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, I want to ask whether the Minister is aware that after Datuk Abdullah Badawi took over as Prime Minister, the press and media have played up the good prospect of better relations between Malaysia and Singapore. I also want to ask: what next in our relationship? What would be the agenda or pace of negotiations? I think it would be of public interest to all. Prof. Jayakumar: The Member is asking me, in a sense, to prejudge the outcome of the discussions between the Prime Ministers which I want to avoid. I have already underlined that both sides have stressed the importance of good relations. Both Prime Ministers have underscored that they want to work for good relations. When the Member asked what is next, I think the challenge for both sides in the new era is to look for ways of starting a new chapter in bilateral relations where we can press on with bilateral cooperation, work together in the interest of ASEAN and to do all this without being saddled by the deadlocked issues of the old era. Yes, there are issues from the old era which have to be addressed but we have to find a way of addressing them that we do not reopen the acrimonious paths which we have travelled in previous years. NEW SINGAPORE SHARES AND ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING SHARES (Confiscation by Inland Revenue Authority) 3. Dr Chong Weng Chiew asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance how many persons had their New Singapore Shares (NSS) and Economic Restructuring Shares (ERS) confiscated by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) for not having paid their taxes.”
“These are experienced officers and Warrant Officers, and they should know what they are doing. As for GSI, the Army is looking at the General Staff Inspectorate to see how it can strengthen the function of the General Staff Inspectorate in conducting independent audit checks on the units. Dr Ong has suggested outside members to take part in committees of inquiry. Today we have members who are outside of MINDEF, such as civil servants who chair committees of inquiry, and we also have a doctor who is outside of MINDEF and the SAF to sit on the committee, so that there is an independence of views. But I think Dr Ong has raised a useful suggestion. Allow me to look at it and see whether we can put that into effect.”
“I understand from some parents that they have doubts over the composition of such a Committee and a Higher Board of Inquiry because they are mainly staffed by MINDEF or SAF officers. The Minister said that it is chaired by a civil servant from another Ministry. But would it not be better, for transparency and public confidence, if members of the public outside MINDEF and outside the civil service were represented on such committees, so that they can participate and really assure the public that all is above board and is transparent? RAdm Teo Chee Hean: Sir, the SAF, and particularly the Army, are reviewing all their activities and safety measures after this incident to ensure that things are in order. They have a risk categorisation system, and they are starting with the high-risk activities and moderate-risk activities before moving on to the other activities. Sir, as I said earlier, systems are operated by people. People have to take responsibility for what they do. If we have two checks, and both are responsibly carrying out their duties, things will be all right. If we have three checks, and three people are not responsibly carrying out their duties, things will still go wrong. The key issue here in this case is that the officers who were charged with carrying out their duties did not do so in a responsible way and, hence, the tragic incident occurred. This has to be put right. Sir, the persons conducting training in this case were experienced people. The conducting officer is 44 years old and has 10 years of experience in the School of Commando Training. The supervising officer is 33 years old, has been a Company Commander, Company 2IC and is the OC of the Commando Training Wing.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, what has happened is tragic and we grieve with the families over the deaths of our servicemen. I also welcome the frank and sincere statement of the Minister. As a follow up, I want to ask some questions. From hindsight, we know that such things happen. I want to ask whether, based on this experience, the Minister considers the safety measures we have adequate and, if not, what new measures will MINDEF consider instituting in our training programme. Secondly, I know that in many armies overseas, those conducting combat survival training course, particularly prisoner of war training, would be very mature officers with many years of experience. I therefore want to ask the Minister whether he will consider appointing officers of certain breadth of experience to conduct such courses, officers who will know when to stop and when to let go if it is a very difficult judgement, but it is something required of officers in such strenuous training. Secondly, the Minister admitted that there are lapses in our training programme which resulted in such a tragic event. I understand of course that the General Staff Inspectorate is supposed to do inspection of training to prevent such tragic incidents. I want to ask the Minister whether our General Staff Inspectorate is making regular visits to the camps, whether it has adequate staff to do such regular visits and whether he will consider beefing up the General Staff Inspectorate to make more regular and thorough visits to camps to ferret out any lapses or unwelcomed practices. Lastly, the Minister has announced that there will be a Committee of Inquiry and a Higher Board of Inquiry.”
“This is, therefore, the time for all Singaporeans to rally behind the Government, to work as a united team. We shall triumph and prevail. Madam, I support the CPF changes.”
“They should take note of and recognise the sacrifices of the workers in forgoing their CPF. Companies that are doing well should therefore share their savings or profits with their workers through increases in the variable wage components or through bonuses. Employers should also lead by example, and cut management salaries and fees. Madam, CPF cut is not the only factor or solution. What about cuts in corporate and individual taxes, Government levies and fees? And, not to forget, there should also be cuts in red tape in the Government bureaucracy. Cuts should not be one-sided. Otherwise, CPF cuts will be in vain. In that sense, I am encouraged that DPM Lee and the Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Mr Raymond Lim, have both pledged today in this Chamber that the Government will try its best to contain and cut red tape and fees. As the Prime Minister said, we are at the crossroads. There comes a time in the history of the nation when we have to decide collectively to move forward, or to fall behind and be marginalised. The choice is clear. We have to retune CPF. We have to retool our economy. We have to bite the bullet. In Chinese, it is said "chang tong bu ru duan tong", ie, rather than suffer long agonising pain of prolonged unemployment, it is better to have it out, bear the immediate pain of CPF adjustment, restructure the economy, sharpen our competitive edge, attract new investments, and create new jobs for our people. We have overcome many crises before: Separation, early British withdrawal, the 1984 recession and, most recently, the SARS crisis. Fear not. We have done it before, and we can do it again. We shall overcome. The economy will recover and rise again. Jobs will be plentiful for Singaporeans. There will be a better tomorrow.”
