Mahmud Awang
Singapore
“I would like to express my view that the progress achieved in our Republic has necessitated an increase in the membership of Parliament. We are well aware that we will have to face trials and tribulations not only from political Parties in Singapore, but also from outside political ideologies, in order to fulfil the needs of our people.”
“As one concerned with the liberty of the individual as well as the security of the Republic, and as one who is desirous of seeing that the rule of law is not defeated by its very provisions on procedure, I would not hesitate to give my wholehearted support for these changes in the law.”
“I think this is the most important recommendation of the Commission. And my friends say that we can include Indonesians in the definition of "Malays". This is very complicated indeed. Perhaps this Malay organisation considers that the Malays should be limited to citizens only. Let us take the citizens of Brunei and Sarawak. I am a Malay.”
“: (1) To use the strike weapon in good faith; (2) To use it as a threat; (3) To use it to topple the Government. We must be able to distinguish between these three factors. If we choose to use the strike weapon to raise the living standard of the workers, we can use it by all means, no matter what happens.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the vote for the Housing and Development Board should not be made disappointing by the Government. For example, applicants who wish to get one-room flats urgently have been offered two-room flats by the Board which they do not want and which they cannot afford to rent.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 10 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 101. Mr Speaker, Sir, in this vote I would like to know, firstly, why there is a delay in the payment of the uniform allowance to the People's Defence Force volunteers.”
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“Mr Speaker, I wish to obtain clarification from the Minister for Labour. As I have said originally in connection with this Bill, if members of a union attend a general meeting, and considering particularly the section which has been amended just now, can it be applied to accuse the union of contravening it within the meaning of the words "limitation on output or production" as worded in the amendment?”
“Mr Speaker, I seek clarification. The trade union leaders are not afraid to take a secret ballot. But what I want to clarify is: how can we conduct a full secret ballot when we have committed an offence under section 24A (4) ? If all the bus workers were to attend a general meeting to take a secret ballot - and this section 24A (4) may be used by the employer - this action may be construed as an offence under this particular section.”
“Suppose a trade union of bus workers convenes a meeting of its members for the purpose of taking a secret ballot, maybe for a strike or a go-slow or other matters in accordance with the union laws. Naturally those bus workers who are doing shift duties will have to attend the meeting, which means that the bus services will be affected. In such a case the employers will take the opportunity to say that this particular section can be taken as going against that particular section. Then the Government cannot do anything. That is the difficulty with which we will be faced. That is the fundamental issue which is brought out by the workers, and I hope such matters can be looked after carefully. Likewise, as has been said by the hon. Member for Kampong Kembangan, perhaps unconsciously we make a mistake - those who have been issued with work permits, whether they have become union members or union leaders and so on. That also must be considered so that this Bill will be enforced smoothly for the benefit of both sides, including workers and the public.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am merely making passing remarks.”
“However, in the enforcement of this Bill, although in our heart of hearts we know that in introducing it we have good intentions, it is feared that the phraseology as contained therein may be misinterpreted or abused and will result in the Bill oppressing one section, maybe the working class or the public. When this Bill is introduced, and if a mistake is made, it is certain that the working class or the public may accuse the Government, which is actually a democratic and socialist Government and labour-orientated, and thus bad results will occur. So in introducing amendments we must bear in mind mutual benefits. We have heard hon. Members say anti-national elements. Anti-national elements are not confined to the Communists alone. They include opportunistic employers. They come under the definition of "anti-national elements". The new section 24A (4) has been emphasised by the hon. Member for Bras Basah: '"industrial action" means any action aimed at retarding, obstructing, limiting or reducing the normal progress of work in any occupation,...' and so on. I cite an example, Mr Speaker, Sir. Shift workers -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, this Bill has been heatedly debated in Parliament. Nevertheless, the Government has introduced it for the benefit of the public, including the working class, which is represented by the National Trades Union Congress. An hon. Member: Hear, hear!”
“A supplementary question, Mr Speaker. It seems that I have to cut down all the fifteen questions I intended to ask originally. However, I would like to ask something about Temasek Camp. Who was it who supplied funds for the building of this Camp? Was it the Malaysian Government which provided funds for the expenses of this Camp, or was it the Singapore Government which provided funds for building Temasek Camp for use by the Malaysian forces?”
“I have about 15 questions. The first one is: since when have the S.I.R. returned to Singapore, and whether they are accommodated under canvas tents in Farrer Park intentionally or otherwise?”
