S. Dhanabalan
Singapore
“Mr Speaker, Sir, on a point of clarification. I said in my intervention on Tuesday that the general election is the right forum to determine the electorate's support because it puts the issue in a total and correct context.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, with hindsight, of course, we can be very wise. But since one of the three islands was excluded, it was a substantial reduction in the scope of works. The assessment then, which I agreed with, was that if you called for a re-tender, you would get a substantially reduced tender.”
“To the extent that we can, we should work with countries that have a common interest, to come together and form economic groupings targeted at trade liberalisation. We have started this process within ASEAN under the AFTA Scheme. Economic linkages in groupings like APEC are also growing in significance.”
“Mr Speaker, all these questions make a lot of sense when the events are finished, and you look back. But the officer looking at the case at that time had to deal with the facts as they were at that time.”
“ASEAN countries agreed to publish all the Inclusions and Exclusions lists, as well as the full list of actual tariff reductions. The ASEAN Secretariat had since followed up and released, as scheduled, on 1st November 1993, the publications showing these lists.”
“Kallang Theatre was closed for five months in 1992 for cyclical maintenance and upgrading costing $3 million. This included a major upgrading of the toilets, recarpeting the auditorium, rewiring and repainting.”
The complete record
Every one of 1,635 lines we hold for S. Dhanabalan, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 29 of 33.
“Sir, one of the sad things about some of these quiz programmes is that unfortunately, they do create the impression that many Singaporeans really do not know much of what is going on around them. If somebody was asked, "In whose memory was the Tan Kim Seng Fountain erected?", when the answer is contained in the question. And if he still could not answer, then I think that speaks very poorly for some of our Singaporeans. But I take his point. In fact, I have been speaking quite often to SBC about either trying to improve these quiz programmes or to do away with them altogether, because somehow Singaporeans perform very poorly before the microphone or before the camera. We do not seem to have the gift of the gab, which is not entirely bad because I think it just means that our people are more interested in getting things done rather than in talking about things. The Member also asked why was the Ching Gay procession not telecast. The truth is that it was telecast live. But perhaps what he really meant was, why was it telecast without sponsorship? Sir, there are various demands on SBC from various organizations to cover their events over TV. There must be a policy. SBC just cannot cover events upon demand. SBC reviewed its policy and they submitted their policy to me. I have agreed that the policy that they follow is quite sound. Where an event, public or national, enjoys a very large TV or radio audience, of course, there is no problem. Once an event has a larger audience, sponsors or adver- tisers are easy to attract and there is no problem in SBC meeting all the expenses for the telecasting of such an event and, of course, recoup the cost from the sale of advertising time.”
“This, of course, includes books published in the various languages. As far as promotional aspects are concerned, the Ministry of Culture does promote literature in the local languages by compiling bibliographies, book lists of local writers and also organizing forums, workshops and other events to introduce local writers to Singaporeans as well as to enable local writers to put forth their ideas to those who are interested. We have also encouraged creative writing in the four languages by such competitions as short story and playwrighting competitions and, wherever possible, the results of these competitions will be published as literary works. The Ministry has also given financial support to local cultural bodies. Just to give a few examples, it has given support to the Central Council of Malay Cultural Organizations to publish a book called "Kahma Temasek", which contains the prize-winning works of 1981. It also supports the translating and publishing of local literary works into English, from Chinese and vice-versa. Similarly, the Ministry has been encouraging writers in Malay and Tamil to translate their works for publication in the literary journal such as "Singa". These are some of the things the Ministry is trying to do to promote creative activities in the various languages. The Member for Leng Kee made a number of remarks about SBC and emphasized the role of SBC in matters of culture and in the promotion of values and traditions. He also criticized some of what he termed as "stupid questions" in variety programmes which either shows SBC or maybe the participants to be fools.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, may I take the points made by the Member for Leng Kee one at a time? First of all, a cultural plan. The Ministry of Culture submitted a cultural plan to the Ministry of Finance in August 1982. The plan outlined the Ministry's general direction over a five-year period and its annual programmes during the period. - The plan was drafted in very broad terms, and the Ministry of Finance, quite rightly, asked for more details. The detailed costs and priorities in comparison with other countries are now being collated and a modified paper is now in the final stages of preparation. It will be submitted to the Ministry of Finance. Broadly, the plan covers three elements. First, the Ministry of Culture will continue to provide leadership for cultural development by upgrading the annual programmes of cultural activities. Secondly, there are some plans to strengthen the infrastructure for cultural development, such as upgrading of existing theatres and other facilities that are required to continue cultural promotion activities. Thirdly, there are plans to improve training facilities for artistes by strengthening programmes for workshops, assisting established artistes, assisting established cultural groups and so on. As far as helping the promotion of creative activities in the various languages is concerned, there are two aspects to this. First, of course, is the documentation and preservation of such creative activities, especially literature, and secondly, the promotion of such literature. We have provision in the National Library Act for all printed and published materials on Singapore to be submitted to the National Library for documentation and preservation. There is a permanent record of all books published on Singapore.”
“Sir, on the first point raised by the Member for Anson, there are no plans to share offices. I think even older groupings than ours, the European Community, for example, find that in many instances bilateral relations with other countries demand that they have separate offices and separate staff to deal with them and it is not possible to deal with third countries on a group basis. The idea of sharing costs by sharing buildings makes sense probably in very theoretical terms but if one is familiar with the way foreign affairs is conducted and foreign ministries are administered one would see at once that this is not a practical suggestion . Of course, ASEAN countries do assist each other in countries where all of them are not represented. For example, although we have an ambassador accredited to Sri Lanka, we do not have an office in Sri Lanka and during the disturbances in Sri Lanka the Malaysian High Commission helped to look after our citizens there. This cooperation exists not only with ASEAN but also with other friendly countries. The second point has really nothing to do with this particular subhead, that is, the report about Vietnam being prepared to talk and what is our view. I would have thought that our view is very obvious. We have always made it very clear that we are prepared to discuss.The problem has been that Vietnam has not been prepared to discuss the particular issue, that is, the occupation of Cambodia. It is too early to react to the newspaper report. I do not know whether the newspaper reports are accurate or even whether the words used are what Mr Nguyen Co Thach used. Even if they were, I know from past experience that words have different meanings and I cannot react until we study further exactly what he said.”
