Ho See Beng
Singapore
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to ask the Minister of State whether he is aware that each time re- settlement takes place, the business houses or firms suffer a terrible loss. Although the HDB could provide them with alternative shop premises, they have to rent them from the HDB.”
“Sir, I want to ask a supplementary question with vested interest. This concerns a teacher who upgraded himself or herself and got admitted into the University, but the teacher has got to forgo his or her salary. In the case of an SAF officer, if he is sent to the University, he does not have to sacrifice his salary.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, may I ask whether the Minister will consider giving incentives to consumers who read their own meters?. I ask this question because it will save PUB a substantial amount of money by way of salaries for meter readers, if the PUB succeeds in teaching consumers how to read their own meters.”
“But before I could explain the relevancy, I was interrupted by the Member for Anson, who stood up and denied that he had ever said anything about supplying me with such a list.”
“Sir, as I have said, I intend to appeal to the Minister for National Development whether he will consider giving priority allocation of flats to the Blair Plain residents who will be resettled by PSA soon.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, when the House adjourned at 8.00 pm last night, I was reminding the Member for Anson that I have yet to receive his list of Blair Plain residents whom he claimed to have attended his meeting and approached him for assistance on the matter pertaining to resettlement.”
The complete record
Every one of 839 lines we hold for Ho See Beng, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 11 of 17.
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like at the outset to congratulate the President on his realistic appraisal of the situation which this nation can expect to face in the coming years ahead in his speech to the Members of this House. After six years of hard work by our people and our Government to ensure the viability of this nation, we have on record proof of commendable achievements in almost every sphere of our nation's development. We have also succeeded even to the extent of over-achieving in some spheres, especially in economic development and tackling unemployment. In the six years since our independence, the nation's Gross Domestic Product has jumped from $3,043 million in 1965 to $5,564.5 million in 1970, while the birth rate has been severely checked and population growth has greatly slowed down. Our annual economic growth rate stands at 15 per cent since the last count in 1970, which is well above the generally accepted take-off rate of 10 per cent, which indicates an economy as having succeeded in achieving developing status. In 1965, Singapore had an unemployment figure of some 65,000. Today, we are in the realm of full employment with labour shortage in certain industries in spite of the issue of some 55,800 work permits to allow non-citizens to work in Singapore. Sir, our achievement in the past, which has brought this nation its present stability and affluence, is no guarantee of a rosy future. Singapore is and will be as vulnerable as it was six years ago if new and serious problems confronting it from within and without are not tackled effectively. Singaporeans should not be gullible and soft-headed in respect of these problems. The Singapore Government of late has had to take certain hard-headed and unpleasant measures in dealing with some of these problems.”
“That will be too late. Mr Chua Sian Chin: It is not too late at all. He can just give us the number of the lorry, the time and date when it happened, and that is good enough. Sir, I think I have answered all the points.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, if this kind of complaint is made, perhaps we may not be able to see the Minister in his office.”
“Sir, is the Minister aware that some of the American firms pay bonus?”
“Does this amount of $50 apply to all types of offences, or does it apply only to a particular type of compoundable traffic offence?”
“I am not moving, Sir. The sum of $19,234,590 for Head 0901 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. Head 1001 -”
“Finally, I have only to add that in the turbulent political and economic situation in South-east Asia our young republic continues to surge forward not only with political stability but also with sufficient economic nourishment as provided by the Finance Minister, who deserves appreciation from all sections of this House for presenting a budget which contains no negative punches or pulls but a positive thrust which explicitly expresses the desire and determination to move forward without undue haste or hesitation. Sir, I would like to associate myself with the sentiments expressed by my colleagues in supporting the budget. 6.21 p.m.”
