Goh Choon Kang
Singapore
“Sir, can I ask the Minister of State, in view of the prolonged recession in the construction industry, whether the Ministry will consider regularising the operation of these workers' quarters, so that they will continue to provide low-cost accommodation for foreign workers?”
“Then, when they come here, instead of being brought to see cultural sites, they are brought to shop and they are made to pay high prices because these are the only shops they are brought to. We have been collecting statistics. They are high spenders, especially in jewellery items.”
“Sir, I hope the Minister can respond to the point on relaxing the requirement to study Higher Chinese. RAdm Teo Chee Hean: Sir, in fact, we have really relaxed the requirements for Higher Chinese quite considerably over the last few years. Originally, Higher Chinese could only be studied by those in the top 10%.”
“Faced with the withering number of Chinese talents, including Chinese teachers, and coupled with the picking up of the economy of our Asian neighbour, China, we should promptly change this practice, and actively nurture a batch of new Chinese talents as successors to satisfy the needs of the international situation in the future.”
“The low plot ratio allowed for this area is such that the two existing blocks of 10-storey private apartments have to actually go down to four storeys, if they were to be redeveloped. 5.30 pm This sounds contradictory and inconsistent.”
“Sir, I would like to ask the Minister whether the Home Team could look into how police presence can be improved in new estates, where residents have a natural tendency to feel insecure in their new environment.”
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“The implementation of electronic boards showing arrival time cannot solve the problem of long waiting time if the daily operating fleet of the SBS continues to decline or remains at a constant level. I wonder if the Ministry commits SBS to a certain number of average daily operating fleet so as to ensure that there are enough buses to improve the frequency of the service. 2.15 pm Take service 105, for example. SBS has admitted in a letter to me that there is high loading and long waiting time for this service. The solution is either to increase the frequency or the capacity. But SBS said that double decker buses could not be deployed for this service because, to quote, "there are height restrictions along the link road under the CTE before buses run into Lorong Chuan." So the other alternative, of course, is to increase the frequency. This apparently also could not be done.”
“Sir, the Government has come to the conclusion that the public transport system must be improved to provide an acceptable alternative to the people who want to own cars. It is also important that we improve the public transport system as the majority of our population rely on public transport. What I have to say about the MRT, especially the proposed North-East extension, has been said many times, both inside and outside this House. Last year, I asked the Minister a very simple and direct question: When? But there was no simple and direct answer. The issue has to be kept alive and persistency has somewhat paid off. Progress is being made. Feasibility studies are being carried out and the result will be out in a few months' time. I am grateful indeed to Mr Lim Boon Heng, Minister-without-Portfolio, for publicly expressing his support of my stand and argument. I hope that I will also have the sympathetic ears of the Minister as well as more of his Cabinet colleagues. Secondly, on bus service. Sir, our bus fleet, though modern and comfortable, cannot meet the demands of the people for increased frequency and address the perennial complaint of long waiting time. The average daily operating fleet, as mentioned by my parliamentary colleague, Dr Vasoo, has declined and here I am quoting from the Singapore Bus Service Annual Report: The daily operating fleet has declined from 2,480 in 1989 to 2,359 in 1993. If the bus fleet is not increased, I do not see how the frequency of bus services can be improved. To improve productivity and at the same time control capital expenditure on new buses, SBS will continue to act against what it considers to be the low demand bus routes.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head R of the Main Estimates be reduced by $10 in respect of Code RC 1500. Sir, according to the Library 2000 Review Committee, there are plans for community libraries in various parts of the island, including Serangoon New Town in the town centre. I would like to know what is the time-frame for the construction of this library. Sir, there are currently 19,157 units of HDB flats in Serangoon Town and 1,665 more are under construction. The total population of the town should be in the region of 80,000 to 100,000 and taking into consideration the nearby estates as well as private housing estates, the number should be much bigger. The nearest libraries for these residents, at the moment, are Ang Mo Kio and Toa Payoh Branch Libraries. They are not easily accessible. So I would like to urge the Minister to give priority consideration for the construction of community libraries for Serangoon New Town and other towns which are without branch or regional libraries.”