“45 pm This is why the Indonesian Foreign Minister, as Chairman of the ASEAN Standing Committee, received the Vietnamese Foreign Minister in Jakarta. As he has explained to me, the ASEAN solution to the problem was explained very clearly to the Foreign Minister of Vietnam. But, unfortunately, as it stands now, it has not brought forth a positive response from Vietnam. But we are confident that in time Vietnam will find that it is to its advantage to respond to our formula for a solution in Cambodia.”
“Sir, ASEAN is an organization of six sovereign states. We should not forget this. We are not controlled from one central headquarters which gives directions so that all speak with exactly the same words and in the same voice. It is natural to expect that there will be minor differences of opinions on various issues now and then. But in the fundamentals, ASEAN members have always been united. I think Vietnam, year after year, has found this to be so. In many cases, differences in styles and the way of speaking have been misunderstood or played up as differences of policies among ASEAN countries. Even Vietnam has now at last come around to accept that it is futile to try and split ASEAN on this issue. I read in the newspapers that Mr Nguyen Co Thach in a recent interview said that trying to split ASEAN was like trying to separate lovers. Sir, regarding the reports that have given rise to some feeling that there is a difference of opinion on fundamentals, I think the Member is referring to reports of the visit by General Benny Murdani to Hanoi. I must inform the House that Indonesia has been in very close touch with us and, in fact, I have been kept constantly informed by my colleague in Jakarta on the results of General Murdani's visit to Hanoi as well as the visit of the Foreign Minister of Vietnam, Mr Thach, to Jakarta. We know that President Suharto has made it very clear to Mr Thach that Indonesia stands with ASEAN completely on the present policy on Cambodia. The ASEAN countries, of course, and this includes Indonesia, will continue to be responsive to any indication of Vietnamese interest to find a compromise political solution in Cambodia which will result in the withdrawal of their forces. The line is always kept open. 4.”
“It is small under normal times but it is always augmented during the General Assembly periods when officers from headquarters help in garnering support for various issues, including the ASEAN position on Cambodia. In the current fiscal year we recruited only three Foreign Service officers, and three resigned. So we are really more or less standing still. The rate of resignation, however, has reduced considerably. Actually, now we have only 28 vacant posts as against, for example, in 1980 when we had 43 vacant posts. My Ministry and the Public Service Commission are continuing our efforts to find suitably qualified persons to fill the posts. I think I have answered all the points.”
“In line with our policy of an embargo on aid, trade with Vietnam does not enjoy any incentive or special terms. There are no credit guarantee schemes, no reinsurance facilities, or any other kind of export incentives applying to exports or trade with Vietnam. There are no secret deals. All these figures are published every year and they are available in our trade statistics. Perhaps such trade is a secret on the Vietnamese side. What with a thriving black market system, an organized scheme to relieve desperate refugees of their belongings, it is possible that there is much that goes on in Vietnam that are secrets to Mr Nguyen Co Thach. Or perhaps he has difficulty explaining how an advanced social economic system such as theirs still needs to depend on supplies from decadent capitalist systems of ASEAN. In any event, if there is any secrecy at all, it is entirely on the Vietnamese side. May I now turn to the points raised by the Member for Serangoon Gardens. He asked whether we are going to open new missions abroad. I have already answered that. Then he touched on the question of manpower within the Ministry. The question of manpower and the manpower shortage problem is a continuing one with the Ministry. It has forced us to keep our overseas missions' staff to the minimum. Indeed, we will have to make further reductions whenever it is possible. During the last few months, for example, as a result of new systems and other procedures that we have introduced, we have been able to reduce staff in some of the missions. Our New York mission, as the Member has pointed out, is a busy one.”
“Apart from these on-going projects, in addition my Ministry will buy residential properties for staff in the various capitals so that we are not subject to continuous rent increases from landlords. At the same time, of course, we will have sound investments overseas. The Member also asked about what new missions we have planned for the coming years and he made the point that trade follows the flag. I am afraid for Singapore that cannot be so. It may have been the case for the colonial powers in the past, but we have to be more pragmatic and open missions where we have substantial economic relations or where we see good prospects of substantial economic relations. For the coming year we will be opening one new mission, which will be in Rangoon. The Member also referred to newspaper reports about secret deals with Vietnam. Sir, as an international trading centre, we are an open economy. We trade with all countries, except those on which there is an international agreement to impose trade sanctions. There is no trade embargo on Vietnam, either by the United Nations or by any other group. What ASEAN has been advocating, and quite successfully, is an aid embargo. Our ASEAN partners know this and, in fact, all the ASEAN countries have trading relations with Vietnam to varying degrees. Singapore's trade with Vietnam in 1983 is estimated to be about $170 million. This constitutes about 0.1% of Singapore's total trade with all countries. Vietnam finds it advantageous to sell in Singapore and buy from Singapore as many others do. Whatever they earn from their meagre exports or whatever they obtain in the form of cash grants from the Soviet Union, they find, can go the longest in Singapore; Singapore's traders conduct their trade with Vietnam on a cash basis.”
