Ng Kah Ting
Singapore
“Mr Speaker, Sir, before I ask my supplementary question, may I declare, on behalf of the Member for Kebun Baru and myself, that we are both involved in the building of Montfort Secondary School and Montfort Junior School both of which are Government-aided schools. My question now, Sir, is: when will this take effect?”
“But, Sir, at the end of this debate on the Second Reading and the Bill committed to a Select Committee, I sincerely hope that all those who have the interest of Singapore at heart should come forward and make their contributions, be they critical or ways and means on how better we can improve upon this Bill.”
“But the basic foundation, I submit, and that is, the political stability-honest, efficient and an incorruptible political leadership-is paramount to the future well-being of Singapore, and that is, if we are to continue to enjoy our good standard of living, our good government and of course as an independent, sovereign entity or nation.”
“Sir, I knew that the NCMP would come out and say that-don't mix up the ISA with PPSO because basically it is the same. I say, no. Because in 1958, PAP was not in power. It was the Lim Yew Hock government. That is the difference I am trying to make. So let us not go around in this wild political rhetoric. I understand that.”
“Sir, before I make my observations, I just want to make a couple of points in reply to the Non-Constituency MP, Dr Lee. He said that in 1958 when he was asked to stand as a PAP candidate in Kallang he was afraid of the ISA. I do not think that is quite correct because in 1958, Sir, there was no ISA.”
“We should take advantage of the present political stability to provide for the future. In conclusion, Sir, let me draw an analogy. With Singapore being the No. 1 port in the world, this analogy is not inappropriate.”
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“If wages and CPF contributions are not able to match the price hike of HDB flats, the solution can only be to control the prices of HDB flats and not allow them to rise so fast as to price-out the public housing applicants. If this situation arises, there will be problems. I do not think that we can allow this to happen. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I do like to bring in other cogent reasons in support of my statement but since there are many other speakers who also like to air their views - Some hon. Members: You can continue.”
“- and economical. It is better to have blocks of flats that are simple, comfortable, and economical than to have housing blocks of different sizes and shapes, more complicated and more intricate in design, more beautiful to look at but all these mean more costs and higher selling prices. I do not know whether the HDB has taken this into consideration. In other words, while we talk about encouraging the majority of our people to buy their own homes, we cannot in the same breath make announcements of price hikes of such magnitude as 38%. Sir, if I may refer to the reply of the Hon. Minister to remarks by several hon. Members over the impending increase in prices of HDB flats during the debate in the Committee of Supply on 24th March last year. Amongst other things, the Minister said: 'The HDB has requested for a 30% increase in the selling price. But I have asked HDB to try its best to see how much the Board can help to absorb the increase in costs so that the full 30% inflation need not be passed on to the purchasers.' [Hansard, Vol, 39, No. 16, col. 1355] Subsequently, the increase was brought down to 20%. Therefore, Sir, the House would certainly want to know what happened this time. But how much or by what percentage did the HDB want to increase the selling prices? How hard did the HDB work to try to reduce the percentage and how did it arrive at the figure of 38% and not less? Sir, the public must also be realistic to external events that govern property prices, and they should not expect too much from the Housing Board because bigger and better quality flats as mentioned earlier like Model A, new generation flats, etc., could only mean higher and still higher prices. The HDB, on the other hand, has to be very pragmatic about the pricing of its flats.”
“As we all know, last year the HDB could not meet its target of building 25,000 housing units. It only managed to build slightly less than 20,000 units. This has inevitably put back its building programme by about 20%, which means 5,000 units, and this has to be carried forward to the following year, i.e. this year. I am not so sure whether the HDB can achieve its target this year. Whilst being an optimist, in this particular instance here I am not optimistic. So the waiting time for the public applicants gets longer and the waiting list becomes longer too. The result or prospect is that there will be further increases in prices. I am quite sure the Hon. Minister fully understands the purport of my statement since he was in charge of the HDB as Chief Executive Officer for nearly two decades and now he is the Minister for National Development. I must give him credit for what he has done for the HDB. [Applause] But of late things are getting to be a bit different. I am sure it is not impertinent to ask of him. What is wrong with buildings of simple design? Simple in design means housing that is quick to build and yet comfortable to live in and -”
“But I must point out that I am no architect nor town planner but, to my simple and lay mind, I think it is about time that the HDB sat down to do some hard thinking with regard to public housing. I have taken the trouble to go round visiting some of the new housing estates that are coming up, and I notice that there is much room for improvement in both management and building construction. One point I would like to raise is whether the H D B has looked into the question of reducing labour by greater mechanization of its procedures and processes. Another aspect is design. I notice that many of these new blocks of flats have varied designs. Some of them are fanciful too. Therefore, it is only too true that this means greater costs. This brings me to the question of the types of flats. From the two tables distributed by the Clerk just now, Members will note the difference. In Table 1, from 1971 to 1974, with the 3-room and 4-room improved and the 5-room standard type flats, the price difference of a 3-room improved flat between 1971 to 1974 was $4,000; it was $6,000 for a 4-room improved type flat and $8,000 for the 5-room standard type flat respectively. However, Sir, the HDB introduced the 3-room and 4-room new generation flats and the 5-room improved type flats in 1975. The selling prices of these new types of flats had to be raised. Even with rising costs in building construction, the H DB went on to build other new types of flats. In Table 2 are listed the 3-room Model A, the 4-room Model A, and the 5-room Model A types of flats. Inevitably, Sir, the selling prices of these types of flats must be higher than the rest. The question here is: can the HDB really cope with so many types of flats?”
