Lee Yiok Seng
Singapore
“Sir, the Department of Industrial Health has introduced guidelines on noise control and hearing conservation to assist factories in establishing preventive programmes.”
“Sir, Mr Zulkifli would like to know about the progress of the safety management system and safety audit. The Factories (Shipping and Ship-repairing) Regulations require any shipyard that employs 200 or more workers to appoint an independent external auditor to audit its safety management system.”
“To better control chemical hazards, new provisions under the Factories Act will require factory occupiers to obtain from their suppliers the material safety data sheets (MSDS) of chemicals and take appropriate precautions based on information in the MSDS.”
“We will make every effort to help the shipyards and their contractors to better understand their responsibilities in complying with regulations on safety in their workplace. Sir, stringent enforcement action will also be taken at construction worksites.”
“Sir, our aim is to have zero accident. Therefore, we are making every effort to improve this situation. As I have mentioned, next month we are having a workshop to get all shipyard managements, unions, and contractors to review the safety measures and to consider which are the areas we can improve.”
“Sir, we have regular checkings. As to the number of people who are actually doing the checking, it depends on the officers and the programme. We have a very thorough programme to go round and check every one of them. I assure the House that we are very conscious of the safety of the workers.”
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“Sir, the Department of Industrial Health has introduced guidelines on noise control and hearing conservation to assist factories in establishing preventive programmes. It is now studying the regulations on noise control which will stipulate noise exposure standards and specify technical control measures as well as noise monitoring requirements. Sir, I would also like to assure the Member that my Ministry's Department of Industrial Health will continue to take active steps to control noise in workplaces and assist management of noisy factories in their efforts to protect workers.”
“Sir, I agree with the Member that there has been an increasing trend of new cases of occupational diseases over the past few years. From 1993 to 1995, the rate increased from 5.7 to 8.2 per 10,000 persons employed. The vast majority of the cases were of noise-induced deafness (NID). Last year, for example, 1,068 or 79% of the total cases were NID. The second most common occupational disease was industrial dermatitis, accounting for 170 cases or 12.5% of total cases last year. Other diseases detected include over-absorption of toxic chemicals and occupational asthma but they account for much smaller numbers. NID cases have increased from 3.5 cases per 10,000 employed persons in 1993 to 6.5 in 1995. This is in part due to increased factory inspection and early detection of workers with NID. Most of these cases (over 96%) are in the early stages of the disease. I agree with the Member that, in fact, the workers themselves were often not aware of their hearing loss as the findings were from hearing tests conducted by designated factory doctors. Early detection in such cases helps to prevent more severe permanent hearing losses which can become physical impediment to workers. During inspections, factories with excessive noise level are required to implement an in-house hearing conservation programme. This programme comprises various activities which include noise control measures, noise monitoring, health education of workers, provision and supervision of use of hearing protectors and regular medical checks for exposed workers. So far, 1,057 noisy factories with more than 57,000 noise exposed workers have implemented in-house hearing conservation programme.”
“Sir, my Ministry has instituted several measures to promote the safe use of tower cranes. Some of these measures which are pertinent to the concerns raised by the Member are: (a) Mandatory training for crane operators by a recognised institution; (b) Prohibiting the hoisting of load over public areas unless the area has been cordoned off; (c) Siting cranes such that they will not endanger safety of the public, for example, where a crane's jib could interfere with another building or structure. The heavy concrete blocks hanging at one end of the jib of the tower cranes are used as counter-weights. They are firmly attached to the jib. Sir, my Ministry also imposes strict requirements under the Factories Act and the Factories (Building Operations and Works of Engineering Construction) Regulations on the construction, operation and safe use of gondolas: (a) Each gondola must be equipped with two additional independent safety wire ropes. An automatic safety device must be mounted on each safety wire rope so that the safety wire rope will support the gondola should the primary suspension wire rope fail. (b) Workers working on gondolas must be provided with safety belts. The workers must attach their safety belts to life-lines with independent anchorage or a secure part of the gondolas. To ensure compliance with the safety requirements, my Ministry conducts special enforcement operations targeted at premises which use such equipment. Sir, I would like to assure the Member that my Ministry will not hesitate to take firm action, if we detect any violations of safety requirements. My Ministry will issue stop-work orders and charge offenders in court for flouting safety requirements.”
