Saidi Haji Shariff
Singapore
“Here, I wish to give my support to the proposal made by the Member for Kolam Ayer on the establishment of DANAMIS (Dana Amanah Masyarakat Islam Singapura) or the Singapore Muslim Trust Fund whereby the CPF provide a scheme to enable Muslim workers to make monthly contributions which could be withdrawn at the retirement age of 55 for the p…”
“To ask the Minister for Home Affairs what steps are being taken (i) to reduce the number of traffic accidents along the Pan-Island Expressway and East Coast Parkway; and (ii) to stop or prevent hell drivers and riders from using the roads and expressways as racing tracks.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Hon. Minister has given very impressive figures and I am sure they are true. Anyway, I would just like to say that Kaki Bukit Constituency is very big and Bedok New Town is also a very big town. Kaki Bukit Constituency consists of at least three neighbourhoods.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to assure the Hon. Minister that we as Backbenchers do take an overall picture of the whole problem before we bring up residents' complaints to this House. And I would like to assure him that for me I always abide by the advice given by our Leader of the House on 3rd Feb- ruary, 1981. In Hansard, Vol.”
“A supplementary question, Sir. May I ask the Minister if he will just give an elaboration of what are the problems or difficulties faced by the Construction Brigade? And can I come to the conclusion that those who join the Construction Brigade have benefited very much from their whole experience in the Construction Brigade?”
“Sir, I stand to be corrected. I would like to urge the Minister to seriously consider, in line with the efforts of the Muslim community, to upgrade the achievements of our Malay students in education.”
The complete record
Every one of 150 lines we hold for Saidi Haji Shariff, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 2 of 3.
“I would like to ask the Minister to do away with such a practice. I wish that I could make representations not only for my own constituents but also for constituents from Anson constituency.”
“Not moving, Sir. Mr Lai Tha Chai (Henderson)( In Mandarin): Sir, I do not have many questions to raise, nor do I want to level any criticism against the Minister. In fact, I want to praise him because too many Backbenchers have been throwing brickbats at him and repeating their criticisms over and over again. The HDB already has built many flats before. Now it is able to build over 40,000 units every year. This is indeed an achievement. As my colleagues have said earlier, we hope the Minister will keep up with this kind of effort. 3.30 p.m. I would like to thank the Member for Ang Mo Kio for enlightening me. There are over 100,000 people waiting for their flats. Of course, this figure did not come about only today. I give my praise and credit when it is due. To be able to build 40,000 units per year is an achievement. HDB has been noted for its achievements. But I would say that they are doing even better now. I hope the Minister will maintain his stamina so that these people do not have to wait for a long long time for their flats. I hope the Minister will give this matter some thought so that our future applicants will not have to wait for such a long time, because they have spent a long time waiting. I sympathize with these people, including a few thousand in my constituency. I have even been doing work for other people, because many constituents from Anson have come to me. It is not my work and it would increase my burden. I advised them to turn back across Jalan Bukit Merah which separates the two constituencies. The Minister has said earlier that since 1973 they have been implementing the rule that members of the public could bring their problems to the HDB only through the representations of their own Member of Parliament.”
“Sir, let me take this opportunity to bring up an issue which is basically about the needs of my constituents. I would like to bring to the attention of the Hon. Minister the plight of the residents in Neighbourhood 7, Bedok North, Bedok Reservoir Road. They depend on Feeder Bus Service No. 228 to move in and out of their estate and through the bus interchange. Children living in that particular estate also depend on this service to go to their schools, particularly the five schools in the same estate. What I am most concerned is the efficiency of this bus system. I brought up this matter as an Oral Question for the Minister to answer in the previous Sitting, and I was told that a Comprehensive Bus Study was being made for the further improvement of the bus service, particularly to introduce a two-way run for the benefit of the residents. I hope I can get a categorical answer from the Minister on behalf of the residents. This matter was raised with the SBS about a year ago. A promise was made but it has still not yet been implemented.”
“(6) That the sum to be allocated for Head I be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead IE-05 of the Main Estimates.”
“Many employers of these lorry drivers have no place to park their lorries in their place of work, and so they ask the drivers to drive the lorries home in the HDB estates. That is the cause of the problem. I do not think I should touch on the solution to this problem of inadequate car parks in the HDB estates, because yesterday the Minister of State for National Development has, in answer to the question in Parliament, outlined the various measures that are being taken and will be taken to alleviate this problem. I believe that once those measures are fully implemented, the problem of illegal parking will be solved. However, as far as the Police are concerned, they do take enforcement action against illegally parked vehicles. But since it is a problem which has been caused by a shortage of car parks, they concentrate their enforcement action on those who park their vehicles and cause obstruction, particularly at entrances to car parks. They take a very serious view of the very antisocial behaviour of such offenders because of the inconvenience caused to other people. As a result, the Police, instead of compounding these offences, just take them to Court because they feel that it is an anti-social behaviour and the offenders should be punished more severely.”
“Since the opening of the Pan-Island Expressway and the East Coast Parkway, an interim Expressway Patrol Unit has been set up by the Traffic Police to enforce Expressway Rules and to maintain a smooth flow of traffic on the expressways. They are not special Expressway Patrol officers but normal mobile squad officers; they are only for the interim period. Plans are, however, underway to form an Expressway Patrol Unit. That is what the Member wants. It will be a separate unit which patrols only the expressways. This was recommended by the British Study Team. It will be similar to expressway patrols in other countries, such as the U.K. and the USA but will be adapted to suit our particular needs and constraints. In this case, motorcars will be used instead of motorcycles. Motor cars are generally safer and carry more men and equipment. Team effort is also possible with a patrol crew. Besides enforcing the Expressway Rules and attending to crime cases on expressways, the Expressway Patrol Unit when formed will serve the following functions: It will control and regulate the free flow of vehicular traffic along expressways and track down hell drivers, and educate the motoring public on the use of expressways. Expressway Patrol Unit officers will be given special training in the safe handling of vehicles at high speed. Let me come to the question of illegal parking in HDB estates brought up by both the Member for Chong Boon and the Member for Kaki Bukit. The problem of illegal parking has cropped up in the last two years. Before that, there was not much of a problem in the HDB estates. This is because of the rising car population, in particular, the huge rise in the number of goods vehicles, including lorries and buses.”
