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
Every one of 1,111 lines we hold for Lim Kim San, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 12 of 23.
“On the question of coaching groups of people for sports and the new system whereby the People's Association will undertake to pay the fees for coaches engaged by the community centres themselves, this I think is largely because we have found great difficulty in getting suitable coaches direct, and also because of the difficulties we face in certain sports where the parental body requires affiliation to the People's Association before it would allow its coaches to be sent to the community centres. As a way out of this, I believe the People's Association decided that the community centres on their own could form a team and affiliate themselves to the parental association. Thus they would be able to get a coach. Mr Speaker, Sir, I am as much concerned with the efficiency of the People's Association as the Member for Telok Blangah is, and we have in hand some steps which we consider taking to tighten up the whole organisation. At the moment, I am faced with the problem of finding a director to the People's Association.”
“If Members will remember, organising secretaries have to go through a course at the National Youth Leadership Training Institute in which leadership qualities are supposed to be instilled into them so that they would act as a catalyst for communal activities in the community centres. Sometime last year we reorganised the examination system in the National Youth Leadership Training Institute. Our observation of those who have passed and have been awarded diplomas after a three-year course in the National Youth Leadership Training Institute indicates that these people do have the theoretical knowledge of leading community movements or activities. But, unfortunately, in many cases they lack initiative, determination and willingness to work; or they lack the understanding to apply theory to practice. 6.15 p.m. Therefore, we have made a change. Whereas before passes were awarded solely on academic work, the present system is to award 50 per cent marks for knowledge of academic work, and 50 per cent for other qualities such as leadership qualities, honesty, application and initiative. So steps are being taken to see that those who will be appointed as organising secretaries of community centres - and among them ultimately we will have supervisors and the director - will be able to apply the theory which they have learnt to the work which will be allotted to them.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, although the officials of the People's Association were not impressed by the Member for Telok Blangah, I can assure him that I am indeed very much impressed by the presentation of his case. First, I shall take up the second point which he has raised, namely, the question of a community centre at Pulau Blakang Mati. It is true that this question was raised about five years ago. But unfortunately at that time there was in the air the question of the British withdrawal and we did not know then how many people would be served by this community centre. When the matter was raised again by the Member, there was also the question of the accelerated British withdrawal, and lately there has been competing interest for the development of Pulau Blakang Mati by several Ministries, and up till today we do not know who will succeed in the end. Therefore, the question of how many residents there will be in Pulau Blakang Mati in the end is still left open. I think it is largely, for these reasons that the People's Association is unable to vote a large sum of money, to put up a building which might be used only temporarily. To come to the question of lethargy and the lack of efficiency among members of the staff of the People's Association. Alas, I must confess that for the, most part, his criticism is quite valid. I have been going to the People's Association twice monthly trying to pump some life into members of the staff. In fact, we have expanded so much and the same problem that faces the People's Association is also present in other Ministries in that we do not have sufficient capable persons to run an organisation of this nature. But I have taken remedial measures.”
“Mr Ng Yeow Chong asked the Minister for Law and National Development if he will ascertain from the Housing and Development Board (a) what will be the redevelopment scheme which is to take place on the site of four old blocks of flats along Old Airport Road now under clearance action; (b) whether the affected families will be rehoused in alternative accommodation according to their choice; and (c) whether there will be any further redevelopment schemes in the Old Kallang Airport Estate in the near future.”
“The applicant may apply for deferment, Sir. NATIONAL SPORTS COMPLEX AND SPORTS GROUNDS (Flood-lighting facilities) 5. Mr Ng Yeow Chong asked the Minister for Social Affairs whether it is planned to provide flood-lighting facilities for all games which will be accommodated in the new National Sports Complex in Kallang Park; and whether flood-lighting facilities will be provided for sports grounds elsewhere in the Republic to enable national recreation to take place in the late evenings without affecting productivity. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Affairs (Mr Chan Chee Seng) (for the Minister for Social Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir, flood-lighting facilities will be provided in the National Stadium now being built at Kallang Park. Similarly, the covered stadium which forms the second phase of the National Sports Complex, together with the swimming pools and tennis courts, will be flood-lighted. As regards flood-lighting for sports grounds elsewhere in the Republic, Jalan Besar Stadium is already provided with flood lights. Three or four public swimming pools have also flood-lighting facilities. Installations of flood-lighting involve capital and running costs. Therefore, unless there is sufficient justification in usage and there are funds available, it is not intended to provide flood-lighting facilities for other public sports grounds. HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD (Redevelopment schemes in Old Kallang Airport Estate) 6.”