“I wish to ask the Minister some questions. Mr Speaker, Sir, having heard the statement by the Minister of Defence, I wish to know how long it has been since the Second Battalion, S.I.R., returned to the Republic of Singapore? Secondly, how much longer do the Malaysian troops wish to remain in Singapore? Thirdly, why are they not willing to return to Malaysia in view of the fact that Malaysia is their fatherland? Fourthly, are they aware that if they return to Malaysia, their surplus rations will be made available to them in Malaysia? Fifthly, are they stationed in Singapore with a nefarious object in order to create misunderstanding or friction with the Singapore Infantry Regiment? Sixthly, are they of the opinion that the Malaysian troops -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, as has been explained by the Minister of State for Education, I do hope that because the day after tomorrow is New Year's Day, which is a holiday, on the 1st of January, they should not take a holiday throughout the year 1966 as in 1965. I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The following amendment stood in the name of Mr Ho See Beng --- That the total sum to be allocated for Head D 03 be reduced by $l00*.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head D 03 be reduced by $10 in respect of item 001 of subhead 012. Mr Speaker, does this provision in the Development Estimates include provision for a primary school in Hindoo Road, which could not be built by December 1965, as contained in a letter of the Urban Rural Services Committee dated 10th August, 1964? I will read that part of the letter in English: (In English) `The Director of Education has reported that detailed plans are being prepared for the construction of a 20-classroom primary school in Hindoo Road. The school is expected to be completed in December 1965.'. (In Malay) Today is the 30th December, 1965; tomorrow is the 31st, and the day after will be the New Year - a public holiday. It is important for me to point out that this primary school should be filled with pupils of all races, wherein they could learn through various language media in one school building, so that they could learn to live together in order to build a multi-racial society. It is important that the standard be improved considerably.”
“I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The following amendment stood in the name of Mr Lim Cheng Lock --- That the total sum to be allocated for Head D 02 be reduced by $100.+”
“I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $5,762,750 for Head 1108 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. Head 1109 -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, as requested by the Parliamentary Secretary, I am ready to supply him with details, and if he really wants me to make complaints now, I am quite prepared to do so.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the total sum to be allocated for Head 1108 be reduced by $100. Mr Speaker, is the Ministry aware that prompt attention is not being given to applications for repairs of houses, renovations, etc.? Complaints have been k.i.v'd for months. Considerable time is also taken between the investigation of complaints and the time repairs are made. After waiting for months, the roof leakages will be worse if they are not attended to. If these defects are not rectified, it will be difficult to get people to own flats. Here, Mr Speaker, it shows whether the defects were as a result of the construction by the contractors or otherwise. Mr Speaker, another point regarding the Letting Section. Although there are legitimate complaints of malpractices, it is difficult to prove them. What is feared is that such news may be spread indiscriminately. This Ministry should be in a position to control and take remedial measures in order that we can get the confidence of the people. Mr Speaker, I beg to move.”
“Mr Speaker, in regard to the debate on male and female parking attendants, I have known from my own experience that in many progressive countries, women workers can compete with men in all walks of life. This shows that their countries want to progress. If the women can adopt such an attitude, I am sure they can beat the men folk, and that the men folk will not be able to beat the women folk. The Member for Delta should urge women parking attendants to show greater efficiency to their male counterparts. Only thus can they solve their problems.”
“I beg to withdraw, Mr Speaker. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $987,460 for Head 1001 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.”
“Mr Speaker, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Affairs has said that a society will be registered if the Registrar is satisfied with the conditions as set out in (a), (b), (c) and (d) which he has enumerated. Will the Registrar be satisfied to register the said political Party if some U.M.N.O. members are non-Malays? Madam Chan Choy Siong(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, just now the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Affairs replied to my remarks that his Ministry will not be in a position to do anything about the advertisements. But from what he said just now, that measures against such advertisements should be taken by the Ministries which are concerned with such advertisements, I hope that the Ministries concerned will co-operate with one another in order to stamp out such undesirable advertisements. I think this could be done and can be done. There is a saying that there is nothing impossible in this world. 6.45 p.m. If we feel that such advertisements are harmful to society, especially to the health of the people, we should take immediate steps to deal with them. I feel that the Ministry of Culture and Social Affairs is in a position to do something about them, either directly or indirectly. We should stop such advertisements and give treatment to those who suffer from such ailments. I hope the Ministry will pay due attention to what I have put forward just now.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $2,764,990 for Head 0901 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. Head 1001 -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, on the matter of the incidents relating to the Naval Police personnel, I merely wish to state that perhaps the Minister for Labour could find a way whereby the labour laws could be fully implemented in regard to our citizens. I have also sent a letter to the Admiralty authorities dated 20th December, 1965. I have put my views to them regarding the supply of vehicles on the death of the rank and file of the Naval Base Police. So what I state here is merely to request the Minister for Labour to take notice of what is being done in regard to our own citizens.”
