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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“The Committee has also recommended that these grants will take into account the age of the estate. The Committee also recommended that initially Government provide town councils with annual grants to cover expenditure on the periodic repair, maintenance redecoration work and that these grants will be dependent on the type of flats within the town council. This is to enable each town council time to build up sufficient sinking funds to finance future cyclical repair works. I believe I have addressed all the points raised by the hon. Members.”
“HDB is aware that as a result of the centralization there were some initial inconvenience caused to the residents. In order to reduce this inconvenience the Board has introduced various measures. The Member for Jalan Kayu is aware of this. He has touched on this. For instance, the payment of rent and loan installments through GIRO, renewal of season parking tickets can be carried out by post, and also by the inter-bank GIRO. HDB is also encouraging residents to refer more of their requests and enquiries through telephone or correspondence instead of calling personally at the Ang Mo Kio office. Furthermore, residents can now also pay their current monthly rent and loan instalments at the town council office. So in Ang Mo Kio there is more than one office to serve residents in this regard. With these measures, HDB expects to be able to improve the central area office concept. Ultimately the scheme will yield productivity gain and improve efficiency, which will also benefit residents of the housing estates. Sir, I now turn to the Member for Fengshan on his remarks about the distribution of funds and support from HDB to the town councils and the differences between old and new public housing estates. Sir, last year a working committee to look into the drafting of the appropriate legislation for the formation of town councils was set up. The Committee has almost completed its work and legislation will be presented to Parliament in due course. The Committee is aware of the differences between the maintenance cost of older housing estates compared to the newer housing estates. The Committee has recommended that operating grants be given to town councils to help to pay for day-to-day maintenance.”
“For instance, right after the formation of a town council, the board will provide each council with essential data and plans of the estate that are under their jurisdiction. Information on certain contract agreements will be supplied to help the council in tendering for the maintenance and service contracts. Sir, if the town council wish to tap more directly HDB's expertise and experience in estate management they can do so. The HDB will form a private company to offer estate management services to the councils. The councils can hire this private company to carry out the management and maintenance works. Sir, the Member for Jalan Kayu has raised the issue of a central area office in Ang Mo Kio. When the Ang Mo Kio pilot town councils were formed in September 1986, the management and maintenance functions of the housing estates were entrusted to the pilot town councils. Together with this, three out of the four HDB area offices in Ang Mo Kio were allocated to the three pilot town councils to be used as town council office. Since HDB has to retain the housing administration function, the Board centralized these functions at the Ang Mo Kio central area office to serve the entire Ang Mo Kio New Town. There was no plan despite the Member for Jalan Kayu's comment for the idea to ensure the failure of the town council concept. In fact, the centralization took place because of the need to rearrange the services of the town area office in line with the new functions to be devolved to the town councils. The HDB has also used this rearrangement in Ang Mo Kio as a pilot project to test out the Board's plan to centralize and streamline its estate management function in other areas.”
“Similarly, if HDB finds that a particular project for improving public housing estates is necessary, it will implement this programme in both town council constituencies and also those constituencies which have yet to form their town councils. Sir, I now turn to the Member for Yishun. I am glad to hear that despite the initial doubts, the Member for Yishun has concluded that the town council concept is workable and it has been successful so far in the context of the Ang Mo Kio pilot town councils. He asked that HDB should not regard town councils as competitors. I would like to once again reassure him that HDB does not regard town councils as competitors. On the contrary, HDB regards town councils as cooperators in tackling the task of managing public housing estates. The HDB will cooperate with the town councils in the management of the housing estates because it is in the mutual interest of both HDB and the town councils to do so. First, HDB as the land owner will continue to have an interest in the housing estates. It will be looking forward to a fruitful relationship with the town councils. Secondly, the HDB as the housing developer will need feedback from the residents via the town councils in order to further improve the design and construction of public housing. Thirdly, there is a reservoir of expertise and experience in estate management within HDB which can be made available to town councils. The three pilot projects in Ang Mo Kio have shown how this concept can work in practice. The HDB is already preparing for the formation of more town councils in other constituencies. Practical measures to get newly formed town councils started are being drawn up.”
