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 Amendment by leave, withdrawn.”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 18 of 24.
“In view of the Minister's explanation, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $1,476,140 for Head 1111 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. Head 1112 -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 1111 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1001. Sir, when the Planning Department approves a certain plan for development, a development charge is levied. Sometimes, however, a plan is revoked and money refunded. Why does it collect the money in the first place if the plan would be revoked later? It is a waste of time if a plan is later revoked and the money refunded. Why is the Planning Department so fickle-minded about approving a plan? If the Planning Department wishes to reject a plan, it can give 101 reasons for rejecting it. On the other hand, if it wishes to approve a plan it can give 101 reasons for approving it. If a developer asks for a development plan to be approved, the Planning Department will ask for the plan and say, "All right, I want to see your proprietor." I do not know why this is done. Anyway, there will be a delay in approving the plan. Surely something is wrong with the Planning Department. I hope the Minister will reorganise the Planning Department, otherwise there will be more complications in future.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $903,350 for Head 1110 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. Head 1111 -”
“On the other hand, if houses are owned by poor people, of course, they are made of planks and they would not be spared from demolition. This factory was constructed by rich people and the material used is made of iron. Therefore, it is spared from demolition. The building is still standing.”
“In the case of Windsor Park - I believe the Member for Anson is a resident there - a temporary occupation licence was issued in 1961, more than ten years ago, following completion being reported by the architect. At the same time, the architect was requested to submit amendment plans for the additions, or alterations and extensions to the various buildings in the estate. These amendment plans were subsequently approved, but despite several reminders the architect has so far not submitted his letter of supervision and the necessary clearances from the appropriate authorities; hence the delay. The Member will be interested to know that the new Building Control Division, which was set up on 1st February, 1972, is at present making a thorough study of all outstanding cases where certificates of fitness have not been issued and will take follow-up action. I hope they will take some follow-up action in respect of Windsor Park. Tuan Haji Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi (Kampong Kembangan)(In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to know from the Minister for Law and National Development whether he is aware that the Building Survey Department has no suitable equipment for the demolition of illegal structures made of steel. Sir, I have received complaints from the residents of Lorong Melayu in my constituency that a factory had been illegally constructed. This factory was erected in a residential area. The atmosphere there is now polluted by dust as a result of the work carried on in this factory. The reply I received from the Building Survey Department was that the structure of the building is made of iron, and that the Department, however, has no equipment to demolish it. Demolition work, therefore, cannot be carried out.”
“As an example, in Windsor Park Estate there is a drain which was damaged sometime ago. A complaint was lodged with the P.W.D. The reply given was that the estate was not built by the Government and, therefore, the P.W.D, could not repair it. I took this matter up myself. The drain is behind my neighbour's house as well as my house. The situation is very bad, and there are a lot of mosquitoes breeding there. So I wrote a letter to the Ministry of Health and they have referred it to the P.W.D. `However, the P.W.D, said it was not their responsibility, and that we should go to the Singapore Government Officers' `Co-operative Housing Society. I wrote a letter to the Society, but no action has been taken. The situation remains the same. Mr Barker: Mr Speaker, Sir, Regulation 34 of the Local Government (Building) Regulations, 1966, says that before a certificate of fitness for occupation of a building is issued, the architect responsible will have to certify that he has personally supervised the erection of the building and that it has been built in accordance with existing building standards and requirements. In addition, the architect must also submit the necessary clearances from the appropriate authorities, such as Roads, Sewage, Health and the Fire Brigade. Delay in the issue of certificate of fitness is usually due to non-compliance with the requirements in one way or another. It is the responsibility of the developer concerned to maintain the roads and drains, etc., until such time as they are taken over by the P.W.D. The P.W.D, will not take over the maintenance of roads in an estate which has not been properly developed.