“It would definitely make a difference: staying afloat or going under the water. If more SMEs survive, jobs will be saved in Singapore. Madam, the CPF changes will therefore send a strong signal to MNCs and foreign investors that Singapore is making a concerted and determined effort to cut and contain costs. MNCs will consider this a plus factor and, if they stay put and expand in Singapore, we will avoid the hollowing-out effect. And if new investments come in as a result, more new jobs will be created for all Singaporeans. I have met some MNC and local CEOs recently, and they are upbeat about the changes and the positive impact on our economy. When the Prime Minister confirmed that the CPF cut would be by 3%, from 36% to 33%, there was a sigh of relief. People feared the worst, a possible cut to 30%. We can see from here that the Government has exercised great restraint and care phasing in gradually the changes in the CPF salary ceiling, Minimum Sum and the Medisave Minimum Sum for CPF withdrawal at the age of 55. Moreover, the Government has taken great pains to implement a package to cushion the impact of CPF changes for Singaporeans, as we heard in this Chamber today. They are really encouraging and better than expected, and we can say for sure that the Government has left no stone unturned to help each and every Singaporean in his time of need. Likewise, I would like to appeal to banks and financial institutions to do their utmost to assist homeowners, particularly those from the lower income groups who are adversely affected by the CPF changes. Banks should consider seriously reducing interest rates, restructuring the loans and extending the loan repayment periods for their customers. Employers should not take the workers for granted.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, I am an independent director of two listed companies doing business in China. One, a metal stamping and computer parts manufacturer, pays only about S$120 per month per worker in Guangzhou and Suzhou. The other, a fish and vegetable processing company, pays about S$130 per month per worker in Qingdao. And when I first visited these factories, I was taken aback. How can we then compete against PRC workers unless we restructure our economy and sharpen our competitiveness? Madam, it does not mean that we have to lower our wages to the level of the PRC workers. But it does mean that we must try hard to improve our competitiveness, especially in terms of value-add and quality. Madam, India is another rising giant, in terms of outsourcing and service industries. Now, more and more global companies are outsourcing their IT, call centres and backroom operations to India, including some Singapore companies and MNCs. It is, therefore, really no fun to be squeezed between China and India - two giants. Nearer home, even Thailand and Malaysia are rapidly changing and competing against us in terms of manufacturing, logistics and even healthcare. Bangkok and Malaysia are fast developing their medical facilities for foreign patients. They compete fiercely against our private hospitals in terms of costs. And we are well aware of the fierce competition from the Malaysian port at Tanjung Pelapas. And the story goes on. In such a competitive situation, Singapore cannot afford to stand still, or we will be priced out of the competition and out of existence. For small and medium enterprises that are struggling and trying to keep their heads above water, the reduction in CPF contribution could be a lifeline thrown at them. It would definitely help cash flow.”
“Mr Speaker, first, I want to express my personal appreciation and admiration to our medical and healthcare workers for their good work and sacrifices. I have two questions for the DPM. Firstly, I must say that my Malaysian friends and many other foreigners have a very dim view of what we are doing here in Singapore, especially when they thought that we are in a very gloomy and dooming state. I would like to ask whether we should carry this psychological PR war to the international media so that we present ourselves as doing everything we can and keeping the situation under control. Secondly, we all know that PRC is a very significant source of infection. I would like to know whether the Singapore Government, as well as the international community, can do more to impress upon the PRC authorities to take extraordinary efforts to control and contain this spread. Because whatever we do here, if more come from overseas, particularly from China, we have this going on and on, we will have great difficulties. I would like to ask whether we could share whatever we know in Singapore with the PRC authorities as well as other ASEAN countries which we intend to do soon.”
“Sir, does the Minister find it surprising that the Malaysians, who were hurrying us on the date for signing the Special Agreement earlier on, are now dragging their feet on the essential issue of instruments of ratification?”
“Madam, I want to thank the Ministers for their very comprehensive and interesting answers. I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“It is through institution, both government and non-government organisations, that the next generation of Indonesian leaders will emerge and engage their Singapore counterparts.”
“Madam, with President Megawati in Jakarta, Singapore-Indonesia relations have improved over time. However, we should ask what will be the impact of rising Islamic assertiveness on Singapore-Indonesia relationship. Madam, Indonesia received a boost when its government successfully sold a 42% stake in the country's second largest telecommunications company, Indosat, to Singapore Technologies Telemedia (STT) in December last year. This was an important move by a Singapore company, emphasising the commitment to assist Indonesia during these troubled times. STT won the bid by paying a hefty 50% premium over the market price. Yet, anti-Singapore sentiment was strong. Compare this with the situation a month later, when Indonesia lost the ICJ judgment to Malaysia, resulting in the loss of sovereignty and control of Sipadan and Ligitan islands. Considering the strong sense of Indonesian nationalism, it was surprising that there was a no big adverse reaction to Malaysia. 5.45 pm Singapore should mull over this. First, a review should be made of the current state of Singapore-Indonesia relations. Second, such a review should focus on specific policies that would advance both Singapore and Indonesian interests. And third, while the Civil Service Exchange Programme is an excellent initiative, more should be done to broaden the linkages between Singapore and Indonesia, particularly in the NGO sector. Much of Singapore's interaction with Indonesia revolves around investment relations. Yet, the over-emphasis on this area may inadvertently bring with it unwanted perception of Singapore as being overly profit-orientated. Singapore needs to consider balancing the strong economic emphasis in the relationship with equal emphasis on building institution and institutional linkages.”