“Sir, on the first point raised by the Member for Chong Boon on why there has been a reduction in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' budget for the coming fiscal year, the proposed budget for the fiscal year 1984 is $69.9 million, which represents, as he has pointed out, a reduction, which is $5.8 million or 7.7% from the budget for FY 1983. Of the $69.9 million provided in fiscal year 1984, $55.9 million is for recurrent expenditure and $14 million is for development expenditure. The reduction that the Member has mentioned is from the recurrent expenditure and is due mainly to one item, that is, the removal from the budget of $4.95 million as Singapore's contribution to the UNCTAD Common Fund for Commodities. We provided this amount last year, but it is now quite clear that the Common Fund Agreement is unlikely to be ratified by the requisite number of countries to bring it into operation in the fiscal year 1984. We shall make a suitable provision at the appropriate time after the agreement takes effect. The balance of the reduction is due to the strengthening of the Singapore dollar. Apart from that there has been very little reduction of the real budget of our overseas missions or any other expenditure under this head. The Member also asked on what we spent on properties. For the year 1983, my Ministry spent approximately $11.5 million or 82% of the $14 million that was allocated for the purchase of properties. Ten properties were bought as staff residences in Kuala Lumpur, Manila, New York and Washington. Progress payments have been made for construction projects in Canberra and in New Delhi.”
“Are you suggesting that we depend on the us?”
“At present, it is estimated that there are just about 4,000 sets and the rate at which new TV sets are being sold with teletext feature is about 500 per month. FOREIGN WORKERS (Particulars) 5. Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam asked the Acting Minister for Labour whether he will give the number of foreign workers employed in Singapore under Work Permits as at 1st March, 1984 in (i) the Construction industry; (ii) the Manufacturing industry; (iii) Oil industry; (iv) Transport, services and related industries; and (v) as Domestic servants. The Acting Minister for Labour (Prof. S. Jayakumar): Mr Speaker, Sir, there are approximately 150,000 work perm it holders in Singapore, including permanent residents. The details sought by the Member are not available. While the Ministry has admi- nistrative records of work permit holders, it is not possible to accurately state the number of such workers at any given time, because many leave without informing the Ministry. To give accurate figures and the breakdown sought requires a time-consuming and complicated exercise which is both costly and unproductive.”
“This provision has had to be exceeded from time to time. For instance, during the present Budget debate, SBCText will put on air additional pages, from 20 to 70, as necessary.”
“For the investing public and the business community, there are more than 40 pages of financial news - stock prices, gold and commodity prices, round-up of stock exchanges, exchange rates, etc. There are, in addition, more than 10 pages of shipping information. The editorial approach adopted by SBCText caters to those who require news quickly and concisely as well as those who require detailed information. Response to the service has been slow but this was not unexpected. There is a cost to having a teletext feature in a TV receiver. The present cost differential between a TV set with and without the capacity to receive teletext is high. This will change over the next few years. Most consumers will only consider the teletext service when it is time to buy a new TV set to replace their old set. I expect that it will be about five to 10 years before most Singaporeans will have TV sets with the capacity to receive teletext. All of us involved in this service have been aware that teletext is an innovation that has to be given time to penetrate in our society. 2.45 p.m. During the present pilot phase, SBC is striving to improve the service as well as to educate the public on the features and benefits of SBCText. Even TV dealers are being put through an SBCText familiarization course. The convenience, usefulness and the speed with which information can be provided and updated vis-a-vis the other mass media and the fact that there is no additional operating cost to the viewer-reader, will eventually win more users of SBCText. There is no "drop in the number of pages on SBCText." On the contrary, the number of pages of editorial matter has been increasing. During the present pilot phase, there are 100 pages each on Channels 5 and 8.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, Teletext, which is the generic name for SBCText, is a new growing information medium. It has been introduced in a number of developed countries. If Singapore is to maintain and enhance its position as a communications centre, it must keep apace with developments elsewhere. Communication and information are keys to our position as a financial and trading centre. SBCText can disseminate information faster than any other mass media, be it radio, television or the press. It does not suffer the once-in-24-hours time lag in printing and distribution as in the case of the newspapers. Nor is SBCText available only at pre-scheduled times as news on Radio and TV. Whilst for general use, updating speed may not always be critical, for information say, on stock prices, or financial movements, time is critical. No other medium has the capacity for real-time up-dates that SBCText has. For example, when the SBCText computer is interfaced with the Stock Exchange computer in June this year, up-to-date movements will be available to those with access to SBCText. The pilot service aims at meeting a broad range of interests. There is something for all on SBCText - for the family at home, for the professional in commerce and industry, and for our visitors and tourists. For the householder, the pages of SBCText contain news, news flash, cultural guides, consumer information, health guide, sports news, Radio and TV highlights, etc. For the commuter, the traveller and the tourist, there are guides on SBCText for bus routes and taxi services apart from airline flight schedules which are directly interfaced with the computer in Changi Airport, etc.”
“I want to assure the Member that no increase by Government or a statutory body is introduced without thorough consideration. In fact, the Ministry of Trade and Industry has to first study each increase for its impact on the cost of living before it is approved. And the Ministry of Trade and Industry continues to monitor such increases and the consequences of these increases. Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That Parliament do now adjourn. Adjourned accordingly at Thirteen minutes to Seven o'clock pm to a date to be fixed. WRITTEN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS PUBLICATION OF 1983 'O' LEVEL RESULTS BY SUBJECT GROUPING 1. Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam asked the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education (a) What is the insuperable difficulty that his Ministry may face in giving the 'O' level results for the following grouping of subjects: (i) English, (ii) English and Mathematics, (iii) English, Mathematics and the Second Language; and (b) if there is no insuperable difficulty, will he direct his Ministry to prepare an analysis of the results obtained by students from government and government-aided schools in the subjects as grouped in this question in the 1983 'O' level examinations and make them public.”
