Othman bin Wok
Singapore
“Mr Speaker, Sir, since 1958, the Land Office has been administering the Singapore Badminton Hall on trust for the Singapore Badminton Association. The Ministry of Social Affairs had been looking into the possibility of the Singapore Sports Council taking over the Singapore Badminton Hall.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, there are no plans to expand the seating capacity of the National Stadium. The present structure can accommodate 60,000 people. The development plans for Phase II of the National Stadium Complex have been abandoned. SINGAPORE BADMINTON HALL (Take-over by Singapore Sports Council) 22.”
“Mr Teo Chong Tee asked the Minister for Social Affairs (a) whether the Sri Rama temple which has been existing for more than 31 years in Changi Village will be allowed to remain on the present site in view of its significant importance of being the only one of its kind in Singapore as well as in the whole of South East Asia; and (b) if so…”
“I have already mentioned previously in this House that my Ministry is setting up a coordinating committee of officials from various Ministries and departments to see what can be done for these cases. I would like to assure the hon.”
“Sir, I am not aware of this temple in Changi and I am also not aware that it is going to be pulled down, or whether it is to be preserved and thus allowed to continue its activities.”
“I have had such requests since the early sixties but on each occasion I have been unable to bring about the operation of this part of the legislation mainly because of two reasons: (i) the tremendous amount of cost that would have been involved; and (ii) it is felt that all prosecutions, being supervised by the Attorney-General, would onl…”
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“Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The Women's Charter (Amendment) Bill, 1975, was introduced in Parliament on 25th February 1975. The Bill, now before the House, seeks to repeal and re-enact section 93, subsection (2), of the Women's Charter. The Women's Charter was enacted in 1961 and since its coming into operation a number of difficulties in its application have arisen making it necessary for it to be reviewed in relation to the changing social and economic situation in Singapore and the need to strengthen the family unit in our society. Amendments are also necessary to ensure that the legislation is socially relevant and effective in enhancing the status and promoting the welfare of women and families. In 1967, an Act was passed to amend the Women's Charter. One of the main purposes was to make clear that non-Muslim customary marriages will be brought within the ambit of the Charter and be solemnised in accordance with its provisions. A new section was inserted in the Charter which provides that a marriage which is solemnised without a certificate for marriage or a licence authorising the marriage from the Registrar of Marriages or the Minister, as the case may be, shall be void. It is not the intention of the Government to prevent customary marriages from taking place. A person before going through a Chinese customary marriage should comply with the provisions of the Charter relating to capacity, minimum age and consent. A certificate for marriage or a licence under the provisions of the Charter must be obtained.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Jurong never gives up. The Fire Station will be completed next month and it is expected to be operational in June, as I have said earlier. It will have two fire engines and an ambulance and they will provide a 24-hour round-the-clock service to the public and give fire cover to the western part of Singapore including, of course, the Jurong Town, the Jurong Industrial Estate, the major portions of the areas served by Jurong Road and Chua Chu Kang Road, and the whole of Lim Chu Kang and the areas around it.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, although a few fire-fighting displays were held during the Fire Brigade Week last year, emphasis was in fact placed on fire-prevention. The fire-fighting displays attracted huge crowds and helped to arouse greater fire-consciousness in the people, while a massive programme to educate them on fire hazards and the methods of fire prevention was being mounted. Booklets, brochures and posters on fire prevention in the home and industry were printed in the various languages for free distribution to the public, and the Brigade visited some schools and community centres to give lectures on fire prevention. The week-long exhibition at the People's Park Concourse also provided a wealth of information on fire prevention. The Singapore Fire Brigade had, in fact, proposed an ambitious programme for this year involving a total sum of $27,550 to educate our population on fire prevention methods and what to do in the event of a fire. However, owing to the constraint on public expenditure, only $8,000 was approved for this project. The bulk of this provision will be spent to expand the Brigade's educational programmes for every level of the community.”
“The Council will effect co-ordination between the People's Association, the community centres and their sports organisers with the various national sports associations to ensure that suitable sporting activities are planned at the grass-root level, which are of appeal to young and old alike. In the final analysis, sports promotion is a community obligation. The Sports Council cannot be expected to achieve its objectives within a few years. Sports consciousness needs a long time to inculcate.”
“Both the Ministry of Education and the Singapore Sports Council have looked into the respective sports promotion programmes in their areas and have independently come to the same conclusion that popular demand for sports promotion involves 15 sports, including sea sports. These sports are being actively promoted in schools, SSC will develop programmes and facilities to ensure that continuity is provided for. The Member for Serangoon is right in stressing the importance of physical education. Both the Ministry and the Singapore Sports Council recognise that a programme of mass participation and involvement in sports is needed to raise the level of physical fitness of our people, particularly our young. Planning for sports by the Council and the schools and educational authorities will he based on, the philosophy of encouraging participation in sports and games by both the talented and the untalented, the strong as well as the weak. The Council is now studying the requirements pertaining to physical education. A Committee has been appointed to look into the necessity and feasibility of establishing an Institute of Physical Education and Sports in Singapore. Two senior officials of the Ministry of Education are now serving as members of the Singapore Sports Council, one of whom is the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Education and the other is the Chairman of the Extra Curricular Activities Advisory Committee. The People's Association is also represented on the Singapore Sports Council, and it has been given the res- ponsibility for the co-ordination of intraconstituency sports.”
“SSC is currently planning a sports programme which will provide sports development in the country over the next 5-10 years, in conjunction with the Master Plan on Sports Facilities. This planning is now at the data collection stage, after which consultation will be commenced with all departments and organisations involved in sports promotion, such as the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Defence, People's Association, the Singapore National Olympic Council and national sports organisations. The plan will examine the integration of all sports promotion projects and activities from the schools to the national level. It will cater for all grades of participants. Some areas of development in this plan which will be examined by the Committee to be set up, are as follows: (a) A comprehensive physical education curriculum from kindergarten through university to ensure that meaningful activities and continuity throughout the years of formal education and carry-over value into adult years. (b) Systematic establishment of a network of recreation and sports centres throughout the Republic in conjunction with the Master Plan on Sports Facilities. (c) Preparation and training of physical recreation and sports leaders at a rate commensurate with the growth and requirements of physical recreation and sports centres. (d) Provision of a comprehensive sports service through which the public is provided with ample opportunities to learn sports skills. The question of the implementation of such a plan will depend primarily upon how the various ministries anti organisations can shoulder the responsibilities and respond to the overall plan. The role of SSC is one of coordination.”
