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, the Member for Sembawang has mentioned about television programmes and I would like to link it up with cinema shows. In recent years, too many films portraying violence, vengeance, gangsterism, and drug-taking, which are dominant issues of the day, have been shown in our cinemas. These films, I would like to believe, have caused and will cause considerable harm to our society, a major section of which consists of people below the age of 21. Moreover, in the last few years, the film distributors have been importing and exhibiting such films which have drawn full houses. Alas, sad to say, there has been a marked increase in the number of cases of juvenile delinquency, armed robbery and drug-taking. This issue has been discussed very widely. There has been a lot of allegations as to who is responsible. 5.00 p.m. May I say that before there is any damage beyond repair, so to speak, can the Minister indicate to this House as to whether his Ministry will take steps to ensure that the public exhibition of such films will be cut down. But I must point out that mere censoring of certain parts of such films will not serve any purpose at all as the main theme will remain, thereby allowing the obvious impressions to take effect. One has only to look up the newspapers any day to notice that such films are being shown in many of the cinemas. I would therefore like to suggest to the Minister for Culture to introduce the classification of films, and that film distributors be asked to exhibit films of a classical content, as for example, those portraying historical events, and not films depicting violence and vengeance.”
“And later if the landowners decide to take back the land, they would suffer a loss.”
“On that note, Sir, may I thank the Minister for his patience. I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Tuan Haji Mohd. Ariff(In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0801 be reduced by $10 in respect of item (01) of subhead 58. Mr Speaker, Sir, only a few residents of wooden houses in Kampung Pachitan have been notified that the sewerage scheme, now being carried out in Lengkong Tiga, would be extended to their homes. These are houses sited close to the main sewers. However, many other residents in the Kampung Pachitan area have not been given such notices. I would like to know from the Minister whether these few residents, who have been so notified, could be exempted from payment of sewer connection fees. Mr Lim Kim San: Mr Speaker, Sir, it is true that only a few of the residents in front of Lengkong Tiga have been asked to install modern sanitation, while quite a large number of the others have not been asked to do so. This is because the sewerage system only goes as far as the front of these few houses. However, whether you install it now or later, it is ultimately a question of time. But as far as the installation is concerned, I will not press the point. I would only say that if I were the owner or if I were the tenant, since there is the opportunity for me to get a connection to the sewage system, I may as well take advantage of it. It will probably be cheaper to do it now than five years later. Tuan Haji Mohd. Ariff(In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, the question is that the land does not belong to them. They only rent the premises. Therefore, if they were to install modern sanitation, it will cost them thousands of dollars.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, on the last note of the Minister concerned, I mentioned just now that the Housing and Development Board is at the present moment building more than a thousand flats in that part of Punggol, along Tampines Road. And next to this Housing and Development Board project, there is a major scheme going on because an area of not less than 60 acres have already been acquired. I believe one-third of it is under construction at the moment.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, 1 beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0801 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 52. Sir, this subhead concerns the Serangoon Sewerage Scheme. I have just one simple question to ask of the Minister: will this Serangoon Sewerage Scheme be extended to the Upper Serangoon constituency, and ultimately to Punggol constituency? If so, when?”
“In fact, I was in that area before the dumping ground was there. Anyway, Sir, I must thank the Minister for his reply, and I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Tuan Haji Mohd. Ariff(In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, with your permission I would like to move my amendment together with amendment (14)*. * Amendment (14), standing in the name of Tuan Haji Mohd Ariff Bin Suradi, reads as follows: That the sum to be allocated for Head 0801 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 45.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Minister has not answered one part of my question, i.e., whether his Ministry will take steps to minimise the pollution emanating from the Tampines dumping ground. I have said that, apart from air pollution, there is the question of breeding of mosquitoes and flies, which is so acute that I have to come to this House every year to raise this problem. The hon. Minister for Health and Hone Affairs can bear me out on this. I would like the Minister for the Environment to assure the House that he will take steps to minimise air pollution and fly-breeding in the Tampines dumping ground. I know very well that we have to use that area as a dumping ground because it is a swampy area and affected by tidal waves. But nevertheless, Sir, steps must still be taken to minimise this inconvenience caused to the people living there as it is a danger to health.”
