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, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head O be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead DEA 2040. Sir, this provision is for the 10th Council Meeting of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Centre. This Council has held nine meetings, and this is for the 10th meeting. I would like the Minister to tell us since the Council has held so many meetings whether any concrete results have been achieved? Has our Government concluded any fishing agreements with other Southeast Asian countries? Although Singapore is an island State, our yield in fishing is not sufficient. According to statistics, our yield amounts to only about one-quarter of our total consumption. In other words, 75% of our consumption of fish have to be imported from abroad. Therefore, the Primary Production Department had indicated at one time that it would go all out to develop deep-sea fishing so as to enable our fishermen or merchants to invest or to participate in offshore fishing in order to increase our yields in fishing. However. I regret to say that, according to the Auditor-General's Report for 1975-76, the Fishery Training Centre at Changi set up jointly by the Singapore Government and the United Nations Development Programme in 1969, had closed down on the 21st June, 1976, after a lapse of a few years. Out of 99 trainees, only eight took employment on board fishing vessels. The others took up other jobs. I would like to ask the Minister whether our Government's attitude towards deep-sea fishing is to continue to develop this industry or whether it will discontinue its policy on deep-sea fishing. I would like the Minister to explain to this House the questions that I have raised.”
“Sir, the Senior Minister of State has not replied to my query on the Jurong Abattoir.”
“I am not moving, Sir. The sum of $809,006,590 for Head X ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. The sum of $659,280,000 for Head X ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. Head J - The following amendment stood in the name of Mr P. Govindaswamy:- (1) That the sum to be allocated for Head J be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead ABA 1101.”
“Tendering of shops is done only when there is no demand by resettlers or when resettlement cases wish to use the shops for trade or service already adequately provided in the area.”
“Clogged drains and untidy open spaces were caused by debris from renovation works carried out by flat owners and unsatisfactory performance by the previous conservancy contractors. Most of the renovation works have now been completed. The unsatisfactory condition of lifts in certain flats was due to poor maintenance services by one of the lift companies. However. maintenance services have improved and the frequency of breakdowns reduced. In reply to the Member for Jurong, the Corporation has no immediate plans to build more five-room flats in Jurong Town as there are now sufficient flats available, including those under construction, to meet the demand for the immediate future. Secondly, it may be uneconomical as well as a duplication of effort for the JTC to produce another publication similar to the Housing Board publication of Our Home. However, as a service to its tenants and lessees, the Corporation is negotiating with the Housing Board for the joint production of the magazine, Our Home. As negotiations are in their final stages, the distribution of the joint magazine to the residents in Jurong Town may be expected in the near future. Thirdly, a programme was drawn up late last year for more regular cleansing of water tanks. Under this programme water tanks are flushed every six months and repainted every five years. Whenever necessary, flushing or repainting may be carried out earlier. Fourthly, there is a regular programme for repainting of flats every five years. In accordance with the programme. 18 blocks of flats were repainted in 1975 and 17 blocks of flats in 1976. This year 16 blocks are scheduled for repainting. Finally, resettlement cases are already being accorded priority in the allocation of shop houses that fall vacant.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, because of time factor I would like briefly to ask my questions. Firstly, whether the JTC intends to build five-room low cost flats in Jurong Constituency. Secondly, whether the JTC intends to publish for its flat-residents a free publication similar to the magazine. Our Home, published by the HDB; Thirdly, whether the JTC has been regularly cleaning up the water tanks in the Jurong housing estate because of the high content of salt in the water which is corrosive to the tanks; Fourthly, whether the JTC is whitewashing the flats in Jurong Town once every five years; Fifthly, whether priority will be given to those who are affected by resettlement in the allocation of vacant shop premises in old housing estates? Mr Hon Sui Son: Sir, in answer to the Member for Boon Lay, the Jurong Town Corporation's objective in constructing low-cost flats is to provide adequate accommodation for workers to attract the necessary labour to meet the requirements of industry in Jurong. Thus the Jurong Town Corporation restricted the sale and rental of its flats to people working in Jurong only. As a result of the recent recession, however. the demand for industrial land in Jurong dropped and this also led to a drop in demand for housing. The JTC has, therefore, offered 730 units of three-room flats in Boon Lay Garden to the Housing Board for sale to those on its waiting list for the Telok Blangah. Bukit Timah and the Rural West zones. In addition, recognising the increased personal mobility of workers, the JTC has opened applications for its flats to those working around Jurong, that is, within the area bounded by Choa Chu Kang Road. Bukit Timah Road and Clementi Road.”
“I feel that letters or notices to schools should be signed by the officer-in-charge and not just any subordinate officer signing on his behalf. If the senior officer-in-charge signs it personally, this will indicate that he is accepting the responsibility. He cannot consider it a waste of time to sign an official communication. It is his personal duty to do so. The matter of too many correspondence is another matter. As regards school names, since we are promoting bilingualism, it is best that school names on signboards should be in two languages at least, particularly Government schools. Of course, we cannot expect the older generation to understand English. But there are pupils who go to a Government school who do not even know the name of the school in another language. So Government schools should at least have two languages written on the school signboard. As regards simplified Chinese characters, the Senior Minister of State has told us that we have gone through two stages in simplifying characters in Chinese. So if there is any doubt on the part of Members, they can buy the revised edition of the compendium of simplified Chinese characters from the Educational Publications Bureau, because most of the new simplified characters used can be found in this booklet.”
