S Jayakumar
Singapore
“It is well and good for countries to announce various targets and emissions. But one vexing issue ultimately is: what will be the method for verifying compliance with each country's announced measures? Another vexing issue, of course, is the issue of financing.”
“I would appreciate it if she were to give me some specifics of the negative feedback. But the general feedback I have had about our judiciary, both of the Supreme Court and the Subordinate Courts, has been nothing but positive.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the information that I have is that there is always medical advice present when caning is administered and that if the medical opinion is that caning cannot proceed beyond a certain point, that medical opinion will be observed and the caning will not proceed.”
“Mr Liang Eng Hwa asked the Minister for Transport in view of the recent announcement to make immediate improvements to the public transport system (a) whether the Ministry has set a timeline for the increase in frequency of feeder bus services; and (b) whether the Ministry can immediately target such services that are currently running at…”
“SCDF will continue to work with HDB and other relevant agencies to ensure that such older buildings with one exit staircase meet the prevailing fire safety requirements when they undergo major renovation or upgrading works. CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONERS 3.”
“The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports (Mr Teo Ser Luck) (for the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports): Mr Speaker, Sir, with your permission, I would like to take Mrs Jessie Phua's and Dr Lim Wee Kiak's questions together as they both relate to the same issues.”
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“The provisions of the Registration of Criminals Act (Cap 119) empower the Police to maintain the criminal records of persons. Under this Act, there is no limit to the period for which a person's criminal records are kept. The Criminal Records Office of the Police does not disclose criminal records to prospective employers in the private sector, unless the employment has security implications or potential for the commission of crimes. Examples are employment in the petroleum companies whose operations are vital to the economy and therefore require stringent security control, and of certain categories of hotel employees who have easy access to the rooms of hotel guests. In such cases, the prospective employers are cautioned that the information supplied to them are strictly on a confidential basis. MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT ON FOREIGN SERVICE 4. Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Culture if he will inform the House of the number of Members of Parliament concurrently serving as Singapore's High Commissioners or Ambassadors to foreign Governments, giving their names, the countries to which they are accredited, the dates of their first appointment in the foreign service and details of all remuneration of whatsoever kind and howsoever called earned by the said Members. Mr S. Dhanabalan: The following is a list of Members of Parliament who are concurrently serving as Heads of Mission:- Name and Countries of Date of Appointment Constituency Current Accreditation in the Foreign Service ______________________________________________________________ 1 Dr Chiang Belgium, Luxembourg, High Commissioner to Hai Ding the Netherlands, Malaysia.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That Parliament do now adjourn. Question proposed. LAND TRANSPORT POLICY 6.31 pm”
“The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Prof S. Jayakumar]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. ADJOURNMENT TO A DATE TO BE FIXED (Motion) Resolved, "That at its rising today Parliament do stand adjourned to a date to be fixed." - [Prof S. Jayakumar]. ADJOURNMENT MOTION”
“This is a point which has not escaped us and several workshops have been conducted by the NPB, precisely to ensure not only the letter but also the spirit of the scheme will be thoroughly understood by those in charge of implementing it. Finally, the Member for Pasir Panjang asked for some indication as to the types of benefits or schemes which may be covered by the COWEC concept. There are basically two types of schemes. One type is a scheme whereby the investment income from the principal sum is devoted exclusively for retirement. Under this scheme, in addition to the 10% principal sum, all incomes will be kept for retirement. To give you one illustration which is interesting: one of the companies under this scheme has a proposal whereby if the employee resigns within five years of employment, he would not only have the 10% returned to his CPF account but also the interest. But if he serves more than five years in the company, then he will enjoy increasingly a proportion of net investment income. This will serve to encourage the employee to remain loyal and to foster a link between the employer and employee. The other type or category of benefits involves retirement benefit plus various other benefits. For example, in addition to the retirement funds based on the 10%, the investment income could be used for various benefits such as educational allowances, scholarships, medical benefits, various group activities, recreational activities, life insurance premiums, long service cash withdrawal and similar benefits. I apologize to the Members if I have not dealt with all the other points but I hope this covers the main points that they have raised. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House.”
“Here again, I need to stress that the scheme of COWEC emphasizes that all benefits under COWEC must be over and above current benefits. And this will be ensured by the approving authority in process of approving the scheme through a comparison of the proposed benefits with a list of existing benefits. So I can give him that assurance. The Member for Boon Lay also asked this question that while under the COWEC scheme the employer is required to obtain a banker's guarantee for the 10% or principal sum which will be invested in a trust fund and whether a similar requirement can also be imposed in terms of a banker's guarantee for the interest. We have given thought to this. Theoretically, it will be possible to insist on a banker's guarantee for the interest on the principal sum. But the intention of the Government in implementing the COWEC scheme is to give considerable flexibility to the participating firms in devising as wide and varied a range of benefits under the COWEC scheme. If we imposed a requirement of a banker's guarantee, this could be done but it may reduce and constrict the flexibility and the range of benefits that would be provided. But I think the Member for Boon Lay would be pleased to hear that of the 10 companies which are participating in the scheme, nearly all of them, in their tentative proposals sent up for approval, have not only provided for banker's guarantee for the 10% principal but have also provided for guarantee for the CPF interest. So I think that those 10 companies have set a pattern which will be very difficult for other companies to depart from. The Member for Pasir Panjang and I believe the Member for Geylang Serai also, stressed the importance of managerial staff and middle management staff being well versed in the scheme.”
