Jek Yeun Thong
Singapore
“Would the Minister now consider it wrong to allow CPF members to use their CPF money to buy shares in the stock exchange, people whom the Howe Yoon Chong Report not so long ago would like us to believe that they could not be trusted to look after their own savings and yet they are now allowed to participate in the stock exchange casino, s…”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, could I ask a supplementary question which either Minister can reply? Is the Minister surprised that the Voice of America, an organ created by the US government to counter Communist propaganda world wide, has been used to cast critical views on a non-Communist government such as the Singapore Government which is, in fact,…”
“Mr Chairman, Sir, the Minister has not touched on my point regarding the tuition fees of University students. I do not know whether he would like to take this opportunity to answer or he would want to leave it to others to answer it.”
“Also, there is no danger that the students having taken the loans would abscond or not come back since at the moment all the male students going overseas are providing bonds because of national service. And as for female students, if we are still having too many of them, we can easily arrange bonds for those who intend to take the loan.”
“Yes, of course. I think the trouble with the press is that they missed my point on Education. The style they happened to like is what the Chinese call - wan shi bu gong (playful and not taking things seriously). So they really do not know what to do with me - I mean the press, not the Government.”
“Sir, since the Government is encouraging the people to have more babies now, the likelihood of these 3-room flats being unsold will be greater. Is it not a good point for the Ministry of National Development to try to convert these 3-room flats into, say, 6-room flats so that more babies could be accommodated?”
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“In Italy all advertising of tobacco products is prohibited by a law enacted in April 1962. In Britain, a similar ban was imposed on television and radio since August 1965. In the United States there is a law enforced since April this year, which requires that all cigarette packets be printed with a label warning of the danger of smoking, and from 1st January, 1971, there will be no cigarette advertisements over television and radio in the United States. Thus more and more countries are taking steps to stop the use of mass media for cigarette advertisement. In these circumstances, we in Singapore will be shirking our social responsibility if we continue to allow television and radio, the most effective mass media in our republic, to be used by the tobacco industry to pass on messages extolling the virtues of cigarette smoking. Hence, from June this year, the Broadcasting Department has ceased signing contracts for cigarette advertisements. Beginning from 1st January next year, there will be no cigarette advertisements over our television and radio; instead, filmlets and messages against smoking will be screened and broadcast. The cigarette industry in Singapore spent about $3.6 million on all forms of cigarette advertisements, of which television and radio got about $1.2 million last year. It is obvious that if a similar ban is not imposed on the other mass media in Singapore, the $1.2 million which was spent on television and radio will eventually find its way into the other media. This will make them more vicious and intensive in their work of persuasion and thus have the effect of cancelling out all our efforts in imposing the ban over television and radio.”
“We must safeguard our young population against persistent advertising by cigarette and advertising firms inducing people to smoke and to try new brands of cigarettes, often on the untrue but persuasive assumptions and implications that people must get the "taste", that cigarettes are equated with success in life, that smoking is one of the best things in life, that smoking certain brands of cigarettes is synonymous with social exclusiveness and prestige, and other equally misleading slogans. Such blandishments, if not checked in time, can induce many of our young people to take up smoking in order to belong to the in-group. The first false step often results in the young person becoming a habitual smoker. The case against cigarette advertising, irrespective of what benefits cigarette smoking itself may bring to any particular person or groups of persons, is overwhelmingly strong. We cannot stop anyone from smoking. But we can and we must stop the use of our mass media to glorify smoking. Members will be interested to learn that the World Health Organisation at its 23rd Assembly on 15th May, 1970, adopted a report prepared by two consultants, namely, Dr M. C. Fletcher of the United Kingdom and Dr D. Horn of the United States on Smoking and Health. The two main recommendations of the report were that cigarette advertisements should be reduced with a view to its eventual elimination, and that cigarette packets should be printed with a label warning of the dangers of cigarette smoking. The World Health Organisation has instructed its Director-General to submit the report together with its recommendations to all countries. Some countries have already taken steps to curb advertisements on cigarettes.”
“Mr Govindasamy, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." There is now adequate medical knowledge of the effects of nicotine on health to arouse worldwide concern over the hazards of cigarette smoking. We in Singapore are attempting to build a healthy and rugged society. We are sparing no effort to create a clean and pollution-free environment for our people. It would be logically odd if, after all the trouble we have gone through to ensure a clean environment, we ignore the hazards of cigarette smoking and thus fail to safeguard the health of our community, particularly that of the young who form the bulk of our population. The Minister for Health will explain later in more detail how smoking can cause harm to the health of a person. But, briefly, I was told that nicotine, which is the most important ingredient in tobacco, once left loose into a person's system stimulates and depresses the nerves. The smoker's blood pressure goes up and his heart rate increases. Research has established that cigarette smoking is the main cause of lung cancer. A host of other diseases are also known to be caused by cigarette smoking --chronic bronchitis, peptic ulcers, high blood pressure, heart diseases and what have you. It has been statistically proved that where all other things are equal, a non-smoker enjoys a longer life-span than a smoker. Recently, by the passing of the Prohibition of Smoking in Certain Places Bill, we have tried to "purify" cinemas, theatres and other specific public places so that the enjoyment of the many will not be marred by the few who are smokers.”
“Mr Yeo Choo Kok asked the Minister for Law and National Development (a) in view of the growing population and heavy vehicular traffic along Alexandra Road between Delta Circus and Alexandra Circus, if he has any plans to ensure the safety of pedestrians in that area; and (b) if he will consider the installation of traffic control lights at the zebra-crossing in front of the Alexandra Road Post Office as pedestrians are finding it increasingly unsafe to use that crossing.”
“Community centres were built all over the Republic to provide facilities for these activities. Staff were sent abroad to broaden their experiences through attending training courses, work camps and conferences. In 1964, the Youth Leadership Training Centre was set up to fill a long-felt need for the training of youth leaders. In the activities organised by the People's Association, youth participation has always been encouraged with a view not only to developing their character potential, but also to fostering in them a sense of national identity and a dedicated spirit of service to the community. Other organisations, like the Council of Social Service, the National Youth Leadership Training Institute, the Outward Bound School, and the youth organisations affiliated to the People's Association, also cater for the promotion of youth activities and training. It will be seen that youth activities are being encouraged in many diverse ways by different departments in the Republic according to the various needs of youth during their successive levels of development. It would not be possible or necessary, therefore, for a single organisation or department to promote youth activities in the Republic. The question of co-ordinating these activities will be looked into, if necessary. ALEXANDRA ROAD (Plans for safety of pedestrians) 10.”