“or so, or else they will miss the time for the first session to start, say at 7.30 a.m. In these places, there is a long travelling time between the school and the home, so the students have to stay back in school for lunch and reach home quite late after school. But in Singapore, it is so small that full-day schooling may not necessarily bring any good to our education system. This is my personal view. There are other questions which I think I will avail myself of the opportunity to ask the Senior Minister of State to clarify. The Member for Anson has said that it is necessary for schools to have telephones. I support his view and I would like to ask the Senior Minister of State whether he has any intention of installing telephones in schools which do not have them now, particularly the schools in the islands around Singapore. Today when I read the newspaper I learn that TAS could also install radio telephones in cars, which have a range of 500 miles. So I feel that we can use this sort of radio telephone to reach the islands where telephone wires are not suitable. As regards recruitment of teachers from Britain, I do not know whether the Ministry of Education is aware of the advantages or disadvantages of the teaching methods of these teachers. Perhaps we cannot say that their teaching method is no good but, as regards accent. I think it is greatly different from the accent of Singaporeans. I have heard the report that even our principals and teachers cannot understand the English as spoken by them. Perhaps some of these teachers have been recruited from Scotland or Ireland where the accent is so strong that it cannot be understood easily. On the other issue of official communications.”
“Sir, I have waited so long for an opportunity to stand up and say a few words. The Senior Minister of State for Education has given quite satisfactory replies to the various points raised by Members. At least he has brought us a piece of good news, that is that remuneration of principals would be adjusted for their good and also in the middle of this year there will be a third promotion exercise for the teachers. I would like to ask whether he can tell us more details in this regard because there are still a few months before the middle of this year. As regards the question of full-day schooling. I would like to air some of my own views here. Many people think that running a full-day school will help to better the quality of education. It is not really so, I think. As it is, we have morning sessions and afternoon sessions. I do not think there is anything seriously wrong with this system. At the moment, the students can use their other session for extra-curricular activities. I am not trying to argue for the Ministry of Education but according to my own personal experience and contact with educationists abroad, I can say that they rather admire our system of education, with two sessions in the schools. They have been praising Singapore for the success of its two-session schooling, thus making full use of the school's resources. And they want to learn this from us. I am saying that it is something true. So full-day schooling is only practical in places where the population is small but they have large stretches of land where they can have spacious accommodation for that system. In these places, if two-session schooling were to be implemented, the students will have to get up very early in the morning, say at 5.30 a.m.”
“Moreover, the notices should be signed by the officer in charge and not by somebody else on his behalf. because that will be an indication that nobody would dare to be responsible for the notices. If that is the case, the Ministry might as well not issue any notices at all. For, otherwise how do they expect the schools to comply with the notices? I hope the Senior Minister of State will urge his Ministry to pay attention to this.”
“They shoulder more onerous duties and they have to do their duties over a longer period of time, particularly the principal who will have to be involved in all kinds of work big or small, even out of school activities. Whether or not they have anything to do with the school, the principals will have to be present and be responsible. This is both time-consuming and a waste of money. The principal cannot even enjoy the school vacation that is enjoyed by the school servants. In the past there was the post allowance given to a principal according to the size of the school. The post allowance was a kind of award to the principal which could serve as an entertainment allowance. But since the 1971 restructure of salary scales, this post allowance was abolished, This time last year. according to the Minister of State, his Ministry was considering reviving this post allowance, but it has been more than one year now. I wonder whether any decision has been arrived on this. 6.15 p.m. Recently, the Ministry of Education has issued certain syllabuses and notices to schools for their reference, and sometimes the Ministry has also conducted courses for school management personnel to participate. This is a good phenomenon. The school management personnel shoulder onerous tasks. If the Ministry want them to take part in meetings and attend courses, then they must make sure that these are useful to them and have some bearing on them. Otherwise it is a waste of time and effort if the school personnel do not benefit from it, and the officer in charge in the Ministry will also be blamed. Sir, the issue of notices by the Ministry of Education to schools is a common thing. However, one should not abuse this and also it must be ascertained that the notices are useful before they are issued.”
“Perhaps this is due to the officers in charge not being able to understand the bilingual policy. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in order to promote the teaching of second language effectively there is a need for good teachers, good teaching materials, adequate language laboratories and related equipment. According to my knowledge, in the Chinese schools particularly the rural schools in far away places, there is a serious shortage of good second language teachers. I do not know whether the Ministry concerned intends to rectify this situation. As regards teachers teaching in rural schools in distant rural areas, would the Ministry consider giving them some transport allowance? Sir, this year's slogan for the House is "From each his best; to each his worth." This is in keeping with the fundamental principles of democratic socialism, and this slogan is applicable to all professions and trades alike, including the teaching profession. The original intention of the Ministry of Education in the last two promotion exercises for teachers was to promote some educationists who were meritorious and deserving. But, because of certain aberrations in the process, they resulted in dissatisfaction to many and satisfaction only to some. Some meritorious teachers who have contributed their best whether inside or outside the school have not been called even for an interview. So how do you prevent people from feeling that "from each his best" is useless or it will be in vain in their case. So. I hope the Ministry concerned will be more careful in the promotion exercise so as to be able to actually carry out the principle and objective of "from each his best and to each his worth". In our school system, there are the principal, senior teachers and subject directors.”