“The Minister has also referred in his budget statement to the expected complete British withdrawal and the possible retrenchment of 15,000 civilian employees in the immediate future. I feel that the majority of the workers cannot be re-trained or re-moulded to fit into our modern industries, since most of them belong to the 40-50 age group. Hence I might suggest that with the assistance of the workers, the N.T.U.C, and the Government, joint ventures could be established on a co-operative basis with the capital provided from the provident fund and retrenchment benefits of the workers and also with adequate assistance from the Government. The N.T.U.C, could take the initiative in setting up such enterprises provided the Government could give the green light. Mr Speaker, Sir, I am sure that we need not have to refer to the pages of Paul Sweezy to know more about the approach towards the welfare state. As it stands now, our Gross Domestic Product is one of the highest in this region. Under such circumstances, it is only natural that as far as possible social amenities should be provided at the expense of the state so that the man in the street will derive the maximum benefit. But it is rather strange that during the past few years, as the G.D.P, bounces forward, existing free benefits have been slowly and steadily removed by the state. I have in mind the disappearance of the free medical benefits both for outpatients and in-patients which existed a few years ago. Today admission into a 3rd class ward costs S 1.50 per day, while SI is charged on the individual if he derives medical benefits as an outpatient. Sir, in keeping with our welfare state concept and taking into account the substantial increase in the G.D.P., the state should abolish medical fees.”
“I would advocate that the Government take this into consideration and remove the bonus restriction as quickly as possible. Notwithstanding the restrictive provision of this section, many employers continue to pay a much higher bonus than what is provided in the Act. This proves that my statement is correct. Since the passage of the Employment Act in 1968, employers who can afford to pay a bonus continue to pay more than one month's bonus. That shows that the Act does not restrict the employer on the question of bonus payment. It depends on `the capacity to pay, and the profit-sharing motive apparently dominates the approach of both management and labour on the bonus issue. Hence, the original fear which prompted the law-maker to include section 46 in the Act appears to be unwarranted except for the fact that this particular section can be abused by a minority of well established employers in denying labour its legitimate rights. For example, I think all Members must have received copies of a letter from the Singapore Bank Employees' Union informing them how the banks took advantage of section 46 of the Employment Act to coerce the Union into signing a collective agreement. I feel very strongly that we should do something about it. I would now like to refer to Table VA on the Labour Department's figures. The Labour Department figures indicate that the number of man-days lost in strikes in 1970 has been the lowest over a period of 10 years. Hence, there is no necessity to have second thoughts that if the bonus limitation is removed, there would be trouble. I do not think so. Since within a period of ten years, the number of man-days lost in strikes in 1970 has been the lowest, we should not be unduly afraid of that.”
“As a matter of fact, I have in mind the Employment Act, and although by and large it might be a necessity within the overall strategy of speedy economic development, of course it must be done within the framework of healthy labour and capital relations. I have in mind the fact that certain amendments are necessary, especially with regard to section 46 of the Employment Act relating to bonus payment. The Act stipulates bonus as one month's salary, although it does not prevent any employer from paying more on a voluntary basis. You will agree with me, Sir, that an employer is not much concerned with paying more bonus, since the concept of paying bonus is tied up with profit sharing or profitability. The only item that an employer is really concerned with is the cost of wages bill. It is not so much the bonus, because you do not pay bonus if you do not make a profit. But in the case of wages, whether an employer makes a profit or not, every year he is committed to paying wages to the workers. Therefore, instead of making a limitation on the bonus payment, I would rather prefer that the union should take this point into consideration; that is, the members of a union should not revise their salary scale whenever a collective agreement expires, because in the collective agreement the `salary scale is projected to a period of, say, 12 years, and if one has not reached the top of the scale, there is no necessity to revise the whole salary scale. There is already an automatic increment every year. If this can be accepted, I think we will be able to attract more investors into Singapore. But certainly the bonus restriction will not really cause the employer to be much concerned about it.”
“The rapid pace of industrialisation has created employment opportunities for our young graduates and emoluments paid in the private sector are more attractive than those provided by the Education Ministry. Hence, it might be difficult to fill the vacancies unless incentives are created by the Education Ministry. It could be in the form of adjustments in total emoluments, better promotional prospects and further opportunity for oversea training programmes. This might result in further allocation of funds to the Education Ministry if the main objective of recruiting more graduate teachers in 1971-72 is to be achieved. Mr Speaker, Sir, at the very outset of my speech I did mention that I shall make pointed reference to problems pertaining to labour and, if possible, to highlight the issues which hitherto might not have received sufficient attention. I have no intention to cross swords with the Treasury bench with regard to the quantum of funds to be allocated to the Labour Ministry. I am more concerned with policy issues and labour laws since there is a necessity to analyse them with a view to assessing their impact, positive or negative, on the successful implementation of the Government's industrialisation programme with adequate emphasis on human factors. As we are aware, our Prime Minister has often stressed that human endeavour should receive sufficient attention in any economic development programme. In this connection, I would like to point out that the measures taken by the Government are bound to be more effective and the Finance Minister's approach towards development expenditure would be more fruitful if certain measures are taken to bring some of the labour laws in line with our immediate requirements.”
