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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“' Whilst I am in full agreement that this subject is necessary, I notice that those in charge of implementing it do not seem to understand not only the subject nor do they know how to go about inculcating social values! May I ask what is meant by "tried and tested Asian cultural and moral values"?”
“I believe officials in the Ministry of Education itself could not distinguish the difference between a junior college and a secondary school. Hence, the explanation given to the students by some high officials concerned were not only flimsy but sounded rather pernicious to the objective of setting up such colleges. Also, as a case in point, a nephew of mine studying in one of the colleges remarked that one high official of the Ministry appeared not only arrogant but dictatorial in reply to questions from the floor. It appears, therefore, that Ministry officials are not conversant with the education policy which is, in fact, a correct and sound one. But there appears to have been a misinterpretation in its implementation by Ministry officials to a certain extent. That brings me to my third point, which concerns "Moral and Civics Education" which has also been mentioned just now by the Senior Minister of State. This matter has also been referred to in Hansard, Vol. 32, col. 22: I quote: 'Civics will be taught to foster social discipline and national identity, to develop in the students an appreciation of moral and cultural values, rather than learning. sometimes by rote, for scoring marks in examinations'. Then again in Hansard Vol. 36, col. 40, dated 8th February, 1977, it goes on: 'Moral and civics education is mainly taught through the subject Education for Living (which is a combination of Civics, History and Geography) in the pupils' mother tongue. The aim of the subject is to inculcate social discipline and national identity and to imbue in pupils moral and civic values.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I thank the Senior Minister of State for his kind assurance. The next aspect, Sir, I wish to touch on concerns the conversion of a %w secondary schools into single-session schools. This is contained in Hansard Vol. 27 cols. 17-8, dated 6th May, 1968, and I quote: '(c) Increasing emphasis on quality at all levels of education to make up for shortcomings in the past necessitated by the unprecedented rate of expansion in the school system to provide a place for every child. Now that this quantitative target has been achieved, attention will be turned to qualitative improvement in such fields as curriculum reform, textbooks and teaching aids, ..... A few well-established secondary schools will be converted to single-session schools, so that maximum use may be made by students of laboratories. school libraries, playing fields and other amenities." Sir, this policy announcement was made almost 10 years ago. In this respect, could the Senior Minister of State indicate the number of such secondary schools that have been converted into single-session schools? If not, whether and when would this come about? I would think that this would be the ideal secondary school. Has this escaped the Ministry? If so, why? Furthermore, I would also like to refer to Hansard Vol. 24, col. 22, dated 8th December 1965, where it states that: 'A number of special secondary schools to be known as "Junior Colleges" will be established for pre-university students so that the staff and facilities can be used to maximum advantage.' The point I wish to make here has reference to the reports in the press sometime last year about junior college students being unhappy because they were made to remain in the colleges much longer than the students in the secondary schools.”
“I would therefore strongly suggest to the Hon. Senior Minister of State that his Ministry take stock of its shortcomings in this respect and quickly take remedial steps to ensure that our students will be effectively bilingual; otherwise this declared policy, I am afraid, will just be mere policy pronouncements for the record. As pointed out by the Member for Tiong Bahru yesterday, only lip service is paid on this matter.”
“If they have, how much overall supervision has been made in the last 15 years, to ensure that the schools in our Republic are adequately staffed to implement this policy? (b) Has the Education Ministry made "Regular evaluation and monitoring of the success of bilingualism to correct errors and remove anomalies in the implementation of the policy?" Also, how often does the Ministry of Education carry out this so-called regular evaluation and monitoring of the success? (c) What measure of success has been achieved in this respect? In other words, have the students who have completed secondary education become really bilingual? and (d) If not, why not? What is the mother tongue anyway? To my mind, apart from Malay and Tamil, Mandarin is not the mother tongue of the Chinese population unless it is spoken at home. It is my opinion that no serious evaluation has really been made. If there was, then remedial measures would have been taken to correct its shortcomings in this respect and we would not be debating on this issue. Therefore, I would like to believe that the learning of languages should be made "living" all the time - a living language that is, a language that lives and it is being used all the time. In other words, mere teaching and learning them is one thing; but, Sir, making use of the language or languages learnt in everyday life is another. One may well ask: "What is the use of learning a language and not using it at all?" Does the Ministry seriously believe that by compelling students to pass the second language in both the PSLE and the School Certificate Examination, it will mean that the policy of bilingualism is achieved? I do not think so if the languages learnt are not used later on. Does this not defeat the objective of bilingualism?”
