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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“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to make some observations on the tax proposals of the Hon. Minister for Finance. First, the personal income tax. When i read the Table that was handed out, I would have thought that the tax burden would be shared more largely by those who earn more. However, this is not the case. Those earning a chargeable income of $2,500 will only get 1%, and it goes up to 10% for those earning a chargeable income of up to $200,000. Sir, if I may refer to the Inland Revenue Department's Annual Report of 1976, page 55, Income Tax, Abstract E: 'For assessments paid up to 31st December, 1976 for the year of assessment, 1975, there is a total of 229,970 taxpayers.' Out of this, Sir, those earning $30,001 to $200,000 make up about 13,000 taxpayers and those earning over $200,000, 228 taxpayers. The total tax concession is, according to the Hon. Minister for Finance, about $53.9 million. So the figures that I have given just now go on to show that those who earn between $30,000 and above $200,000 are the ones who benefit more in terms of dollars and cents. Those who earn $10,001 to $30,000 which make up roughly 71,000 taxpayers will get less benefit in terms of dollars and cents. They form the majority, as my good friend, the Member for Khe Bong, has also observed. So where is the equitable distribution of wealth? This is the point. It widens the gap rather than narrows it down. I do hope the Minister for Finance will bear this in mind when presenting his next Budget. Next, Sir, along with the $53.9 million loss of revenue, the Minister for Finance introduces a number of measures to recover the revenue loss.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, could the Hon. Minister describe the types of apprenticeship schemes? Moreover, since some firms are currently having apprenticeship programmes with ITB, could the Minister also indicate the number of apprentices and type of such apprenticeship that they have?”
“Sir, in view of the Hon. Minister's further clarification, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $330,120 for Head H ordered to stand part of the First Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 4st April, 1977 to 31st March, 1978. Question, "That the sum of $330,120 shall be supplied to the Government under the head of expenditure for the public services shown in the First Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st April, 1977 to 31st March, 1978 contained in Paper Cmd. 1 of 1978", put and agreed to. Resolution to be reported Thereupon Mr Speaker left the Chair of the Committee and took the Chair of the House. The Minister for Finance (Mr Hon Sui Sen): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply have come to a certain resolution. Resolution reported - "That the sum of $330,120 shall be supplied to the Government under the head of expenditure for the public services shown in the First Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st April 1977 to 31st March, 1978 contained in Paper Cmd. 1 of 1978."”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I think the Hon. Minister has not answered my last question, i.e. what measures does he propose to take to ensure that accidents involving Government vehicles are kept to the minimum. If I have got his figures correctly, in 1976 and 1977 there was an increase of more than 30% in the number of accidents as well as in the payments. Before I withdraw my question, I will be grateful if the Minister can answer the last question.”
“Minister may reply that I am exaggerating and request me to furnish particulars, etc. But what I have said is true. What measures does the Hon. Minister propose to take to ensure that accidents involving Government vehicles are kept to the minimum? Sir, I beg to move.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head H be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead AAA 3090. Mr Speaker, Sir, in moving this amendment, I merely wish to seek further clarification and elucidation on the need to vote this sum of $330,120 incurred by the Attorney-General's Chambers because of the increase in the number and seriousness of accidents involving Government vehicles and because of unforeseen expenditure incurred in London in respect of extradition proceedings. The House will recall that much debate had been generated in previous Budget sessions concerning accidents involving Government vehicles. Therefore, because of the increase in the number and seriousness of accidents involving Government vehicles, a sum of $30,210 is being sought for to meet necessary payment, I would like to request the Hon. Minister concerned for details on this. (a) How many incidents have there been and the degree of seriousness in the current fiscal year? (b) What is the number of Government vehicles involved? (c) Which are the departments involved in these accidents? (d) What is the sum required for? (e) What are the comparative figures on accidents involving Government vehicles in the last three years and the extent of expenditure incurred? (f) Has there been a lowering in the standard of the performance on the part of the drivers in the Government departments concerned? (g) whether any disciplinary action has been taken against the erring drivers? Sir, it may interest the House to know that I have had occasions to notice Government vehicles, for example, the Ministry of the Environment's garbage trucks, speeding and overtaking each other along Tampines Road without due regard to the other road users. The Hon.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, considering the great interest in hell-driving or hell-riding, would not the Minister let the adventurous youths exhaust their energies in a dirt track built for them?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, would the Minister consider giving the Magistrate the discretion, especially if a motor vehicle is on hire-purchase?”
