P. Govindaswamy
Singapore
“Sir, the purchase of SBS shares should not be made compulsory. It should be voluntary. If a poor man were to use all his $5,000 CPF savings to buy SBS shares, he will not know what will happen to his shares in one or two years' time.”
“Sir, we know that Singapore Government Officers' Cooperative Housing Society has been in trouble for many years. But I fail to understand why when members write in for a refund, they do not even get a reply. Nobody seems to know exactly what is happening with this society.”
“In the past few years and even now, every Malaysia Cup soccer tie that is played at our Stadium, the tickets are sold out within hours and many fans are disappointed. Even ugly scenes have happened, to the extent that one soccer fan fell dead whilst trying to buy tickets.”
“If the Minister approaches the Finance Ministry for extra staff, he must press on with his request. Anyway, Sir, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment by leave, withdrawn.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I have forgotten one point. Regarding the word "million". can the Minister please give instructions to the RTS staff not to use the English word "million" but to use the Tamil word for it? If they do not know the Tamil word for it, they can ask the people from the higher institutions.”
“The Minister must think it over. Mr Ng Yeow Chong: Sir, can the acting Minister give me an assurance that my request for the re-naming and for the re-location of the creche within the constituency's housing estate will be brought up when his Ministry starts negotiations with the NTUC for the taking over of the creches?”
The complete record
Every one of 1,199 lines we hold for P. Govindaswamy, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 11 of 24.
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Minister has not answered the point about lalang. As soon as lalang is cut, it grows again after two or three days. To stop it, lalang must be uprooted and not cut, otherwise it grows again. Regarding the smell, the explanation is this. The lalang is about six feet high. The grave diggers can only dig three or four feet deep because the lalang is very high. The grave is also not deep and, therefore, the smell comes out. The main fault is the lalang. The Minister should go there and then only will he know what is going on. I am saying that this is a fact. If the Minister goes to that place he will then know it. It is a long distance away, and perhaps the Minister is unable to go there. An hon Member: He has no time.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head P be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead BCA 2110. Sir, most probably after listening to me the Minister for the Environment will get angry again. We have had a very active anti-mosquito breeding campaign. Yet at the Chua Chu Kang Cemetery the conditions are such that it is an excellent breeding ground for mosquitoes. At the entrances to the cemetery there are notices forbidding the use of flower vases on the graves. This is to avoid the collection of rain water which will then be a breeding place for mosquitoes. But as you walk further you find lalang all over the place, as high as the waist. If I am not mistaken, in the burial ceremony of a Catholic priest, on 24th June, 1974, a great number of mourners had to fight through lalang as tall as a man, and thick undergrowth. To make matters worse, there were many muddy potholes and pools of water all over the place - ideal for mosquitoes to breed. Such conditions make it difficult for anyone to move about in a burial ceremony or in paying respects to the dead. Surely, something can be done to improve this poor state of affairs at the cemeteries. Sir, are the plots for burials dug deep enough? They seem to be too shallow. A terrible smell pervades the air because of the shallow graves. Are the graves really six feet deep or are the grave diggers taking things a bit easy?”
“Sir, regarding the Minister's reply about the litter bins floating away, I would like to suggest that the bins be fixed to long poles and then bury these poles firmly in the beach. In this way, the bins cannot float away. I am sure this can be done. Anyway, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. 2.45 p.m.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head P be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead BAA 2110. The beaches around Singapore are one of the very few places where people can go to relax. Unfortunately, certain beaches are in a deplorable condition. To give an example, the beach at the end of Sembawang has not got even a single litter bin. In fact, the whole beach is littered. Pieces of glass are strewn all over the sand, and is a danger to picnickers. Furthermore, patches of oil are regularly found around this beach. Obviously they come from the shipyard which is just a short distance away. Since a good crowd of picnickers and swimmers go to this beach, why cannot we look after the beach and keep it clean? Maintenance can thus be summed up in one word "nil". Let us do something about it so that our citizens in that corner of the island are not completely neglected. However, I am pleased to say that the grass cutters have kept the grass in that particular area neat and obviously trimming has been done so often that it is the reverse in the case of the cemeteries at Chua Chu Kang.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am satisfied with the Minister's explanation but I would like to request that these canals be kept under frequent observation. The Minister cannot blame the people for polluting the canals because we cannot control them. If the people are disciplined and do not throw rubbish into the rivers and canals, there is no need to employ cleaners. Anyway, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The following amendment stood in the name of Mr Ng Kah Ting - (6) That the sum to be allocated for Head P be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead AAA 4002.”