“Sir, my Minister will reply and give his response to the hon. Member for Punggol later on. I would like to respond to the Members who spoke on town councils. Sir, the Member for Chong Boon has asked that the HDB should not disadvantage town councils once the concept is applied more widely. I would like to reiterate that the objective of forming town councils is really to enable residents of public housing estates to participate in the management of these housing estates. The town councils will provide residents with the means of realizing their own ideas of improving their immediate living environment. The residents can decide on how the physical environment can be improved or upgraded according to their priorities and available resources. If town councils live up to this expectation and I have no reason, hearing the various comments of hon. Members, not to believe that they will do so, in time to come the different public housing estates may develop distinctive characteristics of their own. I think this will help to enhance residents' sense of belonging and also foster community pride. Sir, differences will arise, not as a result of HDB disadvantaging town councils or other constituencies but they will arise purely as a result of the town councils' effort to improve their own housing estates. I would like to reassure the Member for Chong Boon that HDB will not work against the interest of town councils in continuing with its building and redevelopment programme. Town councils will not be disadvantaged in any way. When the Board embarks on a programme to rejuvenate and upgrade older estates, it will implement the programme whether the estates fall under town council management or it is still being managed by HDB.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, HDB does not build flats for speculation. It builds flats to meet the need. But the process of building flats takes many years - the planning and building of these flats - so sometimes there is a mismatch between demand and supply. In the case of the Anthony Garden flats, at the present moment there is a surplus of HUDC flats. There are, in fact, 946 units available but that should not be taken to mean that HDB is building flats purely for speculative reasons. At the moment, there are applications for such HUDC flats and flats are being sold in other areas. TAXI STANDS AT MRT STATIONS 14. Mr Teo Chong Tee asked the Minister for Communications and Information whether taxi stands will be provided at or near Mass Rapid Transit stations. The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communications and Information (Mr Ho Kah Leong) (for the Minister for Communications and Information): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, on behalf of my Minister. Sir, the answer is yes. Taxi stands have been provided for all the 14 MRT stations which are now in operation. For the other MRT stations, taxi stands will also be provided at or near the stations. CHANGI CONNECTION INCENTIVE SCHEME AND FREE CITY TOURS (Response) 15. Dr Arthur Beng Kian Lam asked the Minister for Communications and Information what is the response to the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore's Changi Connection Incentive Scheme and free city tours for passengers in transit to see the sights of Singapore with a view to attracting them back to Singapore for a longer visit; and whether the CAAS has introduced other promotional programmes.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, 36% of the flats at Anthony Garden were tenanted as at 31st January 1988. Sir, the HDB has no immediate plans to sell these flats to the public. When market conditions are favourable, the HDB will sell the flats at the prevailing market prices.”
“As an illustration, during the period of November 1987 to February 1988, CAAS approved a total of 264 supplementary flights between Singapore and Australia. These were mounted by Qantas and SIA. CAAS also holds regular meetings with travel agents and airlines to monitor and determine when and where shortages may occur. The objective is to help airlines plan for such supplementary flights. For the future, CAAS is exploring with civil aviation authorities in other countries the possibility of automatic increases in services should demand exceed certain trigger points or load factors. If such an approach is accepted, then services will match more closely the demands without undue delays resulting from prolonged negotiations. Sir, while all these measures can help alleviate difficulties, passengers sometimes aggravate the situation by over-booking. For example, some passengers wanting a flight will book flights on several different days, or even several flights on different airlines on the same day. Quite obviously, this can result in bona fide travellers being left without seats because flights appear to be fully booked. Passengers can help by informing airlines of any change in their travel plans early, so that seats can then be allocated to others. With cooperation from all quarters, the problem of difficulty in securing flights out of Singapore can be resolved. FORGED DRIVING LICENCES 7. Mr Teo Chong Tee asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether the Traffic Department has received reports of forged Singapore driving licences and whether a new type of driving licence will be introduced to replace the present handwritten one in the foreseeable future.”
“It takes lengthy negotiations and considerable amount of time for air services agreements to be concluded. To date, we have a total of 67 air services agreements with other countries. In recent years, there have been sharp increases in air travel wordwide. As a result of that, some routes and services are unable to cope with the increased demand. Some of the difficulties experienced recently in getting confirmed seats are for flights to Japan, Australia and New Zealand. The situation is especially acute during the peak periods of school holidays in Singapore in the months of June and November to February, when increasing numbers of Singaporeans and residents fly off to these countries for their holidays. Fortunately, our active and continuous negotiations have been fruitful. In September last year, we reached agreement with Japan to add two more weekly flights from November 1987 and another two more weekly services from 1st April this year. We are scheduled to meet the Japanese authorities again sometime this year to discuss further capacity increases. Also in November 1987, Singapore and Australia agreed to increase capacity between the two countries by a total of seven weekly services from December 1987. We also had discussions with New Zealand last year to increase services between our two countries. Another round of negotiation is planned for the first half of 1988. On top of the negotiations, CAAS also encourages airlines to mount supplementary flights. Where these flights exceed the provisions of air services agreements and where negotiations for more flights are not completed, CAAS has freely granted additional traffic rights.”
