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 15 of 23.
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Outward Bound School offers courses almost similar to those being offered by the Outward Bound School which was started on an ad hoc basis sometime in 1960 with the help of instructors from the British Army. We actually took over in August this year when preparation was made for the requisite buildings and facilities in Pulau Ubin. Coming to the courses themselves, since the hon. Member for Punggol has attended the Outward Bound School -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the amount of expenditure that has to be incurred to pay these increases in salary for the police personnel, which was decided upon by the Malaysian Government when we were part of Malaysia, could have and has been anticipated. It is for purely technical reasons that we did not include it in our Budget, because once provision is made from our own funds, then it makes our position at the bargaining table more difficult. The total increase amounted to $8,112,480, which was fully paid by the Malaysian Government. 2.45 p.m. It is an accounting procedure that all receipts should go into revenue and all payments should be voted for under the heads. That is the reason why a supplementary of $4,989,000 is being asked for, because there are savings of $3 million odd from personal emoluments of the police. As regards the question of the Member for Punggol, I think he has answered it himself. There is no similarity between back-dating payments for daily-rated workers and police personnel. It is a decision made by the Malaysian Government. It is not something that has been decided upon by this Government or by me. I think that answers all the questions.”
“The training and the discipline they will receive in the Special Constabulary will benefit them and the community in that they will be better citizens and better workmen. Mr Speaker, Sir, now I wish to deal with some of the clauses in the Bill. Clause 2 provides for persons who may be enrolled as members of the Special Constabulary, while paragraph (b) of clause 3 provides that no national servicemen called up for service in the Special Constabulary shall be discharged or dismissed without the prior approval of the proper authority appointed under the National Service Ordinance, 1952. An important amendment is clause 4. This provides that members of the Special Constabulary will have to take an oath in such form as may be prescribed by the Minister, and any member who refuses to do so shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both such fine and imprisonment. Clause 6 adds a new section which is to the effect that a national serviceman who fails without reasonable cause to attend any training or perform any duty shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $500, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both. 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. RECLAMATION AT TANJONG RHU/ESPLANADE 4.22 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The Bill seeks to amend Part VIII of the Police Force Ordinance, 1958 (No. 32 of 1958), to provide for national servicemen who will be directed for service in the Special Constabulary under the National Service Ordinance, 1952 (M. Ordinance No. 37 of 1952). The ranks of the Special Constabulary up to now had been filled by persons volunteering to be members of the Special Constabulary. The role of the Special Constabulary is one of assisting the Police Force, and members of the Special Constabulary, when on duty, have the same powers, protection and immunities as police officers. The Commissioner of Police may employ, without pay, any member of the Special Constabulary for such duty. The ranks of the Special Constabulary will certainly be strengthened with the national servicemen who will be given an opportunity to learn the strict discipline of a uniformed service. The national servicemen who are called up for service in the Special Constabulary will do 12 years' part-time service during their off-work or off-study hours. They will receive, in addition to their many duties, instruction in moral values. This will teach them the meaning of good citizenship and explain to them the nature of their social responsibilities. With the introduction of national service in Singapore, our youths are being given an opportunity to contribute to our nation-building, an opportunity to participate in the defence of our country if the need arises. It has been so often said that the youths of our country are the natural resources of the country. Being so, we have to teach them to become responsible citizens.”
“Clause 5 amends subsection (1) of section 97 by deleting the requirement that to be eligible for enlistment in the Army a person must not only himself be a citizen but must have been born in Singapore of parents one of whom was born in Singapore or be the issue of a citizen. Instead, possession of Singapore citizenship in itself is substituted as a sufficient requirement. This is necessary in view of the fact that there are many citizens who would like or are liable to serve in the Army but who were not born in Singapore of parents one of whom at least was born in Singapore. Clause 6 amends section 158 of the Act by deleting the reference to the Modification of Laws (Armed Forces) (Singapore) Order, 1963, as one of the laws repealed by the Act and substituting the Federation Regiment Ordinance, 1952. 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. POLICE FORCE (AMENDMENT) BILL Order for Second Reading read. 4.14 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 Singapore Army Act, 1965, the principal amendment being the addition of a new section 85A. Section 85 of the Act provides for the mode of enlistment of persons offering to enlist in the Singapore armed forces. Persons offering to enlist are required to sign an attestation paper and take an oath in the presence of a magistrate. The provisions of section 85 do not obviously apply to national servicemen since they do not come under the category of persons "offering to enlist". Therefore it is considered desirable to make special provision for the enlistment of national servicemen into the Army. Section 85A also makes it mandatory for a national serviceman called up for full-time service in the Army to take an oath or affirmation. National servicemen called up for part-time service in the People's Defence Force, the Special Constabulary and the Vigilante Corps also have to take a similar oath or affirmation. The other amendments to the Act are not so important. They are clause 2 of the Bill - amending "Army Council" in section 50 of the Act to "Army Board" to conform to the terminology used elsewhere in the Act. Clause 4 amends section 86 of the Act by reducing the period of three months, during which a recruit can purchase his discharge, to one month because it is felt that three months is too long a period to give to a recruit who has enlisted in the Army to decide whether or not he wishes to carry on in the Army; one month should more than suffice.”