“Construction of a reservoir will depend upon the result of the study and the soil test. I am glad to hear the Member for Anson say that there has been an improvement in the general cleanliness of our canals and rivers, with the exception of one or two. It should be so because we have spent $800,000 on contract labour for the financial year 1973-74 to maintain and desilt canals and rivers. In addition, we have our own fleet of 14 excavators to clean our watercourses of silt and refuse. It is a slow and unpleasant job, and it will take some time before we can clean all our rivers. But there is improvement. There will be more improvement if members of the public stop polluting the canals. The odour which the Member complained about is the result of pollution. There is still a good number of irresponsible people who persist in throwing rubbish into rivers and canals, though 9.800 offenders were taken to court last year for polluting our watercourses. Regarding flooding at Newton and Kampung Java areas, I think there has been a great improvement in these areas. The duration of the floods is shorter now and frequency of flooding is less. This is because Phase I of the project to improve the Bukit Timah Canal has been completed. Phase II is under study. It will take quite a long time to complete the work, and it is going to cost a lot of money. There are other matters which require priority and it will be some time before flooding can be totally eradicated from these areas.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head P be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead CBA 1109. Sir, how far has the work progressed at the Bedok Cut Site, and when will the reservoir be built at the Cut Site? What measures are being taken to clear our canals of filth, and what action has been taken against offenders who pollute the rivers, canals and drains, although there is a general improvement in the cleanliness of most rivers and canals? I have observed that Rochore Canal is often heavily polluted with rubbish and oil and clearing up operations are slow and poor. As a result, it continues to smell badly. It is a common sight to see a considerable amount of rubbish floating down the Singapore River to the sea. Sometimes you can even see large boxes and huge pieces of rubbish floating down to the sea. Why is this important river allowed to be left like that? This is definitely unsightly to our tourists. I hope the Minister will look into this matter. What steps are being taken to improve the drainage around Newton, Kampung Java and Farrer Park areas? During the rainy season, these places are usually flooded. Since this is a central point between Bukit Timah/Thomson Road and the City, office workers always have a problem during rainy seasons. This problem has been going on for many years. Can something concrete be done about it? The Minister for the Environment (Mr Lim Kim San): Mr Speaker, Sir, the excavation work at Bedok is undertaken by the Housing and Development Board, and according to the schedule the work will be completed by the end of 1975. As regards the question of building a reservoir there, a feasibility study is being made to find out whether the soil can hold water.”
“Sir, I fully agree with my colleagues, the Members for Jurong, Bras Basah and Changi regarding the hawker inspectors. I am not criticising them as such because they are doing their duty. But they are doing their job too seriously, and do not give any warning to the hawkers. These hawkers have already been licensed, and so we must consider their position. They always try to clean the place. But when do they clean it? It is only after they have closed the shop, will they clean the place. And if the place is found dirty, then action can be taken. Otherwise it is very bad to make the people suffer. It is no good. It is the general policy of the Hawkers Department to resite all hawkers in the hawker centres. By now, a considerable number of hawkers have been resited. The Hawkers Department has indeed done an excellent job. But then, sad to say, there are still a great number of hawkers hawking in the back lanes and shoddy areas. When will these hawkers be resited in the hawker centres? May I know also whether the hawkers around the Shenton Way bus terminus and the back lane of Choon Guan Street would be resited in the hawker centres. I would urge that when an exercise is carried out to resite these hawkers, the hawker centre should be sited in my constituency because these hawkers have been doing business there and they prefer to be resited in the same locality. Sir, how often are hawkers required to be medically examined? Very often the cholera and typhoid epidemics are spread by hawkers. It is high time for all hawkers to be medically examined without any charge, so that they can be certified fit before they are permitted to sell food.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I do not want to prolong the debate; otherwise the Minister will get angry! I therefore beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. 7.00 p.m.”