“24, col. 22 - there was the declaration of equal treatment but a clear emphasis was laid down on "the study of a second language, other than the medium of instruction, will be made compulsory in all secondary schools. Instruction will begin with Secondary I in 1966. After 1969, ... every candidate will be required to pass a second language in the School Certificate Examination." Just now the Senior Minister of State mentioned that to pass the PSLE the second language is also necessary. Also on 6th May, 1968, in the Addendum to the President's Speech relating to the Ministry of Education [Hansard Vol 27, col. 17], it states: 'A concerted effort to produce effectively bilingual school leavers to ensure wider opportunities for higher education and employment in our multi-racial society.' On 12th October 1972, it was stated under the heading "Bilingual Education" that: 'The second language will be better taught through improved methods, by teachers specially trained to teach the mother tongue as a second language in English schools, and English as a second language in non-English schools. More time is being devoted to this. All teachers will eventually have to be bilingual.' [Hansard, Vol. 32, col. 21] Then again in 1977, under the heading "Bilingual Education and Technical Education", it states: 'Greater emphasis will be placed on bilingual education in schools, namely, the teaching and the learning of the mother tongue and English.' [Hansard, Vol. 36, col. 41] 3.30 p.m. Sir, the reason for my quoting these extracts which cover a period of some 14 years from the Official Reports is to ask the Hon. Minister these vital questions: (a) Have the staff in his Ministry really understood Government's declared policy on bilingualism?”
“Sir, I beg to move, 'That the sum to be allocated for Head T be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead Code TA-02 of the Main Estimates.' Sir, I listened with a great deal of interest on the points raised by several hon. Members yesterday as well as the long reply just now by the Hon, Senior Minister of State for Education. This clearly shows the deep concern Members have on the implementation of our education policy. May I first refer to the speech of our first President, the late Encik Yusof bin Ishak, delivered in this Chamber on 29th November 1963 on that aspect which concerns education: [Hansard Vol. 22, col. 121]. 'No single factor is more likely to bring about a more fair and just society than equal opportunities for education for all. The ideal to which all nations in the world aspire is the utilisation of all its human resources to its maximum.' That is why our Government places a very high premium on the education of our children. I notice that the expenditure on education has always been high but this is the best investment Singapore can have. However, Sir, I have taken the trouble to read the important pronouncements on the education policy contained in the Official Reports from 1963 to 1977. They are to be found in Volumes 22, 24, 27, 32, 34 and 36 in the years 1963, 1965, 1968, 1972, 1975 and 1977 respectively. Sir, because of the importance of second language in the schools, I feel strongly that I have to make reference to it again this afternoon by quoting from Hansards of past years. In Vol. 22, col. 122, apart from the Government's declared policy to give equal treatment for the four language streams, I quote: 'it is the intention of the Government to improve the standard of teaching of a second and even third language in all schools.' Again in Vol.”
“(6) That the sum to be allocated for Head T be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead Code TA-02 of the Main Estimates.”
“Only through the strengthening of the concept of the trade union movement and the tripartite cooperation of labour, capital and Government, can we achieve this objective and enable them to be more useful in future. Therefore, I hope our schools will include the teaching of "Trade union movement" and "Tripartite cooperation of labour, capital and Government" in their syllabus in order to foster the growth of our national economy.”
“Our technical and secondary schools, the Industrial Training Board, the Singapore Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Technical College and the Engineering Faculty of the University of Singapore, have trained and produced many personnel required in the various fields of industrialisation. Sir, with the development of the situation as mentioned above, the National Trades Union Congress organised at the end of last year a seminar on "Job Creation and Job Loss" in conjunction with its annual general meeting. The purpose was to enable workers who are employed to understand the problems our country is facing, and to appeal to the workers to face realities; to be practical and to work hard to raise productivity. Up to now, various unions affiliated to the NTUC are preparing to hold similar delegates' conferences or seminars in order to disseminate the conclusions reached by the NTUC Delegates Conference at the grassroots level. Although the NTUC has tried its best to make the workers understand our country's problems, I feel that the Ministry of Education should coordinate with the NTUC to inculcate in the students at schools the concept of tripartite cooperation among labour, capital and Government. This will enable them to understand the true essence of the trade union movement in our country, and the role and achievements of trade union movement in the field of economic development in our country. We all know that manpower is the only resource that Singapore has. The youths in schools today will be at the forefront of our national economic construction tomorrow, shouldering the heavy burden of promoting rapid development in our country. It is necessary for us to inculcate in our youths a correct understanding of our society and value concept.”