“Sir, I would like to thank Mr Zulkifli Mohammed for his constant concerns on occupational safety and health programmes and for his contribution for workers in Singapore. Sir, the Ministry has all along been working very closely with the NTUC to inculcate greater safety awareness amongst workers. The Department of Industrial Safety has regularly provided speakers for safety seminars and workshops organised by NTUC. The Ministry will continue to work together with the NTUC to promote the safety of workers. Specifically, we have plans to work together with NTUC and the various industrial and house unions on the following projects: (a) Safety Improvement Teams The Ministry will collaborate with NTUC to encourage more workers to get involved in Safety Improvement Teams. The Safety Improvement Teams are similar in concept to QCCs. A Safety Improvement Team comprises a small group of workers, who work together to solve safety and health problems as a team. (b) Hazards reporting system NTUC and the Ministry of Labour will jointly work out a system for workers to report hazards to their union leaders who could then take up the matter with the management. If the management fails to take the necessary corrective measures, NTUC could then inform the Ministry. The Ministry will ensure that prompt actions are taken to resolve the issues. (c) "Buddy" system. The Ministry of Labour will assist the NTUC to develop a work culture where an individual worker not only looks after his own safety but the safety of fellow workers. 2.00 pm”
“To better control chemical hazards, new provisions under the Factories Act will require factory occupiers to obtain from their suppliers the material safety data sheets (MSDS) of chemicals and take appropriate precautions based on information in the MSDS. Certain chemicals or processes that may pose serious health risks to workers may also be prohibited. We will continue to monitor the situation.”
“Sir, noise induced deafness (NID) is the leading occupational disease. Over the last two years, my Ministry's Department of Industrial Health has stepped up enforcement action to identify more noisy factories and ensure that preventive measures are taken. As a result of this enforcement programme, more workers exposed to noise have been checked and more NID cases detected. However, most of them are in fact early cases with no significant disability. As with NID, most of the cases of over-exposure to chemicals were in their early stages. The workers involved did not have obvious symptoms or show signs of the disease. They were detected only as a result of medical examinations. The number of such cases was 124 in 1993. However, the number in 1994 fell to 40. My Ministry takes a very serious view when workers are found to be subjected to excessive levels of noise or chemicals. To ensure that noise and chemical exposures are within safe limits, the Department of Industrial Health regularly checks the exposure levels in potentially high risk factories. The Department assists such factories in implementing in-plant preventive programmes. Such programmes include engineering control, substituting toxic chemicals with safer substances, safe handling methods, monitoring exposure levels, health education of workers, provision and proper use of protective equipment and regular medical checks for exposed workers. My Ministry has produced noise control guidelines to assist noisy factories and will soon be drawing up regulations on noise control in workplaces.”
“Sir, my Ministry will review all the findings which have been submitted to us and we are now monitoring all the shipyards. From the preliminary observation, we are quite satisfied with the findings.”
“Sir, Mr Zulkifli would like to know about the progress of the safety management system and safety audit. The Factories (Shipping and Ship-repairing) Regulations require any shipyard that employs 200 or more workers to appoint an independent external auditor to audit its safety management system. The first audit was to be completed by 1st December last year. All 20 shipyards that are required to be audited have completed the audits. The Chief Executive Officers of these shipyards have been asked to submit an undertaking to rectify any shortcomings revealed by the audit. This would ensure that top management is personally involved in ensuring that the safety systems are in place and that any shortcomings are rectified expeditiously to safeguard the safety and health of their workers. The Department is currently reviewing the audit findings and will monitor the shipyards on the implementation of the auditors' recommendations.”
“Sir, first, let me take up the subject raised by Mrs Yu-Foo and I would like to thank her for her concern about manpower resources in my Ministry. The present manpower resources of the Department of Industrial Safety (DIS) are adequate to carry out the necessary enforcement and training to ensure safety at the workplace. The Department has adopted a policy of selective inspection. Special attention is given to factories, worksites and shipyards that are prone to accidents. This is to maximise the effectiveness of its team of inspectors. The Department is encouraging managers, supervisors and safety personnel to take on greater responsibility to ensure safety at work. In the recent amendments to the law, contractors carrying out projects of a contract sum of $5 million or more are required to employ full-time safety supervisors. If the contract sum is $30 million or more, they must also engage an independent external auditor to audit the safety management of the site. In 1994, DIS trained a total of 76,000 workers, supervisors, managers and safety personnel. The DIS uses a pool of external trainers to increase its training capacity to meet higher demand. In addition, the DIS has been working closely with NTUC and unions to involve workers in the prevention of accidents. By adopting a total accident-prevention approach of involving management, supervisors, union and workers, we should be able to improve safety at work without having to increase significantly the manpower of the department. However, my Ministry will review its manpower needs in the light of the additional regulatory and enforcement functions. I assure the Member that if more manpower is required, we will take it up with the Budget Division, Ministry of Finance.”
“Sir, the Commissioner of Labour assesses the quantum of the workmen's compensation based on the percentage of permanent incapacity assessed by the doctor in the medical report. Hence, the doctor has to wait for the injury to heal before he can make the final assessment on the permanent incapacity. According to our records, this usually takes about six months. Assessments by the doctors of different parties differ very slightly because all doctors follow the same guidelines issued by the Ministry for assessing the incapacity. The law allows interested parties to object to the Commissioner's assessment. This is to ensure that the assessment is fair to all parties concerned. In practice, when a party disputes the assessment on medical report, the Workmen's Compensation Department will convene a conciliation meeting where all relevant medical reports would be presented to the parties. Most of the cases are settled amicably at this stage. 1.30 pm I would like to thank the Member for his concern and assure him that my Ministry is constantly reviewing its procedures so as to expedite the settlement of claims for workmen's compensation whenever possible.”