“(8) That the sum to be allocated for Head 0801 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 11.”
“Sir, I rise to make merely a small suggestion. I notice that in the Postal Services Department a small unit known as the Philatelic Bureau has been set up. This Bureau is mainly concerned with the sale of first-day covers. When the Minister of State for Communications opened one of the stamp exhibitions, I remember he made a point with regard to encouraging more people to acquire the habit of stamp collecting. I think, Sir, this is very good encouragement, and it is in this respect that I would like to see this small Bureau expand its activities. I believe there are several stamp collecting groups or clubs in some schools. I would like to know whether this Bureau can give assistance and guidance to schools with regard to stamp collecting. Stamp collecting, Sir, is a very interesting hobby because through the collection of stamps school children will be able to know more about the countries from which they have collected stamps. Sir, in this respect, may I ask the Minister for Communications whether he will consider expanding the Philatelic Bureau with a view to assisting schools to set up stamp collecting groups?”
“Sir, in that case, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Sir, whilst I appreciate the difficulty of the Minister for Communications in trying to solicit funds to air-condition that part of the passenger terminal building, however, I would strongly urge him to put up this suggestion so that the entire building would be air-conditioned. It is ridiculous to have a situation where three-fourths, or even four-fifths of the entire ground floor of the terminal building air-conditioned, except for that small remaining part of the floor not air-conditioned. If I may just stretch the argument, the Minister pointed out that approval for the provision of $270,000 for the additional conveyor belts for the terminal building is still awaited. If I may recall, this was a matter which several Backbenchers had in the past been suggesting that the baggage clearing facilities through the two existing conveyor belts were very, very unsatisfactory. It was because of this, I believe, that provision has been made for additional conveyor belts. So if the Minister would take up my suggestion - bearing in mind the difficulty of getting funds from the Ministry of Finance - he would put up a strong recommendation on my proposal. In retrospect, there was mention in this House earlier in the day that fantastic increases in salaries have been given to two per cent of the civil servants in the senior grades. If we view it from that angle, I do not think the cost of the air-conditioning would be too great to bear.”
“Sir, the position is that there is a sum of $380,000 to be voted for the redevelopment of the passenger terminal building. I wonder whether part of this sum could be set aside to air-condition the warmer part of the building. It is not a question of either asking more money from the Finance Ministry, or the Minister to say, "Right, this is what I will do, and I intend to take it up." If that is the case, then I will be too happy to withdraw my amendment.”
“Sir, I am not moving amendment (4). I am moving amendment (5). Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0703 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 31. Sir, in moving this amendment. I merely wish to suggest to the Minister for Communications to look into the possibility of air-conditioning that part of the terminal building where passengers check in. One half of the building is at the moment air-conditioned, but the other half is not. There are many passengers checking in and they find the place a bit small. During the hot days, when one gets into the terminal building, he will notice that one part of it is air-conditioned while the other part is not. In this respect, I am wondering whether the Minister would look into my suggestion. Mr Yong Nyuk Lin: Sir, I think it is a very good suggestion, and I will do my best to get the Ministry of Finance to agree to extend the air-conditioning to the warmer half of the passenger terminal building.”
“Sir, I am just wondering whether it is wise to spend money to the tune of $1.1 million, as the Minister has pointed out, just on the study of a project, and then to consider whether the ultimate project, running into several hundreds of millions of dollars, will be worthwhile to implement. I believe, as the Minister has said, that when the preliminary findings of the Committee are put up, then only will they be decided upon by the Cabinet. However, I will cut short my remarks now and reserve my other observation until a later stage. On that note, may I beg leave to withdraw my amendment? Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $1,054,830 for Head 0701 ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. The sum of $500,000 for Head 0701 ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. Head 0703 --”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0701 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 11. Sir, this subhead covers the Mass Transit Planning Unit. According to the Memorandum on the Main and Development Estimates, this sum is "provided for the completion of the feasibility study on the proposed Mass Transit System". In the past I have raised in this House this matter of the feasibility of the proposed Mass Transit System. But up to this date, Sir, we have still "forgotten" to apportion another half a million dollars to finalise the completion of this feasibility study. Just now in his reply to an earlier amendment, the Minister mentioned hopefully that it would be another five to 10 years before such a system can be introduced in Singapore. Upon the completion of such a feasibility study being in hand, I am wondering whether it will take yet another five to 10 years before we can actually get the System off the ground. We know that a lot of money has been spent on this feasibility study, and also by getting the assistance of the United Nations Development Programme. I would like to seek further elucidation from the Minister for Communications as to when will the feasibility study be completed, and whether a decision would have to be taken to put the Mass Transit System into being. If so, when will we come to that stage? 6.15 p.m.”