“The date is when we have the money! YOUTH DEPARTMENT (Co-ordination and promotion of youth activities in Republic) 9. Mr Low Yong Nguan asked the Minister for Social Affairs if the Government will take immediate steps to set up a Youth Department for the purpose of co-ordinating and promoting youth activities in the Republic with a view to preventing a general deterioration in the attitude of youths towards society and enhancing their appreciation of moral principles in a progressive democracy. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Affairs (Mr Chan Chee Seng) (for the Minister for Social Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir, the child receives his first lesson in moral education in the home. In the school-going years, character growth will be influenced by his experience in the school and the playing field. Our educational policy seeks to develop in our school children a sound ethical foundation through the inculcation of the principle of loyalty to the state, social awareness and civic consciousness. The current accent on extra-curricular activities with particular emphasis on sports promotion opens up further opportunities for character and moral development. When a male reaches the age of 18, he will undergo a period of national service. During his training in the Armed Forces, heavy emphasis will be laid on developing patriotism, discipline and a sense of responsibility. For those who do not fall within the ambit of school or national service, the People's Association organises healthy recreational activities for the population as a whole, and for youth in particular. The People's Association was established as a statutory body in 1960 to promote group participation in social, cultural, educational and physical activities.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the National Library will he entirely air-conditioned when funds are made available. It is estimated that it will require about $90,000 to air-condition the remaining part of the building which is at present not air-conditioned. It is considered that at present there are more urgent library projects for which funds are needed, such as the provision of full-time branch libraries in satellite towns and the extension of the National Library's Southeast Asian Room and library stacks.”
“It is now our policy not to accept contracts for advertisements of cigarettes which will expire later than the end of this year. It is fair at the present moment to allow these contracts to run their natural course. It is not considered necessary to terminate them immediately. As for advertising smoking in public, the Government will probably put forward certain amendments to this House to prohibit all forms of advertisements of cigarettes as from 1st January, 1971. This is to prohibit the advertisement of cigarettes in all media - newspapers, magazines, T.V, and Radio, and billboards and so on. Members will thus have no cause for complaint. I do agree with the sentiments expressed by the Member for Sembawang, and his strong condemnation of smoking in public. However, I think we should have a certain degree of freedom in this country. Although we can prohibit smoking in cinemas, theatres and certain specific places, it is not desirable to prohibit it altogether. Otherwise, we would make the lives of smokers very miserable. I do not think we should do that.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I must thank Members for their enthusiastic support for this Bill and I am quite sure that the Ministry of Health will be able to carry out all the suggestions put forward by them. I only need to reply in brief to several points made by Members. In the first place, the Member for Telok Blangah has complained about the lack of ashtrays in taxis and buses. As a smoker - he has admitted this - he finds the lack of this facility very inconvenient. But I do not think he need worry about the enforcement of this Bill. Judging from the speech he has made just now condemning the irresponsible behaviour of smokers, I do not think he will want to run the risk of being caught smoking in an auditorium! The complaint about the lack of ashtrays in taxis and buses has to be referred to the Registrar of Vehicles. I am sure he will look into this matter more closely. Smoking in buses is very undesirable. The public, especially the non-smoking public, should play their part more effectively. I do not think we should leave everything to the law. The public should be asked to play an effective role in maintaining good social order. If the provisions in this Bill are found to be inadequate, I am sure the Ministry of Health will put forward further amendments to strengthen them. As regards advertisements of cigarettes in public, especially on television and over the radio, I agree that it is morally unjustifiable for these two media to advertise them when the Government is prohibiting smoking in cinemas and theatres. However, I must say that most of the contracts to advertise cigarettes on TV, and over the radio were accepted some time ago, and most of them run for a period of at least twelve months.”
“Lastly, the Research Officer acts as the departmental liaison officer in connection with current publicity campaigns.”
“Research Officer, Publicity Division The Publicity Division of the Ministry of Culture has one post of Research Officer, who is in charge of the Research Unit of the Publicity Division. The duties of this officer are to gather, collate, catalogue and index information from newspapers, periodicals and other publications, reference and source materials on political and public events, economic and social history and other related subjects relevant to current affairs, for the publications issued by the Publicity Division and for the general use of this Division. Research Officer, Broadcasting Division The `Research Officer' is in charge of the Research Unit which works in conjunction with the Newsroom and Central Productions Unit of Radio & TV Singapore. All these three units comprise the News Division of the Broadcasting Department. The Research Unit is essentially a news information unit and maintains a modest quick-reference library as well as a collection of news clippings. It indexes a variety of periodicals on current affairs, and classifies and files items from local and overseas newspapers, and the RTS news bulletins. It also keeps the scripts of some radio and television programmes. The Unit has started a collection of photographs and other illustrations which may be required for TV programme productions. The Research Officer is also responsible for the transcription of important speeches, interviews, press conferences, talks and forums (in both English and Chinese) recorded by RTS. In addition, he collects and collates information required for the production of some radio and television programmes, such as `Breakfast Bulletin' and `It's Happening in Singapore'.”
“PROHIBITION ON SMOKING IN CERTAIN PLACES BILL "to prohibit smoking in cinemas, theatres and specified buildings", recommendation of President signified; presented for the Minister for Health by Mr Jek Yeun Thong (Acting Minister for Health); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. STAMP (AMENDMENT) BILL Order for Second Reading read. 3.12 p.m.”
“CIVIL LIST AND PENSION BILL "to provide a Civil List and pension for the President of the Republic of Singapore", recommendation of President signified; presented for the Minister for Finance by Mr Lim Kim San; read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. POST OFFICE SAVINGS BANK (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Post Office Savings Bank Ordinance (Chapter 106 of the Revised Edition)", presented by the Minister for Communications (Mr Yong Nyuk Lin); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. MERCHANT SHIPPING (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (Chapter 207 of the Revised Edition)", presented by Mr Yong Nyuk Lin; read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. ENLISTMENT BILL "to provide for enlistment of persons in the armed forces of Singapore", recommendation of President signified; presented by the Minister for Defence (Mr Lim Kim San); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. SECOND-HAND DEALERS (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Second-hand Dealers Ordinance (Chapter 200 of the Revised Edition)", presented for the Minister for Social Affairs by his Parliamentary Secretary (Mr Chan Chee Seng); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, it is correct that the Ministry of Health provides only a limited refuse removal service to factories in the Jurong industrial estate. The refuse removed is a domestic and trade type of refuse, but not industrial waste. This already amounts to 29 tons per day. The department does not have the vehicles or men to undertake the removal of industrial waste which is estimated at present at another 45 tons per day. To remove this, six more vehicles and 18 men are required. The removal of trade and industrial waste by persons carrying on a trade or manufacture is provided for under the law. All factories in the area were in October 1968 served with notices under section 13 of the Environmental Public Health Act, 1968, to cart their industrial waste for disposal at the Choa Chu Kang refuse dumping ground. The charge made for the use of this dumping ground was waived and the managements of factories do make use of this facility. The burning of industrial refuse, unless carried out in properly designed and approved incinerators, is a fire hazard and causes smoke and air pollution in the area. Action will be taken against the management of the factories for creating such nuisance. BILLS INTRODUCED 3.07 p.m. PARLIAMENTARY PENSIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Parliamentary Pensions Act, 1969 (No. 3 of 1969)", recommendation of President signified; presented for the Minister for Finance by Mr Lim Kim San (Acting Minister for Finance); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.”