“I must point out, Sir, unlike what the Member from the Backbench has said, I have no interest in this matter. My question is, would the Minister consider returning the vehicle to the owner?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, what will happen if such a vehicle is on hire-purchase? If it is on hire purchase, will it not be unfair to the hire-purchase company who may not know that the vehicle has been used for hell-driving? An hon. Member: An interested party!”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, will the Minister confiscate the motor-cycle or vehicle without taking into consideration whether or not it belongs to the rider or driver?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, whilst I am sure hon. Members of this House have no sympathy for hell-drivers or hell-riders, would not the Hon. Minister consider mandatory imprisonment for the first offence rather harsh?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, can the Minister of State indicate the cost of setting up this test centre?”
“Sir, can the Senior Minister of State indicate how long these applicants for purchase and rental of flats have to wait before they can got their flats?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, may I propose for the kind consideration of the Senior Minister of State of an apparent vacant site at the junction of Tampines Road/Tampines Way. PIG-FARMS IN PUNGGOL/JALAN KAYU (Pollution control) 33. Mr Hwang Soo Jin asked the Minister for Law, the Environment and Science and Technology whether and what steps have been taken to assess the extent of environmental pollution caused by the heavy concentration of pig-farms in the Punggol/Jalan Kayu area: and if he will assure the House that all possible precautionary steps have already been taken to minimise any adverse effects.”
“Sir, before I conclude, I wish to deal with the other details in the Bill. First is this question of cold turkey treatment. The House would appreciate if the Minister could enlighten Members as to the number of cases of such treatment, and what measure of success has been achieved. I will now deal with the question of powers of arrest. These powers have now been extended to members of the Vigilante Corps and the Special Constabulary. In introducing further amendments to the amendment Bill, the Minister pointed out that the fear of abuse of powers of arrest by law enforcement officers has been taken into account, and that this fear need not arise. I am glad that he has introduced this amendment. But surely in the act of arresting persons, there is the question of the suspect or the drug addict being handcuffed. Would the Minister consider this point sympathetically - if our intention is to rehabilitate drug addicts, then all the more should care and caution be exercised in the act of arrest. In other words, do we really need to handcuff the suspects? Last, but not least, would the Hon. Minister indicate to this House the number of drug addicts we have got today, quite apart from his answer in the early pan of the afternoon, and how many of them are hardcore addicts? I appreciate the point that the Minister's department has got a very difficult job to play in combating the drug menace on two fronts, the supply and the demand. On the question of rehabilitating the drug addicts, I wonder whether the personnel concerned are sufficiently trained in drug rehabilitation. Sir, this Bill has my support.”
