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 13 of 23.
“Neither can we certify that a person is stateless since he was not born here. RADIO AND TV SINGAPURA (Conversion into statutory corporation) The following Question stood in the name of Mr P. Selvadurai - 22. To ask the Minister for Culture if he will make a statement on the proposed conversion of Radio and TV Singapura into a statutory corporation: the need for such a conversion, and if such a conversion will result in changes in the cultural policy hitherto pursued by the Government in relation to Radio and TV programmes. GOVERNMENT GAZETTE (Earlier publication) The following Question stood in the name of Mr Lim Soo Peng - 23. To ask the Minister for Culture (a) whether he is aware that the Governmeni Gazette, which is published on every Friday, reaches the public only on the following Monday, and what steps he proposes to take to make the Gazette available to the public earlier; and (b) whether he will consider publishing the Gazette on Mondays instead of on Fridays.”
“That is avoiding the issue, Sir. What we want is a certificate from the country where the applicant was born stating that he is stateless.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the issue of Certificates of Identity is governed by the United Nations Final Act and Con vention relating to the status of stateless persons. Such certificates can only be issued to stateless persons lawfully residing in the Republic to enable them to travel outside Singapore. As regards the issue of Certificates of Identity to non-citizens of Malaysian or other origins permanently resident in the Republic for purposes of travel between Singapore and West Malaysia, the matter has been carefully examined but the position remains unchanged. Our present policy with regard to the issue of Certificates of Identity is that a person applying for such a certificate must produce evidence from his country of birth to the effect that he is stateless. The Government is aware of the position in which stateless people are placed, but, in view of the international issues of policy involved, the Government cannot relax the present regulations.”
“The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Affairs (Mr Chan Chee Seng) (for the Minister for Social Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir, the purpose, of the special financial scheme for tuberculosis patients is to support such patients and their families during their period of treatment while they have to remain inactive so that they can be quickly cured and return to normal life. As a patient who suffers from pulmonary tuberculosis is generally a danger to the family and the community, the special financial scheme is therefore primarily a measure taken for the protection of the public health. In this respect, a cancer patient does not fall into the same category as one suffering from tuberculosis. It is for this reason that no special financial provisions have been made for cancer patients, as to render them such assistance will make it necessary for persons affected with other diseases to be similarly eligible for financial assistance. For needy cancer patients, however, financial assistance is provided under the public assistance scheme and through the Almoners' Welfare Fund, besides a waiver of medical charges if they are treated in the hospitals. In addition to the financial assistance provided by the Social Welfare Department through the Almoners' Welfare Fund and the public assistance scheme, the Singapore Cancer Society, which was set up in 1965, has also set aside sums of money to help needy cancer sufferers resident in Singapore. PEDESTRIAN OVERHEAD BRIDGES (Particulars) 23. Inche Abdul Aziz Karim asked the Minister for Law and National Development how many pedestrian overhead bridges have been built to-date and the total cost incurred; and how many such bridges will be built in 1969.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, it would not be feasible to compel employers to release their employees to participate in activities which the employees themselves engage in voluntarily. There is, therefore, no provision in the People's Defence Force Act, 1965, to require employers to release volunteers for training. It is expected, however, that employers will have a sense of obligation and duty to the country and will assist and encourage their employees to volunteer in the People's Defence Force. The People's Defence Force has an operational role to play within Singapore's defence structure and, as such, the members of the force are expected to attain a certain level of military training and preparedness. This can only be achieved by regular attendance at parades and training. A volunteer who fails to appear at parades or to attend training exercises will not be able to keep up with his military knowledge and will be a liability to the force. He will therefore not be allowed to carry on and his place will be taken by someone who can fulfil his military tasks. Mr Speaker, Sir, the Government is most appreciative of the sacrifices that our citizens make in volunteering for service in the P.D.F, and, for this reason, encourages both employers and employees to participate directly in the efforts of the People's Defence Force to train our citizens to defend the Republic. ALLOWANCES TO CANCER PATIENTS 22. Mr Ang Nam Piau asked the Minister for Social Affairs whether he will consider introducing a scheme for allowances to cancer patients, similar to the T.B. Treatment Allowances Scheme, in view of the increasing number of cancer patients.”
“Sir, there is a limitation to the speed of these trucks. I do not, at this moment, recall whether it is 20 miles an hour or 30 miles an hour, but there is definitely a limitation in keeping with the limitation of speed of other trucks of similar size. PEOPLE'S DEFENCE FORCE (Absence from training by private sector volunteers) 21. Inche Rahmat Bin Kenap asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that some employees in the private sector who were volunteers in the People's Defence Force were sometimes late for, or even absent from, training because their employers would not grant them time off from work to attend training and because of their frequent absences were dismissed from the Force though they were very keen to continue in the Force; and what steps he has taken or proposes to take in the matter.”
