Ong Leong Boon
Singapore
“Sir, I am not at all surprised with the reply. In fact, it was more than one sentence, but the rest sounded like an apologia for what he could not offer. I am not at any time saying the Government is not doing enough. In fact, I started by saying that the Government has done quite a lot.”
“I am sure other sports associations - volley ball, basket ball, table tennis and many others - would also want very much to have similar facilities. The question is: how does one raise the necessary funds to build these centres? At this juncture, I think one can fall back upon the example of the construction of community centres.”
“460 shall be supplied to the Government under the heads of expenditure for the public services shown in the Development Estimates for the financial year 1st April, 1980 to 31st March, 1981, contained in Paper Cmd 4 of 1980," put and agreed to.”
“I think it is important that, in carrying out this scheme, consideration ought to be given to preserving some of these blocks because there is a social need for retaining them.”
“Sir, when I spoke earlier on, I refrained from going into the various details. But I can assure the Hon. Senior Parliamentary Secretary that certain well-defined injuries which develop later complications could be included in the guidelines. This has been a recurrent problem in our everyday encounter with workmen's compensation.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head R be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead Code RD-06 of the Main Estimates. Sir, I move this amendment to seek information on the proposed Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. I notice that there is a vote of more than $3 million for this Institute.”
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“In other words, it is like a military establishment with generals and no army. Perhaps, what is more disturbing is the shocking and escalating trend today for fewer and fewer students from our schools to enter the medical schools and elect medicine for a life-time profession. The emphasis in Singapore today on science and technology is necessary and unquestionable at this stage of national development. However, this emphasis has unfortunately taken its toll and amputated, quite inadvertently, one of the limbs of essential services, i.e, the medical and associated services. Singapore today has a doctor population of approximately 1,500 registered practitioners. This gives a doctor population ratio of 1:1,300 or 1:1,400. Many Western countries have attained the figure of 1:500, and they still continue to face a shortage of doctors and its related problems. If I were to proceed in my analysis and take the figure of 1:750 as a desirable ratio to work on - I have chosen this figure in view of the enhanced living standards and sophistication and, again, the rising expectations of the people -- we are today short of at least 1,000 doctors. 2.45 p.m. Allowing for this shortage, and the exercise of natural deaths and unnatural accidents, we need at least between 100 and 120 new doctors annually to join the ranks of the medical profession. Do we have these many doctors graduating every year? As it is, Government medical institutions are understaffed. What with projected plans for setting up new hospitals? I have chosen this sitting of Parliament to highlight this serious and, I think, potentially catastrophic problem. Sir, if I may submit figures to illustrate my point.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, we have just heard some complaints about the Ministry of Health as well as the medical practitioners. I do not pretend to answer for any of these. Sir, half a year ago during the debate on the President's Address in this House, I raised certain issues about health and hospitals. At this sitting of Parliament, allow me to bring to light again these problems facing the Ministry of Health and the good health of our citizens today and tomorrow. It is with pride, Sir, to note, if not with assurance, that the standard of health care and the facilities available in Singapore is today the best in Southeast Asia. The Minister for Health has recently announced plans for the construction of new hospitals in the years to come. This, I am sure will further boost the Republic as a health centre in this part of the world. Already an increasing number of patients have come here from neighbouring countries to seek expert medical attention. Recently, in the salary revision exercise for senior Division I officers, additional incentives were given to consultant medical specialists to remain in service. This is a positive step to slow down the drain of the specialists into the more attractive and more lucrative private sector. However, salary and service conditions for the vast majority of institutional doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses and other ancillary staff, remain much the same. It seems imperative to me that corrective adjustments in terms of salary and service conditions must be made if we are to prevent the present trend, short of an exodus, of moving into the private sector. A hospital with top specialists but inadequately supported by junior specialists and doctors is no good hospital at all.”
“Sir, can I get an assurance from the Minister that he will look into my suggestion that SIA allows concession rates, say 50 per cent, for our top athletes going overseas for international sports meets?”
“It has won us the most gold medals in the last SEAP games. And I am sure it still will. But we have not done enough. Sir, I can continue rolling on. But let me come to specifics. I would like to suggest to the Minister concerned that perhaps we should, at least for a start, consider two matters and grant special consideration for our sportsmen. Firstly, we should give time-off to our sportsmen for their training. Let us facilitate them. Some of them might be working in Jurong, and they have to come down for training at Fairer Park. They finish work at 5 p.m. and they are expected to be at Fairer Park at 5 p.m. I say, this is a bit too much. I can quote cases where they just cannot make it. In the end, they would probably drop out of the national team. Secondly, I am sure the various sports associations would appreciate it if the Minister can arrange with the Singapore Airlines, just like the arrangement by the Ministry of Education for special concession rates, to send our athletes or sportsmen overseas at concession rates. The Ministry of Education has arranged group tours at half-price. Why not do the same for our sportsmen?”