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 1110 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1001. The Chief Building Surveyor, now known as the Assistant Director (Building Control), very often refuses to grant permission to prospective residents or offices to renovate their buildings by quoting one law or the other. I have raised this matter in my previous amendment. But this time I am talking about the land. Since these buildings are occupied by the residents, who are likely to stay there for some time, therefore, there seems to be little logic in refusing to grant them permission to carry out renovations. Sometimes a little relaxation of the law will serve a more useful purpose. Sir, the certificate of fitness for housing estates or multi-storey buildings constructed by private developers, should be issued as soon as possible. The reason is that when complaints of damage to drains and other housing amenities are brought to the attention of the P.W.D., they would reply that since the certificate of fitness has not been granted, nothing could be done. This is the case with my estate. I would like to know why the Windsor Park Estate in Thomson Road has not been issued with the certificate of fitness, although the houses were built 12 years ago. Will the proper authority look into this matter and see that the certificate of fitness for the department concerned is issued to residents of the Windsor Park Estate as early as possible? When private developers put up houses or erect multi-storey structures, they often choke up the drains around the building sites. These choked drains become ideal mosquito breeding grounds. Can the P.W.D, undertake to repair the drains and charge the developers for the cost of repairs? 6.15 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I join my colleague, the Member for Katong, in congratulating the Trees and Parks Unit. I want to put forward a few points here. Last year's tree planting campaign turned out to be more of a shrub and foliage planting campaign. Could this year's tree planting campaign be properly directed in line with the meaning and purpose of the campaign? More fruit trees should be planted so that our birds will not migrate. Some of the trees planted in the past have grown to such an extent that it is evident these trees are poorly pruned. Some of these trees have drooping branches that brush against the top of certain vehicles going along the road and pose a danger to the people in the vehicles. For example, the trees along Dunearn Road block the lights from lamp-posts completely so much so that the roads are not properly lit at night. This can cause accidents especially at night. It is time these trees were properly pruned or the lamp-posts sited elsewhere.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Minister has replied to many points about poultry and pigs. But what efforts have been made by the Primary Production Department to introduce poultry and pig rearing in flatted factories? Our precious land in the rural areas is generally used for poultry and pig farming. By centralising their production in flatted factories, production can be increased and exported, thereby bringing the cost of living down. The Singapore housewife has experienced `fluctuations in the price of fish. Most of the fish we consume are imported, and therefore the catch of fish is subject to the weather. It is high time we introduced trawlers for deep-sea fishing. This will not only produce bigger catches, but will also help to bring the price of fish down. Further, deep-sea fishing is less likely to be affected by weather conditions or foreign market control.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, before approving any plans for development, the authorities concerned should ask the developer how many tenants or squatters there are in the area to be developed, and how many houses are to be demolished. They should also ask whether these people require alternative accommodation or whether they prefer compensation. Only after all this information has been supplied should the plan be approved. These innocent people do not know the law. That is why we must have a scheme to protect these poor people. Private developers are putting up many multi-storey buildings. They make a lot of money, but the poor tenants suffer because they cannot get alternative accommodation.”
“Sir, I am not complaining about priority consideration for Housing Board flats for these people. I am only pointing out the treatment that they get. These tenants do not know about the difficulties of alternative accommodation. When they are offered money, they do not hesitate to give up their tenancy. Money is a very dangerous commodity. But later, when they cannot get alternative accommodation, they regretted. That is the trouble. Therefore, my point is that we must prevent this from happening again, so that these people will not suffer. If I may repeat, I am not saying that priority should be given to these people when they apply for Housing Board flats. I only want the Minister to listen to their complaints.”
“We have to consider all these factors. Therefore, it would be a wise move to introduce legislation to the effect that when a private developer wishes to develop an area he should provide alternative accommodation to those who are to be evicted and not to offer mere monetary compensation. I hope the Minister will consider this matter and take any necessary action and to allow tenants temporary occupation of the premises.”
