Lee Boon Yang
Singapore
“6 The other guidelines are that there must be a post office sited within 5 km of every private residential estate and within 1 km of any commercial or industrial estate. MAID LEVY CONCESSION (Applications by the disabled) 32.”
“Madam, can I quickly respond to the point on assistive technology? Certainly this is an area of interest. We cannot say that we have the capability at this juncture but we will certainly look into what is possible and work with our ICT sector.”
“Nevertheless, if the spouse of the homemaker is working, he will be eligible for WIS if he satisfies the criteria. Husbands of homemakers are further eligible for tax relief.”
“Sir, I do not think it is quite correct to say that we always expect our own artists to perform for free or do public service. There are, of course, occasions where we do seek Singapore artists and arts companies to contribute to the national causes. For instance, when we went international for Singapore Season in China.”
“Ms Sylvia Lim asked the Minister for National Development (a) what checks does the Ministry or the National Environment Agency have in place to prevent mistaken payments to hawkers who cease operations due to upgrading works at hawker centers; (b) how did the mistaken payment of $18,000 to Mdm Lee Ah Muey come about; and (c) what will the…”
“While it was also true that initially the reaction or the response of the licensing authority was that foreigners should not participate in such an event at the Speakers' Corner - because there is already an existing prohibition against any foreigners taking part in any activities at the Speakers' Corner - subsequent assessment resulted i…”
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“Sir, I thought I will take up that point when I reply to Mr Lau Ping Sum because he has filed an amendment on this subject. Since he is not here, with your permission, can I respond to Dr Beng?”
“Sir, yesterday, Dr Arthur Beng raised the possibility of training a core of paramedics. My Ministry is actively conducting a feasibility study of establishing a paramedic team within the emergency ambulance service.”
“As to the Member's other point of encouraging private sector to participate in providing ambulance service, I am in full agreement with him that we should have more of such private sector participation, whether it is to be established or set up by the private hospitals themselves or by private companies. In fact, my Ministry will give full support and encouragement to the private sector to set up such a service. I understand that there is already one company which has been established to provide emergency ambulance service and we hope to see more of such companies setting up business.”
“Sir, Dr Arthur Beng has asked whether some patients could be conveyed to private hospitals of their choice by ambulances from the Singapore Joint Civil Defence Forces. The emergency ambulance service operates within certain hospital catchment zones. These zones are drawn up by the Ministry of Health in consultation with the SJCDF and other agencies with the objective of spreading emergency patient load amongst the various Government hospitals. As far as the emergency ambulance service is concerned, its ambulance will send patients to the Government hospital within the catchment zone where the patient is picked up. This is to ensure that the emergency case can be transported to the nearest hospital as soon as possible so that the patient receives urgent medical attention. Sir, if the case is not of an emergency nature, then I would urge members of the public to refrain from calling for emergency ambulance service. Because if more and more people turn to the emergency ambulance service as a means of getting patient or somebody who is taken ill at home to hospital, whether it is to a Government hospital or to a private hospital, then they are in effect depriving other people who may be in a more urgent need of this service, for instance, traumatic injury cases of road accidents or some other emergency cases. As to whether emergency cases can be conveyed to hospitals of their choice, whether it is a private hospital or to other Government hospital, I think my Ministry will take this up with the Ministry of Health. We can discuss whether this is feasible or not. But let us bear in mind that the objective of the emergency ambulance service is to get the patient to the nearest hospital as soon as possible.”
“The proposed Checkpoint is targeted for completion in six to seven years' time. It will then replace the existing Checkpoint.”
“When completed in May this year, the number of clearance lanes for cars and motorcycles will be increased from 36 to 48, and lanes for lorries from six to eight. Clearance counters catering to bus passengers will also be increased from 22 to 40. Other improvements will include air-conditioned clearance halls for the bus passengers, and this will also address the points raised by Encik Yatiman yesterday that we should provide better facilities to give a better impression, since this is the first point of entry for many visitors. Covered walkways will be provided for those who have to walk from one part to the other within the Checkpoint. Car-sensing devices will also be provided to have better control of the cars as they approach the various immigration clearance lanes. There will be a separate customs inspection area to avoid a bottleneck situation at the immigration car bay. And part of the improvement in amenities would be to have better and newer public toilets. Sir, the new facilities will be fully operational on 1st June. Once it is fully operational, clearance lanes that will be kept open each day will depend on the traffic volume. Immigration Department will keep enough lanes open, especially during peak hours and public holidays, to ensure a smooth flow of traffic in and out of Singapore. Sir, to cater for the long-term growth of traffic, Immigration Department is drawing up plans for the development of a new Checkpoint. The Member asked yesterday what has happened to the resettlement of the squatters at Kampong Fatimah. The clearance of the squatters at Kampong Fatimah is part of this redevelopment plan. There will also be minor reclamation work along the shore-line to accommodate this new Checkpoint.”
