Lim Cheng Lock
Singapore
“Mr Speaker Sir, under subhead 003, a sum of $100 million will be provided to the Housing and Development Board. I believe this sum will be provided at an interest rate of 7¾ per cent. The Housing and Development Board, in assisting persons who wish to own Housing and Development Board homes, gives loans to persons purchasing H.D.B.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 92 be reduced by $10 in respect of item 001 of subhead 201. Mr Speaker, Sir, a token vote of $10 has been entered in this item for the development of an underground car park at the Padang.”
“Mr Speaker. Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 31 be reduced by $10 in respect of item 001 of subhead 101. Sir, the provision of over $1.7 million is for the construction of a luxury hotel adjacent to the Hotel and Catering Training Centre.”
“Sir, very briefly, what I wanted to find out from the Minister is whether he is aware that the sum of $100 million is being provided to the Housing and Development Board at an interest rate of 7¾ per cent, whereas the Board is giving loans to purchasers of flats at an interest rate of 6¼ per cent, which means that the Government is subsid…”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 51 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 911*. (* The same amendment also stood in the name of Mr Hwang Soo Jin) Sir, in moving this amendment, I wish to seek information from the Minister for Communications as to whether he proposes to introduce a television informat…”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to find out from the Minister whether there is a policy on the marking out of parking lots in the city area. As you are aware, Sir, recently the marking out of parking lots has been extended to places away from the central area.”
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“In view o explanation, I beg leave to withdraw, Sir. Amendment, by leave, withdraw”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 67 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 103. Mr Speaker, Sir, under subhead 103, there is a provision of $1,200,000 for improvement to Government Land and Provision of Amenities. Can the Minister inform this House what improvements to Government land and what provision of amenities are envisaged and for whom?”
“In view of the explanation, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. 7.10 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 64 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 307. Mr Speaker, Sir, I wish to draw the Minister's attention to the present traffic congestion at River Valley Road, Kim Seng Road and Irwell Bank Road. What plans are there to ease the traffic congestion at this junction? In view of the one-way traffic system which will come into operation next year, is the Minister satisfied that it will not further impede the flow of traffic in that area?”
“In view of the explanation, I beg leave to withdraw, Sir. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 64 be reduced by $10 in respect of item 002 of subhead 208.* Mr Speaker, Sir, at present Orchard Road, particularly around Orchard Circus, is already congested with traffic at peak periods, and with the extension of the commercial area and development of luxury hotels in the Orchard Road area, can the Minister inform this House whether in the planning of all these development buildings, consideration has been given to the increase in vehicular traffic? Can he also inform this House when the conversion of Orchard Road into a one-way traffic system will begin?”
“In view of the explanation, I beg leave to withdraw, Sir. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, on the development of this National Sports Stadium, has the Minister give any thought to who will be responsible for the running of this sports stadium and whether it will be a corporation, and what are its financial implications?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 62 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 601. Mr Speaker, Sir, in view of the Ministry of Culture's promotion of golf through television, may I inquire from the Minister whether there are plans to include a miniature golf link in the National Sports Stadium?”
“In view of the explanation, Sir, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 62 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 201. Mr Speaker, Sir, subhead 201 is respect of multi-storey car parks wish to seek information from Minister on the provision of $300, for the year 1967 as to where one these multi-storey car parks is to sited. Is it going to be in the Orchard Road commercial area in the Constituencies of River Valley and Cairnhill?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. 5.50 p.m. The time allotted for Head 40 having expired, the following amendment, standing in the names of Mr Teong Eng Siong and Inche Mohd. A riff Bin Suradi, was not proceeded with: That the total sum to be allocated for Head 40 be reduced by $100. The sum of $98,000,000 for Head 40 ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, just before the suspension the Minister for Finance was giving a reply to my question. One of the reasons he gave was that because there is a big demand by people who want to rent houses, therefore, the houses available for sale to people who are eligible are thereby reduced. I cannot share his opinion, Sir, because if more of such homes are made available to people who are eligible to own these homes, then the number of people who demand houses to rent would correspondingly decrease. Mr Speaker, Sir, I have here a pamphlet produced by the Housing and Development Board with regard to home ownership for the people. It is a very attractive pamphlet. It states here: `In February 1964, the Minister for National Development announced a home ownership for the people's scheme and entrusted the Housing and Development Board with the responsibility for implementing it. The basic objective of this scheme is to encourage property owning democracy in Singapore and to enable Singapore citizens in the lower middle income group to own their own homes.' Mr Speaker, what I am asking the Minister for Finance and also the Minister for National Development to do is to get the Housing Board to consider seriously what they preach and put it into practice. Just now the Minister was asking me what I meant by making the scheme easier. I realise this is a serious matter and has financial implications. But, at the present moment, the arrangements and the regulations for those who are eligible to buy these homes are quite restrictive, and I was asking the Minister whether he could look into the conditions which would make it less restrictive for the people to own homes. 5.45 p.m.”