“In connection with this, road engineering in the form of better gripping surfaces at some locations is being tried out. (3) Some 160,000 school children have been instructed on road safety through the Road Safety Park which was opened in 1981. Such effort will continue because quite a number of pedestrians killed belong to the young age group. (4) Traffic Police officers are continually visiting schools and community centres to propagate the road safety message through exhibitions and talks. As for motorists we shall, firstly, continue the selective enforcement against moving traffic offences and other offences posing hazards to road users. The Traffic Police are currently looking into the possibility of installing electronic devices linked with high speed cameras to monitor speeding and the beating of traffic lights. To provide more effective coverage of all these measures I have mentioned, the Traffic Police (Operations) will be decentralized in 1985 to four sub-bases at Bedok New Town, Clementi New Town, Woodlands New Town and Cantonment Road. This will cover the Eastern, Western, Northern and Southern sections of the island respectively. With regard to expressways, a matter which has been brought up by the Member for Ayer Rajah, it is true, as the Member has said, that the patrolling of expressways is quite different from patrolling of ordinary roads in built-up areas. It is because the speed of vehicles travelling on expressways is faster. Expressway patrols, therefore, require more powerful vehicles and greater skills in patrolling at fast speeds. Moreover, and this is important, motor-cycles are unsuitable for expressway patrols as they are unsafe at high speeds and vulnerable to adverse weather conditions.”
“The suspension will be strictly enforced, If, within a 12-month period, no offence is recorded all previous points will be expunged. That is the incentive. The 24-month offence period will allow all previous suspensions to be expunged from the record. In other words, incentives and disincentives are built into the system, which makes it superior to the Points Demerit System. Fourthly, we shall continue to upgrade road safety education in schools and through the mass media. For the interim period the following measures are being undertaken: (1) For motor-cyclists, the Traffic Police has upgraded the pre-provisional driving licence course for motor-cyclists. This is now longer and includes instructions on proper braking. Many of them do not know how to brake, a skill essential to the good control of a motor-cycle. That is why many of them find themselves knocking into lamp posts or even stationary cars. In addition test standards have been raised, as have those for other classes of vehicles. We have gradually raised the test standards. (2) The Traffic Police is continuously conducting a blitz against hell drivers. Hell drivers detained are given lectures on road safety, road discipline and the need to comply with traffic rules besides bringing them to court. They are also made aware that hell driving activities are considered anti-social by a very large segment of the public. As far as pedestrians are concerned, the Traffic Police are continuing to enforce the Pedestrian Crossing Rules. The Traffic Police in liaison with PWD are continuing to identify accident-prone areas with a view to building more overhead bridges or installing other pedestrian crossing facilities.”
“In other words, by then, there will not be any more learner riders of motor-cycles and scooters on the road. Every year, 10,000 new riders and 30,000 new car drivers apply for driving licences. The circuit at Ang Mo Kio will permit 4,000 motorists to learn driving there every year, and it will also be a test centre. A second circuit will therefore have to be built at Kampong Ubi Estate by 1985 to cater for the other new drivers and for the retraining of suspended drivers. We are also considering the building of a third circuit for the training of instructors as well as the training and testing of drivers of Class 4 and 5 vehicles, i.e. lorries and heavy vehicles. Secondly, we shall phase out all learner riders from public roads by 1985. That was what I announced last year, and that is being carried out. For existing learner riders who fail their tests, they would not be allowed to continue to learn to ride on the public road. They would have to do so on the circuit. 4.30 p.m. Third, with effect from 1st March, 1983, we have implemented the Driver Improvement Points System (DIPS) to replace the Points Demerit System which we found to be not very effective, The main features of DIPS are that both punishments against bad drivers, bad driving habits, and incentives for good driving habits have been incorporated and that the retraining of suspended drivers will involve practical driving sessions. This is important. We are introducing practical driving sessions for suspended drivers. Basically the system allows the motorist to accumulate up to 24 points within a 24-month period before he is suspended. Points are awarded from the date of the offence itself.”
“The Traffic Police has, in fact, identified the main causes of serious road accidents to be the lack of safety consciousness among a section of road users comprising pedestrians and drivers and generally the poor riding skills of motor-cyclists. As I have said just now, we are planning and implementing both immediate as well as longer-term measures to tackle the problem. The longer-term measure is a comprehensive five-year plan to upgrade road safety. We must tackle it from a comprehensive angle and not just hold a campaign and, at the end of it, say that the problem is solved. It is a deeper problem than that which can be solved by a campaign. By the way, it is not right to say that we have not held a national campaign last year. In fact, we had a national campaign in September 1982. Maybe the Member for Alexandra was not aware of it. For the longer-term measure, i.e. the five-year plan, it consists of (1) use of specially constructed circuits for the training and testing of drivers and riders. Use of these circuits is the unique method of training drivers and riders in Japan. We sent two study teams to Japan in 1981 and 1982 to learn their traffic management methods, training and testing of drivers and riders system. We did so because we found that with their system they have managed within 10 years, i.e. from 1970 to 1980, to halve their traffic accident rate whilst their vehicle population increased three-fold. As for the circuits, we plan to build two circuits, one in Ang Mo Kio and the other in Kampong Ubi. The circuit in Ang Mo Kio is expected to be established in 1985. When this circuit is ready, all learner drivers will then have to undergo proper training and testing at the circuit before they are allowed to ride on the road.”
