Ong Chit Chung
Singapore
“Sir, the SAF may buy the best aircraft, best tanks and the best ships, but the real core of the SAF remains its officers and men. Without the commitment of the officers and men, the SAF would be nothing. Besides the full-time and Operationally-ready Servicemen, the SAF has to attract and retain good career officers and men.”
“Sir, I know that in geopolitical terms, it is better to keep Myanmar within ASEAN than to leave it out. It may help to prevent Myanmar from being too drawn into or be dependent on China, but there is a limit to the price for keeping Myanmar within the ASEAN fold.”
“Have we rushed into such a proposal without taking into full consideration the internal dynamics of Indonesia? What are the prospects of such an agreement to be accepted? How would the anti-competition charges against Temasek Holdings affect bilateral relations and the future flow of investments into Indonesia?”
“Sir, I wish to seek some clarifications from the Minister on Myanmar. Many of us feel that ASEAN has no teeth, but the Minister clearly thinks that ASEAN has a tongue. I would rather describe it as a tongue-in-cheek way of explaining how ASEAN deals with Myanmar.”
“Sir, I would like to ask the Senior Minister of State whether the Extradition Treaty will undermine or, to use his own word, compromise Singapore's position as an international financial centre, and whether Indonesians will hesitate to invest, put their money or buy property in Singapore because of this.”
“Mr Chairman, Sir, I will leave the Minister to describe the elephant, but I would say that the SAF has embarked on what some call a "Revolution in military affairs", employing IT and state-of-the-art technology to transform the SAF into a 3G fighting force: I believe, a decisive force, an effective deterrence against any would-be aggresso…”
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“Sir, we have a very good civil service. I would say one of the best in the world, untainted by corruption or nepotism. It is one of the pillars of our nation. But we have to constantly keep at bay bureaucratization and cut down red tape. Therefore, I welcome the establishment of this Unit. I support Mr Das's point and I would like to ask whether, in order to avoid in-breeding and complacency, a supervisory or advisory panel of prominent persons from outside the civil service will be appointed to review its work. You cannot ask civil servants to check another civil servant. One of the complaints of businessmen is that there is a proliferation of rules and regulations. The tendency, it seems, if you wish to protect your turf or your back-door, make another rule. Will this be one area which the Unit will be focusing upon? What happened to the Business Enterprise Committee headed by Dr Lee Boon Yang? Is it still in existence or will it be taken over by this new Unit? What about the relationship with the Management Services Department? I suggest, Sir, that this Unit should be a permanent feature, and not be hastily dismantled and in time be replaced by another outfit with a new name. It must be given time to work and to prove itself. Finally, Sir, I hope that the Unit will not end up as just a complaints bureau. It should be more forward-looking, more comprehensive in its scope, and more creative in its approach. 3.30 pm”
“Sir, I would like to ask the Minister whether the Ministry keeps track of such incidents systematically so as to monitor the trend and take any remedial action, when necessary, and whether the teachers would routinely or systematically ask students if they have any specific medical problem or they are feeling unwell on a particular day. I would also like to ask whether the Ministry is training teachers or has trained teachers to provide emergency aid or measures when necessary.”
“I thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for his answer and I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“This early mastery of the oral skills in the target group will help to sustain their interest in learning the language. Pupils will be exposed to a variety of good writing in the school at the second language as well as an adequate supply of interesting supplementary reading materials. Project work involving students in group discussion and meaningful writing activities would also be encouraged. Sir, teacher development programmes will be mounted to help teachers implement these measures effectively and to teach with greater flexibility and creativity.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head L be reduced by $10 in respect of Code LC 1500 of the Main Estimates. Sir, we are all for the bilingual policy, the learning of the mother tongue and the inculcation of the Asian values. I would therefore like to ask and to appeal to the Ministry of Education to redouble its efforts to make the learning and teaching of CL1 and CL2 an enjoyable experience. No efforts should be spared to make our children know that the learning of Mandarin can be fun and can be an enriching experience. In this connection, I welcome the announcement by the Minister that the Ministry has consulted a number of overseas experts and that the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Ong Teng Cheong, is heading a Committee to look into these recommendations. I think these are indeed very good developments for our children. I hope these recommendations will be acted upon and all will find learning to be fun and we will progress from there. The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education (Encik Sidek bin Saniff): Sir, in response to Dr Ong Chit Chung's remark, he has rightly stated that my Minister has this afternoon mentioned the special Committee headed by the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Ong Teng Cheong, as well as experts from abroad. I need only to add that the second language syllabuses which are currently under revision will advocate teaching approaches which are more pupil-oriented. A greater variety will be introduced into the classroom activities and teacher/pupil interaction will be increased. At the beginning level, activities such as story telling and the sharing of information about themselves will provide increased opportunities for pupils to listen to and use the language orally.”
“Sir, I wish to thank the Ministers for their replies and the comments of all our Members of this House and I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Teachers are, in my opinion, the unsung heros of our times. Without teachers, we would not have made it. Surely then we should do more to honour our own teachers and to uphold the teaching profession. Perhaps Teachers' Day should be celebrated island-wide in pomp and circumstance, with rallies, parades and dinners in honour of our teachers. All children should be encouraged to bring token gifts of flowers and cards to their teachers. In last year's budget debate, I raised the issue of air-conditioning the staff lounges and the provision of fax machines for the comfort and convenience of our teachers. May I ask about the progress in this matter? Teachers can also, on their part, be active in upgrading their expertise through their professional and specialized bodies. More than a job, Sir, it is a calling and a mission and indeed we should always honour them as our teachers.”
“Sir, I wish to speak about parents' involvement in education. Education is everyone's business, not least of all that of the parents. I think that parents should play a larger role in education. Parents' choices should be sought and respected. Parent-teacher associations should be formed in more schools and more parents should be invited to sit on the board of management or the School Advisory Committees (SACs). They should be invited to meet the teachers more often and to contribute not only in terms of funds but also in terms of time and energy in school projects. Teachers should, on their part, not consider this as an intrusion into their domain but as positive development and a partnership in education. Sir, can I go on to the next item?”