“Members may be aware that at the recent karate competition, one member of the Singapore team did very well, and nobody has suggested sending our karate team for further training in Japan. I think we should promote our national teams. Boxing requires to be further promoted. Table tennis, badminton, even swimming and water polo, need further promotion. In swimming, our boys and girls have been sent overseas through the main efforts of their own parents. I say swimming has done far more to uplift the standard of Singapore sports than many other games. An hon. Member: Hear, hear!”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, may 1 join the chorus of four Members who have spoken about the somewhat sad state of affairs that exists in the sports world in Singapore today. I remember having risen here and said the same thing some six months ago, and to this day I am sad to say that there has been no visible improvement in any particular game in Singapore. Sir, six months ago, I called for the formation of a Sports Ministry and I have not forgotten about this call. If the NSPB, as we have heard earlier on, cannot properly carry out its functions and responsibility expected of it, then scrap it. Let us not continue to allow vast sums of money to go down the "soccer drain". Soccer has risen to no heights. We hope it will rise. But despite all the efforts that have been put in, I think it still stays on a pretty low plane. Sir, I would like to be fair in my comment. Over the last year or so the Government has, in fact, tried to promote sports in the form of inter-constituency games, and it has definitely aroused more interest and more participation from various people -sportsmen and athletes - throughout Singapore. But I think we have to do much more than what we have done. I would like to repeat what has been said earlier by certain Members that the emphasis by the NSPB has been and still is - we hope never - lopsided. This lopsidedness is too apparent and is not in the interest of the sporting world in Singapore. Soccer has been promoted too much without any reasonable result. What about the other sports organisations? We have yet to hear of the volley ball association, for example, sending its team for competition elsewhere. We have yet to hear of the NSPB trying to promote the other sporting activities.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, may I make a suggestion in connection with the point raised by the Member for Jurong? The Member wanted an intensification of the anti-smoking campaign. Bearing all the facts in mind, no sensible person would doubt that cigarette smoking is bad. But we are not discussing the merits or demerits of smoking in this Chamber. We have accepted the fact that the anti-smoking campaign must go on. The question is how can we further produce concrete results. I was just thinking that instead of putting up slogans, signboards or banners across overhead bridges, perhaps we can follow the examples set by certain western countries, on every cigarette packet you put a label in clear language, saying "Smoking is bad for your health. You are smoking at your own risk." Or there can be some other slogans which the Minister for Culture might think of.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, may I add to the comments that have been voiced by various Members of Parliament? I think we should be fair when we talk about the poor bus service. If we have a poor bus service today, it is not because the bus service itself, in isolation, is poor. If indeed we have a system that is somewhat short of ideal, it is only a reflection of what we have existing in Singapore, and that I take to mean more than just the bus service. We have at fault the ordinary bus driver, the ordinary vehicle driver, the ordinary lorry driver and the pedestrians. If we want to teach the bus drivers to drive better, we must also at the same time try to inculcate better driving habits in other drivers as well, and our pedestrians too. It is quite common to see pedestrians not using the, pedestrian paths or the overhead bridges but to run across or to jump across railings just to take the shortest way to the other side of the road, thus adding to the traffic congestion that we already have. Therefore, if we are to consider right now any measures to improve the bus service, let us take it in toto, and unless we do that we are not being fair in our comments on the bus drivers. Sir, I would like to suggest to the Minister for Communications that, with haste, he might consider setting up a committee to study this problem.”
“Sir, my question is relevant, because in kindergartens, the children are under the age of six. The definition in this Bill is very wide, and therefore it seems that a kindergarten falls within the definition. Sir, my question therefore again is whether, in fact, this definition includes kindergartens.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, my question is one of clarification. Under the Bill, the definition of "creche" is "any premises where children under the age of six years are received." Question is whether this definition includes kindergartens. If it does, does it therefore mean that kindergartens run by private bodies, for example, the People's Association, or political parties, will henceforth need to be legislated?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to express my wholehearted support for this amendment. But I would like to ask the Minister a point of clarification, it is quite well laid here that there shall be no surrender or transfer of sovereignty unless two-thirds of the people are in favour of that move. But Article 52K provides for participation or co-operation in any scheme, venture, project, etc., and entering into any treaty, agreement, or any other arrangement which is beneficial or advantageous to Singapore. I understand that the government can enter into any of these arrangements. The problem then surely must be this: that if you have a government that intends to sell out the interests of the people, they can cloak the sell-out of our sovereignty, surrender or transfer, by any name - call it "co-operation", "treaty", "agreement" or "contract". To my mind, the interpretation of that action, whether or not it amounts to a surrender or a transfer of sovereignty, is most important. If one could interpret whether that action is a surrender or a transfer of sovereignty, then Article 52J applies. Otherwise, the government in selling out the interests of the people could well interpret that their action is beneficial or advantageous to Singapore and could proceed to do so under Article 52K. I would therefore like to ask the Minister: who does the interpretation of that action as to whether or not that act of entering into some treaty or contract with another power could amount to a sell-out of Singapore's interests and a surrender of sovereignty? And whether that action and its interpretation lie with Parliament at that time, or with the people, or with the Judiciary? 3.27 p.m.”