“Sir, if that is the case, I must thank the Minister for his kind assurance. I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $162,422,350 for Head S ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. The sum of $16,961,800 for Head S ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. [Mr Deputy Speaker in the Chair] Head T - Mr Tan Cheng San (Paya Lebar)( In Mandarin): Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head T be reduced by $10 in respect of item 1100 of Subhead Code TA-01 of the Main Estimates. Sir, there is a proverb which says that, "It takes ten years to grow a tree, but it takes a hundred years to educate a person." The success of our industrialisation, the continued progress of our commerce and industries, and the improvement in the standard of living of our people are all closely connected with the education policy planned by our enlightened and judicious Government. Since the oil crisis of 1973, the advanced countries in Europe and America have, one after another, put up trade barriers and implemented protectionist policies. This has caused our export products to face greater competition. In order to meet this challenge, our Government has correctly been encouraging investors in our country, both local and foreign, to further invest in precision industries in order to meet the competition posed by industrialisation in the various advanced countries. In the past few years, our education policy has been closely coordinated with the Government's industrialisation programme.”
“Sir, I do not know as the Hon. Minister mentioned, if publicity will be given as a result of today's debate over this question of loss of permanent resident status. But I would urge the Minister to give some form of publicity, apart from the mass media covered by radio and television and the press, that permanent resident status will be lost if a blue identity card holder makes a trip outside Singapore without first obtaining a re-entry permit. If I get that assurance, Sir, I will withdraw my amendment.”
“Therefore, if one loses his permanent resident status as a result of negligence or ignorance of the law, surely if it is for the first time, sympathy should be given, as the Hon. Minister has mentioned. What sympathy is there if someone gets in exchange for the loss of such a status a Special Pass which is a piece of paper to be renewed from time to time? In the case that I have mentioned as an illustration, the child has got no relatives in Malaysia. There are many similar cases of blue identity card holders who have lost their permanent resident status as a result of negligence or ignorance. Is the penalty so harsh as to deprive them of their permanent resident status? The Minister could say that his Ministry is very sympathetic by issuing a Special Pass which can be renewed again and again. But, Sir, I would contend that these are two different matters. The Minister has mentioned that there are many checkpoints but especially at the Woodlands Checkpoint, would the Immigration Officers advise this category of people against leaving Singapore without having applied for a re-entry permit, or at least inform them of the consequences?”
“Sir, I think the Hon. Minister will agree with me that a Special Pass is one thing and a permanent resident status, blue identity card, is another.”
“These blue IC holders have relatives who are citizens. Before the Minister reminds me of my duty, I had better inform him first. What I want to point out with regard to the dilemma the blue IC holders who are permanent residents are faced with is on the question of re-entry for these people who make trips out of Singapore, say, to Malaysia without first applying for a re-entry permit. Hence, upon their return they stand to be penalised very unjustifiably because their permanent status would be lost. And in return for makings trip out of Singapore, they are given a Special Pass to be renewed from time to time. Sir, a case to illustrate this unjustifiable action is a child named Kumar born in Malaysia, who was legally adopted by a Singapore citizen when he was two months old. When the child was about two years old, the adopted father who is a Singapore citizen brought him to Malaysia without obtaining a re-entry permit for the child. This trip was an emergency and the child had to accompany his adopted parents. But when the child returned to Singapore, he was deprived of his permanent resident status. In fact, he was given a student pass. This student pass has now been withdrawn because the child is not in school any more. Neither has he any relatives in Malaysia. This illustration brings home the point that such a measure is most unfair. I earnestly hope that the Minister concerned would review such an unfair policy. It appears that the policy of the Immigration authorities is to deprive blue IC holders of their permanent resident status if they breach it. In the case that I have mentioned, I request the Minister to look into the matter.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head S be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead Code SH-05 of the Main Estimates. Sir, this subhead concerns Immigration Enforcement and Control for which a total sum of more than $12.5 million has been spent to redevelop Woodlands Checkpoint which, I understand, is to cope with the increasing number of people coming in and going out of Singapore. As so much money has been spent to redevelop this particular Checkpoint, I would like to seek enlightenment from the Hon. Minister concerned as to the number of cases that this Checkpoint handles each day. In particular, with the operation of the Immigration Act, how many cases of overstay have been detected and how many have resulted in prosecutions? Also, Sir, apart from the Changi Airport Checkpoint which is being set up. I want to know whether the other checkpoints, like the Paya Lebar Airport Checkpoint, are rendering satisfactory results for checking entry and exit purposes. Sir, in moving the Second Reading of the Immigration (Amendment) Bill last year, the Minister mentioned in the House that there had been many cases of overstay for as long as more than a year. If surveillance at these checkpoints had not been stepped up, the number of cases will not be known. As a result, a certain form or proforma has to be introduced for anyone who comes into Singapore. The visitor has to state the duration of his stay on the form and attach it to his passport. In this respect, how effective is this Woodlands Checkpoint and other checkpoints? Arising out of this, there is the question of re-entry, a dilemma faced by Singapore blue identity card holders. Of course, when I speak of the dilemma of blue IC holder, I am mindful of my duty to my constituents who are citizens.”