“Sir, Edusave is a novel and pioneering scheme. I believe it is the first of its kind in the world. We should thank the Government for this initiative and kindness. I would ask if the Government would go a step further and include handicapped children in this scheme, as has been raised many times in the public. It is true that they receive more funding through other channels, but this gesture on the part of Government would touch their hearts. It would be an encouragement to them to know that they are included just like any other children and that they are in the mainstream of society. So I would like to ask if the Government would reconsider its position on this matter.”
“Sir, independent schools have been in existence for sometime now. I would like to ask if the independent schools are fulfilling their missions, and whether any students from the lower-income groups are turned away due to financial constraints. I would also like to ask if any other schools have plans or have applied to go independent in the near future. Sir, while we upgrade and support the independent schools and the SAP schools, we must not forget the other schools. For want of a better word, I would call them neighbourhood schools, which draw upon students from a certain geographical area and represent a cross-section of our population. May I ask if the Ministry has an on-going scheme to upgrade and improve the quality of such schools. Encik Abdul Nasser bin Kamaruddin( In Malay): A pre-school programme incorporating the teaching of the mother tongue, either Malay, Mandarin or Tamil, is to be introduced as a parallel scheme of the pre-school programme conducted at Special Assistance Programme (SAP) schools. This plan is welcomed by the public and reflects MOE's sensitivity in ensuring that five-year-old children are provided with a better structured and better administered education scheme. In this regard, Sir, I would like to ask the Hon. Minister whether the introduction of this pre-school scheme means that MOE is closing the door on the teaching of Malay and Tamil at ML1 and TL1 level in SAP schools. I feel we need to foster a pool of students who are fully competent not only in English but also in their mother tongues, to fill jobs in radio and television, in mass communication, to become writers and activists in ethnic arts and culture and to conduct relations with countries using these languages.”
“The use of these facilities will help in establishing the evening university. At the same time, we could benefit those who are working but who have aspirations to improve themselves. The large enterprises of the future will require more specialised experts to manage the larger and sophisticated business activities. In any event, the establishment of an evening university will help the middle management personnel to be promoted to senior management personnel, and the senior managers to be promoted to super grade management personnel. Only then can our economic development transcend our limited land and space. I believe this must be the future direction and goal of our educational development. The mere establishment of extra-mural courses or short courses is inadequate. I hope the Ministry of Education will seriously consider this possibility.”
“Sir, the recent changes in the education scene must lead inevitably to a revamp of VITB. Though it served us well in the past, the VITB needs a new image and a hard-sell programme. It should also attract more female students into its ranks. Though Shakespeare may ask, "What's in a name", a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, I think it is time for VITB to have a new name to reflect its new status as a post-secondary educational institution. The emphasis should not be just on training, but it should include all round educational development and character development. A new approach and a new strategy would be in order. I would like to ask the Minister what are the plans for VITB in the near future? Mr Peh Chin Hua (Jalan Besar GRC)( In Mandarin): Sir, I would like to urge the Ministry of Education to study the possibility of setting up an evening university so that our workers would be able to study and work at the same time to obtain a university degree. This evening university should, for a start, conduct practical courses such as business administration, accountancy, engineering, law and computer sciences. Subsequently, if the response is good, they can conduct academic courses too. This would be helpful in cultivating more experts to benefit our economic development. Setting up a night university will also expedite our aspiration of being a brain centre. At the same time, we will be able to turn out experts who are now lacking in certain sectors and ensure that the development of these sectors is not hampered by the lack of talents. On the other hand, by establishing an evening university, our limited resources can be put to maximum use. The facilities of our NUS and NTI can be used at night.”
“If their work attitude is negative and sluggish, and they are unable to live harmoniously with others, then their productivity will certainly be adversely affected, and the economy of the country will also directly suffer because of that. So how to ensure that this group of 15%-20% students will maintain their own traditional cultural heritage so that they will have the right attitudes to life and the right values, is something we should not overlook and neglect. Sir, the effect of education cannot be seen within a short time. For the effect to really take place, it will be many, many years later. Perhaps at that time it will be too late to remedy this effect. As such, we must be prepared for any eventuality. Plan ahead well in advance, to ensure that our education system will achieve its historical mission of carrying forward the cause and forging ahead into the future.”
“Sir, looking from the experience of the past few years, there is one thing which is very clear, and that is that those children who are sent to the Normal class in a secondary school are usually found to be weakest in English, but not the mother tongue. According to the 'O' level results of last year, the 'N5' students have 32% passes in English language, but the passes in their mother tongue exceeded 80%. So I believe those students who will be sent to the normal technical stream will perform in a similar manner in examination, that is to say, they would have poor results in English but good or at least passable results in their mother tongue. So in these circumstances, Sir, these students will be forced to learn a subject in which they are weak, but they will not be given sufficient opportunity to learn a subject in which they are strong. They will be only required to learn up to oral proficiency. This will have very adverse effect on their education. All the time we have been emphasising on the importance of maintaining our cultural roots and heritage. We have this group of 15%-20% students whose learning of their mother tongue is pegged at only the oral proficiency level without the ability to write and read. So in such a situation how do we expect these students to understand their cultural heritage? Sir, I believe in considering the future of this lot of 15%-20% students, the Ministry of Education is certain that they will become our technical people of the future who are going to contribute to the economic development of our country. That being the case, their work attitude and the way they interact with others is also very important.”
“I hope the Ministry will do more to spread the message at the grassroots level in schools, and actively involve the teachers and parents in this exercise. I would also like to ask if the Minister will reassure parents that the changes would not diminish the importance of the mother tongue, and that bilingualism and the Asian cultural values are still the cornerstone of our education system. The Normal (Technical) Stream is a particularly attractive and innovative course with subjects like computer application. Would the Ministry ensure that sufficient places would be made available, lest parents and students are disappointed when the time comes for them to apply. Mr Chin Harn Tong (Aljunied GRC)( In Mandarin): Sir, under the new education system, every child will have an opportunity to receive 10 years of basic education. This has a very positive effect in enhancing the quality of education. I would like to deal with the problem of the promotion of primary school children to secondary school, in particular the technical stream students. They take up about 15% to 20% of the student population. According to the Ministry's Education Improvement Report, these children are termed as "academically less inclined". So a special syllabus has to be arranged for them. Also, priority will be given to their learning of English and Mathematics. Mother tongue will be taught only at "oral proficiency" level. They do not have to learn writing and reading in their mother tongue. Sir, this kind of curricula in fact start from Primary 5. I have some views to make on this kind of arrangement.”
