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.”
The complete record
Every one of 1,870 lines we hold for Ng Kah Ting, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 21 of 38.
“The result, they laze around aimlessly, cannot get proper jobs and easily fall prey to decadent or evil influences. Also I fail to understand how the Basic Course for pupils who cannot cope with the Standard Course will learn to read and write in one language, do simple arithmetic, as well as become good citizens. Does the Education Ministry seriously think that by implementing such a course, these pupils can become good citizens? I do not know whether the policy makers believe that this will be the result. In my view, they should be more realistic and practical. I do not propose to recommend a Commission of Inquiry to look into the causes. I say. they should set up advisory committees which should comprise retired educationists and teachers who would then mount an in-depth study of the root causes and of the shortcomings and then make recommendations to improve upon the primary education system, I am quite sure many of these people would be too happy to respond. So also is the same with the system of secondary education. But I do not wish to go into the details as I do not think this debate is on education alone. I have other issues to raise also and time is not my own. I submit that an overall review of the education system is necessary and this is definitely long overdue. It may well be that some thought has been made towards enumerating the measures as contained in the Addendum. But I would like to know who are those involved in this exercise. Have these policy makers sought the counsel of those who have spent their entire lives in teaching and those who are still alive today and who may be too ready to impart their wealth of experience? May I remind the education policy makers that human resources is all Singapore has.”
“It is therefore all the more imperative and necessary that our young be constantly reminded that the good things in life they enjoy today did not come about just by pure chance but as a result of the hard work put in over the last 17 1/2 years by the enlightened PAP leadership and the people, To this end I would like to make some comments on the proposals of the Education Ministry. Whilst I applaud some of the good work done, I must hasten to add that education is a life-long process for it does not end with merely a certificate, a diploma or a degree, I am no educationist but I would like to submit that the education system must be reviewed from time to time. On the question of moral and civic education, I would like to see that our pupils are taught the concept of what I can do for the society and not what I can get from the society. The Chinese aphorism of ( ) should be imbued deep in their minds in their early years of their education. No one will disagree that the education system has to be reviewed from time to time for it is in our national interests. The various measures listed in the Addendum are not new. In fact, the so-called revision of the system of primary education is not an improvement, it is a clear admission that automatic promotion has been a failure. I am not setting out on a witch-hunt. Now the Ministry has to fall back onto the old system. that is, promotion based on passing examinations though the term annual assessments has been used but it means just the same, Therefore automatic promotion has brought about a social problem - pupils unable to cope up with their lessons leave school with a half-baked education, some are not articulate in any language and are thus unable to fit into the employment market.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, since last week during the debate on the President's Address to this House, many of my colleagues on the Backbench, both new and old, have stated their views on Government policies for the next five years, What I am going to state may be a repetition of some of the issues and problems already raised; however I believe such repetitions are sometimes necessary if we are to get results, Sir, I have read the Addenda to the Presidential Address which cover the entire framework of Government policies for the next five years. In fact. all the policies pertaining to the various Ministries, in my view, can be summed up in the President's statement that "we have to formulate our way of life, taking what is best from the West and fitting it into the Singapore context". In other words, we must build up our national identity based on the multi-racial, multicultural, multi-lingual and multi-religious characteristics of our society. Perhaps, Sir, the Prime Minister's statement "we are Singaporeans" best sums up the national identity that Singapore must eventually evolve, Hence, since 1959 when the PAP swept into power, the political leadership headed by our Prime Minister have brought Singapore out of near bankruptcy into an independent sovereign country in which the people are better-fed, better-clothed, better-educated and enjoying a standard of living second only to Japan. Such dedication and the will to succeed despite all odds did not come about that easily. Pragmatic leadership and practical measures and the cooperation of the people through sheer hard work and their indomitable spirit to survive have made Singapore what it is today, Therefore, Sir, a tribute to them must be placed on record.”
“Sir, what are the long term plans, and when will such resiting take place?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in that case, I must thank the Senior Minister of State for his kind comments. Sir, would he not agree with me that the farmers will be there for more than 15 years?”
“Sir, the Minister has just said that for those few wayward youths to succeed in going through British immigration with forged passports they must have "backers" who are capable of helping them. Would he not think that it is more likely that the "backers" must be "under obligation", rather than just being capable of helping them?”
“Sir, although Tan Wah Piow is no loss to Singapore if it is finally decided not to extradite him, will not this encourage other youths who are liable for national service to follow his footsteps, falsely endorsing an expired passport in order to escape national service?”