“Sir, our aim is to have zero accident. Therefore, we are making every effort to improve this situation. As I have mentioned, next month we are having a workshop to get all shipyard managements, unions, and contractors to review the safety measures and to consider which are the areas we can improve. I assure the House that we are open to all suggestions which can improve the safety of the workers. SIMEI ESTATE (Construction of second primary school) 10. Mr Teo Chong Tee asked the Minister for Education whether a second primary school will be constructed in Simei Estate.”
“As I mentioned just now, human error is one of the important factors that causes fatal accidents. The best way to curb this problem is through training and improving the safety measures. So we will continue to go along this line and try to minimise the human error in shipyards and construction worksites.”
“Sir, we have regular checkings. As to the number of people who are actually doing the checking, it depends on the officers and the programme. We have a very thorough programme to go round and check every one of them. I assure the House that we are very conscious of the safety of the workers. Mr Chia Shi Teck: After so many accidents and all the reports and inquiries, there still seems to be very frequent repeats. That means the checking system should be stepped up. If they do not have enough staff, probably they should increase their staff.”
“We will make every effort to help the shipyards and their contractors to better understand their responsibilities in complying with regulations on safety in their workplace. Sir, stringent enforcement action will also be taken at construction worksites. The Ministry will amend the Factories (Building Operations & Works of Engineering Construction) Regulations to augment the safety and health provisions at construction worksites. Among other things, contractors will be required to have their safety management systems audited. The Ministry is currently taking action to amend the Factories Act to include more comprehensive provisions for the safety and health of workers. The maximum penalty for offences under the Act will be increased. The Ministry will continue to enforce safety regulations and provide safety training for workers, supervisors and managers in the construction and shipbuilding and repairing industries so as to improve safety at such workplaces.”
“As for the construction industry, all foreign workers are required to undergo a safety orientation course before they are issued with work permits. Contractors are also required to send their local workers to the course before work is allowed to commence at their worksites. In 1993, about 12,000 shipyard workers and 71,000 construction workers attended such courses. Sir, the Ministry has stepped up its efforts to prevent accidents in the shipyards and construction worksites since the spate of accidents in shipyards in 1992 and 1993. The Ministry is stringently enforcing the Factories (Shipbuilding & Ship-repairing) Regulations which incorporated all the safety measures recommended by the "Stolt Spur" and "Indiana" Committees of Inquiry. Apart from many new specific safety requirements, major shipyards are now required to have their safety management systems audited. The Ministry has also been mounting special enforcement exercises on shipyards. Those found violating safety rules were dealt with severely. Stop work orders were issued where a workplace was found to be grossly unsafe. Since January this year, 30 such orders have been issued. Besides taking stringent enforcement action, the Ministry will continue to work closely with shipyards' managements, their contractors and the unions to promote safety and prevent accidents in shipyards. The Ministry, together with the Association of Singapore Marine Industry, the Singapore Institution of Safety Officers, and NTUC, is planning a workshop for next month to review safety management and audit system practised in the shipyards. Other similar workshops or seminars will be organised from time to time to review legislation requirements, safe work practices and safety management systems.”
“Sir, industrial accidents including those in shipyards and construction sites may be caused by many factors. Human error is certainly an important cause of such accidents. In fact, we have found that in many fatal accidents in shipyards and construction worksites, human error was a contributing factor. Such accidents could therefore have been prevented by workers and their supervisors being more safety conscious. For instance, in the case of the fire on board the "Stolt Spur", the chemical cleaning contractor chose to use improper equipment for cleaning the boiler. In the case of the "Indiana", the workers involved failed to ensure that their immediate work area was cleared of all flammable materials. As for the case of the "British Adventure", the senior technical personnel failed to take measures to isolate the power supply and close crucial valves before initiating hot-works on the hydraulic system. Sir, there is no conclusive evidence to show that inexperienced or new workers were largely responsible for the errors which led to the fatal accidents. Our records show that experienced workers are just as liable to commit errors and oversight. For instance, most of those who failed to take precautionary measures and were found negligent by the Committees that inquired into the "Stolt Spur", "Indiana" and the "British Adventure" accidents were not inexperienced workers. Sir, all workers, including local and foreign workers, have to undergo a safety instruction course before they are allowed to work in shipyards. In addition, workers carrying out hot-works have to attend a special safety module which emphasises preventive measures on fires and explosions. The Ministry also conducts safety courses for Supervisors and Ship Repair Managers.”