“After the presentation of this budget we also read in the press President Nixon's statement in this respect. Taking into account the frequent changes in the world textile trade, I wonder whether it might be necessary for us to take a number of policy measures so that the Singapore textile industry might not be caught unawares. It is obvious that with a substantial increase in production and consumption in synthetic fibres in world trade, Singapore might find it necessary to lay more emphasis on the development of synthetic fabric. While recognising the fact that the imposition of restrictions, or rather the quota system as introduced by others might affect our export trade, it would be perhaps more pragmatic to venture into the possibility of entering into hitherto unexplored markets and conduct immediate bilateral talks simultaneously with our traditional consumer countries in the west for an increase in export. The textile industry is labour intensive; hence we have to work very fast so that there might not be any unemployment due to import restrictions by other countries. I do not think such a situation will arise since in the past the Government has assessed the situation far in advance, although not long ago the announcement of the British quota restriction did catch us unawares. Turning now to the Ministry of Education, I am pleased to note that with regard to the provision of expenditure, there has been an increase to the tune of 9.8 per cent. It is quite substantial but, at the same time, I would be failing in my duty if I did not point out certain problems which are likely to crop up during 1971 to 1972 when the Ministry intends to recruit more graduate teachers in order to improve the standard of teaching in the secondary schools.”
“In this respect, I confess I am a little confused by the discrepancies in the statistics provided by the Finance Minister in Table IV and in his budget statement. According to him, the passenger traffic to Singapore was 306,000 in 1965, but Table IV indicates that in 1965 the total figure for passenger arrivals was 267,322. I really do not know which figure is correct. These figures are important since they will enable us to know to what extent passenger traffic has increased during the period 1965 to 1970. If the budget statement figures are accurate, then there has been an increase of 410,139 in, passenger traffic during 1965 to 1970. On the other hand, if we turn to the table, the increase in passenger traffic should be 448,817 for the same period.. In other words, there is a discrepancy in the statistics, and the difference between the two increases appears to be 38,678, which is quite substantial. However, I have no hesitation in, agreeing with the Finance Minister that in 1970 we had approximately 25 per cent more visitors than in 1969 and the occupancy rate of 70 per cent for the tourist hotels augurs well for our tourist trade. But of late I have read in the press extracts of speeches of responsible leaders to the effect that we have over-built hotels, and that we may have to call a halt. Hence, I will very much, appreciate it if the Finance Minister can state officially to what extent we can give credence to such statements appearing in the press. I would also like to comment on the Finance Minister's reference to the textile industry and its contribution to our export trade. I have gone through in detail his reference to the United States economy, the reintroduction of the Mill's Bill and the position of Japan.”
“The Finance Minister has also made a reference to the balance of payments position. I am in complete agreement with the Member for Whampoa that money spent in importing capital investment is not a bad thing. Sir, I fully appreciate that those who are not well equipped with the relevant data would be perturbed by the trade deficits and those with questionable motives would not hesitate to grab the opportunity to run down the republic, especially when they are not too pleased with our economic progress. They would not hesitate, in a quixotic manner, to refer gleefully to the alleged chronic deficits in the balance of payments position. I am very pleased to note that the Finance Minister has ably demonstrated that there is no necessity to feel perturbed at our rather large trade deficits, since he has proved that the buoyancy in imports is mainly due to the rapid pace of investment in imported capital goods. Further, a substantial inflow of foreign capital, and an appreciable increase in our foreign reserves along with the efforts made during last year in improving our markets abroad, would indicate to an impartial observer that there is absolutely no necessity for us to view our balance of payments position with apprehension. On the other hand, there is every reason to be satisfied with our past performance and be confident of our future prospects. Sir, with regard to our export earnings, tourism appears to have contributed substantially. I should congratulate the Tourist Promotion Board on its yeoman service in increasing our dollar earning capacity. Sir, may I also analyse the figures in Table IV and relate them to the Finance Minister's reference to the economic activities with regard to tourism?”