“The second point raised by the Member for Pasir Panjang was that he attached importance to the need to give an assurance as to how this would impinge on existing home ownership schemes and whether they would be adversely affected. There, too, I should reassure hon. Members, and through them to those outside who will be interested in the scheme, that the employee in a COWEC scheme will not be adversely affected in respect of the housing scheme or any other approved scheme under the CPF. That is to say, if the balances in his CPF account are insufficient for him to participate in the housing programme, then his balances in the COWEC scheme will be used, and this is a condition under which the CPF Board will approve various COWEC schemes. This is a point which has been reiterated in all cases where proposals have come forth. So that assurance I gladly give. More than one hon. Member have stressed that everything turns on employer/ employee relationship and positive cooperation between management and the employees - the necessity to consult. This again is very important. A funda- mental feature of the scheme is the element of voluntariness both for the employer and for existing employees. Because it is voluntary, obviously both the employer and employees must be persuaded that it is in their interest to do so. This requires a fairly high level of collaboration and cooperation. So this point is also one which is valid and one which we in the Ministry of Labour as well as the National Productivity Board will not fail to bear uppermost in our minds. The Member for Boon Lay asked whether this would in any way adversely affect existing benefits which are enjoyed by the employee.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I wish to thank the Members who have spoken on this Bill, in particular the Members for Pasir Panjang, Boon Lay and Geylang Serai, who have demonstrated their sincerity in the subject by staying behind to listen to my responses. Sir, my colleagues have made several points, I have made a note of the various points and comments which they have raised, all of which I take it to be in the direction of constructive suggestions. This is a new scheme. It is experimental in a sense, the success of which will be known in time to come. If it succeeds, it will trigger off other similar schemes. So we need as many constructive suggestions as possible. It may not be possible for me to reply to each and every one of the various points mentioned, but I will endeavour to do my best now. The general point made by all three hon. Members was the need for maximum publicity, information and knowledge about this scheme to be disseminated to all levels of workers, especially the grassroots level. This is a point which is well taken, for I would agree that the more that is known, the more will misconception be dispelled, and the greater the support will come forth from the workers. Considerable effort at publicity has, in fact, as Members will know, been already done - talks, seminars, symposiums, press articles and more recently a very simple brochure or pamphlet has been published. I take the hon. Members' point here to be whether more can be done and more should be done. The answer to that must, of course, be yes, and efforts will continue in that direction to disseminate as much information as possible to clarify as many questions as there are. So I wish to give my assurance on that.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I do not propose to dwell on this. If the Member for Anson has his way, the employee would be the arbiter of what he is entitled to disclose, and that we cannot have.”
“If a person was or is in the employment of a statutory board or a Government company and has access to secret or confidential information, should our law permit him, without the authority of his employer, to divulge this information to whomsoever and in whatsoever circumstances? The Member for Anson seems to think that it is permissible. If that is his view, well, he is entitled to it. This Government cannot continue to let the gap in this law remain unfilled, and the purpose of this Bill is simply to ensure that persons in employment cannot resort to unauthorized disclosure of secret or confidential information without the penalty of the law.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I shall be very brief because the hon. Member for Anson has given a lengthy speech based totally on a wrong reading of the Bill. Inadvertently or otherwise he has interpreted the Bill's intention as weaving a veil of secrecy over all affairs. He asked why should this Bill hinder the right of any one to ask questions about the organizations named in this Bill. If he had only taken the trouble to read the Bill carefully, this Bill does not say anywhere in any of the provisions that any of the statutory boards or a Government company is barred from divulging any information. What is the gravamen of this Bill? It relates to unauthorized disclosure of secret or confidential information by a person who was in the employ or is in the employ of a statutory board. The issue is whether a person who was in the employ of a statutory board or a Government company, without authority of the statutory board or a Government company, should have the right to freely disclose to a third party confidential or secret information: The issue is not the right of the Member for Anson or anybody else to ask questions. The record speaks for itself. Other Members of this House and the Member for Anson at past sessions had not been prevented from asking questions, Questions for Oral Answer, Questions for Written Answer, and to raise matters during the Budget or other Sittings to elicit information and response from Ministers. So all this edifice that he has erected about sinister motives of this Bill is completely unfounded. The issue again is very simple.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, if there is any confusion, it cannot be in my mind, and I never said that the Ministry is not clear or there is a doubt. What I said is that we in Parliament should avoid giving a legal interpretation of a Bill, which interpretational question may arise before the court. I have already said that this Bill does not amend the Legal Profession Act. It amends the Notaries Public Act. I think that should be sufficiently clear.”
