Mohamad Maidin B P M
Singapore
“Sir, actually, the context and, in this case, I think Mr Chiam is well aware, the timing must apply. If the artiste merely performs his regular hits and routine at the constituency function which happens to fall outside an election period, I think there is nothing wrong in that.”
“Sir, the question concerns a constituency function, not about participating in politics. Foreigners are not allowed to participate in local political activities. Under the law, foreigners, especially during elections, are strictly prohibited from taking part in any election political activities.”
“Yes, no foreigners are to participate in our local politics during an election. Mr Steve Chia Kiah Hong: Yes? Is it only during an election period? Does that mean that during a non-election period, they can actually talk about Singapore politics? Is that what he means?”
“Mr Chiam has said that the casino is the first step for us to go down the slippery road. He has also mentioned that in the last 40 years, we have a clean and moral living environment. At the same time, he has asked the Government to be truthful in this matter. Can I ask him to be truthful in this matter?”
“And, in addition to our idyllic parks, jogging tracks, fishing grounds, public golf courses, and even driving ranges, PUB has also been working closely with the National Parks Board - because some of the parks are under NParks rather than PUB - to introduce boardwalks as well as forest trails at MacRitchie and Lower Pierce Reservoir catch…”
“Sir, currently, we can say that the use of handphone is one of the situations where a driver may take one of his hands off the wheels. But there are other scenarios, like the Member has mentioned, but at the moment they are not legislated as a specific offence like in the case of handphone.”
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“I am sure many of us may be able to recall that several years ago, for example, bilateral exercises between the SAF and the Malaysian Armed Forces were cancelled. Then RSAF helicopters were once alleged to have made unauthorised intrusions into Johor. Later, we read about restrictions being imposed on our aircraft flying over Johor airspace. Then the SAF was also alleged to have made artillery fire into Johor causing explosions in the Gelang Patah area. At one time, even some reservists climbing Mount Ophir were suspected of being involved in spying. All these allegations were reported in the Malaysian newspapers and picked up by Singapore newspapers. They definitely created some question marks in the minds of citizens on both sides of the Causeway. On some occasions, our own MINDEF did not react to these allegations. On other occasions, MINDEF did not react swiftly to counter or deny them. Maybe MINDEF has its reasons. Maybe a less hurried approach can help to cool things down. Or, maybe, MINDEF prefers to deal through the official channel rather than getting involved in an exchange through the media. However, I notice that, from time to time, it was the KL MINDEF who later came out in the open to clarify or deny many of these allegations. Many were found to be untrue. Then there is Pedra Branca. It is still unresolved and can become a potential problem. Sir, it is not very clear to me, and I am sure also to many of us in this House and Singaporeans in general, as to what is the state of defence relations between Singapore and Malaysia at the moment. What I am sure of is that many Singaporeans still hope that there still exis the special relations between Singapore and Malaysia in defence and other matters.”
“Sir, other than having a credible defence force, it is also important for us to have warm, cordial relations with our neighbours, especially the immediate neighbours in this region. In this respect, our defence relations with Malaysia and Indonesia are of special importance to our security. They are our closest neighbours. For many years, the three countries have managed to keep a good working relationship. However, events that took place over the past few years seem to indicate that they are developing in a somewhat different direction. May I explain, Sir? Firstly, relations with Indonesia. It is noticeable that our defence relations with Indonesia have made much progress. On the whole, it has been very positive. Among other examples and reasons, we can see, for example, the setting up of the Indonesia-Singapore Joint Coordinating Committee last year to combat sea robberies in the Straits of Singapore and Philips Channel. Since then, we have seldom heard of sea robberies in the two areas covered. There was also the opening of the Siabu Air Weapons Range in Sumatra, allowing our air force to conduct exercises. Bilateral exercises continue and seem to have increased. We also saw more exchanges of visits and regular contacts among the senior military leaders of the two countries. All in all, I think it is fair to say that the defence relations between the two countries have grown from strength to strength. Sir, on relations with Malaysia, it is somewhat difficult. In fact, I cannot come to the same conclusion about our defence relations with Malaysia. Based on many newspaper reports, it is inevitable that many readers will get the impression that things are not as good as before.”