“I am not moving, Sir. The sum of $4,889,470 for Head 0601 ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. Head 0701 --”
“(4) That the sum to be allocated for Head 0601 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1351.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am satisfied with the Minister's reply, and I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $18,903,820 for Head 0501 ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. Head 0601 --”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0501 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 3104. Sir, the Minister for Foreign Affairs mentioned just now that two new missions will be set up in Europe this year, and also "some kind of mission in North Vietnam or South Vietnam or one Vietnam" will also be set up, if necessary. According to the Memorandum on the Main and Development Estimates of Singapore, it says that Trade Offices would also be set up under this vote. If it is, could I ask the Minister to inform this House as to where would the trade offices be set up. 4.15 p.m.”
“Sir, in view of the Minister's reply, 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 0501 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 3003. Sir, in moving this amendment, I merely wish to seek clarification from the Minister for Foreign Affairs as to the number of awards to be given under the ASEAN Training Awards scheme, and in what fields of training. I notice that there has been almost a two-fold increase in the provision, from $52,000 in 1972-73 to $100,000 for the financial year 1973-74.”
“I say, do this first, and should the birth rate not be lowered further or not at the desired rate, then only can the Government resort to measures as contained in the statement. We have said that our electorate is sophisticated enough and that we have been quite successful in mass education. I would like to urge that we postpone the implementation of increasing such charges and see the effect of such a campaign. Frankly, I do not think people are happy with the introduction of such measures for they do not like to be told what to do and what not to do. And with the growing population becoming more and more literate, especially in the 1970's and beyond, coupled with it such mass education, I am positive that the desired result can be achieved without any penalty. Sir, I beg to support the motion. 3.59 p.m.”
“On another counter-effect on the recent increases in customs duties, I would like the Finance Minister to consider that with high customs duties, smuggling can be made more profitable. Smuggling may well be on the increase instead. I think there must be some sort of balance. However, I must say that the move to increase the tax on luxury items is good. Sir, I now come to the statement made by the Health Minister when he raised the accouchement fees in Government hospitals. I do not share his view that "For the Singapore of the 1970's the third child is a luxury. The fourth and fifth are anti-social acts." The Minister also pointed out, in answer to a question, that he was not against those who could afford the 3rd, 4th or 5th child, and he also said to the effect "by all means have more if you can afford." I am of the view that the statement is not only unfair but contradictory. Well, according to him, lowering the birth rate is the best solution to raise our standard of life and quality of the environment. And the introduction of increased accouchement charges with effect from 1st August next year is primarily aimed at the lower income group that have or are going to have large families in the 70's. The Minister concerned has admitted in his statement that there has been a decline in the birth-rate through family planning. I say this is a good sign; but I was disappointed that he did not take up the suggestion made by the Member for Kim Seng who suggested persuasion as a means. I would like to urge him to consider this suggestion seriously and to get the Family Planning and Population Control Board to launch a relentless and intensified campaign in the rural areas, to make full use of the mass media and to conduct courses.”