“I am sure Members must have read some of these things in the newspapers. What is even more significant is that cut-throat competition in Hong Kong television has led to programmes that are increasingly difficult for us to accept in Singapore. It is because of this that we have to place special emphasis on building up our Chinese drama production unit in SBC. Even in serious programmes,, for example in America, when it comes to News and other informational programmes, because of severe competition, there is a tendency to indulge in sensationalism and to attempt to be hypocritical of every move by the Government in order to attract viewer attention - all to the detriment of the society. If commercial considerations are paramount, there is no doubt about the quality of programmes that we will get. Members have just to look at the kind of films screened in our theatres and the kind of films that have long runs and they will have an idea of the quality of the films that will be featured if commercial considerations are paramount. The impact of TV as a media is immense. The cumulative effect of sustained weekly programming of popular TV shows that can deliver mass audiences to the advertisers must mean that shows will appeal more and more to baser tastes. This is one of the unfortunate effects of making commercial considerations the paramount consideration. Such a development will completely negate the kind of values which are relevant to our survival and progress. I would therefore not favour at the present juncture a private commercial channel. The last point made by the Member for Chong Boon is about the series of increases as a result of Government decision.”
“The Member has quoted licence fees of other countries. This game of comparison, of course, can be played by more than one without any conclusive results. I can quote that apart from the UK, the fee in Italy is $118, in Denmark it is $250, in Austria it is $203. These are all countries With a larger viewership and thus have a larger advertising revenue potential. So we cannot really prove anything by making these comparisons. Coming to the penultimate point that the Member for Chong Boon made, ie, the introduction of commercial station in order to have some competition, I will not deny that competition can increase efficiency and improve productivity and even generate new ideas in radio and TV broadcasting in Singapore. But that is only one side of the coin. The main factor in Singapore is a limited market and very limited supply of talent. Two stations competing for programmes from overseas, including direct telecast of important events, will only increase costs, not quality. For example, two stations competing for the FA Cup Final or the Wimbledon Final will mean that finally at the end of the day we pay more but we are not going to get anything more than one Final for paying more. The same goes for the expertise and talent. An increase in cost will not necessarily mean an increase in supply or quality. Hong Kong was mentioned as an example of a place which has more than one TV station competing on a commercial basis. In Hong Kong there was, in fact, a Third TV company which went into receivership, and Hong Kong has a much larger population than Singapore and virtually a monolingual market. Even with foreign capital and expertise, one of the remaining two companies in Hong Kong is barely able to stay afloat.”
“Given the slow world economic recovery and if the trend in the rate of growth of expenditure outpacing the rate of growth of income continues, SBC's reserves will soon be depleted. All the parties involved in broadcasting have had to pay more. Advertisers have paid more. SBC has paid more in purchasing foreign programmes as well as in the production of local programmes. Only the viewer has had his fees at a constant level since 1979 for TV; and since 1938 for Radio. Any further delay in revising the Radio and TV licence fees will simply mean that when the revision is actually done, the increase will be so substantial that it will give rise to a hue and cry. It is preferable all round if the necessary revision in the fees were made in periodic and gradual steps. The TV licence fee must, of course, be seen in proper perspective. The fee of $80 per year for colour TV, for example, means 22 cents per day. And what does the viewer get for his 22 cents a day? He gets a choice of 17 hours of TV, 93 hours of Radio and 200 pages of SBC Text. I think, by any criteria this is very good value for money. Singaporeans are not hesitant about spending money on entertainment. It is estimated that about one-third of the households in Singapore have video tape recorders. It costs $5 to $8 to rent a feature film or serial of only 1 1/2 to 3 hours. And many are spending $40 to $100 a month to hire video cassettes. So I cannot understand this wringing of hands over 22 cents per day. In any case, Sir, we have not increased the fee for monochrome TV sets, or black and white TV sets. For those who own black and white TV sets to be considered as the poor who need special treatment speaks very much about how far Singaporeans have come in their expectations of what they ought to have.”
“Thus it is not true that SBC has increased its fee at the slightest opportunity. All these measures which SBC has taken will continue to be pursued and SBC will constantly look for new sources of revenue. Why then have we increased licence fees, especially in the light of the fact that SBC has surpluses? Firstly, we cannot assume that revenues will continue to increase. Costs will increase with improvements in programmes. Costs of manpower and talent and acquired programmes will increase. I have already pointed out that replacement costs of much of the equipment will be much more than the original cost at which they were taken over by SBC. As SBC acquires better and better programmes from abroad, costs are bo(ind to increase. As an example, Sir, the Singapore public likes to have attractive feature films during holidays. SBC used to telecast films that cost $2,000 to $3,000 per film. Lately, we have tried to purchase or lease more up-to-date films, and this can cost as much as $15,000 to $20,000 each. This money, of course, has to come from somewhere. Members must note that whether one person watches a programme or 10 million watch a programme, the cost of telecasting is the same. But the revenue varies according to viewership. This is limited by the size of the population. In the case of Singapore this small population is further restricted by being segmented into four language groups. So the potential for revenue is not as great as in many other countries. Further, if we want to maintain a balance between popular entertainment programmes and programmes of high educational, informative and cultural content, the scope for advertising revenue must be limited. Prudent controls have enabled a reserve fund to be built up by SBC.”