“As soon as we get the money. An hon. Member: How Soon?”
“Mr Speaker. Sir, this amount of money is for additional installation of fire prevention equipment in the television and trans mitting stations in Bukit Batok. For the information of the Member, very good fire-fighting equipment has already been provided in the T.V, centre. The money sought here will be used to improve it further. T.V. and Radio Singapura uses expensive and sophisticated equipment which is presently housed in rather inadequate conditions. There were two fires within the last four years. Even though every precaution is taken by the Broadcasting Division, the inherent risk of fire will always be present, especially when highly inflammable material is being stored and used. There is, therefore, a real and urgent need for an effective automatic fire alarm and prevention system in those areas which are considered high fire risk. The provision of $82,000 is for fire prevention equipment required for the T.V. centre at Caldecott Hill as well as for the Jurong and Bukit Batok transmitting stations. The fire referred to by the Member took place two years ago in the old radio centre and not in the television centre. The old buildings were not properly planned and additional huts and sheds were put up as and when the need arose. Therefore, the fire-fighting equipment there was not very good. With that disastrous experience in mind, we have to plan for better fire-fighting equipment.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the money sought here has nothing to do with the improvement of programmes or the extension of programme hours. The money is sought for the installation of machinery, transmitters, and so on. So I think it is not proper to raise again the question of improvement of programmes. In 1966, a sum of $6,262,147 was voted by Parliament to improve radio and television services by installing better equipment. This project was not completed in that year and a sum of $851,500 was revoted in the 1967 Development Estimates. A further sum of $171,500 was again revoted in the 1968 Development Estimates. The amount of $100,000 appearing in the 1969 Development Estimates is a revote in respect of this project to meet a five per cent retention fee in respect of one contractor who is expected to complete the job satisfactorily in the coming year.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not know what the Minister of State for Culture has promised the Member. But what I do know is that we must have a realistic approach to the role played by the Dewan Bahasa dan Kebudayaan Kebangsaan. For a long time past, we have not been able to get a suitable person to be the editor of the Dewan. But even if it is not possible to expect the editor, together with the research officer, to have any great impact on the development of the Malay language and culture, if you turn to page 284 of the Estimates, under the O.C.A.R. of the Dewan Bahasa, you will find that most of the items are given token votes of only $10. This has been so for the last few years. Under the present standstill Budget arrangements, it is not possible to ask for extra funds unless the project is revenue-producing, and the Dewan, unfortunately, is not such a project. It is clear that we cannot expect anyone to run a department efficiently - 6.40 p.m.”
“I do not know whether the Minister will accept the statement of the Member for J00 Chiat that he prefers to see romantic and exciting films. I think such films are not in keeping with the Government's policy of building a rugged society. I beg leave to withdraw, Sir. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“But if they are good books, the importer can appeal and we will look into the matter. I do not think I have to reply to the charge made by the Member for Ulu Pandan about mini-skirts because my Ministry is not in charge of women's dresses. Fortunately, there is no censorship of women's dresses. The Member for Geylang Serai asked why there is such a small number of Malay programmes on television. We have a system of allocating transmis sion hours to the various language streams. To refresh the Member's memory, the percentages of the total transmission hours are 20 per cent for the national language, 35 per cent for the Chinese stream, 10 per cent for the Tamil stream and 35 per cent for the English stream. Previously, Television Singapura used to show Egyptian and Hindustani films with Malay subtitles against the Malay quota. It was thought that the shortage of films for the Malay programmes could be met by using Egyptian and Hindustani films. But in the last few months, a change has been made. We are now using English films with sub-titles in Malay to meet the Malay quota. This has met with an enthusiastic response from the Malay audience. They prefer Western films to Egyptian and Hindustani films. The people of other language streams are slso able to enjoy these films. Mr Teong Eng Siong(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I thank you very much for letting me have the last word. I do not agree with what the Minister has said. I feel that my criticism of the Ministry of Culture is fair. The Minister has said that the same problems are brought up here every year. But I have to raise them if they are not solved. I cannot be complacent about problems that are allowed to exist.”
“They will have to change their attitude because our population is very brand-conscious, and if they want to be successful in selling their products, they will have to resort to this mass medium to sell them. The Member for Changi asked why we have repeated telecasting low-class films on television. I do not know what he means by "low-class" films. I think he has in mind the Chinese films from Hong Kong. There is an acute shortage of Chinese films. The films industry is not happy that television should compete with them because it is taking away their audience. They have therefore tried to control the supply of Chinese films to television. I understand that they have agreed not to supply films to television which are less than 10 years old. This is the reason why we have been telecasting all these very old films. We have recently solved this problem by installing a new 35 m.m, film projector and we do not have to depend on 16 m.m, films the supply of which is less than that of 35 m.m, films. The film industry has also agreed to co-operate with us and good films are now available. I hope we can get some very good Chinese films on television next year. 6.30 p.m. As regards the complaint about the importation of books from China and Taiwan, the Publications Section of the Ministry of Culture deals with the importation of books and it does not allow into Singapore books which are politically objectionable. Of course, there are many good classical books produced in China. But of late, because of the cultural revolution in China, I think almost every book that is published there contains quotations from The Thoughts of Chairman Mao. I do not think books of this kind should be im ported into Singapore.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am glad that the Member for Joo Chiat has spoken what is in my mind on many of the things which I may not want to say in my capacity as a Minister. I entirely agree with him when he says that the Member for Sembawang is a bit "square". I am sure the people in Singapore deserve something lively and different from regimented-production films. Regarding the Teochew, Hokkien and Cantonese operas, we are trying to put sub-titles in them, but the question is, in what language should the sub-titles be, because people who speak other dialects may not be able to understand a Teochew opera. So usually we put Chinese sub-titles in Teochew and Cantonese operas. The television screen is a small one and if you put in the Chinese sub-titles, it is not possible to accommodate the English sub-titles as well. Fortunately, most viewers of Chinese opera can understand the film when they watch Hokkien operas because the song content is not excessive and we can therefore put in English sub- titles. The Member for Tiong Bahru asked why radio and television have not put on advertisements for local products. The Commercial Section of the Broadcasting Division has approached all kinds of people for advertisements and they have not overlooked this source of income from the manufacturers of local products. But the trouble with our local manufacturers is that they have a captive market, an- d knowing that their products are protected by tariffs, they are in a very advantageous position to compete with the imported products. They therefore do not bother to advertise even though we have given them special discounts for putting up advertisements over the radio and on television.”