“But I hasten to point out that although the percentage may appear to be high, in monetary terms there is a great difference between the revised compensation rate and the latest price increases. This has put the resettled families in greater financial difficulty. They have therefore very strongly petitioned to me and to the Minister on the ground that since they have to make sacrifices in the public interest, they should be given more than sympathetic consideration. Sir, even the Hon. Prime Minister has said sometime ago that resettlement should be carried out in a more humane manner. Therefore, whilst these resettlement cases benefit from the small increase in ex-gratia compensation, the higher compensation will not help them to pay for this 38% increase which, I think, is both unfair and unjustified. I know the Minister is sympathetic but surely he can be more than sympathetic by adopting a more humane and positive attitude towards resettlement cases not only in Punggol but in other constituencies as well, as I understand there are many thousands of families in other parts of Singapore facing the same fate. I leave it to my colleagues on the Back Bench and even on the Front ,Bench to appeal to the Minister to give his serious and humane consideration to resettlement cases. If he does not seriously consider this, I can only say that there will be problems. New Concept of Public Housing I now come to the question of what I shall call, in my personal view, a totally different concept of public housing which the HDB should adopt. This could mean a more stable pricing of HDB flats.”
“Minister, Sir, the main objective of the CPF is to provide the worker with some means in his old age, and while the rule has been relaxed somewhat to permit him to buy and own a home, which is certainly a praiseworthy move, the question is: how much subsidy, in concrete terms, has the Government got to cough out annually under the Government's Home Ownership Scheme? Sir, I would like to submit for the information of hon. Members two tables (Cols. 97 - 100) showing the sale prices of HDB flats from 1971 to 1981. They are with the Clerk. I would be grateful if the Clerk could distribute them now. (Copies distributed to Members). tables - SELLING PRICE OF HDB FLATS, NEW SELLING PRICES OF HDB FLATS EFFECTIVE FROM 1 JUNE 1981 (Cols. 97 - 100) From these tables hon. Members can easily comprehend how these prices have leap-frogged over the years. Therefore, before I come to the question of what I personally believe HDB should do to correct and, if possible, stabilize prices to enable the percentage of affordability to rise to more than 80%, I would like to mention the problem in my constituency. This is merely to allow hon. Members time to look at the two tables. Resettlement in Punggol On 12th January this year, Sir, a good portion of the lands in Punggol was compulsorily acquired by Government for public development and the Minister has, in a reply to me, indicated that some 26,000 housing units would be built in Punggol and Paya Lebar constituencies to be known as the Hou Gang New Town. The House would be interested to know that in the acquisition of these lands, more than 3,000 families in Punggol alone have to be resettled. I am given to understand that the ex-gratia compensation to be paid to the resettled families have been increased by 30% in March 1981.”
“the HDB might have to pay a little more than 1973 prices only because ex-gratia compensation rates for resettlement cases have gone up somewhat and up again by 30% last March. Thirty per cent, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, sounds a high figure, but 30% in terms of the compensation that a family gets for displacement, loss of income and of livelihood, is certainly a meagre sum. And this does not take into consideration the large family which may require more than one flat upon resettlement. Hitherto, these families lived under one roof, so to speak, With this clarification, Sir, how does the Minister reconcile these rising costs if these two key factors are taken into consideration in the total sense? Affordability In his analysis of the affordability of flats, the Minister said that the remaining percentage of applicants would have to pay part of their instalments from their take-home pay. This undoubtedly means that the lower income group with small balances in their CPF will have a reduced take-home pay, and this is aggravated by the fact that it will be further reduced by an additional 4% CPF contribution to be effected next month. And the compensating factor of NWC wage increases for this year unfortunately is something which not all workers will enjoy. Sir, there must be a limit to the increases in CPF contributions or even NWC recommendations, and whatever corrective action is taken, it cannot match the fantastic and certainly prohibitive hike of 38% now. And then there is the threat of further annual increases. If I may remind the Hon.”
“I make mention of six flat types in six zones because they have relevance to what I shall be touching on in the latter part of my comments which dwell on what the HDB should do. The remaining applicants, however, will have to pay part of their instalments from their take-home pay. That is according to what the Minister has said. Abundant Supply of Key Materials Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, let me enumerate the factors that have been given as the reason for these increases. First, cost of building materials. It is gratifying to note that in May last year the Minister was reported to have said in the Sunday Times of 11.5.80 that: 'Singapore has abundant supplies of essential building materials which have not been tapped. They can easily support the local building industry for 20 to 50 years. The Government plans to centralize, expend and improve the mining capacities of these materials.' With this multi-million dollar plan to increase output of sand, clay and granite, it went on to say: 'the HDB will not only become self-sufficient but will also be able to supply about 40 million bricks to the public and private sectors.' This abundant supply of key building materials will certainly help to stabilize prices. Sir, if this is the case, may I ask: Where then is the logic for such steep increase in prices? Land cost Next is land cost. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, is the Hon. Minister saying that the HDB is paying more for land? It is a well known fact that in the compulsory acquisition of land for a public purpose, the land value that is determined will be the value prevailing in 1973, not the value as at the date of acquisition. We all know that land values in 1973 are far below what they are today. However, I can only concede on one point, and that is.”