“Sir, yesterday Dr Wong Kwei Cheong, hon. Member for Cairnhill, asked for a status report on the problem of touting along Orchard Road. Sir, I am pleased to inform Members that the new anti-touting law which came into effect on 9th June last year has provided a very effective means of dealing with the touting problem. A series of anti-touting operations were conducted between June last year up to 12th March this year, during which 140 touts were arrested and charged in Court. 58 of them pleaded guilty and were given jail sentences ranging from three weeks to four months and fines ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. The most severe punishment meted out was a four-month imprisonment term against a repeat offender. The rest of those arrested had claimed trial and their cases will be dealt with in due course. Sir, as a result of sustained police enforcement action, there has been a remarkable improvement along Orchard Road tourist belt. Touts no longer hang around the pedestrian mall annoying tourists and Singaporeans. Shops no longer openly display their counterfeit goods for public viewing. Most of the shops dealing in counterfeit watches have either closed down or stopped dealing in this illegal trade altogether. Sir, the touting situation is now firmly under control. Those shops previously dealing in counterfeit goods are being closely monitored and will be raided whenever there is any indication of them reverting to touting activities. Sir, I now come to Encik Yatiman Yusof's question. He asked about the redevelopment of the Woodlands Checkpoint. The Woodlands Checkpoint is being renovated at a total cost of $16.2 million to increase its handling capacity and also to provide better amenities for visitors to Singapore and also for Singaporeans who are leaving.”
“MAIN AND DEVELOPMENT ESTIMATES OF SINGAPORE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1ST APRIL, 1990 TO 31ST MARCH, 1991 Order read for consideration in Committee of Supply [6th Allotted Day]. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] Head Q (cont.) - Resumption of Debate on Question [20th March, 1990], "That the sum to be allocated for Head Q be reduced by $10 in respect of Code QC 1500 of the Main Estimates." - [Dr Ho Tat Kin]. Question again proposed.”
“Sir, there are other vacant flats scattered here and there throughout the island but they are not in large enough numbers to warrant such an application. TRADE WITH EASTERN BLOC COUNTRIES (Assistance to local traders) 2. Mr Yeo Toon Chia asked the Minister for Trade and Industry what plans his Ministry has to help local traders to export to or to trade with the Eastern bloc countries; and whether there are any plans to open trade offices in or send local trade missions to these countries. The Minister of State for Trade and Industry (Mr Mah Bow Tan) (for the Minister for Trade and Industry): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Eastern bloc has hitherto not been a major trading partner of Singapore. In 1989, trade with them amounted to S$1.13 billion, which is less than 1% of our global trade. However, in the medium to long term, following the recent political and economic developments in the Eastern bloc, this trade should increase. The Trade Development Board has been actively promoting trade with the Eastern bloc for several years. It has organised trade missions to these countries, and participated in trade fairs there, on an annual basis since 1966, and then twice a year since 1988. For 1990, TDB is planning to send three missions and to participate in three trade fairs. These will cover USSR as well as almost all the East European countries. TDB is currently also studying setting up more trade offices in Eastern Europe. TDB tries to bring together Singapore traders and trading organisations from these countries to form joint venture trading companies. These will match the marketing expertise and the connections of Singapore traders with the needs of consumers and firms in Eastern Europe. In the last two years, nine such joint ventures have been established.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the feasibility study is just being carried out . We will get a better idea of the time-frame of these developments after the study is available and we can have a chance to look at the recommendations. Some of the proposed land use on the offshore islands will entail additional reclamation and it could take quite a few years to do such a reclamation. MEDICAL SUBSIDIES IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS (Reduction) 2. Mr Yeo Toon Chia asked the Minister for Education what are the reasons for the wide variation in medical subsidy per student in the four tertiary institutions which ranges from $9 per student in the Ngee Ann Polytechnic to $64 per student in the Nanyang Technological Institute; and what measures are being taken to reduce the higher medical subsidies for the Singapore Polytechnic, National University of Singapore and the Nanyang Technological Institute.”
“Under the Town Councils Act, Sir, section 15 stipulates that every town councillor must declare his interest. In other words, a town councillor who has an interest in a transaction or a project being considered by the town council should disclose the nature of his interest at the meeting of the town council. This disclosure shall be recorded in the minutes of the town council and the member shall take no part in the discussion concerning the project. If there is a need for other liabilities to be imposed on councillors, we prefer to leave it entirely to the Chairman of the council to impose this liability. It is up to the Chairman to discipline his councillors. On the other question raised by Mr Chng about the level of allowances, at present, my Ministry prescribes a level of allowance for the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and other members of the town council. This is the maximum amount that a town council can pay. But it is left to the council to decide whether they want to pay less. They are free to decide if they choose to pay less to their councillors. Whether they should be paid more or not, I think we can consider that at a later stage. Right now, when Members are requesting for more grants because they are unable to balance their budget, it seems contradictory to prescribe a higher rate of allowances to be paid to councillors. 3.25 pm”
“Dr Ho Tat Kin has asked whether the interest income of town councils can be made tax exempt. The Ministry of Finance has ruled that operating incomes of town councils, that is, the collection from the service and conservancy charges and from Government grant, can be exempted from income tax. But investment incomes, including interest earned on funds invested, will be subjected to tax. Sir, this is no different from other non-profit, non-charitable organisations. They are also subjected to the same general taxation rules. Dr Ho also asked whether his town council will be required to return savings on the cyclical works grant for items such as CATV because he may not need to replace them at an interval that was prescribed. The cyclical works grant has been paid to town councils. We have left it to the town council to decide. If you are able to save on the grant, then you can keep the grant for future use. There is no requirement for you to reimburse the Government for cyclical works grant that you have not used. In fact, it is left to the town council to decide. If you choose not to paint the block of flats at all, you can still keep the money in the sinking funds. What is stipulated in the Act is that whatever fund that has gone into the sinking funds can only be used for certain items of work that is related to cyclical works. If you choose not to paint your flats, not to do this cyclical work, and if the residents are prepared to live with it, then keep the money in the sinking funds. But you are not allowed to use that money for other purposes. I think I have addressed Mr Chiam's point on more grants in my earlier statement. Mr Chng Hee Kok has asked whether the requirements on councillors to declare their interest can be tightened up.”