“I am not objecting to that. But during the festive period there are lots of rubbish. He must consider this factor.”
“Sir, I am not satisfied with the explanation of the Minister. Last Saturday when, I went to my Branch Office in my constituency at 7.00 am., I saw a lot of rubbish piled up. I was very angry. But what could I do then? The smell was there and I could not get anything done at 7.00 am. The Minister says that rubbish is cleared every day. I must ask him to go there and see it for himself. The Minister just sits in the office. He must go round and see for himself. Then he will get the information.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head P be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead BAA 1107 (The same amendment also stood in the names of Messrs Ivan Baptist and Ho Kah Leong). Sir, in far too many streets, rubbish collection at bin centres has been so badly done that these places have become breeding grounds for rats, flies, cockroaches and countless other pests. Further, the nauseating smell emanating from these centres is quite often unbearable. Why cannot the Ministry supply more bins and ensure that the rubbish is collected more often? There are also quite a number of other bin centres where rubbish has not been collected regularly and the bins are left unattended. The Minister will say that there is a shortage of manpower and vehicles. Sometimes, you can find reports of this nature with photographs in our afternoon and morning newspapers. Can the Minister do something to make sure that rubbish is being collected regularly? Furthermore, in some places when the daily rubbish is being trucked along, dirty water and rubbish spill all over the road. This leaves an awful stench all the way and passers-by have to bear with this "aroma". Sir, I would like to know whether the present number of incinerators are adequate to burn up all the increased volume of rubbish. If not, additional incinerators should be built to burn up the increased volume of rubbish. Sir, I want to know how successful is the prohibition of smoking in the buses. I find a good number of people still smoke in buses. Can the Minister give some facts and figures on this subject?”
“Sir, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $56,409,450 for Head 0 ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. The sum of $74,236,700 for Head 0 ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. Head P -”
“Sir, if the mass transit system does not work, what will happen to the money spent?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, regarding the spare parts, the Minister of State can see this at Upper Aljunied Road.”
“This will discourage two-car or three-car families. In fact, the trend in modern cities is to reduce vehicular traffic as much as possible and to give the city back to the pedestrian. Let us give our city back to the pedestrian to whom it rightly belongs. Mr Speaker, Sir, the Ministry is now going to introduce the area licence fee for the park and ride scheme. All right, if everyone pays for the licence, what happens? The same congestion will be there. They will say, "I will pay $60." Everyone buys the licence at $60. What happens? So what is the Minister going to do to reduce congestion of traffic in the city areas?”
“Thirdly, motorists can enter the CBD before 7.30 am, or after 9.30 am., and this will create congestion to the same degree as we are experiencing now. Although we can charge the motorists $3 per vehicle when they enter the city area, what happens when they leave the city? The congestion and the traffic jam will still remain the same. The problem is not solved. Should we not extend this scheme? The scheme is no doubt very good in concept but it has got to be properly checked. Singaporeans are a very adaptable and flexible people. That is why we are a successful nation. If 7.30 a.m, is the time for the scheme to be effective, then all one has to do is to go to the city either before 7.30 a.m, or after 9.30 am. How many cars will, in fact, be reduced in this way? Further, aggravation and frustration will be caused in the evening when people leave the city. So the congestion will still be there. If there is any change, it will be too negligible to be noticed. Too many people in Singapore own cars as a status symbol, and too many of them enter the city for no particular purpose. Even if they do have a particular purpose, it is of not much importance. We should try and discourage people from owning cars and we should discourage them from entering the city unnecessarily. Sir, personally I feel that the increased road tax is not a proper deterrent to car ownership. It would be far better to increase the tax on new cars so as to make it prohibitive to own a car. In this way the increase in the number of cars can be controlled to a greater extent, and those people who buy cars as a status symbol would have second thoughts about doing so. Further, households with more than one car should pay a special tax on the additional cars that they own.