Ho Cheng Choon
Singapore
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the portion of Balestier Road from Serangoon Road junction to Moulmein Road junction is well planted with trees and is quite shady and green. The portion from Moulmein Road junction to Thomson Road junction has no trees because no planting can be done on the road divider which is only about 0.4 metres wide.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, as soon as the Ministry of Finance approves the project, work on the Sembawang Park will commence and development is expected to take two years. The Member also asked what kind of facilities will be provided.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Punggol has suggested that the authority concerned should undertake park development and ensure a speedier completion of the projects.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the proposed site for the Centralised Motor Repair Workshop is at 19.3 km Woodlands Road. Plans and cost estimates for the project have been completed. The Ministry will proceed with the implementation of the project as soon as funds are available.”
“We will give every encouragement and assistance if the private sector is prepared to go into deep-sea fishing. Sir, the Member for Punggol asked whether it is possible to have a joint venture on deep-sea fishing between the ASEAN countries.”
“Resolved, That this Parliament, in accordance with section 4 of the Foreshores Act (Chapter 270), approves the reclamation by Government of that portion of the foreshore at Labrador/Tanjong Berlayer containing an area of approximately 11.80 acres as shown coloured yellow on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO.”
The complete record
Every one of 228 lines we hold for Ho Cheng Choon, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 4 of 5.
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in reply to the Member for Geylang Serai, I have to say that I quite agree that the Geylang Serai Constituency had been neglected before 1963 and that this backwardness is due to the inefficiency of the Lim Yew Hock Government and the colonial Government. From 1963 up to now, the Government has spent $600,000 on public amenities like street lighting, good roads, standpipes and other projects in this constituency. The Government is determined not only to look after the Geylang Serai Constituency, but also other rural constituencies. In regard to the allocation of funds to the constituencies, the amount is based on the size and population of constituency and the area in which it is situated. For instance, Anson Constituency has 147 acres - .23 square mile - and the population is about 22,500. The vote for this constituency, which is in the urban area, is $12,828. Geylang Serai, a suburban area, 595 acres - .93 square mile - and a population of 44,100. It is eligible for $53,991. Jurong, in the rural area, has 18,867 acres - 29.48 square miles - and a population of 28,700 and is entitled $91,846. As I have just pointed out, funds are fairly allocated to e constituency. So I am afraid we can favour any particular constituency. In reply to the Member for Paya Lebar, this is the first time I heard complaint that proposals to make up a road or some other project take year to be considered.”
“I thank the Minister for his clarification. I think the Safety First Council can look after this problem. This year the Government has spent $87,820 on repairing drains in the rural and city areas. A point has been raised by the Member. He has suggested that we must build more concrete drains instead of earth drains, as we are doing now in the rural constituencies. This is a good suggestion, but comparing the construction of a road and that of a drain, the construction of a drain will cost much more than that of a road. A road in the rural constituency is more important than a drain. Because of limited funds, more concentration should be given on the repairing of roads. Roads should come first.”
“The Member for Serangoon Gardens has just mentioned footpaths and cycle tracks. He says this is a problem. The Urban and Rural Services committee is provided with this vote for public roads which are much used by pedestrians near schools, market places, places of entertainment and worship. These are usually much used by vehicles also. To cater for the use of pedestrians and even cyclists, footpaths and cycle tracks are constructed. Footpaths for pedestrians are normally five feet wide and footpaths-cum-cycle tracks for both pedestrians and cyclists are 12 feet wide. Sir, it is not true that when the P.U.B. or some other statutory board want to undertake some project, they have to damage the footpath, and after the project has been completed, this damaged footpath is left as it is. In fact, after the project is completed, the damaged footpath is repaired again. As regards the starting of a campaign for road safety, I notice that the Ministry of Social Affairs has set up a Safety First Council recently.”
“Regarding the supply of water mains to the residents, if the Member can give me more details, I can bring the matter up for discussion at next month's meeting of the U.R.S.C.”
