S. Rajoo
Singapore
“Sir, I am a bit disturbed by the Minister for Law and National Development's reply that he cannot do anything about this "chit" fund. In fact, I am not asking him to look into illegal tontine organisations, but these are companies which are registered under the Companies Ordinance or some other law, and they seem to operate in a way which…”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, thosecompanies which have "chit" funds need not come under the Banking Ordinance or under the Moneylenders Ordinance. Therefore, these companies are registered as limited companies and the directors are not doing business in the best interest of the public.”
“According to the Minister, it seems that even if adequate provision is made in 1968, there is a possibility of a certain number of children being posted to schools very far away from their homes.”
“I understand from the Minister that the priests in various temples are paid various sums of money. For instance, in the Mariamman Temple, the priest is paid $100 per month, and in the Sivan Temple the priest is paid $80 per month, and in the Perumal Temple one priest is paid $150 per month and his assistant is paid $130 per month.”
“My point is: if the Ministry devotes its responsibilities to the appointment of certain members of the Board and does not look into the matter of how the Board is run, there may be so many anomalies arising.”
“A supplementary, Sir, I am not criticising the administration of the Temple Management Committees, but what I understand is that certain letters written to the Temple Management Committee in November 1966 have not even been acknowledged; and if I am not mistaken, even up to date.”
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“Yes, Sir. My supplementary question is this: the Parliamentary Secretary has not clearly answered whether he is prepared to convert these flats into better living quarters for human beings.”
“We understand that the Singapore Government is trying to improve the living and economic conditions of the people. The answer from the Parliamentary Secretary seems to be that he does not consider human beings as human beings.”
“Yes. The supplementary question is this. In schools where second language classes are run, during the language period certain children will attend either the Chinese or Malay language classes, whereas the Tamil children in these schools will be left without any teacher, because although classrooms are available, there is no teacher to teach Tamil. That is what I understand. Will the Minister look into the matter and investigate where such a state of affairs exists, so that Tamil-language teachers will be provided and the Tamil children do not waste their time idling during this language period?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, for in, stance, in an English school where there are Chinese, Malay and Tamil children -”
“A supplementary question, Sir. I understand that Tamil classes are centrally run at various places, due to the small number of children taking Tamil as a second language. But my point in bringing up this question here is that each and every school, whether it is a Government or a Government-aided school or a mission school, should be self- sufficient with language teachers in all streams of language, and not depend on any special centres to be provided by Government. I feel that the special centres -”
“On what I said that the rich will become richer and the poor will become poorer - it is a possibility. A rich man buys about 1,000 tickets in a sweepstake, whereas a poor man buys ten tickets. So the chances of a rich man winning a lottery are a hundred times more than those of a poor man. Therefore, it is a possibility that a rich man will become richer and a poor man will become poorer. An hon. Member: Then good luck to him!”
“On a point of explanation, Sir. Mr Lim Kim San resumed his seat.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I stand not to support this Bill because we know that betting and sweepstakes is a social evil, no matter whether such betting is done by an organised club or association or an individual, or whether it has the blessing of Government. For a democratic government dedicated to socialist principles to have the idea of running a sweepstake or lottery for the purposes of raising funds is very much deplorable. We have a stable government and an able Minister for Finance who knows ways and means of how to squeeze money in the way of taxes from the general public. Yet the idea to have some extra measures of free betting and sweepstake to find more money will mean that he is trying to sneak through the backdoor and induce poor housewives to spend more money, and lately day-dreamers to find extra money from their already over-burdened budget and eventually making them poor. We believe in the socialist principle of making men equal to one another economically, but not in making the poor poorer and the rich richer. When our neighbouring country was running the Social Welfare Lottery, the buying and selling of these lottery tickets was banned in Singapore on the grounds that this breeds evil. I wonder how, all of a sudden, the so dedicated socialist government of Singapore found fit to introduce this free betting and sweepstake to find money for social welfare purposes. I hope we in Singapore are trying to make hard-working, law-abiding and good citizens of our people and not more gamblers and bookmakers, as I feel this amendment will eventually bring about.”