“A person was born here 40 years ago, but because his parents were either conservative or negligent, they did not name their child. Therefore, the name did not appear on the birth certificate. Holders of birth certificates without names who have worked here, whose names appear on the electoral register and whose loyalty is to this country are not given due consideration at all. I think this will defeat the object of re-registration. Mr Speaker, Sir, in the matter of birth certificates without names, it cannot be denied that there are forgeries and falsifications by unscrupulous persons. Nevertheless the Ministry of Labour must also consider that there are bona fide cases where the holders of birth certificates do not have their names on the certificates. I hope the Ministry will find a way out so that the would-be forgers would be caught, but the bona fide cases whose loyalty to this country has been proved can be given due consideration. I beg to move, Mr Speaker, Sir.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the total sum to be allocated for Head 0901 be reduced by $100. Mr Speaker, I ask that the Ministry of Labour should look after the welfare not only of the workers, but also that of the workers who are with the Admiralty. I would like to give an example. On the 9th of December, 1965, Corporal 1038 of the Naval Police died of sickness. 5.45 p.m. I was told that there is no free transport provided as a token to workers who have died. This corporal had served for a long period with the Admiralty, no less than 20 years. Even before that, Mr Speaker, there was another incident where P.C. 805 of the Royal Naval Police died in an accident, while carrying out his duty, involving a van which went against Admiralty regulations. He also faced the same fate as the said corporal. These workers are outside the Ministry of Labour, but they are Singapore citizens. They do not have a labour union to represent them. We do not wish the Admiralty to suppress their workers who protected the interests and property of the Admiralty at a time when the anti-nationals, led by the Barisan Sosialis, launched their campaign to topple the Government. I hope the Ministry of Labour will resolve this problem so that all workers can enjoy and obtain the co-operation of their employers, not only in the matter of transport, as I have related earlier, but also other facilities and benefits, which will benefit both employees and employers as well. Another point, Mr Speaker, concerns unnamed birth certificates. I ask the Ministry of Labour to consider more sympathetically and carefully matters relating to birth certificates which have no names. Mr Speaker, Sir, I quote here an example.”
“Mr Speaker, as a result of the explanation given, I withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Tun Razak considered the policy speech of the Yang di-Pertuan Negara as an old film.' And it goes on to another paragraph. But in our Official Report, Volume 24, No. 3, page 20, line 12, after the words "old film", the Member for Geylang Serai said a little more but this did not appear in the Utusan Melayu. What he said was: `But they will realise that with the victory achieved recently in the by-election in Rahang ----`. At this stage, you, Mr Speaker, called him to order; this was reported in tire Utusan Melayu correctly. Perhaps the word "Rahang" is not pleasant to the ears of certain parties with the result that his speech was belittled. After you pulled him up, he stood up and continued speaking: `This proves that the people of Malaysia are aware that what the people of Singapore have achieved will be good for them...'. This part of the speech was not reported in the Utusan Melayu, but it does appear in our Official Report. The report in Utusan Melayu is as follows: `No sooner had Mr Speaker pulled him up than Inche Rahamat sat down and did not continue his speech.' Mr Speaker, Sir, they wish to indulge in "twists" even on proceedings in the Parliament of the Republic of Singapore. If they confine themselves to "twists", it does not matter, but they continue to "shake". If it is a hand-shake, then we accept it. I am at a loss to understand the aims of Utusan Melayu. I hope they will realise that peace cannot be endangered. Let us not discuss Utusan Melayu with its "old film". I will bring out a "new film" in the issue of the Utusan Melayu of 21st December, 1965, page 3, . Mr Speaker, can I read the whole news item?”