“Sir, last year while analysing the total cargo trade handled at our port, I did point out that it might increase at a faster pace if the oil boom continued and the manufacturing sector responded to the Finance Minister's treatment. I suggested that expansion of port facilities should be planned sufficiently early. Sir, subsequent events have proved that my analysis of the expected increase in trade was quite correct. As a matter of fact, it could be observed from Table IV that the total cargo handled increased from 37.9 million freight tons in 1969 to 42.1 million freight tons in 1970. This is an increase of 4.2 million freight tons over a period of 12 months. This increase can be further appreciated if we compare the increase in 1969 over 1968, which was only 2.2 million freight tons. In other words, the increase in 1970 has doubled when compared with the increase in 1969. Mineral oil continues to contribute the lion's share of cargo trade handled at our port. Nevertheless, the 1970 trade in general cargo has shown an upward trend, which is quite welcome. I have no hesitation in saying that further encouragement to the manufacturing sector will accelerate the growth of the general cargo trade at a faster pace. Sir, within a decade the total trade handled at our port has increased from 14.89 million freight tons in 1960 to 42.16 million freight tons in 1970. This, in fact, amounts to an increase of 27.27 million freight tons over the decade. Perhaps our port needs further expansion, and the staff there might require training to keep up with the pace. I am eager to know whether the Finance Minister will consider it necessary to allocate more funds to expand the port facilities, in view of the considerable rise in the cargo handled at our port.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, during the last few days I went through the budget statement and the list of tables at a leisurely pace, and I must congratulate the Minister for Finance on having acquitted himself quite creditably in precision and accuracy. Nevertheless, Sir, I would like to highlight certain issues which might require further scrutiny, and perhaps remedial measures too. If the Finance Minister will take them into consideration during the ensuing year, I am sure they will contribute to a better understanding between the Treasury on the one side and the Backbenchers on the other. They will also create an atmosphere more conducive to a better appreciation of the salient features in the budget among certain sections of the public. I would also like to point out, with facts and figures, the problems relating to labour, especially if these issues have either a direct or an indirect bearing on the implementation of the budget proposals. Sir, last year when I spoke on the budget presented by the then Finance Minister, I raised several points, and I feel extremely obliged to the Treasury since they have considered them and have also implemented certain proposals which they have considered to be pragmatic. I have in mind my reference last year to industrial accidents and the necessity to take sufficient measures to reduce them to the minimum. In this respect, I am gratified to note that Government has responded to my suggestion to set up an Industrial Safety Council at a national level. I hope the Council will sooner or later move in and propose measures which will bring the Republic into line with the western countries with regard to industrial safety.”
“Have the Government given any guidance or training to the immigration officers as to what constitutes "hippiism"? If they have, the immigration officers may be better able to take action against local hippies or foreign hippies.”
“We have had this relief teachers' system for quite some time. I am not convinced by the answer that up to now there has been no scheme -”
“Can the Minister of State give more information on this aspect?”
“Can the Minister of State for Education tell us what are the terms and conditions of employment of these relief teachers?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I have a small point to inquire of the Minister for Communications. I cannot agree more with the Minister when he said that it is high time that the Singapore Traction Company should be reorganised. Usually in the process of reorganisation, the workers are mainly affected. In other words, reorganisation is going to reduce the number of employees. I wonder whether the Minister can assure this House that in the process of reorganisation, the employees of the S.T.C, can be assured their job security. We should not make them suffer because of the inefficiency of the operations of the S.T.C, throughout all these years.”