“Madam, Singapore-Malaysia relationship is like a yo-yo. It has its ups and its downs. It is also filled with thrill and excitement, like a roller-coaster ride. But we have to take all these in our stride. Nevertheless, there are prospects for a change for the better. We must not lose heart, but have confidence that things will work out. I am glad, therefore, that Singapore and Malaysia have committed the Pedra Branca issue to the International Court of Justice. This is a step in the right direction. This is an objective way, a peaceful way, to deal with an outstanding problem. I wish to ask whether both nations have ratified the Special Agreement to commit the issue to ICJ. I also wish to ask the Minister what are the next few steps both nations have to take to present their case to the ICJ and when the ICJ is likely to make a ruling on Pedra Branca. Now that the total package approach has been abandoned by Malaysia, what is the latest stage of negotiations on water and other issues. How does the Minister see our relations with Malaysia evolving in the next few years? Will both countries evolve a win-win formula to the mutual benefit of both? What will be the impact of Islamic influence and ascent of PAS on Singapore-Malaysia relations? I believe that with goodwill on both sides of the causeway, Singapore and Malaysia can work together for the common good of our people, in a win-win situation or prosper-thy-neighbour policy. We should also deepen our bilateral ties with emphasis on people-to-people relationship. We should have more cultural exchanges, student-to-student contacts, and visits by officials and parliamentarians.”
“Madam, ASEAN was established with goodwill and had many good years of unprecedented economic growth. There was internal cohesion and collective strength. However, with the exit of President Suharto and the Asian economic crisis, many think that ASEAN has lost its direction and momentum. Internal dissension and rivalry have surfaced. One wonders whether some ASEAN states can settle their differences and come to terms with each other. There is now tiredness about ASEAN. Attention and direct foreign investments have now shifted to China. My question for the Minister is: has ASEAN expanded too fast and too soon in terms of membership? Has ASEAN eaten more than it can chew or digest? I would like to ask the Minister what role can ASEAN play in the future and whether there are measures to strengthen ASEAN. Further, can we upgrade or strengthen the ASEAN Regional Forum so that it will not merely be a talk shop but also a platform for confidence building and preventive diplomacy?”
“Madam, besides the terrorist threat, the region is now faced with the distinct possibility of an ignition of one long-standing flashpoint in the Asia Pacific region, ie, in the Korean peninsula. The recent actions of North Korea are clearly timed to take advantage of the US' pre-occupation with Iraq. If North Korea's development of weapons of mass destruction is not stopped, it could either lead to a war or a "nuclearisation" of the whole region. Beijing, which has significant leverage over North Korea, has a big role to play in solving this North Korean problem. If China succeeds in restraining North Korea - and we certainly hope China would - its already growing political, economic and strategic weight will be further enhanced. Recently, an aerial incident resulted when North Korean fighter planes confronted a US spy plane in the Sea of Japan. Such action is clearly provocative and dangerous. Any miscalculation might well lead to escalation and into conflict in the Korean peninsula, where tensions are already high over North Korea's decision to reactivate its nuclear reactors. Madam, if war were to break out in the Korean peninsula, it will destabilise the region, both economically and geo-politically. The geo-political landscape will also change if Tokyo and Beijing were to beef up their military significantly in the wake of instability in the Korean peninsula. I wish to ask the Minister what is the impact of North Korea's hard-line position and brinkmanship on South Korea, Japan, China and the US. What if war broke out over North Korea? What will be the ramifications on Singapore's economy and security?”
“What if war broke out without a second UN resolution?”
“Madam, war clouds are looming over Iraq. There are rumours of war. Singaporeans must be mentally prepared for the potential political and economic fallout on our region in the event of war in Iraq. If war breaks out, we can only hope that it would be a short one. Singaporeans must also brace ourselves of potential terrorist backlash in the region. Recently, there was a deadly bomb blast in Davao, Philippines. The remnants of Al Qaeda and JI may seize the war in Iraq to target against US and other countries. More importantly, Singaporeans must not be swept along by the political and religious sentiment about a possible American attack against Iraq. The drums of war are beating. But Singaporeans must keep a clear head and a brave heart and stand united. We must respond as Singaporeans. We must think and act according to our national interests. In difficult times, Singaporeans must have the opportunity to rally together as a nation, and must not be swayed by events beyond our shores, over which we have no control. We must not be polarised by the war in Iraq or by the terrorist backlash. After all, all Singaporeans, regardless of race, language and religion, are in the same boat. We already have enough challenges within. We have to address the problems faced by retrenched workers and create jobs for new graduates and other school leavers. We must therefore work together for the well-being of Singaporeans and Singapore. I wish to ask the Minister what will be the impact of impending war against Iraq on Singapore and the region. What is Singapore's stand on this issue? Some think that Singapore is too pro-United States of America. Is this true? I think not. What is the likelihood of the second resolution being passed at the UN Security Council?”
“Are we able to continue to have a balance of power in the region, with the big powers in place, but not overwhelming or overbearing in influence? What positive roles can Singapore play in the region, despite our small size?”