“Of course, if it is a project which the town council is very keen and feels that there is great merit, it can submit the proposal to the CIPC (Community Improvement Projects Committee) and seek support from Government for funding such projects. But the town council must remember that if it is only for a short period of time, after which the site will be needed for redevelopment, whatever investment that has been put into it will be lost. This is a decision which the council must decide. Sir, Mr Peh Chin Hua has commented on the mandatory setting aside of 25% of the town council's collection of service and conservancy charges and Government operating grant towards the sinking funds to pay for future cyclical repair works. He is asking whether the 25% is too high and the Ministry can adopt a more flexible approach. This 25% is a requirement under the Town Councils Act. Town councils are still quite new. We do not have sufficient experience to have a better fix on the amount to be set aside for sinking funds. 25% is HDB's best estimate. If after some years we find that 25% is an over-estimate, we can adjust. But for the time being, to reduce this saving level will jeopardise the availability of funds for cyclical works in the future. Sir, in such matters as future requirements, and because cyclical works are spread over a long period of time, I think it is always better to be conservative in making estimates. I think it is better to err on the generous side than to stinge on money which has to be set aside for future needs. We should avoid a situation where today's residents are living well at the expense of future residents or cut down on savings until cyclical repair work funds are dangerously low.”
“They are regularly cut and if he has any knowledge of any reserve site which is unkempt and not properly maintained, please let me know. I will make sure that HDB discharges its responsibility fully. Dr Koh asked whether reserve sites could be converted into recreational area, preferably funded by the Government. Sir, in planning these housing estates and new towns, HDB is always conscious of the need to provide recreational amenities for the residents. Hence, there are adequate open spaces in every HDB estate and new town. These open spaces include town garden, neighbourhood park, precinct garden, and in the case of new towns, sports and swimming complexes. There is no need to make additional provision over and above what has already been made available. Reserve sites are earmarked for future development, as I said earlier, for residential, schools or other commercial uses. These sites are turfed in the interim and residents are free to use the turfed area for their recreational needs, if they like to. But if a town council is interested in developing additional recreational facility on the reserve site, then the town council should first write to my Ministry to find out what are the plans on the site, whether the piece of land will be available for interim use of about three to five years, or even more. If the land is not needed for immediate development, then my Ministry can consider proposals from town council to lease this land for development as interim recreational facilities. But since these are additional facilities over and above what HDB has already provided to the residents, I think the town council should be prepared to bear the cost of this development.”
“In fact, it is the essence of self management, it is a responsibility which Members and their appointed councillors must discharge. Similarly, if residents' expectation goes up, and there is a demand for more and better services, town councils must satisfy these demands either through innovative or productive ways of doing things or they must consider increasing service and conservancy charges to pay for the improved services. Sir, I will now take the other points which were raised by Members. Dr Koh Lip Lin has asked whether HDB will consult the town council over development of reserve sites within the town. Sir, let me point out that it takes many years to develop a new town, in some cases as long as 10 years, for example, Ang Mo Kio and Toa Payoh. The development of a new town cannot take place in one go. It takes place in steps, in phases. Hence, in every new town you will find parcels of land which are left vacant. These are the reserve sites. They are land belonging to the State. HDB manages the land on behalf of the Government. The future use of these reserve sites has in most instances been pre-determined for either residential, institutional, community or commercial uses. The ultimate development will be part and parcel of the new town. It will be in character with the rest of the new town. When new projects are proposed on these reserve sites, HDB will consider them in consultation with relevant planning authorities, including URA. I will ask HDB to keep town councils informed of new projects on these reserve sites as and when the developments are about to be finalised. Dr Koh has also commented on the maintenance of reserve sites. Sir, the reserve sites in these new towns are turfed in the first place.”