“Sir, my Ministry's Occupational Safety and Health (Training and Promotion) Centre conducts the Shipyard Safety Instruction Course (SSIC). It is a one-day course to familiarise workers on the hazards in the shipbuilding and repairing industry and the precautions to be taken to prevent accidents. The course covers various topics relating to the safety in the shipyards, with emphasis given to the prevention of fire and explosion and the permit-to-work system practised in shipyards. Sir, following the "Stolt Spur" fires which were caused by the ignition of flammable solvents used for the cleaning of a boiler, instructors of the SSIC have been emphasising safety measures on the use of solvents in chemical cleaning and proper control and storage of such chemicals. Sir, the Training Centre is currently working with the shipbuilding and repairing industry to develop a special training programme for the intermediate category of safety personnel, such as safety supervisors, as recommended by the Committee of Inquiry. The training programme will train such safety supervisors on safety, particularly on the gas-freeing and monitoring of environmental changes in confined space. This is to address the hazards of fires and explosions in confined space. The training programme is expected to be finalised soon.”
“Sir, I need about two minutes to answer Mr Zulkifli's questions.”
“I have stated quite clearly that, under the CIPC programme, 65% of the amount goes to the projects submitted by the Town Councils. And this is the fund allocated to the CCCs. So for the individual Town Council, as I said, he can write to us. We will try our best to give him the information. SINGAPORE TELECOM SHARES (Automatic allocation to CPF members) 9. Dr Toh Keng Kiat asked the Minister for Finance, when Singapore Telecom shares are offered to the public later in the year, whether the Government will consider automatic allocation of a number of these shares to all Central Provident Fund members who have participated in the top-up scheme.”
“The CIPC fund is given to the CCCs, not to the Town Councils, and I think this is fair. Town Councils receive direct grants from the Government, particularly for the residents in the HDB areas. We know that in each constituency there are many residents who are not in the HDB areas. So this fund also caters for those residents who are not in the HDB areas and it is for the CCCs to decide on the priority for improvements in their own constituency.”
“Sir, as I have stated, about 65% of the funds available under the CIPC programme had been committed for various projects submitted by the Town Councils through the CCCs. If the Member wants the details for each Town Council, he can write to me or to my Ministry. We will try to give the Member whatever information that is available after consulting the respective Town Councils.”
“Sir, the conditions of sale for the site opposite Bedok South Avenue 3 require the developer to provide a road linking New Upper Changi Road to his development. To create a more direct route to the Tanah Merah MRT station --- 1.30 pm”
“Sir, I am answering the question on behalf of my Minister. Sir, the Primary Production Department (PPD) has chaired an inter-Ministry committee comprising the National University of Singapore, the Parks and Recreation Department, the Housing and Development Board, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of the Environment and the respective Town Councils to study the nuisance caused by mynahs and other birds and to find solutions to eliminate the nuisance. The PPD has found that a combination of the following methods can be used to drive away the pest birds: distress calls, pruning of trees, water jets with chemicals, reducing sources of food for birds. The PPD can give advice to the public or estate management agents on the methods to control the birds. Sustained efforts are needed to control the problem. Meanwhile, the PPD will search for better and more effective control methods.”
“Sir, using the prefabrication method in the construction industry definitely will cut down costs. The reduced cost may not directly incur in the construction but in the time. Because time is money. Especially in the large buildings, they take a longer time to build. Using this prefabrication system or method, has become more and more popular in Singapore and in other countries. In answer to the other question regarding foreign workers, I think the shortage of workers in Singapore, either in the construction industry or in the other industries, is a problem to Singapore. In the construction industry specially, we are facing more problems because we find it difficult to get young Singaporeans to enter into the construction workforce. Therefore, it would not be feasible to have a 100% local construction workforce. We estimate in the long-term that the workforce in the construction industry will stabilize at around 80,000 workers, half of which are local and half comprising of a revolving pool of foreign workers. The step has been taken to achieve this. Since the Construction Industry Training Centres started training the workers, we now have 10,000 trainees. The training centre is working towards the following training and certification target by 1995 in which 8,000 to 9,000 new entrants will be trained to enter the workforce. This is mainly to replace attrition of existing workers. 15,000 existing workers will undergo upgrading through part-time training courses. One-third of the entire workforce will be tested and certified. So these programmes will ensure a sufficient supply of skilled workers for all the important trades in the construction industry.”
“In the private sector, prefabricated components are mainly used for floor slabs and architectural claddings. Recently, a number of office buildings constructed using structural steel have a high percentage of prefabrication. The overall effect of all these efforts is that prefabrication technology is much more familiar and acceptable in the industry. Recently, some small private sector residential development used prefabricated components for their construction of the units. Regarding the training of this new technology of prefabricated construction, most of the basic skills required in prefabricated construction are already taught as part of the existing training courses for construction workers conducted by the Construction Industry Training Centre. For instance, in the training of tower crane operators, the worker is trained to transport prefabricated components as part of his training. A module on prefabricated construction is also incorporated in the course for structural trades worker. In addition, orientation courses are normally conducted by the construction companies or contractors for their new workers at the prefabrication worksites or factories to help them adapt to the new working environment. Sir, I think I have answered most of the questions.”
