J.F. Conceicao
Singapore
“Sir, first of all, I would like to express my agreement with the expression of sympathy, almost sorrow, expressed in this House for those people living in the older estates, especially in the one-room flats. I merely rise to seek some information.”
“Sir, I am very gratified that the Senior Minister of State will convey my sentiments to the Board. I think the matter is of great importance that more and more people are brought to the realisation, as I have said, of their past. And it is not just a question of a small number of people working on the Board.”
“I take the point, Sir. And I also take the point of his reference to the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board. This is the whole point. It is not to the tourists that we want to give an impression of what Singapore is. It is our people that we want to give the impression to, of what Singapore is and how they are related to Singapore.”
“(v) What is the actual extent of the Centre's contribution towards the solution of the drug problem in the Republic? (vi) Are there plans to shift the present Centre somewhere else in a better and more conducive environment for such rehabilitation work to be carried out?”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head U be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead CBA 1101. I would just like to reflect a problem which has repeatedly been brought to my attention by my constituents. The drainage in the Tanjong Katong/Mountbatten Road as well as Poole Road, Parkstone Road, Goodman Road area is poor.”
“Sir, I suppose I shall have to do with the Minister's sympathy. With that I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The following amendment stood in the name of Mr Ng Kah Ting - (7) That the sum to be allocated for Head U be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead BGA 8401.”
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“In this regard I hope the Minister concerned can go a step further in improving the system by allowing free parking for short periods, and if the operative time is slightly exceeded, this should be made up by displaying additional parking coupons. Otherwise there will be a lot of dissatisfaction and complaints all round if they try to create the habit of using coupon merely by imposing fines. If we could achieve the educative purpose by imposing fines, then the First Deputy Prime Minister need not have to engage so many systems engineers in the Ministry of Education to help him implement the Government's education policy. I therefore sincerely hope that our civil servants can be guided by the principle of serving the people well and not try to do things for their own convenience. At the same time, they must always think of saving public funds and not think that they can waste money as they please because it belongs to the public. To mobilize all the people to cooperate fully with the Government so as to advance our economy to higher levels, the attitude of civil servants is decisive. 4.05 p.m.”
“Owing to the inability of various Government departments to coordinate, certain roads have been dug up several times over. It is not only wasting public money but also causing inconvenience to the public. Further- more, when yellow box junctions were first introduced, they were indicated by multiple cross-lines, but now these have been changed to only two cross-lines drawn diagonally in the yellow box. I notice that the PWD is spending a lot of energy on erasing the multiple cross-lines and replacing them with two diagonally-crossed lines. Why could they not wait until the lines have faded out before painting new ones? This is another good example of wastage of public funds. There are more examples. The Housing and Development Board has, for no rhyme or reason, dug up half a well-built carpark only to replace it with holed cement slabs, the usefulness of which I fail to see. However, I cannot fail to notice that the replaced area is accumulating rubbish, cigarette butts, and causing unnecessary inconvenience to ladies in high-heeled shoes. This is again another example of wastage of public funds, and furthermore they have to get people to clear the rubbish and cigarette butts from the square holes which again costs still more money. I do not know whether civil servants nowadays are still aware of the concept that civil servants are servants of the public, because there are many instances to show that they are troubling others for their own convenience. A case in point is the car parking coupon system which is another good example to illustrate what I have said. According to a press report, the URA and the HDB have now agreed to allow the different parking coupons to be used in both car parks but the motoring public have already suffered loss of money and inconvenience.”
“I am now glad to note that the Ministry of Trade and Industry is launching a campaign leading the way in conservation of energy. Let me give some suggestions for their reference. First, the Traffic Police has advised motor-cyclists to switch on their headlights even in the day in order to ensure road safety. But I feel that since motor-cycles give out a very loud noise which can be heard at a distance it is not necessary to switch on the headlight to attract attention as this is a waste of energy and is against the principle of energy conservation. Secondly, many street lights are automatically switched on and off. But very often we see some street lights still switched on during the day owing to poor maintenance or for some other reasons. This is undoubtedly a waste of public funds. I hope the PUB will pay more attention to this complaint. Thirdly, the PWD's road-building result is very significant. Everybody can see that. However, the authorities concerned perhaps could pay attention to reducing the distance for motor vehicles to make a U-turn. Along certain roads the U-turn is very far off. This results in vehicles having to make unnecessary runs, thus wasting a lot of petrol. Perhaps the PWD could spend some time to devise some means whereby the distance for motorists to make a U-turn is shortened; otherwise this would mean an unnecessary wastage of petrol and money. If they can do something to cut down on road travel, we might be able to save a lot of money in a year. The opposite of saving money is wasting money. If private individuals waste money, it is a matter affecting their own purse. But if Government departments or statutory boards waste money, then they will be wasting public funds. This is not what they should do.”
“This is the result of the joint effort and diligence of all our people and it is also a manifestation of the initial success of our economic restructuring. If every year our economy can reap good harvest, then before the close of the 80s we shall be singing victory songs in praise of our economic restructuring. I appreciate, in particular, a passage from the Minister's speech just before he concluded his delivery as it has profound philosophical connotation that would turn on one's mind and should merit repeated careful studies. I will quote this significant message by the Minister when he said that: 'The Government must work for the people. The people must work with the Government, to bring about a cohesive and harmonious society, where our children and our children's children will continue to live, work and play in an ever-improving Singapore.' This message is full of significance and depth. Not only the ordinary people should read this speech of the Minister, civil servants should even make a bible out of it so that they may understand why the Government should serve the people and how the civil servants should observe and execute this principle and tenet "that civil servants are the public servants of the people." With the increase in the petrol price, all non oil-producing countries of the world have to take measures to reduce the consumption of oil. Energy-saving campaigns have appeared with a message loud and clear. Singapore being a non oil-producing country has also to resort to campaigns on energy saving and to conservation policy. But I feel that what we have done in the past is not positive enough, because our annual consumption of oil has not shown any reduction in the past.”