“Sir, first let me touch on the Government's bilingual policy of the education system in Singapore. The formulation, implementation and promotion of this bilingual policy has generally received the support of parents, educationists and educational organisations concerned. Not very long ago the Government promulgated its decision to raise the language standard of pre-university classes. This is an indication of the Government's determination in implementing the teaching of second languages. To my knowledge, all the schools are trying their best to promote the teaching of second language, particularly the Chinese schools, in order to reach the prescribed standard set by the Ministry of Education, I remember in 1972 when the bilingual policy was implemented, it was stipulated that the teaching of the first language in all the schools should be 75% of the total number of hours and the second language exposure time should be 25%. And thereafter the second language exposure time would be increased to 33%, 40% and 50% in three years' time. This is all in keeping with the principles of learning. But up till now I have found that the number of teaching hours for second language in certain schools has not reached 30%. This matter is worth our attention. Since bilingualism is our policy we must thoroughly implement this policy. We should not do it perfunctorily. We should not allow the issue to be circumvented. The substance and principle of bilingualism should be understood not only by the principals and teachers but also by all the officers in the Ministry of Education in order to facilitate the promotion of this policy without aberration. I have discovered that in some new Government schools the school signboards are written in only one language.”
“Sir, since everybody is taking a keen interest in the debate, I will also take part and join the fun. The Senior Parliamentary Secretary has told this House just now that the Hawkers Department has conducted courses for its new officers. We have frequently heard in this House complaints that the Hawker Inspectors are very harsh in their attitude, particularly towards unlicensed hawkers when they would behave rashly in the public eye, as stated by the Member for Bukit Panjang. Even in their dealings with licensed hawkers, they behave in the same way and in a very high-handed manner. Sometimes they are very unreasonable. So I would like to ask the Senior Parliamentary Secretary what kind of training courses do they conduct, what are the contents of the courses, where are such courses held, and whether there is any requirement for the Hawker Inspector to sit in and observe the Members of Parliament during their meet-the-people sessions.”
“Some of the farmers are masons, and they can therefore do the work themselves. The third point is whether the time limit can be extended. Instead of two months, can it be extended to three or six months? This is to give them enough time. The farmers are prepared to cooperate with the Government but they should not be forced to do it quickly and at such a high cost. The next point is in relation to the medical examination of hawkers in the food centres. In my constituency many hawkers have been repeatedly asked to go for medical examination by the Ministry of the Environment. Of course, basically there is nothing wrong with this as it will ensure that food handlers are in good health and free from infectious diseases. But in terms of procedure, I think some improvement is possible. According to the present practice, hawkers notified for medical examination are required to go en bloc to the hospital before 8.00 a.m. for their medical examination. This medical examination will take more than one morning. Some will have to go for three days or even one whole week. Now if we want all the hawkers to go together, they have to wait until 10, 11 or 12 o'clock. I ask whether it is possible to simplify the procedure so as not to give them so much trouble. Just imagine requiring them to go for so many days in the morning when morning is their peak hour. They should not be made to incur losses as a result of medical examination. Then, of course, in terms of timing, I would suggest that they can be asked to appear for medical examination in batches at staggered times, instead of all at the same time before 8.00 a.m. I hope the Minister will give me a favourable reply.”
“Sir, under this subhead I would like to ask the Minister two questions. Firstly, I would like to touch upon the modern sanitation in the rural areas. Recently, in my constituency many farmers have received notices to the effect that the Ministry of the Environment is asking them to install sanitary system. In the case of farmers in the water catchment areas, of course. nobody would object to this request. But the Ministry of the Environment stipulates that the farmers are required to install within two months the sanitary system by contractors to be named by the Ministry. I have made enquiries. According to the farmers. they will have to pay about $2,000 for one sanitary system and it would take some two weeks to build one. So many of them have to install modern sanitation within so short a time of two months, and it is to be done by the contractors named by the Ministry. This gives rise to some problems. First the time is too short, and because they have to do it so quickly the cost will go up too. I would like to ask the Minister whether it would be possible to give them some kind of a concession by way of financial aid or some other assistance. I would like to ask the Ministry of the Environment whether they can give them 50% grant or one-third of the financial cost involved. If this is not possible, then will it be possible for the Development Bank of Singapore, by special arrangement. to give them some kind of interest-free loan or, if that is not possible, a low-interest loan, so that these farmers will be able to build their sanitary system according to the requirements. 6.15 p.m. The next question is whether it will be possible for the farmers to get their own contractors to do the job.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, if my memory serves me right, the Ministry of Social Affairs at one time spoke very highly of the creches under its management. However, I was rather disappointed to learn that the Ministry has lost interest in running its creches, so much so that all its creches will soon be handed to the NTUC and its affiliates. With due respect to the NTUC, Sir, I have not the least doubt that it will be able to run these creches just as well. All I want to say is that if the running of the creches is regarded as part of its responsibility, then the Ministry should keep its own creches and look after them. I have no objection to the NTUC or other interested private parties being encouraged to set up creches of their own to augment social services of this nature. But I am sure that as more married women are encouraged to join the labour force, more and more creches will be needed. Another point in my mind is that if eventually all the creches are handed over to the NTUC, despite my appeal made here, what will happen to the staff? There is a total staff of 96 in FY 77 employed to look after the creches. Will they all be retrenched? I am sure some of the members of the staff must have undergone professional training. Under such circumstances, how would their expertise be put to optimum use?”