“Sir, the recent changes in education are, by and large, very well received by both parents and educators alike. I do not know whether it is due to in-born humility or by tactical design, the Ministry chose to label this report as "Improving Primary School Education" and dubbed its efforts as "fine-tuning". But these are indeed extensive and major improvements of the whole education system, from primary to university admission, and years from now, I can say, it will be seen as a major watershed, no less in impact than the Goh Keng Swee Education Report of 1978. We must therefore give credit where credit is due, and commend the group of educators headed by the Director of Education, Mr John Yip, for a job well done. I am particularly glad that the professionals are involved in playing the leading role in all these changes. It is particularly encouraging that these changes are tailored or customized, so to speak, to help the 20% of our children who are less academically inclined, many of whom come from the lower income groups. It allows them to develop at their own pace and the doors to the polytechnics and the universities are not closed to them, especially for those who are late developers. Sir, this gives the children a measure of self-worth and confidence, a ray of hope and the promise of advancement in the future. This is as it should be, for we have reached a stage in our national development where we should value the contribution of each and every Singaporean, whatever their station of life they may be in. But it is one thing to design the system and another to operate it. I notice that many teachers and parents are still not clear about these changes.”
“Mr Peh Chin Hua (Jalan Besar GRC)( In Mandarin): Mr Chairman, I welcome the proposal by the Ministry of Education to set up a pilot Day School programme in some primary schools. Presently, most of the students from the well to do families have private tutors to give them tuition after school. Some attend lessons in piano, ballet, violin, swimming, arts, etc. On the other hand, pupils from the poorer families are denied these opportunities. The Day School programme would help to correct this deviation. It will also ensure fair competition among pupils by allowing everyone to start at the same starting point, regardless of their family background. This proposal is warmly welcomed and supported by the parents. Under the Day School programme, pupils will be able to learn and study under the supervision and care of the teachers in the school. Between 3.30 pm and 6.00 pm, they could stay behind in school to do their homework, to participate in recreational activities or opt from some extramural classes. This will certainly be better than having them left at home without guidance when faced with difficulties and having no tutors or brothers and sisters to help them. Besides the implementation of the Day School programme would provide the children with the opportunity to interact with their classmates and teachers and promote better understanding and enhances the relationship among pupils and teachers. Moreover, for women who are working, they would feel more at ease, now that their children would not be left at home unattended. I would raise both my hands in full support of this policy and I hope that more schools would be encouraged to participate in this scheme.”
“Sir, the primary Day School programme is not only educationally sound and enriching, it also meets the social needs of our society, especially in homes where both parents are working and young children are left unsupervised for the greater part of the day. This programme is therefore particularly helpful to those from the lower income group. It demonstrates that this Government cares for them. I therefore hope that the Day School will give more time and also for the children to have longer breaks in between. Children in this age group, I think, need more time to play, to develop and to enjoy schooling. Otherwise all work and no play will make Jack a very dull boy. I remember that while I was in England on research, my two sons attended British Day School and they thoroughly enjoyed the schooling there. It was an enriching experience for them. I am sure our Day School will do even better. My only regret is that it took so many years to come up with this programme and we have to make do for the time being with a limited pilot project. It is too long, too few, but better late than never. I would like to ask the Minister to ensure that teachers are adequately compensated for the extra duties and they are not over taxed, and that airconditioned staff lounges are made available for the teachers to rest. May I also ask whether most parents would be able to pay the extra fees, particularly those from the target lower income group. I also hope that schools in this pilot project will reflect a cross-section of our society. They should not be just schools with well endowed parents from one locality, for example, Holland Road or Bukit Timah district.”
“Why, Sir, this seemingly arbitrary ruling? Should not this essential Preparatory Year be included as part of formal schooling? In view of our multi-racial heritage and the need to give our children a good grounding in their mother tongue and English, the inclusion of the Preparatory Year and the consequent extension of formal schooling by one more year is justifiable. The Ministry must also bear in mind that it is extremely difficult, indeed an uphill task, for the private sector kindergartens and education centres to come anywhere near the standards set by our schools, or to match the Ministry in terms of facilities, playgrounds, teacher recruitment and expertise. If the Ministry expects this gap to be filled by the private sector, may I ask what assistance would the Ministry give? Will there be capital grants for the upgrading of facilities? Will there be help in training and curriculum development? And most important of all, will the fees charged by these private kindergartens and education centres be affordable so that the majority of our population will benefit from this essential programme?”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the total sum to be allocated for Head L of the Main Estimates be reduced by $100. Sir, first I want to declare my interest as an academic staff. The GPC on Education welcomes the Government's commitment to raise the percentage of GDP devoted to Education from 4% to 5%. I think this is worthy of support by all of us. In my opinion, no expenditure on education is ever too large because it is an investment in our children and in Singapore's future. However, I wish to ask the Minister for his preliminary evaluation of the Preparatory Year programme, whether the children who enter Primary 1 after their Preparatory Year would be able to do so with greater confidence and competency in languages, as it was set out to be, and whether we have invested rightly in this programme. The Ministry has also announced that 10 to 20 primary schools will also introduce an alternative Preparatory Year programme, which will offer mother tongue to Malay and Indian children. This move is most welcome. Though the numbers of Malay and Indian children involved may be relatively small, I would like to appeal to the Ministry to help ensure that at least some cluster of schools in the major geographical areas throughout the island will run this alternative Preparatory Year programme for these children. Sir, in the Addendum to the President's Address, the Minister declared that "eventually all 5-year olds will attend Preparatory Year Programme". This underlines that the Preparatory Year is wholesome, entirely desirable, essential and not to be missed. Yet in the same breath, the Ministry pronounced that the Preparatory Year is not part of formal schooling and should, in the long-run, be the responsibilities of the parents and the private sector.”