“Sir, I have to repeat because the Senior Minister of State has not taken note of what I have mentioned, and I want an answer now.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Hon. Minister of State has not replied to the second point that I raised. It is with regard to girls in Secondary I and II having to attend a three-hour session at the workshop once a week. In that respect, would the Ministry consider scrapping it or give the parents an option? I pointed out that the parents wanted their daughters to take home economics because it would be beneficial to them in their future years when they marry and have their own families. Home economics is a good course for them to learn in their teens, especially when they are in Secondary I and II. At the moment. I am given to understand that at the end of a two-year stint at the workshops, the girls are given an aptitude test. I am also given to understand that many girls prefer to fail rather than pass the test because they do not like to pursue technical education. On that note, will the Minister of State consider this point? Because many parents are not only concerned with this matter but they are sending their daughters to do workshop practice with some dissatisfaction over this question because the girls are not given an opportunity to opt for home economics. At the same time, they feel that this two-year stint at the workshops is just a waste of time, because after all their children would only acquire a basic technical skill, maybe filing, woodwork, metal work or electricity.”
“They complain that there is little time for their daughters to have their meals before they catch a bus to go to their workshops or schools. I believe there is a point in their complaint. Moreover, the parents also point out that they would prefer to see their daughters take up Home Economics instead of attending workshop sessions. This is because they feel that their daughters could learn something more meaningful for their future lives than to spend three hours a week in the workshops for two years and at the end of which a basic knowledge of technical skill is picked up by them and which will not be of any benefit if they should go to non-technical schools to complete their secondary education. I would strongly urge the Hon. Minister to look into this matter.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I share the sentiments so ably expressed by my colleagues on the Backbench who spoke before me just now on matters concerning the policy of the Ministry of Education. I would like to make reference only to two issues. Firstly, I refer to the announcement of the Ministry of Education with regard to what is termed as "New rulings of priority for Primary I admissions" which amongst other things stated that: `only children whose parents were sterilised before they reach 40 years of age will be given priority for admission to Primary I from this year. Previously there was no age stipulation'. (Straits Times. Thursday, 18th March, 1976). Hon. Members are well aware of my personal feelings towards abortion and sterilisation. But I am extremely disturbed about ground reports voicing not only concern which is growing with increasing intensity of unhappiness and snowballing into resentment, but also posing questions such as: is it really necessary for Government to push the education policy so far as to compel aided schools to conform to it when such rulings handed down are against their moral principles? If Government can push such a policy down their throats, what is to follow next? These questions cannot be lightly treated. Morally it is wrong to do likewise. I believe that the question of sterilisation is not something which is directly connected with education. By so doing, the Government is taking it too far. I would suggest that this matter ought to be reviewed. The other point I wish to touch on concerns the requirement of Secondary I and II students, boys or girls, to attend a 3-hour workshop session once a week. I have received complaints from parents whose daughters have to attend such sessions.”
“(4) That the sum to be allocated for Head T be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead BBA 2110.”
“Minister for Social Affairs to press on with his colleague, the Minister for Finance, for more funds, and if that is not forthcoming we will debate on it again at another time. The other question concerns what the Member for Sembawang has just mentioned, i.e, increasing the number of activities by providing more facilities so that the constituents can benefit. He has my support, Sir. Also, the Minister can be assured of my support.”
“Sir, may I join in this question of lending support to the Hon. Minister for Social Affairs with regard to seeking more funds for the Singapore Sports Council's activities? Just now the Minister mentioned that as of right the profits from Toto pools should be ploughed into the SSC for sports activities. Whilst I speak for myself. I am sure Hon. Members on the Backbench would give their heartiest support to the Minister too when he negotiates with his colleague, the Hon. Minister for Finance. Sir, I think the question involved here is the objective of the setting up of Singapore Pools (Pte) Ltd. To my mind, as far as I can recollect, from the replies given by the Minister concerned the profits of the Singapore Pools (Pte) Ltd are to be ploughed back for the promotion of sports in Singapore. Today, with amendments to the Sports Council Act, more constituency sports clubs are to be formed; and I am sure more money and facilities will be required by all these CSCs. As an example, the Member for Sembawang, with two swimming pools in his constituency, is still not happy as he wants some squash courts. Well, that is quite natural because as more and more constituencies form their own sports clubs, they want to provide more facilities for their constituents. 7.30 p.m. As the Member for Jalan Kayu has suggested, over the years the fringe constituencies around Upper Serangoon, Punggol. Jalan Kayu, Tampines, including Paya Lebar, have always wanted a swimming pool. A piece of land has been found in Surin Avenue, but no funds could be made available for the construction of a swimming pool despite my questions to this House. I think the time has come, right and ripe, -emphasise "right and ripe" - for the Hon.”