“In fact, I was a bit anxious when the Member for Joo Chiat's position was not clarified. I want him to be included.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, we all know that the Member for Joo Chiat has been a Member of Parliament till his election as Speaker of the House. May I know whether the new salary will be applied to him in his present position as Speaker?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I might suggest that the following measures could form a basis to cope with the situation. The observance of International Labour Organisation conventions and their strict application to industrial safety could be the first step. Secondly, it is possible that the sudden spurt in industries might have resulted in sidestepping the necessity to provide sufficient floor space for easy movement. In this respect, early inspection and periodic checking by the Labour Ministry might ease the situation. Thirdly, industrialists should be encouraged to install modern machinery with automatic built-in safety devices although the cost might be on the high side. Economy in such cases might cost human lives. Fourthly, there should be proper co-ordination among the labour unions, the Labour Ministry and management for a periodic review of the situation. Fifthly, workers should be educated in industrial safety. Lastly, first aid equipment with qualified nurses should be introduced in medium-sized and large-scale factories as early as possible. Sir, I am quite confident that if the above suggestions are implemented, it could possibly minimise industrial accidents so that factories would not present sad spectacles of crippled young workers. In conclusion, Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to associate myself with the sentiments expressed by the Finance Minister with regard to industrialisation in the seventies. 5.50 p.m.”
“Industries require skilled and semi-skilled labour and both our Prime Minister and Finance Minister have emphasised the fact that our tempo of industrialisation has reached a stage where we might have to think in terms of attracting skilled labour from abroad with all perks which could create the necessary incentives. But, at the same time, if you look at the Monthly Report of the Ministry of Labour for December 1969 and January 1970, you will see that approximately 4,800 skilled and semi-skilled unemployed labour continue to be in the register of the Employment Exchange. Of course, I do not rule out the possibility that the skills that we require for the emerging industries might be different from the skills possessed by these people in the register of the Labour Ministry. Nevertheless, we can hardly afford to permit a situation where these categories of workers, however small they may be, continue to remain in the register of the Labour Ministry. Incidentally, I might, with great regret, also refer to the high rate of industrial accidents which prevail in our factories today. According to the Monthly Report of the Ministry of Labour for the month of January 1970, there were 136 accidents reported to the Factory Inspectorate. Of these, two were fatal, seven resulted in amputation of the workers' fingers, and the remaining 127 resulted in minor flesh cuts, bruises, abrasions and burns. It is perfectly true that when, in a matter of two years, you have 30,000 workers put in the factory floor along with the machinery, accidents are bound to increase in geometric progression! But it need not necessarily mean that we should ignore the situation, because there are adequate provisions under the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance.”
“If we make a comparative study of other Asian countries with regard to the enrolment of students and staff requirements at tertiary level, I might say that the staff/student ratio in the case of Singapore can be better appreciated. Regarding the primary and secondary school teachers in general, I am afraid that of late they appear to have been over-burdened with duties and responsibilities which, under normal circumstances, should not fall within their purview. It is too much to expect teachers to pay individual attention to the health problems of the students, as it is not our intention to create quack doctors among the teachers. I might suggest that the Ministry of Education, with the co-operation of the Ministry of Health, should think in terms of establishing first-aid centres or health clinics within the educational institutions, preferably with a qualified nurse in charge, if the Government feels that there is a necessity to pay adequate attention to the health problems of the pupils during school hours. Sir, if this suggestion of mine can be implemented, it will solve the unemployment problem of the nursing profession. Lastly, Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to comment on the Minister's passing reference to organized labour, especially the National Trades Union Congress, for its co-operation extended to the Government. Sir, I would say that it augurs well for a nation in the take-off stage to be able to offer employment opportunities to the tune of approximately 30,000 jobs within two years!”
“In this regard, the expansion of port facilities must be planned even now to meet the expected requirements, failing which the Port of Singapore Authority's problems might multiply manifold and the situation may be worse than that which Port Swettenham is facing today. As I can observe from the figures -- I am referring to Table 13* -- during 1966 to 1969 there was an increase of 10 million freight tons of mineral oil alone, while the increased general cargo handled for the same period was 1.86 million freight tons. The general cargo handled at our port is not likely to remain at the same pace if the Finance Minister's approach towards the challenging seventies bears fruit. Under such circumstances, the present facilities will be inadequate. I hope the Finance Minister and the Port of Singapore Authority will take all the necessary factors into consideration to improve the port facilities. (* See Col. 526) Mr Speaker, Sir, the Finance Minister has also laid sufficient emphasis on education and in this regard the expenditure involved could be perfectly justified. But I am more concerned to know whether the manpower will be sufficiently tailored to meet the requirements of industrialisation in the seventies. A casual glance at the statistics provided by the Finance Minister with regard to the total enrolment in the educational institutions during the last decade indicates that in the primary schools the teacher/student ratio of approximately 1 to 30 has been consistently maintained during the last 10 years. In the secondary schools, too, the ratio is approximately one teacher to every 27 students. This also has not changed during the last decade. In tertiary education it is gratifying to note that staff/student ratio for 1969 has come up to the level of 1 to 16.”