“This figure is before the increase in revenue as a result of the licence fee increases. Rates for commercials have been increased four times since January 1980. Advertising revenue has increased from about $20 million in the fiscal year 1979/80 to $72 million in the fiscal year 1983/84, the last figure, of course, is an estimated figure. This increase has been possible because of better programmes, improved scheduling and strong sales effort to optimize air time sales for programmes that draw a large viewership, or in the case of radio, listener- ship. Innovative and aggressive marketing increased SBC's share of the total advertising expenditure in Singapore from 26% in 1979 to 29% in the last fiscal year. The second major source of funds for SBC has been Government grants, and this was as agreed by the government when SBC was established. All new investments have been funded by Government grants. Government has approved an allocation of $67 million, since SBC was established, to fund various capital projects. In addition, as agreed again when SBC was established, all replacement of old equipment is for the account of SBC. Since SBC was established, it has spent $12 1/2 million to replace old equipment. I must point out that the replacement of much of the equipment cost more than the original cost of the equipment which SBC took over from RTS. New sources of revenue have also been explored. SBC set up a Commercial Production Unit to produce commercials which were produced on tape instead of the more expensive method of producing them on film. These taped commercials are, of course, used over SBC. The Corporation also set up a Publications Unit. These two units have contributed $4 to $5 million per year to SBC's revenue.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, first of all I would like to thank the Member for Chong Boon for bringing up this matter because it gives me an opportunity to explain the recent TV and Radio licence fee increases. The broadcasting service that SBC provides is a public service much like other public services. The cost of operating this public service must be borne by the beneficiaries. In the case of SBC, the beneficiaries are the listeners and the viewers and the advertising clients. It is true that SBC has accumulated a surplus and that this surplus has been achieved in spite of major organizational changes, massive inputs of personnel in administration, programme production, technical areas, recruitment of performing talents as well as very substantial investments in engineering facilities and in premises. For example, the personnel employed by SBC now stands at about 2,600 compared to 1,300 when SBC was established and took over the staff and facilities from RTS. New equipment and facilities of more than $30 million has been invested. TV output, since SBC was established, has increased from 104 hours a week to 116 hours a week. But what is even more significant is that local production of TV programmes increased from 26 1/2 hours a week to 42 1/2 hours a week. When SBC was established local production accounted for 27% of all telecast and now local production accounts for 37%. Since TV licence fees have not increased since 1978, these increases have obviously been funded from other sources and SBC certainly did not resort to any soft option or to increasing licence fees at the first opportunity, as suggested by the Member for Chong Boon, Firstly, SBC has been successful in increasing advertising revenue which accounted for 65% of SBC's total revenue.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That Parliament do now adjourn. Question proposed. SINGAPORE BROADCASTING CORPORATION LICENCE FEE INCREASES 6.20 pm”
“Jabbar asked the Minister for Finance and Minister for Trade and Industry if he will consider reduced tariffs for public utilities for Residents' Committee Centres which are assessed at non-domestic rates at present, in view of the fact that Residents' Committees are voluntary organisations dedicated to community service.”
“(a) There were four instances of violations of Tengah air space by Aeroflot aircraft in early 1980 (14 January to 16 April). Since then, there have been no further violations. (b) The Singapore Government took appropriate action against the violations of Singapore's air space by the aircraft of the Aeroflot Soviet Airlines in 1980. On 25 April 1980, the Soviet Charge d'Affaires was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and told of the violations of Tengah air space by Aeroflot aircraft. He was warned that any such violations in the future would be dealt with in accordance with the laws of Singapore. Since the warning, there have been no further violations. I would like to assure the Honourable Member that the Government takes a very serious view of any violation of Singapore's air space. Under the terms of the Air Services Agreement between Singapore and the Soviet Union, the Singapore Government can take legal action against any infringement of our air space by the aircraft of the Aeroflot Soviet Airlines or any other airline. Paragraph 58 of the Air Navigation Order of 1973 stipulates that any contravention of our air space by any airline shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or imprisonment for a term of six months, or to both such fine and imprisonment. Similarly, Article 3(6) of the Air Services Agreement between Singapore and the USSR gives Singapore the right to suspend Aeroflot flights in Singapore if the Aeroflot Airlines failed to comply with the conditions prescribed in the Agreement. (c) The Singapore Government has no plans to suspend the landing rights of the Aeroflot Airlines. RESIDENTS' COMMITTEE CENTRES (Reduced tariffs for public utilities) 16. Mr M.K.A.”
“In mid-November 1981, the People's Association wrote to SBC in connection with telecasting the 1982 Current Affairs Quiz series. After studying the matter, SBC decided against recording the Quiz for telecast because it felt that the subject matter and the approach proposed would not make for a good TV series. In 1983, the People's Association did not approach SBC on telecasting the Current Affairs Quiz. But the finals of the series was covered in SBC's TV news. WATER SUPPLY (Improvements and status) 21. Mr Rohan bin Kamis asked the Minister for Trade and Industry, with regard to our water supply by the Public Utilities Board, (a) what improvements have been made to-date; (b) what further improvement,g are being planned; (c) what is the status of our supply; and (d) when and what steps will be taken to avoid water shortage in the event of a prolonged dry season.”
“) NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS QUIZ 1983 (Non-telecast by SBC) 20. Mr P. Selvadurai asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Culture if there were any special reasons for the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation not telecasting the National Current Affairs Quiz 1983 organised by the People's Association and concluded on 16th July, 1983.”
“My Ministry has been allocated the sum of $357,500 for FY 83/84 for the courtesy campaign. Up to now we have spent $196,400. The amount incurred by other ministries is insignificant as they obtain supporting materials from the Ministry of Culture. The bulk of the expenditure was for printing materials as well as publicity over TV and Radio. We live in an increasingly crowded nation. More than 70% of our people live in dense high-rise housing. In such a situation, courtesy is more than a smile and saying 'please' and 'thank you'. Knowing our neighbours in HDB flats and having consideration for one another in the way we conduct ourselves within our home and in public places, consideration for others on the roads and so on, are essential to lessen the frictions that are inevitable when people live in crowded conditions. The courtesy campaign is therefore necessary and the annual expenditure worthwhile. While Government has led the campaign, the private sector has responded enthusiastically. Many companies and organisations have participated actively promoting courtesy before, during and beyond the campaign month each year. According to four surveys - two sponsored by Nanyang Siang Pau and two by Times Organisation - Singaporeans are now more courteous than they were in 1979 when the first campaign was launched. For example, Government departments have been reported to have improved a great deal. The staff are more courteous and many departments have streamlined their work procedures to remove irritation to members of the public. As another example, respondents to the survey indicated marked improvement in the courtesy shown by bus crews and taxi drivers. We shall continue to monitor the effects of the campaign. QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER (Not reached by 3.30 p.m.”