“Whatever the procedure is as provided for in law. As I read it, the provision does not lead to automatic revocation but gives the discretion to the Attorney-General to decide whether such professional or other misconduct, in his opinion, renders him fit to continue to serve as a notary public.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would be reluctant to give an interpretation of the provisions in anticipation of any questions which may come up for interpretation in the court. But if I may respond to the Member's question. I would have thought that it follows that a person who is found guilty of such professional or other misconduct must have been so found by such persons and according to such procedures as are prescribed in law -”
“We must, however, accept that among our population in Singapore there are many people who have had a very difficult life and who might not have taken as good care of themselves as they should. The Ministry of Health, in deciding to grant concessions, has adopted 65 years as the qualifying age for a person to be termed "old" or "elderly" also to keep in line with international practice. The United Nations' agencies and most industrialized countries accept 65 and above as the basis for the term "old" or "elderly". Hence, the answer to the hon. Member's query whether the Ministry will consider lowering the age to 60 years for concessions at Government outpatient clinics and dispensaries is therefore "No". The likelihood is that when we further improve our health care and living conditions and when life expectancy goes up, the Ministry may think of revising the qualifying age upwards and hopefully raise it to 70 or 75 years.”
“MINIMUM AGE FOR CONCESSIONS AT GOVERNMENT OUTPATIENT DISPENSARIES 10. Mr Rohan bin Kamis asked the Minister for Health what is the rationale of fixing 65 years as the minimum age for senior citizens to qualify for concessions at government outpatient dispensaries and if he will consider lowering the age to 60 years. The Minister for Health (Mr Howe Yoon Chong): Mr Speaker, Sir, because compulsory retirement has remained the same at 55 or 60 years and because CPF savings can be withdrawn at 55 years, the local concept of old age or definition of "senior citizen" has not changed ever since the 1950's when the average life expectancy was around 60 years. Yet all this while there have been dramatic advances in medical science and technology. There have been vast improvements in economic and social conditions. Few of us ever realize that by defining a person to be "old", we often make that person "old" when, in fact, he or she is still young. The main reason why the Ministry of Health uses 65 years and over as the qualifying age for concessions is therefore to prevent people who are not yet "old" from being made to feel old by our society. What are the true facts? Today, Singaporeans have an average life expectancy of 70 years for males and 73 for females. Actuarial calculations show that a Singaporean who is today 60 years old can, on the average, expect to live another 15 to 19 years. There is medical and scientific evidence to confirm that people who have maintained good physical and mental health should not be "old" in their 60's or even in their early 70's, but only in the late 70's and beyond. Therefore, the term "old", "elderly", or "senior citizen" should correctly apply only to people who are in their late 70's.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, when the Expressway Traffic Rules 1982 were being formulated, the question of a minimum speed on our expressways was considered. It was decided, after studying the problem carefully, not to impose a minimum speed limit on our expressways. There were three main reasons for this. First, due mainly to the constraints of space, our expressways run through densely populated areas. Where they are close to residential areas, pedestrians cross the expressway. Secondly, our expressways also have bus stops, U-turns and traffic lights which, from an ideal viewpoint, expressways should not have. The PWD is taking corrective action on these problems but this will take time to implement. For these two reasons, it may be impractical and somewhat dangerous to impose a minimum speed limit. I might add a third reason. The Expressway Rules prohibit bicycles, tricycles, motorcycles with side cars, L-drivers and all other vehicles whose maximum speed limit is 40 km per hour from using the expressways. In other words the law already prohibits slow moving vehicles. Expressways are new to Singapore. With the passage of time, we hope that our motorists will learn how to use expressways properly. The Traffic Police has provided extensive publicity to educate the motoring public on the correct use of expressways. At the same time, strict enforcement action has been taken against those who road-hog as can be seen from the fact that from 1st August 1982 to 31st July 1983, 4,215 persons were booked for road-hogging on expressways and 899 were warned. I might add that the PWD has also agreed to put up road signs along expressways requiring slower drivers to keep to the inner lanes. Let me assure the hon. Member that we will keep the situation under review.”
“However, action will be taken against those who ignore such warnings and deliberately persist in causing annoyance to their neighbours or who are a nuisance to the public. There is no quick easy answer to the problem of noise pollution in Singapore. Owing to our high population density and the cultural background of our people, community noise is a particularly difficult problem. However, it can be minimized by inculcating in our citizens a greater sense of civic consciousness and consideration for others. MINIMUM SPEED ON EXPRESSWAYS 9. Dr Lee Chiaw Meng asked the Minister for Home Affairs if he will consider imposing a minimum speed for vehicles on an expressway which has three or more lanes.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the problem of noise pollution has been raised on a few occasions. I have mentioned before that there is no easy solution as it is a complex matter and involves various authorities besides the Police. It is difficult to have a comprehensive set of legislation to cover all aspects of noise pollution. The Police have been considering proposals to update the law relating to noise nuisance. Under the proposed new provisions, an offence could be committed at any time and place if the noise causes annoyance, inconvenience or offence to members of the public. Other categories of noise not covered or inadequately covered by present laws, such as excessive noise of motorcycles, will also be included. Certain offences relating to noise will also be made seizable offences and punishments will be enhanced. The matter referred to by the hon. Member for Tanah Merah (noise from in-door electronic amplification system) will also be considered in this review. These proposals are being studied in greater detail. Until such time that we can come up with adequate legislation on noise pollution, the Police can take action against persons who cause serious noise nuisance, such as those who use their indoor electronic amplification equipment in an inconsiderate manner. Action against persons who cause noise nuisance with their electronic amplification equipment can be taken under the Minor Offences Act or under relevant provisions of the Penal Code. As noise pollution is very subjective, the Police however have been exercising a great deal of discretion in enforcing the law. I am glad to report that members of the public have generally been cooperative and have respected Police warnings to reduce noise levels.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, it appears that the Member for Anson arrived here with an answer in his mind, which does not tally with the answer that I have given. I said there was a thorough investigation. Everyone who was concerned with events before or after the fire was questioned, statements taken including this alleged person, the URA officer. LEGISLATION TO CONTROL NOISE POLLUTION 8. Dr Lee Chiaw Meng asked the Minister for Home Affairs if he intends to introduce legislation to control noise pollution including those generated by in-door electronic amplification system.”