“The backlog. How many years of backlog? That is the question. The first question is how long does it take to process an application, and how long will it take for the application to be approved. Second, how long does the Minister expect to clear this backlog? Mr Teong Eng Siong( In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I have a problem which I hope the Minister will answer. Regarding application for citizenship, he has said that the applicant must not be a liability to the State. This is very vague. For example, if a worker earns an income of about $500 to $600 and he can support his two-child family with this income, do we assume that his income is not sufficiently high enough to deserve consideration in respect of his application which has been made for several years? With an income of $500 to $600, how can he be a liability to the State? I do not think so. The civil servants seem to be subjective in their assessment of a person's income. They are not objective.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, first of all, may I inform the Minister that I have had occasions to write to him on behalf of permanent residents who had applied for citizenship. I received a copy of the reply from the Registry of Citizenship. Arising out of the reply, I have two small questions. The Minister has mentioned that in 1976 there were 25,829 cases outstanding against 23,787 cases in 1977. Obviously only 2,042 cases had been cleared.”
“In view of the Minister's satisfactory reply, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment by leave, withdrawn.”
“Sir, the Minister mentioned that out of 948 persons arrested, 368 persons were convicted, leaving about 480 persons. He also mentioned that the number of persons arrested for drug offences was 4,131. Could the Minister indicate which areas are most drug-prone?”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head S be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead Code SB-01 of the Main Estimates. Sir, this Subhead deals with patrols and policing of housing estates and other areas by mobile police teams. Just now the Minister for Home Affairs and Education has given to the House some indication of the Mobile Police team. I notice that national servicemen in the Special Constabulary and the Vigilante Corps have been used to help patrol and police the housing estates. How effective have they been in helping not only to curb crime but also detect crime in the housing estates? Sir, I notice on page 264 of the Budget, under the Establishment List, that the number of personnel in the Police is 2,386 for FY 78. The provision of some $18.97 million is indeed a very big sum of money. How will these 2,000-odd Police personnel help to patrol and police these housing estates satisfactorily, bearing in mind that more housing estates are being built and therefore the need for more personnel?”
“Fifthly, I would like to ask the Minister to state again the Government's policy on curbing long hair. What is the present condition? Is there any change of policy on long hair? As I see it, there seems to be a greater prevalence of long hair everywhere in Singapore. I would like the Minister to tell this House what action has been taken against long hair over the past few years. In the last one year how many civil servants have been warned against sporting long hair? What other action has been taken with regard to long haired tourists?”
“But, is it so? However, some members of the public told me that they had seen the patrolmen playing mahjongg. They said they had seen them driving away in the patrol car round about 10 p.m. This blatant and open truancy on the part of the policemen is a serious matter and I would ask the Minister to look into it. 7.00 p.m. Secondly, there are frequent complaints of theft in the hawker centres and the market in this Marsiling housing estate, and the hawkers are suffering heavy losses. I hope the Minister will send more police cars to patrol this area to prevent further theft. Of course, I do not want him to send the truant police officers there. Thirdly, I have received yet another complaint to the effect that certain policemen who cannot write their reports in English have found an easy way out by not writing the report at all. Moreover, they realise that if they were to write reports, they may be required to appear in court to give evidence and this would give them even more trouble. So they just end up by not writing the reports. But it seems that police officers who issue summons for traffic offences are good in writing reports. So I would like the Minister to consider whether it is possible to allow police officers who cannot write reports in English to make their report in a language that they are conversant with. In this way their efficiency can be raised. The next representation is that the number of patrol cars in the constituency of Sembawang is not adequate. In cases of emergency, it takes a long time for the Police to make any response to a telephone call, and normally a police car will arrive in about three hours' time. I ask the Minister to consider purchasing more patrol cars so as to maintain better security and public order there.”
“Sir, in view of the satisfactory reply of the Senior Minister of State for National Development, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $23,892,460 for Head R ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. The sum of $14,728,800 for Head R ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates, Head S - Mr Teong Eng Siong( In Mandarin): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head S by reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead Code SB-01 of the Main Estimates. Sir, generally speaking, in recent years the Police Department has raised its efficiency and the relations between the Police and the people have improved to a great extent. All this can be attributed to the campaigns of the Department in promoting good public relations. I hope that the Police Department can maintain this relationship and continue to provide efficient and courteous service to the people. However, since the Department has a large number of personnel, there is bound to be some black sheep among the good lot. In view of this, the officers in charge should be more vigilant in their supervision and correct the faults as soon as possible so as to enable the Department to provide a continuous efficient service and to be in a position to protect the people, property and lives, and to maintain law and order, Sir, I have several matters to raise with the Minister, I have received reports of a suspicion that in the Marsiling housing estate in Sembawang, some police patrolmen are playing truant. Every night they would park their patrol car in an HDB car park at about 7 or 8 p.m. in that locality and just disappear into thin air, I thought they might have gone on foot patrol. If this is so, they would be discharging their police duties.”
