Lim Kim San
Singapore
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Public Utilities Board's investigation shows that the residents of Pulau Ubin are unwilling to pay higher prices due to higher operating costs, thereby causing the contractor to cease operations. It was explained to the hon.”
“Sir, I understand the Member's point, but I hope he realises that six months after serving notice, the pigs will still be defecating freely which will continue to contaminate our water.”
“Sir, if anyone should get sick from coming into contact with contaminated water, I hope they will accept sympathy from the Member for Jurong. But we cannot evaluate the danger to human life in terms of dollars and cents. The farmers have known for several years now that pig-rearing will have to be phased out of the catchment areas.”
“Sir, all I can say is that we are still looking into the feasibility of siting a coal-fired station on one of the islands to reduce the pollution problem. But no definite decision has yet been made. We have several offers to do a feasibility study on it, and we are looking closely into the matter. 5.45 p.m.”
“Merit Scholar- Merit Courses ships Bursaries Medicine/ Dentistry 44 41 Engineering 28 22 Architecture/ Building/ Estate Management 6 18 Accountancy/ Business Administration 9 14 Arts/Social Science/Law 32 40 Science (includes Pharmacy) 82 102 ___ ___ 201 237 === === Sir, I believe the hon.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, air pollution is being monitored daily by the Anti- Pollution Unit, and we find that the air pollution in industrial estates and the urban areas is normally higher than in the residential or rural areas.”
The complete record
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“Mr Speaker, Sir, should there be another contractor who is willing to provide electricity to the island by the use of a generating set, the PUB will certainly give technical assistance or advice. SCHOOL CANTEENS (Standard of food hygiene) 3. Mr Eugene Yap Giau Cheng asked the Minister for the Environment what plans his Ministry has to monitor the quality and hygiene of food sold in school canteens. The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment (Mr Chor Yeok Eng) (for the Minister for the Environment)( In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir. inspectors from my Ministry carry out regular inspections of school canteens to ensure that a high standard of food hygiene is maintained. Food samples are taken regularly for analysis. Stallholders and their assistants are medically screened and inoculated against typhoid. In addition, individual schools have school canteen committees to look into the daily operations and quality of food sold by canteen stallholders. My Ministry will take enforcement action against any stallholder found operating under unhygienic conditions or selling contaminated food. In the past one year, 18 stall-holders in various school canteens were convicted and fined in court for selling contaminated food, not maintaining clean stalls and for unhygienic handling of food.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Public Utilities Board's investigation shows that the residents of Pulau Ubin are unwilling to pay higher prices due to higher operating costs, thereby causing the contractor to cease operations. It was explained to the hon. Member for Changi in March 1977 and again in March 1979 when the question on supply of electricity to Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong was raised that it would be too expensive for the PUB to provide electricity, whether through submarine cables from the mainland or by diesel generator sets installed on the islands. With higher costs today, it would be even more expensive and not viable for the Board to do so. A number of residents have now purchased their own small capacity generating sets. This appears to be the best solution for the time being.”
“Sir, all I can say is that we are still looking into the feasibility of siting a coal-fired station on one of the islands to reduce the pollution problem. But no definite decision has yet been made. We have several offers to do a feasibility study on it, and we are looking closely into the matter. 5.45 p.m.”
“Sir, the hon. Member is right when he said that the increase in public utility charges is a direct result of the drastic increase in the price of oil. The only point where he is wrong is that the increases in prices are not as drastic as the increases in the price of the oil. Sir, even before the drastic increase in the price of oil, the PUB has in the last few years been looking into the possibility of using nuclear power. We have sent our engineers abroad to look into it. In the end, the conclusion is that Singapore being so small, we cannot find a suitable place to site a nuclear power station because, should anything go wrong with a nuclear power station, then there is danger of radioactive contamination and we have no place to evacuate our population. Probably the only way we can get out would be to jump into boats like the Vietnamese boat people and hope for the best. An alternative to oil is coal. The hon. Member asked a question yesterday as to where soot found in residences in Telok Blangah came from. This is also a problem with coal. It is not only one of handling, but also a question of pollution. Of course, new techniques have been found to reduce the emission of coal dust from the chimneys. But apart from that, handling coal itself will cause dust to fly. The question of using coal as fuel for power stations is under study. We are also watching with great interest the development overseas on other energy resources such as hydro, geothermal, tidal, wind power and solar energy. Unfortunately, we have none of these resources. As for the others, it is not as yet possible to exploit them economically. For instance, electricity generation from solar energy is still not practical or economic.”