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, lorries carrying sand, earth or granite chips quite often spill their contents onto the road. This is not only a very dangerous practice but it also dirties the road as well. Furthermore, these granite chips may even shatter the windscreen of a passing car and thereby cause unnecessary accident. It is high time that legislation was introduced to provide that all lorries carrying earth, sand or granite chips should be covered with tarpaulin, as is the practice of all lorries carrying rubbish. It is not a very difficult piece of legislation to introduce. Neither is it going to cost a great deal to these transport operators. Sir, since the introduction of the bus lane, how many persons have been prosecuted so far for causing obstruction during the peak period? Far too many drivers have violated this regulation by driving in bus lanes and cause obstruction to buses during the stipulated times. How far is this being controlled? 5.15 p.m. Sir, the park and ride scheme is being monitored by the whole world. It is no doubt a very good scheme. It is well thought and well planned. How successful it will be is left to be seen. It is our hone that it will be a success. The Minister for Communications must be congratulated for introducing this scheme with the object of reducing traffic congestion in the city during the peak hours. But personally I have a few forebodings about the park and ride scheme. Firstly, motorists entering the CBD between 7.30 a.m, and 9.30 a.m, have to pay a $3 entrance fee per vehicle. Secondly, businessmen can easily afford to pay this amount and enter the CBD without any trouble at all because all they need do is to show their receipt and claim the money that they have paid. So this partly defeats the scheme.”
“On a point of clarification. I am not objecting to the recruitment of postwomen. I am telling the Minister to provide our postwomen with easier jobs.”
“Sir, the Minister said that our postwomen may be employed on scooter delivery. This may be dangerous. If you allow the post-women to deliver by scooter and if registered parcels and mails are lost on delivery in the rural areas, then there will be more trouble.”
“But the revotes are being reduced. The Minister says that costs have increased. Why is it that the revotes are reducing?”
“Sir, in the Economic Survey of Singapore for 1974 it is stated that the tourist traffic has increased a great deal as compared to the previous year. What I want to know is this: is this increase brought about by traffic through the Port or Airport or the Causeway? Or is there any decrease in traffic in any particular terminal? If so, why? The Singapore Airlines has indicated that it is going to purchase a number of jumbo jets to cope with the tourist traffic. May I know if these jumbo jets have already been purchased, or is the purchase still in SIA's mind? If so, may 1 ask whether it is a wise move to purchase them at a time when tourist traffic is declining throughout the whole world, because of increased cost of freight, fuel charges, and increased cost of maintenance and operations of standard aircraft. Furthermore, what guarantee is there that our tourist traffic will increase in future because of world inflationary trends?”
“Surely an international airport in this particular region cannot afford to have a bumpy and uneven surface for its runway. Now, may I ask if this allocation of $2,580,000 is going to be utilized this year for resurfacing the runway? Or are we going to just leave it and have another reallocation done next year again? 4.00 p.m. Sir, for the new Air Freight Terminal a vote of $2 million was granted in 1974. Out of this, a sum of $1,960,000 is being revoted for this year. The provision for a new Passenger Terminal was $3 million in 1974 and $2,990,000 is being revoted for this year~ that means only $10,000 was spent. The provision for the new Boeing 747 Hangar was $7,000,000 last year and the amount to be revoted this year is $6,400,000. I do not know why the revotes are reducing when costs are going up. Airport Fire Service, fire substation $400,000, revote $400,000. Not a single cent was spent. Now, what is really going on at the airport? Are we taking votes and getting revotes or is any work really being carried out at the airport? Surely, when estimates are given a certain sum of money is required, and the money must be utilized. I think something is definitely wrong somewhere. So many revotes are being made. Obviously the money is not being used and, therefore, work is not being carried out at the airport. Sir, in a reply to a certain Member of Parliament in the previous year the Minister stated that a second terminal would be required for the Airport at Paya Lebar. Now, with this decrease in tourist traffic, is this terminal building still under review? Or are we going ahead with the construction of the building, irrespective of the decrease in the number of tourist traffic.