“The employers could deduct the PUB charges from the salaries of their employees, as they do for CPF. Time of their employees will be saved and their productivity will increase. And more important, if the Minister implements this suggestion, there will be less headache for the PUB. Finally, Sir, we the PAP Backbenchers submit our honest views here. And we want our people to get the benefits. I understand that some people state that we are here simply to say "Yes" to everything. But I deny it strongly. We are here to debate. Sir, the Budget as submitted by the Minister for Trade and Industry has my support. 3.55 p.m. Mr Ho Kah Leong (Jurong)( In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, on the 6th of this month when the Minister for Trade and Industry and Minister for Health presented to Parliament for the last time the financial budget for the next financial year on behalf of the Government, he gave a parting ogle to all the tax-payers by reducing the tax burden of our law-abiding working people. Even more praise-worthy is the spirit and substance of the whole budget, namely, the adoption of more equitable measures of taxation so that the more the people are made to bear the burden of tax the more will they be able to understand that everyone has a duty towards his country. And, at the same time, it will also encourage the people to work diligently according to individual ability and to contribute his best to the country. Sir, under the guidance of a correct financial policy, our economic growth has never lagged behind others. Last year, when the international economic conditions were not favourable, we could still achieve a 10.2% growth rate. It was indeed a very laudable feat.”
“They could be made to understand our economic development and the fame our Republic has achieved among other nations. Mr Speaker, Sir, I appreciate that certain good principles are being adopted in the allocation of Government funds. It is true that preference should be given to certain expenditures. The Singapore Improvement Trust became the Housing and Development Board. The lifts in the former SIT flats are still functioning under the HDB, but they fail to function properly. Why can these lifts not be changed? The people, including elders, who use these lifts to go out to pay PUB charges are affected. Lots of people gather in HDB estates during weddings, funerals, etc. They suffer from a lack of public convenience facilities. Sometimes they are provided with mobile toilets but these are not enough. Hence, some people make use of the lifts to ease themselves. Therefore, more money should be allocated for the provision of common toilets in HDB estates. If need be, a small fee could be collected from the users. I hope the Minister responsible will look into this. Community centres have been built all over the island. But only a few are open on Sundays and public holidays in the mornings. It would be better if they also open in the mornings of Sundays and public holidays so that our youths and old people can make use of them and the Government should not hesitate to spend more, if necessary, for such activities. Mr Speaker, Sir, I welcome the call to save water and electricity. But for the Government to say that the present 50 cents late payment charge may be increased is regrettable. As an alternative, I would like to suggest that the employers could do what the POSB and other banks are doing presently.”
“All this has added on and brought about a sense of discontent and disaffection to these people. The 10% tax rebate will not be able to solve their housing problem. The Government should try positively to solve this problem. 3.49 p.m. Mr M.K.A. Jabbar (Radin Mas)( In Tamil): Mr Speaker, Sir, I am very grateful to the Minister for Trade and Industry for presenting the 1981 Budget in such a way that everyone could understand the Government's financial policy. I whole-heartedly welcome his statement. Sir, the People's Action Party is primarily a democratic, socialist movement. Hence, it has proved that it has not lost its grip with the masses by offering concessions in personal income tax. But some taxpayers receive demand notices even after the have paid their taxes in full. I do not know why. Officials say it is the mistake of the computer. But this creates fear among people. The Minister for Finance should help to remedy this. Sir, the Minister has in his statement explained very clearly the duties of Singapore youths. But some of our youths do not yet understand how the Government works, how we live happily in Singapore, what sacrifices our elders have made and are making to bring about this prosperity. They are reluctant and refuse to know what were the conditions in hospitals, schools, community centres and HDB about 20 years ago. We, therefore, must send our youths to our neighbouring countries so that they may gain more knowledge about such things. By this, our youths may realize the benefits of our democratic and socialist Government. They will then know how understanding our Government is towards them. We could also save our youngsters from being misguided by out-side politicians.”
“The Government should set an example and not compel civil servants to retire too early. Therefore, in order to achieve optimum use of our human resources, we should legislate that the retirement age, be it in the Government or in the private sector, should be set uniformly at 60 years. Otherwise, with the excellent health service that we have today, we will have a lot of retirees still in good health. In terms of age, although they may be eligible for applying for a hawker-licence, however, invariably there will not be enough hawker stalls for them. This forced idleness will be, on the one hand, a personal agony to them, on the other hand, it will be a waste of our human resource. This is therefore a pressing social problem that needs to be tackled. The new Budget will mostly benefit those in the high income group. The higher their income, the more tax rebate they will get. Although the Government is encouraging people to do more work, to be more productive and to make more money, my worry is that talented people will avail themselves of the opportunity and go all-out making money, but stint on lending a hand to social services which are not money-making. There is a price for stability and social peace in our nation. It is not too much to expect those who can afford to pay more tax to give more as a price for social peace and tranquillity. At present, housing is the most taxing problem to those in the middle-income group. Their income is neither too high nor too low. Therefore, they are compelled only to apply for HUDC flats. But the performance of the HUDC hitherto has been very poor. The rate of construction is slow and there have been constant changes to their rules and regulations and other uncertainties while building prices keep increasing.”