“What we can do to help is to allow them to carry out repairs and to let them continue to occupy the premises for some time. 3.45 p.m. There is a building at No. 13 Choon; Guan Street, which is in my constituency. I would like to ask the Minister to go' and see it. The building is in good condition, but nobody is occupying it. It, was only slightly burnt. In fact, only the groundfloor was slightly burnt. Yet the door remained closed and nobody is occupying the building. It is a three-storey building and many families can, stay in it. However, the Government's urban renewal policy is such that nobody can occupy it. We must relax this policy. Under the urban renewal schemes, many residents in old buildings have been asked to move at short notice. I am referring to the private developers. When a private developer wishes to develop a piece of land on which there are some old buildings, he may offer $1,000 or $2,000 to each tenant and ask them to quit; their houses. These are poor people' and they think that $1,000 is a lot of' money. They also think that they can straightaway get a Housing Board flat by making an immediate application to the Housing Board. However, having received the $1,000 they find that they cannot get a flat immediately. And these tenants may get an advice from their lawyer not to quit unless they get more money for it. The Land Office must first see to it that people who are living in old houses are given alternative accommodation before granting approval to the developer to demolish the houses and to develop the land. Only then will the people say that it is a very fair deal. When approval is given to a developer to develop an area, the Housing Board should at the same time build more flats for the people who are to be evicted.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, we have a very good explanation from the Minister regarding land and housing problem. But I think it is proper for me to explain the position to the Minister. Where a building has been leased on a Temporary Occupation Licence, the occupants should be given permission to carry out minor renovations to the building. I say this because there are some buildings which are going to collapse, and unless renovation is carried out they would have to go to the Housing Board for flats. As it stands, the Land Office in most cases has refused to grant permission for any form of renovation or extension to be carried out to these buildings. Sir, there are certain areas in Singapore where the land belongs to the Government. Since this land is not used for any particular purpose, can we not allow some form of cultivation to be carried out, such as farming, provided the occupants do not put up any structures on the land, and provided they return the land to Government without compensation? This will help Singapore's production of vegetables, thereby reducing our dependence on our neighbours for our vegetable supplies. Another point which I would like to bring up is this: when a building catches fire but is only slightly burned, why should the Land Office insist that the occupants should move out? Why are the residents not allowed to continue to occupy the building after repairs and renovations have been carried out? There are many buildings in such a state. They are still in very good condition in spite of the slight damage by fire, but they are all locked up to prevent people from going in. The occupants, therefore, have no place to go to, but to the Housing Board. As a result, the demand for' Housing Board flats is increasing.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, when a co-operative thrift and loan society is self- sufficient and has made great profits, and after contributing the necessary 10 per cent of its capital into the statutory reserve funds and other formalities, why does the Registrar object to the society's declaration of a dividend of six per cent for its members? As a result of this objection, many members would feel that they are not getting proper returns for the money they have invested because other financial organisations, like the banks, and chit fund companies are paying better returns. If members were to note that it is not easy for a co-operative thrift and loan society to declare a six per cent dividend as embodied in their rules and regulations, I will not be surprised if a great majority of the members resign to invest their money in other financial organisations. Therefore, may I suggest to the Minister to take a look into this matter. Mr Speaker, Sir, previously when Singapore was part of Malaysia, the co-operative societies in our country had been contributing a two per cent levy to the Co-operative College of Malaya for the purpose of co-operative education. Thereafter, when Singapore separated from Malaysia, this two per cent contribution to the Co-operative College ceased, and the individual societies are now holding on to this co-operative education fund. I wonder whether it is possible for legislation to be introduced to get this two per cent levy from individual co-operative movements into a common pool and to use it for co-operative education in the Republic.”
“I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0901 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1821. About two years ago, we heard that structural alterations to and the presentation of exhibits in our National Museum were supposed to be made. So far, nothing has been done. May I know when and how the Ministry is going to do this?”
“Sir, what about the other rural areas? Will the Parliamentary Secretary agree to send a mobile library to serve those areas?”
“Sir, I cannot agree with the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Culture. I want the drama film, Naadaga Arangam, changed to other days, and in its place put another Tamil film. R.T.S, can also change the telecast time for Amuthum Thenum. There is no harm.”
“Therefore, I ask the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Culture to rectify this error. Do not let this kind of wrong reporting happen again in future, i.e., reporting the speaker as N. Govindasamy instead of P. Govindaswamy.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, during the Budget session last year, one of my colleagues brought up the question of late screening of Tamil films on television on Thursdays and Fridays. Nowadays, Tamil films are still being shown on TV. every Thursday and Friday at 10 p.m, and not many people have the opportunity of viewing them satisfactorily. In view of the fact that workers have to sleep early, is it not possible to screen Tamil films on Mondays and Tuesdays at an early hour? Surely this is not asking too much. The F.M. Stereo section has failed miserably in that it is not aware of the existence of stereo records in Hindi and Tamil. It is high time that Radio and Television Singapore introduced stereo programmes for Indian listeners too. After all there is no shortage of such records, if only R.T.S, would make an effort to purchase them. 5.45 p.m. By the way, Sir, I would like to mention something about uniforms, which I raised in yesterday's Committee of Supply. Speaking on that amendment. I had asked for something to be done to the postal uniforms to distinguish the different grades of officers. But the R.T.S, have reported that Mr N. Govindasamy had said that. Most probably, all the reporters think that P Govindaswamy and N. Govindasamy are brothers. No, we are not related. Just now I mentioned a matter regarding the Straits Times. Now I have to mention about our radio broadcasts. Radio is under our control. They must be very careful in their report, and also to see to the need for Tamil stereo records. Yesterday, I moved an amendment to the Postal Services. I was from the Postal Department, and so I must show my postal colleagues that I have done something for them. Tomorrow, when I go out they might ask, "What have you done for us?" And I must have an answer.”