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, my Friend, the Member for Kampung Kapur, has already brought up some of the shortcomings in the Singapore International Airport. The waving gallery at the Paya Lebar Airport has been closed for some time, and no substitute has been offered. We have come to a stage where persons cannot even send off their friends properly. Our airport must be one of the few international airports in the world without a waving gallery. As a result, the waiting hail is so congested. At times, the situation is unbearable for those who wait in the hall. I would like to invite the Minister to see for himself the situation at the airport when the pilgrims are being sent off to Mecca, or at any other time. What an impression we are creating to the departing tourists, who have to squeeze their way through a mass of humanity in order to get to the departure gate. It was only a year ago that the waving gallery was opened, and yet so soon it has been closed. Why has there been bad planning on the part of the Airport authorities? The seats provided are shockingly few. Would it cost too much, or would it be too much to provide some more seats? This state of affairs in the international airport is disgrace- ful and not in keeping with Singapore's good image on tourists. Sir, last year a sum of $250,000 was allocated for the resurfacing of the existing runway. But it seems that only $20,000 was spent. This year the allocation is ten times the amount allocated in the previous year. It seems to me that the resurfacing of the existing runway was not carried out last year, it is no wonder that the Pilots Association remarked that Singapore Airport is one of the worst as far as runway is concerned. It is bumpy and uneven. This is very bad.”
“Sir, in view of the explanation of the Minister for Communications, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead BAA 1107. Sir, our seamen seem to have a knack for getting into trouble in foreign waters. Sometime ago there was an incident involving Neptune Orient Lines, and this resulted in Singapore ships being banned by the Australian Seamen's Union. Did our seamen come into contact with Australian Seamen's Union and make use of foreign unions to make a claim for higher wages? If not, it seems to be a gross interference on the part of the Australian Seamen's Union to lay down rules on the wage structure of our union. What has happened so far. Sir?”
“I ask the Minister to go round these routes at 5 o'clock one day and see what is happening.”
“Furthermore a bus service should also be proposed from Cantonment Road to Keppel Road/Telok Blangah Road for port workers. Mr Speaker, Sir, at peak hours from 4.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. the buses coming from the terminal at Shenton Way are always full. But along the way, from Robinson Road to the junction of Market Street all the bus stops are crowded, and the people have to wait for hours. There must be a certain system of re-routing the buses, say, certain buses should be routed from the terminals, certain buses from Market Street, certain buses from the esplanade, and so on. But I am not saying anything more. The Hon. Minister must understand the situation. In the days of the Singapore Traction Company, when their superintendents knew that the commuters were waiting in crowds, they said, "All right, get one bus down from somewhere and bring it here." Or on inspection, they would say. "Bring this service here and tell everybody that this bus is going to Katong," or "This bus is going to Serangoon." Why cannot the SBS use that system? "I am giving more buses" - what is the use of giving more buses? The buses at the terminals are already full and commuters along the route have to wait for hours. 3.00 p.m. The Minister will notice this if he passes along these roads up to High Street at 5 o'clock. There are more new buses but they are still insufficient because they are always full during peak hours. Therefore, SBS has to arrange a way so that the passengers can get the bus at the proper time to reach home early. But now they leave office at 5 o'clock and reach home at 7 o'clock. They work eight hours but they are out for 12 hours. Something must be done and the very minor matters must be considered, or they will become a bad problem.”