“The Primary Production Department of the Ministry of National Development has implemented a scheme for assisting farmers which includes the distribution of aid in cash as well as materials like vegetable seeds, fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides and lime to farmers affected by the floods on 10th December, 1969. The assistance given was as follows: (a) Vegetable farms Total aid given to 670 vegetable farms amounted to $102,340.80 as follows: Cash $67,000.00 Materials 35,340.80 ---------------------- $102,340.80 (b) Pig farms 83 pig farms were given aid in the form of materials costing $9,935.10 ... ... $9,935.10 (c) Poultry farms 40 poultry farms were given aid in the form of materials costing $5,130.00 ... ... $5,130.00 (d) Loan scheme for livestock farmers: (i) Pig farms Loans up to $1,000 at three per cent interest per annum repayable within one year. (ii) Poultry farms Loans up to $500 at three per cent interest per annum repayable within one year. The Loan scheme operated by the Primary Production Department from Government Funds to aid registered farmers affected by the floods commenced on 26th Juanuary, 1970, and was completed on 14th February, 1970. ----------- Carried forwared ... ... $117,405.90 Brought forward ... ... $117,405.90 Although 254 farms were affected, only 195 farmers took loans amounting to $143,300.00 ... $143,300.00 ----------- $260,705.90 =========== CHINESE NEW YEAR FIRES (Casualties) 14. Mr P. Govindaswamy asked the Minister for Social Affairs how many people died as a result of fires during the Chinese New Year up to Chap Goh Meh; whether there were delays by the Fire Brigade in dealing with the fires, and whether any such delays led to the casualties.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, all male Singapore citizens who, on attaining the age of 18 years and above, complete any of the following stages of their educational career, namely, the School Certificate or its equivalent; the Higher School Certificate or its equivalent; or a course of study at an institution of higher learning leading to a professional qualification or a degree or diploma, are liable to be called up for national service. With regard to students currently pursuing courses of study, whether locally or overseas, leading to an educational qualification just referred to, it is the policy of my Ministry to permit such students to complete that particular stage of their educational career without interruption. Only on completion of their studies at the stage in question will they be called up to serve full-time national service if so required. GENERAL RELIEF FUND (Particulars) 13. Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for Social Affairs what is the total sum collected for the General Relief Fund during and after the recent floods; what was the specific purpose for creating such a Fund; and what special assistance has been given, up to the latest convenient date, to help farmers affected by the floods to rehabilitate themselves. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Affairs (Mr Chan Chee Seng) (for the Minister for Social Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir, I have been asked by my Minister to reply. The total sum collected for the General Relief Fund up to and including 9th March, 1970, is $141,035.83. The General Relief Fund is to be utilised as an all-purpose fund for the relief of victims of calamities involving persons and property. The Fund will be administered by the Social Welfare Department.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, wives of Singapore citizens are eligible to apply for permanent residence in Singapore under the Immigration (Prohibition of Entry) Order, 1966. However, Sir, in the consideration of such applications, various factors have to be considered, namely: (a) whether the marriage is valid in the eyes of the law; (b) whether the wife qualifies under paragraph 4 of the Schedule to the Immigration (Prohibition of Entry) Order, 1966, which provides that the wife of a citizen of Singapore, married either before or after 1st December, 1954, should not as from that date have been living separately from her husband for a continuous period of five years; and (c) whether the husband is in a position to support the wife in Singapore. OVERSEAS STUDENTS (Permission to do national service after completion of studies) 12. Mr P. Govindaswamy asked the Minister for Defence whether he will consider permitting overseas students, who are liable for national service and who are temporarily back in Singapore from their studies, to return to their studies so that there will be no break, on a bond to be executed by their parents that immediately they complete studies and return to Singapore, they will do their national service.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Police have so far achieved a good measure of success in the investigations into commercial crimes which are brought to their notice. For the information of the Member, the following measures have been, are being, and will continue to be taken by the Police in their efforts to curb the anticipated increase in commercial crimes which may be committed by foreigners: (1) By maintaining close liaison with the Immigration Department in regard to the screening of foreign investors who seek permanent residence in Singapore. (2) By maintaining liaison and cooperation with other member countries of the International Criminal Police Organisation of which Singapore is a member. Mr Speaker, Sir, action has also been taken by the Police to increase the strength of the Commercial Crime Branch in the Criminal Investigation Department. In terms of future thinking and planning, consideration is also being given to provide selected Police officers with proper training in banking procedure, commercial and shipping transactions and in business management in general. Officers with such training will be posted to the Commercial Crime Branch, so that the Branch will be better equipped to deal with all types of commercial crime in view of the strict implementation of the Companies Act. NON-CITIZEN WIVES OF SINGAPORE CITIZENS (Permanent residence in Singapore) 11. Inche Rahmat Bin Kenap asked the Minister for Defence whether he will permit a male Singapore citizen who marries a non-citizen outside Singapore to bring his wife to reside permanently with him in the Republic.