Ho Kah Leong
Singapore
“Sir, the Member is right that the sewerage fees comprise two components, a fixed fee and a variable one. The sanitary appliance fee, which is the fixed fee component, is based on the number of sanitary appliances. It is a charge towards the cost of providing the sewerage infrastructure which I think the Member should have no quarrel.”
“Sir, we do not require canned food to be date marked because they are sterilised during canning and will not spoil over a long period of storage. These foods have a long shelf life. Sir, My Ministry does not intend to date mark all foods since there is no need to, from public health considerations.”
“After months of hard work and with the full cooperation of the Joo Chiat residents to spruce up the neighbourhood, the situation showed immediate and impressive improvements. The number of premises found breeding Aedes mosquitoes dropped. Correspondingly, the number of dengue cases also dropped from 28 in 1993 to 11 in 1994.”
“Yes. The Member also touched on malaria disease. Although Singapore has been declared free from indigenous malaria by the World Health Organisation since 1982, Singapore will always be under the threat of malaria because we have many visitors and foreign workers from malaria-endemic countries in the region.”
“My Ministry will continue to educate the public on how to prevent the Aedes mosquitoes from breeding in their homes and properties. My Ministry will also continue to seek out breeding grounds in public places and tighten our control, surveillance and enforcement measures.”
“Let me now turn to the Member for Jalan Besar GRC. Let me first tell the Member that in the business called "promotion of the arts", even if you have done a lot, there is still a lot to be done.”
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“Sir, just now the Parliamentary Secretary has said that the vote for this year has not been used up in some rural constituencies. He blames the Members concerned for not having done their duty. I think there are some inaccuracies in his speech, and, therefore, I would like to say a few words. I remember in an adjournment speech in this House sometime this year, the Member for Choa Chu Kang complained about going through complicated procedures before projects could be implemented. Approaches have to be made to various departments. Every application for a project takes more than six months to be processed before it can be implemented. Because of this complicated procedure, the projects were not tabled in time before the U.R.S.C. So it is not fair for the Parliamentary Secretary to say that Members are lazy just because funds are not being fully made use of.”
“The situation is such that when a constituency requires a pipe-line to be laid, there will not be enough funds to carry out other projects. Can the Parliamentary Secretary tell us whether the principle of allocation can be changed or adjusted? That is, do not base the allocation on the density of population, the size of the constituency or the locality, lt should be based on the stage of development of each constituency. For instance, if a constituency does not require any funds for development, then this sum of money should be allotted to other less developed areas in order that they may have enough funds for development. For instance, the rural areas should get more funds so that in future they can make better use of the sums allocated to them for development purposes.”
“Sir, the Member for Paya Lebar has just now touched on the allotment of funds by the U.R.S.C. in respect of the various constituencies. On this matter of allocation, I would like to air my views. I remember this matter was brought up in last year's debate on the Development Estimates in this House. At that time the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for National Development said that the allocation of funds was based on the population density as well as the area of the constituency concerned. The allocation is based on the principle that the money of the ratepayers is allotted to the con stituencies in a fair and just way. But what result do we get under this princi, pie of allocation? The Member for Paya Lebar has just mentioned it. In some constituencies the funds allocated have not been made use of because they have already been developed to an advanced stage. They have all the modern facilities and amenities, and they do not have to use these funds. For instance, Delta Constituency, Havelock Constituency, Moulmein Constituency and Rochore Constituency have not made use of a single cent of the sums allocated to them. On the other hand, some rural constituencies, which are in need of funds, do not receive enough funds. For instance, Changi, Choa Chu Kang and Paya Lebar Constituencies are badly in need of more funds to spend on development. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] 7.35 p.m. Generally speaking, these rural areas do not have modern facilities. We know that if you want to construct metalled roads in these areas or connect pipe-lines, the sum required would be in the region of thousands of dollars. But according to the principle of allocation, each constituency can only get a few thousand dollars.”
“Perhaps the Minister has misunderstood what I said. I did not actually say that no notices were given. What I actually meant was that as the general education of the population in the rural areas is of a low standard, they are not very conversant with Government procedure relating to applications for structural changes to their houses. When such structural changes have been made and are discovered by the land officers, the occupants are fined, although they may have received notices pertaining to their applications. What I really want to know is, why cannot the Land Office send out more inspectors to enlighten the rural people on the procedure to be followed before making any structural changes to their houses? If the Ministry can do this, the rural people will not suffer financially.”
“On a point of clarification. Mr Barker resumed his seat.”
“The third point is about complaints made by the rural people against land inspectors who very often come in close contact with the rural people. Very often they lack courtesy. In my constituency, I have received several complaints against the attitude of land inspectors. I hope the Minister can give me a satisfactory reply.”