“I choose to make comment now because only questions can be asked of Ministerial statements, and very often they are "lost" even though answered. Sir, the Finance Minister in his Ministerial statement raised taxes on motor vehicles, petrol, wines, tobacco, etc. He said that the taxes raised would not hit the low income group. I do not think this is entirely correct because the increases in tax on wines, liquor, beer and stout do bit them quite hard, if not, hard enough. Let me illustrate. I do not know whether he is aware that dinner parties are given by the low income group on occasions of marriage and anniversaries. The majority of the population are below the age of 30, and marriages take place every day. And when receptions and dinners are held, hard and soft drinks are usually provided. This is not lavishness, as it is only customary on such auspicious occasions. Even if one were to cut down on such expenditure, I just wonder by how much. The Finance Minister also increased the import duty on cars from 30 per cent to 45 per cent, but I note that he has not imposed the excise duty on locally assembled vehicles. This gives one the impression that he is giving the 15 per `cent or more to the local assemblers who will have an edge over the importers. If the objective behind the introduction of the additional duty is to discourage people from owning cars and to use public transport instead, then I think excise duty should be introduced. Otherwise, prospective buyers will be encouraged to buy locally assembled cars, big and small as they are, for they cost so much less! For, after all, excise duty does bring in revenue. If it does, why not impose it?”
“If he can assure this House that he is looking into this, I am sure the fishermen in my area would be grateful. I feel strongly that one aspect of the Maritime Command's duties would include this. Sir, a topic that constitutes the usual cry of Members of Parliament for the rural areas is the inadequacy of Government to provide the rural folks with amenities like roads, water and electricity supplies and street lighting. Though a sum of slightly more than $4 million was voted earlier this year to meet the requirement of 58 constituencies then (and now it is being spread over 65 constituencies) these rural constituencies usually use up most of the funds allocated. In spite of this, still much more funds are needed for more has to be done. If I were to ask the Minister for Law and Home Affairs, and National Development, for an increase in the allocation of funds to the rural areas, he will most certainly say that he is in sympathy with us, but what else can he do, for he is not holding the purse strings! Well, then, I will urge the Finance Minister to consider the plight of the residents in the rural areas when he presents the budget in March next year. I can only request him to be mindful of the words of the President that "There is a bloom which will spread from the city to the new towns, and through to the villages and kampongs in the rural areas". On our side, we, the MPs for the rural areas, earnestly hope that the bloom will take the shape of more metalled roads, electricity and water supplies, better street lighting and better drainage. If this happens, then I say the bloom is fair and realistic. Mr Speaker, Sir, before I conclude I would also like to touch on the Ministerial statements made last week and earlier this week in this House.”
“The fishermen have complained to me on several occasions; I have brought up their complaints to both the Ministries of National Development and Foreign Affairs. The officials said they were looking into the matter and that was that. Even a protest note from the fishermen sent earlier this year to the Foreign Affairs Ministry has not brought about any change in the situation. I was told that the Ministry would get in touch with the Ministry of Defence to do something. I would like to know what is being done. The fishermen tell me that the patrol boats of the Maritime Command do patrol the said areas, especially along the territorial waters, but they do not seem to be very effective for they were merely passing by. In other words, the sea lanes used by our fishermen are not adequately patrolled. I wonder whether the Ministry of Defence could look into this. Well, the Defence Minister may turn round and say, "There were only few cases reported to us. And if there are more, why do the fishermen not report?" I can only say that some reports have been made and some have not. The simple reason why some reports have not been made is that the fishermen see no point in reporting as they say that nothing can be done. Some time ago, I read a news item in a local paper which states that very few amateur fishermen would dare go out to the South China Sea these days for fear of being harassed by these pirates. This is not an exaggeration, but a fact. I do not know whether the Defence Minister is satisfied with the present set-up of the Maritime Command and the role it is now playing. In this respect, can the Minister inform this House on the steps he proposes to take to give better protection to our fishermen from being harassed by pirates within and near our territorial waters?”