“Such increases came in the form of press releases. For example, Sir, I have a copy of a release dated 29th May 1980 entitled "HDB announcements". The announcements were categorised under three headings: (1) An increase in selling prices and rental of HDB flats. (2) The introduction of a new flat type called the executive apartments. (3) Raising of income eligibility ceiling from $1,500 to $2,500. By this announcement all selling prices of flats were increased by 15% and rentals by 10%. All these increases were attributed to rising prices of building materials, wages, land cost, and even to improvement in the design and better communal and recreational facilities. The Minister, in his latest announcement to the press, not to the House, has also attempted to justify the increases by quoting the annual recurrent subsidy of $55 million for the maintenance and management of housing estates and staff salaries, and also a capital subsidy of $30,000 per flat to finance the difference between the costs and selling prices of flats. Objectives of CPF The Minister has also gone so far as to determine the percentage of applicants who can afford the new prices using only their CPF contributions. Just now, in reply to my question, the Acting Minister for Labour also made reference to the affordability of CPF contributors vis-a-vis the purchase of HDB flats. The Minister's analysis showed that 87.5% of applicants can afford a 3-room new generation flat and 81.5% a Model A flat, while 84.5% can afford a 4-room new generation flat and 75% a Model A flat, and 81.5% for a 5-room improved flat and 73% for a Model A fist. There are six types of flats being built in six zones that the HDB offers for sale to the public.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have obtained the right to raise a matter on the Motion for Adjournment today because I believe that the latest increase in prices of Housing Board flats announced by the Minister for National Development on 24th May to the Press is a matter of grave concern to the public at large and the applicants in particular. I must add that I received a copy of the statement from the Government Whip on 26th May 1981. I also believe that Government itself acknowledges the concern and therefore, as pointed out by the Leader of the House, has lifted Standing Orders to enable my colleagues on this side of the House to air their views. Nevertheless, Sir, exemption from Standing Orders provides the Minister with an opportunity to enlighten and to elaborate to the House, his reasons not only for the hefty increase of 38% but also the prospect of annual increases in future. Ministerial Statement As far as I can recollect, the first round of price increases was effected in 1974 when the Leader of the House who was in charge of the Ministry of National Development made a statement in this House on 30th November, 1973. The increases were $2,000 for a 2-room flat, $4,000 for a 3-room flat, $6,000 for a 4-room flat, and $8,000 for a 5-room flat. The then Minister said, "In order to help the lowest income groups, there will be no increase in the selling price of 1-room flats." (Hansard, Vol. 32, col. 1319). This is laudable and I do hope that the present Minister for National Development is magnanimous enough to give his most sympathetic consideration to the very special cases of resettled families who cannot afford the new prices. HDB Announcements However, HDB's selling prices were further increased by 15% in 1979 and 20% in 1980.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, does this not clearly show that the purchasing power of the CPF savings will be eroded in time to come? Has this not been taken into consideration?”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, is the Acting Minister for Labour aware that one of the main objectives of CPF contributions is for old age? But in the statement that he made just now, it is quite clear that it is also meant for something else besides old age. Would he care to comment on this?”
“Into money. Let us translate it into money please because the less fortunate need it.”
“Sir, we will give this committee a fair chance to prove itself. But, on the other hand, does the Hon. Minister not know that this appeal has been argued year in and year out in this House. Let us get on with the work. Please do not come here and say, "We have taken note of your comments and we will do something about it." Let us translate it into - - -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak. I fully support the sentiments expressed by my good Friend, the hon. Member for Changi. I have had on various occasions mentioned in this House that there should be a constant review of public assistance or dole, as it is often described for financial assistance to those who are less fortunate. Let me give one example to prove the point that we can afford to pay out a little more. This example may not be the best case but it is a strong case here. Sir, I remember that in the first URA sale of land in the late 1960s, perhaps 1967 or 1968, some $10 million were netted. And in the latest URA sale, I am reliably informed that some $1,000 million, that is, $1 billion, have been raised. Surely, Sir, we are rich enough to pay the less fortunate in our society a little bit more. As with the case indicated by the Member for Changi, the widow has to raise her own family and as she receives only a meagre sum in public assistance, she has to work as a washer-woman or as a hawker's assistant. But the assistance was withdrawn when the Department found out. I think this is too much. This House has heard about the generosity of the Hon. Minister for Finance in his handouts. I would suggest to the Hon. Acting Minister for Social Affairs to find a quick way through to the generosity of the Hon. Minister for Finance. 4.30 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I think the Hon. Minister has given much of his time to explain at rather great length the decision and the rationale behind the bus fare hike and the MRT. Before I withdraw my amendment, I must say that I am satisfied with the Hon. Minister's reply on the MRT. This project has been under study for the last seven to eight years and he has been nursing the baby quite well. I think all my colleagues would like to thank him for his good answers. On that note, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment by leave, withdrawn.”