“Even in this respect there is a shortage because many vacancies in the Government departments and in the private sector cannot be filled. This is probably because of the fact that our economy has grown too rapidly that there are more jobs around than the manpower available for them. On the other hand, it shows that there is a lack of proper planning in our manpower utilization. In his statement, the Minister for Trade and Industry mentioned that as at 30th August, 1980, there were 8,353 vacancies in the permanent Government establishment. This is a very serious problem. Mr Speaker, Sir, in the Government departments, especially in the permanent establishments, there must be reasons and the necessity to create any post. Since the posts have been created but could not be filled, I believe such a large number of vacancies will affect the efficiency of the various Government departments to a certain extent. The Government should try to solve this problem. In the same statement, the Minister said thus, "Labour force surveys show that our workers begin to stop working after 50-55 years old." He also said that because of the increase in the life span of the Singaporeans, "premature" retirement has become an economic waste. Sir, on the one hand, there are more than 8,000 vacancies that could not be filled, but on the other hand, there is the premature retirement that causes economic wastage. This clearly shows that in the use of manpower there is a certain lack of proper coordination and harmonization. I know of an example. A clerk in a certain Government department was compelled to retire at the age of 56. But soon he was re-employed by another Government department. They are all Government departments. In one department, it is an economic waste, to another it is utilization.”
“Could we try to move from such primitive representations to more thoughtful characterizations? These are just one or two ideas to serve simply as examples. I am sure we can generate, with our ingenuity, a lot more ideas than 1, in the paucity of my imagination, have propounded. We need not wait for a dramatic or a comic genius to emerge. This is the age of the committee, and the team. Many good TV scripts have come not from individuals but from group effort. I observe our TV trying to popularize songs. The community achievement will result when people sing these songs. Watching excerpts of a road-show, I noticed few joining in community singing. When our commuters and those who transport them "Smile every mile - for wherever you roam, it will brighten your road, it will lighten your load, if you sing your way home", then we would have arrived at a blessed juncture of community. Meanwhile, we have to work hard and exercise every bit of goodwill to instil a sense of fraternity in our people. However hard we work to ensure our people imbibe tried and tested values and virtues, we should continue to see religion as a tried and tested vehicle. There is no room for bigotry in our society. But the person who tries to find his spiritual commitment to society through his belief in a religion, however often he may find the going difficult or even unsuccessful at times, is a community asset. Mr Yeo Choo Kok( In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, if the personal relief for income tax could be raised this year in addition to the 10% tax rebate, then the new Budget will benefit more taxpayers and be more welcome. The only resource we have is human resource.”
“Singaporeans apparently must learn to relax towards one another, to learn to uphold trust, and indeed in a responsible way to trust one another. It is perhaps for this that the cultural arts may be employed to soften - [Interruption] No, I said in a responsible way, Mr Minister. It is perhaps for this that the cultural arts may be employed to soften the attitude of one Singaporean towards the other, to make people sensitive in their mutual relations. It is the soul of a people that the arts should reflect to a large degree. One outstanding example is the representation of the Singapore river in art. The throb of Singapore's life, even through the passage of time, is symbolized by the River in the ebb and flow of its traffic, indeed of its own life. Could we not try consciously to evoke or synthesize from our environment more of such symbols for the common understanding? It is both gratifying and at the same time off-putting for a thoughtful person to consider that the one outstanding symbol of Singapore which we have plucked out of the advertiser's imagination, and associated it with success is the symbol of SIA. Even Singaporeans accept the package, where in many cases they look for the foreign product. Still on the subject of the arts, I wonder whether we can generate the skills to produce one or two series in drama for our TV, this being such a well-patronized medium. Such series could reflect aspects of basic living in Singapore and feature characters and situations that can strike a responsive chord in Singaporeans. Why not a comedy series, for people get drawn together by laughter - especially if they laugh at themselves. We have seen naive attempts to satirize stock communal stereotypes on our media.”
“All this may sound old-fashioned and not as jazzy as happiness, prosperity and progress, but may be more useful, and would still embrace prosperity and progress and bear them up more gracefully. It may be true that, for a variety of reasons, Singaporeans do not find it easy to relate to one another. It could be a relic of diverse origins, of a "family-first" cultural tradition, of suspicion that operated in a self-preserving way at one time, which may still be healthy in certain circumstances today. It is a lack of ease which education is over-coming, but it is still there. If I may give an example which I am familiar or even intimate with. For example, during religious service which I am obliged to attend on Sundays, there is a juncture during Mass when there should be a fraternal exchange of greetings. This takes place, if at all, in Singapore, under conditions characterized by an awkwardness I have not noticed in many parts of the world. If, under conditions when one should feel secure, a greeting is so diffidently given, then one can understand why it is difficult for Singaporeans to express views and ask questions - processes necessary for the exer- cise of good citizenship. We may even go further. In several instances I have noticed that people prefer to bear up with a tolerable nuisance than speak to offending neighbours for fear of themselves giving offence. In the extreme, there is reluctance to report to authorities small transgressions, although it would be an act of good citizenship to do so. Good citizenship is just the ability of people to get together and act together for the common good. But this is based on confidence in one another, which seems to be lacking.”