“" It is thus my hope that one of the first tasks of the Industrial Training Board, when set up, will be to look into the provision of more courses on building construction among other things. Another aspect, Sir, I wish to touch on is the problem faced by fishermen, especially those based in my constituency at Kangkar. Although the addendum on the Ministry of Defence consists of two short paragraphs, there is much to be done. However, it is in the structure and set-up of the Maritime Command of the Singapore Armed Forces that I am particularly concerned with, i.e, what can it do to safeguard our territorial waters and what protection can it give to our fishermen who go out to fish in the territorial waters and beyond? Perhaps I can best illustrate this by familiarising hon. Members with the problem faced by the fishermen in my constituency, who have to sail to the South China Sea to make a living. It is a hazardous means of livelihood for them. Each time a trawler leaves its base at Kangkar for the fishing grounds in the South China Sea, it has to pass through the Straits of Johore and head north-east. Sometimes even before it can reach the fishing grounds, say, near the Horsburgh Lighthouse, some fast pirate boat would come and harass them. They do this on the return trip too! These pirates either demand large sums of money or order our fishermen at gun-point to some island and hold them to ransom. When the fishermen do return, they come back empty-handed. On many occasions, when sums of money ranging from $100 to $400 are paid on the way out, another pirate boat would come along and make similar demands on the fishermen's return.”
“And that this unprecedented and unexpected situation had brought about an acute shortage of skilled and semi-skilled construction workers. As a result, building construction companies, as an immediate solution to this problem, had to import labour. I had then also stressed the need to develop a large pool of such workers of our own in order to reduce our dependence on imported labour. This could be done by organising more courses through vocational institutes, like the Ponggol Vocational Institute. And we could encourage more of our school-leavers to take up building construction as a career. This could be clone through wider publicity of the courses run by the Institute with the stress that monetary benefits from such a career were comparable to a white-collar job. I am of the view that similar emphasis should be given to this field of Singapore's industrial activity before the problem becomes critical. In the past too much emphasis, if not an over-emphasis, had been placed on the need for technicians in the manufacturing and other fields of industrial training that there is at present a corresponding lack of building technicians. We must not forget that the numerous factories in Jurong and other areas have to be built first before the machinery and factory technicians could move in. These buildings were built by building construction workers. I do not know whether the Ministry concerned is actively looking into this aspect of the problem that our Republic is now facing, and whether steps are being taken to overcome this, because I am not very impressed by the statement that, and I quote, "the Ministry will continue to develop vocational training in selected manual and applied arts and service trades.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in his speech at the opening of the First Session of this Parliament, the President broadly outlined the Government's policies for the next five years. He laid particular stress on quality and high performance on the part of all so that our Republic "can become a centre for excellence in all fields important to our economic and cultural life." And the addenda of the various Ministries elaborated on these two aspects. However, during the debate on the motion of thanks to the President, many of my colleagues on the backbenches have made contributions in terms of suggestions and concrete comments. So I propose, Sir, to touch on some of the topics that need to be brought up for the Government's consideration. I have gone through the addendum and note with considerable interest the portion from the Ministry of Education. I am glad of the ambitious plans proposed. But somehow I am surprised at the brevity of some parts contained therein, in particular, that part which dwells on industrial training. It is noteworthy that an Industrial Training Board will be established and for which a Bill has been presented to this House. Referring to one particular aspect in the field of industrial training, I had an occasion in September this year at the official opening of the Ponggol Vocational Institute to comment on the building industry, which is now facing an acute shortage of skilled and semi-skilled workers. It cannot be denied that the building industry adds much to our Gross Domestic Product. I said then that the demand for housing in both the private and public sectors had outstripped supply to a point of no return, at least for the next ten years or more.”
“I am not moving, Sir. The sum of $12,706,510 for Head 81 ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. Head 91 -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in the light of the reply, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The following amendment stood in the name of Mr Ng Kah Ting - (6)That the sum to be allocated for Head 81 he reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 705.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 81 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 704. Sir, I notice that this provision is for the mechanisation of the Public Cleansing Services. I would like to request the Minister for Health to elaborate on this item.”
“Sir, I thank the Minister for his reply, and I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. In the absence of Mr Yeo Choo Kok, the following amendment, standing in his name, was not proceeded with - (4) That the sum to be allocated for Head 81 he reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 703.”