“Can I add something for clarification for the peace of mind of Members here? Mr Speaker, Sir, normally after a lapse of an interval of, say, six months or a year, if there are no structural defects in a building, it is unlikely that there will be structural defects later on. So I think, by and large, we can assure the House that in most of the buildings where the piling has been undertaken by Gammon and in which they have been lived for two or three years by this time, there is no danger at all of any major structural defects.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, if Mr Ho is that persuasive, I suggest that he make his persuasion in Committee. AMENDMENT TO CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND ORDINANCE 5. Mr S. V. Lingam asked the Minister for Labour whether he will consider amending the Central Provident Fund Ordinance to enable contributors to withdraw monies due to them from the Fund if (a) they are disabled without being permanently incapacitated from ever continuing in employment; or, (b) they are unemployed for periods of less than two years and are unable to establish that they will never be re-employed in order to enable such persons who so desire to start their own business and thereby cease being burdens on the welfare services of the Republic.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to make it clear that I never for one deny responsibility for the Ministry of Health in any way. As regards withdrawing the proposed Bill, I have not had a look at the representations nor are all representations in, and I cannot say that they are all in opposition. I am not as certain of it as the hon. Member for Punggol is.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am Acting Minister for Health and I cannot definitely tell the Member when. But if he has the patience to wait for the Minister for Health to come back, I am sure the date as to when the Bill will be tabled before this House will be made known to him.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am always very sympathetic to other views on any question. I would like to inform the House that representations from persons or organisations are now being received, and I can assure the House that the views of interested persons and organisations on the proposed legislation can be heard at the Select Committee stage after the principles of the Bill have been debated in Parliament at its Second Reading. Mr Ho See Beng: If I understood the Minister correctly, the Government is going to proceed with legalised abortion. Can the Minister clarify?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I think the consensus of opinion is that this Bill has great merits, and if at all there is any criticism, it is that it has taken such a long time to come to fruition. We hope that when it is in Select Committee, the Committee will work fast so that everyone will be satisfied. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time. Resolved, "That the Bill be committed to a Select Committee consisting of Mr Speaker as Chairman and the following Members: Mr Yong Nyuk Lin Mr Chor Yeok Eng Mr Fong Sip Chee Madam Chan Choy Siong Dr Chew Chin Han Inche Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi, and Mr S. Rajoo." -[Mr Lim Kim San]. RUBBER ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE (INCORPORATION) BILL Order for Second Reading read. 4.06 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the clause be read a Second time." Question put, and agreed to. Clause read a Second time and added to the Bill.”
“I require notice of that question. APPLICATIONS FOR PASSPORTS (Review of procedure of handling documents) 18. Mr Ho Kah Leong asked the Minister of Defence whether he is aware that documents submitted to the Immigration Department by applicants for passports have sometimes been returned undesirably folded up, if not torn; and whether he will review the present procedure of handling such documents to prevent this happening.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, it is not possible to consider reducing hawkers' licence fees from $10 to $6 in respect of day stalls and from $20 to $12 in respect of night stalls. The fees referred to apply to day stalls and night stalls in the public streets in the city areas and apply to pitches for the sale of goods, drinks and sundries. They were imposed many years ago and represent nominal charges. Considering the average volume of business transacted at such stalls, this is not an unduly high rate. A review is being undertaken, in conjunction with the Ministry of Finance, of various fees which are charged in respect of all stalls in all markets, street pitches, open pitches, etc., both in the city and rural areas. No piecemeal decision can be taken without having regard to all related fees being charged. It is, however, not likely that a reduction can be effected.”