“Depending on the type of vehicle they are assigned to drive, all Singapore Armed Forces' drivers are given special training in the handling of that particular vehicle.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, 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 31st December, 1968, is 444. All accidents involving Singapore Armed Forces' drivers and members of the public are investigated by the civil traffic police, and action is taken appropriate to the offence committed in exactly the same way as for offences committed by civilians. Of the total number of Singapore Armed Forces' drivers involved in accidents, 49 had their cases com pounded and were subjected to disciplinary action. In 52 cases, the accidents are being investigated or action is pending. In two instances, action was brought against members of the public. Three hundred and forty-one of the reported cases were investigated and no further action was taken. These cases were of a very minor nature. There were two fatal accidents and in 13 others, injuries were sustained. Mr Speaker, Sir, all drivers of military vehicles found guilty of negligence or reckless driving have to face the consequences of any action brought against them by the traffic police and, in addition, under military regulations, they have to pay a fine where damage is caused to the vehicle under their charge. Where they are found guilty of inconsiderate or disrespectful conduct towards members of the public, disciplinary action is taken against them. All Singapore Armed Forces' drivers are, of course, instructed in the Highway Code and the S.A.F. Code of Conduct, and it is impressed upon them that they must be courteous and considerate to members of the public at all times.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, following the arrest and detention of 14 men under the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Ordinance for activities connected with illegal Chap Ji Kee operations, certain information came to light which merited further investigation by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau. In consequence of this five police officers and two detectives were questioned by the Director of the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau. Action will be taken against anyone, no matter whether he is a police officer or not, if evidence is adduced against him of corruption. TRAFFIC OFFENCES BY MILITARY VEHICLE DRIVERS (Particulars) 20. Mr Hwang Soo Jin asked the Minister for Defence (a) what is the total number of traffic offences committed by drivers of Singapore military vehicles during the period 1st January to 3lst December, 1968; (b) whether disciplinary action is taken against the drivers in each case; and (c) whether it has been impressed upon military personnel that they should at all times endeavour to maintain a high standard of road courtesy.”
“And the question does not arise in the case of Detective Munisamy who died in the line of duty. POLICE OFFICERS (Interrogation in connection with illegal Chap Ji Kee operations) 19. Inche Rahmat Bin Kenap asked the Minister for Defence whether some Police officers were interrogated in investigations following the arrest and detention of certain persons for activities connected with illegal Chap Ji Kee operators, and the number of such officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, from the 1st of January, 1968, to the 16th January, 1969, three police officers lost their service weapons. The weapons were lost in the following circumstances: On 5th February, 1968, at about 11 p.m. Detective police constable No. 6603, D. Munisamy of "D" Division, attempted to make an arrest at the Lee Kong Open Air Cinema in Bukit Timah Road. He was set upon by a gang of five persons. He drew his revolver and shot at his attackers but he was overpowered and stabbed to death. His revolver was taken away but was later recovered in a letter box at the junction of Peirce and Holland Roads. Two persons have been charged and convicted for the murder of Detective Munisamy and have been sentenced to death. On 9th December. 1968, at about 8.30 p.m., Probationary Inspector Lim Ah Ho was with a lady friend at the King George V Park. He kept his service revolver in his friend's handbag. Later in the evening when he proceeded to leave, his revolver was missing from her handbag. This gun has not been recovered. On 3rd January, 1969, at about 9.50 a.m., some 90 to 100 quarry workers who were on strike at the P.W.D. Quarry in Jalan Gali Batu, together with their supporters, attacked 20 riot unit personnel on duty at the site with granite and bricks. During the rioting, Corporal 3852, Mohamed Yunis Shah, was surrounded and attacked and his revolver snatched away from him. The revolver was later discovered hidden on a site near the quarry at Jalan Gali Batu and has been recovered. Mr Speaker, Sir, disciplinary action is being taken against Probationary Inspector Lim Ah Ho for negligently losing his weapon. With regard to Corporal 3852, Mohamed Yunis Shah, no disciplinary action is contemplated as there is no evidence of neglect on his part.”