“Mr Speaker, I beg to move. That the total sum to be allocated for Head 0103 he reduced by $100.* *The same amendments also stood in the name of Inche Rahamat bin Kenap. Mr Speaker, Sir, the Parliament of the Republic of Singapore has been established to control and maintain an orderly society so that the people can lead a happy and peaceful life, in a spirit of mutual understanding and with a sense of responsibility. This spirit of a plural society - multi-lingual, multi-cultural and multi-religious should not only he confined to our people but should be disseminated to people all over the world. 3.15 p.m. If the aims of our Parliament are as I have expounded just now, the people must possess those qualities. Members of Parliament must debate a subject for the benefit of the people as a whole, while you, Mr Speaker, act as the guardian of Parliament. The verbatim reporters in Parliament take down the proceedings; so do the newspaper reporters in the various language streams. Mr Speaker, $704,040 has been allocated for the Head "Parliament". This Parliament should not be misused by people who are inefficient or unfit to report the proceedings of Parliament. Mr Speaker, I may be accused - as the Minister for Law and National Development has accused me recently - of making an "allegation". On looking up that word in the dictionary, I came across the word "alligator" which means "crocodile", if it means "crocodile", so be it; it does not matter, so long as all my speeches in this Parliament are for the benefit of our multi-racial people. I quote paragraph 3 of the Utusan Melayu of 16th December, 1965: `He then mentioned the speech of Tun Razak which appeared in the Utusan Melayu quoted from Malaya Merdeka.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, we cannot always depend on our neighbour's soldiers to defend us, although our neighbour has given an assurance that it will help us. We must have second thoughts. Because of political developments, we fear that our country may be invaded by enemies. Our neighbour says that they will send their troops to defend us. Their troops are stationed in Perlis, Penang, Sarawak and Sabah. If we have to wait 24 hours for their arrival, our country will be saved. But if we have to wait for one week, our country wilI be destroyed, for when the reinforcements arrive. I think they will be of no use to us. Therefore, Mr Speaker, Sir, the army of the Republic of Singapore must be strengthened so that we can defend our independent and sovereign State. Mr Speaker, Sir, this matter of defence is the bounden duty of all of us who owe our loyalty to the country. We have to defend not only our property but also to preserve international law and order. On that note, I end my speech. Mr Speaker, Sir. 6.36 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, I rise to support this Bill because our nation needs a national defence based not only on equipment but also on people with the spirit of dedication, and a desire to have peace in the Republic of Singapore. Our Republic must be defended at all costs and by all means against our external and internal enemies. They intend to create trouble or invade our country. The responsiblity of the people of the Republic of Singapore is to defend their integrity to the last drop of their blood. Mr Speaker, not only do the Barisan Sosialis have no interest at all to defend the Republic of Singapore, but they intend to surrender our sovereignty to their foreign masters, like the Communist Party of Indonesia, with the fate of its leader, Aidit, still unknown. The Barisan Sosialis have acted in an irresponsible manner towards the country. I think there is a small responsiblity on the part of the Barisan Sosialis to carry, and yet they have failed to discharge it. When I say "small responsiblity", I mean voicing their arguments in parliamentary debate. What is more, Mr Speaker, we cannot depend on them to defend our country. If our country has no army, inevitably all our property, including that of Dato David Marshall, will be confiscated and plundered. If our enemies, like the army of the P.K.I., were to conquer the Republic of Singapore, there would be no more law or the right of property. Land and propery will be confiscated by our enemy without compensation at all. Dato David Marshall has expressed his anxiety for the right to own property which must be written into the constitution. Mr Speaker, Sir, this Bill will safeguard not only land belonging to Dato David Marshall but also the property of all the people of the Republic of Singapore.”
“In view of the explanation, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $2,023,200 for Head D 11 ordered to stand part of the First Supplementary Development Estimates of Expenditure for 1965. Head D 13 -”
“These quarters at Onraet Road are for members of the rank and file of the Police Force. When they are promoted to the rank of Inspector, they still continue to occupy these quarters. I feel that those who have been promoted should vacate them, thereby giving an opportunity for the other members of the rank and file to occupy them instead. And for those officers who have been promoted, there should be built special quarters for them commensurate with their ranks.”