“Sir, I must thank the Senior Minister of State for National Development for his detailed reply. I think he has missed out one point, i.e. the question of job prospects of these graduates. I also note with considerable interest the figures quoted in respect of enrolment, both part-time and full-time students. The enrolment is on the increase. My question is whether the staffing position is also being met with regard to the ever-increasing intake of students.”
“So the graduates from the Singapore Polytechnic will therefore fall in the intermediate level of technicians. The courses conducted by the Singapore Polytechnic are dealt with in some depth in the specific area of a particular type of technology and, in fact, emphasis is always on industrial application. There are ample practical sessions provided to supplement the teaching of theory. The general courses provided are in the field of engineering, building, nautical studies, marine engineering, shipbuilding and chemical and process technology. Here again, I have the details of these general courses and if the Member is interested I will submit it to him together with the breakdown of the graduates for the different courses. [Mr Deputy Speaker in the Chair] 6.52 p.m.”
“In the next 10 years, Singapore will probably have a shortage of about 300 technicians each year. For this type of technicians, the different categories of requirements will be planned by the Singapore Polytechnic, and the necessary requirements in terms of student intake as well as staff intake will be planned accordingly. Sir, I have here a detailed analysis (Cols. 1125 - 1128) of the distribution of the graduates for the last three years, breaking up both full-time and part-time. The actual number of graduates for the 1975-76 session was 1,671 ; the number for the 1976-77 session was 2,332 and the number projected for 1977-78 is 2,435. I suggest handing the list of details to the Member for Punggol because it is quite cumbersome to read it out. If he wants, he can have it and he can query later. It is quite detailed. It is broken down into something like 20 courses, and it also gives an analysis of employment with Government departments, statutory boards, private establishments as well as educational institutions. It is a fairly detailed analysis of the requirements that the Member has mentioned. analysis - Number of Graduates in Employment Relevant to Training, 1975 to 1977, Distribution of Graduates by Nature of Employment, 1975 to 1977 (Cols. 1125 - 1128) As to the plan for the training of industrial technicians, I can say that the Polytechnic train technicians at the intermediate level. The University produces what we call the qualified engineers. Below that, we have the diploma holders and that will cover the graduates of the Singapore Polytechnic as well as those from the Ngee Ann Technical College. Then the next rung of technicians would be those from the Industrial Training Board.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head R be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead Code RC-01 of the Main Estimates. Sir, we all know that the Singapore Polytechnic plays a very important role in supplying certain needs to our manpower requirements in the technological field. I would like the Minister concerned to inform this House how many graduated from the Singapore Polytechnic over the last three years and the various courses covered by these graduates, and what are their job prospects? 6.45 p.m. Another point, Sir, that I wish to know from the Minister concerned is the type of courses that will be organised to meet the increasing manpower needs of the more sophisticated type of industries. We have talked about raising and sharpening of skills, There are other institutions like the Industrial Training Board which upgrade artisan skills. But I would expect the Singapore Polytechnic to supply graduates with better technological knowhow on the technical side to help in our industrialisation expansion programme at the turn of the next century. In this respect, to what extent has assessment been made? The Senior Minister of State for National Development (Dr Tan Eng Liang): Sir, the training programmes for technicians at the Singapore Polytechnic are planned in accordance with the overall manpower requirements of the nation, and also take into consideration the future needs. The annual projection of manpower requirements is made by the Manpower Division of the Ministry of Finance which provides an overall indication of the need for technicians for the coming years. The annual enrolment of students for the various courses conducted at the Polytechnic is therefore based on this projection requirements. The Member asked for an example.”
“I must thank the Hon. Minister for his kind reply and I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $91,699,400 for Head Q ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates, The sum of $215,205,640 for Head Q ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. 6.30 p.m. Head R -”
“The other is the availability of a suitable site and where there is a congregation of hawkers. These are the two criteria that we will adopt in making a decision on the construction of new hawker centres and markets, The Member for Punggol has queried the inadequacy of the provision in the Development Estimates for the construction of hawker centres and markets. My answer is this. As I said, in the next few years, a lot of markets will be sited in Housing Board estates. Provisions for hawker centres and markets within these estates will be budgeted by the Housing and Development Board and not under the Ministry of the Environment. The figure given here is not very large because the expenses will be met by the Housing Board.”