“Sir, the ROV requires all cars imported into Singapore to meet the same standards as those required in the country of manufacture. Standards have been in existence for a long time and do not vary significantly from country to country. They cover safety standards and checks on manufacturing defects. Besides relying on the certification of standards by the car manufacturing countries, the ROV also conducts a thorough check on prototypes before the particular model of car is allowed to be imported, to ensure general compliance with stated standards. The test is similar to the mandatory periodic inspections required for all Singapore registered vehicles. Most of the cars imported into Singapore are from large international companies. These manufacturers have a vested interest to maintain their reputation and manufacturing standards, not only in Singapore but internationally. Hence, whenever manufacturing defects are discovered, the manufacturers do not hesitate to request their local agents to check and rectify these defects. AIR TRAVEL (Problem of Confirming Flights) 6. Dr Arthur Beng Kian Lam asked the Minister for Communications and Information if he will comment on reports that travellers have difficulties in getting confirmed flights to certain destinations and what has been done to resolve this problem. The Minister for Communications and Information (Dr Yeo Ning Hong): Mr Speaker, Sir, in civil aviation, Singapore practises what is termed in the industry as the "open skies" policy. We actively seek to exchange air rights with other countries to provide passengers with the maximum choice and convenience of travel. However, not all countries practise this policy of free and open competition.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the relocation exercise is being carried out in phases. The existing stock of rental flats is 120,000 units. Under Phase 1, some 39,000 units of these rental flats are affected. They will be demolished when the tenants affected are completely relocated. The numbers affected in Phase 2 and subsequent phases will be reviewed in the light of experience of Phase 1. It is not the intention to demolish all rental flats. Some 3-4% of the population will continue to require rental flats. These include people who cannot afford or who do not need home-ownership flats, newly-weds and other groups who rent housing as an intermediate step before upgrading to buy their flats. The HDB will retain sufficient numbers of rental flats to cater to their needs. Sir, the rental flats that will be retained will be subject to the normal maintenance cycle. In addition, the general environment of the rental blocks that remain will be improved through the redevelopment of some of the vacated sites. New amenities and landscaped areas will be included in such redevelopment programmes. Thirdly, Sir, the age limit of 29 years is based on the average national marriage age. Until such time when there is a significant change in this national average, the HDB has no plans to review the existing age limit. MANUFACTURING DEFECTS OF IMPORTED VEHICLES 5. Mr Teo Chong Tee asked the Minister for Communications and Information what measures are being taken by the Registry of Vehicles to ensure that vehicles imported into Singapore are free of manufacturing defects and safe on our roads. The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communications and Information (Mr Ho Kah Leong) (for the Minister for Communications and Information): Sir, I am answering on behalf of my Minister.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, certainly HDB will take note of the Member's comment and I will ask them to make sure that future relocation programmes are phased in such a way that there will be minimal disruption. But I cannot promise the hon. Member that there will be no disruption at all. 1- AND 2-ROOM HDB FLATS (Particulars) 4. Dr S. Vasoo asked the Minister for National Development (a) if he will indicate the number of 1-room and 2-room Housing and Development Board flats that will be retained after the relocation exercise; (b) whether there will be plans to upgrade these flats; and (c) whether the HDB will review the age criteria set for application for these flats.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I regret I do not have the exact quantum of fines collected for the year.”