“Mr Speaker, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head D 11 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 001. Mr Speaker, Sir, regarding the police barracks at Kampong Arang, the Government bought a block of Housing Board flats there to accommodate members of the police force. Not long afterwards, the five-foot way and the concrete slabs of the drain were found to be defective. Mr Speaker, Sir, whether the Ministry of National Development deliberately sold sub-standard flats to the police or whatever it is, accommodation for members of the police force should be of good standard. Secondly, relating to old police quarters. The police quarters at Woodlands can be seen by our neighbours from across the Causeway. We have been boasting about our achievements such as multi-storeyed flats at Toa Payoh, satellite towns, and so on. But I fear that U.M.N.O. members, both in our country and in our neighbouring country, can see these old buildings at Woodlands, made of timber and occupied by members of the Police Force, are in a dilapidated condition. We must give serious consideration to that. Also, the police quarters at Geylang which are in the city area and those at Keppel Harbour. On the left-hand side of the police quarters at Keppel Harbour, there are existing police quarters built by the Port of Singapore Authority. This is a big multi- storeyed building in contrast to the old existing police quarters made of timber at Keppel Harbour. Mr Speaker, Sir, these old dilapidated police quarters have only one hall and there is not much room, with the result that the members of the police force with large families find it difficult to accomodate themselves. Thirdly, regarding the quarters at Onraet Road.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I join the Member for Bras Basah in raising this question of taxis. The Member for Changi has mentioned just now his personal experience. He feels that the taxi-driver who has committed an offence knew what he was doing. The taxi-driver knew that the Member for Changi is a P.A.P. Member, and I believe that the taxi-driver is a member of the Barisan Sosialis. Naturally, taxi-drivers who are Barisan Sosialis members and taxi-drivers who are P.A.P, members like to block one another or clash with one another when they meet. This problem could be left to the police to decide. The Member for Bras Basah has suggested that the fines should be in line with the nature of the offences committed by taxi-drivers. This is the example given by the Member for Bras Basah: for a car smoking offence, the fine will be $40 or $50. Naturally this is not commensurate with the offence. That is what is asked for by the Member for Bras Basah regarding fines and taxis.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $144,700 for Head 0701 ordered to stand part of the First Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for 1965. Head 0906 -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I wish to add a little bit more. Just now I heard what the Minister for Labour said, that applications could be made whereby the aliases could be written down. My name is not Mahmood - M-a-h-m-o-o-d. I do not like to consider my name as "Mahmud alias Mahmood". Actually my name is one "Mahmud". It is only the spelling that is wrong. It is spelt either Mahmud or Mahmood - the short "-m-u-d" or the long "-m-o-o-d". I had a nickname when I was small. It was Atan. That could be my alias.”
“So may be the case with names like Yaacob, Khamis, Mohamed Shah, and others. So also may be the case with Chinese names. Take, for instance, Chan Chee Seng. The way I would spell it is `C-h-a-n C-h-i S-i-n-g'. There are other ways of spelling it according to the way it is pronounced. I hope the Government will make it necessary for the Chinese characters to be written down too. 3.30 p.m. Why I bring this matter up, Mr Speaker, Sir, is this; when the time comes to make requests for withdrawal of provident fund or other such matters, the name on the identity card and the name on the extract of Registration of Birth are quite often different. For instance, the name Ahmad Taff. Sometimes the name Ahmad is spelt as A-h-m-a-d. There are others who spell it as A-h-m-a-t, which also is Ahmad. And Taff could be misspelt as T-o-u-g-h. Perhaps the correct spelling is Taff. Probably Taff is derived from the word "attap". So there is a wide difference. If the name is spelt in various ways, then that leads to difficulties.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the total sum to be allocated for Head 0701 be reduced by $100. Mr Speaker, Sir, with regard to the Registry of Births, we know that after a mother has given birth, she will be given a copy of the Registration of Birth which is printed in red. Within seven years of birth, a copy of the original extract has to be obtained from the Registry. The Registry of Births is situated in Empress Place. It is inconvenient for people living in the outlying areas, such as in the islands, Changi, Seletar Naval Base, to come to Empress Place to get an extract of the Registration of Birth. They have to miss a day's work and incur transport expenses. In addition, they have to pay $2 to the Registry of Births for an extract. If the Minister concerned would consider seriously this matter to have many branches of this Registry, then the work of the Registry could be decentralised in the outlying areas and it would be convenient for the people living in these areas to get their extracts of Registration of Birth. The second matter concerns the Registry of Persons. I believe it deals with matters connected with the issue of identity cards. Soon plastic identity cards will be issued. It is hoped that the errors which appear on our present identity cards will not recur. The names on the identity cards have often been misspelt. It is hoped that when the new plastic identity cards are issued, the names appearing therein will be the same as those on the extracts of the Registration of Birth. If this is not done, then the clerks will be writing down the names according to their own way of spelling. For instance, my name is Mahmud. The correct spelling is `M-a-h-m-u-d'. But the clerk who is English educated, on hearing my name, may spell it as `M-a-h-m-o-o-d'.”