“Sir, just now the Member for Kampong Kembangan has complained about the road that has been approved to be made up under section 19 of the L.G.I.O. as mentioned in my reply to him, and that this road up to now has not been made up. In this connection, I would say that in 1966 there were 158 private streets to be made up under section 19 of the L.G.I.O. Because of the large number of private streets to be made up, it is impossible to complete all the projects within the year, as much work is involved in the making up of private streets under section 19. For instance, before a project is carried out, the P.W.D. has to get a clearance from the Chief Planner on the arrangement of the road. They have then to carry out a survey and also to request the Commissioner of Lands to proceed with the acquisition of land under section 21 of the L.G.I.O. There may also be some problems relating to the resettlement of squatters, and other matters. When all these matters are completed, the P.W.D. has to serve a notice on the occupier, make a notification in the Gazette and insert an advertisement in the local Press. We have to give the resident one month's notice to seek his views - whether or not he has any objection. After that, the P.W.D. has to insert an advertisement in the Press for public tender. But I can tell the Member for Kampong Kembangan that not only was the making up of these private streets in his constituency not carried out, but those few private streets in other constituencies which have to be made up were also not done. I can assure him that those private streets will be made up as soon as possible. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] 7.24 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, what the Member for Sembawang wishes to know is why green belt areas can become housing estates and some green belt areas cannot be developed. A green belt area is mainly reserved for future development which is to meet our increasing population in the years ahead. For instance, we reserve certain areas for green belt, so that in 10 or 20 years' time these areas may be developed as housing estates; or a hospital, school, clinic and roads or some other projects may be built there. So there is no point in arguing further as to why some green belt areas can be developed and some cannot.”
“In reply to the Member for Sembawang, I just want to remind him that my Minister has just now given a very good answer about the green belts, open space and reserved space in the Master Plan. So there is no need for sue to repeat it. It is true that in the Master Plan there is a new town, but at the moment the plan has not been implemented.”
“Point of clarification, Sir,I said that he passed a general remark - he did not pinpoint which officer was rude to the people.”
“For these various reasons, delay is inevitable and naturally gives rise to complaints. Regarding the particular case complained of, I feel that it is an isolated case, but I can assure the Member that we have already instructed the Building Survey Division not to delay such applications for too long and that they should, as far as possible, speed up action and deal with the applications promptly. The Member for Sembawang has also raised the point about the arrogant attitude of the building inspectors towards the rural people. I feel that such an accusation is rather general. However, I shall instruct the Division to take immediate steps to remedy the situation. No doubt there may be com plaints in the Sembawang Constituency, but the Member for Sembawang should have noted down the date, time and place of the occurrence and, if possible, the names of the officers responsible. With such information available, I can then look into the matter, and if it is found that such an occurrence did take place, then our Ministry will take disciplinary action against those officers.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Sembawang has just now mentioned the delay in the approval of building plans by the Building Survey Division. I think it is necessary to give him a rough picture of the Division. In this Division there are at present 18 officers dealing with applications for the rebuilding of houses and applications for temporary buildings. Twelve of them are in charge of the rural areas and six are in charge of the urban areas. Every month the Division receives about 70 applications, most of which come from the rural areas. Therefore, each officer has to deal with about six applications. The applicant has, first of all, to get a permit from the landlord and, secondly, to submit a plan showing the nature of reconstruction as against the original plan. If these two requirements are met, then the application will be approved very quickly. Normally rural folks do not quite understand the procedure. They merely submit a letter to the officers concerned, saying that they want to repair their houses, without even getting the consent of the landlord. And in cases where they get the consent of the landlord, they do not submit plans. Sometimes the plans do not meet the specifications and, therefore, the officers concerned ask the applicants to submit amended plans, which is not done in time for the consideration of the Division. Therefore, there is inevitably some delay in the process. Sometimes the addresses of the applicants are not clearly written; thus building inspectors cannot locate the addresses. Moreover the addresses, if given correctly, are found to be situated in far out of the way places and cannot be located. Therefore, the officers want the applicants to appoint a time to enable the officers to visit the places concerned.”
“I will speak in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): It is true that work on certain approved roads was started only after some delay. After the approval of the projects, the engineers have to plan and consider what materials are required and advertisements are put out calling for tenders to build the projects. As regards the delay of one year, this is not a frequent occurrence. If the Member for Sembawang can give me more specific information about the construction of roads which has been delayed for more than one year, I will be glad to look into the situation and ask the Public Works Department to proceed with the work immediately.”
“I have already said just now that this is the first time I have heard from him that some projects have been held up for one year. If he can give me more particulars of the projects which have been held up for one year, of course, I will look into them and see that the projects are carried out as soon as possible.”