“Sir, the bottom line is that when cost of routine maintenance goes up due to normal cost increases, town councils are expected to adjust the service and conservancy charges accordingly to meet such increases. I am afraid that it will be contrary to the objective of handing over estate management to town councils if Government were to underwrite every cost increase. Let us be clear that while grants can be given to overcome present low charges for service and conservancy, it is not the intention of Government to cushion residents from the inevitable cost increases in the future. Even if the town councils had not been formed, HDB in the course of time would have had to revise the service and conservancy charges. In fact, Sir, since last year HDB has been receiving from Government the same operating grant as that given to town councils. HDB is also experiencing difficulty in maintaining standards at the current rate of service and conservancy charges. HDB is studying the situation and is considering a revision of the charges for estates still under HDB management. With the establishment of town councils, the increase of service and conservancy charges is no longer a centralized decision. If HDB revises its service and conservancy charges, town councils may find it necessary to do so too. But when to increase, how much to increase, how to spread out the increased cost, are questions which now every town council can decide for itself. These are questions which each town council must answer. Otherwise the present standard of service must drop. If the current low rate of service and conservancy charges is not amended, then the town council would not be able to maintain the standards. That is quite simple.”
“For such works, town councils can apply to the Community Improvement Projects Committee (CIPC) for funding. This is a new Committee set up to take the place of the former URSC. Under this funding scheme, Government will pay between 50% and 90% of the project cost up to a limit of $1/2 million per project. Already the Committee has approved 16 such projects amounting to about a million dollars. More projects will be evaluated for funding. If Dr Ho has any plans for upgrading the amenities within his town, he is welcomed to apply to the CIPC. Finally, Sir, more operational grants for cost increase related to estate management works. Mr Peh Chin Hua has brought up this point. He has also asked whether Government is prepared to increase the grant for estate management and maintenance work. Sir, the operating grant was generous to begin with. But of course over time there will be increase in estate management and maintenance cost. As wages go up, the cost of cleansing, rubbish removal and all the other works that have to be carried out day in day out in the town council will also go up. Recently, the shortage of workers has also caused added problems for town councils because town councils have to employ contractors with a large labour force to carry out estate maintenance work. My Ministry is aware of this problem and will be discussing with the Ministry of Labour to find some solution to the labour shortage problem. Sir, Mr Peh has quite correctly pointed out that the current service and conservancy charges are hardly sufficient to meet expenses. Town councils are able to show a balanced budget or a budget in surplus because of the Government grant.”
“Prudent investment of this fund should generate additional income to meet inflationary cost increases. Dr Ong Chit Chung says that the grant is insufficient to meet the new schedule of cyclical repair work, a new schedule which is based on a 7-year cycle instead of the old cycle. This applies only to certain items. For items such as repainting, I think he has a valid point there because the cyclical work programme was drawn up based on the standard in force in FY 86/87. Since then, HDB has upgraded its standard for certain cyclical works, including repainting. Where HDB is using more costly new materials which provide better service and last longer, for example, the use of new and more durable paint applied with more coatings and the use of ferro-cement slabs for re-roofing. The cyclical works grant for these items will be adjusted to take care of the increase in cost. Therefore, town councils will not lose out to estates which are still under HDB management. Town councils will get additional funds to carry out higher quality cyclical works during the initial 7-year period. In addition, Sir, Government is prepared to provide grants to fund specific works which are not budgeted under the cyclical works programme. For example, Government will pay for the replacement of lift car cages and the changing of water tanks. Other items within this general category which are also being considered for additional funding include replacement of unlined galvanized iron water pipes, repair of spalling concrete and replacement of the main soil discharge stack. Sir, the second category is more grants for improvement works. Dr Ho Tat Kin has asked for additional grants to provide the improvements in and about a town.”
“In addition, we have also taken into account the different mix and the age of the flats in each town council. We recognise that older flats will cost more to maintain. This factor was taken into account in working out the operating grant. Therefore, older flats, those more than 12 years old, received a grant which is 40% more than flats that are newer, less than 8 years old. Therefore, with this financial assistance package, every town council, if it is carefully managed, if the resources are carefully husband, will have adequate financial means to carry out its functions effectively. Members have now asked for more grants to carry out the cyclical works or to meet increased cost for service and conservancy work. I would like to explain our approach in dealing with this request. The request for more grants can broadly be classified into the following categories: (a) more grants for cyclical works; (b) more grants for improvement works; and (c) more grants for cost increase in estate management works. First, more grants for cyclical works. Government had agreed to pay for the cyclical works for 1-room to 4-room flats for a 7-year period. Therefore, the rates were based on what is required under the cyclical works programme. Encik Ibrahim Othman from Bedok GRC has asked for additional grants to meet higher cost of carrying out this cyclical work. Several other Members have also taken this point up. I would like to point out that the 7-year cyclical works grant was given to town councils in two instalments. The first instalment is for the full first term of the town council. This means that the town councils stand to gain substantial interest from the upfront payment of work which will not be required for another three to four years.”