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in reply to the first part of the question, I will say that where there are means of identification of the body, the Police will then immediately inform the next-of-kin of the deceased. If no means of identification are available, then the list of persons reported missing is checked while, at the same time, an appeal is made through the press for assistance in identification from members of the public. Where the identity of the dead person cannot be established after a lapse of four days, the body is disposed of by the Government. Particulars relating to the dead body, however, are kept for purposes of record. Mr Speaker, Sir, there is constant liaison between the hospital authorities and the Police through the Police post at the Outram Road General Hospital. The Police post receives as well as disseminates information regarding sudden deaths, or deaths brought about by violence, or deaths in which the cause is unknown. After investigation, the Police will contact and inform the next-of-kin of the deceased. In certain instances the body may be removed from the mortuary after the identity has been established before the Coroner and/or after an autopsy has been performed. Where the identity of the dead person has been established, the Police will always contact and inform the family of the deceased person. Where a person dies in hospital as a result of illness and the relatives of the deceased are not readily available, it has also been the practice of the Police to assist in contacting the relatives of the deceased.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, this matter was raised in Parliament by the Member for Jurong on the 24th January, 1968. I refer Members to Hansard, Vol. 26, cols. 1094-6, for the detailed reply by the then Minister of State for Defence. To refresh the memory of Members. I would like to say that in his reply to the question at that time, the Member for Sepoy Lines stated that the Marine Police were unable to afford protection to Singapore fishing vessels operating far away in international waters. I have to report that the position has not changed very much since then. However, with the build-up of the Air Defence Command and the Maritime Command of the Singapore Armed Forces, it is envisaged that some degree of assistance may be available in the not too distant future. POLICE PROCEDURE FOR IDENTIFICATION OF DEAD PERSONS (Particulars) 9. Inche Abdul Aziz Karim asked the Minister for Defence (a) what procedure is adopted by the Police when carrying out investigations to identify a dead person found by them; (b) what form of liaison the Police maintain with the hospitals to ensure that the next-of-kin can claim a corpse from a hospital mortuary in the most satisfactory manner; and (c) if he will ensure that the Police will contact and inform the family of a deceased person without fail where the identity of that person has been established.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I think some of them, are already dormant. As for the others, I do not know why they do not comply. But I can assure Members that they are under very constant and close surveillance. Whether any action will be taken against them will depend on our assessment of whether by their own madness they liquidate themselves, or by their mad acts they become a danger to society and to this country. SINGAPORE FISHING BOATS (Protection against pirates) 8. Mr Ang Nam Piau asked the Minister for Defence what steps he proposes to take for the protection of Singapore fishing boats against pirates on the high seas.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, there are altogether 13 political associations registered in Singapore. As to the second part of the question, it is presumed that it refers to noncompliance with the requirements of the Societies Act with respect to a political association, namely, amend its rules to provide for its membership to be confined to Singapore citizens, and/or change its name if it is the same as that of an organisation outside Singapore, and/or change its symbol if it is the same as that of an organisation outside Singapore. If that is the case, Sir, there are six political associations which have not complied with one or more of these requirements.”
“Sir, more thought will be given to it. I think that answers all the points raised by Members on the Bill. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Mr Lim Kim San]. Bill considered in Committee. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] 5.22 p.m. Clause 1 -”
“Sir, it is very difficult to find out when they actually came here. It could be that they came here after the immigration laws were passed and they just threw away their visit passes. But I can see a problem here. I do not think we would be very severe with these cases until we go thoroughly into the case of every individual.”