“1381] 'Our Central Narcotics Bureau has intelligence information that much of the heroin brought into Singapore has been manufactured in illicit laboratories clandestinely established in a neighbouring country.' Sir, in this case, may I ask what steps or measures have been taken to obtain the necessary cooperation of the neighbouring country concerned, and whether any information relating to this has been passed on to the neighbouring country for action to be taken? In other words, what has been achieved so far in this respect. Surely the existence of such illegal manufacture of heroin is detrimental both to Singapore and the neighbouring country concerned. I note the Minister's statement on the two-prong attack against drug traffickers and addicts to counter this menace. Whilst I support the spirit and intention of this Bill, I would like to seek the Minister's assurance that the Central Narcotics Bureau will be relentless in its efforts to track down the traffickers. I would also like to know whether there have been bilateral or multilateral arrangements in tracking down these drug traffickers, and what are the results, bearing in mind the spirit of ASEAN. I am sure that this is also one of the major problems facing these countries. May I add that we should not just be satisfied with our catch of ikan bilis and let the big fish slip away. Sir, while the Bill deals more with the rehabilitation of drug addicts, at the same time it gives wide powers to the law enforcement officers. It is, therefore, more than clear that drug addiction has reached a critical stage in Singapore. I congratulate the Hon. Minister for introducing this amendment Bill to tackle the menace, and I believe that every citizen has an important role to play in helping to combat this menace.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in moving the Second Reading of the Misuse of Drugs Bill on 16th February, 1973, the Hon. Minister for Health and Home Affairs said, amongst other things, and I quote: [Hansard, Vol. 32, cols. 415-6] 'Though we may not have drug-trafficking and drug addiction to the same degree as, for instance, in the United States, we have here some quite big-time traffickers and their pedlars moving around the Republic selling their evil goods and corrupting the lives of all those who succumb to them.' Hence, Sir, heavy penalties were in-corporated in the Second Schedule to the Bill. However, on 20th November, 1975, the Hon. Minister, in moving the Second Reading of the Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill, admitted that: [Hansard Vol. 34, col. 1381] '... existing penalties under the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1973, have not been a sufficient deterrence to traffickers.' Sir, the death penalty was then introduced. It is now barely two years and the Minister has brought in another amendment Bill. In moving the Second Reading of this Bill, the Minister gave a horrifying account of the problem of drug addiction that exists in our society today. In other words, the death penalty has not been a sufficient deterrence to drug traffickers and pushers. To thus enable the House to understand better why this is the case, could the Hon. Minister enumerate the number of drug traffickers who have been given the death penalty? He has pointed out that only a few have been given the death sentence. I wonder how many executions have been carried out. If not, what are the reasons? In dealing with the problem of tracking down the traffickers, the Minister mentioned: [Hansard Vol. 34, col.”
“Sir, will the Senior Minister of State then assure this House that, barring any unforeseen circumstances or difficulties, his Ministry will relentlessly get on to the planning and building of such a primary school by 19807 Moreover, is he not unaware that 3,177 housing units, as pointed out by him, will be completed and populated by the end of this year?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, would the Senior Minister of State not contradict himself by saying that the primary school will be ready by 1980 when a site has not been found?”
“if planning is in hand, what and when will this plan materialise? Mr Chai Chong Yii: Mr Speaker, Sir, barring unforeseen difficulties, there should be a school by the end of 1980.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, since the data provided by the Housing and Development Board indicate that one primary school will be required in Punggol Estate by 1980, will the Minister not consider taking action with regard to the planning and building of this primary school by 1980, rather than just making the point that the need is there in 1980?”
“In any case, Sir, will the Minister take note of my comments?”
“Sir, for the information of the Minister, I have taken part in such a campaign. As I have said, would he not step up the effort of the Metrication Board to encourage housewives to know more about metrication? I feel that the facilities accorded at such an exhibition stall at markets are grossly insufficient. I notice that the officials of the Metrication Board simply handed out pamphlets. If I can recall, with your permission -”
“To ask the Minister for Finance whether he will mark out the north-east coastal area of Punggol into an industrial zone for economic development purposes, and, if so, whether he has any plans to set up industries in that area.”
“To ask the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that when land prices were continually increasing prior to September 1973 the Comptroller of Property Tax continually increased the annual value of properties and whether, now that and prices have fallen, the Comptroller of Property Tax will correspondingly lower the annual value of properties.”
“To ask the Minister for National Development and Communications whether the local farm produce will be affected under the bilateral agreement to set up the Thai-Singapore Enterprise whereby Singapore will buy farm products and other commodities from Thailand in exchange for Singapore products, and, if so, whether and what steps will be taken to ensure that our farmers' livelihood will not be affected.”