“There is no doubt in my mind that as Singaporeans, we do have a vision, we have the goals and we have a mission. Let us therefore run the next lap together in tandem and in unison, and forge ahead together into the 21st Century. Sir, I support the motion.”
“The teachers on their part of course must be encouraging and positive about such input and work closely with the parents. Sir, on education, my GPC and I are particularly glad that the Government is devoting so much resources and energy to education. My colleagues and I on the GPC support the Day School Programme in the primary schools. It is a good programme. It meets the needs of our people, especially when more and more families have both parents working. The new school hours will allow the children to spend time with their parents in the morning before they go to school, and to return home about the same time as their parents. This will help promote interaction between family members and strengthen the family unit, which we as a nation cherish as the basic building block of society. Children in Day Schools will be in the care of their teachers for a good part of the day when their parents are at work, instead of being left on their own and unsupervised. This arrangement, Sir, will enable them to develop their potential to the fullest, keep them out of harm's way, and especially encouraging to those children from lower-income group or those without adequate home support. Therefore, it is a very worthy project to support. My colleagues and I on the GPC hope that there will be at least some schools taking up this new scheme and implement the Day School programme. We are certain that they will find the programme immensely beneficial. No expenditure is too large for education. As Benjamin Disraeli, the British statesman, said: "Upon the education of the people of this country, the fate of this country depends". Sir, in conclusion, I would say that without a vision, the people will perish.”
“I must say that the philosophy and programmes outlined by the Government go far beyond the premise of consultation. The message to all Singaporeans is that we are all joint owners of this nation or shareholders of Singapore Incorporated. All of us have a stake and a claim to this place. As Singapore develops further and prospers, each and every Singaporean will also prosper and enjoy the benefits of success equally. Hence, the multi-billion dollar housing refurbishment programme, Edusave and schemes to help lower-income families. In my view, therefore, the twin philosophy for governance in Singapore is consultation as well as joint ownership of Singapore. This is rightly so, as we move beyond building the infrastructures to a higher level of development, we need even more the whole-hearted support and involved participation of the people. Whether it is the development of business enterprises, training the troops in the SAF or educating our children in the schools, we need to imbue the spirit of participation and joint ownership, and thereby enthuse the people and bring out the best in them. There should not be a divide between the Government or the civil service and the people: no "them" and "us" attitude. We are all joint owners and shareholders, and we work together as a team. Take the case of educating our children. We have reached the stage whereby further improvements in education cannot be done simply by renovating or rebuilding the school premises. That will be easy enough. But, more importantly, the parents have to play a larger role in educating the children at home, as well as participating in the management and programmes of the schools. Some parents may be also willing to help in some school projects or share their expertise, or give their time.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of the motion in the name of Mr Davinder Singh. Sir, the increasingly consultative and open style of the Government shows that it is caring, that it is appreciative of feedback and that it listens to the voice of the people. It is a people's government; it reflects the aspirations of the people. This does not, of course, mean that the Government should abrogate its leadership role. It should continue to lead, set broad directions and steer the ship of state. On the consultative style, it is particularly encouraging to note that the GPCs will be playing a more prominent role and that a Service Quality Improvement Unit will be set up under the Prime Minister's Office. The GPC on Education welcomes this enlarged role. However, we would like to ask if the Government will give the GPCs more "teeth", for example, powers to call upon officials to appear before the GPCs, and whether secretarial and legislative expertise will be made available to the GPCs. Our civil service, without exaggeration, is one of the best in the world. It is efficient and untainted by corruption. But as they always say in our report cards, when we were in schools, there is always room for improvement. Therefore, it is timely to set up this particular Unit. The civil service must change with the times and be even more responsive and customer-orientated in its service to the people. Otherwise, it would neither be civil nor be servants of the people. It may also fall into the trap of over-bureaucratization, and suffer what Professor C.N. Parkinson has warned in his Parkinson's Law: That "Work expands to fill the time available for completion" and "Staff increases at a fixed rate irregardless of the amount of work produced".”
“It is not a Government set of values, but the values of all Singaporeans, and we can over time reinforce and institutionalise these values through the mass media, schools, colleges, SAF, unions, corporations and civic bodies. The point is we should not only talk about these values, but act on them, so that a hundred years from now, they will say this is the turning point in our history and a watershed in the evolution of our national and Singaporean identity. Sir, we have a special responsibility to the future generations of Singaporeans. To fail is unthinkable. Not to do anything is an abrogation of our responsibility. We must but succeed. Let us row together as a nation, as a team in consensus building. We shall succeed. Sir, I beg to move. Question proposed.”
“As Nadesan Chandra, a Singaporean soccer referee who rejected bribes and refused to fix a match in Kuwait in 1987, declared, and I quote: "It is just not Singaporean to be corrupt. Taking 'dirty money' has never been my cup of tea. I am proud that I reacted and behaved like a genuine Singaporean." This, Sir, is our Singaporean way of life. Overall, I must say that these values should not be a strait-jacket or be an albatross around the neck of our citizens. They are only to be reference points and our compass, not rigid dogmas. They are skeleton guidelines and it is up to the people to flesh it out in every day life and every day conduct. As the world changes, these values should also be subject to new interpretations by succeeding generations of Singaporeans, so that they can adapt and adjust to changing circumstances. If we agree on these values, how are we going to go about inculcating them in our young? If we only pay lip service to them, they will have no bearing or meaning in our lives. After the initial flurry of publicity in forum and mass media, they may be quietly forgotten, and end up as dead letters. Sir, I suggest that we set up a National Council comprising representatives from the Government, the business sector, the unions, the civic organisations, as a team effort to keep the issue alive and to consider ways and means of promoting these desirable values. It will be part of our consensus building and would widen input and participation from all sectors of our society. This should not be just a government role, but the business of every citizen.”