“in Madras and that probably they have been indulging in political activities. However, I would like to assure him that a strong reminder will be sent to the office-bearers of the D.M.K. to the effect that, as a cultural organisation, they are not to participate in any political activities, local or foreign, and that if they do so, they will infringe on the Societies Act and will have to bear the consequences. With regard to the other point that the hon. Member has raised, the alleged misuse of funds will have to be left to the members of the organisation themselves, but I can assure him that I will look very closely into the question of the D.M.K.'s symbol and activities and will watch what they do in future with a hawk-like eye. Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That Parliament do now adjourn. Adjourned accordingly at Twenty-one minutes past Six o'clock p.m. to a date to be fixed. Appendix to Oral Answer to Question No. 16, cols. 196-7 (Cols 0243-0246) Appendix to Oral Answer to Question No. 32, cols. 210-11 (Cols 247-50)”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I think the D.M.K, is an organisation registered as a cultural organisation and is therefore prohibited from taking part in any political activities. I do not know the composition of its members. Probably there are some who have just obtained Singapore citizenship and there may be some who are not local citizens as yet. Therefore, perhaps there is a tendency for these people to be orientated outwards. We are a democratic society and we believe more in the art of persuasion and example rather than by using force. We believe that by our example and through persuasion we can make the immigrant races in Singapore come to realise that Singapore is their home and that their loyalty lies here. I think this must have been in the minds of both my colleagues, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, when he addressed the D.M.K. and advised them to think of Singapore first, and the Minister for Social Affairs, who at one of their functions strongly urged that they should co-operate with the Singapore Government. Mr Speaker, Sir, I think the enthusiastic response of the people of Singapore to national service and the present spirit prevailing in Singapore will make whatever organisation there is realise soon that if they are not Singapore- orientated but foreign-orientated, they will be going against national sentiment and the national spirit and that it will not pay them to continue doing so. I expect that, given time, the members of the D.M.K. will probably be infected with the spirit of nationalism that is to be seen among the people of Singapore. What the Member for Aljunied has brought up in this House, however, is quite disturbing, that there seems to be a very clear connection between the D.M.K. here and the D.M.K.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That Parliament do now adjourn. Question proposed. UNDESIRABLE ACTIVITIES OF CERTAIN FOREIGN-ORIENTATED ORGANISATIONS IN SINGAPORE”
“Sir, I think all of us in this House are very proud to associate ourselves with this Bill which has now turned out a very excellent group of men of various races and from various walks of life into a legally constituted body. This body, as I have said, came into being spontaneously during the time when Singapore met with trouble from within and without. By the passage of this Bill we have made it possible for our young national servicemen to serve in the Vigilante Corps. On the whole, I think there is no one here who can find any criticism of the Bill. To take up some of the requests from Members of the House with regard to the welfare of members of the Vigilante Corps and medical services, I do hope and I feel very sure that among the medical practitioners in Singapore -and we have quite a large number of them -there will be some who will be fired by the example of volunteer members of the Vigilante Corps, i.e., in coming forward to offer their services free of charge. I think that can be arranged. With regard to welfare, as the Member for Mountbatten has pointed out, there is a clause in the Bill where the Minister has the discretion or the power to look into the welfare of the Vigilante Corps members. And I can assure Members that I will try to do my best to see that their interests are well looked after. With regard to pay, these are matters of administrative detail, and once the mechanics of it have been properly worked out, the details will be given to members of the public and to hon. Members who are interested.”
“If they do so, they shall be deemed to have deserted and shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months. This provision is found in clause 15 of the Bill. Clauses 17 to 23 respectively deal with the discipline and punishment of rank and file and subordinate officers and officers. The Commanding Officers may inflict punishment commensurate with the offence. The words "Commanding Officer" have been defined in the interpretation section to mean the Deputy Commissioner of Police, the Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police, and an Assistant Commissioner of Police, the Commandant of the Police Training School and any police officer lawfully acting in any of these appointments. There is provision also in clause 21 of the Bill to punish members of the Corps who threaten or insult any police officer or Vigilante Corps member of senior or equal rank; and in this connection authority is given to any police officer to arrest, without warrant, any member of the Corps so accused. Clause 24 of the Bill empowers the Minister to make regulations with respect to the Constitution, general administration, training and welfare of the Corps and any other matters in connection with the Corps. Sir, I beg to move. Question proposed. 4.35 p.m.”
“In clause 9, power is given to the Minister to disband or discontinue the Corps. An important section in the Bill is clause 10. This provides that members of the Corps will have to take an oath or affirmation in such form as may be prescribed by the Minister, and any member who refuses to do so shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both such fine and imprisonment. Clause 12 provides for resignation and discharge of members from the Corps, and applies only to volunteer members of the Corps who may resign by giving 14 days' notice to the Commandant provided they have not been called out for mobilized service under the Act. Power is given to the Commandant to discharge any volunteer member of the Corps where he is of the opinion that such member is not likely to become or remain useful in the Corps. National servicemen cannot resign. Clause 19 provides that the national servicemen shall not be discharged, retired or dismissed from the Corps except with the prior approval of the proper authority appointed under the National Service Ordinance, 1952. Clause 13 deals with mobilization. The President may declare a state of emergency and, in pursuance thereof, the whole or any part of the Vigilante Corps may be called out for mobilized service. The members called out will remain so called out until they are released from mobilized service by the Commandant with the Minister's approval. As national service is a compulsory service the national service members of the Vigilante Corps may not unlawfully absent themselves from duty.”