“The number of reports made to the Police between 1-1-67 and 3 1-12-67 of offences of: - (i) rape under Section 375 of the Penal Code - there were 47 cases reported of which 16 resulted in prosecutions. (ii) incest against women under Section 376A of the Penal Code - there was 1 case reported but no prosecution resulted. (iii) unlawful carnal connection under Section 128 (1) (j) of the Women's Charter - 22 cases were reported and 12 resulted in prosecutions. ADOPTION OF CHILDREN THROUGH SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT 2. Mr J. F. Conceicao asked the Minister for Social Affairs what is (a) the number of mothers who, between 1st January, 1967, and 31st December, 1967, requested the Social Welfare Department to make arrangements for the adoption of their children; (b) the number of such children who were illegitimate; and (c) the total number of such children for whom the Department successfully arranged adoption.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I believe there is already a community centre in Thomson. There are probably very good reasons why no further community centre has been built in spite of the promise. I do not know what the reasons are. Probably there is no suitable land, or the activities of the present centre do not warrant the building of another centre. Anyway, I promise the Member I will look into the matter. Mr Speaker, Sir, I know what the Member for Jurong has in mind, that if we make up our minds to do a thing, we can overcome the difficulties. I quite realise that if we really want to go for kindergarten education in a big way, we can always set up a special Teachers' Training College to train kindergarten teachers or send them abroad or provide special equipment. But the main objective of the People's Association is not to run kindergarten classes. First and foremost, I would like the People's Association to succeed in its main objective, that is, to bring community service to the people and to get the people to participate in various activities. I want that to succeed first rather than disperse all our resources in doing two things and failing in both.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I was not the Minister who promised him two kindergarten classes in his constituency. But I have made it clear that I would not like the People's Association to extend its activities in running kindergarten classes. In fact, we should do less and less of this, and I have given my reasons. Also the Member for Sembawang has reinforced the reason why the People's Association should not be responsible for kindergarten classes.”
“It was right that the sum of $92,000 provided for last year was not spent. I do not know the exact figures expended in the drawing up of plans and investigation work. We will look into the question of building a community centre at the Naval Base when the time comes, because the Naval Base has not yet been handed to us. I think that answers all the issues brought up.”
“I have no objection to this at all. In fact, it will lighten my load. The Member for Tiong Bahru asked what has happened to the holiday flats and why there is no provision to build these flats in the Development Estimates. This proposition came about while members of the board of the People's Association were dealing with a request for holiday bungalows from the staff of the People's Association. They requested that since the staff of Government departments are entitled to holiday bungalows, why cannot they be provided with holiday bungalows also? This proposition was discussed by members of the board of the People's Association and we came to the conclusion that it would be worth while to try a new scheme, that is, instead of, say, using two acres of land for two bungalow houses which will be able to accommodate only two families, it would be better to build holiday flats so that for the same amount of money and using the same land area, more members of the staff could be accommodated: also it is possible to let these flats out to members of the public. Since the holiday flats are primarily for the use of members of the People's Association, the cost of building them will have to come from whatever funds the People's Association has. This is the reason why the provision is not included in the Development Estimates. A study of the site, the form the holiday flats should take, and the cost of building them, is still in progress. In reply to the Member for Sembawang, all I can say is to repeat what I said just now, and that is, plans for the construction of the People's Hall have met with some snags - foundation trouble and probably later on financial stringency - and therefore the project has come to a stop.”
“I myself would like the People's Association to run these classes, but owing to its commitments and in order not to lose sight of our main objective, I think we should concentrate more on what we have set out to do than do something which we are not qualified to do, that is, running kindergarten classes. I would be very loath indeed to damage our children at this very tender age by providing them with teachers who are not specially qualified to teach them. I do not know whether it comes within the province of the Ministry of Edu cation. But after listening to the Member for Jurong today, I would like to repeat that I am more than convinced that the People's Association is not the organisation to run kindergarten classes. In fact, we will be cutting down the number of classes very soon. The Member for Ulu Pandan would like the People's Association to be handed over to the Ministry of Culture.”
“Sir, after listening to the Member for Jurong, I am more than convinced that all the arguments are against the running of kindergarten classes by the People's Association. The Member very rightly said that the children attending these kindergarten classes are at the most impressionable age and one must be very careful with what one does with their education, and also kindergarten teachers should be given very special training. All in all, it is a very specialised subject and in order to be able to teach these children well, we have to train the teachers, and all this costs money. Let me remind Members that the main objective of the People's Association is not to run kindergarten classes. The Association does it as an adjunct and partly to provide a service to the people. After running these classes for some time, however, it was found necessary to set up a committee to conduct these classes, and, having watched the results, and especially after listening to the Member for Jurong, I am more than ever convinced that the running of kindergarten classes is not the function of the People's Association. Instead of benefiting our population, we may probably do untold damage to children of tender age if the People's Association takes over this job. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] 4.40 p.m. I beg to differ when the Member for Jurong said that there is a great demand for kindergarten classes, because when enrolment began this year some of the kindergarten teachers had to go on a house-to-house enrolment campaign in order to get sufficient children to commence classes. In fact, some of the classes have to be closed down.”