“However, I feel that these amendments are intended to curb only irresponsible leaders. Therefore, there can be no grouse by Members about this piece of legislation. This amendment does not legislate against strikes or any industrial action. It only requires that a secret ballot be taken before a strike or any industrial action is taken. Why are the trade union officials afraid of secret ballots? If they are conscious of their duties to their members, they should welcome secret ballots to ascertain the wishes of the majority of the members. The N.T.U.C. claim to be a responsible democratic institution. Then why should they be afraid of this legislation which actually does not curb any of its powers? It only tries to regularise things in a democratic way. I therefore support this amendment. 6.02 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I think the Member for Bras Basah has mis-heard what I said. I did not say at any time that trade union officials are being sacked for trade union activities. I am just bringing up these matters to support the Bill and giving the reasons for it. Therefore, I hope my trade union colleagues in this House will agree with me that not all trade unionists are unscrupulous people. An hon. Member: They can be.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, we have heard some hon. Members in this House speaking against the Trade Unions (Amendment) Bill which has been introduced by the Minister for Labour. What is there in this Bill to be afraid of if the trade unions themselves are aware of where they stand and what they do? Sir, there is a saying in the political field that state power put in proper hands will lead men to a good society. We can take it that trade union power put in the proper hands may lead to better industrial relations between workers and management. But my trade union colleagues in this House cannot say that there are no unscrupulous unionists in the disguise of genuine loyal unionists dedicated to the labour cause. Sir, I know of unionists who try to use union authority to go into the normal day-to-day problems of the workers. For instance, if there happen to be some members who do not toe the line, they will be threatened by the trade unionists that they will see to it that they are sacked from their employment. There are certain trade union officials in Government departments who even threaten their own colleagues by using their own position as trade union officials. Therefore, I hope my trade union colleagues in this House will agree with me -”
“Sir, as the learning of a second language has been made compulsory since 1966, many Tamil parents in Mission schools have complained that they would like their children to study Tamil as a second language. But such facilities are not being provided in the Mission schools. In the spirit language classes where some students attend Chinese and Malay language classes, Tamil-speaking children either waste their period or go without any language lessons at all. It is suggested that where there is an adequate number of children and a Tamil language teacher could be employed economically, the Education Minister should look into such issues and could direct the Mission schools to follow the Government system of education. In the policy of implementing integrated Tamil schools, the status and future of the existing Tamil schools should not be affected. Any possible integration of these schools should be in consultation with the School Management Committees beforehand. On the other hand, Government help should be forthcoming to improve the teaching of English in these schools in order that a student in a Tamil secondary school may be placed in an equal position and opportunity with his counterparts in the other language streams, such as Chinese, Malay and English. Finally, I wish to say that the implementation of integrated English/Tamil schools will be in line with the Government's oft-declared policy of giving equality to all streams of education, such as English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil, and will be a hallmark of authority and safety for the Tamil language in the Republic of Singapore.”
“These integrated schools are understood to be either English and Chinese streams or English and Malay streams - none in the English and Tamil streams. For this reason it is suggested that the Government should look into the possibility of establishing integrated English/Tamil schools in areas where Tamils are residing in significant numbers such as Farrer Park, Pasir Panjang, Anson and Sembawang, or at such strategic places where it will serve the general need of the community. Mr Speaker, Sir, it is suggested that the Government should make an attempt to integrate at least the two primary Tamil schools run by the Government, namely, Aravinder Tamil School and St. George's Road Tamil School with the neighbouring English schools. In the case of St. George's Road school, as the Kallang Basin and Toa Payoh is becoming a fast developing area, a new integrated school may be built in this area for this purpose. It is noted that in the integrated schools the teachers could be interchangeable. Therefore, the teachers are expected to be well equipped with the languages they teach. It is understood that in-service courses are arranged for teachers who wish to specialise in certain subjects. It is also understood that there are specialist teachers who have undergone training in the United Kingdom for teaching English as a second language. Such in-service courses or specialist training courses are not available to Tamil language teachers in both English and Tamil schools. For this reason, it is suggested that selected Tamil language teachers from both the English and Tamil streams of education may be sent to Indian universities for specialised training. Eventually they may be employed as lecturers for in-service courses for the Tamil language in the T.T.C.”