“, English subtitles be given so that they will be of some help to persons like me because I cannot understand a word of what is going on and I have no chance of enjoying such good films. 6.15 p.m.”
“The Chairman is the Speaker of Parlia ment and the Committee meet once a week or once a month to review appeals made by film importers. Mr Yeoh Ghim Seng (Joo Chiat): Mr Speaker. Sir, I am glad to hear the reply by the Minister for Culture. I feel that if he were to listen to the Member for Sembawang, life would be very dull. My impression is that the Member for Sembawang appears to be deprived of even one iota of romance. At present, I find that our radio and T.V, programmes are very, very dull and I think a little bit of a "pep-up" might do our population a lot of good. I am glad the Minister is not listening to puritanical demands by some Members. Otherwise our population of two million will look like the Member for Sembawang. Sir, in normal life, the usual activities of love, romance, violence and perhaps even murder are not unusual. If our radio and T.V. programmes are to be deprived of these, again I say life will be very dull. Are we going to develop two million robots in this country? I feel that if the Ministry of Culture can have reasonable control over more violent and perhaps sexy types of programmes, then life will be all right. We must not try to introduce such puritanical standards in our population just because of a small section of the people. Our people are intelligent and wise enough to see for themselves and think for themselves what is right and what is wrong. So I hope the Minister for Culture will allow our population to enjoy our radio and T.V, programmes and not to be subjected to a lot of brainwashing. Sir, may I suggest that for Chinese shows and films that are being shown nowadays on T.V.”
“I think part of the question has been answered by the Member for Serangoon Gardens when he says that it is not possible to satisfy every viewer. We are always trying to look for new formats, and I do agree with him that the violent films which sometimes appear on T.V, are very damaging to our younger generation. But the trouble here is that we are dependent on syndicated films to fill up the long hours of broadcast. Since it is expensive to make our shows and films, we have always taken in a lot of films imported from the West. Unfortunately, most of these films are mainly about violence, adventures or sex. But we try to minimise their effect and reduce the number of hours for films of this kind. Another way is to try to go into our own production of films in a big way. In the past, we have produced operas in Teochew, Hokkien and Cantonese. I understand these shows have received widespread support and enthusiasm. This is only an attempt to solve the problem and we are also looking into other fields. The Member for Serangoon Gardens has also asked whether there is any basis in censorship of publications. The-censorship of publications is governed by the Undesirable Publications Ordinance. The Controller of Undesirable Publications has power to retain publications which he thinks are objection able in the public interest on political, social or moral grounds. The Controller acts on the advice of an advisory committee. The committee comprises people from outside the Ministry, including some Members of Parliament. Censor-, ship of books is considered on the merits of each case and there is no blanket rule with regard to censorship. As regards film censorship, there is, also a Film Appeals Committee which allow appeals from film distributors.”
“These programmes give our youth their rightful share of opportunities to speak on and participate in matters concerning our society. The programmes themselves were enriched by audience participation. In this way, we hope to try to instil in our programmes the so-called healthy content required by our society. Audience participation is an important ingredient in a programme and we are going to have more programmes with this kind of participation so as to make them lively and enjoyable to all. The Member for Sembawang has raised the question of pop songs being broadcast over radio and T.V. This is a subject which has been brought up year after year. I begin to wonder whether he is raising this subject in order to appear a moralist. Sometimes it is rather difficult to define what you call low-class and high- class music. Of course, sometimes we have love songs and crazy music over radio and T.V. But not all love songs are low class. I think some classical songs are very good but they are also love songs. It is rather difficult for us to define. Furthermore, we have to satisfy people of all walks of life. We have to satisfy the requirements of people of different age groups, people of different races and different language streams. Since radio and T.V, are mass media, we have always aimed at trying to present our programmes to satisfy the majority of the people. I think pop songs may sometimes be necessary because it is simple and easy to learn. To appreciate classical music requires some training and knowledge. Since radio and T.V, have appeal for the masses, we have to take the mean and it is rather difficult for us to try to define whether a song is low class or not. It is a matter of personal taste.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, much of the criticism levelled at the Ministry of Culture is aimed at the Broadcasting Department. I think it would be useful to Members if I were to give a brief description of the activities which we are carrying on in the Broadcasting Division of the Ministry of Culture. In fact, for the last six months most of our attention and energy has been concentrated in reorganising this division. The primary task of the Broadcasting Division is to introduce dynamic leadership so that talents both from within and from without can be fully utilised. This calls for administrative and structural reorganisation and the Broadcasting Division was, therefore, raised to the status of a Ministry, with its own Permanent Secretary and its own Ministerial administrative machinery. 6.00 p.m. This has enabled the division to act more quickly and effectively in the past six months. The conversion of the department into a Ministry has been completed in a very short period of time. With the new status, the division is able to plan and put into execution a number of desirable projects as well as modifying old ones. One of the obvious projects was the extension of both radio and television broadcasting hours. Radio broadcasting hours have increased by 59 hours per week and television transmissions have been extended by some 12 hours per week. With the arrival of new equipment expected in the early part of next year, television transmission hours will be further extended from the planned 34 hours per week to over 110 hours a week. This figure does not include some 60 hours a week for educational television broadcasts. Another project was the successful series of youth forums which were mentioned just now by the Member for Sembawang.”
“This is the kind of unscrupulous and double-faced employers we have to watch out for and we have enough power to deal adequately with them. The employers should realise that without the co-operation of their workers, they cannot hope to reap profits from their factories or establishments, and that they cannot afford to have disgruntled and discontented employees. They must also realise that whatever labour laws we are introducing, we do so only to ensure the survival of the whole country and not in order to enrich a few employers. I am quite sure in the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill there are adequate provisions with which we can restrain the unscrupulous employers from abusing our labour laws. Mr Speaker, Sir, in the pages of this Bill are embodied balances and brakes which, on the one hand, ensure that managements perform their functions properly and responsibly and, on the other, promote and protect the interests of the workers both in the short run and in the long run. This Bill is the prescription for unimpeded economic health and uninterrupted progress. Only future generations can judge the decisions we take today, and if they find themselves living in a happier society from which hunger and want have been banished, and where they can hold their heads high, they will be proud of us; they will be grateful to us who have struggled and fought for their benefit in these difficult days. Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to support the Employment Bill.”