“We can, for example, leverage on the Japan-Singapore Economic Agreement for a New Age Partnership (JSEPA) and the proposed China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement. We can see that PRC, Japan and the United States of America, the three big powers, are renewing their interests in Southeast Asia again. More recently, there are signs that the US is broadening its interest to encompass stronger economic relations with Southeast Asia. Singapore, among other countries in the region, continues to have vital national interests and supporting long-term US strategic engagement in Asia and in helping to prevent the stabilising strategic competition among the major regional powers. Next year will be the year of big political changes in the region. There will be elections due in many countries. It will be a watershed year. Various governments and opposition groups in Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia will be gearing up and shifting into "campaign mode". The rise of China is the most important long-term trend in the region. As China grows, Taiwan remains the other potential flashpoint in the Asia Pacific. The state of US-China relation will also be an important factor for regional stability. Meanwhile, China is responding to increasing ASEAN concerns that it is an economic challenge to the region. To mitigate this fear, Beijing agreed on a framework for negotiating the world's largest free trade agreement. And after several years of stalemate, China and ASEAN also agreed on a code of conduct on the South China Sea. In short, there are still some silver linings among the dark clouds surrounding the region. In this situation, therefore, I wish to ask the Minister what is his reading of the prospects for the region.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the total sum to be allocated for Head N of the Main Estimates be reduced by $100. Sir, Southeast Asia's short-term outlook remains uncertain. Besides the periodic haze, we have to live with dark clouds hovering over our region. The region has indeed not recovered from the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Close on its heels came the disaster of 9/11 in 2001. Prospects of a double-dip in the US economy and its impact on the region worry many of us. With the decline in direct oil investments in Southeast Asia, coupled with much investments being diverted or channelled to China, ASEAN has indeed lost its shine. [Mdm Deputy Speaker (Mrs Lim Hwee Hua) in the Chair] 4.00 pm ASEAN seems to be in disarray in the post-Suharto era and appears unable to find new directions and new cohesion. Will ASEAN put its acts together and be a force to be reckoned with? The rising religious fervour and political extremism in some countries cast doubts on the stability of the region and its ability to move on with economic development. The fallout from the October 2002 bomb blast in Bali has worsened the economic prospects in the region by driving away tourists and shaking foreign investors' confidence in the region. Now, at the beginning of 2003, war may break out over Iraq, and North Korea is playing with fire, with President Kim embarking on brinkmanship. This is indeed a topsy-turvy world. There seems to be no good news or good stories to tell of the region. However, there are silver linings in the dark clouds. I believe that the Southeast Asian nations can emerge stronger economically and politically, if we focus on the problems and set our minds to deal with them.”
“Sir, I want to thank the DPM, Ministers and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for their good and full answers. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $7,728,000,000 for Head J ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. The sum of $524,000,000 for Head J ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. Head P -”
“Sir, the SAF is a small National Service armed force. It relies on the elements of intelligence, mobility and firepower. The SAF has to be a few steps ahead of its rivals, in terms of arms procurement, weapons systems and defence technology. In a conflict, we must use our cutting edge in technology to overrun and overwhelm the enemy. Hence, arms procurement and defence technology are vital to the SAF. Sir, in this scenario, how does MINDEF ensure that our arms purchase meet our defence needs and requirements? Do we also leverage on our own homegrown defence R&D to achieve superiority in the battlefield? Sir, we have our submarines, stealth frigates, bionics armoured vehicles and Apache attack helicopters. However, other countries are catching up and are acquiring new and advanced weapons and weapons systems. How do we therefore ensure that our technological headstart or competitive advantage in technology is maintained in the future? We read that SAF is embarking on a joint development of the F35 joint fighters with the United States and other countries. This is a new initiative and a new trend. What are the benefits for Singapore in embarking on the joint development of such prototype aeroplanes?”
“Sir, my apologies for the mistake earlier and the incursions, which are unintended, unlike the Malaysians' incursions into our territorial waters at Pedra Branca. Malaysian vessels continue to intrude into our territorial waters, despite Singapore and Malaysia committing the issue of Pedra Branca for ruling at the International Court of Justice. I wish to ask the Minister whether our Navy will increase its patrols in our territorial waters at Pedra Branca. What measures can be taken to prevent further intrusions into our territorial waters? What if the Malaysian patrol vessels refused to leave our territorial waters? Sir, the collision between a commercial ship and our Navy ship, RSS Courageous, off Pedra Branca was most unfortunate and tragic, and we grieved over the loss of four lives. We were told that investigations are still in progress. But much time has passed, and we wonder why there is such a long delay in completing the investigations. There are still many unanswered questions. For example, how did the accident occur when both crews were aware that the ships were on a collision path? In particular, the crew of RSS Courageous had sighted the commercial ship on its radar and also through its duty watch officer. A question uppermost in the minds of many is whether the accident reflects and affects the operational readiness of the Navy. Further, what are the lessons that we can draw from this accident, and are these lessons being followed up and internalised within the Navy? Sir, in my opinion, it is best to complete the investigations speedily. We should conclude and draw the right lessons, and then the Navy could move on.”
“I wish to ask the Minister whether the backbone of JI in the region has been broken, and how successful is our national security secretariat in its work in countering terrorism. Further, I wish to ask the Minister whether SAF is able to deal with terrorist attacks, including chemical and biological attacks. Sir, over the years, the SAF has participated in various UN peace-keeping missions. Recently, such peace-keeping missions have become larger and larger in scale. The biggest mission so far is to Timor-Leste or East Timor. Sir, I had the opportunity to visit our troops at our peace-keeping mission in Timor-Leste. I must say that I am impressed with the enthusiasm and commitment of our soldiers and airmen. However, there are reports of outbreaks of violence there. Although this does not presage a general breakdown of the new state, it does remind us that the road to building a viable nation state is an arduous one. In any case, peace-keeping missions are temporary and that sometime in the near future, we should complete our mission in Timor-Leste and bring back our troops. I would therefore ask the Minister whether there are any other plans in the future of sending any other mission under US auspices, and what are the benefits to the SAF and Singapore of such UN peace-keeping missions.”