“Sir, the recent change in land acquisition compensation will increase the Government's cost of acquiring land for public development including public housing. In the case of land for public housing, this increased cost to Government has to be met by either taxpayers or by HDB flat purchasers. The prices of HDB flats are not determined solely by land cost and construction cost. HDB prices its flats to keep them within the limits of affordability by Singaporeans. While the Board tries to adopt more market-related practices such as premium and discount pricing, flats will continue to be priced to achieve our policy of a full home-owning society. The recent change in land acquisition compensation will not in itself result in higher prices of HDB flats. VEGETABLES (Checks on pesticide levels) The following question stood in the name of Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon - 3. To ask the Minister for the Environment whether his Ministry will intensify its checks on vegetables in Singapore to ensure that they are fit for human consumption in view of the death of 26 birds at the Jurong Bird Park caused by the consumption of vegetables containing high levels of pesticides.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, PWD constantly re-assesses its designs for overhead pedestrian bridges. If there is a need and if it is cost-beneficial to improve the design and provide cover, then it would be considered. COMMUNITY HOSPITAL IN SERANGOON NEW TOWN 6. Mr Goh Choon Kang asked the Acting Minister for Health whether his Ministry will consider building a community hospital in Serangoon New Town. The Acting Minister for Health (Mr Yeo Cheow Tong): Sir, there are no plans at present to build a community hospital in Serangoon New Town. As I had stated in this House on 25th March 1986, my Ministry plans to build two community hospitals during the next 6 to 7 years. The first community hospital will be built in Ang Mo Kio New Town. As the concept of a community hospital is a new one, my Ministry would like to review the position after the initial years of operation before building the second in the early 1990s. The exact location has not been decided yet. PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL Order read for Resumption of Debate on Question [11th January, 1988], "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Question again proposed. 11.10 am”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, it is the Public Works Department's practice not to provide a covered overhead pedestrian bridge if it is not connected directly to buildings at both ends. The overhead pedestrian bridge under construction at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6 near the Yio Chu Kang Mass Rapid Transit station is not connected to any building and will not therefore be provided cover. It would only make sense to provide a sheltered overhead pedestrian bridge if the bridge under construction is extended 70 metres to the Mass Rapid Transit station at one end and 20 metres to the nearest HDB flat (Block 636) at the other. Such a covered overhead pedestrian bridge will cost $422,000 as against the bridge under construction which will cost $238,000.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, a variety of farming activities is allowed on these plots of land. They range from cultivation of vegetables and food crops to orchids and ornamental plants. There is even a tender for one plot of land to be used for aquarium fish, bird and dog breeding. Other uses include 10 plots of land that have been tendered out for turf production on a three-year tenancy agreement. NEWS BLACKOUT ON WORKERS' PARTY The following question stood in the name of Mr Chiam See Tong- 3. To ask the Minister for Communications and Information whether he is aware that the television and radio have blacked out all news concerning the Workers' Party and, if so, what are the reasons for doing so.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in the tendering exercises, the response has been very good. Of the 40 plots that have been tendered out, 38 plots of land have been allocated to local farmers who have been successful in their bid and who have made plans to start up their farms. The other two plots have been tendered out to local companies who are interested in diversifying into agri-business.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, with the development of Agrotechnology Parks at Loyang, Tampines, Jalan Kayu, Nee Soon, Mandai, Sungei Tengah, Hong Kah, Murai, Ama Keng and Lim Chu Kang, about 1,500 hectares of land will be made available for non-pollutive farming. The land will be allocated in phases as and when the infrastructural works are completed. As at 31st December 1987, 40 plots of land at Sungei Tengah, Murai and Loyang totalling 137 hectares have been allocated by tenders for intensive high-tech farming. In addition, with the phasing out of pig farming in Jalan Kayu and Punggol, about 180 hectares of land will be available for short-term non-pollutive farming on three-year tenancy agreements. In these two areas, 49 plots totalling 60 hectares have been tendered out.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, as I have said in my main answer, HDB will consider such proposals. LAND FOR NON-POLLUTIVE FARMING 2. Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for National Development what acreage of State land has been tendered out for non-pollutive farming activities as at the latest convenient date and where, and how many more parcels and acreage of land will be tendered out.”
“Indeed, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, PWD is examining the various possibilities. There are also trying to expedite the clearance and consider alternatives such as the one suggested by the Member of Jalan Kayu. FAR EASTERN ECONOMIC REVIEW (Import of restricted copies) 16. Mr Yeo Choo Kok asked the Minister for Communications and Information if he will allow distributors other than the one already nominated by the Far Eastern Economic Review to import the restricted 500 copies of the magazine, in view of the FEER's declared refusal to circulate the magazine in Singapore.”