“Some have been suggested: Belief in God; Honest Government; Rule of Law; Environment; Social Justice and Upholding the Constitution. We can go on ad infinitum, but I will just address the first two. "Belief in God", Sir, is indeed a most desirable characteristic. Those of us who believe would know that without God, there would not be creation, and we will not be here. In some countries, "Belief in God" is enshrined in their constitutions and etched on their coins and currencies. But Singapore is a much more diverse and multi-religious country. If we put in "Belief in God", then the next question is: Which God? It will lead to a great deal of sensitivities and unnecessary heat. We should, I believe, therefore remain a strictly secular nation in this regard. That does not mean that the State should be against religions or it is unmindful of the religious needs or spiritual needs of the people. At SAF commissioning ceremonies, for example, the leaders of the major religions are invited to say prayers and meet the spiritual needs of the officers. One value which I wish personally to see included is "Honest Government". The emphasis on honest, incorrupt and upright government has seen us through many, many difficult years, and brought us to where we are today. We would have perished without this inclination for integrity and disdain for corruption. Though we try explicitly to keep political cultures out of this set of core values, I would plead for this inclusion, as it is a most critical and essential element for our success. Though political in nature, it is really a non-partisan value which all parties would be able to subscribe to. It is, I would say, beyond politics; it is our Singaporean way of life.”
“Those who fear that the Government would abuse the mechanism of consensus should take heart in the fact that this, or indeed any other government, cannot buck the trend towards democratic practices around the world. You cannot hold back the tides of history. Singapore is a global city. People would just leave, and vote with their feet. I will be the first to stand up and speak against the Government if it tries to enslave us. So would many of you. It is pertinent to note that the Government is now not calling these values national ideology or even national values, but "shared values", with a different connotation. Of course, the process of consensus does not mean that there is no contention of ideas or ideals. Far from it. The better ideas should hopefully emerge and be accepted. But it need not be done in a contentious way. Perhaps to clarify and allay the fears, the term "Consensus instead of Contention" should be re-worded to "Democratic Consensus". A good example of consensus building is found in companies where the management and unions work together closely to improve productivity and profits, instead of fighting over rights and privileges in an adversarial relationship. At the national level, the Government, management and unions would seek consensus on issues which affect them, and thereby enhances economic development and the investment potential of the country. A case in point, Sir, is the National Wages Council, a tripartite organisation which arrives at a consensus on wages. Seen in perspective, therefore, consensus building is a democratic practice which would give us the competitive edge in the world-wide technological and economic race. Sir, has any desirable trait been unjustly left out from the set of five core values?”
“There need not be a conflict between individual and society. For example, one can find individual fulfilment as a top surgeon and yet serve society, provided he charges a reasonable fee. "Regard and Community Support for the Individual" beautifully, I believe, balances the emphasis on communitarian and group interests. It explicitly recognises the fact that the individual has rights which should be respected. We are a democratic nation, based on the rule of law. We should not, and cannot, encroach or trample upon the individual. It also means that we as a community care for and support those individuals amongst us who are less fortunate or have fallen behind. The generous donations to the 25th Anniversary Charity Fund demonstrate that we are a caring people. But more could be done by all. Sir, apparently, the most contentious of all values appears to be "Consensus instead of Contention". There is a fear or suspicion that the Government will use this call for consensus to browbeat critics, stifle creativity and muzzle opponents. As I see it, the emphasis on consensus is to wean us away from adversarial relationships to one based on consultation, trust and team spirit. We can make a point without being contentious. We can deliberate and reach a conclusion without tearing apart the fabric of society or tearing our hair out in exasperation. We can agree to disagree, respect each other's opinions and differ in judgment. As we search and as we debate, we have more and more common ground. We bring more and more people on board. Over time, consensus develops and emerges democratically. We then act as a team.”
“We must therefore not take racial and religious harmony for granted. We have to work at it at all times, year in and year out. Next on my list is the "Family as the Basic Unit of Society". We can see that some developed societies are beginning to decline. One reason is the permeating permissiveness and the continuous erosion of family ties. This is a lesson we have to take to heart. If the family units are strong, society will be strong. With the greying of Singapore, we need all the more the families to care for and stand by our senior citizens. Do not forget, we will all grow old one day. You may characterize the family as the building block of society, but I would rather call it the pillar of society. If the pillar is eroded or weakened, society will not stand. "Nation before community and society above self" will be what Professor Lodge would term as communitarian values. "Nation before community" reminds us that national interest supersedes community interests. What is good for a community is unacceptable unless it is good for the nation as a whole. Each community, whether majority or minority, should not insist on having its own way if it is not in the national interests to do so or if it disrupts harmony. This reinforces the earlier point on inter-racial and inter-religious harmony. "Society above self" helps us to put the individual in the context of society. The individual should assert himself, go for excellence and achieve the best. He should be allowed, and indeed encouraged, to develop his potential to the fullest. But this is not the same as self-centred and rampant individualism, with callous disregard for group or national interests. In other word, individual fulfilment and satisfaction should be in the context of society.”
“In spite of the fact that Panama has significantly greater resources, including a canal, Singapore is a nation that is demonstrably more competitive." And we should stay competitive for our long term development and prosperity. In evolving our shared values, we should be eclectic in our approach, selecting and inculcating the best from each culture; incorporating what is relevant, whether Western or Eastern. No one has the monopoly of virtues or wisdom. We should not be like the Boxers of Manchu China who, at the turn of the Century, resisted change with outmoded ideas and methods, riding on the tide of anti-Western bandwagon. Nor should we be apologetic about time-tested Eastern values. We should not be bashing the West nor be bashful about Eastern virtues. We do not, I am sure, want to be the ostrich with the head in the sand, nor be carried away by every whim and fancy emanating from the West. As BG George Yeo put it recently, "We are part of this great dialogue between East and West. What we should really seek is a synthesis which will raise us to a higher level of human civilisation." What do we make of the five core values highlighted in this White Paper? I will not go into details, but comment on some of the salient features. In general, I would say that these core values are wholesome and desirable, almost like motherhood. No one can seriously quarrel over them. If you were to ask me which is the most important of all, I would say it is "Racial and Religious Harmony". Without this harmony and peace, nothing else is possible. Our society will be torn apart. There will be chaos, riots, possibly civil war and foreign intervention, like what is happening in Lebanon. That will be the end of our way of life as we know it today.”