“Thus, while it is certainly important to expand sufficient resources on tightening border and immigration controls, cutting terrorist funding and improving intelligence flow and exchanges between domestic and friendly foreign agencies, it is more important, I believe, to deal with the root cause of terrorism in the region. It is also clear that the governments in the region must take care not to engage in any policy behaviour that inadvertently sends out the message that a particular religion, in this case, Islam, is being targeted. Otherwise, some people may become vulnerable to radical appeals suggesting that they have to take up arms to defend their faith. Eradicating the radical terrorist threat will require more than just law enforcement measures. A coordinated strategy integrating enforcement measures, as well as economic, political and ideologically elements, therefore, is needed. Sir, on the issue of countering terrorism, the Bali bombings have prodded the Indonesian Government to get off the fence with respect to groups like the JI. It can no longer pretend that the problem with terrorism does not exist in Indonesia and that Indonesians are not involved with the problem. Since the attacks in the United States on 11th September 2001, efforts have been increased to coordinate regional and international actions against terrorism in South-east Asia. ASEAN has announced increased cooperation at its annual Ministerial Meeting in July/August 2002. During these meetings, the United States also signed an anti-terrorism agreement with ASEAN members on 30th July. In this regard, I wish to ask the Minister whether we have adequate intelligence cooperation on terrorism with our neighbours.”
“Last week, at an informal dialogue session in my constituency, a lady asked me whether SAF soldiers are good in shooting - she goes down to the basic, ie, shooting, although defences and new technology involve more than that - and whether in real combat, our NSmen would be able to take on the regular soldiers of other armed forces. She also wanted to know how our NSmen fare, in comparison with other armed forces, in joint exercises. I assured her, based on my knowledge, that all is well and our troops are well-equipped and well-trained for their tasks. But it is better to hear from the Minister, from the horse's mouth, so to speak, on the state of readiness of our armed forces. Sir, the Bali bombings of 12th October 2002 have suggested that regional terrorist organisations are both willing and well able to mount sophisticated attacks on soft targets in the region. It is therefore incumbent upon governments in the region to do their utmost to ensure that every potential target within their territories is hardened so as to deter terrorist attack. Every attack that succeeds will only play into the hands of the terrorists as it would send off a signal to foreign investors that South-east Asia is not safe. If foreign investors pull out, the region, which is still recovering from the financial crisis of 1997/1998, will be in even deeper trouble. Unemployment will continue to be a big problem, especially in the less well-off countries, and this would only prod more restless, embittered young men into the arms of the extremists.”
“Sir, earlier on, Mr Chandra Mohan asked whether he was realistic. The answer clearly is no. It reminds me of Neville Chamberlain, the Prime Minister of England in the late 1930s. He met up with Hitler and he came back to England and waved a piece of paper and said, "Peace at hand", and immediately after that, Hitler invaded France and other parts of Europe. And Chamberlain lived in shame in history. We cannot take peace for granted. To have peace, you must be prepared for war and you must be prepared to take your defences seriously so that with deterrence, peace will prevail. But if you let down your guard, you would have no peace at all because people would take you for an easy ride. And this is what we in Singapore should not do. So we should not be saying out in public about playing down our defences because then, we would be defenceless. To have peace, you must be prepared for war, and with deterrence, war will never occur. That is our best bet for our security. Sir, if you look at the new strategic landscape in South-east Asia, we can see that all the more we should give special attention and priority to defence. We face not only conventional threats, but also low intensity conflicts and operations, terrorist attacks and threats. So far, Sir, the SAF has concentrated on conventional threats and operations. Is the SAF able, in these new circumstances, to adapt and reorientate itself to take on both conventional threats and low intensity operations? We want to know whether the SAF is trained well and is ready for it for the new tasks ahead. We know that the SAF trains rigorously here in Singapore as well as in many overseas countries but some, Sir, are still are unaware of the operational readiness and capability of our armed forces.”