“In view of the explanation, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Lau Pasar, that is right. In view of the valuable land this market is occupying, I believe it is uneconomic to have the market here. Is there any plan to develop that area for a more useful purpose, possibly rebuilding the market to house all the eating stalls for all the office workers around the city? 4.45 p.m.”
“Raffles Quay, I am sorry. An hon. Member: Lau Pasar.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 31 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 901. Mr Speaker, Sir, this subhead is on markets. In the original provision for the years 1966 to 1970, a sum of $1,700,000 was earmarked for the development of markets and the revised figure was reduced to $680,000. May I inquire from the Minister whether development of markets includes those built by the Housing and Development Board? Also what is the reason for this reduction in the provision for the development of markets, and where will the markets be provided for for the year 1967? Mr Speaker, Sir, another point I wish to raise with the Minister is the old market at Raffles Square.”
“I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. 7.00 p.m. The following amendment stood in the name of Mr S. V. Lingam - That the sum to be allocated for Head 1109 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1541.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 1109 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1001. Mr Speaker, Sir, I just want to inquire why is it that the Director of Public Works is drawing less money than that of the Deputy Director?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 1108 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 3131. Mr Speaker, Sir, in moving this amendment, I just want to seek information as to the necessity of the temporary staff. Is it because of more areas being developed that all these temporary staff are required for the Car Parks Division?”
“I beg leave to withdraw, Sir. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The following amendments stood in the name of Inche Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi - That the sum to be allocated for Head 1108 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1258. That the sum to be allocated for Head 1108 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1259.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 1108 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1251.+ 6.45 p.m. Mr Speaker, Sir, motorists seem to be the worst hit these days. I would like to inquire from the Minister whether there is a policy governing the development of car parks, whether the policy of the Car Parks Division is to raise more revenue for the Government, and whether this Division is to regulate the use of parking places so that everyone can get a fair share in using the place and proper control is exercised. Also, what is the policy governing the taking-over of streets or roads to be marked out for car parks?”
“I am not moving, Sir. The sum of $76,940 for Head 1104 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. Head 1105 -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, may I inquire whether this is a new Government policy in regard to the issue of liquor licences in Government premises?”
“In view of the explanation, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The following amendment, No. (5) , stood in the names of Inche Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi, Mr Tang See Chim and Inche Mahmud Awang - That the total sum to be allocated for Head 0901 be reduced by $100. The Chairman: Inche Mohd. Ariff, amendment No. (5) .”
“I am told that a number of persons, including the son of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance, paid $5 for changing the blue identity card for a red one. Can the Minister consider the refund of excess fees collected and make a public announcement?”
“Mr Tang, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0901 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 3003.* (* The same amendment also stood in the name of Mr S .V. Lingam.) Sir, in moving this amendment, I wish to seek some information from the Minister as regards today's expenditure. At this sitting we were informed that national re-registration would be completed some time at the end of the year. Could the House be informed as to the nature of the expenditure of this sum of over half a million dollars? Mr Lingam: Sir, I have spoken on the matter of issuing identity cards to citizens who have acquired their citizenship after getting the new plastic identity cards. When a non-citizen who has already obtained a blue identity card gets his Singapore citizenship, he has to get a red identity card. In answer to my question in Parliament, the Minister for Labour said that for such a change the fee is only 50 cents. But even after the announcement by the Minister, the registration officer insisted on a payment of $5 because he thought it was a replacement. I can show a letter written by the registration officer to prove this. He did not think this was a change. He considered this a replacement. No one will say that the change to a red identity card from a blue identity card can be considered a replacement. Lately, I spoke to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour, on this matter and he promised to look into it. And now I am informed that he has referred it to the Attorney-General and a ruling has been made that the fee for such a change is only 50 cents. I am really very happy to know about this decision. But there is one more point, and this is the refund of money colleted in excess from the public for such changes.”
“I am not moving, Sir. The following amendment stood in the name of Mr P. Govindaswamy - That the sum to be allocated for Head 0901 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1351.”
“In view of the explanation, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The following amendment stood in the names of Mr Lim Cheng Lock and Mr P. Govindaswamy - That the sum to be allocated for Head 0901 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1251.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0901 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1001. Mr Speaker, Sir, when the re-registration of the national identity card came into being, it appears that it threw the whole machinery of the issue of citizenship out of gear. [Mr Tang See Chim in the Chair] 7.14 p.m. Some time back it took an average of about six months for an application for Singapore citizenship to be processed and issued. But for the last one year I believe it has taken more than a year. 7.15 p.m. Sometimes when an application is submitted, it takes many months before the applicant is called for an interview. I think this position is quite unsatisfactory, because citizenship is most valuable these days. If the process is being delayed unduly, it does affect the livelihood of some of the applicants who depend on the expeditious issue of the citizenship certificate. In moving this amendment, I would appreciate it if the Minister would look into this matter since the registration of the identity card is coming to a close very soon.”