“For the information of Members, before a Bill is placed before this House, it is always vetted by the Attorney-General's Chambers. To come to the Member for Alexandra, he wants a definition of the status of people from West Malaysia who were here before the imposition of full immigration control. I think the general rule applies. If a person from West Malaysia is staying here and holds a Singapore identity card, he is allowed to stay here unless he leaves Singapore, in which case he would be travelling on some sort of a document. If he is a Malaysian citizen, he will be travelling with a Malaysian passport. Therefore, once he is out of Singapore, he will be treated in the same way as other visitors from outside Singapore. He will be given a visitor's pass which limits the period he can stay in Singapore. I hope that clarifies the Member's question.”
“Sir, I would be much obliged if the Member for Bras Basah can suggest any legal phrase to make it clear. We have had the Attorney-General's Chambers and law specialists in my Ministry working on this Bill. I think they would be very grateful indeed if the Member could further improve and make a distinction between someone who overstays and someone who has come in illegally.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, there has been no information or evidence of any organised gambling at pay-centres of bus companies during pay days. However, there have been reports of sporadic gambling in the vicinity of certain bus depots and the results of raids conducted in the past are as follows: Number of Number of persons Year raids arrested 1966 12 16 1967 7 3 1968 21 21 1969 16 12 Mr Speaker, Sir, bus depots at Alexandra Road, MacKenzie Road, Upper Aljunied Road, Bedok Road and Changi Road have been under police observation, but large-scale gambling has not been detected at any of these locations. Of course, the police are continuing to keep watch and are also conducting frequent raids at these places to eradicate this anti-social activity. HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD (Resettlement of motor industry at Serangoon Road and other areas) 5. Inche Abdul Aziz Karim asked the Minister for Law and National Development if he will ascertain from the Housing and Development Board whether and what plans the Board has to resettle persons engaged in the motor industry at Serangoon Road and other areas.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, during the period August 1968 to November 1969, 7,051 applications were received from non-citizens for professional visit passes and employment passes. The number of applications included new applications and applications for extension. During the same period, 6,911 applications were approved. The number approved included some applications submitted before August 1968 and finalised after 1st August, 1968. A total of 508 applications were rejected during the same period. The rejections also included some applications submitted before August 1968 and finalised after 1st August, 1968. The reasons for rejecting the applications are as follows: (1) If local citizens with similar qualifications and experience were considered available to take over the jobs applied for. (2) Applicants who were considered of little or no appreciable economic benefit to Singapore; and (3) Security objections. LIVE WORMS FOR FANCY FISH 4. Inche Abdul Aziz Karim asked the Minister for Law and National Development (a) if he is aware that fancy fish breeders and hobbyists are having difficulty in obtaining live worms from local sources since the recent anti-mosquito campaign was started; and (b) if he will instruct the Primary Production Department to undertake the breeding of worms under controlled conditions to restore the local supply of live worms to meet the requirements of our fancy fish breeders and hobbyists, in view of the export earning capacity of fancy fish.”
“The old uniforms were worn out. ROAD LINKING PUNGGOL ROAD WITH TAMPINES ROAD (Construction) 7. Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for Law and National Development whether there are any plans to, construct a road linking Punggol Road with Tampines Road; and where the link road will be constructed. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Law and National Development (National Development Division) (Mr Ho Cheng Choon) (for the Minister for Law and National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Public Works Department has looked into several possibilities of constructing a link road to join Punggol Road with Tampines Road. Any link road to be constructed would run through swampy land. Further, a bridge must be built across Sungei Serangoon. In view of the high cost involved, there is no immediate economic justification for such a project. ELECTRIFICATION OF BUKIT PANJANG CONSTITUENCY 8. Mr P. Selvadurai asked the Minister for Law and National Development if he will ascertain from the Public Utilities Board how long it will be before the Board completes the electrification of the Bukit Panjang Constituency.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, no additional expenditure was incurred for the issue of the newly-designed uniforms to police personnel as these uniforms were issued in lieu of the old type uniforms. And, in any case, these uniforms were due for replacement.”
“Sir, if the Member had listened carefully, he would have heard my answer. My answer is: can the Member guarantee that every child who claims to be born in Singapore will be well looked after if he or she comes into Singapore?”