“The Finance Minister has not overlooked the fact that the phased programme of the British withdrawal would necessarily have a negative impact on the economy and measures have already been taken to cushion off the effects. A flourishing entrepot trade, rapid industrialisation with expansion of port facilities, and further improvement in tourism could form a positive catalyst. The budget for the financial year and the analysis of our past performance seem to indicate that the nation is moving in the right direction. The total cargo handled at our port during the decade has increased nearly two and a half times, from 14.21 million freight tons in 1959 to 37.90 million freight tons in 1969, although there has been a fall of nearly three million freight tons in 1964 from the previous year, apparently, I think, due to Indonesian confrontation. But a significant feature of the total cargo trade showed that general cargo handled at the port moved at a slow pace over the past decade, from 6.40 million freight tons in 1959 to 8.30 million freight tons in 1969. On the other hand, for the same period the cargo of mineral oil, mostly petroleum, increased from 7.74 million freight tons in l959 to 29.20 million freight tons in 1969. Thus, the lion's share of the total cargo trade was taken up by oil, and this pattern might continue, especially with, oil exploration going on in neighbouring countries and more refineries. springing up in and around Singapore. But simultaneously with the oil boom, if the entrepot trade continues to flourish and the manufacturing sector responds to the Finance Minister's treatment, the total tonnage of general cargo handled at the port might rise at a faster pace.”
“Closely following the budget, I have been able to observe a substantial increase in manufacturing industries, especially with regard to employment opportunities. From the figures given by the Finance Minister - I am referring to Table 14* - I notice that during 1969, the 33 pioneer firms which came into existence provided 14,200 jobs, while in the preceding year, 1968, in the pioneer section, as a result of the addition of 44 new firms, the employment opportunities were only to the tune of 4,105. (* See Cols. 527-8.) For the same period, i.e., 1968, the performance of all manufacturing industries was rather astounding in terms of employment figures. In 1968 approximately 15,000 workers were absorbed by the manufacturing sector. A close scrutiny of employment figures for all manufacturing industries during the years 1968 and 1969, with special emphasis on the pioneering section for the same period, reveals a strange phenomenon. When the manufacturing industries in general are expanding at a very fast pace, the pioneer section is moving in slow motion. On the other hand, for the year under study, namely, 1969, when pioneer firms have moved up both in number and employment, the manufacturing industries (excluding pioneers) have slowed down again in pace. Sir, if I am not mistaken, from a casual glance at the figures of employment for pioneer firms in 1968 and 1969, we might conclude that more labour intensive industries are entering the Jurong complex. Perhaps the Finance Minister will consider it necessary to assist us further in appreciating the direction in which the industrialisation programme is moving.”
“Mr Speaker. Sir, I followed with great enthusiasm the presentation of the budget for the financial year 1970-71 by the Finance Minister. At the very outset, he referred to "motion picture" and "snapshots" while directing the House through the turbulent l960s. In this respect, I would like to associate myself with the sentiments and similes expressed by him, and point out that both the Director and Producer of this technicolour film had made it rather attractive as could be visualised from the "curvaceous figures" displayed by the Treasury. To borrow an expression from the Minister for Finance, the "doubling" of Gross Domestic Product during the sixties is well appreciated, and I am quite confident that if we continue to compare our performance with nations of more or less similar size and population, it will provide the necessary stimulus to accelerate the pace during the more challenging seventies. It is perfectly true, as mentioned by the Finance Minister, that human effort has to a large extent contributed to this economic phenomenon. Nevertheless, we can hardly afford to de-emphasise the fact that, apart from human endeavour, a strong currency, political stability and a responsible trade union movement have contributed a proportionate share in realising to a limited extent the short-run targets of our economy. The next decade is likely to be less turbulent since we have already dealt with the labour pains during the sixties. In analysing the budget in detail, Sir, I have no hesitation in stating that all sectors have received adequate attention, although I might wish that one or two sectors perhaps deserve special attention. In the course of my speech, within the limited time available, I shall make a modest attempt to feel the pulse of the budget.”
