Eric Cheong Yuen Chee
Singapore
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head Q be reduced by $10 in respect of Code QI 1000 of the Main Estimates. The Minister has announced the issue of new identity cards. Since it affects the vast majority of the population the registration process should be made more convenient.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as we all know, ambulance services are run by the Singapore Fire Service and also by the Government hospitals. As there is an increasing need for the sick and aged to be transported from place to place, many of these cases are non-emergency cases requiring an ambulance run by the Fire Service.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head Q be reduced by $10 in respect of Code QH 1000 of the Main Estimates. Sir, at present a work permit holder who marries a Singapore citizen without getting prior approval from the Commissioner for Employment is banned permanently from entering Singapore.”
“Sir, my other colleagues have a wide range of subjects on the drug control. I have just one point to make, and that is, whether the Minister will consider the confiscation of vehicles used in the transportation of illegal drugs. This is different from confiscation of assets that may belong to the drug traffickers.”
“Police, because of limited manpower, will emphasize high efficiency and optimum use and deployment for all the various functions, and greater emphasis will be given to mechanization and computerization. But while doing all this, the Police must continue to strive to get public support and community support.”
“Sir, the points that I wish to raise have already been covered by the Member for Boon Teck. But I have just one little point, and that is, to reinforce his argument that there is a reduction in manpower in the NPP. Originally it was eight per shift, now it has been reduced to four.”
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“Of course, as has been pointed out in regard to the second offence, again there is mandatory caning. Children are children. They tend to be mischievous. It would appear that the Government is already very much in control of the firecracker situation. We have already banned it and the situation, it would appear, is very much under control. And yet there is this sudden technique to amend the laws and make it so stiff a penalty for those caught either selling or firing firecrackers. The Minister himself has said that, in fact, this problem is isolated and sporadic, except for this year when there were 3,900 complaints. I am surprised the other speakers do not know the reason why. It is very obvious. This year is the dragon year and everybody wants to welcome the dragon year. That is why there is a sudden burst of firing of crackers. The Minister himself said the situation is isolated and sporadic except for this year when there is a sudden unprecedented increase. There is also going to be an unprecedented increase of births this year. We can see for ourselves all around town. More women are pregnant this year. The Government should not panic because of a sudden increase. People are still superstitious. This firing of firecrackers is not a tradition which started only yesterday. It is a 2,000-year or more tradition. I think habits die hard and customs also die hard. And, in particular, when the dragon year comes only once in 12 years. I think the Minister should be more vigilant the next dragon year comes around and not to change the law. I think it is really over reacting and the consequences of the punishment are very serious. I would really ask the Minister to look into the punishment section once again.”
“Is it not too traumatic to these teenage offenders? Apart from having criminal records, these teenagers are condemned by the society. Is our society that unkind and ruthless? Sir, I know the Minister for Home Affairs is a kind-hearted man. I am sure he would not like to see our students, some of whom may be unaware of the law, to have their future ruined in this manner. May I know from the Minister, apart from being armed with stiffer legislation to tackle fireworks problems, whether his Ministry will launch an education programme to educate our people, in particular our students, on the danger of letting off of firecrackers and the heavy penalties they have to face if they are convicted? Another point is that during festive seasons, whether a more thorough check could be carried out at Woodlands Checkpoint as we notice that many of the firecrackers are smuggled from Malaysia during these seasons. Mr Chiam See Tong: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I say that the Government has really gone overboard in trying to stamp out the firecracker menace. As has been pointed out by other speakers, the penalties are manifestly excessive. As regards the stamping out of the sale, transport, send, deliver, distribute or import of fireworks, we see that there is a mandatory jail sentence of 6 months and also a mandatory sentence of 6 strokes of the cane. This is really very harsh. Because this does not take into account whether a person is caught selling just one single firecracker or a truckload of firecrackers. In any event, if he is caught and if he is sentenced, the judge's hands are tied. He has got no discretion to mete out a lower sentence. I think there is really unfairness here. This Bill, I think, should be held in abeyance until this clause is looked into more thoroughly.”
“In Surabaya, Indonesia, 11 people died and 26 were injured when a truck load of fireworks exploded in a crowded street. 10 were charred beyond recognition. According to a newsreport, the truck carrying the fireworks exploded like a bomb. People in the neighbourhood panicked. Six cars, two motorcycles and a number of rickshaws were destroyed. Sir, I am not attempting to create a panic scenario. Imagine such a catastrophe happening in an HDB estate. Because of the density of our buildings and people, casualties and damage to properties will be of a great magnitude. I hope the Minister will take a serious view of my comments. The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communications and Information (Mr Ho Kah Leong): Sir, I rise to support the Dangerous Fireworks (Amendment) Bill. I think all of us have no quarrel with the imposition of heavier penalties on fireworks offenders. I am in full agreement with the Minister that living in a compact cosmopolitan city such as ours, we just cannot afford to allow people to let off firecrackers, either for noise pollution or other hazard reasons. As mentioned by the Minister just now, during the recent Chinese New Year festive period, many people were arrested for trafficking, possessing or letting off firecrackers. What perturbs me is that many of these offenders are teenagers and students, as mentioned by the hon. Member for Toa Payoh just now. What perturbs me more is that these offenders, ranging from 14 to 17 years old, on conviction, are widely reported in the media. Some even have their photographs published in the newspaper. I really pity them. I understand this is to serve as a deterrent to potential offenders. But can we not pause for a moment to think of the future of these teenage offenders?”