“This will teach them the meaning of good citizenship and explain to them the nature of their social responsibilities. The national servicemen will be contributing to our nation building and this is a sure way of creating loyalty and national consciousness, and if the need arises they can show their loyalty by participating in the defence of the country. The national servicemen being called up are young men. Opportunity, therefore, is being given to these youngsters not just to remain spectators outside the orbit of the defence forces but to take part as part-time soldiers, be it the Vigilante Corps, the P.D.F., the Special Constabulary, or the Army. These young men are the natural resources of our country and we have to teach them a sense of discipline and responsibility if they are to become responsible citizens. The training and discipline will make them better citizens and better workmen. Physically and mentally the benefit will be enormous. [Mr Lim Cheng Lock in the Chair] 4.30 p.m. Sir, I now wish to deal with the more important clauses in the Bill. Clause 4 deals with the composition of the Corps, that is, it provides that the Corps shall consist of national servicemen and volunteers. Clause 5 of the Bill provides that members of the Corps shall assist the Police Force in the maintenance of law and order, the preservation of public peace, the prevention and detection of crime, and the apprehension of offenders; and shall perform such other functions and duties as may be assigned by the Minister. Clause 6 deals with the appointment of a Commandant. The Corps shall be under his administration and his appointment is made by the Minister. The Commandant shall be under the general direction of the Commissioner of Police.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Vigilante Corps Bill be now read a Second time." Mr Speaker, Sir, the Bill seeks to provide for the establishment and maintenance of the Vigilante Corps. Hitherto the Vigilante Corps has existed as an organisation without any statutory provisions since its formation in May 1964. The Bill provides that the existing Vigilante Corps shall, as from the date of the coming into operation of the Act, be deemed to have been raised and maintained under the Act, thus giving the body a legal standing (clause 25). The ranks of the Vigilante Corps up till now had been filled by person volunteering to be members of the Corps. These volunteer members who registered themselves as corps members came from various walks of life, ranging from watchmen to businessmen, and from clerks to hawkers. These persons had powers of ordinary citizens and their main duties were to perform foot patrols, coastal observations, to assist the police in reporting the movement or presence of suspicious characters, to arrest persons committing any seizable offence within their sight, and to assist the public whenever requested. With the establishment of the Vigilante Corps, it was observed that the crime rate dropped in areas covered by the Vigilante Corps Beat-Patrols. The Bill also makes provision for national servicemen to be directed for national service under the National Service Ordinance, 1952, with the Vigilante Corps. Thus the Vigilante Corps will consist of both volunteers and national servicemen. The national servicemen who are called up for training in the Vigilante Corps will do 12 years' part-time training during their off-work or off-duty hours. They will receive, in addition to their many duties, instruction in moral values.”
“Bill considered in Committee: reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. STAMP (AMENDMENT) BILL 5.48 p.m. "to amend the Stamp Ordinance (Chapter 170 of the Revised Edition)", recommendation of President signified (Mr Lim Kim San); presented by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance (Mr Ramaswamy); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. SINGAPORE ARMY (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Singapore Army Act, 1965 (No. 13 of 1965)", presented by Mr Lim Kim San; read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. POLICE FORCE (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Police Force Ordinance, 1958 (No. 32 of 1958)", presented by Mr Lim Kim San; read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. MONEYLENDERS (AMENDMENT) BILL Order for Second Reading read. 5.51 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I think there is a consensus of opinion among Members of this House that we should bring about sufficient deterrent to prevent any contempt of the judiciary. In fact, some Members have gone so far as to say that the penalties should be increased. Mr Speaker, Sir, I think that not only Members of this House feel that we should prevent any contempt or ridicule of the judiciary, but also members of the public do feel the same about it, because, as has been said by the Member for Bukit Panjang, this attempt to ridicule the court is not the result of a desire to commit a criminal offence but is purely for political motives. At this stage when all of us are concentrating our energies on our work and the public has accepted the fact that we must, in order to survive, discipline ourselves, it therefore goes against public sentiment to allow a small anti-national group to bring ridicule into our courts of law. Coming to the technical points referred to by the Member for Bukit Pan jang and the Member for Choa Chu Kang, I can only say that, as a layman, I will give this amendment a trial. I feel I can depend on the wisdom of the magistrates in the subordinate courts to apply the law and that it would not be difficult -- here again, I will not get into a legal argument with the Member for Choa Chu Kang - for a magistrate to call the court to order, if that is the right term, as soon as he comes in. But if these people still insist on behaving as before, the court could be said to be sitting in proceeding when he enters the court, and the law will be put into effect. 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].”
“Thus the new section 368 will empower a subordinate court to impose sentences of imprisonment in the first instance, should the need arise, for the court to exercise its summary powers, to commit for con tempt. Furthermore, the maximum fine has also been raised ten times to $500. The court will now have a discretion of imposing either sentences of imprisonment in the first instance or a fine or impose a sentence combining both forms of punishment. The Bill which I am now seeking to move has been introduced on a Certificate of Urgency because of recent events in Singapore which are well known to Members. Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Question proposed. 4.32 p.m.”