“Sir, we all know that the P.A.P. Government is a clean, honest and effective government. We have been elected by the people to run the government because of our qualities which I have already mentioned. But I understand there are still many cases in the Land Office on which decision has been pending for quite a long time. For instance, in my constituency there is a resident who has a piece of private land. He wants to exchange it for Crown land with the Government. But the matter has been delayed for two years without any reply given to him. There are also cases where people apply to rebuild their houses but consideration of their applications has also been delayed for a very long time. Where is the efficiency we are talking about? I would like to know whether the Land Office are under-staffed. Or perhaps they are deliberately delaying their work in order to get some benefit out of certain quarters. The second point is about unlawful :structures. We know that the general standard of education of the people in the rural areas is low and they do not quite understand or realise Government's policies or administration. When they find that the roofs of their houses leak, they will repair them themselves, if the inspectors of the Land Office find this out, the persons concerned will be ordered to dismantle what they have done, or else a fine will be imposed on them. We know that the rural people have been struggling hard to make a living out of the land and have spent their hard-earned money on repairing their houses. So if you ask them to dismantle or demolish what they have already repaired, it would cause them a great loss. Why are the inspectors not required to give them notices in advance? Only when adequate notices have been given can the inspectors fine the offenders.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in view of the explanation given by the Minister, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The following amendment stood in the name of Mr Bernard Rodrigues - That the sum to be allocated for Head 0807 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 3014.”
“These pigsties and chicken sheds cannot avoid the assessors' valuation, and for these things, their owners will have to pay property tax. So the owners have to pay double taxation. I have not found anything in the law saying that there should be a property tax on pigsties and chicken sheds. I think this is merely a requirement by the assessors. Here I would most earnestly appeal to the Hon. Minister for Finance to consider my appeal. There are two points. First, to reduce the property tax in the resettlement areas. Secondly, to exempt chicken sheds and pigsties from property tax. If the Minister for Finance can agree to these suggestions, I know the rural people will be very grateful to him. Mr Teong Eng Siong(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I fully agree with the sentiments expressed by the Member who has just spoken. We all know that the rural people are generally very poor. Their only means of maintaining their livelihood depends on rearing pigs, chickens and other domestic animals. Their income is merely to maintain their families at subsistence level. If the property tax is too high, they might meet with certain difficulties and might not be able to maintain their livelihood. There are certain difficulties facing the people of my constituency. Every year some people have to pay $100 to $200 per year in property tax on chicken sheds and pigsties. The pigs and chickens do not know how to pay property tax. So the owners have to pay for their accommodation. We have to consider this. The Minister has said that taxes have been reduced for 10 years in succession. Agriculture and animal husbandry have also declined. If that is a fact, we should improve the lot of the rural people.”
“Sometimes when they are resettled in a low-lying area, these people will have to spend several thousands of dollars to try to drain off the area in order to build their homes and make a living out of the land. As such, the livelihood of the rural people is more difficult than before the resettlement. As the Minister has said, before the people were resettled, most of them were living in attap houses. They were enjoying a certain concession on property tax by paying only a few dollars per year. If they were staying in attap houses, the property tax was only $6. When they moved out, they could not carry the attap houses with them. So they have to build new houses to stay in. Some assessors, who do not quite understand the conditions of these people, value these newly-built houses at many times more than what was assessed before, and sometimes as much as 700 per cent more. On the one hand, the income of these rural people who have been resettled has dwindled. On the other hand, their assessments have been increased. This is the point. Another point is about pigsties and chicken pens. Most of the rural people keep fowl, pigs and other domestic animals. They spend a lot of time, energy and a great deal of labour in rearing their domestic animals. But very often there are cases of losses and these figures are unknown. For instance, not very long ago there were certain cases of swine fever and other animal epidemics, causing great losses to some of the farmers. Even if they can make some money out of rearing domestic animals, it is only meant to eke out a living. From what I know, every pigsty keeper has to pay the Government licence fee of $12 for a pigsty.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0807 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1111. We all know that one of the objectives of our Party is to build a non-Communist democratic, socialist society. We wish to resort to peaceful means to achieve social reconstruction. In other words, we want to adopt peaceful ways and means by which we could reduce the gap between the rich and the poor. However, Mr Speaker, Sir, I regret to say that at the moment there is a small number of public servants who do not seem to understand the principles of democratic socialism. They still have the attitude of the colonial days. I want to quote a few examples to substantiate what I have said. We all know that a high percentage of our country's revenue is from property tax. Of course, the more property tax we collect, the more is our revenue and this is a very good thing. However, I think assessment on properties should be based on the background of the owners. Some assessors do not seem to understand the conditions under which the rural dwellers live. Hence, their assessment on properties is excessively high. In certain areas, because of land acquisition for military or development purposes, the people have been resettled elsewhere. Of course, the Government is justified in acquiring these lands in the national interests. Before they were resettled, these people had been occupying certain pieces of land. Generally, the land area was many times larger thaii the land given to them on resettlement. On these larger areas of land they could plant vegetables and fruit trees and make a living out of them more easily. Generally speaking, the income of the people who have been resettled is less than their income before their resettlement.”