“Then there are those who import, distribute, sell or pedal dangerous fireworks for monetary gains and quick profits at the expense of causing extreme sufferings to innocent people. Clause 2 of the Bill provides fines, caning and custodial penalties. Are these adequate as a deterrent to stamp out this menace? In my opinion, the Minister should consider additional penalties to give a clear message to would-be offenders. Perhaps a provision for the forfeiture of vehicles used in the transportation of dangerous fireworks and firecrackers. And also getting the cooperation of HDB and JTC to consider terminating the tenancies of tenants who use their premises for the storage or sale of dangerous fireworks. In fact, this is being done by the HDB for gambling and killer litter offences. Besides creating a greater public awareness on the dangers of letting off fireworks and firecrackers and stiffer penalties, we should also look into other areas like foreign sources of supplies. I understand that the Malaysian and Indonesian governments permit the letting off of fireworks and firecrackers during festive occasions other than during the Chinese New Year period. Because of this, dangerous fireworks and firecrackers are obtainable all year round and readily accessible to people in Singapore. Perhaps we could seek the assistance and cooperation of these two governments in stamping out this menace, not only in Singapore but also in their own countries. After all, serious casualties have occurred recently in these two countries. In Malaysia, a young boy was seriously injured when a firecracker was thrown into his mouth, blowing a hole in his throat. Another had his fingers blown off.”
“Sir, I wish to speak in support of the Amendment Bill. The recent sharp increase in the number of incidents involving illegal discharge of firecrackers and fireworks is a cause for serious concern. The proposed amendment is timely and would, I hope, provide the necessary deterrent to people who continue to disregard the law. Although the letting off of dangerous fireworks was banned 16 years ago, we must continue to ensure that the ban is not flouted. Firm action must be taken against offenders. According to the Police, offenders are classified into three age groups. The arrest figures pertaining to these three groups give some indication on the type of offenders and we must direct closer attention to each group in the appropriate manner. Sir, may I quote these figures to support my arguments? Those below 16 years for the period 1st January to 13th March 1988, 85 offenders; from 16-21 years, 92 offenders; 21 years and above, 46 offenders; making a total of 223 offenders for this first quarter alone. The first group, ie, below 16 years of age were not born when the ban on the letting off of fire crackers was introduced. They have committed the offences out of curiosity or ignorance of the dangerous consequences. For this, I share the sentiments expressed by my colleague, the Member for Buona Vista. Therefore, we must educate them by creating a better awareness of the dangers to life and properties. The second group which I would term the "mischievous group" commit the offences more out of mischief or peer group influence. The third group are the hard-core or diehards and they should be given the severest punishment.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head Q be reduced by $10 in respect of Code QI 1000 of the Main Estimates. The Minister has announced the issue of new identity cards. Since it affects the vast majority of the population the registration process should be made more convenient. I would like to ask whether the Minister will give some information on the registration process. For example, whether there will be teams to register school children, in institutions of higher learning, unions, places of work and community centres. I ask this because in the exercise when they renewed the old cardboard identity cards to the present plastic ones, such registration process was extended to these centres that I have stated. The last question I want to ask is why is it necessary to have another re-registration at the age of 30 years.”
“Sir, in view of the Minister's reply, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head Q be reduced by $10 in respect of Code QH 1000 of the Main Estimates. Sir, at present a work permit holder who marries a Singapore citizen without getting prior approval from the Commissioner for Employment is banned permanently from entering Singapore. He or she cannot even obtain a social visit pass. Most of these are young people and some have offsprings arising out of this association. This prohibition will mean that the family will be separated permanently. So can I ask the Minister whether he will consider, on compassionate grounds, granting such people a social visit pass after a given period of time when they are banned from entering Singapore?”
“Sir, my other colleagues have a wide range of subjects on the drug control. I have just one point to make, and that is, whether the Minister will consider the confiscation of vehicles used in the transportation of illegal drugs. This is different from confiscation of assets that may belong to the drug traffickers. But these vehicles may belong to somebody else. So probably we should have some appropriate legislation to confiscate their vehicles so as to discourage drug traffickers.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as we all know, ambulance services are run by the Singapore Fire Service and also by the Government hospitals. As there is an increasing need for the sick and aged to be transported from place to place, many of these cases are non-emergency cases requiring an ambulance run by the Fire Service. I think this will impose a tremendous strain on the services of the Fire Service if non-emergency cases are often used at the expense of real emergency cases where serious accidents or calamities are involved. I would like to ask the Minister whether he will consider allowing ambulances to be run by private entrepreneurs who will provide this type of service for those who need ambulance services for the sick, the aged and any other non-emergency cases.”