“Sir, if some of this information had been given to the rural MPs whose constituencies have been affected, then it would have saved them a lot of trouble coming to this House to discuss at great length the definition of "bona fide farmer". The Minister of State mentioned that the enhanced rate of ex gratia compensation is very generous. I would like to ask him whether a farming family, moving into a HDB flat, would be able to maintain and continue to subsist with the enhanced rate of compensation. In other words, I believe that the question of the endangerment to their livelihood has not been taken into account.”
“The answer given is satisfactory. I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead AAA 3011 Sir, I have a simple question to ask of the Minister. I believe that free water supply at public standpipes has already ceased a few years ago. How is it that last year there was such a vote and this year there is also a vote of $20,000 for free water supply at public standpipes. I am under the impression that nothing is for free. How is it that today we still see a vote of $20,000 for the provision of free water supply? I should be very grateful if the Minister would care to reply.”
“Sir, it is not a question of satisfying my request. It is a matter of grave concern to the fishermen because their livelihood is affected. However, since the Minister of State has said that he is prepared to look into the matter, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“It is my earnest hope that since this complaint has been laid before the House, the Ministry would look into the matter. If an assurance is forthcoming, I am prepared to withdraw my amendment.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sin. I must first thank the Senior Minister of State for National Development for his detailed reply. However, he has mentioned that his Ministry has not received any complaint of illegal trawling. If that is so, I shall send him a written complaint later today. On the second point, the Minister for Law and the Environment mentioned yesterday that the Ministry was building bunds at the Tampines dumping ground. A lot of damage has already been caused to marine life there. It is only because someone has stood up and said "Look, pollution is affecting marine life. The fishermen cannot get much of a catch, and as a result, they are faced with a serious problem", then something is being done. But I am taking this one step further. I say that even though bunds are built, the rubbish is still being dumped there. If the Senior Minister of State would care to go to the place, he will find a lot of rubbish floating at high tide. This is a genuine case. Now, with regard to the fishermen who catch crabs in the mangrove swamps. They have to get a long piece of wire to catch the crab in its hole. I am talking about the fishing problem they are facing. Most of them use small lines. If I can use the Malay word, with your permission. Sir, the net is called "jaring". It is just a net with a half-inch span in width and about 10 metres in length, at the end of which is attached a small light. The net comes in with the tide. The net is thrown into the water, and there are usually four or five nets. Later when the tide goes down, they would just go round and pick up the catch of fish and prawns. The catch is getting less now, and this is their complaint. I have seen how they do it.”
“Another point is in regard to the Fisheries Division. We have read in the newspapers that the Division is trying to encourage fish breeding in our waters, especially in the Singapore Straits or the kelongs. It is a pity to hear from the Member for Changi that a good number of the kelongs have to be demolished. I was under the impression that the Fisheries Division is actively encouraging these kelong owners to breed fish in their kelongs. I think this is a good move because we lack such food supplies and have to import them. Just now we heard an active discussion about the glut of eggs resulting in the farmers losing money. That should not be so because the Government department concerned is indirectly trying to get a fairer price and the price also fluctuates according to supply and demand. But in this particular case. Sir, fish also is like a staple food, as we have to import no less than 80% to 90% of our needs. At the moment, we have two fish markets, one at Jurong and the other at Kangkar which is in my constituency. With these remarks, Sir, I wonder whether the Minister would care to elaborate to this House the type of activities covered by the Fisheries Division.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead DEA 1111. Sir, I wish to draw the attention of the Minister to the lack of marine life in the Serangoon River due to pollution from the Ministry of the Environment. Sir, you are aware that I was more or less compelled to shorten my question yesterday because I intended to broaden the aspect of pollution problems which resulted in the fishermen in Punggol having to lead a hard life. Sir, the Ministry of the Environment has another dumping ground in Tampines constituency, which is situated near the estuary of the Serangoon River. Every day many lorry-loads of trade refuse from the City are carted by these Environment lorries and dumped there. The refuse being dumped there naturally pollute the waters of the Serangoon River because of the tides that come in and recede. When the tide comes in it comes up right to the banks, and when it recedes it washes the refuse away. As a result, there is less fish and prawns in that area. So the livelihood of fishermen who fish in that area is threatened. I think that not only the fishermen from Punggol but also fishermen from Tampines and Jalan Kayu constituencies are faced with this problem. Another problem, Sir, which they face is this illegal otter trawling. In the past I had occasion to bring to the attention of this House to the damage done to the nets as well as the threat posed by these illegal otter trawlers which go into the waters with long drag-nets without marine lights and cutting off the little fishing lines that were laid by the fishermen. Today, I still receive complaints of the operations of these illegal otter trawlers. I wonder whether the Minister would care to look into this matter.”