“Sir, the Singapore Sports Council, which was formed through the amalgamation of the National Sports Promotion Board and the National Stadium Corporation took over the assets and liabilities of the two former sports organisations. Though efforts are being made by the management of the Council to make a good number of its sports projects economically viable, most sports facilities and activities co-ordinated by the Council have to be heavily subsidised. An example is the seven swimming pools which are being administered by the Council. Subsidy of these pools ranges from 45% to 92.5%. The charges for admission to the swimming pools and for the usage of other sports facilities such as playing fields, are low, and have to be so, if we are to encourage people to take part in recreational sports. The financial standing of the SSC is as follows. The SSC carries loans, for the construction of the National Stadium, totalling $15.15 million at 5¾ and these are fully repayable. The interest payable from 1975 is $238,438 and this will increase proportionately in the coming years. The income of the Council which includes a projection of revenue up to the end of the financial year (31.3.75) will be in the region of $5.101 million, while the expenditure, including the estimated expenditure up to 31.3.75, will be around $5.058 million. The revenue includes a $2.5 million grant from Government and a $800,000 grant from the Singapore Pools. The reason for the likely excess revenue over expenditure is due to the Council earning more revenue for 1974 than had been anticipated. However, there has been no provision of payment of interest due to loans, or part-payment of the loan itself. SSC cannot see how it can ever pay these outstanding loans.”
“A Search and Rescue Squad has been formed by the Brigade to effect the rescue of trapped victims in the event of fire involving a high-rise building. Helicopters will be used mainly for the rescue of people trapped in the roof tops of such buildings. Firemen will be transported by helicopter to the roof top where they will pacify the victims initially, and then arrange for their orderly evacuation by helicopter. Fire-fighting equipment can also be lowered down to the roof top by helicopter so that fire-fighting operations can be conducted from the roof top as well. Helicopters have been used very successfully for rescue operations in larger cities such as Tokyo, New York, Los Angeles and Sao Paulo, and I am confident that we can adopt this method of aerial evacuation with an equally high degree of success. I must, however, warn that helicopters will only be used in extreme cases to evacuate people who in their attempt to escape by descending the staircases are driven up by heat and smoke to seek refuge at the roof top. They should only ascend to the roof top as a last resort.”
“When the Singapore Fire Brigade was actively involved in making recommendations for fire prevention facilities in all buildings, they ensured that there were adequate measures for the protection of life and property in the event of fire. Stringent requirements were imposed on high-rise buildings including the provision of - (a) automatic sprinklers for early detection and extinguishment of fire; (b) automatic fire detectors; (c) wet and dry rising mains for fire-fighting; (d) properly enclosed and protected staircases for escape purposes; (e) ventilated lobbies fire-fighting; (f) fire lifts for the use of firemen in emergencies; (g) first-aid fire-fighting equipment such as hose-reels, and extinguishers; and (h) the use of non-combustible building materials to control spread of fire. Since 1st August, 1973, this function has been transferred to the Building Control Division of the Public Works Department. However, I believe that the high standards of fire prevention advocated by the Brigade have been maintained through a Fire Code which was prepared by the Building Control Division in consultation with the Singapore Fire Brigade. Fire-fighting in the upper floors of HDB flats poses obvious problems as HDB buildings do not have built-in facilities. A fire hose has to be transported manually to the affected level, and it is then lowered down and connected to a fire pump in the fire engine. I hope this difficulty can be solved when the Housing and Development Board adopts the Safety Code of Practice which has been drafted in consultation with the Fire Department. The proposed Code will include the provision of rising mains, access ways for fire engines, fire lifts and fire resistance entrance doors to fiats in HDB buildings.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Singapore Fire Brigade has recommended that the first-aid fire-fighting equipment, such as extinguishers which are installed in commercial buildings and factories, should be tested and checked at least once a year, and also immediately after they are discharged. The Brigade provides this service to members of the public at a nominal fee. The Brigade conducts regular courses on the fundamentals of fire-fighting, rescue methods, evacuation procedures and fire prevention for industrial personnel, occupants of high-rise buildings and organised groups. Last year, about 3,000 persons from various sectors of our community, including factory workers, shipyard employees, safety officers and staff of commercial and industrial establishments, civic organisations and occupants of high-rise buildings participated in these courses. Since the beginning of this year, over 2,000 persons have benefited from the Brigade's educational programmes. When the training wing of the Jurong Fire Station is established in June 1975, the Brigade would be in a better position to expand and diversify its training programmes for members of the public. The Brigade also conducts regular fire drills at the numerous industrial premises, high-rise buildings and fire-risk areas all over Singapore. Such drills arc sometimes organised jointly with the managements of industrial and commercial buildings. These drills also enable the firemen to be familiar with fire-risk areas and the possible hazards in the various buildings, so that they can plan and coordinate fire-fighting and carry out fire ground operations more effectively in the event of fire. 4.00 p.m.”