“Sir, first and foremost, the Immigration Department has to consider whether the child has a claim. He may be born in Singapore but we have first to look into his claim. Also, can the Member for Bras Basah guarantee that every child who claims to be born in Singapore and wants to reside here will be well looked after?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, if the Member will write and give me the relevant reference number, I will surely look into the case.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, under category 5 of the Schedule to the Immigration (Prohibition of Entry) Order, 1966, any child under six years of age of a Singapore citizen may be considered for the issue of an entry permit to enter and reside permanently in the Republic. Applications for such entry permits are considered on the merits of each case.”
“With regard to Other Ranks, a new pay code is being introduced presently and though there are problems because of the limitations of finance, it is hoped that the majority concerned will benefit. There is close co-ordination between the Ministry and Units in the field on service conditions and within the funds available conditions are improved where it is feasible to do so. (d) I do not propose tabling the schemes of service as there is no legal requirement for them to be tabled. However, honourable Members who may be interested in the various aspects of the schemes such as Pay codes, Leave Regulations, Promotions, etc, could be supplied with the necessary information on application to me. CLEANSING WORKERS (Complaints) 7. Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for Health (a) how many complaints have been received by his Ministry in respect of cleansing workers not performing their duties satisfactorily from 1st January, 1968, up to the latest convenient date; and (b) what action has, been taken against those workers.”
“(a) and (b) When the Ministry of the Interior and Defence was established in August 1965, there was only the existing Malaysian Armed Forces schemes of service to rely upon. The Treasury and the Director of Audit accepted the arrangement and since at that juncture an appreciable number of members of the S.A.F. were Singaporeans who had been employed in the Forces during the Malaysian period it was merely a question of their continuing with their existing schemes of service. However, with the introduction of National Service and the rapid expansion of the S.A.F. the Malaysian Armed Forces schemes of service have had to be progressively reviewed and examined to meet the requirements of our own Armed Forces. Consideration has had to be given also to the schemes of service obtaining in the civil service, the effect that National Service has on the staffing composition of the S.A.F. and the special requirements of the S.A.F. Therefore, a new salary scheme, a new leave scheme, routes of promotion, to mention a few, have had to be introduced and these have all been laid down in either MID Orders, Circulars, Army Board Instructions or subsidiary legislation made by the Army Board in accordance with the provisions of the Singapore Army Act, 1965. (c) There are various categories of officers and personnel in the MID, namely - regular commissioned officers and servicemen, short service commissioned officers, mobilised officers and mobilised servicemen, officers seconded from other Government Ministries and Departments; and National Service officers and servicemen. In so far as officers in the S.A.F. are concerned, they are generally satisfied with their terms and conditions of service.”
“(a) The first batch of National Servicemen who have served two years of full-time service were released into the Reserve between mid August and the end of September 1969. (b) For reasons of security the actual number of Servicemen going on to the Reserve cannot be divulged but of the batch that was so released 90 per cent of the Servicemen have been placed in the following sectors of employment, namely - the civil service, statutory boards, the hotel industry, factories, ship building, construction and the building trade, printing, transportation, commerce and security guards. (c) Of the 10 per cent who have not been placed in employment a number of them are awaiting the results of interviews with various prospective employers or are waiting to appear for more interviews. SINGAPORE ARMED FORCES (Scheme of service) 6. Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for Defence (a) whether there is any scheme of service for the Singapore Armed Forces; (b) when was such a scheme introduced; (c) whether the members of the Forces are satisfied with the scheme; and (d) whether he will table the scheme in Parliament.”
“(a) The total number of traffic offences of every description involving drivers of Singapore military vehicles and members of the public during the period 1st January to 30th September, 1969 was 369. (b) Of the 369 cases, fatal injuries were sustained in three instances, there were 29 cases in which persons were seriously hurt and the rest were all minor accidents. Of the three fatal accident cases, two of the cases are pending and in the third case the S.A.F. driver was found to be not at fault. Accident claims made against the Ministry of the Interior and Defence are forwarded to the Solicitor-General's Office for necessary action in keeping with procedure relating to claims against Government vehicles. NATIONAL SERVICEMEN (Employment) 5. Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for Defence (a) when the first batch of National Servicemen was discharged after having served their two-year full-time military service; (b) how many have been offered employment and where; and (c) how many are still unemployed.”
“HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Housing and Development Ordinance, 1959 (No. 11 of 1959)", presented by Mr E. W. Barker; read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. EXTRADITION (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Extradition Act, 1968 (No. 14 of 1968)", presented by Mr E. W. Barker; read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS BILL "to establish a Professional Engineers Board, make provision for the registration of professional engineers and for purposes connected therewith", presented by Mr E. W. Barker; read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY DEVELOPMENT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR FY 1969/1970 3.30 p.m. Order read for consideration in Committee of Supply [Allotted Day]. [Mr Speaker in the Chair]”
“It may also interest Members to know that since the implementation of the Ordinance on 15th August, 1958, up to and including April 1969, 13,241 persons have been arrested under the provisions of section 55. Out of these, 762 persons are now detained under section 47 (a) and 642 persons are ordered to be placed under police supervision. Although the current situation with regard to secret societies in the Republic is under control, there is still a need for constant vigil to be kept. It is therefore essential that the suppression of secret societies in the Republic should go on relentlessly, especially in view of the possible involvement in racial disturbances. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill.-[Mr Lim Kim San]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. MONEYLENDERS (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Moneylenders Ordinance, 1959 (No. 58 of 1959)", presented for the Minister for Social Affairs by his Parliamentary Secretary (Mr Chan Chee Seng); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. STATUTE LAW REVISION BILL "to provide for omissions, amendments and additions considered desirable by the Law Revision Commissioners in their preparation of a revised edition of Acts pursuant to the Revised Edition of the Laws Act, 1966 (No. 16 of 1966)", presented by the Minister for Law and National Development (Mr E. W. Barker); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move. "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Sir, this Bill seeks to amend the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Ordinance, 1955, which will lapse on the 20th October, 1969, by extending its life for a period of another five years with effect from 1st October, 1969. As hon. Members may be aware, this Ordinance provides primarily for the maintenance of public safety, peace and good order, prevention of strikes and lock-outs in essential services, and detention and supervision of persons associated with activities of a criminal nature. Since its introduction, this Ordinance has been of considerable value in curbing secret society activities and the number of secret society incidents has shown a downward trend as follows: - Number of secret Year society incidents 1959 416 1960 241 1961 211 1962 209 1963 144 1964 72 1965 70 1966 73 1967 74 1968 74 Mr Speaker, Sir, Members will appreciate that it is necessary to rehabilitate and re-educate secret society gangsters while they are under detention in order that when they return to society on their release, we hope they would become law-abiding and useful citizens. Rehabilitation takes time and varies with the individual. Some may respond quickly to the rehabilitation programme, while others need a longer period. Hon. Members are most probably aware that only the hard-core secret society members are put under detention orders. The others are placed under police supervision orders for a period of two years. This enables the less dangerous members of secret societies to earn their livelihood and, at the same time, enables the police to keep track of their movements outside their working hours in order to curb their anti-social activities.”
“Yes, Sir. Typed copies of the Bill distributed to hon. Members.”
“Now, Sir. Mr Speaker, Sir, I lay upon the Table a Certificate of Urgency signed by the President in respect of the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment) Bill. Certificate of Urgency handed in.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to introduce a Bill intituled "An Act to amend the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Ordinance. 1955 (No. 26 of 1955)." Bill read the First time Second Reading”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am unaware that members of the police force do not recognise the new licence. Can the hon. Member mention any specific case? TAXI DRIVERS AND TAXI LICENCES 10. Mr N. Govindasamy asked the Minister for Communications if he will consider (a) taking steps to enforce more strictly and effectively the regulation that no taxi-driver can refuse a fare on the ground that the passenger's intended journey is too short; and (b) issuing more taxi licences in order to provide more employment opportunities and also to discourage taxi-drivers from refusing a passenger because of the shortness of the intended journey.”