“Sir, English as a second language in Tamil schools is a vital necessity at the present moment. Perhaps a few politicians may say that English is the leftover of the past colonial masters. But ungrudgingly, it has become the language of living in this part of the world at the present day. If I am quoting correctly, the standard of English in the only Tamil secondary school is not up to the required need, so much so that a student who passed a Tamil secondary education from the Umar Pulawar Secondary School is only fit to be a Tamil teacher in any of the Tamil schools. Thus, the scope of their employment in other fields is remote. The remedy could be by improving English education in the Tamil schools in general and raising the standard of English in the Tamil secondary school to Secondary IV or Cambridge Certificate level. Sir, since the main theme of our Government's educational policy is to infuse national unity and understanding among the various races of this tiny Republic, the bold step taken by the Government in introducing the integrated schools system is very much appreciated. By this system it is understood that pupils of two different language streams mix together and share the same school building, the same playground and the same language teachers. In this system there is more inducement for pupils to speak each other's language. It is, therefore, felt that an integrated English/Tamil school will help improve the standard of the English language and the knowledge of the children considerably. We understand that there are 42 integrated schools in Singapore, of which 28 are primary schools, eight are academic secondary schools, three are technical secondary and the other three are vocational secondary schools.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I wish to raise this matter in this House for integrated Tamil schools for the improvement and safe-guard of the Tamil language in the Republic of Singapore. The Government's present educational policy of equal treatment for the four language streams of education in Malay, Chinese, English and Tamil is most praiseworthy. It is in the best interest of moulding our multi-racial and multi-lingual society into a common group of patriotic citizens. This system will give an opportunity to the various races to preserve and safeguard their own cultural heritage handed through generations by learning their mother tongue, and help develop a common ground of understanding between one another through the common and national language. The Tamil language has a long history of the past and is considered to be one of the oldest languages in the world. It has an unbroken length of history of 5,000 years old. The Tamil community, although a minority group in this country, are very grateful for the Government's initiative and encouragement by making Tamil as one of the official languages. Sir, there are 14 Tamil primary schools and one secondary school in Singapore. Out of 14, two primary schools are run by Government and the other 12 are aided schools. However, there is a tendency among the public and the community that the present curriculum in Tamil schools falls short of the required need. The same could be said about Tamil as a second language in English schools. It is felt that improvements could be achieved by increasing the number of teaching hours and periods to include language, literature and grammar classes which are the fundamentals for a better and improved study of language.”
“My question is this, Mr Speaker, Sir. Those children who have not been given away properly in adoption, if their natural parents are deceased, can their guardians, who are looking after them now, submit statutory declarations in order to get these accepted as valid proof of birth?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Minister in one part of his statement mentioned people without names in their birth certificates. The parents may have taken out statutory declarations regarding such persons and those will be accepted as proof. But there are instances where parents of certain children give away their children in adoption. Sometimes the adoption certificates are in order and sometimes they are not. Sometimes the natural parents of the children may unfortunately be dead. Now, these children may be about 17 or 18 years old. Therefore, their guardian ---”
“When these tests are given to women especially, they are given dialogues of love scenes to read instead, and the men, in reply, give their opinions. In fact, people who are really interested in such talents are shocked by tests of this nature. I hope the Ministry of Culture will be able to remedy this state of affairs so that better programmes can be provided for the people. Mr Ho See Beng (Bras Basah): Mr Speaker, I have a little complaint against T.V. and Radio.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am just speaking in general. I am only quoting this as an example. Old tapes are used and old programmes are broadcast on holidays and special occasions, and the officers thus feel that they have discharged their duties. Perhaps some of them think that the Minister of State for Culture does not understand Tamil. But they must not forget that thousands of people listen to the news and view television. T.V. has been functioning for the last three years and yet there have been no improvements. Outside artistes are not given an opportunity to take part. In general, local radio artistes take part in more programmes. I think that three years is a long period to effect some improvements. 