“Sir, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. If we take 25 years as one generation, then exactly two generations have passed since the Japanese Army that occupied Singapore for three years and eight months surrendered to Lord Mountbatten on 12th September 1945. Sir, those who had experienced the war, like my parents, can never forget the war - the cruelty of the Japanese soldiers and the sufferings - and they are much more appreciative of the peace and prosperity that we are now enjoying. Some of us belong to the post-war generation. We are fortunate enough to be born after the war but the lessons from history must be learnt. The Prime Minister had said that schools should ingrain in students national lessons of survival and make them aware of Singapore's constraints and fragility. I feel that it is equally important to teach them these lessons from history lest the younger generation of Singaporeans forget that our island state is vulnerable to foreign aggression. Sir, I would like to know what would be done to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. And in this connection, I would also like to know what the National Heritage Board would do to preserve and promote this and other historical heritage. 4.45 pm”
“On the one hand, the Government must weigh its policy priorities with the aspirations of the people as well as find ways and means to assist them to realise these aspirations. On the other hand, the people should continue to understand the constraints faced by the Government and the fact that it takes time to work around this limitation to make improvement. This should be a two-way process, failing which distrust and misunderstanding will set in. Only when both parties make efforts to understand each other that we can continue to strengthen the bond between the Government and the people. Sir, I support the motion. 4.00 pm”
“The Government is hesitant to embark on such programmes on grounds that they are not economically viable, or not enough demand. But I think the longer the delay, the heavier will be the political price. I welcome the Minister for Communications' announcement just now on land transport policy. I am glad that the Minister also sees some wisdom in the quotation I used last year, that is, he will adopt a two-pronged approach in his land transport policy, ie, both damming and dredging. But I hope that he would not use one preceding the other, that is, damming before dredging. Already we know that he will be damming part of the ECP and maybe some of the expressways, CTE, and so on. Because if you dam and not dredge at the same time, the traffic will overflow in certain areas. Sir, the Government has been successful in providing the alternative in public housing. In recent years, we have seen quality housing in HDB 4- and 5-room flats, Executive apartments and maisonettes. They are built to a standard which is comparable, if not better, than private condominiums. HDB has also raised its income ceiling recently to allow more households to buy HDB flats. Even the existing owners of 3-room flats are not left out. They enjoy the benefits of upgrading and see their houses appreciate in value. Upgraded HDB flats with better facilities and landscaping look every bit like private apartments. Therefore, I think the Government has been successful in providing the people with an acceptable alternative in public housing. Mr Speaker, Sir, meeting the higher expectations and aspirations of a better educated population will increasingly be a major challenge faced by the Government in the future.”
“How can we continue to maintain this bond between the people and the Government if the majority of the aspirations of tertiary educated graduates cannot be met? Sir, I think the Government is aware of this dilemma and is calling Singaporeans to peg their aspirations to a more realistic level. They want young Singaporeans to bear in mind our limitations and factor in our constraints as a small country. In short, the Government is suggesting that the people lower their expectations. The Prime Minister has also proposed that we should start by educating our young to understand these constraints so that they can be more realistic in their aspirations. But, Sir, aspiration is something that is derived when people see their contemporaries doing better than they do. It is relative. It is inevitable when people start to compare. Therefore, it is not something that you can ask the people to lower or even forget about it. They may understand the limitations but still their aspirations must be met and if they cannot be realised, an alternative must be given. Understanding the limitations alone may not be enough to temper people's expectations and desire to own a car or private housing. The question now is what can the Government offer. To give an example. If Government wants people to live with the reality that not everyone is going to be able to afford a car, then it is imperative that the Government take active steps to improve the public transport system. For instance, increasing the frequency of bus services, speeding up the construction of MRT extensions, implement the much talked about Light Rail System and building more underground tunnels. These programmes must now be brought forward and not postponed due to economic reasons.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Minister has announced that in order to equip Singaporeans to meet new challenges in the global economy, the Government will increase the proportion of young people going into tertiary education from 71% in 1994 to 85% by the year 2000. This consists of 20% of each cohort going to university, 40% to polytechnic and 25% to ITE. This is the direction that Singapore will be heading. So with more and more young people receiving tertiary education, we can expect even higher expectations and aspirations. There will be more expectations for the four "Cs", that is, cars, credit cards, cash and condominiums. These young people want the four "Cs" and, rightly or wrongly, they expect to achieve this within the shortest possible time. They constitute the emerging middle class which expects Government to place as few obstacles as possible in their paths and help realise their aspirations for an even better life. As it is, Government is facing a huge challenge of meeting these aspirations. Land is a limited resource. Our capacity to put more cars on the roads or allow more private housing is constrained by our land size. Eventually, people will have to pay even more for the privilege of using our limited road space and land for private housing. In fact, even those who already own cars are unhappy because they know that the cost of owning this asset is going up every year. Those who have yet to have a house or car worry that the value of these assets will inflate beyond their means. What is the solution? If the Government cannot solve this problem, there will be more and more disillusion on the part of the people. How can we get out of this dilemma, short of an economic recession?”