“Sir, the house is to be occupied by a farming family who has made this genuine request. Let us not get excited and start talking about a man with a crooked mind who thinks in a crooked way and walks in a crooked manner, runs in a crooked style and also talks in a crooked way. I am talking in a straightforward manner. It is a question of the farmers asking me to appeal on their behalf. They are farmers from another constituency. They are not from my constituency. A good number of the farmers in my constituency have already gone to live in Housing Board flats. I have already put this case forward when I spoke on the amendment to cut the Minister's salary by $10. 6.45 p.m. I am appealing once again. They say. "We want the eaves at the front of our house extended by another 8 feet." I said, "For what?" They said, "Just let us have another 8 feet to keep us away from the rain."”
“The farmers want it that way. It is the farmers who are staying in the house. It is not I who will live there. That is the difference. Let us not quibble about it. The farmers themselves have asked for it. If the roof is slanted at, say 160 degrees or 90 degrees, that is an entirely different matter. But this is a question of the eaves protruding eight feet, which can easily be done. There is no problem. I think the Senior Minister of State for Communications can give a better explanation why the eaves can protrude to eight feet without touching the ground. We can even protrude it to 1.5 feet without support from the ground.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am not disputing that the architect is night on is wrong. My question is: can consideration be given to their request, to site the toilet outside? And the Minister of State has said that he is prepared to consider it, but the Minister now says. "No". Regarding roof eaves, I will go a step further. I am by nature optimistic. If the eaves protrude eight feet out, it does not mean that they will come straight down: It depends on the angle, on elevation as we call it. It can be supported from the ceiling not from the ground.”
“In that case I must thank the Senior Minister of State for having been enlightened by his colleague, the Minister of State for Communications. I do not want to quibble over the question of the Master Plan and the number of housing units on an acre of land. I would just like to say that I am grateful for his reply with regard to the protrusion for the eaves. However, he has still not given a reply on the matter of sitting the toilet facilities outside the building. I think the Minister for National Development is getting excited and wishes to speak. I will give way to him.”
“The farmers are complaining about the buildings and said that they should be allowed to alter them so that the eaves of the roof can protrude a little bit. It is not an extension, because extension implies extending the floor area, This is by way of shade. It can probably be called that way. They wish to keep off the rain because of the nature of the building plan. The plan requires the eaves of the roof to be three feet and no more. When they appeal for permission to extend the eaves, it was not approved. They had to keep to the plan. The same thing applies to the toilet. I think I am standing on home ground when I say that these are their problems. It is a request. I am appealing. I am not criticising. There is something wrong with the building plan. It is a genuine grouse. Moreover there is going to be a new pig farming industry, and perhaps by the end of 1977 the entire population of Singapore may have to depend on Punggol for pork.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I think the Senior Minister of State for National Development has been misinformed. I wish to make a correction. With regard to permission for a temporary building on agricultural land, there is one house or a temporary building on every two acres or nearly a hectare of land. What I am trying to impress upon him is that that part of Punggol has been designated a pig farming industrial area. As I have mentioned, the pig farmers from Chua Chu Kang and Serangoon Gardens have already been given small plots of land. On the question of architecture, I have some knowledge about building structures and I believe the Senior Minister of State knows well that using the official plan is much simpler because it can be simply bought from the Planning Department. No architect would say, "All right, I will draw up a building plan for a three-room house, one hall, a kitchen, a toilet, etc.", if it is going to be a temporary structure. The fees would be prohibitive. On the question that it is unfair to have the toilet facilities erected outside the house, it should be remembered that there will be a proliferation of pig farms over all the designated areas in Punggol. I have mentioned just now that more than 20 persons have come to see me. Each of them has been given a small piece of land of about one or two acres, or maybe three acres, all on Temporary Occupation Licence. All I am asking is this. They have appealed to me to solve the problem which they are facing. I will bring up other problems under other amendments when the time comes. But if the Senior Minister of State would like to visit Punggol. I would be too glad to organise for him a tour of the pig farms as well as to see the buildings which are being put up.”