“On the other hand, the employers must not form the idea that, because of this Bill and the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill, they can have the whole world to themselves. We have heard of complaints that some small employers have actually threatened to reduce the pay of their workers. One shopkeeper I know of has in fact told his shop assistants that from now, they must work 7 days a week without rest. This kind of attitude is not only wrong but also dangerous. To illustrate how some employers can exploit the situation for their own selfish ends, I will quote an example of an employer who is running a daily newspaper in Singapore. Immediately after the Employment Bill was tabled in this House in May, he instructed his editors to write editorials to condemn the Bill, stating that the provisions therein were harsh and that they should be deleted. In doing so, his foremost aim was to play along with the taste of the workers in order to boost the sales of his newspaper. However, after some time when his workers and journalists staked their claims for better working conditions, he turned around and told them that since the Employment Bill was going to be passed, he was not prepared to give them anything at all. In fact, he even suggested slashing their pay and withdrawing their yearly bonuses. What is this employer trying to do? He is using both edges of the blade to his own advantage. Firstly, in public, he condemns the Bill to the point of misleading his readers in order to boost the sales of his newspaper. On the other hand, in private, he exploits the Bill to the full even to the extent of misinterpreting it in order to deny his workers their rightful share of the profits.”
“By comparison, our Bill remains a much better piece of legislation than any that exists in this part of the world. We have a 44-hour working week, adequate annual leave and 11 public holidays a year. No labour legislation in these countries can challenge comparison in terms of good conditions of employment. Let me illustrate my statement by citing a few examples. Malaysia has a standard 48-hour working week and 11 public holidays a year as compared with our 44-hour working week and 11 public holidays a year. Even in comparison with more industrially advanced countries, our Employment Bill is still much more favourable. This can be seen from the following statistics: Name of Standard working Number of Public Country hours per week holidays per year Japan 48 12 United States 40 8 United Kingdom 40/42 6 France (now) 40 10 France 46.9 10 (prior to the strikes) Germany 43.9 11 It is therefore an utter misconception to believe that our workers will be groaning under the weight of this Bill. From the patriotic point of view, it has been suggested that workers and employers should alike bear the same sacrifices for the good of the nation. This is only wishful thinking. There is no reason why a foreign investor should make one-way traffic type of sacrifices merely for our benefit. They have not come in with their finances to save us from starvation. They have come in with a profit motive. And if we make life difficult or unprofitable for them, they could just sell out or liquidate their firms and go elsewhere. The ultimate sufferers will be the people of Singapore. A cruel fact of life in the world today is that money can move, but not men.”
“In regard to overtime work, the position is that the present economic situation is one whereby it is preposterous to permit people to enjoy unlimited overtime work. In the past, since overtime work was paid at double rate, the usual abuse was to "manufacture" overtime. Work that could and should be done during normal working hours was shelved in order to create overtime work. This has no doubt affected the productivity of the workers in that false values have been inculcated, so that the worker is more interested in stalling than in finishing his job in the way a responsible and conscientious worker should. We have, therefore, restricted overtime work to 48 hours per month but exemptions can be granted for employees in any particular industry or undertaking. The restriction imposed on overtime work will result in two important factors which are beneficial to our economy. Firstly, by this restriction, the need to fabricate overtime work is removed: the worker seeing no purpose in prolonging his job, will then want to finish the job quickly so that he can go home early. This means increased productivity per unit of labour. Secondly, it will create more jobs for new workers. For example, last month, the Port of Singapore Authority's restriction on overtime work and the introduction of a three-shift system resulted in the creation of over 400 new jobs. This is an example of what can be mobilised to increase employment if other establishments reorganise their work programme along the same lines. There is every reason to believe that by so doing, many more new jobs could be created. 4.08 p.m. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] I would suggest that all those who have bitterly complained about the Employment Bill should compare it with the labour laws of other countries in this region.”
“It can be safely assumed from these figures, therefore, that the bulk, or roughly 60 per cent of the total number in the clerical and related trades, would have had more than 10 years' service, which means that in effect they would still be getting the 14 days' paid annual leave which they are getting now. On the other hand, workers in manufacturing and servicing industries who form the majority of the economically active population would get not 7 days' paid annual leave perpetually but an enhanced period of 14 days after they have completed 10 years' service. There is no ground for these grouses. In other words, with the standardisation of terms of service under this Bill, the same benefits will be extended to all workers. In regard to sick leave, some restrictions are embodied in the Bill. No doubt, this will entail some inconvenience for the genuinely sick. At least those who used to feign sickness have now to be really sick whenever they claim to be sick and they can no longer malinger by means of a $2 medical certificate of dubious validity. Many workers have not clearly understood the provisions on working hours. The Bill provides for a standard 44-hour working week for all workers, regardless of whether they are white-collar or blue-collar workers. The great majority of workers are, however, not affected by this provision. Only some 12 per cent of the working population comprising white-collar workers will be affected. Even in such cases, they can continue to work the same number of hours as they are working now if their existing collective agreements provide for a lesser number of hours of work per week. Overtime rates, however, will become operative only after they complete 44 hours work a week.”
“However, since the introduction of the Bill, the N.T.U.C, has raised strong objections to this provision. The Member for Bukit Ho Swee has put in an amendment to make bonus bargainable up to one month of salary a year. The Minister for Labour has promised to consider it very carefully. It should be repeated that the Employment Bill and other complementary pieces of legislation such as the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill seek to create better conditions more conducive to the attainment of our objectives. The Employment Bill has evoked much discussion. Unfortunately, many views have been based on misconception and misunderstanding and twisted from the context of the Bill. There has been an unending drone over the provisions regarding hours of work, overtime, annual leave, sick leave, public holidays, bonus, retrenchment and retirement benefits; and the repeated charge has been that workers' rights are being sacrificed. In actual fact, the Bill does not affect the benefits of the majority of the workers. Even to the white-collar workers, the sacrifice is not much. According to the Singapore Sample Household Survey, 1966, about 576,700 persons are classified as being economically active. Of this number, about 67,300 persons, including nearly 16,400 employed by Government and statutory boards, are clerical and related workers. On the assumption that a clerical worker starts working at the age of 20, the figures indicate that about 27,500 are in the age group of 20 to 29. The remainder, that is, about 39,800, are in the age group of 30 and over. Let us take the question of annual leave first.”