“Sir, I will address a common theme which has been raised by several Members in moving this cut. This is the theme of seeking higher grants from the Government to help them to run the town councils. Let me, first of all, assure Members that the financial package which was formulated and announced in the last budget was formulated with the objective of making it viable for town councils to operate. We want every town council to have a chance to succeed. Sir, next I would like to reiterate the basic principle that we had adopted in working out a financial assistance package to town councils. This package comprised an operation grant to supplement town council's income from service and conservancy charges paid by the residents, and a cyclical works grant to meet the future cyclical works. Sir, the approach we took in working out the operating grants for town councils was to provide town councils with the same level of financing for estate management and maintenance as that provided to HDB. When we worked out the grant rates in 1988, we had the choice of using HDB's financial year 1986/87 or 1987/88 figures on routine maintenance and cyclical maintenance expenditure. The Government subsidy for HDB on these items was $49 million in financial year 1986/87 and $32 million in financial year 1987/88. There was a decrease during those two years of 35%. This decrease in Government subsidy was largely due to the improvement in the management and productivity gains within HDB. Sir, nonetheless we decided to choose the 1986/87 figure as a basis to work out the grants in order to provide town councils with a buffer against immediate cost increases when they take over the management of their estates.”
“Sir, as I said in the main answer, the piece of land across the road is reserved for school development. There is a need for a school in the area and if we use that piece of land to redevelop newer blocks of flats, then where do we build the school? We have to settle for a compromise. As far as this particular piece of land is concerned, we have just demolished one block of one-room flats. It is necessary to redevelop such vacant sites by building bigger and newer types of flats so as to introduce a better mix of residents into the neighbourhood. For that reason, we should continue with the development on the site vacated by the demolished one-room block and leave the vacant land across the road for school development which is also needed for the neighbourhood. BILL INTRODUCED NATIONAL PARKS BILL "to make provision for national parks and nature reserves, and to establish a National Parks Board and for matters connected therewith and to repeal the Nature Reserves Act (Chapter 205 of the 1985 Revised Edition)", presented by the Senior Minister of State for National Development (Dr Lee Boon Yang); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. ANNUAL BUDGET STATEMENT Order read for Resumption of Debate on Question [2nd March, 1990] [2nd Allotted Day], "That Parliament approves the financial policy of the Government for the financial year 1st April, 1990 to 31st March, 1991.". - [Minister for Finance]. Question again proposed. 12.37 pm”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, HDB is aware of the need for recreational facilities in residential neighbourhood, especially in neighbourhoods where redevelopment programmes will be initiated. It is for that reason that in my main answer I pointed out that a new playground and multi-purpose court will be provided. If there is sufficient land in the nearby areas for additional recreational facilities, I will ask HDB to consider, but we must always bear in mind that we can only do what is possible within the available land.”
“WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION ACT (Review of ceiling of compensation) 5. Encik Abbas Abu Amin asked the Minister for Labour whether he will consider reviewing the Workmen's Compensation Act with a view to increasing the ceiling of compensation in the light of improved wages of workers.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Construction Brigade (CB) Scheme was introduced in December 1981 with the objective of building up a regular pool of National Servicemen who are trained in the various construction trades to meet Civil Defence needs in the event of an emergency. It was revised in December 1985 to improve the standard of discipline and trade training for those enlisted under the Scheme. To date, a total of 10,205 CD National Servicemen have been enlisted under the CB Scheme. Currently, there are 2,488 full-time servicemen. The performance of the CB men has improved considerably as more have been sent to the Construction Industry Training Centre (CITC) for training. The number of servicemen qualifying at the multi-skill level has increased from 26.7% in 1986 to 42.6% in 1989. Correspondingly, the percentage of servicemen trained only at the general worker level has dropped from 23.9% in 1986 to 9.8% in 1989. This reflects the effort of the Singapore Joint Civil Defence Force in motivating our servicemen to take their training more seriously and to upgrade themselves to higher skill levels. The response of contractors is positive, with some even introducing incentive schemes to reward and motivate the servicemen deployed to them, while others have appointed the National Servicemen to be their site-checkers. The Construction Brigade servicemen have also shown substantial improvement in discipline. The absenteeism rate at worksites at one time used to be more than 30%. Over the last three years, this has improved under the revised scheme to an absenteeism rate of 14.2% in 1987, 5.4% in 1988 and 4.2% in 1989. A recent survey of Construction Brigade reservists shows that about 22% of them remain in the construction industry.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, it is a perfectly reasonable request. If neighbourhoods or precincts that have been upgraded make the proposal to HDB, I will certainly ask HDB to consider it and, where possible, to grant the request for the neighbourhood to have their own name to add to the identity. REFUSAL OF AIRSPACE OVER MALAYSIA TO PLANES FROM SINGAPORE'S FLYING CLUBS 2. Dr Lee Siew-Choh asked the Minister for Communications and Information whether he is aware of the refusal by the Malaysian Government of airspace over Malaysia to planes from Singapore's flying clubs and if he will make a statement. The Minister of State for Communications and Information (Mr Mah Bow Tan) (for the Minister for Communications and Information): Mr Speaker, Sir, from 17th August 1989, the Malaysian Department of Civil Aviation stopped giving the Singapore Flying College clearance to fly in Malaysian airspace. From 28th October 1989, flights by the Singapore Flying Club were also stopped. However, so far the Malaysian government has not officially informed the Singapore Government of the closure of its airspace to the Flying Club and the Flying College, or of its reasons for doing so. The Flying Club is a private hobby club. The Flying College is a commercial undertaking for training pilots. They are both not government organisations. They have informed the Government that until the ban, each time they used Malaysian airspace, they had notified the Malaysian aviation authorities in accordance with the requirements of the Malaysian Aeronautical Information Publication. The Flying College has requested the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) to appeal to the Malaysian authorities to allow flights to resume. CAAS has done so, and is now awaiting a reply from the Malaysians.”