“It is put into the Development Estimates as two items - People's Centre and People's Hall. Actually, they are two phases of the same project. The first phase is the People's Centre and the second phase is the People's Hall. As regards the People's Flall, the idea is to have a hall of this type to hold cultural shows that are usually seen or performed in community centres. We have found that present facilities for large-scale performances of this nature are not suitable because the community centres cannot afford the rentals charged by the Victoria Memorial Hall or the National Theatre. And it is intended that shows or activities which are encouraged by the People's Association can be performed in this hall at quite a nominal rate. Moreover, annually, we hold conferences of management committees and conferences of the staff of the People's Association and we find that we do not have the space available for these conferences. Therefore, it is proposed that the People's Hall be used to hold these conferences. As I said, Sir, it is just a token vote because, while investigating into the possibility of having this centre built, we came across problems of foundation. There would have to be further investigations into the feasibility of building this complex and also, in view of our financial stringency, it is more likely than not that the plans will not be proceeded with.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, these are token votes. These are ideas which we have in mind. I shall try to clarify what is meant by the People's Centre and the People's Hall. There seems to be some confusion that since we have so many community centres all over the island, why should we want to establish a super community centre at Kallang itself? This is not a super community centre. It serves a different purpose. Its objectives are slightly different in that in the People's Centre there will be two lecture rooms, one with a seating capacity of 100 persons, and the other 40 persons. This is largely to allow the People's Association to conduct classes for the staff and seminars for the management committees, in this way, experiences can be exchanged between members of the various management committees as well as the staff of the People's Association, which number between 1,500 and 1,700. It is also expected that we shall have a staff club-house to enable the 1,500 odd members of our staff to have some recreation and a place to get together to know one another better. 4.15 p.m. As Members know, the 1,500 or 1.700 members of our staff are spread all over the island and I think it is essential that, from time to time, they should be brought together in a central place where they can get to know one another and participate in sporting or cultural activities of their own interest. It is also proposed that we should have offices for corporation members of the People's Association which can be rented out to them at an economic rental, because we have found that quite a large number of youth associations, clubs and such bodies have no offices or premises where they can work to promote their various activities.”
“May I clarify? Shall we say that there were two sites. The first was the original site which, according to my information, was turned down when the Member found it to be unsuitable. Then on his recommendation later on, we went to the other site. This was the site which will be affected by the road-widening scheme. Therefore, the application was rejected by the Housing Board.”
“Mr Speaker. Sir, whether we will be able to build a community centre for Mountbatten Constituency will also depend to a large extent upon how successful the Member for Mountbatten himself is in helping us to find a suitable site. I would like to remind him that the original site which we chose was turned down by him. He in turn recommended a site which was later found to be required for road extension. All I can say is that we have not given up hope and that we may still be able to find a suitable site. In this respect, may I request that he keeps his eyes open and hunt for a site himself as well?”
“If we are really going all out for a large armaments factory, this is insufficient. But there are many components in the manufacture of equipment with which we can associate the Defence Fund. My idea is to have the Defence Fund associated with one of the component parts manufactured by one of the smaller factories to remind us all the time that it is made possible because all the people of Singapore have in one way or another contributed towards its establishment.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, if the Member for Sembawang had followed closely the speech made by my colleague, the Minister for Finance, while presenting his Budget, he would have noted that my colleague gave as detailed an account of our defence build-up as he possibly could. I do not think I can go further and give him more details of the kind of armaments that we want to buy for our troops. All I can say is that the development fund is to be used for the acquisition of land, construction of camp sites, and purchase of equipment for the troops. That is as far as I can go. I am very glad to find that, in spite of his age, the Member for Ulu Pandan is still as energetic and patriotic as I would like all our young people to be. I can take it that he has contributed all he can to the Defence Fund. However, there is not only one committee working on getting contributions to the Defence Fund, but there are also hundreds of committees. I think the time has come for us to set a time limit for donations to the fund and not leave it open. As I said when announcing a target amount for the Defence Fund, there are many other worth-while funds competing for donations. The contributions that we have received for the Defence Fund have shown that there is a great deal of loyalty and love for this country. I appreciate very much the sentiments expressed by the Member for Ulu Pandan. I think it is most timely of him to remind the very rich in our country that if they do want to con tribute, this is the time to contribute and not when it is too late, as happened the last time. Part of the fund would be used to help establish a rifle or weapons factory. In the view of the Member for Ulu Pandan, this would be insufficient. In a way, it is so.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am proposing to use part of the Defence Fund to establish a weapons factory, part of it for the purchase of initial training aircraft, and part of it for scholarship funds for specialised training of Singapore Armed Forces personnel.”