“I hope the Minister will try his best to help so that Nanyang University degrees will be recognised early and Nanyang University graduates will benefit from it. I am looking forward to this good news. Can the Minister tell us when the Government intends to help Nanyang University?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I think the Member for Bukit Merah is rather sensitive. Sir, everybody knows that Nanyang University has been in existence for 11 years now. There have also been quite a number of graduation ceremonies - eight altogether. There are more than 3,000 Nanyang University graduates, some of whom have gone abroad, some are already working, and some are serving society. Many Nanyang graduates have achieved distinction in higher institutions abroad. There are also many eminent and successful Nanyang graduates serving in various Government departments and commercial and industrial circles in every walk of life and their achievements can be seen by all to be quite meritorious. Although the Government is giving equal treatment to Nanyang graduates, when these graduates apply to join Government service, the Government seems to be hesitating about the recognition of Nanyang University degrees. The Government does not seem to have taken any decision on this matter, although in the past I have already said that this question is very pressing. 2.45 p.m. We can only hear the sound of Government promise without its being actually put into practice. If this problem is not solved, it will embarrass many of our Nanyang graduates who go abroad for further studies. The reason is that many foreign universities have recognised Nanyang graduates because they have achieved good academic results. Yet our own country is not giving them any recognition. Sir, after the reorganisation, Nanyang University has already been put on the right track. It is now prospering and marching along the right path. It holds out great promise for the future. I think the time has now come for Government to recognise Nanyang University degrees.”
“Mr Speaker, as a graduate of Nanyang University, I think I have the duty to speak a few words on behalf of my University. As everybody knows ---”
“Can the Minister inform the House whether security measures are provided in this paid car park?”
“Would the Minister consider rendering assistance to the affected farmers to restore their business?”
“However, in actual fact, there are certain officials who still have the colonial attitude and have still not been inculcated with the new sense of duties and values and the correct attitude in keeping with our new independent country. At the moment, if members of the public have any complaints, they can make them to the Central Complaints Bureau. But this Bureau does not have wide powers. Therefore, if any complaint against any department is brought before it, it is normally handed over to the head of that very department to deal with. Thus, in the end, the complaints of the common people will lead to no solution, and are of no avail. For all these reasons I feel that it is necessary to set up the office of Ombudsman. Mr Speaker, Sir, in principle, I support the Government's views on this Report. 4.32 p.m.”
“The third recommended method relates to the operation of a machinery to enable the electorate to take part in decisions on any important and urgent matters of State. This is characteristic of a democratic system. I urge the Government also to accept the recommendation of the third method in the light of the reasons set out in paragraph 78 of the Report. There are three new provisions recommended by the Commission. One is that the electorate of Singapore should be given the opportunity to elect their own government by secret ballot periodically. The serial numbers appearing on the ballot papers and their counter-foils and the law which relates to the form of and writing on the ballot paper, in my view, are incompatible with the secrecy of the vote. So such legal provisions should be abolished so that the electorate will not harbour any suspicion or have a wrong concept about the secrecy of the vote. Mr Speaker, Sir, let me touch on one very outstanding recommendation of the Commission, namely, the setting up of an Ombudsman. He is to shoulder the responsibilities of checking the Government's administration and to safeguard the interests of the public, to see that their interests will not suffer because of any faulty administration. Though this system originated in Sweden, it is still in its experimental stage in some Commonwealth countries, I feel that the Government should set up such a system because it will raise the efficiency of the administration of various Government departments and will also safeguard the interests of the common people so that such people need not have to seek redress at the courts, which is very expensive. At present our civil service is a heritage of the British system. I am not criticising our present civil service.”
“Madam Chan Choy Siong (Delta): On a point of order. Is there a quorum in the House?”