“In the past when we had private bus companies, a student pays a flat rate of 10 cents and he could go anywhere.”
“Sir, the answer given by the Hon. Minister with regard to the activities of the Provisional MRT Authority is generally satisfactory. However, I am not at all satisfied with his answer with regard to the justification of hikes in bus fares. I have a few questions to ask of the Minister. Sir, in raising the bus fares, what is the amount of revenue that the SBS will derive? To what extent will it help to reduce their losses? In his reply just now the Hon. Minister said that SBS had obtained loans of up to about $50 million. Has SBS not considered a way to repay these loans so that they need not pay interest? One of the ways, as suggested by the Minister in a speech sometime last week, is to raise the paid-up capital of the SBS. I think it is a viable project. As the Minister has pointed out, if SBS is able to pay at least a 7% dividend to its shareholders, then it justifies its viability. If that is the case, then SBS should look into the question of pumping some capital to make it more than viable. I hope the Minister will further elaborate on this point. Otherwise, as has been mentioned by the Member for Khe Bong, the quoted share of SBS in the Stock Exchange will not be four times its par value.”
“Yes, it will decrease the loss. But I do not think so as I will develop along those lines later. Please be a bit patient. Then who suffers? I have in mind school children whose concession passes will be increased from $9 to $12 in the case of primary school students and $13.50 for secondary school and junior college students, including full-time VITB students. Students in the tertiary institutions would have to pay $25 instead of $18 for their monthly student passes. So one look at the percentage increase means 33 1/3%, 50% and 38.9% respectively. This also means that the lower income group, the thousands of office workers, the labourers and other workers, all will have to pay more by the all round increase of 10 cents. But the question is, will they be getting better and more efficient bus services? I would fully support the Hon. Minister's call for SBS to increase its paid-up capital rather than for SBS to merely give all sorts of reasons to justify their fare hikes. The House had debated at great length over the way SBS has been operating with profits being foremost in mind. The SBS is a public company and it does not mean that they can get away with what they want. I hope the Hon. Minister will pay attention to my remarks. Talking of efficient service, we have heard of appeals for feeder bus services in Kebun Baru Constituency as well as in Joo Chiat Constituency, and these appeals have not been agreed to I know because I have gone down to Joo Chiat constituency. So I hope the Hon. Minister would ensure that bus commuters will get value for their fare. As far as possible, the SBS should provide the necessary public transportation with the least inconvenience to the commuters. Finally, Sir, may I also suggest that the next increase be deferred to next year?”
“I do not know whether the Hon. Minister for Foreign Affairs has studied economics. I did not study economics. If increasing fares means a loss, then I think this House will come tumbling down on him.”
“Thank you, Sir. I would like to touch on the hike in bus fare of 10 cents all round from 1st April, as was announced in a statement from the Ministry of Communications last Thursday, 19th March, 1981 and was reported on Friday. Although this has not come as a surprise, because the Minister himself has indicated that if we want to have a more efficient bus service we have to pay more. Nonetheless it is a shock to all bus commuters because of the hefty increase. Ten cents appear to be a small sum of money but it is a lot. This is going to cost the bus commuters a lot and that means more profit for the SBS. Coupled with this, the Communications Ministry in its statement made matters worse by saying that the fares will be further increased later this year, after a more detailed scrutiny of the SBS financial outlook has been carried out. In other words, this is more than a double shock. With the first shock it does not seem that the interests of the bus commuters have been taken into consideration by the SBS. The SBS has the sole monopoly, so to speak, of providing public transport. It is not cheap. They have been able to give convincing reasons to the Ministry of Communications for the bus fare increases. I would like to ask of the Minister whether his Ministry has considered the simple fact that a mere 10 cents increase means increasing the profits of SBS? The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Culture (Mr S. Dhanabalan): Increasing losses!”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head I be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead IA-02 of the Development Estimates*. *The same amendment also stood in the names of Dr Lau Teik Soon and Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon. Sir, the Provisional Mass Rapid Transit Authority was set up through an Act of Parliament sometime last year, and the House has had on many occasions debated in great detail and at great length on the Mass Rapid Transit System, and we have also been getting reports. Sir, I am surprised to see that so many millions of dollars, if my memory is correct, more than $10 million, have already been spent on these feasibility studies of the MRT system. Today this House is asked to approve $7 million for FY 81 where the original total project cost would be $21 million. So this vote is one-third of the total original cost. Sir, since so much money is being spent on feasibility studies, I would like to hear from the Minister for Communications and Minister for Labour what other forms of studies are required before we come to a firm decision, bearing in mind that there is a report on the all-bus system. I think this matter is of very great interest and is being talked about very much in the last few days, since the announcement by the Ministry of Communications that the SBS will, on the first of next month, increase the fares by 10 cents all round. Sir, if I may, with your indulgence proceed along those lines?”