“I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $174,400 for Head 0401 ordered to stand part of the First Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for 1965. Head 0701 -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, with regard to what has been stated by the Minister for Law and National Development, I am prepared to give him further particulars regarding the matter.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I feel it is not right that some tens of members of the police force who had nothing to do with the loss are forced to take a blank loan in order to cover up the money which has gone astray. In conclusion, Mr Speaker, I hope that the Minister concerned can find a way out, in the interest of the co-operative movement as a whole in the State and with the co-operation of the police, in respect of the question of re-payments of the loans which had been taken out under pressure by members of the Police Thrift and Loan Society in order to cover up the affair.”
“So it goes on for other members of the police, Mr B, Mr C, etc. That is what I mean by "empty loans". 3.15 p.m. The higher officers had asked members of the police force to take up loans in order to cover up the loss. They said that the repayment would not be made from their pay. Mr Speaker, Sir, every member of the Police Thrift and Loan Society was coerced into taking out an "empty" loan from the Society, in some cases up to the maximum amount of $2,400 each. Two clerks attached to this Society have vanished. It is possible that they have received advice indirectly or even directly from the Registrar, acting in conjunction with senior police officers, to pave the way to terminate their services. At least two Assistant Superintendents of Police knew about the whole affair. The Commissioner of Police has been fully informed. He is fully aware of the position. He will request the Police Thrift and Loan Society's Committee members to make a decision on the matter. He has carried out his duty. What I wish to state here is about the duties of the Registrar. The money was deposited by the rank and file of the police force who, in the main, are drawing an income of less than $200 per month or a little more than that. Most of them saved up for the purpose of their old age. Is it not a pity that they are bitterly frustrated and that the thrift and loan society movement will surely fail? The administrators of the Police Thrift and Loan Society have acted in contravention of regulations. But even more deplorable is the failure of the Registrar of Co-operative Societies to carry out a proper supervision of the management of the Society, thereby jeopardising the smooth and efficient development of the co-operative movement in Singapore as a whole.”
“Thursday, 18th March, 1965. In the Straits Times dated 20th March, 1965, on Saturday, there was a news item, and I quote: (In English) `Police today stated that they were not investigating the loss of the sum of $lOO,000 from the Police Thrift and Loan Society here.' (In Malay) Mr Speaker, Sir, the Government has set aside a sum of money so that the Police Thrift and Loan Society can function well. I regret that the Registrar of Co-operative Societies could not investigate this matter so that it would not occur again in our State. This matter is known to all interested parties. It is known to the police as well as the public. It is known to the Registrar and also to the Accountant of the Co-operative Societies. Mr Speaker, I regret that the police and the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau have not carried out their duties in investigating the actions of the Registrar of Co-operative Societies and the Auditor of the Co-operative Societies who have adopted a tight-lip attitude as to the whereabouts of the sums of money that were missed, one amounting to $60,320, and another amounting to $14,270, making a total of $74,590. It is not known where that amount has gone to. The Registrar of Societies has acted in an irresponsible manner and has not carried out his duties in accordance with the law. He has merely condoned or indirectly acted in contravention of the rules in order to cover up the missing sums of money by, what I would call, getting false loans extracted from tens of members of the Police Thrift and Loan Society. I will try to explain this. For instance, a member of the police, Mr A, takes a loan and signs for a sum of $1,000, but the sum of $1,000 is not received by Mr A, because it is for the purpose of covering up the loss.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0401 be reduced by $10 in respect of sub-head 1141. Mr Speaker, Sir, I have come to understand something from the Straits Times of 18th March, 1965, and I believe the same item also appears in other papers, such as the Berita Harian, and also in the Chinese papers. I will quote in English: (In English) `Police are investigating the loss of about $100,000 from the Police Thrift and Loan Society.' (In Malay) In paragraph 2, 1 quote again: (In English) `Several police officers have already been questioned in connection with the investigation.'”