“Mr Speaker Sir, I beg to move, In page 2, lines 12 and 13, after "training,", to insert "or having been so selected and is currently undergoing officer training,". Mr Speaker, Sir, this is a drafting amendment the purpose of which is to make it clearer that persons who are currently undergoing two years' full-time national service will be required to do three years' full-time national service. Amendment agreed to. Clause 5, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clause 6 ordered to stand part of the Bill. Bill reported with an amendment; read a Third time and passed.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, subject to your consent and the general assent of Members present, under Standing Order 32, I propose to move an amendment to this clause.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, perhaps the Member for Ulu Pandan does not realise that not all officers are scholars and not all scholars are officers in the army here. I am afraid he is living in the past when he talks about an officer in the army being robust, healthy and an extrovert. That may be in the past. Although we need robust, healthy and young officers, at the same time we also need people with brains in this modern technological age. Of course, in the army we do have some university graduates who are officers. But not all officers are university graduates. I think I have made it clear that officer training is expensive. It takes about 18 months to two years to train an officer, and just after he has completed his training, we are letting him off. This does not serve the purpose at all. Therefore, for an officer to be effective after having received his training, he should spend another year in the army and put all his training into practice. The Member for Ulu Pandan may have his own views about giving six months' training to an officer and letting him off. But I can assure him that I have thoroughly looked into the question and, on the advice of the experts, we have decided that it is best for an officer to serve three years in our army. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Mr Lim Kim San]. Bill considered in Committee. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] 3.50 p.m. Clauses 1 to 4 inclusive ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clause 5 -”
“By the time the national serviceman has been briefed and reaches his beat, he has only a short actual duty period before it is time for him to report off. The proposed amendment will enable national servicemen to be deployed for duty for continuous periods of up to a total of 12 hours in a month, thereby making the deployment more effective. Clause 4 amends section 9 of the Ordinance by adding a new subsection (10) to ensure that the medical examination of a person who is to be called up for national service has to undergo is a full and proper medical examination, including a dental examination at the time of registration. A minor amendment is also being made by including the expressions "vigilante corps" and "VIA" to section 26 (1) (b) of the Ordinance, which were inadvertently left unamended when the Ordinance was amended in March 1967. Sir,I beg to move. Question proposed. 3.45 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The Bill seeks to amend a few sections of the National Service Ordinance, 1952, the principal amendment being the addition of a new subsection (3) to section 5. As section 5 now stands, a person who has been convicted for failing to register is not legally bound to register even though he has been tried and convicted for the offence. The addition of the new subsection will remedy this situation by giving authority to the Court to direct persons who have been tried and convicted of this offence to register. The other amendments to the Act are to section 16K (1). Clause 5 of the Bill seeks to increase the national service liability of persons who have been selected for officer training from two years to three years. This is desirable because officer training is lengthy and expensive. Besides, to be effective, an officer must serve at least 18 months after he has been trained. He can then go into the Reserves. The total period of service has, therefore, to be three years. Although it is possible to retain a national serviceman in service for three years or for any longer period by virtue of section 16c of the Ordinance, this is not the proper section to invoke because it was designed for times of emergency. Clause 5 of the Bill also amends sections 16K (2) of the Ordinance by enabling part-time national servicemen to be deployed for duty for either three hours per week, or six hours per fortnight, or twelve hours per month. The deployment of part-time national servicemen in the People's Defence Force, the Vigilante Corps and the Special Constabulary on police duties has shown that three hours' duty per week is not practicable.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, action has been and is being taken by the Traffic Police against drivers of earth-carrying lorries for excessive speeding in Jurong Town. During the period 1st January, 1969, to 13th May, 1969, a total of 777 such cases were reported and the offenders have been dealt with. Similarly, action has been and is being taken against drivers of other types of vehicles for excessive speeding in Jurong Town. During the same period mentioned above, the following were reported by the Traffic Police and have been dealt with, namely, cars, 394; taxis, 70; vans, 74; motorcycles, 619. SIN MIN ROAD (Use of squatter-free land) 8. Mr Ang Nam Piau asked the Minister for Law and National Development what use will be made of the portion of land at Sin Min Road which had been cleared of squatters recently. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Law and National Development (Law Division) (Mr S. Ramaswamy) (for the Minister for Law and National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, the land referred to by the Member for Thomson is state land comprising an area of about 42 acres. Access to this land is by way of Sin Min Road and Jalan Todak, off Upper Thomson Road. The area is now being cleared of squatters. It is proposed to develop the land into an industrial estate for the resettlement of motor workshops and garages which are affected by public projects in various parts of the city.”