“Point of clarification, Sir. Can Mr Low tell this House whether the two foreign workers concerned did personally approach him for assistance?”
“Can the Minister of State convey this proposal to the Cabinet?”
“Can we work on a similar formula for upgrading of HDB estates?”
“My question is whether the Government is prepared to do this as an upgrading project, just like the Government is upgrading the HDB estates.”
“Would the Government consider doing this as an upgrading project for the private housing estates?”
“Sir, what is the total cost of re-laying the gas pipes in all these estates?”
“Does the Minister agree that by doing so, residents who want to upgrade are deprived of the opportunity to do so because existing residents enjoy certain priority?”
“Sir, does the Minister agree that many residents who wanted to upgrade in this estate were deprived of the opportunity because of this and, therefore, will he consider asking HDB to make a public apology? Mr Lim Hng Kiang: Mr Speaker, Sir, on the contrary. Even if new applicants wanted to apply for these three blocks later on in October 1994, they would have been at the end of the queue and they would not have been balloted for these blocks of flats. The reason why we put the flats for booking after the tender is that we will know the prices of the tender. But in this case, HDB stuck its neck out and put up these three blocks for balloting so as to satisfy the demand even though they did not know the tender prices. So in a way, HDB was taking a risk that the tender prices might be much higher and that it would end up with a greater subsidy. It is to HDB's credit that they made this management decision to accelerate the balloting of these three blocks so as to satisfy the applicants for those flats in Serangoon. If we had delayed the balloting of these three blocks and put them in a later exercise when new applicants submit their applications, they would not have a chance for these blocks of flats in any case.”
“The contribution rate is 20%. My question is: why cannot the employer pay 10% and the employee pay 10%?”
“But why is it that the employer pays less for this category of workers?”
“But why is it that only this age group of 55 to 60 years are affected, that is, their contribution rates are reduced, and not the other age groups?”
“Sir, does the Minister feel that this adjustment actually goes against the very rationale of raising the retirement age to 60 years old?”
“Sir, I share the concern on the problems faced by our aged. I think the Government should consider the idea of a retirement village mooted by Mr Lim Boon Heng, the Minister without portfolio. Sir, the retirement village will have elderly, friendly facilities but, most importantly, Mr Lim recommended that those living in the villages must have their children living in the same neighbourhood. This will help to relieve the smaller working families who have problems looking after their elderly and at the same time encourage them to still keep in contact, if not to stay together. 3.00 pm Sir, MCD should also, I think, take active measures to reach out to these lonely elderly people. Currently, the Befriender Service only reaches out to those elderly people who are enrolled in the programme. But, I think, more should be done to reach out to more of them who have withdrawn themselves from the community. Will MCD consider the feasibility of the retirement village and the form of assistance that Government can give? Or will it just leave it to NTUC? And what plans does MCD have to further reach out to the lonely elderly not enrolled in the Befriender Service?”
“Sir, some of the older HDB neighbourhoods are facing the problem of inadequate parking lots. In one of the neighbourhoods in my constituency near Serangoon Avenue 2, the problem is quite acute to the extent that some car owners even resort to park their cars at night in the middle of the car park, thereby causing obstruction and also, I think, posing dangers. For example, if there is a fire, I think there is no way that the fire engine can enter the car park. The residents are requesting that more car park lots be built because there is a reserved site, a big vacant plot of land just next to this neighbourhood along Serangoon Avenue 2. They are asking whether more car park lots can be built at this reserved site and whether there is any plan to develop this vacant plot of land in the near future.”