“But, alas, we are a small nation, with a short history, situated at the confluence of East and West, at a time of rapid changes in the world. Moreover, with the decline of the extended family system, we find that it is more difficult to mould our young and pass on to them our rich cultural heritage. Grandparents may stay apart, and there are not so many aunties and uncles around to help in the transmission of values. We need the core values to anchor ourselves, to enable us to face the storms of life, and to be the compass for the ship of state as we sail into uncharted waters. We therefore quicken our pace in our evolution of shared values and national identity so that they will tide us over in times of crisis. In a multi-racial and multi-religious society such as ours, these common values will be the glue that binds us together as a nation. There is another reason. Professor George C. Lodge of Harvard University points out that nations compete and we live in a fiercely competitive international market place. Multi-national companies and investments gravitate towards nations with competitive advantage. And the right ideology or core values would perhaps be a nation's most important competitive advantage. Such core values will have a communitarian emphasis, and is capable of adapting and adjusting to the exigencies of the real world, and whose government, business, unions and the people work for the common good of all, in a spirit of cooperation and consensus. Professor Lodge believes that a nation can compete successfully if it has the "the will, the purpose, the discipline, the consensus, the coherence, and the theory." He gives an example: "Panama has about two million people, so does Singapore.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That this House adopts the White Paper (Paper Cmd. No. 1 of 1991) as the basis for developing Shared Values amongst Singaporeans." Mr Speaker, Sir, this set of values, as outlined in the White Paper, is the distillation and crystallization of our thoughts. They are the common values which hold us together as Singaporeans and which we cherish and we uphold. Whether we know it or not, they are instinctively our guide to actions and interactions. We live by it. Sir, we must applaud the Government for undertaking this difficult and unenviable task of defining these core values. It is also a dangerous mission, as it may run foul of public opinion or be accused of having sinister ulterior motive, of gearing up the propaganda machine, and trying to stifle free thought. But after 25 years of independence, it is time for stock-taking and reflection. Indeed, these common values are not the creation of the present Government. The process of evolution begun when our forefathers stepped upon the shores of this island, and brought with them the cultures of the great civilizations further ashore. Over time, there evolved a distinctive Singaporean way of life, drawing upon the best of each civilisation. It is better for the Government to come forth and table the common values for discussion, rather than deciding on its own what they are, what should be done and doing it quietly on its own. It is part of our style of consultation, consensus-building and nation-building. You may ask, if these values are part of us, why should we consciously uphold and promote them? Ordinarily, in a big country with centuries of existence, these values would evolve at a leisurely pace with impetus coming from, among other things, folklore, poems and music.”
“Indeed those who pay promptly are indirectly subsidizing those who do not. The amendment allows the Town Councils to levy charges for the use of any part of the common property. I welcome this provision because Town Councils can now exercise their ingenuity to generate income from the use of this common property and thereby add to the improvement works in the town. The amendment also allows the Town Councils to retain all fines imposed under the Act or any by-laws made by the Town Councils. The question is: Are these fines collected taxable? The Amendment Bill empowers the Town Councils to prescribe offences which may be compounded. However, unlike the Housing and Development Board Act, there is no explicit provision to enable the Town Councils to prosecute offenders who infringe these by-laws or who do not wish to pay up the fines. In such circumstances, can we seek the Attorney-General's permission to prosecute or must we file private summonses? Whatever it is, the Town Councils will have to incur the legal expenses, and yet the income generated by these fines may be subject to income taxes. I hope the Minister, therefore, can help to clarify the situation on these issues. I support the Bill, Sir.”
“Mr Speaker, I rise in support of the Bill. First, I wish to declare my interest as Chairman of the Bukit Batok Town Council. This amendment is most timely and will give the Town Councils more clout to deal with a number of issues. It closes a gap in the existing legislation, enabling the Town Councils to apply the by-laws to visitors and non-residents in estates under their management. Otherwise, the Town Councils will be powerless and helpless against non-residents, who could abuse the facilities in the town and yet get away scot-free. The Town Councils will, through the amendment, be empowered to act against those who park their vehicles indiscriminately, with no due concern for environmental pollution or for the safety of our children. Many simply park their motorcycles in the void decks and rev up their engines early in the morning, adding to noise and air pollution. Some motorcycles have indeed caught fire in the void decks and they pose a danger to residents in these blocks. The amendment grants the Town Councils and the alleged offenders the flexibility of compounding the offences, rather than be entangled in tedious and costly court actions. The provisions of administrative fees, penalties and the requirement for deposits would give more teeth to the Town Councils in tackling the problem of bad debts which is a major area of concern for most Town Councils. Some residents are genuinely in need of help and are unable to pay. In such instances, Town Councils generally refer these cases to the Ministry of Community Development and to the welfare organisations of the respective constituencies. However, there are those who can pay and yet do not pay promptly. These people are adding to the cost of running the Town Councils.”
“Finally, Sir, I wish to repeat what I said in the earlier debate: that the Government should use this law "sparingly, prudently and wisely", and the people should "take it in the right spirit" and give the Government a chance to prove that it is operating in the greatest good of all, and that it is not against religions or any particular religion. Sir, I support the Bill.”
“The Select Committee has explained that the judicial review is inadvisable in a situation where prompt executive decisions are required. A partial way to meet this demand which has been raised many a time is to appoint retired Chief Justices or Judges to the Presidential Council. Their legal perspective and their standing would, I am sure, be an asset to the Council. I understand that some religious groups feel that the Bill is targeted at them. I think their fear is unfounded. I believe that the honourable men in this Government have no intention of discriminating against any particular group. To do so would be to invite trouble. It would be foolhardy. It would unravel the multi-racial and multi-religious fabric of our society. Sir, we must go back to the basics, and appreciate that this Bill is a preventive measure. It need not be used at all if all is well. But its very presence will help to check mischievous or misguided persons. It helps to maintain law and order, without which no religious beliefs could be upheld or practised in peace. Having said all that, I must add that the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Bill is only part of the answer, not the complete answer. Its role, in my view, is mainly preventive and acting as a deterrent. The Government and religious organisations should consider ways to actively promote religious understanding and tolerance. Perhaps all should seriously consider expanding and strengthening the Inter-Religious Organisation or any such bodies, so that we will ensure inter-religious peace for our children and our children's children.”