“Sir, in view of the explanation of the Parliamentary Secretary, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0901 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1251. Sir, the dome of the Victoria Memorial Hall and Theatre is very plain in appearance. Since this building is in the heart of the city and also a tourist attraction, something should be done to better its appearance. I suggest that the State crest be erected on the dome.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in Singapore there are only two daily issues of English newspapers, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. These two issues are produced by the same organisation. As a result, during the recent Straits Times strike the English speaking members of the public were deprived of their daily news. Radio and Television Singapore was a poor substitute. Besides the short news bulletins, it failed to keep the English speaking public properly informed of local and world news. Sir, I wish to raise one point in this House. Last Monday in this House I spoke about the Prime Minister's salary. I mentioned that a Minister's salary is $4,500. But I read in the Straits Tunes that it was reported as $4,200. I cannot blame the reporters. They are very busy reporting the debates in Parliament. Most probably the correct figure was left out. However, the vernacular papers reported as $4,500. Only the English paper reported it as $4,200. I do not want to blame the reporters and the newspapers. But the people of Singapore must be made aware of what is happening in Singapore. Therefore, I suggest to the Minister for Culture that he should request the newspapers to carry more Singapore news instead of foreign news. I cannot blame the reporters; otherwise in tomorrow's issue, I will find that they have reported me differently. Instead of P. Govindaswamy speaking, they might print as "Govindasamy". I do not want that to happen. I am just mentioning it in this House hoping that they will verify their news, and will not allow such things to happen again.”
“That is a very good explanation coming from the Minister of State - that as a television set can receive both picture and sound, and therefore they charge $36, a radio set can only receive sound broadcasts, and therefore they charge $12. I agree with the Minister of State, and therefore I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not think so. If a man owning a radio set is charged $12, and another man with a television set is charged $36, then in that case, everyone will not want to buy a radio; he would prefer to buy a television. It is better to pay a $36 fee for a television set because there will be no necessity then to buy a radio. Is it the intention of the Minister of State that everyone must not buy a radio but a television? 4.30 p.m.”
“Similarly, cars manufactured and assembled by the parent company overseas are of a superior quality to cars of the same make but assembled locally.. Surely something can be done by local manufacturers who produce goods of a certain quality for local consumption and of another quality for export purposes.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I wonder whether a varying scale of a maximum of three annual increments in the various salary scales can be granted to an officer for any one year. Entitlement to this special increment should depend on the merits and capabilities of the individual. It will be an incentive for the officers to give of their best. As far as the low income group is concerned, I have the greatest sympathy for them. There have been complaints about the rising cost of living in Singapore, although the Minister for Finance is making every effort to bridge the gap between the lower and higher income groups by way of tax reliefs which he has announced in Parliament last week. However. I still feel that the lower income group should get more benefits in the revision of their emoluments, and I hope the National Wages Council will look into this matter. Sir, one example of dissatisfaction in the civil service can be seen in the case of temporary officers engaged on a month-to-month basis. Sometimes they are asked to act in a senior post. However, when a vacancy for the senior post is advertised, these officers are unfortunately not eligible to apply. Some other officers, with whom the temporary officers are familiar, will take over the post. Why cannot these temporary officers be confirmed as permanent officers in their senior posts? Can the Minister look into it and rectify the matter? Mr Speaker, Sir, our local population has a prejudice against locally-made products. This is justified to a great extent. If one were to import a certain product which is also produced locally, a certain difference in quality can be noticed. For example, a certain brand of tooth-paste made in Malaysia foams better in the mouth than the tooth-paste of the same brand produced locally.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, since the Prime Minister has announced the "13th month salary" for civil servants, I presume they are quite satisfied with it. I wonder whether the Minister for Finance will also consider giving the "13th month salary" to pensioners who had put in many years of loyal and patriotic service to the Republic. Sir, it is the practice in some departments to retain the services of retired civil servants. This has caused a lot of frustration among junior officers, because they feel that their chances of promotion are nullified by these retired civil servants who are re-employed in some of the senior posts. I am not objecting to their re-employment, but whether their experience is necessary for the betterment of the civil service. Sir, there is a certain amount of brain drain among the civil servants who, after having received their scholarships, come back only to resign after serving for a few years. This form of brain drain must be stopped, because the civil servants make use of the civil service as a stepping stone for their own betterment. We cannot have them holding the civil service by the throat. However, I would suggest that better conditions of service should be considered for the civil servants. As far as possible, the gap in pay between the public and private sectors should be narrowed, and so prevent a brain drain in the civil service. Furthermore. I would suggest that civil servants should be recruited on a contract basis, so that the knowledge and experience that they gain will not be lost to the Government after a short employment. Otherwise, it would be a waste of Government expenditure to recruit and train these people.”