“There is no intention to issue new passports at all. This is a special expenditure because the sum of money is used to employ temporary staff to man the centres which issue the restricted passports. This is a temporary measure and it is expected that the rush for restricted passports will be over very soon and that this expenditure will not be used at all.”
“I am most sympathetic to that appeal and I will look into the problem. I think it is simple to make it widely known that female Singapore citizens who marry non-citizens should follow the domiciles of their husbands. It can be made known from time to time. I think this debate will probably highlight the fact that locally-born women whose hearts are won by foreigners will, most likely, have to make their homes in countries other than Singapore. The question was raised, how are we to know whether a husband can support his foreign wife? In some instances where we had allowed a wife to come into Singapore, we found out a few months later that she had been asking my colleague, the Minister for Social Affairs, for assistance! We also found out that the husband was doing odd jobs and earning about $80 a month. Ultimately my colleague had to support the family!”
“Therefore, their status is doubtful even in the minds of the country of their birth or domicile, and by issuing them with a restricted passport we have to recognise that they are our responsibility. The position has been explained that, because of the difficulties we have to face following the British military withdrawal, we do not want to create more trouble for ourselves in future by making it easy for people to come and stay here. The Member for Changi complains that he is always held up by the customs when he goes to the satay club in Johore Bahru. I think it is not by the Immigration Department at the checkpoint. I think that is not the experience of most people. Probably his face showed that he had been doing more than eating satay! I think this is an exception rather than the rule. Next time, if he will just confine himself to eating satay, he will probably get through faster. 5.00 p.m.”
“Just to let Members know that we have not been heartless, I will give the figures of applications and the number approved and rejected. In 1967, 486 applications of this nature were approved and 134 were refused; in 1968, 449 were approved and 187 were refused; from October to December 1967, 28 were approved and three were refused; January to November 1968, 668 were approved and 161 were refused. Every case is treated on its own merits, but the law covering applications of female non-citizens married to Singapore citizens comes under the Immigration Prohibition of Entry Order, 1966. Those who are interested can read it in detail. Those female non-citizens who are married to Singapore citizens and who are on a visit pass are not allowed an extension of stay because their husbands are not in a position to support them or the children whom they will bring into this world later on. That is the main reason why they are refused admission, otherwise we will not interfere with their matrimonial problems. As regards the refusal to issue restricted passports to persons holding blue identity cards, we will issue them these passports if they can produce a certificate of statelessness. But they cannot produce this certificate of statelessness because their country of domicile is not willing to give them this certificate. Is that correct?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, Members seem to think that I am the fly in the ointment in affairs of the heart! I would like to assure them that I encourage freedom in affairs of the heart wherever possible! This is one of the reasons why the Registrar of Marriages does not show discrimination whom a person marries so long as he gives sufficient notice and the parties concerned have lived in Singapore for more than 15 days. I do not see in what way this has got anything to do with immigration. It is a service which Singapore can render to join them in holy and legal wedlock so that they can live hap pily ever after. I do not think there is any tie-up between the Immigration Department and the Registry of Marriages. I do not think the Member for Serangoon Gardens would like the Government to determine who should marry whom and who should not marry whom. We give complete freedom here provided the couple have lived here for more than 15 days. If they want to get married, the Registry will perform the service, and good luck to them. Therefore, the question of immigration does not come in. The Member for Serangoon Gardens also wants to know the rationale under which we decide that female non- Singapore citizens who are married to male citizens are allowed in, whereas male non-citizens who are married to women citizens are not allowed in. I do not know exactly what is the rationale, but I would say that, being an eastern country, we would like to feel that it is the man who wears the pants and, therefore, the woman takes the domicile of the man. The Member for Bukit Panjang has given the legal interpretation to it. As regards admission of women non-citizens who are married to Singapore citizens, the law provides that they can apply for entry into Singapore.”