3.30 p.m. In every nook and corner of Singapore, radios are turned on. But they broadcast mostly Kuala Lumpur programmes. The reason for this is that the programmes here are not up to standard. The Singapore Government gets $12 annually as a radio licence fee from each subscriber. And he has to be satisfied with just listening to the Kuala Lumpur programmes. About seven or eight years ago, a Commission of Inquiry was set up to investigate into the Tamil Section of Radio Singapore. After two or three years of that, I was told that the programmes were good. The Ministry should try to do something to bring up the standard of the programmes. The highly paid officials of the Radio and T.V. section are not doing their duties properly. They have given most of their jobs to the lower paid staff. I think this is one of the reasons for the lower standard in the programmes. In some cases, applications for broadcasters in the Radio and T.V. sections are invited. Both men and women are asked to apply. A voice test is given to the applicants.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the radio and television together provide entertainment and scope for the acquisition of knowledge. Radio programmes cannot be of much use to the people unless they are set out properly. The Tamil programmes over the radio and on T.V. have not improved very much. The Government has allocated 15 hours a day for its Tamil programme over the radio. The attitude seems to be one of trying to while away the 15 hours by ---”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am still not quite satisfied with the reply given by the Minister for Finance. The point raised by me is this. The house built was in existence for a number of years and permission was required to renovate it. For the renovation of that building, a condition was laid down that the building would exist for only one year. When there was a new proposal submitted by another man to build a house on the same plot, no condition was attached and permission was granted. I again mention that there is the folly of the permit. If the Minister cares to look into this matter. I will give him full details for clarification.”
“Why should there be different types of conditions laid down for different buildings erected on the same plot? If one house can remain without renewing the permit annually, why cannot the other house? Is there or is there not any device in the Inland Revenue Department to find out their own mistake when they are charging two different types of assessment under one house number? I understand these houses are now given two different numbers for the purposes of collecting assessment. But the folly of the permit and the difference in conditions still exist.”
“In the year 1962, he applied to the Planning Department and the Chief Building Surveyor for the repair and renovation of his house with zinc roof and plank partition. The Planning Department approved the repair under condition that the house may exist for one year only from the date of the permission being granted. This person is illiterate and he could not understand the implications of the condition. He renovated the house after submitting 13 sketch plans and site plans. True to the condition laid down, a year later the Planning Department sent a notice to the gentleman saying that the permission granted to his house expired on such and such a date, and if he still wished to retain the house, he must submit a further 13 sketch plans and site plans in order that the existence of the building be legalised. In the meantime, another citizen had applied for the erection of a zinc house on the same plot where the previous building was situated. Either the Planning Department or the Chief Building Surveyor must have approved this structure, because the irony of the fact is that this house was given the same number as that of the existing building and the assessment was collected by the Inland Revenue Department under two different names, but under one house number. A further shocking factor was that there was no condition attached to the second house, as was the case in the first one. In other words, the second house can remain for any number of years and the owner may not submit any further sketch plans or site plans. Sir, this case happened in the Woodlands area. If the Minister for Finance would care to look into it, I am prepared to give him full details. What one cannot understand is this.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I wish to associate myself with the views expressed by my colleague, the Member for Punggol. But I have a different matter to bring up. The Inland Revenue Department was collecting assessment from two different persons, two different sums of money, but under one house number. A certain person had an old attap house which was numbered by the Inland Revenue Department and he was paying assessment for a number of years ---”
“At that time, the reason they gave was that such an army was being raised to fight Indonesia. Then they were in favour of Indonesia. At the same time, the Indonesian Army sent its agents into Malaysia and Singapore to carry out subversion and sabotage. When Indonesia sought volunteers for West Irian, the Barisan Sosialis sent their friends secretly to Indonesia for training. After 30th September, there were big clashes in Indonesia between the Communists and the Army, and the Barisan Members are now in a state of hopeless confusion. They are issuing statements asking the Indonesian Army not to strike or work against the Indonesian Chinese and the Peking regime. But the Indonesian Army is crushing the Chinese in Indonesia. If we are going to prevent the Indonesian Army from crushing us in Singapore, we should establish an army and we should support it. I therefore support this Bill. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole Assembly. Assembly :immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Dr Goh Keng Swee]. Bill considered in Committee. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] 6.43 p.m. Clause 1 ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clause 2 -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to support the Singapore Army Bill. With Singapore's independence, it becomes the responsibility of our citizens to defend the State. The British were responsible for our defence, and we had no need for an army of our own. But it is not desirable for us to depend on foreign forces all the time. When we were part of Malaysia, the Central Government bore the responsibility of defence. But after we were ejected, our defence has become our own problem. During the last world war, we had known what would happen to a country which depended on foreign forces for its defence. In December 1941, the Japanese bombed Singapore. Although there were 100,000 British troops here, the Japanese were able to capture this country in two months. And now, two neighbouring countries - Malaysia and Indonesia - are not maintaining the best of relations with us. Therefore, we should be alert to defend ourselves in all circumstances. When the Deputy Prime Minister spoke, he referred to the Three Kingdoms of China. We should not face such a situation. There were two racial riots in Singapore, and it is our responsibility to maintain peace so that there is no such repetition. There are subversive forces which would like to bring about confusion. They have not been eliminated. If we have sufficient security, we will be able to manage any situation. The defence of the nation and the maintenance of peace need our own army. That is why I praise the Minister who has tabled the Singapore Army Bill. There are forces like the Barisan Sosialis who propagate that the people of Singapore should not join their own army. When we were part of Malaysia, when people were being enrolled in the security forces, the Barisan Sosialis came out in opposition.”
“What happens in such a case is that when he applies for citizenship, he is given a period of six months or a year to finalise his citizenship certificate. He may get his citizenship a year later. But his chances of admission to the Teacher-in-training service for that year is lost. In cases of adoption, the problem becomes more complicated. Under the circumstances, the Government should try to get the official records of the schools in which such children were educated, because their names will be found there. If the name of the child, the statutory declaration and the nameless birth certificate tally with one another, he should he given opportunities in all fields of employment.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I wish to speak on certain matters regarding clause 13 of this Bill. Provision is being made for registration, but certain birth certificates do not bear the names of children. Names may be omitted for certain reasons when births are registered. There are some children who seek employment after graduating from schools and they have to produce birth certificates. I know of an 18-year old boy who went to the Labour Exchange to get employment. He was about to get a job, but he was asked to produce his birth certificate. The certificate did not bear any name. He had an identity card issued by the Government with his photograph and name on it. But the Committee of Selection did not accept it; they just refused, because his name was not on his birth certificate. The reason for refusal was nothing else but just because the birth certificate had no name. If the parents of a child whose name is not on the birth certificate make a statutory declaration, and even if the Government refuses to accept the statutory declaration, then the position in such a case is that a minor citizenship can be obtained. But if, unfortunately, the parents are dead, the child is helpless. I would like to know then what will he the position in such a case? Under such circumstances, when a boy attains 21 years of age, he may apply for his own citizenship. But he may not get any opportunity of employment until he gets his citizenship. Therefore, his chances of life and employment are wasted by four years. In another case a boy has passed his Senior Cambridge examination. He applies for a Teacher-in-training post. He is rejected or asked to produce citizenship papers because his birth certificate does not bear his name.”
“Our foreign policy will always take into account not only the welfare of our people hut also the welfare of the people in Malaysia. 3.07 p.m.”
“This reflects the correctness of our policy. Next year we are going to send trade missions to different countries. This shows our victory in this field. The Barisan are boycotting this Parliament now. They say we should be friendly with Afro-Asian countries. In fact, we are friendly with Afro-Asian countries. Not only that, but we go even beyond that. We are adopting the neutral policy of these countries and I would like to tell these people this, in fact, it is the Barisan who adopt a particular group policy. They say that we should he friendly with Afro-Asian countries but they do not have the foresight of the Afro-Asian countries. Singapore has been accepted as an independent country by the United Nations. When our delegation went to the Afro-Asian countries to explain our independence, they respected the independence of Singapore and gave a red carpet welcome to the delegation. But the Barisan here are boycotting the Session of this Parliament. This shows how defunct they are in their policies. They do not know how to respect their own country's independence. They do not understand the independence of their own country. I say to them that they should learn from the Afro-Asian countries to respect Singapore's independence. We are trying to he friendly with Indonesia, our biggest neighbour. We are prepared to sell to Indonesia, which needs them urgently, food and medicine. Recently the Indonesian Foreign Minister, Dr Subandrio, has expressed his desire to have talks with Singapore. In future, there is an opportunity for better relationship between the peoples of both the territories. One day Indonesia and Peking will realise the status of our independent country. When that time conies, I do not know where the Barisan will go and hide themselves.”