“Sir, I rise in support of the Bill. I join Mr Das in thanking the Select Committee for a job well done: for painstakingly going through the points raised by Members and various representors; for accepting and incorporating many of the suggestions into the final Bill. We must also thank the representors for taking the trouble to make representation and for standing up for their beliefs and what they believe to be in the best interests of our nation. Sir, the Select Committee has addressed a number of issues, but I am particularly encouraged by the fact that it has gone out of its way to provide additional safeguards against possible abuses: instituting checks on Ministerial or Cabinet powers. Amongst others, it expressly recommends that all Restraining Orders must be confirmed by the President within 30 days of receipt of the report from the Presidential Council for Religious Harmony. And in the event of a contrary report from the Presidential Council, the Elected President may, acting in his own discretion, refuse to confirm the order. This, I think, is in the best tradition of checks and balances in our democratic society. But it goes without saying that the best checks against abuse really reposit in the people: that the people must wisely elect and continue to elect the right Government and emplace men of integrity in positions of authority. Sir, to give the legislation a good start, the Government should select and appoint the members of the Presidential Council judiciously, and with as wide a representation as possible. The Government should, I think, informally consult the heads of the major religious organisations. Religious leaders on their part should not withdraw or count themselves out but participate responsibly as men of God and men of peace.”
“Some have from time to time criticised the Government for being authoritarian and self-righteous. Here, you see the government of the day is actually giving up powers in critical areas. It is, in truth, sharing powers with the Elected President in the democratic practice of checks and balances. No one in such circumstances can accuse the Government of being undemocratic. All, I think, should support this Bill.”
“Sir, the Council of Presidential Advisors has six members. Would it not be better to have odd numbers, rather than even numbers in a case of a tie in voting? Why not seven wise men or women, instead of six? The eligibility criteria for the Elected President are in my mind far too restric- tive. It gives the impression that it is loaded in favour of the establishment and has an elitist bent. Will the Elected President still be a President of the people? Will he lose the common touch? Will he lose touch with the feeling of the people? Once elected, will the Elected President be obliged to resign from his political party, if he were previously a member of such a political party, and henceforth will he dissociate himself from any partisan or party activities in public? On the Elected President's power to authorise the CPIB Director to proceed with investigations into a Minister, even if the Prime Minister had withheld such consent, should this provision be extended to all persons, and not just Ministers, as the Prime Minister might conceivably block investigations against himself or against his cronies in both the public and private sectors? I must also say that I am a bit uneasy about the Elected President's power to go against the advice of the Cabinet and withhold consent for the declaration of a state of emergency. Sir, in times of crisis or impending war, such difference of judgment between the President and Cabinet may prove to be the undoing of our republic, as time is the essence. It may not just be a matter of constitutional showdown, but a matter of life and death for both our nation and our people. Overall, Sir, I think this Bill deserves the support of all Singaporeans.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of the Bill. Sir, years from now, the Elected Presidency Bill will be considered as a landmark or turning point in the constitutional and political history of Singapore. The question is: will it be for the better or for the worse? I am convinced that it will be for the better and history will bear this out. It is a double safeguard against possible squandering of our national assets and reserves, lest we become a bankrupt or broken-back country. It is a check against unwise judgment or cronyism in appointments to senior positions in the public service and statutory boards. It acts as a handbrake on Ministerial powers in respect of the Internal Security Act detentions and prohibition orders under the proposed Religious Harmony Bill. Further, it allows the Director of CPIB to proceed with investigations against a Minister with the concurrence of the President, even if the Prime Minister had withheld such consent. This, in my view, is the most significant of all provisions as an honest and upright government or public service is the greatest of all our national assets. If we lose this anti-corruption philosophy, we as a nation will go down the drain. People may have occasions to criticize the Government for any number of issues, but I hope the day would not come when the people condemn the Government for being corrupt or self-serving. In a nutshell, the Elected Presidency will help in some ways to ensure that we stay clean and above board, as well as wise in the conduct of public policy, especially in the making of senior appointments and in the exercise of Ministerial authority and powers. I have, nevertheless, some queries for the consideration of the First Deputy Prime Minister.”
“We must also re-examine the pace of privatisation and its total impact on the man-in-the-street. Allowing market forces to act and decide on consumption is in itself a very good principle. But we must allow the people more time to adjust and to absorb the impact. Private charity organisations, which will play an increasingly important part, will also need time to build up their resources and their manpower. Government agencies should not be seen to be out-bidding each other in an unseemly rush and haste to privatise. Otherwise, Sir, in the midst of our prosperity, Singapore would seem to be less and less affordable to some. Sir, I support the motion.”
“But he pushed his luck too far. Kennedy handled the Cuban missile crisis in 1962 with wisdom. He was firm, without being rash. He put a naval quarantine around the island and demanded that the Soviets dismantle the missiles. Khrushchev backed down and lost. The world was saved from the brink of a nuclear confrontation. For us in Singapore here, we do not know for certain when or how a crisis will arise. But we must be vigilant, be resolute and wise. We must defend our territorial sovereignty and national interests. And most important of all, in my mind, the people of Singapore must rally around the new team and demonstrate support for our own leaders. We should of course have feedback, dialogue and debate on issues of concern, talk as much as we want, but at the end of the day, we must have consensus, close ranks and be united as one. We must show our neighbours and the world that we are one people, one nation and one Singapore. We must stand united, stand tall and proud behind our leaders. Then we shall not only celebrate the 25th anniversary, but also the 50th anniversary and beyond. On celebrations, Sir, I note that each community in Singapore has a number of public holidays for festivities. However, together as a people, we only have one public holiday for National Day. For example, we have two days for Chinese New Year. Can't we afford one more day for national rejoicing, as one people together? I suggest that the Government set aside two days to emphasize the importance of national celebration and nation building. And as we celebrate, let us not forget the less privileged and the lower income groups in our midst. The 25th Anniversary Charity Fund is a commendable effort. But more, Sir, should be done.”