“Mr Speaker, the idea behind this Bill is very clear, and I personally support it. I also support the views raised by fellow Members earlier. However, I would like to seek a clarification from the Minister. There are Singaporeans who work as cleaners and sweepers, and I think some of them also commit such an offence. To ask these cleaners and sweepers to do cleaning and sweeping may not be a reformation or punishment because it is something they do almost daily. So for this category of people who commit this offence, maybe we have to look for another way to educate and train them to be more caring as far as taking care of the cleanliness of our nation is concerned.”
“I think the proposal can be looked into by the National Library. However, I would like to inform the House that presently our National Library and its branches are open up to 66 hours per week, which is one of the longest in the world. Our figures show that even as we open from 9.00 am to 10.00 am, the number of users per hour is lesser than from 10.00 am to 11.00 am. That is why we found that opening the library earlier may not be justified. However, we can ask the National Library to look into his proposal for the Bukit Merah branch library.”
“One example is the proposal made by the Chairman, GPC on Information and the Arts, Mr Peter Sung, who has recommended the establishment of a Business Library which will provide information on industries and companies. This proposal will be taken up by Mr Tan Chin Nam, who is Chairman of the Review Committee. We may also want to consider building up a specialised library for the arts. Another idea being explored is precisely the one mentioned by Mr Goh and Dr Vasoo, namely, the neighbourhood libraries. These, we hope, can be more organically integrated into the local community, located at town centres and void decks. Such neighbourhood libraries will be able to encourage more young children to pick up the habit of reading. Sir, with the opening up of neighbourhood libraries, I suppose there will be further flexibility in the opening hours of the libraries to suit the needs of the local community. At the same time, the employment of retirees and volunteers can also be considered for each locality. Sir, with regard to the query made by the Member for Changi about the mobile library services, they have been discontinued since January 1991, because they were not popular among the residents. In fact, most residents prefer to use branch libraries, as they provide more and better library services and facilities, and are open for longer hours. In the meantime, Changi residents can make full use of the full-time branch library in Bedok and they can also make use of the Tampines branch library when it is ready for operation in November next year.”
“Sir, I am replying on behalf of my Minister. Members have raised various issues concerning the library. May I touch on the proposal made by Dr Vasoo with regard to the opening hours of our libraries. Sir, at present, libraries are open from 10.00 am to 9.00 pm on Tuesdays to Fridays, and from 11.00 am to 9.00 pm on Mondays. On Saturdays, the opening hours are from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm, and on Sundays 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm. We have found that the current opening hours are reasonably convenient for all groups of library users, including school children, senior citizens, and working mothers. Usage pattern has shown that school children normally use the libraries before they go to school between 10.00 am and 12.00 noon, or in the evenings when they return from school. On the other hand, senior citizens use libraries mostly in the afternoon or in the late evening. We have also found that the hours between 10.00 am and 12.00 noon are usually very quiet. So opening the libraries earlier at 8.00 am cannot be justified by the current usage. However, I would like to assure the Member for Tanjong Pagar GRC that the National Library will review the opening hours periodically to cater to the changing needs. This, in fact, will be looked into, especially with the review that we are doing on our library services. Sir, my Minister recently informed this House that MITA will establish a Library 2000 Review Committee to conduct a major review on our public library system. The review, as mentioned by the Member for Braddell Heights, will determine, among others, the number, the size, and the location of libraries that will be needed over the next 10 years. We are basically exploring two major issues. One is the creation of a specialised library to cater to specific needs.”
“Sir, at this juncture, maybe it is worth mentioning that there is a group in the Indian community who also belongs to the Muslim community and who has, for the past 10 years or so, been making monthly contributions to the MENDAKI Foundation. Sir, if I am not mistaken, there are roughly about 50,000 of them in Singapore. With this new Bill, which deserves all our support, this group of Indian Muslims may be faced with the question whether they should contribute to SINDA or MENDAKI, or both. I do not know how the Ministry of Labour or the CPF Board will look into this question. Of course, we hope that those who can afford it will do whatever they can to support both the movements. I think this question is in the minds of many Indians who believe in self-help projects but who may be having some difficulty, especially those who are not so well-off, to contribute to the two groups. But at the same time, the MENDAKI Foundation is also in need of monthly contributions. So I hope the group of Indian Muslims in Singapore will try to balance their support between these two groups. I think many of them are asking how best they could help and what is their position after the passing of this new Bill.”