“Sir, the Member for Sembawang has complained about the construction of roads in his own constituency. This was due to the contractor who did not do a good job of it. I can say that this complaint s now under investigation and the Public Works Department will submit a report after the investigation is completed. When the report comes in, proper action will be taken against this contractor. I can inform the Member for Sembawang that in the last few months, we have received complaints of this nature and a certain contractor has been barred from future contracts for a period of six months to one year. I would also like other Members to bring such complaints to our attention so that we can check thoroughly the work of the contractors concerned. With regard to delay in the construction of roads and other projects, this is the first time I have received such a complaint from the Member for Sembawang, but if he can give me more particulars, I can assure him that the delay will be shortened.”
“On a point of clarification, Sir. The hon. Member for Kampong Kapor is talking about a problem that concerns the Housing Board. This does not come under the Head we are now discussing. Perhaps he can bring this matter up when we come to the Head National Development Division.”
“A point of clarification, Sir. The Legal Aid Bureau is not under the Law Ministry. It is under the Ministry of Social Affairs.”
“Sir, at this stage, the Government, in fact, has no plan to buy or acquire the land in Alsagoff Estate. The position is very clear as the resettlement problem will be very unmanageable if the land is acquired. At this stage, I would advise the residents who are now occupying land in Alsagoff Estate not to buy any land or enter into any agreement with the Landlord or to pay any deposit before they obtain approval for the subdivision of land and building plans from the Government. Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That Parliament do now adjourn. Adjourned accordingly at twenty-eight Minutes past Eight o'clock p.m.”
“' The Chief Planner drew the attention of the solicitors for the Estate to the advertisement and pointed out two points: (a) Permission for the development of half of Perseverance Estate will not be granted because of the allocation of that half of the Estate as Green Belt and Public Open Space in the Master Plan. (b) Development of the remaining 480 acres area of the Estate, which is allocated for residential use, may be considered by the competent authority on an application being made under the provisions of the Planning Ordinance, 1959, but in considering the application due regard must be had by the competent authority 5 acres to the provisions of the Master Plan for 3 acres the area and other relevant planning requirements. Sir, Government has at various times given thought to the acquisition of this Estate for development, but the area presents an appalling picture of squatter difficulties and resettlement problem. The area in part is also low-lying and considerable filling and drainage work involving clearance will be necessary before any construction can take place. This will inevitably mean the removing and resiting of families now on the site. Except for limited development, for example, the Geylang Serai Project and other road improvement schemes, etc., the acquisition of the entire Estate and comprehensive development of the area have not been undertaken. Sir, the Government is fully aware of the news carried by the Utusan Melayu dated 5th December and I have the English translation of it in hand. The news carried is that there is one company by the name of Alsagoff Realty which has issued circulars to the residents in Alsagoff Estate asking them to buy the land which they occupy at $1.10 per square foot.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, before I answer the Members for Kampong Kembangan, Geylang Serai and Kampong Kapor, I want to give a clear picture to the House about Alsagoff Estate. Alsagoff Estate comprises 930 acres. 846 acres will be available for actual use. The breakdown is as follows: Green Belt 480 acres Light Industry 18 acres Residential (Restricted) 264 acres Unrestricted 76 acres --------- Total 358 acres 358 acres Local Shopping 5 acres Open space 3 acres --------- Approximate grand total 846 acres ========= Sir, the rest will be taken up by the existing road widening proposals and the proposed drainage canal scheme which has not been implemented because of the squatter problem. The area is heavily encumbered. The owners themselves have no precise idea of the number of squatters and ground tenants on the land. In many cases, the areas have been sublet for a lump sum, the sub-lessee renting the land and collecting ground rent at a profit. The buildings on the land are mainly temporary structures owned by the ground tenants. Of the 3,990 authorised houses in the area shown on the property tax rolls, 1,931 are owned by Malays and 2,065 by non-Malays who are mainly Chinese. These figures do not include the unauthorised or unnumbered houses which do not appear on the property tax records. In March 1965, the solicitors for the Estate published an advertisement in the Press offering the area for sale. It said: 'Subject to existing tenancies and occupational rights, if any, part of the Estate, approximately 410 acres, has been earmarked on the Master Plan as Green Belt, but approval can be obtained for development purposes.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the total cost of providing urban and rural services and supplying electricity in the Jurong Constituency from January 1963 to date is $917,580. ANNUAL BUDGET STATEMENT Order read for resumption of debate on Question [5th December, 19661, "That Parliament approves the financial policy of the Government for the year 1967.".-[The Minister for Finance] Question again proposed. 3.29 p.m.”