“And the US may go ahead to launch its attack on Iraq with or without a UN resolution in this regard. In East Asia, North Korea is creating havoc with its brinkmanship on nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction. President Kim of North Korea is embarking on a dangerous path. Japan and South Korea are worried stiff indeed over the possible fallout from North Korea. However, there is some hope that the issue could be addressed amicably at the negotiation table. 6.15 pm I would therefore like to ask the Minister for his reading of the Iraqi situation and the North Korean problem, and what is their impact on Singapore and the region. I would like to ask the Minister whether the SAF is able and ready to defend Singapore against all threats, in particular, with the changing geo-political and security situation in Southeast Asia, whether the SAF is geared up and trained to deal with counter-terrorism and low intensity operations. Further, what is the state of our defence relations with Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia? Are our armed forces participating, for example, in confidence-building measures, exchanges and joint exercises with these countries?”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the total sum to be allocated for Head J of the Main Estimates be reduced by $100. Sir, first, I want to welcome the Army, Navy and Air Force officers in our Public Gallery. I think MINDEF is not taking any chances in security and send a very strong supporting contingent here, and we welcome them. Sir, 9/11 is a historic turning point in the history of the world. The collapse of the World Trade Centre has ramifications far and wide for all of us. The shock waves have hit our shores. We uncovered the JI underground cells in Singapore as well as in Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia. It was a rude awakening, a walk-up call for all of us. Soon after, in October 2002, the bombs exploded in Bali. Now, security is on everyone's lips. It is our number one priority. There would be horrendous consequences, if we were caught napping or unprepared. No one in his right mind would therefore question the need to build up and maintain our defence forces. Every dollar spent on defence is a dollar well spent. Sir, if we cannot defend what we have, if we cannot guard our sovereignty and territorial integrity, then we will be at the mercy of others. What we cannot keep will not be ours. Singapore will be up for grabs. At the same time, we should maximise the defence dollar and minimise wastage with effective cost control and get good value for the defence dollar. Sir, in Southeast Asia, there is a rise of religious fundamentalism and political extremism. Against this background, there are protests against a possible American war against Iraq. There are mass demonstrations on the ground and the countries are polarised in this dispute. A second UN resolution may or may not be passed at the UN Security Council.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, first, I want to thank the Minister for his most comprehensive and full answer on Malaysia/Singapore relations. It is clear from the statement given this afternoon that Singapore is most reasonable, most accommodative and most patient in our negotiations with Malaysia. I want to ask the Minister whether the Malaysians understand and know the sanctity of international agreements made by them with other countries. Or do they deliberately choose to ignore this? And, if so, what is their motive? With Malaysia chopping and changing its position time and time again, how would Singapore engage meaningfully in negotiations with Malaysia? We would like to know, although the Minister has mentioned, what is next. Is there any date or time-table in mind or is it going to be just a vacuum? In particular, I would ask the Minister to comment on the announcement that Johor would cease to buy treated water from Singapore from mid-2003 onwards, after their own water treatment plant has been completed. What would be our response to this?”
“In the meantime, we should focus on the immediate problem, marshal our resources to deal with the problem, summon our will as one united people, regardless of race, language or religion, marching together shoulder-to-shoulder to overcome the threat. We can do it together. For it is only as one people that we can succeed. Sir, I support the motion.”
“Therefore, against the wider backdrop of counter-terrorism, it is incumbent upon moderate Muslim organisations and leaders to closely monitor developments, anticipate possible political contingencies, and resolutely act to forestall extremist attempts to exploit certain issues. Moderate members of the Muslim community should speak up. Otherwise, there will be a vacuum, which would be exploited by extremists. Mr Speaker, Sir, I firmly believe that Singaporean Muslims are well aware of the dangers posed by the JI terrorists, and they want to have no part in the misplaced and misguided JI aims and tactics. We are encouraged that more and more moderate and fair-minded Muslim leaders and members are speaking up against JI and terrorism, and standing up for moderation and tolerance. The Religious Harmony Code Committee has been visiting and having dialogues with various religious groups. What struck me, as a member of the committee, was that though these various religious groups uphold and practise their own religions, there is a common desire for moderation, tolerance and religious harmony. All groups know that we are better off together in our own country than apart or adrift. This moderation and tolerance work well for Singapore. We should continue to build upon this foundation and further enhance religious and racial harmony. We must not forget that united we stand, and divided we fall. Sir, in conclusion, terrorism can only be eliminated if the ideological basis can be removed and their funding through petro-dollars is stopped. The road ahead for counter-terrorism is going to be long and arduous. Singaporeans have to be patient as we wait for bigger forces to work it out in the world at large.”
“In this context, employers should not consciously or unknowingly discriminate against Muslims, and ordinary non-Muslim Singaporeans should not treat their Muslim fellow citizens differently. Otherwise, the Muslim community may feel out of sync with the rest of society. Individual Muslims would then become vulnerable to those who whisper that their interests are best served by throwing in their lot with the likes of JI. On the ground, I believe we can do more to promote understanding and bonding, particularly in the HDB heartland. If neighbours in the estates know each other personally and meet in block parties and other community events, the likelihood is, if there is a flare up or incident, we could talk to each other, we could call each other, and goodwill, common sense and peace will prevail. Sir, the formation of the IRCC is a step in the right direction. We should do all things possible to make all races feel that they are all part and parcel of the community. For example, we should ensure that halal food is provided in community functions and some barbecue pits are reserved for Muslim residents. Third, there is a need for modern Muslim leaders to proactively forestall attempts by fringe elements to shun them aside and radicalise the community. We should not forget that in early 2002, Zulfikar of Fateha.com sought to project himself as the true leader of Singapore's Muslims by engaging in a publicity campaign, accusing the Government of being anti-Islamic. Fortunately, the Muslim community rejected Zulfikar's claims, and settled the issue. However, other extremists will try again and again.”
“In my mind, first, there is a need to provide timely information so as to prevent unhealthy misconception from forming. Certainly, in the current context of the counter-terrorism in general, and the JI arrests in particular, the Government has been forthcoming in explaining the issues and the media is playing the role in educating members of the public. Information on arrests of the JI members under the ISA, for example, has been made readily available so as to prevent popular misconceptions developing about the treatment of the detainees. Family members of the detainees have visited the detainees to inquire into their well-being and the ISA Advisory Board members have reviewed their cases individually. Besides the White Paper, there is the publication of the booklet on the Internal Security Act, giving useful information on the rationale of the legislation, past instances in which terrorists or subversive elements have threatened Singapore, and the conditions under which the Act may be used. Second, there is a need to anticipate and prevent any misconception that the religious faith of a particular community is under attack. There must be trust and confidence that the Government is even handed, that the Government treats all racial and religious groups in Singapore fairly. Mr Speaker, Sir, there is no doubt that the Government acts in the national interests, in a fair, non-discriminating and consistent manner, without fear or favour. But the promotion of trust and bonding is not the job of the Government alone. Singaporeans of all walks of life must and should play their part in ensuring that all communities live and work together in harmony. Singaporeans should interact with their neighbours, make them feel at ease and at home.”