“Sir, I am grateful to the Hon. Minister for his reply, and I beg leave to withdrawn my amendment. Amendment by leave, withdrawn. 5.45 p.m.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head T be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead TH-06 of the Main Estimates Sir, in moving this amendment, I just wish to ask the Minister a couple of questions on the Fisheries Research Programme, such as, the fish farming experimentation undertaken by the Fisheries Division of the Primary Production Department. I would like the Hon. Minister to enlighten the House whether there has been any follow-up action on the successful research projects that have been carried out and, if so, what are they. More importantly, what encouragement is being given to those who are interested in fish farming?”
“I have also brought this up with the Minister direct, and that is, wherever possible, to relocate these families as close as possible. 5.30 p.m. The Member for Kaki Bukit mentioned about keeping the families together. From my own experience I do not think it is possible. Of course, I am not here answering for the Hon. Minister. But from my own experience, families will have to go, houses will have to be pulled down first and where can these families go to? They must be relocated to the available flats in HDB estates. For this particular exercise which I mentioned earlier and which affects that part of Punggol some 2,000 families are affected. All I am asking for are two things. There should be an upward revision in the rates of compensation for those affected and there are also some families who are small-time land owners. They own a small plot of land and they have to give it up either encumbered or with vacant possession. If they give it up as encumbered land, they get priority for Housing Board flats. But if they want a higher rate of compensation, then they have to consider giving up their priority for Housing Board flats. But unfortunately, Sir, in some cases the quantum of compensation for land with vacant possession is not sufficient for them to purchase a private residential property. I hope the Hon. Minister would be kind enough to pay attention to my remarks.”
“We had lengthy debates in this House trying to convince the then Minister for National Development (the former Member for Cairnhill) as to why we should regard all of them as farmers as it was difficult to determine their status as bona fide farmers or non bona fide farmers. That matter was resolved in 1979 when the present Minister for National Development conceded the fact and therefore granted a $15,000 compensation for those who held farm licences. In addition to that, there was a package deal to increase the rates of ex-gratia compensation, i.e. pay- ment out of grace and not as a matter of right. But here I would like to ask the Hon. Minister to consider this matter very seriously and more than sympathetically, and that is, there is now the need to revise upwards the rates of compensation because the cost of flats has gone up. If the rates of ex-gratia compensation for resettlement are not revised upwards, the question is how are these families going to fit themselves into their new environment, having been up-rooted from their old kampong homes where the cost of living was not high. The Hon. Minister for Trade and Industry has likened it to a "firewood economy", i.e. one need not have to spend much if one would chop some tree branches to set a fire to boil water or to cook. But moving into a Housing Board flat will incur additional costs. There are all sorts of charges, conservancy charges, PUB bills, etc. This would mean that the resettled families will have to take time to adapt themselves, and together with the increase in the cost of living it will certainly bring about not only unpleasantness but also unhappiness. I have had this experience and I had brought this matter up many times in this House.”
“Thank you, Sir. With regard to the matter of resettlement, allow me to say that since 1971 Punggol has been under constant resettlement over the last 10 years. When the first phase for the development of Punggol Estate was carried out in 1971 - to date, some 3,000 housing units are up - a large number of families had to move out and subsequently lands in Lorong Buang Kok were compulsorily acquired to make way for the development of pig farms. Now, Sir, the latest exercise is this: large chunks of land have been compulsorily acquired to make way for the Hou Gang New Town. That is going to involve some 2,000 families and it is going to be a massive exercise on resettlement. Thus I am sure the Resettlement Department will have a heavy load in their hands. Here, Sir, I would like to 'refresh', if I may use the term, the Hon. Minister for National Development to a statement made by our Prime Minister. After the 1976 general elections the Prime Minister said that we should make resettlement less painful and be more humane. Of course, I must bear in mind that the Resettlement Department has done a very good job in resettling people into the various housing estates. But, as pointed out by the Member for Kaki Bukit, vis-a-vis the compensation rates which have been revised from time to time, the uprooting of families, which have been living in that area for a generation or more, into a new environment and surroundings will of course create a lot of problems. I am not going to raise the other problems connected with resettlement except the question of cost, i.e. the increase in the price of HDB fists. In the 1960s when a three-room flat cost only about $7,800 we had the problem of distinguishing bona fide farmers from non bona fide farmers.”
“Sir, can I have your permission to speak now so that I need not move my amendment (9)? It is on the same subject.”
“But I must point out that I did not ask for the flats to be built in that part of Punggol.”
“For me, I do not mind explaining the HDB's policy to such applicants who come to me. But I think the officers should not tell them at the Sales Office that they can see the MP who can get the flat earlier because, by so doing, we are only giving these applicants unnecessary false hopes.”