“Thus the interest and rights of the minorities will be safeguarded. In addition, the right of education and other matters will be safeguarded, as a result of which the minority races will feel that they are not minorities but part and parcel of one whole community. When we reach such a state - as the Prime Minister has said just now - then our country can be said to have achieved its objectives. Sir, democracy and the independence of the judiciary are the outstanding features of the Republic of Singapore, and these should be reflected in all Government and independent institutions. This will instil a sense of confidence in the people and it will also make them more determined to advocate democracy. If they lose heart in the democratic system, they will react unfavourably against the Government and this may lead to the collapse of the country. The Constitutional Commission has also advanced constructive recommendations such as those relating to provisions which will ensure the Constitution as the supreme law in the Republic of Singapore, and any other law which contradicts the Constitution will be invalid. There is also a provision relating to the safeguards to be entrenched in the Constitution to ensure that the Constitution, as the highest authority, is not altered at random. There is a recommendation setting out three methods of entrenchment by which amendments to the Constitution can be effected. The first method is that any Bill seeking to alter the Constitution should specifically state so in the Bill. The second method is that the Bill altering the Constitution should be approved by a two-thirds majority of the House. The Government has already accepted this second method of entrenchment. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] 4.27 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Government has accepted the main recommendations of the Constitutional Commission for the sake of establishing a multi-racial society and providing equality among all our citizens irrespective of their racial and other differences. [Mr Lim Cheng Lock in the Chair] 4.21 p.m. The Government appointed a Commission to study the constitutional provisions and to consider what basic rights should be entrenched in the Singapore Constitution. The Government's attitude is laudable. Members of the Constitutional Commission are learned and eminent personalities. As a result, they have produced this historic and weighty Report. Many of the recommendations in this Report are very practical and very much in keeping with our present situation. The Government intends to accept most of them. Sir, Singapore has a multi-lingual, multi-racial and multi-religious society as one of its national foundations. The success and existence of such a country depend on the peaceful co-existence of the various races. We can see many countries around us experiencing riots and disturbances because of their narrow communalistic outlook. We have seen how minority races have been oppressed by majority races, as a result of which the countries concerned have been split up. This aspect has also been pointed out in the Report of the Constitutional Commission. It has recommended that no special privilege should be accorded to any group of people and that equal rights and basic rights, irrespective of race, colour or creed, should be written into the Constitution. All people will have the same rights under the Constitution. For instance, everyone is equal in the eyes of the law. There will be basic rights of equality, rights of personal liberty and equal protection and other rights.”
“But after five months nothing has been done and no reply at all has been given. There is a delay in carrying out construction work in the rural areas. I hope the Minister or the Parliamentary Secretary will pay more attention to the projects which are to be carried out in the rural areas. 7.30 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, regarding the problems raised by the Member for Kampong Kembangan, as representatives from the rural areas we have the same feeling. For example, during the floods last month many places in the kampong areas were flooded. Many vegetable gardens were flooded; poultry died and losses were incurred. The Urban anti Rural Services Committee should pay more attention to these problems and should visit the rural areas. Low-lying areas must be protected from floods. There should be an overall scheme to alleviate the flood situation so that people in the rural areas would not be faced with the menace of floods, because they would incur losses as a result of flooding. On the other hand, I believe that many rural toads have not been properly made up. They are in a state of disrepair. I do not say that the Government is discriminating against the rural areas. We know that it has treated the rural areas and the urban areas on the same footing and it is trying its best to improve the living conditions of the rural areas. However, because this is the heritage of colonialism, there is a wide gap between the rural areas and the urban areas in living standards. I hope the Urban and Rural Services Committee will provide more funds to the rural areas for their projects. For example, in the Jurong area only $91,000 has been allotted. Such a tiny sum of money cannot be used to develop that area. Therefore, as a Member from the rural area I have the same feeling. I hope the Urban and Rural Services Committee will increase the funds for projects in the rural areas to enable them to carry out their construction. Another point is that construction work in the rural areas should be speedily carried out. For example, last October I asked the authorities concerned to repair a toad.”
“As for those youths studying abroad, their call-up will be deferred. All those called up will not suffer any disadvantage. However, I would like the Minister to consider certain points. National service should not cause poor youths, who are good in their studies or who are seeking to further their studies, to lose their opportunity. At the same time, it should not provide any opportunity for the rich to evade national service. We know that the Government will select ten per cent - the elite - from the people who are called up to serve in the regular army. This age group will coincide with the age for schooling and some youths will have to depend on scholarships and other forms of financial aid in order to carry on with their higher studies. If such youths were selected for national service, they would lose their opportunity and the means available to them for further studies. Thus this may lead to a shortage of personnel in some fields. On the other hand, students from rich families can afford to and may want to study abroad. They may get deferment in call-up, and after some time, when they have grown up beyond the age limit stipulated by the law, they will escape national service. So I would like the Minister to pay attention to this and I hope that he will see to it that the youths are well advised to register for this national service. I appeal to them to respond to this call. 4.46 p.m.”