“Sir, I would like to take up another point. I notice that the original cost of $7.5 million will be totally expended in FY 78. The Senior Parliamentary Secretary has mentioned just now that the Ministry will build some 37 markets. Obviously, Sir, there is an ever-increasing need for markets and hawker centres, bearing in mind that new towns will be developed. I would like to make an earnest request to the Minister concerned that he seeks more financial resources to meet this future need. Mr Chor Yeok Eng( In Mandarin): Sir, first of all, I would like to take this opportunity to answer the points raised by the Member for Mountbatten. He said that the income of national servicemen should be excluded from the total family income. Just now I mentioned that the family income is normally based on the total income of a family of four. If there are more than four members in the family, then of course the ceiling will be raised for the benefit of this large family. This is a more flexible way to calculate. As to whether or not the income of national servicemen should be included, of course, that will depend on the number of members in the family. If the family has six members then we will consider increasing the ceiling from $400 to a higher figure. In the case of widows and orphans, I have also mentioned that special consideration will be given to them. The second point raised by the Member was in the future plan for the construction of markets and food centres, which he says will be in greater demand. I have said earlier that the five-year plan makes provision for about 37 new markets and food centres. Priority of construction will be based on two criteria. One is the requirements of new housing estates.”
“Some of the resettlement cases, will be offered to take up the existing vacancies. That is one explanation. Furthermore, in the case of new licences, they will be allotted according to the zones. From our experience, applicants are not prepared to go to any market where there are vacancies. Most of them prefer to take up stalls in their neighbourhood. So, if a new market is to accommodate the resettled hawkers, then the vacancies available will normally be offered to applicants living in that neighbourhood. So in terms of numbers we are short whereas in actual fact we may not be short, and if there is any shortage it will not be significant. New applicants will therefore have a chance of getting their stalls. Next, let me answer the point raised by the Member for Punggol. He said that last year during the debate on the budget in this House he had proposed a certain site to the Ministry of the Environment to set up a food centre. He said that in that Housing Board estate the shops were selling mainly sundry goods and groceries, so there was a need for cooked food stalls to cater for the residents living there. In terms of planning, the various departments concerned always liaise with one another in order to avoid duplication and waste of resources in the construction of markets and food centres. The Housing and Development Board now has plans to develop Punggol New Town in his constituency. His proposal and recommendation of a food centre have been considered and incorporated in the new plan, that is to say, when the new town is built the food centre will be built within the town itself.”
“Sir, I wish to make two points on the Development and Improvement to Market and Hawker Sites. To me, the provision of $1.16 million for FY 78 compares very poorly with the estimated provision of $4.5 million for FY 77. Sir, if I can refresh the memory of the Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment, in his reply last year, as contained in Hansard Vol. 36, , 'and I quote "... if the Member concerned can propose a suitable site we will make a serious study of his proposal." I raised this question of building a hawker centre in the vicinity of Punggol Estate which now has a population of more than 3,000 families. Although there is already a small market-cum-hawker centre, this small market has only about 165 stalls and 30 cooked food stalls. These 30 cooked food stalls are hardly sufficient to cater to the needs of the flat dwellers in the estate as there is a clear trend today for flat dwellers to go to hawker centres for their meals. When I raised this proposal last year, the Senior Parliamentary Secretary requested me to propose a site. I have made that proposal and now look forward to his kind consideration of my proposal. Mr Chor Yeok Eng( In Mandarin): Sir, first of all, I would like to explain the point raised by the Member for Kim Seng. He said that in my reply, I mentioned that there are about 8,000 street hawkers in Singapore and that the next five years we would have only 7,000 new stalls, a number which is inadequate to accommodate the existing 8,000 hawkers. My explanation will be useful to Members in this House. In terms of numbers, of course, we will be shod of 1,000 stalls. But, in actual fact, there are vacancies which are not included in the 7,000 proposed stalls to be built over the next five years.”
“Sir, I beg your indulgence to speak now so that I will not have to move my amendment No. (7)”
“Sir, I thank the Minister for his kind assurance, and I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment by leave, withdrawn.”
“Sir, I have one other observation to make, and that is, to what extent will this incineration plant pollute the air and whether any effective measures to minimise the air pollution have been looked into?”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head Q be reduced by $10 in respect of item 8101 of Subhead Code QB-02 of the Development Estimates. Sir, in moving this amendment which concerns the Refuse Incineration Plant at Toh Tuck Road, I recall the reply of the Minister of State to the Prime Minister's Office, as contained in Hansard Vol 35, col. 1073, which says: The incinerator at Toh Tuck Road is expected to be completed by early 1979 and costs about $85 million. It has taken quite some time already for the building of this refuse incineration plant. The original cost was $75.35 million and revised up to $85.1 million. If the provision for FY 78 of $36 million is included, it would add up to something like $72.7 million. I would like to seek elaboration from the Hon. Minister concerned as to the progress so far in respect of the construction of this refuse incineration plant and whether it will be completed in 1979, and what is its capacity? 6.00 p.m.”