“Did they not suffer frustrations, did they not face failure, did they not plot, were they not afraid, did they not enjoy success, did they not marry, have a family life? Had they no foibles? Where the latter is concerned, I am sure Members here may be able to make a list. Sir, we do not seek revelations. But the same commitment that made our leaders what they are should urge them to consider relating how they came to be what they are. We no longer need to depend only on Raffles for a founding father image. The imperatives have changed. Raffles and the others were literally non-starters in the story of independent Singapore. They were the ghosts out of the colonial machine. We have human beings to inspire us, who have lived and moved and been with us. There is a debt owed to the coming generation that needs to be paid by showing the flesh and blood example of the elders. They should not hide their light under a bushel. On the other point of the common material goal of well-being, may I point to the ceremonial pledge taken by our children in schools: "We the citizens of Singapore pledge ourselves as one united people regardless of race, language or religion to build a democratic society based on justice and equality so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation." Treating this script only as a historical document, I wonder if this statement of philosophy is adequate as a bond. Perhaps it was adequate for its time. But the imperatives are changing. If we have to replace one abstraction for another, we could talk of comradeship and working together, mutual support and virtue (virtue meaning manliness for the man and womanliness for the woman), or right conduct.”
“And we can add to all this: but, as one might say, "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." We now seek a higher and more sensitive quality of the individual in terms of talent and promise; we have all the makings of a good team; we have to transcend mere love for the family as much as we have to preserve this love; we have nearly-full employment; we shall always have a measure of disaffection among us, but I hope that the cult of obedience which is allegedly a characteristic of the Ministry of Education will find no ground in our culture. I am not saying we should not obey, but we should not make a cult of obedience. Related to all such imperatives is the proposition, put forward by not a few, Sir - and they are thinking people, loyal Singaporeans - that what has principally held us together are good leadership and common economic goals. I suggest, Sir, that the problem is worth looking at on the basis of this hypothesis. Our sufficiencies and insufficiencies are thereby bared. Where leadership is concerned, the old order is changing, giving place to the new. I respect and admire the new, Sir. But I would like to say a few words about the elder leadership, and this includes such people as the Member for Anson, who has always, in my mind, been a sort of Minister without Portfolio or Minister for Revolutionary Evolution, or something like that. Sir, it would be difficult to find in any part of the world such a collective as our original leadership. How men of such diverse intellects and characters became united in a single dedicated enterprise is a historic fact, but a mystery! And it threatens to remain a mystery. Were not the strands out of which our leaders wove their achievement human strands?”
“Yet it is this respect and concern that we are really underlining when we say that care for the aged is essentially a responsibility of the individual, not of institutions. It is also a concern for life that bothers people like the Member for River Valley when he expresses conscientious reservations over our present abortion policy. At the same time, as we are considering the question of mutual concern, we might examine the degree of care we show for the handicapped. And when we - think of our children who are whole and healthy, is there more that could be done towards ensuring their humane development as against rousing their competitive instincts. These are seemingly disparate elements - traffic, the aged, abortion, the handicapped, our healthy school children. But I do not think it takes a metaphysical effort to see that they are all related on the point of human concern. Practical constraints force a treatment of separate problems by separate bureaus. Politicians cannot legislate for total concern. But education can help if it is a continuing, life-long process, and not thought of as a formal school effort merely. Constraints must be viewed practically. One has to agree with the Minister for Culture that we should try to understand the political and social imperatives that have resulted in some of the features we see in Singapore today. I am sure also that the pattern of these imperatives has changed - not so much that there are fewer imperatives, or that they are less urgent, but that their nature has changed. Let us take some considerations that may still affect us today: (a) we were too many, (b) we were too divergent in origins, (c) we were too clannish, (d) we were poor, (e) we were a peculiar mixture of recalcitrance and the unquestioning in attitude.”
“Then the Japanese came. They made it seem as if their rule would last forever. They exhorted us to respect Tenno Heika, and taught us the words of their national hymn Kimigayo, as well as martial airs, the words of which can, after 40 years, still tumble forth quite easily, at least from my mouth, Sir. After this, the British returned. And nationalist agitation was mounted against them, in which some Members in this House took part. A phase arrived when we became Malaysians. We have only recently become Singaporeans. Singapore prospered, and inevitably the population went through various stages of bourgeoisification [Interruption] - there are many bourgeois in this House, Sir, and the nouveau riche emerged. It would appear that the very rich face outlandish hazards, including the obscene prospect of using 18-carat gold keys to obtain access eventually to their whirlpool baths - if a recent newspaper report and editorial are anything to go by. For the run-of-the-mill Singaporean, the more likely moral hazard is the possession of a car. Driving in Singapore is a good symbol of Singapore life. A spirit of free enterprise - but one gone frequently haywire - prevails on the road. Here, one apparently tries to get ahead of others, seemingly at any cost, certainly at some, or even considerable risk. A driving licence is sometimes taken literally to mean permission to drive licentiously. Highway desperadoes inevitably meet their deserts, but who pays? All Singaporeans, Sir, because all are diminished by tragedy that is senseless and caused only by disregard of one citizen for the rest. On the road, one very basic principle of community relationship is all too often absent - respect for the other person.”