“Sir, in view of the Minister of State's reply, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“The Minister of State has not answered the point about the private sector involvement, for instance, condominiums. Will they be drawn into this plan?”
“Sir, I would like to ask the Minister whether the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) has a well-structured training programme for its reservists, including those transferred from the Singapore Armed Forces. As you are aware, some of these reservists were transferred to the Civil Defence for quite some time. The next question I would like to ask is, what is the progress of the plans for the construction of shelters in Housing Board estates under the National Shelter policy announced by the Government in October 1986, and will HDB shelters be put to peace-time uses and what kind of uses will be allowed. Also, are there any plans for emergency shelters, like protective walls, in HDB void decks in times of emergency? I do not know whether the Minister is aware that during the Second World War, the old SIT flats in Tiong Bahru had protective walls constructed along the passageway to give adequate protection in case of air-raids. May I know from the Minister whether there are such plans to be made or does the Ministry also encourage private property owners to do likewise in private housing estates.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head Q be reduced by $10 in respect of Code QD 1000 of the Main Estimates. Sir, may I cover my other amendment as well? It is related. The Chairman: Yes.”
“Sir, the points that I wish to raise have already been covered by the Member for Boon Teck. But I have just one little point, and that is, to reinforce his argument that there is a reduction in manpower in the NPP. Originally it was eight per shift, now it has been reduced to four.”
“Police, because of limited manpower, will emphasize high efficiency and optimum use and deployment for all the various functions, and greater emphasis will be given to mechanization and computerization. But while doing all this, the Police must continue to strive to get public support and community support.”
“Last year the number of cases which was solved and the number of arrests which were made with the assistance of the public continued to rise, and the number of arrests with the support of the public rose to 37%, which is a very commendable figure. Not only that, we are also seeing increasing evidence that the victims of crime are more prepared to come forward to give information to the Police. This is absolutely important if the Police are to speedily respond and arrest offenders. If I may give an example, Sir. Members must have read recently that a male suspect had been arrested for possible involvement in four rape cases. Without going into the merits as to his guilt or otherwise, which is not proper to do so, let me use this as an illustration. Four rape cases were reported to the Police and all these cases were suspected to have been committed by the same person. In all the four cases, the victims made prompt reports. Each victim painstakingly gave a description of the culprit which enabled the Police to construct a composite photokit of the culprit. Then the Organized Crime Branch of the CID deployed its officers at strategic locations in order to apprehend the culprit. Even more interesting, Sir, in spite of the traumatic experience, one of the victims volunteered to accompany the Police officers during such deployment, as she could then help pick out the offender. I cite this illustration because more often than not crimes may not be reported by the victims. If they do not report, it means that the culprit is free to perpetrate his activities elsewhere and others will become victims. Second, when they report, as much detailedinformation supplied to the Police will help to solve the case. To sum up then, Sir, the crime situation is under control.”
“In Tokyo, for instance, the identification rate rose from 75 to more 1,000. And immediately when they introduced their system, within hours they identified and solved a case which had remained unsolved for 15 years. I cite this as one illustration of how computerization is going to tremendously aid policing, crime prevention and law enforcement. With regard to the point that the Member has made about manpower and funds, of course, Sir, one would like the ideal of having as free an access to funds as possible and as flexible a situation as the statutory boards enjoy. And I am sure the Police and my Ministry officials will be gladdened to hear the quite unsolicited support that the Member for Clementi has given. But to be fair to the Ministry of Finance, whenever we have a case which is convincing, I find the Minister for Finance willing to listen and to give his serious consideration, as in the case of the Automated Finger Print Identification System which will cost more than $10 million. The Member for Clementi talked about legislation. In my response to his point on legislation, I must also add that legislation is only a means whereby the Police are able to enforce the law. But legislation, manpower of the Police, computerization, hardware, weapons, these are all one side of what I would call the two-pronged approach of the Police. The other prong which we must continue to stress is the support by the people and by the community. It is only when the Police succeeds in getting the support of the people in the community-oriented policing that the detection of criminals is that much more certain. Here too, I am very glad to say that the trend over the years shows that more and more people are coming forward to support the Police.”