“Currently, we also organize eight part-time courses covering the following trades: (a) Metal scaffolding: (b) Safety Orientation Course for Construction Workers; (c) Tower Crane Operators Course; (d) Suspended Scaffold Operators Course; (e) Plumbing and Pipe Fitting (Advanced Building Certificate); (f) Plumbing and Pipe Fitting (Builder Certificate); and (g) Trade Test preparatory programmes for the four major construction trades. The total number of trainees who have undergone these courses is 10,000. They include 6,000 in the full-time training programmes and 4,000 in the various part-time courses. Sir, regarding the new prefabrication technology, the Government started promoting prefabrication in 1981 with the award of a few major public housing contracts using prefabricated methods. Since then, the total contract value awarded using prefabricated and system construction is $2.73 billion. 64,000 out of 180,000 housing units completed during this period have used prefabricated components. Currently, full prefabrication is being used for refuse chutes and staircases, and 30% prefabrication for parapets and facades. Prefabrication has also found its way into other buildings such as schools, police stations and other institutional buildings. Since the third phase of the school building programme started in 1983, 10 out of the 55 schools completed have been constructed using full prefabrication. In the other buildings, about 20% of floor slabs and 10% of architectural panels and claddings are prefabricated. Generally, in the large buildings, advantage is being taken of the benefits of prefabrication such as the second airport terminal building which is more than 70% prefabricated.”
“Mr Chairman, Sir, on behalf of my Minister. On the question raised regarding the training programmes conducted by CIDB, I think training and upgrading of the construction workers is important to us. The CIDB training courses cover most of the basic skills required in all the major construction trades. The training centre focuses its training efforts on the important trades that are critical to the structural integrity and quality of finishing. We also conduct some supervisor courses to upgrade the skills of clerks-of-works and foremen of the construction firms. These efforts will help the construction industry to have sufficient personnel in all the important levels of the construction trades. The training courses which we have conducted in the training centre are grouped into two major categories. One is the full-time course, the other one is part-time courses. The full-time courses cover the following major trades: (a) Structural trades which include carpentry, bar-bending and metal scaffolding; (b) Finishing trades which include plastering and tiling; (c) Plumbing and pipe fitting; and (d) Electrical wiring and installation. For these full-time courses we have conducted 16 batches of trainees in the last four years. Training courses are conducted at the Builder Certificate and Advanced Builder Certificate levels which are equivalent to VITB's NTC-3 and NTC-2 certificates respectively.”
“MUIS will continue with its programme of talks with Muslim officers in other Government Ministries and other Mosque Management Committees and Muslim organizations. I hope the local mosques and Muslim organizations will play a more active role in this campaign. Let us prove that the Muslim community in Singapore, too, are humane. Encik Ibrahim Othman (Tanah Merah)( In Malay): Could the Hon. Minister clarify whether the Fatwa given in 1986 is in any way different from the Fatwa issued earlier in the 1970s? Secondly, what could MUIS do to explain the real position of the Fatwas to the public in general and in particular to the Muslim ulamas? Thirdly, could MUIS take action against individuals who are lacking in the knowledge of Islam and who are trying to confuse the public on this matter? Dr Ahmad Mattar( In Malay): Sir, actually the two Fatwas are the same, ie, Islam does not allow an individual to donate his organs under normal circumstances. However, in emergencies, the religion permits a Muslim to donate his organs to save lives. To avoid any confusion, I would instruct MUIS to hold dialogues with local Muslim religious teachers. As to the third question raised by the Member for Tanah Merah, I would suggest that he refers the individuals concerned to MUIS so that they could be counselled by the Mufti of Singapore. GIA MOTOR INSURANCE RATES (Government stand) 17. Mr Abdullah Tarmugi asked the Minister for Finance what is his Ministry's stand on the proposal by the General Insurance Association to fix the rates of motor insurance premiums in 1988.”
“Sir, unless there is a significant increase in tender prices which will definitely influence the building costs of the new HDB flats, selling prices of the HDB flats will not go up. KIDNEY DONATION AMONG MUSLIMS 16. Encik Ibrahim Othman asked the Minister for the Environment (a) how many Muslims have signed up to be kidney donors; and (b) what steps the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura is taking (i) to inform Muslims that kidney donation is permissible and (ii) to encourage more of them to be donors. Dr Ahmad Mattar( In Malay): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the response from local Muslims to efforts to encourage Muslims to pledge their kidneys is still unsatisfactory. So far, only 78 Muslims have registered with the Ministry of Health as kidney donors. 125 more have pledged and are in the process of being registered. On the 3 May 1986, the Fatwa Committee of MUIS issued a ruling to inform the local Muslim public that it is permissible in Islam to be kidney donors. MUIS, led by the Mufti, has encouraged Muslims to opt-in as kidney donors when it launched the campaign on 11 September 1987 at the Al-Falah Mosque. MUIS has also held talks to disseminate information on kidney transplants and to encourage Muslims to come forward to pledge their kidneys. So far, MUIS has organized three talks with representatives of 13 Mosque Management Committees and 41 Muslim organizations and 6 talks with Muslim officers of the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Health. As a result of the talks with the officers of the two Ministries, 85 have pledged to be kidney donors. More are expected to sign up. However, MUIS is still awaiting the pledges through Mosque Management Committees and Muslim organizations.”