“Mr Speaker. Sir, perhaps I should inform Members of the House that we encourage commu nity service in the armed forces as much as possible and some of our battalions have adopted orphan homes and community centres. If my memory serves me right, the last group of cadets before they were given commissions as officers did participate in some road construction. Where members of the M.I.D, are responsible for spoiling some of the roads, I think it will not be difficult at all for them to repair these roads where-ever possible. As regards stealing of rambutans by the troops at night while under training, I have given instructions that incidents of this nature should not be repeated. But, as you know, our youths are physically fit, robust and high-spirited. So one or two incidents of this nature are expected. Anyway, I do not believe it is done on an organised scale. It is more out of mischief than for any benefit which they get. I have given instructions that these incidents should not be repeated. The troops should keep' good relationship with members of the public. With the training given. I can expect them to keep law and order even while they are on training under difficult circumstances.”
“We feel that national servicemen who serve two full years in the army have been deprived of the opportunity of looking for work during the two years they are in service, whereas Vigilante Corps members and the Special Constabulary Corps members spend only part of their time in training and, therefore, they could still be working while they are being trained. 4.30 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker. Sir, unfortunately for the Member for Mountbatten, the answer to all his queries is no. He must understand that the present organisation of the Vigilante Corps is entirely different from that of the Vigilante Corps that we had during the Indonesian confrontation. At that time we had volunteers who came forward to help us patrol the beaches and stand guard against subversive elements. But at the moment the Vigilante Corps takes in young conscripts and we have an entirely different kind of programme for these people. Therefore, though they have completed their basic training and have passed out, it is not the intention of my Ministry to post these people to the various community centres. Security, that is, the patrolling and manning of beaches, will be undertaken by the police and the Special Constabulary. The Vigilante Corps has other objectives which I need not go into detail here. For security reasons, it is not the policy of my Ministry to make known the number of training centres we have and where they are. But if any Member of the House is really interested to know these and want more details, he can approach me and I will give him the information in private. But under no circumstances must Members divulge the number of training centres and where they are situated and similarly also the number of national servicemen we have trained as Vigilante Corps members. It is not the policy of my Ministry to divulge these figures. The Government is not willing to guarantee work for national servicemen in the Vigilante Corps as it does for those who serve full-time military service in the army.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I agree that it is quite difficult to get through a call to my Ministry because we have a very limited number of lines. I wish we could increase the number of lines. But due to technical difficulties it is riot possible to do so. We are in close consultation with the Singapore Tele- phone Board to see whether we can remedy the situation. I would like to' be in a position to be able to receive phone calls immediately from the Mem ber for Sembawang or the Member for Paya Lebar so that I myself can accompany the police car wherever it goes.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, as I say, I would like Members to forward me the details and I will make the necessary investigation.”
“The Member for Delta alleges that a large number o police personnel are careless in the handling of their weapons. I do not know how many cases she has read in the papers. But whenever these cases are known, disciplinary action has been taken. She also alleges that it is common knowledge that police officers have shares in businesses, especially bars. Police regulations do not allow any police officer to have any interest in any business which may prejudice his work. Though it is common knowledge to her, I have not received any complaint about that. Here again, if she can give specific complaints, we will look into them. Of course, students who have been members of the school police cadet corps will be given preference when they come for recruitment into the police force. There is no doubt about that.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, two Members have mentioned specific cases where they met with rudeness from the police force. I wish they had brought them to my attention earlier. They could have written to me giving the time, date and place of the incident, and I could have made the necessary inquiries, because all along we have asked our police to be courteous and polite to the public. I am glad that the Member for Paya Lebar thinks that only a minority of the police force are acting in this way. Nevertheless, it is our duty to weed them out. I will be glad to receive more detailed information so that I can take appropriate action. The Member for Paya Lebar complained about the slowness of the police to appear at the scene of a crime. Here again, I think it is a general statement, and if specific instances can be given, I will go into the whys and wherefores. The Member - in fact, all of us -would like the police, when called, to arrive at the scene of a crime as quickly as possible. On the other hand, he suggested that they should not use their car horns to get a clear way through the traffic. I am grateful for his suggestion that lights can be used to alert the road users that the police are on duty or in a hurry to go somewhere. But as I am not a specialist, I do not know whether lights in the daytime will have the desired effect of alerting the cars in front to make way for the police. Anyway, I am grateful for his suggestion, but the best way that we know of clearing the traffic is for the police to sound their horns. If the Member can pinpoint any incident where the police arrived one hour after they had received a call, I will look into it. As he knows, sometimes the traffic in Singapore is quite congested and it takes some considerable time to get from one place to another.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the presence of parents will interfere with the registration and, furthermore, there is a limitation of space. Of course, we are trying to see whether we can provide waiting space for the parents. But I believe, Sir, if we go to the secondary schools where the youths are registered - they are much younger than those who are being called up we do not find parents holding their sons' hands when they go for registration. I expect very soon that parents will treat their children in the same way as those being registered in the schools and we will not have parents holding their children's hands when they go for registration. While trying to make it as comfortable as possible for those parents who still have doubts whether their children have grown up or not, I think it is a question of time before the necessity for providing waiting space for parents does not arise.”