“Examples are the establishment of Citizens' Consultative Committees, the augmenting material support given to Community Centres, and their updating and improvement: the hardworking role of the People's Association in this effort; and more recently we have had the development of Residents' Committees, the necessity for which was triggered by rapid urbanization and, after all said and done, by the burgeoning achievements of the HDB. Campaigns, such as for Courtesy and those aimed at crime prevention and reduction of traffic offences, as well as. Campaigns to spruce up the city, to encourage Mandarin-speaking (in order to simplify communication, and preserve a heritage) - all such efforts may be seen in the final count as really aimed at enhancing a sense of community. Such and similar measures have been taken at the organized and institutional level. Attention is also being directed at the personal level as, for example, efforts at moral education in schools. I would like to sharpen this focus on the person. We have been doing a great deal to imbue in our people a sense of community, even if the motivation has been utilitarian. Our efforts have in their deliberate planning been as great, if not greater than in most non-communist countries. It would be useful, therefore, to take stock, and draw up a kind of balance sheet - an appropriate exercise for this budget occasion. For a background we can remember that about 40 years ago we were being exhorted. as British subjects, to be loyal and even to be ready to fight to defend - what? Singapore? Malaya? Let us say - to defend our homes! And indeed (in parenthesis) the names of some of my friends of different races born in Singapore are engraved on the Kranji memorial. They took it seriously, as perhaps they should have.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I think the only reason why I happen to be the first speaker is that the Whip, like the HDB believes in "first-come-first-served." Sir, when I first became a Member of this august House, one of the first things I did was to go to the Parliament Library to look up Hansard. It was a salutary experience, Sir, because reading Hansard helped to take the wind out of my sails because I found that many of the things which I thought would shake this House had already been said and thought out before and that there was really nothing new under the sun, Sir, plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose - the more things change, the more they seem to be the same, and it is so now. It is for this reason that I think much of what I wish to say is familiar, but it is still good to make a review, to restate premises, to hopefully push thinking forward, so that step by step some little success is achieved in the area which I wish to speak on. Sir, I would like to deal with only one of the themes the Minister for Trade and Industry touched upon when he delivered the Budget Address. Although this theme appeared towards the end of the Minister's speech, it was by no means the least significant. Indeed, to me, it seemed the most challenging. The Minister concluded (I quote selectively): 'Economic growth, desirable as it is, is not an end in itself. It is the means to forge the kind of society we want... We have succeeded in getting the different races together, to build a team spirit. . We must build on this strong foundation.' In the course of its office the Government has provided institutionalized opportunities and encouraged many institutional procedures whereby Singaporeans may relate more closely to one another.”
“I take the point, Sir. And I also take the point of his reference to the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board. This is the whole point. It is not to the tourists that we want to give an impression of what Singapore is. It is our people that we want to give the impression to, of what Singapore is and how they are related to Singapore. If the Minister does not wish to reply, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment, Sir.”
“Sir, I am very gratified that the Senior Minister of State will convey my sentiments to the Board. I think the matter is of great importance that more and more people are brought to the realisation, as I have said, of their past. And it is not just a question of a small number of people working on the Board. If it is necessary, greater support has to be given to the Board so that when the Minister of State conveys my sentiments to the Board I hope he conveys a lot more money also to the Board.”
“Sir, on a point of order. I am just enquiring whether it is in order for the Member to bring up a fresh subject not connected with the present debate.”
“Sir, first of all, I would like to express my agreement with the expression of sympathy, almost sorrow, expressed in this House for those people living in the older estates, especially in the one-room flats. I merely rise to seek some information. I would like to ask for information regarding the programme, the Housing Board has in mind, for the improvement of one-room flats, especially those flats described as "emergency" flats. What has been the rationale for making a selection of those particular areas where it has been publicised that the HDB intends to begin improvement work? What are the criteria that have been used to make selection for priority to be given to certain types of emergency flats in certain areas? Can the House also be informed whether there is any programme to work out the timing when attention will be given to other areas with one-room flats, after those with first priority have been attended to?”
“(12) That the sum to be allocated for Head W be reduced by $10 in respect of item (a) of subhead CCA 3020.”
“(7) That the sum to be allocated for Head W be reduced by $10 in respect of item (a) of subhead AAA 3020.”
“Sir, since there does not seem to be very much time for what I want to say, and that is quite a lot, I do not want to move the amendment.”
“(v) What is the actual extent of the Centre's contribution towards the solution of the drug problem in the Republic? (vi) Are there plans to shift the present Centre somewhere else in a better and more conducive environment for such rehabilitation work to be carried out? (vii) There was a nation-wide and anti-drug abuse campaign last year organised by the NADAC 76. What was the follow-up programme carried out immediately after the successful campaign or has the effort been left to die a natural death? (viii) To what extent have the recommendations put up by the NADAC 76 been implemented? (ix) Would the Minister enlighten the House on the progress of the work of the Special Committee that was set up to look into the problems of drug abuse in the Republic? Sir, the answers to all these questions would be of great interest and concern to all of us in this House as well as those outside - like parents, teachers, social workers, everyone for that matter.”
“The Ministry of Home Affairs is spending large sums of money on rehabilitating drug addicts at the Drug Rehabilitation Centre and I understand the Ministry of Defence has its own rehabilitation programme while, at the level of school assemblies, volunteer speakers are eloquently persuading youths to avoid the dangerous path of drug abuse. Sir, we should encourage groups like the Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association (SANA) to embark on education programmes for the young before they are exposed to drug abuse. In this respect. Sir, the Ministries of Home Affairs, Social Affairs, Education and Defence and the People's Association through its various youth groups have a responsibility in leading and guiding voluntary effort in this war against drug abuse. 4.15 p.m. In view of the pressing need to contain and conquer drug abuse, the battle has to be fought from all fronts. I would like to ask the Minister the following questions:- (i) Sometime last year, Sir, several inmates of the Drug Rehabilitation Centre managed to do all kinds of things at the Centre and culminated their misdeed by escaping from the Centre. What is the security position now? Has any post-mortem study been made on why these inmates had tried to escape and then voluntarily returned to the Centre? The House would be interested to know if any steps have been taken to improve the conditions and treatment of these inmates. (ii) In terms of consultation, exchange of professional expertise and the use of voluntary workers, what is the Centre actually doing in these areas? (iii) What are the main problems faced by addicts when they are released from the Centre? (iv) What follow-up action is taken to guide such persons after their release?”