“It is a first step also to give the impression to the residents that the Police are concerned in helping the residents overcome problems in illegal parking. I look forward to the setting up of this Neighbourhood Police Post System whereby the Police will have to make house-calls or visit residents' flats. During these visits they can probably explain to the residents the dangers of illegal parking, and also in the process tell how they would be able to help the residents. I would like to know what plans or measures the Police are going to take to effectively tackle this problem once and for all. I hope that I can look forward to giving another compliment to the Police Force at the next Budget sitting. Mr Chua Sian Chin: Mr Speaker, Sir, may I just first reply to the Member for Alexandra. He has given us statistics of the seriousness of the deaths and casualty rates on our roads. May I assure the Members of the House that this has been a matter of grave concern to the Police and the Ministry of Home Affairs, not only now but in the last two to three years. Far from not doing anything, what happened is that we have worked out since last year a comprehensive five-year plan to upgrade road safety. As the Member for Alexandra has pointed out, the main victims of road accidents comprise pedestrians and motor-cyclists. In fact, they account for about 72.4% between them. Last year, pedestrian fatalities of 97 represented an actual decrease from 105 fatalities in 1981. However, motor-cyclist fatalities registered a high increase with a jump of 79 fatalities in 1981 to 126 in 1982. This can be attributed partly to the rise in the number of motor-cycles. There were 136,899 motor-cycles in 1982 as compared to 127,722 in 1981 and 118,345 in 1980.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, with your permission, let me first of all express my compliments to the Singapore Police Force, particularly those men in the 'G' Division for having managed, with the help of the CC and RCs of Kaki Bukit Constituency, to reduce the crime rate in my Constituency, particularly in the new Neighbourhoods 6 and 7, Bedok North HDB Estate. The area of concern which I wish to express now is in respect of illegal parking, which has been raised by the Member for Chong Boon, by irresponsible motorists and also inconsiderate groups of motor-cyclists. This has aroused many complaints from residents, particularly those living in HDB estates. On receiving feedback from the CCC and RCs, the Police normally take enforcement action by issuing summonses to the traffic offenders. Unfortunately, the problem is still not solved or reduced. Illegal parking still continues, posing a danger to residents and other road users. Groups of motor-cyclists are still seen speeding along the Pan-Island Expressway and sometimes even through the car parks. While the HDB is taking remedial action to increase the number of car parking spaces in Bedok North, the Police must seriously consider other effective means apart from issuing summonses only. At the last Budget debate, the Minister in reply to my question on the same issue mentioned that the problem could be solved by a three-pronged attack, i.e. enforcement, education and retraining. He even brushed aside my suggestion that the Police send letters to traffic offenders for illegal parking instead of summonses. I thought at that time this is a first step towards establishing friendly relations between the Police and the residents.”
“Sir, I share the same concern as my PAP colleagues, the Members for Whampoa and Telok Blangah, with regard to the intention of the Ministry of the Environment to raise the rental fees of hawker stalls for both cooked food and market produce. I understand the rationale for the need to raise these rental fees, and I am also confident that our Government has enough concern and care for its citizens that it is ready to review the matter to ensure that differential rental fees can be applied to different places. I would like to take this opportunity to make a special appeal on behalf of the hawker stallholders at Block 630 of Bedok Reservoir Road who have been resettled from Lorong Tai Seng market. They have a special case because they have just been resettled and they are trying to settle down. So I hope the Ministry does not raise the rental fees for these hawker stalls. 5.00 p.m.”
“However, every care should be taken by those responsible for the implementation of Government policies in the provision of public services that they do not overlook the commitment of our Government to do the best for the mostest people. In his Budget Statement, the Hon. Minister has decided to give three concessions to encourage the older- workers and specially qualified married women to remain in the workforce and thereby contribute to our economy. There would be a revenue loss of about $2.4 million by increasing the earned income relief from $2,000 to $3,000 for those over 55 years old and from $3,000 to $4,000 for those over 60 years old. I wonder how many of the senior citizens will benefit from this concession. I also wonder whether by remaining in the workforce they would be depriving our school leavers of job opportunities in future. There are many other suggestions that I would like to make on the concessions, but since this has been brought up by the previous speakers I would like to end my speech here. On that note I support the Annual Budget Statement by the Minister for Trade and Industry. 4.38 p.m.”
“Apart from fostering team spirit, improving staff morale, implementing welfare schemes and incentive bonus payments, there is need to develop human relationship skills at all levels of the workforce in any organization. In view of the stress and strains of our present-day living in an urban environment and fast working pace, we need to develop a very informal and friendly social atmosphere or environment where our people could live and work happily, and this goes a long way to motivating them to excel for higher output. It is my hope that with cooperation between the Government, management and labour, we will be able to increase productivity to offset the effects of recession and protectionism. I am confident that with this effort from all quarters, we can increase or at least maintain an economic growth in the year ahead though at a lower rate. On that note I fully endorse the Hon. Minister's decision to allocate 80% of the Development budget fol- expenditure on public housing, infrastructural, industrial and commercial development as well as education and manpower training. This, I hope, will adequately help to achieve the three-pronged objectives of our economic policy. I also do not grudge the allocation of 70% of the recurrent budget for combined expenditure on education, defence and public debt servicing. It is my hope that the allocation for recurrent expenditure is adequate to maintain the existing level of Government services and cater for expansion of essential functions such as education and manpower training. It is satisfying to note that funds have been provided for greater mechanization, automation and computerization in the Civil Service, as these will improve productivity and restrain the growth in recurrent expenditure and manpower.”