“Before I withdraw this amendment, Mr Speaker, Sir, I would again ask the Minister if he could get his Director to see whether any improvements could be achieved. If so, I think it would benefit the business community. I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The following amendment stood in the name of Mr Tang See Chim - That the total sum to be allocated for Head 0809 be reduced by $100. Mr Tang See Chim: I do not wish to move, Sir. The sum of $1,205,300 for Head 0809 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. Head 0810 -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0809 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1001. Mr Speaker, Sir, I wish to touch on the Imports and Exports Office. I would appreciate it if the Minister could give this House a breakdown of the number of import and export permits issued by the Imports and Exports Office for goods imported and exported by air, sea and land for the first six months of this year. The second point I wish to raise on this section of the Trade Division is the delay in obtaining approval for import and export permits. 7.00 p.m. Whilst appreciating the Minister's Budget Statement on cutting red tape and achieving results, I would ask if he could look into this section and see whether improvements could, be made, as I believe that this section has been operating since the shipping era, and with the movements of goods by air now rapidly taking place, this slowness in getting an import and export permit is a hindrance.”
“Mr Speaker. Sir, I will do so. In view of that, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The following amendment stood in the name of Mr P. Govindaswamy - That the sum to be allocated for Head 0804 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2254.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, would it be appropriate if I were to ask the Minister when this National Productivity Centre would come into being and whether any funds are being provided?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0804 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2221. Mr Speaker, Sir, I notice that the Minister for Finance is very generous towards the labour movement in this respect -- that the contribution to the Labour Research Unit is more than double that for 1966. I assume the increased contribution is to pay for the cost of staff and equipment for the National Productivity Centre which the N.T.U.C., in the editorial of Berjuangan, of December 1966, has been criticising the Government, because of the delay in establishing it. I myself am surprised that trade union leaders in this House have not raised this subject. I would appreciate it if the Minister would enlighten us.”
“I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Mr Lim Cheng Lock: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0801 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2005. Mr Speaker, Sir, subhead 2005 refers to Subsidy to Housing and Development Board for an amount of over $8 million. I would appreciate it if the Minister could provide the House with some detailed information on this subsidy granted.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0801 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1001. Mr Speaker, Sir, it is some months now since normalisation of trade with Indonesia has taken place and an agreement signed. But I understand that the results are not up to our expectations and that there are still restrictions, one of which is the difficulty in obtaining visas for movement between Singapore and Indonesia. I think the House would appreciate it if the Minister would enlighten us on this important subject.”
“I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0703 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1901. In moving this amendment, I would appreciate it if the Minister could advise this House of the progress so far of the resiting of the hawkers.”
“In view of the explanation, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The Chairman: Mr Tang See Chim, amendment No. (3)* * Amendment No.(3), which also stood in the name of Madam Chan Choy Siong, reads as follows: That the total sum to be allocated for Head 0701 be reduced by $100.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0701 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1004. Mr Speaker, Sir, in moving this amendment, I wish to raise two items. Firstly, I wish to ask the Minister for Health why there is a difference in the publication of the results of the tenders for drugs and pharmaceutical products for his Ministry. All other Government tenders are published in full with the quotations of the successful tenderer and those of the other tenderers, whereas in respect of the Ministry of Health the individual items of quotation are not stated in the Government Gazette. The second item I wish to raise is the open sale of harmful drugs in shops which is not under the control of pharmacists or doctors. I am referring to pep pills which are openly sold in shops. These pills are reputed to restore energy and act as a stimulant. They are taken mostly by youths who wish to remain awake in the night. I was told that these pills are very harmful and once a person takes them, he becomes an addict. I understand there are cases of people taking these pills who have gone to Woodbridge Hospital. I would ask the Minister to look into this matter as unless the sale of these drugs is stopped, it may affect our youths. I understand no action is being taken because the Ministry of Health feels that this is a matter for the Customs. I believe the Customs feels this is a matter for the police. The matter is going round in circles.”