“So we have certain rules which are not practicable, and I request the Board to change them, so that they could he put into practice and help to raise the standard of living of our people. Next, I wish to touch on foreign policy. We are adopting a non-aligned policy in our foreign affairs. This was stated by the Yang di-Pertuan Negara. For example, we are friendly with our neighbouring countries and we show our goodwill to them. This is our desire. This is important for the progress of our people and country as a whole. Now we are in an atomic age, and we can only survive if we adopt a neutral policy. Afro-Asian countries and India are adopting such a policy. Our Government has adopted it in world politics. It will be independent in such policies. If we put into practice our policies, we show no partiality towards West or East. We are not bound by any of these countries. In our foreign policy as regards Vietnam and the Indo-Pakistani conflict, we are neutral and we closely go with the Afro-Asian countries. By adopting this policy, we can create more opportunities for the trade of our country. Most of our people depend on trade and industries for their livelihood. In the Jurong industrial complex, there are many factories coming up and more goods are being produced. We have to search for outside markets for these products. There is no Common Market going to be established with Malaysia, so we have to find external markets for the good of our people. We have to live, so the only way is to have a neutral policy with all the countries and establish trade relations with countries like America, Russia and so on. Recently, our Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and the State Minister for Education went on a tour. A good reception was given to them.”
“The Government has to find out the defects and work out remedies. There is a Tamil secondary school in Singapore. It is the only Tamil secondary school and is called the Umar Pulavar Secondary School. The children who leave it after completing their studies are not able to get equal opportunities for jobs in Government departments. If the reason for this is the lower standard of education in this school, the Government should find out the defects and, if necessary, introduce a new syllabus, thereby giving such school-leavers equal preference with children who leave schools in other streams. Our housing programme is praiseworthy. But the Housing Board is adopting certain policies which are not practicable. For example, take a family of two boys, two girls, and a mother. They take a Housing Board flat under the name of one of the boys and live for 15 years. As the days go by, the two boys are married, and one of them is quick enough to buy a house through a loan from the Government. Since the Housing Board flat was acquired through him, he writes a letter to the Board saying that he has bought a house and requesting the Board to change the tenancy to his brother who is going to live there. But the Board says, "According to our rules, if a tenant buys a house of his own, he has to vacate the fiat as a whole with his family." "This is impossible," says the tenant. "I can move into my own house only with my wife and children. I can't take the whole family in, my brother and my mother." But the Board argues that they can change the tenancy only under two conditions - one is should the tenant die, and the other should the tenant leave the country. Other than these two conditions, they will not change the tenancy to any other person.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, this is the First Parliament of independent Singapore, and I join my friends in thanking the Yang di-Pertuan Negara for his Address delivered in this House. In his Address, the Yang di-Pertuan Negara has said that equal treatment will he given to all races and all language streams, and also that a Commission will be appointed to look into the rights of the minority races and to find .out their problems. No country in the world has only one race for its population. At one time or other different races have lived in these countries and different cultures put into practice. Finally, as the days go by, all these different cultures are integrated and become one. For example, take Russia or the United States of America. In these countries there are people who speak many languages and who belong to many races. Countries in Asia, Africa and Europe are no exception either. We can even take our neighbours, Malaysia and Indonesia. They have people of different races and of different cultures. It is also the case with Singapore, which now has attained full independence. It has got a multi-racial population. We, the Government, can put into practice proper programmes and adopt a policy of mutual understanding and tolerance. By these policies, we can have a nation of peaceful co-existence. Singapore is a small island and our people have to depend on trade. We have to admit that we are enjoying a high standard of living and, at the same time, our population is increasing. So the Government has a duty to increase the facilities for the people. In education, housing, and in the industrial field, we have achieved progress through our first Five-Year Plan. At the same time when we talk about our progress, we have also to look into the defects.”