“Sir, I would be happy to get the details from the Member for Whampoa about these songs which are played at different speeds and even backwards. My turntable is not capable of running backwards. Maybe there are, but I certainly will look into this if the Member can give me some details. As to people having nightmares and having a mental breakdown as a result of seeing horror films, why do people watch horror films if it gives them nightmares? I really find it difficult to understand. But if people quite innocently watch these horror films and then are horrified and become mental cases, and there are records of such cases, I would certainly ask the Minister for Health to let me have the details so that I can look at them. But frankly I would think that, in all these cases, the simplest solution is to switch off the TV or not go to the theatre if you are so affected by the horror films. But this does not mean, and I must make it very clear, that we are just going to allow any kind of films into the theatres or to be shown on TV and expect people to exercise their own censorship. No, we will exercise censorship but since it is a subject that cannot be agreed upon by everybody and people have many different views, ultimately the person must decide for himself whether he wants to watch the film or not. We can only do so much. But as I said just now, if something has slipped passed the censors which should not have, I will be happy to get details and deal with such cases.”
“If any Member comes across films or songs which glorify drug culture and that somehow managed to pass the film censors or SBC, I would very much like to hear from him so that we can take specific action. It is not practical to ban all films and video tapes dealing with horror, the supernatural, or with rock music. When it comes to horror or the supernatural, parental supervision is important. After all, if such films are being shown in the cinema, I think the parents should exercise some sort of supervision and control, and even more so if these films are screened on TV. Over TV, SBC is particularly careful, although SBC has been accused of occasionally telecasting films under this category. But they are mindful of this and, as I have said, if there are specific instances where the Member for Whampoa or others have complaints, I will always be happy to listen to them. 3.30 p.m.”
“As one of the recommendations of the Jayakumar Report dealt with this particular aspect, and since the recommendations were accepted by the Government, theatres have been told and, in fact, trailers are now censored and passed by the Board of Film Censors with an indication as to whether or not it can be screened before an audience of children. As far as horror films are concerned, opinions also vary a lot. Some horror films in trying to be frightening, in fact, are funny, whereas others which are supposed to be funny and deal with serious themes can be horrors. But the kind of horror films that the Member for Whampoa is referring to are those dealing with the supernatural and similar subjects. I am told that in the year 1982, 54 out of more than 1,000 feature films were films that dealt with horror and the supernatural as subjects. Of these 54 films, 47 were passed for exhibition and seven were banned. Surprisingly, very few video tapes were submitted for censorship that dealt with or which could be classified as horror films or horror tapes. As regards video tapes, out of more than 20,000 tapes, only 13 dealt with the horror and the supernatural, Perhaps most of the real horrors were never submitted for censorship. As for rock music, in the same year, i.e. 1982, only one film and two video tapes were submitted for censorship, and they were all passed for public exhibition. Sir, I know that music, like censorship, evokes many different responses from people. I myself do not like what passes for music these days, but I would hesitate to impose my taste and my view on others. But where the music is related to the propagation of drug culture, or where it is related to drug culture, we are very strict.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, on the subject of censorship, there will always be differences of opinion as all of us have different backgrounds, different experiences and different expectations. The censors do not expect everyone to agree with what they do because, as I have said, the whole question is very subjective. But it does not mean that it is arbitrary. I have often been taken to task by other Members in this House for being too strict. The Member for Alexandra is one who has often spoken to me on this matter. I am very much tempted to ask him to explain to the Member for Whampoa and, if the two of them can come out with an agreed guideline, I will be very happy to pass it on to the censors. Whatever decision we make on this question, we will be criticized by one group as being too liberal and by another group as being too puritanical. Sir, with that as a background, I would like to make it clear to the Member for Whampoa that we are very concerned about violence in films and video tapes and the impact of such films of violence on children. There was a time when during school holidays many of the movie houses used to show films of special appeal to children, such as Walt Disney films, which used to be shown together with trailers of coming films, akan datang. These trailers, of course, did not differentiate between children's films and adult films. Trailer films depicting violence and dealing with themes which are more for adults were usually shown together with feature films which are basically meant for children.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply has made further progress on the Main and Development Estimates for the financial year 1st April, 1983 to 31st March, 1984, and ask leave to sit again on Monday, 21st March, 1983.”
“Sir, I think the answer is obvious. I have already made it clear what the total project cost is. Since construction starts only in November, we need not provide the total cost in this financial year. Only $4 million is provided and the balance will be provided in the next financial year, according to the estimated progress of work in the next financial year. So the total project cost remains the same except that it is spread over three years. Mr Ng Kah Ting: I am not convinced, Sir, with the Minister's reply. But in any case I very hesitantly beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. 7.59 p.m.”
“But the fact of the matter is the plant, which was not of very good quality, deteriorated and has to be replaced. So the three items (1) inflation, (2) additional items because of deterioration of plant and equipment within the theatre, and (3) the reraking of the floor, account for the $6.4 million. There is no question of trying to pull a fast one on the Ministry of Finance.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I do not think I can allow a comment like that to pass. I resent this insinuation that we use devious means to get money from the Ministry of Finance. The fact of the matter, Sir, as was explained, is this. Originally the conversion was expected to cost $6.5 million. And that was the money that was sought in order to undertake the renovations and conversion. During the process of drawing up the plans, which took some time, as was explained, a theatre consultant had to be engaged. It was found that the sight-lines required adjustment and therefore the floor had to be reraked. That item was an additional item, not originally envisaged when the theatre project was first considered. And as was explained by my Parliamentary Secretary, that item accounts for $1,950,000. It so happens that this theatre was purchased at a time of very rapid inflation, especially in construction costs. So in that period, while the whole matter was under consideration, construction costs increased by $3.3 million. (I am rounding off these figures) which accounts for about 50% of the additional cost. So if you ask about the additional cost of $6.4 million, half of it was due to inflation and the other half is accounted for by two items, one for reraking of the floors and the other for the deterioration of plant and equipment within the theatre. Incidentally, when we bought the theatre, no value was attributed to any of the plant and equipment within the theatre. It was valued only on the basis of the shell and other facilities, and that was the basis on which we bought the building. So it is not that we attributed some value to this plant and equipment which deteriorated and therefore we have to spend money.”