“Sir, in the light of his reply just now, may I know from the Minister for Health where will the two plants be sited and when will they commence operations?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 81 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 605. Sir, there was a token provision of $10 for Refuse Treatment and Disposal Plants in the last financial year. This year there is a provision of $750,000. Hence, I think there must be something in the offing, and there must also be a shortage of land for dumping to warrant this vote. Sir, I wish to know from the Minister for Health what progress has been made with respect to the provision of Refuse Treatment and Disposal Plants. As stated by the Minister for Health in this House on the 26th of March last year, and I quote Hansard, Volume 30, col. 1420: `...there is a firm of consulting engineers who are doing a survey to ascertain the most suitable method or combination of methods for refuse disposal in Singapore. Their report is expected to be submitted on the 10th of April.' Sir, can the Minister inform this House what will be done with this provision for 1972-73?”
“In the light of the Minister's reply, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The following amendment stood in the names of Messrs Ng Yeow Chong and Ng Kah Ting - (3) That the sum to be allocated for Head 81 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 605.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 81 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 603. Sir, I hope this time I would not be corrected again. There was a provision of $1.5 million for last year to purchase some 37 refuse collection vehicles so as to step up public cleansing in the Republic. It is bad to note that only $600 has been spent, because there is still a revote of $1,499,400. Sir, I would have expected that because the provision was made, every opportunity would be taken to buy these vehicles as early as possible. However, apparently this has not been the case. I would like to know why these vehicles were not purchased, particularly when there have been complaints over the inadequacy of such vehicles to cope up with the ever-increasing volume of refuse. 3.30 p.m.”
“In view of the clarification by the Minister for Health, 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 81 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 109. Sir, in moving this amendment, I merely wish to raise one small point. It appears to me that last year nothing was spent on this item, and the provision of $10,000 for 1971-72 has been revoted for the next financial year. I hope this does not mean that rehabilitation activities for the hemiplegics and paraplegics at Mandalay Road, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, have come to a rest. Would the Minister for Health care to comment on the matter raised?”
“First of all, most of the street lights that have been put up are not bright enough, probably due to low wattage, and they get out of order every now and then. In this respect, I would urge the Minister concerned to look into the possibility of installing brighter and more durable lights. 2.45 p.m. Sir, another aspect I would like to touch on is the state of agricultural and kampong roads. Many agricultural and kampong roads have been constructed in the past few years, but I am afraid that by now most of them are in urgent need of repair. Therefore, may I once again request the Minister concerned to look into this matter. It is gratifying to note that this year's provision is $3.25 million. It shows a marked increase over last year's provision. I hope that the Urban and Rural Services Committee would be generous enough to entertain the requests of the rural constituencies.”
“Sir, may I first congratulate the Urban and Rural Services Committee, headed by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Law and National Development, for providing various amenities in the rural areas, such as making up of kampong roads, water and electricity supplies, street lighting, etc. It is noted that the apportionment of this fund for the various constituencies varies considerably. Though much has been done in this respect, for which my constituents and I are indeed grateful, Sir, there is, however, still plenty of room for improvement. For example, in the Trafalgar Estate, which formerly housed the Trafalgar Receiving Station, there are a few hundred families, most of whom are farmers. There is no water supply there, though electricity supplies are available presently. Also in Track 6, off Punggol Road, the residents have requested for water supplies for a long time. I hope the Minister concerned, or his Parliamentary Secretary, will favourably consider my requests in this respect. There are other requests too, for example, electricity supplies, but I would not like to bother this House with details except to say that I hope such requests can be acceded to as soon as possible. Sir, I understand that the Public Utilities Board has been implementing rural electrification schemes costing about $2.65 million per annum. I wonder whether the Parliamentary Secretary is actually taking steps to expedite the implementation of such schemes. I say this because now and again we receive progress reports of such schemes being carried out, and it is noticed that in some of my areas implementation will not be carried out until a year or two later. Sir, another aspect that I wish to bring to the attention of the Minister concerned is street lighting in the rural areas.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, first of all, with your permission, I would like to range my remarks over amendments* numbers (2) to (7) under this Head, so that I need not have to move them again. * The amendments, standing in the name of Mr Ng Kah Ting, read as follows: (2) That the sum to be allocated for Head 78 be reduced by $10 in respect of item 008 of subhead 101. (3) That the sum to he allocated for Head 78 be reduced by $10 in respect of item 010 of subhead 101. (4) That the sum to be allocated for Head 78 be reduced by $10 in respect of item 011 of subhead 101. (5) That the sum to be allocated for Head 78 be reduced by $10 in respect of item 012 of subhead 101. (6) That the sum to be allocated for Head 78 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 101. (7) That the total sum to be allocated for Head 78 be reduced by $100.”