“As the Bureau is rendering a useful social service for the poor, it must have adequate staff to carry Out its work satisfactorily. The Ministry will continue to press for the required posts to ensure that the Bureau functions effectively. It is simply up to the Ministry of Finance to consider the requirements of the Legal Aid Bureau in terms of funds, resources and manpower and accord priority to them in relation to proposals in other fields. Regarding the Member's comment on the Registry Section, action has already been taken to improve the situation. A Record Keeper/Paper Searcher has been posted to the Bureau. The Bureau has a system of issuing interview cards similar to what the Member for Anson suggested. The receipt issued to applicants on payment of $ 1 for registration also contains particulars of the applicant and the file reference. Applicants are expected to bring these documents whenever they convey to the Bureau. Difficulty in tracing case files only arises when the applicants either do not bring or forget to bring their receipts or the interview cards. I am satisfied that the staff of the Registry Section of the Bureau have been efficient. There have been no complaints of impoliteness or discourtesy.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, while I agree with the Member for Anson that the Legal Aid Bureau is in critical need of more staff, I cannot agree with the statement that there is undue delay on the part of the Bureau in dealing with the cases. Legal cases are not all the same. Some are simple cases which can be settled straightaway. Others take a longer time depending on their complexity and the legal processes involved. Cases that require court proceedings normally take some tithe to resolve. Take the example of a person seeking aid to claim damages for injuries sustained in a traffic accident. In such cases, the Bureau has to apply for police reports, medical reports and particulars of vehicles involved from the Registry of Vehicles. The Police would have to investigate the more serious accidents and inform the Bureau of the results of their investigations. More often than not, there is a need for applicants to undergo further medical examinations. The question of liability would have to be discussed and correspondence entered into with insurance companies or their solicitors. Instructions have to be obtained from applicants in respect of letters received, and suitable replies sent. Should an offer be made subsequently, this would have to be communicated to the applicants and, more often than not, the quantum of damages would be the subject of negotiations until a settlement is reached to the satisfaction of the applicants. Should a settlement fail to materialise, court proceedings would have to be instituted. Court documents would have to be prepared, filed and served. Thereafter, a date would have to be fixed by the Court for the hearing of the cases All these take a great deal of time. I am more concerned about the staffing position of the Legal Aid Bureau.”
“Sir, there has already been cooperation between the Singapore and Malaysian Governments on the question of looking after the welfare of Singapore pilgrims in Jeddah. In fact, the Singapore Government gives a contribution to the Pilgrim's Fund, Malaysia, every year to look after our pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.”
“Singapore pilgrims now travel with pilgrimage passes issued by the Pilgrim Officer of Singapore. The Pilgrim's Fund, Malaysia, which has a network of welfare and medical facilities in Saudi Arabia, recognise these passes and extend to Singapore holders of these passes its medical and welfare services at Saudi Arabia. Officials of the Council have checked on this at Saudi Arabia and found that these arrangements are very satisfactory. They have reported that our pilgrims enjoyed excellent health services provided by the Malaysian Medical Mission. They received prompt medical attention whenever and wherever medical care was required. I have said this before in Parliament, and I still am of the view, that since the arrangements made with the Pilgrim's Fund, Malaysia, to provide medical and welfare services to our pilgrims are satisfactory, there is no necessity to set up our own medical and welfare missions. The Council is also looking into the activities of pilgrim brokers to ensure that they provide good service to Singapore pilgrims. As a start, the Council has recommended to the Ministry that pilgrim brokers licences should only be granted to those who have a good record of service. Those who are just interested in making money and who make empty promises to pilgrims will not be granted licences. The Council is considering appointing a few reliable pilgrim brokers in Mecca specially to look after Singapore pilgrims. This arrangement will ensure that Singapore pilgrims will not be neglected by brokers who are only interested in making money and are not really prepared to render good service in Mecca, Medina and Jeddah.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Kampung Kembangan referred to the scheme of collecting 50 cents from each Muslim per month through the CPF for the Mosque Building Fund and asked whether this scheme could be extended for other purposes which would benefit the Muslim community in Singapore. It is necessary to make it clear that this scheme as well as the Mosque Building Fund are introduced for a specific purpose, and that is, to raise sufficient money for the building of a mosque in each new town. The scheme as it stands is to build four new mosques, each varying between $500,000 and $800,000 in cost, in Toa Payoh, Jurong, Queenstown and Chai Chee in the course of the next three to eight years. Two other mosques will also be built eventually in Woodlands or Ama Keng and Telok Blangah or Pasir Panjang. The Government will review the situation after the completion of these six mosques to find out whether there is a need for this scheme to continue. But, first, let us collect the money to enable us to build all the six mosques. I share with the Member for Kampung Kembangan his concern for the welfare of Singapore pilgrims during their pilgrimage to Mecca. I have, in fact, asked the Muslim Religious Council to look into this problem closely to ensure that our Singapore pilgrims are well looked after in Saudi Arabia. For this purpose, a Pilgrimage Committee was set up by the Council. At the same time, the Administration of Muslim Law Act is being revised to place the responsibility for pilgrimage on the Council. Even before the legal framework for implementing various decisions to improve the arrangements for pilgrimage of Singapore Muslims, the Council has implemented a number of measures.”
“Sir, I agree with the Member. I thought that, since he has made this complaint, he could have been there. It is just a misunderstanding and I apologise.”
“For the tournament in question, more than 6,000 invitation cards had been issued to each constituency to encourage them to witness the finals and to give support to the tournament. The finalists were given extra invitation cards as it was expected that they would bring in their supporters to cheer them on. It would have been quite easy to fill the SBA Hall with "conscripted" spectators, but this is the wrong thing to do. It is better to have fewer genuine and interested spectators than to have unwilling and disinterested spectators. The solution to this problem lies in reviving badminton as a sport for the masses. A long-term plan will have to be worked out by the SBA with the assistance of the Singapore Sports Council.”
“So I am afraid the field has to be left as it is for the time being. The Member also referred to the signboard outside the Stadium-"No fishing or swimming is allowed". He was not aware that he was, in fact, looking at an ornamental pond in its embryonic stage of development. This has been in-eluded as one of the development projects for the new financial year. The Ministry of the Environment and the PWD are now finalising plans for the development of this pond to blend with an aesthetic landscaped area. In order to prevent mosquito breeding in this pond, fishes are reared there, and the signboard is to ensure that the fishes can be left in peace. The Member further referred to the football match against China when it was necessary to drain off water before the commencement of the match. Pumps cannot be used when there is no more than 1½ inches of water on the ground. The Sports Council only use pumps when the water level is higher, at about 4½ inches. The officials should, in fact, be commended for their keenness and initiative in trying to improve the condition of the ground before the match. The finals of the inter-constituency badminton tournament last year was held at the SBA Hall and not at the Gay World Badminton Stadium. Obviously, the Member for Anson was not there. This tournament was organised by the Singapore Badminton Association and not the SSC. Admittedly, at this tournament there were not many spectators, but there were definitely more than 40 spectators present. Badminton nowadays appears to have lost its glamour because even at national championships organised by the SBA, spectator support has been disappointing.”