“Sir,I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head O be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead EAA 8101. Sir, in moving this amendment I just wish to make a few observations concerning the creation of park lands. Under this subhead there is a revote of $310,000 out of $460,000 to be allocated. Under subhead EAA, the items for "West Coast Park", "Extension of Labrador Park", "Sembawang Park", "Pasir Panjang Hill Park" and "Pasir Ris Park", are all under revotes. To my mind. Sir - correct me if I am wrong - it appears that nothing has been done. May I suggest to the Hon. Minister that such projects should be farmed out so that our people, especially those who live in highrise flats, will be given the necessary recreational facilities as soon as possible.”
“In that case I thank the Senior Minister of State. I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head O be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead DEA 8101. Sir, I welcome the provision to extend the Jurong Fish Market which will give the fish merchants some permanent offices. In this respect I would like to seek clarification and enlightenment from the Minister as to whether there are plans in hand to resite the Kangkar fish market to another locality in the same constituency. In reply to my question earlier, he has said that there are no plans. But I hope that plans can be drawn up now so that construction of a new market can be carried out as soon as possible.”
“Sir, I thank the Senior Minister of State for his kind remarks. I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The following amendment stood in the names of Mr Ho Kah Leong and Mr Ng Kah Ting - (17) That the sum to be allocated for Head O be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead DEA 8101. Mr Ho Kah Leong (Jurong): I am not moving. Sir.”
“It may well be that because they comply with certain requirements laid down by the department concerned they were allowed to remain where they are. I think the department concerned should have considered the question of loss of income to these poultry farmers in the first place. They should also note the costs involved in the setting up of pig farms, which are different from poultry farms, whilst not forgetting the fact that these poultry farmers may have to be retrained for pig farming. As such, they also have to incur extra financial resources. In this light, could the department concerned offer them financial assistance? I sincerely hope that the Minister would enlighten the House on this matter. The final point I wish to touch on, Sir, concerns those farmlands which are situated on higher ground. I am told that some farmers have rejected them on the ground that there is no water in the area. It may well be that if they should move there, they would have to dig deeper into the ground to reach the water table. In this case, may I suggest that the department concerned should consider allowing such lands to be used for poultry farming instead as this will mean that there is optimal utilisation of lands available for farming. 3.45 p.m.”
“Sir,I beg to move. That the sum to be allocated for Head O be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead DAA 8101. Sir, I think I should explain to the House on the problems of setting up pig farms but I shall be brief. All the pig sties are in single-storeys and in rows. The pigs have to drink water and also to be watered. Therefore, several pig farmers encounter the difficulty of locating water through the digging of wells. The costs for well-digging range from $5,000 to $40,000 depending on the size, capacity and depth of the well. Sometimes, several places have to be dug before water can be found. In this respect, may I suggest that the Department concerned look into the question of carrying out hydrographical surveys of these farmlands and make use of the necessary equipment to assist the farmers in locating water so as to cut down cost in well-digging. Another problem, Sir, concerns those farmers who have been allowed to remain where they are. Most of them are poultry farmers. I have received complaints from a number of them stating that the Primary Production Department has asked them to indicate when they would convert to pig farming. (I have seen such forms relating to this). These farmers tell me that they have been carrying out poultry farming activity practically all their lives and that they do not know anything about pig farming. I believe that there is a great difference between pig and poultry farming. And when I checked up with the department concerned, I was told that the areas have been designated for pig farming. I therefore cannot understand the rationale in allowing the retention of the poultry farms in the first instance.”
“In view of the assurance from the Senior Minister of State that his department concerned would be more humane and sympathetic, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“They agreed to cooperate in the national interest, but when they came to see the farming lots allocated, they noted that they had to start life anew because they had to set up new farms. They accept this and I am proud of them. But they pointed out that apart from the barest facilities provided, they need time to settle down. They had to spend a lot of money to do so. Moreover, they had to borrow money to set up their farm, as the so-called enhanced compensation could not be paid to them earlier. I mentioned that in some cases, they have been resettled as many as four times. Therefore the uprooting of these families has made the ground bitter. I must urge the Hon. Minister concerned that his department should henceforth be more humane and sympathetic in its approach towards resettlement.”