“Sir, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Haji Sha'ari Bin Tadin (Bedok): Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head V be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead CIA 1101*. (* The same amendment also stood in the name of Mr Ahmad Haleem). Sir, while I appreciate the good work that is being done by the Drug Rehabilitation Centre in trying to rehabilitate our drug addicts, I would like to examine the quality of our rehabilitation programmes for drug addicts more closely. It is well known that the best rehabilitation programmes for drug addicts in Western countries fall between 5 and 10% of all those who enter such programmes. In Singapore we have introduced the compulsory aftercare programmes since August of last year to make aftercare mandatory for two years upon release from the Drug Rehabilitation Centre. This is a praiseworthy move to increase the efficacy and efficiency of rehabilitation programmes in our country. Sir, many people believe that the failure rate of all this effort has been very high. What I want to know is, has the cold turkey treatment been all that effective? It would remove physical dependence on drugs, yes, but could it remove the psychological dependence? Relapse rates appear to be high, indicating the poor success of whatever effort that has been put in so far. Would the Minister state what programmes, if any, are being put into action or planned to reduce the high relapse rate?”
“Sir, in the Minister's reference to "total involvement", I hope he will also be able to secure the cooperation of Government departments and statutory boards including, of course, the Police which have lots of vehicles on the road and see that their drivers obey the Highway Code.”
“Sir, I beg to move. That the sum to be allocated for Head V be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead BOA 1101*. (*The same amendment also stood in the names of Messrs Yeo Choo Kok and Ahmad Haleem ). Sir, when the Minister announced recently the proposed new and more vigorous measures to cut down what he called the carnage that is going on on our roads. I applauded. I felt at last we are going somewhere in instilling greater courtesy and consideration among road users. Better late than never. I do not know whether it is because of the tardiness of such action or because the Minister has promised a comprehensive and systematic treatment of the problem of introducing more care and discipline on the roads that it will take the next three years to achieve all this. But since the Minister has spoken about a series of measures and has in his mind a programme, he may be in a position at the present moment to give us some more details of such a programme starting perhaps with a rundown (forgive me for using this term, Sir) on the result whether successful or otherwise, of the series of mini campaigns that the traffic police commenced since October last year. It would seem that what is crucial to the success of the Minister's plans is the capacity of the police in terms of manpower and equipment to take adequate enforcement measures. In all the times that I have almost ritually brought up this subject in the House up to the present moment, I have not noticed that there has been such adequacy. The Chairman: Mr Yeo Choo Kok is not here. Mr Ahmad Haleem.”
“After all that, Sir, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Other projects also. Mr Phey Yew Kok rose -”
“May I suggest that such committees be formed through the CCC as sub-committees of the CCC and that good liaison be maintained with the Member of Parliament of the constituency concerned. This could well result in a pooling of resources and in such collaboration that would help further in the project's aim, because the proliferation of committees in housing estates, constituencies, may well add to the confusion of aims.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head V be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead BAA 1101*. (* The same amendment also stood in the names of Messrs Teong Eng Siong and P. Govindaswamy.) I am speaking on this subhead, Sir, because the activity I am going to talk about was started on the basis of a proposal from Police Headquarters and is being monitored by Police Headquarters. I would like to refer to a joint Police NS/Special Constabulary project named Libra Project which is being conducted in a number of housing estates, including Kampong Arang /Jalan Batu which is in my constituency. It appears that this Libra Project has two principal aims: youth work and counselling as well as formation of neighbourhood committees, to foster greater neighbourliness. Sir, I think this project is experimenting with a praiseworthy attempt at giving NS Police and S.C. members a chance of participating in national service directed towards creative, good, praiseworthy social ends. I have followed the experiment with some interest, noticing the change of direction of emphasis caused by experience of the real situation on the ground led by those working in this Libra Project. I think the project deserves encouragement and help to make this police aim of service to youth achievable, hence contributing to good police/public relations. The project is still relatively embryonic in relation to what it could achieve. I would like to make one suggestion, however, which I hope will help the project avoid an unnecessary pitfall. This is in connection with the project's efforts at forming neighbourhood committees.”
“Sir, I suppose I shall have to do with the Minister's sympathy. With that I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The following amendment stood in the name of Mr Ng Kah Ting - (7) That the sum to be allocated for Head U be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead BGA 8401. The Chairman: Amendment (7), Mr Ng Kah Ting is not here. The sum of $86,332,930 for Head U ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. The sum of $158,225,000 for Head U ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. Head V -”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head U be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead CBA 1101. I would just like to reflect a problem which has repeatedly been brought to my attention by my constituents. The drainage in the Tanjong Katong/Mountbatten Road as well as Poole Road, Parkstone Road, Goodman Road area is poor. This area is a well developed area with schools and residential dwellings and yet it is not uncommon to find the roadside drains full of stagnant water. This situation is worse when there is heavy rain. The roadside drains overflow and flood the adjacent roads and houses. Is it not possible for the experts in the Ministry to improve drainage and alleviate the flooding in this area?”
“Sir, just a point of information. There are a number of museums already. There are the Arts and Anthropology Museum, the Science Centre Museum and the Sentosa Maritime and Gun Museum. We are quite well stocked with museums. Perhaps I should suggest to the Minister for Culture that he revives the Advisory Committee that used to help him with the Museum. The Member for Telok Blangah could be invited to be a member of this Committee. I remember I was a member of this Committee at one time but after we have finished our work the Minister closed down the Committee. This reminds me of the Malay expression: Lepas jambatan buang tongkat.”