“So it means that the challenge for the Police is, first, the manpower problem means that they must be a trim, lean and efficient organization where maximum use is made of every member of the Police Force. The Police are aware of this. Secondly, it also means that wherever possible, there has to be better mechanization and computerization. And, third, it must also mean that the Police must strive to get the best quality of recruits for its Force. With respect to computerization, I would like to assure the Member for Clementi and other Members that indeed computerization is well under way. The computerization of the Police Operations Room and the CID is in progress. If I may give an example, Sir, of how computerization is going to significantly affect policing methods and is going to benefit law enforcement, I give the example of the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) for which approval by the Ministry of Finance has been given and tenders are being called for. Sir, the CID has about 240,000 fingerprint records. But because the search and the retrieval is manual, it means, first, that for any particular set of fingerprints which we want to match, it is impossible manually to match against the entire records. And more often than not, we are able to manually match against about 8% of the 240,000 records and this will take sometime between 7 days and 21 days. With the automated fingerprint identification system, we will be able to match a finger print lifted at the scene of a crime with the entire records that we have and in a matter of minutes. In fact, in other countries where they have introduced computerized finger print identification systems, the identification rate rose remarkably.”
“Apart from the examples that he has given, he might recall that only a few years ago, we made major amendments to the Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code to review the range of penalties. Secondly, new legislation was introduced a few years ago to combat the problem of mini turf clubs, particularly in public housing estates. While I accept the need for periodic review of legislation, we can only come to this House for changes to the legislation on the basis of facts and data on which to make a case for change to the legislation, particularly where we want to increase penalties. Although the Member for Clementi pointed out that we should not wait till after the event, it would be very difficult to come to this House and persuade Members to vote in favour of changes to legislation for increase of penalties if I do not present the House with facts and figures to show that there is a trend, a negative trend or an adverse trend, which warrants tightening up of the legislation. But I would welcome the offer made by the Chairman of the GPC that the GPC members will assist the Police in reviewing these areas of legislation which may require reform and amendment. Secondly, his point on computerization and equipment is a valid one, particularly in the light of manpower review. For Police manpower like manpower of all other Government departments, is limited. And the limited manpower has to cater for a variety of departments and a variety of policing functions, from crime prevention to neighbourhood police posts, land divisions, marine police, police task force, traffic police and many others.”
“First, can I refer to the point raised by the Member for Toa Payoh who asked if I could give some indication as to whether the crime situation is under control? Members will know that the Police have, on a quarterly basis, been giving information on crime statistics and I have encouraged them to be quite open about the statistics, whether they go up or down. I am glad to say, Sir, that the crime situation is under control. Major crimes such as murder, rape, outraging of modesty in 1987 decreased compared to the previous year. Other offences, like housebreaking, showed only very slight increases. What is very significant is that although more than 80% of our population live in HDB flats, the majority of housebreaking cases occurred outside HDB areas. In other words, less than 50% of the housebreaking cases involve HDB estates, which is very significant because it speaks volumes for the community policing and crime prevention awareness on the part of the people living in HDB estates. Lift robberies which I highlighted last year in the Committee of Supply as a worrying problem showed a reduction in 1987 by more than 24%. And the number of robberies generally in public housing estates has come down. Moving from the general crime situation to the points raised by the Member for Clementi. First, he made the point that we should systematically and periodically review legislation as they affect crime and as they affect policing. I take his point and would like to assure him and other Members that this is being done. Both the Ministry and the Police periodically review legislation to assess whether the provisions are adequate and if any amendments are needed.”
“Recently I came across two instances where records of serious road accidents kept by the Traffic Police were at variance with those at the Divisional Police Headquarters. Sir, failure to report serious road accidents can invalidate insurance claims for compensation by victims of road accidents. Here, I would like to declare my personal interest on this matter as my daughter was involved in a very serious road accident and broke her arm. She spent two weeks in hospital. When my solicitors wrote to the Traffic Police and asked for details of the accident, they received a notice, after paying for the cost, saying that there was no trace of this accident. I persevered in this and managed to find a report lodged with the Beach Road Police Station that indeed there was an accident. The second accident involved one of my constituents about eight years ago. It was a serious accident and he fractured his skull. He spent 2 1/2 months in hospital. When his lawyers sought information from the Traffic Police, he received the same reply, although in the report it was stated that the Police had records of the driver of the vehicle. The point I wish to make is: why were these people not prosecuted if they had failed to make a police report of the serious traffic accidents in which they were involved? May I ask the Minister to seriously look into this problem? The Minister for Home Affairs (Prof S. Jayakumar): Sir, I will respond to the broad points on policing raised by the Member for Clementi who is the Chairman of the GPC on Home Affairs and also raised by the Member for Toa Payoh. My colleague, the Minister of State, will respond to the points on Traffic Police raised by the Member for Toa Payoh. If I may take the points that they have raised in some systematic order.”