“Furthermore, these people affected by resettlement had to apply for shops and flats from the JTC in order to be eligible for concessions. Otherwise, if they apply to the HDB for such accommodation they will be treated like any other ordinary applicants. There are sufficient residential flats in housing estates under JTC. But the problem is that there is an inadequate supply of shophouses built by the JTC for allocation to these people affected by the resettlement schemes, thus causing a lot of problems. I wonder whether the Government will consider unified control and management and do away with this duplication of duties and administration in order to raise efficiency and avoid unnecessary problems and trouble. That is, all the hawkers' problems should be centralised and dealt with by one central authority, the Hawkers Department; resettlement problems similarly handled by one centralised department; industrial problems for example, by the JTC, and housing matters by the HDB, We are talking about efficiency of the Government. We should not have unnecessary waste and duplication of our human resources and efforts. I hope the Minister will seriously consider these problems. Sir, I support the financial policy of the Minister for Finance. 4.20 p.m.”
“Again, if the flats in Boon Lay Garden were not built by the JTC but were built by the HDB, then there would not be lifts of different brands from different manufacturers resulting in frequent breakdowns, a shortage of spare parts, and other maintenance problems. Again, if the JTC did not build the executive flats, then the flats for the middle-income group would have been built by the HUDC and the purchasers in the middle-income group in Jurong would be able to use the CPF for the purchase of the flats, unlike the present where they are not allowed to use the CPF for the purchase of flats built by JTC. This is a very unfair situation. Because of this duplication and inconsistency, the people in Jurong have been deprived of their right to use CPF funds to buy their own houses. Not only this, a lot of land in Jurong is earmarked for development purposes. The matter of resettlement is in the hands of the Resettlement Department under JTC, while the matter of adjudging who is a bona-fide farmer and who is not, is not made by the JTC but by the Primary Production Department in the Ministry of National Development. Because the Primary Production Department is not directly concerned with the development of the area, it takes its own sweet time to establish who are the bona-fide farmers and who are not, and because of the dispute in this matter the development plan is delayed. So these farmers have to stay put where they are. Last year, at the 20th km Jurong Road (now it comes under Boon Lay constituency) some farmers had to stay put because of the delay. Then, because of the rainy season at that time there was flooding. They again suffered losses because their livestock were drowned in the floods.”
“How many people realise the losses and the inconvenience suffered by the people of Jurong in the course and as a result of industrialisation? Sir, 10 private bus companies have finally succeeded to merge into one single bus company for the purpose of raising efficiency and providing better services to the people. But in the Government administration, there are different Government departments separately in charge of matters of the same nature. For example, there are several departments involved with hawkers, such as the Hawkers' Department in the Ministry of the Environment, the Housing and Development Board, the Jurong Town Corporation and the Port of Singapore Authority. Although the major policy may be the same, the manner in which such policy is executed or implemented may be different from department to department or from area to area. For example, in the same area, department A is in charge of some hawkers and markets and department B in charge of other markets and even department C in charge of yet some other markets or hawkers, with diverse regulations and methods. So there is no consistency in the implementation of the same policy. As a result of this inconsistency, there would be confusion or even a feeling of discrimination. In the field of building construction, we have the HDB, JTC and PSA, in charge of housing. The Housing Board is the largest housing agency in Singapore, with a lot of experience over the past decade. Other statutory boards cannot outdo the Housing Board in terms of costing, professional supervision or planning. If the 5-room flats in Boon Lay Garden and Teban Garden were built by the HDB. the price would not have been as high as $35,000. It might well be $30,000, as in the case of 5-room flats built by the H DB in other new towns.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in his financial statement on the 28th of last month, the Hon. Minister for Finance made a very significant conclusion to the effect that: `the weather is getting fine and fair and our Ship of State is in good shape. The command should therefore be "Steady as she goes."' As a matter of fact, our Ship of State, the Republic of Singapore, has been moving steadily all the time as a result of our very steady helmsman and pragmatic policies, and that is the reason for the social and economic progress that we are making, as the saying goes. "with care a ship can sail for ten thousand years". With care and caution, the helmsman of our Ship of State will be able to weather through difficult times in a turbulent and unpredictable international situation. Sir, in the financial statement, the Minister did not mention any major tax increases. Instead he has offered four tax concessions. All these are indications to show the soundness of our economy and this should increase international confidence in Singapore. To the people of Singapore, this is again a mild budget. If there are no unreasonable tax increases or revision of tariffs in the course of the year, I believe our people will be able to go through another peaceful year comfortably. Mr Speaker, Sir, in the budget the Government has provided a loan of $245.9 million for the Jurong Town Corporation for the further development of Jurong and other industrial estates. Jurong has been fortunate enough to have been chosen for industrialisation and it has become an internationally known industrial area in Singapore. This is an honour for the Jurong people. But how many people realise the hardship and the price the Jurong people have to pay for this industrial development?”