“Many of them point out to me that there are plenty of empty flats in the constituency and why they cannot be given these flats and why do they have to wait. Sir, I am aware that many of these flats are reserved for resettlement cases. But it becomes increasingly difficult for me as the MP to explain to them why some of these flats are left empty for half a year, if not almost a year. I think we will have to ensure that such flats do not remain vacant for too long. Sir, the last point I would like to raise concerns the HDB Sales Office. It seems to me that some individuals in the Sales Office are now engaged in a little game which I call "passing the buck." In this case, the buck ends with the MP. Recently the Minister told us that there is to be no queue-jumping, in so far as the application for HDB flats are concerned. I think this is a very good statement that he has made and I can think of no fairer way for all HDB applicants than the "first-come-first-served" basis. But apparently what happens in the Sales Office is that a lot of applicants who go there to ask the officers on duty whether they can have the flat early, they are always told, "Go and see your MP. He can get it for you." Sir, in the last few weeks, I have received a sudden spate of such requests from people who have only submitted their applications to purchase or to rent flats only a week before. I questioned each of these persons who came to me, and all of them said that they were told to see the MP because the MP could get them the flat faster. May I suggest that the Minister, besides just telling all of us here that there is to be no queue-jumping, should also issue such a statement to his Sales Office. It is not that MPs want to shirk their responsibilities.”
“But there is still room for improvement. People do make complaints. They complain of a variety of defects. If in every block of flats there are 120 units, there will be 120 different types of complaint. But when the people complain of building defects, this is particularly important in the case of a resale of the flat because the HDB has to rectify the defects immediately. Sometimes it is not done and after a while, when the residents complain again, the HDB says, "Why didn't you complain earlier?" 3.45 p.m. People also complain of a variety of things, like leaking pipes, low water pressure, broken rubbish chutes, leaking toilets. Sir, it may interest you to know that quite a number of my residents have complained that the leaking toilets are those located upstairs, not the ones that they are using. In fact, one of them told me that the leak was so bad and no action was taken by the HDB that, each time he went to the toilet, he had to carry an umbrella with him to shelter him from whatever was dripping down on him from upstairs. Residents also comment that the corridors are not cleaned as frequently as they ought to, although I must also admit that there has been a remarkable improvement in so far as cleanliness is concerned. However, there have been a lot of reports that the people who do the washing merely spray the water and do not take greater care in removing a lot of the rubbish. I am wondering, Sir, whether on some occasions it is possible for these people to use some detergent when they wash the corridors. Sir, the next point I like to bring up concerns the number of empty flats in my constituency. Very often, I get requests from residents for transfer to bigger flats. And I tell them that they have to register for a transfer and to wait for their turn.”
“Sir, since the Minister has given more than a satisfactory reply, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment by leave, withdrawn. Mr Tan Soo Khoon (Alexandra): Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head T be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead TE-01 of the Main Estimates.* *The same amendment also stood in the names of Mr Teo Chong Tee, Encik Othman Haron bin Eusofe, Mr M.K.A. Jabbar, Mr Goh Chee Wee, Mr Rohan bin Kamis, Encik Saidi Shariff and Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon. Sir, today I would like to say a few words of praise, for a change. Some years ago I used to complain of the frequent breakdowns of lifts in the blocks of flats in my constituency. Not only has the HDB done its best to repair these old lifts, but I have also found out that new lifts are being installed in most of the blocks. Most of my constituents are certainly very happy over this sudden change of heart on the part of the HDB. I also used to complain of a lack of follow-up action by the Area Office whenever the residents made their complaints. I am also glad to note that in the last one or two years there has been a general improvement in the response of the HDB Area Offices to the complaints of residents. In this respect, I would like to say that in one of these Area Offices, that is, the Stirling Road Area Office, the new estate officer who took over the post last year has done a commendable job. I would just like to give one example. Two years ago residents in some blocks complained that the sockets for the TV antennas were inconveniently located near the door. Although I brought up this matter at that time, nothing was done. When I brought up this matter again recently, the Area Office made all the necessary changes within a matter of two weeks.”
“And even durians, as the Member for Ang Mo Kio has just mentioned. I think we should plant them in the housing estates and in the open spaces. We must bring up another generation of young Singaporeans who should know that these are tropical fruits. Otherwise, they can only watch the television and say, "These are tropical fruits." I do not know how much they know about tropical fruits. I hope the Hon. Minister will enlighten this House as to whether there are plans to plant fruit trees in housing estates, in parks, and in open spaces.”
“Sir, I am not asking for fruit trees to be planted in Punggol. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for National Development need not worry. They can be planted in Marsiling in his consti- tuency. It is about time that we thought of planting fruit trees in housing estates. Land is getting scarcer and scarcer; even the rural areas have to give way to low-cost housing development by the HDB. We should plant trees like rambutan, mangosteen, chiku -”
“Sir, that brings me to another matter which I raised in this House a year or two ago, that is, the planting of trees for the beautification of Singapore. Every year we have Tree Planting Day on the first Sunday of November. We have planted many trees and shrubs. But I think it is about time we planted fruit trees, not only in the housing estates but also in open spaces. I can sense that the Minister is thinking of the problems that will crop up when the fruit trees are full grown and are bearing fruits - who is going to look after them?”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head T be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead TD-02 Project 8401 of the Development Estimates. Sir, under this Subhead, there is a provision of $50,000 for Land Acquisition for Parks Development, unlike the estimated provision of $1.124 million for FY 80. I have been trying to find the reason why there is a gross reduction. In the Memorandum on the Budget, it is stated that this increase is "mainly because a higher provision is required for the maintenance of parks and open spaces." Further on, it is stated: 'The total area of parks, vacant state lands and open spaces to be maintained has increased and efforts to turn Singapore into a garden city will be intensified.' Sir, in this respect, I have a few questions to ask the Minister for National Development. In view of the small provision, is the Parks and Recreation Department planning more parks? Will this small allocation of funds really be sufficient to open up more parks and open spaces? How will this help to contribute to the intensification of making Singapore a garden city?”