“I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The following amendments stood in the name of Mr P. Govindaswamy - That the sum to be allocated for Head 0304 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2010. That the sum to be allocated for Head 0304 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2012. That the sum to be allocated for Head 0304 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2084.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0304 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1187. Mr Speaker, Sir, in moving this amendment, I wish to draw the Deputy Prime Minister's attention, if he is not aware of it, to the growing dissatisfaction and low morale of the police constables at the Airport Security Section. I believe this affects the discipline of the force in security work in an area like the Airport. The reason for their dissatisfaction was brought about by the difference in the salary scales which the regular force of the Polis Republik Singapura enjoy and the salary scale which the Airport security constables receive. Before Malaysia, the police constables at the Airport and the Regular Police Force were on the same salary scales. They were recruited with the same qualifications and they performed similar duties. The change in the salary scales during the Malaysia days was the result of representations made by the regular police force to the Salaries Commission then in Kuala Lumpur. However, when the recommendations were made, the Airport police force was omitted from enjoying the same scheme. I understand that the position now is that a fresh submission has been made to the Salaries Commission which is now sitting in Singapore. The point I wish to make is that the police constables at the Singapore Airport should not suffer through the negligence of some officials. The case for the police constables at the Singapore Airport was not submitted. I would ask the Minister concerned to look into this matter.”
“Yes, Sir. Just a point of clarification. I did not advocate nationalising the public transport system and neither did I say that the Government lacked courage in embarking on foolhardy schemes. What I did say was that the Government lacked courage in making a clear-cut policy on the development of the road transport system. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment, Sir. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $335,360 for Head 0301 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. Head 0302 - The following amendments stood in the name of Inche Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi - That the sum to be allocated for Head 0302 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1055. That the sum to be allocated for Head 0302 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1059. That the sum to be allocated for Head 0302 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1060. That the sum to be allocated for Head 0302 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1082. That the sum to be allocated for Head 0302 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2006.”
“Can I make a point of clarification before I withdraw the amendment, Sir?”
“I think the House would like to know from the Minister of State what happened subsequent to that meeting. As time is running out, Sir, I will only say this. Yesterday, the Member for Choa Chu Kang was advocating nationalising the transport industry. I am not supporting his suggestion, but I would call upon the Government to participate in the running of the road transport system, because without its participation, it is not possible to get the independent bus companies together. I would suggest that the nucleus of this participation should come from the Traction Company.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, when the Managing Director of the Singapore Traction Company raised his complaints in the Straits Times, the then Permanent Secretary attached to the Deputy Prime Minister's Office, Mr S. T. Stewart, replied in the Straits Tunes of 24th February to the complaints. He suggested a pooling arrangement, as practised by the airlines, for the bus companies. I believe a meeting was initiated by the Minister of State for the Prime Minister's Department in the Ministry of Law's Conference Room on 11th March, 1966.”
“But where do we start from? Which step shall we take? If we take positive measures now to participate in the running of the road transport system, we may achieve that target within five to ten years. 4.00 p.m. It was some 10 years ago that the Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Public Passenger Transport System made certain recommendations, and unless we take some positive measures, I do not feel that in 10 years we can rectify our transport system. Mr Speaker, Sir, early this year the Managing Director of the Singapore Traction Company made a statement in the Straits Times of 21st February, drawing our attention to the threat to Singapore's transport system. One of the reasons he put forward was that public transport was not functioning well because of pirate taxis. He urged the Government to take firm action and introduce legislation to rectify the situation. I would say, Sir, that the bus companies themselves have a lot to be blamed for this state of affairs. During the good old days when they were making money, some of the independent bus companies, instead of ploughing their profits back into their road transport system to improve it, have diverted their profits into building and development investments. As a result, when times are not so good and the population expands, we find that our road transport is inadequate. Pirate taxis thrive on this situation because the bus companies are unable to satisfy the public's requirements. Mr Speaker, Sir, it is the responsibility of the Government to ensure that there is in operation an efficient and economical transport system. I feel it is its duty to participate in this public utility which, I believe, is the only utility still left, except for licensing, in the hands of private enterprise.”
“Sir, from time to time, we hear statements from the Government on an ad hoc basis in an endeavour to improve the road transport system for the travelling public. The unsatisfactory and inefficient road transport system goes back to 1955 when a Commission of Inquiry into the public passenger transport system of Singapore sat and made recommendations. Nothing was done to implement seriously the Report of this Commission for various obvious reasons. I can understand that at that time, because of the labour situation, the then David Marshall Government and the Lim Yew Hock Government did not dare pursue the recommendations of this Commission. But I myself do not feel that the leaders of the P.A.P. lack courage or initiative. Just a few months ago, the Prime Minister was present at the general meeting of the Singapore Traction Company Employees' Union. He made a very good suggestion to the workers that it is our policy to give confidence to the company, otherwise it may operate somewhere else. I assume that the Prime Minister was asking the workers not to ask for a bonus and not to give trouble so that the company may have confidence and stable conditions to operate its buses. But I feel that this confidence is not sufficient, because a greater part of the confidence should come from the Government by its making a clear policy on the future development of the road transport system; otherwise no organisations will put in any capital for future development. At the meeting of the Singapore Traction Company Employees' Union, the Prime Minister also dwelt on the unification of the road transport system. He said that we could unify the road transport system in ten years, but that we could not do it now, and that we must do it step by step. I fully agree with his statement.”