“Sir, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Would the Minister consider issuing provisional permits for offices? Mr Lim Hng Kiang: If I do so, 10 years from now the next Minister would say that that was a mistake because the provisional permission would become permanent permission.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head U of the Main Estimates be reduced by $10 in respect of Code UE 2100. Sir, by definition, shophouses mean shop and houses. Here I am referring to private shophouses. Usually, they are two-storey buildings, the ground floor is used for shops and the second storey is used for residential purpose. The problem is that for certain older private shophouses, especially those more than 30 years, people do not like to stay in them. Over the years, many of these shophouses, especially the second storey, have been used for other purpose. I understand that URA also allows conversion of use, but it is only limited to certain trades such as hair salon, but not for offices. I do not understand why this is the case. I have such shophouses in my constituency. There is a row of shophouses along Brighton Avenue and the tenants have been asking for the conversion of use of the second storey into offices, but this was not allowed by the URA. I would like to ask the Minister to review the rules governing the use of these shophouses and to allow the second storey to be used as offices.”
“Sir, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head U of the Development Estimates be reduced by $10 in respect of Code UC 5100. Sir, with the opening of the CTE, the vehicular traffic patterns in the vicinity of its entry and exit points have changed. Some of these roads are now very congested, especially during rush hours. One of such roads is Braddell Road, especially that stretch of road between the CTE and Upper Serangoon Road. I notice that there is a provision in this year's budget for a traffic interchange at the junction of Upper Serangoon Road and Braddell Road. Is it meant to alleviate the traffic congestion situation? If so, when is this going to be built? There is also a similar provision for a traffic interchange at the junction of Boundary Road and Upper Serangoon Road. May I also know when is it going to be built?”
“Sir, I guess I just have to wait for another sitting to raise the same question. Sir, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Sir, just one clarification. I did not suggest using COE revenue to subsidise MRT fare. What I suggested was to use part of the revenue to build more extensions of MRT lines. Is it all right now for the Minister to say yes?”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the total sum to be allocated for Head I of the Main Estimates be reduced by $100. Sir, we need to move towards a more comprehensive and sophisticated public transport network because I think the present network is too simple to meet the very complex needs of the commuters. At the moment, there are three main modes of public transport, namely, bus, MRT and taxi. They form the backbone of our public transport system. All of them are not able to meet adequately the needs of the commuters. For buses, because of the integration exercise, many routes are changed or withdrawn. We have also heard of frequent complaints on the frequency of many bus services. MRT only has two lines, East-West, North-South. Taxis are not as easily available as in the other cities, like Hong Kong and even major cities in China today. Sir, I think there are many service gaps to be filled. That is why I said that we need to move towards a more comprehensive and efficient public transport network. And to do this, the Government must be prepared to be more flexible, to enable private operators to provide services to supplement SBS, TIBS, MRT and the taxi services. Private operators are able to respond much faster to the needs and demands of the commuters. For example, the mini-bus system can be considered to offer feeder services both within HDB towns and between the estates and MRT stations, and private hire buses or school buses can also be given a bigger role to play. This will help them to also upgrade their fleet to a better or air-conditioned one. Finally, we should improve the MRT system faster and use part of the COE revenue collection to build more MRT extensions.”
“Sir, I have a lot of sympathies for SBC. As the Chinese saying goes shun de ge qing shi sao yi ( ), I think it is very difficult. But SBC is not just a broadcasting station, it is also a listening station, and it will take all constructive criticisms in the right attitude. And with that, I withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $103,596,600 for Head R ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. The sum of $77,553,600 for Head R ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. Head P -”
“Sir, in terms of programmes, to be fair to SBC, it has made many improvements, one of which is the many Mandarin series it has produced over the years. I think it has done a good job in terms of helping to promote the use of Mandarin among Chinese Singaporeans. Much of the success of the "Speak Mandarin Campaign" is definitely owed to SBC. Over the last 10 years or so, I think Mandarin has already taken root because of the very vigorous promotion. It has already taken root in the Chinese community, especially among the younger generation. Maybe it is time now to have some review as to what should be the future direction and thrust of the campaign. I think our social environment has changed. The external environment has also changed. A new thrust of the campaign could be to facilitate and help all those who want to learn the language that has now become economically very useful. Just like the English language is being promoted by BBC and the British Council. Maybe some non-Chinese educated Members can be appointed to the campaign committee to provide new inputs and inject new ideas. Can I have the comments of the Minister?”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head R of the Main Estimates be reduced by $10 in respect of Code RG 3100. Sir, much has been said about SBC programmes. So I shall not test your patience further. But some repetition is unavoidable because I need to put forward a point. I can understand the predicament of SBC. It has to compete with foreign stations and programmes. But to be able to compete is not to be more enlightened. On the contrary, SBC should establish its own set of standards and find its niche. The challenge for SBC is not confined to meeting the needs and demands of local viewers and listeners. It is, I think, facing a bigger challenge, a challenge from the revolution in communication and information technology. And I support the Minister's point of view that our media industry should actually go on the offensive and promote our own values and ways of life, rather than just be defensive. Sir, the growing economic strength of Asia provides the opportunity for our media and entertainment industry to also grow and venture abroad, and maybe to take on the Western media. The privatisation of SBC is a move in the right direction. Just now the Minister mentioned that he would encourage SBC and other local media to xia hia [ ], ie, to venture abroad. I would like to further suggest that our local media, printed media, entertainment media, Telecom and so on, team up together. Because by pooling resources, our local media and the entertainment industry can better compete abroad and stand a better chance of success. As a second step, it can then team up with other regional media companies to make further inroads into the global media market.”