“Sir, I am answering on behalf of my Minister. According to an HDB survey, the price of granite aggregate in the private sector has gone up by 8% to 12%. Price of ready-mixed concrete has risen by 2% to 3%. For materials such as sand, cement and steel, the HDB's existing building projects are protected by long-term supply arrangements at fixed prices. In the case of imported materials such as electrical goods, there was a slight increase in the third quarter of this year. This affects 10% to 15% of the cost of electrical installations for HDB flats, which in turn forms only 3% of the total building cost. Therefore, there has been a small but not significant increase in the building costs of HDB flats which are undergoing construction. However, if prices continue to increase, this is bound to affect the building costs of new HDB flats. Should this happen, tenders for construction of new flats will reflect it.”
“Sir, up to 1986 the total construction labour force in Singapore is about 60,000 and about 30,000 workers including 1,300 professionals are employed in Building Management and Maintenance Services. 12.00 pm”
“In 1986, the maintenance market is as follows: public sector, about $330 million; private sector, about $186 million, making a total of $516 million for last year. The breakdown of these works are in three areas: building and external work is about $180 million; cleaning and housekeeping is about $170 million; maintenance and mechanical and electrical plants and equipment, etc, is about $165 million.”
“Yes, Sir. VISIT OF ISRAELI PRESIDENT CHAIM HERZOG (Request for Statement) 5. Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs, in view of the unfriendly reactions from our neighbouring countries to the recent visit of the Israeli President, Mr Chaim Herzog, whether he will make a statement with a view to defusing the situation.”
“Sir, altogether there were 53 cases and we have called them to go to the Sales Section to endorse the necessary legal documents.”
“Sir, according to my records here, yesterday 16 applicants have called at the Sales Section to endorse the necessary documents, and they will be paid within two to four weeks' time. Maj Fong Sip Chee: How many are outstanding, Mr Speaker, Sir?”
“The answer is no. Maj Fong Sip Chee (Kampong Chai Chee): May I ask the Senior Parliamentary Secretary, so far how many refunds have been made, and how many refunds are still being considered? Since this is the first time the Senior Parliamentary Secretary is answering questions in Parliament, I should not be too harsh on him with other questions.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am again replying on behalf of my Minister. Sir, at the Parliament meeting on 27th October, 1986, my Minister had informed Members that the lessees concerned will be given refunds within three months, ie, by 27th January 1987. All the lessees concerned have been informed to call at the HDB Sales Section to endorse the necessary legal documents so that the refunds can be made. If the lessees keep their appointments, the refunds can be made within two to four weeks' time.”
“Sir, since the site is near the MRT station, it is mainly for commercial development. HDB FLAT-PURCHASERS (Refund of excess payments) 4. Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Minister for National Development whether all the refunds have been made to Housing and Development Board flat-purchasers who have paid in excess of the purchase prices as agreed in the agreements of sale and purchase.”
“I have not started to answer. (In Mandarin) He mentioned two separate cases. I said it is difficult, as I have mentioned, because the Resettlement Department has to deal with each case according to its merit. The Resettlement Department is trying to help each and every individual case encountering difficulty based on certain principles. Discarding the principle or policy, nobody is able to help him. Therefore, there must be certain policy, principle or basis on which certain rules, regulations and standards are set. If there is no policy, no regulation, or standard to go by, it is anarchy; then it is not possible for anybody to help him. Therefore, I would advise all those people affected by resettlement that if they have individual difficulties, they should not listen to other people blindly because they themselves know their own problems better. So they should express their own difficulties themselves. It will be clearer and straightforward. Do not readily take in what other people say. So raise your own problems directly. Then we will try to solve each problem on the principles enunciated.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, again I will answer on behalf of my Minister. (In Mandarin): There are two parts. In answer to the first part, in 1985 there were 535 or about 15.4% non-residential resettlement cases, ie, traders or businessmen who did not accept alternative accommodation but opted for cash compensation. Among them, there were about 310 shopkeepers. Those who opt for cash compensation need not give their reasons, and therefore the Resettlement Department has no means of knowing whether these people made their decision because of a lack of cash, because of recession, or for other reasons. To answer the second part, under the current resettlement policy, when non-residential property or commercial pro- perty or permanent structures under rent control are affected by resettlement, they could choose to have either an alternative accommodation or cash compensation. Those who occupy temporary structures can only get reallocation of accommodation; they cannot get cash compensation. NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE POST AT AYER RAJAH ESTATE 10. Encik Abbas Abu Amin asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether his Ministry will set up a Neighbourhood Police Post earlier than scheduled at Ayer Rajah Estate (Dover Road).”