“The substance and the boxes were sent to the Department of Scientific Services for a thorough analysis. The Department of Scientific Services reported that their chemical analysis showed no indications of flammable substances such as kerosene, petrol or whatever. All the persons concerned who had to be interviewed were interviewed. So that should put an end to any innuendoes or inferences by the Member for Anson.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, let me respond to the supplementary question. The first part of his supplementary question was whether it was not true that, in any case of a fire, it is usually started by someone or something. That is obvious. Just to give him some information. Causes of fires for the year 1982, for example, could be classified into 14 categories: light thrown down, electrical origin, exposure to sun's rays (which caused 786 fires), overheating of food, naked lights, sparks, incendiary, overheating of machinery, spontaneous ignition, explosion, children playing with matches, lightning and others. Some causes cannot be discovered even after a thorough investigation. In 1982 there were 97 instances of fire, the causes of which even after a thorough investigation could not be detected. But this 97 was out of a total of 6,000 fires. So the overwhelming majority of fires in Singapore are thoroughly investigated and the causes established, except for a handful of unknown causes. Turning to the second part of his question. First, obviously there was an innuendo by his brief reference to the fact that there was a URA resettlement officer at the scene 10 minutes before the fire. It was only after I had asked for a clarification that he generalized and asked whether there was a thorough investigation. Let me say, Mr Speaker, Sir, that all cases of fire are taken seriously by the Singapore Fire Service and the Police, and all cases are thoroughly investigated. This was so in this particular case also. On the day of the fire, the Singapore Fire Service thoroughly investigated and had a field report. They saw a large number of boxes on the second floor. It was suspected that those boxes might have contained a flammable substance. Thereafter, the Police took over.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, may I seek clarification as to what is the Member for Anson suggesting or inferring in the second part of his supplementary question?”
“Further, it would avoid the necessity of reproducing in the publication of a subsequent Revised Edition of the Laws a great number of Acts which have not been amended and are not likely to require amendments, thus providing considerable saving in costs by dispensing with the unnecessary reprinting of unamended Statutes. Another advantage is that there will no longer be any need for a major and comprehensive revision of our laws after every interval of 10 or 15 years as previously has been the case. Instead once the new Revised Edition of the Laws is completed and published, there will be a continuous revision to be carried out annually whereby fresh booklets will be issued for new Acts or existing Acts which have been substantially amended. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the innovations contained in this Bill should make it easier for our laws to be kept up to date and should help users of our statutes to ascertain the current statutory position on the law relating to any particular subject more easily than before. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Prof Jayakumar]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO THE CHAIR”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, on behalf of my Minister, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." As the House is aware, the present Edition of the Laws of Singapore was published more than 12 years ago and since then a great deal of new as well as amending legislation had been enacted. It has, therefore, become a matter of some urgency that a new Edition of the Laws should be prepared and published as soon as possible incorporating all the changes and amendments in our laws that have taken place during this period. It is important that our laws should be kept up to date and made more easily accessible to the legal profession, the public service, the business community and the general public. Accordingly, this Bill seeks to provide the necessary legislative sanction for the preparation and adoption of a new system of law revision whereby our laws can be continually revised and kept up to date. A Law Revision Commission was constituted in March last year and has already embarked on the task of preparing the new Revised Edition of the Laws. This Bill is the result of the recommendations of the Committee new Revised Edition of the Laws. Secondly, there will be a continuous revision of the Laws on an annual basis to keep the new Edition up to date. The new system envisages that the Acts will be printed in the form of loose booklets for insertion in appropriate binders. This will be advantageous since the Edition will be kept up to date by the removal of those Acts which have been extensively or substantially amended and the substitution of fresh booklets incorporating the amendments. New booklets will also be issued in respect of Acts subsequently passed dealing with new subject matters.”
“They would not be in the Construction Brigade but they may be employed by employers who may be in the Construction industry, which is a separate thing altogether. Clause 3 ordered to stand part of the Bill. Bill reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. REVISED EDITION OF THE LAWS BILL Order for Second Reading read. 5.53 p.m.”
“The Member for Anson should know that the Construction Brigade, as explained in press statements and other occasions, concerns persons in the national service. But here, we are talking about persons who are in RTC upon a court order, and the two instances are therefore quite different.”