“Thrift has become unfashionable in the race for conspicuous spending. Whatever the latent philosophy may be, it is an unhealthy trend which is alien to our Eastern tradition. We must reorientate an attitude of mind towards facing reality and not wallow in soft options like shorter working hours, longer vacations and earlier retirement. History has shown that the greatness of nations depends on the people; and a nation like ours depends entirely on our people's discipline, thrift and indomitable will to work. We need to have a positive attitude towards life and an appreciation of the demands of successful and satisfying community living. One of the most important of these demands is that of caring and concern for those who need help since we are apt in the pursuit of good life to forget those who have not had similar opportunities. As citizens, our best contribution to ensure the survival of Singapore in the midst of a competitive world beset with a chaotic economic situation and political troubles, is to increase our productivity at our workplace. There is presently already an increasing awareness of productivity among employers. This productivity awareness must be enhanced not only among workers on the factory floor and in offices but also among our people in their homes and students in schools. Let the concept of productivity be driven hard to be the work consciousness and philosophy of our people to ensure at all times that our products and services are of the highest standard. Computerization and robotization will push further our drive for increased productivity but it must be remembered that it is people who make the organization or company tick. Hence there is need for an effective personnel management approach being adopted by employers.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I have listened with close attention and keen interest to the views of my PAP Members of Parliament who spoke yesterday as well as today in support of our Government financial policy for the year 1983-84 as outlined in the Annual Budget Statement. Our able Minister for Trade and Industry was most eloquent and precise when he presented his painless Budget on the 4th instant. He gave a realistic and frank appraisal of the problems confronting our nation in the year ahead and, in his concluding remarks on the economic policy, he presented practical suggestions as to how we should face the rough times ahead. I must therefore confess to feeling somewhat inadequate to make any critical comment or even to suggest an answer to our economic problems. But, as a Singaporean, I would nevertheless like to make some remarks in support of the Budget Statement. The highest challenge we face today, in view of the problems that beset the world and the difficult years ahead of us, is first and foremost to ensure that we continue to have political stability and that our country is run by an honest and effective government and to maintain a high work performance and competitive efficiency which we have established through years of hard work. We must totally eradicate careless work attitude and take pride in our jobs. Our aim is to develop Singapore into a Centre of excellence, not only in the areas of finance and tourism but also competence in the field of science and technology. Despite our small size we must ensure that we are able to stand solidly on our own feet. At present there is a growing trend among our community for an ostentatious life-style and self-centred outlook fostered by our own seemingly growing affluence and constantly abetted by advertising.”
“(8) That the sum to be allocated for Head V be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead VD-01 of the Main Estimates. The sum of $29,341,170 for Head V ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. The sum of $8,875,700 for Head V ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates.”
“Sir, can I ask the Hon. Minister to be more sympathetic to people whose houses are actually going to break down and are not suitable for living? Can the HDB allocate houses to these people even though they are in a different area?”
“To use an analogy; it is almost a clear-cut case of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing. Perhaps if one pursues what I was told the biblical concept of charity, it is best that the left hand does not know what the right is doing, lest man should boast of good work. But compensation is not a gift but a rightful payment, a business transaction of sorts. Perhaps it is opportune to ask for enlightenment on the method and rationale for such payments. 3.30 p.m. Because resettlement in the Kaki Bukit constituency is to be conducted in two phases, there are still some residents who have been left behind. Their immediate neighbourhood could consist of homes left vacant by those who have shifted out. Feedbacks from the residents indicate that the maintenance of this area leaves much to be desired. Some homes have been infested by rats and even snakes. Notwithstanding the fact that not all snakes are venomous and dangerous, it is still a fearsome environment to live. Dust from passing lorries and the lurking danger from speeding SBS buses at night add to the discomforts of the residents. I should be grateful for an upgrading of the standards of maintenance in this area by the HDB. Last but not least, I would like to touch on the subject of compensation paid. We are in the midst of spiralling costs, and this has led to a commitment to review salary scales of all civil servants - spiralling wages. Will this lead to an artificial inflation, as what goes to Paul will ultimately go into the pocket of Peter? Price increases in the next generation of flats also look inevitable and unavoidable. In view of this, I would like to ask the Hon. Minister for National Development when the compensation rates will be reviewed to offset these increases.”
“Sir, I stand to seek clarification from the Minister or the HDB on a matter of resettlement which invariably makes it a point of some urgency. Resettlement is not a new word in our Republic. In fact, within the context of national development, in particular, in the field of re-housing, it has become a common everyday word and accepted as such. However, this term still connotes nostalgic memories among the older generation who holds greater sentimental attachments to home and hearth and things they have got used to for such a long time. Still, for the sake of national progress, they are prepared to move into a new environment, as it were, to start afresh. The transitional stage holds some trepidation for some of them. It is to these people that we must ensure a smooth change-over from the old to the new. For them it is not the physical change that they fear so much as the change in the way of life. Living in flats would mean, for a start, renovation which involves a lot of expenses. Thus the question of finance is uppermost in their minds and who can blame them, for Kaki Bukit constituency is not well-known for its affluence. It is essentially an area where most of the residents are in the lower or lower middle income bracket. I have received feedbacks at my Meet-the-People sessions that payments of compensation have been haphazardly distributed. There have been cases of residents who have been allocated flats without having received payments of any kind. In the other extreme, there are cases where residents are still awaiting resettlement but their compensation has been paid in full. Evidently, this speaks of a lack of coordination among the departments concerned.”