“There are sufficient open spaces and footpaths for people to walk. The tiny drains within the Stadium grounds do not pose a danger. In any case, the SSC will look into this problem more closely and, if there are drains which need to be covered, appropriate action will be taken. The security guards as well as the staff of the SSC have always been told to be polite and courteous when dealing with members of the public. They will be reminded again of the importance of public relations. The SSC always welcome complaints of discourtesy from members of the public and will examine these complaints impartially. For football matches where admission charges are' levied at the National Stadium, entry is either by tickets or by turnstiles for which no tickets are issued. When a capacity crowd is expected, pre-game sales of tickets are carried out. For all tickets sold, counter-foils are issued. Band music and performances have been and will continue to be provided to entertain the spectators. The organisation of additional activities to entertain the crowd will be looked into by the SSC. The Stadium gates open three hours before each game. Usually, the more enthusiastic spectators may come in about two hours earlier before the scheduled time of play, and their purpose is to secure the best seats for the game. The field at Farrer Park has no underground drainage. It is also subjected to constant flooding as it is lower than the roads surrounding it. Every time the Farrer Park field is flooded, the top soil is washed away and, moreover, the field is heavily used every day. All this accounts for its poor condition. The cost of raising the level of the field and the provision of an underground subsoil drainage is prohibitive.”
“6 million which the SSC received from Government is being utilised for the following projects: (a) to upgrade sports facilities with a view to maximising usage; (b) to landscape and develop certain areas at the National Stadium Complex; (c) to settle the fees due to Phase 11 Consultants; and (d) to pay to Government its share of renovation and construction of the car parks at the National Stadium Complex for the Park and Ride Scheme. The SSC has the responsibility of upgrading existing facilities and developing new facilities. For all such capital expenditure, loans and not grants are approved by Treasury. The revenue from Toto does not go directly to the SSC. The Government, however, after examining the budget of the SSC and offsetting it against anticipated revenue, makes up the deficit with a direct grant which includes a donation from Toto. Situated between the National Stadium and Nicoll Highway is a parcel of land which is undulating in places. This will be developed by the Parks and Recreation Division of the PWD into a park complete with lighting and footpaths. The SSC will develop, in conjunction with the Parks and Recreation Division, the entire area including the Sports Garden at the East. Entrance of the National Stadium into a recreational area. Also included will be an ornamental pond and a proposed food centre. The SSC will look into the question of lighting up the area referred to, in conjunction with the Parks and Recreation Division, when the area has been developed into a park. The people who fall into drains are those who have tried to take short-cuts and who are careless. Quite a number of them have even damaged plants and torn down chain-link fences in order to take short-cuts across the area.”
“Pregnancy of the girl is one of the considerations, but certainly not the overriding consideration for the granting of special licences, though we normally expedite such cases. The Member for Serangoon Gardens can rest assured that my Ministry takes a sympathetic view of cases of genuine hardship, either due to pregnancy or to family circumstances, and in many instances the Social Welfare Department goes out of the way to provide assistance to couples who are in difficulty. 2.45 p.m. Sir, the Member for Anson made criticisms on the National Stadium. I have this to say. The Singapore Sports Council is not, promoting only football. It has given it proper emphasis as it is only football that will draw crowds to the National Stadium. No other sport can pack the National Stadium. This also helps the SSC to earn revenue, besides maximising the usage of the National Stadium. The SSC has assisted in the promotion of a number of other sports by way of free usage of facilities for training, organisation-, of courses for coaches and officials, training schemes and instructional lessons. To name a few, they arc basketball, sepak takraw, swimming, waterpolo, netball, badminton, lawn tennis, and athletics. Inter-constituency sports are being promoted by the SSC while intra constituency games (between community centres) are, at present, being mainly organised by the People's Association. There is no overlapping or confusion, as there is very close coordination and cooperation between the SSC and the People's Association. The preparation of the Inter-Constituency Tournament Calendar is made available to the People's Association which is also represented in the organisation of every inter-constituency sports competition. The loan of $1.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, may `I first reply to the Member for Serangoon Gardens. There is a restriction in respect of non-citizens holding work permits :marrying Singapore citizens: This is not found in- our marriage policy but in the work permit policy. This work permit policy came into effect on 1st July. 1973. Under this policy work permit holders must first obtain the approval of the Commissioner for Employment before contracting marriage with Singapore citizens. A condition is stipulated in all work permits that a work permit is automatically forfeited if the holder, having less than five years' continuous employment in Singapore, marries a Singapore citizen without the prior approval of the Commissioner for Employment This provision cannot be evaded by the work permit holder .giving up the work permit and then contracting marriage with a Singapore citizen in another country. Thus, a non-citizen female work permit holder who wishes to marry, a Singapore citizen will have to obtain the prior approval of the Commissioner for Employment. Where one of the parties to such a marriage is below the age of 18 years, then a special licence must be obtained as required under the Women's Charter. For this, the same criteria apply to all applicants irrespective of whether they are work permit holders or not. We normally consider whether the general welfare of the girl will be enhanced by the marriage. We also consider the maturity of the couples and their financial position. Applications for special licences are normally rejected if the couples show no genuine desire for marriage or are pressurised by parents, guardians or relatives to marry. We will also reject the applications for special marriage licences if one or both parties to a marriage knowingly flout our laws.”
“Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply has made further progress on the Main and Development Estimates of Expendi- ture for the financial year 1st April, 1974 to 31st March, 1975, and ask leave to sit again tomorrow.”