“Our Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries and Members of Parliament have set a good example to the people by joining the volunteer forces. Last year, when our Members of Parliament paraded through the streets on National Day, they were applauded by the people who watched the parade. This was an encouraging sight to all. The National Service (Amendment) Bill is in keeping with the interest of our country, and I am sure it will receive warm support from all citizens of Singapore. It will afford an opportunity to patriotic youths to serve the country. They will be inculcated with a sense of discipline, of national consciousness and patriotism. It will also enable our people to take up arms in the defence of our country and to maintain a strong defence force to safeguard the country and train a rugged and closely-knit society which will endure forever. The Minister of Defence has announced in this House that soon the Government will enrol youths of a stipulated age group to serve full-time for two years, and also to serve 12 years part-time in the Vigilante Corps, the Police Force and the People's Defence Force. From his statement, we can see that the Government has also taken into consideration the interests of those who have been called up for service. For instance, to all those who have been affected by the call-up, after two years of training the Government will guarantee that they will be able to return to their jobs in Government departments, statutory boards and private firms. Part-time service will only be undertaken in their spare time and during the week-ends. The Bill also provides that employers should give every facility to youths who have been called up so that they will not be inconvenienced.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to air my views on the National Service (Amendment) Bill. This Bill is very important to the defence of our country. Since 9th August, 1965, Singapore has been an independent sovereign country. Soon after that, Singapore joined the United Nations and ranks equally with all the other nations in the world. Only a minority group amongst our people do not recognise the fact of our independence. Mr Speaker, Singapore has become an independent sovereign country, and because of this status the people of Singapore have become the masters of this place. They have entered a new phase in the history of Singapore. To the people of Singapore who once lived under colonial rule, independence, liberty and sovereignty are precious. They have to cherish and protect them. In order to achieve this, we must first protect the lives of the people; secondly, protect the integrity of the country; and, thirdly, maintain the sovereignty of the country. In order to achieve these three objectives, we must at least have a national force capable of defending ourselves against any foreign invasion or internal subversion. If our defence system has to depend on other countries and not on our own strength, then the sovereignty of our country would, of course, be in the hands of foreigners. We would then enjoy independence in name only, and the fate of the country will be very precarious indeed. In view of this, soon after our independence our country announced a kind of national service scheme to enable our people to serve voluntarily in the People's Defence Force. There has been keen response to this call from people in all walks of life. As citizens of the independent Republic of Singapore, we have the duty to respond to the call to serve the country.”
“Sir, with regard to the setting up of a Permanent Television Centre, I would like to ask the Minister whether there is provision for coloured television and when will the people of Singapore be able to enjoy coloured T.V. programmes? I would also like to ask him whether there are plans to facilitate the production of local programmes in order to reduce the number of unhealthy programmes and whether certain programmes, i.e., "Mandarin Mixture" will be discontinued?”
“According to what I know, the platform belongs to the Malaysian Government and their officers have refused to give a place to our Customs officers to car out their work. So I would like to ask the Minister whether we could all space on the platform for our own Customs officers.”
“I would like to ask the Minister whether he is aware that the Customs Section in the railway station at Tanjong Pagar is located in an open space and not on the platform. This has caused certain inconvenience and trouble to the travellers on the railway and when it rains -”
“Government is encouraging our own people to take part in industrial and urban development by giving them some kind of incentive, such as the reduction of property tax from 36 per cent to 12 per cent. This is a far-reaching plan which is welcomed. But we can also see that the concession of property tax is not so well modelled on the pioneer concessions given in the industrial sector. There is no time limit given to this concession on property tax. Because of this, the people who participate in urban renewal will forever enjoy this kind of concession, particularly owners of property in the designated areas, thus perpetuating the gap between the rich and the poor. Mr Speaker, our financial development is dependent upon the co-operation between capital and labour. If this is overlooked, then the future will be very gloomy, because there will be industrial unrest which may lead to economic collapse or political instability. So I urge trade unionists, before they take any industrial action, to think twice before they launch any such campaign. If they take haphazard industrial action, thereby giving rise to social chaos, then the people will suffer. On the other hand, if there is full co-operation between management and labour, and if both exert their joint efforts for our development, then there will be a better future and greater prosperity for our people. Mr Speaker, in view of this, I fully support the financial policy of the Government for 1967.”
“Mr Speaker, the 1967 Budget Statement given by the Finance Minister is a very encouraging one. It gives us great stimulation and impetus, and, as a result, the people have full confidence in their future. I believe this Budget Statement will be welcomed by the people at large. The main feature of this financial policy is that, apart from some adjustments in road tax and an increase in driving licence fee, there have been no increases in other taxes. We cannot only arrive at a balance in the budget, but we can also have some surplus. This surplus reflects the economic stability of our country, which is of great importance to a developing country. In many countries, particularly in the emerging countries, financial and economic instability always leads to political unrest and social chaos. Therefore, economic stability is one of the most important factors in the Government policy in order to bring about an improvement in the livelihood of the people and to lead our country into a state of progress. When we first achieved independence, some people expressed doubts and were very sceptical about our ability to survive. But after a year of struggle, we can show, from the present financial statement, that we are not only able to survive but we are also able to do something better to develop ourselves. Mr Speaker, the Budget Statement reflects the realistic foresight of our Government. Although we are devoid of any natural resources, we are able to expand our industrialisation and to win more foreign markets for our local products. We are also able to create more job opportunities for our people. From this Budget Statement we can see for ourselves that the Government is giving full encouragement to various quarters. This is all very encouraging.”