“What is being done about keeping the termini of the buses clean and safe? Many of the terminals are covered with traces of dirty black oil spills which arc quite often a source of danger. particularly on rainy days. The terminals at Yio Chu Kang Road for service 73 and Upper Thomson Road for service 165 are some examples. The new buses are supposed to have a new type of seat made of fibre-glass. I presume. Unfortunately, this type does not last very long. Most of these seats in the buses are in poor condition. If one is not careful, one is going to receive nasty cuts from a damaged seat. Can something be done to replace these seats with more durable material? The SBS should not only look into the question of quantity but also on the quality of buses. At some terminals there is no indication which particular bus is going to move out first. The conductors, drivers and time-keepers are no help either. Surely the parking of buses at terminals could be arranged in such a way that the bus at one end will always leave first. This will not keep the commuters guessing. There arc occasions when commuters board a stationary bus at the terminal but they are not told that that bus is either spoilt or will not be the first to leave. Though so many drivers, conductors and timekeepers are present, they just look at the commuters. This goes on very frequently at the terminal point near the Singapore General Hospital. Can something be done about it? Sir, I would also like to ask if the Minister will consider extending the bus service, which now ends at Shenton Way, to serve Keppel Road ending after the Telok Blangah housing estate. This will help the many port workers who have to take this route.”
“They must understand that they pay a very high price for these parts and without any proper enclosures or security measures they are bound to be stolen. Rudeness on the part of conductors and drivers has been reduced remarkably. A good job done I must say. However, bus drivers still have to improve their standard of driving. Speeding is still a common offence among the drivers. There is a lot of publicity when new buses are commissioned on the roads every month. But hardly any publicity is given to the number of buses that are laid off through breakdowns and the many major accidents caused by some of the reckless SBS drivers. I think the Minister will notice this when he drives to his office to see whether this is true. If the same number or more buses are taken off the road for these reasons, then additions of new buses to the services are completely nullified. I feel we have to import ready-made buses from overseas by the hundreds, and we have to grant a loan to SBS for this on a long term basis to enable them to recover the cost of these buses. In this way probably our transport problems will be solved. Many people are willing to give up their cars only if the bus service is more efficient and if there are sufficient bus shelters to protect them from the weather. The display board on the bus showing the service number and the route needs some improvement. In this respect too the Scheme B service buses are far ahead of the SBS. It is pointless to display only the service number and its destination, because commuters would also like to know the various roads along the service route. Surely, this is not asking too much. A small display board showing the main roads along the route can go a long way to help the travelling public.”
“However, there are a few anomalies, which I hope the Minister will do his best to overcome. Certain bus services are very irregular, particularly those serving in the rural areas. As an example, service 190 from Shenton Way to Bukit Merah particularly seems to be completely absent from 6.30 p.m, to 7.30 p.m. What I understand is that bus drivers and conductors running this service go out for their meal breaks during this hour and thus keep the poor commuters waiting. Furthermore, I understand that some bus drivers use to speed along the road and reach their terminus much' earlier than the scheduled times, and no one questions them for arriving early. I wonder whether the SBS is seriously checking on the scheduled stops at all the bus stops along the route to ensure that the service is being run frequently and efficiently. The maintenance of buses seems to be rather poor. Even if the engine is m a working condition, is the bus checked to ensure that other service facilities are functioning effectively? There have been instances when windows as well as ventilators cannot be closed during a shower. In these cases it rains not only outside but also inside the buses. On this matter, may I ask the Minister what is the Registry of Vehicles doing about checking the condition of the buses, and how frequently is a bus checked for serviceability? Is a certificate of fitness issued by the ROV for each bus? In this respect, I must say that the Scheme B buses are far better in cleanliness, comfort, courtesy and service to the commuters. I also observe that at the SBS maintenance centres, the spare parts are left all over the place. This encourages theft as spare parts are valuable to some people. Can something be done about this mess?”
“Mr Speaker. Sir, last year, the Minister `pledged to alleviate the shocking conditions of the bus transport system in Singapore. I must congratulate the Minister this year, for there has been a tremendous improvement in our mass transport system.”
“Sir, the Minister has given a very long explanation, and I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head N be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead AlA 1109* (* The same amendment also stood in the name of Mr Ivan Batpist). Sir, we take pride in the fact that we are an industrialised nation. However, I am afraid to state that we are quite backward in the implementation of safety measures for factories. Our Factory Inspectorate is so small that an industrialist can engage in malpractices in his premises for years if he wishes, simply because he knows that no inspector will bother him. Why can we not enlarge the Factory Inspectorate and introduce a service charge, if necessary, for each factory so that the cost of the increase in staff will not be borne by the taxpayer?”