“This means that the authorities and the security agencies in the region must pull their resources together, share intelligence and have a unified and integrated counter strategy. No country in this region should allow their territory to be used as a training ground, sanctuary, or breeding ground for the terrorists. Our neighbours should realise that the terrorists are our common enemy. If we do not deal with the extremists in our midst, they will undermine and destroy the governments in the region, one by one. Therefore, I appeal to the governments in the region to sink whatever differences they have, to work in tandem and deal with this clear and present terrorist threat. There is indeed no other way. Sir, this White Paper gives an interesting insight into the profile of the JI detainees. They have average and above average intelligence, and received good education, some with polytechnic and college diplomas. Most of them have good jobs, including appointments as managers and technicians. Clearly, these JI members embarked on their misadventures not out of deprivation or social unrest. Why then did they do all this? They were definitely manipulated by extremists out to make mischief and out to capitalise on religious fanaticism. JI members were not the mainstream of our Muslim community in Singapore. Indeed, they isolated themselves from the main Muslim organisations and indoctrinated their members in cells with their own brand of militancy and their own lingo, including what they call "JI-speak". The JI tactics sought to drive a wedge between the Muslim community and other Singaporeans. From the national perspective, therefore, one must ask: how can the JI and the larger Al-Qaeda threat be neutralised in ways that do not alienate the Singaporean Muslim community?”
“But it is better that we discuss and address this terrorist threat openly, rather than sweep it under the carpet and pretend that all is well. We should brainstorm, find common ground and forge a united and effective counter strategy. In this way, I trust we will gain insights and a better understanding of the issues involved. I am sure we will emerge from the debate stronger, as one united people, one united nation of Singaporeans. Sir, in this context, we have to reassess and manoeuvre fast to stay afloat in these troubled times. We must bear in mind that we face an elusive enemy who is prepared to die for a cause, including suicide bombing, if necessary. This is not conventional war but a battle for the hearts and minds of the people. Singapore has been fortunate so far in escaping from JI bomb blast. We have managed to nip the problem in the bud with the timely arrests of the JI members. We must commend and thank the ISD, the police and the SAF for doing a wonderful job in safeguarding our security and maintaining our peace. Bravo, and well done! We are thankful for your services. However, this does not mean that we are insulated from terrorist threats or that no bombs will ever go off in Singapore. No one can guarantee that a terrorist attack will not occur. All we can do is to take all the necessary preventive measures and prepare for the worst, while hoping for the best. If you think about it, Singapore could well be very high on the list of JI targets in the region, given our strong support for counter-terrorism and our very success in preventive measures so far. Indeed, the JI network is extensive in the region, spreading and straddling Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines. Preventive and counter measures must therefore also be regional in scope.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I support the motion standing in the name of the Minister for Home Affairs. Sir, 9/11 was a turning point in the history of the world. It changed our lives. It changed the world's political and economic landscape. Some however still thought that New York was far, far away from us. And Afghanistan and Al-Qaeda were deemed to be distant from our shores. But Singaporeans had a rude awakening when the JI network in Singapore was uncovered and 15 JI members were arrested in December 2001. In the following year, any lingering doubts about JI network and terrorist threats evaporated with the Bali bomb blasts of October 2002. Sir, to put it in perspective, the Al-Qaeda and JI fanaticism and terrorism were brewing for quite a while. It took them many years of painstaking preparation and indoctrination. Most striking was the global coverage and the fanatical zeal of the terrorists. But by now, all know that this new wave of fanatical terrorism could strike anywhere, any time. And the problem will not go away overnight. It is a severe and long-term problem that will persist and trouble us over a long period of time. To counter, therefore, and overcome this problem, we require and must have clear vision, right strategy, unwavering determination, patience, fortitude and internal cohesion. Sir, the seeds of such religious fanaticism have been sown in the Middle East and Afghanistan. Funded and fuelled by petrol dollars of the Middle East, it spread to the rest of the world. Singapore, as a small city state, is not immune from world currents and terrorist threats. Some may ask, in this context, why another JI report, bringing it up again and again. There is some unease that this is given another airing.”
“Sir, I want to express our deepest sympathies and condolences to the bereaved families and I am sure the RSN will put all this behind it, and learn and move forward. I want to ask whether the Deputy Prime Minister could clarify the Malaysian statement that Singapore had asked Malaysia for permission to conduct search and rescue operation in the waters off Pedra Branca. What is our response to the Malaysian request for such joint patrols? Further, could the Deputy Prime Minister clarify what he mentioned earlier, ie, there was a spate of violations of our territorial waters at Pedra Branca by foreign state vessels recently? Could the Deputy Prime Minister please tell this House what actually happened?”
“Sir, I would like to ask the Minister whether the Malaysians are well aware of the development of NEWater and that it is now acceptable in Singapore and whether they have factored this into their negotiations. Also, have they taken note of our announcement earlier that when the first Water Agreement ends in 2011, we are prepared to let it lapse and not pursue further?”
“Sir, first, I want to thank the Minister for a very comprehensive answer. Very clearly, the twists and turns in the Malaysian position have made negotiations extremely difficult. Try as we must and try as we will. In this context, I want to ask the Minister what will happen next in our negotiations. Will there be further Senior Officials' Meeting or Ministerial Meeting? And what will be Singapore's position and approach in these future series of meetings?”