“This is the only summary power which a magistrate has in imposing his will or in attempting to lay down law and order in his court. The authority and dignity of the court, it may be said, depend very much on the traditional respect normally accorded to members of the judiciary. Indeed, Sir, the occasion where a magistrate has felt the desire to call in the aid of such provisions as are contained in Chapter 32 of the Criminal Procedure Code in order to maintain the dignity and order of proceedings in court, limited though these powers are, have been quite uncommon. But what had transpired in the course of the morning when the cases of the rioters were mentioned in the Ninth Magistrate's Court in June last emphasises the need to enhance the powers of the magistrate in this regard. Hon. Members will agree that this must be so, especially when flagrant insults and deliberate acts of unruly behaviour calculated to bring the courts into contempt and ridicule must be met with means to impose sufficient deterrents. In order, therefore, that the administration of criminal justice in our subordinate courts may not be solely dependent upon traditional respect and in order that the smooth functioning of the machinery of justice may not be in any way impaired, even though these acts of hooliganism are very much the exception rather than the general rule, the Government have thought it necessary to introduce this Bill. By the proposed amendments to section 368 of our Criminal Procedure Code, adequate powers will be conferred upon a subordinate court to safeguard its dignity and to ensure its proper ad ministration of law and order.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Bill that is now before the House contains proposed amendments to section 368 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The reasons for this Bill stem from recent disturbances in the Republic, which had led to the arrest of a few hundred offenders accused of rioting and other cognate offences. The subsequent proceedings in court and the behaviour of the accused persons when produced in court had emphasised certain inadequacies in our Criminal Procedure Code, especially in regard to the powers of a subordinate court exercising criminal jurisdiction to punish offenders for alleged contempt of court. The particular case which hon. Members are no doubt familiar with relates to the occasion when the alleged offenders, when produced in court being jointly charged for committing the same offence at the same time and place, had misbehaved in so unruly a manner as to have destroyed furniture in the court itself. This extraordinary behaviour, quite unprecedented in the history of our courts, had brought to the fore the inadequacies of certain portions of our Code of Procedure governing proceedings in our Magistrates' Courts, especially so with regard to the powers of the court to commit for contempt even where the acts complained of are committed in the presence of the court itself. As the law now stands, Sir, the sole provision - section 368 of the Criminal Procedure Code - under which a subordinate court may summarily punish an offender for contempt only permits the court to impose a fine not exceeding $50. And it is only in cases where default in payment of the fine occurs that imprisonment for a term which may extend to two months may be imposed by the court. Even in such circumstances the period of imprisonment is terminated the moment the fine is paid.”
“Yes, Sir. Typed copies of the Bill distributed to hon. Members.”
“Now, Sir,I lay upon the Table a Certificate of Urgency signed by the President in respect of the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment No. 2) Bill of 1967. Certificate of Urgency handed in.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to introduce a Bill intituled "An Act to amend the Criminal Procedure Code (Chapter 132 of the Revised Edition)." Bill read the First time. Second Reading”
“The answer to the first question is "No". I am not going to give him a list of those who have appealed, but I can give him the number of those who have appealed. The answer to the second question is "Yes". Such cases will be favourably considered. MARINE PATROLS 21. Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister of Defence whether the present strength of our marine patrols is sufficient and whether he considers it necessary to strengthen it further.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I think the Minister of State has made it clear that on grounds of economic hardship deferment would be given, and I can assure the hon. Member that it is not the policy of Government to cause economic hardship to families who have only one wage-earner in the family. May I add that in most cases where - we are quite satisfied even at this moment - the draftee is the sole bread-winner, he has not been called up yet.”
“That is how international trade works. Finally, Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to assure the hon. Member that we are quite aware of the dangers of dumping, and where goods similar to those that are manufactured in Singapore are being dumped here, active steps will be taken to see that our local industries are not endangered. Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That Parliament do now adjourn. Adjourned accordingly at Ten minutes past Seven o'clock p.m. to a date to be fixed. APPENDIX I(Cols 0071-0072)”
“We have already concluded trade agreements with the U.S.S.R., Rumania, Poland, and other countries. We are sending trade missions to these countries in August this year. This mission will comprise 30 persons, including businessmen and officials, They will go to seven Eastern European countries to consolidate the results obtained by the first negotiations held in Singapore. To publicise Singapore products in the international market, the Export Promotion Centre has started an active campaign in the foreign Press. Singapore has been widely advertised in at least two important magazines circulating in the European market. Singapore is also participating actively in foreign exhibitions and fairs where it is considered that there are possibilities of expanding its market by such participation. In one or two months' time, our Export Promotion Centre will be sending industrialists to Zambia where opportunities of finding markets for Singapore products are good. Our efforts in promoting exports of domestic products are showing results. In 1963 $277 million worth of domestic goods were exported. This increased to $345 million in 1965 and $400 million in 1966, To encourage export-orientated industries, I have in my last Budget speech announced fiscal incentives for such industries. Results should show in 1968. I have also set up a working party to study schemes for export credit insurance which will be an important tool at the disposal of our exporters. With regard to the hon. Member's comments on trade with China, Members should bear in mind that we cannot always work solely on the principle that we will only trade with countries which buy an equivalent amount of goods from us. A trade deficit with one country is often counter-balanced by a trade surplus with another.”