“I sincerely hope that the Minister concerned would kindly consider my appeal on behalf of those farmers who are there, as well as those who will be coming to join them and they have come to see the place and have also made suggestions.”
“Or aroma, as my good Friend, the Member for Jalan Kayu, has said. In this respect, could the Ministry then allow such toilet facilities to be sited outside the building rather than insist on the strict requirement that it should be sited in the building together with the bathroom and the kitchen? Another point is the roof eaves which has a protrusion of about three feet. I have met no less than 20 farmers from areas like Chua Chu Kang and Cheng San who complained to me that they had tried to ask the Building Control Division to allow an extension of the protrusion to the front part of the building but without any further support from the ground to, say, about eight feet so as to avoid the rain. Incidentally we have been having some very heavy rain these days. Since the protrusion to the eaves is only about three feet, whenever it rains especially when it is heavy, windows have to be shut, and according to one farmer his house has been turned into a little pond. Since all these resettled farmers have brought with them money to begin a new means of livelihood, pig farming, and since the houses are of a temporary nature, surely the Ministry could allow a certain amount of flexibility, such as extension to the front part of the building, if the alteration does not cause any extension of the ground or floor area. In this connection, the latrine too should be allowed to be sited outside the house rather than in the house. It is most inconvenient and unhygienic because there is no modern sanitation in these areas. Most of all, one can just imagine that a great part of the area is entirely devoted to pig farming.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in filing an amendment to this subhead, I merely wish to seek the clarification of the Minister concerned with regard to the building plans that are being sold by his Ministry. With these plans, one would be able to proceed to build a temporary house, say, with three rooms and a sitting hall. As I mentioned earlier in this Chamber, there are several farmers who have been given small plots of land in Punggol to continue with pig farming. But they are facing some difficulty with regard 10 the erection of their temporary building which has to be strictly in accordance with the detailed plan. For example, if one obtains a building plan for a house with three rooms and a hall, one finds that the kitchen, the bathroom and the toilet are all sited together. But there is no modern sanitation ii that area, and I think Hon. Members can just imagine that at meal times what flavour the smell would give to their meals.”
“They have already gone. There are the Punggol Estate and Jalan Kayu Estate.”
“Sir, on a point of clarification. I said that the supplementary income came from the fruit trees and the vegetables they grow.”
“Why is there no proper supervision when the resurfacing of the road is being carried out? Are the contractors paid as soon as the roads are resurfaced? Is there no proper authority to make sure that resurfacing is done properly so that the roads would be safe for all types of vehicular traffic? 4.30 p.m.”
“I am given to understand that there are several thousand hawker stalls or pitches lying vacant because the department has stopped issuing hawker licences May I suggest to the Minister that priority consideration for hawker licences be given to these people to enable them not only to subsist but also to live and maintain themselves in an HDB flat Mr P. Govindaswamy: Mr Speaker. Sir, I wish to comment on the constant digging of roads that is going on in various parts of Singapore. In fact, figures which were given sometime ago show that 200 diggings are going on daily in Singapore. This is, of course, fantastically high. Obviously there is very little coordination, even though assurances have been given that the coordinating committee would deal with road diggings. Sir, some roads have been dug up so many times that there is a perpetual sign along the road saying that digging is going on either by the gas department, the telecommunications department, electricity department. sewerage department, water department or some other department. I quote Upper Thomson Road as an example. For the past six years, it has been dug and re-dug, re-surfaced, re-dug again and resurfaced, so many times. Nasty comments have been made on the digging of Upper Thomson Road. During the oil crisis, some people commented that the authorities were digging for oil! I cannot understand why this particular road must undergo endless diggings throughout the year. Something is definitely wrong somewhere, and this is only one of the many roads to suffer this problem. What does the coordinating body has to say about the diggings? Finally, the motoring public has to endure these diggings with great patience and, worst of all, they have to endure the very poor workmanship of resurfacing.”
“Sir, the basic problem lies in the fact that these people or families who have to move to Housing Board flats not only cannot adjust themselves but also find it extremely difficult to maintain themselves, let alone pay instalments for the purchase or rental of the HDB flat. The Member for Ulu Pandan pointed out that in their own old kampongs they could derive supplementary income from fruit trees, vegetables and poultry. These are the people who are now posing a problem to society, and it is due to the exigencies of Government requirements that they have to move out from where they were living for which they were compensated with an HDB flat. Beyond that, what is the future of their livelihood? In other words, what I am saying is that compensating a farming family with a three-room Housing Board flat will not solve the problem because that family has lost a means of livelihood which they were earning before. If I may be allowed to illustrate, let us take a family of father, mother, two sons and two daughters. With a poultry farm of 2,000 egg layers and a small plot of land for vegetable farming and some fruit trees; they spend a lot of time each day from morning till night looking after their poultry. They derive an income of, say. $400-S500. which is sufficient because they could have supplementary means of income from selling vegetables and fruits At the same time, they need not buy certain items of food Today we have this problem.”