“Sir, I must thank the Minister for his assurance, and I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $15,803,000 for Head 75 ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. Head 76 - The following amendments stood on the Order Paper Supplement - Tuan Hail Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi: (1) That the sum to be allocated for Head 76 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 128.”
“Sir, the Minister has just mentioned that since Punggol is an outlying area, therefore, the bus shelters there are much smaller. Let me say that even if these bus shelters are pulled out of Punggol, I do not think they would be put in Toa Payoh. Another matter which the Minister just pointed out is that since the bus shelters along Punggol Road are smaller, about 60 square feet, therefore, there is no need to have seats. Sir, in the light of some vigorous comments from this House last week with regard to commuters having to wait for quite some time before a bus comes along - I believe to some extent this is also true for bus commuters in the Punggol Road area - I would urge the Minister to reconsider my request before asking for permission to withdraw my amendment.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 73 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 307. Sir, subhead 307 deals with the development of Kangkar Fishing Base, which is in my constituency. This fishing base has been in existence for several decades. It has developed from a small fishing village into a thriving fishing base in that part of Singapore. Sir, although its contribution to our economy may be small in terms of percentage, but in terms of dollars and cents its contribution is about $7 million per annum since 1969. The small fishing fleet has also grown to over 100 fishing boats. Last year in this House, I brought up the difficulties encountered by those involved in the fishing industry at Kangkar. For example, with the increase in the number of fishing boats, there was lack of proper facilities for unloading catches of fish, and owing to the narrowness of that particular end of the Serangoon River there was congestion and overcrowding of boats trying to find anchorage facilities. 6.15 p.m. The existing jetty at Kangkar is far too small and narrow. Therefore, as 1 have mentioned earlier, I made an appeal to the Minister for Law and National Development in this House that his Ministry should look into this matter together with some other matters which I raised. Today I am happy to note that there is a provision of $100,000 in the 1972-73 Development Estimates for the development of Kangkar fishing base. According to the Memorandum, the development will provide landing and other facilities for the fishermen operating at Kangkar. I would like to know whether the Primary Production Department has any other plans to develop this fishing base, in view of this year's provision.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, though I do not qualify to take the place of the Minister to answer the Member for Sembawang, I am quite positive that this must be so. Perhaps the Minister will bear me out on this. Sir, in view of the very detailed reply given by the Minister, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn 5.45 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 72 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 205. Sir, in moving this amendment, I merely wish to seek clarification from the Minister for Law and National Development. Although the purpose of this pro-vision is to resite the motor repair shops, which are now scattered in the City area and along trunk roads, may I know whether the intention is to centralise the motor repair workshops located in this area? Furthermore, will those workshops, which are unaffected by public projects, be allowed to apply for sites in the centralised motor repair shop area, when completed?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I must thank the Minister for Law and National Development for his detailed reply, and 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 71 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 101. Sir, I welcome the increase in provision for the development of parks in both the MacRitchie and Seletar Reservoirs. In view of the fact that more and more people now live in high-rise flats, more open spaces and parks will be required by these teeming flat dwellers for their relaxation and recreational activities during week-ends and public holidays. In this respect I would like to know what recreational amenities will be provided in the parks. May I suggest that more pavilions be built in these parks and more grounds be made available for children to romp around, as they are generally brought there by parents to play. There should also be some food stalls, although the Memorandum on the Development Estimates states that some refreshment kiosks will be set up there. Sir, I would also like to know what has happened to the proposal to set up a miniature zoo at the Seletar Reservoir by a Government-sponsored organisation. What progress has been made in this respect, and when will this zoo be ready for public view?”
“I thank the Minister for his reply, and I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The following amendment stood in the name of Mr Teong Eng Siong - That the sum to be allocated for Head 51 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 201.”