“This would enable more people from religious groups to come forward to give their views, recommendations and clarify any issue for the consideration of the Committee so that the Bill could be refined.”
“I think the Council should also be allowed to request further evidence if necessary or to call upon persons to give evidence before a decision is made whether a prohibition order is to be continued, varied or revoked. This need to be given due consideration in view of clause 14 of the Bill, which states that all decisions made by the Minister and recommendations of the Council are final and shall not be questioned in court. Clause 8 (1)(a) of the Bill states that it is an offence to cause feelings of hatred between different religious groups. I would like to seek clarification of the term "religious groups". As for Muslims are concerned, they wonder whether this term include the Qadyanis (Ahmadis). Are Muslims, for instance, not going to be permitted any more to stop the Qadyanis from giving sermons that are deviationist in nature to Muslims? Further, how do Muslims stand with regard to clause 8(d) of the Bill, since in Islam politics and religion cannot be separated? The Government has to assure religious leaders that this Bill would not affect the missionary and other religious activities that they have been carrying out all this while. Religious freedom is enshrined in our Constitution. Examples of conduct prejudicial to religious harmony contained in the Annex to the White Paper involve foreign preachers. It would be in our interests if the local religious bodies which invite such persons could explain to them the multi-racial, multi-religious character of our country, so that the guest preachers would not touch upon sensitive issues, because one word out of line can mean very grave consequenses. We have heard many examples of this yesterday. Mr Speaker, I support the proposal to refer this Bill to a Select Committee.”
“Mr Speaker, we should not wait until the situation reaches a critical stage or until the problem gets out of hand before acting. The Bill now before us, as explained by the Minister for Home Affairs, and from what we have read in the White Paper issued by the Government, is a measure towards preserving a state of religious harmony in Singapore. The Bill is intended to maintain religious harmony and not curb religious freedom. Mr Speaker, I support this Bill for its sound and clear objectives. However, I would like to seek further clarification and consideration of the Hon. Minister in a number of respects. Clause 3(3) of the Bill states that the appointment of a member of the Presidential Council may be revoked at any time before the expiry of his term. One can imagine this provision affecting the integrity and fair judgment of members of the Council in their deliberations and recommendations to the Minister. The Presidential Council should have authority and be seen to be truly independent and fair in making its decisions or recommendations to the Minister. In other words, the Council should have members who are respected, of good judgment, and can command the confidence and enjoy the goodwill of the public. This aspect is even more important in view of the tasks given to the Council under clause 11 of the Bill, to make recommendations to the Minister responsible, as to whether a prohibition order should be continued, varied or revoked. Clause 11 also states that in its considerations, the Council is empowered only to consider facts and documents approved by the Minister.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, to answer the Member's question, I must refer him to the Ministry of Home Affairs' press statement on 10th July 1989 which announced the liberalisation of the rules on permanent residence. Sir, paragraph 2 of the press statement states: 'Up to now, graduates, professionals and entrepreneurs and their families can settle in Singapore under the Permanent Residence Scheme. The Government has now decided to offer permanent residence to technicians, craftsmen, skilled workers, white collar workers and self-employed persons.' The statement then goes on to spell out the criteria. It is therefore obvious from the press statement that the figure of 25,000, which was subsequently released by our Commissioner in Hong Kong, does not include professionals who had all along been eligible for permanent residence. MAINTENANCE OF RELIGIOUS HARMONY BILL Order read for Resumption of Debate on Question [22nd February, 1989], "That the Bill be now read a Second time." - [Minister for Home Affairs]. Question again proposed. 12.43 pm Encik Abbas Abu Amin (Pasir Panjang GRC)( In Malay): Mr Speaker, we must be thankful that our country is now enjoying a state of peace and prosperity. The stability and the progress we are now enjoying is due, amongst other factors, to a willingness to compromise and together maintain religious harmony among peoples of different beliefs and religious affiliations. The importance of maintaining and nurturing religious harmony is something that must be recognized by the plural society of Singapore. Many are of the view that existing laws, such as the ISA, are adequate to prevent fanatics and extremists from causing havoc.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, under the Relocation Programme, affected tenants will be granted priority allocation of either rental flats or purchase flats. This will minimize any inconvenience to the affected tenants of these rental flats because they would be able to find alternative accommodation as close as possible to their original residence. In the case of those who want to buy flats, they will also get priority when flats are available in the nearby area. INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS (Financial support schemes) 4. Mr Chng Hee Kok asked the Minister for Education if he will give details of the various financial support schemes for independent school fees and the number of applications.