“Sir, with due respect to my learned Friend, the Member for Whampoa, I do not know how long he spent at Stanford University to be able to say that the people there have used bicycles for 20, 30 or 40 years. As a little boy, I owned a bicycle and have ridden bicycles. I would agree that if a bicycle is well looked after and maintained, it will last a long time. But the point my good Friend, the Member for Anson, made is that the bicycle is constantly used every day from morning till afternoon, and this heavy wear and tear causes frequent breakdowns. And sometimes it is beyond economic repair, as pointed out by the Senior Minister of State. Therefore, I think steps should be taken to consider replacing those bicycles that are above 10 years old and are beyond economic repair. I am surprised that in the past three years, only 43 bicycles have been replaced. Dr Augustine Tan rose -”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I notice, as a matter of interest, that in the last three years 43 bicycles were replaced. There are 140, or more than 45% of the 330 bicycles which are more than 10 years old. The Senior Minister of State did not say how many of them are more than 15 years old although my good Friend, the Member for Anson, has remarked that there are some bicycles which are more than 20 years old. The Minister of State has not refuted the statement. Sir, nowadays, if a car is more than ten years old it has to be scrapped. I am wondering how this policy can be reconciled with the case of these bicycles.”
“Sir, I rise to make one small request. In fact, this request was made last year. It concerns the pig farms in Punggol. All the farmways are not metalled. Last year I was given to understand that some form of metalling would be done this year. In fact, there are also no street lightings in the area except for certain intersections or junctions of these farmways. I notice there is an increase of $300,000 in the provision for Agricultural and Kampong Roads. Whilst there is a reduction of $100,000 for Minor Works, there is an overall increase of $320,000. I earnestly hope that the Senior Minister of State and his Parliamentary Secretary, who is the Chairman of the Urban and Rural Services Committee, would look with much kindness on these farming areas and hasten to provide metalled roads and better street lighting.”
“Sir, what I am trying to point out is that when they are resettled from another part of Singapore to Punggol, some come with large families and they are given certain plots of land, ranging from half an acre to two acres. For those given half an acre, the whole family of three generations live together. How could the Minister expect them to rear a large number of pigs on half an acre of land, from which they have to set aside a part of this small plot of land to house the large family? 7.45 p.m.”
“Sir, I have just two points to clarify. First, I thought the Minister was referring to matters of policy. When I first posed him the question of the Punggol rural centre which has 328 units of flats comprising 96 one-room improved flats, 128 three-room now generation flats and 108 four-room new generation flats, what struck me is that the rural centre is to be built without shophouses. (i have the reply from the Parliamentary Secretary that these flats at the rural centre will be completed in March this year.) Therefore, if the flats are to be completed this year, why are there no shops? The other matter which the Minister has not yet answered is: in considering applicadons for flats in the rural centre, will some form of priority be given to large farming families?”
“But, in fact, Sir, this type of basketball court is more a multi-purpose court where one can also play badminton and volley ball. As pointed out by the Member for Bedok, the younger children are edged out by the bigger ones in the use of the basketball court. I do not think that providing a small playing field will solve the problem of recreational space for children. I earnestly hope that in setting aside land for new community centres a playing field will be sited next to it. 6.48 p.m. [Mr Deputy Speaker in the Chair] The other point is the planning of Au Kang New Town. Apart from the provision of shops, markets and other related facilities, would there be flatted factories in the overall planning of this area? The reason is that many families who have to be resettled there will have to give up their farming or "minimal farming" activities from which they derive some form of income, supplementary or otherwise and these factories will enable members of these families to obtain some means of supplementary income. In other words, it is a change of occupation for these people. I think it is only fair to the resettled families in the rural areas because in switching from a farming life to life in Housing Board flats they are denied the means of supplementary income. Therefore, I earnestly hope that the Hon. Minister would consider providing flatted factories in the overall planning of Au Kang New Town.”
“Sir, in fact, I wanted to raise this matter under amendment (11) but I was directed to move my amendment under "Political Appointments". Sir, what I wish to ask of the Minister concerns a number of points on this overall strategy of Housing and Development Board estates. One that concerns me most is the question of the rural centre that is being built at Punggol. I am given to understand that there are some 328 units, comprising one-room, three-room new generation and four-room new generation types. I do not seem to see any shops or market being provided for this rural centre, bearing in mind the fact that the adjoining area is also under acquisition. In fact, Sir, I do not follow the concept of the development of this rural centre. Although it has got 300-odd units, I am told that the demand is very favourable. But I have a question to pose to the Minister here. Some of the farming families are large, and I have received requests as to whether these farming families could have some form of priority in applying for such flats. 6.45 p.m. Secondly, and this is a point raised by the Member for Bedok on the question of open spaces. The type of open space that I have in mind is the playing field, not an open space as "lungs" in this massive concrete jungle of high-rise flats but a playing field to serve the younger age groups who form the major part of our population. There is a need to channel the enthusiasm and energy of our youths. In this respect, would the Housing and Development Board consider providing playing fields in its planning of setting sites for community centres in the Housing Board estates? As I understand it, the present provision of a community centre would mean the standard type with facilities like a basketball court.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, on a point of elucidation. Just now the Hon. Prime Minister mentioned the number of scholar- ship recipients. I take it that boys and girls are involved in this exercise. If the boys have to do 2 1/2 years' national service before they can be considered for the President's scholarships, then it would not be fair to them because the girls do not have to do national service and they will therefore have an advantage over the boys. I would be grateful if the Hon. Prime Minister can give an elucidation to the House on this point.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, can the Hon. Minister inform the House how many applications for purchase of residential properties by permanent residents have been received, and how many have been approved since the operation of this law?”