“Sir, the Member must be aware that a lot of construction work is going on along the Stamford Canal. The Stamford Canal is being widened and deepened from Orchard Road/Orange Grove Road junction to Beach Road. This will help to reduce flooding in this flood-prone area and there is a plan to connect Beach Road to Orchard Road by a pedestrian mall, part of which is most likely to be over Stamford Canal. The walls will be strengthened and will be constructed in such a way that they will be able to support the mall. The widened Canal will cut two metres into the grounds of the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus. The wall of the CHIJ fronting the Canal will have to be demolished and a fence will be erected along the side of the widened Canal. The school canteen will also have to be resited within the school, but all this work will be done during the school vacation so as to minimise any disruption of normal activities in the school. Sir, the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus will soon vacate its present premises to a new site at Toa Payoh. Its present site will be reverted to the Government and, therefore, there is no need for acquisition of any piece of land at all. The reconstruction of Stamford Canal began in 1978 and it is expected to be completed by 1982. The total expenditure would be about $32 million.”
“Sir, I understand the Member's point, but I hope he realises that six months after serving notice, the pigs will still be defecating freely which will continue to contaminate our water. If we allow this, we might as well allow people who play around the catchment areas to defecate on the field and let the human waste also contaminate the water. It is a similar situation. This notice is just to say, "Look: please do not have pig-farming in that area.' If farmers think it is worthwhile to keep pigs for 18 months and build the cess-pits, then it is up to them to do so. If not, I think they had better stop rearing pigs. Sir, we can go on arguing. Time has always been given. But the crux of the matter is that within the catchment areas, as far as possible, we do not want pig-rearing. If the farmers want to rear pigs, they should see to it that they do not allow pig waste to contaminate the water. If they can do it, we will allow them up to 1981. Beyond 1981, even if they have cess-pits, pig-rearing will not be allowed.”
“On foot. When I was young there were times when I had to go around barefooted. He had probably never done that. We are all aware, Sir, that it is not possible to dispose of the pigs all at once. We know that a certain amount of time is necessary for the pigs to grow up before they can be sold. But a lot of time has been given to pig farmers, and this excuse had and will crop up from time to time. I do not think he can cite any instance when we have been really brutal or unreasonable in enforcing action. When notices to install cess-pits are sent out, it is just a warning to pig farmers, "Look, you had better get going quickly and try to dispose your pigs as quickly as possible." It is a question of either disposing of the pigs in good time or install cess-pits if farmers wish to continue with pig-rearing. I think that is the way it should be. It is not a question of saying, "If you do not have your cess-pits installed by tomorrow, we will turn you out." No. It has never been done that way. I do not think we have ever acted that way in any enforcement action. It is only after repeated warnings have been ignored that drastic action is taken. For pig farmers, we do allow them a cert8in amount of time, and this is the time for the farmers to really think, "Is it worth my while putting in cess-pits, or should I dispose of my stock when the time is convenient?" 5.30 p.m.”
“Sir, I have been in the Ministry of National Development, the Primary Production Department, and I understand the farmers' position well. I have been to the rural areas much more often than the Member for Khe Bong realised.”
“Sir, if anyone should get sick from coming into contact with contaminated water, I hope they will accept sympathy from the Member for Jurong. But we cannot evaluate the danger to human life in terms of dollars and cents. The farmers have known for several years now that pig-rearing will have to be phased out of the catchment areas. We have tried to ease the process, but the time has now come for a concerted action to be taken. They have to make a choice. Sometime in our lives we all have to make a choice. We have our priorities and we should get them right. The priority now is to see that we got very clean water for our people, as much as possible. As I have said, pig-rearing in the catchment areas have to be phased out. The farmers have to think of other ways of supplementing their income other than by pig-rearing. The signs are on the wall. Notices have been given telling them that they should move out.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I should make it clear that farmers who rear pigs in catchment areas are required to build cess-pits. The Member for Jurong posed the question whether the farmers should spend money on cess-pits. My question to him is this. Are we going to risk an increase in water-borne diseases by allowing pig wastes to pollute the water which flow into our reservoirs? As it is now, the consumption of water has been increasing steadily and alarmingly every year. One of the objectives of the Government is to try and collect in our reservoirs as much rain as possible that falls on the island itself. For this reason we are trying to install sewers all over Singapore. We have carried on with the cleaning and improvement of canals so that we can collect the rain water. Therefore, to allow farmers to rear pigs which defecate freely is to endanger our catchment areas by the pollution of water that flows into the reservoirs from the catchment areas. This is dangerous as we will then expose the population to increasing danger from water-borne diseases. As the Minister responsible for public health, I will not take the responsibility of exposing our population to this danger.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, after listening to the Member for Alexandra, I am inclined to agree with the Acting Minister for Social Affairs when he wondered why the Member keeps frequenting such restaurants. In fact, he should warn his friends against going to such restaurants. Having heard him, I think if he ever invites me to go out and eat with him, I would have to decline the offer for he seems to have a penchant for finding restaurants with rats running all over the place or with cooks preparing food next to the toilet. Sir, the Ministry of the Environment has enough health enforcement officers to go round regularly to check on restaurants and eating houses. If we had not been enforcing high standards, I think the Member would have read about more incidents of food poisoning in the papers than he had. But I would like to inform him that all restaurants, eating houses, coffee shops and premises where food is prepared are licensed by us. The licence has to be renewed annually and we make sure that the premises are kept clean and that food is prepared amidst clean surroundings. Otherwise we will take action to prosecute and when the time comes for renewal of licence, their licences will not be renewed. In fact, for the information of Members, last year 297 eating houses and 22 restaurants were prosecuted for not keeping their premises clean. So we do keep a lookout, and when the Member next goes out eating, I hope his experience will be a more pleasant one.”