“Sir, my understanding of the matter is that, of course, the individual desires of the persons in the RTC will be taken into account. But the most important thing is the training to which they have shown an inclination to and which they have successfully completed in the institutional training phase of their stay in the RTC.”
“The proposed Day Release Scheme will equip the trainees with a skill which they can gainfully employ upon their eventual release and prepare them for such release. While working outside, they will receive market wages which will be credited to their POSB accounts. Should any of them misbehave, his leave for employment will be cancelled. It will be a test of their ability to stay away from trouble and to become law-abiding and responsible citizens. To implement the Day Release Scheme for reformative trainees, it is necessary to amend Schedule D of the Criminal Procedure Code. The Bill now before the House seeks to do this. The Bill also seeks to amend the proviso to subsection (1) of section 399 of the Criminal Procedure Code which relates to the fee payable for copies of proceedings furnished by the Courts. The present fee of 20 cents for each folio of 100 words with a minimum of $5 was fixed way back in 1937. It is now proposed to increase the fee to 50 cents for each folio of 100 words with a minimum of $10 or such other fee as may be fixed from time to time by the Minister. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Prof Jayakumar]. Bill considered in Committee. [Mr Deputy Speaker in the Chair] Clauses 1 and 2 ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clause 3 -”
“Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Sir, male offenders between 16 and 21 years of age are at present sentenced upon conviction to detention in the Reformative Training Centre, for treatment and rehabilitation. Such offenders are detained in the Centre for a period of about 18 to 36 months. Subject to good behaviour during their period of reformative training and upon approval by the Board of Visiting Justices, the trainees are released conditionally and placed under the supervision of an Aftercare Officer from the Ministry of Social Affairs, until the expiration of four years from the date of the sentence. Sir, Members will recall that we have introduced Day Release Schemes for drug addicts in 1979 and Criminal Law detainees in 1981. I am happy to inform the House that the results so far have been encouraging. The Ministry of Home Affairs now proposes to introduce a Day Release Scheme for reformative trainees so that they can be attached to employers outside the Reformative Training Centre during their period of training. Under the Scheme, the Visiting Justices will periodically select trainees for training in blue-collar trades. Trainees, who have been in the Reformative Training Centre for one year and who have completed their three-month institutional training at the Centre, will then be released to work during the day but return to the Centre in the evenings. Those on good behaviour will be allowed to go home during the weekends after the first three months of such Day Release. After completing the initial three-month training at the Centre and on satisfactory completion of their nine-month on-the-job training under the Scheme, the detainees may also be released on supervision.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the suggestion made by the Member for Toa Payoh is noted, and I will discuss it with the Traffic enforcement officers. HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD (Refusal to entertain MP's representations on behalf of other constituents) 4. Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam asked the Minister for National Development for the reasons behind the refusal of the Housing and Development Board to entertain letters from a Member of Parliament on behalf of persons who may not be resident in the constituency represented by the said Member of Parliament but who had approached that Member to make representations on their behalf.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, stretches of the central portion of the Pan-island Expressway (PIE) such as Jalan Toa Payoh, Jalan Kolam Ayer and the stretch between Adam Road and Jalan Anak Bukit have been in use for a long time. These stretches were eventually widened and progressively linked to form the central portion of the PIE. Accident statistics began to be collected in 1979 after the central portion of the PIE was officially opened. Since 1971, a total of 344 accidents have occurred on the PIE. The stretch of the East Coast Parkway (ECP) from Tanjong Rhu to Bedok South has also been in existence for sometime.It was named the ECP only after the stretch from Bedok South to the Airport was opened in 1978. Since then, a total of 476 accidents have occurred along the ECP. Since their inceptions, the number of accidents on the expressways has increased correspondingly with the increase of traffic using the expressways. The number of accidents on both the PIE and the ECP rose from 84 in 1980 to 269 in 1981. This sudden upsurge of accidents coincided with the opening of the Changi International Airport on 1st July 1981 which greatly increased the traffic on both expressways. Another factor contributing to accidents on the expressways was the lack of understanding by motor- ists on the proper use of the expressways. The Traffic Police is aware of the problem and appropriate measures such as publicity to educate road users, enforcement action and the setting up of a proposed Expressway Unit have been taken.”
“The assignment will be completed by the end of March 1983. PAN-ISLAND EXPRESSWAY (Accidents) 3. Mr Tan Soo Khoon asked the Minister for Home Affairs how many accidents have occurred along the Pan-island Expressway since its inception.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, commercial crime in Singapore is on the rise. Last year alone, some 2,181 commercial crime cases were reported, This is an increase of 23.5% over that for 1981 during which 1,767 cases were recorded. This increase in commercial crime is expected to continue in the years ahead. Such crimes are also expected to become more complex. Officers involved in investigation of commercial crime have been sent for training both locally at the Police Academy as well as overseas to upgrade their skills. The overseas courses include the Computer Crime Investigation Course at the FBI Academy and the Commercial Crime Courses at the Australian Police College. Attachments of Commercial Crime officers to the British and Australian police fraud squads have also been arranged on a regular basis. Courses on Commercial Crime investigations are being held regularly in the Police Academy. The courses are attended by officers from the Commercial Crime Division as well as the investigating officers from the eight Police Land Divisions. Realizing the importance of upgrading the Commercial Crime Division to cope with the complexities and the rising number of commercial crimes, my Ministry has invited a British Team to make a study. The team comprises two experienced police officers of the New Scotland Yard Fraud Department and a white-collar crime investigator from the British Department of Trade and Industry. This team has now arrived in Singapore to review the organization, functions and responsibilities of the Division. The team will make recommendations for the improvement of commercial crime investigations to face the challenges ahead. It will also review the training of investigating officers and the legislations pertaining to commercial crime.”