“Sir, I think the hon. Member for Punggol is aware that he is also the adviser to the Punggol Citizens Consultative Committee. I know that at every meeting of the Committee he is present. Surely he will be consulted.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, requests were previously received from residents of Punggol Constituency for the installation of street-lighting at the following places only - (a) Track 7, off Punggol Road, and (b) 9½ m.s., Punggol Road to Punggol Point. The cost was estimated at $2,600 and $20,000 respectively. However, as the funds allocated to Punggol Constituency for this year were used for the provision of more urgent rural services in the area, the installation of street-lighting at these places has to be deferred. Fresh funds will be made available to the constituency next year, and whether or not street-lighting will be installed will depend on the recommendations of the Punggol Citizens Consultative Committee. The cost for the provision of street-lighting at Lorong Napiri, off Yio Chu Kang Road, 7 m.s., and Track 6, off Punggol Road, are presently being worked out by the Public Utilities Board. Here again, the Citizens Consultative Committee will have to make its recommendations when the plans are ready for implementation.”
“Mr Speaker, at the present moment, applications for Housing Board accommodation in Bukit Ho Swee amount to about 8,000; that means to say, there are still 8,000 applicants on the waiting list for accommodation in Bukit Ho Swee. The request to transfer existing tenants to some other place within Bukit Ho Swee is impossible because there is no available accommodation at the present moment.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Delta has mentioned just now three points relating to one-room units which have given rise to some inconvenience and possible trouble. We are all aware that the one-room units are rather crowded in space, which is very limited. So certainly this will give rise to some inconvenience at times. As to the other point about converting the present structures, I have already said that it would cost about $½ million for the reconstruction of existing units into some other kind of units. In other words, the Government has to spend $500 on the reconstruction of each unit. If the Government really desires to spend this additional sum of money, it will mean that the subsidy will have to be increased. At the present moment, it is most uneconomical to spend $½ million. It is also unrealistic because this sum of money could be put to better use elsewhere by putting up more units of houses for other people. Regarding the present residents who may have to face unpleasant inconveniences, I think this is not the responsibility of the Housing Board. Madam Chan Choy Siong(In Mandarin): I have just now asked a question which has not yet been answered. That question is this: if he cannot do any of these two things, whether he is prepared to do this within the shortest possible time, that is, to allow the present tenants to have fair treatment by moving them into alternative accommodation so that they can get away from the inconvenience and other unpleasant incidents.”
“The membership of the Nanyang University Council includes people from various strata of society, such as representatives of the Government, the University, and the Graduates Organisation, and well-wishers, some of whom come from Malaysia. An organisation on this basis is a very reasonable and enlightened one, as the Nanyang University Graduates Fellowship had made it clear in a statement on the 26th of October as follows: 'Because of the past and the future necessity of the Nanyang University to foster more effectively high talents for the nation, it is necessary to set up as early as possible an effective central administrative organisation so that all such matters as the administration, curricula and academic standards will be well taken care of, including the matter relating to the salaries of the teaching staff. Such changes in the organisation of the Council and in certain names are also in keeping with this spirit without any harm to the University organisation.' I would like to quote one more extract to conclude my speech, Mr Speaker. From the same Fellowship, it says: 'As one of the highest educational institutions of our country, the Nanyang University will shoulder the responsibilities for the further education and studies of Chinese secondary graduates.' 4.00 p.m.”
“Because of a small group of extreme elements who were pro-Communist and who had no love for Nanyang University, Nanyang University was used for the evil political purposes of certain people. Those who really love Nanyang University are the studious students and generous donors from various walks of life. Mr Speaker, it is the duty of a responsible elected Government of the people to guide the University in healthy and good development. The Government has therefore taken the initiative to help Nanyang University reorganise in this direction. This is necessary. It also helps in the realisation of the hopes of those who have contributed financially to Nanyang University so that it may not fall into the hands and continue to be in the hands of the Communist cadres. The Singapore Government has shouldered this great responsibility. It has already taken steps to reorganise Nanyang University. It has got rid of the undesirable elements. It has given Nanyang University the necessary financial support. It has made adjustments in the pay and treatment of the teaching staff and increase the facilities of Nanyang University, such as the new library and science equipment. Within a short period the Singapore Government has given $6.7 million to Nanyang University. This, of course, is a praise-worthy move. It shows that the Government is paying attention to the development of the University. I hope that it will continue to do this, and I also hope that people from various walks of life will, in the same spirit as they have helped Nanyang University, continue to donate generously from now on. Mr Speaker, the aim of the Nanyang University (Amendment) Bill is to strengthen the organisation of the University Council to implement more effectively the development of the University.”