“Sir, I am, of course, elated to be elevated to "Minister for Punggol". But if I am elevated to the rank of "Minister for Punggol", the hon. Member for Potong Pasir will become "Minister for Potong Pasir". He is the Minister of Defence. I had earlier pulled his leg when I said that he should not mince words, the difference between "jell", and "jelly". In any case, his answer has been quite satisfactory and I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $1,347,500,000 for Head K ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. The sum of $150,000,000 for Head K ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. Head T -”
“Unlike the Hon. Minister of Defence, I do not like to play on words or pun. There is a great world of difference between the words "jell" and "jelly". I am happy he does not want to see his army made of jelly, but to jell. I would seem ungrateful to the hon. Member for Ayer Rajah for pointing out that the Hon. Minister has not replied to my question, but it is because upon a quick calculation in my mind I know that the Minister would, in his answer, say that they will make some kind of arrangement. That ii why I have let him off the hook. However, he has not answered the other question, i.e. the appropriation of $150 million in the Development Estimates. I asked him whether that was sufficient. He has indicated to the House that the Minister for Finance is easy to get along with. With such generous apportioning of public funds for defence, I hope the Hon. Minister can enlighten this House whether last year's appropriation of $150 million is sufficient for this year, in view of the escalation of prices of weaponry and whatnot.”
“I know it. Let me tell a secret since the Member for Delta wants to know. It is about community centres. When subsidy grants were not sufficient, we pleaded with him. And I think we had something more. We are grateful because he has a listening ear. In this particular case, the reservists need to be looked after, just the same. If they are given more facilities, more amenities and places where they can congregate, it will go a long, long way to quicken the pace of developing something along the Swiss line, which I can only hope. 4.45 p.m.”
“This word is not taken from the Hon. Prime Minister. This is a common word. They must learn how to jell, and that takes time. I entirely agree with him when he mentioned about the Swiss army. I am aware of the fact that the Swiss army took more than five centuries, more than 500 years to build up. But we do not went to see that kind of a situation happening in Singapore. Heaven forbid if that should happen! Whether we like it or not, all of us will have to take up arms to defend Singapore. If anybody comes in and tries to take us on, I think we will choose to die standing and not kneeling. That is the message. Therefore, is the Minister doing something more for the reservists? What is another building? It is not enough. So the crux of the matter is in dollars and cents. I am glad the Hon. Minister for Finance is here. I wish he was here yesterday when we debated on the police headquarters. I think he has a soft spot. He has a soft heart. It takes time to convince him, to let out a little secret -”
“I thank the Member for Brickworks. Surely the Ministry of Defence should look into the welfare of the reservists. Just now the Hon. Minister mentioned that we have got to show our appreciation for what they have done and we will continue to do this. I think this is very necessary. One of the ways, Sir, to manifest it is by providing more amenities and better facilities for the reservists so that more of them can come together at the various places. The Toa Payoh centre is too small a place. So will be the new place in Brickworks. What about the other places? My point is that they will continue to build up and maintain from a feeling of esprit de corps to camaraderie so that they can jell together and become one. An hon. Member: Where did you get the word "jell" from?”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head K be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead KB-02 Object Group 3110 of the Main Estimates. Sir, this subhead concerns welfare services. It is a grant to the Singapore Armed Forces Reservists' Association. I notice that there has been a sharp decrease in the grant. Last year the appropriation was $37,740 and this year it is only $11,000. I am not going to pick a bone of contention with the Minister of Defence on a matter of dollars and cents. What I am more concerned with is that the Singapore Armed Forces Reservists' Association is housed in Toa Payoh. With more and more reservists, I do not think one building is adequate. I am given to understand that another centre is being built somewhere in Bukit Merah or Queenstown. The Acting Minister for Social Affairs (Dr Ahmad Mattar): Brickworks.”
“Sir, if I may pick up the last part of the Hon. Minister's reply. If he will recall, during the time of his predecessor when national service was introduced in 1967, Members of Parliament were present to send off the national servicemen at the send-off parties held at community centres. I can recall very vividly the occasions when parents turned up at these send-off parties. Initially, they had qualms and were sceptical about national service. Of course, as Members of Parliament, we realize the harsh realities that the sooner we build up our defence capability the better the security of Singapore. We gave them all the encouragement. In fact, we visited some of the training camps. I would also like to echo the words of the Hon. Minister of Defence to the House - that Members of Parliament, not only during the meet-the-people sessions but also on other occasions, should be given the opportunity to talk and meet with the national servicemen or reservists. I for one would be too happy to join in such fraternization. However, I would leave my other remarks to the second amendment that I shall be moving in less than a minute's time. On that note, I must thank the Minister of Defence for his kind words and the message that can be put across, namely the importance of defence to Singapore. Sir, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment by leave, withdrawn.”