“Sir, it is the practice of my Ministry not to over-budget. This is to force Heads of Departments to maximise the use of resources such as manpower, energy, and other scarce resources. This is part of our "Save Energy" campaign. As a result of tight budgeting, the Ministry of the Environment spent over 90% of its budgeted expenditure. Therefore, if there should be any excess expenditure on other heads due to unforeseen circumstances we will never have enough to vire. That is why we are unable to vire sufficiently to meet the excess expenditure under these two heads. I must say that in our zeal to enforce tight-budgeting, my officers did overlook the fact that, with the then prevailing situation in the Middle-East, there was a likelihood that prices of oil would escalate. But as I said, because of our tight-budgeting, it is not possible to vire all our requirements. The price of diesel for the year 1979 increased by 48%. We have a margin of only about 8% on our budgeted expenditure. The price of utilities went up by 35%. That is why we have to come to the House for supplementary provisions. I hope the explanation satisfies the Member for Punggol.”
“Merit Scholar- Merit Courses ships Bursaries Medicine/ Dentistry 44 41 Engineering 28 22 Architecture/ Building/ Estate Management 6 18 Accountancy/ Business Administration 9 14 Arts/Social Science/Law 32 40 Science (includes Pharmacy) 82 102 ___ ___ 201 237 === === Sir, I believe the hon. Member also asked for the figure of the ASEAN pre-university scholarships. For 1979, 63 were offered and 48 accepted. If the hon. Member wants further details, he can put in a Question for Oral Answer.”
“By the award of scholarships, if they perform well in Art subjects at the 'A' level, they will be given a Merit Scholarship to study the humanities in Oxford, Cambridge and other universities. On the point made by the Member for Punggol regarding the provision of training for our ASEAN neighbours, I would like to inform the House that the scheme of giving awards to students from our ASEAN neighbours was started in 1972 and is administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Since then, there has been a seven-fold increase in both courses and awards. In 1972, when the scheme was first started, Singapore offered a total of 13 courses and 41 places. For the financial year 1979-80, we will be offering 87 courses with 286 places. This is almost a seven-fold increase. As for the details of the courses offered, they are given in a book entitled ASEAN Training Awards 1979-80 issued by the Office of the Director-General, ASEAN, Singapore, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This book is, of course, circulated to all ASEAN countries. For information, some of the courses offered are in airport service management, family planning, industrial training, planning and maintenance of industrial estates, port activities and some other fields in which we have some expertise. The hon. Member for Punggol asked for certain details. I am afraid, Mr Speaker, Sir, that I do not carry some of these details in my head nor is it possible for me to remember all of them. But I will supply him with details on the number of scholarships and bursaries offered in 1979. In 1979, a total of 438 merit scholarships and bursaries were offered.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, first, may I clarify two points made by the hon. Member for Punggol. The enhanced terms of the scholarships and bursaries are not to attract more candidates. They are primarily given in order to offset increases in cost and inflation. It is our aim to provide adequate funds for the essential needs of scholars so that with increasing cost and inflation, they need not spend their energy and time.in looking for other sources of income in order to meet rising costs. Secondly, Mr Speaker, Sir, the award of merit scholarships is not based on the financial needs of the applicants. They are based on scholastic achievement, on an assessment of their leadership qualities and of their future potential. However, those who are unsuccessful in getting a scholarship can get financial assistance by applying for interestfree study loan. The amount of loan given will depend upon the financial needs of the applicants. Sir, I think we all agree that during the last few years because of the emphasis on science and technology and technical education, there has been a rush to study engineering, medicine and the other sciences by the brighter students and very few of them join the art stream. However, Mr Speaker, Sir, having found the imbalance in the spread of talent brought about by the emphasis on science and technology, the education system is now revamped. Students will be given a broad-based education with equal emphasis on science and the humanities and it is hoped that in future more bright students will be taking the humanities. Meanwhile, science students who do well in Art subjects at the 'O' level will be encouraged to continue with these subjects at the 'A' level.”