“Just to clarify. Sir. When I talk of a music policy, of course the development of different types of musicians would be part of this policy. We need not have an orchestra of 101 pianos or things like that. I mentioned that we wanted to raise the level of musical ability. May I point out that there are so many school bands in Singapore. We certainly cannot get a person who is playing in a school band to play in an orchestra, but we can pick out the good ones. And this is part of a music policy: to encourage the good ones and award them scholarships to develop their talents in different instruments and then put them in an orchestra. I think we want the Education Ministry to act in concert with the Ministry of Culture so that this kind of orchestration may lead to the kind of orchestra I was talking about. Regarding Victoria Memorial Hall, perhaps instead of just dismissing the suggestion, the Ministry should find out whether it is feasible to convert it into a concert hall as it may be cheaper than spending $10 million to $15 million on an entirely new place for a concert hall.”
“He has got our support but apparently he has not succeeded in fully getting the support of his Cabinet colleagues and this is the point I am making. Another point that must be brought up, and this again hinges on finance, is that an orchestra needs a place in which to practise and perform. [Interruption] If the acoustics are good and if the place is acceptable, certainly. I recognise the impracticability of asking presently for a new concert hail. This is completely out of the question, of course. But we should look into the possibility and I think it is feasible of restructuring the Victoria Memorial Hall despite the fact that that was the venue for the foundation of the Party, for the purpose of serving as a concert hall. I believe the acoustic possibilities for orchestral presentation are good and such a provision would give focus to the implementation of a music policy. I am not asking that all this should be done overnight although the Member for Anson has sounded a note of urgency. [Interruption]. Mr Speaker, Sir, I think the Member for Anson should not listen to the agitation that is going on his right. I have stated yesterday that I have the highest regard for the Member for Anson. Sir, as I said, these steps cannot be done overnight but steps towards achieving a good outcome in music development in Singapore would be quite relevant in view of definite possibilities. I would suggest that to place a music development policy on an even firmer basis, the Ministry of Culture should cooperate very closely with the Ministry of Education as this will greatly enlarge the base in respect of those who would either participate in music making or could form an appreciative audience for such activity.”
“Yes, no action. This is the point. The Minister for Culture has my sympathy in his uphill struggle to get financial support for cultural development of this kind but still the onus is defintely on his shoulders. He is the Minister for Culture. The onus is defintely on his shoulders, and I would urge him to use his powers of persuasion to get support from his Cabinet colleagues. An hon. Member: Wrong support!”
“I am glad that the Minister has taken note of what we have suggested, not only the Member for Katong but other Members too. I think such a policy should aim at involving as many people as possible especially young people in the various forms of music making such as performing in orchestras, small ensembles, bands, choirs, and here of course, in relation to Asian as well as other forms of music. Secondly, the policy should aim at raising the level of music participation and performances so that, thirdly, this may contribute to the establishment of national performing bodies like the National Choral Society or even a national symphony orchestra. The development of a national symphony orchestra is without prejudice to the development of Asian instrumental groups. Moves towards the establishment of a symphony orchestra have been aborted because of cost. The Minister has talked about cost two years ago and he still keeps talking about cost. However, it is with some imagination still possible to establish a national orchestra, on an economic basis of a core of full-time professionals plus others consisting of part-time musicians. This is not an original idea. In fact. I got this idea from the Ministry of Culture itself. The Ministry of Culture has been thinking along these tines and I am sure the Minister is aware of this. An hon. Member: No action!”
“This is perhaps because there has not been previously an adequate articulation of a policy for music. In fact, there has not been an adequate articulation of a policy for culture until perhaps the last year or so.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, two areas where it has been feasible to stress practical cultural development has been the area of visual arts and music. With the reorganisation of the National Museum and the establishment of the Art Gallery there, encouragement for the development of the visual arts has for the time being risen to a fair level of satisfaction. The Minister has indicated with statistics that this has been so and he has described and I agree with him the extent of the activities in the sphere of development of appreciation of the arts and activity in the visual arts. It is time to stress the ordered development of a music policy for Singapore. Sir, I speak along the lines of what I am familiar with and that is, of course, music derived from the West, but I would not like in any way to exclude music that has our own local and indigenous origin. The ground seems fruitful for music development. To serve as a base we have quite a number of musical activities organised by a fairly large number of bodies including the Ministry of Culture and its divisions, such as the National Theatre Trust and the RTS, the Ministry of Education's ECA unit, the Institute of Education, the University of Singapore. as well as private musical organisations. Orchestras in sporadic operations include the Singapore Youth Orchestra, the Singapore Schools Orchestra, the University of Singapore and, of course, the People's Association Orchestra that the Minister mentioned. Music making is quite a widespread activity and it seems to me that when the Minister spoke about the availability of appropriate numbers, perhaps if stock is taken we will find that we have reached a situation where there are appropriate numbers. But activity in the music area seems to lack overall national direction.”
“Sir, I just want to make some clarification. [Interruption] I am afraid I am not as adept as the Minister of Defence. The point is that I did relate that shaggy-dog story but that was not in any sense trying to make fun of the SAF. I did say that the medical examination was thoroughly carried out. I would like to thank the Minister very much for comparing me with the Member for Anson because I have a high regard and respect for him because of his performance in this House. With that, Sir, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $799,334,410 for Head K ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. The sum of $109,600,000 for Head K ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. Head L -”
“Sir, there is another point regarding the question I asked about the dissemination of the code of conduct.”