“The answer is that if that is the offer of assistance, SANA would be very happy to get further particulars, and the Member for Anson should, in fact, give their names to SANA as soon as possible.”
“Sir, I am not sure whether the persons who would like to visit the drug addicts are going there to counsel and rehabilitate or to relieve them of alleged boredom. But, Mr Speaker, Sir, let me say, in response to the Member for Anson, that in our attempts to rehabilitate and counsel the drug addicts to put them on the correct path and to reintegrate them into society, we would of course welcome all bona fide attempts and offers of assistance. But obviously when we are dealing with such a specialized problem of drug addiction for which there are specified methods of rehabilitation, we must ensure that all those who wish to have access to the drug addicts are properly trained, coordinated, and this is why we insist that they must go to SANA which is the body which has the experience in dealing with this matter. It is for this reason, and I think a very good reason, that we want all those who have made such offers to channel their assistance through SANA.”
“(c) When we talk of recidivism, we are referring to a study of a monthly cohort of drug supervisees placed on the 24-month supervision scheme whose progress is monitored throughout the 24 months. Anyone relapsing to drugs during the 24-month period is a recidivist. Using this criterion, we have gradually reduced our recidivism rate from 70% in 1977 to 40% in 1982. Although we have halved the addict population in the last six years, there will be a residual problem of hardcore addicts who have weak will power and tend to relapse repeatedly. We are trying to reduce the recidivism rate further. The treatment programme is being modified to suit the needs of these hardcore addicts. Trained professional counsellors will be recruited to provide intensive counselling in the DRCs. Here, the main problem is to break their psychological dependence on drugs and it is a more difficult task. (d) Presently, the medical aids for the drug addicts are actually substitute drugs which are also addictive. Our treatment and rehabilitation policy is designed to condition the addict so that he can go through life without any form of drugs. We have therefore avoided using such medication in our drug treatment and rehabilitation programme. Several western countries are experimenting with drug antagonists. These chemicals are supposedly to reduce or eliminate the desire to consume drugs. However, they are at the moment only at the experimental stage.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, (a) The total number of drug addicts arrested and admitted to the Drug Rehabilitation Centres from 1980 to 1982 is as follows:- 1980 1981 1982 Total no. of drug addicts arrested and admitted to DRC 1,802 2,263 2,008 No. detained more than once (i.e. on drug records) 1,256 1,755 1,624 (b) The treatment and rehabilitation programme is designed to treat both physical and psychological dependence on drugs. While in the DRCs, inmates are put through a five-stage treatment programme which starts with a week's detoxification, followed by recuperation, reorientation, physical exercises and workshop training. The regime is intended not only to rid them of their craving for drugs but also to inculcate in them the work ethic and a degree of social responsibility which will stand them in good stead when they are discharged from the centres. Counselling is also provided in the centres which include religious counselling. On discharge from the centres, most inmates go through the Day Release Scheme which is a half-way house concept aimed at assisting the ex-addict to reintegrate into the mainstream of society. While on the scheme, the ex-addict stays in a camp and employment is found for him in the private sector. He leaves the camp everyday for work outside and returns to the camp in the evening. He is paid market wages. On weekends he is allowed to go home. His urine is tested daily. On completion of Day Release which lasts six months, all ex-addicts are placed on compulsory 24-month supervision. jobs are found for them as well. Their urine is tested regularly to ensure that they do not relapse.”
“Sir, I have taken note of the suggestion of the Member, but whether we should think in terms of providing a grand prix or mini grand prix circuit to contain the activities of such persons is a matter that has to be carefully considered. I think the Minister has in this House outlined plans for training circuits, but these circuits will not be for the enjoyment of those motor cyclists except to ensure that future motor cyclists who are licensed to ride on the road would be properly trained. DRUG ADDICTS (Treatment and rehabilitation) 5. Mr Yeo Toon Chia asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) what is the total number of drug addicts arrested in 1980, 1981 and 1982, and of these how many were arrested more than once; (b) what measures are being taken by the Drug Rehabilitation Centres to prevent drug addicts, who have been released from the Centres, from going back to drugs, besides the usual counselling and close supervision; (c) what are the reasons for the high percentage of recidivism of drug addicts and whether his Ministry has plans to overcome this problem; and (d) whether there are any medical aids to help the drug addicts released from the DRCs to overcome their dependence on drugs.”