“Sir, it is the practice of the PUB to recall water meters every five years to check whether they are working properly. Those which are found serviceable are overhauled and reinstalled for service. Water meters are read bi-monthly and the meter readers also check for faults in the meters. It may come as a surprise to hon. Members to know that faulty meters generally register a lower rate of water consumption. Therefore, it is to the advantage of the PUB to see that the water meters do work properly. About 140,000 meters have been found to be faulty and replaced in the past five years. Water leakage results in abnormal increases in meter readings. Such increases are detected by the computer and are investigated by water inspectors. INCOME TAX RELIEF (Raising of) 15. Mr Ang Nam Piau asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware of the difficulty of the majority of wage-earners to pay their income tax due to the rising cost of living and if he will consider raising the present rate of income tax relief.”
“Sir, I did not make any mention about the hon. Member making any suggestion to me. What I was saying is that there could have been (I do not know for sure but it is normal) a discussion between the two Ministries. But from what I can gather, it would be better to organise the project by stages in its proper sequence. WATER METERS (Checking of) 14. Mr Yeo Choo Kok asked the Minister for the Environment (a) whether the Public Utilities Board has any plans to systematically check the condition of water meters to detect malfunction and the unnoticed water leakage; (b) how many water meters have been found faulty in the past five years; and (c) how many faulty meters have been replaced with new ones during this period.”
“Sir, the Sungei Kallang is now being widened and deepened to increase the drainage. This project is expected to be completed this year. Meanwhile, the water which flows through this kampong into Sungei Kallang does so through six outlet drains from Ang Mo Kio. When the work of deepening and widening Sungei Kallang is completed this year, the reconstruction of the outlet drains through the kampong will begin soon. When this is completed next year, the flooding of the kampong at Lorong Kinchir will be alleviated. This brings out the point that I was trying to make earlier on to the hon. Member for Kampong Kembangan who asked about the flooding at the junction of Jalan Eunos and the Pan-Island Expressway. Here is a case where it is unwise to spend money on something temporary. It is only after completing the deepening and widening of Sungei Kallang that we should begin to widen and deepen the six canals which drain water from Ang Mo Kio through the Kampong along Lorong Kinchir to Sungei Kallang. This is the sequence to be followed to finalise the drainage for the area.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, before the Ministry carries out its plan, it will have to make a survey of the catchment area and the effect it will have on the population. LORONG KINCHIR (Flood alleviation measures) 13. Dr Lau Teik Soon asked the Minister for the Environment what measures have been taken to alleviate the suffering of the residents in the flood prone areas at the kampong along Lorong Kinchir, off Lorong Chuan.”
“Sir, the PUB has plans to build a reservoir in Nee Soon by damming Sungei Seletar sometime in the early 1980s. This reservoir is estimated to have a storage capacity of 11.4 million cubic metres and the cost is estimated at $60 million.”
“Mr Ho See Beng asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether the drug position has improved or deteriorated, and if he is able to give the House breakdown figures of persons convicted in court for drug taking as well as of persons convicted for drug trafficking for the years 1977, 1978 and 1979.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, electricity consumers can be grouped under three headings. They are industrial, domestic, commercial and other users. The industrial users form the largest group. They use 50% of the electricity generated, followed by commercial and other users, 33%, and domestic users, 17%. It is too early, however, to tell whether there has been a significant drop in the consumption of electricity by the industries, as the "Save Electricity Campaign" was launched only in April and it will be some time before we can compile the necessary statistics to make a comparative study. The Public Utilities Board is not considering any deterrent measures yet. The emphasis now is to advise the consumers on how to conserve energy and to seek their co-operation. There has been some good response. Some factories are responding. They are studying energy conservation measures. However, these measures again will require modifications to the factory infrastructure. Time, therefore, is required for such modifications, and savings in power can only be seen after the modifications have been effected. Again, Mr Speaker, Sir, electricity consumption can be classified according to usage. Air-conditioning uses 26% of the electricity generated; lighting 11% and others 63%. It is possible to economise electricity consumption for air-conditioning without affecting production and efficiency. The PUB is working together with the Ministries of Finance and National Development to encourage owners to improve the insulation of their buildings. This would reduce the heat load on air-conditioners. DRUG ABUSE (Particulars) 9.”