“Through the Nanyang University Students' Union they propagated Communist ideology and ideas. They even made use of the property of the University for illegal activities. In the University itself these pro-Communist students had no respect for law and discipline. They beat up students with different ideologies, and because of this, the situation was very, very unsatisfactory. They even went so far as to coerce the authorities to fine or dismiss those students who dared to oppose them. These students wasted their time doing other things instead of studying. They failed in their examinations as a matter of course, and because of that they threatened the lecturers and teachers, asking them to pass them in their examinations. Ever since 1961 these pro-Communist students blatantly linked themselves with the Communist organisations outside the campus and formed a united front for activities against the nation. They even held political meetings in the campus of the University and carted a lot of workers and other students to break up the peaceful atmosphere of study in the Nanyang University campus. They brought politics into the Nanyang campus. As a result, Nanyang University was drawn into the political vortex. Nanyang University suffered in its reputation. It was unable to live up to the hopes of people from all walks of life who had confidence in its future. As a result of such shattering of their confidence, the future of Nanyang University and the students was also adversely affected, and members of the public had a wrong impression of the University. So the innocent students suffered. This is a very sad situation indeed, Mr Speaker.”
“And even those who were quite prepared to stay on only stayed on for a while because they could not tolerate these unreasonable circumstances. And those who had come to serve would not think of staying on for long. Of course, this affected the treatment and the pay structure of the academic staff, which accounted for the University's failure to get internationally reputed scholars to serve. Mr Speaker, as I have already said, the powers of the Secretary conflicted with the administration of the Executive Committee, and this conflict brought about the Prescott Commission Report which took away the tenure of office and the powers of the Secretary, and the Chairman of the Executive Committee had to resign. This, of course, was very, very comforting to Nanyang University and it gave a ray of light, a hopeful light indeed, to Nanyang University. So at that time when people from all walks of life were very confident and hopeful about Nanyang University, it failed again in the selection of proper personnel in the administrative and executive fields. And so Nanyang University underwent another chaotic state of affairs. Mr Speaker, the loose organisation of Nanyang University and its incompetent administration can be likened to a crumbling feudalistic structure which provides good opportunities to pro-Communist elements. Under those circumstances, pro-Communist cadres took over Nanyang University; they were well trained people. Because the Nanyang University Students' Union had all along been controlled by the pro-Communist students who knew that the University could be manipulated at their will, these pro-Communist students had complete disregard for discipline in the University campus. They took Nanyang University as a hotbed for the training of Communist cadres.”
“The main reason is that the University Council is improperly organised. The second reason is that there has been no expert scholar to fill the role of Vice-Chancellor of the University ever since its inception. Mr Speaker, you will agree with me that these two factors are very essential to a university. Before the reorganisation of Nanyang University, the main powers of the Nanyang University Council lay in the hands of Mr Tan Lark Sye. He was the Chairman of the University Council. Mr Tan, of course, is a very successful businessman, but I am afraid he knows next to nothing about the organisation and administration of a university and university education. Because of this, he had to rely on some useless, good-for-nothing and incompetent followers of his to run the University in so far as administration was concerned. For example, in the administrative structure of the University, although there existed an Executive Committee which was the supreme administrative organ of the University, the University authorities appointed a Secretary who was directly responsible to Mr Tan Lark Sye. The powers of the Secretary included the control of financial affairs, the academic staff, their recruitment and dismissals, the administration and policy making of the University. Because of such wide controls, he became in practice the un-crowned emperor of the University. His followers held key positions in Nanyang University, and they had no regard for the sacred mission of the University as such. Because of this, the organisation of Nanyang University was such that people who were capable and scholarly were reluctant to continue serving under the unlearned, useless and good-for-nothing leadership of the incompetent followers.