“When certain farmers are given the notice of acquisition of land, they are also advised to gradually reduce their farming activity. Sometimes the census is taken months afterwards, while actual resettlement may take place one to two years later. During this transition period, in order to minimise their loss, the farmers naturally reduce their farming activity gradually. Other farmers, having failed in agricultural career, now because of lack of capital, have to stop their farming activity for the time being. However, after a long wait the notice to quit has still not arrived, and so because of family livelihood they are forced to go outside to work in order to make ends meet. Such unlucky farmers will certainly be adjudged by the Primary Production Department as non-bona fide farmers, the compensation for whom will of course be very little Sir, our society should be a rational and a caring society. We should be sympathetic to the plight of a section of the population when they have to make sacrifices and are inconvenienced for the sake of the nation We should help them to restore their capacity to earn and make a living. High officials sitting in air-conditioned rooms of the Primary Production Department make decisions affecting the farmers' fate mainly on the report of their subordinate officers This causes a slur to the truth and clouds the issue. Therefore, to adjudge whether a farmer is bona fide or not, the Primary Production Department should base its consideration on detailed investigation of the actual circumstances. Also the views of the MP of the particular constituency and the Citizens' Consultative Committee should be observed before any decision is made. Only then, will it be in keeping with the fundamental spirit of the policy of the present Government. 3.”
“Those who are adjudged bona fide farmers are entitled to the allocation of land or alternatively a free three-room flat and their compensation rate is much higher. Those similarly engaged in farming activities who are not adjudged bona fide farmers will have to blame their bad luck and look for their MP for help. The officers who wield such peremptory power are not from the Resettlement Department but from the Primary Production Department which has no direct connection with the resettlement scheme. According to my understanding, the Primary Production Department goes about adjudging those who are affected, whether they are bona tide farmers or not, not according to their actual rural situation but superficially on a certain formula and certain figures. If the data provided by a person, be he a farmer or not, do not fit into the formula, then he is not considered a bona fide farmer. It is quite common to see people in the rural areas engaging in farming activities. Some of them are small scale farmers and whatever they get is sufficient to support their family. Other families, because of insufficient income will have to engage in certain farming activity to supplement family income. But many of the younger generation of such families when they grow up do not intend to remain farmers but would like to go outside to work or join the national service. Whatever they earn outside is seldom brought back to support the family. However, their income is also taken as a factor in determining whether a family is a farming family or not. Thus, through such circumstances, certain village farmers have lost their status as farmers, thereby losing their right as farmers to such compensation. Sir, another general situation is this.”
“This means that more laterite roads will be metalled, more wooden bridges will be replaced by concrete bridges and more country tracks and roads will be lighted. Although the rural area has shrunk it is still extensive in area and so it needs more money for the amelioration of the living environment of the country folk. But what the people in the rural areas find most distressing is the question of resettlement, as touched upon by the Member for Changi. We all know that because of the scarcity of land and the need for industrialisation, housing etc, we have to requisition more land from the rural areas. There is nothing wrong with this. Generally, the people in the rural areas understand this and they are prepared to sacrifice for the long-term interest of the nation. Those who are affected by the resettlement scheme would have to suffer inconvenience as their homes built over the decades have to be abandoned and they will have to move to new surroundings. Everything will have to start from scratch and afresh. Those departments and officers involved in resettlement. whether it be the Resettlement Department or the Primary Production Department, must understand the plight of the people and try, on the one hand, to minimise the hardship and inconvenience caused to the people and, on the other hand, by all means give adequate compensation to the affected people. Mr Speaker, Sir, in the past few years, at my meet-the-people sessions I received various complaints from the villagers and I have found that there is a lack of sympathy on the part of those who are involved with resettlement affairs. In most cases, the question centres on whether a person who is engaged in farming activity is a bona fide farmer or not.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of the Motion moved by the Member for Ulu Pandan expressing our thanks to the President for his Speech delivered at the opening of this Fourth Parliament. The President, in his speech, enunciated the policies which will be carried out in the next five years. The people are enabled to understand the various programmes for action and reforms, the most important being the new measures contained in the various Addenda of the various ministries, which are for the benefit of the people and the nation, meant to inspire the people to contribute their efforts towards nation building. In the general elections last year the people elected all the 69 PAP candidates into this House. This is a massive support and trust given by the people to the People's Action Party and they know that although we have a one-party Parliament, the Members of Parliament will not do things recklessly. This has also enhanced our responsibility as Backbenchers. As Backbenchers, although we are part of the governing Party, we have to play the role of the opposition and exercise our right to criticise and supervise the work of the Government and to reflect the views of our constituents so as to serve the people and the nation with dedication. Mr Speaker, Sir, the main feature of the policy speech is that in the next five years the Government will give priority to looking after and developing the less privileged areas as they need more attention. Such policy is both correct and laudable, because to help the well to-do is well and good but to do some good to the poor and needy is more significant of good government and will be appreciated by the people. Sir, it is gratifying to note that more money will be provided for the developmental needs of the rural areas.”
“Sir, according to the Annual Report of the Housing Board for 1975/76, the selling price of a low-cost 5-room flat does not include the cost of land and architectural and engineering fees. The cost of each unit is $21,149 and it is sold for $30,000. The Minister has said that the cost of the JTC flats includes the costs of land, construction, and architectural and engineering fees, and that is why the price is higher. Would the Minister then consider removing the cost of land, construction and architectural and engineering fees, so as to bring the selling price down?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to ask the Minister whether Jurong Town should be called a new town or semi-urban? If it is classified as semi-urban or new town, should not the selling price of the 5-room flats be lower?”