“Sir, since it is compulsory for employers to take out an insurance policy to cover their workers, the Ministry of Labour should carry out checks on employers to see that they have actually taken out insurance cover for their employers. However, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head N be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead ADA 1111. Sir, the quantum of workmen's compensation will be increased. Unfortunately, too many of our workers are contract workers and many contractors are not good employers. By this, I mean that they do not take out proper insurance policies to cover their workers, and in case of accident these workers who may be disabled are left to their own wits and at their own expense to survive. It is high time we introduced a compulsory insurance scheme for all workers, irrespective of whether they are monthly paid, daily paid, contract workers or permanent workers, so that no worker working in Singapore will leave his family stranded if he meets with an accident, or worse still, if he is disabled or die in the accident.”
“With the present standard of living, surely this mere 20 days' pay for each year of service rendered is too little for the many years of loyal service they have rendered. I would suggest that the Minister review this quantum of payment and pay these poor workers a reasonable sum in order that they can survive after their retirement. I have to mention this because I have received numerous complaints from daily-rated workers who have retired and have found life very difficult. So I hope the Minister will look into this matter.”
“Sir, far too many companies make no effort to recruit local personnel or do not make sufficient efforts to train local personnel; thus ensuring security of jobs for the foreigners. What steps are being taken to ensure that the commercial sector recruits local personnel or train Singa poreans sufficiently to take over the jobs of these foreigners? At a time when foreign countries are facing periods of recession and economic depression, I do not see any reason why we should encourage foreigners to take the jobs of our local citizens. The present regulation requiring non-citizens earning less than $750 to apply for work permits is inadequate and totally out of proportion to present working conditions. I feel that all non-citizens, irrespective of the quantum of salary should be issued with work permits, as is being done in most countries. $750 is not a great amount or a proper gauge to draw a line between those persons who require work permits and those who do not. Sir, it is a wise move to encourage the young to go to work. This move will reduce the number of delinquents roaming the streets aimlessly. In fact, if this move had been carried out earlier we would not be faced with so many problems of delinquency as we are facing at present. Sir, the daily-rated workers who have been playing a very important part in our development schemes since the late 40's appear to be dissatisfied with the quan tum of payment due on their retirement. It is a known fact that when they retire, they will be paid a gratuity of 20 days' pay for each year of service rendered. This was the agreement reached in the late 40's and there has been no change since then.”
“I am speaking under the subhead of the Minister for Labour.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, with the present threats of retrenchment in Singapore, may I know whether we are still issuing work permits to unskilled persons such as factory hands, domestic servants, drivers, clerks, etc.? What effort is being made to reduce the number of foreigners working in Singapore?”
“Sir, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Sir, 1 beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head M be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead BAA 1105. Sir, we have established quite a number of embassies and missions abroad since our independence. But may I ask whether they are sufficiently staffed? I understand that nearly all our missions are understaffed and overworked. If that is so, can something be done to improve the situation? Sir, I would like to know what measures our officials abroad are taking to attract trade, tourism and other economic benefits to our country? I would like to know the various activities that are being undertaken by all our embassies abroad. Sir, 1 wonder whether the Government has any plans to open up any more new embassies abroad in the near future. If the answer is yes, may we know where they are going to be?”