“Sir, there are several obstacles towards the early completion of this section of the Central Expressway. There are indeed some commercial operators who are located right on the site of the Central Expressway and clearance is still pending.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Central Expressway from Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5 to Yio Chu Kang was to have been completed by March 1988. However, due to several site encumbrances requiring clearance and resettlement, completion is now delayed to the end of the year.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am afraid I do not have the specific figures with me at the moment,but I would be quite happy to let the Member for Punggol have these figures separately. CENTRAL EXPRESSWAY (Northward extension) 15. Mr Heng Chiang Meng asked the Minister for National Development when the northward extension of the Central Expressway to Yio Chu Kang Road will be ready.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, among the people who are affected, as the Member for Potong Pasir has mentioned, if their particular premises are affected for any of the reasons which I have just listed in my answer to him, then this is in fact the best time for them to move out when there is already a glut of alternative premises. I have just pointed out to him his myopic ideas, and if we were to follow them, it would only result in creating more problems for those very people whom he wishes to help. CONSTRUCTION AND SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRIES (Steps to reduce accidents) 23. Encik Abbas Abu Amin asked the Minister for Labour what steps are being taken by his Ministry to monitor and further reduce the accident rates in the construction and shipbuilding industries.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have already given him the answer as to why we feel that the clearance programme should not be slowed down now. The Member for Potong Pasir is advocating a policy which, if we were to implement, would mean that we would only speed up or we would only carry out clearance programme when there is a shortage of vacant shops or vacant alternative premises for those who are going to be affected by clearance. Sir, I think such a policy would lead to greater problems and stresses on those who are affected by clearance because you are then asking them to move out. In a situation where there is physically a shortage of alternative places for them to go to, you are forcing them to move and they have to pay a higher price. We would not be able to carry out our clearance programme fairly and expeditiously if we were to try to do so in a situation where there is a shortage of alternative premises and I would not support such myopic policies. Mr Chiam See Tong: Does the Minister realize that the clearance policy involves hundreds of households and, in fact, many businesses are affected? I am not asking this question in a vacuum. I have got complaints. Many people who are now enjoying rent-controlled premises have to go into HDB premises which they cannot carry on business because of the high rentals. Even if you give them a breathing space, now that there is a glut or I should say there is a shortage of demand for premises, should not this policy then be slowed down in the light of new situation?”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, that waiting period will depend on each particular site. It will be very difficult for me to give him now a figure which can be universally applied. It depends exactly on how many tenants are using the particular piece of land and what is the ownership, how is that land being distributed, and what other constraints apply to that piece of land.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, once again, on behalf of my Minister. Sir, the clearance programme is necessary for two main reasons. First, sites have to be cleared for public purposes like road widening, tourism projects, or for environmental reasons in the case of unsewered properties. Clearance of such sites has to go on as planned. Second, sites have to be cleared for comprehensive redevelopmemnt. A long lead time of up to several years is required to clear and demolish a site for comprehensive redevelopment. This is because the land is usually fragmented into many lots, each of which has multiple tenants. A comprehensive redevelopment plan is a long term plan. It is based on the long term needs of our city. It should not be turned on or off in simple reaction to the market conditions of today. A glut of office and shopping space is, in fact, an opportunity to accelerate the resettlement programme.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, on behalf of my Minister. Before 1st April 1985, HDB acted as Government's agent and acquired and held land for its own use in future and in some cases for release to other Government agencies. Since 1st April 1985, all undeveloped land was handed over to the Government. Only 7,000 hectares of land were returned to the Government. In FY 85/86 and FY 86/87, the HDB purchased about 1,300 hectares of land from the Government for its public housing and related developments. The return of land to Government is not the result of HDB scaling down its construction. The projected gross demand for HDB flats takes into consideration applicants on its waiting list, households affected by clearance or redevelopment, formation of new households, and those upgrading to bigger flats. HDB works out its projected net demand after deducting the stock at hand, works-in-progress, and flats likely to become available when households upgrade to bigger flats. In the long term HDB will move in the direction of requiring some form of prior commitment from purchasers before starting actual construction of flats. This will help the Board to forecast demand more accurately. CLEARANCE AND DEMOLITION OF RENT-CONTROLLED PREMISES 22. Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Minister for National Development, in view of the great number of vacant plots of land and unoccupied office space available in the urban areas, whether he will consider stopping or slowing down the programme of clearance and demolition of rent-controlled premises.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I thank the Member for Bo Wen for his support of the amendment of the Bill. The Member for Bo Wen noted that rehabilitation effort so far has been rather thin. We share his concern and it is precisely for this reason that we seek to provide SCORE with a broader range of functions and activities to enable it to do more for the rehabilitative efforts of both prisoners and inmates. Sir, the Member for Bo Wen also asked whether SCORE would do more for the short-term prisoners. He noted that these prisoners seem to have a higher recidivism. Following the amendment to the SCORE Act, SCORE will no doubt be exploring ways and means to further complement the works of other agencies in rehabilitating prisoners, both short-term and those serving long-term. In doing so, I am sure SCORE will use its new abilities with this amendment to develop more comprehensive programme to strengthen the rehabilitative efforts of these short-term prisoners. On that note, I would like to urge Members to give their support to this Bill. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Dr Lee Boon Yang]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. ACCOUNTANTS BILL Order for Second Reading read.”
“With that note, I would like to support the Bill.”