“Mr Speaker. Sir, in putting my name down for this amendment to the Minister's salary, my intention is to draw the attention of the Hon. Minister for Communications and National Development to land acquisition in Punggol constituency and its problems. When the Paya Lebar airport runway extension work was to be carried out, certain parts of Tampines were acquired, resulting in certain areas of Punggol being acquired for the development of a Housing Board estate. Five years later, and as a result of pollution from pig-waste to the Kranji Reservoir, the Government again decided to acquire certain parts of Punggol for pig-farming industry. In both these acquisition cases, many families have had to be resettled. In the latter, especially in the areas of Lorong Buang Kok and Lorong Cheng Lim, many families holding farm licences are not allowed to retain their small plot of farming land because they are not bona fide farmers. The result is that they have to be resettled. Some are given compensation in the form of a three-room unit in an HDB estate and an ex gratia payment. Some of these families who have been resettled in the Punggol Housing Board estate poured out their problems on me. I do not mind it, because it is a problem I have to face. These families contend that they are bona fide farmers. But there is another adjective to the word "farmer", and that is. "efficient". I do not follow despite my looking into the dictionary as to what an "efficient farmer" in this respect means. Nevertheless, those farmers whom I know and who have been allowed to remain where they are have 3.000 or more head of poultry or more than 100 pigs.”
“I am grateful to the Minister for his reply, and I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The time allotted for Head J having expired, the following amendment, standing in the name of Mr P. Govindaswamy, was not proceeded with: (3) That the sum to be allocated for Head J be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead AAA 8201. The sum of $7,878,390 for Head J ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. The sum of $58,017,200 for Head J ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. Head K -”
“The next point is the question of lorries of the Ministry of the Environment. They carry stinking watery wastes which drip along the road, whilst lorries carrying sand are usually parked by the road side to make sure that they conform with the law.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head J be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead BAA 1109. Sir, in moving this amendment, I wish to seek clarification from the Honourable Prime Minister with regard to my observation on anti-pollution measures. In the first instance, the $10 provision for Head of the Anti-Pollution Unit needs explanation. I am sure Members will not disagree with me when I say that this is an important Unit. Assurance has already been given by the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office in reply to my remarks as contained in Hansard, Vol. 31, . I quote: `This Unit is taking every effort to ensure that the air around us is pollution free, so that our people can lead a healthy life wherever they may live.' I notice that two years have passed with a token provision of $10 for each year. I was just wondering whether there is anybody suitable to take charge of this particular Unit. In my last question to the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, I notice that three officers were sent overseas. It therefore certainly looks strange to me that this Unit is still without a Head to direct and coordinate anti-pollution measures, although there are already so many officers around. The second point I wish to draw the attention of the Prime Minister to is the question of pollution caused by the Ministry of the Environment itself. I refer to the Tampines Refuse Dumping ground which is situated near the estuary of the Serangoon River. The area around the swamp is being dumped with trade refuse from the city and garbage from the many residential estates. During spring tides, the water comes right up to the mouth of the river, and when it recedes, rubbish and refuse are simply washed into the straits.”
“The Government has enunciated the principle that, as far as possible, users of public services be made to pay for such services without being subsidised by general taxation. So we have seen increases in the hospital fees, school fees. HDB conservancy charges, refuse, etc. However, the timing of these increases appears to be erratic so much so that the public are caught unawares and they are consequently unable to make tidy adjustments or even psychological adjustments. Moreover, Government has to explain anew every time increases are made. Could not a more orderly procedure and time-table be adopted so that people know that at a certain time each year, certain fees or charges will be revised according to certain standards, like changes in the index of cost? Moreover, in order to reduce public resentment. I suggest that Government ought to consider appointing suitable representative panels of competent people to review the proposed increases so as to ensure that the public are not unduly taxed and that every means is taken to increase governmental efficiency. 4.35 p.m.”