“Local consumers have been repeatedly asked to buy more Singapore goods, and whilst it is difficult to wipe away such brand consciousness overnight, it is my belief that our consumers are taking greater pride in Singapore's products and buying more Singapore-made goods. The Government is allowing double tax deduction on market development expenditure, including advertising, in respect of locally-manufactured goods. The Trade Division, together with the Economic Development Board, is sponsoring exhibitions, trade expositions, and fairs to make local products better known to consumers. Government departments and statutory bodies are increasingly buying more local products. One of the ways to increase our international market is by participation in free trade areas, regional agreements, common markets, and the like. Unfortunately, Sir, we must have partners with whom to conclude such agreements or arrangements. As the hon. Member has pointed out, there are many difficulties in the way of the formation of these arrangements and agreements. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] 7.05 p.m. There are some dangers, too, such as the danger of being included in a region which would not offer us what we hope to find as a market and may damage our relations with other parts of the world, or endanger our entrepot trade. We have to be very careful in this field, perhaps more careful than countries which do not have such a large entrepot trade as Singapore has. However, the Export Promotion Centre, which was formed specifically with the objective of finding an expanding market for Singapore goods, and the Ministry of Finance are continuously and carefully studying all possibilities which may materialise and to take advantage of such opportunities and situations.”
“Sir, I welcome the constructive attitude of the hon. Member for Telok Blangah and I am glad to be given an opportunity to explain in more detail the efforts being made by the Government to increase our market. However, before proceeding, I would like to take up one point which the hon. Member has mentioned. It is not the high cost of labour alone that will price an industrial product out of the international market. There are also other factors. No one will dispute the contention that cost of labour is not the only factor influencing the competitiveness of a country's products. However, the cost of labour is one of the more important factors. Wages are never too high "per se". They may only be too high in comparison with what is paid in other competing countries. As has been very rightly pointed out by the hon. Member for Telok Blangah, we have to compete with products from Korea, Taiwan and Japan, where the wages may be lower than those prevailing in Singapore. It could be argued, of course, that in other countries, for instance, the United States of America, wages paid are much higher than those in Singapore. It has never been disputed that a large market is the primary factor for the success of our industrialisation programme, and steps have been taken and will continue to be taken to enlarge the market for Singapore goods. The market for Singapore goods can be divided into two parts - (1) the local market, and (2) the export market. Our local market is small, with less than two million consumers. This market is further restricted, as has been pointed out by the hon. Member, by brand consciousness of our consumers.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That Parliament do now adjourn. Question proposed. MARKETS FOR LOCAL PRODUCTS”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, investigations conducted recently in the Import and Export Section of the Trade Division indicate corrupt practices on the part of certain officers in that Section. As investigations are still being conducted by the C.P.I.B., it is not possible at this stage to disclose details. But I can assure the House that stern and speedy disciplinary action will be taken against officers at the completion of the investigations if they are found to be guilty. When investigations have been completed, Mr Speaker, Sir, I will make a statement. MIGRATION OF PERSONS BETWEEN SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA (Monthly returns and other particulars) 11. Mr Yeoh Ghim Seng asked the Minister for Labour (a) if he will give the monthly returns of migration between Singapore and Malaysia and the breakdown in this movement of persons according to ethnic, religious and age groups; (b) whether such persons moving into Singapore who change addresses are given the Singapore non-citizen (blue) identity cards; and (c) who are the persons who get non-citizen (blue) identity cards and how man) such cards have been issued to date.”