“Sir, there are some technical amendments such as making the financial year of SCORE from 1st January to 31st December. This change was requested by the Auditor-General upon the Public Accounts Committee's recommendation that the financial years of statutory boards be staggered so as to spread the audit load. Other minor amendments alter the composition of the members of the Corporation and enable SCORE to employ a full-time Chief Executive Officer. Sir, the rehabilitation of every prisoner, drug addict or inhalant abuser is a continuous process from the time he is admitted to his release or discharge. SCORE is only one of the agencies involved in this rehabilitative process and these amendments will enable it to discharge its role more positively. Sir, I beg to move. Question proposed. Dr S. Vasoo (Bo Wen): Sir, I rise in support of the Bill. It is gratifying to note that drug addicts will also benefit from these changes of SCORE's objectives. Despite this suggestion, I think the rehabilitation of discharged prisoners has been rather thin. And I am pleased to note that discharged prisoners will ultimately benefit from future rehabilitation programmes that are going to be devised by SCORE. I note that SCORE's efforts in trying to build up vocational training and work release programmes and pre-release work programmes for discharged prisoners are on the increase. I hope that SCORE, having accumulated sufficient resources and expertise, will be able to meet the needs of discharged prisoners. Sir, I assess that there is a need to look at rehabilitation needs of short-term prisoners because recidivism seems to be high with short-term prisoners. Will SCORE be spending more effort directing its programme at these short-term prisoners who are released or who are discharged?”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, on behalf of my Minister, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Since it was set up in 1975, the Singapore Corporation of Rehabilitative Enterprises (SCORE) has provided vocational skills and employment opportunities for prison inmates and drug addicts. It has complemented the treatment and rehabilitation programmes of the Prisons Department and other agencies. The principal reason for amending this Bill is to ensure that inhalant abusers will also benefit from SCORE's rehabilitation and vocational facilities. The Bill therefore seeks to expand the scope of the Corporation so that it can provide rehabilitative services, including aftercare to prisoners, drug addicts as well as inhalant abusers. Sections 15 and 16 of the principal Act are amended to enable SCORE to provide rehabilitative and aftercare services to prisoners and inmates before and after their discharge from custody. It also provides for SCORE to cooperate with and assist other agencies and bodies in the provision of such services. Hitherto, SCORE's functions have been confined to rehabilitation within the prisons. With this amendment, SCORE can actively cooperate in rehabilitative and/or aftercare services, particularly for discharged inmates which will include drug addicts, and now inhalant abusers. This is a logical extension and I hope Members will welcome it. It will enable SCORE to devise and implement rehabilitation and aftercare programmes and schemes which will provide effective follow-up on discharged prisoners and inmates, including inhalant abusers. Such services could be in the areas of professional counselling and guidance, including SCORE's recruitment of experts and professional counsellors.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, Blocks 104 and 106 in Depot Road come under Phase 1A of the relocation exercise which is scheduled for completion by the end of 1988. The site where these blocks now stand will be redeveloped. The timing and type of development have not yet been finalized.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, Serangoon South Estate will be completed by September 1988. The Estate will have 27 blocks with 2,096 flats of the following types: 4-room : 1,376 5-room : 484 Executive : 236 Total : 2,096 The development of the estate involves four contracts. The first three contracts are scheduled for completion by May 1988 while the fourth contract is scheduled for completion in September 1988. A jogging track will be built in the estate. SERANGOON NEW TOWN (Feeder Bus Services to nearby MRT stations) The following Question stood in the name of Mr Goh Choon Kang - 18. To ask the Minister for Communications and Information whether the Singapore Bus Service (1978) Limited will provide feeder bus services between Serangoon New Town and the nearby Mass Rapid Transit stations.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, all the 5,000 dwelling units at Serangoon Central have been completed. As regards the development of Serangoon Town Centre in Serangoon Central, three contracts have been called so far. The facilities to be provided under these contracts include a bus interchange and commercial facilities such as a mini-supermarket and lock-up shops. They are scheduled for completion by the end of 1987. No hawker centre will be built in the Town Centre. Instead there will be family restaurants, a fast food centre and eating houses to serve the needs of residents and visitors. DEVELOPMENT OF SERANGOON SOUTH (Completion date) The following Question stood in the name of Mr Goh Choon Kang - 17. To ask the Minister for National Development when is the targeted completion date for the development of Serangoon South Estate; how many blocks and units of flats will be built in the Estate and of what room types; and whether a jogging track is included in the development plan.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, computerized traffic directional display boards are signboards mounted on the expressways. They display various messages to the drivers on traffic and weather conditions on the road. They are operated by a central computer. The PWD has only invited tenders for consultancy on the installation of the system. If found feasible, tenders for the implementation of the system are expected to be called by the end of 1988 and the first signboards should be installed before the end of 1989.”