“Sir, I would also like to know the recent meetings of our ASEAN partners on the controversial issue of the safe passage in the Straits of Malacca. What new formula for the safe passage of the Straits has been proposed? How far has Singapore's trade been affected by these restrictive regulations which are being considered? Do we stand to gain or lose by these new regulations? Could the Minister elaborate on the subject?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, a few days ago our Foreign Minister led a delegation to China. May I express my regards for a successful mission by this important delegation. May I know the purpose of this trip and the benefits it will bring to Singapore? May I also ask to what extent will it help to Improve relations with the Republic of China, and will it help to establish diplomatic relations between Singapore and China? I feel this is the right time to establish diplomatic relations between the two countries. We have been neglecting a country that is too huge to be neglected. In fact, it has been neglected too long, just because of a few countries in the West and maybe in the East too. Sir, sometime ago the Shah of Iran visited Singapore. Before that a Singapore delegation visited the Middle East countries. This is a good sign. What have we done so far in furthering or improving our relations with the Middle East countries? The Middle East counries are now playing a very crucial part in world trade and world politics. It is high time that Singapore too played an important part in bettering trade relations and diplomatic relations with the various Middle East countries. We do stand to benefit a very great deal by establishing a close relationship with these countries. Sir, every year a few ASEAN training awards are given and a few of our local personnel have been trained overseas. May I know how many awards have been given so far, and how it has benefited Singapore as far as foreign policy is concerned? Is there any scheme whatsoever to increase the number of training awards or to send our personnel on longer periods of training to gain more experience in foreign policy, etc.?”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head L be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead AAA 4002. This is the third consecutive year that I am going to speak about metrication. Some Members may wonder why. But let me say one thing - we are not progressing fast enough in the implementation of metrication in all aspects of life in Singapore. Take the markets, for example. We still find weights being measured in katis, tahils, pounds and ounces. The daching - the notorious instrument used by businessmen to swindle consumers - has not changed in the least. When is metrication going to be a feature of life in the markets, particularly? I note that a higher provision is being voted for the Metrication Board as it plans to intensify the pace of metrication in the retail sector. May I also know, besides the retail sector, what other divisions has the Metrication Board in mind to promote metrication in the next financial year?”
“Sir, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head L be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead BAA 1107. Sir, what part does the Chemistry Department play in controlling sea pollution around Singapore and for that matter other types of pollution in Singapore? Does the Chemistry Department insist on guidelines in work conditions and safety precautions in shipyards? There seems to be far too many workers dying of chemically poisonous atmosphere in certain work places. Could not the Chemistry Department play an important part in setting guidelines for safety precautions? Seventeen posts have been abolished from this department. The officers were previously required to inspect ships, and this duty has been transferred to the PSA. May I know the reason for the transfer of the responsibility from the Chemistry Department to the PSA? Furthermore, once these posts have been abolished and the PSA takes over this function, can the PSA personnel suitably inspect the ships? Do they set the same standard as that required by the 17 officers of the Chemistry Department?”
“Sir, the Minister for Science and Technology is in charge of the University of Singapore. Therefore, the Minister will have to answer my question on the students' union. Non-citizens who have no stake in this country can and have manipulated the union for their ulterior motives. A union, even a students' union, which permits non-citizens to manipulate its members against Singapore's interest should be struck off, or clauses should be inserted into the constitution to prevent non-citizens from holding any office whatsoever. Sir, it is observed that a bulk of the provision of $60.26 million under this Head is required for Phase I of the development of the new University of Singapore Campus at Kent Ridge. I presume that with this new building there would be a greater intake of our students from the various pre-University classes and Junior Colleges. I wonder to what extent can this building accommodate our students. Sir, I have to ask this question because, at the present time, it is not easy for our students to gain entry into our local university, because of competition and also because of the high standards set. As such, many of our students are thinking of enrolling in overseas universities where chances of admission are very much greater. I would, therefore, urge the Minister to see that our students do get their higher education in our own higher institutions.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head L be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead AAA 1003 (The same amendment also stood in the name of Mr N. Govindasamy). Sir, what new forms of energy have been thought of as suitable alternatives to oil for Singapore? Since we have ample sunshine, has solar energy been considered seriously, and has any experimental station been set up to study its usefulness to us? Has any thought also been given to the use of monsoon winds as an alternative source of energy? It may seem ridiculous, but I am afraid to say that we have been rather complacent on the study of energy resources or even utilising alternative sources of energy instead of increasing our dependence on oil. Sir, it seems that the recent student trouble we had witnessed in Singapore has been mainly caused by non-citizens. Why has the Registrar of Societies allowed a union to exist, whereby -”
“Sir, the tins of canned food in the supermarkets are rusty and all are old stocks. The people refuse to buy them.”