“Now, in this new situation, it will be impractical for us to write to the banks or to pressurise the banks in any way, and the commercial-driven banks are likely to be tougher and adopt a no-nonsense profit-driven approach, as they should be. I heard my colleague, Ms Irene Ng, talking about cooperatives, and I know there is the NTUC Loan and Thrift Cooperative. Maybe the NTUC Loan and Thrift Cooperative can play a more significant role, a higher profile, in helping out some of the HDB residents. Sir, HDB Home Ownership Scheme and mortgages have been part and parcel of Singaporeans' way of life. We have got used to it. It is an important channel of bonding between the Government and the people. Will the change or emphasis to commercial bank loans diminish this very vital bonding or social compact between the Government and the people? I hope not. Further, for those who, for one reason or another, are not able to buy or own an HDB flat, will the Government provide more HDB rental housing for this category of people? As we all know, currently, there are very few HDB rental housing available, and the conditions are very stringent. Sir, the CPF holders can use the CPF for purchase of company shares from the Stock Exchange. Many have lost their hard-earned CPF money on speculation in shares as most individuals are not market-savvy or have no time or skills to keep track of movements in the market. I wish, therefore, to ask if it would be better to confine the purchase of shares through unit trusts or, better still, just allow investments in the private pension funds where there are professional managers to keep track and manage the funds or the unit trusts. Sir, I support the new measures.”
“With the decline in the CPF portion, which is tax exempt, and the increase in the cash portion, their taxable income or tax liability will also go up. In this context, I urge the Government to launch a public education programme to emphasise the merits of employing older workers, and provide more funding and avenues for the training and retraining of these older workers. Sir, in view of their relative decline in CPF contributions, I urge employers to reward good workers from this group through bonuses and monthly variable components. The private sector should, in particular, walk the talk and join the public sector as well. Sir, the other area of concern is the related move by HDB to get more HDB home buyers to go to the market and borrow from the banks, instead of relying on HDB financing and mortgages. This is good news indeed for the banks. But, HDB interest rates are very reasonably priced for the HDB home owners, whereas market interest rates from banks are expected to be higher, especially over time. HDB has so far been quite liberal in giving loans to potential HDB buyers. In the new situation, what happens if the banks refuse to give loans to some HDB buyers, looking closely at their credibility or creditworthiness? HDB is quite understanding and friendly on mortgage default cases, whereas the banks are likely to be commercial-driven and tougher in enforcement. When residents come to see us at the meet-the-people sessions, we, as Members of Parliament, could write to HDB and appeal for more time, leniency, easier payment terms, ballooning scheme, delayed payment, and so on. HDB, I must say, is rather obliging and rather helpful in all these appeal cases.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, thank you for allowing me to join in the debate. Sir, there is no doubt that the CPF system has served us well over the years. It has become an icon of Singapore. However, the world has changed. It is now a globalised economy with intense competition from countries like China. And the Singapore population profile and economy have also changed. The population is greying and Singaporeans are living longer. We need therefore to provide more for old age and retirement. As the environment has changed, so must CPF. The CPF system ain't broke, but we can modify it to maximise its usefulness and effectiveness for the individuals as well as for the economy. I therefore support the new measures, as announced. Nevertheless, I wish to raise some points of concern. First, one area of concern is the reduction in CPF rates for the older workers aged 50 to 55. In truth, these older workers will suffer a potential pay cut or stagnation. There is already a bias against employing older workers. The new move is intended, in this context, to lessen the seniority-based system and to make older workers more employable. But I wonder if it will work that way in practice. Those who do not wish to employ or retain older workers may, in practice, not be moved by such measures at all. Will it not instead perpetuate the view that this group of older workers is less useful or less relevant? I hope not. Sir, in some circumstances, those aged between 50 and 55, give of their best, contribute significantly to the economy over many years, drawing upon their wealth of experience, their wide networking and their tested skills. Sir, some older workers will also suffer from the drop in CPF payable from $6,000 to $5,000 per month. It will therefore be a double hit.”
“Sir, as the Minister is aware that over a period of time, Singapore as well as Malaysia agreed to negotiate on a package of issues. But, recently, Malaysia changed its tack and said it wanted to take the water agreement negotiation outside this package of issues. Will Singapore adhere to our position that we want to negotiate all the issues under a total package of issues?”
“Sir, I wish to ask the Minister whether Singapore has proposed any formula for future water negotiations and, likewise, whether the Malaysians made any such proposals on their own.”
“Sir, the Malaysians have repeatedly talked about the Hong Kong model of water agreement. I wonder whether the Minister would care to comment on the difference between the Hong Kong model and our existing Water Agreements.”
“Sir, I wish to ask the Minister whether in points of international law, do the Malaysians have any right to backdate any revisions after so many years when they did not do so earlier. And, whether they have the right to act on it or backdate any revision.”
“Sir, I want to ask the Minister whether he would care to comment on the reported Malaysian proposal to raise the price of water to Malaysian 60 sen per thousand gallons, and then to RM3.00 after 2007, and whether the Minister considers such proposals outrageous and arbitrary.”
“Madam, I wish to thank the Deputy Prime Minister and the Ministers for their full answers and, in particular, the Deputy Prime Minister for the very generous increase in NS allowances. I am sure this will be very much appreciated by all NSmen. On that note, I am also assured that our defence and security are in good hands. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”