“Sir, this Government is a serious Government. It does not play games. We do not go round frittering hard-earned taxes just to satisfy the whims and fancies of the Member for Anson who is so anxious to be in the public limelight and to make propaganda out of every point. Of course, he has to try. That is his job. But certainly we are not going to be a party to it. We are not going to spend public funds. But if, and I repeat this, if he is prepared to resign his seat (he can pick any seat in Singapore, including mine in Kallang), we will contest and see who the people support. But the point I want to make, Sir, is that when the Member for Anson talks about these very serious matters, one would expect him - even though he does not know the language as I do not know the language - to at least make the effort to find out before he comes to this House and talk so glibly and so casually about matters in our nation which can destroy the very fabric that we have so carefully built up since our independence. I thought I ought to register the point, because it is a point that the Member would do well to note, ponder and to do some research on. Maj Fong Sip Chee: Sir, I just want to remind the Member for Anson that he once challenged me, to take me on anywhere any time. I accepted that challenge. The acceptance is still valid today. The next move is his, please.”
“If the Member for Anson is prepared to resign tomorrow, I am sure any of my colleagues here will be prepared to resign and contest him in any constituency in Singapore.”
“Sir, thank you for allowing me to continue. I just want to complete one point that I overlooked just now. The Member for Anson mentioned in passing when he spoke just now that the two Chinese newspapers had to be punished and had to be closed down, and he then made a passing reference in the same sentence or context to the detention of Mr Lee Eu Seng. The manner in which he glossed over this fact, as though this action taken by the Government was a casual action motivated merely by critical press, shows how little he understands the kind of problems that Singapore has faced in the past and the kind of problems it faces today and the kind of problems that it will face in the future. Of course, anyone who claims to be a political leader must be aware. Sir, I have colleagues in this House who are well-versed in the Chinese language, who know the kind of emotions that can be aroused on language issues. They have long experience, some bitter experience, and I trust their judgment and their opinions, and they know how sensitive and how serious this issue of Chinese language was in Singapore and how serious it can become, or for that matter any other language issue. But since we are talking about Mr Lee Eu Seng, to refer to his detention and this whole problem that we had with Nanyang Siang Pau as though it was part of a political ploy, shows a complete lack of understanding of Singapore's problems. I wonder how anybody who aspires to political leadership can do so with such abysmal ignorance of the conditions in Singapore.”
“Sir, I am constantly surprised at how the Member for Anson slips in clarification speeches under a point of order. But the point I made is still relevant. From our past experience with the Member for Anson and the Party that he represents, I think we are perfectly justified in asking for all these details before we give due consideration to his application. If he has made the application it will be given consideration. This House should not be treated in such a manner that any Member can make an application and ask for an answer here. Sir, I think I have dealt with the points that he has raised. I would just like to ask the Minister of State to explain in some detail the subject of the merger of the two Chinese newspapers.”
“Sir, I do not think this House should be used to elicit answers on normal Government procedures. If the Member is interested in having a May Day Rally, he can make his application on the prescribed form in the prescribed manner, and it will be given due consideration. We do not care what the meeting is called, whether it is called "Residents' Forum" or Debate, they come under the same category, and he was quite right and quite wise in applying for a licence under the Public Entertainments Act for the Residents' Forum that he intended to have. If he has made such an application, that application will be given due consideration. All the details that were requested by the officials of the Ministry of Culture are very relevant details. When an application is made, Sir, obviously certain data is required before it can be decided whether the application can be granted or not. It is not sufficient to know just the name of the Party and the place of the meeting because that is not sufficient to consider the application in detail. We have to know what is the subject, who are going to speak, especially in the light of the fact that the Workers' Party seems to have a tendency to have members and committee members whose history and record the Secretary-General himself is not aware of. Mr Jeyaretnam: On a point of order, Sir.”
“That is why I am asking you, how come you are here? Sir, this Government does not need to resort to the ISA in order to put down legitimate political opposition. We have always made it clear that where the Communist Party and subversives are concerned, we cannot allow them to use the normal rules of an open society to undermine that very society. And we will have no hesitation in continuing to use the ISA to prevent such people from taking advantage of the rules of our open society to undermine the very society in which they are members, and we make no apologies for it. 7.00 p.m. As far as meetings are concerned, I do not know why the Member for Anson continues to raise this. I think I have explained in great detail that we will not give permits for any public meetings except on special occasions like National Day -”
“Of course, they wanted it. If they had not wanted it, it could not have been done. Sir, I just want to touch on a few other points which have nothing to do with newspapers. The Member for Anson has again taken up cudgels on behalf of the foreign press correspondents, most of whom, I must hasten to say, have very sound ideas as to what reporting is all about. But there are occasional cases of correspondents who think that they are here to pursue a campaign against the Government in Singapore. Sir, in the case of Mr Patrick Smith, as it is with every other foreigner who works in Singapore, he has to obtain an employment pass or a work permit. Everybody is subjected to the same rule, from a bank manager right down to the construction worker. This employment pass or work permit is not a matter of right. Some foreign correspondents think that they are a special breed who can demand as a right an employment pass to work in Singapore or to have their employment pass renewed. I want to, clearly in this House, disabuse such people of any such idea. The employment pass is entirely in our hands. It is our prerogative whether we want to grant it or not, and no foreign correspondent or any other person can claim it as a right. Mr Patrick Smith's employment pass expired. It was not renewed and that is that. He has written articles implying motives and touching on subjects which he knows nothing about or knowing how sensitive they are in Singapore and the kind of problems and dangers we face. The Member for Anson said that the Internal Security Act has been used to put down political opposition. How is it that he is here this evening in this House if this Government has been going around using the ISA to put down political opposition?”