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in January 1989, my Minister informed the Member that redevelopment in Tiong Bahru is likely to start in 1990. Redevelopment will begin with the site above the Tiong Bahru MRT station which will be tendered out for commercial development sometime this year. Public housing redevelopment for the constituency will commence later. PENSIONERS (Particulars) 16. Dr Lee Siew-Choh asked the Minister for Finance (a) whether he will give a breakdown of the number of pensioners who receive pensions of less than $400 p.m., $600 p.m. and $800 p.m.; and (b) whether he will consider increasing the allowances of pensioners who draw less than $800 per month.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I will be very happy to ask HDB to look into the Member's request. TIONG BAHRU GRC (Redevelopment of some areas) 15. Dr S. Vasoo asked the Minister for National Development whether plans have been finalised for the redevelopment of some areas in Tiong Bahru GRC; and, if so, when such plans will be implemented.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the vacant land adjacent to the Simei MRT Station is earmarked for commercial, institutional and residential development. HDB, however, has no immediate plans to develop this parcel of land.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, those who dropped out or withdrew from the waiting list because they have not succeeded to either select a New Town or a flat will have to re-apply to purchase flats under the new booking system when these flats are offered for selection. Amongst these applicants, there may be some, as the Member has indicated, who find that their present income level has now exceeded the permitted limit, which is $5,000 per month. I will ask HDB to consider exempting this group of applicants from the income ceiling when they subsequently re-submit applications under the new booking system. DEPLETION OF OZONE LAYER 3. Dr Wong Kwei Cheong asked the Minister for the Environment what measures the Government has taken to minimise the shrinking of the ozone layer.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, when the booking system was implemented on 3rd July 1989, there were about 40,000 applicants on the waiting list for 4-room, 5-room and Executive flats. These 40,000 applicants have been dealt with as follows. First, 30,000 of them have been successfully assigned to New Towns of their choice. They are being invited in batches to book flats. So far, 2,200 applicants have been invited to book flats in the Towns of their choice. out of these, 1,800 have selected their flats. The balance of 400 will be presumed to have withdrawn their applications if they do not select a flat. That leaves us with another 10,000 applicants. Out of these 10,000 applicants, 4,000 applicants did not get a New Town of their choice either because they did not indicate a sufficient number of New Towns or they put all their choices in one or two popular New Towns. These 4,000 are considered to have withdrawn their applications. They can apply for flats under the new booking system or buy one under the Walk-In-Selection Scheme or from the resale market. 3,000 out of the 10,000 withdrew their applications and dropped out completely from the waiting list. Finally, another 3,000 have either purchased flats under the Walk-In Selection Scheme or from the resale market. Sir, all those who have decided to withdraw their applications will have their down-payments refunded completely.”
“HDB flats are sold to our citizens on a subsidized basis and we have gone through all this before. The fact that they have been sold by the owners on the resale market does not mean that the owners have fully exploited the potential because the supply of HDB flats is there. It is for that reason that the prices of HDB flats even on the resale market are still lower than private housing. The element of subsidy is to some extent carried forward. Otherwise, some of our newer HDB resale flats, like Executive flats, ought to cost more, if not the same as some private housing. But the Member knows that this is not so. I think it is for this reason alone that we ought to continue with this policy of requiring a citizen or a PR within the family nucleus for eligibility to purchase HDB flats. HDB NEW FLAT ALLOCATION SYSTEM (Number of selections and withdrawals) 2. Dr Wang Kai Yuen asked the Minister for National Development how many applicants have selected their Housing and Development Board flats since the HDB changed its allocation system in 1989; and how many applicants have withdrawn their applications after failing to get the estates of their choice.”
“I think that is a gross misunderstanding of the policy. If a Singapore citizen has a family here and it is quite likely that in due course he will be able to sponsor his other family members to become permanent residents, then he will be able to enjoy the benefits of public housing. The Member is trying to compare with some of the new permanent residents. May I remind the Member that new permanent residents must also comply with our family nucleus requirement. Therefore, it is not a case of a single person coming here as a permanent resident and suddenly he becomes eligible to purchase a resale flat in the open market. He must also have a family and the family must comply with our requirement; ie, within the family, there must be at least one other permanent resident.”