“Sir, normally there is consultation between the departments concerned to try and alleviate any inconvenience that may occur. In this instance, it is not desirable nor possible to undertake all the drainage measures that are required to alleviate this area from flooding before completion of the flyover and the adjacent section of the Pan-Island Expressway. What was done was only a temporary measure. Unfortunately, we have been having unusually wet weather resulting in more flooding than usual. SAVE ELECTRICITY CAMPAIGN (Response) 8. Mr Eugene Yap Giau Cheng asked the Minister for the Environment (a) who are the largest single group of energy users in Singapore; (b) is this group responding well to the "Save Electricity Campaign" recently launched by the Public Utilities Board, and (c) are there any other deterrent measures that the Board intends to adopt to discourage this group from further wastage of electricity.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I have been trying hard to follow closely what the Member said. I am no surveyor. However, I think that the collapse of the flyover has made it more difficult for the water to drain away from this low lying area. As a result, even a slight rainfall would have flooded the area. It is only after the completion of the fly-over and the road that permanent measures to relieve the area of flooding can be considered and undertaken.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the piece of land between Jalan Eunos and the Pan-Island Expressway flyover now under construction is a part of the low-lying area of Geylang Serai, and it is always prone to floods. There are 20 squatter huts there. The residents there do know that this area is very prone to floods and so out of the 20 huts, 10 are on stilts. The Ministry does not run a weather bureau, but it does know that this area is prone to floods. Part of this low-lying area has been filled up to build the Pan-Island Expressway and, as a result, the rest of the area has become more prone to floods. Lately we have been experiencing unusually wet weather and this has led to frequent floods in this area. The Ministry is aware of the plight of the residents there and has taken remedial measures. Unfortunately, they have not been very effective. Since this is a very low-lying area, flooding cannot be alleviated unless the whole area is filled up. It is not possible to offer resettlement terms to the residents there because the land is privately owned. It does not belong to the Government. With regard to the other part of the question, that is, draining the storm water along Jalan Eunos into the Siglap Canal, there is no plan to drain the water from other catchment areas into the Siglap Canal. Therefore, it will not be overloaded and it is unlikely to flood the surrounding area.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the most economic way of disposing refuse is to dump it at the dumping ground. But that is not our only consideration when we talk about the disposal of refuse. The question is whether dumping will inconvenience members of the public. We think that further large scale dumping of refuse at Tampines is undesirable. The Government has therefore spent about $90 million to build the incinerator. It is likely that its capacity will be expanded to save the residents of Tampines from further pollution. JALAN EUNOS (Flood control measures) 7. Encik Mansor Haji Sukaimi asked the Minister for the Environment (a) whether his Ministry had anticipated the recent floodings at Jalan Eunos in the vicinity of the Pan-Island Expressway flyover, and, if so, why the flood control measures were not effective; (b) what steps are being taken to remedy the flooding problem; how effective those measures will be; and, if they are not effective, whether he will recommend that the families affected by the floodings be resettled immediately; and (c) whether draining flood water into the Siglap Canal will cause overloading of the Canal thereby aggravating the floodings in Pachitan, Changi Road and Frankel Estate; and, if so, whether his Ministry will revise its plans by diverting flood waters elsewhere or into new drainage networks instead of into the Siglap Canal.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the incinerator at Toh Tuck Road has been functioning since January this year at full capacity, that is, operating three furnaces, and it will be able to burn 1,200 tons of domestic refuse per day. It generates an average of 8.2 megawatts of electricity daily. It uses about 2 megawatts and the surplus of 6.2 megawatts is sold to the Public Utilities Board. The quantity of refuse disposed at the Tampines disposal ground has been reduced from an average of 1,300 tons per day to 680 tons per day. The dumping ground will continue to be used because we collect daily an average of 2,400 tons of refuse. Out of the 2,400 tons of refuse, 1,200 tons are burnt. About 680 tons of refuse are now being disposed of at the Tampines ground and the rest at another dumping ground. The refuse will also have to be disposed when the incinerator is shut down for repair or maintenance. I regret to inform the hon. Member that the Tampines disposal ground will therefore not be closed at all.