“Mr Speaker, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $594,300 for Head 0309 ordered to stand part of the First Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for 1965. Head 0401 -”
“It is up to the Registrar to control the issue of taxi licence plates so that it would not be given to only a few persons. If a regulation is made whereby only one plate is issued to an applicant, then the opportunity for the exploiters to carry out their misdeeds may be limited. I can say that this is similar to the system of the Ali Baba type of business. The exploiter would get the licence plates under his own name, under his wife's name, and under his children's names. So I trust that the regulations will be put into force so as to regulate the issue of taxi licence plates. We should do away with the old colonial system and have a system that is suitable for the present population of the country. There are people who take the opportunity to exploit the new situation in order to exploit the people. I request the Registry of Vehicles to do something useful for the people of this State. 3.00 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the total sum to be allocated for Head 0309 be reduced by $100. Mr Speaker, Sir, as is generally known even by our neighbours, 50,000 flats or more have been built for the people by the Government of Singapore, and certain U.M.N.O. leaders have stated that these are only fit for pigeons. Unfortunately, buses to serve the people in housing estates, such as MacPherson Estate, have not been seen up to today. It is difficult to understand how the appropriate authorities carry out their duties. The MacPherson Estate has long been in existence. The residents there very much require a bus service, particularly for their school-going children. These children have to walk for half a mile or three-quarters of a mile to get to the main road in order to get to a bus stop. If the housing authorities can build these flats so easily, why is it that the Registry of Vehicles cannot attend to the provision of a bus service for these estates? We must not keep quiet about this matter and allow children in the MacPherson Estate to go on foot in order to get to a bus stop. I hope this matter will be given weighty consideration by the Registrar of Vehicles. The authorities should realise that the population is growing, although the number of taxis is still the same as before. The matter of taxi licence plates should also be considered so that it would not be monopolised by one or two individuals only. If possible, Mr Speaker, Sir, every person should be allowed a limited issue of one or two taxi licence plates, because the opportunity should be given to the people of the State to have taxi licence plates in order to earn their livelihood. There are many exploiters who wish to get as many taxi licence plates as possible.”
“Finally, Mr Speaker, I wish to say with regard to the Speech of the Yang di-Pertuan Negara that our task for the future is based on policies that are workable, as has been clearly set out in the Speech of the Yang di-Pertuan Negara. I believe irresponsible elements would like to find ways and means to mislead the people as to the true intent of the Speech of the Yang di-Pertuan Negara. Every Ministry will be able to carry out its policy so that the corruption, and so on, which happened years before will not be repeated in the future. Each Ministry should carry out its work more actively in order to achieve' the desired end, which is for the benefit of the people. 6.30 p.m.”
“It has worked very hard in order to bring about understanding in the ranks of the workers so that they may not be misled by the communalists. During the time of the referendum, we worked very hard. We have been successful in improving the lot of the people of this country. They understand well the efforts of the Government to bring about a better understanding of the labour movement in this country. The Labour Movement has worked very hard to improve the livelihood of the workers of this country. It is conscious of its responsibility to help in the progress and prosperity of this country. It wants to create a progressive society, and not a backward one in the future. If we do not carry our fight into the strongholds of the Opposition, then it would be difficult for us to penetrate them. We would not know the stand held by Members of the Opposition. We are conscious of the fact that we are living in a multi racial society. Workers in the working movement are continually fighting against the communalists who are opposed to the politics pursued by the P.A.P. Because of our good intentions, we believe we will be able to live happily together, and the people who are democratic and non-Communist will see to it that the country will progress and that they are not misled by the other Parties. I sincerely hope that the Barisan Sosialis, who claim that they work for the interests of the people, will come forward and really fight their battle in the interests of the people and bring forth whatever points they think they can debate in this Chamber so as to benefit the people. The people in this country can judge for themselves which Party is working for the interests of the working class. Any attempt to mislead the people would meet with defeat.”
“If this society wants to build flats, let it first acquire land, and then build them after which they may be sold to their members. They criticise the flats, but at the same time they contact the Housing Board for the purpose of buying flats! As the Singapore Government is desirous of assisting the Malay housing society, it does not object to the flats being bought by this society. I feel this is out of place, and I hope the Housing Board will be very careful in future because in such matters we have been fooled by the communalist leaders. Furthermore, they mislead the people by provoking and agitating them. Since Singapore was separated from Malaysia, they have changed their stand and they no longer pose a threat to our security. In the course of discharging our responsibilities to a multi-racial society like Singapore, we must be on the lookout for these communalists who are out to break up the unity of the people. Although they have formed a united front, their main design is to create dissension among the various races, .and if we smack them down, the multi-racial society in Singapore can live in peace and happiness. In the small island of Singapore, we must realise the extent to which communalism can be practised. Mr Speaker. I would like to speak on trade unions. It was stated in the policy Speech of the Yang di- Pertuan Negara that the Government will promote democratic and non-Communist trade unions to ensure the success of the non-Communist democratic trade union movement. In 1961, there was a break in the N.T.U.C. The N.T.U.C. believe that the workers comprising the various races will succeed in their fight against the communalists and Communists. In our struggle, the N.T.U.C. is the backbone.”