“In a runaway system of bonus payments, the workers, with the backing of their union, can demand to be paid so many months of extra salary a year as their bonus regardless of whether the firm makes a profit or not, and if the employer refuses or cannot afford to pay, then the workers can always back up their demands by industrial action. What is more, in order to forestall further losses, the employer may have to give in. It is not uncommon to find firms, which have incurred financial losses for the year, end up by paying one week's or one month's pay bonus to the workers. In such cases, the word "bonus" becomes a misnomer. It is actually an increase of salary or a pay rise except that the payment is deferred to the end of the year or to some festive occasion. Sometimes the bonus may even be written into the collective agreement. In this case, the employer is committed to pay bonus during the three-year period in which the collective agreement is in force. In the three-year period it may happen that the employer makes a profit in the first year for which he willingly and thankfully grants a high rate of bonus. In the event of his sustaining losses in the following two years, he still has to pay the same rate of bonus as he did the first year. The negotiable bonus opens itself to another disadvantage. As things are now, the unions tend to demand the same rate of bonus for each and every worker, regardless of whether he belongs to the hard-working, lukewarm or indifferent category, or the intermediate shades. If a hard-working worker obtains the same reward as his easygoing counterpart, then clearly the so-called incentive is really no incentive at all. It is against this background that we proposed to make bonus a non-bargainable item.”
“This is to promote social justice in which a person's reward should be commensurate with and not out of proportion to his contribution and, not least of all, bonuses should be determined in accordance with this principle. The days of unearned bonuses are over. There has been much talk about bonuses in economic theory, that bonus is an incentive payment and, in the strict application of the term, it should be left to the discretion of the employer to decide whether or not his workmen merit bonuses. The rule should be that it the employer generally makes a profit he grants a bonus to his workers. If he makes more profit, he gives proportionately more bonuses, and ii he makes less profit, he gives less. The bonus is a device to encourage the workers to work hard so that they can help the employer not only to maintain the same level of profit but also to try to surpass that of previous years in order that together they may enjoy bigger slices from a bigger cake. Only foolish employers refuse to utilise this device, in which case there is no incentive for workers to give of their best, with the result that the profit of the employer is bound to slide down and perhaps eventually the profit is turned into a loss. It is obvious that by properly and intelligently applying this device, the employer can benefit as much from a bonus as the workers. But it must be given in such a way that it is related proportionately to the profit of the firm and not otherwise. But once the bonus is made bargain-able, its meaning is lost. It becomes no longer the incentive instrument that it should be.”
“The logic of the circumstances, therefore, necessitates that we should plan now to meet the situation looming ahead. Metaphorically, it is too late to start planting crops after we have reached starvation level, because we will never live to enjoy the harvest. In the face of an impending food shortage, the logical step to take is to plant food crops well in advance to prepare to avert the calamity of starvation. Another way of saying it is that if we dig a well in search of water only when we feel thirsty, then that will be too late. We must start digging a well even at a time when thirst has not yet set in and while there is still more drinking water left. Our future is grim and, therefore, demands strong, stern and determined action. It is only on this basis that we can meet the challenges and hope for partial, if not complete, solutions. There is, at the moment, a mild boom in Singapore. But we cannot afford to sit back and let everything drift. Time will creep up inexorably and 1971 will come sooner than we think. A Government worth its salt, therefore, must plan for the eventualities ahead. If it does not, then it does not merit the confidence of the people of Singapore who have elected it. We must not postpone the search for solutions and allow events to overtake us. The basic prerequisite in order that our goal can be more attainable is the creation of a climate to inspire confidence and to attract investments, local and foreign. Confidence connotes political and industrial stability, and an efficient and productive labour force which will lower production costs. Hidden fringe benefits must be axed and other anomalies abolished.”
“The question is not whether we can contain the existing unemployment problems but how, with the aggravation of these problems through increasing numbers entering the labour market every year and the sudden injection of those who are currently employed with the British Services into the labour market, we can generate job opportunities to absorb a significant number of unemployed people into the industry. The records of the Unemployment Exchange of the Ministry of Labour reveal that at any given time in Singapore from 60,000 to 70,000 persons are seeking jobs. More than 25,000 young people enter the labour market each year and we will have in the near future another 21,000 or so of our citizens joining the ranks of the unemployed in the wake of the British withdrawal, all of them competing for jobs which are scarce. It is true that we have made significant advances in industrialisation. But what has been achieved is insufficient to solve our problems. No parents like to see their grown-up children let loose in a society which offers them no hope of obtaining jobs. A society bereft of hope will be a frustrated one with automatic outlets for anti-social acts like crime and delinquency, riots and arson. What is more important to realise is that a situation like this can well undermine the foundation of society and threaten the security of those already in employment. A teeming labour market will not only depress wages but also generate demand for cheap labour by employers, with dire consequences to the ordinary workers. We cannot, therefore, allow matters to drift along and take their natural course. On the other hand, we must do something about it even though these actions and measures may be unpleasant and unpalatable for some time to come.”
“Essentially these are the two doses of medicine administered to stimulate our economy, to boost our productivity and to enhance the image of our labour force at international level. As the Chinese saying goes. "The mouth is bitter when taking good medicine; the ear is hurt by true words." So trade unionists and workers must not whimper to find the medicine a little bit too bitter and unpleasant to swallow. If we want to seek recovery from our economic ills, if we want economic robustness and health for a long, long time, then we have no alternative but to administer this medicine. The effects of these two pieces of legislation can only be seen in the future and we must not judge them too hastily in the present-day context. The concept and objects of the Employment Bill have been very clearly enunciated by the Minister for Labour in his speech. Yet the Bill has met with mixed feelings. From the ranks of the democratic labour movement have come responsible and reasonable criticisms and, as expected, from the minority pro-Communist Barisan Sosialis group, violent and vehement outbursts. The clear sight and thinking of the democratic labour movement have generated light. On the other hand, there have been heat and fire, the twin elements of destruction, from the pro-Communists. 3.50 p.m. [Mr Deputy Speaker in the Chair] It is certainly heartening to note that the majority of the people of the country have recognised and appreciated the problems facing us. But recognition of the problems is one thing, understanding them is another, and finding solutions to them is yet another. Everyone knows that we already have a massive unemployment problem on our hands. But inadequate thought has been devoted to the question of how we are going to deal with the situation.”