“Does he mean that they do not allow the mothers to accompany their children when they go through these stages of interview, or does he mean that they were asked to go away? Can he clarify that point?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, for the information of Members, I would like to say that the procedure of registration takes quite some time, largely because there are a lot of tests to go through and a lot of information to be sought from conscripts. I will briefly give the procedure that a national conscript is expected to go through and the time taken. There are several stages. 3.45 p.m. The first is documentation. This requires about 40 minutes per person. After this, there is an aptitude test which takes one and a half hours per person. This aptitude test is to find Out what the national conscript is fitted for technical, combat or for the various vocations that we have in the armed forces. Then there is a language proficiency test and a personal interview which require about 20 minutes per person. Therefore, all in all, it takes about two and a half hours for each conscript. So it is expected that every conscript who presents himself for registration has to wait quite some time. On the average, 400 people are called up a day. When we first started conscription and call-up, the parents who accompanied these youths were allowed into the camp, but after some experience of it we found that it delayed the interview and the registration itself because of the limited space. Hence, parents are now not allowed inside the camp. Unfortunately, we do not have sufficient space to provide places for these parents to sit. We are trying to find whether we can make use of the canteen of the People's Association, which is situated nearby, for the parents to wait for their children. I myself do not understand what the Member meant when he said that the staff of the Central Manpower Base have not treated the mothers well.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I said that women are paid the same salary as the men if they are doing the same kind of work. So there is no discrimination in my Ministry between men and women on the question of salary. As regards an increase in the strength of the women's defence force, of course, we will recruit more members for the women's defence force if there is a need to. I think there is a need because we are expanding very fast. We have not reached our peak yet. Madam Chan Choy Siong: I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“I understand that when women were called up by the Ministry of Defence, there was a stipulation that they would be given the same pay as the men serving in the armed forces and that their training may bc different. I am raising this point because a few members of the women's defence force have complained to me of this anomaly. I would also like to ask the Minister for Defence whether the strength of the women's defence force will be increased.”
“Our men conscripts have got to go through a very strenuous course of basic training which taxes them mentally and physically to the utmost. I do not think we can equate women with men here. Therefore, women are not given this training. But as regards pay, where they do the same kind of work we consider them equal and have given them equal pay. The Member for River Valley alleges that the dearth of manpower to help us in our economic growth is due to the national call-up. I cannot agree with him. He says that technical graduates of the Polytechnic and the University have been called up by my Ministry. If it had been so, my men and I would not be running around today trying to find technical men to man the positions that we have. Only graduates who have graduated since 1967 have been called up. So the figures he mentioned of 502 professional men and 1,043 technicians - I did not catch how many craftsmen there were - the majority of them are in industry. As regards reserving a proportion of these graduates to help in our industrial growth, I cannot promise him that because we are at the very outset of our build-up. Here again it is a question of priority - economic growth or defence capability. I would like Members to think that without this defence build-up, there may come a time when all the economic growth in the world will not stand us in good stead, because we would be captured and it would be too late to regret that we should have given priority to our defence build-up first. Madam Chan Choy Siong (Delta)(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Minister has not answered one of my questions. I said that the salary paid to members of the women's defence force is different from that paid to the men serving in the armed forces.”
“I can say that she is in very good company indeed when she wants to know how long the Australians are staying here. I think all of us want to know that. I would answer the question if I could, and things would be made much easier for us because we could then plan our defence with more precision. The Member's other question is: can we fill the vacuum left by the British military withdrawal? I do not believe any nation in Southeast Asia can fill the vacuum left by the British. In fact, I feel the British have probably calculated that they cannot hold their position in Southeast Asia as well as they could before, and that is one of the reasons why they are leaving. As regards the filling of the vacuum, we are building our armed forces in order to fulfil our share in trying to fill that vacuum, and that vacuum can only be filled either by a major power or by all the nations in Southeast Asia, extending as far as Australia and New Zealand, working together in concert for the security of this region. We are taking every step to prepare ourselves in order to play our part when the time comes when all these nations can work together for peace and stability in this area. The Member also asked whether there is any possibility of lowering the age of national conscripts. In the foreseeable future, Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not think there is a likelihood of our lowering the age of national conscripts. I say "in the foreseeable future", but if anything untoward happens, then we have got to find ways and means of increasing our manpower. The Member for Delta also wants to know whether the women's defence force are working under the same conditions as the men. I do not know what she means by working under the same conditions. They are not given the same kind of training physically.”