“Such courses will be conducted by the National Productivity Board (NPB), the first of which will commence on 23rd March, 1983. Since factory doctors operate a full-time practice, the course has been specially tailored for the doctors' convenience, and will be conducted on a part-time basis on two afternoons a week over a period of four months. In a survey conducted by NPB, a total of 481 doctors have expressed interest in attending the course. This number is more than sufficient to meet the demand for trained doctors when legislation is introduced to require doctors to register with the Ministry. For 1983, two courses will be conducted to train a total of 70 doctors. The number of courses will be stepped up in 1984 when another 240 doctors are expected to be trained. By end 1985 all doctors who have indicated interest in the course will have been trained. Thereafter, NPB will continue to offer the DFD course for as long as there is a demand for it. BLAIR PLAIN (Alternative Accommodation for PSA Employees) 6. Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam asked the Minister for Communications and Minister for Labour what progress has been made by the Port of Singapore Authority in finding suitable alternative accommodation for their employees at present housed in Blocks A, B, C and E Blair Plain.”
“To combat high-rise building fires, operational procedures similar to those followed in the US and UK for high-rise fire-fighting have been drawn up. The procedures allow for effective deployment of men and better planning of tactics and strategies. The men carry out exercises at business and commercial high-rise buildings every Monday morning to ensure that they are familiar with the procedures and the layout of building and fire-fighting equipment. Last year, a total of 49 exercises were carried out. A contingency plan to call upon the assistance of RSAF helicopters when the need arises for aerial evacuation has also been drawn up. However, this will only be used as a last resort. The Fire Service has also formed a High-rise Unit to carry out inspections of business and commercial high-rise buildings. The Unit also compiles information on fire-fighting facilities such as location of rising mains and fire lifts into fire operational manuals for each business and commercial high-rise building, These manuals are kept in the Command and Control Centre for use at the scene of fires. DESIGNATED FACTORY DOCTORS (Training) 5. Mr M.K.A. Jabbar asked the Minister or Communications and Minister for Labour what is the plan of the Ministry of Labour for training a sufficient number of designated factory doctors to carry out the proposed compulsory medical examination of workers in hazardous occupations. The Minister of State for Labour (Dr Wong Kwei Cheong) (for the Minister for Communications and Minister for Labour): Mr Speaker, Sir, in order to carry out compulsory medical examination of workers exposed to occupational health hazards, designated factory doctors (DFD) will be required to undergo a course in basic occupational health.”
“The Squad consists of physically fit and mentally alert young men adequately trained for the job. The Squad is based at the Central Fire Station ready to respond to any high-rise emergency. There are at present 139 men in the Squad. They attend regular simulated rescue exercises to constantly upgrade their skills and are subjected to rigorous physical exercises to maintain their physical fitness. Second, fire appliances equipped with larger capacity pumps to enable more water at high pressure to be drawn off from the risers of high-rise buildings during fire-fighting have been acquired. In the last five years, $5.5 million have been spent in the purchase of these appliances and special turntable ladders. Third, a Mobile Control Unit equipment and channels and portable transceiver sets have been purchased. The Fire Service has also bought Breathing Apparatus Tender to supply sufficient Breathing Apparatus at the fireground. Fourth, the Fire Service has recently acquired three pieces of the latest equipment for fighting fires and carrying out rescue within high-rise buildings. They are:- (a) A portable electro-optical sensory device for scanning over a large area for hot spots in a building. The equipment would assist firemen to search and locate speedily the seat of fire when working in a dense smoke-filled environment. (b) A water drill operated by high water pressure from hoselines. The equipment is capable of boring holes in floors and walls and even reinforced concrete floors up to 30 cm thick to enable water jets to be directed at fire burning in inaccessible sites. (c) An infra-red portable viewer called "probeye". This equipment would enable firemen using it to search and locate trapped victims in a smoke-filled environment.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the water pressure throughout the island is generally satisfactory except for the CBD area where most of the business and high-rise buildings are located. Realizing this situation, the Fire Service has taken action to overcome the problem. Work has started since 1980 to improve the water supply for the CBD area. The project will cost $1.09 million and it involves the installation of new and bigger triple out-let fire hydrants on larger water mains. It also includes the transfer of existing fire hydrants from small water mains to larger ones and the installation of new hydrants where necessary. When the project is completed by the end of this month, there will be sufficient fire hydrants to cover the fire risks within the CBD area and its immediate vicinity. There will also be adequate water supply with good pressure from hydrants for fire-fighting. The Singapore Fire Service is monitoring the water situation in the other parts of Singapore, and where the supply needs to be improved, it will be done. Regarding high-rise fires, high-rise buildings are defined as buildings beyond the reach of the tallest fire service ladders which are normally 30 metres in height. Fires in such buildings are fought from within the building, using built-in fire-fighting facilities such as rising mains, fire lifts, fire escape staircases, etc. To effectively tackle high-rise building fires, the Singapore Fire Service has been updating its knowledge and skills in this area. Officers have been sent abroad to learn from the experiences of other countries with similar situations. Specific measures taken in respect of high-rise building fire contingencies include the following: First, there is a special squad to carry out search and rescue at fires.”
“Mr Rohan bin Kamis asked the Minister for Home Affairs, in view of the recent fires and the problem of low water pressure encountered by the Singapore Fire Service, what steps have been taken to overcome the problem and to upgrade the capabilities of our Fire Service to meet the changing environment of high rise fire-fighting.”