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise in full support of the Nanyang University (Amendment) Bill. Nanyang University was first conceived in 1953 and it started classes in 1956. Its inception took place during the colonial days under circumstances in which many obstructions were placed by the colonial masters. Despite this, people from all walks of life in Malaya and Singapore donated generously towards the establishment of Nanyang University. Its main objective was to pave the way for further studies for graduates of secondary schools. The second objective, of course, was to provide a source of teaching staff for secondary schools. The third objective was intended to link the oriental and occidental cultures and also to develop Malayan culture. Ever since the establishment of Nanyang University, the organisation of this University was run by multi-millionaires and very rich businessmen. Although they were enthusiastic in this pursuit, which is praiseworthy, they lacked experience in running an academic institution. They managed the University as though they were doing business in a big enterprise. Because of this, and owing to various other factors which presented a lot of problems to Nanyang University, there was a lack of Chinese scholars coming forward during the initial stages to give the necessary assistance and guidance. Undoubtedly and undeniably, Mr Speaker, over the past 10 years of its existence, Nantah has indeed trained and fostered great talent in various fields, such as commerce, education, industry, etc. But in so far as the organisation and structure of Nanyang University, the economic problem, and the question of academic staff are concerned, Nanyang University lags far behind any other university.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Urban and Rural Services Committee approved the repairing and metalling of Wei Hua Road on the 4th of July, 1966, and not April as mentioned by the hon. Member for Sembawang. In my capacity as Chairman of the Committee, I issued a circular to all Government Members of Parliament on the 1st July, 1964, requesting them that if any project approved by the Committee was not carried out within three months, they must bring the matter to my attention. And the hon. Member for Sembawang has never brought this particular road to my attention, and I think he should bear part of the blame. USE OF LOCALLY-MANUFACTURED MATERIALS (Stipulation in tenders) 8. Mr Bernard Rodrigues asked the Minister for Law and National Development if he will consider issuing a directive that the use of locally-manufactured materials, such as shutterboards, etc., where such materials meet the requisite standards and specifications, be stipulated when tenders are let out for Government, Housing and Development Board and other public projects, as a measure to promote local industries.”
“We also realise our responsibility that there are two post offices in the immediate neighbourhood of Delta Constituency. The increase of the voters can be met by increasing the staff. Madam Chan Choy Siong(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, I still have a supplementary question to ask. The Minister has mentioned just now the present services of the two post offices, but in fact there is only one. That one is in Tiong Bahru. I would like to ask him whether he knows that, of the two post offices, one belongs to Queenstown and the other to Tiong Bahru, and whether he knows that the Tiong Bahru post office, which is very small, is situated in a shophouse of the Housing Board? If there are ten persons in the post office, it will be jammed up. In view of this, can he honestly say that this post office itself is enough to satisfy the local needs, and whether he is prepared to go there for an investigation? Tuan Haji Yaacob(In Malay): At this stage, I am satisfied with the service provided by the post offices there, as I have received no complaints of inadequate service from members of the public. However, if the hon. Member is really having difficulty, I will look further into the matter. Madam Chan Choy Siong(In Mandarin): Can I ask another supplementary question, Sir? The Minister of State has said that he has not received any complaints of the inadequacy of the postal services. But as a Member of the constituency, I have personally received complaints on this matter. If I receive many complaints, will he be prepared to consider increasing the postal services? Perhaps the Member for Tiong Bahru himself may ask a similar question?”
“Mr Speaker, I consider this a very simple question. He can find his own answer! POST OFFICE IN DELTA CONSTITUENCY 17. Madam Chan Choy Siong asked the Minister of State (Prime Minister's Department) whether consideration will be given to establish a post office in the Delta Constituency. The Minister of State for the Prime Minister's Department (Tuan Haji Yaacob Bin Mohamed)(In Malay): There are already two post offices in the immediate neighbourhood, viz., Alexandra Road and Tiong Bahru Post Offices, to meet the needs of the Delta Constituency and, therefore, it is not considered necessary to establish a post office in the constituency itself. Madam Chan Choy Siong(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, I would like to put a supplementary question to be answered by the Minister of State, and that is, whether he is aware that the development of Singapore is proceeding ahead in order to meet the changes, and these changes are such that they are beyond description. For example, in the past, there were only about 14,000 voters in this constituency. But at the present moment the number of voters is more than four times that in the past. This means there are about 70,000 voters in this constituency. Another question I would like to ask the Minister is whether he is aware that the changes in the Tiong Bahru area have been very considerable. In the past, there were only about 12,000 voters. But now because of the housing development in this area this figure has increased to about 60,000. In view of these changes, can the Minister say that the needs in the past have been satisfied and whether such needs have not increased in view of the changes? Tuan Haji Yaacob(In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, we realise that the rate of advance is rapid and that the number of voters has increased.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the answer is very simple. If the shopkeeper wants to make use of the existing parking lot for loading and unloading, he can occupy the vacant parking lot for that purpose provided he pays the charge.”