“The surgical wards are over-burdened with work and more medical officers and housemen are needed. Again we have too few anaesthetists and insufficient operating theatres. On many occasions operations for surgical emergencies are delayed with consequent rise in morbidity and mortality risks. The Ministry must be sensitive and responsive to staff request for elective postings anti the period of posting must be such as to enable doctors to obtain the necessary requirements for specialist training. In short, we should orientate the medical service from one of pure service to one where service commitments are met optimally with job satisfaction and training for doctors and staff. Further, it is worth considering the setting up of convalescent homes for patients who are well enough not to require constant doctor care but sick enough not to be up and about. Many patients are discharged from the hospitals too early because of bed shortage and inadequate medical care, thereafter leading to unnecessary medical and surgical complications. This causes suffering, prolonged medical leave and loss of many working clays. Often patients are retained in wards in spite of ward overcrowding because of medical, social and economic reasons. Old patients with working children, surgical and orthopaedic patients in high-rise flats, disabled celibates, just cannot be sent away. Convalescent homes are cheaper to build and maintain than hospitals, and certainly more economical in the long run. Indeed, convalescent homes have become an indispensable feature of good medical practice in most advanced western countries. Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to support the motion moved by the Member for Bukit Batok.”
“The Government's decision to build a new General Hospital to replace the existing one at Outram Road is well received by the public and the medical profession. Yet I would be failing in my duty if I do not bring to the attention of this House some aspects of existing medical service that need improvement. We are paying ample emphasis on preventive medicine. But curative medicine needs equal emphasis. As we all know, good health is a vital pre-condition to a more active and meaningful life. As the standard of living goes up, people will demand better medical care. At present in Government institutions, there is a real shortage of doctors, ancillary staff, ward space and other facilities. There will continue the problem of attracting and retaining top calibre personnel as long as pay and service conditions compare poorly with private practice. Again, we need more specialists who can render expert treatment. Not only do we have the problem of retaining doctors in service, but we now face the added problem of attracting good students to study medicine. Each year some 120 students at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Singapore graduate as doctors. Today some 50 per cent of the 3rd year students are non-citizens and 60-70 per cent of the 1st and 2nd year students are non-citizens. Very similar trends are present in the dental and pharmacy schools. What these figures mean really is that we shall he producing fewer and fewer doctors to cope with a situation of rising expectation among the people for better health care. Now, faced with this manpower shortage problem, may I therefore suggest to the Health Ministry that they maximise the utilisation of available staff and post doctors in optimal strength to the various departments.”
“Formal recognition must be given to extra-curricular activities and sports by awarding credits that count in the final analysis and final assessment of a student's performance, entry into institutions of higher learning and employment. In our campaign to build a people tough in mind and body and a rugged society, it is not untimely for the Government to consider establishing a Ministry of Sports. Active participation and interests in sports is so much a part of' our national character. Numerous national sports associations are in existence and much money is spent by these and other interested parties in sports promotion. Yet the standard of sports leaves much to be desired. We have many dedicated people who have given their best in time, energy and years. The National Sports Promotion Board, in spite of its initial promise, is now bogged down by financial and organisational problems. A new Ministry of Sports will certainly he a timely and welcome move. With official recognition, Mr Speaker, a new chapter for sports will begin. Centralised control and authority, finance, expertise, purpose and fair play will do much to elevate sports from the near-gutter state it is now in to higher plains. Next year, we shall host the SEAP Games and, in 1978, the Asian Games. The National Stadium is near completion. So much nationalism and pride are generated in competitive sports and a real boost will come if our sportsmen and athletes do well in these Games. Mr Speaker, Sir, as a medical practitioner, I feel it incumbent upon me to comment on medical service in Singapore. I am proud of the fact that we do indeed have the best medical service in Southeast Asia. Our doctor-population ratio is the lowest.”