“IMPORT AND EXPORT SECTION OF TRADE DIVISION (Corrupt practices) 10. Mr Lim Cheng Lock asked the Minister for Finance how many persons in the Import and Export Section of the Trade Division were involved in alleged corrupt activities during the recent reorganisation of that Section; if he will reveal the names of such persons; and what disciplinary action has been taken.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, there is already in existence a Central Complaints Bureau to deal with complaints from the public against civil servants. This Bureau was established in October 1961 for the purpose of investigating complaints and suggestions from members of the public, and to inform complainants of the outcome of their complaints or suggestions. The Bureau is staffed by a Director, three supervisors, five investigating officers, ten inspectors, and other ancillary staff, and is able to deal with complaints fairly promptly. The establishment of a "Watch-dog Committee", therefore, would serve no purpose except to duplicate the functions of the Bureau. BUILDING OF FIRST-CLASS TOURIST HOTELS (Incentives to attract private developers) 9. Mr Lim Cheng Lock asked the Minister for Finance, in view of the present acute shortage of good first-class hotel accommodation in the Republic which is impeding the development and growth of tourism in Singapore, whether he is aware that the incentives offered to private developers for the projects under urban re-development are not sufficiently attractive for would-be investors, and if he will also consider income tax relief incentives similar to those granted to pioneer industries in order to encourage the building of more good first-class tourist hotels in the Republic. Mr Lim Kim San: Mr Speaker, Sir, it is still too early to conclude whether the incentives offered to private enterprise for the projects under urban redevelopment are or are not sufficiently attractive. First reports indicate that the projects have generated tremendous interest from investors locally and abroad. The question whether additional incentives are necessary to encourage the development of first-class hotels is being studied by my Ministry.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, a complete set of the new Singapore notes is worth $1,166. The Currency Board has not presented anyone with a set of the new notes, nor does it propose to spend public money in this way. "WATCH-DOG COMMITTEE" ON CIVIL SERVANTS 8. Mr Sim Boon Woo asked the Minister for Finance, in view of complaints made by the public of impoliteness, bureaucratic attitude and slowness in carrying out their duties by civil servants in various Government departments, if he will set up a "Watch-dog Committee" to make instant investigations whenever complaints are received.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, for the present moment the Government does not intend to impose restrictions on the import of wheat-waste like bran and pollard, as both the two local producers have no difficulty at all in selling their entire output of such products in the local market. Although there has been a decline in the price of imported wheat bran and pollard, the local producers cannot be said to be seriously affected since they are already earning very healthy profits from the sale of wheat flour, their main product. NEW SINGAPORE CURRENCY (Presentation of first issues to dignitaries) 7. Mr Sim Boon Woo asked the Minister for Finance whether the Currency Board has presented or proposes to present the first issues of the new currency to dignitaries in Singapore, and if so, at whose cost or expense.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, it is a normal requirement that all candidates for permanent appointment to the public service must be Singapore citizens or persons eligible for Singapore citizenship at the time of application for appointment, although Malaysian citizens of outstanding qualities are accepted into the higher grades of the public service in Divisions I and II. With the relaxation of the residential qualification for Singapore citizenship through the recent Modification of Law (Constitution of Singapore) (No. 2) Order, the Government expects all non-Singapore citizens in the public service to apply for Singapore citizenship as soon as they become eligible. There is at present no intention to require those who refuse to seek Singapore citizenship to leave the service. This may, however, jeopardise their prospects of promotion as they may have to be excluded from some jobs which are security-sensitive and would have to be held by Singapore citizens who are required to be loyal to the Republic. ACTION AGAINST DUMPING OF FOREIGN WHEAT-WASTE IN SINGAPORE 6. Mr Bernard Rodrigues asked the Minister for Finance what steps he proposes to take or has taken against the dumping of foreign wheat-waste, such as bran and pollard, in Singapore to protect the local flour-milling industry in the disposal of its waste products.”
“In this way, Sir, the Government gives every opportunity to local industries to supply the requirements of Government and statutory bodies. CIVIL SERVANTS (Non-acquisition of Singapore citizenship) 5. Mr Bernard Rodrigues asked the Minister for Finance, in the application of the recent Modification of Laws (Constitution of Singapore) (No. 2) Order, 1967, to civil servants, what is the policy of the Government in respect of those civil servants who are eligible for Singapore Citizenship under the new proviso to clause (1) of Article 57 of the Constitution but refuse to acquire Singapore Citizenship.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, first, I would like to express my appreciation to the Member for Telok Blangah who has shown concern for the survival of local industries in order that our workers would not lose their jobs as a result of unfair foreign competition in public tenders and purchases. I would like to clarify that our preferential purchase margin is not a straightforward single percentage figure. The margin varies from 5 to well over 10 per cent, depending upon a number of factors, namely, the size of tender contract, the cost of local production, the level of import duty, and the elements of subsidy or dumping price in imported goods. By a careful consideration of all these factors by those in Government and statutory bodies responsible for public purchases, an adequate preferential margin is then worked out to ensure that local manufacturers' interests are promoted and, at the same time, public bodies are safeguarded against unscrupulous manufacturers who may take advantage of our preferential purchase policy. There may, however, be cases whereby the local cost of production is genuinely high. In such a case the preferential margin may be raised. Mr Speaker, Sir, the Government keeps under constant review its preferential purchasing policy. The Economic Development Board is represented when tenders of the Government as well as statutory bodies are considered. Administratively, Government departments as well as statutory bodies have to submit monthly returns showing their purchases of local and foreign products to the Economic Development Board. Such departments and statutory bodies are asked to justify in detail purchases of foreign products when local substitutes are available.”