“Speaker, Sir, with your would like to range my to my next amendment* in respect of subhead 1041. * The amendment reads as follows: - (2) That the sum to be allocated for Head 1301 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1041.”
“(14) That the sum to be allocated for Head 0801 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1531. Mr Ng Kah Ting: (15) That the sum to be allocated for Head 0801 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2015.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, today, our secondary schools are giving emphasis on technical education. This is a very sound policy indeed. However, on second thought, do all our students have an aptitude for technical education? The aptitude test at present carried out is very unsatisfactory. It takes into consideration the school examination results, and the workshop practice. From the results of this test only the best students go to the technical schools. The rest are left to plod their way in academic schools. This system of selection will mean that the State is liable to lose political scientists and experts in the other fields. Moreover, do we have enough technical schools in Singapore? Are we not emphasising too much on technical education and producing too many school leavers with secondary technical education and thus produce a surplus of technicians?”
“In view of the explanation of the Minister of State for Education, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Mr Speaker. Sir, there are some graduates who are trained teachers, but they are put on a salary scale not on par with those in the English stream, Why is it so? After all, their education js higher than Senior Cambridge or the S.L.C.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, why is discrimination shown by the Ministry of Education towards the Indian graduates in the Tamil secondary schools? Although these officers possess university degrees and have gone through the T.T.C, they are not paid a graduate's salary. In other words, their degree is not recognised and they are not paid accordingly. It is time the Ministry looked into this discrimination and put an end to it once for all.”
“It is through their understanding of the complexities or problems faced by the other races that they will be able to impart their views of tolerance on the younger generation. At present, we find teachers educated in one medium only and, therefore, conversant only in one language, like living in cocoons. These teachers are quite often insulted from ignorance of their own problems, customs, traditions. The aesthetic qualities found in a knowledge of a language other than their own are not much of an asset to Singapore.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, during the last Budget session, I touched on the integrated school system. I regret that even now there are very few schools that can be truly said to be integrated schools. Many schools display signboards to say that they are integrated schools but, in fact, they are completely segregated schools. Some of these Government integrated schools are separated by language, the English stream occupying one half of the building while the Chinese stream occupies the other half. Even in the field of sports, the two streams are separated. It is further disappointing to note that segregation exists in the English stream where the students are separated by race. Chinese students are put in different classes while Tamil and Malay students are put together in one class. The excuse for this is second language. I wonder how the second language can be used as an excuse for these students to be segregated throughout their secondary school career, when it is the Government's intention and policy to integrate the people of different races. This is a very pressing problem. May I ask the Minister for Education to look into this matter as soon as possible before further damage is done in our schools? It is commendable on, the part of the Government to lay emphasis on bilingualism, which has been long overdue. It is true that bi-lingualism or bi-lingualism can make our citizens more tolerant and to achieve a better understanding of each other's cultures and traditions. But I wonder if we have sufficient teachers who are themselves bi-lingual. May I suggest that emphasis be laid on persuading teachers to be bi-lingual themselves.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, when the Minister mentioned the investment of $30 million, can he tell us the income of the company? He has not mentioned any income of the companies.”
“In view of the answer given by the Minister, I withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0705 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2017. Mr Speaker, Sir, regarding the postman's uniform, I am quite happy that all postmen are very satisfied with it. However. I would like to say a few words about it. Recently, new uniforms were supplied to the Postal Department. With the exception of the name tag on the postman's uniform, there is no indication to show the various grades of postal workers. Could some sort of distinguishing feature be introduced so that members of the public can straightaway identify a mail officer, inspector, postman, or ordinary postman? Further, the tailoring of these uniforms is of very poor standard, and it gets torn very easily. Sir, I also understand that the postal driver, who at times performs the duties of the ordinary postman, is given only three suits of uniforms per year, whereas an ordinary postman gets five. I would, therefore, suggest that these drivers be also given five sets of uniforms, like any other ordinary postmen.”