“Sir, I was given to understand that for each practice session, the schools have to pay $80 for the use of the Jurong Stadium. If they practise, say, six days a week, it works out to $480 and this is quite an exorbitant sum of money to the schools. Anyway, as the Minister has given me replies to other questions, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by !eave, withdrawn. The sum of $786,687,370 for Head W ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. The sum of $792,563,000 for Head W ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. Head X --”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I do agree that markets and food centres are essential amenities in a housing estate. But is the Minister aware that due to wrong choice of sites, some hawker centres are not very well patronised. In fact, they have become "white elephants". The other point is in regard to the rent charged for the use of the Jurong Stadium for practices by the schools. I cannot agree with the Minister because I think schools are nonprofit making organisations and the students are required to practise everyday. If the schools have to pay a fee for the use of the Stadium, then the schools will be heavily burdened. I do not mind if the schools are charged a nominal sum for the holding of functions like the annual athletic meets. but not for daily practices. I wonder whether the Minister can answer my points. Mr Hon Sui Sen: Sir, I have no doubt that the Jurong Town Corporation from time to time may make some mistakes in the choice of sites for hawker centres. I hope they will do better in the Member's eyes in future, but I cannot guarantee that. As regards schools using the Jurong Stadium, I think the principle is that there should be some way of allocating use and I cannot think of a better way than to charge a certain small sum of money in order to make quite sure that when people make use of certain facilities they value this use. There is no reason why the Ministry of Education cannot afford to give the schools enough money to pay for the rent of this Stadium.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head W be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead CAA 8201. Sir, in moving this amendment, I merely war-it to raise a few questions in relation to the Jurong Town Corporation. First, does the Minister not think that the setup of the Jurong Town Corporation is now over expanded to the extent that it has diverted from its original objectives? Can the JTC run its multiple functions, such as preparing lands for industries, keeping up with development of gardens and parks, the maintenance of housing estates, markets, food centres, etc? Secondly, will the JTC raise the fees charged for schools and sports associations using the Jurong Stadium for practice purposes? Thirdly, will the ground floors of the JTC flats to be built in future be left vacant so that the residents can hold special functions or for children to play about just as in the Housing Board flats? Lastly. Boon Lay Gardens is a new housing estate which has thousands of people staying there. But surprisingly there is not a single eating house, commonly known as a coffee house, in the estate. The residents find t very difficult to find a place where they can drink a cup of coffee or chit-chat with their friends. I wonder whether the JTC can convert some of the existing shophouses into eating houses.”
“Sir, in view of the Senior Minister of State's assurance that he would convey our wishes to the Nanyang University authorities and hoping that the Students' Hostel and the Staff Quarters will be built soon. I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $391,843,670 for Head V ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. The sum of $74,005,000 for Head V ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLV REPORTING PROGRESS (Suspension of Standing Orders) 7.45 p.m. Resolved, "That notwithstanding the Standing Orders, progress be reported and leave asked to sit again tomorrow." -[Mr Chua Sian Chin] Thereupon Mr Deputy Speaker left the Chair of the Committee and took the Chair of the House.”
“Sir, I would like to ask the Minister whether he would ensure that construction of the Students' Hostel and Staff Quarters would not be again delayed. I hope we will not find it necessary next year to again ask for an allocation of funds for these buildings. On the question of building a new canteen for the Library, I feel that the provision of $80,000 is not enough. It will require about$200,000 to $300,000 to construct even an ordinary building. I wonder what kind of canteen can be built with this small sum of $80,000. As regards the office for the Department of Student Affairs, the Minister of State said that the canteen on the top floor of the Library will be shifted out and the space used for the Library. As far as I know, the Library has enough seats for the use of the students. When the said space is vacated, it could well be `used to accommodate the Department of Student Affairs. In this way, we can save the $120,000 meant for the Department of Student Affairs Building and add it to the provision for the building of the new canteen so that a better one can be built. I wonder whether the Minister would agree to this suggestion.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head V be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead AAA 8302. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, under this subhead, the sum allocated for Nanyang University Students' Hostel was $500,000 for FY 75 and $1.5 million for FY 76. And there is a revote of $237,800. For Nanyang Staff Quarters, the sum allotted was $100,000 for FY 75 and it is also $100,000 for FY 76; and a revote is also sought. Sir, I would like to ask why is there a need to revote on these two items. The second question I would like to ask is when will the Sports Complex for Nanyang University be completed. On completion, will the facilities be available also for use by, say, the villagers living in the vicinity of Nanyang University? My third question is in regard to the new canteen for the Library. I understand that at the moment there is a canteen on the top floor of the Library building. Why is there a need to allocate $80,000 for another new canteen? I would like the Minister to enlighten this House on the need for this provision. My last question is in regard to the provision of $120,000 for the Department of Student Affairs Building. At the moment the Department of Student Affairs has its own office. If it is necessary to shift the office. I feel that a better place for it will be in the students' building, that is, the Union House, because the Department has very close relationship with the students. I would like the Minister to enlighten this House on the need for an allocation for the Department of Students' Affairs Building.”