“No, not colour TV because a colour TV set is a necessity at home. Maybe cosmetics is a luxury. The Finance Minister previously mentioned about the bad habit of smoking and drinking. This has escaped him this year. I wonder why. What I am trying to say, Sir, is that surely there are many other ways and means by which the Hon. Finance Minister could not only recover the loss in revenue but also bring in more revenue if he had studied the matter in greater depth. 4.17 p.m.”
“Give and take, that is right. Now, one last point. This has been mentioned by the Member for Khe Bong. Over the last 30 years some 150,000 persons have escaped the tax net. How come? The Minister for Finance mentioned that it is difficult to bring them in. I do not see where the difficulty is. If there are measures to ensure that all these 150,000 persons, whether they are self-employed or otherwise, do submit tax returns, it may cost the Government some money and manpower, but surely over a period of time these people will realise that it is better to declare their income and to pay tax than to be in default and to pay heavily. The penalty should be more than, as suggested by the Member for Khe Bong, 200% or maybe 1,000%, so that they will be discouraged from evading payment of income tax. Another good source of revenue, I suggest, is to impose tax on luxury items. I agree with the Member for Jalan Kayu that we have got to differentiate between what is a necessity and what is a luxury. All basic necessities should not carry extra tax. But as far as luxury items are concerned, yes by all means increase the tax. This will make up for the loss in revenue. There are so many luxury items. An hon. Member: Such as colour TV?”
“So why impose additional tax by another 5%? I will come to another point, Sir. Colour television licence goes up from $36 to $54, an increase of 50%. If my mind serves me right, what is broadcasting service for? What does broadcasting service provide the programmes for? It is to entertain, to be informative, to explain Government's policies and the like. Just because the TV is a colour set and with more colour TV programmes, the Government chooses to increase by another 50% of the TV licence fee. I recall that sometime ago there was a leek that television licence fee would be increased. But as a result of the leak, Sir, the licence fee was not increased. Then there is the airport tax. All these measures will bring in a total sum of $41.8 million, not forgetting the good cheer that the Minister for Finance has brought by abolishing the 5% tax on PUB bills ranging from $35 to $50. This is something which the Housing Board flat dwellers have been grumbling about for some years. Everything is taxed. Even the consumption of water is taxed. Electricity that is used is also taxed. So this small sweetener is most welcome by the lower income group in the Housing Board estates. Whilst this may incur a loss of revenue of some $17.1 million, as the Minister for Finance has pointed out, I think it certainly softens the burden of having to maintain a HDB flat. On the one hand there are tax concessions, but on the other hand the hand stretches out and grabs in all directions to recover the loss of revenue.”
“First, when he imposes with immediate effect the 25% Additional Registration Fee on private motor cars, as well as the 25% increase on Preferential Additional Registration Fee, he says, and I quote him: 'This additional tax is most necessary if we are to prevent the release of $54 million freed by the new income tax rates for the lower and middle income groups from going into private cars excessively, once again cluttering up the roads.' Sir, I cannot follow the rationale. To my lay mind, at the moment if a person wishes to purchase a new motor car, unless he can look around and get an old car to scrap off he will have to pay more tax. Even if he has an old car to scrap, and the tax that he will have to pay is less, is there any real advantage to him? I cannot follow the logic that the release of $54 million will mean cluttering up the roads with new cars. I hope the Hon. Minister for Finance can enlighten this House on how he arrives at this solution of a so-called equation of loss of revenue against increase in motor cars. Next, Sir, as pointed out by the Members for Moulmein and Jalan Kayu, is the question of entertainment duty. Singapore is such a small place. What are the places of entertainment? I do not think many of our people can afford to go to night clubs. So perhaps one of the forms of entertainment would be the cinemas. The additional rate will bring in only $7.5 million. Is it really worth it? Then the driving licence, 100% increase. I think this is quite reasonable. But I cannot agree with the increase of another 5% to the telephone bill, also mentioned by my good friend, the Member for Jalan Kayu. This no doubt will net some $5.7 million. But the telephone is a necessity for speedier and easier communication. It is a form of social service.”