“Sir,I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head O be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead AAA 8301. Sir, I pointed out earlier in this House that I have resettlement both ways. Many families have to move out from Punggol to make way for the pig farmers from Chua Chu Kang and Kranji catchment areas. I had appealed that the approach to this resettlement should be more humane and sympathetic so as to alleviate the bitterness on the part of those families concerned. Those who had to move out were not given sufficient time to do so and were to some extent often harassed. They complained that they were not given the opportunity to purchase flats of their choice on grounds that these flats are not ready. Take, for example, the Punggol estate which was developed in two phases. Phase I has been completed and Phase II is nearing completion. The result, they have to rent flats first in those offered for rental in Punggol Estate Phase I and await completion of the new flats. To reinforce my assertion, may I inform the House and the Minister concerned that I have about 103 resettled families (from Punggol) in Punggol Estate waiting to purchase their flats in the said Estate, which will be due for balloting at the end of this month. My question is why the HDB resettlement department did not encourage these affected families to accept other estates where flats are ready for occupation. 3.30 p.m. Next, the relocation of farmers from the catchment areas to the non-catchment areas. I have visited them on several occasions and held discussions with them. They complained to me that they were told to move out soonest possible because their farms are causing pollution to the Kranji Reservoir.”
“(3) Public standpipes were removed to enable households to connect piped-water into their homes. I would like to know how much has been spent on laying of water-mains to enable those affected to connect piped-water to their houses. How many households have benefitted as a result? and (4) Last year. I submitted a question for Oral Answer concerning the making up of the various Farmways in the Pig Farming areas. The Hon. Minister for National Development and Communications replied that such requests would be favourably considered when submitted to the URSC. Sir, the Hon. Senior Minister of State in reply to questions on this matter yesterday, stated that it would take some time for the necessary infrastructure and services to be provided in this area. I believe that this will entail high costs and it is my contention that the URSC should not be made to bear such costs in fairness to the other rural constituencies for the simple reason that the sums allocated are definitely insufficient to meet the numerous requests of these constituencies. Therefore, Sir, I would like to reiterate that the URSC make out the necessary costing for such provision and that this matter be submitted to the Finance Ministry for approval.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, MPs representing the rural areas welcome the provision of $3.94 million for urban and rural services. However. Sir, it should be noted that item (h) of this subhead amounting to $339,990 is Expenditure Carried Forward. In other words, the total amount that will actually be utilised for urban and rural services for FY 77 is $3,600,010 to be exact. Whilst I must first give due credit to the Urban and Rural Services Committee under the chairmanship of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for National Development in the last 14 years for the various amenities enumerated and have already been provided to the rural constituencies, I would like the Parliamentary Secretary to inform this House as to the total amount of monies spent up to date, in respect of the items listed. I shall also be grateful if he will be kind enough to state the total amounts spent on each item. Otherwise it may be construed, as implied by one hon. Member, ah, yes I think it is the hon. Member for Boon Lay who was reported to have said that the Chairman of URSC had nothing to inform the press of what URSC has done to the rural constituencies. Following this, Sir, I would like to draw the attention of the House in general and the Hon. Parliamentary Secretary in particular on the following observations: (1) Most of the kampong roads are now in dire need of repairs as they were metalled some years ago. These roads are full of potholes resulting in much inconvenience to the residents. Would not the URSC consider resurfacing them? These roads, moreover, are very narrow and need to be widened, I hope the URSC will consider this also. (2) The Street lighting in the kampongs is poor and brighter Street lamps should replace these lamps which in some cases are more than 10 years old.”