“As I have said earlier on, if our economy permits, we will not only build low-cost flats, but we will provide' "free-of-charge" flats for the people. Originally, the building of these flats, was vehemently opposed by communalists. When we started to build them in areas which were not in their constituencies, they had nothing to say. But we were opposed by the Barisan Sosialis when we had to demolish houses occupied by Chinese farmers in order to make way for flats for the welfare of the people. When we built flats in the Geylang area, the communalist parties made a fuss because the land acquired belonged to a group of' political Party leaders who tried to mislead the people by telling them that these flats were fit only for pigeons, as has been said by the Member for Geylang Serai. Now that the flats have been built, the Malays who believe in a multi-racial society are seizing the opportunity to live in them, and these same communalists have now formed a housing society to purchase flats built by the Singapore Government.. Originally, they said that the Malays were not accustomed to Jive in flats because they could not rear poultry and so on, and they further alleged that such flats were fit only for pigeons. But we maintained that in the interests of the people of Singapore, the building of flats must be increased so that people who live in cubicles, which adversely affect their health, can live in such flats. The response from such people has been so tremendous that the communalist leaders began to change their attitude, and they are now buying flats from the Government. On this subject, I cannot say whether the Minister for National Development has made a slip by selling houses built by the Singapore Government to the Malay housing society.”
“We cannot exist merely by drinking water. There must be food as well. Without them, we cannot live healthily. That is the way with life. The leaders of the countries must bear all this in mind and attend to the welfare and wellbeing of the people. The Barisan Sosialis have not appeared since the opening of the present Session. I believe they have nothing to contribute to this Assembly other than to say that we are stooges of the West, and such-like terms. This is what they are good at in this Assembly. We, as responsible leaders, debate everything that is useful and important for the welfare of the people. The responsible representatives of the people are here to point out any weaknesses that arc to be found in the Government. We have seen what has happened lately in the Hong Lim constituency. The people of Singapore have, from time to time, proved sound in their calculations. The welfare of the people of this country must be based on sound calculations. The Yang di-Pertuan Negara touched upon housing in his Speech. We are still endeavouring to make further progress and to offer our services to the people by constructing more flats. We are finding ways and means whereby we will be in a position to charge reasonable rates which the people of Singapore can afford to pay. It does not mean that we should rest on our laurels. But we are determined to progress economically and if possible to provide "free of charge" flats to the people of Singapore, because we administer the funds on their behalf. We are not winning lottery stakes when we build our flats. As we are responsible for public funds, we have to be careful with our expenditure.”
“At the time of nation-building, while we were keen to co-operate with them, and facing confrontation, we were prepared to give our services in the interests of the people, not only of our country, but also of our neighbouring countries. However that may be, the people are not aware of this and should know what has been done by the leaders of the State. I do hope that when this work permit scheme is carried out, no step would be taken to close the Causeway. I say that the work permit scheme is for a definite purpose. We should not stop the entry of people from across the Causeway. We would like to see prosperity in our neighbouring countries, because then the people in these countries will be able to come and enjoy the sight of tall buildings and other pleasant sights. If there is to be such a check, we should reconsider the matter, so that these benefits are not lost to the people of the neighbouring countries. Because of this, our Government finds it necessary to have the work permit scheme. It has also to impose certain restriction on students who are not citizens of Singapore. We know that the citizens of neighbouring countries come to Singapore to earn their living. Then they go back home to get married and bring their wives back to our country. This places an extra burden on our country. The children of such parents become a burden to our country. If the leaders of the country will bear this matter in mind, then I believe such a scheme will not be necessary. But because it is not so, such a scheme becomes necessary. What has been done by both countries is inter-related and is directly connected. That is what I have stated just now. We cannot survive in isolation. As human beings, we must have all the necessary limbs and parts of the body.”