“But I feel that in view of the spiralling cost of flats there may be many families who are not in a position to purchase flats yet despite the fact that their income is more than $800 and therefore for the time being they need to stay in rental flats. I am aware that there is an Allocation Committee to consider waiving this rule, where necessary, on an appeal made by the Member of Parliament to allow real hardship cases or borderline cases of hardship to rent flats. May I appeal to the Minister to review this ruling and make the necessary changes in view of the present situation? Next, I would like to raise an issue which has caused a furore among the residents of Bedok North HDB Estate, particularly the HDB decision to build shops in the void deck of one of the blocks. I do not dispute the right of HDB to construct whatever it likes in the void deck for it belongs, in the strictest sense, to the HDB. The HDB contract stipulates that the void deck is a public area and the residents only purchase the actual space in which he resides. I do not even wish to dispute the necessity for some conversion of this nature for in the overall assessment it may be deemed necessary. However, is it not possible for HDB to determine the areas where conversion will take place, so that the residents can be informed beforehand? In this way the residents are able to exercise personal choice when purchasing their flats. This will avoid a lot of personal unhappiness. I feel pre-planning by the authorities concerned can stop the source of any grouses that may arise.”
“Sir, in speaking on this amendment, I would like to reflect the views, the feelings and the frustration of my constituents, particularly on two issues pertaining to the HDB. These issues are not new but I feel that they are worth repeating so that I would be able to at least ask the Minister to consider the requests made by my constituents. The HDB allocates flats based on the combined gross income of the family. Those whose total family gross income is between $501 and $800 p.m. can only rent a 3-room flat. Those with a family income of less than $500 and $400 p.m. are eligible for 2-room flats and 1-room flats respectively - Gross income includes overtime pay and allowances, and these are not fixed income. May I request the Hon. Minister to consider reviewing the income ceiling and to allow those applicants with a total family income above $800 p.m. to apply for rental flats. At the same time, I have encountered young families with a total family income just above $500 p.m. being asked to rent 3-room flats. They are not in a position to maintain a 3-room rental flat. Although their income is above $500, in actual fact their real income is below $500 after deductions for CPF contributions and moreover their overtime allowances are not permanent. Consideration should be given to allow such families to rent 2-room or 1-room flats. I remember the Hon. Minister in his Oral Answer to a question raised in this House, pointed out that it is the policy of the HDB to encourage citizens to own their own flats. Therefore, the income ceiling will not be raised.”
“(11) That the sum to be allocated for Head R be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead RE-02 of the Main Estimates.”
“This question was raised by the Citizens Consultative Committee to the Singapore Bus Service but so far there was no response from the SBS. I hope the Minister will be kind enough to look into the efficiency of these feeder bus services in Bedok North and also consider the suggestion made by these students.”
“Thank you, Sir. Since the topic is on the public transport system, may I just add what I would like to say. I share the same concern and curiosity of the other Members, particularly PAP Members, with regard to our public transport system. In particular, I would like to refer to the feeder bus services in housing estates operated by the SBS. There are presently a number of these feeder services operating in Bedok North HDB estate within the Kaki Bukit Constituency. I have received not a few complaints about the inefficiency of these services pertaining to the time frequency particularly during peak hours in the morning and evening, causing a lot of inconvenience and some frustration to residents of Kaki Bukit constituency. I wish to draw the attention of the Minister, particularly to Services 226 and 228, serving residents in Neighbourhoods 6 and 7. May I just find out from the Hon. Minister whether the SBS or the Ministry has undertaken a study or survey to determine how effective are these feeder services, and whether the Minister is aware of the defects or weaknesses of these services, and what steps are being taken to improve these services. Let me just give one example of complaint. This was brought up by a group of school students living in Neighbourhood 7 who have to take bus Service no. 228 to go to their school, Bedok North Secondary School, which is situated in Neighbourhood 5. They have to take the same bus twice, i.e. paying double fares in going to the school but only one bus for the return journey. This is probably because of the one-way journey of the bus service. The students asked, for the sake of saving time and also money, can the bus service be converted to a two-way service?”
“Sir, may I suggest that instead of issuing summonses or warning letters, probably the police can send a letter, may be a love letter, telling them, "You have a problem. Let us see what we can do for you."”
“Sir, during my twice-weekly visits to my constituents in their flats, I always receive two common complaints. Firstly, illegal parking of cars along Bedok North Street 3, Bedok North Avenues 1, 2 and 3. Secondly, motorcyclists speeding along these roads and emitting fumes in the car parks and making an irritating noise. I believe these are common occurrences in other HDB estates, and they are of grave concern to residents living in the flats. Illegal parking has caused unnecessary traffic congestion and also a lot of inconvenience to residents and their children. Speeding motor-cyclists not only pose a danger but also disturb the peace and quiet of the estate. When these complaints are brought to the attention of the Police, they will normally carry out an intensive exercise of issuing summons but this action has not so far solved the problem. Instead, I receive complaints from residents affected, pointing out the unsympathetic manner by which the Police issues these summonses. My question is: does the Ministry of Home Affairs or the Police have a specific plan or remedial measures or an alternative method to solve this problem to the satisfaction of both motorists, scooterists or motor-cyclists and the residents?”
“Sir, is the Hon. Minister of State aware, and talking from my experience in taking a group of youths for overland expeditions and mountain climbing, they are all reservists, ex-national servicemen, I found that they could not take the hardship and endurance in going through jungle tracks and climbing mountains -”
“My supplementary question is this: is the Hon. Minister of State satisfied, particularly with the physical toughness of our reservists? This is because I believe there is a difference between physical fitness and physical toughness. Can I just add something to support my question, Sir?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, normally only when these soldiers are called up for tests will they prepare themselves.”