“They are: (a) The Investment Allowance Scheme which helps local contractors to upgrade through mechanization by providing them with tax allowances up to 50% on their investment expenditure in approved types of construction plant and equipment. (b) The Preferential Margin Scheme which gives local contractors a preferential margin of up to 5% to make them more competitive over their foreign counterparts when tendering for public sector projects. The Scheme also encourages foreign firms to form join ventures with local construction firms. The CIDB also publishes the Annual Construction Maintenance and Retrofitting Report which provides market information for maintenance contractors. From August 1987, the Board will introduce a new category in the Registry of Public Sector Contractors called the Comprehensive Maintenance Contractors for companies which can provide a range of maintenance services. This new registration will encourage local firms to widen the scope of maintenance services and, in so doing, upgrade the level of expertise in providing maintenance management.”
“I have just addressed that point. CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD (Assistance to local maintenance contractors) 18. Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for National Development how many maintenance contractors seeking business in the public sector are registered with the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB); how many of them are local and what is the range of their paid-up capital; and what assistance will CIDB give to the local companies to upgrade themselves in order to compete with foreign companies that have the latest equipment and other technological paraphernalia to outbid for public sector jobs. The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for National Development (Mr Lee Yiok Seng) (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am answering on behalf of my Minister. Sir, maintenance work can be classified under three broad categories: (a) Maintenance of building and civil engineering facilities; (b) Maintenance of mechanical and electrical installations; and (c) Cleaning and housekeeping. As at 30th June 1987 there were a total of 1,809 contractors registered with the CIDB for public sector projects under various categories of work. They provide a mix of construction, installation and maintenance services. 1,586 of them or 87.7% are local contractors. Their paid-up capital range from $10,000 to $1.5 million. Of the 1,809 contractors, 714 are building contractors, 713 are M & E contractors and the remaining 382 are general services contractors. CIDB administers two incentive schemes which help local contractors to upgrade themselves and to compete with foreign contractors.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I do not think the 176 complaints can be taken as a reflection that the sale and purchase agreement is inadequate for the purpose. If there are rooms for improvement, this can certainly be looked into. Could the Member please repeat his second point?”
“Sir, I think the Member for Potong Pasir is quite confused. I shall try to enlighten him. The present driving test is based on three parts. There is the basic driving theory test and there is a final driving theory test before the practical test. A candidate for the practical test must first pass the final driving theory test. After having passed the final driving theory test, he has to sit for the practical test within a period of one year. I believe this is the compulsory period that he is referring to. Why one year? I think a person who has learnt the theory of driving should as soon as possible put that theory to good use and he should therefore sit for the driving test. If you allow too long a period to elapse, then all that he has learnt in the theories of driving could be forgotten and he could then become a danger to other road users if he is allowed on the road. The question here, Sir, is, do we want to make our roads safer? Do we want to improve the quality of our drivers? If so, I think the present system is a step in that direction. HDB RELOCATION OF RENTAL FLATS (Effects on neighbourhood shop-houses) 14. Dr S. Vasoo asked the Minister for National Development (a) what is the estimated number of neighbourhood shop-houses whose businesses are affected by the Housing and Development Board's relocation of rental flats scheme; and (b) what actions are being taken to assist them for the time being until their neighbourhoods are redeveloped.”
“Sir, the failure rate of driving tests for motor cars and motor lorries has remained fairly constant over the years. Between 1982 and 1986, the failure rate for motor cars fluctuated between 70% and 80%. As for motor lorries, the failure rate was between 60% and 70%. Many candidates fail the driving test because they are inadequately prepared when they appear for their tests.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, to achieve better test results, I think a large part of the effort rest on the shoulders of the test candidate himself. He must better prepare himself and take the required number of lessons so that he is totally familiar with the driving skills that is necessary to pass. MOTOR CAR/MOTOR LORRY DRIVING TESTS (High failure rate) 13. Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Minister for Home Affairs what are the reasons for the high failure rate of driving tests in relation to motor-cars and motor-lorries.”