“Is it because the library does not pay attention to the collection of Chinese books and does not look after the needs of the Chinese readers? Or is it because MITA has not enough money for the purchase of Chinese books? The Library 2000 Review Committee has mentioned that we should increase the collection of books in the different languages and it recommended buying them direct from China and other places. What sort of plans do they have for the purchase of books? What is the sum allocated for the purchase of books? Finally, according to the recommendations of the Committee, a neighbourhood library will be set up in Hougang. I would ask the Minister when will it be established.”
“Guidelines, I hope, could be made ready soon so that any constituency or any community which is keen to have such a library can proceed to do so as soon as possible. Finally, Sir, the Report has recommended that a new statutory board be set up to spearhead the implementation of the Library 2000 recommendations. I would like to know when will the statutory board be set up. Mr Low Thia Khiang( In Mandarin): Sir, the Government has been encouraging people to learn Chinese and the Chinese culture. I think it is a move in the right direction. The learning of a language is a long-term process. You cannot achieve your objective of improving Chinese overnight. One way of improving Chinese is to encourage more people to read Chinese books, especially during the school days. The reading habit will influence one's mastery of a language in later life. Apart from school, the libraries should also encourage people to read more Chinese books, and I think the role is very important. I would like to ask what has the library done in this regard. 4.30 pm The Library 2000 Review Committee has noted that only about 12% of our people are using the facility. Among them, how many read Chinese books? I do not know. Apart from the long-term strategy recommended, I would like to ask MITA what sort of short-term and medium-term plans do they have to encourage people to read more Chinese books. According to my latest information, the Chinese books in the libraries in Singapore are only about 9,000-odd titles whereas for English, you have over 30,000. So the ratio is 1:4. In the adult section, there are only about 39,000 titles of Chinese books, whereas you have over 200,000 English books. So there is a big gap in the collection of Chinese and English books.”
“Sir, the Library 2000 Review Committee Report, I think, is a very comprehensive report. I understand the Government has already adopted the recommendations of the Report. So the next step now is the implementation. Sir, we have many number ones - number one seaport, number one airport, and so on. But in terms of reading habit, we are far behind many countries. Take, for example, Singaporeans read only about 16 books a year compared to their American counterparts who read three times as many. The Library 2000 Report has noted that in Singapore one public library serves more than 200,000 people, and I quote: `The extant library system certainly does not encourage Singaporeans to be library users nor avid readers.' Over the last few years, I have been asking for a branch library to be built in Serangoon New Town. I am glad that the Review Committee has now recommended the building of 18 community libraries, giving a ratio of about 100,000 people to one such library. And Serangoon New Town, as with other centres of population, will have one such library. The question is: how soon can this be done? The Committee recommended a time-frame of 10 to 20 years. I think that is too long. I hope this can be shortened. The other recommendation of the Committee is building about 100 neighbourhood libraries, either at void decks or in the community centres, and these are meant for children. I suggest that neighbourhood libraries should also cater to the needs of other groups of residents in the new towns, such as senior citizens. MITA should actively encourage the setting up of such library with the support of grassroots organisations such as the CCCs and the RCs.”
“When will these residents be informed about the project?”
“Sir, how many residential units will be affected and how are they going to be resettled and compensated?”
“Secondly, although there are many private clinics in our new towns, I think a lot of low-income earners still find that charges of private clinics are expensive. So setting up these small-scale Government outpatient clinics can also act as a check on the prices charged by the private doctors.”