“Sir, I hope the Hon. Minister of State can do the same thing for Bedok North. We have a physical fitness apparatus which is situated in the sports area, away from the blocks of flats. Anyway, my supplementary question is this. May I know whether the Hon. Minister of State is satisfied with the present physical activities programme and facilities provided for our reservists, so that at any one time if we round-up from the road 100 national servicemen or reservists, they are physically fit and ready to fight.”
“Question No 1, Sir. The Minister of State for Labour (Dr Wong Kwei Cheong) (for the Minister for Communications and Minister for Labour): Mr Speaker, Sir, surprise inspections are conducted on contractors who have unsatisfactory safety records or have shown an indifferent attitude towards safety at worksites. This is necessary to impress upon such contractors the need to rectify unsafe conditions before workers are hurt or killed. Many of the worksites raided were found to have unsafe conditions. Hence, surprise raids on these contractors are necessary and will be continued. There is improvement of safety measures at construction worksites as a result of such raids. Contractors are taking steps to improve safety provisions so that they will not be the targets of future raids. Safety personnel at the worksites have also indicated that contractors are more receptive to their proposals and suggestions to improve safety measures.”
“May I ask the Minister whether there are measures being considered on how to promote an environment in an HDB estate where people feel secure that the police are always present and therefore this will be a deterrent measure preventing people from committing crimes.”
“Sir, I share the concern of the Member for Chong Boon with regard to crime prevention. On the basis of the answer to my question at last year's Budget debate on the Ministry of Home Affairs, I understand that the policing and patrolling policy of the police force is being reviewed daily or even weekly by the 0C Division and 0C Crime in response to the rising or lowering of crime rates. If the crime rate is going up in one area, then patrols from other areas where the crime rate has gone down will be diverted to that area. I also understand that the team policing strategy is mobile enough for police cars to be diverted to one area if the need arises because they are in constant communication or contact through the walkie-talkie with the police divisional headquarters. I am doubtful if this strategy of patrolling and policing is sufficient to meet the problems of crime in Housing and Development Board estates. It appears to me that the police attention is mainly to deal with crimes after they have been committed. Is it not the role of the police to prevent crime? At every monthly meeting of my constituency's Citizens' Consultative Committee, I always receive reports of crime such as theft of motor vehicles, theft of bicycles, snatch thefts, housebreaking, etc. which usually happen in the early hours of the morning when people are still asleep and in the afternoons when most residents are away at work. I agree with the Member for Chong Boon that there is a need in every housing estate to make the people feel that there is always a police presence even though no crimes are committed. I met many residents who always mention that the police are there only when crimes have been committed.”
“Personally if I am called up for national service, I would like to come forward. I do not know whether there is a scheme for people who are more than 40 years old to come forward. What I am very concerned about is whether our soldiers have that strong feeling to defend the country. Probably they should be convinced of the rationale that it is their duty to defend the country. I believe it is not only the ability to fight that really makes a person a soldier but it is the will and the belief that he has in himself. I wonder whether, in training our soldiers, besides making them physically fit or fighting fit, there is a systematic training of the mind to instil in them a conviction that they must defend the country. Probably there should be some kind of political orientation. Maybe you need a political commissar to train our soldiers or our officers particularly. I wonder whether the Singapore Armed Forces has that kind of training to instil in the minds of our young soldiers that they have an obligation to defend their country. For the time being, I rest on these two questions first.”
“I also had a discussion with a few soldiers on their training in their camp. They said that they are well treated in the camp. They are given three meals a day and sometimes they are given night snacks whenever they go out for training. They are even allowed to go home but they must come back to the camp before 11.30 p.m. Personally, for the 2 1/2 years while they are in the camp, they are supposed to be trained to be disciplined soldiers so that they can really fight when they are called upon to do so. But what they are not quite satisfied with is the $90 allowance that they are given. To them $90 is not enough, although they know that this is just a training allowance. In fact, they are there for training. But then they have to pay for transport, and although they are given three meals a day they have to spend money during the tea break or coffee break at the canteen. They also have to spend on cigarettes, and they also have to go out. They said that during week ends they have to date their girl-friends. So they find that $90 is not sufficient. I wonder whether the Ministry of Defence would consider reviewing the $90 allowance, particularly for the ordinary soldier. Of course, there are soldiers who are given vocational allowance if they are working as drivers, clerks and so on. Parents have also mentioned that their children still depend on them for pocket allowance. They suggested that the Ministry should consider increasing the allowance so that they will not have to carry the burden of looking after them when they go home during weekends. Another area of concern that I would like to mention is this. Why do our young citizens not look upon service in the Army with pride? They do not look upon it as their responsibility.”
“Sir, I wish to join my colleagues in expressing our concern whether the Singapore Armed Forces is reliable enough to ensure the security of our country. A large part of our national resources has been devoted towards building up our Armed Forces. This is particularly to ensure that our Republic will be left in peace to pursue objectives for the good of our people. We cannot afford a large standing army. Towards this end, therefore, we have developed a unique system of national service by which thousands of our young citizens are trained as soldiers each year. Our citizens must be trained. We must instil in their hearts and minds that they must not look upon the defence of Singapore as a two or three-year affair. In this respect I would like to raise a few questions on how the Singapore Armed Forces train our national servicemen, and also what kind of conditions and service are provided for to ensure that our young people have a liking to continue serving in the Army and are ready to go for reservist training or in-camp training whenever they are called upon to do so. 5.45 p.m. From my experiences in dealing with parents whose children have been sent for national service training, I notice that there is always a reluctance on the part of national servicemen and also on the part of parents to continue going for national service training or to accept the call to go for training for 2 1/2 years. Many reasons have been given for this reluctance despite the fact that we have tried to explain the rationale that their children have an obligation to go for national service training and help in the defence of the country. I had the opportunity yesterday to visit Bedok Camp and held a discussion with the officer in charge.”