“In anticipation of this, my Ministry is already preparing plans for more multi-storey, off-the-street and underground car parks to be constructed at which vehicles will be allowed to park without detriment to the traffic flow which is the life-blood of the city.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Car Parks Division has a total of 7,076 parking lots, of which 3,493 or approximately 50 per cent are delineated in the central business districts where the demand for parking facilities is ever-increasing. The shortage of such facilities in certain areas has added to traffic congestion; hence specifically to allocate any portion of a road frontage for the exclusive use of shopkeepers will further aggravate the situation. Requests and petitions received by the Car Parks Division for implementation of parking schemes in areas where such facilities have not been provided are indications of a general awareness of the advantages of having as many car parking lots as possible to enable shoppers to have a readily available place to park their vehicles. Only recently shopkeepers in Beach Road have petitioned to the Member of Parliament for Kampong Glam for restoration of parking lots which were deleted by the Car Parks Division. Similarly, shopkeepers in Arab Street have also requested the Division to implement the pay parking scheme in this area for the convenience of their customers. The view of my Ministry is that it will be wrong to convert the existing parking lots in front of shophouses for the exclusive use of the shopkeepers, as this will only affect business transactions and drive away customers to localities where parking facilities are more readily available. I wish to point out that with the constant phenomena built up in motor traffic at the rate of 700 new cars per month, there may come a time when parking on the roads will be totally amended to prevent the city from being strangled.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, there are in existence three abattoirs in Singapore - a pig abattoir in French Road, a cattle abattoir in Jalan Besar, and a sheep and goat abattoir also in Jalan Besar, opposite the cattle abattoir. The numbers of animals slaughtered in these abattoirs at present are about 1,200 pigs, 200 goats or sheep, and 30 heads of cattle each day. A new modern abattoir is being built in Jurong. This new abattoir will be highly mechanised and operated on a mechanised system, so that about 200 pigs, 100 goats or sheep and 15 heads of cattle can be slaughtered per hour. The slaughtering and meat inspection in the new abattoir will be of internationally accepted standards so that we can issue veterinary certificates acceptable to most countries to enable Singapore meat products to be marketed in foreign countries. The abattoir is being constructed at the cost of about $5 million and is expected to be completed in July 1967. On completion, the new abattoir, together with the existing ones, should be sufficient or adequate to meet the needs of the whole island. However, if they prove to be insufficient or inadequate, every consideration will be given to build more abattoirs and to site them in the rural areas. CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSION ON MINORITY RIGHTS (Publication of Report) 15. Mr Ho See Beng asked the Minister for Law and National Development when the Government will make public the Report of the Constitutional Commission on minority rights which was presented to the President of the Republic on 27th August, 1966.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Cable & Wireless Receiving Station is under the jurisdiction of the Deputy Prime Minister's Office. When the D.P.M.'s Office has the plans ready, of course, the hon. Member will be informed. COMMON CURRENCY AND BANKING SYSTEM (Statement by the Minister for Finance) 3.06 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, there is no immediate plan to resettle these squatters at the moment. But it is needless for the hon. Member for Punggol to worry about when to remove them. As soon as plans are ready, Government will give ample time for them to move.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, on the 3rd January, 1966, the Cable & Wireless Receiving sites at Trafalgar Estate were taken over by the Singapore Government. This is an overseas radio receiving station occupying 250 acres of land, of which nearly 200 acres were rented out in 140 plots which vary from 1/8th to 5½ acres. There are 119 houses on the site accommodating some 1,116 people. For some time now these people have been making requests for cracks to be repaired, drains to be made, standpipes to be installed, and electricity to be supplied in Trafalgar Estate. There is, however, security objection to allowing a settler within the compound of an overseas radio receiving station. The aerials that are installed on the ground constitute the life-line of the station and any interference or damage will have far-reaching consequences on the traffic communications network. It would, therefore, appear that action should be taken to resettle these squatters instead of providing water and electricity supplies and thereby encouraging them to settle.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, these lanes will not be made up this year, as there are no funds available. Funds are allocated proportionately to each constituency every year from monies provided by the Government to the Urban and Rural Services Committee. The Constituency of Kampong Kembangan was allocated the sum of $60,969 for this year, and this sum has already been spent. Whether or not these lanes will be made up in the future will depend on whether the making up should take priority over other requirements of the constituency. This will depend on the recommendation made to the Urban and Rural Services Committee by the Member himself or the Citizens Consultative Committee of the constituency. TRAFALGAR ESTATE (Provision of water and electricity supplies) 14. Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for Law and National Development what progress has been made with the approved projects for provision of water and electricity supplies for the residents of Trafalgar Estate in the light of changed circumstances connected with control of the former Cable and Wireless installations in the neighbourhood between the end of 1965 and now.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the delay in repairing this road was because we had to get the permission of the private owner. MAKING UP OF LANES 13. Inche Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi asked the Minister for Law and National Development whether Lorong Mydin, Lorong Melayu, Jalan Yasin, Jalan Kechot, Jalan Awang, Jalan Ishak, Jalan Daud, Jalan Kuda and Jalan Jaffar will be made up.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, work on the making up of Bah Soon Pah Road in the Nee Soon Constituency commenced on the 8th of July, 1966, and is expected to be completed in September this year.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, work on the making up of Huang Long Road in Sembawang commenced on 1st July, 1966, and is expected to be completed by September this year. MAKING UP OF BAH SOON PAH ROAD 12. Mr Teong Eng Siong asked the Minister for Law and National Development when will Bah Soon Pah Road in the Nee Soon Constituency be made up.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the roads in the Kampong Kembangan Constituency other than those named in the question which will be made up under section 19 of the Local Government Integration Ordinance, 1963, are as follows: Lengkong Dua, Lengkong Ampat, Lorong Marzuki, Lorong Marican, Jalan Vijaya and Jalan Sayor. Of these, Lorong Marzuki and Lorong Marican will be made up this year, while the rest will be made up next year. BILLS INTRODUCED MINOR OFFENCES (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Minor Offences Ordinance (Chapter 117 of the Revised Edition)", presented by the Minister of State of Defence (Mr Wee Toon Boon) (for the Minister of Defence); read the First time, to be read a Second time on Friday 26th August, 1966, and to be printed. FREE TRADE ZONES BILL First Reading”
“Yes. The Public Works Department has a scheme for a proper concrete roadside drain to replace the existing earth drain at North Buona Vista Road near the 5th milestone Holland Road. However, this scheme cannot be implemented until the squatter within the line of the proposed drain is removed. KAMPONG KEMBANGAN (Making up of roads) 10. Inche Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi asked the Minister for Law and National Development (a) the names of all the roads in Kampong Kembangan Constituency, other than Jalan Kembangan (section), Jalan Lapang, Jalan Selamat, Jalan Senang, Jalan Senyum, Lengkong Tiga and Lengkong Lima, which will be made up under section 19 of the Local Government Integration Ordinance, 1963; and (b) when those roads will be made up.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, these fountains in our city have been built not only in rich men's areas, as mentioned just now by the Member for Delta, but, as I have mentioned, the Government is also considering building more fountains at circuses -that means in our city. Of course, that includes those circuses situated in poor people's areas, especially Delta.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the present Cheng San Road is an agricultural road and is maintained periodically by either the Public Works Department or the Work Brigade whenever requested by the Urban and Rural Services Committee. There is no immediate scheme to metal and pave this road at the moment. 3.06 p.m. SINGAPORE MISSION'S VISIT TO EAST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES (Statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs)”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, it is proposed to include the making up of Cheng San Road in the next Five-Year Development Plan. However, I have to point out that there are other roads which need more urgent attention and, therefore, since funds are limited, the making up of this road is likely to be given low priority.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the answer to the question is yes. The demolition of the obstructing row of shop-houses is necessary for the widening of Upper Serangoon Road now in progress. The Commissioner of Lands is taking steps to acquire the land, and as soon as this action is completed, demolition of the shop-houses will proceed. CHENG SAN ROAD (Metalling) 16. Mr R. A. Gonzales asked the Minister for Law and National Development, in view of the heavy traffic along Cheng San Road which connects Serangoon Gardens Estate with Sembawang Hill Estate, whether and what steps are being taken to metal this road.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, Gray Lane is a short cul-de-sac serving nine properties only with a developed frontage of 430 feet in length. That being so, the making up of this private road merits little priority. It may, however, be done at a later date. UPPER SERANGOON ROAD (Road-widening scheme) 15. Mr R. A. Gonzales asked the Minister for Law and National Development whether the road-widening scheme now in progress along Upper Serangoon Road includes the demolition of the row of shop-houses facing Yio Chu Kang Road, and when will those houses be demolished.”