“Sir, I would like to congratulate the Member for his patience, tolerance and keenness to see that a worthwhile project like the fire station at Jurong is completed to the end, as he has asked this question on several occasions. Sir, the project was unavoidably delayed, first, because funds were not made available by Government, and then because time was required to plan for the station. The Member may wish to know that piling work for the station has now been completed and tenders have been invited for the construction of the fire station. Provided there are no snags in the way, the fire station should be completed by the end of this year and could be operational early in the new year. In the meantime, I would plead with him to he a little more patient.”
“Sir, there has been a discussion between my Ministry and the Ministry of National Development on the question of fire safety precautions in Housing Board flats. The Fire Brigade has put up quite a number of suggestions and recommendations which are now being studied by the Ministry of National Development. We have to wait and see what action will be taken by the other side. On the question raised by the Member for Anson, the hoses are checked and maintained, not every now and then but everyday. But, as I have said, certain types of hoses must be allowed to leak a little so that the hoses are saturated and that keeps them cool and prevent them from getting burnt. In a big fire, the heat is tremendous and some hoses do catch fire. On the question of traffic jams and the suggestion that drivers should be told that, whenever a fire-engine is answering a call, they should keep to the side and allow the fire-engine to pass through, the fire-engines are equipped with very loud-sounding sirens. Every driver knows that he has to give way to the fire-engine. But if there is a traffic jam, nobody can move and so the fire engine also cannot move.”
“This was especially so during the past three years when the growth of industrialisation in the Republic created golden opportunities for experienced fire officers to join the private sector as fire and safety officers. Such careers in the industries offered better salaries and were less hazardous than the job of a fire officer in the Singapore Fire Brigade. The shortage of staff is also due to crimping by the private sector. Last year alone, the Fire Brigade lost one divisional officer, one assistant divisional officer and eight station officers who were top people in the service to the shipyards and petroleum companies. In the public interest, such crimping must cease. The firms should employ new staff instead of taking experienced officers and men from the Brigade. The Brigade would be only too pleased to assist in giving the needed training to them, if necessary. Whatever it is, Sir, it is hoped that with the new salary revision of the Fire Service we will be able to retain our experienced men and attract more candidates of fine calibre into the service.”
“The upper floors of high-rise buildings are obviously above the range of this equipment. However, the modern method of extinguishing fires in high-rise buildings is to fight the fires from within. No mechanical ladder in the world is high enough to reach levels above 150 feet or so. Hence, the Fire Brigade has previously insisted on stringent fire protection measures in high-rise buildings. However, this function has been taken over by the Building Control Division under the Ministry of National Development since 1st August, 1973. With effect from 1st April, 1974, all other five regulatory functions, including the licensing of dangerous trades, will be transferred to the same authority, so that henceforth the Fire Brigade will be able to concentrate on fire-fighting. On the question of use of helicopters, this is being discussed by the Ministry with the Ministry of Defence. The use of helicopters is more for rescue than fighting fires. Sir, on the question of the shortage of staff in the Singapore Fire Brigade, I am happy to inform the House that the Ministry's negotiation with the Amalgamated Union of Public Employees on the salary revision of the Fire Service has been successfully concluded. I have the new salary scales here but, because of lack of time, I am not able to inform Members of the full details. But if they like, I can circulate it to them for their information. Sir, it is common knowledge that the salaries and conditions of service in the Singapore Fire Brigade are not as attractive as those offered in the private sector. There were few incentives to attract good recruits into the service and the Brigade also found it difficult to retain experienced and promising officers.”
“Both the Commission of Inquiry and my Ministry are satisfied that the Fire Brigade has maintained its forces well. With regard to the complaint that fire-engines sometimes arrive late, may I point out that these allegations have never been proven. On the contrary, our records show that the Brigade has always responded promptly to fire-calls. Perhaps people in distress are often prone to over-react and exaggerate. The Member may also wish to know that the Fire Brigade is ready at any time to educate members of the public in fire-fighting and fire prevention. Since the beginning of this year the Brigade has given lectures to youth organisations, welfare homes, Government and quasi-Government bodies and industrial concerns on 13 separate occasions. Approximately 200 school children and industrial workers visited the fire stations and were entertained to a demonstration of fire-drills, fire-fighting and rescue exercises. Through the years the Brigade has been advising the Ministry of Education on fire protection measures in the schools. The Brigade has also planned some programmes on fire education for the schools, which would include lectures, exhibitions, film shows and fire-drills. We hope to implement such programmes during the course of the year. 7.45 p.m. On the question of whether the equipment for fire-fighting in high-rise buildings is adequate or not, I am happy to affirm that the Brigade is equipped to fight fires in high-rise buildings. The Brigade has a total of 37 modern fire-fighting appliances, 27 of these appliances can each pump 500 to 1,000 gallons of water per minute at a reasonably high pressure. The Brigade is also equipped with two mechanical ladders reaching a maximum height of 100 feet and one hydraulic platform of 65 feet high.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Fire Brigade has always insisted on a high standard of fire preventive measures in buildings, whether they be private or public buildings or whether the building is a block of Housing Board flats. Previously the Housing Board was responsible for prescribing and enforcing such requirements in their buildings on behalf of the Building Control Division. The recommendations made by the Fire Brigade would ensure that in the event of a fire, protected staircases would be available to facilitate evacuation and that the construction of fire walls would minimise the possibility of a wild fire involving the entire building. All buildings that would be frequented by members of the public are also required to install automatic fire detection systems connected to fire stations, and in-built fire-fighting facilities, such as risers and hose rails, were prescribed for all buildings for the use of firemen in an emergency. The Member for Anson may wish to know that the Robinsons building which he mentioned was erected in 1910, and it was not built in accordance with the current regulations governing fire protection measures. The fire precautionary measures in Robinsons building were clearly inadequate by present-day standards. The Commission of Inquiry into the Robinson's Fire was satisfied that the building could not have been saved by the time the Fire Brigade was summoned. The fire had been allowed to be nursed in the loft stores without being detected, and the fire-fighting squad was fighting the fire at the wrong location. With regard to the leaking hoses, the Member may wish to know that a certain amount of leaking was intended in certain types of hoses to saturate the hose jacket and to protect the hoses from catching fire.”