“If we look at the region around us, the Vietnamese had moved into Kampuchea and, despite two UN resolutions which were passed and overwhelmingly supported, saying that they should withdraw and pull our their forces, numbering more than 200,000, from Kampuchea, and let the Kampucheans choose their own form of government, they had refused to do so. They are pressing on, and the latest reports from the press indicate the intensity of skirmishes in the Thai and Kampuchean borders. In conclusion, I would ask the Minister of Defence what plans have we got to maintain our defence capability in the light of the observations I have just enumerated.”
“So if they exposed themselves, that's it, lives would be lost. In other words, the point here is that they were not taking their training seriously and were not careful. This is one observation which I have made, and I hope the Hon. Minister of Defence will look into this. The other aspect, Sir, concerns the manpower recruited for national service. We have this streaming of students in Secondary 1 as well as in pre-university. With the streaming into normal stream, which takes five years, and three years for the pre-university, I can by simple arithmetic add up and say that we are short of two years. So we would not be able to get this group of boys to do national service. What plans are there in the Ministry of Defence to work out and project the number of national servicemen and if, under normal circumstances, had streaming not come about, what would be the result? Initially, the Minister might reply, "Look. After all, we only lose two years." Yes, but these are two important years because if a young boy is streamed into the normal course and subsequently undertakes a three-year course in pre-university, he will be about 20 years old by the time he is ready for national service. So this would account for a drop in the number of national servicemen. In a nutshell, the other side of the security of the country would also depend on what other weaponry and equipment we have got. Of course, here I can only ask a general question because I think we have under the Ministry's Development Estimates a provision of $150 million which, I think, is grossly insufficient.”
“I can only suggest that we should not entertain such requests, wherever possible, unless special circumstances warrant due consideration of such a request because it involves, as I understand it, a lot of administrative red-tape. A case has got to go through the normal course of investigation into the circumstances, etc., after which the programme to be laid down would be somewhat disrupted. I had occasion in earlier years to cite the example of the way Switzerland conducts its own defence set-up. We must not only make our national servicemen proud of the fact that they are playing an important role but we must also inculcate into the reservists a sense of commitment that for the next 10 years or so during their reservist training they are making an equally important contribution to the country by providing protection for themselves, their fellow citizens and Singapore. What I am trying to say is whether there is a sense of total commitment and dedication when they undergo reservist training and whether they take it very seriously. If I may disclose a little more information. I have had occasion to observe some of the reservist training exercises. To me, some of the reservists appeared to have taken the exercises very lightly. Let me illustrate with a small example. There was a battalion on the attack to capture an "enemy" camp on a hilltop, and various tactics had to be devised, planned and carried out. When the "enemy" position had been captured and the mission accomplished, I noticed that quite a number of them were just standing around the hilltop, forgetting one thing. The battalion might have captured the "enemy" post but the fact remains that there might be some "enemies" who had only been wounded, and not killed.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head K be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead KB-01 of the Main Estimates. Sir, in his Presidential Address to this House on the 3rd of February, 1981, our President listed three priorities for the Eighties and he has listed Defence as the second priority. I quote the President's words [Hansard, Vol. 40, col. 11]: 'Second, we must get every citizen to recognise and support the pivotal role that defence and national service plays in underpinning our continued independence and prosperity.' Since we cannot afford a large standing army, the brunt of the defence of Singapore will surely fall squarely upon the shoulders of our younger citizens. So we have a citizens' army through compulsory national service of boys from the age of 18 years for a period of two to three years. On completion of their full-time national service of only two to three years, i.e. when they are on ROD, they have to do reservist training every year. It is in this regard, Sir, that I would like to address my remarks - reservist training. How much emphasis has been stressed on the reservists that they should take their reservist training with all seriousness and that national service does not end after ROD because our survival depends on our capability to defend ourselves? No doubt we may be a small island-state of some 650 square kilometres but this is our one and only home and country. I bring this up, Sir, because during my meet-the-people sessions I come across requests for deferment of attendance at in-camp training for reservists.”
“If that is the case, it does show that in the planning stage of the building of the blocks, vis-a-vis the water tanks and the piping, etc., there has been a defect in planning. So I would like to seek the assurance of the Hon. Minister for National Development that when the new towns are being planned this problem will not arise. I have in mind the Hou Gang New Town which will have 26,000 units. In the Punggol Housing Estate, which was built some seven years ago, I have a lot of complaints about low water pressure. Therefore, in the planning of the new towns, not only Hou Gang, but anywhere else, would there be adequate provision to ensure that the water pressure will not be low as to cause inconvenience to the residents?”
“Sir, this problem of low water pressure has been discovered not very long ago. Since the Hon. Minister for National Development has said that the HDB is going to rectify this defect, I hope the Minister can assure this House that steps will be taken as quickly as possible to relieve this problem of low water pressure faced by the residents, especially those who live in the upper floors of the various housing blocks.”