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, air pollution is being monitored daily by the Anti- Pollution Unit, and we find that the air pollution in industrial estates and the urban areas is normally higher than in the residential or rural areas. However, the pollution level is well within the level set by the World Health Organisation and at present it does not pose a danger to our health. The main sources of air pollution are emissions from industrial premises and motor vehicles and there are existing measures to check air pollution. The Anti-Pollution Unit conducts regular tests on the emissions from factories to check for compliance with existing regulations. Some factories are required to instal anti-pollution equipment. The Registry of Vehicles periodically inspects goods and public service vehicles to ensure that their engines do not emit pollutants excessively. NON-CITIZEN STEVEDORES WITHOUT WORK PERMITS (Action against) 5. Mr Tan Cheng San asked the Minister for Labour whether he is aware that some stevedores working at the wharves do not hold work permits, and what action will be taken against them.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, all stevedores, employed either by the PSA or private firms, require a pass from the PSA to work at the wharves. The work of a stevedore requires heavy physical exertion and quick reflexes. Those who are over 60 years of age are generally slow in their physical responses. This could endanger their own safety and the safety of those who are working with them. For this reason, the PSA does not propose to extend the age limit of stevedores beyond 60 years, regardless of whether they are employed by the PSA or the private companies. SUBSIDY FOR COMMUNITY CENTRES 3. Mr Ho Kah Leong asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will increase the subsidy for the building of new community centres in view of inflation.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, flooding affects a row of six pre-war shophouses in that area. The ground level of these shops is 0.3 metre lower than the road level. The drain fronting these houses has been found to be too small and during a heavy rain, especially if it coincides with high tide, the water overflows and floods these shophouses. The PWD has been asked to look into it, and the drains will be widened soon. POINTS DEMERIT SYSTEM (Defensive driving course for offenders) 4. Mr Yeo Toon Chia asked the Minister for Communications and Acting Minister for Culture (a) how many motorists have been suspended monthly since the implementation of the Points Demerit System; and (b) whether his Ministry will consider conducting a defensive driving course for offenders instead of suspending their driving licences and causing hardship to those whose livelihood depends on driving.”
“Member for Punggol may be glad to know that the Housing and Development Board is planning the development of the Au Kang New Town along the junction of Upper Serangoon Road and Tampines which will eventually extend to Punggol Constituency. Perhaps, to satisfy the needs of the residents in Punggol, we may build a hawker centre in that estate. Mr Ng Kah Ting (Punggol)( In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to ask the Senior Parliamentary Secretary whether the Ministry of the Environment and the Housing and Development Board will cooperate closely in building a new hawker centre in the new Punggol estate. Mr Chor Yeok Eng( In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, for the past few years, the Ministry of the Environment and the Housing and Development Board have been working very closely together in the building of hawker centres or markets. FLOODING AT TIONG BAHRU ROAD (Measures to alleviate) 3. Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon asked the Minister for the Environment, as the portion of Tiong Bahru Road between Tiong Poh Road and Seng Poh Road is usually flooded during heavy rain to the extent that the water has gone into the shophouses there, whether his Ministry is planning to take remedial measures of a permanent nature to relieve the persons affected.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the main causes of power failure in Singapore are inclement weather, ground subsidence and careless contractors. Falling trees during a stormy weather sometimes snap overhead lines, but more often the tree branches short-circuit uninsulated lines. Ground subsidence caused by heavy rain and poor shoring by contractors damage underground cables and distribution equipment. For example, the very heavy rainfall in December 1978 is more than double that for 1979 so far. Another cause is careless contractors, who, during excavations, damage cables accidentally. This occurs because of intensive construction activities. A secondary cause of power failure is that some consumers overload power supply, leading to damage in the network. Mr Speaker, Sir, the PUB makes every effort to reduce power failures. Bare overhead lines are being progressively replaced by insulated lines to reduce short-circuiting. Contractors are required to locate all underground cables within worksites by examining plans or digging trial trenches. They also have to pay for damaged cables. The PUB sometimes assists contractors at road sites to avoid damage. However, Sir, given a network of nearly 30,000 km of cables and the nature of the causes of power failures, a fault-free system is impossible. HAWKER CENTRE IN PUNGGOL 2. Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for the Environment whether and when a hawker centre will be built in Punggol. The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment (Mr Chor Yeok Eng) (for the Minister for the Environment)( In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, our Ministry has no plans to build a hawker centre in the Punggol Constituency for the time being. However, the hon.”