“However, if the Government can expedite the construction of MRT extensions to other parts of the island, especially the north-eastern line, there will be less reason for people to own a car. I hope the Minister for Communications can take note. The CRC noted that when the COE first started in May 1990, the bidding price for a medium-sized car was only about $3,000. But between April 1990 and September this year, it has risen to the range of $25,000 to $35,000. This has made people very unsettled and they blame the Government for using COE as a revenue generating measure. Therefore, the CRC's suggestion to channel revenue collected from the various vehicle restraint measures into a consolidated fund is a good one. The Government can make use of this fund to expedite the construction of the MRT or for other road expansion. The consolidated fund is thus used to improve the existing network of public transport system. People will then see the direct relationship. Finally, Sir, on health. The CRC recommended that the visiting hours of selected Government outpatient clinics be extended beyond the present hours. I support this recommendation. But at the same time, I also hope that the Ministry of Health would also consider the possibility of setting up small-scale outpatient clinics in new towns to supplement the existing polyclinics. Because it is very inconvenient, especially when a person is ill, to travel to the nearest Government polyclinic. Take the residents of Serangoon New Town, for example, the nearest polyclinic is the Hougang Polyclinic and there is no direct bus service. You have to change two buses to get there. If we have a small-scale outpatient clinic like in the past, I think this will help.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I support the motion. I would like take this opportunity to make a few recommendations. Firstly, on education. I would like to suggest that we maintain the Government subsidy rate for university fees. That means no more reduction in the subsidy. This happens to coincide with the recommendation of the Committee. In addition, I would like to suggest that we freeze the number of independent schools, because the more such schools we have, the more kiasu parents will send their children to these schools and the more they will complain about high school fees in these schools. Secondly, on housing. The Ministry of National Development has revealed that at least $30 billion worth of new private properties would come into the market in the next seven years. This is the value of around 46,000 landed and condominium units which already have planning permission and are likely to be built by the year 2000. Roughly, a third of this stock is landed property. This is according to the Business Times report dated 6th October 1993. The CRC Report has highlighted our land constraint as one of the factors which contributes to the increase in the cost of getting a house or a car. That being the case, we should be more careful in releasing more land for private development, especially landed property. Our priority should be reserved for public housing and non-landed properties. So the question is: are we releasing too much State land for private housing? The third point is on transport. The CRC proposed making public transport more convenient, efficient and affordable to commuters so as to convince more Singaporeans not to own a car. This is a step in the right direction.”
“Sir, over the years I have presented very cogent arguments for a north-eastern extension of MRT. I have also presented hard facts and figures, except that the Minister did not want to hear. Because of time, I do not want to repeat them here. The Minister can refer to Hansard. I just want to know a simple answer to a very simple question: When?”
“I am not too sure whether there are copycat crimes in UK. But I am quite sure that our TV producers have already become copycat of TV crimes. Sir, does MITA intend to play an even more active role in reviewing and refining SBC's in-house censorship guidelines? What plans does MITA have to ensure that SBC abides by the guidelines, especially the new guidelines which will be set by the newly formed Committee which will be looking into TV violence? Who will be appointed to this Committee? And how does MITA ensure that the standards set will be balanced and realistic?”
“It was violence laden enough to warrant a PG rating from SBC and the concern of MITA itself and also the Ministry of Home Affairs and the public. This local production was the latest addition to our steady diet of Hong Kong movies with a violent content. Last year, SBC also made the news with a rape scene in "Pretty Faces" and an episode of gay scene in "Breaking Point". SBC has again and again ventured into these controversial scenes acceptable by its own in-house censorship standards, but not the public. Sir, for some reasons, SBC productions are getting more and more similar to those of Hong Kong's in terms of its violent contents. Singapore is not Hong Kong, and SBC is not TVB or Asia TV. We have a different social environment, different values and, I think, a different threshold of violence. What is acceptable in Hong Kong may not necessarily be the case in Singapore. I am aware that SBC has its in-house censorship guidelines. But what are its standards and who decides whether these standards are acceptable? It is simply not right to leave it to SBC to define what is or what is not acceptable. As far as violent scenes are concerned, I think easing of censorship should not mean allowing the media to set its own standards or find its own level. Take the case of UK. If you do that, I think there will be no standards, and it will actually end up with the government quarrelling with the media. I would also like to cite this report on Mr Major. He asked the media to think whether "a relentless diet of violence won't have a serious effect on the young". And then the Chief of BBC Channel 1, Mr Alan Yentob, retorted by saying that he had never seen any evidence that had convinced him there was a direct casual link between violence on TV and copycats crime on the streets.”