“In other words, the 500,000 hard-working people of Singapore together created the prosperity that we see today, but the fruits of their labour were enjoyed by only a fifth of the working population. Social organisation on this basis is unhealthy and is likely to create divisions among our people where, on the one side, we find the privileged few getting ever fatter and better pay and more fringe benefits through the intervention of their unions and, on the other side, we have the general working population who are over-worked and underpaid, not forgetting the many thousands of unemployed who will be willing and able to perform the same type of work as our unionised workers perform for a fraction of their pay. Such a situation will inevitably lead to an explosion in which all will be lost. We certainly do not wish to deny our workers better food, better clothing and more leisure, but this should not be at the expense of other people. All these, the better things in life, must be made available to all workers and not just a privileged few. The creation of equal opportunities in enjoying the fruits of labour cannot be attained unless we can persuade some of our unions to give up overtime malpractices, infringement of managerial rights and the wrong attitude of conniving at the laxity and indiscipline of some unionised workers. It is not that we want to be harsh with our workers. But adequate measures are necessary since we feel impelled to look after the working population at large, the unemployed and the many young persons who yearly enter the labour market. It is against this background that we are introducing the Employment Bill and the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill.”
“Through the agitation of a few misguided leaders they then began to demand work on Sundays and public holidays in order to qualify for double pay and they went to sleep on Mondays or Tuesdays. Similarly, the foundation of the Jurong Industrial Estate was not laid by unionised workers. The results in Jurong are the fruits of the labour of non-unionised workers. Only after the factories were built, machinery installed and the factories on their way to full production did the unionised workers become active, bringing in their wake a whole series of restrictive practices and abuses, copied wholesale from the British trade unions. We are not condemning unionised labour nor are we suggesting that in order to achieve economic progress, we should abolish all trade unions. We are not against the unions at all. We want them to grow and play a useful role in the development of our country. We are however against the malpractices indulged in by some of the unions. If we want to have a healthy and responsible trade union movement in Singapore, we must legislate in such a way that no trade unionist can be tempted to indulge in such malpractices. What we must make clear is that when we talk about uplifting the living standards of the workers, we must think of the 500,000 working population as a whole and not just focus exclusive attention on the 100,000 odd unionised workers. It is true that in the past we have tended to think in terms of only the unionised workers. The uplifting of living standards and social levelling has always been confined to the unionised workers to the exclusion of the non-unionised workers.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I speak in full support of the Bill. It was only after prolonged and soul-searching discussions with industrialists, investors, employers and responsible trade unionists in the past years that we have arrived at the conclusion that we must do something for the good of our national economy. One of the crucial things we have all agreed upon is to boost the economy of our country if we want to survive in this turbulent region. To achieve this, our workers must be more efficient and more understanding and, like soldiers on the battle front, they must be prepared to accept discipline. But with the present-day restrictive practices indulged in by some of our trade unions, it is rather difficult to persuade entrepreneurs to expand or even to keep existing factories here, let alone attract new capital. Perhaps, it is significant that out of our total working population of about 500,000 persons, only a minority, roughly one-fifth of them, are unionised. It is not illogical to suggest that complete unionisation might have retarded rather than contributed to progress and development in Singapore in the past 10 years. Take the Housing and Development Board flats, for example. We show them to the world as one of the major achievements of the Government. The houses and buildings are printed in stamps, books and pamphlets. Architects the world over study them, sociologists discuss them, and foreign dignitaries visit them. But it is common knowledge that not a single housing board fiat was built by unionised workers. These are the fruits of the labour of contract workers. Only after the flat had taken shape and the feat accomplished did the unionised workers come into the picture.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." This Bill seeks to broaden the scope of library material so as to include not only books but also audio-visual and primary sources material. The National Library collection will henceforth be considerably expanded with the new sources of library material. Thus the total collection will better reflect the Republic's creative output and heritage. In discharging its responsibilities on the national level, the National Library of the Republic will concentrate its efforts in planning for all types of library services so as to give every citizen an opportunity to read and to ensure that the nation's entire creative output will be recorded and preserved for future generations. The National Library will also provide up-to-date information for research workers and business, industrial and other sectors. On an international level, the National Library will play an important role by facilitating library loans to and from other nations and the exchange of library material with other countries. There is also provision in the Bill for the National Library Board to make recommendations for the training of library staff. The general object of this Bill is therefore to ensure that the National Library will give better services to the people of Singapore. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. -[Mr Jek Yeun Thong]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. HINDU ENDOWMENTS BILL Order for Second Reading read. 3.40 p.m.”
“So in this situation, it is quite difficult to break their monopoly. In my view, the film organisations are too short-sighted and narrow-minded. Over the years, cinemas have competed successfully against T.V. with their colour films, broader screens and better quality in sound and music. This our T.V. can never achieve for many years to come, and they should have no worry that T.V. will take away their audience. So we can only hope that the film organisations will develop a more enlightened outlook so that cheap and good entertainment can be made available to the common people. Otherwise, we will have to make our own films in Singapore, but the expenses will be very prohibitive. Coming back to the question of inducing attitudinal change in our people as a catalyst in social transformation, the various sections of the Culture Division of my Ministry share amongst them the other media of mass communication. Utilised in combination rather than in isolation as self-sufficient units, the effects on nation-building can be far-reaching. Given effective use of such mass media, the targets of our Republic will and can become all the more attainable, and all that within a much shorter period of time too than would otherwise be the case. In conclusion, the Ministry of Culture will continue to ensure that Singapore will become culturally distinctive as well as create a well-informed and enlightened public, which is a means in itself as much as it is a means to a better and more meaningful life in our multi-racial society. 5.36 p.m.”
“If ever they want to hire to us at all, the film must be more than ten years old. The same also applies to English and Malay films.”
“Given present limitations, it is possible, by means of better staff utilisation and higher morale, to increase output and quality. This we will do. Good entertainment films, especially in the languages and dialects of most of our people, are costly and difficult to obtain. To make them ourselves will cost us more money than we can afford. This does not mean that we will not make any films ourselves. It only means that we will have to be very prudent and careful in what we make. We may be able to supplement our own production by encouraging other local productions. We will have to screen commercially-sponsored films so long as they are of good quality and good taste. Since assuming office, I have received many complaints about the poor presentation of Chinese films in our TV, programmes. The films we used were more than ten years old and most of them were repeated twice or even thrice. And I have received letters from viewers telling me not to project too many Cantonese films over TV, just because I am a Cantonese! All these boil down to a simple fact, and that is we do not have an independent film industry in Singapore to produce Chinese films to feed our T.V. Our only source of film supply is Hong Kong which produces more films in Cantonese than in any other dialects. What is even worse, these film companies in Hong Kong are controlled by two or three organisations which also run cinema theatres in Singapore. Naturally, they do not want T.V. to present good programmes that keep the viewers at home. They would like the viewers to be so disgusted with our programmes that the viewers would rush to patronise their cinemas! It is, therefore, their undeclared policy not to sell or hire to our Broadcasting Division any Chinese films of value.”