“Volunteers undergo a course consisting of 12 one-hour lessons held every fortnight over a period of six months. The lessons cover the basic skills of first-aid, fire-fighting, evacuation and rescue. These one-hour lessons are practical ones, so that language and education level of volunteers is no barrier to instruction. Volunteers are encouraged to handle the fire extinguishers, fold and apply a bandage, set a fracture among other things so that they may be familiar with them in the event that their acquired skills are urgently required. But this training does not end when the 12 lessons are over. They will be able to participate in followup exercises involving both the volunteers and the reservists. These exercises will provide them with the opportunity to apply their skills as well as acquire a better understanding of the role of the volunteer in the Civil Defence effort. The Ministry is acutely aware that the interest of Singaporeans and, in particular, the volunteers must be sustained over a whole lifetime as an effective Civil Defence capability must be built up and sustained over decades and generations. We therefore have plans for inter-RC Zone and Inter-Constituency competitions on Civil Defence skills in the near future to sustain the enthusiasm of volunteers and the support of community leaders. We shall also introduce specially adapted training programme in Civil Defence that will also have useful application to meet hazards in the house especially for housewives and elders. SINGAPORE FIRE SERVICE (Upgrading of capabilities) 4.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the first phase of the Civil Defence Scheme was officially launched on 6th November, 1982, for the 15 pilot constituencies, namely, Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Boon Lay, Boon Teck, Bukit Batok, Bukit Ho Swee, Bukit Merah, Geylang West, Havelock, Jurong, Kim Keat, MacPherson, Marine Parade, West Coast and Yio Chu Kang. The second phase will be implemented shortly for the next 15 constituencies. The remaining constituencies will be included in the Scheme over the next two years. The objective of this Scheme is to recruit and train volunteers from among citizens, in particular, those who live in high-rise buildings, to be able to undertake basic Civil Defence roles so that in times of emergency they will be able to help themselves, their families, and one another. In conjunction with the community leaders of these constituencies, the Civil Defence Command is working on a target of recruiting at least 100 volunteers in each RC zone. I am glad to say that the response from the residents has been encouraging and the targetted figure has been exceeded, for instance, in Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Boon Lay, Bukit Merah, Geylang West, Jurong, MacPherson, Marine Parade and Yio Chu Kang. We have been able to recruit almost 6,000 volunteers in the 15 constituencies. More than half of them have begun Civil Defence training. I am able to report that not only have ordinary volunteers come forward to learn Civil Defence skills but also citizens who are professional nurses and members of the Red Cross and St John's Ambulance Brigade, and other professional bodies, have volunteered their services to assist in instruction. Their contribution will enhance our efforts in building up an effective Civil Defence Corps.”
“Sir, as I have stated in the closing part of my answer, the assessment by the authorities in Singapore is that the measures hitherto taken are sufficient to counter the problem. But we are not complacent and we cannot afford to be complacent. This is why my Ministry is considering all possible measures to nip the problem in the bud so that it will not reach epidemic proportions. CIVIL DEFENCE SCHEME (Progress) 3. Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for Home Affairs if he will inform the House the progress of the Civil Defence Scheme in the different constituencies, including the objective of the Scheme, the response from citizens, the nature of training and how his Ministry intends to sustain interest among volunteers.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, this, of course, is one of the measures that obviously has been considered. But as I pointed out in my answer, the products where the inhalants are used are many and they can be found widely in the market, and in any attempt to control we must bear in mind the possibilities of enforcement. The Ministry of Home Affairs is considering this as a measure but in order to do so they must examine the experiences of other countries. Have they succeeded in enforcing such legislation? For such legislation to be effective, we must be able to enforce age limits of customers who are buying these products.”
“With all respect, I think Members of this House - that includes the Member for Anson and, particularly, one with a legal training - should know that a point of order means a point relating to the observance or non-observance of the rules or the Standing Orders of this House. If, in his own judgment, the answer that I give does not suit the points of publicity which he seeks or desires, that is a misfortune for him and nobody else. If he thinks that my points and the answers that I am making, unfortunately, do not meet any propaganda objectives that he has in mind, I cannot be blamed for that. I give the fundamental policies and considerations which shape Government policies on citizenship and permanent residence. He has referred to the Constitution. I have said that the grant of citizenship in most countries is a sovereign right exercised by governments. So it is also with Singapore.”
“May I know what is his point of order, Sir? Because previously, under the guise of a point of order, he brought in another speech.”
“Has he not observed what is happening in other countries which have suffered ruinous consequences with unplanned, uncontrolled grants of permanent residence? Has he not observed what has happened in some African countries? Has he not observed what has happened in Assam? Do we want such consequences to befall us? This is why the Government, and our Singapore, which is a small Republic without resources and with a dense population, must bear in mind the well-being of the existing population, and the Government's decisions and policies on citizenship and permanent residence must be governed by the over-riding considerations of national interest and well-being of our society. He has referred to the Constitutional provisions concerning citizenship for wives and other persons. Any law student can tell you that you cannot find a country in the world where citizenship is a matter of right. Whether a developing country or a developed country, whether Western nations or Asian nations, the grant of citizenship is an exercise of sovereign right.”