“I would like to suggest that there are cases where parents correctly feel they have good reasons for entertaining some apprehension about a condition that may have arisen regarding the health or well-being of their son in national service. In such instances such parents would feel immensely relieved if they had access to a person or committee with authority to consider facts placed before them and to order immediate action. Such early action may well avert unpleasant consequences resulting from lack of sufficient attention being given to the special needs of some servicemen. We want to train fighters, and the army is a big place; but wherever we can introduce a more personal touch, we should try to do so. I have observed that the Minister of Defence is carrying a copy of Sun Tzu. Perhaps a quotation from Sun Tzu would not be out of place and I hope I have not lifted it out of context. The Griffith translation says "Command them (troops) with civility and imbue them uniformly with martial ardour and it may be said that victory is certain". The Minister's copy has this translation. "When an army prove amenable to civil treatment as well as to military discipline, they will surely become invincible". (gu ling zhi yi wen, qi zhi yi wu, shi wei bi qu.) ( ) Finally, Sir, I would like to make an enquiry regarding the dissemination of the code of conduct: what methods are used, and what improvements may be contrived, if any. Incidentally, Sir, I know that the lines that follow the quotation I have given may contradict what I have said, but that is up to the Minister to make the point.”
“Sir, the SAF receives into National Service, Singaporeans who have had their minds and attitudes and ways of behaviour set in the circumstances of their upbringing. The Singaporean is a rugged individualist, prone more than less frequently to place his own concerns, convenience even comfort at quite a premium, He chafes under discipline. Young officers, given rank, may all too easily allow this to get to their head. Yet for the sake of morale, the SAF has to concern itself with the problem of improving the sense of camaraderie prevailing in all units. Problems of indifference we can see in other armies. You will frequently find jokes about this sort of relationship. If I might be allowed to recount one. It appears that an army doctor was examining a prospective serviceman, "Sit down in that chair", ordered the doctor sternly. The prospective serviceman obeyed. "A 1", cried the doctor. "Next". "What?", exclaimed the recruit, "why, you have not even looked at me." "Well", said the doctor, "you heard me tell you to sit down, you saw the chair and you had enough intelligence to carry out the order. Move on, soldier!" Sir, the Minister has given indication that our medical examination is a serious matter, for he has said that exemptions on medical grounds are granted only if the person is certified by a medical board, consisting of, I think, three doctors. Yet there have been cases of persons entering national service, who have physically and emotionally in a few instances not been able to bear up in the stresses and strains of soldiering. In isolated instances the results have been grave, and in other instances could have been graver, as reports and descriptions in the newspapers have indicated.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head K be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead AAA 4002*. (* The same amendment also stood in the name of Mr Teo Chong Tee.) Sir, I am bringing up this matter in relation to national service because of the importance of a sense of concern and good communication between Singaporeans, in this case between Singaporeans in the Singapore Armed Forces. Since national service was started, its organisation has improved greatly as those in charge have been quick to react positively wherever the occasion demanded adjustments and improvements. This point has already been repeated in this House on another sub-head. Young people as well as their parents have come to regard national service as an essential measure of government and a familiar feature of life. In my constituency and in other places when I enquire about experience of national service. I find young people saying how they have found it exciting or uneventful, how they have taken it in their stride, and I come across parents who comment on how well their children have appeared physically after training and how much better disciplined they are, and so on, in such neutral or favourable terms, contrary to some other indications we have had in this House. On the other hand, I have been occasionally vexed by reports indicating that the relationship between servicemen may well too often be characterised by a sort of careless nonchalance, indifference and, worse still (even if in cases that do not occur frequently), extreme antagonism. At the very least. we have a frank indication from the Minister of Defence himself in the remark he made recently that there seemed to be a camaraderie among members of the PDF battalion which was not often found in other army units. 3.45 p.m.”
“Perhaps it is this commitment that will slow down the progression of our young doctors towards being their own businessmen, will slow down the progression of our over-taxed wage-earning executives towards the level of disincentive that my good friend the Member for Jalan Kayu referred to, even slowing down the emigration that the Member for Anson has referred to. I do not believe, as some people do, that patriotism is out of place in a modern technological and cultural system. In our situation, it is quite essential, because it simply means getting one Singaporean to communicate better with another, feel more responsible for him, and cooperate with him in greater harmony. Going back to Sun Tzu. Sir, the Budget observed four of the five principles relating to a matter of vital importance to the State. Sun Tzu said this matter of vital importance is war. Well, I say it is development, Sir. It took into consideration () . It left out the moral cause, (). I fill it in, Sir, [Applause]. 5.39 p.m.”
“As many as 20% of the lawyers and judges, 1 5% of professional and technical workers, and 7% of managerial and office workers of Cuba had been registered as refugees in the United States between the years 1959 and 1962. I would imagine that Castro did this as much because he was a Cuban as because he was a communist. Even communism. however internationalist its leaning, becomes subordinate to stronger feelings of nationalism. I say these things, Sir, merely to stress how important it is for us to develop our own brand of patriotism, and contrive in a more conscious way to bring about the circumstances that can help us foster this sense of identity. I have made references to those ideas which I think will help us develop some kind of roots and strengthen these roots - even considering the ritual or symbolic effect of song and food. Perhaps we should even think of a common costume, a way of dressing - much like MPs wear white on National Day. I saw our Foreign Minister dressed one evening in a rather unique jacket. These are difficult areas of discussion that we have brought up, the areas which the Member for Khe Bong was not able to understand. I hope that what has been attempted as a kind of brain-storming in Parliament will not be finally assessed, especially by the Member for Khe Bong, as brain deterioration. But the area we should consider in trying to work out a sense of commitment in is a wide area - it relates to our whole way of life. If this way of life is only concerned with what this budget is concerned about - I do not think the Minister for Finance himself intends it that way - then I think we will be the poorer.”