“Sir, although the Traffic Police has reported a considerable drop in serious road accidents, they must continue with the stepping up of road traffic enforcement. There are motorists who habitually flout even the most basic regulations. They ignore yellow box junctions, turning left or right from the wrong lanes, parking their vehicles close to major road junctions and littering on roads and expressways. Although offences like driving against red traffic lights have decreased due to the installation of surveillance cameras at certain road junctions, the offences which I have quoted can cause serious road accidents if stiffer penalties are not imposed. Sir, there are a number of goods vehicles on our roads. Very often, the goods section of these vehicles are not properly covered or the goods carried are not properly secured. One can find bags, containers and, on one occasion, I observed a ladder had fallen onto an expressway. Vehicles along expressways travel at a much higher speed and the things that have fallen off from such vehicles can pose a serious hazard to other roadusers. Sir, the next point I would like to raise is whether the Traffic Police together with other relevant Government departments could look into the possibility of improving or installing more road signs along major roads and expressways. Such signs should indicate well in advance the names of roads and places of interest to enable motorists to take advance precaution. Finally, I would like to ask the Minister whether there is any coordination between the Traffic Police and the Divisional Police Stations in keeping records of serious road accidents resulting in serious injuries.”
“Sir, I would like to touch on the recent review of manpower requirements in the Police Force conducted by an international firm of management consultants. Here I would like to support the views expressed by the Member for Clementi who is the GPC Chairman for the Ministry of Home Affairs. The question I would like to ask is: are the recommendations in line with the Government's objective in manpower reductions in the Civil Service? If this is so, will this lead to a decrease in efficiency and effectiveness in the policing system? Singapore is one of the few countries with a very low crime rate. This is in no small measure due to an efficient and forward-looking Police Force. We must recognize the fact that in an affluent and modern society, criminal activities tend to increase and become more sophisticated. Besides, there will be an increase in the range of policing functions to cope up with in a modern and progressive society. In addition to the manpower requirements of the Police Force, the Ministry of Home Affairs has also taken into consideration the manpower requirements of other enforcement agencies like Drug Enforcement and Civil Defence. Therefore, there is a need to examine carefully the manpower needs of our Police Force and other specialized functions and agencies of the Ministry of Home Affairs. We must avoid the danger of adopting a penny-wise pound-foolish policy at the expense of lowering the efficiency and effectiveness of our Police Force and other enforcement agencies in the Ministry. Finally, may I ask the Minister whether the crime situation is under control in Singapore?”
“In most cases, the total amount of these costs is far in excess of the rental owed to the Housing Board. If the tenant is unable to pay the rental, it is obvious that he would not be able to pay these additional costs. So I would urge the HDB to look into this with more compassion, either by waiving these additional costs or allowing tenants to repay them over a longer period and not to add them on to the rental arrears because, if a family is in distress, it is difficult for such family to pay the arrears as well as the other costs even though these are being paid in monthly instalments. By doing so, the HDB will help such tenants of flats and shophouses to overcome their temporary financial difficulties. I wish the Minister will seriously look into this suggestion.”
“Sir, the number of tenants of flats and shophouses in arrears of rental has increased over the past three years. Most of these tenants are in genuine financial hardship caused by either job losses or a decrease in business opportunities. Sir, the HDB should look into the method of recovery of rental arrears with some compassion. Sir, in some cases, the HDB has been very considerate but in others too over-zealous. When a tenant is in arrears of rentals, the HDB also takes into consideration the furniture and fittings in the flat, for example, the number of television sets, video-recorders, refrigerators, etc, in assessing the inability of the tenant to pay the arrears. I think this is unfair. I quote just one case to illustrate my point. In a family there were initially three members of the family working. The head of the family, a taxi driver, died of a heart attack. The elder son met with a serious motor accident and could not take on full-time employment leaving the younger son earning a salary of about $400. Minus CPF contribution, he has less than $400 to take care of the family needs. As a result of this, the family got into rental arrears. When the Housing Board decided to assess their inability to pay, they commented to the widow and said, "Well, how is that you can't pay this rental? You have a television. You have a video-recorder and so on." The widow attempted to explain that this was acquired during good times. It is unfair when a family is in distress and you start to inquire into the family's circumstances about of the acquisition of furniture and fittings. Another point I would like to raise is, besides the rental, those tenants who are in arrears have to pay other costs like legal costs, mesne profits, and so on.”
“The last point I would like to make, Sir, is if these old blocks of 1- and 2-room flats are demolished, whether the Housing Board could advise the MPs in the constituencies affected of the future redevelopment programme, ie whether new blocks of flats or other facilities will be constructed on these vacant lots so as to ensure that the vacated sites are put to more useful uses.”
“Sir, the HDB's redevelopment programme has affected the older HDB estates. In my constituency, several blocks of 1- and 2-room flats are affected by the HDB's redevelopment programme. The problems arising out of the dislocation of residents and shopkeepers are matters which the HDB should give more priority and special attention. For instance, some tenants of 1-room flats who requested for a larger flat were rejected by the HDB, presumably on the grounds that a tenant of a 1-room flat can only be offered a similar type of flat and not otherwise. Sir, in older estates like Toa Payoh, tenants have been residing in these flats for more than 20 years and the size of the family has increased over these years. Some have children in their late teens. Therefore, there is a need for such families to have a larger flat. Shopkeepers' businesses are also adversely affected because of the large scale reduction of tenants in neighbouring blocks. Can any assistance be given by the Board in the form of rental concessions or relocation to other estates without going through the process of public tender, thus giving them priority as in normal resettlement cases? The next point I wish to make, Sir, is the blocks that are left vacant poses security as well as social problems. I am aware that the entrances and other openings have been boarded up but these can be easily dismantled. Therefore, there is a possibility of trespassers using these flats for unlawful purposes. Could these blocks be expeditiously demolished and in their place new structures be erected? If this cannot be done, whether additional security measures can be introduced so as to minimize these risks.”