“His fear is that the constitutional rights of the citizens of Singapore will not be protected because we are abusing the powers that we have under the special detention laws to detain people for more than 24 hours and then bring them to court. I think every Member in this House is as zealous as he is to see that we protect the constitutional rights of our citizens. I dare not say that the powers given under the special detention laws have not been abused. Perhaps in their zest to rid this country of undesirable elements, officers in the police force may have made use of these powers. 3.30 p.m. But I can assure the Member that every precaution has been and will be taken to see that advantage is not taken of the special detention laws. The Member seems to impute that 438 persons were charged after detention of 24 hours. I doubt that very much, Sir. Probably a majority of them were charged within 24 hours. But I do wish to assure him and the House that I will take every precaution to see that advantage is not taken of the special powers under the detention laws. Coming to the Member for Mount-batten who wants to know why there is no provision under the Ministry of the Interior and Defence to celebrate our 150th anniversary next year, all I can say is that the planning and co-ordination for the celebration of this anniversary come under the Ministry of Culture. That is why there is no provision under my Ministry. The Member for Sembawang claims that members of the Vigilante Corps are given only one suit of uniform each. I wish to correct him. They are given two suits of uniform. They are not given transport allowance. But they can claim whatever money they spent on transport from the Commandant of the Vigilante Corps. The Member for Delta asked four questions.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, before taking up the issues which were raised by Members yesterday and today, may I take the opportunity to touch briefly on one item which appears in the Budget Estimates under both the Ministry of Communications and the Ministry of Defence, namely, the subject of good conduct allowance. I would like tu congratulate the Member for Serangoon Gardens on having very arduously gone through this thick book of Estimates to find and draw attention to this item which has appeared year in and year out in the past without any Member making any reference to it. We all agree with him that as civil servants, and more so as policemen who are supposed to uphold law and order in this country, they are expected to show good conduct and, having conducted themselves well, there is no reason why they should be paid an allowance over and above what they should normally get. However, I am glad to inform this House that in time this item will disappear. I have been delving into the historical past to find out the whys and wherefores of this allowance being paid, but I regret to report that I have not been able to find any reason for it at all, except that, in looking through the files, I discovered that the allowance is an incentive for policemen not to sleep at their posts! I think the present lot of policemen need no incentive to stay awake at their posts. I am glad to report that since 1965 we have not been paying this allowance at all. As the years go by, the provision for this allowance will be less and less, and ultimately there will be none. Since I have referred to the Member for Serangoon Gardens, I may as well take up the issue which he raised yesterday and again today.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply has made further progress on the Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st January, 1969, to 31st March, 1970, and ask leave to sit again tomorrow.”
“Sir, I have never made use of this escort service. Personally, I cannot say that I am aware of this state of affairs. But where there is an infringement of the Regulations, I can assure Members that the police will take appropriate action. SINGAPORE ARTS COUNCIL BUILDING FUND AND CONSTRUCTION OF NATIONAL ART GALLERY AND ACADEMY OF ARTS BUILDING 8. Mr Teong Eng Siong asked the Minister for Culture (a) what is the total amount of donations by members of the public to the Singapore Arts Council Building Fund up to 31st October, 1968; and (b) when the construction of the National Art Gallery and the Academy of Arts building will commence.”
“Sir, the police are always looking into illegal activities. I do not know whether tourist agencies are largely engaged in illegal activities, but the police have kept an eye on them and, up to date, my information is that they suspect hat some of them are up to no good. There are 106 of these firms registered and where they are suspected of carrying on activities which the Member for Katong has in mind, the Anti-Vice Branch will take appropriate action.”
“Sir, there is a proposal to build a police station at Toa Payoh for which there is provision in the 1969 Estimates. A 3½ acre site has been selected in Toa Payoh Housing Estate. It has got to be acquired and alt I can say is that this project is still under consideration by my Ministry. CRIMINAL LAW (TEMPORARY PROVISIONS) ORDINANCE, 1955 (Particulars of prosecutions and convictions) 6. Mr L. P. Rodrigo asked the Minister for Defence (a) how many persons who were arrested for detention under the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Ordinance, 1955, were thereafter soon charged and prosecuted in court during the period 1st January, 1967, to 30th June, 1968; (b) how many of such prosecutions resulted in convictions; and (c) how many of such convictions were the result of the accused pleading guilty.”