“To do this, and to do it quickly, we will need to have the best mass media that we can afford. But people and government, however dedicated and hard working, cannot think and work all the time. Thus, the Broadcasting Division, in addition to providing the link and the stimulant, will also provide the diversion and the entertainment. Information, education and entertainment are not mutually exclusive nor antagonistic. Education can be entertaining, entertainment can be informative and information can be educational. How well these can be merged to provide the best programmes on the air depends upon the expertise, the knowledge and the dedication of those entrusted with a very important function. Our task will be to invoke the dedication, arrange for the knowledge and, within our budget, provide facilities for accumulating expertise. Physically, the most pressing need is a radio complex. Our television building, studios and equipment are modern. But our radio staff is housed in temporary shacks built during the time of the British Military Administration. Most of our radio studio equipment is as old. We hope to replace it. Staffing will be a problem for yet some time. Television is but a few years old here. In its creation and very rapid development, the radio staff was heavily drawn upon. Expertise was diluted in the process of increasing broadcasting staff by four times in five years or so. Aggravating the problem is the fact that the radio staff has to learn to operate a different and more difficult medium. And compounding the difficulties is the fact that when television came, Singapore had not a well developed electronic and film-making industries.”
“Far from going different ways, it is that since one road is too congested, a parallel road has been constructed for easier accessibility and both roads lead to the same objective. The targets as outlined in the President's Speech call for the establishment of new and necessarily more efficient ways of life. In this connection, the mass media at the disposal of the Ministry of Culture must be brought to bear maximum impact at the minimum cost. As I stated earlier, the policy of my Ministry will remain basically similar, although the methods may differ by way of innovations and other devices. In the mass media aspect of our activity, it is our policy to induce the change of attitudes in our people. Many a developing country has rightly endeavoured to modernise itself on the basis of economic and social transformation but has inadvertently omitted a vital area -the minds of men. Our modernisation process should never neglect attitudinal change in our people and this is where the mass media come in to play an essential role. In the modern world, our situation is unique. No other country has two million people, of multi ethnic stock and speaking four different languages, compressed in an area of only 225 square miles with absolutely no natural resources. No other country in such a position has been forced by geo-politics to have, in such a short time, not only vastly to expand its economy but also to defend its right to retain what it has built. Such a country and such a society obviously need more than the individual talents, drive and will of its people. Such a society needs organisation of the highest order. Such a society needs leadership of the highest calibre. We are determined to make our social organisation as best we can.”
“In terms of actual programmes, some of the efforts of the Arts Council during the last few months included "Singapore Night" and "Festival 1968", to name only a few. It is significant that the Arts Council, which comprises all sectors of society and shades of opinion, is no monopolist of the performing arts. Since then there have followed one hundred and one performances staged in all parts of Singapore to mark our great variety of festive and social occasions, each no less than the other characterised by the dominance of local themes. In short, ours is no longer the rootless society that we were once characterised to be by other people. To change the metaphor, a national culture in a multi-racial society like ours is no longer a theory or an ideal but an actual fact. The President's Speech outlined three objectives - the Ministry of Culture will be involved with them - and the last more than the others bears definite relevance to the Ministry. I quote: 'Enhancement of national consciousness of the problems that will come upon us in the next few years. We must all learn to place national interests above personal or sectional interests. Internally, high morale - internationally, confidence in our continuing stability and efficiency - this combination will enable us to achieve new records in high performance.' The quotation is also an indication of what is in store for the Ministry of Culture - an accelerated role in bringing about the change of attitudes in our people. To fulfil this role, the Broadcasting Division has been elevated to the level of a Ministry with a Permanent Secretary, and I am happy to point out that the word "Division" here does not have divisive connotations that it has in its normal context.”
“They must not worry too much about the smallness of our country and they must be made aware of the greatness of our achievements. Culture is something vague and abstract. We cannot feel nor smell it, but it is the force that binds all the people and makes them into a nation. It is the force that makes all of us want to die for our country. We must have what the Communists call "revolutionary optimism". It is true that our country is a small one, but as the Chinese saying goes, even though a sparrow is small it has all the five important organs. And not only do we have all the important organs but we are also going to have some muscles, too. It is true that we have no natural resources of our own. But our country is so strategically situated that we are able to make use of all the resources from the whole of Southeast Asia. It is true that we have a small population - only two million people - and not many talents can be extracted from this small population. But we will absorb all the best talents from the whole of Southeast Asia. We will not only give work permits to professional people and highly skilled workers to work for us, but we will also allow in the best artistes, musicians, painters and dancers, so that they can enrich our cultural life. They will sing for our beloved country and paint the greatness of our people. In return, we will give them a position in our society and a future for their children. Our policy is to allow a free interplay of cultural forces and not regard culture as a mere instrument of state. It is in keeping with this principle that the Singapore Arts Council was formed to provide avenues for cultural expression as well as to lead feeling and thought into purposeful cultural pursuits.”
“And that was long before some of our Barisan friends knew anything about Communism. I ran several publications for them, some underground and some above ground. The Communist agitation had two prongs. One was the organisation of workers and students for industrial strikes and school sit-ins. Another was the conduct of the cultural campaign where they recruited workers for their propaganda machinery. The lesson behind all this is that we must be very careful when we pick up terms and slogans passed on to us by the Communists. Of course, I do not mean that what the Communists say is bad for us and vice versa, and therefore we must do the reverse of what they do. But we must decide for ourselves what we want for our culture and we must have our own yardstick and criteria and not the values and the likes and dislikes imposed upon us by the Communists. We must be liberal in our outlook and we must not be afraid of accepting new ideas and new forms of art. Singapore is the cross-road of Asia and the Western world. New ideas and new trends flow freely into Singapore and pass on to other places. We cannot isolate ourselves from the changes of the world. We can be selective but we must not close our eyes to the new things in life. We can retain those with good taste and reject those which are down-right pornographic. In condemning all Western and foreign culture, the aim of the Communists was to create a cultural vacuum in the minds of the people so that they have no choice but to accept the Communist cultural values. We must rectify that. What we want is a culture which will instil the spirit of patriotism into our people and fill their hearts with pride for our beloved country.”