“Sir, may I ask the Hon. Acting Minister for Health whether he is also aware that besides the low salary structure there are other factors such as fringe benefits which encourage the nurses to resign from the Government service to join the private sector. Perhaps he would also look into this factor when he discusses the matter with the Ministry of Finance.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I just want to raise a few points with the Hon. Minister with regard to the provision to encourage private operators, ie, private companies or individuals, to set up child care centres so as to reduce the dependence of parents on foreign maids. I think it is a very good idea that we have introduced this new Bill. But what I would like to ask the Hon. Minister is that many of the premises that are being run as child care centres are, in fact, not really ideal locations. If we are going to encourage parents to put their children in child care centres, I think we should make greater effort to provide better quality, better designed, buildings. As you can see, some of the child care centres are located at the void decks of Housing and Development Board flats. May I suggest that the Minister liaise with the Minister for Education to find out how many schools are being returned, in other words, being relocated, and can these old school buildings be used as child care centres? I feel that it is very ideal because there are enough facilities like toilets and all these for the children, classrooms and also car parking facilities for parents, playgrounds and so on and so forth. May I suggest that the Hon. Minister liaise with the Minister for Education to try to acquire some of these old schools and maybe lease it out on special terms to those private individuals or companies that wish to set up child care centres.”
“Minister concerned, apart from the data that he already has in his Ministry, I would like to know if the Ministry has or has carried out any study on the socio-economic background of the people or young people involved in drug or inhalant abuse. For, with such a study on their socio-economic background, we would get a picture of the type of family, what kind of family, that tend to fall into this problem. I hope if such a study is available, that it could be released to the public so as to increase the amount of information we have on this. With the hope that it would give effect to the necessary preventive measures, I support this Bill.”
“Second is an approach that would certainly include punishments, or "punitive measures". And, thirdly, there must be rehabilitative measures. I would like to stress that among these, preventive measures would lie for the greater part on the role and responsibilities of the family. We know that the family of today, willy-nilly, has to allow some freedom to its younger generation or its young people. But, let us not sacrifice their discipline and future for the sake of giving them total freedom. Let the freedom enjoyed by the young people be bound by proper control. We should see who their friends are. Parents must monitor how they socialize outside the home, find out their movements in the right way. Also, freedom does not mean leaving our children alone without interacting with them. There is an attitude that since our boys and girls have grown up, since they are teenagers now, they know how to run their own affairs. But without interacting with them, we would not know what they have done or what lies behind their actions that we as parents do not know about. And should they by their actions get themselves trapped in undesirable situations, any action then taken by the family would be too late. So, Mr Deputy Speaker, I support this Bill on the grounds and with the hope that this would be one of the measures with which we seek to save the human resources, in particular the youthful resources, that we value so much. For, if the quality and quantity of our human resources are jeopardised, our national development would surely suffer. Before I conclude, I would like to ask the Hon.”
“And it would be worthwhile for me to quote the response or comments expressed by the country's own Home Secretary, Mr Douglas Hurd, who after hearing of the tragic incident tied it to the influence of television. I quote his view. He said: 'There is a connection between the violence on the television screen and the kind of killing in Hungerford.' And to further affirm how great the influence of television is, there is a study carried out by the Independent Broadcasting Agency (IBA) which stated that 4% of those interviewed admitted to having violent urges after watching scenes of violence on television. What we need to stress here is that this influence of violence, as well as the influence of the other elements of the counter culture, including inhalant abuse, cannot be taken for granted. And through the mass media too, we find that there seems to be a decline of the institution of the family, which we as Asians hold in high regard. It is due to the presence of such elements, which tend to weaken the institution of the family, that discipline within the family suffers. This in turn results in the erosion of parents' influence over their children. Added to this is the lack of willpower among the young people of today. Thus, when they are unable to appreciate how confusing, how complex modern living can be and how rapid its pace, they seek a way out - an escapism. Unfortunately, the escape they seek is in the ones portrayed on television and one of these is drug or inhalant abuse. I fully agree that this Bill presents a number of comprehensive measures to counter this problem. In gist, I would say that to overcome this problem, there must be three approaches, or a three-pronged approach to the problem. The first approach is in preventive measures.”