“In view of the explanation given by the Minister, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $1,535,660 for Head 0704 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. Head 0705 -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0704 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1001. Sir, now that Singapore has built a satellite earth station in Sentosa, may I know if the Meteorological Services Department is keeping up with the latest in weather forecasting, if such facilities are available? If the Department says there will be no rain today, but it does rain, then they are incorrect. They should have more forecasting stations in order to give better information to the public.”
“However, he is more or less correct in his remarks about the Customs and Excise counter, because over there the passengers upon arrival will have to declare themselves, and for this reason there may be a little delay. I hope my clarification will help the Minister for Communications.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, there is only a limited staff at the tax-free store for passengers at the Transit section of the Paya Lebar Airport to cope with the present increased passenger load. Can the Airport authorities look into this matter to increase the staff of the store? What measures have been introduced at the Airport to prevent the hijacking of aircraft, now that hijacking has become a popular sport for neurotics and political desperadoes? If there is any special device, is it used to check on all the passengers? Are there any measures for all passengers to go through a screening device? What plans have been made for the use of Changi Airfield now that the British troops have withdrawn? Can the facilities available at Changi be considered for use in conjunction with Paya Lebar Airport, so that it forms an extension of the Airport services, particularly for chartered flights? Mr Ng Kah Ting (Punggol): Mr Speaker, Sir, I would just like to comment on the Member for Sembawang's allegation with regard to the slowness of the Immigration counter officers at the Airport in clearing passengers. Perhaps, if he would care to go to the Arrival Lounge in the new Passenger Terminal- I believe it is upstairs - he would be able to see a few counters where several Immigration officials are at work. I once had an occasion to visit this Terminal Building, and saw quite a good number of passengers coming through the Lounge. Judging from the speed with which Immigration clearance was made, and this is based on personal experience, I think the Member is exaggerating when he says that it takes two to three minutes, or even five minutes, to clear each passenger.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, my colleague, the Member for Toa Payoh, has elaborated on certain sections of the Employment Act and the Industrial Relations Act, but I have only two points to raise to the Minister. Owing to the pullout of British Forces, the Government has introduced very strict labour laws in 1968, which more or less muzzled our workers. After they have proved their worth and after having sacrificed so much for the State, it is time to change our labour laws which are disadvantageous to the workers who are open to exploitation by employers. I quote one example. An employee, who has a malicious intent on a fellow worker, can easily complain to the employer in confidence. The employer can suspend the worker for any length of time under the pretext of conducting investigations. If a worker has been suspended for a period of seven days, then by law he can be dismissed. Unfortunately, some unscrupulous employers have exploited this law to their advantage. It is my wish that amendments be made in regard to this aspect of the law. Furthermore, if a worker is interdicted and charged in a court of law, he may be found not guilty and thereby acquitted and discharged. By right he should be reinstated in his former employment, but unfortunately this is not the case. The employer has again exploited the poor worker.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, looking through this year's Budget Statement, I noticed that our hotel occupancy rate is going down year by year. Is it possible that our overseas missions have not given sufficient emphasis in their efforts to promote tourism? I think they can do better than what they are doing at present. Or perhaps if we could increase their salaries, they will then work hard.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, sometime ago, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce successfully organised a trade mission to Communist China. I feel that more such visits should be encouraged. May I ask if our Government intends to improve the relationship by sending more trade missions, and finally establishing full diplomatic ties with China?”
“Sir, I am very glad to hear that. I do not think the hawkers will not be using the metric system of measurement in future. Does the Minister for Science and Technology know that before hawkers begin to metricate, we have to make sure that they do not use this system of measurement to cheat. For example, textile shops have started to metricate, and some have been charging their customers wrongly. Therefore, we must very carefully see that when we go metric the shopkeepers and hawkers do not cheat the poor people, who form the majority of consumers. Therefore, I feel that the Minister must take severe action against unscrupulous retailers in the future when Singapore has fully gone metric. But in view of the detailed explanation, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $596,980 for Head 0301 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. Head 0401 -”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0301 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 3003. Since the metre, as a unit of measurement, has been adopted in Singapore in stages, may I know what steps are being taken to ensure that shopkeepers do not make use of this conversion as an excuse for profiteering? The Hawkers' Department should ensure that all old methods of weighing should be replaced with reliable ones and which do not lend to tampering by hawkers in markets. At present, because of the various forms of measure used by the hawkers, the poorer sections of the community are being cheated by unscrupulous hawkers. But I am not accusing every hawker, but only the unscrupulous ones. There are some shopkeepers who are very honest.”
“I do not want to pursue this matter, and therefore I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”