“Sir, is it to be understood that the Government does not know what type of hardship can be considered as genuine grounds for sympathetic consideration?”
“Sir, can the Government say what sympathetic grounds are required so that applicants for citizenship can prepare to meet these requirements?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, we are aware of Government's difficulty on the issue of citizenship certificates to applicants at this particular time. But, all the same, as there are many applicants waiting for citizenship, can the Parliamentary Secretary say whether Government will issue a statement to the effect that for a period of, say, so many years, there is no need for people to apply for citizenship as we will not be able to give them citizenship, so that they need not waste their time?”
“For example, the Government can easily increase taxes on entertainment, petrol, liquor, tobacco, cosmetics, night-clubs and admission rate to the Turf Club. Last but not least, the Minister for Law and National Development can negotiate with the Minister for Health to increase the abortion fee. Another point which I would like to raise is the discrepancy involved in the rates charged for water. The rate charged for domestic consumption has always been lower than that for commercial use. Since the commercial rate is increased by 50 cents per 1,000 gallons, the domestic rate should be lower than 20 cents because the businessmen will pass the increase to the consumers. So the Government should not adopt the attitude of a person who pretends that he is healthy and chubby by slapping his own face, making it red and swollen, and showing it to the people and saying. "Look, I am healthy," when, in fact, he is not. Therefore, if we cannot afford the cost of financing this project, we should postpone it. 6.33 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, we are told that the Government is going to develop the sewerage system and I assume from the Minister's speech that eventually it will be on an island-wide basis. This development will cost the Government a few million dollars. The money is borrowed from the World Bank with interest, and the people will be asked to pay for the cost of this development project. Singapore will then be able to tell the world, "Look, we have not only high-rise flats but also a very modern water-borne sewerage system." This is very well and laudable. The Government and the people of Singapore are proud of this. Sir, nobody will quarrel with the Government over this development project if we can afford it. But the point is this. This huge sum of money has to be repaid with interest. I therefore would like to ask the Government why we cannot postpone this project until we are in a position to carry it out without having to get a loan from the World Bank. Sir, unless there is great urgency for this sewerage development which the people cannot do without, I sincerely urge the Government to reconsider this matter and give priority to other projects which merit it. Assuming that this project is very important and the Government cannot do without it, why cannot the cost be met by other forms of taxes? Though the increase of 20 cents for 1,000 gallons of water is insignificant, it still affects the lower-income group who form the majority of our community. I believe, Sir, there are a thousand and one ways of raising taxes for this sewerage development, as the Member for Ulu Pandan has said, and the Government should lay its hands upon them instead of choosing to finance this sewerage project by increasing water charges.”
“You should have approached the Attorney-General's Chambers!”
“The trouble is that the Bill does not make it clear.”
“I, therefore, sincerely urge the Minister to look into my suggestion and make some form of differentiation between these two categories.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I cannot agree more with the Minister for Defence that our Government should plug up the loopholes in our immigration laws. In fact, we should hold the Minister responsible for the situation we are in today where a few thousand illegal immigrants are undetectable in Singapore. As stated by him, the number of illegal entries into Singapore is increasing. I would not have quarrelled with him on this amending Bill had he been a little far-sighted on the provision in regard to the legal immigrants and the illegal immigrants. This amending Bill does not make a clear distinction between the case of a legal immigrant who comes to Singapore on a Visit Pass and who is entitled to stay only within the authorised period, and the case of an illegal immigrant. What I find fault with this Bill is that the two types of immigrants come under the same provision and the one with the Visit Pass who overstays receives the same penalty as the illegal immigrant. In other words, if the legal immigrant has overstayed the authorised period through an oversight, he could be punished by a fine of $4,000 or two years' gaol or even both. The illegal immigrant who is unfortunate to be arrested is also subject to the same penalty. Hence there is no distinction between the two categories of immigrants. Sir, if this Bill is passed without some form of differentiation between the two categories, I am sure it will attract a lot of criticism from the public. I may have to defend the Minister for Defence for his short-sightedness! Of course. I will not join with the public in criticising the Minister because he is my colleague. But the public will say that the Minister cannot differentiate between the legal and the illegal immigrants.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, which party pulls out more of the other party's employees?”