“Perhaps the Government could consider a similar provision to make it mandatory for parents, guardians, or even teachers to notify the relevant authorities if inhalant abusers are detected by them. This will ensure that victims are given early treatment and rehabilitation. Finally, Sir, I hope that the various measures provided for in this Bill will help to keep under control, if not eliminate, this scourge in our society. Thank you, Sir. Encik Wan Hussin bin Haji Zoohri( In Malay): Mr Deputy Speaker, allow me to say a few words in giving my support to the Intoxicating Substances Bill. In my view, the Intoxicating Substances Bill is very comprehensive as it gives due emphasis to three aspects, ie, supervision, treatment and, as it follows, rehabilitation. But the Government's need to enact this law arises from a much greater motivation, for this has to do with our modern way of life and standard of living. Inhalant abuse is another of several kinds of habits we encounter that arises from what is termed in English the "counter culture". I would call this (in Malay) "kebudayaan songsang". Counter culture is one of the things that we have had to absorb as we inherit the positive aspects of Western culture. Of course, there are several important factors as to how and why our young people get themselves trapped in inhalant abuse. What is inescapable to us is the great, strong, deep influence of the mass media, particularly the influence of television. Recently, we read news about a tragic incident in Hungerford, a small town west of London, in which a man killed, without due cause, 16 people. The tragedy provoked anger.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I wish to speak in support of the Bill. The increase in the number of inhalant abusers, particularly among the young, is a matter of grave concern. During my constituency tours, several parents whose children are not victims of this menace felt very strongly that the Government should take positive measures in combatting this dangerous habit. Sir, it is common knowledge that drug addicts often turn to crime to support their habit. Young abusers, particularly those of an impressionable age, can fall prey to criminal elements who can make use of them in criminal activities. Worse still, such young inhalant abusers may take to crime on their own. We all know the pitfalls inhalant abusers can fall into. But what about those people who willingly or unwillingly entice youngsters into acquiring such habits? Sir, under clause 4(2), the penalty provided for is, in my view, inadequate as a deterrent for this group of people. To be effective, penalties, whether in the form of fines or custodial sentences, should be commensurate with the quantity of intoxicating substances supplied to the addicts. I would therefore suggest that for repeat offenders, that is blatant suppliers, the quantity of intoxicating substances supplied should be cumulative and to be taken into consideration when they are prosecuted in court. Sir, I would also suggest that inhalant abuse be made a notifiable offence. I believe that under the regulations on communicable diseases, it is mandatory for next-of-kin and doctors to notify the health authorities if such diseases are detected in a family.”
“Sir, in view of the fact that the Foreign Minister has taken over the portfolio recently, he may not be aware that the increase in rentals was targeted for 1st September each year for the next three years. But these increases were suspended during the past two years, and the next increase is due next year, 1st September.”
“Sir, in view of what the Hon. Minister has just stated, will he consider the question of the Housing Board delaying the projected increase in rental for the next two years? I am sure he is aware that the Housing Board has projected annual increases for the past three years, and this has been suspended due to economic recession. Will he consider, as a measure to help these shopkeepers, suspending the increase in rentals projected for next year?”
“Ministry of Labour (11) That the total sum to be allocated for Head R of the Main Estimates be reduced by $100. The sum of $19,980,280 for Head R ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. The sum of $46,384,400 for Head R ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. Head J -”
“Sir, in the absence of one body to speak with one voice and act with one will on behalf of the employers, I do not think the Government can leave the matter of procreation to the goodwill and enlightenment of employers. If the Government wants more Singaporeans to make babies, then the Government must make laws to enable them to do so.”
“Sir, the restrictive provision of the Employment Act runs contrary to the current policy of the Government on procreation. Moreover, this restriction on paid maternity leave is reproduced in collective agreements which may have another one or two years to run after it has become the official Singapore Government's policy to promote procreation. If the Government considers the matter of procreation sufficiently critical to warrant governmental intervention in the form of tax reliefs or by the Government as an employer's benevolent gestures, the Government should remove statutory impediments to procreation in the private sector. It is not a question of young working wives in the private sector being unable to afford a third child if they are not granted paid maternity leave and other expenses. It is more a question of being less inclined than their counterparts in the civil service sector to procreate more than two children. Apart from taking leave without pay for the third child, working mothers in the private sector have to pay ward charges and other expenses because that is how the Employment Act stands as at present. Sir, I appreciate the desire of the Government for a consensual approach to the problem of procreation without a need for recourse to the Government's capacity to make laws. But the success of consensual approach requires employers to be sufficiently organized to be capable of a collective response to the Government's proposal on procreation. Unfortunately, there does not exist among the employers a central, disciplined, responsible and authoritative body like the NTUC in relation to workers which is capable of giving effective cooperation to the Government as in the matter of wage restraint and reform.”