“Sir, if there has been no comprehensive planning, I would not be able to stand up here and tell the hon. Member that there are seven drainage schemes with a total length of 12,000 metres and that they will cost more than $7 million. Sir, there is definitely an overall plan to provide the hon. Member relief from the smell nuisance.”
“Sir, there is a total length of 12,000 metres of drainage to be completed. It is not the first step or the second step. It is the third step we are going into. We have gone into the first step. A total of $7.3 million will be spent. Last year, one of the drainage schemes, the Sungei Tongkang Pechah scheme, was completed at a cost of $1 million. Here the seven drainage schemes total 12,000 metres in length. On the average, it is about 1,800 metres each. So we construct 1,800 metres of drain at a time; we cannot construct all the 12,000 metres at once. We have completed one drain and we have almost completed the second drain, and we are going into the construction of the third drain. All I ask of the Member is to be more patient and we will complete the 12,000 metres in due course.”
“Sir, there is no doubt at all that plans are being made to provide adequate drainage to the whole area. It may not be possible to synchronise them so that upon completion of Phase I of the resettlement of pig farms in Jurong, we could complete the drainage under Phase I of Punggol. But they are all interlinked. Altogether there are seven drains to be completed and, as I said, we cannot complete seven drains all at once. We may have to complete one at a time. But I can assure the Member for Punggol that plans are laid for sufficient drainage of the whole area. It may take time, but ultimately, there will be sufficient drainage. In fact, we are looking into the possibility of providing some sort of sewerage treatment for pig waste. It is something which is new but we are looking into the possibility and will try to relieve him of the nuisance which arises from living too near pig farms.”
“Sir, may I clarify? The Member for Mountbatten is hoping for a circular. I do not understand what circular he is talking about. Mr Seah Mui Kok (Bukit Ho Swee): A circular to give stalls!”
“Yes. The empty stalls are all reserved for them. It is either for that reason or we may have been trying to move certain clearance cases into the market but they refuse to move in. Whatever it is, there are certain stalls left for priority clearance cases, otherwise he will not be able to find a fast way from his home to Parliament House.”
“Sir, I think he does not understand my English! I have already explained that it takes about two to three years to build a market. Once we build a market there will be a few hundred stalls, and these stalls are reserved for clearance cases, There is clearance going on all the time, Roads have to be opened and extended, water pipes have to be laid, and it may be that we have to clear the hawkers there. So these vacant stalls are reserved for them. That is why we cannot entertain new applicants. I hope this is quite clear.”
“Sir, may I clarify? The Member for Khe Bong would probably know that it takes two to three years to build a market, and when we do build a market it will have a few hundred stalls. All these stalls will not be filled at once because they are meant for clearance cases. Clearance takes place all the time and clearance cases have a priority over other new applicants. I do not know the details of this particular case but probably these stalls are left vacant for clearance cases. Then also, we may want to widen a road; or there may be other PWD projects to be undertaken, and so the hawkers there have to be resettled. So these stalls are reserved for them. This is the anomaly of the situation, a visible one which he sees apparently - empty stalls but applicants are not given licences. This probably explains the position.”
“Sir, the Member for Kim Seng could have misheard me. I did not say that it was not a question of enforcement. I said it was not a question solely of enforcement. There must be both enforcement and education - the carrot, the whip and some teaching.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I can assure the Member for Kim Seng that we have been carrying out stricter and stricter enforcement of the law against littering. The figure shows that in 1978, 8,734 litter-bugs were prosecuted compared to 5,727 in 1977. The problem here is not so much enforcement as to inculcate good social habits and social values in the people. In this respect, I think a lot can be done later on when the Residents' Committees have been formed. It is through education rather than enforcement that good social habits can be cultivated. With regard to his second question, he is right, it is not within my province. So would he address his question to my colleague, the Minister for National Development?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not know whether it has ever occurred to the hon. Member for Mountbatten that, sometimes a toilet is in greater demand than facilities for a library. We have always impressed upon the civil servants that there should be flexibility in enforcing rules and regulations. As long as there is sufficient space for a toilet on the ground floor, the civil servants will find no difficulty in granting permission. Of course, there must be sufficient space for toilet facilities, and they must be easily accessible. On that score, the HDB will agree with the Ministry of the Environment. There is unlikely to be disagreement there.”
“Mr Yeo Choo Kok asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) how many secret societies are still active in Singapore and in which areas they are most active; and (b) whether he has received any report or information about their infiltration into youth groups or organisations.”