“Unfortunately, Sir, I am told that the correspondents from Times House are not able to take down word for word what the Member for Anson said. And so they had to take down the points and present it in such a way that next day it makes very great sense. I can assure him that if Times House is a Government department that would not have happened. The Member made the point that in the case of the English papers we want to encourage competition, and that in the case of Chinese papers, we do not want to encourage competition. Sir, the Member complained just now that he always gets long policy statements. The reason why we have to make long policy statements is that he does not understand the subject. So we have to explain in detail because his questions are always questions that are irrelevant. We have never said that we would not allow competition among Chinese papers. I have explained why and it will be explained in greater detail in Mandarin, if the Member for Anson can follow, why it was necessary for these Chinese newspapers to unite their resources.”
“There is no question of any paper being closed down, and I would like to make that categorically clear. As I said just now, Sir, the other arguments and the details on this matter would be dealt with by the Minister of State. The Member for Anson has made the point that we believe in free enterprise, therefore, why not have a free expression of ideas? Sir, I had given this matter a detailed reply when he brought it up last year. I made it clear that we in Singapore are not prepared to allow a situation similar to that in other countries where you have complete press licence, and all kinds of ideas of inciting the people, being allowed free play. We make no apologies for it. We are responsible for the society. We are responsible for the stability of this nation and we are not going to be cowed by any member of the opposition or by any international press correspondent to change this policy. We are not responsible to people outside Singapore. We are responsible to our citizens. The Member made the point that Times House is a Government department. If it is a Government department, I think he should be very pleased that the Times House has gone out of its way to make order and sense out of his rambling circumlocutory one-hour speech that he made the other day. I would have thought maybe if it was a Government department, they would have just reproduced the speech in toto so that the people in Singapore can read for themselves.”
“Sir, I had intended to ask my Minister of State to reply on the subject of the Chinese newspapers because I think he knows better than many, the peculiar problems of Chinese newspapers. But since the Member for Anson has brought up the question of the Nanyang Siang Pau, I think it is only proper that I make just a few points before I allow the Minister of State to deal with this subject in some detail. First of all, Sir, there is no question of closing down any newspaper. The reasons behind the Government's encouragement to the two newspapers to merge have been quite clearly set out in the press statement from the Prime Minister's Office. It is true that the two newspapers have been doing well. It is true that they do have a large circulation at the present moment. There are two ways, Sir, of tackling a problem. One is to allow the problem to overwhelm us and then scurry around looking for a solution. The other is to anticipate the problem long before it becomes a problem and try and take action that would prevent such problem from seriously disrupting our society. It is clear from the trend in the enrolment in our schools that almost all the children in the coming years would be going to schools where they would be doing English as a first language and Chinese as a second language. And it is because of the implications this might have for the Chinese language and for the Chinese newspapers as a whole that the Government was motivated in putting to the two Chinese newspapers the importance of merging, of uniting the forces, to cope with the kind of problems that will arise in the future. There will be two Chinese newspapers in the stable of the Nanyang Siang Pau and the Sin Chew Jit Poh, one a morning and the other an evening paper.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, may I say something? Strictly, these matters come under the Ministry of Home Affairs, but I am prepared to answer the question.”
“Mr Chandra Das: Sir, I would like to thank the Minister for his detailed and painstaking answer to the questions posed by the Member for Serangoon Gardens and myself. I personally would like to congratulate the Ministry for their very accurate reading of the overseas property market and I wish their luck continues. Sir, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. In the absence of Mr Ng Kah Ting, the following amendment, standing in his name, was not proceeded with: (4) That the sum to be allocated for Head 0 be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead OB -01 of the Development Estimates. The sum of $61,727,930 for Head 0 ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. The sum of $14,000,000 for Head 0 ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. Head J - The following amendments stood on the Order Paper Supplement -”
“The refugee problem in Southeast Asia, including the problem in Thailand, continues to be a very difficult one. Fortunately, there has been some improvement over the situation in 1979-80 which were, in fact, the worst years. The UNHCR expenditure on Indochinese refugees has declined over the past three years. The figure for the period November 1979 to December 1980, which is about 14 months, was US$81.1 million and this has been declining. For the year 1982, January to December, it went down to US$13.9 million. This is an indication of the fact that the problem is less serious than it was. The situation has improved but relief operations continued to be required for almost 240,000 refugees who are in camps along the Thai-Cambodian border as well as 80,000 Thais who are affected by the influx of refugees. In December 1982, the UN Secretary-General announced that as a result of the improving conditions in Cambodia, the UN food programme both inside Cambodia as well as along the Thai-Cambodian border would be wound up. Singapore, together with the other ASEAN countries, made representations to the UN Secretary-General that the UN relief operations along the Thai-Cambodian border should continue because of the problems arising from the presence of the 240,000 Cambodian refugees along the border. We, together with other like-minded countries, have pledged financial contributions for the continuation of humanitarian relief programme along the Thai-Cambodian border. I would like to remind Members that this problem of refugees has to be tackled at source and until the problem in Cambodia is settled and Vietnam withdraws its troops, the problem will continue to persist.”
“On the question of foreign assistance, Sir, Singapore does offer technical assistance to a number of countries under the Colombo Plan as well as under the ASEAN Training Awards Scheme as well as through other ad hoc arrangements. We provide training assistance through international development agencies, such as the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation, the UN agencies as well as the UN Development Programme, UNESCO and WHO. In the year 1982 we provided 2,543 awards and training attachments under bilateral programmes. Of these, 158 awards were made under the Colombo Plan and 67 awards under the ASEAN scheme. The balance of 2,000-odd training attachments were offered under other ad hoc arrangements. We also accepted 416 trainees sponsored by other international training agencies who were then sent to Singapore because we have either expertise or facilities for such training. Most of our Colombo Plan awards, almost 70%, went to our ASEAN neighbours and the rest to the developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region, The fields of study comprise health, medicine, communications, housing, port activi- ties, business administration, industrial training and so on. Our development experience has fortunately enabled us to acquire expertise in these specific fields and we want to share our experience with other countries. If the Member wants more details on these awards, I will be happy to provide them in writing. Have I answered all the questions?”