“Sir, in answering my question just now the Senior Parliamentary Secretary said that there were instances of fighting when the hawker inspectors were enforcing the law. But whatever it is, who was right and who was wrong notwithstanding, he has admitted that there was a fight. This is a serious matter. Since he has admitted that there was a fight, has he taken any steps to prevent such a recurrence?”
“These officers are seen in places where there is a congregation of hawkers or unauthorised hawkers, playing the game of hide and seek with hawkers, They will be running after the hawkers. Sometimes the hot pursuit by these hawker inspectors even involve pedestrians, who are knocked down and suffer abrasions or they get a fright. Sometimes, this kind of chase will result in a big fight in the street. Such a fight may result in court cases and in the end who suffers? The officers of the Hawkers Department seem to take a great interest in this what I call "hide and seek" game. They even chase the hawkers right into the shops and private houses and they even take away goods purchased by others as exhibits or evidence against the hawkers. This is very rash and I really believe that sometimes they do mistake innocent people as unauthorised hawkers. If there is such a case, this is very serious. I wonder whether the Ministry concerned has got any such information. If so, they should let us know. Sir, arising out of what I have said. I would like to ask the Minister concerned whether the Hawkers Department has any scheme or method to change and improve the discourteous manners of these officers, or whether there will be any effective training courses to rectify and correct this wrong attitude of these hawker inspectors.”
“Sir, for the past few years the Hawkers Department has put in great efforts in trying to control unauthorised hawkers. This is, of course, commendable because these unauthorised hawkers should be got rid of; otherwise everybody can become a street hawker and then there will be unauthorised hawkers all over Singapore, with undesirable consequences. So the efforts of the Hawkers Department should be commended. But, Sir, when I really think of the effect of such efforts, I have the feeling that all these years they have wasted their time, because even up till today we can still see unauthorised hawkers in Singapore. In this House, we have been talking about the problem of unauthorised hawkers quite often. Why should this be so? I feel that perhaps we have not been handling the hawker problem properly. So I would like to ask the Minister whether there are any new plans to solve the problem of unauthorised hawkers in Singapore. If there is no new plan, I wonder how long or how many years more will it take to achieve the objective of getting rid of unauthorised hawkers in Singapore. This leads me to another matter. As far as I am aware, officers of the Hawkers Department have to undergo several months' training before they are allotted duties in the various areas to handle the problems of unauthorised hawkers. Those who have special training should actually perform well in their duties, but very often we hear complaints from the people against the performance of these officers as being either unsatisfactory or conducive to causing resentment. These hawker inspectors are often seen chasing hawkers very rashly and rudely.”
“I feel that this is because the various Ministries are busy with their own important business and therefore neglecting the minor problems of the rural areas. I therefore feel that if the Government can establish a special department to give special assistance to the various departments in tackling rural problems, greater achievement will te obtained. Sir, I support the motion thanking the President. 3.00 p.m.”
“I feel that vegetable gardeners have contributed a lot to the food supplies of our people. The Ministry of National Development should help them and give them alternative land so that they can continue with their usual vegetable gardening. I am sorry to note that the Ministry of National Development does not seem to think so. Fifthly, on the relationship between the civil servants and the rural people. Rural people lack a knowledge of Government administration or the setup of Government Departments. They are straightforward. honest, practical and pragmatic. Therefore, they are quite ignorant of and worried about Government processes and the notices which are given to them. They are at a loss over these matters. Civil servants also lack an understanding of the rural people. They do things by the rule and they follow instructions to the letter. Therefore, there exist a lot of misunderstanding and dissatisfaction between the rural people and certain civil servants. In fact, civil servants should exercise certain flexibility in implementing Government policies or measures so as to achieve greater effectiveness. According to my observation over the years, in their official dealings with the people in the rural areas, civil servants have been very rigid in their attitude, very lacking in humane sentiment. Therefore, the rural people find it difficult to take and are disappointed with the Government. The crux of the problem is that the civil servants lack an understanding of the problems of rural areas and special training. Mr Speaker, Sir, the problems which I have mentioned above have not been satisfactorily solved for a long time neither has there been a systematic plan for solution.”
“However, the Ministry of Communications has not done anything about it. Why is this so? Thirdly, in the field of public construction, most of the rural people are engaged in farming for a livelihood. They have to carry their farm produce to the city and elsewhere and bring back fertilisers and other supplies. They are therefore in pressing need of good public roads to facilitate their transport needs. With good roads, they will be able to raise the price of their produce and reduce their cost. As it is the maintenance of roads in the rural areas depends only on the very meagre annual allocation of funds by the Urban and Rural Services Committee. If the Ministry of National Development does not amend the scheme, I would ask when will road construction works be completed in the rural areas? Fourthly, primary production. Many farmers in the Republic have been affected by resettlement schemes. They are asked to leave their farm land which the Government intends to develop. But the Government has not been able to help them in a satisfactory way and so they have to give up their farming activities in which they are good at in search of new means of livelihood. No doubt, the Government has allocated a piece of land in the Punggol area for pig rearing, but it is to be operated on a large scale. Small-scale farmers would not therefore have any chance to participate in the pig-rearing enterprise. Thus, they have to give up and look for other outlet. With regard to vegetable farmers, the Government has not been able to give them alternative land, and so they are forced to give up their farming occupation. For example, in my Constituency, many vegetable gardeners have been asked to leave. They will be evicted and they are worried about their future.”