“Sir, in view of the reply from the Parliamentary Secretary I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move. That the sum to be allocated for Head O be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead AAA 8101. Sir, it is noted that the sum appropriated for FY76 has not been utilised, hence the revote. Perhaps the Hon. Minister would care to enlighten this House as to the reasons why the Centralised Motor Repair Workshops have not been constructed, although provision for this has already been made. The House was informed yesterday by the Senior Minister of State that the Ministry is faced with the problem of resettling workshops, especially those that are in the city areas. I fail to understand how the Ministry concerned would be able to resettle such workshops unless the Centralised Motor Repair Workshops are ready for them to move in. Would not the Hon. Minister also enlighten this House as to where these workshops are to be located, when would construction commence and when would these workshops be completed.”
“Sir, on a point of clarification. Just now the Parliamentary Secretary replied that very few of the graduands from the Fishery Training Centre could find employment in the deep-sea fishing industry. For the information of the House, at Kangkar in my Constituency, there is one type of fishing industry going on there. That is otter trawling which involves fishing activities around the area of Horsburgh Lighthouse. We have got about 100 such boats and I do not see that job opportunities in this respect can be found wanting. Dr Tan Eng Liang: Sir, in an oral answer. I have already given the reasons for the closure of the Fishery Training Centre. In fact, there was also a question on otter trawling submitted by the Member for Punggol. The answer is simple. The Fishery Training Centre was closed down, as explained by my Parliamentary Secretary, because there was no response from people or from the younger generation who wish to take up fishing as a career, In fact, if I remember correctly. I quoted statistics to show that out of so many graduates only four or seven (I cannot remember the exact number) finally got a fishing job. That is a very simple answer. Moreover. the officers of the Primary Production Department are finding it difficult to interest people to take up this particular course. I think it is because of economic factors that the Centre was closed.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, thank you for giving me the opportunity to say a few words on this subject. I would like the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for National Development to enlighten this House as to the purpose of this 10th Council Meeting of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Centre and also what benefits do we derive as a result of attending this 10th Council Meeting. Secondly, Sir, I had in this House suggested that perhaps we can look towards the ASEAN region with a view to establishing bilateral or multi-lateral cooperation with regard to fishing in ASEAN waters. I would be grateful, Sir, if the Senior Minister of State could enlighten this House as to whether any approach has been made in this respect.”
“He said that an overseas friend of his has indiscreetly described our Housing Board flats as pigeon coops. Whatever description that has been ascribed to our Housing Board flats. I think our people living in the Housing Board flats are happy and contented. So whatever foreigners might say or describe our Housing Board flats, I would not be disturbed. On the question of partitioning of void decks, unfortunately he says he has no Housing Board flats in his constituency -”
“Sir, may I be permitted to say a few words on what the Member for Kampong Kembangan has just now pointed out?”
“Fourthly, where alternative land is not given or not available, the Department concerned should help the flower growers to get hawker licences so that they may have a new means of livelihood to replace the livelihood of orchid growing which they have lost. For these resettled flower growers, we should relax certain conditions, e.g, restriction to persons over 40 years of age, to bring it in line with the thinking of the Senior Minister of State.”
“There are two conflicting views from the two different departments on the same subject. Thus there is misunderstanding among the people resettled, resulting in dissatisfaction with the Government. Thirdly, when measuring the land area of the flowering plants, the resettlement assessment officers do not take into account the paths along the rows of flower beds. As a result one acre of orchid plants can only come to half an acre for compensation. This criterion is too harsh and unreasonable. The compensation payable is inadequate, even for removal expenses. From all these complaints, we can come to the following conclusions. Firstly, we should develop the orchid industry because it is a well known foreign exchange earner. The volume of export of orchids in recent years has been growing, and it is earning for us every year quite a sizeable sum of foreign exchange. It is a definite contribution to our economy. It is my hope that the Primary Production Department will give greater encouragement to the orchid growing industry. Secondly, where flower growers have to be resettled the rate of compensation should be increased because removal of flowering plants involve great losses by way of damage. Moreover, on resettlement these flower growers have to start all over again, thus facing financial difficulties and uncertain livelihood. Thirdly, if resettled flower growers are to be given land elsewhere, it is my hope that the Department concerned will give a big piece of land to house or to resettle all or most of the growers together, as in the case of the resettlement of pig farmers in Punggol. In this way it could be developed into a tourist resort to attract foreign visitors.”