“And when they moved into an HDB hawker centre upon allocation, they are issued with a licence and their position is like that of a tenant under a contract or agreement with the HDB. It is not too difficult to cancel the leasing agreement with them. On the question of installing telephones for betting purposes, if we say that the telephone is evidence of having committed a certain illegal act or crime, then it is not very tenable, because many people have telephones. We cannot say that all those people who have telephones are engaged in horse betting. I think it is not a logical argument. Also it will be difficult to implement such policies. If we want to implement certain policies or measures, we must have facts and evidence to act upon. Do we close down the Turf Club so that there will be no horse racing and therefore the people cannot bet on horses? Although this is the most effective way, it is not possible. Some people take horse betting as a form of recreation. The question lies in what is legal horse betting and what is not legal horse betting. That is the only difference. Coming back to the question of horse betting in hawker centres, we cannot say that we are cancelling their licence because of this activity. There is as yet no such regulation. So we only can act when there is a police action. Then in pursuance of such police action, when a hawker has been convicted for illegal activities, then we can cancel his licence issued to him. When this happens, then maybe the hawker will give better service to his customers and not misuse his stall. I shall convey this to the relevant department in the HDB.”
“What I mean to say is that although the licence is given to the hawkers the right or control over the stalls still remains in the hands of the HDB or the Hawkers Department under the Ministry of the Environment. As I said, when the HDB finds that any occupier misuses his flat by carrying out illegal activities, then the HDB can recover the flat. Likewise, the Hawkers Department can also exercise similar power and right over public places like hawker centres which are built at public expense and are meant for the benefit of the public. We should not shift the buck from one department to another department, say, to the HDB or to the Police. Since I have received some complaints, I am bringing them up here to see if the matter can be resolved by the Hawkers Department which is an ideal central organization to deal with such matters. The question is how do people liaise with these horse bettors. Of course, they must have certain telephones or even secret codes when they bet on horses. So we can try to control the use of telephones. When we issue a licence to a hawker, we have, of course, the right to say that he is not allowed to install a certain number of telephones, and so on. If the Hawkers Department can exercise such control, then perhaps we can do something about it. This can be done with the advice and guidance of the community leaders and then, where necessary, we can consider withdrawing the licence. Mr Chor Yeok Eng( In Mandarin): Sir, talking about exercising control, we do not want to play tai chi or shadow-boxing. When the hawkers were allowed to trade along the streets, they got a licence from us, and when they moved into the stalls controlled by the HDB they were also given a licence.”
“As regards the Member for Kaki Bukit's comment about control of food prices in canteens run by army camps and private companies, as far as I know, food prices in certain factories have been fixed and put under control because the factories give subsidies to the stallholders so that the food can be cheaper and their workers need not go out of the factory. This is done for the sake of efficiency. But the number of workers or people in the organization or factory is very small and the stalls are also limited in number. So it can be easily controlled. But there is a greater number of hawkers under our control and we find it difficult to exercise control over food prices. In the Armed Forces, since it is a disciplined organization it will be easier for them to exercise control over prices of food items. I also believe that food prices depend on rentals and since they are given cheaper rentals the hawkers would be able to sell food items at cheaper prices. As I have said, Singapore is a free market. People of all trades are allowed to sell their goods at their own prices. If we control the prices of food sold by hawkers while the prices of other items are not subject to control, then I would not agree to this kind of logic. Mr Yeo Toon Chia( In Mandarin): Sir, let me mention once again about the question of betting. My constituency is an HDB housing estate. The hawker centre is under the management of HDB. In the first place, the Ministry of the Environment allotted stalls to the hawkers in the hawker centre in the HDB estate. If these stallholders who live in HDB flats can sell their goods at cheaper prices, then our cost of living could be lower and it will benefit everyone.”
“Sir, I would like to touch on the point regarding control of prices levied by hawkers. I understand that the army and also private companies which run canteens are able to decide on the prices of the food items sold, the quantity and so on. In the case of food centres under the control of the Ministry of the Environment, surely the same can be done when it issues the licences, because the hawkers pay the same rental for a stall either in a food centre in one housing estate or in another place. Mr Chor Yeok Eng( In Mandarin): Sir, let me first answer the Member for Ang Mo Kio. He said that if there is a member or a relative of the family who can help the hawker, then he should be issued with a vocational licence to trade. This question will need special consideration. We will have to study it carefully. Perhaps this may help us in the formulation of regulations for the hawker stall concerned. We will consider his suggestion seriously. On the matter of hawkers who allow gamblers to occupy the seats on Saturdays and Sundays, I believe it is not just the stallholders who indulge in it but also their customers. I wonder if the example mentioned by him occurred in an HDB-controlled hawker centre. If so, I do not know whether the HDB has taken any action against them. If it is a hawker centre under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Environment, and the Hawkers Department is satisfied that such an activity is taking place, then despite it being a police matter, we will certainly take immediate action to cancel the licence of the hawker stall concerned if there is evidence to support it and if a court has found him guilty of the offence.”
“I also understand that single persons who are over 40 years old and who are gainfully employed, even though their income is meagre, for example, an odd-job worker, will not be considered for hawker licences. My point is that many residents have applied for cooked food hawker licences because they want to earn something extra to supplement their present income which is not sufficient. May I suggest that the Ministry review the criteria used for classifying an applicant as a hardship case? 4.00 p.m. Secondly, I would like to draw the attention of the Ministry to the resiting of hawkers. I have had many cases of hawkers who have been resited into Kaki Bukit constituency because of resettlement. They have had good business in their former hawker stall sites but they have now been resited into markets which are already noted for poor business. I wonder whether the Ministry, when considering resiting hawkers, can make sure that they are resited into places where they can at least get more or less equal business. I know there are difficulties facing the Ministry, but I think the Ministry should consider sympathetically the requests made by these hawkers who are to be resited, because if their income is affected, it will cause hardship to the whole family. The third point I would like to bring up concerns prices of food being sold at these hawker stalls. Eating at hawker stalls has become a way of life for most Singaporeans. But it is noted that prices of food vary from one food centre to another. May I ask whether there are ways and means - I know this is difficult - by which the Ministry can ensure that the prices put up by hawkers at all these market stalls are reasonable and at least not too exorbitant or probably at the level that the residents can afford.”
