you would have to return to face yourself, whether to honour your promise or to find some excuse to go your own way. Sir, I thank the Minister for Finance for giving us a Budget that recognises our immediate needs and which also continues to provide for our future growth.”
“If there is shame in public naming, it is only because the bond-breakers know that they have done a dishonourable thing. The suggestion that we should offer more scholarships so that bond-breakers will not impact the sponsors' deployment plans will only make matters worse. Consider this analogy. Do we employ more road-sweepers if pedestrians throw more litter? Or should we find ways and means to remind pedestrians that throwing litter is wrong, and to penalise those who do so? The more road-sweepers we employ, the more litter will be thrown. Do we then keep on employing road-sweepers? Will we become a nation of road-sweepers? In like logic, if we signal that bond-breaking is acceptable, will we not only be encouraging more scholars to break their bonds? Sir, EDB and NCB have not taken the stand that bonds can never be broken. Indeed, I am told that EDB has allowed a number of scholars to break their bonds, some even before they completed their studies. There were various reasons for this, such as ill health or family problems, or poor organisational fit. And EDB has also exercised flexibility when scholars have wanted to stay on to further studies or to transfer to other organisations. But what is not acceptable to them is for scholars to unilaterally discharge themselves simply by opting to pay off their bonds, and in the case of the three scholars named, without serving even one day. Singapore has benefited from the many thousands of scholars who have come back to serve their bonds. Since Mr Philip Yeo joined the EDB, more than 300 new EDB scholarships have been awarded. These are precious opportunities.”
“My view is that EDB and NCB did the right thing by naming the scholars who broke their bonds before they even completed their studies. By so doing, they affirm the high standards which they expect of these scholars and the importance they place on their moral values in addition to their academic abilities. I now turn to the arguments which were raised by the MPs who disagree with this stand. The first argument that scholars who break the bonds will serve society better in other ways fails to recognise the importance of integrity. To unilaterally break a bond is to dishonour a promise. This is not a small matter. For if a scholar decides not to keep his promise now, how can we depend on him when he promises to do more later? He may be smart and well qualified. But how will we know that his new promise will not be broken as well? Integrity once broken up is like Humpty Dumpty - hard to put together again. The second argument that bond-breakers are publicly humiliated when their names are published is inconsistent with itself. If the scholars argue that they have done no wrong, why do they consider it a shame to have their decisions noted in public? If, indeed, they had the greater interest of society in mind when they broke their bonds, why do they object that society should know? By that logic, they have discharged their obligations by paying their bonds. By the same logic, should we not tell the public that they have given up their scholarships, just as the public was told when they received their awards? And if this policy discourages those who have no intention to ever serve their bonds, would we not have created more opportunity for others who are ready to put country and corporation before self?”
“Mr Speaker, before I speak, I would like to declare my interest as Special Adviser to Chairman, EDB, for Regional Projects and Software Transfer, and also as Executive Vice-President, Special Duties, in Sembawang Corporation. In both these organisations, Mr Philip Yeo is the Chairman. Several Members of this House have spoken against the EDB's and the NCB's actions to name three scholars who chose to break their bonds rather than to return home to serve. Collectively, they have put forward a number of arguments to support their stand. To paraphrase, these are: Firstly, that scholars who break their bonds will still return to serve Singapore in other ways. By pursuing their interests and developing their talents, they are of greater service to Singapore, not lesser. Secondly, breaking a bond is not such a big issue that such scholars should be named and humiliated in public and so discourage others from taking up scholarships. Thirdly, that a practical solution to this problem would be for organisations to increase the number of scholarships so that the net number of returning scholars would still be sufficient for the organisations' needs. Those who hold these views are saying that the scholarship is just a commercial agreement which can be set aside when expedient and settled by the payment of money. But every scholar knows that this is not true. They know that the prestige and honour that accompany a scholarship carries with it an equal measure of responsibility. The more prestigious the scholarship the greater the responsibilities: to return to serve, to lead, to benefit future generations. These are unwritten obligations but well-known to both scholar and sponsor.”
“Mr Speaker, may I be allowed a point of clarification. First of all, let me thank the Minister of State for his very thoughtful answer and I certainly agree with him that we should try to promote good gangs. The question I have for the Minister of State is whether we are dealing by imposing a ban with the symptom of a problem or with the root of the problem. If I may illustrate this. A man buys a pair of shoes two sizes smaller than what he needs and he finds very quickly that his feet hurt a lot. He can go and see a doctor. He can put ointment on the feet. He can soak them in the hot tub every night. But the problem will not go away. His feet will continue to hurt. And his alternative, if nothing else works, is to stop walking. But that is not the solution. The solution is that he needs a bigger pair of shoes. The point that I was making in my speech the day before was that what we need to do is to deal with the root cause of why there are more street fights and street gangs. Teenagers are at an age where they are impressionable. They are at an age where they need a lot of love and guidance and understanding. The point is that the manifestation of these street gangs means that there is something that has gone awry and askew in the homes and in the family. That perhaps is where we ought to focus the attention. But, in the meantime, to introduce bans and curbs does not solve the problem because beyond the tea dances, and if they were to congregate now in the neighbourhood coffeeshops or in hotel lobbies, will we ban them also from those places? So the fundamental issue is, where will it stop? How much more ointment and, worse still, we are now going to put ointment on 18-year olds as well. Does that solve the problem?”
“So in 10-20 years' time, it is possible that China will, like Japan, produce a group of talented people who are proficient in the English language to handle its global economic matters. Then there is no need for our young people to learn Chinese to go into the China market. I think most people will agree that the need to learn the Chinese language cannot arise solely from the opportunistic pursuit of the economic gains it promises. Rather, mastering the mother tongue is a task undertaken with a view towards the preservation of one's orientation and its cultural values. Our outlook, actions and disposition in general should concur with our origins so that our roots and pride are preserved. Consequently, learning the mother tongue should not be viewed as merely a route to any short term economic gain. Rather, it should be perceived as a part of our endeavour to enrich our heritage and mould our cultural awareness. However, at this juncture, Mandarin is still not frequently spoken at major func- tions and occasions, although Government has been pushing the Speak Mandarin campaign and encouraging more Singaporeans to learn the language. Without any special encouragement by the Government, it is feared that the interest in learning the Chinese language will wane. Therefore, it is hoped that the Government will try its best to promote the use of the Chinese language so as to dispel the mindset among our people that Mandarin is spoken only among the lower middle classes. I urge the Finance Minister to allocate more funds towards assisting the various Ministries to promote the use of the Chinese language.”