“Sir, I want to thank the Member for Boon Teck for his suggestion. If there is a need for the hours to be extended to include the shift workers, we will certainly consider it. As for the point raised about transport, we did a very thorough survey into this problem and we found that only five parents require transport. But being a man who is open to suggestions, I will satisfy the Member's curiosity and direct another survey to find out how many people really want such transport service. If the number justifies it, we will have a transport service for the children. As for the Member for Bras Basah, he has got a point there, Sir,I will bear his suggestion in mind, and when the time is appropriate, I shall then take the necessary action.”
“In my recent visit to factories to encourage the employment of handicapped persons, I raised this question of establishing creches with many employers in the private sector. The response from the employers was encouraging, and some of them have already contacted the Social Welfare Department for assistance in creche planning. 1 would like to thank the Member for Sembawang, Sir, for his compliment on the newly opened creche at Kallang Bahru. In fact, I was told that he was the first person to register his child for admission to the creche. Regarding the question raised by the Member for Boon Teck, the hours of all creches in Singapore are from 7 a.m, to 6 p.m. I think this is quite fair to both working mothers and mothers who want to play mahjong, as he has put it.”
“The normal practice is for the HDB to build creches within the housing estates. Once the creches are built, they are rented out to the Social Welfare Department which will provide the creche service. If there is a demonstrated need for creches to be established outside the housing estate, then provision will be sought in the Estimates for the creche. The Member may be pleased to know that the Social Welfare Department is now negotiating with the HDB for a new creche to be built in the Telok Blangah New Town. The Government is also planning to establish creches in other Housing and Development Board estates where there is a high concentration of working mothers for the benefit of the Member for Sembawang. It is not possible, Sir, to use the community centres and their facilities for the running of creches. The Member, I am sure, is well aware of the intensive use of community centre facilities. In any case, creches should be specially designed with special equipment and facilities to cater for very young children, from babies of a few months old to children of six years old. The Member for Bukit Ho Swee has rightly mentioned, Sir, that private concerns should play a part in making available more creches for the benefit of the workers. This is an area of community welfare in which the private sector, the factories and industrial and business establishments, can play a part, either individually or jointly with others. Commercial and industrial establishments can set up creches, whether big or small, as part of their welfare facilities for their staff. This helps to discourage job-hopping and ensure that investment on the skill given to female employees is not wasted when they stop work just because they have children to look after at home.”
“The Social Welfare Department has made enquiries from parents using the Jurong Town creche, and learned that only five parents have so far expressed the need for transport for their children. The result of the survey presently being conducted will decide whether the need to provide transport facilities is justified or not. The Social Welfare Department maintains that it would be pointless to arrange for a NTUC van or bus with a capacity of 20 to 30 children to carry just 6 to 8 children who require transport. As for a second creche in Jurong Town, Sir, he will be pleased to know that the Government is planning, with very close co-operation and assistance of the Jurong Town Corporation, to build one more creche in Jurong Town, most probably in Neighbourhood II. The department is at the moment actively consulting the Jurong Town Corporation on this matter, and it is hoped that this second creche in Jurong Town will materialise soon and will be a boon to the mothers working in Jurong. On the point raised by the Member for Telok Blangah, Sir, he is right in putting up the need for the establishment of more creches, not only from the point of view of promoting child welfare, but because we must actively encourage more women to take up full-time employment to overcome the shortage of labour. In fact, the Government's policy is to build more creches especially in housing estates, where there is a demand for such facilities. Creches will be established in the major housing estates built by the Housing and Development Board as part of its social services to residents therein and to people either living or working near these estates. As such, there is no necessity to make provision in the Estimates for the building of creches.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, first, in reply to the matters raised by the Member for Jurong. I am glad to say, Sir, that the two suggestions made by him are being looked into by the Social Welfare Department. As for the extension of hours of opening of the creche, the Member may be pleased to know that, though the official closing time of the Jurong Town creche is 5.00 p.m., parents have been allowed to come back to the creche to collect their children as late as 6.30 p.m, or even 7.00 p.m. Presently, a survey is being conducted to find out ways and means to improve the facilities and services available in the creches. The results and findings of the survey, which include the Jurong Town creche, will determine whether it is feasible to consider an extension of the hours of opening of creches and the service of transporting the children to the creches. However, such extra services can only be carried out if there is sufficient response from the parents, the Social Welfare Department was most disappointed when the extension of creche hours at the Toa Payoh creche met with very poor response. As creche services are very heavily subsidised by the Government, the Member for Jurong will appreciate that unless there is ample response, it will not be feasible to extend the opening hours of the creche for the sake of a handful of children. Furthermore, any provision of transport services for children, if found necessary eventually, will have to be borne by the parents concerned, as the Government is already very heavily subsidising the creche services rendered to each child who attends the creche every day.”
“Sir, as mentioned by the Member, there is such a home now in existence in Singapore, and that is the St. John's Home for the Aged. The capital sum required to build a fairly comfortable accommodation of flats or rooms costs a lot of money. Unless that capital sum is found by the voluntary organisations themselves -not the Government because I do not think the Government can afford to have such homes built for them. I think society has a responsibility towards the aged people in these days. Furthermore, with the announcement made by my colleague, the Minister for Finance, of the $750 tax relief allowance for the caring of aged parents, I hope this incentive will persuade the people to look after their aged relatives and parents, rather than just put them in old people's homes, whether run by the State or by voluntary organisations.”
“Sir, I entirely agree with the view of the Member that some sort of investigation should be carried out to put things right in respect of such dubious welfare homes. In fact, they are mushrooming in Singapore. Of course, people who do not want to look after their aged relatives find it very convenient to send these old people to such homes. There is no condition attached to those people who send their unwanted relatives to these homes. Aged people who are admitted into our homes have to conform to certain conditions. For example, they must be alone, with no relatives, and must be really poor. But in the case of private welfare homes, some of the inmates can maintain themselves, as the Member himself knows, and they are paying as much as $180 per month. But, I think some sort of investigation should be done on this. In fact, I have discussed this with my officials and we are going to institute an investigation into this to find out how many such homes there are in Singapore. Pending such findings, I cannot say anything more on this. Dr Ong Leong Boon: Sir, I wish to thank the Minister for his reassurance.”