“In this respect, I would like to see a closer relationship between the officials of the Primary Production Department and the pig and poultry farmers not only in the matter of farm structures but also the pricing of their farm products. Mr Teong Eng Siong (Sembawang)(In Mandarin): Sir, the response to the Primary Production Department's announcement that farmers should get licences to carry out agricultural activities, has been good. But I have received complaints from orchid growers. Orchid growing has not been given any encouragement by the PPD. As a result orchid growers are rather hesitant in the further development of their agriculture for the following reasons: firstly, after paying for a farmer's licence fee, the Primary Production Department does not give the farmers or orchid growers any substantial assistance. For example, the Department does not provide the orchid growers with Chinese publications on orchid cultivation, growing of new hybrids, etc, because most of the publications are in English. We must realise that most of these flower growers are Chinese educated. This should be taken into account. In the PPD publications there are too few articles on orchid growing while there is too little encouragement given to the farmers and orchid growers on developing the orchid industry. Secondly, the views on compensation for the resettled farmers held by the PPD and the Resettlement office are different and contradictory. According to officials of the Primary Production Department, compensation is given for wooden supports for potted plants and sun shades for the orchids. But the resettlement officers say that such items do not qualify for compensation because they are only supports for the pots which are removable.”
“Minister or his Senior Minister of State to look into the question of offering every possible assistance as well as encouragement to these pig farmers with regard to the viability of pig farming industry in the long term. Sir, I would like to come back to one small point again concerning repairs to farm structures. Several poultry farmers have been allowed to stay on this land. They have made applications for repairs to the sheds for the layers, but these applications again take time to be processed. Sometimes it takes more than a month because these structures are of wood, wiremesh, zinc, etc. The poultry farmers have to replace these layer sheds every one or two years. I think the Senior Minister of State is very well versed about the breeding of layers, the productive period of layers, and the time for them to be slaughtered or replaced. In the meantime, it is somewhat difficult to get new layers. In this respect, Sir, I would like the Hon. Senior Minister of State to assure this House that every possible assistance will be given to the farmers, be they pig farmers or poultry farmers, that when they apply for repairs to their farm structures or erection of certain farm structures, their applications will be expeditiously approved. 4.30 p.m. On the question of fluctuation of prices of farm products, it is sad to note that the Primary Production Department's efforts have been by way of words and not deeds. When the price of pigs and eggs fell, there was no proper dialogue or correspondence between the farmers and the department concerned.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am grateful to the Member for Jurong for his concern about the development of pig farms in Punggol and Jalan Kayu. Of course, I too would like to see the pig farming industry become a success so that Singapore would be self-sufficient in pork. Sir, it is very encouraging to hear him say this. The hon. Member also criticised the Primary Production Department officials for their haste in moving and relocating the pig farmers into the designated farming areas, thereby creating a lot of difficulties for the farmers. As I have said before, all these pig farmers who have been relocated were merely given pieces of land to develop. In the debate on the President's Address, I referred to these farmers as pioneers opening up the western frontiers. Sir, this remark is due to the fact that when such lands were allocated, there were not sufficient facilities and services. This is true. Roads are not properly made up. Drains are not properly lined and not of the right size. Even the Primary Production Department officials, instead of rendering every possible assistance to the pig farmers in Punggol to set up their farms on a proper scale, often intrude into the farming activities of the farmers by way of telling them how and where to site certain farm structures or the general layout of the farms, and also at the same time telling these farmers that they should not rear less than, say, 600 pigs on one acre of land. If they are given one acre of land, and their families too have to live on that piece of land, how much space is left for the farm structures, unless it is a flatted farm? In this respect, Sir, I would like to ask the Hon.”