“Ariff Bin Suradi asked the Minister for Social Affairs what permanent staff are administering the affairs of the Majlis Ugama Islam, and from what sources are their salaries met.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, we will make every effort to shorten the period of inquiry. At the moment, we are compiling records of cases in which the police took a long time over the inquiry or the police hearse took a long time to come to the scene of the accident. MAJLIS UGAMA ISLAM (Particulars of collections and distribution of Fitrah) 7. Inche Rahmat Bin Kenap asked the Minister for Social Affairs if he will ascertain from the Majlis Ugama Islam (a) how much Fitrah was collected in the last year of the Muslim calendar; (b) how much was distributed before Hari Raya Puasa and to how many persons: and (c) how much is the undistributed portion and what it is proposed to do with it. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Affairs (Mr Chan Chee Seng) (for the Minister for Social Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir, the amount of fitrah collected in the last year of the Muslim calendar is $392,922. The amount distributed before Hari Raya Puasa was $32,482 and it was distributed to 19,759 persons, including fakirs, miskins and converts. After Han Raya Puasa, a further sum of $55,433 was distributed to the same fakirs, miskins and converts, as well as to those who were registered subsequent to the first distribution. In addition, a sum of $49,589 was distributed to the amils. The total sum distributed before and after Han Raya Puasa was $137,504. The amount left undistributed is $255,418. The Fitrah Committee of the Majlis Ugama Islam is working out a scheme to utilise this sum of money for the benefit of the Muslim community in the Republic. MAJLIS UGAMA ISLAM (Permanent staff and salary sources) 8. Inche Mohd.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the victim of a fatal traffic accident is removed as soon as the preliminary investigations at the scene of the accident are completed. Mr N. Govindasamy (Telok Blangah): Mr Speaker, Sir, of late there have been cases of preliminary investigations going on for about two hours or more. Can something be done to speed up preliminary investigations on the road?”
“Govindasamy asked the Minister for Defence whether it is necessary for the Police to have the body of a traffic accident victim at the spot of his death for a considerable length of time before removal and thus induce a traffic jam.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the authorised strength of gazetted Police officers is 205 but the actual strength is 192. At present, 164 gazetted Police officers are supplied with personal orderlies. At present, 134 gazetted Police officers are engaged in field work and 29 gazetted Police officers are engaged in administrative work. However, administrative officers are also required to perform various types of outdoor duties depending upon the circumstances prevailing at the time. Probationary Assistant Superintendents of Police are provided with personal orderlies as a general rule except whilst they are under training at the Police Training School. Normally, Probationary Assistant Superintendents performing the duties of inspectors are not accompanied by inspectors. As regards the question of whether gazetted officers who are serving in the Reserve Units and who have the use of Riot Squad vans for carrying out field work are also provided with orderlies, the answer is "Yes". The average salary of these orderlies is $228.63 per month. Their training syllabus is similar in all respects to that of the regular police constables. Apart from driving their officers, the duties of officers' personal orderlies drivers include care and maintenance of officers' uniform and equipment, accompanying officers on rounds or other police duties, acting as messengers, drivers, personal assistants or witnesses when accompanying officers at all times and such other duties as the officers may direct. I am now holding discussions with the Police Adviser with a view to stopping this practice of supplying all gazetted Police officers with orderlies. TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS (Removal of deceased victims) 6. Mr N.”
“Sir, if the Member had listened very carefully to my reply, he would have heard why I said that it is not possible to train a man within six months.”
“Mr Speaker Sir, I do not think the Member has really listened to my reply. He may have his own opinion, but we have gone thoroughly into the question. I would like him to understand that this is a modern technological age, and in the army we require people with specialist training and of high mental calibre. Therefore, it is necessary that we should conscript into the army people with specialist training who have gone through the third stage of education in order to make the army a very efficient force.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Singapore Armed Forces aims at building and sustaining an efficient and effective force of trained men in the Reserve. To be an effective Reserve Force, during the period of their full-time service the national servicemen have to receive a high standard of training. The Reserve service can only maintain the standard that has been achieved, it cannot advance that standard. In terms of time, the necessary period for basic training requires between four and twelve months' training, dependent on the vocation of the national servicemen, even assuming that the national serviceman has had previous technical training. This must be followed by on-the-job experience and additional training to advanced levels in the respective vocations. Training of an officer takes up to two years depending on the vocation that he is being trained for, and his previous qualifications. Additionally, at least one year's experience as an officer is necessary before an officer can be considered for service in the Reserve Force. Another important factor to consider is that there is not a sufficient supply of skilled men available to enable rep1acements to be called up every six months. It is particularly important, therefore, that in the case of skilled personnel they serve at least two years of full-time service.”