“That is the ultimate objective, Sir, but as the saying goes, "A journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step." RESITING OF HAWKERS IN HAWKER/FOOD CENTRES 5. Mr Yeo Toon Chia asked the Minister for the Environment how many more licensed hawkers are to be resited in hawker/food centres and the period it will take to complete this process; what are the hawker/food centres to be built in FY 1979/80; and whether his Ministry has a set of guidelines in the planning of the size or number of hawker/food centres in Housing and Development Board estates in the matter of the ratio of population to hawkers in the estates. The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment (Mr Chor Yeok Eng) (for the Minister for the Environment)( In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, there are 6,695 licensed street hawkers, including 465 itinerant and 86 showcase hawkers. About 5,000 of them will be resited by 1981 and the rest will be later in stages. Thirteen markets and/or food centres will be completed in FY 1979/80. Four will be located in Ang Mo Kio, three in Bedok, two in Clementi and one each in Lim Chu Kang, Bukit Merah, Woodlands and Bukit Batok, Twelve other centres are planned - one each in Clementi, Kreta Ayer, Kandang Kerbau, Bedok, Nee Soon New Town, Woodlands New Town, Tampines New Town, Bukit Batok New Town, Kampong Java, Hill Street, Telok Ayer and Farrer Park. There are guidelines in planning markets and/or food centres in HDB estates. There will be one market-produce stall to 50 units of flats, or about 250 persons. Similarly, there will be one cooked-food stall to 100 units of flats or about 500 persons. SECRET SOCIETIES (Areas of activity) 6.”
“Sir, offhand, I would say that it cannot be because the law of averages does not allow it. It is impossible that all the 268 accidents were due to the fault of the drivers of the Ministry of the Environment. The drivers of the Ministry were responsible for some but not all the accidents.”
“In 1976, the Ministry of the Environment had 567 vehicles. These were involved in 356 accidents of which three were serious and two were fatal. In 1977, there were 585 vehicles in the Ministry. There were 317 accidents of which four were serious and one was fatal. In 1978, the Ministry of the Environment had 608 vehicles and there were 268 accidents. Of these, three were serious and none was fatal. Sir, what-steps are taken to further reduce the rate of accidents? In the Ministry of the Environment, each driver is given a simple handbook on safe driving. In addition, the drivers are briefed from time to time on safe driving. Drivers of specialised vehicles like refuse collection vehicles and mechanical sweepers are given special training before they are allowed to drive. In addition to police action, departmental disciplinary action is also taken from time to time to see that drivers drive safely. To further minimise accidents, all the vehicles are regularly maintained. Each vehicle is inspected and serviced at least once in 40 days.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the hon. Member for Punggol may be glad to hear that the rate of accident in which vehicles of the Ministry of the Environment were involved has fallen during the years.”
“I believe those who form the task force are also being assessed. The Member mentioned about 25 engineers who have been seconded to the Administrative Service. They are put under chosen mentors who will guide them and at the same time evaluate and observe them. Once the task force concept has been accepted and has proved to be useful, we will certainly use the task force method to help solve problems in other Ministries.”
“And no matter how talented or skilful a man he is, without a good government and administration to provide the necessary environment, he will not be able to make a good living.”
“Of course, as the Member for Kampong Kembangan has said, there are other intangible rewards which give satisfaction to officers in the Administrative Service. An officer may find satisfaction and fulfilment in helping to formulate and implement a policy which will benefit the country and the people. But we are living in a materialistic world and monetary and other material benefits do count and should be comparable to those available in the private sector. The problem is not to devise a scheme where material rewards will be competitive. The problem is to identify talented officers with leadership quality, community spirit and administrative ability. A team has been set up to identify them. It consists of Mr Tan Teck Chwee, Chairman, Public Service Commission, Mr Sim Kee Boon, Head of Civil Service, Mr Ngiam Tong Dow, Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister's Office, and I, as Minister in charge of the Establishment Unit. One way of identifying talented officers is through confidential reports. I have, however, found confidential reports most unsatisfac- tory because Heads of Departments or the reporting officers normally give a very subjective assessment. Another weakness is the reluctance to report unfavourably on an officer. I remember the Senior Minister of State for Finance mentioned to this House sometime ago that a new evaluation system has been devised and is now in use. We will monitor the new system closely. There is no doubt that the Administrative Service is a very important service. This is the premier service in the government and we have to get the best talent available, because without good administration, we will not be able to provide the environment for the type of economic and social progress which we have made during the last two decades.”