“Yes, Sir. I share the same concern of my PAP colleagues with regard to the subject of hawkers and hawker stalls. I am aware of the good job done by the Hawkers Department in clearing the streets, car parks and roads of hawkers and resiting them in hawker centres. There are now, I believe, more than 30,000 licensed hawker stalls housed in the Ministry of the Environment food centres or markets, or those managed by the statutory boards like the Housing and Development Board. But I think there are still a large number of hawkers operating in backlanes, side-streets or even temporary food centres. I think operating a hawker stall, particularly a cooked food stall, is a very lucrative business, considering the many requests made by my constituents every week at my Meet-the-People sessions. Let me comment on three aspects of hawker control under the responsibility of the Ministry. First, regarding the issue of hawker licences. I understand that the Government's policy towards hawkers is one of containment and that no new hawker licences will be issued except on the grounds of financial hardship. One of the conditions to be satisfied before an application is considered as a hardship case is that the total family income of the applicant should not exceed $500 per month, particularly for a four-member family. This income ceiling level should be raised, particularly if we take into consideration the present cost of living. If an applicant can give a true breakdown of his family's living expenses and show that despite his total family income which is more than $500, it is still not enough, then he should be classified as a hardship case.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, can I also speak now as I have an amendment* on the same topic?”
“Sir, can I just add to what has been said? I think the same problem is found in Kaki Bukit constituency. Residents have been given notices to clear the area and they are, in fact, waiting to be allocated flats. Here comes the Ministry of the Environment officials asking them to install this R2 system. So I hope the Minister can clarify whether or not there is any coordination between Ministries? The Chairman: Any more? There being no response -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, may I seek a clarification from the Minister of State? He has mentioned that hardship is accepted as one of the grounds for an exemption or deferment of national service. May I know the criteria how hardship is defined?”
“The future and survival of our Republic depends upon the success of our efforts to build a more cohesive society of people living in housing estates and who will be able to respond adequately in meeting hard times ahead and any serious crisis that may occur. I fully appreciate the Government's move "not to levy any new taxes or raise the rates of existing taxes", and I support the rationale that "rates of income tax should never reach a level where they discourage hard work and stifle talent." Most people are now aware of the increasing PUB charges and I am sure they have, on their own, adopted various means to lower consumption. It is therefore long overdue that "tax should be levied on only those items in the PUB bill that vary according to consumption." There is need to enhance our people's, knowledge on how to save energy, particularly electricity, so that it becomes part of their life-style and hope that one day there is no need to levy a tax on PUB bills any longer. May I suggest that in order to get all residents indirectly involved and committed to the work of Residents' Committees, we should give them an opportunity to make monetary contributions to the RC fund or any community development project in their own estate and that this contribution be fully tax deductible. Mr Speaker, Sir, I support the Motion standing in the name of the Minister for Trade and Industry. 4.00 p.m.”
“But I believe the most important factor to be considered seriously is human motivation at all levels, to increase output and strive for excellence. Apart from fostering team spirit, improving staff morale, implementing welfare schemes and incentive bonus payments, there is need to develop human relationship skills at all levels of the workforce in any organization. In view of the stress and strains of present-day living in an urban environment and a fast working pace, we need to develop a very informal and friendly social atmosphere where our people can live and work happily, and this goes a long way to motivating them to excel for higher output. Training in human relations should be part of our manpower training and development and it should be incorporated into our education system. Let me now comment on the Budget itself. I fully agree with the three objectives which the Budget sets out to achieve. I wish to add that in addition to accelerating the public housing construction programmes to meet the rising demand for housing, we should include the social objective of upgrading and speeding up the process of community development towards the re-creation of a new community in the housing estates with stronger ties of friendship, a sense of belonging and a commitment to common destiny. There is need to develop in our people to respond readily and to rally cohesively in the face of hard and difficult times ahead and to cope with any crisis threatening their survival. For this consideration, there is probably a need to increase the allocation of funds for those ministries and statutory boards which are directly involved in community development and in providing community services.”
“I wonder if there is need to check and monitor the effectiveness of these training programmes or seminars conducted by these agencies, so that companies will get the kind of training they really require for their staff and that they will be granted SDF grants eventually. For this purpose, there is need for courses to be conducted for senior management staff of companies to help them understand what and how to plan their manpower development strategy. This will help to ensure that all workers at all levels from junior, middle management executives and senior staff receive the necessary training required. There is already present an increasing awareness of productivity among employers as a result of the thrust of the wage correction policy. This productivity awareness must be enhanced not only among workers on factory floors and offices but also among our people in their homes and students in schools. Let the concept of productivity be driven hard into the work-consciousness and philosophy of our people so as to ensure that at all times our products and services are of the highest standard. Automation and robotization will push further our drive for increased productivity but it must always be remembered that it is the people who make the organization or company tick. Hence, there is need for an effective personnel management approach being adopted by employers, including the Government. It is everyone's responsibility to develop a quality labour force in our natural resource-scarce Republic. It is important to stress that to achieve higher growth in our rate of productivity, we need to economize the use of labour, increase the supply of trained manpower, induce more people to join the labour force and give higher capital investment per worker.”