“Sir, I would like to thank the Minister of State for his detailed reply. Before I withdraw my amendment I would like to suggest that the term "Youth Associations" should not be used because it is misleading. He has said that the funds will be allocated to the Singapore Scout Association and the Singapore Girl Guides Association. Such allocation should not appear under `Youth Associations". I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head V be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead AAA 3020. Sir, I would like to ask the Minister a few questions. First, can he inform the House the amount of allowance for each student in the Singapore University and the Nanyang University for FY 76? Secondly, as we know, Nanyang University has improved its standard and it is embarking towards the status of a national university, when it will take in students from all streams of education. The Singapore University is enjoying this status. I would like to ask whether the Government will amalgamate the two universities into one national university with two campuses, one at Kent Ridge and the other at Jurong. In this way, we can avoid the duplication of academic courses in these two universities as at present, and it will be better able to train our people for future manpower requirements. The third question concerns the Southeast Asian Research Institute. I do not know what has been done in the past year, but I would ask whether this Institute can be incorporated into one of the two universities, or whether it should remain an independent body. 7.15 p.m. The fourth question is in regard to Youth Associations. We know that the People's Association has embarked on an extensive youth movement and many community centres have set up their own youth sections or youth corps which also have extensive scope of activities. In these circumstances, should we allocate funds to assist the Youth Associations? Could these Youth Associations be incorporated into the People's Association so that they need not be an independent body?”
“(10) That the sum to be allocated for Head V be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead AAA 3020.”
“Sir, I did not suggest that the contents of ETV films are not very good. On the contrary. I said that this ETV section has been very conscientious in its production of educational films. However, because the programming times and the contents are not in keeping with the learning progress of the students, therefore, many schools do not find much practical use for them. Since the Minister of State said that as a result of scientific progress some schools have these video tape recorders and TV sets and so on, I hope he can allot more funds to more schools to buy such aids so that the problems I mentioned will be solved. In view of his reply, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“On the question of increased use of video tape, video recorders are, as he had rightly said, introduced to schools. Certain schools have their video tape recorders as well as television sets. SEMS send out Video officers to schools to assist them in the utilisation of the video recorders and, in addition, a special programme on utilisation of the video recorders was produced for schools. Schools are encouraged to video-tape the selected ETV programmes in order that the inherent problems mentioned above, such as the timing and the progress difference can be overcome. If SEMS is going to produce all the video tapes for borrowing, that may not be financially possible for the Unit. However, video taping is very easy. As long as you have the video recorder to play back, you can tape the programme from the television.”
“If we can do this, then the educational films produced by the ETV section could be screened in keeping with the pace and progress of teaching. In this way, the amount of money we spend will be the more worthwhile, and the students will also derive great benefits from these educational aids. Mr Chai Chong Yii: Sir, the Member for Jurong said that the content in the ETV programmes is not very suitable, as commented upon by some principals. I am not sure whether he is right or wrong, but the evaluation exercise carried out by the Ministry with the assistance of the Data Processing Unit of the Ministry of Finance indicated just the reverse. The programmes telecast by SEMS (Singapore Education and Media Service) were all intra-curricular programmes and directly related to the curriculum. At the primary school level they enjoy an acceptance rating of over 90%, that is, according to the evaluation. And at the secondary level, a rating of nearly 100%. So I am at a loss to know who is right. At the junior college/pre-university level, an acceptance rating of about 90% is indicated. Unless in the evaluation exercise the wrong information is fed into the computer, which I am sure is quite unlikely, these are all the indications. Maybe if the Member has any specific information, he can draw my attention to it so that I can make further checks on it. On the question of the frequency of its use, that is, the time of the broadcast, there were a number of inherent problems that make it difficult for some schools to utilise every ETV programme. Examples are the difficulty in the time-tabling, the large numbers of classes, and the difficulty in matching the ETV programme to the sequence of lessons taught. This is genuine.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head V her educed by $10 in respect of subhead CBA 1109. Sir, in order to further promote education, the Ministry has set up an Educational Media Service whose main function is to provide educational aids in the form of ETV programmes. The provision in the Main and Development Estimates for this Service is $2,131,500 which is not a small sum of money. Of course, to enable the students to better understand the teaching content, the use of these modern scientific teaching aids make up for what is lacking in teaching materials. This is something that I will not be up against. However. Sir, if we spend so large a sum of money every year and still do not know its effects, it is high time that the situation was reviewed. Sir, according to the representations which many principals and teachers made to me, the content and screening times of the ETV programmes are not exactly in keeping with the learning progress of the students. As a result, the students who attend ETV periods do not benefit. On the contrary, it is a waste of time. So many schools simply do not allow students to attend the ETV periods. Sir, I know that the ETV section has been very conscientious in producing educational films. The standard is also quite high. But having spent so much money and so much effort, if in the end the films produced are not effectively made use of by the students, it is really a waste of time and money. I do not know whether the Ministry of Education will make duplicates of the TV films produced by ETV section and loan them to schools which need them. 7.00 p.m. I understand that many schools have facilities like video tape recorders, So there will be no difficulty in the use of video tapes for such purposes.”
“I would like to ask the Senior Minister of State to answer the third question that I have raised. The question is: will he consider giving the principals a higher salary scale?”
“Sir, I would like the Minister of State to reply to some questions I raised just now. I want to know whether the teachers' organisations would be consulted in the formulation of education policy.”
“Sir, I do not quite agree with what the Minister has said in his reply to the Member for Bras Basah. As we all know, our schools are built of incombustible materials, They are built of concrete and solid bricks, unlike Housing Board flats which are built of hollow bricks. If my memory is right, there is the requirement that a fire hose must be provided in every school. I do not mean that in every school floor there must be one fire prevention equipment but there should be one in the building.”