“The Resettlement Department assured them originally that they would get compensation for their rubber trees. This, in fact, was the position in 1963, so that owners or farmers who had planted rubber trees got compensation. This gave people the impression that, in future, compensation would be given in other cases. So they allowed the Government to cut down the rubber trees. But later on they were notified by the Government, to their astonishment, that Government would not compensate them for cutting down their rubber trees. They were taken by surprise. It was like a bolt from the blue. They had engaged contractors to cut down the rubber trees in the hope of getting some compensation, and now they have no compensation. So they lose the trees and they have to pay the contractors. These are genuine difficulties which deserve the sympathetic consideration of Government. The Member for Bras Basah has just now mentioned, among other things, the planning fees relating to pig sties and chicken runs. I myself have received complaints on this matter from my villagers, because their income is already low enough. If they have to pay licence fees from $3 or $5 to $12 a year, that will be a burden to them, particularly as the chicken feed has increased in price and their farm produce, such as eggs and chickens, has gone down in price. So they have decreasing prices for their farm produce, higher licence fees, and more expensive chicken feed. They deserve the sympathy of the Government, and I hope that the Government or the Minister in charge will give them due consideration. 6.04 p.m.”
“Some farmers in the process of removing have to attend to their farming activities at the same time, and they do not have the time to change their addresses at the police station because they are busily engaged. As a result of resettlement, it is sometimes discovered that the addresses in the identity cards of some farmers are different from those at which they are living. Because of this, they are not allotted land in the resettlement area. In some other cases, the houses of the farmers are without house numbers. They use the addresses of some provision shops in a market place and, because of this, they do not get farm land. In some other circumstances, the names of farmers appearing in identity cards do not completely tally with their names appearing in some other Government documents. In cases where the transfer of the T.O.L. has not been effected from the grandfather or the father to the farmer himself, then this person again will not be considered for allocation of farm land in the resettlement area. All these people are, in fact, dependent upon farming activities for their livelihood and they are not given the necessary land. In certain circumstances, some of these farmers have to live in Housing Board flats and they have to change their way of life completely because they have no land to carry out their agricultural activities, and they are cut off completely from a side income. So they find it difficult to make ends meet from their small income and they are faced with certain problems of earning their livelihood. Mr Speaker, Sir, there is one other aspect regarding compensation. In my constituency there are some villagers who have planted rubber trees on their land.”
“Although in relation to the total area of our island this allocation is quite reasonable, consideration must be given to deserving cases of bona fide farmers so that no land is given to undeserving cases, thereby giving rise to the situation, as mentioned by the Member for Bras Basah, where people who are not totally dependent on farming for their livelihood have been allotted land, whereas those dependent on farming for their livelihood have been allotted land which is insufficient for them, so that they have to get some land from those who do not need so much land. In this situation, the people who get land from others have to pay higher T.O.L. fees and this, of course, adds to the burden of the farmers. In my own constituency, there is a similar example. I have a farmer who has been resettled at Choa Chu Kang and his T.O.L. fees have been increased from $7 to $408 per year. This is an increase of many times the original amount, which is, of course, a great burden on the farmer concerned. I hope the Minister will give serious consideration to the problem. It goes without saying that we must develop and we cannot remain in a backward state. This is a proposition which everybody must accept. I think the farmers affected by resettlement appreciate it. They agree with the Government's development policy. If they get reasonable compensation or allocation of land and if Government officers in implementing the policy are reasonable and fair, then they will not have much to complain about. But sometimes, in implementing the policy of the Government, some Government officials are too rigid and inflexible. As a result, they are unable to handle a situation without some imagination and flexibility.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, several Members of this House have spoken about the farming population and their problems. As a Member from a rural constituency, I think it is also my duty to air my views on the same problems. Although I was recently elected, I have, within a period of slightly more than one month, visited my constituency now and then in order to understand the problems affecting the livelihood of the farmers and villagers. During these visits, I have discovered that the topics dealt with by the Members are actually realistic problems facing the farming population. The Member for Choa Chu Kang has already mentioned that our Government is paying too much attention to industrialisation and neglecting the problems affecting the livelihood of farmers in Singapore. As a result of such neglect, the farmers in the rural areas are finding it difficult to earn a livelihood without the necessary care and attention. The Member for Sembawang has also pointed out that the farmers in Singapore play an important role in the economy of our nation, because they produce about $100 million worth of farm produce per year. In view of these facts, I would urge the Minister concerned to pay more attention and care to the livelihood of the farmers. On the subject of allocation of arable land to farmers affected by resettlement, I fully appreciate that our land area is very limited - it is about 225 square miles. But we can think of some other places to provide our farmers with more arable land. According to the present resettlement policy with regard to the allocation of farm land, a maximum of two acres is allowed to each farming household. Members one after another have already pointed out that the maximum of two acres is, in fact, not sufficient for the necessary farming activities.”