“As a communication centre and global technopolis plugged into the international network for trade, and linked to the world by multi-national corporations, we cannot afford to be narrow-minded nationalists. It has to be a nationalism with an international dimension, tinged with globalism. It is indeed another paradox that we have to live with. These two paradoxes, or double paradoxes, partially account for the migration trend. As a city-state, it is more difficult than a nation with a long history and vast hinterland to attract and retain talent. And as we train our workers in global skills and the latest technology, they become internationally mobile and adaptable. However, these double paradoxes are not insurmountable. By careful design, wise policy and shared values in a multi-racial society, we have succeeded against all odds. But we must be vigilant and mindful of the constraints we are working under, which brings us to the equally momentous changes within our shores in Singapore. Sir, this year is the year of leadership succession. Mr Lee Kuan Yew will step down and Mr Goh Chok Tong will be the new Prime Minister. Mr Goh will become the standard bearer of a new team. The baton will be passed to a new generation of leaders. There will be continuity as well as change in this leadership succession. And times of change may be times of danger or threat, as outside sources might wish to test the nerves or the mettle of our new team and leaders. Sir, when young President John Kennedy took charge of the White House, the Soviet leader, Mr Nikita Khrushchev, thought that Kennedy was young and inexperienced, wet behind the ears. The Soviet leader took the opportunity to place nuclear missiles in nearby Cuba. He thought he could push Kennedy around.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of the motion thanking the President for his Address. Sir, momentous events are taking place both within and outside of Singapore. Developments in the Soviet Union, Eastern Europe and China have taken the world by surprise and captured the headlines throughout the world. In the 1950s, President Eisenhower of the United States and his administration propounded the 'Domino Theory', expressing their fear that the rising tide of communism would lead to the fall, one after another, of democratic societies around the world. Now, it seems to be 'Domino Theory' in reverse. Sir, no one had dared to predict or speculate on the fate of the Berlin Wall or the reunification of East and West Germany. As it were, though Humpty Dumpty did not sit on the wall, the Berlin Wall came tumbling down. The world is indeed full of surprises. Peace apparently has broken out, but these are uncertain times. Amidst the uncertainties, we have to adapt and adjust to these changes, be vigilant in safeguarding our national interests and be prepared for the opportunities for further development. Sir, in my opinion, we must be mindful that we are basically a small city which, by an accident of history, must also be a nation. Small as we are, we have to build up the SAF to defend ourselves, set up missions overseas for the conduct of foreign policy and, without a large hinterland, live by our wits and export to the world. We are a city that strives to be a nation. It is a paradox we have to live with. Sir, while we emphasize on nation building, we are also mindful that the days of jingoistic nationalism are gone.”
“Sir, I am glad that the Citizens' Consultative Committees and Residents' Committees are now better coordinated and served by a combined Secretariat which is renamed Community Development Secretariat. Sir, most of the Community Development Officers and staff in this Secretariat are recruited by the HDB under a previous arrangement and are now on secondment to MCD. I understand that in restructuring and streamlining their operations, the HDB would like the MCD to take over completely the responsibility for these staff officers. These Community Development Officers are now, in a way, in a limbo. They are neither here nor there, and there is an air of uncertainty. May I ask the Minister what new scheme of service has been worked out? What are the career path for these promising Community Development Officers? I believe, Sir, that the Community Development Officers are our front-line officers. They are in the forefront of our contact with the grassroots leaders and with the man-in-the-street. They work long and indeed irregular hours. We must ensure that their interests are well taken care of and they have something to look forward to. The Minister of State for Community Development (Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon)( In Mandarin): Mr Chairman, how much time do I have?”
“We should, in my opinion, seriously consider the possibility of setting up an overseas volunteer service, sending out our young men and women to neighbouring countries to share and to serve, lest the image of us is that of ugly Singaporeans, self-serving and just out to make money.”
“Thank you, Sir. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs overseas missions are in the forefront of our contacts with the governments and peoples of foreign lands. I would like to ask the Minister if the total number and the scale of our missions are sufficient for our purpose, and whether they should be further expanded to promote our political and trade interests overseas. Perhaps the Minister should consider stronger representation in East Asia where the newly industrialised economies are thriving, and opportunities abound. And also consider the appointment of a full-time High Commissioner in Canada, in view of the increasing economic interests and the free trade agreement between Canada and the United States of America. Sir, we must also not forget Eastern Europe where the winds of change are blowing and unprecedented opportunities present themselves. We should at least, in my opinion, have a mission in a East European capital. It is vitally important for Singapore to promote its interests and project its image overseas. We should explore every possible avenue and channel to achieve this aim. I would like to ask the Minister if sufficient funds are allocated for public relations. For example, in the USA where the mass media and lobbying play a very crucial role in public affairs, whether there is a well oiled public relations programme to project a favourable image of Singapore. Sir, the Americans have the USIS, the Voice of America and the Peace Corps; the British, the British Council, BBC and an equivalent overseas volunteer programme. We may not be able to afford operations of such a scale. But we can have programmes appropriate to our aim, our size and needs, for example, more people-to-people contacts, cultural exchanges and visits of opinion makers and journalists.”
“Sir, may I have your permission to take items (b) and (g) together?”
“Sir, in the past year, the Ministry of Home Affairs has done much to improve the terms and conditions of service in the Police Force. Morale is high and I wish to congratulate the Ministry on a job well done. Of course, there is always room for improvement, and more can be done, eg, in the area of training. I believe that good training is the key to high professionalism and motivation. Sir, the Police Academy plays a pivotal role in the training of our officers, and I would like to ask the Minister, like my colleague, to give an update on the development of the Police Academy. Are sufficient funds, may I ask, being invested in the physical upgrading of the Academy? Will new technology be incorporated in the overall plan of development? Will experienced and bright officers be identified to staff this Academy? Sir, I also wish to ask if courses are designed for senior officers of the rank of Superintendent and above, which could include studies on national issues and changes in the international environment. This I believe would help to prepare these officers for senior commands in the Police Force. Sir, we should do all we can to make the Police Academy the pride of place for the police profession, and the centre of excellence in training for this region, attracting trainees from our neighbouring countries, and thereby enhance bilateral relations with them.”