“So the teachers' organisations are not able to exercise authority over the teachers, neither can they raise the social status of the teacher. If teachers' organisations are given such a statutory right and if we also enhance the status of the teachers, it does not follow that all problems will be solved. But at least we will be able to help them to better honour their professional duties and to be more contented in their profession. At the same time, we would be able to attract more talent into the teaching profession. Now all those who are engaged in the teaching profession are basically given three categories of salary scales with nine grades. The intention is good and it is good 10 give them yearly increments. But, there is no special salary scale for the principal. This seems a bit unfair. Very often, there are principals who are only Education Officers whereas some teachers are Senior Education Officers. Sir,I have said in this House many a time that a principal's appointment is due to his superior merits. He has to be responsible for the affairs of the whole school, including school administration, the arrangement of the school curricula, time-table, and he will have to take charge of the school finance, personnel control and the discipline of the students. Whatever matter, big or small, will have to go through the principal. However, his salary is sometimes not compatible with his heavy responsibility. No wonder some principals on their appointment seem to accept it with a feeling of drudgery. I wonder whether the Ministry of Education has noticed this problem and will consider giving the principal a more adequate and significant salary.”
“Since the teachers come into direct contact with the students in the classroom, they should know the feelings and response of the pupils and they should also know what is receptive and absorbable and what cannot be acceptable to the pupils. We have 20.000 teachers represented by five teacher-organisations. I think if the teacher-organisations were given some say in the educational policy-making process, then there would be fewer changes due to education theories which might sound very grand but are not practicable. Sir, education affects the future of our country. The chief implementor of education is the teacher. So we can see that the teachers are very important in the process of education. I regret to say that in our mercenary society, teachers are losing their status and are less and less respected. The respect for the teacher and the teaching profession seems to have become a historical relic. Therefore, it is important to enhance the status and respect for teachers, and the Government can do a lot in this matter besides the efforts by the teachers themselves and their organisations. Sir, doctors, lawyers, accountants, engineers are all professional people. They have professional bodies which are given considerable statutory power in respect of admission for practice and disciplinary codes to exercise control over them. The teachers should also be regarded as professionals, as they have gone through professional training. However, unlike the other professional bodies, the teachers' organisations are not given statutory power with disciplinary codes to control their members. Teachers are not required by law to join their representative body.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the fact that so many Hon. Members have spoken on the problems of education shows the concern we all have for education which directly affects one-quarter of our population and indirectly affects the whole of our population. It is only natural and it is good, because it is an important matter affecting our future. In discussing the problems of education, we must recognise that on the whole there is nothing fundamentally wrong with our education system. Otherwise we would not have a society as stable as we have now, or we would not be here either. With changing times and social progress, our education policy, system, syllabuses and teaching materials, have to change accordingly in order to meet the requirements of our nation and our society. Education is not something that cannot change. However, the more conservative group do not like to see any changes or innovations in our education system. On the other hand the innovators are impatient to see that education is being changed with quick results. Therefore, there is inevitably a conflict between the new and the old. In the past, there have been many changes in our education system. From my observations and experience over the years, frankly speaking all these have been quite well motivated. If there had been any aberrations, they could be due to the decision makers not having thoroughly examined our education policy. They could also be due to the inappropriate moment of its implementation. However, there has been one shortcoming, that is to say, in the process of formulating our educational policy those organisations representing the teaching profession had not been given a say. I have always held out that teachers are the actual implementors of any education policy.”
“Sir, the Member for Sembawang has in his speech repeatedly used the expression "Shonan era", This is not an appropriate expression to use and I would like him to withdraw it arid instead to use "the period of Japanese occupation" which is more appropriate. I state this with good reason. If I remember correctly, Shonan was a term imposed by the Japanese in reference to Singapore during their occupation. "Shonan-to". In those days if anyone in Singapore did not refer Singapore as Shonan-to would be scolded or slapped in the face. So I would r,equest him to withdraw this shameful term. 7.45 p.m.”
“Otherwise how can the Hawkers Department assure the general public that the hawker inspectors are all honest? How can the Department ensure that articles confiscated are not lost in the end? I would like the Minister to give an answer in this House.”
“Sir, I agree to the points raised by the two Members, especially the Member for Sembawang. I would like to make one more point in regard to the attitude of hawker inspectors. Sir, the hawkers have been a problem for a long time. Although we have built markets and hawker centres to accommodate the roadside hawkers, many areas are still congested with hawkers, simply because there are far more applicants for hawker stalls than accommodation permits. Handicapped people and some farmers also want to hawk, as there are not enough employment opportunities in factories and elsewhere. That is why they have to become hawkers, especially the older people who are too weak to do heavy work. The attitude of some hawker inspectors towards unlicensed hawker is really deplorable. The people who witness such attitudes, especially foreigners who pass by here, will think that Singapore is a state of barbarism. The way these officials treat those unlicensed hawkers is really inhuman. The act of hacking and pulling down hawker stalls is really horrible to watch. I would like to ask the Minister whether he is aware that those officials in the Hawkers Department have no consideration for other human beings. Do they have any sympathy or feeling for these poor people? I would like to ask whether it is the policy of the Hawker's Department to seize the goods of every unlicensed hawker they can pounce upon. And if that happens, do they tell the hawker concerned they will issue a receipt for all articles confiscated? Of course, some vegetables like towgay cannot be easily assessed and therefore it would be difficult to issue a receipt. 3.45 p.m. However, valuable articles, like jade and other ornaments, if confiscated, should be accounted for by issue of receipts.”