“Mr Speaker, that is a very lengthy question. I do not really know which particular part of the question I should address. But let me assure the Member that the our policy on eligibility for public housing should be fair to our Singaporeans and should treat our Singaporeans better, if not equal, to permanent residents, and this is regardless of whether they are old or new permanent residents.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, any Singaporean is eligible to buy an HDB flat from the resale market provided he complies with the other requirement, ie, family nucleus. And within the family nucleus, he must have either a citizen or another PR.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the parcel of land bounded by Strathmore Avenue, Dawson Road and Alexandra Canal has already been earmarked for the building of additional flats under the new booking system. Tender for this project will be called in the middle of next year. I have already informed Members in April this year that the central area will be redeveloped more slowly in order to tie up with the comprehensive urban planning and to optimise the long term potential of the land. There are no plans at present for further development in the Strathmore Avenue area. TEACHING OF RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE IN SCHOOLS (Statement by the Minister for Education) 1.05 pm”
“Mr Speaker, the HDB has no plans to convert the flats in Block 105 at Commonwealth Crescent into bigger units. This block is scheduled for demolition by the middle of 1990 to make way for future development. STRATHMORE AVENUE AREA (Building of HDB flats) 14. Mr Chay Wai Chuen asked the Minister for National Development whether the Housing and Development Board will reconsider building more flats/apartments in the Strathmore Avenue area under the new registration scheme.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, tender for the conversion of Block 609 at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5 has been called. The tender will be closed in early October 1989 and work will commence in December 1989. The conversion work is expected to complete in December 1990. The existing 320 units of 2-room flats will be converted into 80 units of 4-room 'Model A' flats and 40 units of 5-room 'Model A' flats. BLOCK 105, COMMONWEALTH CRESCENT (Conversion into bigger flats) 13. Mr Chay Wai Chuen asked the Minister for National Development whether the Housing and Development Board has finalized any plans to convert the flats in the vacant Block 105 at Commonwealth Crescent into bigger units.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, as I said in my main answer, the mini-market will be tendered out in October 1989 and the rest of the shops will be ready soon. As far as the shops in Blocks 846 and 848 are concerned, they will be tendered out after the conversion in late 1990. BLOCK 609, ANG MO KIO (Conversion into bigger flats) 12. Dr Koh Lip Lin asked the Minister for National Development whether and when Block 609 at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5 will be converted into bigger flats.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, there is a delay in selling 47 shop units in Blocks 846 and 848 of Neighbourhood 8, Yishun New Town, because these shops cannot be sold until the flats above them are converted. The conversion is now in progress and will be completed in late 1990. Meanwhile, adequate shopping facilities are available in Neighbourhood 8 to serve the residents. These include 45 shops, 12 market-produce shops, 7 eating houses, 1 mini-market and 1 shoplet. Tender to let out the mini-market in Block 845 will be called in October 1989.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Public Works Department has an on-going programme to upgrade street lighting. The street lighting along Bedok North Road is scheduled to be upgraded in 1990. In the meantime, Sir, the PWD has inspected the site at night and found some overgrown tree branches partially obstructing the street light. The Parks and Recreation Department has pruned these branches to provide temporary improvement. NON-TAMIL INDIAN PUPILS (Study of mother tongue as second language) 4. Mr Davinder Singh asked the Minister for Education whether his Ministry has any plans to allow non-Tamil Indian pupils to study their own mother tongue as a second language.”
“No doubt it is a difficult task to monitor and see whether the owner is actually living in his flat and for how long. But let me assure the Member that HDB will be able to monitor. BEDOK NORTH ROAD (Upgrading of street lighting) 3. Mr Teo Chong Tee asked the Minister for National Development whether the Public Works Department will upgrade the street lighting along Bedok North Road beginning from its junction with New Upper Changi Road.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, if the Hongkonger and some of his family members are eligible by relocating in Singapore and wish to purchase a flat, we will allow them to do so. Subsequently, if only he himself wants to occupy the flat, it will also be allowed. The important point is that the applicant, the owner of the flat, must live in the flat.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, Singapore permanent residents who purchase resale flats from the open market must abide by the following conditions. First, the flats must be owner-occupied. Second, the lessees must live in the flats for 30 months before the flats can be resold on the open market. Third, each family nucleus is only allowed to own one HDB flat. Fourth, no subletting of the entire flat is allowed. Sir, with these safeguards, we will be able to prevent permanent residents from buying resale HDB flats for speculative purposes.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, as I have said in my main answer, if there are public facilities which are old and need upgrading in these old private residential estates, my Ministry will certainly look into them and upgrade them in due course. HDB RESALE FLATS (Purchase by permanent residents for speculative purposes) 2. Dr Wong Kwei Cheong asked the Minister for National Development what steps are being taken by the Government to ensure that permanent residents will not buy resale Housing and Development Board flats for speculative purposes.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, adjacent to the existing bus interchange in the Serangoon Town Centre are 72 shops, 14 market-produce shops, a mini-market, one eating house and two family restaurants. In addition to these existing facilities, an area office, a fast food restaurant, 11 shops and 24 offices are under construction and due for completion by 1990. These additional facilities, when operational, will help to liven up the Town Centre. All the above facilities are located within easy reach of the residents and will be sufficient to cater to their needs. HDB therefore has no plans to build a cooked food centre next to the bus interchange. DISTRIBUTION OF UNDESIRABLE PUBLICATIONS THROUGH FAX 24. Mr S. Chandra Das asked the Minister for Communications and Information whether he is aware that, with the advent of the facsimile machine, it is possible for distributors to proliferate undesirable publications, thus circumventing censorship; and, if so, what steps are being taken to curb this loophole.”