“Sir, lately our cinemas have been flooded with Chinese films featuring martial arts. These films, such as the East is Red and Once Upon a Time in China have become box office hits. I was told that films which are modelled after the East is Red have scenes of flying swordsmen who kill indiscriminately by slicing human beings or animals into halves. Other techniques to demonstrate invincible internal prowess are the severing of heads by twisting them or dismembering the bodies till they are beyond recognition. Films which are modelled after Once Upon a Time in China boast of flying kicks and smashing blows. Other productions from Hong Kong featuring the contemporary society present even more violence of a realistic kind and often violence for a good cause. Usually it is with Jackie Chan in the lead and of late, I think, Jet Li has also become quite popular. Sir, so far, the emphasis on R(A) films has been the censorship of pornography. Comparatively, violence has escaped stringent scrutiny. We must be mindful of the effects of viewing cinema violence. Most of them offer scope for easy imitation by the audience. Already in Britain, the arrest of two 10-year olds suspected of murdering a toddler has shocked the country into focusing on violence in the mass media. Last year, we were also disgusted with the road bullies, granny muggers and teen gangs who fought at Orchard Road. I would therefore like to ask the Minister whether there are any plans by the Ministry to fine-tune the censorship guidelines relating to violence. On the specific issue of TV violence, I think the last episode of the Mandarin serial Angel of Vengeance was the last straw.”
“Sir, I have just one clarification. When is the market going to be built and when will it be completed?”
“Sir, the Lim Tua Tow Market which has served the residents in the Upper Serangoon area for many many years have to make way for a road widening project. I am glad that the HDB has decided to build a new market in the Serangoon Town Centre area. I would just like to take this opportunity to ask the Minister whether he would like to release more details about this market. When is it going to be built? When is it going to be completed? How many stalls will be available and how are these stalls going to be allocated?”
“Sir, starting with the two stalls at the Newton Hawker Centre last year, the Ministry of the Environment recently put up more vacant stalls in existing wet markets and hawker centres for tendering. There are worries that the tender system may have an adverse long-term effect on consumer prices. Can the Minister, therefore, tell us how many such stalls will be tendered out eventually? I understand that the tender system will also be applied to all new hawker centres and wet markets being built or being planned. Can the Minister confirm this and explain why?”
“The Ministry of the Environment has actually started the practice of tendering out vacant hawker stalls in existing hawker centres. Ultimately, I think it is the consumers again, not the hawkers, who are going to pay for the high bidding prices. Sir, I agree that we have to have faith in market forces. But the full play of the market forces requires competition. Therefore, while we should have faith in the market forces, we should also ensure that conditions that allow for the free play of market forces exist or are adequate. That is the most effective way to hold consumer prices down and that is also the most effective way to allay the fears of the man-in-the-street about GST. Sir, I support the motion.”
“Many new towns are without such outlets and new towns built in the 80s and later are also without wet markets and hawker centres. Fairprice has to bid for shop space. Since it is an important organisation which can help to hold consumer prices down, should the HDB not consider giving them some concessions in bidding? Because I know of some cases where NTUC Fairprice was outbid by other competitors. But I must say that I have no connection or vested interest at all with Fairprice. On hawker centres and wet markets, the Government has decided not to build any more wet markets and cooked food centres. Therefore, many HDB new towns are without wet markets and hawker centres. What they have are dry markets and eating houses or coffeeshops which were bidden successfully many a time at unrealistically high prices. The high cost of operating these markets and shops or stalls inevitably will be passed on to the consumers. Nowadays, you can still get maybe $1.50 fishball guatio and $2 chicken rice at most hawker centres, but I do not think you can get them at this price in an eating house or coffeeshop. Wet markets and hawker centres have not only become prominent features of many HDB estates, they are also important institutions which help to hold consumer prices down. They are very important to the working class, especially the middle and lower-income groups. So should the policy of not building wet markets and hawker centres be reviewed? There is another aspect of this problem. The Government seems to have changed its mind a bit on wet markets. A few new generation markets have been planned. But from what I know, the thinking is to tender out these markets to one single operator, like in the case of coffeeshops.”