“Such bills will also be used by banks for trading among themselves or for discounting with the Accountant-General in order to meet deficits in their daily clearing. The larger banks in Singapore have indicated that they will be able to provide a steady market for Treasury Bills to which they will be able to service short-term investment funds of the smaller banks. For instance, a small bank with a cash surplus on a particular day may deposit such cash at a larger bank, which will then purchase Treasury Bills from the Government. In this way, the smaller banks will find profitable use for their surplus funds and the bigger banks will then provide a market for Treasury Bills from the Government. In time to come, such operations will evolve into an active and effective short-term money market. Sir, I beg to move, Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That this Parliament resolves, in accordance with section 2 of the Local Treasury Bills Ordinance (Chapter 69), that the Minister be authorised to borrow, by the issue of Treasury Bills in the Republic, sums not exceeding Malayan $500,000,000 in amount. ADJOURNMENT Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn to a date to be fixed." - [Mr Lim Kim San]. Adjourned accordingly at Twenty-six minutes to Eight o'clock p.m. to a date to be fixed.”
“Second, besides the liquidity holdings by banks, these banks as well as other financial institutions, including Government statutory bodies, also have short-term surplus funds which they wish to invest profitably. Unless there is an outlet for such funds in Singapore, it is likely that the money will go to other financial centres. The Government, through the issue of Treasury Bills and its own securities, therefore, provides an investment outlet for such short-term funds. Recent trends indicate that more of such short-term funds will be forthcoming in the future. Therefore, more Treasury Bills have to be issued by the Government to take up such funds. Members may wish to know that Treasury Bills of 91 days' maturity are issued on tap to statutory bodies and are offered on weekly tender to banks and the public. Tap Bills carry an interest rate of 5 per cent per annum while the average rate for Tender Bills is 4.9 per cent per annum. The amount outstanding on these issues are: Tap Bills - $31.5 million; Tender Bills - $109.7 million. In view of the two developments which I have outlined above, it is likely that the demand for such bills will increase. The authority of Parliament is therefore requested to enable Government to issue Treasury Bills up to an amount not exceeding $500 million. Mr Speaker, Sir, it is hoped that by the issue of more Treasury Bills, there will develop in time an effective short-term money market for such bills. Such a money market will arise as, out of the bills issued, a certain part or percentage would be held by banks and other financial institutions on a revolving basis. In other words, when a certain issue of such bills matures, they will be replaced by purchases of new bills.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That this Parliament resolves, in accordance with section 2 of the Local Treasury Bills Ordinance (Chapter 69), that the Minister be authorised to borrow, by the issue of Treasury Bills in the Republic, sums not exceeding Malayan $500,000,000 in amount. Sir, under the provisions of section 2 of the Local Treasury Bills Ordinance, the Government is empowered to issue Treasury Bills in the Republic up to an amount not exceeding $150 million under a resolution made by the Legislative Assembly on 20th December, 1963. The approval of this House is now requested to raise the limit to $500 million for two main reasons. First, when Singapore was in Malaysia and after Singapore Day up to 22nd April, 1967, the Central Bank of Malaysia was operating in Singapore. As part of their liquidity requirements, commercial banks were allowed to hold Government securities and Treasury Bills of the Singapore Government or of the Malaysian Government. Now that we have taken over supervision of the banking system in Singapore, banks will have to adjust their liquidity holdings. In other words, if banks in Singapore are now holding Malaysian Treasury Bills and securities, they will have to convert them to Singapore securities and Treasury Bills. Similarly, banks in Malaysia will have to convert their holdings of Singapore securities to Malaysian securities. In practice, however, banks in Singapore have been holding largely Malaysian securities and Treasury Bills. In view of the adjustments now necessary, there will, therefore, be a sudden increased demand for Singapore issues. It is, therefore, necessary for the Singapore Government to issue more Treasury Bills to meet the demand for such securities by the banks.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, In page 1, line 6, to leave out from "amended" to the end of line 10 and insert - "by deleting the proviso thereto and substituting therefor the following:- "Provided that any cancellation, suspension or variation of the conditions of any import licence or permit shall not be enforced until an existing irrevocable letter of credit issued in respect of it has expired, unless such officer or person has reason to believe that such irrevocable letter of credit was not established in good faith.".". Mr Speaker, Sir, as stated earlier, the deletion of the proviso to section 5 of the Control of Imports and Exports Ordinance may create uncertaint3 among the trade and react to the discredit of Singapore as a trading centre if the Controller and Registrar of Imports and Exports has unfettered powers to cancel or reject import licences for goods covered even by genuine letters of credit established in good faith, it is almost impossible for a hank to dishonour the terms of a genuine irrevocable letter of credit opened in good faith once it has been issued and is still valid and correct.. Both banks and traders may therefore be afraid to open letters of credit in future in cases where there is a possibility that import licences may be withdrawn. The amended clause drafted in consultation with the Chambers of Commerce and banks empowers the Controller and Registrar of imports and Exports to cancel, suspend, amend or disallow any import licence or permit for goods covered by any letter of credit only when he has reason to believe that such an irrevocable letter of credit was not established in good faith. Amendment agreed to.”