“I just want to make a point of clarification. What I said was that if the Government is going to legalise abortion and liberate the women, as the Minister has said, then it should not set up the Authorisation Board. By doing so, nobody will believe that the women will come forward before the Board to be cross-examined by its members, who will ask questions like, "Why do you want to get rid of the baby?", and so on and so forth. Therefore, rather than expedite the abortion, the Authorisation Board will hinder it. That is my point.”
“I said, "What is the use of having the Authorisation Board?"”
“Any new point would have fallen on deaf ears!”
“There is no need for us here to carry on the debate "over and over again", to borrow the Minister's words, if, in the implementation of the Abortion Bill, it can fulfil the aim of the Government, let it be so. But if there are adverse results, my only hope is that the law will be reviewed as early as possible, without the Government waiting for four years and a review in the fifth year.”
“This is no assumption, Mr Speaker. I have obtained these figures from the Ministry of Labour publication. I do not see how the Minister can behave like an alarmist, why he is so afraid of the population. Let us not forget that the Minister is very young, energetic and virile. He has fought the Communists and the communalists. But now he is running away from infants and babies. All possible arguments have been put forward in the Select Committee meetings and published in the report.”
“On the same basis as the figure for 1968 where the difference in live births and deaths gives a net gain of 36,259, Assuming that this rate remains constant, in ten years' time our country will have an increase in population of only 360,000.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in every democratic government, the motivation for introducing new laws or changing old ones is based on two factors. First, it can be the result of a public outcry for or against a certain matter. The second factor is when a situation is so very critical that Government is called upon to introduce emergency laws. With abortion, Mr Speaker, Sir, there is no public outcry for the introduction of a law. Even the doctors themselves do not like the abortion law. In so far as the liberalisation of abortion is concerned, I have a feeling that the law is cock-eyed since there is an Authorisation Board to terminate pregnancy. We all know that a pregnant woman or any woman who carries an unwanted baby is a desperate woman and she will not submit to the embarrassment of presenting herself before the Authorisation Board. No one will go to the Authorisation Board. Women who are in a financially sound position will see a private doctor. However, those who are poor will still resort to the back-street practitioners for an abortion. These are facts which we cannot deny. Sir, I am a realist and I always speak with facts and figures to back me up, unlike the Minister for Health who always speaks in abstract terms. Let us look at the figures of population growth in 1968. I am quoting from the Monthly Digest of Statistics published by the Ministry of Labour in 1968. The figure for live births in 1968 is 47,241. The figure for deaths in the same year is 10,982. So for 1968 we have a net gain of 36,259. Let me project it for ten years, from 1969 to 1979. The population increase will only be 360,000. Mr Speaker, Sir, 360,000 is a little bit more than one-third of a million.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Parliamentary Secretary said just now that if the average worker in Singapore should get $200 a month, then he would take steps to amend the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance. But is not the per capita income of a worker over $200?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to support the amendments proposed in the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill. I am only surprised that this amendment Bill was not introduced earlier. To take one example, the commencement and cessation provisions of the Income Tax Ordinance, which are as confusing as modern abstract paintings, have led to confusion amongst laymen. A wage-earner cannot understand why if he commences employment in December in any year he has to pay income tax for two years in January of the next year. He has hardly worked for more than a month and has only been paid one month's wages, yet he is liable to pay income tax for the first year on the month of December, and for the second year of assessment, from December of the first year to November of the next year. I therefore welcome this amendment Bill and note with even greater satisfaction that those of us who have already been hit, like myself, by double taxation when we commenced employment will be given a reduction in income tax when we cease employment. Sir, I understand that many big business companies have taken advantage of the commencement and cessation provisions to avoid paying income tax. This has been going on for several years and the Government has, as a result, lost several million dollars. May I inquire whether action can be taken to recoup these losses? 4.12 p.m.”
“Sir, I think the Minister did say that there is a possibility that the cost of water would have to be increased. So if we could introduce desalination, water might be cheap.”