“In the next five years, we seek in the words of the President, to achieve in qualitative terms what in the last five years we have achieved in quantitative terms. Wages will go up in a steady and orderly fashion. Health and education are fundamental guarantees for all, young and old. Living must now carry new dimensions-meaning and purpose, not toil and sweat and more toil and more sweat. The Government seeks a more gracious life for all. The city is now clean and green. It will be cleaner and greener. More recreational facilities and social amenities are promised. The performing arts are encouraged. With increasing wealth, the problem of leisure will inevitably set in. The afflictions of advanced western societies are a constant reminder that unless we take adequate steps to avert them, we shall in the years to come succumb. With more money and free time, our youths will turn to distractions and activities that today bear headlines in the mass media in western societies. We have instituted effective measures against drug-taking. But we must remain vigilant and sustain efforts to inculcate good habits and healthy living. The Government quite correctly has placed increasing emphasis on sports and extra-curricular activities in schools. Our educational system must gear itself towards a more comprehensive education. Bi-lingualism is stressed and multi-lingualism encouraged. Civics is part of the school curriculum. More time must be given to the teaching of the arts and subjects like history, geography and literature must have greater relevance to the Southeast Asian and Asian milieu. In short, we seek to produce educated men with all-round abilities and not just literate men with narrow interests and knowledge.”
“Sir, I am happy and honoured to speak in support of the motion moved by the hon. Member for Bukit Batok, thanking the President for the Speech which he delivered on behalf of the Government at the opening of the First Session of this Parliament. Having read and studied the Speech and subsequent Addenda, I am convinced that the Government had done its utmost in deeds and planning to build a Singapore which is today the pride of its citizens and the envy of its neighbours. The plans and guidelines laid out before us for the next five years are glowing testimonies of a government led by able, dedicated and far-sighted leaders, men with vision who see beyond the present into the future, men who stand fast by logic, reason and principles, and men with imagination who care for the people's welfare and Singapore's destiny. The process of nation-building is an unending one. Much had been done in the past, but much remains to be done. Never before in the history of our country is there such material abundance with ample opportunities for jobs and the promise of a good life. Mr Speaker, Sir, we have come a long way. The economy is buoyant with all the signs of continuing growth and sustained momentum. We have a people characterised by industry, enterprise and drive. Our defence build-up is sound; a pragmatic foreign policy of dynamic neutralism and regional co-operation and goodwill, tough internal social and labour measures; all these ensuring political stability, creating the right climate for massive foreign capital investments, and sustained economic growth. While in the past we emphasised on national security and survival, we now stress on the quality of life and gracious living. And this is rightly so.”
“I think there are many factors as to why we should have small families. The family should be kept small, irrespective of whether he is from a poor social class or the rich. I therefore say that the accouchement fee rates must be revised so that if we are to discourage the poor we must also discourage the rich.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to support the spirit of the Statement by the Minister for Health. But I think there are certain points that we have to consider. The first and foremost point is this: we must try our level best to persuade the people of Singapore the significance of having smaller families. To my mind, we have not given sufficient attention to the methods of persuading our people. I think this is one area where we must intensify our efforts in order to have the maximum effect. We can move people much more by persuasion than by imposing additional fees or any other measures like minimising priorities or imposing higher accouchement fees. My contention is that the family planning programme has not been sufficiently intensified. If you have worked in, say, the Kandang Kerbau Hospital, you will notice the degree of ignorance of many people who come from the rural areas. To them, family planning means nothing, it is nonexistent, or they know nothing about it at all. The Minister should, therefore, intensify this campaign in the rural areas and also, in terms of the future, get it across to the schools. I think all our youngsters must know this. The second point is the accouchement fees which the Minister has mentioned. It seems to me that there is hardly any difference in the accouchement fee charged for the C class as compared with B or A class. A person who can afford an A class ward need pay only $250 for the third child, whereas the one who goes into C class pays $100. $100 to a C class ward patient could well mean half a month's salary, but $250 means nothing to one who can afford an A class ward. If we are to discourage large families, we must discourage everyone, not just the poor but the rich as well.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to second the motion.”
“Sir, may I ask the Minister a couple of questions? (1) He has not actually given a breakdown of consumption of the social-class. Will the introduction of these new rates affect the lower income group, particularly those who are poor and living in the $20-a-month Housing and Development Board cats? (2) I notice that the Minister has given us figures which, to my mind, are too many for us to study at this hour. Anyway, he did say that those who consume up to 33 kwh per month and those who largely consume power will benefit from these new rates. Who then will be the ones who have to pay more?”