“In addition, it charges one per cent on those members' borrowing rate of interest. As regards the Member's question on co-operative societies in general, he may be pleased to know that at present there are 77 co-operative societies. Out of these, seven are considered inactive, but I do not think they are "lost in the wilderness" as efforts are being made by the Registry to revive them. I would also like to assure the Member that there are no crocodiles in the co-operative movement. Co-operative societies are closely supervised by the Registrar. Their accounts are periodically audited by the Registry's officials, including an accountant working part-time. Co-operatives are entirely different from chit funds. The co-operative system and principle are specially designed to improve the economic, social and cultural situation of any country, and more particularly for groups of people with limited resources and opportunities, based on the principle of self-help and mutual co-operation. It is the Government's policy to encourage the movement to grow, and to curb inflation greater emphasis will be laid on the formation of consumer co-operatives and the WELCOME-type supermarkets. More and more of the existing co-operative societies are being encouraged to form themselves as multi-purpose co-operative societies whose activities will include bulk purchasing to enable members to purchase goods at a low price. The Member's suggestion, Sir, for essential products to be channelled through the appropriate co-operative societies is a welcome one. Already we have the NTUC WELCOME Co-operative whose organisation can easily take on this role.”
“The Member for Anson made specific reference to the Singapore Government Officers' Co-operative Housing Society and the role of the Registrar of Co-operative Societies in solving the problems of this society. As I have stated earlier, co-operative societies are autonomous organisations. The problems of this particular society could have been easily solved by the sale of properties since that Co-operative has considerable capital assets, including buildings and lands, but the management considered this to be a last resort. The Registrar in circumstances like this cannot overstep his authority by imposing his will upon the Co-operative to order it to sell its properties at a time when property prices were rising rapidly. The Registrar very prudently avoided a confrontation with the management and endeavoured to help the society in other ways. A loan was arranged from the Government to strengthen the financial position of the Co-operative. The activities of this Society are being closely supervised to prevent further misuse of funds and mismanagement. Also, the Registrar insisted on a priority list for refunds to be drawn up. Priority was given to those resigned members who could furnish proof of purchasing flats or houses on their own. So far about 700 resigned members have realised their assets. I am not aware of any instance where the Society has overcharged its members for payment of houses. The Society normally estimates the price of a housing unit and grants loans to members amounting to 7/8ths of the estimated price. This does not include charges incurred by the Society for the completion of the houses, for example, roads, drains, sewerage, planning and architect's fees and legal fees, and so on.”
“At that time the intention was to promote rural co-operatives as part of the functions of the Primary Production Department. The present Registry, apart from inheriting this title in the Estimates, also inherited the structure and functions and also a small staff geared only to carry out the administrative and auditing duties as far as other co-operative societies are concerned. It is not geared for promotional research and training functions which are considered vital for the strengthening of the co-operative movement in Singapore. Whether the Registry can be reorganised for these roles or not will depend to a large extent upon the availability of additional staff which, unfortunately, was not made available to us despite strong representation from the Ministry and despite the recommendations of the ILO expert. Despite the shortage of staff which has remained unchanged all these years, the Registrar has drawn up an ambitious programme which has already created some impact and helped the movement not only in diversifying its activities but also in developing a sense of common purpose and common identity. However, there is still much to he done. In April last year a plan of action to strengthen the co-operative movement has been drawn up. School co-operatives are being established. Consumer co-operatives are being encouraged throughout the economic sector. There is now a close working relationship between the Registry and the Singapore National Co-operative Union and the NTUC. It is hoped that in time to come a co-operative federation will be formed to monitor the activities and give new directions to the co-operative movement in Singapore. The co-operative legislation will be revised to suit present-day needs.”
“It is expected, Sir, that very soon an expert on co-operative legislation from abroad, maybe from New Zealand or from the ILO itself, will be here on a six-month assignment to redraft the legislation. Once this is done, all the other related problems can he looked into further and with depth. The Member for Katong no doubt is aware of the basic principle governing co-operative organisations throughout the world - that a co-operative is an association of persons who have voluntarily joined together to achieve a common end through the formation of a democratically controlled organisation, making equitable contributions to the capital required and accepting a fair share of the risks and benefits of the undertaking in which the members actively participate. In other words, co-operative societies are autonomous organisations formed by persons on the basis of equality to promote economic interests. 6.00 p.m. Co-operatives determine their own management policies and activities. Sometimes failure of the management results in financial difficulty and inability to complete projects to the detriment of members. Under the existing Co-operative Societies Act and rules, the Registrar has certain supervisory and advisory functions, but he could not and should not interfere with the internal financial administration of co-operatives other than checking on the financial position and ascertaining that the activities are run in accordance with the bye-laws of the co-operative legislation. This brings up the next point on the functions of the Registry. The Member for Katong may wish to know that the title "Co-operative Development" in the Estimates is an old title inherited in the days when the Co-operative Development Division was under the Primary Production Department.”
“Sir, after what has been said by the Member for Serangoon Gardens and my colleague, the Minister for Culture, I do not think I need answer all the queries raised. Whatever it is, Sir, the co-operative movement in Singapore, though still a young movement as mentioned by the Member for Jurong, is unique in many ways. The direct involvement of the trade union movement in co-operative ventures is a rare feature even in countries which have a well established co-operative system with the active participation of the trade unions. Furthermore, the co-operative societies in Singapore have developed within an urban setting. The movement itself has undergone traumatic changes in recent years adapting itself to changes in social and economic needs and to technological progress, so much so that the existing co-operative legislation has been found to be out of step with the movement and the requirements for its future growth. At present, the Registrar of Co-operative Societies is hamstrung in his work because of an antiquated legislation and the shortage of staff - again the shortage of staff. In fact, when Dr Von Muralt, as mentioned by the Member for Telok Blangah, of the ILO made a study on the reorganisation of the Registry in April, 1973, he also discussed with various co-operative officials on the existing co-operative legislation, which was enacted in 1953 and geared to the requirements of the thrift and loan type of co-operatives. The consensus now is that we need to revise the co-operative legislation to make it more applicable to the needs of the present diversified activities and development of the co-operative movement. Dr Von Muralt recommended that the services of an expert be obtained to redraft the existing Co-operative Societies Act.”