“Mr Chairman, Sir, the Government, as an employer, has announced additional measures to foster procreation among civil servants. The Government shows its appreciation of the problems faced by working mothers in bringing up their children, particularly before the children are of school-going age. Thus, civil service mothers with children under six years of age may enjoy up to four years' leave without pay and up to 15 days unrecorded leave with pay each year. Such civil service mothers may also be employed on a part-time basis. Sir, I do not question the wisdom of all these proposals to help young Singaporeans including the civil servants to be more procreative. My objection is directed at a limited scope of these proposals. In an announcement of these proposals, the pious hope was expressed that employers in the private sector would follow the good example set by the Government. I have my doubts. A few exceptionally enlightened employers in the private sector may match or even outdo the Government's efforts to encourage procreation. The bulk of employers would more likely say apologetically that they have to answer to the boards of directors or head offices who do not share the Singapore Government's view on procreation. The claim of these employers would be that as the Employment Act only requires employers to provide maternity leave for the first two children, it would be difficult to justify the granting of paid maternity leave beyond two children, even more so the granting of no-pay leave for a long period or excessive compassionate leave with pay. If young working mothers in the private sector are to have a third child, they must do so at their own expense absolutely.”
“Central Narcotics Bureau (15) That the sum to be allocated for Head Q be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead QG-01-1210 of the Main Estimates.”
“Crime Prevention (6) That the sum to be allocated for Head Q be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead QC-07-1210 of the Main Estimates.”
“Sir, may I ask the Hon. Minister of State whether, in the replacement of lifts, he will consider looking into the possibility of installing lifts with a faster speed for blocks of flats that are taller than, say, 12 storeys high?”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, among the various reasons given by the Hon. Minister on the proposed privatization of the MRT, he has said that it would be more efficient and viable. I thought it is a bit strange. I thought the one cardinal principle of any enterprise would be good and sound management, whether it is a private company or a statutory board. Let me give, for instance, the Telecoms. Postage rates have remained constant for so many years and many of the services provided by Telecoms have been reduced and yet Telecoms have accumulated a hefty surplus each year. I would have thought that the fundamental principle is public participation rather than privatization to achieve efficiency and profitability.”
“Can the Hon. Prime Minister inform the House whether any steps will be taken to recover the $800,000 alleged to have been taken by the late Minister, if it can be proven that he did indeed receive that sum of money?”
“May I ask the Acting Minister for Trade and Industry what precautions are we taking in view of the threats by various political groups in Malaysia to cut off our water supply and to take over the waterworks in Johor Baru in three months' time? BG Lee Hsien Loong: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member's question is hypothetical. There is no need to over-react. We have heeded the proverb in Chinese that goes "Ju an si wei, you bei wu huan ( )" which means, "In times of peace, prepare for danger. Where precautions have been taken, there is no peril."”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I have just two matters to raise with the hon. Minister. The first matter is the unprecedented number of fires resulting in deaths in 1985. Here, I would like to ask the Minister what steps are being taken to ensure that the Singapore Fire Service has the capability to deal with this problem and also whether they have uncovered any evidence of arson. The second point I would like to raise is on immigration. Sir, from time to time we hear of illegal immigrants being caught and prosecuted. Can the Minister inform us what is the extent and the problem, and what measures are being taken both with regard to the illegal immigrants or illegal overstayers as well as persons who harbour them or employ them. By employing illegal immigrants, employers save costs at the expense of depriving our citizens of job opportunities. I hope the Minister will give some clarification on this aspect.”
“Singapore depends on its human effort to live and not on heavenly aid. The best chance of Singapore making a living is the good and harmonious relationship among the people who strive with concerted effort and common purpose and objective for mutual existence and social well being. If the people's conviction on this basic principle of survival is shaken, then it will bring about great disaster to our country. lherefore, I would like the Minister to give to the people of Singapore a clear directive as to the manner in which more efforts should be put in towards community development, so that the grassroots organizations may know which way to go.”
“Sir, in view of the comprehensive reply given by the Acting Minister and his Minister of State, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $83,438,700 for Head V ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. The sum of $284,006,000 for Head V ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. Head J - Mr Chai Chong Yii (Bukit Batok)( In Mandarin): Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head J be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead JA-01 Object Group 1100 of the Main Estimates. The Ministry of Community Development has a special mission to perform. Singapore is a tiny country with a dense population of a very complicated mix of races of diverse language, religion and custom. Different races had been living here in different ways in separate communities before independence. Since independence, through the PAP Government's efforts and leadership, Singapore has gradually become a Republic, and not only legally so but it is also reflected by the way of life of the people and the attitude of the people. It has a unique form of social structure. We can see the special characteristics of the people of Singapore. I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to ask the Minister the policy direction of the Ministry of Community Development. What are its main policies? I would like to ask this question because in recent years there have been certain undesirable manifestations, namely, more and more irresponsible individuals who are not very well informed of the history of Singapore are criticizing and cavilling over the development of our society and the efforts of our Government in developing our society. If this trend of criticisms and attacks is allowed to continue, then it will not benefit anybody.”