“However, these disparities can be put right as soon as the time is appropriate. What Nanyang University lacks, of course, is a gratuity scheme for its staff, and on this subject I think Government is always prepared to consider any suitable suggestions from Nanyang University. The Member for Paya Lebar has mentioned that there is no provision for representation from the workers on the University Council. Although no specific provision is made for a representative from the N.T.U.C., nevertheless, the amendment to section 19 (1) (e) does not preclude nomination of a representative of the N.T.U.C. if he is noted for his interest in higher education for workers. As I have mentioned earlier, the present amendments are not comprehensive enough for the efficient working of the University, but I can assure Members of this House that, as soon as the time is opportune and further amendments are necessary, I shall bring up the subject again in this House. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. -[Mr Ong Pang Boon] Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. INTESTATE SUCCESSION BILL Order for Second Reading read. 4.31 p.m.”
“The Member has also raised the question of contributions from members of the public who have pledged various sums at various times in the course of the history of the University. If he will table a question on this subject in this House, I shall attempt to get the relevant information for him. Right at this moment I have no such information at hand. I am as anxious as the Member that the question of recognition of Nanyang University degrees should be resolved as soon as possible. In fact, last year I did mention that the Government would consider recognising Nanyang University degrees in about three years' time. I think the more important question is whether the University will be given the opportunity to reorganise without being interrupted by pro-Communist agitation, and whether the quality of the staff can also be improved. In my view, if Nanyang University could be reorganised without any interruption and both the quality of the staff and the students could be improved - and I think it could, which would lead to the raising of the academic standard - then the question of recognition could come in a matter of two years, perhaps three. The Member for Sembawang has brought up the question of salaries for the staff of Nanyang University. Perhaps he is not aware that since 1966 we have raised the salaries of the staff of Nanyang University to the same level as that obtaining in the University of Singapore. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] 4.28 p.m. However, since then the University of Singapore has had another revision to their salaries to bring them in line with the salary scales now obtaining in the University of Malaya. Therefore, the present salaries of the Nanyang University staff are not as attractive as those of the University of Singapore.”
“The support given to it by Members of this House, particularly from the former graduates of Nanyang University, is most welcome. The Government realise that the present amendments to the Nanyang University Ordinance are inadequate. There are, in fact, many other sections of the Ordinance requiring suitable amendments to make Nanyang University and its Council function more efficiently. However, the present amendments are what the existing Council is prepared to accept to avoid unnecessary suspicion from certain sections of the public who might still be fearful that the character of the University might be altered. However, the Government shall always keep in touch with the future Council to ensure that, should further amendments be necessary, these will be brought up for consideration in this House at the appropriate time. The Member for Bukit Merah has made certain references to the composition of the Council and the difficulty in calling for a general meeting of members to elect from amongst themselves three members to the Council. These difficulties have been envisaged, but I am sure the Council will be able to sort them out by introducing new regulations, if necessary, to govern the conduct and procedure of such general meetings. The Member for Bukit Merah has also mentioned that we have been too concerned with the status of the Vice-Chancellor in this present amendment Bill to the neglect of the Chancellor. However, section 12 (1) of the existing Ordinance has already provided for the Chairman of the Council to be the head of the University, and as such the provision for the post of Chancellor is unnecessary at this stage.”