“Members are well aware that Singapore is importing more motor vehicles from Japan, followed by Europe, where prices seem to be much lower than our locally assembled cars. The latter is enjoying no excise duty which I brought up in a previous debate when import duty/AVRF were increased. I strongly urge the Finance Minister to look into this matter. The next point I would like to touch on is the Telecommunications Authority of Singapore. There is a forecast drop of 1 .4% out of 8.2% revenue (Class I - Revenue) to be derived from TAS and telephone bills; in this case TAS is seen as being unable to cope with the demand for telephone facilities. This is not a rash statement. I know of many applicants who are on the waiting list. Perhaps, it would be in order to ask why there are long delays. To my mind therefore, there appears to be some wrong forecast in the number of lines needed in various housing estates both in the public and private sectors. I suggest that this problem be looked into because I cannot agree with the forecast of a decrease. In fact, there should be an increase instead. As I have pointed out just now, by way of illustration, this TAS card states: "We acknowledge receipt of your application dated 4th August, 1975, the contents of which are receiving attention of the Sales Department More than six months have elapsed. I am glad that both the Hon. Minister for National Development and Communications and his Senior Minister of State are present. I would like this problem to be looked into, Sir. In conclusion. Sir, may I suggest a table to be known as "changes in cost". I would like the Finance Minister to consider having such a table.”
“And probably as the Member for Kim Seng envisaged, maybe in the middle of this financial year. On the matter of CPF contributions that I wish to touch on, Sir, is the question which has been asked by some quarters, and that is at the moment a ceiling of $4,000 is allowed to a taxpayer for relief. I am sure the Minister is aware of the fact that NWC increase as well as CPF contributions have been increased too in the last few years. I would like to suggest that there should be no ceiling on tax exemption for CPF contributions, otherwise it would mean paying tax on the CPF contributions in excess of $4,000. In this respect, life insurance premiums should also be taken into consideration as these policies are meant to benefit the beneficiaries of the holder of a life insurance policy. On the matter of Customs & Excise duties, I believe that the base of income tax should be extended and spread more evenly and as widely as possible. In this respect it would be pertinent to point out, as shown in the Table on comparison of revised estimates FY 75 and estimates FV 76 in the Memorandum, the two largest increases by way of percentage are items 7 and 8 (Road Tax and Motor Vehicles -- Ad Valorem Registration Fees at $20.4 million and $9 million or 23.3% and 22.0% respectively) as against an overall increase of 8.2% under Class I -`Transfer Receipts. In the case of AVRF, I do not see excise duty for locally assembled cars. I am disappointed to see this because the impression I gather from the imposition of surcharge and increase in road tax for private vehicles were meant to discourage car ownership - despite this, the forecast of revenue for road tax would increase from $87.6 million in FY 75 to $108 million in FY 76. Why is this so? Hon.”
“000 workers employed in Singapore last year earned less than $400 per month according to a Government survey on the labour force' It is not a question of narrowing the gap between the haves and have-nots; I am not referring to it but this is a matter of paramount importance vital to our survival viewed from a point where inflation in the last few years has eroded consistently the purchasing power of our dollar. I welcome the Government's exhortations to the people reminding them of the need to be thrifty and to work harder and not to expect a bonanza in return; but may I ask the Finance Minister, is it not a fact that charity begins at home? On the assumption that should such tax reliefs be given, there would be a fall in revenue collection as pointed out earlier; may I hasten to suggest to the Finance Minister that he can levy through indirect taxation on those luxury items which are not basic to everyday needs to recover revenue lost through such tax concessions. I believe that such measures would bring little ill-effect on the people. In making this suggestion, permit me, Sir, to reiterate that I have no wish to tell the Hon. Minister what he should do as fiscal matters are his prerogatives and problems. I merely wish to request him to consider not my plea but the general feeling of many people about this matter. Although the Budget Statement has been well-received and it has been termed as "No Shocks Budget" by some quarters, may I say that the shocks had already been made through several tax measures announced at the end of last year and the very beginning of this year. Naturally that is the reception - no shocks. But the shocks were made before and after the Budget Statement.”