“According to my observation, there must be special development programmes to institute modern amenities in the rural areas to compensate for their backwardness and to bridge the gap between the urban areas and the rural areas. The Government should consider the early implementation of this scheme. I feel that in order to effectively tackle the problems of the rural areas a Rural Affairs Bureau should be set up by the Government to help tackle their problems. Mr Speaker, Sir, I am sorry to say that in the various Addenda there is no mention of any new programmes or any projects for the provision of modern amenities for the rural areas. Our rural areas are still quite extensive and quite a large proportion of our population live in the rural areas. So it is the duty of the Government to do something for the people in the rural areas. I have some suggestions to make for the consideration of the Government. Firstly, in the field of education, schools in the rural areas are very small and poorly equipped. The teaching of the second language cannot reach the required standard. If this situation is not rectified, then the pupils from the rural schools who receive unequal training will not be able to compete fairly with children from the urban schools in future. Why does the Ministry of Education not consider this and try to solve this problem? Secondly, there is the problem of public transport. Most of the rural people live in areas quite removed from the major roads, some three or four miles away. They do not possess their own transport. They are in dire need of public transport service in their daily travel. If we approach this question fairly, we will see that the rural people have the greatest need for a public transport service.”
“Therefore, whether they be Ministers or Members of Parliament are in the service of the Government, they must set the good example of doing their best and in utilising their talent and attributes to carry out Government's policies, they should always be mindful of the interests and wishes of the people. They should try to understand the difficulties and needs of the people. A Minister should not only be concerned with his own Ministry or Constituency but should also be concerned with the well being of all the people of Singapore. As soon as any anomaly or aberration is discovered, he must see that the civil servants rectify it as soon as possible. For the sake of the nation and the people, the Ministers must not hesitate to admit their errors. Mr Speaker, Sir, I am a Member representing the rural areas. It is therefore my duty to voice the opinions, the problems and the needs of the rural people. In the last few years the people in the rural areas faced various problems. Their needs also have to be satisfied. Our country is a rapidly developing one, attaching great importance to major problems of improvement and development. This has resulted in neglecting the problems in the rural areas or its importance lessened. A lot of problems in the rural areas have therefore been shelved resulting in an increase in the number of problems rather than reducing it because of the need for development. Therefore, when Members of Parliament representing the rural areas raise the same problems and needs, they are regarded as being conservative in their thinking. This is because the problems in the rural areas have not been solved, and not because the MPs are stubborn and conservative. Mr Speaker, Sir, in the last few years, there were developments and modernisation in many spheres.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the President in his policy speech delivered at the opening of this Parliament said that: `This Government has the highest number of votes. This vote of confidence imposes a heavy responsibility on my Ministers to act fairly but firmly. My Government will exercise its authority to govern with circumspection and moderation.' This simple message has alleviated the fears of the people, because during the General Elections they heard a lot of empty promises made by the Opposition parties and a lot of criticisms have been levelled at the People's Action Party. Yet the electorate was intelligent enough to decide to support the People's Action Party. However, there are some people who worry about the eventuality that once the PAP is elected with full backing of the voters and with a higher percentage of votes this might result in the PAP Government being complacent and will therefore neglect the wishes, and needs of the people. However, from the policy speech delivered by the President, it is clear that the PAP Government will strive for excellence and will not be complacent over its achievements, nor will it abandon or neglect the people. The President also gave a piece of advice to the Government that the authority of the Government derives from the people and the Government should be concerned with the people's welfare and interests and that in exercising its power it should see that the people's interests are placed above all else. The greater the support given to the Government, the greater will be the responsibility of the Government.”
“Sir, I support what the previous speakers have said. In regard to commercial advertisements, of course, we have to be business-minded. The Minister has said. "the more the better". If there are too many commercial advertisements, then the whole night through there will be advertisements in our programmes, and there will be an unfavourable reaction, resulting in fewer viewers and we will not have enough audience to attract advertisements and there will not be enough commercial advertisements. As a result, in time to come, we will not make a profit. This goes round in a circle and is a very interesting topic. We must consider this problem carefully. Just now the Member for Jalan Kayu has brought up the matter and I have not heard a very clear reply to that. We must have a certain proportion of commercial advertisements in our programmes. Nevertheless, there must be a yardstick. For example, in one hour of programme, how many commercial advertisements should we allow, We should also be fair to the advertisers, If we just take their money and not consider their interest, it would appear that this is not very honest. So I hope the Minister has a very balanced judgment with regard to commercial advertisements. He should pay regard to the requirement of the viewers as well as the advertisers, We should have a good balance in this regard.”