“As I have said, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Primary Production Department offers the infrastructure that enables our fishing industry to operate and, where there are areas that need technical assistance, we are ready to help them. If the Member for Potong Pasir feels that there is still some special assistance required, then let him suggest. REPORT OF THE INQUIRY INTO THE COLLAPSE OF HOTEL NEW WORLD (Statement by the Minister for National Development) 11.28 am”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Primary Production Department offers technical assistance for those who want to engage in fishing, be it coastal or deep-sea fishing. If the Member for Potong Pasir has any specific area where he thinks that more technical assistance could be offered, he is welcome to advise the Department and to let us know what are these particular areas of concern.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, the problem of inhalant abuse in recent years has been increasing. But for the details of the steps that are being taken to deal with this problem, may I suggest that the Member for Bo Wen submit another question. LEVY ON FOREIGN WORKERS 8. Dr Wong Kwei Cheong asked the Minister for Labour (a) whether the introduction of the $140 levy on foreign workers has increased the cost of labour in Singapore; (b) if his Ministry will conduct a survey to find out the number of companies that maintained the same basic starting wages on switching from the Central Provident Fund scheme to the levy scheme; and (c) whether it will be easier for companies to engage foreign workers under the levy scheme.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I fail to see the logic of the Member for Potong Pasir. He says that in many private estates the roads are narrow and there are no white lines along the road. That means they should be allowed to park. If they are allowed to park and the driver has a space to park, why does he still choose to park half the car on the road side-table? I would suggest that in such cases the offender should be doubly penalized! Having got the space to park legally on the road, if he chooses to damage the road side-table then he deserves extra punishment for that, Sir. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Dr Lee Boon Yang]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. LOCAL TREASURY BILLS (AMENDMENT) BILL Order for Second Reading read.”
“If the court should subsequently find that he does not have a valid reason, then the court will impose its own penalty. As to the problem that the Member raised with regard to insufficient parking facilities in HDB estates, I think this can be discussed on a separate occasion. If he feels that there are particular HDB estates which do not have adequate car parks, he can raise this with the HDB and we can see how the problem can be solved. But I would like to reiterate here, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, that there is no excuse for people to flout the parking regulations and to continue to damage turfed areas or road side-tables leading to a great deal of expenditure of public money to repair these damages, because it not only incurs more costs just to repair damages but also a waste of precious manpower and time in chasing after such offenders. I think this is the most important point, Sir, that by this amendment we will expedite the whole process of bringing to task those who choose to flout the parking regulations.”
“Sir, the Member for Potong Pasir raised a call for more flexibility in implementing tree planting and landscaping requirements on development proposals. I am sure the Parks and Recreation Department are open minded. If a developer is able to prepare a proposal for landscaping and tree planting which is far superior to any requirements that the Department has initially suggested, I am quite certain that the Department is prepared to consider such an alternative proposal. Sir, may I now address the points raised by the Member for Bo Wen. He asked whether it is necessary to have a maximum fine of $2,000 imposed on people who parked on road side-tables and open turfed areas. I believe I have answered that when I addressed the point raised by the Member for Potong Pasir. Sir, he also expressed concern that with the amendment the courts would become bogged down by the number of cases and he suggested that there should be adminstrative measures to reduce this burden on the courts. I would like to point out to the Member that normally when illegal parking offenders are detected by the Parks and Recreation Officers and when the particulars of the driver are made available to the Department, the Department offers to compound the offence. In the case of a light vehicle the offer to compound is $30. In the case of a heavy vehicle the offer to compound is $50. So it is unlikely that each and every case will end up in court. The provision for the court to impose a fine is for cases where there is a dispute. If the owner or the driver wants to dispute the fact that his vehicle was there and would not accept the liability, then he has the opportunity to prove his case to the satisfaction of the court.”
“Last year the Department had to spend $710,000 to repair damages caused by illegal parking on open turfed spaces. Sir, it is clear that more and more money will have to be spent each year to repair such damage unless the trend is arrested. Sir, the Member for Potong Pasir says that "nobody gets hurt". But such illegally parked vehicles create inconvenience for other road and park users. They can also become a hazard to park users. Imagine a road running alongside a public park with motor vehicles parked haphazardly on the turfed areas. People who want to cross the road would have to run the risk of getting knocked down by vehicles coming along the road because the drivers may not be able to see the pedestrian clearly because of the parked vehicles. So besides the actual cost incurred of repairing the damage to the turfed areas, there is also this question of obstruction and inconvenience and hazard to park and road users. I do not understand the Member for Potong Pasir when he says that people who parked half on the road side-table, and half on the road way are exhibiting a social conscience. If it is marked on the road that there should be no parking along the roadside, it means that any vehicle parked there poses a hazard to other road users. If there is a road side-table there, as I have said earlier, vehicles parked on the road side-table also pose a hazard to pedestrians. Therefore, by parking a vehicle half on the side-table and half on the road, the driver of the vehicle is jeopardizing two groups of people - the pedestrian and the drivers on the road. By what stretch of imagination does the Member for Potong Pasir arrive at this conclusion that they are therefore exhibiting social conscience?”