“I envisage that the Finance Minister in reply would most probably say that we are most generous in the granting of tax reliefs, for example, those who maintain their aged parents are entitled to a relief of $750 for each parent living with them; another $300 for maintaining a garden properly. Allow me to point out that more than half of the population of our country are now living in HDB flats and that the question of relief for the maintenance of gardens is out. Vet HDB flat dwellers have to pay conservancy charges which go towards maintenance of open spaces in HDB estates. All in all, I believe that the Government can play a greater role through granting bigger tax reliefs to the wage earners, especially in these hard times. Ten years ago, when not many people lived in HDB flats, a worker earning $300 per month could easily maintain a family of three children, as rental was cheap and cost of living pretty low. Today if a worker earns the same amount, he has to contribute to the CPF and to maintain his family. This sum has to go towards paying for his flat at monthly instalments or rental, PUB bills, daily needs, children's education, transport, etc. Therefore. Members can easily conclude that this is inadequate. This is the reason why I am making this impassioned plea to the Finance Minister to consider the matter. Hon. Members would be interested to note an article in the Straits Times of 5th March, 1976 headlined "Only one in 8 earning $600 or more" wherein it states that: `Nearly 75% of the 873.”
“Worst of all, compulsory CPF contribution of up to 15% takes up a good chunk of the workers' wage increases in the last few years. Perhaps I have to qualify my statement. I am not against CPF contribution. In fact, I am all for it because this is a good policy as it enables contributors to the CPF to make use of whatever funds they have in the CPF to buy HDB flats, and now HUDC flats. Sir, I know Members are aware of the hard times ahead as stressed by the Finance Minister, and I would like to believe that whilst workers have been exhorted to work harder and expect little increase, on the other hand Government can help to relieve them of having to tighten their belts too much by raising the tax reliefs on personal and earned income which at the moment are $2,000 and $1,000 only. Members will recall that the Finance Minister introduced an amendment to the Income Tax Act in November last year (Bill No 52/75). This Bill passed by Parliament gave those who are 55 or 60 years of age bigger personal tax reliefs ranging from $2,000 to $3,000 respectively. I do not `dispute that these people should benefit from it, but I certainly believe that with such difficult times ahead, (in this manner, the Members for Telok Blangah and Whampoa probably share my view) the Finance Minister could easily accommodate the younger taxpayers. On the presumption that $1,000 as tax relief is granted to say. 25.000 taxpayers in the middle income group bracket, this may cost a shortfall of $25 million in revenue; but Hon. Members will not disagree when I say that it will bring true relief to the many thousands of the middle income workers and their families.”
“Mr Speaker. Sir, whilst I rise to speak in support of the motion moved by the Hon. Minister for Finance, I would like to make reference to the policy on taxation with regard to income tax and other matters. It is noted that the revenue from Income Tax is forecast to rise by 9.1% to $1,200 million, an increase of $100 million. This is contained in Table II, page 3, of the Memorandum on the Main and Development Estimates of Singapore (Paper Misc. 4 of 1976). In reply to my question on the 1st of this month, the Finance Minister asked me to listen to his Budget statement and to bring up this matter during the debate on his statement. And the matter that I brought up was the question of income tax reliefs. When he said this, Sir, I envisaged that either there was some hope to my question when he indicated to this House that he would give a full reply, or it may not be. Whatever it may be, Sir, I would still try my best to make a case for his careful consideration. Being optimistic that our Finance Minister is not unsympathetic. I believe that this appeal of mine affects both thousands of middle income group workers as well as revenue to the State's coffers. To the former, present-day cost of living has shot up beyond all proportions, even though the Government is able to contain inflation to a low rate. Even though this inflationary rate has slowed down, prices of most commodities, however, have not rolled back. But what the Finance Minister may not be aware of is the decline in the purchasing power of our dollar. The many thousands of workers have to pay more for their refreshments and meals; the thousands of housewives have to pay more for their marketing.”
“Mr Speaker. Sir, the Minister of State, in reply, mentioned that there was a survey in 1975. But 2½ months of 1976 have elapsed, and so would the Minister of State consider the feasibility -- and this is in conjunction with other departments -- of providing some form of safety measure at this traffic junction?”
“In the light of the answer from the Minister of State for Education, can he say whether the ITB will mount a survey in each and every year an all its students who have passed out from the courses organised by the ITB?”
“Sir, I rise to speak in support of the Income Tax (Amendment No. 2) Bill. I would like to refer to clause 8 of the Bill which amends section 39 of the principal Act by increasing the earned income relief of an individual who is 55 years or 60 years of age to $2,000 and $3,000 respectively. As mentioned by the Minister for Finance just now, the earned income relief is being increased so as to make it an incentive to these people to keep fit so as to be able to continue working. In this respect, would not the Minister for Finance seriously consider giving similar increased tax relief to those who are maintaining their aged parents? I believe that a relief of $750 allowed for the maintenance of an aged parent is insufficient. To my mind, this should be increased in view of the fact that the Government is now encouraging young couples to have smaller families and at the same time encouraging them to maintain their aged parents.”