“To all people from all walks of life, I make this appeal - that they should continue their support for Nanyang University. Although the University is now receiving aid from Government, it does not mean that the people should stop giving aid to it. With ample finance it can be managed in a better way. Mr Speaker, Sir, the pro-Communist elements thought that as the University was founded by people from all parts of Malaysia, people outside Singapore should have more say and control in the running of the University. This is absurd. Because of different political situations, the citizens in Singapore should have a bigger say and control in the running of the University. This is only proper and is in keeping with our national interest. But, at the same time, we will allow Malaysian citizens to play their part within certain limits. This is provided in the amendment which allows for three Council members from Malaysian territory. We also welcome people outside Singapore giving aid and constructive suggestions to the University and their continued support. The Singapore Government and people are now subsidising about $1,300 for every outside student per year. In spite of that, the Government still welcomes genuine students from abroad to study here. At the same time, I hope the Malaysian Government will discard their narrow racialist ideology. They should absorb Nanyang graduates into their Government departments just as the Singapore Government is doing. If they can do this, then we can say that the Malaysian Government is not discriminating against Chinese education. I fully support this amendment Bill. The Minister for Education (Mr Ong Pang Boon): Sir, I think it is hardly necessary for me to argue further the case for the amendment Bill.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, ever since its inception in 1953, many people have made generous contributions to the University, ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. But the actual amount collected is only $12 million. If this sum is compared to the amount contributed by the Government, it is very insignificant indeed. The Government has contributed $6.7 million in a short period. The people donated money to the University because they love it and pay a high regard to the sacred task of education. It was because the Council members did not set a good example that the collection of money was made very difficult. For example, Mr Tan Lark Sye, who promised to donate $5 million, actually paid up only $2.5 million. The Hokkien Huay Kuan promised to donate $600,000 for the erection of an auditorium, but the actual amount collected was only $200,000. The Nanyang Siang Pau Co. Ltd, promised to donate $1 million, but the actual amount collected was only $94,000. Another reason was that the University was in a topsy-turvy condition and control of it had passed into the hands of the anti-national elements, and the future of Nantah was in danger. Therefore, these people did not pay up the full amount. Nanyang University is a non-government institution. Apart from the grant by the Government, it has to receive support from the public. Ever since the wiping out of the pro-Communist anti-national elements, Nanyang University has been put on a proper footing, especially in view of this amending Bill. Therefore, I appeal to those who love education and the University to keep their word and pay up all that they have promised to donate. This will be beneficial to the development of the University and to society in general.”
“But what is deplorable is that this non-Government University, ever since its inception, has passed into the hands of those evil-doers who have ulterior designs and these elements, because of the support given by certain rich business tycoons, were able to carry out their evil deeds in the University and land it in a mess. The control of the University passed into the hands of certain multi-millionaires. These people knew nothing about university education. They thought that money is everything. But they have forgotten the old maxim: "To die of hunger is a small matter, but to succumb to evil forces is a real disgrace." Many people with academic qualifications were hesitant in coming to the University. Those who did come very soon left. What is absurd is that a general meeting - they have a membership of 1,500 -had not been convened even once. Mr Speaker, the reason why I have quoted so many examples is that I wish to show that because of the incompetence of the people in charge of the University, it was possible for the pro-Communists to infiltrate into the University. By their actions, they brought down the name of the University and landed it into difficulties. Teachers, administrators and the leadership were surrounded by pro-Communist elements. They made use of the University campus as their training ground to carry out their evil deeds and nefarious designs. These people profess to love the University, but, in actual fact, they have been indulging in acts of vandalism by damaging University property and burning down University buildings, thus making it necessary for the University authorities to spend a large sum of money on repairing the building. Is this the behaviour of one who loves the University? This only worsens the financial position of the University.”
“Universities are simultaneously conservative and progressive institutions - conservative in the sense that they preserve the best in the culture of a society, and progressive in the sense that they introduce new ideas, new discoveries, and new inventions, usually for the betterment of society. As institutions of higher learning, universities throughout the world share certain common functions, but they differ also because they have to cater for the different needs of the societies for which they purport to serve. It is obvious that universities in homogeneous societies with a well-developed sense of national identity have one important difference in role to play from universities in newly independent countries faced with the problems of building national identity out of a heterogeneous population.' The speech I have just quoted refers to higher institutions of learning in general, but Nanyang University, ever since its inception, and especially since the publication of the Wang Gung-Wu Report, has again and again emphasised that the Nanyang University students should be at least bilingual, if not tri-lingual, and be able to fulfil the special needs of the society they will have to serve. Mr Speaker, Sir, all the past facts have shown that the Nanyang University students have distinguished themselves in service. Although they have come from a different stream of education, their loyalty, their patriotism and their work are no less excellent than those of the others. Mr Speaker, Sir, ever since the founding of the University, people from all walks of life in Malaya and Singapore have contributed generously to the University, especially people from the middle and lower strata.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to support the Nanyang University (Amendment) Bill. As what the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for National Development has said, ever since its inception Nanyang University has been bedeviled by defective organisation, bad administration and ignorance of the University Council. The top policy-making body, the Nanyang University Council, knew nothing about University education. Therefore, it was possible for the Communists and pro-Communist students to make Nanyang University a breeding-ground for their cadres and to exploit Nanyang University for their anti-national activities and evil purposes and to bring down the name of the University. In order to make Nanyang University a real institution of higher learning - and this is the hope of all who love Nanyang University - they will agree that it is necessary to wipe out the influence of these pro-Communist elements as soon as possible. Only thus is it possible for Nanyang University to provide peaceful surroundings for the students to pursue their knowledge. Mr Speaker, Sir, let me quote a speech made by the Minister for Education on the 20th December last year in this House. He said: 'Universities represent the apex of the educational system in a country. They have an essential and influential role in society, and the quality and character of the universities are bound to have important impacts on the social, economic, and political life of a country. The role and character of universities have varied from place to place and from time to time.”