“We have done all that we can, but there is the question of priorities.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, can the Member for Telok Blangah show me a way to fight harder with my colleague, the Minister for Finance?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the time taken to complete a case would vary with its circumstances. Civil cases normally take some time to settle. Usually it will be necessary to obtain reports, notes of evidence and other relevant material from various sources. Sometimes more time is required because of the involved court proceedings. Therefore, the delay is unavoidable. I regret it very much. Persons applying for legal aid are normally given an appointment two or three weeks after they have registered their cases. Although the situation could be improved, the Bureau could not have done better in view of the limited staff and increased work-load. The number of applications for legal aid has increased from 3,745 in 1972 to 4,394 in 1973, and the number of staff that we have is only five legal officers and four interpreters to deal with all these cases. Fortunately we have one legal officer on loan to the Bureau and a student interpreter who is attached to the Bureau on a part-time basis. However, the Member may wish to know that the staffing position is still far from satisfactory and we are pressing the Ministry of Finance very hard for more staff.”
“However, in the case of pilgrims travelling by air, arrangements are being made with the Immigration Department to issue international passports with a pilgrim pass endorsement to obviate the necessity for such pilgrims to possess two documents. Such an arrangement would be economically beneficial to pilgrims as they only need to pay for one passport instead of two. Encik Rahmat Bin Kenap(In Malay): In view of the Minister's explanation, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“However, something modest may be possible along the lines of what I had suggested in the Committee of Supply in March, 1972. The Muslim Religious Council has already planned the establishment of a co-operative to build a Pilgrimage Fund. Once this scheme is fully implemented, it should be possible to consider providing medical and welfare facilities if these are found necessary. 5.30 p.m. Sir, our immediate concern is to ensure that pilgrim brokers do not make empty promises to pilgrims and their agents in Mecca, Medina and Jeddah. They must be really reliable people who carry Out their duties diligently and not just be interested in making money by taking on a large number of pilgrims if they cannot manage or provide them with adequate facilities. In this connection, the officials of the Muslim Religious Council will be holding a meeting of all pilgrim brokers. The Council welcomes any information on pilgrim brokers or their agents. If the services of these people are unsatisfactory in any way, their licences will not be renewed in the future. The question of extending medical welfare services and facilities to pilgrims who travel by air to perform the Haj is being looked into. Officials of the Muslim Religious Council will be holding discussions with their Malaysian counterparts on this matter. For the time being, we are considering the possibility of sending a welfare officer to Saudi Arabia during the pilgrimage season to look after the welfare of our citizens performing the Haj. In fact, from this year onwards prospective pilgrims proceeding to Saudi Arabia, irrespective of the mode of travel, will be issued with pilgrim passes by the Pilgrim Officers. The Pilgrimage Office has started the registration of all pilgrims for the current pilgrimage season.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Geylang Serai may wish to know that the Muslim Religious Council is now looking into the whole matter concerning pilgrimage and is considering the setting up of a Pilgrimage Advisory Committee for this purpose. I am aware of complaints from Singapore pilgrims regarding the treatment they receive from their agents or their pilgrim brokers. By and large, most of the complaints are not from Singapore pilgrims who travel by sea, as there is an arrangement with the Tabong Haji of Malaysia that their medical and welfare mission at Saudi Arabia will take care of Singapore pilgrims arriving by sea. But the arrangement does not include our pilgrims who travel by air. There is, therefore, a need to come to some arrangement with the Malaysian authorities whereby their network of medical and welfare facilities all over Saudi Arabia will also be made available to our pilgrims who travel by air. The Member may wish to know that for the period 1970-73, Singapore has made the following contributions: 1970 $18,827; 1971 $14,540; 1972 $16,349; and 1973 $8,472. These annual contributions are based on the number of our pilgrims who travel by sea. Sir, both Members referred to the need to provide welfare and medical facilities for Singapore pilgrims during their pilgrimage to Mecca. I must first stress that to establish a network of welfare and medical facilities in Saudi Arabia is a very costly business. It costs our neighbour about $450,000 a year. The present satisfactory arrangement with the Tabong Haji of Malaysia does not warrant the setting up of an elaborate organisation only to duplicate the services and facilities which are already made available to us.”
“That is an ideal suggestion voiced by the Member for Serangoon Gardens. Mr Hwang Soo Jin: Sir, I would just like to clarify. When I brought up this amendment, my whole intention was to give publicity to this Bureau once a year. I am not really complaining. I think this Bureau deserves a bit of publicity, and it is only once in the year that we are able to let the people know that there is the Complaints Bureau to which they can go. And if the Minister assures us that he is satisfied with the service, nevertheless we have put up useful suggestions for him to think about. On this note, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Sir, two opinions have been expressed in this House this afternoon about the Complaints Bureau. One is that the Bureau should be scrapped and the other that it should continue to be strengthened. But there is effectiveness in the function of the Complaints Bureau, otherwise people will not go there everyday to complain. If they want to air their complaints in public, there is nothing I can do to stop them. The only difference, Sir, is that we do not publicise what we do. Our purpose is to investigate into the complaint and take whatever action we deem fit to settle it. But if people complain to the press, perhaps because they like to see their name in the press, there is nothing I can do about it. We cannot judge the deficiency or the efficiency of the Central Complaints Bureau against the number of complaints appearing in the press.”
“That is something beyond me. If people want to complain to the press, they are free to do so. But the Complaints Bureau is open every day, except Sundays, for anybody to make a complaint.”